October 16, 2025

The New Citizens Press

News For, By and About People

Headlines

EDUCATORS ALARMED: MINORITY TEENAGERS PERFORMING AT ACADEMIC LEVELS OF 30 YEARS AGO

Rina Risper015 mins

  

By Teresa Wiltz
America’s Wire

 
Amy Wilkins, vice president for government affairs and communications at the Education Trust Washington, DC (BlackNews.com) — Educators are expressing alarm that the performance gap between minority and white high school students continues to expand across the United States, with minority teenagers performing at academic levels equal to or lower than those of 30 years ago.
 
Despite the hope that improving education for children of color would propel them to better life outcomes, Latino and African-American students are not being prepared in high school classrooms for brighter futures. While achievement levels have improved considerably for minority elementary and middle school students, educators say their academic performance drops during high school years.

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Winning with Finances – Second principle of a financial takeover – Budgeting

Rina Risper08 mins

Most people change their life by appearance or by careers or even through a spiritual conversion. All of this is good if there is a vision. A vision for your life creates direction, purpose and mission. Changing your life happens in four distinct areas: personal growth, family, health, and career. If you focus or change your life in these areas, you will see a great change. Once you change any of these areas, you will change your financial future. 

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    News Spotlight: Three Subjects Arrested for Armed Robbery by LPD with the assistance of Marco’s employees

    Rina Risper02 mins

     On January 29, at 7:55 p.m., LPD 911 Center received a call that an armed robbery had just taken place at the Marco’s Pizza Shop at 2918 N. Larch. Officers arrived at the scene and received information that employees were following the accused vehicle. 

     

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    Making a Difference on MLK Jr.’s Day

    Rina Risper08 mins

    Giving Back – Eaton Rapids youths spent the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday volunteering.
    Photo by Harold Pope 
     
    LANSING, MI — Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream about evoking change through service to our fellow man and positive determination.  These are the basic principles that Lunch with a Purpose and New World Flood were founded upon. 
     
    Lunch with a Purpose volunteers each week for a different community organization. Whether it’s cooking food or folding bed sheets, a lot of people with a little time make a huge difference. Each week Lunch with a Purpose continues to grow by asking individuals and companies to share their time and talents bettering the community. 

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    Joyful Noise

    Rina Risper04 mins

    Studio: Warner Bros. (117 mins)
    Plot: Two strong minded women clash over their choir group’s direction as they head into a national competition.
    Cast: Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton,  Keke Palmer, Jesse L. Martin, Dexter Darden, Courtney B. Vance
    Rating:  PG-13
    Bottom Line: ***1/2
     
    By Samantha Ofole-Prince
     
    An exhilarating musical with rousing gospel numbers, “Joyful Noise” is a likable drama with a touch of humor that’s fairly engaging even when no one is singing.
     
    The story circles around two strong-minded women played by Dana Owens (aka Queen Latifah) and Dolly Parton, who are forced to cooperate when a budget cut threatens to shut down their small-town choir. Despite being at odds, both Vi Rose (Latifah) and G.G. (Parton) have one thing in common: they love the choir.

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    Mother Flippin’: One Funny Mother – To the Students of Penn State

    Rina Risper07 mins

    By Tashmica Torok
     
    Dear Students of Penn State,
     
    More specifically, those of you who are steadfast in your support of those involved in covering up the sexual abuse and victimization of Jerry Sandusky on several children.We do not know each other.  My name is Tashmica and I am a victim of early sexual abuse.
     
    My father was a youth pastor.  He was known to his family as a good father.  He was a dedicated soldier in the ARMY.  He was funny and charming.  People who knew him, liked him.  They respected him.  He was no Joe Paterno and staff but he was loved in our circle.

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    Original Art at affordable prices, is there such a thing?

    Rina Risper013 mins

     Left:  Artist Edward Smith standing with his acrylic painting   “Aurora”. It was 
    completed in 2000.
     
    Below: An owl and girl sculpture created for a junk art competition, created by other Michigan artists.

     
     
     
                                                                   
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    By Edward Smith
     
    Back in October of last year, I was talking to a friend who had shown an interest in art.  At one point during our discussion she mentioned her hesitation to enter galleries and shops because she felt she could not afford the prices for original art.  I told her how I had
    begun to write on this same subject some time ago, my belief is that original art should be made and made affordable.  

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    Jacob Merritt Howard: American Abolitionist

    Rina Risper04 mins

    By Local History Librarian David Votta 
     
    Michigan Attorney General Jacob Merritt Howard, who served our state from 1855-1861, is arguably one of the most influential people in the history of our nation’s constitution, apart from the Founding Fathers. 
     
    Born in Vermont, Howard moved to Michigan in 1832 and settled in Detroit. There he was admitted to the bar, becoming City Attorney in 1834. It is said that he “took up arms” in defense of his adopted home state during the nearly bloodless Toledo War with Ohio. 

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    ONLINE SHOPPING: A GOOD SELL?

    Rina Risper05 mins

    The age of online purchasing has revolutionized shopping. No longer are consumers resigned to the drudgery of commuting to the store, fighting off other shoppers to get that last product and waiting in long lines to get their purchases rung up. With the click of a mouse, you can do all your shopping from the privacy of your home at any hour. You can easily compare prices by opening new browser windows and pulling up competitor sites. You can apply coupons and gift cards at most major online vendors. It is especially convenient for buying items out of your location, or when the local store has just run out your desired item. 

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    Do you have an opinion? 11-1

    Rina Risper04 mins

    Dear Rina,
     
    I learned of a court settlement for living victims of the horrific forced sterilizations legally conducted in some Southern states; sterilizations conducted on people of  color, including pre-teens. Because people of color were stereotyped as being lazy, and in large part stigmatized because they were poor, sterilization was an answer to the prejudiced population’s hatred for the poor.  In turn, I submit, from my experience with being stereotyped as lazy or different because I have been extremely poor, I know firsthand that the appeal of the drug testing scenario for welfare recipients is a way to punish the poor and satisfy the inner demons of those who stereotype the poor.

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