::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

Listen to the Slice Report airing during drive time on The Cedirc Bailey radio Show (on the Rejoice Network or www.musicalsoulfood.com) or read it here: Brooklyn Subway shooter arrested Frank James, 62, was arrested without incident by patrol officers in Manhattan's East Village neighborhood on Wednesday afternoon, officials said. James tipped police off as to his wehre about amid a manhunt that was called for nationally during an NYPD press conference. The arrest stemmed from James shooting 10 people and 16 getting injured. James, 62 was charged with a federal terrorism offense after the suspect himself called police to come get him, law enforcement officials said. He was taken into custody about 30 hours after the carnage on a rush-hour train, which left five victims in critical condition and people around the city on edge. “My fellow New Yorkers, we got him,” said Mayor Eric Adams, who has not attended press conferneces in eprson since he is recovering form COVID-19. He is ...

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The Slice News is an independent news source created and produced by Jireh Communications Group that launched the all new www.theslicenews.com in the fall of 2021 to provide more meaningful journalism in a field cluttered by bias and imbalanced stories. Prior to the site launch the Slice Rport and its companion blog existed for over a decade. Founded by Mona Austin, a nationally known reporter who started her own media company, The Slice News reports the unvarnished truth without the influence of politics or financial backers. The Slice uniquely offers a balance of mainstream and faith-based content like no other news brand in mass media. In order to continue bringing you hard-hitting coverage and take our platform to another level, annual budgetary goals must be met. Funds are needed to cover such expenses as travel, lodging, COVID-testing, the production of an offline publication and marketing that will all help the news service provider to broaden its reach. If the ...

Georgia governor under fire for election law On Thursday,  Georgia voters protested Gov. Brian Kemp for singing a bill that Democrats claim suppresses the black vote. The election law overhaul gives the State Election Board new powers to intervene in county election offices and to remove and replace local election officials.   The GOP-backed action even restricts people from handing out bottled water to those waiting in long voting lines -- giving food or drink under the law is considered a misdemeanor offense intended to prevent political organizations from influencing the vote. In his first presser with the media Thursday Pres. Joe Biden  called the legislation a blatant attack on the Constitution and "Jim Crow in the 21st Century".  Later adding angrily, "You can't provide water for people about to vote."  Give me a break."  The Justice Department is investigating the latter restriction.  Several Civil Rights organizations are challenging...

BY MONA AUSTIN Black farmers in America have lost more than 12 million acres of farmland over the past century, mostly since the 1950s, a result of what agricultural experts and advocates for Black farmers say is a combination of systemic racism, biased government policy, and social and business practices that have denied African Americans equitable access to markets. (Washington Post) RELATED : Black farmer demands apology from Sen. Lindsay Graham for reparations remark (The Slice): A major relief provision for Black farmers is a part of the sweeping American Rescue Plan (ARP) bill that Pres. Biden signed into law from the Oval Office on Thursday. The Emergency Relief for  Farm ers of Color Act ear marks almost $5 million of debt relief for Blacks and other minority famers. The is an answered prayer for Black Farmers who have been tussling with the government for financial assistance and fairness in the lane of agriculture for decades. Senators Raphael Warnock, Corey Booker...

(The Slice): There was hope and optimism about the third approved Coronavirus vaccine in the U.S. by Johnson and Johnson until the comparisons started. Leaders on the Coronavirus Task Force are having a challenge convincing Americans that the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is what they need. Journalists drilled them asking about its potency in a COVID-19 briefing this week. Here's why people think the most recently approved shot is inferior to Pfizer and Moderna's. While being available in one dose is convenient, the J&J shot was not shown to be as potent as its predecessors in trials, but met FDA standards to be used. The perception that the third vaccine is weaker stems from the published efficacy rates of the vaccine trio: RATES OF VACCINE EFFICACY Johnson & Johnson, 72% Moderna, 94% Pfizer, 95% The numbers have created a problem with messaging. The Coronavirus Task Force has tried to explain that either shot will provide protection against the virus and somethin...

