::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

buzzz worthy. . . Week ending March 2, 2013 It's done.  No more name calling or finger pointing.  The sequester has taken effect.  Last night, President Obama signed and  issued a sequestration order for Fiscal Year 2013.  Congress and the Senate showed no mercy to the POTUS who for weeks after the State of the Union addressed concentrated his efforts on avert the "dumb idea" known as sequestration.  As required, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) transmitted the Report to the Congress On The Joint Committee Sequestration for Fiscal  Year 2013. The full OMB report c an be viewed   HERE .

buzzz worthy. . . Four Time Grammy Award nominated music legend Candi Staton is featured in a special two-hour episode of TV One’s “Unsung” cable TV series. The popular series devotes two hours to the history of the 1970s disco era with fresh interviews by its key players such as Gloria Gaynor, Nile Rodgers (Chic), K.C. & The Sunshine Band and Candi Staton, among others. Staton, who earned disco hits such as “Young Hearts Run Free”, “Run to Me”, “When You Wake Up Tomorrow” and “Victim” in the `70s, talks about the impact of disco music on culture and how her signature song “Young Hearts Run Free” was based on an abusive ex-husband. She also says in the piece that she grew tired of the disco lifestyle and became a born again Christian to save her soul. The episode airs this Sunday, March 3, 2013 @ 6:00 PM EST and Sunday, March 17, 2013 @6:45 PM EST. Meanwhile, Staton is currently promoting a new gospel rad...

buzzz worthy. . . From the White House  EXAMPLES OF HOW THE SEQUESTER WOULD IMPACT MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES, JOBS AND ECONOMIC SECURITY Unless Congress acts by March 1 st , a series of automatic cuts—called a sequester—that threaten thousands of jobs and the economic security of the middle class will take effect.  There is no question that we need to cut the deficit, but the President believes it should be done in a balanced way that protects investments that the middle class relies on.  Already, the President has worked with Congress to reduce the deficit by more than $2.5 trillion, but there’s more to do.  The President believes we can not only avoid the harmful effects of a sequester but also reduce the deficit by $4 trillion total by cutting even more wasteful spending and eliminating tax loopholes for the wealthy. Unfortunately, many Republicans in Congress refuse to ask the wealthy to pay a little more by closing tax loopholes so that we can prote...

buzzz worthy. . . The White House issued a new state-by-state report on the estimated economic impact of the pending sequester on February 24. The report details what the White house calls  "the devastating impact" the sequester will have on jobs and middle class families across the country if Congressional Republicans fail to compromise to avert the sequester by March 1 st .   The potential for   economic collapse appears to be inevitable by the projections.    Click the link to your state below for details: 1.        Alabama          2.        Alaska          3.        Arizona          4.        Arkansas          5.        California ...

buzzz worthy. . . The constitutionality of the Voting Rights Act of 1968 will be challenged in the high court today. At issue is whether the Act, which was established to prevent discrimination against Blacks in voting practices, is relevant in post-Jim Crow America.   Click here to find out what's at stake.

buzzz worthy. . . R&B singer Kandi Burress and Pastor/Gospel Singer Marvin Sapp have both opened up regarding harsh criticism about their collaboration on the song, “I Stay Prayed Up.” Burruss,  a Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member, addressed the debate about the song via her  blog  on Bravo's website.  Although she went into  recording the song expecting some people to judge her, the single mom thought some of the direct comments were "extreme." In reference to how she dealt with feedback that  crossed the line Burruss said: "   Can you believe a woman actually tweeted me and said, “Bi*#c@h you can’t praise my God”? . .  Thank God I don't let things get to me. I'm a very open and honest person. I say what I want to say when I want to say it. If I feel like doing something, I do it. I felt that I wanted to do this song, so I did, and I'm glad I did. This song is my testimony." Sapp reluctantly addressed critics  via a ru...

buzzz worthy. . . The 85th Annual Academy Awards were held in Hollywood at the Dolby Theatre on February 24.  Winners in the major categories are as follows: Actor in a Leadting Role ·          Bradley Cooper  in "Silver Linings Playbook" ·          Daniel Day-Lewis in "Lincoln" ·          Hugh Jackman  in "Les Misérables" ·          Joaquin Phoenix  in "The Master" Denzel Washington  in "Flight"   ·            Actor in a Supporting Role ·          Alan Arkin   in "Argo" ·          Robert De Niro   in "Silver Linings Playbook" ·          Philip Seymour Hoffman   in "The Master" ·...