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Reports on the controversy concerning the 1995 burning of Freddy's Store in New York City, which killed several people including the psychopathic lone gunman Roland Smith. Harlemites' condemnation of the tragedy; City government's investigation of the incident; Involvement of supporters of Record Shack in the controversy; City Mayor Rudolph Guiliani's characterization of Reverend Al Sharpton.

Reports on the Labor Day parade on Brooklyn's Eastern Parkway sponsored by the West Indian-American Day Carnival Association. Participants and spectators; Intimidation of the African-Caribbeans; Reevaluation of the situation; Changes in parade arrangement.

Presents updates related to religion and spirituality in New York as of June 2002. Accusation on the translation standards of the International Bible Society on the Today's New International Version of the Bible; Memorial tribute for American Airlines employee Michelle Mills; Death of The St. Louis Metro Sentinel president and publisher Jane Elizabeth Woods-Miller.

Comments on the views of critics on the role held by Harlem business tycoon Percy E. Sutton, with the selection of speakers at the memorial service of Doctor Betty Shabazz, widow of Malcom X. Who selections were made by; Criticism by the Reverend Charles Kenyatta and community activist Sonny Carson; Identification with Malcolm X's cause and times by Roy Innis, National Congress of Racial Equality head.

Presents information on the annual tribute to slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. which was held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and the effect that the presence of Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and Reverend Al Sharpton had on the crowd. Intrusion by Sharpton and protestors; Examination of Giuliani's speech; Crowds reaction to Giuliani's speech; Brooklyn Borough President Howard Golden accosted by Sharpton; Sharpton's perception of the mayor.

Reports on the arrest of illegal street vendors on the 125th Street commercial strip in Harlem, New York City. Mayor Rudy Giuliani's help to assert the police department's authority in the area; Reactions of the vendors to the move; Giuliani's plan to relocate the vendors to two sites on 116th Street and Lenox Avenue; Daily fee for each vendor at the site.

The article reports on reactions of African Americans and Latinos against passage of Rocefeller drug laws. Reaction has been mixed among African Americans and Latinos across New York City, New York, to last week's passage in Albany of a bill sharply reforming the current draconian Rockefeller drug laws. Governor George Pataki signed the bill into law Tuesday, restructuring portions of the drug laws widely agreed to be too harsh. Leaders of both houses of the state legislature joined him. The new law eliminates indeterminate sentences and creates a determinate sentencing structure for drug offenders and offers re-sentencing for eligible non-violent drug offenders in prison

The article reports that the lives of 13-year-old Dominic George and his sister Christina were tragically cut short at the hands of their father, Everett George, 34, on Thanksgiving Eve. Police said George stormed into the second floor apartment of the unidentified mother of his children in the M.S. Houses at 123 East 129th Street and opened fire. Police sources said Dominic was found dead at the scene. His one-year-old sister was rushed to nearby Harlem Hospital, New York, where she was pronounced dead on arrival. The 34-year-old George left, then returned to the building and bulldozed his way into her apartment.

The article reports that singing sensation Patti LaBelle is expected to rock the house at the National Urban League's annual Equal Opportunity Day Dinner slated for November 9, 2004, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, 1535 Broadway at 45th Streetin New York. The League will present special awards to a number of persons, groups and corporations whom it says have helped to level the playing field, creating equal opportunity and access for all in the country. Marjorie Magner, chair and CEO of Global Consumer Group, which is part of Citigroup Inc., is the national dinner chair and actress S. Epatha Merkerson will serve as mistress of ceremonies.

Bronx lawmaker Michael A. Benjamin and others have expressed strong support for the Campaign for Fiscal Equity school aid proposal, which was unveiled recently. The plan, approved by the State Assembly, appropriates $1.3 billion for New York City which is more than the expected total of $6.1 billion, which the governor hopes to raise though gambling for distribution across the state. Benjamin said that while the Assembly's plan is far from perfect, it is preferable to the governor's "sleight-of-hand" school funding formula, which relies on uncertain federal aid and expanded gambling venues. City Council Deputy Majority Leader Bill Perkins said that the Assembly plan is the best alternative, but said that New York City students need more.

Politician Adam Clayton Powell could suffer politically and the fallout from an alleged sexual attack could also torpedo his campaign to unseat Harlem, New York City's veteran Congressman Charlie B. Rangel. The Assemblyman, who represents East Harlem, was accused by a 19-year-old beauty of sexually assaulting her in a Howard Johnson Motel in Albany after serving her with premium liquor. Prior to the young lady's recantation, many of Powell's supporters seemed skeptical and wouldn't give credence to the allegations, especially the sexual assault portion.

