MARTIN LUTHER KING JR

Sam Gooden, one of the founding members of the Chicago soul group The Impressions and a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, has died.

Community Playground at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, a 35-year-old wooden playground better known to locals as “Castle Park,” is set to undergo renovations after decades of wear.

Plastics National Parks FILE - A trash can overflows as people sit outside of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial by the Tidal Basin, Dec. 27, 2018, in Washington, during a partial government shutdown. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) (Jacquelyn Martin)WASHINGTON — (AP) — The Interior Department said Wednesday it will phase out sales of plastic water bottles and other single-use products at national parks and on other public lands over the next decade, targeting a major source of U.S. pollution. The order essentially reverses a 2017 Trump administration policy that prevented national parks from banning plastic water bottle sales. Only a fraction of the more than 400 national parks, but some of the most popular ones like the Grand Canyon, had implemented such a ban. Oceana said a national poll conducted by Ipsos in November 2021 found that more than 80% of American voters would support a decision by the National Park Service to stop selling and distributing single-use plastics at national parks.

The Interior Department says it will phase out sales of plastic water bottles and other single-use products at national parks and on other public lands over the next decade, targeting a major source of U.S. pollution.

Central Florida residents are joining federal leaders and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s family calling for action on two bills aimed at protecting voting rights.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Communities across Central Florida are coming together to honor Martin Luther King Jr.Here’s how counties across the region celebrated King in recent days:EatonvilleLeaders and members of the community gathered in Eatonville on Saturday for the town’s MLK parade. The YMCA of Central Florida, the Southwest Orlando Jaycees and the Mayor’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission presented the 2022 Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Prayer Breakfast on Monday morning. READ: Community gathers to honor Martin Luther King Jr. in EatonvilleMarion CountyHundreds of Ocala residents took part in the city’s annual MLK parade down West Silver Springs Boulevard Monday morning. The march ended at Webb Field at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. READ: Downtown Orlando MLK parade canceled due to COVID concernsClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

The Senate will try to pass the Freedom to Vote Act and will consider filibuster rule changes if the voting-rights bill fails, Chuck Schumer said.

Police say her death isn't considered suspicious at this point. She was 56.

Sitting a few feet from President Joe Biden during his speech to commemorate the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial's 10th anniversary, Vice President Kamala Harris was well-positioned to issue a quick correction when the president needed it.

The monument depicts two 12-foot bronze statues of a woman holding an infant, and a man breaking free from shackles.

The mixed-use project on a busy Chapel Hill road was approved last week but lacked enough votes to meet the supermajority requirement.

The US often honors its past without making amends for its transgressions when they've benefitted a people, institution, or government.

George Floyd Transforming Justice FILE - In this Aug. 28, 2020, file photo, people carry posters with George Floyd on them as they march from the Lincoln Memorial to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington. As the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder approaches, some people say the best way to honor him is for Congress to pass a bill in his name that overhauls policing. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) (Carolyn Kaster)WASHINGTON — (AP) — President Joe Biden will host George Floyd’s family at the White House Tuesday to mark the first anniversary of his death at the hands of a white Minneapolis police officer. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Friday the president would mark the anniversary of Floyd’s death, but offered no further details on his plans. Biden's plans to host Floyd's family come, however, as talks focused on the police reform bill named after Floyd — the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act — have stalled on Capitol Hill.

President Joe Biden will host George Floyd’s family at the White House Tuesday to mark the first anniversary of his death at the hands of a white Minneapolis police officer.

A Maine man was charged today in federal court in Springfield, Massachusetts, in connection with setting the Dec. 28, 2020, fire that destroyed the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Presbyterian Church in Springfield. Vulchev is currently in state custody and will make an initial appearance in federal court in Springfield at a later date. The government also alleges that Vulchev is also responsible for several other fires set on church property and for a series of tire slashings on church property and in the surrounding area. The additional fires alleged include a fire at the backdoor of the church on Dec. 13, 2020, and two additional fires near the rear door of the church on Dec. 15, 2020. Assistance was provided by Hampden District Attorney’s Office; Berkshire District Attorney’s Office; Springfield Police Department; Springfield Fire Department; Pittsfield Police Department; American International College Police Department; Houlton (Maine) Police Department; and Newington (Conn.) Police Department.

