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City expected to settle with Black Portlanders alleging displacement from Albina district

City expected to settle with Black Portlanders alleging displacement from Albina district

Yahoo06-06-2025

PORTLAND, Ore. () — Public officials could soon finalize an agreement with Black Portlanders who alleged they were displaced from an area their community once called home.
During a meeting on Thursday afternoon, Portland City Council is slated to reach a settlement involving the December 2022 lawsuit from Emanuel Displaced Persons Association 2. The association, representing 26 plaintiffs who live in the Albina district or descend from relatives who did, accused the officials of destroying Black people's homes in the name of 'urban renewal' in the mid-20th century.
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About two and a half years ago, that several residents were displaced by the construction of Interstate 5 and Veterans Memorial Coliseum in the 1950s and 1960s.
The following decade, about 188 properties were demolished to make way for the new Legacy Emanuel Hospital. About 158 of them were residential properties, Black people accounting for about 74% of residents. The displaced buildings also included 32 businesses and four churches or community organizations.
The lawsuit claims residents were not adequately compensated, and some weren't compensated at all, after being intimidated by hospital representatives and told that the city would take their homes if they didn't leave willingly.
In addition to the City of Portland, Prosper Portland and the hospital were all listed as defendants in the original complaint — but officials say Legacy Health settled their portion of the lawsuit late last year. Both the city and its economic development agency are still expected to dole out $1 million each to defendants.
'Portland's systemic discrimination and displacement harmed Black communities, by excluding them from homeownership and wealth-building opportunities; by denying them access to educational resources, jobs and healthy neighborhoods; and by perpetuating segregation, displacement, and harmful stereotypes through the zoning code, deeds and covenants, lending practices, public housing and urban renewal,' the agreement .
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Along with the payout, officials are Emanuel Displaced Persons Association 2 a 'static display' in the Keller Auditorium if it is renovated. The namesake of the neighboring Ira Keller Fountain led the urban renewal projects that impacted Black Portlanders decades ago, according to the city.
The settlement could also direct the music venue to give a '10-year hiring preference' to descendants of the Albina district and establish an annual 'Descendants' Day', among other terms.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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P Diddy trial recap: Jury begins deliberations, warns one juror may not follow instructions
P Diddy trial recap: Jury begins deliberations, warns one juror may not follow instructions

USA Today

time8 hours ago

  • USA Today

P Diddy trial recap: Jury begins deliberations, warns one juror may not follow instructions

