SEXTING BILL

The Florida Senate is in their second week of session. One bill has been catching a lot of attention, Sexting. Reporter Elliott Kiadii has more on the story.

Minorities Encouraged to Study Abroad

A recent article in the New York Times article says educators want more minority students to study abroad. Foreign study is now seen as crucial to student development. Karen mitchell, Coordinator of Education Abroad at Florida A&M University, agrees with the article.Mitchell encourages students to stop by the office of international education and development in Perry Paige if they are interested in studying abroad. 

Savion Glover

Last night many individuals had the pleasure of seeing tap legend Savion Glover.
Glover guest performed at famu's lee hall auditorium last night. Those there got a close look of his fancy, melodic footwork and glover says he is honored to be part of the same series that featured individuals such as Maya Angelou.Before his perfomance glover also gave a one hour tap lecture to students.

New Engineering Dean

Ching-jen chen, also known as "marty" the dean of the FAMU/ FSU engineering school for more than 18 years, has officially stepped down. The engineering college, jointly administered by Famu and Fsu, is recognized as one of the nation's top five producers of baccalaureate minority engineers.Chen is excited about retiring saying his time at the engineering school is past due. Chen is expected to remain at the engineering school as an advisor until august 5th.

Uncle Ralph' knows Hip Hop

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.- It is not where you came from, but it is where you are going. That’s what students heard from the mouth of Hip-Hop pioneer Ralph “Uncle Ralph” McDaniels.

The Hip-Hop video pioneer spoke to students as a guest of Florida A&M’s Hip-Hop Institute and music studies led by led professor Dr. Kawachi Clemons and another Hip-Hop legend Christopher Martin, more commonly known as “Play”, from 90’s duo Kid and Play. Over 150 students had the privilege of hearing the story and motivating words from McDaniels in the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication’s lecture hall.

“At first I did not know exactly who he was, but when I did my research I got excited” Jabari Payne said. “It was an honor to be amongst a Hip-Hop legend.”

McDaniels looks at speaking to students about his story and path to greatness as opportunity to help motivate young inspiring students. “I definitely enjoy talking to young people, especially African Americans about getting into the business” McDaniels said. “A lot of kids just need some motivation or to see someone they can relate to doing something they wish or aspire to be a part of.”

McDaniels is the president of Uncle Ralph Productions, an on-air personality in New York, and also the founder and still anchor of the Video Music Box, one of the first shows to air Hip-Hop music videos. He is credited with directing and producing more than 300 videos, including Nas’s “It Ain’t Hard to Tell,” Wu-Tang’s “C.R.E.A.M.,” and Black Moon’s “Who Got Da Props?”

After the lecture portion, students had the opportunity to address “Uncle Ralph” and ask him a few questions. “Myself being interested in film and editing I learned a lot from his lecture.” Payne, the journalism student from Miami, would add. “One major thing he said that I will remember forever is, to make music videos go beyond the words of the song and what the video is talking about.”

McDaniels is one of the many speakers that has graced the campus of Florida A&M. FAMU is continuing to use outside prominent figures to help motivate students to achieve the universities motto of excellence with caring. “I love the fact that FAMU is always willing to bring someone in about their profession, McDaniels is truly a step out of the norm for most journalism students that don’t want to just focus on crime-fighting news” said Dan Mathis, the graduating Economics student from Ft. Lauderdale.

One last thing that McDaniels tell students was, “It’s not going to be easy because you can make a lot of money in this business. Any way you’re going to make good money, they don’t want you to get it, so just be aware of that. McDaniels said. “There are going to be some hurdles to stop you from getting that money, but you got it, just stay focused.”

Catch a Tax Break

Tallahassee, Fla. – Its February, and between now and April 15^th people including students nationwide will be filing their tax returns. The American Opportunity Credit will help many students have a larger refund than they initially expected.

