Rodney King found dead in California Sunday
A man whose videotaped police beating in 1991 led to one of the worst race riots in history has died.
The New York Times reports that Rodney King died at age 47 Sunday. He was found dead in a swimming pool at his home in Rialto, Calif.
Mr. King, whose life was a roller coaster of drug and alcohol abuse, multiple arrests and unwanted celebrity, pleaded for calm during the 1992 riots. More than 55 people were killed and 600 buildings destroyed in the violence.
In a phrase that became part of American culture, he asked at a news conference, “Can we all get along?”
An autopsy is scheduled Monday to determine King’s cause of death.
King photo by Matt Sayles: This April 13, 2012 file photo shows Rodney posing for a portrait in Los Angeles. King, the black motorist whose 1991 videotaped beating by Los Angeles police officers was the touchstone for one of the most destructive race riots in the nation’s history, has died, his publicist said Sunday, June 17, 2012. He was 47.
Riot photo by Paul Sakuma: This April 30, 1992 file photo shows smoke rising as fires like this one near Vermont Street burn out of control in Los Angeles. Rodney King, the black motorist whose 1991 videotaped beating by Los Angeles police officers was the touchstone for one of the most destructive race riots in the nation’s history, has died, his publicist said Sunday.
Reporter interrupts Obama during immigration announcement
President Barack Obama announced Friday that his administration would block deportations of young undocumented immigrants who moved to the United States as children.
During his speech at the White House Rose Garden, Obama scolded a reporter from the Daily Caller after the man interrupted the president to ask a question.
The next time I prefer you let me finish my statements before you ask that question,” Obama said.
News outlets ask Supreme Court to allow live coverage of health care decision
The Huffington Post reports that media outlets are asking the Supreme Court to allow cameras in the courtroom to cover the decision on President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul.
According to the report, this could be the first time cameras are allowed in the court if the request is approved.
What do you think about the request? Would you watch the live coverage?
Photo by J. Scott Applewhite: This Jan. 25, 2012 file photo shows the Supreme Court Building in Washington.
Share your NBA Finals story
Reporter Zeke Campfield is looking for Oklahoma City Thunder fans in Cleveland and Miami Heat fans in Seattle for a weekend story he’s writing. If you know of anyone who might be a good fit for the piece, email him at zcampfield@opubco.com.
News coverage of the NBA Finals
The Oklahoma City Thunder pulled out a win against the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals Tuesday night. To help with sports coverage, news reporters pitched in to help cover the atmosphere inside the arena.
Read more about their experiences inside the arena and interactions with fans and facility staff before the players stepped onto the court.
Wife of George Zimmerman arrested on perjury complaint
NPR reports that the wife of George Zimmerman has been arrested on a complaint of perjury for making a false statement during her husband’s bond hearing.
Shellie Zimmerman, 25, was arrested Tuesday. Her husband, George Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
Zimmerman’s bond was revoked earlier this month after officials said he deceived the court about his finances.
The shooting death of Martin in February attracted national attention and led to protests around the country. On March 25, Oklahoma residents gathered on NW 23 and Classen Boulevard to raise awareness about his death and demand justice for his family.
Seeing this scenario, it hits home. Ethnic and racial injustice happens,” said Jason Quaynor, 23, of Norman. “It’s not just for Trayvon Martin. It’s for all their voices to be heard at the same time.”
Read more about the protest here.
International media outlets arrive in Oklahoma City to cover NBA Finals
Our media friends from the North, South, East and West are coming to visit us in Oklahoma City this week for the NBA Finals.
According to the Thunder 411 blog, about 500 media members are expected to cover the games this week, including both national and international outlets.
The Finals games will be seen by millions in more than 200 countries in approximately 45 languages.
NewsOK will be providing special coverage for the Finals, so be sure to follow our Thunder page for more.
Photo by Chris Landsberger: Serge Ibaka talks to the media during the NBA Finals practice day at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on Monday, June 11, 2012, in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Mitt Romney responds to Obama’s support of gay marriage
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
President Barack Obama voiced his support for same-sex marriage Wednesday during an interview with Robin Roberts of ABC News.
Obama says he has concluded that it is important for him to affirm that he thinks same-sex couples should be able to get married. He says he came to the conclusion over the course of several years of talking to family and friends.
Gov. Mitt Romney stopped in Oklahoma City Wednesday for a press conference with Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin. When asked about his thoughts on Obama’s statements, Romney said, “My view is that marriage itself is a relationship between a man and a woman, and that’s my own preference.
“I have the same view I’ve had since running for office.”
Seized Bin Laden documents go online
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The Los Angeles Times reports a slim and tightly-controlled
release of documents showed the al-Qaida leader fret about his own legacy and
wanted to kill the president. It also noted what was missing from release made
public today by the Combating Terrorism Center,
a think tank within U.S. Military Academy at West Point: how bin Laden evaded
detection just one mile from Pakistan’s
version of West Point, and who protected him. -
Bin Laden worried about legacy and sought to kill ObamaAnd as well, he schemed to kill the man who would, in the end, give the order to shoot him dead: Barack Obama. That's the portrait of…
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The AP’s ‘at a glance’-style article provides a few highlights of the documents released Thursday. His camp was mindful of media matters, and the letters released included feedback from an al-Qaida adviser on news outlets like Fox, CNN and ABC. http://tinyurl.com/7jnz56o.
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“Documents reveal what bin Laden’s spokesman thought about Fox News (and the other U.S. news networks): http://apne.ws/J07loo -CC
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Fox? “…falls in to the abyss” and “lacks neutrality. ABC is “all right” and CNN appears to be “closely collaborating with the U.S. government, the adviser said. In conclusion, “there is no single channel we can rely on for our messages.”
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Below, the NYT provides a pdf of the documents released today by the military.
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Letters From the Bin Laden Compound – Document – NYTimes.com
10 hours ago … On May 3, 2012, the Combating Terrorism Center at the United States Military Academy released a selection of documents… -
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And from Al Jazeera English: “The documents, totaling 175 pages in the original Arabic, were part of
over 6,000 documents seized in last year’s raid on bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan.” -
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Al Jazeera also reports that the al-Qaida leader wanted to reduce attacks that led to the deaths
of Muslims and instead aim efforts at the US. The article concludes “White House counter-terrorism chief John Brennan said this week that bin
Laden’s own words confirm that America is safer with him gone.”
Document: Read more about the U.S., Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement
President Barack Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai signed the Enduring Strategic Partnership Agreement between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United States Tuesday.
According to White House reports, Obama and Karzai began to negotiate a strategic partnership in May 2010.
Read the report from the White House below.
