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Kentucky's Cabinet for Health and Family Services is suing Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky, accusing the group of performing unlicensed abortions at a new Louisville location.

On Thursday, Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin shared that the state filed a lawsuit against the nonprofit organization, claiming that their Louisville location performed illegal abortions without a license.  According to the lawsuit, the location conducted 23 abortions between Dec. 3 and Jan. 28. “Planned Parenthood should be required to pay fines in the maximum amount allowed by law in order to punish it for its callous and knowing violations of law and to deter it and others from such violations in the future,” said Gov. Bevin in a statement. President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky (PPINK) Betty Cockrum, is denying the allegations. “We in no way, shape or form would contemplate offering abortion procedures in anything but a legal environment,” she said. Gov. Bevin wants Planned Parenthood to be fined up to $684,000. Jefferson Circuit Judge Mitch Perry will oversee the lawsuit. Read more.


Dr. West?: Kanye West Has a Ph.D. from Chicago Institution

You would think with album titles like Late Registration and The College Dropout higher education wouldn’t be Kanye West’s forte, however, the Chicago-bred rapper holds a Ph. D. Before getting into the rap game, West attended the American Academy of Art and Chicago State University. Although he ended up dropping out of those institutions to pursue a career in music, last year West was the recipient of an honorary doctorate degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. West is known for his rants, but last year he humbly and calmly spoke to students at the institution’s graduation ceremony in May 2015. “When I was giving a lecture at Oxford, I brought up this school because when I went on that mission to create in other spaces, apparel, film, performance, it would have been easier if I could have said that I had a degree at the Art Institute of Chicago. Thank you,” West said. Read more.


NYC Council Woman Pleads for Leniency for Peter Liang

Peter Liang, the rookie police officer who shot and killed Akai Gurley in the stairwell of a Brooklyn housing project back in 2014, was found guilty of manslaughter earlier this month. Although many people believe that the conviction was just, there are some local leaders who are coming to Liang’s defense. Councilwoman Margaret Chin released a statement pleading for “leniency” during his sentencing. “I believe that the NYPD’s policy and training utterly failed Akai Gurley, as well as Peter Liang and his partner,” said Chin. “Two rookie police officers should never have been placed on a vertical patrol in an unfamiliar, darkened stairwell. Lack of funding and decades of indifference have turned hundreds of stairwells, elevators, and courtyards into danger zones that inspire fear — and often, terror — in both officers and the residents they are sworn to protect.” Chin called for other local leaders to advocate for Liang. So far, four of her counterparts have showed support. Read more.


Blacktech Week Makes Noise in Miami

While there is still a lack of diversity in the realm of tech, there are several people of color who have made strides within the industry. Those creators and innovators are being honored at Blacktech Week in Florida. The conference was designed to motivate a younger generation of African-Americans to pursue careers in tech, despite being underrepresented within that field. The event, which was founded by Felecia Hatcher and Derick Pearson, has proven to be beneficial for its attendees. “Black Tech Week is a very important event for a number of different reasons,” said Clarence Wooten, founder of VentureFund.io. “There is a perception that blacks aren’t creators of tech. The diversity discussion in Silicon Valley illustrates that perception. The 12-year old boy and girl programmers in our community must have positive examples of success to be inspired by, and the greater tech community can take notice.” The conference kicked off on Feb. 15 and will run through Feb. 20. Read more.

VIDEO SOURCE: Inform

NEWS ROUNDUP: Kentucky Gov. Sues Planned Parenthood…AND MORE  was originally published on newsone.com