Source: Apostrophe Productions / Getty
Local murder investigations continue today as our attention turns to issues of racial divides through a startling new survey #BlackWhiteBlue and a local event tonight where you may use its results and MLK’s teachings as a bridge to close the gap.
Indianapolis Metro Police say the young man who was shot and killed Tuesday died in a fight over a $5 debt. Investigators say Deontae Davis, 24, died after being shot at a basketball game on North Kittley Avenue. Though investigators questioned and arrested Jamarr Edmond, 25, on a preliminary charge of murder, IMPD commanders say they have a description of another suspect and their SUV. Police say Davis died of a gunshot wound to the torso.
Indiana schools are going to need some new teachers soon. The state says schools are in the fifth year of a teacher shortage that started in 2011. There are enough teachers to cover classes this year, but there aren’t enough new teachers entering the profession. Indiana’s State Teachers Association says low pay, regulatory hurdles and rhetoric make it tough to attract new teachers to the state.
The Indiana State Department of Health says they under-reported the number of Zika cases here in the state. ISDH officials had said there were only 15 cases, all of them people who came back into the state with the virus. Now the department says as many as 23 people were sick. Some of those people were first infected last year.
Ind. Rep. Robin Shackleford (D) Source: ACBIII / WTLC
Reverend Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty
Hoosier’s concerns about racial disparities in today’s society and finding solutions to help provide some sense of justice is on tap Thursday evening when Indiana democratic Rep. Robin Shackleford hosts the first of two community conversations named after Dr. Martin L. King Jr’s 1967 book “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?” Organizers invite the community to the first event held on the city’s east side at New Beginnings Fellowship Church, in the 2100 block of North German Church at 7 p.m. It will feature pastors James Jackson Sr. and Jeffrey Johnson Sr., elected officials, public safety officers, other clergy and youth advocates. This dialogue and activities will give attendees a chance to be heard by those who can advocate and push policy, regulation and make changes to systems that disproportionately impact affected minorities.
Source: I1 / I1
Tonight’s racial disparities event–though not our radio station’s event–is coincidentally timed perfectly for Thursday morning’s release of “Black, White and Blue,” the new study by our parent company, Radio One, it’s subsidiaries, and their partner Edison Research, on attitudes and opinions about the state of racial relations in America. According to the study, discrimination is still alive and well. Research shows 91-percent of all Americans acknowledge some level of discrimination against Blacks. Here’s the good news–white people admit to knowing that Blacks are discriminated against, but what is less encouraging is there’s a divide on the magnitude. The finding begs many questions such as, “If White people don’t see how significant discrimination is in the life of Blacks on an everyday basis, does it matter that they now acknowledge any level of bias or racism?” And, “Is their acknowledgement of the problem but with an implied ‘stipulation’ progress?” Click here to check out the study “Black, White and Blue” on our website and engage with us on social media with the hashtag #BlackWhiteBlue. Feel free to talk it up if attending the community conversation event tonight. It provides real data in light of this summer’s tragic police-related events such as the police-action shootings of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile and the shootings of several police officers in Dallas.
Source: Pastor Michael Jones of Progressive Baptist Church
The Indianapolis community gathers Thursday for the first of two days of life celebrations for the senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church and radio show host, Pastor Michael Jones. The visitation is today, August 4, 2 –8 p.m. at his church, located at 4625 West 59th Street in Indy. Pastor Jones’ Homegoing Celebration is Friday, August 5 at 11 a.m. at Eastern Star Church’s northwest side sanctuary, located at 5805 Cooper Road. In addition to his pastoring duties, the second generation community leader served as the host of the “Community Connection” talk show, here our sister station, AM-1310 “The Light,” a post he assumed in March of this year.
National…
The presidential candidates and their running mates will be scattered across the country today, stumping for votes after a rocky few days on both sides of the aisle. Donald Trump is in Portland, Maine today for a town hall meeting, and his running mate, Indiana Governor Mike Pence, is on the campaign trail in North Carolina and Virginia. Hillary Clinton will be in Las Vegas while her vice presidential pick, Tim Kaine, will be campaigning in Baltimore during the AM.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest insists there was no ransom paid to Iran for the release of four Americans in January. He told a briefing that it’s against U.S. policy to do so and noted that a transfer of $400-million cash to Iran was part of a legal settlement over a failed arms deal. He also stressed it was paid in cash because this country has no banking relationship with Iran.
An American woman is dead and five others are injured after a man went on a stabbing spree in central London. Police say a 19-year-old man with a knife was taken into custody Wednesday night after being tasered by officers. The suspect was arrested on suspicion of murder. Police initially said the attack could be linked to terrorism but have since backed away from that saying mental health appears to have been a significant factor in this case.
Source: Pool / Getty
President Barack Obama’s approval rating is the highest it’s been in his second term. A CNN/ORC Poll out today shows 54-percent of Americans surveyed approve of the way the president is doing his job. That 54-percent rating ties Obama with Ronald Reagan’s approval rating during the last year of the republican’s presidency. You read that correctly–tied with Reagan.
In Sports…
The Colts are back to practice after getting the day off on Wednesday. They open their 2016 NFL Preseason against the Packers on Sunday in Canton, Ohio.
The U.S. women’s soccer team got goals from Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan to shut out New Zealand 2-0 in preliminary-round play. Team USA outshot its opponent 12-to-4. The American women are the three-time defending gold medalists. The U.S. men didn’t qualify for Rio.
Indianapolis Weather…
Clouds and some sun Thursday morning with more clouds this afternoon. The threat of a stray shower or thunderstorm exists. Today’s High: 89 degrees.
The Center for Leadership Development is hosting a program this month to help our children get successfully on the road to college and to degree completion. The deadline to get your student registered is fast approaching. Click HERE to listen to my “Access Indy with Kim Wells” interview with CLD’s President, Dennis Bland.
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Send your press releases, news tips and show requests to me at the station three ways: Email: kwells@radio-one.com, Phone: 317-923-9696 x 509 (leaving a message), or Fax:317-261-4664. Be sure to follow me on Twitter @kwellscomm. For “Access Indy with Kim Wells” specifically, story tips, etc…email AccessIndy@radio.fm.“Access Indy with Kim Wells” airs Sunday mornings at 8 a.m. Eastern on Sister Station – 106.7 WTLC. Listen on-air, on-line (tlcnaptown.com), or by app.
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