Three Time Loser Michael E. Carn Appointed to Vacant City Commission Position

 Three Time Loser Michael E. Carn Appointed to
Vacant City Commission Position

Carn, who ran unsuccessfully for the commission in 2009 and 2011 and for state Senate in 2008, will be sworn in at the commission's Dec. 16 meeting.  Very Surprising the commission would appoint someone the voters resoundingly rejected not once but three times, Twice in the very same seat they appointed too. Has the Oakland Park Commission just usurped the Voters wishes 

The commission never discussed the other candidates, who were each given three minutes to speak. Guevrekian, who started the commission discussion, moved to appoint Carn to the position.

Mayor Tim Lonergan seconded the motion after neither Vice Mayor John Adornato nor Commissioner Jed Shank chose to do so, but Carn still received a 4-0 vote.

Broward State Attorney Mike Satz has an opponent for the Democratic nomination

Broward State Attorney Mike Satz has an opponent for the Democratic nomination. Last week, Teresa Elizabeth Williams kicked off her long-rumored campaign to be Broward’s top prosecutor. Satz has been Broward State Attorney since 1976.

In September, Williams spoke to BrowardBeat.com about the race.

“I have lived in South Florida a long time. I know Mike Satz is an institution…it won’t be easy,” said Williams.

PARIS ATTACKS OVERSHADOW SECOND DAY OF GOP EVENT

Speaking to Florida Republicans in the wake of a series of deadly terrorist attacks in Paris, GOP candidates for the White House largely stuck to foreign policy on the second day of the state party's "Sunshine Summit" event.

It was a striking change from first day of the gathering when most of the high-profile contenders for the Republican presidential nomination used standard stump speeches and emphasized their ties to Florida. Instead, the candidates who spoke Saturday included some whose poll numbers have been lower, and they focused on the fallout from the assaults on Paris.

Those attacks overnight -- or late in the first day of the summit --- left 129 people dead, according to media reports. The Islamic State militant group, which is also known as ISIS, has claimed responsibility.

That put the spotlight  on issues of terrorism and how the United States should handle the Islamic State's growth in Iraq and Syria. Many of the candidates either spoke extensively about the attacks or scrapped their standard speeches to focus entirely on the events in Paris and whether the United States should expand its current air campaign against ISIS.

Several also used the events to try to distinguish themselves from other contenders on the issue of national security experience.

Carly Fiorina, a businesswoman who had surged to the top tier of GOP candidates but has lately seen her numbers fade, laid at least part of the blame for the attacks on President Barack Obama.

"Mostly, I am outraged because the murder, the mayhem, the danger, the tragedy that we see unfolding in Paris, in the Middle East, around the world and, too often, in our own homeland, are the direct consequences of this administration's policies," Fiorina told a cheering crowd of party activists and officials at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort. "You cannot lead from behind."

Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania said the attacks highlighted the need for someone who has dealt with foreign policy over a long timeframe, particularly in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

He suggested that he and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina fit that bill, along with perhaps Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a former congressman. But Santorum also cast doubt on the relevance of Kasich's experience.

"I think if you're interested in national security, you're looking at frankly two people who have had national security experience in the post-9/11 world," Santorum said. "That would actually be Sen. Graham and myself. Congressman Kasich was long gone, and I think if you look at some of the policies he's advocating, I don't think he clearly understands the threat that radical Islam is. He wasn't in Congress and wasn't dealing with it."

For his part, Kasich called for NATO to invoke the mutual defense clause of the organization's founding treaty.

Kasich called for no-fly zones to be enforced over Syria, where the government of Bashar al-Assad has sought to hold onto power by brutally crushing a rebellion in a war blamed for killing tens of thousands of people, leaving millions homeless and providing a breeding ground for radical groups like ISIS.

"Last night, it was not just one isolated, small group and not just an attack that we have seen of just a lone wolf," Kasich said. "Ladies and gentlemen, we need to understand that these attacks really represent an attack on Western civilization."

But not everyone agreed. Former Virginia Gov. James Gilmore, who pointed to his experience as the state's chief executive during the 9/11 attacks on the Pentagon, said a no-fly zone would be dangerous now that Russia has begun a military intervention in Syria.

