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The article presents information related to Alan Newton, a recently released and vindicated man who spent more than 20 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Newton, who was convicted of the rape, robbery and assault of a Bronx woman and sentenced to rot in prison, was released on July 6, 2006, only because it was proved in recent DNA tests performed on evidence, that Newton did not commit the crime. According to Vanessa Potkin, Newton's attorney from the Innocence Project, Newton's release could have come at least 12 years earlier had there not been fatal flaws in the way authorities preserve, store and retrieve evidence and grossly neglect inquiries that could mean the life and liberty of the accused.

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.

Reports on various issues concerning promotions in New York City public schools at the end of the 1998-1999 school term. Low number of students who passed promotion cutoffs; Complaints against the Board of Education; Summer programs and after-school programs; Organizations campaigning for education reform; Early registration initiative; Contact persons and information for all school districts.

The article presents information about Bobby Jones, pioneer television personality and legendary ambassador of gospel music and his work. Born in Henry County, Tennessee, Jones always dreamed of a career in music. Jones has revolutionized the gospel music industry. "Bobby Jones Gospel" is the first and only nationally syndicated Black gospel television show and "Video Gospel" the only national television outlet gospel artists have to show their videos.

The article focuses on the report released by the Coalition for the Homeless showing that more families are winding up in shelters across New York City due to an increased housing cost, low wages, and inadequate social services programming. It found that one of the greatest causes of the rising problem is the issues with city's Housing Stability Plus program to replace federal Section 8 vouchers for homeless families. It noted an additional $5 million to address hunger within the City.

The article reports on the first death anniversary of Sean Bell, who was shot and killed by a member of the New York Police Department at Queens club in Jamaica. Valerie Bell, mother of Sean, hopes that the community will come to the courthouse to support when the trial begins in February 2008. William Bell, father of Sean, who is now disabled, states that his family feels incomplete after losing Sean.

The article reports on the Disability Mentoring Day, a national program highlighting October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month, in New York City. According to the Mayor's Office for People With Disabilities (MOPD), the initiative recognizes that people with disabilities are significant contributors to the City's life. The MOPD has teamed up with the American Association for People With Disabilities (AAPD) to pair 150 disables with participating organizations.

This article presents information related to the 34th anniversary of the Universal Zulu Nation and the 33rd anniversary of hip hop Culture in Harlem, New York City, with specific reference to Afrika BamBaataa, who is dubbed as Godfather of Hip Hop. BamBaataa brought the "light" of the Universal Zulu Nation to the airwaves to promote its 34th anniversary. BamBaataa says that festivities will be held on November 8-11, 2007. Zulu "Family Night" will be held November 1-4, 2007.

This article presents information related to Juanita Young, mother of Malcolm Ferguson, who recently sued the New York Police Department (NYPD) and won a $10 million judgment against them in the wrongful death of her 23-year-old son. According to Loyda Colon of People's Justice and the Justice Committee, on or around January 8, 2008, Young will be tried for allegedly: interfering with government administration harassment; criminal possession of a dangerous weapon; and disorderly conduct.

The article reports on several developments related to slavery, faith, and debt cancellation. It is noted that Joy DeGruy Leary will deliver a lecture on post-traumatic slave syndrome at New York Theological Seminary on October 27, 2007. A conference will be held in November 2007 to help people learn more about President George Bush. David Duncombe, a United Church of Christ minister from Washington State, broke his 40-day fast for debt cancellation.

The article presents information related to Consolidated Edison Co. of New York Inc. It is reported that the company has mishandled formal inquisitions by the New York City Council concerning its response to crippling power outages and overall accountability. The council passed a resolution to oppose the projected rate increase by the firm. Speaker Christine Quinn and council members insisted the company to guarantee better business practices before moving forward with a rate increase.

The article reports on issues related to a civil suit concerning New York resident Sean Bell's family, who were gunned down by three New York City police officers. It is informed that survivors in the Bell's family have filed the law suit against an allegedly false story recently published in "The New York Daily News," which questions the credibility of all the victims by accusing them of receiving compensation from the Victim's Compensation Board (VCB).

The article reports that the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has decided to increase its bus fares. The MTA insisted the fare must be raised to avoid predicted billion-dollar deficit of $2.1 billion because of the rising health, debt and pension costs. The basic fare for a bus or subway ride may rise from $2 to $2.25.