(AP Photo/Noah K. Murray, File)ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Atlantic City says it will redo a Black Lives Matter tribute on a street because the original painting of those words across the entire road confused motorists who didn't know where to drive on it. Instead, the words “Black Lives Matter” will be painted onto the repaved road in a manner that does not obscure lane divider markings, Mayor Marty Small said Thursday. “The words ”Black Lives Matter" will still be on the street." The road painting was a compromise that averted a potential confrontation between activists who wanted to paint the words “Black Lives Matter” on the famous Boardwalk, and city officials who would not allow it. City Council member LaToya Dunston accused the city of wasting taxpayer dollars by painting the road without knowing the rules governing it.

The New York Times first reported that a grand jury was hearing testimony against Chauvin. Floyd’s death sparked protests in Minneapolis and beyond and led to a nationwide reckoning on race. Like Chauvin, all three were fired soon after Floyd’s death. It’s unclear what specifically prompted the increased grand jury activity in the last few weeks, though most federal grand juries are discharged after about 18 months. Barr rejected the deal in part because he felt it was too soon as the investigation into Floyd’s death was still in its relative infancy, the officials said.

We want to know: What does Black History Month mean to you? Did you talk about it, growing up? Did you attend events? We want to hear, in your words, about your experience with the month.

American poet Amanda Gorman reads a poem during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. In one of the inauguration's most talked about moments, poet Amanda Gorman summoned images dire and triumphant Wednesday as she called out to the world “even as we grieved, we grew." Did you catch the 2 @HamiltonMusical references in the inaugural poem? “That day gave me a second wave of energy to finish the poem,” Gorman told the AP. Two other books come out in September — the illustrated “Change Sings” and a volume of her inaugural poem and other works.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – For students of Joe Cummiskey’s history class, learning about the contributions Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made means also learning how students can impact society in a positive way. It was the Moores, considered the pioneers of the civil rights movement, who launched the first NAACP chapter in Brevard County and helped register to vote 116,000 African Americans. “They were unjustly not re-hired by the Brevard County School Board because of their political activism. So, the first thing we’re asking is that the school district recognize their accomplishments as educators, as civil rights, and apologize for firing them back in 1946,” Colucci said. According to the Brevard County School district superintendent, they’re welcoming the idea of including the Moores’ legacy in the school curriculum, starting at the fourth-grade level.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is more than a day of celebration of the civil rights leader. From sermon in Montgomery, Alabama (1957)The core of servant leadership is to seek to serve others, and to add value to their lives. That's the ultimate benchmark for measuring the value of an organization and its leadership. If you can't walk, then crawl. Bernard Banks is the Associate Dean for Leadership Development and Inclusion and a Clinical Professor of Management at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

We celebrate Martin Luther King Day around the activist’s January birthday, which is Jan. 15.

Much like other holidays, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day will likely have a different dynamic this year, considering the ongoing pandemic.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy prayer breakfast is typically held every year inside the First Baptist Church of Orlando, with hundreds of people in attendance. Instead, a pre-recorded video was posted online so everyone can reflect on the lives and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy. During the virtual event, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings spoke about how King and Kennedy paved the way for him. “As we reflect on the lives of Pappy Kennedy and Dr. King, we can see some common things. Dr. Chaney is certified by The American Board of Pediatrics and is a member of The American Academy of Pediatrics.

American Airlines Flight 191 crashed after takeoff from O'Hare International Airport on May 25, 1979, killing 273 people. The DC-10, carrying 13 crew members and 258 passengers, crashed 31 seconds after takeoff . All those aboard the jet and two people on the ground died.

Police said Willie Burks, 44, of Madison, drove up the exterior steps on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and around the exterior of statehouse just before 9:30 p.m. He then left the capitol grounds and drove against traffic before parking his vehicle.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Hundreds of boxes were packed with food and rolled out to help feed kids in Central Florida. Friday’s packing and distribution event is part of Orange County’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. pre-day of service event with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. King was all about service to man kind so this is what this initiative is doing,” said Demings. Volunteers packed 35,000 meals that will be distributed throughout Central Florida to kids who are getting assistance through the Head Start program. With CARES ACT funding, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida has been able to expand its outreach and increase production to help families in need.

