Should the government do more to reduce racial discrimination?

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Should the government do more to reduce racial discrimination?

By Michaela L. Duckett – August 22, 2011

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Good morning! Top of the week to you. It’s time to get back to business and almost time to go back to school. Thursday, class will be back in session for students of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. That means those big yellow buses will be back on the road. Question: If you're on a four-lane road divided by a median and a school bus traveling in the opposite direction on the other side of the median stops to pick up students, are you required to stop? Click here to find the answer and sharpen your school bus safety skills.

Monday’s Forecast: The weatherman is calling for mainly sunny skies with highs in the low 90’s. Tonight will be clear with lows in the mid 60’s.

Here’s what’s brewing in the news:

Poll shows diverse attitudes between blacks & whites

A recent Gallup poll shows that black people are less positive than whites when it comes to whether civil rights have “greatly improved” or “somewhat improved” during their lifetime.

While black people tend to lean more toward the “somewhat improved” position, whites are more likely to say that civil rights have “greatly improved” during their lives. According to the research, blacks' views on this issue have not changed substantially since 1995, while whites have become even more positive.

The poll found that in general, 27 percentof Americans - regardless of race and ethnic background - believe that the government needs to play a major role in improving the social and economic position of blacks and other minority groups. That number is down from 40 percent in 2004 and 37 percent in 2005.

The poll also found that the percentage of all Americans, regardless of race, who say new civil rights laws are needed to reduce discrimination against blacks, has dropped to 21 percent from 38 percent in 1993. Still, a majority of blacks in America (59%) say government actions are needed.

Question: Do you believe the Obama administration needs to pass new laws to reduce discrimination against black people and other minorities?
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Sorority sisters get another chance at lawsuit

In 2009, eight members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sued then-president Barbara McKinzie in Washington alleging that she received money that had not been approved by members. They also alleged that she used sorority money to purchase designer clothing, jewelry and lingerie. In early 2010, a District of Columbia Superior Court trial judge tossed out the case on grounds that it lacked standing because the group wasn’t suing on behalf of the entire membership and thus lacked jurisdiction over individual officials who don’t live in Washington, among other reasons. Appellate judges have since reversed that decision, allowing the lawsuit against the nation’s oldest black sorority to continue. (Read more)
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School lunch prices go up for some, down for others

The price of CMS school lunches has increased by a nickel. Pre-kindergartners will now pay $1.80; others will pay $2.05. The number of students certified eligible for free- and reduced-price lunches through Mecklenburg Department of Social Services is up 7,477 from last year. The increase is due in part to recently revised federal eligibility guidelines that allow families with higher income levels to qualify. A family of four may now earn up to $29,055 a year and qualify for free lunch. The same size family earning up to $41,348 qualifies for reduced-price lunches. (Read more)
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Rock Hill father and son arrested for selling pot

Paul Wayne Main, 45, and his son, Michael Anthony Main, 20, both remain in jail under $10,000 bond each after they were arrested Thursday at their mobile home in Rock Hill. The men were charged with marijuana possession and sales at the family home near a school. Drug agents bought marijuana from the son in a controlled buy. After obtaining a search warrant, officers found 120 grams of marijuana stashed under the mobile home, which they say the father and son were selling in small bags for $5 per gram. (Read more)