The article reports that the most gifted entertainers in the world assembled at the Dream Concert, a singing event, to raise funds to build a national monument commemorating civil rights activist Martin Luther King in Washington D.C. The entertainers include Tommy Hilfiger, Russell Simmons, Joel Horowitz, Quincy Jones, David Stern and Edgar Bronfman.

The article reports that the New York City Council has called for Consolidated Edison Co. of New York Inc.'s proposed rate hike to not take effect until better service and improved business practices are guaranteed by the utility. According to Council member Leroy Comrie, the utility has to meet both the demands of its consumers and the expectations of its stockholders.

The article reports that dozens of families who were forced to vacate their apartments at 305 W. 150th Street in Harlem, New York City, are resting in comfortable, temporary quarters in Brooklyn, New York City. According to Assemblyman Herman Farrell, the residents were taken to a temporary shelter in Brooklyn after the fire department declared the building unsafe.

The article reports that the law firm Jenner & Block LLP has filed a classaction lawsuit against Pinnacle Group claiming that Pinnacle fraudulently inflated rents, failed to make needed repairs and groundlessly harassed tenants. The public advocate Betsy Gotbaum said the lawsuit will affect about 21,000 tenants living in the more than 400 Pinnacle-owned buildings in New York City.

The article presents information on Leslie James, an African American immigrant who was called in to clean up the massive mess that lingered after the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. James said that he was treated rudely and was underpaid for the hard work and was eventually laid off. He said that he cleaned up the kitchen area from dust that came through ventilation areas and to assess the extent of spoiled food and goods. As a result, he suffers from respiratory problems and other ailments.

The article reports that pre-installation services for Reverend Jessie T. Williams, Jr., the fourth pastor of Convent Avenue Baptist Church, will begin in Harlem, New York City, on September 11, 2007. Welcoming this thought-provoking leader, guest preacher Calvin O. Butts, pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church, will address the congregation and all visitors with an uplifting message.

The article reports that Carol Albert, owner of Coney Island's Astroland, the outdoor amusement park and home of the world-famous Cyclone, has sold off the land to developers, Thor Equities LLC. They have invested more than $100 million to acquire about 10 acres of Coney Island real estate, including the 3.1 acres where Astroland sits, and hopes to turn it into a year-round $2 billion tourist attraction.

The article reports that Harlem, New York City, based merchants affected by imminent vacate notices from the Sigfeld Group and Kimco Realty Corp. have said that the owners are now trying to broker a deal that would compensate for relocating their respective enterprises or otherwise aid their reestablishment elsewhere. Philip Bulgar, owner of the restaurant Manna's, confirmed that the restaurant is considering a monetary deal to vacate on or about February 2008.

The article describes the struggles of single mother Wanda Martinez, who is trying to find her 15-year-old missing daughter Nadia Dunne. Martinez had filed a missing persons report with the local police department. Calls to a cell phone of Jonathan Reyes, the man alleged to have seduced her to run away, have failed. Compounding the search for Nadia, says Martinez, is the disrespectful, insulting and intimidating treatment she received from certain detectives at the 28th Police Precinct.

The article reports that Consolidated Edison Inc. has been sued by parents of 21 year-old driver Gregory McCullough in the recent steam pipe explosion in New York City. McCullough has suffered serious injuries and already racked up $1 million in the medical bills. McCullough's lawyers said that he could spend up to two months in the coma.

The article reports that a scathing new report by New York City's Department of Investigation (DOI) indicates that investigations conducted by Administration for Children Service (ACS) into allegations of child abuse and neglect were substantially inadequate and incomplete. The report shows that more child abuse cases resulting in or near death have turned up since 2005.

The article reports that social activist and mentor Lenora Fulani announced the formation of an exploratory committee for a mayoral run in 2009 in New York City. She focused her energies on three things including building an independent movement, encouraging the Black community to be more free-thinking and to partner with white independents. She felt sorry for her controversial remarks on the subject of Jews and Israel.

