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After an investigation conducted by U.S. intelligence officials revealed Russian cyber hacking may have had an influence on the 2016 presidential election, President Obama has promised to retaliate. On Thursday, he addressed the issue during an interview with NPR. “I think there is no doubt that when any foreign government tries to impact the integrity of our elections … we need to take action. And we will — at a time and place of our own choosing. Some of it may be explicit and publicized; some of it may not be,” said President Obama. “What the Russian hack had done was create more problems for the Clinton campaign than it had for the Trump campaign.” He said during the election, the hack brought attention to Hillary Clinton’s email scandal, issues within the Democratic National Committee, and rumors related to the Clinton Foundation. Read more.


Father Of ‘Affluenza’ Teen Faces Probation For Impersonating A Cop

The father of Ethan Couch, a teenager who faced no jail time after killing four people in a 2013 drunk-driving incident, was found guilty of pretending to be a Texas police officer on Wednesday. In 2014, 51-year-old Fred Couch was being questioned by police officers when he told them he was a reserve officer and flashed a “Lakeside Police” badge. Couch pled not guilty in the incident. Instead of facing jail time, he was slapped with a year of probation and 100 hours of community service at the Fort Worth Police Department’s Horse Barn. The Couch family’s brushes with the law have made headlines over the past few years. His son Ethan and his wife Tonya were arrested in 2015 for violating the 19-year-old’s probation. Ethan is behind bars and Tonya is awaiting trial for felony charges related to money laundering. Read more.


D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser Announces 2,600 Officers Have Body Cams

On Thursday, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that all patrol officers within the District now have body cameras. Bowser initially launched the $5.1 million body cam program in 2014 with 165 officers and it has now reached the final phase. According to Bowser, there are now 2,600 cameras in the District. She says D.C. has the largest number of police officials with body cameras in the country. “This week, we mark the time when all of our patrol officers will have access to body-worn cameras,” said Bowser while meeting with Metropolitan Police Department officers. “We are very proud to be leading the nation and making the investment necessary to have excellent community and police relations.” Since 2014, there have been more than 500,000 videos recorded in D.C. Read more.


Harlem Church Opens Mental Health Center

First Corinthian Baptist Church in Harlem, New York has taken a major step forward in an effort to address the mental health stigma that plagues the Black community. On Thursday, the place of worship opened the HOPE Center, a new facility that will provide affordable mental health care services for individuals in the neighborhood. New York City First Lady Chirlane McCray, local leaders, and residents were in attendance for the ribbon cutting ceremony. “Today, we take a step toward healing and empowering our community by providing access to inexpensive, quality mental health counseling right here in Harlem,” said Rev. Michael A. Walrond Jr., Senior Pastor at First Corinthian Baptist Church, in a statement. “Getting help should not be taboo – in fact, it is the first step toward realizing one’s full potential. I look forward to welcoming New Yorkers through the doors of the HOPE Center.”


ESPN To Air ‘The Undefeated In-Depth: Serena With Common’

One of ESPN’s latest specials will delve into the career of tennis star Serena Williams. The special, titled The Undefeated In-Depth: Serena with Common, will feature a discussion between Williams and Chicago-bred rapper Common about the ups and downs of her tennis career, the obstacles she’s faced as a Black athlete, and how she has overcome body shaming. “We came from Compton. We came from nothing. We literally took the globe and shook it, me and Venus,” says Serena in the show’s trailer. “I think at the beginning of this journey I was definitely misunderstood.” ESPN’s The Undefeated series examines how race, sports, and culture intersect. The Undefeated In-Depth: Serena with Common will air on ESPN on December 18 at 9 p.m. ET. Read more.

SEE ALSO:

Remember the ‘Affluenza’ Teen? His Dad Was Just Arrested for Impersonating a Cop

Bresha Meadows Case Highlights Importance Of Mental Health Treatment In Black Community

NEWS ROUNDUP: President Obama Vows Retaliation Against Russia For Cyber Attacks…AND MORE  was originally published on newsone.com