‘What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July?’ Frederick Douglass, Revisited

"What to the slave is the Fourth of July?" posed Frederick Douglass to a gathering of 500-600 abolitionists in Rochester, N.Y., in 1852. Admission to the speech was 12 cents, and the crowd at the Rochester Ladies' Anti-Slavery Society was enthusiastic, voting unanimously to endorse the speech at its end.

Ohio’s Republican senator to visit drug recovery center

Ohio's Republican senator plans to tour a drug recovery center in suburban Cincinnati after voicing opposition to proposed legislation to overhaul Barack Obama's health care law because of concerns about the impact on drug treatment. Second-term Sen. Rob Portman and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, Republican from neighboring West Virginia, issued a joint statement last week against the proposed legislation's cuts to Medicaid.

Statewide coalition brings message of universal family care Downriver

U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell and State Rep. Darrin Camilleri were speakers at the launch of the Universal Family Care Downriver campaign July 3. Jessica Strachan - For The News-Herald Alexis Wyatt of Brownstown Township brought her 7-month-old son to the event promoting Universal Family Care to share her story of caring for Alexander, who has to be fed on a feeding tube each out. He is undiagnosed.

Southern New Mexico Democratic senator jumps in gov’s race

Sen. Joseph Cervantes, an architect and Las Cruces attorney, told The Associated Press he will announced Wednesday he is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor in a direct challenge to Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham and other Democrats wanting to succeed Republican Gov. Susana Martinez. Cervantes says he wants to focus on fixing the state's economy and educational system, and will try to change various policies that drive young people from the state.

Where high school students won’t graduate without a plan for the future

To graduate from a public high school in Chicago, students will soon have to meet a new and unusual requirement: They must show that they've secured a job or received a letter of acceptance to college, a trade apprenticeship, a gap year program or the military. Mayor Rahm Emanuel, D, said he wants to make clear that the nation's third-largest school system is not just responsible for shepherding teenagers to the end of their senior year, but also for setting them on a path to a productive future.

Kaptur, Fudge bill would create a program that would help students turn school debt into home equity

It was co-sponsored by Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge and 5 others. The bill directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Federal Housing Finance Agency to create a pilot program for creditworthy student debt holders to transform their student debt into an opportunity to purchase and own a home.

Critics pounce on Trump following CNN wrestling tweet

Donald Trump's critics were quick to condemn the president on Sunday after he tweeted an edited video that shows him physically attacking a person with the CNN logo superimposed in front of his face at a WWE match. Ari Fleischer, who served as White House press secretary during the first term of fellow Republican George W. Bush, tweeted that he believes the president has gone too far in his ongoing rhetorical battle with the press.

Cruz gets an earful in McAllen for July Fourth

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz , R-Texas, waded into this Democratic stronghold Tuesday to celebrate the Fourth of July -- and predictably got an earful from protesters, many upset with the Senate's efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare. Cruz, who has a knack for confrontation with his political opponents in Washington and far outside it, had to speak over the demonstrators for most of his speech at an Independence Day ceremony, twice pausing to address the commotion.

Democrat Kanew seeks to challenge Republican Rep. Blackburn

A film writer and producer says he is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee next year. The Tennessean reports that Justin Kanew says he was inspired to run for the heavily Republican 7th Congressional District seat because he opposes efforts to replace and repeal former President Barack Obama's signature health care law.

EU chief to EU parliament: “You are ridiculous”

An Oklahoma woman is accused of trying to hire someone via Craigslist to travel to Israel and kill her ex-husband with ricin. Progress elusive in poor neighborhood of Louisiana's capital where white officer fatally shot a black man 1 year ago, fueling protests.

Emanuel urges Trump to increase federal gas tax, stop slamming Chicago, and other Chicago news

In an op-ed for the New York Times Mayor Rahm Emanuel urges President Donald Trump to stop criticizing Chicago and increase the federal gasoline tax to help pay for mass transit systems. "Rather than tweeting about violence in Chicago, President Trump should be looking to Chicago as a model for the infrastructure investments and economic growth he wants to replicate across the country," Emanuel wrote.

Republican congresswoman says a transgendersa are a threat comparable to ISIS

During a radio interview with Family Research Council's Tony Perkins, Republican Vicky Hartzler stated: "We're having to deal with a threat here at home - a domestic threat - of allowing transgenders in our service." The Congresswoman has a long history of opposing LGBT+ rights, so her comment comes as no surprise.

Man wins lawsuit in China over forced gay conversion therapy

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is feeling the heat after he was photographed sunning himself on a beach that he had closed to the public as part of a government shutdown. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is feeling the heat after he was photographed sunning himself on a beach that he had closed to the public as part of a government shutdown.

Trump back repeal-only health bill as ‘option’

President Donald Trump is pressuring wavering senators to back a Republican bill to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama's health care law but is holding open a repeal-only option if Republicans can't reach agreement over the July 4 recess, Trump's top legislative aide says. Marc Short, the White House's legislative director, said Trump was making weekend calls and believed senators were "getting close" on passing a bill.

Bus carrying seniors crashes on German highway, killing 18

A website that hosted an "Abduction 101" forum linked to a 28-year-old suspect in the kidnapping of a Chinese scholar at the University of Illinois bills itself as the most popular sexual fetish internet networking... A website that hosted an "Abduction 101" forum linked to a 28-year-old suspect in the kidnapping of a Chinese scholar at the University of Illinois bills itself as the most popular sexual fetish internet networking site. Illinois lawmakers are back to work after a dramatic vote in the House Sunday to increase income taxes by 32 percent.

Chicago won’t allow high school students to graduate without a plan for the future

Students walk through Chicago's Senn High School after classes were dismissed in May. To graduate from a public high school in Chicago, students will soon have to meet a new and unusual requirement: They must show that they've secured a job or received a letter of acceptance to college, a trade apprenticeship, a gap year program or the military. Mayor Rahm Emanuel said he wants to make clear that the nation's third-largest school system is not just responsible for shepherding teenagers to the end of their senior year, but also for setting them on a path to a productive future.

Taxi jumps curb near airport in ‘accident’; 10 cabbies hurt

A police official said the crash is believed to be a case of "operator error" i... . Emergency personnel work at the scene where a taxi driver struck a group of pedestrians, injuring several, Monday, July 3, 2017, in Boston.