BY MONA AUSTIN (The Slice): On February 17, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on civil rights held a hearing to explore Slavery Reparations (HR 40). The hearing focused on the history of slavery in America and gathering information to lead to establishing a federal commission that will "study and develop reparations proposals." Reparations that are eventually determined would be paid to the descendants of slaves for "America's original sin." Herschel Walker, a former NFL football player testified in opposition of the bill saying, "Slavery ended 130 years ago," and asked "How can a father ask his son to do time for a crime he committed?" Walker says his perspective is religious which he believes seeks togetherness, while reparations teaches separation. Walker's question removes any responsibility for the ramifications of slavery from whites living today, at a time when many whites are reckoning with the notion that systematic racism g...

The push to raise the federal minimum wage to $15/hour by 2025 was revoked in the Senate on Thursday. Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough said the provisiono to raise wages must be treated as a stand alone measure and could not be included in the overal COVID-19 Relief Proposal from Pres. Joe Biden. It may also be considered as part of other legislation. The minumum wage has been $7.25 since July 24, 2009. The request for an increase will no longer be a part of the American Rescue Plan, which the House will vote on tomorrow.

Entertainment Studios, owned by Byron Allen and Charter Communications reached a settement agreement in a legal dispute over.racial  discrimination against the black-owned media company.  A joint statement released on Wednesday says that   Allen's company " has resolved and withdrawn the lawsuit against Charter Communications.” Allen Media Group will add its eleventh network, THE WEATHER CHANNEL EN ESPANOL in 2021.  

By Mona Austin The U.S. has hit Jammal Bank & Trust of Lebanon with sanctions for financing Hezbollah, the terrorist organization connected to carrying out suicide bombings.   The U.S. Department of the Treasury alleges the 50-year-old commercial bank provides financial support to the families of suicide bombers  through the Hezbollah Executive Council and Iran’s Martyrs Foundation. Per the U.S. State Department, Jammal Bank, which is ranked 26th in its country, is the militant group's "bank of choice", but, "This action is a warning to all who provide services to this terrorist group."   The Lebanon's Central Bank is cooperating and said it will ensure depositers are not subject to the sanctions. The U.S. is sending a message to all bad actors who give financial support to Hezbollah, especially Iran. "Of course the same goes for banks connected to Iran. They're going to be severely cut off from international ...

The Oprah Winfrey Show captivated and changed Americans for 25 years.  Her efforts were honored with a special year-long  exhibit at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.  It is almost over, with the last viewing date scheduled for June 2.  A special talk on Oprah's influence in media will take place on May 29.  Make plans to see the incredible display of Winfrey's work before it's too late. Learn more about the event/exhibit and registration below. From #WatchingOprah to Now: News in the Age of Gen Y and Social Media Wednesday, May 29; 7 p.m. Inspired by the “Watching Oprah: The Oprah Winfrey Show and American Culture exhibition,” “From #WatchingOprah to Now: News in the Age of Gen Y and Social Media” will bring together journalists for a discussion on how to cover news and pop culture for millennials. Panelists include Yamiche Alcindor of PBS News Hour, Michelle Taylor (known by the online pseudonym Fem...

buzzz worthy. . .#Stellarawards30 Unable to attend the 2015 Stellar Gospel Music Awards? No worries. The Slice has made it possible for you to view Stellar events directly from your home! WATCH THE LIVE STREAM ON THE SLICE REPORT, STARTING AT 10:45 AM/PST TODAY with the "Salute to Radio Announcers Awards" and ending with backstage at the 30th Annual Stellar Awards! Andrea McClurkin Mellini, Judah Camp and more will be performing at the Radio Awards. It has been 3 decades so there is a great deal to celebrate. I'll be checking in to provide updates and commentary via FB. They say, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Break that tradition and tell everyone you know that the Stellars are taping in "Sin City" so tune in to see your favorite gospel acts in events leading up to the big event. Be sure to come back to The Slice to take a look at happenings in Vegas throughout the day. View the action in the player in the upper right hand corner of our site. ...