This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. Sean "Diddy" Combs' fate is in the hands of 12 jurors as they deliberate a verdict in the embattled hip-hop mogul's criminal trial. The jury, which has heard graphic testimony on Combs' alleged abuses from more than 30 witnesses, gathered again in Manhattan court on June 30 to begin deliberations following the completion of closing arguments. One strange moment surprised court watchers in the afternoon: the jury sent a note to Judge Arun Subramanian saying they were concerned a juror wouldn't follow the pivotal instructions they were given at the start of their process. The judge sent the jury back to work and didn't replace the juror with an alternate. It wasn't immediately clear if the moment was a speed bump in deliberations – or a sign of more issues to come. Combs' lawyer Marc Agnifilo on June 27 framed the case as a "tale of two trials." He argued the case is about love, jealousy and money, not trafficking or racketeering. He accused the government of putting on a show to target a wealthy celebrity. Diddy on trial newsletter: Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex-crimes charges Agnifilo claimed prosecutors distorted the Grammy-winning rapper's consensual sexual "lifestyle" into criminal acts while witnesses spoke of the "successful Black entrepreneur" as a respected and generous figure. Meanwhile, prosecutor Maurene Comey returned to the floor after Agnifilo's closing argument to present the government's rebuttal, focusing on previous remarks on Combs' former girlfriend Casandra "Cassie" Ventura Fine: "Mr. Agnifilo suggested Cassie was the winner of a prize. Black eyes? A gash in her head? Getting urinated in her mouth? How could anyone think that's a prize? That's ridiculous." Combs, 55, was arrested in September and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty. Jurors ask question about drug accusation, wrap up first day of deliberations As jury deliberations continued into the afternoon, jurors sent a question to the judge about how they should assess the drug distribution allegation against Combs. Subramanian will get an answer to the jurors in the morning, as they adjourned for the day and returned to their homes. Diddy's star-studded trial: The celebrities mentioned in court Before his precipitous downfall, Combs was a pop-culture supernova with innumerable stars in his orbit. Throughout nearly two months of testimony, attorneys and witnesses alike have name-checked several celebrities as they've excavated nearly two decades of Combs' apparent criminal past. They've recounted nights of partying with Prince, Stevie Wonder and Muhammad Ali, some of which ended in Combs allegedly assaulting his girlfriends or forcing them into "freak offs" with escorts. Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne and Rick Ross were referenced in court, as defense tried to illustrate the powerful connections that Combs helped afford to Ventura Fine. Michael B. Jordan, 50 Cent and Suge Knight were all subjects of Combs' ire, while Usher and Danity Kane's Dawn Richard were both on the sidelines of allegedly violent incidents. You can read more here about some of the most notable A-listers to find their way into the Diddy trial. Jury says one juror may not be able to follow instructions The jury asked Subramanian for guidance about one juror who they warned may not be able to follow the judge's instructions about the law. Their note, which Subramanian read aloud in open court, read in part, "We have a juror, number 25, who we are concerned cannot follow your honor's instructions." The note did not elaborate on which instructions the juror potentially cannot follow. The jurors are anonymous. After discussing the note with prosecutors and defense lawyers, Subramanian said he would send a note back to the jury reminding them of their obligations but take no further action for now. Juror number 25 described himself during jury selection on May 5 as a 51-year-old veterinarian who lives in Manhattan with his domestic partner, a freelance graphic designer. The juror said he has a doctorate in molecular biology and neuroscience, and enjoys nature documentaries, opera and hiking. Could Diddy go to prison? Yes. If convicted on the racketeering charge, Combs could face life in prison, while the statutory minimum sentence for sex trafficking is 15 years and for transportation to engage in prostitution is a maximum of 10 years. A mixed verdict – convicted on some, but not all charges – could add up to any number of years. Judge in Diddy case outlines racketeering The longest section of instructions given to jurors centered around Combs' first charge: racketeering. Subramanian went through the eight accusations included in the charge, which fall under the umbrella of kidnapping, arson, bribery, possession with intent to distribute narcotics, sex trafficking, witness tampering, forced labor and transportation for the purpose of prostitution. In order to find Combs guilty, the jury must believe he committed two of the eight crimes, Subramanian said. Judge explains sex trafficking, prostitution charges For Combs' sex trafficking charge, Subramanian said the jury would need to find that there was a threat of psychological, financial or reputational harm against the rapper's alleged victims. The judge defined a commercial sex act as something given in exchange for the sexual act. That doesn't always have to be money, he clarified. It can be an object or a thing. The sex act also doesn't need to have actually happened, as long as the intent was clear and there was an exchange of money or other perks. Diddy stares down jurors as they receive instructions Combs' sex-crimes trial is now in the hands of 12 jurors as they kick off their deliberations. There is no timeframe for their process, and any verdict must be unanimous. "You can see it's long, but I'm going to try to make it interesting while I'm reading it," Subramanian said before launching into instructions for the panel. He explained that if they believe Combs is guilty of his charges, it must be beyond a reasonable doubt. Combs could be seen putting on glasses and looking directly at the jury box as they received instructions. He leaned back in his chair, legs crossed. Combs' family was seated in the front row, and his daughters could be seen whispering to each other. After marathon Diddy trial, judge thanks jurors and lawyers Before the jury started deliberations, Subramanian dismissed the six alternate jurors