Focused On Urban Issues, Nightlife, & Kenny Smoov

The Show: 10-28/McGavock High Students Doing GOOD/Vince or Kerry? Decision Today/ATM Jacked In Cashville?/TSU vs. TAVIS SMILEY/Video of the Week

MCGAVOCK HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WORKING ON THEIR IMAGE

If McGavock High School has had an image problem, there is a group of students committed to changing that.

Starting with themselves.

"It's cool to dress up. It's cool to be smart and get good grades,'' senior Wayne King said. "It's cool to speak articulately. You don't have to be wearing baggy pants and throwing gang signs.''

Taking responsibility for your life is the message of McGavock's Gentlemen's Association, a student founded and student run club that began with just a few who formed with a few the second semester last school year.

The concept gained traction in a short amount time, forming a club with 10th grade English teacher Shannon Alexander as the sponsor and with about 15-25 students sticking it out, since one of the requirements is wearing a suit and tie on Fridays.

This school year, 42 students had signed up as of early October, with those numbers still rising, according to Alexander.

"They work on everything from image, to grades, to improving the way they speak and conduct themselves,'' Alexander said. "They've talked to people in the community. They want to do community service, anything to better themselves, and they support each other.''

WILL IT BE VINCE YOUNG OR KERRY COLLINS

It's decision time today! Hey Jeff, do the right thing. The season's OVER! Give Vince a chance to do what he do!!

Man tries to Nashville Rob Porn Store

Police were able to catch up with a man behind a violent robbery at an adult bookstore overnight.

Police said a man went into Metro News Incorporated Adult Book store on 5th Avenue South at 12:30 a.m. Thursday and produced a knife and demanded cash. A struggle ensued and the worker was cut. The robber took off with the cash register.

Police were able to quickly catch up with the robber just a block away on 4th Avenue South.

KNOXVILLE CARJACKING KILLER CONVICTED: NOW IT'S TIME FOR THE DEATH PENALTY!!

The man accused of being the ringleader of a carjacking that turned into the rapes and murders of a Tennessee couple was convicted Wednesday on nearly all counts and now faces the chance of the death penalty.

"We finally have the justice that the kids deserve," said Mary Newsom, whose 23-year-old son Christopher Newsom died with his 21-year-old girlfriend Channon Christian in the January 2007 attack.

The seven men and five women on the jury deliberated a little more than 8 hours before returning the verdict against Lemaricus Davidson, 28. The same panel will hear evidence Thursday on whether to sentence him to life in prison or death.

"There is but one verdict that is acceptable to us," said Hugh Newsom, Christopher Newsom's father.

"Death," said Gary and Deena Christian, parents of Channon Christian.

Davidson was convicted on 35 of 38 counts, including premeditated murder, felony murder, robbery, kidnapping, rape of Christian and theft, and three lesser charges of facilitating Newsom's rape.

The defendant showed no emotion as the verdicts were announced.

Prosecutors contended that Davidson was the ringleader in the crimes in which at least three others were allegedly involved. The defense portrayed him as a bystander to the crimes but not the killer.

HAVE YOU BEEN ATM JACKED! LOTS OF NASHVILLIANS HAVE??

So far, 39 people have reported that their ATM cards have been compromised, but investigators said Wednesday that they believe there may be hundreds of victims across the city and most of them may not even realize their information has been stolen.

"Go online and check your accounts," warned Metro Police Lt. Mickey Garner, supervisor of the department's fraud unit. "See if there are any charges on there. Don't wait until your paper statements come in. Most banks only give customers a 60-day window to dispute charges."

Police say the suspects, described as three white men with European accents, may have left town. They are believed to be traveling from city to city in groups, staying for two or three days before moving on.

JOB FAIR this THURSDAY at LP Field

A job fair Thursday could help some of the thousands of Tennesseeans currently out of work. One of Tennessee's largest career fairs has been scheduled for Thursday at LP Field. Dozens of employers will be there including Dollar General, AFLAC and Wendy's. The job fair will start at 10 a.m. and will end at 2 p.m. Job seekers have been encouraged to dress professionally and bring several copies of your resume. Parking is free and pre-registration is available BY CLICKING HERE

BRIAN MCKNIGHT NOT PAYING HIS EMPLOYEES

The California Labor Board says more than 20 employees of the Brian McKnight Show have filed non-payment complaints for a total of 86-thousand dollars. McKnight's camp says it intends to pay, telling T-M-Z there "was mismanagement in the beginning, and since then we have gotten new investors and the show is continuing."

