Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) released the following warning to constituents against individuals soliciting funds in exchange for the re-opening of USDA farmer discrimination cases:

“Growing reports of fraud in the 7th Congressional District involving USDA farmer discrimination cases have been brought to my attention over the past several days. According to multiple sources, certain individuals are illegally soliciting funds from people with the promise of reopening several USDA farmer discrimination cases. Local law enforcement officials have reported that some of these individuals are fraudulently claiming to be collecting funds on behalf of my office in exchange for the re-opening of these cases. It is critical that the public is warned against these scams.
The fact is that the Black, Native American, Hispanic and Women Farmer Lawsuits have been adjudicated. No more claims in these lawsuits can be filed and there are currently no plans to provide additional settlement.  The claims period for the Second Settlement Phase of the Black Farmer Lawsuit (Pigford II) ended on May 11, 2012. The Hispanic (Garcia v. Vilsack) and Women (Love v Vilsack) Farmer claims period ended on May 1, 2013. The Native American Farmer claims period (Keepseagle v. Vilsack) closed on December 27, 2011. In no instance will a member of my staff or a representative from my office approach an individual to request funds in exchange for assistance with these settlements. My constituents are advised to refrain from providing any funds to individuals or groups offering such assistance.  If solicited, constituents should notify local law enforcement and report such instances to my Birmingham district office at 205-254-1960 so that perpetrators can be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
My office will continue to work with law enforcement to ensure that minority farmers are protected from these fraudulent scams.”

By Alicia A. Caldwell, Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The Secret Service is dealing with another case of sexual misconduct involving agents assigned to protect the president, a little more than 18 months after a South American prostitution scandal tarnished the agency’s reputation.
This time, two agents assigned to President Barack Obama‘s protective detail are the subject of an investigation amid allegations of misconduct involving sexually suggestive emails sent to a female subordinate. The alleged misconduct does not appear to involve a breach of Obama’s security.
The Washington Post first reported the investigation. Ignacio Zamora Jr., a supervisor on the presidential detail, was initially investigated after a bullet from his gun was found in a local hotel room. A subsequent investigation uncovered the emails between Zamora, supervisor Timothy Barraclough and an unnamed female subordinate.
(Photo: AP)

By NewsOne Staff

Dayna Morales, a former Marine and a server at Gallop Asian Bistro in Bridgewater, New Jersey, didn’t receive a tip on a $93 order because the patrons didn’t agree with her gay “lifestyle,” reports NBC Southern California.
The customer’s homophobia was evident from the moment Morales first approached the table, saying “Oh, I thought you were gonna say your name is Dan. You sure surprised us!”
And in place of a tip, the mother of two crossed through the line and wrote, “I’m sorry but I cannot tip because I do not agree with your lifestyle.”
Morales sent the receipt to “Have a Gay Day” Facebook, writing:
I am THOROUGHLY offended mad pissed off and hurt that THIS is what her kids will grow up learning and that I served in the Marines to keep ignorant people like them free. Sorry lady but I don’t agree with YOUR lifestyle and the way you’re raising your kids but you didn’t see me throwing that in your face and giving you shi**y service. Keep your d**n mouth shut and pray we never cross paths again.
So far, the post has been shared over 3,000 times and liked close to 8,000 times.
The manager at Gallop Asian Bistro told NBC 4 New York that they do not tolerate discrimination in their restaurant and the patrons are no longer welcome.
“We support Dayna 100 percent. She’s a wonderful person and a wonderful server, and we are extremely proud of her and the way she handled this situation.”

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Brandon Bell was cleared of assaulting a police officer and other charges during last summer’s protests over the George Zimmerman verdict that cleared a white man in the shooting of an unarmed 17-year-old Black boy.
“We are extremely pleased with the City Attorney’s decision to drop the charges against Brandon who was merely exercising his right to protest when he was wrongfully accused,” said Jamon R. Hicks, an attorney with the Cochran Firm, founded by the late Johnnie Cochran.
At a Nov. 1 hearing, Deputy City Attorney Brad Rothenberg dropped all charges against Bell, who is a Princeton University graduate and a Los Angeles resident. The charges were dropped in furtherance of justice.
Bell, 24, was arrested on July 16 for allegedly punching a Los Angeles Police Officer during a protest in Mid-City over the not guilty verdict of Zimmerman who had stood accused in the 2012 fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin in Florida.
Bell, who pled not guilty to all charges, had faced one count of battery on a police officer, disobeying orders from a police officer and resisting arrest, according to court documents. He was facing up to two years in jail if convicted.
Police claimed Bell was among a group of demonstrators who refused to leave when ordered to do so, then allegedly punched an officer when protesters reached the police skirmish line. Bell was later taken into custody after allegedly resisting arrest.
Jamon R. Hicks is a senior trial attorney at the Cochran Firm’s Los Angeles office. Hicks has a unique experience of practicing in the areas of civil litigation and criminal defense, representing plaintiffs in state and federal courts. His civil litigation experience involves wrongful death, serious personal injury and police misconduct cases. He also has litigated numerous felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, such as attempted murder, assault and battery on peace officers, criminal threats, drug and gun possession, driving under the influence and juvenile adjudications.

