Photo: TheGrio.com

-Thousands of people gathered yesterday evening for a vigil to remember the victims of the mass shooting in Aurora, CO that took place early Friday morning. Those gathered named each of the 12 people killed followed by the words, “We will remember.” Another 58 people were wounded in the attack. President Obama flew to Colorado to meet with the survivors and their families. The suspected gunman, James Holmes, will appear in court today. Authorities say there’s evidence that Holmes had been planning the attack for months.

-The N.C.A.A. has suspended Penn State University’s football team from all bowl games for the next four years and has vacated wins between 1998 and 2011. The stiff penalties levied against the school over the Sandusky child sex abuse scandal also include a $60 million fine (the equivalent of one year’s gross revenue), reduction in the number of football scholarships it offers and the opportunity for currently enrolled and new student-athletes to leave for another school. The punishment could have big financial repercussions for the school besides that fine. The football team is a big moneymaker for the university. Over the weekend, a statue of the team’s former coach, Joe Paterno, was removed.

-Facebook will deliver its first-ever earnings report as a public company this Thursday. The results will be closely scrutinized after its botched IPO in May. Analysts polled say they expect $1.1 billion in second quarter revenue on earnings of 12 cents a share.

-The CEO of clothing retailer Wet Seal, Susan McGalla, has been fired. The move comes after allegations from three former employees earlier this month that the company was firing black employees because they didn’t fit in with the “brand image.” They are suing the company. Wet Seal expects to announce a decline in same-store sales for the second quarter.

-The Daily Beast lists its picks for the best cities to buy a house. Fargo, N.D. (a place few people actually want to live in) comes out on top.

keepingitheel.com

After only 21 hours of deliberation, a Pennsylvania jury found former Penn State Assistant Coach Jerry Sandusky guilty on 45 of 48 charges related to child sex abuse Friday evening.

The case shocked the nation in 2011 when allegations came out that Sandusky has abused young boys through his charity over a period of 15 years.  Head coach Joe Paterno was removed from his post and Penn State has been closely watched after some – a few of whom worked with Sandusky at Penn State – said they were made aware of the abuse and ignored it.  Sandusky was accused of taking showers with young boys on university grounds.

During the three week trial, graphic testimony was given by many of the victims in hopes that it would further the prosecution’s case and have him found guilty. The defense attempted to argue that the media was biased so there was no way Sandusky could receive a fair trial and defense attorney Joe Amendola also wanted jurors to know that there wasn’t much physical evidence and the victims could possibly be exaggerating their story for financial gain.

A request for Sandusky’s bail was denied by Judge John Cleland and he was instantly taken to a local jail where he’ll remain as he awaits sentencing.  He could receive a maximum of 442 years in prison but even if he only receives a minimum sentence, which is based on the weight of each charge, he will spend the rest of his life in prison. There is also a chance that incest charges will be brought against him because his son Matt who is adopted stated through his attorney that he, too, was abused by Sandusky.

Lawyers for Sandusky suspect the sentencing will take place in September and say that he was expecting the worst to happen.

Source

Can I just say that I love Ellen?! She seems like such a cool chick. She makes people laugh and in between all of that she manages to do some good.

Recently, she helped out college student, Joshua Johnson. Joshua, a student at Penn State University, is struggling to pay his way through college. With loans, grants, scholarships and a part time job, Joshua is still short when it comes to his tuition. So to make ends meet every weekend he travels five hours from Pennsylvania to the Penn Station subway stop in New York City.

While he’s there he tap dances for tips on the Subways. Ellen heard about his story and talent and featured him on her show.

You can learn more about Joshua’s story, watch him perform and see how Ellen helped him out at Black Voices.com.

More on Madame Noire!

• Drop That Drink! Hidden Calories That Can Ruin Your Diet
• Chemistry Clash! Couples Whose Love Seems Lost…
• What You See Is What You Get: Red Flags Women Ignore
• Ruben Studdard – Life After “American Idol”
• Bedroom Breakdown: What His Moves Really Mean…
• Teeny Weeny Afros & More: Celebrity Women Who Have Done the Big Chop
• It Could Happen to You: Gay Men and the Women Who Date Them
• Style to Steal or Girl, Stop: Jada, J.Lo, Tyra and More Hot Looks and Hot Messes From This Week

As we find ourselves getting closer to the end of 2011 let’s take a look down memory lane and appreciate some of the best celebrity scandals this year had to offer. Hollywood was on some type of scandal booster this year with celebs getting pulled over, arrested, being offensive and so much more.

Check out our top 10 scandals of this year, and let us know what shocked you the most?

Read the rest of this entry »

Goldie Taylor, a contributor to theGrio.com recently tweeted her feelings about the Penn State sexual abuse scandal.

Here’s what she had to say:

“If I’m angry that adults did not speak out then, then why am I not angry at myself for not telling my story and helping young women like me combat predators who are in our high schools and middle schools?”

She then appeared on MSNBC’s Lawrence O’ Donnell to tell her full story.

Read her account of what happened to her below and watch her interview with O’Donnell over at Black Voices.com.
While some may not agree with the means in which Taylor told her story, it’s extremely commendable and brave of her to share. As citizens we’re always shocked and disgusted by these acts of child molestation or abuse; yet, we don’t realize that incidents like these are more prevalent than we imagine. Hopefully Taylor’s story will inspire other victims to share their stories, seek justice or be a source of encouragement for someone else who’s endured this trauma.