::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

buzzz worthy. . . Microsoft will make the joblessness math easy for the U.S. Labor department with its recent announcement of plans to let go of 14% of its workforce.   Over 18,000 positions will be eliminated over the next year to "to simplify its organization and align the recently acquired Nokia Devices and Services business with the company’s overall strategy" according to the company press release.  About 12,500 professional and factory positions will be vacated by Dec. 2015.  This is the second largest round of lay offs in the company's 39-year history. Read more here .

buzzz worthy. . . (left to right) April Parker-Jones, Amanda Clayton, Zulay Henao, Heather Hemmens & Edwina Findley  from Tyler Perry's "If Loving You is Wrong" Photo by Jeremy Cowart and Courtesy of OWN Image Link:  https://owncomm.box.com/s/ykydz9zll0gt0ywwr6gn (LOS ANGELES) July 18, 2014  - On the heels of  OWN's  popular series  "The Haves and the Have Nots"  comes  Tyler Perry's  new primetime drama  "If Loving You is Wrong,"  premiering on  OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, Tuesday, September 9  with two back-to-back, one-hour episodes from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET/PT. With a diverse cast and storylines ranging from heartfelt to scandalous, the sexy, sleek drama takes viewers into the lives of a group of husbands, wives and friends that live and love in the same middle class neighborhood.  On the surface they are true-to-life, relatable people - raising children, working jobs, fin...

buzzz worthy. . . SENECA, S.C. (AP) — Some residents in northwestern South Carolina say they found bags of candy on their street containing a piece of paper asking them to join the Ku Klux Klan. Residents in an Oconee County subdivision found the bags Saturday night or Sunday morning. The paper said "Save Our Land, Join the Klan." It had a phone number that led to an automated message discussing KKK efforts against illegal immigration. Robert Jones told WHNS-TV (http://bit.ly/Uc9N7p) that he's the imperial klaliff of the Loyal White Knights and said the effort was part of a recruiting event they hold three times a year. Jones said the telephone number gets about 20,000 calls a day. Oconee County resident Bo Morris said he thought it was "unacceptable" to see the bags and fliers in his neighborhood.

buzzz worthy. . . …Presenting It’s All-White theme “Fashion Carnivale…A Parkway Bacchanal” at the 47th annual West Indian American Day Parade New York, New York— The WE ARE ONE Caribbean costume band (WAOC) will be featured at the 47th annual West Indian American Day Parade on Monday, September 1st 2014. The band will feature Caribbean masks and head pieces to accentuate the custom couture fashions by designers Bernard Moore, Chila for Fun, Danni Ai, Eye Collection Clothing, MG Designs and Pat Brown. This year’s concept presented by the WAOC is a reuse from one of their prior events called “Fashion Carnivale”, which featured a “Runway Bacchanal” between industry fashion designers’ outfits and carnival costume designs. The “Fashion Carnivale” theme was presented to the West Indian American Day Carnival Association | WIADCA (www.wiadca.com) masquerader committee chair, Joan Pierre, who approved the format, since costumes are being created. The public can view costume displays at the...

buzzz worthy. . . Controversial Sunday Best contestant, Dennis Christopher Brigham discusses his spat with judge Kim Burrell in an interview with Mona Austin on The Cedric Bailey Radio Show on July 11. Like many contestants, Brigham put his soul, faith and all of his funds into the auditioning process and got the cold shoulder from Burrell. Brigham butt heads with Burrell, scolding her about her approach and left the first audition visibly frustrated, but returned with the financial assistance of his church to audition for the seventh total time and apologize for his previous behavior.  It appeared the Christian singers had forgiven each other and moved on from a confrontation during the feedback portion of the audition, but a viral video of Burrell defending her conduct at a conference has stirred up emotions.  "I looked up to the lady until I saw her on Youtube," said the Gainesville, Florida resident. Unfortunately, Bingham said although he got nods from all four judg...

buzzz worthy. . . Ronn  David knows more than anyone that he has a lot to live up to. The son of Ruth Brown, the Queen of Rhythm and Blues, and Clyde  McPhatter , the founder and lead vocalist of The Drifters, David knows what it takes to make it in the music business... and it all begins with a great song. "I Want Your Lovin'," Ronn's new single from his upcoming album, is that song.     Guaranteed to shake away the winter blues, "I Want Your Lovin'" is perfect for springtime, impossibly catchy, smoothly soulful, and with a ready-made dance poised to fill the floor at clubs and parties from coast-to-coast, "I Want Your Lovin'" just may give  Ronn  David something he richly deserves: the opportunity to shine as brightly as his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame parents stars.   "I love and respect what my parents accomplished very much; but like most folks, I want to make my own mark...

buzzz worthy. . . SPECIAL BUNDLE INCLUDES AUTOGRAPHED BOOKLET, CUSTOMIZED POSTER AND INSTANT DOWNLOAD As part of the roll out for Smokie Norful's forthcoming  release,  FOREVER YOURS,  Tre'Myles Music / Motown Gospel, is offering a pre-order incentive for the ultimate Smokie Norful fan.  "The Forever Yours CD"  bundle (in digital and physical formats) is now available for pre-order on  www.smokienorful.com   A must have for any fan,  "The Forever Yours CD"  bundle will include a CD, autographed booklet and a limited edition 18x24 Smokie Norful poster for $21.98. The poster is a specially crafted and customized piece featuring the names of Norful's biggest fans. Anyone who purchases the exclusive bundle during the pre-order advance period will have their name added to the poster. The deadline for inclusion on the poster is   Monday, July 21 at  12 pm EST.    FOREVER YOURS  may still be purchased afte...