who have attended the trial daily, just in case a juror had to bow out or be removed from the proceedings. The judge thanked the alternate jurors, adding that they would get his personal phone number "if you have any questions, if you would like a tour of the courthouse, anything I can do." Subramanian also thanked attorneys on both sides. "The case was really exceptionally tried," he said, thanking both the prosecutorial and defense teams for letting younger lawyers take on substantial parts of the case. "It's vital to the profession," he said. While the jury deliberates, Combs will remain in jail. He had a request for books he could bring with him, though the specific works weren't released publicly. Diddy trial jury can't watch news, research case online Subramanian reiterated that jurors cannot conduct any independent research, including going online or watching the news while they're deliberating. The jurors should not judge Combs for deciding not to testify, he added. "Remember at all times you are not partisans, you are judges of the fact," Subramanian said. The jury was dismissed to deliberate at 11:30 a.m. There was a brief objection from prosecutors about evidence provided to the jury, specifically some Blackberry messages that they said had leading subject lines. That included one that read "I'm so horny, I can't concentrate" and others about Combs doing whatever he wanted sexually. The judge agreed that all the subject lines in the evidence should be neutral. What happens next? Subramanian began delivering legal instructions to the jury in Manhattan federal court on June 30. Once the judge finishes, the 12-member jury will begin deliberating. What is Diddy's net worth? Still wealthy, but now worth almost half as much: Forbes In 2024, Forbes magazine estimated Combs' net worth at $400 million – a significant drop from its 2019 figure of $740 million. Both Combs and his team later claimed he was a billionaire, Forbes said, despite offering no documentation to back up the claim. According to publicly available documents and news reports, Combs' most valuable personal possession is likely his 17,000-square-foot, 10-bedroom mansion, appraised at more than $61 million, in the tony Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles. It was raided as part of a criminal probe and listed for sale last September. Diddy's lawyer encourages jurors to 'return' him 'to his family' Appealing to jurors as Combs' "peers" and praising the country's due process, Agnifilo told the jury on June 27: "Today, you guys are the United States of America. This is your house. I'm asking you to acquit Sean Combs." He added that Combs "sits there innocent. Return him to his family, who have been waiting for him." He took aim again at U.S. attorneys when he said, "The Cassie lawsuit went out, and these guys wanted to make a case because of Sean Combs. It's not a real case." Prosecutors say Diddy's exes Cassie and 'Jane,' former assistant 'Mia' have 'no reason to lie' Contradicting Agnifilo during the June 27 hearing, Comey said participation in Combs' alleged sexual performances was different from preferences for the beach or lemonade: These women were awake for days, covered in oil, wearing 8-inch heels, often with a UTI and having unprotected sex with strangers, she said. "What the defense is suggesting is that these women lied to you repeatedly," Comey said. "But these women have no reason to lie. They have no motive to lie at all." Comey also talked about the confusing feelings about untangling love and abuse, noting victims will often try to justify what happened to them. "Finding meaning and happiness in trauma does not mean the trauma never happened," Comey said. "It's healing." Discover WITNESS: Access our exclusive collection of true crime stories, podcasts, videos and more Did Diddy's trial charges get dropped? No, none of the charges from Combs' federal indictment have been formally dropped. But in a June 24 letter to Judge Subramanian, prosecutors revealed they were withdrawing some of their criminal allegations ahead of closing arguments. U.S. attorneys said they don't want jurors to consider their previous claims that Combs allegedly engaged in racketeering by attempting kidnapping in California and New York, attempting arson in California, and aiding and abetting sex trafficking. The move was made as part of an effort to "streamline" jury instructions. Despite the tossed allegations, Combs' indictment accused him not just of attempting arson and kidnapping, but also of committing these crimes outright as part of a criminal conspiracy. Is Diddy in jail? The disgraced music mogul is in custody, and despite repeated attempts at bail, has remained confined to the Special Housing Unit in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center. He has been in jail since his arrest on Sept. 16, 2024. Has Diddy trial reached a verdict? No, a verdict has not yet been reached in Combs' criminal case. After more than a month of harrowing testimony from several of Combs' associates, the prosecution rested its case on June 24. Meanwhile, Combs' lawyers rested their case in less than half an hour, with the defense opting not to call any witnesses to the stand. Although the music mogul's alleged abuse is at the center of the trial, Combs told the court he would not be testifying. Closing arguments concluded June 27. Jury deliberations are expected to begin Monday, June 30, following instructions from Judge Subramanian. What is Diddy charged with? Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling case that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry. He was arrested in September 2024 and later charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. The rapper has pleaded not guilty to the five counts against him. What is racketeering? Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity. Using RICO law, which is typically aimed at targeting multi-person criminal organizations, prosecutors allege that Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in "freak offs" — sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors allege they have on video. How to stream the Diddy trial The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings. USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom. Sign up for our newsletter for more updates. Contributing: USA TODAY staff, Reuters If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (4673) and and en Español If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.