A provision in the federal 1998 Housing Act in the U.S. that requires public housing residents to perform eight hours of community service per month or face eviction is being vigorously challenged by a Brooklyn, New York City lawmaker. Legislator Nydia M. Velazquez calls the provision "unprecedented and insulting housing policy" that singles out public housing residents for forced free labor. The Community Service Requirement Act affects as many as 70,000 families throughout New York City, and is opposed by many residents, leaders and advocates because it's considered to be forced labor, according to Velazquez.

The article presents information on Mayor Mike Bloomberg's budget plans for 2005 for New York City. The $46.9 billion budget plan, does not fully address the needs of the city's poor, African-American and Latino communities, critics charged. Bloomberg reported that New York City's economy continues to strengthen, the revenue, from economically sensitive taxes is rising and the fiscal prudence adopted by his administration is paying dividends. But critics like Bill Perkins, deputy majority leader of the City Council, said that the mayor's budget speech seems to suggest that the city's budget crisis is over, which is not the case. City Comptroller William C. Thompson said that his preliminary review of the mayor's budget found that fiscal year 2005 continues to be balanced as a result of the strengthened economy and revenues.

A report released this week by comptroller William C. Thompson Jr. indicates that New York City could lose more than 40,000 units of affordable housing over the next decade. But the study underscored that it all depends on whether the Mitchell-Lama developments slated to retire their subsidized mortgages in that period opt to withdraw from the program. The report, "Affordable No More: New York City's Looming Crisis in Mitchell-Lama and Limited Dividend Housing," examines the status of two of New York's most successful affordable housing initiatives. A borough-by-borough map detailing the status of each Mitchell-Lama and Limited Dividend project is featured in the report. Under the terms of both programs, according to the report, in return far public subsidies, cooperative maintenance charges and apartment rent increases were strictly controlled to ensure their long-term affordability.

This article focuses on political developments of importance for Afro-Americans and Latin Americans in 2003. East African nation of Kenya installed new president, Mwai Kibaki in January 2003. Former South African President Nelson Mandela lost patience with U.S. President George W. Bush over Iraq. Five New York City borough presidents voiced their opposition to proposed budget cuts by the mayor. New York City Police Department appointed Joyce Stephen as its first Black female deputy chief in March 2003.

This article reports on celebrations held at the Starlight Roof of the WaldorfAstoria on Wednesday to celebrate 25 years of civic, community and government service by the borough president of Manhattan, C. Virginia Fields. This event was the first major fundraiser as Fields tests the waters for a possible mayoral run. Fields' 25 years of civic, community and government service dates back to 1978 when she was appointed to serve on Community Planning Board 10 in Harlem. The salute to the borough president featured live entertainment.

Republic party candidate Major Owens has put his constituents in Brooklyn's 11th Congressional District on notice that he is definitely in no hurry to call it quits despite persistent rumors to the effect. Owens vowed that he wouldn't be pushed out prematurely. He used his annual Beacon of Hope and Lifetime Struggle Achievement Awards bash last Sunday as a backdrop to brief reporters on his political agenda. The Brooklyn lawmaker took an unusual step through a carefully worded statement tucked into his press kit to set the record straight about the rumor of his retirement.

The leadership of the New York City Council has taken a big first step to end once and for all the problem of lead paint poisoning in the metropolitan area, especially the community of color, by setting the stage to pass a legislative bill that has been pending. The legislation was introduced two years ago by deputy majority leader Bill Perkins but allegedly held hostage by speaker Gifford Miller under pressure from slumlords. However, Miller has announced some negotiated terms of the measure, which he and the leadership now strongly believe would substantially protect children against lead paint poisoning. Meanwhile Speaker Miller insists that with the modification, the plan calls for a more flexible and workable piece of legislation that wouldn't in any way reduce the effectiveness of the original bill. Councilman Perkins said that he was happy that Miller finally saw the light and agreed to join the fight against lead paint poisoning, which affects over 4,000 children a year.

While it was easy for most members of the New York City Council who ran for re-election in last week's election, some have already begun to plan strategies for their next election. Councilman Charles Barron is working hard at achieving his goal for the next election. Meanwhile in Brooklyn, New York City's 35th Council District, where a conflict led Democratic Party nominee Geoffrey Davis against Democrat Letitia James, there is already talk of a rematch. James defeated Davis. She garnered 73 percent of the vote, to 19 percent for Davis. Davis had hoped to capitalize on his late brother James Davis' political record and popularity, but things didn't work out as he had expected.

