Politics. On Point.

COVID-19 guidelines continue to change amid the so-called corona virus variants, prevalent in most U.S. cities, to date. ICYMI: Face mask memes are a real thing. The CDC is recommending that all fully vaccinated people wear a mask indoors and in public.  From the CDC website: To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area  of substantial or high transmission .   Said President Biden on the announcement, "Today’s announcement by the CDC—that new research and concerns about the Delta variant leads CDC to recommend a return to masking in parts of the country—is another step on our journey to defeating this virus. I hope all Americans who live in the areas covered by the CDC guidance will follow it; I certainly will when I travel to these areas." See also: CDC COVID tracker. Children are also being asked to wear masks ahead of the school re-openings in less than a month...

 Says,  “America is back, and here to stay.” Ahead of his first one-hundred days in office, President Biden addressed Congress, and Americans, in a live television broadcast Wednesday night where he lauded the actions of his administration and admonished Americans, and both parties, “to work together.” Short of mentioning the stock market, U.S. border crisis , and U.S. homelessness, Biden addressed a host of issues that still plague America but also offered what his administration wants to do, in-the-now, to move the country forward on the issues. President Biden addressed climate change, education, police reform, taxes , China, infrastructure , health care , vaccine roll outs, Afghanistan. All the topics that, for years, have been addressed by previous presidential administrations . Here are a few highlights from the speech. Infrastructure. The president said his American Jobs Plan would also “replace 100% of the nation’s lead pipes and service lines so every American, so ...

First Lady Michelle Obama plans to use the social media platform Snap Chat to give viewers access to her upcoming trip to Africa and the Kingdom of Spain. Follow FLOTUS on Snap Chat here . Mrs. Obama, who is adamant about supporting the right of girls - everywhere - to get an education will be taking her message to Liberia, Morocco and Spain June 27-July 1, along with First Grandma Marian Robinson. The first lady's Let Girls Learn initiative focuses on ensuring adolescent girls get the necessary education and training needed to cultivate their futures, as opposed to adolescent marriages and starting families at very young ages. "I've had the opportunity to travel all around the world and I meet these amazing young women and they impress me with how bright and how hungry they are no matter what their circumstances are; they risk their lives for an education", said the first lady in a recent MAKERS interview . It has been reported that worldwide more th...

Richmond, Va. has its share of issues that don't seem to get resolved, just like any other city. Lately, the seemingly cash-strapped city has decided to close many of its schools - mainly in poor, underserved areas. Its mayor has come under fire for being a preacher on Sundays and a 'part-time' mayor the other days of the week; potholes are rampant, aggressive parking ticket writing (the city's cash cow) is the norm, and crime is off the charts .  (See also:  No July 4th fireworks ). Richmond mayoral candidate Michelle Mosby speaks at mayoral candidate forum Wednesday evening in Richmond. "We need a strong leader in Richmond", said Chad Ingold a teacher at Richmond's Open High (no pun intended) high school, running for mayor.  A mayoral forum hosted last night at Virginia Union University's Coburn Hall by former Richmond mayor (and governor) Douglas L. Wilder showcased twelve candidates for the mayoral position that included representative ...

SOTU graphic credit: WhiteHouse.gov From the White House... Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 10, 2016 White House Announces Guests in First Lady’s Box – State of the Union Address WASHINGTON, DC – The following individuals will be seated in the box with the First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden and Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President, at the State of the Union Address  on Tuesday . For the President’s final State of the Union address, the individuals who will be seated in the guest box of First Lady Michelle Obama represent the progress we have made since the President first delivered this speech seven years ago – from the brink of a second Great Depression and two costly wars to an economy that is growing and renewed American leadership abroad. Their stories – of struggle and success – highlight where we have been and where America is going in the future, building on the best of what our country has to offer. The guests pe...

(Politics. On Point) - In support of her Let Girls Learn initiative, the First Lady will welcome to the White House Mrs. Kalsoom Nawaz Sharif, spouse of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and Mrs. Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the daughter of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the press office of the first lady has announced. At this event in the Blue Room, the First Lady will deliver brief remarks announcing a new partnership to further adolescent girls’ education in Pakistan. In addition, there will be a performance by students from the Washington Performing Arts Society Children’s Choir.  Mrs. Kalsoom Nawaz Sharif, spouse of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and Mrs. Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the daughter of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.  The visit of Mrs. Sharif comes as her husband Prime Minister Sharif  meets with President Obama for a bilateral meeting that will highlight the "enduring nature of the U.S.-Pakistan relationship and provide an opportunity ...

Students were treated to an additional dose of awesomeness Thursday with an unexpected visit by the President of the United States to the East Room of the White House during the late afternoon Reach Higher ,  Beat the Odds  late afternoon session. President Obama makes a surprise visit to speak to students at Thursday's Reach Higher college and education event. Photo/Politics. On Point. The visit helped culminate the first lady's day-long summit that included discussion on attending post-secondary education, preparing for job interviews, and serious talk about making dreams come true. "I understand you spent some time with the true star of the Obama household, the First Lady of the United States", the president said, "but I'm not going to let her have all the fun." The president took to the stage, amid cheers and applause, telling the assembled youth ,"America succeeds only when every young person in America is able to dream big and have ...

When we study together and we learn together’ we work together and we prosper together.”  - President Obama No fear of Ebola or the unveiling of CIA torture documents  could stop the promotion of studying abroad and global citizenship. Yesterday the White House hosted its first Travel Bloggers Summit on Study Abroad and Global Citizenship to promote study abroad opportunity for youth and college students  highlighting U.S. Government initiatives and strategies for encouraging American students to study, volunteer, and work abroad.  Remarks by senior White House officials Ben Rhodes (Ass't to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor) Evan Ryan (Assistant Secretary of State for Education and Cultural Affairs (ECA)), Denis McDonough (Chief of Staff) Penny Pritzker (Sec.of Commerce) joined hosts of the Travel Channel, National Geographic, Yahoo Travel, the Peace Corps and others on the occasion.  Said Rhodes, recounting his time studying abro...