"And frankly, we should have had a no-fly zone, which was imposed and put the burden on the Russians to try to intervene and to overturn that, which they probably would not have tried to do," Gilmore said. "But by delaying so long, and really leaving a lot of our allies out there swinging, now the Russians have intervened and put us in a position where we could end up in a war with Russia."

Some candidates also used the attacks to highlight divides on how Obama and social conservatives view the conflict between the West and groups like ISIS. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal was among those calling for blunt declarations about the involvement of Muslims in terrorist groups.

"We need a president who will say this: Islam has a problem. That problem is radical Islam," Jindal said. "We need a president who will say this to the Muslim clerics and leaders: It's not enough to condemn generic acts of violence. They must make it clear, they must go after these individuals by name, and say that they are not martyrs. If you kill in the name of Islam, you are not a martyr. You are not going to enjoy a reward in the afterlife, but rather, you are going straight to hell where you belong."

Many of the candidates also criticized Obama's willingness to accept thousands of Syrian refugees in response to the suffering. They said the nation wouldn't be able to adequately screen potential refugees to make sure that terrorists don't blend in with other Syrians.

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky called for regional powers to absorb some of those flowing out of Syria.

"I would like to see Saudi Arabia take them. I'd also like to see Iran take them," Paul said. "The two arsonists in that region throwing gasoline on the fire --- Saudi Arabia, Iran --- they're not taking any refugees. I think the refugees need to go to some of the local countries."

At least one candidate seemed to use the dangers of the world to remind Republican voters about the risks of nominating a flamboyant outsider like real-estate tycoon Donald Trump. Without naming Trump, who has vaulted to the top of the polls, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said he understands the anger that many GOP voters feel.

"And then you take that anger and you want to use your vote as a chance to send a message about that anger," Christie said. "These times are too dire for that luxury, and the threats we are facing are too great for that act of vanity."







By BRANDON LARRABEE
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

RPOF Sunshine Summit In Orlando

Sunshine Summit Details

What: This two-day event will bring presidential candidates along with Florida's elected officials together to address voters, grassroots leaders, and GOP supporters from across the state.

When: November 13th & 14th.

Presidential Candidate Agenda 

Friday, November 13, 2015: 

11:30 am U.S. Senator Marco Rubio Remarks 

12:30 pm U.S. Senator Ted Cruz Remarks 

1:00 pm U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham Remarks 

2:00 pm Governor Mike Huckabee Remarks 

4:00 pm Governor Jeb Bush Remarks 

5:30 pm Donald Trump Remarks 

Saturday, November 14, 2015: 

11:00 am Senator Rick Santorum Remarks 

1:00 pm Governor Bobby Jindal Remarks 

1:30 pm Senator Rand Paul Remarks 

2:00 pm Governor Chris Christie Remarks 

2:30 pm Governor John Kasich Remarks 

4:00 pm Carly Fiorina Remarks 

Where: Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida 

Fresh off the fourth set of debates, most of the Republican presidential candidates will converge on Florida during the next two days for the Sunshine State Summit. The cattle call, at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort in Orlando, will serve as a sort of kickoff to the race for Florida's share of delegates in the GOP primary --- not to mention the state's trove of 29 electoral votes in the 2016 general election.

In all, 14 of the 15 declared candidates who are still in the race and have been on at least one of the eight debate stages this year --- there have been two debates each night --- will be at the event. (Only former New York Gov. George Pataki, who's been having trouble getting traction in the polls, won't be speaking.)

That means Florida's two favorite sons --- former Gov. Jeb Bush and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio --- will join bombastic tycoon Donald Trump, neurosurgeon Ben Carson and 10 more candidates in vying for attention.

The March 15 primary in Florida, which will award all of the state's delegates to the leading candidate, could end up playing a major role in who gets the nomination. Florida has the third-largest number of delegates to the Republican National Convention, behind California, which won't vote until June, and Texas, which votes March 1 and will allocate its delegates proportionally.

Unlike the old Presidency events hosted by the Republican Party of Florida, the straw poll at the end of the event has been jettisoned. A 2012 straw poll was best known for beginning a boomlet for pizza magnate Herman Cain, who ended up dropping out of the race a few months later. But the chance to schmooze with a large group of party activists in a key state has still proved too much for the campaigns to pass up.

