(Photos from left: Uriel Sinai/Getty Images, Michael Kovac/Getty Images)

In today’s top news, Russell Simmons, other stars and elected officials are urging President Obama to reform the U.S. drug and criminal justice  policy; North Korea issued new war threats; and families of Newtown, Connecticut, victims want Congress to revive gun legislation that has stalled for almost four months.

Russell Simmons, Will Smith, other stars and elected officials are urging President Obama to reform the U.S. drug and criminal justice  policy. [BlackVoices]

North Korea issued new war threats on Tuesday. [CNN]

Families of Newtown, Connecticut, victims want Congress to revive gun legislation that has stalled nearly four months after the slaying at Sandy Hook Elementary School. [ABCNews]

The interest on U.S. Stafford student loans are set to double this summer. [NBCNews]

The Louisville Cardinals beat Michigan 82-76 to capture the NCAA men’s basketball title. [BET]

You can now follow former President Bill Clinton on Twitter @PrezBillyJeff. [NYDailyNews]

Organizers of the Scripps National Spelling Bee are adding multiple-choice vocabulary tests to the annual competition. [ABCNews]

A fake Cookie Monster is being charged for reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a two-year-old  tourist in Times Square Sunday. [USA Today]

A couple who kidnapped their two sons, who were in legal custody with their grandmother, have been found in Havana, Cuba. [CNN]

In today’s top news, gunfire in an Ohio high school left two students dead and four wounded, 50 Cent says his trip to Africa was “enlightening” and Israel declares it won’t warn the U.S. ahead of a potential attack on Iran.

Two students died and four were wounded after a teen gunman opened fire in an Ohio high school. [MSNBC]

50 Cent says his trip to Africa was “enlightening.” [BET]

Israel won’t warn the U.S. ahead of a potential attack on Iran. [AP]

The U.S. Treasury Dept. will begin freezing bank accounts of child support debtors next year. [BET]

Malaysia cancels Erykah Badu concert over “Allah” tattoos. [AP]

One in five older Americans scrimp on health care to save money. [TODAY]

Light-skinned vs. dark-skinned pageant causes a stir. [Daily Mail]

FHM Philippines scrapped its latest cover image over claims of racism. [AP]

Occupy London camp finally gets evicted. [CNN]

Part of the controversial Keystone oil pipeline to begin construction. [MSNBC]

In today’s top news, music loses legend Jimmy Castor, boxing great Muhammad Ali celebrates his 70th birthday and the Occupy Movement marches on in Washington.

Funk legend Jimmy Castor dies at 64. [BET]

Muhammad Ali celebrates his 70th birthday today. [BET]

‘Occupy’ protesters plan to take on Congress. [MSNBC]

Gingrich gets grilled at a Black church. [AP]

Lil Boosie pens jailhouse letter to fans. [BET]

U.S. Border Patrol to toughen southern border policy. [AP]

Death toll rising in European cruise ship wreck. [CNN]

Holder vows to protect voting rights in an MLK day speech. [CNN]

Nigerian fuel agency is being investigated for corruption. [BBC]

2011 was a good year for beating down credit card debt. [CNN]

Rap mogul Russell Simmons, who critics say is ushering poor people into further debt with his money card that targets poor and minority communities, denounced what he called “misinformation” and said he is providing a service that gives people a sense of respect and dignity. “The RushCard is a prepaid card, NOT a credit card.  It gives people the convenience of a credit card without the debt,” Simmons said in a statement. “I have watched with pride the way RushCard has changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people giving them respect and dignity.  It gives underserved communities the tools to get their money right.” Read the rest.

Obama to chart ambitious health care plan. How would an Obama administration affect your health care. Candidate Barack Obama made several promises to improve health care for children and working families. To see how those improvements might shake out, go to BET.com/Body & Soul.

