Roland S. Martin's Blog, page 697

First Lady Teams Up With Grocers Nationwide

Source: Nanci Hellmich and Melanie Eversley / USA Today A collection of retail heavyweights will join first lady Michelle Obama's campaign to bring fresh fruits, vegetables and other nutritious foods to the USA's "food deserts" — impoverished areas with little access to healthy foods. National chains, including Wal-Mart, Walgreens and SuperValu, and some regional retailers have agreed to open or expand more than 1,500 stores to bring more nutritious and fresh food to underserved communities. The companies' executives are joining [...]

Fed Hits Wells Fargo With $85 Million Fine

Source: Ben Rooney / CNN Money New York – The Federal Reserve announced a record $85 million fine Wednesday against Wells Fargo for allegedly pushing borrowers with good credit into expensive mortgages and falsifying loan applications. The Fed accused Wells Fargo of steering potential borrowers who could have qualified for prime rates into more expensive subprime loans. The authorities also claimed that bank employees doctored income information on mortgage applications to force borrowers into loans they would not have qualified [...]

Postmaster: Saturday Mail Delivery May Come To An End (VIDEO)

Source: Carly Mallenbaum / USA Today Falling mail volume and soaring red ink may soon doom Saturday mail delivery and prompt three-day-a-week delivery within 15 years, Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe warns. Donahoe's forecast is based on a projected $8.3 billion loss this year as the drift from paper to electronic communication hammers the Postal Service. "On Sept. 30," he told the USA TODAY editorial board Tuesday, "I won't be able to pay my bills." Chief among them: a $5.5 billion [...]

Roland Martin: Rep. West Needs To Accept The Stature Of Being A Member Of Congress (VIDEO)

Roland Martin and David Frum join Wolf Blitzer in the Situation Room to discuss the war of words brewing between Congressman Allen West and DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

The 'Vile' Saga Continues: West Vs. Wasserman Schultz (VIDEO)

Source: Rebecca Stewart / CNN Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz admitted Wednesday that fellow Florida Rep. Allen West's e-mail rant was the kind of attack she's never experienced before. In an interview on CNN's "The Situation Room," Schultz added, "And I was surprised that he sent that to my personal e-mail, an e-mail that he didn't previously have." But the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee claimed that West's insult-filled message didn't faze her, instead charging that the real heat [...]

NFLPA Discussing New Collective Bargaining Agreement (VIDEO)

Source: ESPN There will be a vote on a proposed deal that would include a new collective bargaining agreement and settlement of all legal issues later Wednesday, a NFL Players Association source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. The NFLPA is debriefing both the lead and alternate player representatives from each team on the proposed new collective bargaining agreement. The lead reps for each team are in Washington at NFLPA headquarters. Those representatives not there are taking part in a [...]

Memphis Schools Suspended Indefinitely (VIDEO)

The Memphis City Schools board postpones the start of school until the district is paid nearly $55 million. WMC reports. WATCH:

Michelle Obama To Guest Star On 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition'

Source: Nicole Marie Melton / Essence First Lady Michelle Obama will roll up her sleeves as a volunteer on ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." Mrs. O is heading to North Carolina tomorrow to help build a community center in Fayetville for homeless female veterans, ABC News reports. The First Lady will also spend some one-on-one time with the community center's founder, Barbara Marshall, a 15-year Navy veteran who will also receive a new home on the show. The episode is [...]

TJMS: Van Jones' New Initiative Looks To Get Americans Back To Work And 'Rebuild The Dream'

Roland Martin talks with Van Jones about his new initiative to get Americans back to work called Rebuild the Dream. From RebuildtheDream.com: Van Jones called this new wave of energy the "American Dream Movement." It's growing stronger by the day, and it's not going away until Americans can find jobs, afford to go to college, retire with dignity, and secure a future for their children and their communities.

Former Insider: Michele Bachmann Headaches Frequent, Left Her 'Unable To Function'

Source: Matthew Mosk and Brian Ross / ABC News An insider who once worked with Rep. Michele Bachmann (R- Minn.) told ABC News he believes her migraine headaches have been a persistent and vexing problem for years, often forcing the congresswoman to cancel meetings, shut her office, turn off the lights and lie down until they pass. "You're probably talking once every two to four weeks where she would have severe headaches, and at times it would be more frequent," the former [...]