Cleveland

Black Mississippi Valedictorian’s Discrimination Suit Going to Trial. Here’s Why She Sued.

“I didn’t know — I don’t know Heather Bouse, didn’t know then whether Heather Bouse was black, white or what. During a deposition, Shepard says she believes the federal judge’s order to desegregate the Cleveland school district influenced the district’s choice of valedictorians. “…They were mostly concerned with white flight and not that of the black students or black community. Now East Side …


Black Student Lost Salutatorian Due to Discrimination, Lawsuit Says

Now James is alleging that Cleveland School District officials took away the chance for her to be salutatorian because they “feared white flight.” (Photo: Courtesy of Lisa Ross)The school district did not respond to a request for comment. It’s not the first lawsuit Ross has filed against the Cleveland school district on behalf of a graduate alleging discrimination. In contrast, nearly 100% of …


Cleveland Settles ‘I Can’t Breathe’ Wrongful Death Lawsuit With Black Man’s Family

Kim Palmer| CLEVELAND CLEVELAND The family of a African-American man who died in 2010 after being tasered by Cleveland police will receive a $375,000 settlement from the city, the mayor’s office said on Thursday. Rodney Brown died on New Year’s Eve after a police radio caught him telling officers “I can’t breathe.” First responders were unable to resuscitate the 40-year-old, 12 minutes after …



Cleveland Police Officers Deny Wrongdoing in Tanisha Anderson Lawsuit

Two Cleveland police officers under investigation for the November 2014 death of Tanisha Anderson responded Wednesday to a lawsuit brought 20 months ago by the woman’s family. Officers Scott Aldridge and Bryan Myers deny any wrongdoing in responding to a mental-health emergency at the home of Anderson’s family on the 1300 block of Ansel Road. Anderson, 37, suffered from …


Atheist Group, Tennessee Sheriff Settle Easter-Photo Lawsuit for $41,000

An atheist group and a Tennessee sheriff have reached a settlement in a lawsuit over the latter’s Easter-themed message on Facebook this March, the Cleveland [Tenn.] Banner reported on Friday. The plaintiffs will be paid $15,000 in damages and their attorneys will recoup $26,000 in legal fees, paid out by a lawsuit-insurance fund paid into by local taxpayers, the newspaper noted. The …