This article focuses on a celebration of a $67 million mixed-use luxury development, Strivers Gardens in New York City. Other features of the project include about 37,000 square feet of world-class retail and office space. Condos at Strivers Gardens will start at $140,000, with low common charges. 75 percent of the units would be limited to households earning less than 175 percent of the Area Median Income, or $109,000. The city, through the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, provided the land on which Strivers Gardens is being built, as well as $3.7 million in financing.

Several big names in Kings County, New York's Democratic Party were joined on the steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall, New York City Tuesday by supporters in a dramatic show of unity for their leader, Assemblyman Clarence Norman. The deputy Assembly speaker, who serves as county leader, faces imminent indictment on a variety of allegations ranging from the sale of judgeships to the shaking down of candidates for elected office. Led by veteran lawmaker Representative Major Owens, the group wasted no time in sharply accusing District Attorney Charles J. Hynes of waging a so called "witch hunt," using Norman as a scapegoat.

The article reports on the death of religious leader O.B.J. Burson. Burson was a pillar in the National Baptist Convention USA Inc. and New York's religious community. The first of his three services was held in Harlem, New York, followed by another in Brooklyn, New York, with the final tribute held in his native North Carolina. The Harlem service was held at the Convent Avenue Baptist Church, officiated by the Baptist Ministers' Conference of Greater New York and Vicinity, a group that Burson once led as its president. Burson, who was pastor of the Holy Trinity Baptist Church in Brooklyn, succumbed to an apparent heart attack in the State Supreme Court Building in lower Manhattan. His body was taken to his Brooklyn church, 14 Ralph Avenue. His remains were flown to his native Shelby, North Carolina, for a final service held at the Eskridge Grove Baptist Church.

An African-American security officer at Columbia University, New York City who said he was fired after coming to the rescue of a physician attending a health conference at the institution who went into cardiac arrest is fighting to get his job back. Gregory C. Higgs has already filed a formal complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, charging that he was unjustly fired. Higgs' troubles began to unfold on the morning of December 7, 2002, while on duty in the lobby of the school's Health Sciences Building, where a medical conference was being held in the Alumni Auditorium.

Several members of the New York City Council are challenging a proposed plan by Mayor Michael Bloomberg-appointed Charter Revision Commission, which they believe would remove checks and balances on mayoral power. Another area of disagreement concerns the purchase of goods. At present, the charter generally requires that purchases be made by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS). But the new plan would allow the commissioner of DCAS to delegate a specific purchase of a specific good to another agency, for direct purchase by that agency provided that the commissioner could make this delegation for goods to be generally used by city agencies.

Harlem and other communities of color in New York City are singing the praises of Edward Sheridan, an Albany Supreme Court Justice whose ruling last week struck down the 48-hour police department regulation concerning the questioning of officers, deeming it unconstitutional. Justice Sheridan ruled that the 48-hour provision must be removed from the NYPD contract with the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association (PBA), which expires next year. Sheridan's decision is based on a lawsuit filed against the PBA by the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau following the 1997 brutal assault by police of Haitian immigrant Abner Louima, where the 48-hour regulation was cited.

The article focuses on the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and its effects. People in New York City have not forgotten the tragic incident. For example Carlos Russell, professor emeritus of Brooklyn College, New York said that it is impossible to think about September 11, without feeling great pain and loss because too many loved ones and friends perished in the dastardly destruction. Health care worker M. Adlander of Harlem, New York said she still couldn't understand who would hate so much that he or she would kill thousands of innocent people in an instant. David Brown, district manager of Uptown Social Security Office, noted that lives of millions of Americans changed forever on September 11, but none were affected more tragically than those who lost loved ones. In a related development, thousands of low-income survivors of the attack spoke out last Sunday at a town hall meeting in lower Manhattan against what they described as the government's misuse of disaster funds.

Reports on an immigrant workers freedom rally to be held on October 4, 2003 in Flushing Meadows Park in Queens, New York City. Issues that will be highlighted at the rally; Goal of the rally according to New York City Council majority leader Bill Perkins; Problems faced by immigrants in the U.S.

Reports on the protest rally by residents of Harlem, New York City as of September 4, 2003 demanding to keep Fire Engine Company 36, one of the eight fire department units in the city open. Proceedings of the rally; Criticism of the city Mayor Michael Bloomberg by Stephen Cassidy, president of the U.S.-based organization Uniformed Fire Officers Association; Statement made by Peter L. Gorman, president of the association at the rally.

Reports on the 36th annual West Indian Labor Day Parade celebrated in Brooklyn, New York City as of September 4, 2003. Proceedings of the parade; Comments made by New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton about the parade; Changes that Yolanda Lezama-Clark, president of West Indian American Day Carnival Association wants to bring to the organization.

