Pit Bulls Kill Child, Maul Owner Two pit bulls killed a 7-month-old boy and mauled the grandmother who owned them at her San Antonio, Texas home on Tuesday, The Associated Press reports. The woman, whose name was not released, had gone to the kitchen to retrieve a bottle to feed her grandson, Izaiah Gregory Cox, and when she returned, the dogs had set on the child, San Antonio Police Chief Bill McManus told AP. She grabbed a knife and stabbed one of the dogs, then pulled the baby away. But the dogs then turned on her. After she got the dogs into her backyard, police shot and killed them both. Izaiah died at University Hospital; the condition of his grandmother was not immediately known, AP reported.

 B-more Mom Guilty of Starving Child to Death A Baltimore mother pleaded guilty Monday to starving her 16-month-old son to death, in a bizarre agreement that asked for charges to be dropped if her son was “resurrected.” Prosecutors say that Ria Ramkissoon, who they say is a cult member, stopped feeding her child, Javon Thompson, because he didn’t say “Amen” at meals and had a rebellious spirit, reports WBAL-TV. The child died as a result and his body was found in April of last year. Read more.

Denzel Washington writes of child “crisis.”

Oscar-winner and Boys and Girls Clubs spokesman Denzel Washington wants America to pay attention to youth when considering the issues raised in this election year. “There is an underlying problem that we, as a nation, have not addressed a situation that should concern any American with an eye on the future, regardless of party affiliation,” Washington writes in a CNN.com essay. “It is the crisis affecting our children.” Among stats that the American Gangster star cites are: 30 percent of the present high school freshman class will likely drop out before graduating; youths are responsible for 20 percent of violent crime in America; and childhood obesity has risen 300 percent since 1980.

Entrepreneur’s financial, personal challenges mount

Damon Dash’s custody challenge continues. Damon Dash’s troubles seem to be increasing as 2008 progresses. Following widespread reports of home foreclosure action against him and the loss of his licensing agreement with Pro-Keds, the Roc-a-fella Records co-founder is dealing with ongoing child custody grief. Dash recently filed a motion to force the mother of his son, Damon “Boogie” Dash Jr., to return him to Damon Sr. The film and music entrepreneur has sole legal custody. A judge this week threatened to issue an arrest warrant for Linda Williams if Boogie wasn’t brought home. A lawyer representing the teenager says he wants to remain with his mother.

Congressional Democrats drop child health bill. Congressional Democrats have scrapped plans for another vote on expansion of the Children’s Health Insurance Program. The move spares Republicans from a politically difficult vote just weeks before elections this fall, the Washington Post reports. Before the summer recess, Democrats had vowed repeatedly to force another vote on the popular program. But Democrats say they have shifted course, after concluding that President Bush would not sign their legislation and that they didn’t have the votes to override a veto. Mr. Bush vetoed two earlier versions of the legislation, which he denounced as a dangerous step toward “government-run health care for every American,” and the House sustained those vetoes.  The move effectively shelves the legislation, which was aimed at expanding state health care coverage for  poor and middle-income families, is effectively dead for now. “We are not going to change any votes on the children’s health insurance bill. We still don’t have enough to override a veto,” said Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. “Those who opposed this bill can face the voters and explain why they believe 10 million kids should not get health coverage.” 

Free drug samples could cost uninsured more. Free drug samples provided to physicians by pharmaceutical companies could actually be costing uninsured patients more in the long run, according to a study done by researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and colleagues. The retrospective study looked at the prescribing habits of more than 70 physicians in a university-affiliated internal medicine practice in the months immediately before and after the closing of their drug sample closet. The results indicate that the availability of free samples from pharmaceutical companies greatly impacts whether an uninsured patient is given a prescription for a generic or a brand-name drug. The complete findings can be found in the September issue of Southern Medical Journal. “It’s true that samples can save patients money in the short-run,” said David P. Miller, M.D., lead researcher and internal medicine physician at Wake Forest Baptist. “But our study shows that they may end up paying more in the long run when they are given prescriptions for brand-name only drugs.” After looking at 2,000 cases, researchers found that, for uninsured patients, the percentage of medications prescribed as generics rose from 12 percent to 30 percent after the clinic closed its drug sample closet. For Medicaid patients, however, there was no significant change in generic prescribing.
Natural label is no guarantee. The word “natural” on a food label sounds like it might mean the food is better for you, but a University of Missouri nutritionist says that isn’t necessarily the case. “The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets standards for the nutrition information and health claims that can be made on a food label,” said Tammy Roberts, nutrition and health education specialist with University of Missouri Extension. “Claims made on food labels are to be truthful and not misleading. Still, it’s easy for some claims to be confusing.” The three terms that many people are confused about are “natural,” “healthy” and “organic,” Roberts said. “Many people think they all mean about the same thing, but there are different specific meanings for all of these terms,” Roberts told U.S. News & World Report. When a food is labeled as “natural,” it means that the product does not contain any synthetic or artificial ingredients or is minimally processed. According to Roberts, the food label should explain how the producer is using terms such as “no added colorings” or “no added artificial ingredients” along with the “natural” claim. For a food to be labeled as “healthy,” it must meet certain criteria for the amount of fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium and have specific minimum amounts of vitamins, minerals or other beneficial nutrients. If a food is labeled as “organic,” it must meet standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the way the food is grown or produced. “It is important to note that USDA makes no claims that organically grown food is more nutritious or safer than other non-organically produced food,” said Roberts.

