Chrisette Michele Talks Trump, Social Media And Faith

Chrisette Michele took a career-threatening figurative beating from her fans for agreeing to perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration. But this year, Tom Joyner personally invited her to perform on the 2019 Fantastic Voyage and told the audience it was time to forgive the embattled singer. The audience responded positively, applauding the singer and one-time reality TV star,  which gave Michele some much-needed vindication.

Here, she talks about why she did the show, what she’s learned from social media and how she stood on faith.

 

 

Do you think it’s time to forgive Chrisette? 

PHOTO: Courtesy

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How Will The U.S. – China Trade War Affect You?

 PRESIDENT TRUMP AGAIN INCREASED TARIFFS ON CHINESE GOODS LAST WEEK. CAN YOU GIVE US A SNAPSHOT OF WHAT HAPPENED?

As you know, the US and China have been engaged in an escalating trade battle since last year. In September, the U.S. imposed 10% tariffs on $200 billion worth of goods imported from China, with tariffs rates set to rise to 25% on January 1, 2019. China then retaliated. In the wake of this tit for tat, negotiators from both countries launched trade negotiations, and the January tariff hike was postponed. However, those talks broke down last week, and President Trump raised duties to 25% while announcing the US would consider imposing tariffs on the remaining $325 billion worth of goods from China.

CAN YOU REMIND US HOW TARIFFS WORK?

Tariffs are simply a tax on goods imported into the United States. Just like sales tax, tariffs are set as a percentage of the value of any given good. So, when companies or individuals buy goods subject to tariffs, they will have to pay that amount on top of the value of the goods when they enter the United States. Countries impose tariffs for a few reasons: to raise income, to give domestically produced products an advantage, and to penalize a country by making its products more expensive. One thing is certain when it comes to tariffs, Tom: higher tariffs mean higher prices.

IF CONSUMERS ARE GOING TO FACE HIGHER PRICES, WHY DID THE WHITE HOUSE GO DOWN THIS PATH?

Many reports have suggested that President Trump went this route following a decision by China to call for substantial changes to the negotiating text that both countries had been using as a blueprint for a deal. Specifically, China removed language in the draft agreement that would have committed the country to change its laws relating to the theft of U.S. intellectual property and trade secrets, the forced transfer of certain technologies to domestic Chinese firms, and currency manipulation, among other items. The president and U.S. trade negotiators believe that any agreements on these measures and others must be legally binding, and after the changes were made, talks hit a wall.

HOW WILL CONSUMERS FEEL THE PINCH OF THESE NEW DUTIES ON GOODS IMPORTED FROM CHINA?

While American consumers have been affected by the past two tariff hikes on Chinese goods, this round of duties will hit our pocketbooks much harder. The reason? Past hikes have been designed to shield consumers, focusing instead on goods used to make finished products and exemptions for important consumer items such as clothing and children’s products.

However, this latest round does not contain these exclusions, and the additional 15% tariffs will certainly drive up ticket prices. The administration increased to 25% tariffs on a wide swath of household goods. Everything from pet toys to food, power tools to furniture is subject to these new duties and will get more expensive. The prices of consumer electronics and auto parts in particular are expected to shoot up. At the end of the day, these tariffs will cost every American money.

WILL CONSUMERS SEE PRICES HIKES OF 25%?

While prices are certain to go up, consumers are unlikely to see prices rise by 25%. This is because retailers will try to absorb or redistribute some of the cost increase. We say this is in January 2018, when the administration levied a 20% duty on washing machines. According to the Wall Street Journal, prices of both washing machines and dryers rose by about 12%, because appliance manufacturers spread the cost increase across both items.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT GOING FORWARD?

That remains unclear, Tom. US and Chinese officials both said they continue to seek a trade deal. But at this point, there are no talks scheduled and the tariffs remain in place. If China retaliates for this latest round of US tariffs, it could very well inflict more pain on US manufacturers and farmers, and slow the US economy. Let’s hope this trade battle gets resolved, for the sake of consumers and the economy as a whole.