The summit comes little more than a month after a Quinnipiac University poll found Trump and Carson leading the field in Florida despite Bush and Rubio's perceived home-field advantage. In that survey, Trump was supported by 28 percent of registered Republicans, compared to 16 percent for Carson, 14 percent for Rubio and 12 percent for Bush. No other candidate got out of single digits.

Rubio, who will be the first Republican candidate to speak Friday morning, is looking to build momentum after being seen as one of the winners at this week's televised debate. Bush is also trying to show strength; some reviewers said he was better during the last debate showdown between the candidates, but his performances have generally been panned. He will speak Friday afternoon.

Also speaking on the first day of the summit: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Trump and Carson. The cast for Saturday includes former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore, outgoing Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and businesswoman Carly Fiorina.

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Governor Scott Announces TQL Expansion Will Create 60 New Jobs in Dania Beach

 

Governor Rick Scott announced Total Quality Logistics (TQL), one of the largest freight-brokerage firms in the country, will be expanding in Dania Beach and creating 60 new jobs. The expansion of their logistics operation will also create a capital investment of approximately $600,000 in Broward County. TQL has operations in Dania Beach, Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando and Daytona Beach and currently employs nearly 450 Floridians across the state.

Governor Scott said, “TQL has experienced exciting success in Florida and I am proud to announce the creation of 60 new jobs in Dania Beach today. We look forward to working with the Legislature to create the new Florida Enterprise Fund so more job creators like TQL can continue to create new jobs and diversify our economy.”

The Dania Beach expansion is in addition to their recent Daytona Beach opening that will create 100 new jobs, and the recent announcement that TQL will add a new carrier services division to its operations in Tampa that will create up to 200 new jobs. The company began operations in Florida in 2010 and has been recognized numerous times as a top employer in the Sunshine State.

TQL President Kerry Byrne said, “Thank you to Governor Scott and Enterprise Florida for their efforts to support new business growth in the state and build a competitive workforce. Our experience has been extremely positive working with the state to grow our presence and find the quality, professional talent we need to continue to grow our market share in the logistics industry.”

Florida’s expansive and multi-modal infrastructure is among the best in the nation. As the Western Hemisphere's commercial gateway, Florida's logistics & distribution industry is poised to grow further with the Panama Canal expansion in 2016, and the numerous infrastructure developments and upgrades underway around the state.

Bill Johnson, Enterprise Florida president and CEO said, “Florida is one of the top states in the country for infrastructure and logistics, and that is why we keep attracting great companies like TQL. We congratulate TQL on their continued success and wish them the best as they continue to grow and create new opportunities in Florida.”

The TQL expansion was made possible through partnerships between Enterprise Florida, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, CareerSource Florida, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, Broward County, and Dania Beach.

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Jesse Panuccio said, “TQL’s continued expansion across the state is a win for Florida’s economy. Today’s announcement is great news for 60 families in Broward County and continues our trend of making Florida a national hub for logistics and distribution.”

As part of the project, CareerSource Florida has offered TQL performance-based grants for employee training through the Quick Response Training program. Quick Response Training grants are structured to be flexible and responsive to the training needs of new or expanding businesses.

Broward County Mayor Tim Ryan said, “We are thrilled to celebrate the growth of TQL, a major national player in the logistics industry. We’re glad to be part of TQL’s long-range growth strategy, providing jobs today and in the future, here in Broward County.

City of Dania Beach Mayor Marco Salvino, Sr. said, “We are very pleased TQL is expanding its presence in the City of Dania Beach. We look forward to TQL’s continued success in our City.”

Bob Swindell, president and CEO, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance said, “Global Logistics are an important targeted industry for Broward County and we are excited for TQL’s statewide growth, and grateful they chose to expand in Dania Beach.”

***

Total Quality Logistics (TQL) is the middle man of the transportation industry - connecting companies needing products hauled with carriers delivering goods. Their ability to connect customers to the hundreds of thousands of trucks belonging to small carriers and owner/operators creates greater efficiency in transportation and keeps the economy moving. TQL’s Fort Lauderdale office is located at 1855 Griffin Road, Suite A-410. The office is  hiring and interested job seekers can learn more at www.tqljobs.com.

Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a partnership between Florida’s businesses and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for Florida. EFI facilitates job growth for Florida businesses through recruitment and retention, international trade and exporting, promotion of sporting events, and capital funding programs to assist small and minority businesses.

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance is Broward County’s official public/private partnership for economic development.  Its mission is to lead Broward County in building a stronger and more diverse economy by stimulating the creation of new jobs and capital investment while facilitating the growth and retention of businesses in Broward County.   Services offered by the Alliance include assistance with business relocation or expansion and site selection; incentive programs and information; market research; and serving as a liaison for workforce development between CareerSource Broward, educational institutions and the business community.  To learn more, call(954) 524-3113.

Florida Republican Party Sunshine Summit 11-12 to 11-14-15

CLAUDIO RONCOLI NAMED OFFICIAL ARTIST FOR THE 16TH ANNUAL LATIN GRAMMY AWARDS™

The Latin Recording Academy^®  has named Argentinean contemporary painter  Claudio Roncoli the official artist for the 16th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards. Roncoli's artwork will be used as the official image for the world's premier Latin music annual event and will be featured on this year's poster, program book, tickets and other important applications.

"The contemporary approach Claudio took on this year's artwork mirrors our goal to continue reinventing our artistic presence,while showcasing the colorful cultural diversity of The Latin Recording Academy and the creative fire each of our nominees display in their lyrics and music," said Gabriel Abaroa Jr., President/CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. "The vibrant images around Latin music's most prestigious award evokes a celebratory enthusiasm while promoting the diversity of our musical past while setting the tone for its future."

"I am honored to be the artist invited to create this year's Latin GRAMMY artwork, not only for its importance in the music world, but because of my infinite love for the craft," commented Roncoli. "My inspiration for this painting was the passion that originates fromLatin music; I decided to embody its strength through images of iconic symbols from the Latin American jungles such as the jaguar, theSpanish guitar and the flame of creativity that characterizes Latinos."

Roncoli's work has been featured in numerous international exhibitions, galleries, museums and fairs. For more than 15 years he worked as an art director in advertising agencies. In 2004 he began to devote 100 percent of his life to art and to his first solo exhibition Merienda at The Praxs art gallery in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Roncoli is inspired by images that were part of the popular culture during the '50s, '60s and '70s. In his creations he incorporates elements of advertising, cartoon, design and collage, weaving them with resources such as image scanning. Using a special technique without forsaking his biting irony and humor, through what he calls the "constant balance of life" Roncoli's juxtaposition of images and use of bright colors take the viewer to a "brave new world."

Use of the 16th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards artwork requires the expressed written permission of The Latin Recording Academy. Please direct your request via email to latingrammypr@grammy.com.

The 16th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Thursday, Nov. 19 on the Univision Network from 8–11 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. Central).

The Latin Recording Academy is an international, membership-based organization comprised of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking recording artists, musicians, songwriters, producers and other creative and technical recording professionals. The organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for Latin music and its makers. In addition to producing the Latin GRAMMY Awards to honor excellence in the recorded arts and sciences, The Latin Recording Academy provides educational and outreach programs for the Latin music community. For more information about The Latin Recording Academy, please visit LatinGRAMMY.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @LatinGRAMMYs on Twitter, like "Latin GRAMMYs" onFacebook , and join the Latin GRAMMYs' social communities on Foursquare, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, and YouTube.

Mayor Gary Resnick Testifies Before the Senate on Wireless Broadband

Mayor Gary Resnick, Wilton Manors, Fla. testifies during a Senate committee hearing.

Earlier this week, Mayor Gary Resnick, Wilton Manors, FL testified before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation at the "Removing Barriers to Wireless Broadband Deployment" hearing. Mayor Resnick is a long time member of the National League of Cities and current chair of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Intergovernmental Advisory Committee. The hearing featured representatives from the wireless industry, the Administration, and the technology space.

Mayor Resnick testified on the clear and strong role for local governments in increasing wireless broadband services for their communities. Not only does it help promote the economic well-being of their residents, it helps local governments ensure quality communications services for public safety and other critical services. Mayor Resnick highlighted this role by talking about the innovative ways local governments are working to improve the way they respond to requests to increase wireless infrastructure.

