by Shannon McCaffrey

ATLANTA (AP)—Conservatives rallied around Herman Cain as he battles sexual harassment allegations, likening the attacks on the Republican presidential contender to what they describe as the “high-tech lynching” of another prominent Black Republican: Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

UNDER FIRE—Herman Cain wipes his forehead before answering questions at the National Press Club in Washington, Oct., 31. Denying he sexually harassed anyone, Cain said he was falsely accused in the 1990s while he was head of the National Restaurant Association, and he branded revelation of the allegations a “witch hunt.” (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

The forceful early reaction to the Cain firestorm—fueled by racially charged rhetoric—suggests the Georgia businessman’s attempt to cast himself as a victim of the media and liberals is, so far, paying dividends among his conservative Republican base, who will hold considerable sway in selecting the party’s nominee. But the accusations against Cain, an untested newcomer on the political scene, may give more moderate GOP voters pause and could cause would-be donors to shy away even as Cain works to capitalize on his rising poll numbers.

(NNPA)—In an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, actor and comedian Eddie Murphy reveals a change in focus for his career and life. According to a highlight of the interview posted on the magazine’s website, the biggest news is Murphy’s decision to move away from making family movies.

Week of November 5-11

November 5

1867—The first Reconstruction Constitutional Convention takes place in Montgomery, Ala. In attendance were 90 Whites and 18 Blacks. Reconstruction would bring forth a period of tremendous political and educational advancement for ex-slaves after the Civil War. But Reconstruction was significantly undermined by the Hayes-Tilden of 1877 and the beginning of the anti-Black Jim Crow period.

CARTER G. WOODSON

by Jessica Gresko
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP)—Darryl Flood thought he would have to wait until 2013 to get out of prison, more than a decade after he pleaded guilty to being part of a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine.

But if all goes as planned this week, the 48-year-old will walk out of a Kentucky prison two years early and take a bus back to his sister's home in Virginia. Flood is one of thousands of federal inmates that will benefit from a change that goes into effect Tuesday, reducing recommended sentences for crack cocaine crimes so they are more in line with the penalties for powder cocaine.