Don’t be like Mike, says anti-smoking organization.

Basketball great Michael Jordan is taking heat from the American Cancer Society after photos of the retired superstar smoking a cigar were published. Jordan participated in a Labor Day softball event this week, where he swung the bat, ran bases and played the field – all while toking away. “When high-profile athletes publicly display unhealthful habits, they can mislead young people to emulate their behavior,” says American Cancer Society spokesman Cary Peasant. More than 12 million premature deaths since 1964 have been smoking-related, Peasant says.

Golf star announces coming of second child. Tiger Woods has announced that, while he’s not playing golf during his recovery from knee surgery, he’s celebrating at home. Woods reports via his Web site that his wife Elin is pregnant with the couple’s second child. “Elin is feeling great and we are both thrilled,” he says.

The breed’s public relations problem seems justifiable.
It’s no wonder the pit bull has a PR problem. All it takes is two vicious attacks in less than two weeks against small children to bolster arguments that the breed is a dangerous monster with no place in a community setting. On Tuesday, James Hendrix, peered into his neighbor’s yard just in time to witness a large pit bull ripping a toddler’s scalp from his head. Got to BET.com/News for more on this story.

The former dorm matron has been accused of assaulting the pupils

The trial for the former dorm boss at Oprah Winfrey’s school for girls in South Africa , who is accused of physically and sexually abusing students, began Tuesday. The prosecutor in the case argues that Tiny Virginia Makopo, 28, assaulted six teens and a fellow dorm matron at the Johannesburg-based school for disadvantaged girls. The alleged victims, whom prosecutor Etienne Venter described as “very scared and very, very emotional,” will give their testimony behind closed doors. Makopo pleaded not guilty. Winfrey, herself a victim of child abuse, founded the school with $40 million in January 2007. The institute aims to prepare girls as future leaders.

Aaron Mohanlal was given 43 years for forcing himself on a boy

It was a full year ago that Aaron Mohanlal, a south Florida middle school teacher, was slapped with a 43-year prison sentence for forcing himself on one of the boys in class for nearly two years. The only problem is that the 41-year-old Port St. Lucie man has never served a single day for the 13 criminal counts, including child abuse, molestation and lewd battery. Read why at BET.com/News.

A singer reacts to her ex-boss’ acquittal of child pornography charges

Former R. Kelly protégé Stephanie “Sparkle” Edwards remains firm on her identification of her allegedly underage niece as the person shown in a sex video with Kelly. Despite Kelly’s recent acquittal on child pornography charges, Edwards says the multi-platinum singer got away with robbing the cradle. “I was at peace with it because, the night before, I felt like the verdict would come down the next day,” Sparkle tells Philly radio host Kendra G. “I was talking to God all night. She continues, “Honestly, honestly honestly, I really didn’t want to see Robert go to jail. I just felt like he should’ve gotten some help.” The trial and Sparkle’s decision to testify has strained her family, some of whom denied her niece was in the video, she says. But she’s working to restore her family’s ties. “I did what I was supposed to do,” Sparkle adds.

Singer’s freedom remains subject of debate

Not unlike reactions to the six-year delay in his trial on child pornography charges, many are dismayed that R. Kelly is a free man. Fans, however, cheered Kelly after learning that he was found not guilty on 14 counts last week. Kelly gave a salute to spectators outside a Chicago courthouse where he’d repeated the words, “Thank you, Jesus,” after hearing jurors’ verdicts. He faced up to 15 years in prison if convicted of recording sex acts with a woman believed to be about 13 years old. But numerous message board entries and call-in radio hotlines indicate stunned amazement that Kelly was found to guilty. It’s likely that thousands of copies of the videotape allegedly featuring Kelly have been reproduced and circulated throughout the Black community for years leading up to the trial. Even comedian Dave Chappelle made a memorable parody video in which he dressed like Kelly and sang, “I want to p–s on you,” referring to the video’s most talked-about act. After the Friday verdict, jurors didn’t identify themselves by name, but several said the young woman’s identity was key to Kelly’s freedom: They were certain Kelly was the man in 27 minutes footage, but not certain of the age or identity of his alleged sex partner. The alleged victim didn’t testify.