Adrienne Adams will back Mamdani for mayor
Adrienne Adams will back Mamdani for mayor

Politico

time10 hours ago

  • Politico

Adrienne Adams will back Mamdani for mayor

NEW YORK — New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams is backing former Democratic primary rival Zohran Mamdani for mayor — though she raised doubts about his chances in the general election. 'We'll see if he's elected,' Adams said Monday when asked in an interview with POLITICO whether she's endorsing Mamdani. 'But you know, I am a lifelong Democrat, and I will be supporting the Democratic nominee.' The speaker said she had 'no plans' to campaign for Mamdani but kept the door open to doing so. 'Tomorrow will be a week since the primaries and I'm still recovering from all of that wonderful work that I've done over the past few months,' she said at a separate, unrelated press conference Monday. 'So we'll look further down the road as time goes on.' Adams had a complicated relationship with Mamdani during the mayoral primary. Both harshly criticized Cuomo, who was considered the frontrunner, and both joined the Working Families Party's endorsed slate of four candidates in an effort to defeat the former governor. But she never formally cross-endorsed Mamdani and released a statement saying she didn't want Black voters to be taken for granted. Adams is Black, and Mamdani was eager to build support among Black voters, which polling and election results show was his weakest demographic. 'I stood up for what I believed in,' Adams said Monday, when asked if she had second thoughts, after seeing fellow mayoral candidate Brad Lander hailed for cross-endorsing Mamdani and campaigning alongside him. 'I was true to who I am, true to my community.' Mamdani is all but guaranteed to be the Democratic nominee after the ranked-choice votes are tabulated and released Tuesday, and the primary result is expected to be certified in mid-July. Cuomo already conceded to Mamdani on election night after preliminary results showed Mamdani with a 45.3 to 36.4 percent lead in voters' top picks. Adams was a distant fourth, winning about 4 percent of votes. Adams was recruited to run for mayor just weeks before the filing deadline by state Attorney General Letitia James and other leaders to be a bulwark against Cuomo with Black voters. But even with the disappointing result, she said she was glad to have run. 'This has been the most meaningful experience of a lifetime, and I have no regrets at all. I am so grateful for my journey,' she said. Mamdani could face a competitive general election. Incumbent Democratic Mayor Eric Adams opted out of the primary and is seeking reelection on an independent line. Republican Curtis Sliwa and independent Jim Walden are also running. And Cuomo's name is expected to be on the ballot after he secured an independent line of his own, though he hasn't announced whether he'll mount a campaign. Mamdani garnered the endorsement Monday of the New York City Central Labor Council, an umbrella group for unions. That's the latest success in his effort to expand his coalition for the general election, following key endorsements from labor unions such as the Hotel & Gaming Trades Council and elected officials such as Rep. Jerry Nadler. The democratic socialist assemblymember still faces some hesitation from key members of the Democratic establishment, such as Gov. Kathy Hochul, who said last week that there were 'areas of difference in our positions.' Adrienne Adams endorsed Eric Adams in the 2021 mayoral primary, but their relationship soured. The City Council has consistently battled with the mayor to restore budget cuts, enact police accountability legislation and limit cooperation with ICE under President Donald Trump's administration. On Friday, however, the Council reached a deal with the mayoral administration to boost legal defense funding for immigrants in the city budget. 'There has been resistance, particularly with immigration issues, when it comes to the mayor because of his relationship with the Trump administration,' Adrienne Adams said Monday. 'However, he still has to be the mayor for all people in the city, and realizing that he is also a mayor for our immigrant New Yorkers, I believe that he thought he had to come around. And I'm really, really glad that he did.'

