(Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

In today’s news, the nation’s unemployment rate dropped to 7.5 percent, a four-year low; the suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing said the explosions were initially planned for July 4; and the New York City Police commissioner says that African-Americans are “understopped” and defended stop and frisk.

U.S. jobless rate falls to 7.5 percent, four-year low. [NY Times]

Black unemployment dips again in April. [BET]

Boston suspect said bombing was initially planned for July 4. [Washington Post]

African-Americans are “understopped,” NY police chief says. [International Business Times]

Former Black Liberation Army member is first woman on list of most wanted terrorists. [ABC]

Roy Roberts steps down as emergency manager of Detroit Public Schools. [Crain's Detroit Business]

Black jockey Kevin Krigger looks to win Kentucky Derby. [Washington Post]

Clarence Thomas: Obama says what elites expect from a Black person. [Fox]

In Chicago, 20 shootings, three killed, in one day. [BET]

Mali court drops case against editor Boukary Daou. [BBC]

In today’s top news, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg endorsed President Obama’s reelection, the Black unemployment rate rose to 14.3 percent in October and President Obama and Mitt Romney are winding up their final campaign events in swing states.

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg endorsed President Obama’s reelection. [BET]

The Black unemployment rate rose to 14.3 percent in October. [BET]

President Obama and Mitt Romney are winding up their final campaign events in swing states. [CNN]

The bodies of two NYC boys swept away by Hurricane Sandy were found. [NYPost]

Newark Mayor Cory Booker let a Hurricane Sandy victim “hang out” at his house and use his electricity. [Observer]

New charges were filed against Penn State officials in the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse case. [CNN]

A sequel to The Best Man is scheduled for a Nov. 15, 2013 release. [BET]

Iranians mark the anniversary of the U.S. embassy seizure. [AP]

Three Kenyans have been charged with the murder of Venezuela’s ambassador to Kenya. [BBC]

South African president Jacob Zuma calls for traditional African courts to solve “African problems.” [BBC]

In today’s top news, Porgy and Bess wins the Tony award for best musical revival, Atlanta pastor Creflo Dollar seeks to clear up reports that he punched his teenage daughter in a scuffle last week and police are searching for the shooter who killed three and wounded three others near Auburn University this weekend.

Porgy and Bess wins the Tony Award for best musical revival. [AP]

Atlanta pastor Creflo Dollar seeks to clear up reports that he punched his teenage daughter in a scuffle last week. [CNN]

Three people were shot and killed and three others were wounded  at an apartment complex near Auburn University Saturday. [MSNBC]

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg defends stop-and-frisk before a Black congregation Sunday. [NYT]

UNC is fighting allegations of academic fraud after football players were enrolled in an African-American studies course that was never taught. [RNO]

Exonerated of a rape charge, Brian Banks will accept a tryout offer from the Seattle Seahawks. [AP]

Police are looking for the person who shot and killed 19-year-old rapper Lil Phat in Atlanta. [BET]

Mary J. Blige announced she will play Malcolm X’s wife, Betty Shabazz, in an upcoming film. [BET]

Study: Majority of Blacks with hypertension harbor hidden heart disease. [NewsMedical]

Boko Haram strikes two Nigerian churches leaving seven dead. [BBC]

In today’s top news, the Obamas open up the White House to blues music, the Supreme Court will consider a new challenge to affirmative action and Roland Martin’s on-air apology for his offensive Super Bowl tweets is accepted by GLAAD.

The Obamas open up the White House to blues music. [BET]

The Supreme Court will consider a new challenge to affirmative action. [ABC]

Roland Martin’s on-air apology for Super Bowl tweets is accepted by GLAAD. [Reuters]

New York Mayor Bloomberg defends extensive surveillance of Muslims. [CNN]

Nigerian victims of environmental disasters and abuses are too poor to sue, say jurists. [AFP]

President Obama to break ground on National Black History Museum. [AP]

An Ohio boy brings a gun to daycare. [MSNBC]

Mariah Carey speaks on Whitney Houston’s death. [BET]

Michelle Obama’s support continues to boost J.Crew’s stock. [BET]

U.S. government backs the Red Cross’s call for an end to violence in Syria. [BBC]

Child soldiers increasingly join Somalia violence. [CNN]

(Photo: REUTERS/Lee Celano)

In today’s top news,  the nation’s ERs are standing at the ready for New Year’s mayhem, some warn that shopping while intoxicated may cause damage to your wallet this season and Colorado is the latest state to ask for marijuana to be considered medicine.

U.S. emergency rooms getting ready for the busiest weekend of the year. [AP]

FAMU may lose accreditation. [Washington Post]

Eddie Long’s New Birth Academy closes. [Atlanta Journal-Constitution]

New York City Muslims snub Mayor’s annual dinner over police surveillance gripes. [AP]

Online retailers profit from consumers who shop “under the influence.” [New York Times]

More than one million have visited the 9/11 memorial since its opening. [FOX News]

New island rises in the Red Sea. [MSNBC]

Arizona Mexican-American studies program ruled unlawful. [CNN]

Chinese language instruction on the rise in nation’s classrooms. [CNN]

Jamaicans to vote in a close election. [BBC]

Colorado asks Feds to make way for medical marijuana in the state. [AP]

(Photo: John Amis-Pool/Getty Images)

In today’s top news, Bishop Eddie long’s wife files for divorce, rough winds batter parts of California, the ICC hires an African at the helm and Cain’s latest accuser has a bleeding heart.

Black unemployment increased slightly in November. [BET]

Bishop Eddie Long’s wife files for divorce. [AJC]

Wild winds wreak havoc in California. [CNN]

Honda recalls hundreds of thousands of airbags. [MSNBC]

NYC Mayor admits he “smoked up” in college. [MSNBC]

Some McDonald’s to charge for Happy Meal toys. [CSM]

First Family lights national Christmas tree. [Reuters]

Cain accuser’s “heart bleeds” for his wife Gloria. [CNN]

A Gambian woman will take over as prosecutor for the ICC [BBC]

Rich nations pledge climate donations to developing world. [AJE]

An unlikely trio descended upon President Obama at the White House Thursday, agreeing that the education problems facing this country are far greater than the traditional differences that divide Democrats and Republicans, African Americans and Whites. Read more.