Debt-linked stress may cause more premature deliveries.  A women’s worry over financial matters can increase a woman’s risk for preterm delivery, but most kinds of stress have no effect, a new study finds. The study, released by the research institute RTI International, looked at 18 types of stressful situations and concluded that only four may be associated with preterm birth: being in debt; being injured by a partner; having someone close attempt suicide; and being divorced. Women in debt were the most consistently at risk for preterm delivery, reports HealthDay. They were 9 percent more likely to deliver at 35 to 36 weeks of gestation, 14 percent more likely to deliver at 33 to 34 weeks, and 16 percent more likely to deliver at less than 33 weeks, the study said. On the other hand, having a partner who lost his or her job was associated with a decreased risk of preterm delivery, said study author Nedra Whitehead, an RTI epidemiologist who examined stressful events such as legal conflicts, changes in relationships, financial problems, physical conflicts, and family illness or death. “Stressful life events have been associated with preterm delivery in some studies but not in others. This study provides some limited support for an association of some life events with preterm delivery, but it is not clear why only these four of the 18 events studied were associated with preterm delivery as they are not similar in type of stress or expected severity,” Whitehead said in an RTI news release. For more on handling finance-related stress, go to Vital Signs.

Rapper appears to be under “dark butts” curse.

Yung Berg faces more troubles than just fan backlash after he was arrested on charges of criminal possession of a weapon, marijuana and menacing after a dispute with his limo driver. Berg is still suffering after he made comments dissing dark-skinned women and was subsequently booed at a Dallas show and practically ignored by D.C. fans, who barely turned out for a promo event. Berg’s limo driver reportedly called cops after the argument with the rapper. Police at the scene arrested Berg on the drug and gun charges.

Sammy Davis Jr. died still millions in debt.

Singer, dancer and film star Sammy Davis Jr. owed the IRS $15 million when he died, despite having earned over $50 million, a new book details. The man who inspired both tap dancers, like Savion Glover, and impressionists, like Eddie Griffin, even declined radiation treatment for throat cancer, saying he couldn’t work without being able to sing. The biography “Deconstructing Sammy,” described as a tell-all, explores the life of the entertainer. Davis died in 1990.

More states are enacting laws to protect drowning homeowners.

With more and more homeowners drowning in an ocean of mortgage debt, federal and state authorities are stepping up efforts to beat back the sharks. As foreclosures have skyrocketed over the past year, the flim-flam artists have come out in full force, say officials with the Federal Trade Commission and the FBI. “This fraud virus has probably been around, but until recently, it didn’t flower into a major issue,” says Brad Elbein, regional director of the FTC. The commission notes that so far this year it has filed three major foreclosure-rescue cases, one of which involved thousands of victims. It filed only one rescue case during all of last year. “The scope is probably going to be potentially as large as the mortgage fraud problem itself,” Sharon Ormsby, the FBI’s chief of financial crimes, told USA Today. The FTC is warning struggling homeowners to be wary of those offering relief for a fee. First of all, they say, many government-certified credit and foreclosure counselors can help negotiate the waters of foreclosure free of charge. One common rescue company scam involves an offer to pay the mortgage while allowing the homeowner to live in the home and pay rent. After the owner signs over the deed, the company sells the house and snatches the equity. “These are relatively new scams that are growing and becoming an increasing problem,” said Gavin Gee, director of Idaho ’s Department of Finance. A new Idaho law requires rescue companies to give homeowners five days to change their minds. According to USA Today, at least 14 states have passed laws to protect floundering homeowners. For example, Iowa bars foreclosure rescue companies from charging fees up front; Florida requires that foreclosure-rescue firms include a cancellation provision in the agreement; Washington state requires rescue companies to give homeowners a five-day period to change their minds. In the year since the mortgage crisis erupted, more than 1 million homeowners have lost their homes to foreclosure. A million more are teetering on the brink of foreclosure – 90 days past their mortgage due dates.

Farrakhan blasts the U.S. education system.

No wonder Black children are failing in school, Minister Louis Farrakhan told hundreds of listeners during a speech titled “Educational Challenge: A New Paradigm for the 21st Century,” which wrapped up a three-day education conference in Chicago . America ’s education system was never designed for them. Rather, he said, it was designed for a few well-to-do Whites and their children, and it has systematically alienated Black children and other people of color from the curriculum and refused to include them in a plan to advance their knowledge or their circumstances. “With a system of education that puts up the elite, good education was never designed for the masses,” Farrakhan said. “It is rooted in White supremacy. This is why we’re having all these problems in education, because the idea at the root of it represents a finite idea that has to end in order for something new and better to come in.” The fiery head of the Nation of Islam was joined on stage by another controversial minister, the Rev. Michael Pfleger, who drew criticism against Sen. Barack Obama during the presidential primary for telling an audience at the senator’s Trinity United Church of Christ that Hillary Clinton believed she was entitled to the presidency because she is rich and White. In speaking to the packed house of parents, educators and activists, Farrakhan told parents to challenge the curricula of public schools and insist that they are studies that their children can relate to. “When the children can’t see themselves in the education, they’re not interested,” Farrakhan said. “Teach them who they are.” But education is not the only thing this nation needs, he added. “There are people coming out of college with degrees that say we have achieved what this world has to offer,” he said. “. . . [We are seeing] the collapse of the economy – but look at all the people with a doctorate in economics.” Farrakhan also praised Obama, who distanced himself from the minister in February, “The world is looking for change, so the brother has struck the right chord,” Farrakhan said.