Survey highlights public’s hesitation to cook with spirits at home
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Cooking with alcohol intimidates one in four Americans, according to a new survey by Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar®, America’s favorite neighborhood grill and bar.
In fact, if it came down to it, men would be more comfortable cutting down their own Christmas trees and women would rather risk making a basket-weave pie crust from scratch before adding spirited flair to their at-home creations. It’s why Applebee’s restaurants are bringing back the popular Spirited Cuisine menu, a collection of dishes infused with the complex flavors of wine, bourbon, beer and now tequila.
“Cooking with alcohol can be a little intimidating for the average foodie,” said Peter Czizek, Applebee’s Vice President of Culinary and Menu Strategy. “That’s why, as the world’s largest casual dining restaurant, Applebee’s is the perfect place to introduce our Guests to this classic way of cooking uniquely deep and balanced flavors.”
Highlighting the menu are two new Spirited options: the Marsala Mushroom Sirloin and Chicken & Shrimp Tequila Tango, along with three other dishes savored by Guests: Double Barrel Whisky Sirloins, Napa Chicken & Portobellos and Brew Pub Pretzels with Beer Cheese Dip. When cooking down the alcohol, all five entrees are left with the sort of cool or savory complex flavors that tantalize taste buds.
The survey found further comedic confusion and hesitation on the part of the public when it comes to cooking with alcohol.
•    A majority of those surveyed were most scared by a dinner-hosting scenario in which the main dish erupts in flames – almost three times as many as another scenario of serving up a carnivore’s feast to a vegetarian guest.
•    Half of respondents didn’t know the correct definition of “deglaze,” with 10 percent thinking it meant licking a glazed doughnut’s icing clean off.
•    One in 10 people surveyed thought “flambé” meant either the most flamboyant lamb in a herd or Bambi’s French cousin.

The Spirited Cuisine Menu Items:
•    NEW! Chicken & Shrimp Tequila Tango: Juicy chicken breast and plump shrimp are perfectly seasoned, then topped with tequila avocado sauce and chopped cilantro. Served on a bed of Mexican-style rice and sautéed peppers & onions for a truly sensational blend of flavors.
•    NEW! Marsala Mushroom Sirloin: A juicy grilled 7 oz. sirloin is topped with tender mushrooms sautéed in a rich Marsala wine sauce. It’s all placed over a creamy rice blend with caramelized onions and our Parmesan cheese blend, then sprinkled with lemon-zest and fresh parsley.
•    Napa Chicken & Portobellos: A rich cabernet demi-glace smothers a grilled chicken breast topped with onions, Portobello mushrooms and Parmesan cheese blend over a bed of sautéed zucchini, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, red onions and crispy red potatoes – all Unbelievably Great Tasting & Under 550 Calories.
•    Brew Pub Pretzels & Beer Cheese Dip: A contemporary spin on a classic British dish, craft beer and white cheddar cheese are cooked slowly to allow the beer’s flavors to permeate the cheese completely. Fluffy on the inside and crispy outside, the pretzels are finished with sesame seeds, coarse salt and crushed red pepper.
•    Double Barrel Whisky Sirloins: Deglazing the pan with smooth bourbon adds an oak flavor and light, smoky notes into two blackened 4 oz. sirloins. Served with a delicious mountain of garlic mashed potatoes and topped with red peppers, mushrooms and caramelized onions.
Also returning is Christian Delpech, the world’s premier flair bartender and face of last year’s Spirited Cuisine campaign. Delpech will once again perform expert aerial flips with bottles, utensils and ingredients in a series of television ads for Applebee’s.
Guests can savor the Spirited Cuisine flavors for a limited time at their local neighborhood Applebee’s restaurant.

 Residents of a predominantly Black neighborhood in Florida say they were shocked when they woke up to find Ku Klux Klan fliers scattered across their yards on Monday.
“I am absolutely and totally offended that someone at a time like this would come into this community and distribute this type of literature,” a local pastor told WOFL of the disturbing discovery.
According to ABC-affiliate WFTV.com, the fliers had been part of a recruiting campaign by a KKK group from North Carolina. The group has reportedly distributed hundreds of these recruiting fliers – emblazoned with the words “Our Race Is Our Nation” – in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., this past week.
KKK leader Robert Jones told WFTV.com that the group had delivered the fliers at night and had no idea the neighborhood they visited was mostly Black.
But resident Timothy Washington, who found a flier in front of his house this week, said he believes the historically Black neighborhood was singled out.
“The west side is where the Black neighborhood is and I guess they targeted it,” he told WOFL.
New Smyrna police say they received several complaints from outraged residents regarding the fliers. Authorities told CBS-affiliate WKMG-TV, however, that the pamphlets are protected under free speech.