Simmons College  has become accredited as the first private Historically Black Collegiate University, making it only the second HBCU in the state of Kentucky. Simmons joins Kentucky State University, a public institution.Â
An explosion that leveled two New York City apartment buildings has killed at least two people and injured 17 others. The NYPD says two females died in the East Harlem blast.Â
Yesterday Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni signed the country’s Anti-Homosexuality Act, banning the practice of same-sex acts and relationships. The act is punishable by up to life in prison. If that isn’t drastic enough, Red Pepper newspaper has published the identities of what it describes as the country’s “200 Top Homos.”
A New Jersey man is free after a dash cam video showing him being abused by police officers was released. Several charges were dropped against Marcus Jeter, 30, including eluding police and assault and two Bloomfield police officers have been indicted for falsifying reports. One of them has been charged with assault.
For the third time, Venus Williams took home the WTA title at the Dubai Championships in an impressive 6-3, 6-0 victory over France’s Alize Cornet. The win is Williams’ 45th career WTA title.Â
In the last ten years, the number of high school students taking advanced placement (AP) tests has increased dramatically. But according to the College Board’s latest report, one group still lags behind.Â
An NFL-ordered probe has revealed that Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Jonathan Martin was subjected to ongoing racist harassment that included vicious sexual taunts about his mother and sister by three teammates.Â
President Obama signed an executive order raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour for U.S government contract workers. In his State of the Union address, the president mentioned his push for a higher minimum wage for federal contract workers, and the move fulfills his promise.Â
A 17-year old North Carolina high school student has made history by becoming the first transgender teen crowned Homecoming King in North Carolina. Senior Blake Brockington was nominated by his peers this year to be East Meck High School’s 2014 Homecoming King. The announcement was made during the halftime ceremony inside the school gym Friday night.Â
Food stamp recipients will lose an average of $90 per month in benefits thanks to an $8.7 billion cut passed by Congress. The Senate voted on Tuesday to send the 2014 Farm Bill, which includes the cut, to President Obama’s desk.Â
A Washington County, Oregon woman found a noose in her cubicle at her office. Vanessa Savage entered her job at Washington County’s housing authority and saw the noose, from her supervisor, attached with a note that said “termination notice.”
During an appearance on “The Arsenio Hall Show,” actress Gabourey Sidibe repeatedly used a transphobic slur. The “American Horror Story: Coven” star said the word “tranny” when discussing life in New Orleans on the show which aired on Jan. 23.Â