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Top Of The Morning: Here’s Where Wendy Williams’ Husband Went Wrong

By now we all know that Wendy Williams and her husband Kevin Hunter are going through a divorce. But Sherri and Ms. Pat breakdown exactly where Hunter went wrong. Apparently, he messed up when he picked a young woman to be his side chick. They say that young girls talk too much and tell everything, if he had gotten a grown woman he’d still be married. According to them if your side chick doesn’t wear a panty liner when she leaves the house, she’s too young.

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R. Kelly Coughed Up $62K In Child Support To Avoid Another Trip To Jail

We know that R. Kelly can’t seem to stay out of Legal trouble after it seems like “Surviving R. Kelly” completely tarnished his whole livelihood. Things haven’t been the same  for the singer since the docuseries premiered on Lifetime. Stemming from those allegations a series of charges from the Cook’s County state attorney have rained on R. Kelly parade. Chicago has a alleged sex tapes of R. Kelly having sex with minors. While he is battling mulitple sexual charges. A women named Heather Williams claims that R. Kelly sexually assaulted her when she was 16 years old.

Source: Cook County Department of Corrections / Cook County Department of Corrections

The Singer found himself serving two stints in Jail on the alledge sexual charges and then for owing thousands of dollars to his ex wife Andrea Kelly. Someone paid the money to get him out of jail and he’s been a free man since…However he still owes his ex Andrea $20,000 dollars a month for backed child support… Well he went to court today and made the justice system very happy…He paid Andrea a whopping $62,000 in backed child support. As good as that might feel for the singer…He’s still behind $32,000! Andrea also requested that he pay for their daughters college fees. R Kelly’s lawyers are asking for proof of enrollment.

 

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Why More Black Women Should Be Considering Having A Doula In The Delivery Room

Source: Chanel L. Porchia Albert / Chanel L. Porchia Albert

The Duchess Of Sussex Meghan Markle reportedly used a doula during the birth of the royal baby, prompting more women to explore the benefits of having a doula in the room when they’re delivering their child. Doulas are becoming ever more popular as Black women continue to die at disproportionately higher rates during childbirth. Having extra representation in the room can prevent common medical mishaps that health professionals may otherwise overlook.

As we’ve seen, death during childbirth doesn’t discriminate for Black women regardless of socioeconomic status or social class. Champion tennis Serena Williams shared her experience while giving birth and how she had to advocate for herself after doctors refused to check her lungs for blood clots. Shamari Devoe exclusively revealed to us that she too had to advocate for herself when doctors refused to check her cervix while she was pregnant with her twins.

We caught up with Chanel L. Porchia Albert — founder of Ancient Song Doula Services, a reproductive health organization focused on providing resources and full spectrum doula services to women of color and marginalized communities, full spectrum doula, lactation counselor, and Midwifery assistant — informed us the benefits of having a doula.

What is the role of a doula in the birth room?

The role of the doula is to center the voice and autonomy of the birthing person. Providing evidence-based information to make an informed decision about their care and to provide various forms of comfort measures for the birthing person.

When we look at black women and birthing the context is about ensuring that the voice of the pregnant person is not lost or fall on deaf ears. African- American women regardless of education, socio-economic status, or educational level are at a greater risk for complications stemming from varying degrees of institutionalized racism and systemic disregard for the voices of pregnant people and over medicalization of birth.

Overall, the doula is bringing a human rights framework into the birth room to ensure pregnant people voices are heard and push bodily autonomy

Why do you think the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle chose to have a doula in the room with her?

Support. I can’t speak for Meghan but my thought is that with the growing news around traumatic birth experiences, the over medicalization of birth, and understanding how black women and those who are considered to be at advanced maternal age wanted to ensure that she had supportive individuals in her corner to assist in advocating for her needs and autonomy in her own birthing experience to ensure the best birth outcome. Birth has become a commodity that sees the value of motherhood in a heavy rotation of getting someone in and out at the cost of the individual. People want the good birth outcome and the experience that centers the parent and child.

