ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) – President Barack Obama paid tribute Monday to the men and women who have died defending America, saying the country must strive “to be a nation worthy of your sacrifice.” He said the war in Iraq has ended after nine years and is “winding down” in Afghanistan. […]

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) – The privately bankrolled Dragon capsule arrived at the International Space Station for a historic docking Friday, captured by astronauts wielding a giant robot arm. It succeeded in making the first commercial delivery into the cosmos. U.S. astronaut Donald Pettit used the space station’s 58-foot robot […]

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – Robert Champion was known for his opposition to the hazing rampant in the Florida A&M University marching band, but he was vying to be lead drum major and wanted the respect he could earn by enduring a brutal ritual known as “crossing over.” With chances for […]

A former Florida A&M University administrator and his wife have recently created a hotline available for students around the country who have witnessed, or been affected by, hazing. After numerous reports of extreme bullying in late 2010, Malcolm and Barbara Barnes decided to create an outlet for victims. Through their […]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – The segment of third graders facing possible retention due to low standardized reading scores increased by 2 percentage points to 18 percent on the tough, new Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, state education officials said Thursday. Reading and math proficiency scores dropped much more dramatically, though, on […]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Two legal groups say Florida’s violating federal law with procedural barriers that deprive thousands of jobless workers from receiving unemployment compensation. They also say data shows Florida has erected more obstacles to unemployment compensation than any other state. Florida Legal Services and the National Employment Law […]

Residents Friday celebrated emancipation in cultural songs and dance in the city’s annual “Festival of Freedom.” Hosted by Florida A&M and the Carrie Meek – James N. Eaton Sr. Southeastern Regional Black Archives, the citywide “Freedom’s Eve Jubilee” featured speeches and performances to mark the Emancipation Proclamation. Many gathered under […]

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – When George Zimmerman tries to convince a judge or jury that he shot Trayvon Martin in self-defense, the evidence he’ll be able to call on appears to be a mixed bag. More than 200 pages of photos and eyewitness accounts released by prosecutors Thursday show Zimmerman […]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Two defendants have pleaded no contest to lesser charges of misdemeanor hazing in the beating of a fellow Florida A&M University band member. After their pleas in Tallahassee, Aaron Golson and Sean Hobson were sentenced Thursday to 30 days in a work camp followed by 12 […]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A prosecutor says two defendants accused of hazing a Florida A&M University band member are expected to plead guilty to lesser charges. Assistant State Attorney Stefanie Walters says they’ll be appearing in court Thursday with a third defendant, whose case is expected to be delayed. Walters […]