Washington Informer

The sister of the late "Green Mile" actor Michael Duncan Clarke wants his fiancé investigated over his will.

According to a report on Black America Web, Judy Duncan is accusing Omarosa Manigault, who'd been living with Duncan at the time of his death last year, tricked the star into re-writing his will, leaving her with nothing. The BAW report further states that Judy Duncan told TMZ that she hired a lawyer to investigate the circumstances behind Omarosa's becoming the main beneficiary of her brother's will.

Judy Duncan claims that Clarke was not of sound mind months before his death, and that as December 2011, was slurring his words and stumbling around.

In addition, the actor's sister claims that Omarosa was focused on his money as he was struggling on life support, and that without his family's knowledge, allegedly sold off lots of the actor's personal items such as his watches, cars, his "Green Mile" director's chair and awards.

Omarosa responded in an interview with TMZ that: "I don't control the estate or the finances and Judy knows it. If you saw all of her emails and texts to me you would see that she is just trying to get money from me, and threatened going to press if I did not give it to her and that is a crime!"

Thousands of people attended National Action Network's (NAN) annual national convention April 3-6 in New York City, including delegates from more than 60 NAN chapters across the country. The convention concluded with major announcement by Rev. Al Sharpton, NAN founder and president, regarding action plans formulated during the convention.

Firstly, the organization targeted major private corporations about their employment, procurement, and inclusion practices at board levels.

"The reason that Black unemployment has remained high is that the public sector jobs are being cut while the private sector has increased jobs but lowered its commitment to inclusion and hiring and doing business in our community," said Rev. Sharpton. "NAN intends to go at major industries that sell their goods in our community but do no good with our community."

NAN also started an "Alert Watch" since the Supreme Court is deciding on Affirmative Action and Section 5 of The Voting Rights Act--both of which Rev. Sharpton attended the oral arguments for at the Supreme Court—and NAN has issued an alert that will go into action in the event that the Supreme Court overturns either of the aforementioned policies.

Sharpton called on NAN delegates to put pressure on their Senators to vote on stronger Gun legislation that could come up for debate in the Senate this week.

A key highlight of the convention took place on April 4, the actual date of Dr. Martin Luther King's assassination in 1968, as NAN hosted its 15th Annual Keepers of the Dream Awards. The awards honor those who have continued to advocate for the principles for which Dr. King gave his life.

The forum featured civil rights leaders and a review by some of the legends of the civil rights movement regarding the progress made and mistakes made in the 50 years since the "March in Washington." The Forum included civil rights icons Rev. Joseph Lowery, Juanita Abernathy, Otis Moss, Jr., and Rev. Jesse Jackson, among others.

The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge and the Georgiana Thomas Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star in conjunction with the Prince Hall Freemason and Eastern Star Charitable Foundation, presents a scholarship drive each year in which thousands of dollars are awarded to a male and female high school senior headed off to college in the fall.

However this year, Most Worshipful Grand Master John T. Doles instituted a special initiative by hosting the "Masonic Classic," a basketball game that was held in February.

During the halftime festivities, Doles along with Grand Worthy Matron Barbara E. Murray and Grand Worthy Patron Thomas L. Coleman, presented two $5,000 scholarships to two District students who will be attending Howard University.

"While we give scholarships away every year in June during our scholarship program, this is the first time we targeted D.C. residents that will be attending Howard University, which is in our community," said spokesperson Shari McCoy. "The scholarship presentations are just one of the ways the Masonic family gives back to the District of Columbia community."

Margaret Thatcher, the first woman to become British prime minister, has died at 87.

Thatcher, a conservative party leader, known as the "Iron Lady," for her personal and political toughness, served as prime minister from 1979 to 1990.

She was a towering figure in postwar British and world politics and the only woman to become British prime minister.

Thatcher retired from public life after a stroke in 2002 and suffered several strokes after that. British media reported Monday that a stroke caused her death.

She made few public appearances in her final months, missing a reception marking her 85th birthday hosted by Prime Minister David Cameron in October 2010. She also skipped the July 2011 unveiling of a statue honoring her old friend Ronald Reagan in London.

In December 2012, Thatcher was hospitalized after a procedure to remove a growth in her bladder.

The British prime minister's office announced that Thatcher's funeral will be at St. Paul's Cathedral.

(Source: CNN)

Now that the much-needed rain has ceased and the cloud cover is giving way to sunshine, the D.C. area is in for a warming trend that is expected to extend well into next week.

However, the cool temperatures from earlier this week could change the highly-anticipated Tidal Basin cherry blossom peak bloom dates -- meaning the dates may be April 6 - 10 instead of April 3 - 7.

(Sources: WTOP, The Patch.com)

Ward 8 Councilman Marion Barry has been released from the hospital after being treated for low blood sugar.

Barry, 76, a diabetic, is home resting following an overnight stay at a Washington hospital earlier this week. A change in his medication to better manage his condition was made.

Meanwhile, Barry encouraged his supporters via his Twitter account to: "change our diets and demand healthier food options in our neighborhoods."

Actors' Equity, Capital Fringe, and Dizzy Miss Lizzie's Roadside Revue Honored

Washington theatre will celebrate its highest honors for achievement at the 29th Helen Hayes Awards on Monday, April 8 at the Warner Theatre and the JW Marriott Hotel.

The awards will recognize outstanding performances, designs, direction, and productions in 26 categories as well as pay tribute to three organizations which have made extraordinary contributions to theatre and Washington.

"The Helen Hayes Awards is the one night of the year when all sectors of Washington theatre come together – artists, professionals, and audience members -- to celebrate their collective achievements," said Linda Levy Grossman, president and CEO of theatreWashington. "Outstanding talent – and enormous commitment – goes into creating the incredible shows audiences enjoy almost every night of the year on Washington stages, and on April 8t we will honor that dedication."

Oscar, Tony, and Emmy winning actress Ellen Burstyn, song and dance man extraordinaire Maurice Hines, Wendy Rieger, Kojo Nnamdi, and D.C. Council member David Grosso are just a few of the special guests expected to attend.

(Source: theatreWashington)

Renownd film critic Roger Ebert has died following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 70.

Ebert was part of the film critic team that included the late Gene Sisket, who died in 1999 from a brain tumor.

For years, he "two thumbs up" team helped moviegoers decide which films they wanted to see, and Ebert continued his syndicated reiviews which were based at The Chicago Sun-Times, until shortly before his death.

"I'll see you at the movies," were the last word's Ebert wrote to his readers. It was published in an essay titled "Leave of Presence" on his blog Tuesday, in which he explained he was planning to slow down and reduce the number of movie reviews he wrote.

(Source: CNN)