Both houses of the U.S. Congress have approved a bill introduced two years ago by Representative Charles B. Rangel to rename the U.S. Court of International Trade Building in lower Manhattan for the late Judge L. Watson. Watson was one of the most senior African-American members of the federal judiciary and a lifelong resident of Harlem, New York City. Rangel noted that Watson was the nation's most senior African-American federal judge in modern times assigned to cases in the Deep South. Meanwhile, the Watson family, through Kris Watson, expressed their profound gratitude for the honor bestowed upon their kin, Justice Watson.

Councilman James E. Davis was given an emotional celebration on Tuesday at the Elim International Fellowship Church in Bedford-Stuyvesant in New York City. Some of the mourners came as early as 9 a.m. for the three-hour service that started at 11 a.m. Davis was slain on July 23 in the City Council chambers by a lone gunman, Othniel Boaz Askew. It is believed that most of the mourners came to the funeral service simply because they figured it would be a major media event and they wanted to be in on it, whether in print or on television.

Former New York Mayor David N. Dinkins is one of three individuals who have been selected to serve on the board of directors of the federally funded Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ), chaired by defense attorney Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. The others are JP Morgan company executive Janet D. Rodriguez and Willie E. Woods, the financial services and investments entrepreneur. Dinkins said that Cochran and UMEZ President Kenneth Knuckles have charted an ambitious course for the future of the agency and he hopes to play some small part in helping them to achieve the goals they have set for serving the people of Upper Manhattan.

New York City Councilman James Davis was shot dead at point-blank range on Wednesday afternoon by a lone gunman on the balcony of the City Council chamber. Davis and the other victim were rushed by ambulance to nearby Downtown Beekman Hospital, where Davis was pronounced dead. Councilman Davis, who was born on April 3, 1962, held a bachelor of arts degree from Pace University and was a graduate of Tilden High School in Brooklyn. City Public Advocate Betty Gotbaum said she was one of the last to speak to Davis before his death.

Apparently not wanting to be left too far behind in the scramble for a piece of the growing economic activities in Harlem in New York city of New York state, General Motors Corp. came to the community last week to say it wants to invest, as of June 26, 2003. General Motors Corp. specifically said it would launch a new Harlem auto mall in the area, which would be the largest sales and service center in the New York city. This overture is being well received by the community and its leaders, many of whom believe that the company's presence would greatly enhance the Harlem Renaissance.

Five New Yorkers have been selected as inductees for this year's National African American Business Hall of Fame and Museum. City Council Speaker Gifford Miller formally announced the names at a City Hall ceremony. Each inductee received a citation from Miller for his or her achievement and advancement of African-American business. The honoree list includes William Hudgins, a founding member of Carver Federal Savings Bank; Black Enterprise Magazine Publisher Earl G. Graves; Ernesta G. Procope, president, E.G. Bowman Co.; and Bruce J. Llewellyn, chairman, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. The Hall of Fame is one of the most reputable minority organizations in the country and serves as a lasting site to honor the history of economic development and business entrepreneurship in the African-Americana community.

A tense debate on the pros and cons of non-partisan elections permeated the air at the Harlem State Office Building where the mayor's Charter Revision Commission convened a public hearing on the controversy. The opponents pleaded with the commission to reject all calls to have the issue decided by a referendum vote. Supporters argued that nonpartisan elections simply mean New York City residents would be able to vote for their preference without having themselves allied with any political party. The City Charter Revision Commission has the final say if the issue is placed on the ballot for the September 2003 Democratic Primary.

The New York City administration under its mayor Michael Bloomberg had targeted eight firehouses for closing due to budgetary constraints, but on May 19, 2003, he decided to spare two, one in Brooklyn and the other in Queens. Brooklyn's Supreme Court justice James Starkey is expected to approve the decision of Bloomberg. Starkey's anticipated ruling is in response to a lawsuit filed by the fire unions, charging that the administration failed to properly inform the respective communities about the closings. Prior to Bloomberg's decision to spare Engine 293 in Woodhaven, Queens, and Squad 252 in Bushwick, Brooklyn, the fire unions teamed up and held a protest rally in Battery Park on May 19, 2003 to criticize the planned closures.

Reports on the deadline given by the mayor of New York City Michael R. Bloomberg to shutdown the firehouse of Bravest at Engine Co. 36 and describes the prevention of spreading of fire at 1919 Lexington Avenue by Bravest. Details of the injured persons; Failure in determining the cause of the blaze; Launch of a radio advertisement campaign by Uniform Firefighters Association and Uniformed Fire Officers Association.