The American Opportunity Credit is helping students receive a possible government refund for up to $2,500 for school expenses. The credit only is eligible if you’re a student that has education expenses such as student loans and or book or computer purchases in the 2009- 2010 academic school year.

“A lot of the students I have come in contact with have not applied for the credit” said Dante Bland, Industrial Engineering student at FAMU. “But I wanted to make sure I got the maximum refunded back to me.”

Bland came across the American Opportunity Credit after filing his taxes on 123taxcredit.com. He was advised to use the site from a member of his church who also had used the site. Bland says the he would’ve never known about the credit if he didn’t use the site.

“After I filed my taxes the next day they called to inform me about how much I would receive in tax credits, they also told me I was eligible for the American Opportunity Credit and it help maximize my refund.”

123taxcredit specializes in tax credits. The site is formatted to correct tax return information and if you are claimed on someone else’s taxes their information will be corrected as well. Bland mentioned that the site corrected not only his taxes, but his mothers taxes and both received more on their return.

It is important for every student to know what they need in order to properly fill out their taxes. Stephen Bailey, FAMU Accounting Alum, has helped numerous students fill their taxes and says most students do not receive their full refund because they do not know what they need.

“I tell everyone I come in contact with that in order to properly fill your taxes as a student you will need a tax return form, a tuition summary that includes information regarding their tuition, housing costs, loans, and prices of computers and books purchased” Bailey said. “Not only students, but everyone needs to know how important it is to have all the necessary items to properly file their taxes.”

In order to obtain more information regarding tips on how to file or how to obtain the highest amount for your return preferably contact a tax credit specialist from 123taxcredits.com via e-mail @123taxcredits.com or by phone 1-877-987-7237 or contact any tax specialists in the area. Also students should ask their tax specialist about specials for students.

FORMER FAMU POLICE OFFICER PLEADS GUILTY TO DRUG CONSPIRACY

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A former FAMU police officer plead guilty to federal charges for dealing marijuana  while on duty in his patrol car.

According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Byron Whitaker, 32, a former patrol officer with the Florida A&M Police Department pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and making false statements to a federal agent on Monday.

During the plea, Whitaker admitted that between January and May of last year, he purchased marijuana from a local drug supplier for distribution. At the time Whitaker was employed as a uniformed officer for the Universities police department. Whitaker even made a deal while on duty in his patrol car, but U.S. Assistant Attorney Karen Rhew-Miller says, “We have no evidence that Whitaker sold drugs to students.”

In August of last year, when DEA agents questioned Whitaker, he lied and stated he had not personally seen the supplier with drugs and had not received or purchased drugs from the supplier on any occasion.

 “Whitaker turned himself in to the U.S. Marshals at the federal courthouse in Tallahassee in November of last year” said Rhew-Miller. “Evidence was developed against him as part of a larger drug investigation.”

U.S. Attorney Pamela Marsh commends the joint investigation work of the DEA, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Florida Highway Patrol, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Florida Highway Patrol, and the Florida Department of Transportation. The investigation is still ongoing.

“This case presents the disturbing scenario in which an officer sworn to uphold the law is actually found to be intentionally violating the law,” said U.S. Attorney Marsh. “When public officers violate the trust of our community, we will take every step to fairly and uniformly bring them to justice.”

Whitaker had been employed on force for seven years. He did not have any previous police experience before working for the FAMU police department and was dismissed in December of last year when information was first announced.

“I am very, very, very disappointed by the conduct by someone who has sworn to uphold the law, it’s even more disappointing when one of your own crosses the line especially in the manner which he did.” FAMU Chief of Police Calvin Ross said. “When there is an officer that tarnishes his or her badge, they will be dealt with just as any other criminal. But this is no reflection on the quality or integrity of officers of this department.”

Whitaker is facing separate sentences up to five years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute, and a maximum of five years for making false statements. It has not has not been determined how much marijuana he is accused of pushing but will be made at the time of his sentencing in March. Whitaker has been released on bond.