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(Tyra Banks Top Model)

Six people have been charged in connection to the gang rape of a 15-year-old girl on a northern California high school campus. I see that the police are making progress in this case, and according to a recent report released by the White House, supposedly the stimulus plan has made some progress with jobs. The largest stimulus program in the nation's history has created or saved at least 650,000 state and local jobs. I am glad to see the stimulus plan is doing some good. "Golden Girls" star Bea Arthur's has passed away, but is still doing good. The actress, who died in April, included a $300,000 donation to New York's Ali Forney Center, an organization supporting homeless LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) youth.

The battle over health care reform reached another milestone Thursday as top House Democrats unveiled the health care bill. Speaking of bills, President Obama on Wednesday signed a law that makes it a federal crime to assault an individual because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. I am glad that bill has been signed, and glad that this project in this next story can begin. Construction can finally begin on the long-delayed Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial slated for the National Mall after the National Park Service issued building permits Thursday for the project.

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference is electing a new president, and for the third time in the organization's history, a member of the King family could lead the civil rights group, as Rev. Bernice King becomes one of the top finalist for the job. This should create a lot of press for the organization, if nothing else. Who knew that "America's Next Top Model" would create such a stir? Tyra Banks turned her remaining 6 models bi-racial for a shoot, and has people asking why does she think blackface is okay? More on good news, Mary J. Blige opens up her new center, FFAWN (Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now), which will soon become a haven for women and young girls, offering them different programs for education, life skills, self-empowerment and much more if Blige has her way. Congrats Mary!

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