LARRY DAVID PISSES ON A PICTURE OF JESUS?

Larry David is in hot water with Catholics over a Curb Your Enthusiasm episode in which he urinated on a painting of Jesus.

Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, has blasted the comedian, and co-creator of Seinfeld, saying, "Was Larry David always this crude? Would he think it's comedic if someone urinated on a picture of his mother?" H-B-O downplayed the brouhaha, saying, "Larry David makes fun of everyone, most especially himself. The humor is always playful and certainly never malicious."

In the episode, which aired Sunday, Larry accidentally urinated on the painting in a bathroom, and when his assistant enters after Larry has left, she assumes that Jesus is crying and calls it a miracle.

TSU ENDS RELATIONSHIP WITH SMILEY

Not here....But Texas Southern University has dropped Tavis Smiley's name from its communications school following a fallout over money he promised but failed to donate. In 2004, Smiley promised to give one-million dollars and to raise another million for the Houston school, which created the Tavis Smiley School of Communication in his honor. Since then, he has donated 50-thousand dollars and collected another 250-thousand from corporate donors. Smiley insists he had every intention of making good on his promise.

Former Celtics Star Antoine Walker Is Broke And In Debt

12 years, Antoine Walker (notes) made more than $110 million playing professional basketball moderately well. Take away taxes, throw in some adidas endorsement money and a "NBA Live 99" cover, and he's left with, what, $60-to-65 million?

Whatever the details, it was a big chunk of change, which, amazingly, wasn't enough.

That's right, during the last several months, the once multi-millionaire athlete has been pursued by multiple financial institutions for unpaid debts.

In fact, according to The Boston Globe, "Employee No. 8" owes more than $4 million to his creditors and is facing felony check fraud charges in Las Vegas. All of this at the age of 33. Wild.

Now I know what you're thinking: How in the world does somebody — not named Montgomery Brewster— even begin to blow through that amount of money?

The answer: fairly easily.

"[Walker] liked to move in an outsized entourage; his mother estimates that, during his playing days, he was supporting 70 friends and family members in one way or another. And speaking of his mother, he built her a mansion in the Chicago suburbs, complete with an indoor pool, 10 bathrooms, and a full-size basketball court. [...]

Living at the Bishops Forest condominium complex in Waltham during the Celtics season, Walker turned the pavement surrounding his home into a virtual luxury car lot — two Bentleys, two Mercedes, a Range Rover, a Cadillac Escalade, a bright red Hummer. Often, the vehicles were tricked out with custom paint jobs, rims, and sound systems at considerable added expense. He also collected top-line watches — Rolexes and diamond-encrusted Cartiers."

Condos, luxury cars, watches ... I guess that'll eventually force you into bankruptcy. Especially when you're not investing any money or collecting $200with every fifth or sixth roll of the die.

But Walker's lavish lifestyle wasn't all "me-me-me." He was also a generous friend and teammate who had custom suits made for coaches, routinely picked up giant team dinner tabs and, when there were funds to spare, gave to underprivileged youngsters. He was basically spending money like it was going out of style. And it did.

I guess Biggie was right after all: mo' money, mo' problems.

TOP-EARNING DEAD CELEBS

Forbes magazine has released its top-earning dead celebs list -- and surprisingly it's not topped by Michael Jackson. That honor goes to the late fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, who earned 350-million dollars between October 1st, 2008, and October 1st, 2009. Michael was third, followed by Elvis Presley.

Yves St Laurent - 350 million dollars
Rodgers and Hammerstein - 236 million
Michael Jackson - 90 million
Elvis Presley - 55 million
J-R-R Tolkien - 50 million
Charles Schulz - 35 million
John Lennon - 15 million
Doctor Seuss - 15 million
Albert Einstein - 10 million
Michael Crichton - 9 million