What’s a common medical emergency that happens in the birth room that doulas often catch?

There are varying things that can take place in the birth room that may not be considered a medical emergency but can have lasting effects on the pregnant person such as forced episiotomies, fear-based coercion, over use of medical equipment, not being able to eat and drink in labor, desperation of parent and child at birth. Some of these interventions may be unnecessary and shift to a medical emergency. The doula is there is provide information to make an informed decision about care that centers the voice that is often dismissed in care.

How many Black women use doulas?

Black women are seeking out doulas at a higher rate then ever before. Understanding the complexities of racism and implicit bias within care and wanting to ensure the safety and well-being of themselves and children. Cost continues to be a barrier in that access but organizations like Ancient Song Doula Services, Mamatoto Village, Village Birth Intl, and others across the nation are and have been working to break down barriers to care. Resources like the Black Mamas Matter Alliance where black women can find a list of kindred partners and collaborators within their respective states to ensure they have the educational resources and support when choosing a provider.

How much does a doula cost and how can the average woman get one for free?

On average a doula can cost upwards to $3000 for services. There are various programs and models that specifically centers the voices of Black women and provide culturally relevant care from an evidence-based perspective that are free, low cost, or at a sliding scale basis. You can find that at Ancient Song and others kindred partners and collaborators at the Black Mamas Matter Alliance.

 

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Did Nipsey Hussle Know His Killer? There Are Conflicting Reports

Voices: Stokley “What Is The Legacy Of Mint Condition?”

Stokley Williams, Lead Singer of the “Baddest Band In The Land,” Stokely has set out on his own with a new album on the way. But what is the legacy of Mint Condition?

Also, Stokely talks about the moment he knew their classic “Pretty Brown Eyes (Breaking My Heart)” was going to be the hit it became, the album cut “Someone To Love,” Prince and more!

 

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9-Year-Old Boy Charged In Mother’s Shooting Death

FAWN RIVER TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A 9-year-old boy has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of his mother in their southern Michigan home, according to court documents.

The woman was found early Monday morning in Fawn River Township, St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough told WWMT-TV . Fawn River Township is about 160 miles (260 kilometers) west-southwest of Detroit.

The boy also is charged with using a firearm during the commission of a felony. Documents filed Tuesday in St. Joseph County Circuit Court show the woman was shot with a rifle. WOOD-TV first reported the charges.

The Associated Press is not identifying the victim because to do so would identify the juvenile suspect. The boy was undergoing a psychiatric evaluation at a state-run juvenile facility, according to county Sheriff Bradley Balk.

It isn’t clear if he was charged as an adult or a juvenile. Authorities have not released the circumstances of the killing or details of why the child was charged.

McDonough and Balk have not responded to messages left by an AP reporter seeking comment.

Alecia Pieronski of Sturgis told WWMT-TV that the boy threatened to stab her 8-year-old daughter to death in February last year. Pieronski said she told their elementary school principal but that nothing was done.

When contacted Wednesday by The AP, Pieronski said she was not comfortable discussing the comments she made to the TV station.

Sturgis Public Schools Superintendent Arthur Ebert released a statement to the media, but said nothing about the child or his circumstances.

“As a district it is our goal to provide support to our students, staff, and the community,” Ebert said. “We are limited in what we can share due to privacy laws and the sensitive nature of this tragedy.”

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Beto O’Rourke Hires Obama Delegate Guru Jeff Berman

WASHINGTON (AP) — Beto O’Rourke has hired one of the masterminds behind Barack Obama’s unlikely 2008 primary victory, part of the Democratic candidate’s efforts to balance his freewheeling style with the organizational demands of a presidential campaign.

Delegate guru Jeff Berman began working for O’Rourke in April. In his role as senior adviser for delegate strategy, Berman will oversee the campaign’s efforts to navigate the complicated process of amassing enough delegates to secure the Democratic nomination. His work in a similar role is credited with helping catapult Obama past favorite Hillary Clinton during the 2008 race.

