AMSTERDAM (AP)—Solomon Burke was born to the sound of music in an upstairs room of a Philadelphia church and went on to become one of the greatest soul singers of the 1960s, renowned as among music’s premier vocalists.

Yet his popularity never matched that of those he influenced, contemporaries including James Brown and Marvin Gaye, a reality he accepted with grace and some frustration, colleagues said.

KING OF ROCK AND SOUL—Solomon Burke, the king of rock and soul—a title that Burke embraced ever since a Baltimore disc jockey is said to have hung it on him in 1964—poses in his red velvet throne in his Los Angeles home April 21, 2005. (AP Photo/Ric Francis, File)

Burke, 70, died early Sunday of natural causes at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, his family said in a statement on the singer’s website.

“This is a time of great sorrow for our entire family. We truly appreciate all of the support and well wishes from his friends and fans,” the statement said.

by Brandon A. Perry

(Editor’s Note: This is part one of a four-part series from the Indianapolis Recorder dealing with the abuse of power)

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.—Like a late night storm, the controversy surrounding Bishop Eddie Long has shaken America’s faith community.

LARGER THAN LIFE—Traffic moves down a street as a billboard showing Bishop Eddie Long is seen above in Atlanta. The billboard near an Atlanta highway reads, “Love Like Him, Live Like Him, Lead Like Him.” The motto refers to Jesus Christ, but the smiling face next to it is that of Bishop Eddie Long. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

It has also awakened many observers to the issue of accountability, particularly in predominantly Black churches.

“We can’t just blame individual pastors for their moral failure if we also aren’t willing to do our part as members and call them out on the carpet,” said Rufus Burrow, an African-American and a professor of theological and social ethics at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. “Frequently, in Black churches, we just don’t seem to have the heart or the will to do it. But we need to do it.”

NEW YORK (AP)—The holiday hiring picture looks a bit merrier this year.

Macy’s, Toys R Us, Pier 1, American Eagle Outfitters and Borders all plan to hire more temporary holiday workers this year than last, emboldened by several months of sales gains and a slowly improving economy.

The jobs probably won’t be enough to be a dent in the nation’s nearly 10 percent unemployment rate, but for Americans desperate for some work, they’re far more than an early Christmas present.

by Kelli Kennedy

MIAMI (AP)—For the first time in more than a decade, the federal government is funding sex education programs that aren’t based solely on abstinence. But they’re not just about handing out condoms, either.

TALKING TO STUDENTS—In this photo taken Sept. 10, sex education teacher Shayna Knowles, center, talks to students during class at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Lake Worth, Fla. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

Beginning this school year, a five-year, $375 million grant is being divided among 28 programs that have been proven to lower the pregnancy rate among participants, no matter their focus. Many programs distribute condoms, but about half also aim to boost teens’ academics, get them involved in extracurricular activities and even improve their parents’ job status.