The article reports that electric service company Consolidated Edison's (Con Ed) chief executive officer Kevin Burke's absence at the hearing of a steam pipe explosion irritated the City Council members of New York City. It is stated that the explosion in midtown killed one and severely injured several others and Con Ed official Bill Longhi served as delegate to testify on the company's behalf. It discusses Council member Peter Vallone accusing the utility of acting like a criminal.

The article reports that local business owners, activists and area residents of Harlem, New York City held a rally to resist the ethnic cleansing of Black businesses. It is stated that the rally was held at record producer Bobby Robinson's business on 125th Street after Sigfeld Group and Kimco Realty Corp. sent vacate notices to several local merchants. It discusses activists urging local residents to resist the destruction of the most-recognized historic Black community in the world.

The article presents information on 21-year-old red tow truck driver Gregory McCullough who was caught in the midtown steam pipe explosion in New York City while waiting out a red traffic light. He sustained third-degree burns to 80 percent of his body. According to Tanya McCullough-Stewart, victim's mother, he was an incredible person. McCullough's family, friends and lawyers have come together to announce plans to sue Consolidated Edison Co. of New York Inc.

The article reports on the misrepresentation of Hispanic Americans in the Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration in New York. Accordingly, Angelo Falcon of the National Institute for Latino Policy stated that the complaints concerning the misrepresentation in the mayor's administration and other city agencies has been ignored, comprising only 23 percent of the city's labor force.

The article reports on the closure of the Copeland's Restaurant in Harlem, New York because of gentrification. It is stated that the closure of the restaurant is the effect of gentrification in the city, and be replaced by luxury condominiums. Copeland's Restaurant has served for the once-predominantly African American neighborhood for five decades.

The article presents information on the recent power outage in New York city that left about 400,000 Consolidated Edison Co.'s customers in the dark for about an hour. The utility initially has said multiple lightning strikes at an Astoria substation may have tripped massive circuit breakers, causing power to stop flowing to the Upper East Side and parts of the South Bronx. The utility is overseen by the State Public Service Commission.

The article presents a call from residents of Bronx, New York City for a clean-up of one of the city's "Dirty Dozens." The residents are outraged and officials are fed up with the owners of the former Loral Electronics site, JJ Lyons Associates, because of their failure to clean up toxins there or pay fines levied against them.

The article discusses highlights of the 2007 Urban Health Conference and Roundtable that was held in New York City. The event's goal was to strategize and close gaps in health outcomes. Richard F. Daines, New York State Commissioner of Health, keynoted the event. Other conference activities included a presentation by Larry S. Gage, president of the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems, educational sessions, and an award presentation and luncheon.

The article presents information on developments related to religion in the U.S. The 2007 "Follow the Christ!" convention would be held in Jersey City, New Jersey, on June 21, 2007. Integrity Gospel has announced the release of the compact disc "Gotta Have Gospel! Worship," that features songs of praise from gospel. GospelEngine.com has announced that it will offer free banner advertisements to all approved artists, music labels and organizations focused on advancing the gospel.

The article presents information on the congestion pricing plan for Manhattan proposed by New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. His plan proposes $8 tax on commuters to keep transit fares down, while creating a purse for improvements to the mass transit system. State Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, a Democrat, as well as other legislators, have already advocated against the congestion fee, calling it a tax on the middle class.

The article presents information on recent developments in the case of police shooting death of Malcolm Ferguson, who was killed by plain-clothes officer Louis Rivera in 2000 at the age of 23. Contrary to negative press at the time, Ferguson was unarmed and no drugs were recovered on his person or on the scene. On June 7, 2007, a Bronx, New York City Supreme Court jury cleared his name and awarded his mother Juanita Young a sum of $10 million in punitive damages.

The article offers information on problems of tenants residing in three buildings located in Harlem, New York City. It is stated that tenants of these buildings are facing problems including lack of heat and hot water, water seepage leading to ceiling collapse, faulty electrical wiring resulting in electrical fires, the falsification of leases by the landlord, and water seepage. It is noted that the tenants filed a lawsuit against Ulan Zinner, the landlord, in November 2006.

The article reports that Fermin Arzu, a 41-year-old unarmed Honduran immigrant, has been killed by off-duty police officer Raphael Lora in New York City. The local activists raise suspicions over the Police Department's heinous act of killing a helpless black. It was told that Arzu allegedly drove his minivan in the wrong direction and crashed into a parked car. Police sources indicate that Officer Lora thought Arzu was going for a weapon.