ORLANDO, Fla. – We are pinpointing the approach of a new front across Central Florida. Ahead of the front on Tuesday, expect plenty of clouds, but temperatures will warm into the low 70s for highs. In Orlando, we can expect a high temperature of 72. High temperatures will be in the 60s the rest of the week. We will remain in the 60s through the weekend and for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday.

Lumpkin, a Los Angeles native, died Dec. 26, according to a statement from Los Angeles City College, which he attended from 1938 to 1940. Theodore Lumpkin Jr. was just days short of his 101st birthday. Lumpkin, a Los Angeles native, died Dec. 26, according to a statement from Los Angeles City College, which he attended from 1938 to 1940. The Tuskegee Airmen escorted bombers in Europe. In 2007, the Tuskegee Airmen were collectively awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

MELBOURNE, Fla. – An arrest has been made in a fatal shooting at a behavioral health center in Melbourne, according to police. Melbourne police said around 4:48 p.m. Wednesday officers responded to the Circles of Care Harbor Pines facility, located on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, in reference to a shooting. Investigators said they discovered Travis Knight, who worked at the facility, suffering from a gunshot wound in the parking lot. Officers said Quackenbush attempted to get rid of the gun near the scene and staff members successfully distracted him until officers arrived. “The Harbor Pines facility continues to remain open.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A woman was shot in the leg Wednesday morning and now her ex-boyfriend, the accused shooter, is in custody, according to South Daytona authorities. Police received a 911 call at 10:52 a.m. regarding a shooting at Bellevue Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Surveillance video captured the attack and the shooting, according to the affidavit. Within an hour, police had tracked Rubin to his home at the Bristol Bay condos in South Daytona. He attempted to run away but was caught near Big Tree Road and the Florida East Coast railroad tracks by Daytona Beach and South Daytona police officers, according to officials.

DAYTONA BEACH – A 50-year-old man died after a vehicle fleeing from an attempted traffic stop collided into his vehicle at a high speed, according to the Daytona Beach Police Department. Daniel J. Ruddell Jr. died at the scene of the accident that occurred at the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and South Street, police said. Bennett’s vehicle then struck three cars that didn’t have any people in it before coming to a stop, police said. Bennett was transported to Halifax Health Medical Center and is in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, police said. Contributed photo (Daytona Beach Police Department)Exact charges against Bennett will be determined once the investigation concludes, police said.

The State Road 44 bridge over U.S. 1 will get $294,000 in work. NEW SMYRNA BEACH The State Road 44 bridge over U.S. 1 is about to get a face lift. To keep local bridges in tip-top shape, every so often the state sends crews out to do some rehabilitation work. In this case, that includes concrete repair, joint rehabilitation, and applying a type of coating called an epoxy overlay to the bridge deck. [READ MORE: Dunlawton bridge traffic headache: Good news, work may soon end][READ MORE: North Causeway bridge work begins Monday]The work will take place overnight between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., and might entail single and double lane closures.

DeLand, Fla. – The DeLand Police Department said Gabrielle Burns, 21, is dead after a fatal crash in the area of East Taylor Road around 1:58 a.m. Saturday. Authorities said the preliminary investigation shows a blue Acura was driving east on East Taylor Road approaching Martin Luther King Jr. Beltway when Burns left the road for an unknown reason. After leaving the road the car struck a tree at the entrance of Victoria Gardens. Burns was pronounced deceased at the scene by EVAC, officials said.

After the rally, several of the candidates rushed to catch flights to a forum on policy issues facing black voters in Des Moines, Iowa. The days events marked a rare moment of apparent harmony between candidates, including Sanders, Warren and Joe Biden, who have clashed in recent days. South Carolina Democrats hold the fourth nominating contest on Feb. 29, before the 14 states holding contests on Super Tuesday on March 3. A quarter of black voters said they were undecided. Democrats have crafted competing policies on voter suppression, economic development and criminal justice reform aimed at courting black voters.

