EEOC Sues Walgreens Over Racial Discrimination
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is suing Walgreens, the national drugstore chain, for allegedly discriminating against black management-level workers. The class-action lawsuit, prompted by a complaint made from a Kansas City store manager, could cover as many as 12,000 current and former employees and alleges that Walgreens assigned low-performing stores and stores in black communities solely to black managers. The lawsuit also contends that Walgreens has denied promotions to black employees. Walgreens denies the charges, according to Kansas City News. To find 10 Ways to Avoid Discrimination Lawsuits, click on the Spring Special Issue of DiversityInc magazine here.
Angry Over Antonella, Rosie Calls 'American Idol' Racist
In her latest feud, Rosie O'Donnell expressed strong opinions about the manner in which the highly popular FOX show, "American Idol," treated former contestant Frenchie Davis, calling the show "racist." When racy photos of the former Idol contestant, who is black, surfaced over the Internet in 2003, "Idol" producers asked Davis to leave the show. This season, similar photos have resurfaced, this time of white contestant Antonella Barba, but Barba hasn't been asked to leave by producers. Read more.
Gay and Lesbian Veterans Challenge 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'
Gay veterans are speaking out against the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Twelve gay and lesbian veterans have come forward pleading that the Circuit Court of Appeals reinstate the lawsuit challenging the policy. In arguments before the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, veterans compared the anti-gay policy with government-sanctioned discrimination against blacks. The policy prohibits the military from asking about the sexual orientation of service members and will discharge anyone who acknowledges being gay. The veterans said the policy is in direct violation of their human and First Amendment rights. Read more.
NASA Fires Astronaut in Love Triangle
The female astronaut charged with attempting to kidnap the woman she thought was romantically involved with Bill Oefelein, a space shuttle pilot, has been fired. However, NASA officials say Lisa Nowak's dismissal does not reflect the agency's belief in her guilt or innocence. Rather, the agency said it lacked the system to handle the allegations against Nowak because she is a naval officer on assignment to NASA and not a NASA civil servant. Her dismissal marks the first time NASA has publicly fired an astronaut. Nowak is also the first active astronaut to be charged with a felony. Nowak, a captain in the Navy, is expected to return to the military, according to CBSnews.
CBS Replaces Katie Couric's Producer
Rome Hartman, executive producer of the "Evening News with Katie Couric," is the latest to exit the struggling newscast. Hartman is expected to be replaced by long-time TV news executive and producer Rick Kaplan..The decision to replace Hartman follows a run of disappointing ratings for the CBS newscast, which first welcomed Couric with great fanfare in September. Although the program initially scored impressive ratings and had increased ratings among female audience groups, viewership has since fallen back to last place among the three network newscasts. Read more.
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Survives Vote
After a messy run-in with Loretta Sanchez, a former member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Rep. Joe Baca of California says he believes he's won over his critics and 21-member caucus despite rumors that state otherwise. But some members and aides say that the vote to maintain Baca's leadership was not unanimous. Prior to the vote that would dilute his powers, Baca had been accused of calling Sanchez a "whore." Sanchez quit the group, and since then, other women in the caucus also have complained that Baca belittles women. Another meeting is scheduled for Thursday. Read more.
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