Duke Enthroned on U.S. Coin
A U.S. coin now dons the image of true African-American royalty. Edward “Duke” Ellington, who during his illustrious career as a jazz musician and composer penned more than 3,000 songs and won 13 Grammys, became the first Black person to appear by himself on a circulating U.S. coin. Among Ellington’s many classic tunes were such notables as “Satin Doll,” “Perdido” and “Don’t Get Around Much Any More.” His “It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing,” which helped usher in the Swing Era of jazz, appears on the “tails” side of the new D.C. quarter. Ellington died in 1974 at the age of 75. George Washington is on the “heads” side, as is the norm with U.S. quarters. The coin was issued to celebrate Ellington’s birthplace, the District of Columbia. Also on the coin is the phrase “Justice for all.” The Mint rejected the first inscription choice of D.C. voters, which was “taxation without representation,” in protest of the district’s lack of voting representation in Congress.

Democratic Whip Asks Burris to Resign
Saying that he had warned Sen. Roland Burris to steer clear of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich amid news of a potential scandal, Sen. Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, said Tuesday the time has come for Burris to resign. Blagojevich – who has been charged with trying to sell the open Illinois Senate seat that was left vacant when Barack Obama headed to the White House – appointed Burris. The former Illinois comptroller and state attorney general has been lambasted in the media for repeatedly changing his story about circumstances surrounding his appointment. In his latest shocker, he has acknowledged attempting to raise money for the embattled governor.
 

Seven Family Members Found Dead
Seven family members were found murdered in a Los Angeles-area home Tuesday in what appears to be a massive murder-suicide, The Los Angeles Times reports. Los Angeles Police Officer Sam Park told CNN that authorities responded to a call of a shooting and discovered the bodies of five children and two adults. The ages of the residents was not released, but all of the children were under the age of 10, the Times reports. All seven family members were shot to death inside the home, apparently by the children’s father, police told the newspaper. After calling the news media, the man reportedly turned the gun on himself, according to the Times. The news media in turn called the police, the Times reports.

Woman Gives Birth to Eight
A Southern California mom gave birth to eight healthy babies Monday. The unidentified mother had six boys and two girls weighing between 1 pound, 8 ounces, and 3 pounds, 4 ounces, The Associated Press reports. Three of the octuplets are still getting small doses of oxygen through their noses, but all of them appear to be doing well, according to Dr. Mandhir Gupta, a neonatologist at the Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center. “All babies were delivered vigorous, crying, kicking. Everyone was very excited,” said Dr. Karen E. Maples, chief of service for obstetrics and gynecology and the physician who personally delivered Baby No. 8. The eighth baby surprised the parents and doctors who had prepared to deliver seven children. “It is quite easy to miss a baby when you’re anticipating seven,” said Dr. Harold Henry, chief of maternal and fetal medicine and one of 46 doctors, nurses and assistants who delivered the children by Caesarean section. This is only the second group of live octuplets born in the United States, according to AP.

Jazz Legend Lands on D.C. Coin
Jazz legend Duke Ellington has a new home – he now lives on the newly minted quarter. The 25-cent piece honoring Washington, D.C., is the latest coin released by the U.S. Mint. The quarter, with native Washingtonian Duke Ellington, is inscribed with the city’s motto, “Justice for all.” Last year, the U.S. Mint rejected designs from the District of Columbia that included the slogan “Taxation Without Representation,” a reference to the fact that D.C. residents pay taxes but have no representation the U.S. House or Senate. Those interested can buy bags of up to 1,000 quarters. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D.C.’s non-voting member of the House, said that a gala to celebrate the new Duke Ellington coin will be announced soon.  The 25-cent piece honoring Washington, D.C., is the latest coin released by the U.S. Mint. The quarter, with native Washingtonian Duke Ellington, is inscribed with the city’s motto, “Justice for all.” Last year, the U.S. Mint rejected designs from the District of Columbia that included the slogan “Taxation Without Representation,” a reference to the fact that D.C. residents pay taxes but have no representation the U.S. House or Senate. Those interested can buy bags of up to 1,000 quarters. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D.C.’s non-voting member of the House, said that a gala to celebrate the new Duke Ellington coin will be announced soon.