::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

buzzz worthy. . .   The United States condemns in the strongest terms the horrific terrorist attack in Dhaka, Bangladesh on July 1-2.  We remain in contact with Bangladeshi authorities and have offered any assistance necessary.  This heinous attack resulted in as many as 20  deaths, including an American citizen, Bangladeshi law enforcement personnel, and citizens of several other nations.  Our deepest condolences go out to the families and loved ones of those killed, and we hope for a speedy recovery for those wounded.  This is a despicable act of terrorism, and the United States stands with Bangladesh and the international community in our resolve to confront terrorism wherever it occurs.  

buzzz worthy. . . GET JOY!  VASHAWN MITCHELL’S DELIGHTFUL SINGLE ‘JOY’  AVAILABLE NOW ON ALL DIGITAL PLATFORMS  First Single From Mitchell’s Historic South African  Recording Goes On Sale  New Music Video Debuts On Vevo June 24, 2016 (New York, NY) — Get Joy! VaShawn Mitchell to release new song “Joy,” to all digital platforms today. The bright and exuberant song is already connecting with audiences around the globe. Since its intro on Facebook Live a few weeks ago, “Joy” has made an immediate impact online and at radio. The feel-good song feels like a breath of fresh air in today’s  difficult times. Along with the release of the single on digital platforms, Mitchell will  also make the official music video available on VEVO on Friday 6/24.    “Joy” is the first single off the anticipated new album, SECRET PLACE , which was recorded in South Africa. This extraordinary...

buzzz worthy. . .#10kReasns Last year, this time, the world was introduced to Celeste Betton on Season 9 of NBC's The Voice, as one of the dynamic vocalist to join Team Pharrell.  The Ozark, Alabama native quickly became a fan favorite after moving Missy Elliot to tears during her Battle Round rehearsal, where she sang  Ain't No Mountain High Enough  with her teammate, Mark Hood.  That performance was used to preview the Battle Rounds, and received over 2 Million views on Facebook alone in less than 24 hours, and was deemed by judges Adam Levine and Gwen Stefani as one of the bst battle rounds in the history of the show  (Check out that performance Here) . While Celeste was eliminated after the Battle Rounds, she became the inspiration behind the  show's newest feature, # CoachComeBackArtists, and   for the 1st time in the history of the show, each coast was  afforded the opportunity to bring back one artist (who had previously been...

buzzz worthy. . .#greenleaf (LOS ANGELES, CA) - - OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network finishes out 2Q 2016 with year over year growth in prime, up +11% in W25-54 (0.31 rating) and up +6% in total viewers (464,000) vs. 2Q 2015. Additionally, OWN recorded its most-watched week in network history (6/20/16-6/26/16) with an average of 799,000 total viewers in prime, bolstered by the two-night premiere of new original drama series " Greenleaf " and the season premiere of popular Tyler Perry drama " The Haves and the Have Nots ;" both shows were the week's top two scripted telecasts on ad-supported cable among W25-54. "Greenleaf" debuted to record ratings on 6/21/16 with over 3 million viewers, becoming the #1 series debut in OWN history. In L+3, "Greenleaf" reached over 5.5 million unique viewers over its two-night premiere (6/21/16 and 6/22/16). Additional 2Q 2016 Stats: OWN was Tuesday night's #1 network on all of TV among...

buzzz worthy. . . Dahlonega, Georgia, (July 1, 2016) At some point you wonder when an artist is going to peak in their career. It seems Karen Peck may just keeping climbing upward until the Lord comes back. For years we have known that she is a phenomenal singer, but lately her success in songwriting is catching the eye of many in the music industry. On June 22 Karen Peck received her first BMI Songwriter Award for her Number 1 song, "Everybody's Going Through Something” along with her co-writers Kenna West and Don Poythress . Karen commented, "I was so honored to receive my first BMI songwriter award for 'Everybody's Going Through Something'.”  Also happening with Karen is the celebration of her 36th Anniversary of full-time ministry. On June 26, 1980 she joined Alphus LeFevre and The LeFevre's . One year later on June 26, 1981 she joined the Rex Nelon Singers . From there she, her husband, Rickey Gooch, and Susan formed...

buzzz worthy. . .   “[O]ur criminal justice system isn’t as smart as it should be.  It’s not keeping us as safe as it should be.  It is not as fair as it should be.  Mass incarceration makes our country worse off, and we need to do something about it.” – President Barack Obama, July 14, 2015   Every year, more than 11 million people move through America’s 3,100 local jails, many on low-level, non-violent misdemeanors, costing local governments approximately $22 billion a year.  In local jails, 64 percent of people suffer from mental illness, 68 percent have a substance abuse disorder, and 44 percent suffer from chronic health problems.  Communities across the country have recognized that a relatively small number of these highly-vulnerable people cycle repeatedly not just through local jails, but also hospital emergency rooms, shelters, and other public systems, receiving fragmented and uncoordinated care at great cost to Ameri...

buzzz worthy. . . ARLINGTON, Va. – Surviving families of those killed in the Khobar Towers bombing will unite July 1 at the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Va., 20 years after the attack, to celebrate the lives of those lost. The 1996 terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia killed 19 U.S. Air Force personnel. The 20th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony will include speeches from FBI director James Comey, one of the lead prosecutors in the 2001 criminal case, and the Medical Group Commander in Saudi Arabia in 1996, Retired Lt. Gen. Douglas Robb, who is the former Director of the Defense Health Agency. There will be a wreath laying at the memorial as well. Families will be available to share stories of their loved ones immediately following the ceremony’s completion at 11 a.m. Previous ceremonies were held on June 24 at Eglin Air Force Base, from where 12 of the 19 killed were deployed to Saudi Arabia with the 33rd Fighter Wing, and on June 25 at Patrick Air Force Base...

buzzz worthy. . . Legendary Tennessee Vols coach, Pat Summitt handled Dementia by facing it head on  like she faced many opponents on the basketball court.  She lost her battle with the disease this week.  President Obama released the following statement in her memory: "Nobody walked off a college basketball court victorious more times than Tennessee’s Pat Summitt.  For four decades, she outworked her rivals, made winning an attitude, loved her players like family, and became a role model to millions of Americans, including our two daughters. Her unparalleled success includes never recording a losing season in 38 years of coaching‎, but also, and more importantly, a 100 percent graduation rate among her players who completed their athletic eligibility. Her legacy, however, is measured much more by the generations of young women and men who admired Pat’s intense competitiveness and character, and as a result found in themselves the confidence to practice hard,...