NNPA NEWSWIRE — The stunning reversal recasts history and reopens the case of the slaying of Malcolm X, who died in a hail of gunfire at the old Audubon Theater in New York’s Harlem area. The exoneration of the two men, Muhammad A. Aziz, and Khalil Islam, represents a “remarkable acknowledgment of grave errors made in a case of towering importance: the 1965 murder of one of America’s most influential Black leaders in the fight against racism,” the Times reported.
Investigators exonerate men convicted in the 1965 assassination of Malcolm X
Large crowd gathers for Joliet’s Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting
Hundreds lined the streets of downtown Joliet this past Friday for the annual tree lighting and Holiday Parade. Local officials gathered on a stage prior to the start of the parade for the ceremonial tree lighting.
Victim Advocate Jessica Gil receives award from Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists
State’s Attorney James Glasgow recently honored Victim Witness Advocate Jessica Gil for receiving the Diane Mains Award from the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists (AAIM) for her dedication in assisting impaired driving crash victims and their families.
More than 70 percent of Will County residents 12 and older vaccinated
While the case positivity rate is up a bit in Will County, there is good news on the vaccination front. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, 70.7 percent of Will County residents 12 and older are fully vaccinate as of Nov. 25. At the same time, the rolling seven-day test positivity rate for the county is 5.24 percent. Residents should continue to wear masks while indoors in public places, IDPH officials said.
OP-ED: An Unfair Attack on an Organization Making a Difference
NNPA NEWSWIRE — For more than a decade, the nonprofit CORE Services Group has been an effective partner to New York City’s Department of Homeless Services. It runs dozens of emergency or transitional housing centers, where clients receive skills training, substance abuse treatment, shelter and other critical services. Time and again, the city has turned to CORE to help fight the chronic problem of poverty and homelessness.
COMMENTARY: Build Back Better balances Joe Biden’s 3-legged Stool
NNPA NEWSWIRE — In March, Democrats passed President Biden’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) without a single Republican vote. In addition to making sure we had enough vaccines and getting them out quickly and equitably, the ARP scaled up testing and tracing and addressed the shortages of personal protective equipment. The ARP expanded the Child Tax Credit, which lifted nearly half of America’s children living in poverty out of poverty, and the Earned Income Tax Credit; the House-passed Build Back Better legislation will extend these expanded tax credits through 2022.
After Guilty Verdicts, Civil Rights Leaders Exhort Black America to ‘Never Stop Running for Ahmaud’
NNPA NEWSWIRE — A Glynn County, Georgia, convicted Travis McMichael, Gregory McMichael, and William Bryan of felony murder. “Guilty. Guilty. Guilty,” civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump exclaimed. “Nothing will bring back Ahmaud, but his family will have some peace knowing the men who killed him will remain behind bars and can never inflict their brand of evil on another innocent soul,” Crump continued.
Pritzker signs Congressional Maps that preserve minority representation
SPRINGFIELD — After reviewing the General Assembly’s congressional maps drawn with 2020 U.S. Census data, Governor JB Pritzker signed the new U.S. House district map that reflects Illinois’ diversity and preserves minority representation in Illinois’ delegation in accordance with the federal Voting Rights Act.
Local families are looking forward to the Thanksgiving holiday
Unlike last November’s small gatherings, this week’s Thanksgiving celebrations across the country have many people saying “go big or go home.” As many in this country have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, residents in Will County are confident celebrating the holiday with family and friends will not cause medical issues for them. Marisha Jackson of Joliet said she plans to go all out this Thanksgiving. “Besides my family, I am having my cousins, aunts and uncles over,” she said. “I love to cook so this holiday is ideal for me. Last year, it was just my husband, myself and our two children. I would rather cook for a large group than a few. It makes the holiday much more special when we can pass the food around and share laughs.”
Including You gives Thanks to partners
Including You, a not-for-profit organization in Joliet held an event November 20, 2021, to thank volunteers, sponsors and supporters who helped the organization during their annual event. Including You is a community-based organization whose mission is to help bridge funding gaps for various organizations who provide vital services to the Joliet community. This year $8,000 was given to two nonprofits.