The move signals that O’Rourke is taking steps to professionalize his White House campaign, which he launched in March . He resisted similar efforts during the 2018 Texas Senate race that turned him into a national political star, eschewing pollsters, consultants and prepared speeches. He ultimately lost that contest to Republican Sen. Ted Cruz by 2 percentage points.

In outward appearance, O’Rourke’s presidential campaign has a similar feel to his Senate bid. He often drives himself to campaign events, with a small team of campaign aides crammed into the backseats of a minivan. Direct-to-camera posts of the candidate on social media rack up thousands of views.

But behind the scenes, O’Rourke has been recruiting top flight talent to his El Paso, Texas-based campaign. Jennifer O’Malley Dillon, another former Obama adviser, is serving as campaign manager. Rob Flaherty recently signed on as digital director after stints at the Democratic super PAC Priorities USA and Clinton’s 2016 campaign.

Though Berman is not a household name outside of Washington, he is widely considered an unsung hero of Obama’s 2008 victory for his mastery of the delegate allocation process. Democratic primary contests are not winner-take-all, meaning candidates can rack up delegates even without winning the most votes. Berman’s strategy put Obama’s delegate lead out of reach for Clinton, even as the two traded statewide victories through the end of the primary season.

O’Rourke said Berman’s expertise will “help us put people back at the center of our democracy as we ensure every voice is heard during the most consequential election of our lifetimes.”

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Cubs Ban Indefinitely Fan Who Used ‘Offensive’ Hand Gesture

(AP Photo)

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have banned indefinitely from Wrigley Field the fan that used what appeared to be a racist hand gesture behind an African American television reporter during a game at their ballpark.

The Cubs sent a letter Wednesday to the bearded man who flashed the offensive sign in back of former Cubs outfielder Doug Glanville, who was working for NBC Sports Chicago on Tuesday night. The team said it had been unable to contact the fan by phone, and didn’t publicly identify him.

President of Business Operations Crane Kenney said the fan could be prosecuted for criminal trespass if he tries to enter the stadium.

“The individual responsible will not be welcome back at Wrigley Field,” Cubs spokesman Julian Green said.

Green said the man purchased his ticket on StubHub. Another fan reported his gesture to the team by text during the game against the Miami Marlins — by the time security arrived, the man was gone.

Glanville, who played three seasons for the Cubs, was standing beside the dugout discussing Chicago’s surging offense when the man seated in the background started gesturing.

Wearing a gray Cubs sweatshirt and blue pants, he made an upside-down “OK” sign near Glanville’s head during the broadcast. The gesture is associated with the juvenile “circle game,” where someone tries to trick a friend or sibling into looking at it, then punches them in the shoulder.

But the symbol has also become a white supremacy sign.

“It doesn’t matter either way,” Green said. “This was bad judgment on the part of the individual. Whether sophomoric behavior or some other stunt, to use that in connection with a respected journalist, who happens to be African American, and doing his job to deliver enjoyment to our fans is ignorant. It has no place @ Wrigley Field.”

Glanville said in a statement he was made aware of what the fan did after the segment. He praised the Cubs and NBC Sports for their “responsiveness.”

“They have reached out to me and are supportive of my role in the broadcast and continue to have a desire to uphold an inclusive environment at Wrigley Field,” he said. “They have displayed sensitivity as to how the implications of this would affect me as a person of color. I am supporting their efforts in fully investigating the matter and I will comment further once the investigation has run its course.”

NBC Sports Chicago senior vice president and general manager Kevin Cross called the fan’s behavior “reprehensible.”

Kenney earlier said “such ignorant and repulsive behavior is not tolerated” and “any individual behaving in this manner will not only be removed from the ballpark, but will be permanently banned from Wrigley Field.”

President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein called the gesture “truly disgusting” and said it “gave me shivers to watch that.”

“We’ve made clear how egregious and unacceptable that behavior is and there’s no place for it in our society, in baseball and certainly no place at Wrigley Field,” he added.

The Cubs have been on a roll, surging into the NL Central lead, after a slow start. But they have also dealt with some difficult issues.

