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WORD ON THE STREET(Posted 3:00 AM, 3/2/2009)


ATLANTA COPS GET JAIL TIME IN JOHNSTON KILLING

The police officers involved in the shooting death of elderly Atlanta woman Kathryn Johnston were sentenced to jail time last week. Jason Smith, Gregg Junnier and Arthur Tesler received sentences ranging from five to 10 years for conspiracy to violate civil rights resulting in death. The case grabbed national headlines in 2006 when the narcotics squad officers, acting on an alleged tip, gunned down Johnston inside her home. The information turned out to be false.



OBAMA MEETS WITH CAUCUS MEMBERS

President Obama met with members of the Congressional Black Caucus last week to determine what he can do to help with their agenda. The lawmakers presented a wish-list of items that included a focus on hiring more minorities to federal jobs and helping minority-owned businesses get government contracts. Also on the agenda were the creation of a health-care safety net and addressing medical disparities among minorities. Members said they felt assured Obama will do his best to address their requests, but Representative Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas insists the Caucus is "not unrealistic about what a president can do."



WHITE HOUSE UNVEILS FIRST LADY'S OFFICIAL PIC

Michelle Obama's official White House photo was unveiled last week. Taken earlier this month by White House photographer Joyce Boghosian, the picture features the first lady in a black dress and white pearls. The official portraits of President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden were taken in January and made available for purchase from the Government Printing Office earlier this month.No word yet on whether Mrs. Obama's photo will be available for purchase.



LUKE FACING TRAUMA

Derek Luke -- last seen dancing his way through Notorious portraying Sean "Diddy" Combs -- has signed on for his first television pilot. He'll star as a no-nonsense surgeon and family man in Trauma, a hospital drama for N-B -C.



RIP THE RUNWAY TONIGHT

Tonight Notorious star Derek Luke and Joy Bryant (from Honey) co-host B-E-T's annual fashion event Rip the Runway. The showcase features fashion from leading urban designers, including Akoo, Korto Momolu (from T-V's Project Runway), Protege' and Johnny Vincent. Music comes from T-I, The Dream, Ron Brownz, G-S Boyz and Mavado.