Back in the fall of 2013, the University of Alabama was embroiled in a national scandal after a student newspaper report uncovered the systemic racism fostered by the Greek System on campus.
University officials scrambled to get a hold on the situation as students rallied and marched on campus in an attempt to desegregate the dozens of nearly all white sororities.
Then University President Judy Bonner was roundly criticized for her inaction to address the issue before UA’s student paper, the Crimson White published the expose, which then went viral.
In an attempt to calm the anger on campus, Bonner used a meeting with Bill Cosby, who at the time was largely beloved in the country to show that Alabama cared about social progress.
It was cringeworthy then and is even more cringeworthy now.
WATCH: 2013 video of Alabama President using Bill Cosby to smooth over racism
The Alabama student protest led to change on the campus. 214 women accepted bids to UA sororities this past August and the student body elected its first African-American SGA president in nearly forty years last spring.
The Alabama movement also preceded similar action at the University of Missouri and other colleges this past fall.
Bonner retired from her role as President earlier this year.
Cosby was charged with aggravated indecent assault earlier today in Pennsylvania.
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Cover Photo Credit: University of Alabama/ Vimeo (Screengrab)
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Miami Archbishop Announces Findings Of Investigation Into Priest Accused Of Improprieties
Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski released a letter to the parishioners of St. Rose of Lima in Miami Shores today on his investigation of the parish’s former priest Father Pedro Corces.
In it, Wenski claimed that many of the allegations leveled against Corces in a 129 page dossier of information were not true.
However, Wenski’s investigation also found that Corces was not fit for service as a parish priest and he accepted Corces’ resignation.
Wenski’s investigation was prompted after a group of concerned parents at St. Rose accused Corces of putting children at the school in “grave danger” after he allegedly hired a man as a school maintenance worker who was once arrested on prostitution charges.
The parents united under the name of Christifidelis and they paid a private investigator over $3,500 to surveil Father Corces to help them build a case against him. Once they could no longer afford the investigator’s services, parents took to surveilling Father Corces on their own, even digging around the rectory trash to find incriminating documents.
The parent’s report also alleged that Father Corces took frequent expensive vacations, sometimes with a St. Rose maintenance worker and that he often spent the night at the same workers condo where they claimed Corces paid the cable bill.
Read More: Miami Priest Accused Of Hiring School Maintenance Worker Who Was Once Arrested For Prostitution
During the investigation, Wenski said that Corces volunteered to take a polygraph exam and that the priest denied any sexual improprieties with school maintenance staff.
“The investigation of these allegations is now completed,” Wenski said in the letter. “Based on the outcome of extensive interviews of all persons that could have knowledge of the truth of these allegations as well as the results of a voluntary polygraph examination of Fr. Corces, it is concluded that no sexual impropriety had occurred. Nevertheless, Father’s decisions to hire friends to work for the Parish and his continues socializing with them outside the Parish did contribute to the perception among some of inappropriate behavior.”
Read the whole letter:
Letter from Archbishop Wenski on Fr. Corces Investigation
Interestingly, while short on specifics, Wenski’s letter did say something damning about Corces:
“The investigation did identify other deficiencies with Fr. Corces’ administration in which we failed to follow clear Archdiocesan policies.”
While trying to put a bow on the story, Wenski may have only opened up more questions as to the full extent of what actually happened.
For example, which specific deficiencies were there with Corces’ administration?
Which clear Archdiocesan policies did he not follow?
Why was Sister Bernadette Keane fired from her role as principal before the end of the school year?
Did the maintenance worker not have a criminal record when he was hired?
This is a developing story. Stay with RISE NEWS for further updates.
RISE NEWS is a grassroots journalism news organization that is working to change the way young people become informed and engaged in public affairs. You can write for us.
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He’s Forced To Collect Quarters From Aldi’s Shopping Carts To Keep From Being Homeless
UPDATED- July 10, 2018
What’s News In This Story?
Update:
Many have asked for an update about Shane Rasche. Three months after our story, Shane has still been unable to find a full time job. He says he’s tried everything- even going to an job agency but nothing has worked. But thanks to RISE NEWS readers who reached out after watching his story, Shane was able to pick up some part time work cleaning a yard. The same family who gave him the part time gig also took him out to dinner one night. His landlord has been very understanding and has allowed him to stay in his North Miami apartment despite the fact that he owes thousands in unpaid rent. Finally, late last month, Shane received his first Social Security check for around $1,200. It isn’t much- especially with all that he owes, but he is able to survive on it. At 62, Shane says that he still wants to work and give more to society. He also said that he would gladly take a job if one was offered to him. Until he is able to pay off his debts, he will still be in the Aldi’s parking lot collecting quarters. If you would like to help Shane, we can put you in touch with him by emailing us at [email protected].
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Original Story:
-Shane Rasche has lived and woked in North Miami for nearly 50 years.
-All that time, he’s paid taxes and been a productive member of the community.
-But after the K-Mart that he worked at for nearly a decade closed last year, he’s been unable to find a job.
-Now, only a few months before he recieves his first Social Security check (and some financial safety), he is about to be evicted from his apartment.
-He’s been forced to collect quarters in the parking lot of an Aldi’s on Biscayne Boulevard (1290 NE 108th St, Miami, FL 33161) so he can feed himself.
-If you have a way to help Shane you can email: [email protected].
Watch Another Story: Meet Miami’s Queen Bee And Her Backyard Insect Revolution
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Have a news tip about this topic or something completely different? Send it on in to [email protected].
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Announcing the RISE NEWS Fellowship Program
Ever wanted to improve your writing and reporting skills while learning more about how new media works?
Ever wanted the chance to be treated like a professional reporter and have the opportunity to work on stories that can make a change?
We have something cool to tell you then.
RISE NEWS, a fast growing and highly impactful millennial focused news organization is seeking intelligent, hard-working young people to join our team as editorial fellows.
We are based in Miami, FL but you don’t have to be in order to be a fellow.
Here’s what you need to know:
Our fellows will be treated like professional reporters and will be expected to:
– produce at least three stories per week
– commit to at least 15 hours of RISE related work per week (You can do more of course)
– participate in a weekly team Skype call
– follow news and build relationships in your coverage beat areas.
– promote your stories on social media.
A quick bit on pay:
Our fellows will earn 70% of whatever their stories make from advertising or other means. Don’t do this fellowship for the pay as you probably won’t be making a whole lot. Think of the pay as a plus. And if some of your pieces go really viral, then we want to be able to properly compensate you.
The program will be starting on March 28, but we will be accepting applications on a rolling basis until June. You can start at any time and the fellowship can run for as long as you want it to. (End dates will be discussed during interview process)
What will you be doing?:
You will act as a beat reporter focusing on either a geographical area (South Florida or Alabama if you are from either one of them) or a specific thematic topic if you don’t live in one of our local focus markets (including Culture, American Politics, International Affairs, Tech, Human Interest, etc).
How to apply:
Send an email to [email protected] to the attention of our publisher Rich Robinson with the following:
1) updated resume
2) three writing samples (academic papers accepted, but published journalistic work preferred)
If you have any questions about the process, shoot an email to [email protected] as well.
Cover Photo Credit: www.miamism.com/ Flickr (CC By 2.0)
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