Deceased mom of rap star is object of foreclosure effort.

Northern Trust Bank is asking for $606,983.43 cents to prevent the foreclosure of rapper Kanye West’s late mother’s L.A. home. Donda West died last year of complications from cosmetic surgery. Her estate matters have been handled by the rapper, but he has not commented on the alleged bank debt. A former Chicago professor, Donda West also doubled as Kanye’s business associate.

King mag lists worst model-turned-actress gigs.

Oscar win aside, Halle Berry has a worst performance of all time, according to King magazine. Berry is named as the top offender on the publication’s list of most dreadful model-turned-actress film showings for her role in Gothika. Following Berry were Garcelle Beauvais for her part in Wild, Wild West and Tyra Banks for Coyote Ugly. Cameron Diaz (Any Given Sunday) and Cindy Crawford (Fair Game) also made the unfortunate top five.

.

Singer’s appearance blocked by show’s postponement. It may be a while before India.Arie fans see the singer on stage after a financial backer has reportedly pulled out of the production “For Colored Girls Who Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf.” Arie was slated to act in the popular Ntozake Shange “choreopoem.” But the production is on hold indefinitely.

Tiger’s niece signs on to play golf at Wake Forest
Two-time Arizona state high school golf champ Cheyenne Woods has moved closer to a possible pro career like that of her uncle. She’ll play at Wake Forest University. The daughter of Tiger Woods’ half-brother tells the Charlotte Observer newspaper: “When I first started playing, my relationship was no big deal because everyone around home knew about it. But when I started going to national tournaments, I was answering a lot of questions. …Golf is at the center of my world. But I don’t want it to be my entire world.”

Kevin Faulk allegedly brought weed to rap concert
NFL running back Kevin Faulk will serve a five-month suspended sentence, community service and a year of probation after allegedly taking four joints to a Lil’ Wayne concert this year. Faulk was summoned on a misdemeanor after a routine search in the February incident at the Cajundome. He pleaded no contest this week and will have to present anti-drug messages to Louisiana high school and middle school students. Faulk will also undergo 20 hours of substance abuse treatment.

Dennis Rodman allegedly owes 400 K
Former on-court rebounder and off-court spectacle Dennis Rodman faces a $400,000 tax debt. The ex-player has been served notice of unpaid liens and an apparent bill to the IRS. Rodman’s reps say the debt results from a misunderstanding with his ex-business manager. He’ll have a “very small balance” to pay after the matter is sorted out, Rodman’s handlers say.

Actor seeks permission to leave the country, despite bond

Saying he needs to visit London and Bangkok to work on two films, actor Wesley Snipes wants a court that let him go free on bail to let him leave the country. Snipes was convicted this year on charges of failing to file tax returns and appeared headed to prison. But lawyers convinced a judge that he should be free while appealing the decision. The “Blade” trilogy star is hoping to sit in on editing for “Gallowwalker” and to film “Chasing the Dragon.” Meanwhile, prosecutors recently argued that he should be put in custody, let alone having his terms of bail relaxed.

A former “American Idol” gets married at Alabama church.
Ruben Studdard is a married man after exchanging vows in Alabama this past weekend. The former “American Idol,” who’s set to release a CD this year, wed Surata Zuri McCants in a 30-minute ceremony outside his hometown Birmingham. There was no singing during the program, only quiet string performances. Studdard and McCants were spotted together taking out a marriage license earlier this month.

Kanye West’s mom owed $600 G’s
Rapper Kanye West has been issued a court order demanding that he pay his late mother’s debts, including $600,000 on the Illinois condo she owned. As the executor of Dr. Donda West’s estate, the rapper is responsible for his parent’s outstanding bills. In related news, Dr. Jan Adams, the cosmetic surgeon who operated on Dr. West before her death, was recently arrested on suspicion of DUI. Adams allegedly tried to enter a California freeway by driving onto the off ramp.