Bingo and popcorn: 3:45-5:30 p.m., Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center, 830 NE Eighth Ave. $1.50. : Take Off Pounds Sensibly: 5 p.m., Fort King Presbyterian Church, 13 NE 36th Ave. Free. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St. Free. Dementia caregiver workshop: 6-7:30 p.m., Freedom Public Library, 5870 SW 95th St. Free; registration required. Weigh-in 6 p.m. (629-6935 or 732-6947); and 6 p.m., Presbyterian Church at Marion Oaks, 279 Marion Oaks Manor.

Lunch offered 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the Park: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Webb Field at Martin Luther King Recreation Complex, 1510 NW Fourth St., Ocala. Ocala Civic Theatre Golden Troupers: 1-3 p.m., Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala open to all age 55 and older. Take Off Pounds Sensibly: 5 p.m., Fort King Presbyterian Church, 13 NE 36th Ave. Free. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St. Free. Rainbow Spring Grassroots Group: 6 p.m., Rainbow Springs Community Center, 83rd Place Road, Dunnellon, (must be resident or invited guest).

Book sale: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Fort McCoy Public Library, 14660 NE County Road 315, Fort McCoy. Saturday Art Workshops at The Brick: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Jan. 18, Feb. 15 and March 14, 23 SW Broadway St., Ocala. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Wreath Ceremony: 11 a.m., Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 595 SW Martin Luther King Jr. EARS animal sanctuary tours: 1:45 p.m., 2615 E. County Road 318, Citra. Humanists of North Central Florida: 2 p.m., Cypress Hall, 8413 SW 88th St. Visit hncflorida.com.

The Deltona Dream Keepers and the City of Deltona will host a breakfast event Saturday to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.Just a couple of days before Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Deltona Dream Keepers, in collaboration with the City of Deltona, will host their annual breakfast celebration to recognize and reflect on Kings impact. Together We Stand, Divided We Fall will take place Saturday at The Center, 1640 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., according to a city news release. Admission to the breakfast, which begins at 8:30 a.m., is $10 in advance. For tickets, call Mike Williams, president of the West Volusia branch of the NAACP, at 386-804-6136.

The first ceremony is Saturday Wreath Ceremony: 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 595 SW Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Ocala. March: 8-10 a.m. Monday, starting at the downtown Ocala square and ending at the Hampton Campus at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the Park: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Webb Field at Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex, 1510 NW Fourth St., Ocala. Dance, music, poetry reading, speeches, food and various vendors.

Public meetings in Flagler County from Jan. 15-21. WEDNESDAY, Jan. 15 The Flagler County Technical Review Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in the first floor conference room of the Government Services Building, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell. MONDAY, Jan. 20 All city and county offices, libraries and schools in Flagler County will be closed for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. TUESDAY, Jan. 21 The Flagler County Economic Opportunity Advisory Council will meet at 9 a.m. in the Government Services Building. Bunnells Planning and Zoning Appeals Board will meet at 6 p.m. in City Hall, 201 W. Moody Blvd.

Police looking for burglar who stole game systems from community centerDAYTONA BEACH Police are looking for a thief who stole several game systems. controllers and chargers from the Boys and Girls Club after breaking into the John H. Dickerson Community Center in Daytona Beach. Police said the thief took a Playstation 4 valued at $250, Xbox One S valued at $300, and a Wii at $100. Hardy said she checked the security camera system and saw a man walking northbound on the sidewalk along S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The video showed the man walking to the south door of the center for about 10 minutes before walking westbound away from the building.

Daytona Beach say a man broke into the Dickerson Center at 308 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blv. on Wednesday night and made off with $1,000 worth of gaming gear,DAYTONA BEACH Police are looking for a thief who stole several game systems. Police said the thief took a Playstation 4 valued at $250, Xbox One S valued at $300, and a Wii valued at $100. Hardy said she checked the security camera system and saw a man walking northbound on the sidewalk along S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The video showed the man walking to the south door of the center for about 10 minutes before walking westbound away from the building.