Industry can tend to paint a picture of local governments as being an obstacle to wireless deployment and Mayor Resnick was able to share examples of where local governments have taken steps to eliminate unnecessary review procedures thereby expediting this critical deployment and successfully creating partnerships with the wireless industry to improve wireless communications services. To further underscore this partnership, Mayor Resnick noted the FCC's recent wireless broadband facilities siting order and the resources jointly developed by NLC, the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, the National Association of Counties, CTIA, The Wireless Association, and PCIA, The Wireless Infrastructure Association to help localities comply with the order.

Despite the nation's need for additional broadband deployments, Mayor Resnick testified that needs must be balanced with the ability of local governments to maintain reasonable control and authority over the placement of wireless facilities in their communities. "Because of our responsibility as local leaders to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our residents, federal policies must respect our ability as local officials to manage public rights-of-way as well as land uses on private and public property," said Resnick. "Disruption to neighborhoods, open spaces, streets, sidewalks, and businesses can have a negative impact on public safety and industry, as well as the sustainability of our communities."

When asked by Committee members how cities were managing the various infrastructure requests from industry, Mayor Resnick talked how communities were streamlining applications processes on small cell technologies and developing solutions to facilitate larger structures such as towers. These larger structures can cause an aesthetic issue in the community and Mayor Resnick was able to refer to an example of how these structures are being stealthily disguised to blend in with the environment while increasing wireless capacity. However, local governments are not always experts on the types of infrastructure needed for wireless broadband and he urged the industry to help educate local decisions makers so that they can create policies that would expedite deployment.

Committee members also asked how the federal government can help localities deploy broadband more effectively and Mayor Resnick talked about federal barriers, such as how, in his community, CDBG funds were not eligible for a digital literacy initiative or transportation dollars to be used to build telecommunications infrastructure as part of a transportation project. These obstacles are not unique to Wilton Manors and significantly limit what city leaders can do to spur broadband expansion while stunting innovation at the local level.

The hearing represented a win for local governments as the Senate realized the role cities play in a national discussion about wireless broadband and provided an opportunity for cities to share how they are working to help facilitate the development of this critical infrastructure.

Shia LaBeouf Arrested, Again

Shia LaBeouf Arrested, Again

Shia LaBeouf was arrested Friday in Austin, Texas, taken to the Travis County jail and charged with public intoxication, TMZ reported. LaBeouf was reportedly intoxicated when he ran on a street and jaywalked in front of the police. According to the TMZ report, police officials had warned him but LaBeouf did not listen and continued to…

Television director Jason "Jace" Alexander has been arrested on child pornography

This photo released by the Westchester County, N.Y. District Attorney's office shows television director Jason 'Jace ' Alexander after his arrest on child pornography charges. (Westchester County District Attorney)

Television director Jason "Jace" Alexander has been arrested on child pornography charges for allegedly promoting a video showing a girl stripping and masturbating, the Westchester County District Attorney’s office said Wednesday.

Alexander, 51, of Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. the only son of actress Jane Alexander, is accused of promoting the video – depicting a girl about 12 or 13 years old – by making it available for viewing in late June on the Torrent network, according to a criminal complaint.

He also is accused of having a video file depicting a 6- to 8-year-old girl performing a sexual act on herself, according to Investigator Andrew Garcia of the District Attorney’s High Technology Crime Bureau.

Alexander was charged with felony counts of promoting and possessing an obscene sexual performance by a child. He posted $10,000 bail and is due in Dobbs Ferry Court on Nov. 19.

If convicted, Alexander faces up to seven years in state prison, the prosecutor's office said.

According to the Internet Movie Database, Alexander has directed 32  episodes of “Law & Order” and 19 episodes of “Rescue Me,” in addition to episodes of “The Blacklist” and “The Practice."

NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR TELEMUNDO’S 2015 PREMIOS TU MUNDO (YOUR WORLD AWARDS) LIVE FROM THE AMERICAN AIRLINES ARENA IN MIAMI AUGUST 20 AT 8PM/7c

Top novela stars Rafael Amaya, Aracely Arambula, Aarón Díaz, Kate del Castillo, Fabian Rios, and Blanca Soto, as well as Latino music stars Enrique Iglesias, Romeo Santos,Daddy Yankee, Banda El Recodo, Prince Royce, and Marc Anthony, are among the nominees announced for the 2015 “Premios Tu Mundo” (Your World Awards). TELEMUNDO announced the nominees via an unprecedented 360 SocialTV event in partnership with Facebook where categories and nominees were revealed in tandem with “Un Nuevo Dia”.  “Premios Tu Mundo” will broadcast live on TELEMUNDO Thursday, August 20, at 8PM/7c with star-studded musical performances, and will be preceded by the blue carpet special “La Alfombra de Premios Tu Mundo” at 7PM/6c, from the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. Beginning today through August 13th at 12PM ET, fans can review the full list of nominees and vote online at PremiosTuMundo.com. Fans can be part of the action by following @PremiosTuMundo across Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Periscope, Meerkat, Facebook.com/PremiosTuMundo and joining the conversation using #PremiosTuMundo. Tickets for the award show are available at Ticketmaster.com.

In addition, up and coming Regional Mexican singer, Regulo Caro; successful Sinaloense musical group,Banda MS de Sergio Lizarraga; actor and singer Jencarlos Canela; Puerto Rican salsa singer Victor Manuelle; Colombian urban music sensation, J Balvin; and Jamaican singer, son of Bob Marley, Kymani Marley, among the first list of confirmed artists who will hit the stage of “Premios Tu Mundo” with their musical performances.

Through a fan voting and selection process that combines the power of television, web, mobile and social media platforms, and is managed by Telescope Inc., the market leader in audience participation and consumer engagement for live television (The Voice, American Idol, X-Factor), TELEMUNDO viewers will once again vote for their favorite actors, singers and TV moments, selecting from 30 competing categories, and making the winners a true reflection of the people’s choice.

The eclectic list of categories of the awards show that celebrates U.S. Latino pop culture, include: The Perfect Couple, Best Villain, I’m Sexy and I Know It, Fan Club of the Year, and Favorite Influencer, among others. Music categories include nominees in Regional Mexican, Pop, Tropical and Urban genres. 

PTM Tweet: Nominees announced for @PremiosTuMundo @TELEMUNDO. Vote for your favorite actors, singers and TV moments #PremiosTuMundo

Vehicle driven into canal, crews find 1 occupant and dead dog

 Rescue crews searching for any passengers that were in a vehicle driven into a canal in Southwest Ranches came across a deceased dog.

Earlier, they pulled one person out of the water in unknown condition.

The driver somehow drove the car into the water off Griffin Road and Bonaventure Boulevard, just before 6 p.m., Tuesday.

6 Years Today. After Michael Jackson's Death How Are His Kids?

It's hard to believe that six years ago today, fans around the world heard the shocking news that Michael Jackson had passed away.

While every anniversary brings a variety of emotions to fans of the "King of Pop," one can't help but acknowledge the growth the singer's three children have experienced in the spotlight.

Just last month, Prince Jackson graduated from a private California high school with honors. The milestone was a family affair that featured plenty of celebrations.

"So very proud of @Princemjjjaxon," aunt LaToya Jackson tweeted after the ceremony. "YOU DID! And you did it with Honors!!! #BuckleyClassof2015."

Cousin T. J. Jackson added, "Prince, you have grown into an incredibly special young man. Words can't express how proud I am of you." Prince is expected to begin college at Loyola Marymount University this fall.

Younger sister Paris Jackson appears to have a very special friend in her life. Earlier this spring, the 17-year-old was spotted out enjoying quality time with soccer club member Chester Castellaw and the pair recently stepped out onto a red carpet together.

Finally, Blanket continues to stay busy with a variety of activities. When not attending private school, the 13-year-old has been involved with martial arts while still hanging out with his extended family.

Grupo Treo, recognized throughout Latin America for their numerous awards

Grupo Treo, recognized throughout Latin America for their numerous awards, recognitions, and success, premiere the official lyric video of their first single, "Nadie Nos Va Parar" today on YouTube. With new band members from different flags and cultures; Monti, Nesty, and Leo are taking the world by storm as the new generation of Grupo Treo.