Reports on the help promised by New York's senior senator Charles E. Schumer to asthma sufferers in East and West Harlem. Grants proposed by Schumer in the Senate to fight the disease; Details about the factors which lead to the susceptibility of the disease.

Reports on the status of a proposed plan to establish an Off Track Betting (OTB) site in Bronx. Action taken by OTB site-selection committee after the public hearing on OTB site; Proposal of OTB to relocate the establishment to near private homes; Plan for a special meeting of Bronx Borough president with Community Planning Board on the OTB project.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., one of the largest retail stores in the U.S., has been hauled into court by the New York state attorney general for selling toy guns that lack safety markings required law. Eliot Spitzer said that any retailer doing business in the Empire State must comply fully with the law that requires several distinctive markings on toy guns. He explained that the lawsuit against Wal-Mart follows months of effort by his office to convince the Arkansas-based company to comply fully with the requirement that all toy guns bear several orange markings clearly distinguishing them from real weapons. Wal-Mart has acknowledged that its toy guns do not have all of the state-required markings.

Not since the fiscal crisis of the late 1970s, when New York City's destiny was surrendered to a state financial control board, has the city's economic picture looked so bleak. But Mayor Michael Bloomberg has vowed to do whatever is possible to prevent a recurrence if Governor George Pataki and the state Legislature fail to come up with the $1.7 billion needed to close a $4 billion budget gap. Bloomberg said that he would order massive layoffs of school aides and counselors at the Department of Education, as well as uniformed workers from Corrections and Sanitation.

Reports on allocation of 1.8 million dollars by the New York governor George E. Pataki to prepare regional hospitals for and respond to potential acts of terrorism including biological, chemical or radiological attacks. Regional institutions funded to participate in the state's smallpox vaccination; Caution against inoculating public-health officials against smallpox.

rlem, New York, YMCA lived up to its reputation in March 2003, when it gave qualified African-American youths the necessary financial grant they need each year to help them achieve their, educational goals. However, this year seemed very special. Not only did the YMCA give out scholarships totaling 55,000 dollars to over 20 area high school seniors and college students, it also invited celebrated television talk-show host Oprah Winfrey to witness the occasion. The setting was the annual National Salute to Black Achievers in Corporate sector held by Harlem YMCA at the Sheraton New York Hotel in Manhattan, New York.

Reports that detectives James J. Nemorin and Rodney Andrews, the two police officers who were gunned down during an undercover operation in Staten Island, New York City were given a full inspector's funeral in Brooklyn, New York City. Condolences of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg; Credentials of Nemorin and Andrews.

Despite an emotional plea from local leaders and the general population, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) of New York City has decided to go ahead and increase subway and bus fares from 1.50 dollars to 2 dollars. According to democratic state Senator from Brooklyn, Kevin Parker, the fare increase will bring an additional financial burden to families and individuals across the metropolitan area. The move will affect the minimum-wage workers commuting from Brooklyn to Manhattan, and college students who use the subway or bus to travel to school, the most. Other actions taken by the MTA that are being harshly criticized include a fare hike on express buses to 4 dollars from 3 dollars, a 50-cent increase of bridge and tunnel tolls on major bridges and commuter railroad fares to be increased an average of 25 percent.

Reports on New York City Department of Health's assurance to the Caribbean Women's Health Association (CWHA) and other community-based organizations for the implementation of operational funds. Use of operational funds for the issue of infant mortality in the city's community of color; Impact of the failure to receive timely funding from the Department of Health on organizations' functioning.

Reports on the speech of Bronx, New York City president Adolfo Carrion Jr. to make efforts to transform the economic and urban landscape of the area. Creation of an economic development plan; Reconstruction of a commercial complex at various places in the borough; Improvement and expansion of waterfront parkland; Preservation of the borough's maritime community on City Island.

Reports on efforts of 28th Police Precinct in checking crime incidents in Harlem, New York City according to Commander Thomas Higdon as of February 27, 2003. Tips for reporting incidents in the 28th Precinct area; Contact numbers for informing about possible terrorist activity; Introduction of member of Narcotics Unit Paul Jeselson as Cop of the Month.

Reports on the victory of Pedro Espada Jr. for capturing a seat in the 18th City Council District in New York City defeating Ken Padilla for the seat vacated by Ruben Diaz. Election win for William Boyland Jr. in Brooklyn's 55th Assembly District; Criticism on election campaign of Boyland Jr. for creating a family dynasty in Brownsville community; Other election victors.