Infielder Addison Russell rejoined the team Wednesday after completing a 40-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy and spending extra time in the minors to get ready.

Last month, MLB launched an investigation into racist messages sent to Cubs reliever Carl Edwards Jr. on Instagram. Those messages came from several people, agent Lee Long said at the time. Edwards got off to a rough start and was sent to Triple-A Iowa a month ago before getting recalled Monday.

The Cubs also distanced themselves from team patriarch Joe Ricketts in February because of emails written by him that included Islamophobic comments as well as conspiracies about former President Barack Obama’s birthplace and education.

“There is no extra incentive to be proactive and take action against racism and hate speech,” Green said. “When you see something wrong and offensive, you take swift action period.”

The Cubs certainly are not the only team that has had to deal with racial incidents.

The NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks banned four fans last season for directing racist taunts toward Washington Capitals forward Devante Smith-Pelly.

The Boston Red Sox banned a fan that used a racial slur to another fan about the performance of the national anthem as it was being sung by a woman from Kenya. That incident happened just days after Baltimore’s Adam Jones was subjected to racial taunts at Fenway Park.

MLB issued a statement Wednesday noting it has a policy that bans derogatory language and actions at its ballparks and requires clubs to have a response plans.

“Our inclusion efforts, policies and bullying prevention programming aim to make our sport and its ballparks welcome to all, and we will do everything possible to accomplish that goal,” MLB said.

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Little Known Black History Fact: James Derham

Although there are varying accounts, James Derham is recognized as American’s first Black physician. His exact birthday isn’t known but some historians list May 2, 1762 as the date.

Derham was born into slavery in Philadelphia, Penn., and was owned by several doctors across the region. One doctor taught Derham to read, write, and how to speak multiple languages when he was a teenager. At 21, he was sold to a New Orleans doctor who mentored him and allowed him to work with patients of races, a first, according to historical documents.

In the early 1780s, Derham purchased his freedom and was urged the doctor in New Orleans to continue practicing and honing his skills in treating throat ailments. His prowess in medicine, including his treatment of yellow fever, caught the attention of another doctor, Benjamin Rush, known as the father of modern medicine, who urged Derham to return to Philadelphia and open his practice there.

In 1801, a regulation in the city barred anyone without a medical degree to practice.

In 1802, Derham mysteriously disappeared and his whereabouts were never discovered. Some speculate that he took up residence and practiced elsewhere, while others believe he may have been lynched due to his skin color

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Uplifting News: One 12-Year-Old’s Mission To Improve His Community [VIDEO]

The uplifting news this week is about Monte Scott, a 12-year-old Muskegon Heights resident, who decided to take matters into his own hands by filling potholes in his neighborhood. This act of kindness for his neighbors quickly went viral on social media!

He uses dirt from his own back yard, shovels it into a large trash can, and rolls it to the road.  So far He has fixed over 15 potholes and plans to continue.

Scott was recently honored by the Muskegon Heights City Council for his efforts.

During the Council meeting, Muskegon Heights Mayor Kimberley Sims presented Monte with a plaque from herself and the Council members, as well as a series of paintings from Carl Carter, a nationally renowned artist.

Monte you are a perfect example of what “self-starter” truly means!

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Meghan, Harry Show Off Their ‘Bundle Of Joy’

(AP Photo)

Meghan and Prince Harry have shown their new son to the public, with the proud new mother declaring that the baby is “a dream.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex posed with their son for cameras at Windsor Castle — the first in a lifetime of photo calls for the two-day-old baby, who is seventh in line to the throne.

They did not reveal the name of the child, known for now as Baby Sussex.

Harry cradled the apparently sleeping baby, wrapped in a white blanket and wearing a matching cap, in his arms.

Meghan declared motherhood to be “magic.”

She said the baby had “the sweetest temperament” and has “just been a dream.”

Asked which parent the baby took after, Harry said it was too soon to tell: “His looks are changing every single day, so who knows?”