The article reports that Mike Oliver, shooter of African American Sean Bell who was killed on his marriage day, is getting death threats from a high ranking gang member. Oliver had fired 31 shot and was charged with manslaughter. Lawyers for Oliver want to change the venue of trail case due to rising death threats against Oliver and two other accused.

The article reports on the efforts of the Clinton HIV/AIDS Foundation Initiative (CHAI) in reducing the price of HIV and AIDS medication. Bill Clinton, former U.S. president and head of the CHAI, stated that a major price reduction is scheduled to take effect by July 2007. He stated that CHAI's aim is to ensure that patients from all the countries round the globe have access to high-quality treatment.

The article reports that New York State Assemblyman Karim Camara, a former aide to and the successor of disgraced Brooklyn Democratic boss Clarence Norman, was arrested and charged with drunk driving and speeding in Albany, New York. Police say Camara was pulled over around 2 a.m. going 65 miles per hour in a 30-mile-per-hour zone. He was also allegedly weaving through traffic. Police also allege that Camara had slurred speech and smelled of alcohol when they pulled him over.

The article discusses the visit of U.S. President George W. Bush to Harlem Village Academy, the charter school to further his No Child Left Behind campaign. In his address, the president praised student testing scores at the school, saying that No Child Left Behind is working. President Bush is pushing for the U.S. Congress to reauthorize the No Child Left Behind legislation, which ties federal school financing to performance-based results over time, measured by annual standardized tests.

The article reports that the newspaper "New York Amsterdam News," is going to publish its new periodical called "Focus." According to editor and publisher, Elinor R. Tatum, the topics picked by the periodical will offer information that will help one live a better and informed life. Mayor Michael Bloomberg thinks that the periodical will highlight the rich legacy of New York.

The article presents news briefs related to spirituality and religion from New York City. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton will join celebration of Wall Street Pastor Suzan Johnson Cook's 25 years in ministry in April 2007. In a rally in New York City in April 2007, Reverend Jesse L. Jackson demanded resignations of radio host Don Imus, sports announcer Sid Rosenberg, and executive producer Bernard McGuirk for using derogatory remarks against blacks in radio programs.

The article reports that Abyssinian Development Corp. (ADC), a non-profit, has launched a revitalization initiative to restore the Renaissance Complex, Harlem, New York City. ADC recently started restoring the complex, located on Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard between 137th and 138th streets. After redevelopment, the Renaissance Complex will include around 112 homeownership units in a neighborhood where there are currently no homeownership opportunities.

The article reports on several developments related to Christianity in the U.S. The U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson represented U.S. President George W. Bush at the national home-going service in honor of Bishop G.E. Patterson of the Church of God in Christ. David Glover, senior pastor of Linden Church of Seventh-Day Adventists, recently attended the Religious Liberty Emphasis Day service.

The article reports on the new budget initiatives taken by New York Governor Eliot Spitzer. It is reported that the budget provides a spending package of nearly $1.8 billion intended to improve school performances across the state. According to a report published in the newspaper "Times Herald," the governor has established a system for tying future aid hikes to performance. Spitzer has also taken some steps to improve the medical care conditions in the state.

The article reports that the firing of eight federal prosecutors by U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has created an uproar between the White House and the U.S. Congress. The prosecutors were confirmed by the Congress and were given appointments by the U.S. President. Many Republicans in Congress think that the Bush administration allegedly wants to use the legal system to punish their enemies with politically motivated prosecutions.

The article presents information on the recent imprisonment of Shaquanda Cotton, a 14-year-old Black student, who was convicted of shoving a hall monitor at a Paris high school in Texas. Cotton was found convicted of assaulting a public servant and sentenced by Judge Chuck Superville to prison for up to seven years in the juvenile court of Texas. It is reported that African Americans children are being punished nearly eight times more than white children.

The article presents information about the Financial Ministry of the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York. The mission of the Financial Ministry is to provide information and resources that greatly improve the ability of the people of God to be good stewards through intelligent financial decisions using a biblically based model. The Financial Ministry Educational Forum will be held on March 17, 2007 at Linden Boulevard in Queens, New York City.