Al Caldwell, the much-loved and widely traveled local musician and producer, just went under the knife in a critical operation. Baby Al is suffering from a degenerative spine condition that has been crippling up this beautifully talented man, once known for playing dozens of instruments. There was a big, warm, sad but uplifting benefit for […]
Posted inLocal news
Dropout rates rise
SLPS responds to faulty data – and school violence By Bill Beene Of the St. Louis American The St. Louis community rejoiced last week when (incorrect) dropout rates among city high school students indicated a profound decline. Correct data from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) quickly turned those smiles to frowns. […]
Posted inLocal sports
St. Louis American Athlete of the Week
Doug Williams Clayton Football The 6’0” 217-pound junior linebacker came up with a huge performance in the Greyhounds’ 21-20 victory over Ladue in the Class 4, District 6 championship game at Washington University. Williams seemed to be everywhere on the field as he was credited with 16 solo tackles and five assists for a total […]
Posted inLocal news
Finding jobs for ex-offenders
Summit focuses on “second-chance” opportunities By Toriano L. Porter For the St. Louis American “We know from experience if former prisoners can’t find work or a home or help, they are much more likely to commit crimes and return to prison. America is the land of the second chance and when the gates of prison […]
Posted inLetters to the editor
History 1875
I read the letter “Fable of Reconstruction.” I think this person keeps mentioning 1875 because the Republicans in Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1875. This law outlawed segregation in public places except in public schools. The Civil Rights Act of 1875 was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1883 because the court […]
Posted inColumnists
Blind Justice
Judge Samuel Alito isn’t what he claims to be. And he’s a lot more of a threat than the talking class suggests. Alito is more than a threat to women’s right to choose. He’s the standard bearer for the new reaction, seeking a return to states’ rights and corporate rights over the rights of Congress. […]
Posted inLiving It
A love song to Oscar Brown Jr.
And other highlights from the St. Louis International Film Festival, Nov. 10-20 By K. Curtis Lyle For the St. Louis American During the opening sequences of director Donnie Betts’ soulful homage to playwright/singer/songwriter Oscar Brown Jr., Music is My Life, Politics is My Mistress, Brown sits at a Baby Grand piano in his Chicago living […]
Posted inHot sheet
LilWayne luvs Trina
Lil’ Wayne is revealing that he’s in love with Trina. “Yep, I’m in love, in love, in love,” he told AllHipHop.com while holding Trina’s hand at a promotional appearance in New York City for his new album Tha Carter 2. Trina, who was sitting beside her man throughout the entire interview, also exclaimed she was […]
Posted inHot sheet
Boondocks and the N-word
Fox passed on Aaron McGruder’s Boondocks TV show, which debuted Sunday night, reportedly because the network was uneasy about the frequent use of the N-word. Cartoon Network, which is airing the show, has no such problems with the epithet. Bill Cosby doesn’t like it either, but McGruder said the word “speaks to how juvenile racial […]
Posted inEditorials
The British royals are a pain!
Lemon sole, golden pea tendrils and buffalo medallions were among the delectables served last week to the more than 27 million American school kids who participate each day in the National School Lunch program. OK, you got me. Those food items were actually part of the menu when Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, dined […]