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Harlem Fire Claims 6 Lives, Including 4 Children

HARLEM, N.Y. (AP) — The New York Fire Department says six people, including four children, were killed in an early morning blaze in a Harlem apartment building.

Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro says they received a call reporting the blaze at 1:40 a.m. Wednesday from a person across the street from the seven-story Fred Samuels Houses on Seventh Avenue near 142 Street.

Nigro says firefighters responded within three minutes to the fifth-floor fire.

He says firefighters aggressively moved in to extinguish the flames and when they reached two rear bedrooms they found the bodies of two adults and four children ranging in ages from 3 to 11. They are all believed to be family members.

Nigro says roughly 100 firefighters were on the scene and it took more than an hour to get the fire under control.

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Trump In 1985-94 Claimed $1.17 Billion Business Loss

(AP Photo)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The New York Times reported Tuesday that Donald Trump‘s businesses lost more than $1 billion from 1985 to 1994, based on tax information the newspaper acquired.

The Times said it has acquired printouts from the future president’s official IRS tax transcripts, including figures from his federal tax form.

The newspaper said Trump reported business losses of $46.1 million in 1985, and a total of $1.17 billion in losses for the 10-year period.

After comparing Trump’s information with that of other “high-income earners,” the Times concluded that Trump “appears to have lost more money than nearly any other individual American taxpayer.” Because of his business losses, the newspaper reported, Trump did not pay income taxes for eight of the 10 years.

The House Ways and Means Committee has asked the IRS to provide Trump’s personal and business returns for 2013 through 2018. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Monday refused to do so, saying the panel’s request “lacks a legitimate legislative purpose.”

Mnuchin’s move, which had been expected, is likely to set a legal battle into motion. The chief options available to Democrats are to subpoena the IRS for the returns or to file a lawsuit.

Trump is the first president since Watergate to decline to make his tax returns public.

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Common Reveals He Was Molested As A Child

Cubs Investigating Fan’s ‘Offensive’ Hand Gesture

(AP Photo)

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs say they are investigating a fan using what appeared to be an offensive hand gesture associated with racism behind a black television reporter who was on the air.

The reporter was Doug Glanville, a former major league outfielder who played three seasons for the Cubs.

Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney said in a statement early Wednesday that the incident occurred during Tuesday night’s game between the Miami Marlins and Chicago at Wrigley Field. He says a person made the gesture while Glanville was working for NBC Sports Chicago.

Kenney says: “Such ignorant and repulsive behavior is not tolerated at Wrigley Field. We are reviewing the incident thoroughly because no one should be subjected to this type of offensive behavior.”

The statement went on to say that “any individual behaving in this manner will not only be removed from the ballpark, but will be permanently banned from Wrigley Field.”

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Little Known Black History Fact: Richard Austin

Richard Austin was Michigan’s first African-American certified public accountant, and also the first African-American to be elected to statewide office in the state. Austin was born May 6, 1913, in Stouts Mountain, Ala.

As a student at the Detroit Institute of Technology, Austin sold and shined shoes while attending night classes. He became a CPA in 1941, making his first historic mark. Austin opened an accounting firm in the Detroit area, assisting other rising Black business owners.

Active in civil rights and local politics, Austin narrowly lost a primary election for Detroit mayor in 1969. In 1971, he was elected as Secretary of State, and reelected for several terms before losing a final bid, leaving office in 1994. During his time in the role, Austin contributed to changes in state laws, including instituting a vehicle belt safety law and crafting the state’s child passenger safety law.

Austin was also responsible for overseeing elections and license renewals of all sorts and brought innovative ideas to the forefront such as combining voter registration and driver’s license renewal. Austin was also the first African-American auditor in Wayne County, along with his other notable firsts.

Richard Austin passed in 2001 at the age of 87.

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Gayle King Doubles Her Salary At CBS

Gayle King said she was shooting for George Stephanopoulos money and she got it! Well, not exactly the same about the Good Morning America host/anchor is making, but she more than doubled what she’s currently making.

At this point, King will be the featured host of CBS This Morning now that the network has made big changes to its morning and evening news shows.

