WINNER OF THREE SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS D.C. AWARDS DL Hughley Shares Timely Insights Page 33 Vol. 57, No. 7 • December 2 - 8, 2021
Biden Administration Pivots as New Coronavirus Strain Detected Worldwide President Asserts, Omicron Variant: ‘Cause for Concern, Not Cause for Panic’ D. Kevin McNeir and Stacy Brown WI Senior Editor and WI Senior Writer On Monday, Nov. 29, President Joe Biden addressed the nation during a somber press conference, informing Americans about a recently-detected mutation of the coronavirus which has surfaced in several countries around the globe. And while the U.S. has no confirmed cases as of Monday, the president urged Americans to remain calm as scientists work to determine the strength of the new Omicron variant of the
coronavirus which appears to be more contagious than previous strains and potentially immune to current vaccines. The latest COVID-19 variant threatens to further stall recovery from the nearly twoyear-old pandemic and has Americans fearful of another spike in infections and deaths and shutdown this winter. But the president advised citizens to remain calm. “We have the best vaccine in the world. The best medicines, the best scientists and we’re learning more every single day,” Biden asserted.
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Evelyn Spriggs Ford Joins D.C.’s Elite Cohort of Centenarians Friends Join ‘Birthday Girl’ and Her Five Daughters for Ward 5 Celebration D. Kevin McNeir WI Senior Editor
5 J.D. McKissic (41) dives for a touchdown in the Washington Football Team's win over the Seattle Seahawks, 17-15, at Fedex Field in Landover, MD during Monday night football. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer)
Evelyn Spriggs Ford held centerstage on Tuesday, Nov. 30 as the newest member of an elite, highly-cherished and much-beloved cadre of native Washingtonians who can boast of having experienced a century of life and can point to scores of unforgettable memories. And on her 100th birthday, Ford received her flowers and gifts and enjoyed a serenade of songs and prayers during a festive luncheon at Model Cities Wellness Center in Northeast that brought more than 50 well-wishers, including several of her best senior girlfriends, to the party. The Ward 5 facility, which served as the venue for Mrs.
DCPS Teachers Bemoan Standardized Testing and Data Collection Mandates Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer District education officials spent much of the summer pledging to meet students’ social and emotional needs upon their return to in-person learning
but a growing contingent of teachers have taken to social media and other forums to say that it has been business as usual in the public school system. One particular qualm centers on data collection mandates and new assessments that teachers of var-
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5 Evelyn Spriggs Ford (Roy Lewis/ The Washington Informer)
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Celebrating 57 Years of Service / Serving More Than 50,000 Readers Throughout The Metropolitan Area