The event, sponsored by the Leesburg Partnership, goes from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday on Martin Luther King Jr. Island in Venetian Gardens, where Christmas lights will be on display early. LEESBURG Friday is Leesburgs Craft Beer, Wine & Food Festival. Now in its 10th year, the event has become a staple in the Lakefront City. People tell me that this is their favorite event of the year, said Joe Shipes, CEO of the Leesburg Partnership. Its all about the beer, food, entertainment, family and friends.The event, sponsored by the partnership, goes from 6 to 10 p.m. on Martin Luther King Jr. Island in Venetian Gardens, where Christmas lights will be on display early.

LEESBURG, Fla. - The Leesburg Police Department is investigating a crash between a vehicle and a pedestrian. The crash occurred on U.S. Highway 27 near Picciola Road on Saturday evening. Police said traffic is being diverted in both directions. Northbound U.S. 27 is being diverted up Picciola Road and back to U.S. 27 from Indian Trail and Picciola Cutoff in Fruitland Park. Southbound U.S. 27 is being diverted from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to Thomas Road to Tally Road and back to U.S. 27 at Key Scales Ford.

FILE PHOTO: The Reverend Bernice King daughter of Martin Luther King Jr speaks at the National Bar Association's 60th Anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in Montgomery, December 1, 2015. REUTERS/Marvin GentrySAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Disinformation campaigns helped lead to the assassination of Martin Luther King, the daughter of the U.S. civil rights champion said on Thursday after the head of Facebook said social media should not factcheck political advertisements. Kings daughter, Bernice, tweeted that she had heard the speech. Id like to help Facebook better understand the challenges #MLK faced from disinformation campaigns launched by politicians. We look forward to continuing this important dialogue with her in Menlo Park next week, a Facebook spokesperson said.

A Daytona Beach man has been charged with second-degree murder after deputies say he stabbed a man in apparant retaliation for a drive-by shooting a few weeks earlier, according to authorities. DAYTONA BEACH A Daytona Beach man has been charged with second-degree murder after deputies say he stabbed a man in apparent retaliation for a drive-by shooting a few weeks earlier, according to authorities. Joe McCants, 50, of Daytona Beach was arrested later that morning, Bendayan said. McCants, hearing this, told Rankin he needed to leave immediately, Gillam told deputies. Daytona Beach police were later contacted by a family member of McCants and told he wished to turn himself in, the report said.

Three decades since Melbourne first tried renaming a street in honor of the country's most famous civil rights leader, the sixth time is the charm for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Copyright 2019 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.

Bingo and popcorn: 3:45-5:30 p.m., Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center, 830 NE Eighth Ave. $1.50. Pinochle: 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center, 830 NE Eighth Ave. Tap dancing for seniors: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Eighth Avenue Senior Center, 830 NE Eighth Ave. Free. Karaoke open mic: 2-3 p.m., Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center, 830 NE Eighth Ave. Bingo and popcorn: 3:45-5:30 p.m., Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center, 830 NE Eighth Ave. $1.50.

One Million Cups Ocala: 9:30-10:30 a.m., Power Plant Business Incubator, 405 SE Osceola Ave. Visit 1millioncups.com/ocala. Book sale: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Fort McCoy Public Library, 14660 NE County Road 315, Fort McCoy. Wood carving: 1-4 p.m., Eighth Avenue Senior Center, 830 NE Eighth Ave. Free. Quilt Club: 10 a.m., Forest Community Center, 777 S. County Road 314A, Ocklawaha. Forest Jam: 6 p.m., Forest Community Center, 777 S. County Road 314A, Ocklawaha.

MELBOURNE, Fla. - On Tuesday night Melbourne City Council voted to rename Airport Boulevard to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The road stretches for 1.7 miles between U.S. 192 and Apollo Boulevard and goes past Orlando Melbourne International Airport. The name change has been in the works for 30 years. It took city council two hours to reach the decision on Tuesday. City leaders will announce on Wednesday when the new street signs will be installed.

A vote will take place Tuesday night on whether to rename Airport Boulevard in Melbourne to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Copyright 2019 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.

From the archives: LBJ signs the Civil Rights Act Watch excerpts from President Lyndon B. Johnson's televised speech on July 2, 1964, as he signed the landmark Civil Rights Act to address racial discrimination and inequality. "We have come now to a time of testing - we must not fail," he told an audience of lawmakers and civil rights advocates, including the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.