Her new deal. according to Page Six, is a huge boost from her current $5 million a year. Her compensation is now in the $11-12 million range. The outlet also quoted one network insider saying King could be making even more, but didn’t give any specifics.

Here’s more from Page Six:

As we reported, King — who toyed with leaving the network — went into the negotiations for her new salary looking for “Stephanopoulos money,” a reference to George Stephanopoulos’ recent ABC deal worth between $15 million and $18 million.

King’s BFF Oprah Winfrey this week revealed she had told King to go for broke.

“I said, ‘Get what you want. Get exactly what you want, because now’s the time. And if you don’t get what you want, then make the next right move,’ ” the media mogul told The Hollywood Reporter — saying she had even pushed King’s attorney for her pal.

King will stay on “This Morning,” while her co-host Norah O’Donnell will leave the show and is poised to take over as anchor of “CBS Evening News,” pushing Jeff Glor out of the gig, as we first reported.

The Post has reported that King — riding high off her big interview with R. Kelly and her inclusion on the Time 100 Most Influential People list — allegedly demanded that O’Donnell be sent somewhere else.

All the remaining lineup changes are set to be announced on air Monday morning, a source confirmed to us.

O’Donnell, who was described as “toxic” by sources close to the show, said all rumors would be addressed on the Monday morning (5/6) show.

Gayle King was missing from CBS This Morning today. Norah O’Donnell deemed the reports of infighting (which you can read here https://t.co/DqPsDlLx3Q) “interesting” and promised an explanation on Monday. pic.twitter.com/2w7cTxbZnr

— NewsBusters (@newsbusters) May 3, 2019

Joining King in the new morning lineup is CBS This Morning: Saturday co-anchor Anthony Mason and CBS News correspondent Tony Dokoupil. Dickerson will move to “60 Minutes” in a political role.

Meanwhile, CBS News announced last month that King will host the May 17 special Meghan and Harry Plus One. The special will celebrate the one-year anniversary of the royal marriage and the birth of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s first child, who will be the first British-American child to be in line for the throne.

PHOTO: PR Photos

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Gabrielle Union: ‘I Approach My Job Like My Husband Approaches His … With The Freedom To Do Whatever The Hell I Want’

Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba are a force to be reckoned with – on the streets and in each other’s lives, in their upcoming buddy cop drama “L.A.’s Finest.”

EUR correspondent Fahnia Thomas interviewed the lady bosses about the historical plot routinely crafted only for the fellas.

FT/EUR: You have kids, careers, men and doing it all with style and grace…

Gabrielle Union: The last couple of weeks, I’ve been on this journey with my husband as he’s been finishing his career and at no point in the 16 years of a very successful NBA career did anyone say, ‘did you change your game or approach the game differently because you’re a father, because you’re a husband? Are you settling for jump shots because you’re a dad?’

You go to work and do the job you need to do because you love it and it allows you to provide for your family. I approach my life and my choices with the same likeness. I’m not going to be like ‘well, you’re a mom now are you opposed to certain sex scenes? Well, you’re a wife now how do you choose your co-stars?’…No I pick jobs I’m passionate about and with people I want to work with. As long as it does not affect my joy, peace and grace, I’m going to take the job – as long as the check clears. I approach my profession the same way my husband approaches his…with the freedom to do whatever the hell he wants to do. And as family members it’s our job to love, support, amplify, protect and encourage each other. Get into it!

FT/EUR: There’s a funny scene with John Salley’s character saying he’s got the plug for Lakers tickets and Gabrielle’s character saying naw she’s a Heat fan and has her own plug…How much liberty do you have to ad-lib?

Jessica Alba: We have a say in the edit, how the characters stories are being told and the development of our own individual characters. We’re in the driver’s seat.

Gabrielle Union: It’s a boss power move! At this point in our careers we’ve been there, done that. We’ve seen how Hollywood has been and we’re trying to create the Hollywood we’ve always dreamed of.

“L.A.’s Finest” debuts on Spectrum On Demand May 13. For more details click here.

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