 

Bred and developed in Venezuela, the name Grupo Treo has always been a reflection of the country's music, people, and culture. Leo Herrera, one of the three new members of Grupo Treo recognizes the impact Treo has had on Venezuela having been born and raised in Maracaibo. "This new generation of Grupo Treo is unique because of the diversity of the group itself and the ability to take the music even further. Treo started in my Venezuela, but now belongs to the world." Stated Leo. The group's diversity, which Leo mentions, refers to the fact that the other two members are not from Venezuela; Monti hails from Caguas, Puerto Rico and Nesty from Havana, Cuba.

 

Grupo Treo- Nadie Nos Va Parar Official Lyric Video

 

 

Today, the group released the official lyric video for their new single, "Nadie Nos Va Parar", which visually introduced Monti, Nesty, and Leo to the world as Grupo Treo. Each member representing three of the most musically influential countries in Latin America, showing the power and greatness of unity within Latin music.

 

The group has been hard at work preparing for the release of their new album, due out later this year. Their first single, "Nadie Nos Va Parar" is already heating up the charts throughout the US and Latin America and they've been working alongside some of the industry's top producers and composers gearing up for what will undoubtedly be one of the group's biggest releases. 

 

16 Miami Beach officers allegedly linked to what they described as a series of racist and deplorable e-mails

The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office and the Miami Beach Police Department have announced they are investigating 16 officers allegedly linked to what they described as a series of racist and deplorable e-mails, including one featuring a picture of a dead body in connection to a 2011 Memorial Day shooting. The State Attorney's Office held a press conference, Thursday afternoon, to address issues regarding the e-mails allegedly sent by members of the police department. Some in attendance included Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Miami Beach City Manager Jimmy Morales and Miami Beach Police Department Chief Daniel J. Oates. Among some of the released e-mails is a doctored poster of the film "Brokeback Mountain" with a photo of Tiger Woods superimposed over Heath Ledger's face. The film's title had been to changed to "Broke Black Golfer." In another, a Monopoly board game table now reads "Black Monopoly, with every single space requiring players to "Go Directly to Jail." In a third e-mail, Daffy Duck is seen telling Bugs Bunny, "I'm African American," to which the Looney Tunes rabbit responds "You're a [expletive n-word]." Fernandez Rundle told reporters she is taking a proactive stance on this investigation, sending out letters of notification to defense attorneys. "Every person deserves the fullest respect and fairest treatment possible from the system," said Fernandez Rundle. "We have always stood for equal treatment for everyone under the law." In addition, among the inflammatory images is an autopsy photo of 22-year-old Raymond Herisse allegedly sent by retired Miami Beach Police Maj. Angel Vazquez. On the morning of May 30, 2011, Miami Beach and Hialeah Police officers fatally shot Herisse at the intersection of 13th Street and Collins Avenue following a three-block chase that was partially captured on cellphone video. Officers ended up shooting more than 100 rounds into Herisse's blue car. According to a source, the retired law enforcer is expected to be arrested. It is against the law to e-mail any photographs of dead bodies in a criminal investigation. Miami Beach Police Police Capt. Alex Carulo was fired Thursday in connection to the e-mails. Prosecutors, however, stressed this is an ongoing investigation, and no one has been charged yet. Oates said both Carulo and Vazquez's conduct is unbecoming of a law enforcer. "The behavior, in particular, of these two leaders in the organization, and the tone that was obviously set in this organization at the top, I can't do enough to say how much we condemn it," he said. "We won't tolerate it, and we want to send a message to our citizens and to our employees that that kind of behavior is over." Police maintained that Herisse, who was in town for Urban Beach Weekend, was driving recklessly down Collins Avenue as he bumped into cars and barreled through barricades. Investigators thoroughly reviewed the case and no criminal charges were made. Miami Beach City Manager Jimmy Morales released a statement which reads in part, "It is a terrible shame and disservice to the many dedicated men and women of the Miami Beach Police Department that the deplorable actions of a few officers have led to today's disclosures. However, today we have taken action to fix what has happened in the past." Prosecutors said some of the e-mails also included pornographic images. They said more than 500 cases may be affected as a result of the investigation.