1. According to Smith & Smith Media Group, the home of pastor and “The Preachers” co-host Orrick Quick was consumed by fire. Pastor Quick is known for the profound teachings of: Reflection Righteousness, You are Not a Backslider, The Big 3, Fitted Blessings, The Curse is Broken, and the Spirit of Jezebel. Quick is the Pastor and Founder of God Seekers Church, established in November 2012 and headquartered at 1208 South Main St. High Point, North Carolina. He and his wife of 7 years, First Lady Ashley T. Quick, are co-laborers in their ministry along with their beautiful daughters, Victoria Madison Quick and Kennedy Brielle Quick. If you want to know more on how to help Pastor Quick and his family, please contact Smith & Smith Media Group at 888.384.4555 or email at info@smithandsmithmg.com.
2. According to the Chicago Tribune, the city of Chicago is expected to pay more than $6.4 million to resolve two fatal police shooting lawsuits – one involving an unarmed teenager and another that sparked a review of how the city’s Law Department handles litigation involving serious officer misconduct. Law Department spokesman Bill McCaffrey declined to comment on the pending deals, saying the city does not discuss lawsuit settlements before they are presented to the Finance Committee. The city does not have insurance for such settlements, so taxpayers will foot the bill.
3. According to the Washington Post, president-elect Donald Trump claimed Friday night that African Americans came through for him “big league” in the November election and said those who stayed home were “almost as good” as those who voted for him. Trump’s comments came during a rally in Grand Rapids, Mich., the latest stop on an ongoing “thank you” tour of states where the Republican prevailed against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Trump told his crowd Friday night, “The African American community was great to us. They came through, big league. Big league. And frankly if they had any doubt, they didn’t vote, and that was almost as good because a lot of people didn’t show up, because they felt good about me.”
4. According to USA Today, Louisville sophomore quarterback Lamar Jackson became the school’s first Heisman Trophy winner Saturday night, beating a crowded field of five finalists to take home college football’s greatest individual honor. Jackson accounted for 51 touchdowns this season, finishing the regular season with 3,390 passing yards and 1,538 rushing yards. The 19-year-old, the youngest Heisman winner, averaged 410 total yards per game this year. Jackson becomes the sixth player who was either a redshirt freshman or a sophomore when he won the Heisman. All six have won the award since 2007, when Tim Tebow did it. Jackson said Saturday night, of his selection as a Heisman finalist, “I’m grateful for it.”
5. According to ESPN, the parents of embattled San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick have broken their silence on their son’s decision to kneel for the playing of the national anthem this season. Teresa and Rick Kaepernick wrote in a statement addressed to The Undefeated on Friday: “Colin is carrying a heavy load and following a difficult path that he truly believes in. He is putting his entire future and possibly his life on the line for those beliefs. As his parents, it pains us to read articles and tweets saying that his family does not support him; this could not be further from the truth. We want people to know that we are very proud of our son and admire his strength and courage in kneeling for the rights of others.”
6 . According to the Associated Press, Grammy-winning gospel singer Shirley Caesar, whose sermon-song “Hold My Mule” went viral a few years ago, is suing a Georgia rapper over a remix of her song. The lawsuit, filed this week in Gwinnett County, accuses Keenan Webb – known as DJ Suede – of releasing an unauthorized version. The clerk’s office says the court file does not yet list an attorney for Webb. Caesar’s attorney, James Walker, said the only official version authorized by her has been performed by Snoop Dogg. Walker said Suede’s video of the song includes references to alcohol, which is objectionable to the gospel singer. Caesar said she originally recorded the song in 1988. Caesar’s singing the words “you name it” sparked the #UNameItChallenge online, which features people doing dances to the song.
7. According to BET, after being sued back in June by the Texas State Attorney General’s Child Support Division for alleged child support issues, gospel singer Israel Houghton is now without worry as the case has been thrown out. The case was filed to determine how much child support he would be required to pay for two children he was said to have fathered outside of his marriage to his ex-wife, Meleasa Houghton. The two children’s mother, DeVawn Moreno, reportedly explained to Bossip exactly why the case was dismissed. She said in an email, “The suit was dropped because of misleading information. Our children are well taken care of as it always has been.” Houghton’s lawyers also alleged that their client already supports the kids financially and was never even served with a lawsuit to begin with.
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