Dollar General Announces Call for Small Businesses
Dollar General Announces Call for Small Businesses

Business Wire

time10 hours ago

  • Business Wire

Dollar General Announces Call for Small Businesses

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Dollar General announced a call for small businesses that seek to learn more about serving as a vendor or service provider for the Company. This call is open to companies that have not sold products to Dollar General within the past 18 months and desire to explore partnership opportunities with the Company, which operates more than 20,000 stores across the 48 continental United States. Applications will be available at from July 1-21, 2025. Virtual meetings with leaders in the DG Small Business Development (SBD) Program and merchandising teams are expected to begin in late August. Selected companies will be notified by email with the date and time of their meeting by August 1, 2025. 'We are committed to partnering with a growing network of vendors and suppliers from all backgrounds across the United States and beyond who support our efforts to provide our customers with the products they need and want at prices they can afford,' said Emily Taylor, Dollar General's executive vice president and chief merchandising officer. 'We look forward to exploring ways in which we can collaborate to serve the millions of Americans who rely on Dollar General every day." The 2025 call for small businesses event builds on a multi-year initiative designed to increase engagement with a variety of small businesses. Dollar General's Small Business Development Program provides certified vendors and suppliers with, among other things: the opportunity to learn and develop through the Company's SBD Academy; resources to support product discovery; access to services that provide funding, counseling and training; financial enablement programs; and various engagement events. Examples of DG's Partnership with Small Businesses The impact of DG's SBD Program is evident through the continued acceleration and success of small businesses including: Black Paper Party: A Black-owned and women-founded company born out of a love of Black culture, Black Paper Party's founders hope to increase access to products that uplift the Black family experience during holidays and celebrations and make special occasions inclusive for all. Kiss Products, Inc.: As a global leader in professional quality beauty products and treatments, Kiss Products was founded in 1989 by John Chang, Sung Yong Chang and Won Shik Kang who immigrated to New York from South Korea in 1978. As the recipient of DG's 2024 Small Business Supplier of the Year, Kiss products are available in DG stores throughout the country. Milo's Tea Company: Founded in 1946, Milo's Tea Company is a family-owned and certified women-owned business led by Tricia Wallwork, the granddaughter of the company's founders. Milo's tea and lemonade products are available at most DG stores across the country, and the company was awarded DG's Small Business Supplier of the Year award in 2023 and 2025. Learn more about how Dollar General supports small businesses here. About Dollar General Corporation Dollar General Corporation (NYSE: DG) is proud to serve as America's neighborhood general store. Founded in 1939, Dollar General lives its mission of Serving Others every day by providing access to affordable products and services for its customers, career opportunities for its employees, and literacy and education support for its hometown communities. As of May 2, 2025, the Company's 20,582 Dollar General, DG Market, DGX and pOpshelf stores across the United States and Mi Súper Dollar General stores in Mexico provide everyday essentials including food, health and wellness products, cleaning and laundry supplies, self-care and beauty items, and seasonal décor from our high-quality private brands alongside many of the world's most trusted brands such as Coca Cola, PepsiCo/Frito-Lay, General Mills, Hershey, J.M. Smucker, Kraft, Mars, Nestlé, Procter & Gamble and Unilever.

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