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Controversial mayor defies board, says she 'cleaned up' town despite turning balance sheet red

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Controversial mayor defies board, says she 'cleaned up' town despite turning balance sheet red

More drama in Dolton.

Embattled “supermayor” Tiffany Henyard extended her ongoing feud with the Village of Dolton’s board of trustees Tuesday when she proceeded with a board meeting despite it being postponed by trustees, Fox 32 Chicago reports. 

Henyard, a Democrat, has been at loggerheads with the board for months in the wake of allegations of excessive spending and corruption, but declared at the meeting that her administration had “cleaned up” the suburban Illinois town despite a report that its budget had plunged into the red.

She also appointed new village staffers at the meeting, although the appointments are likely not valid.

POLICE ALLY OF SCANDAL-RIDDEN MAYOR TIFFANY HENYARD INDICTED ON BANKRUPTCY FRAUD CHARGES

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Mayor Tiffany Henyard at the Tuesday meeting. (Fox 32)

The trustees’ decided to postpone Tuesday’s regular board meeting until Sept. 12 in order to address “several urgent matters,” including finalizing the village budget, establishing a new bank account, and hiring a new auditor, a spokesperson for the trustees told Fox 32. 

But Henyard’s attorney, Beau Brindley, argued the postponement violated Illinois law due to a lack of proper notice. He also said that he believes the board’s actions are interfering with Henyard’s ability to perform her duties as mayor.

The mayor went ahead with the meeting even though she did not have a quorum as only two trustees were present, Andrew Holmes and Stanley Brown.

“As you can see, the Board of Trustees decided not to show up, nor did the clerk,” Henyard said at the meeting which was attended by about 20 members of the public.

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It’s the latest in a series of public spats between the mayor and the board. 

Henyard has vetoed the board’s request to launch a federal investigation into her alleged misuse of funds and also vetoed their hiring of former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who has been tasked with leading a special investigation into the mayor.

In May, the board appointed a mayor pro tempore to serve in place of Henyard should she refuse to execute her duties.

Lightfoot’s investigation into the town’s financial situation revealed in a preliminary report that Dolton’s general fund balance was $5.61 million in 2022, but by May 2024 the balance had dropped to a deficit of $3.65 million.

Fox News Digital reached out to Henyard’s office for comment regarding the figures, and for a statement as to why she proceeded with Tuesday’s meeting, but did not immediately receive a response. 

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Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard.  (Getty Images/Village of Dolton)

Lightfoot also disclosed that Henyard used the village credit card to make purchases at Amazon, Target, Walgreens, Wayfair and other retailers. One jaw-dropping statement revealed that the embattled mayor had dropped $33,000 on Jan. 5, 2023, on Amazon. 

Despite the serious allegations being leveled against her, Henyard declared Tuesday that she has cleaned up the town.

“Research everybody, then you’ll understand the fight, you’ll understand why things is the way it is, because when we took over, we came and cleaned up the Village of Dolton,” Henyard said. 

FORMER CHICAGO MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT HIRED TO INVESTIGATE SO-CALLED ‘WORST MAYOR IN AMERICA’ AT $400 AN HOUR

“What I mean by that is, when we got a complaint, I told them, please make sure you take care of the residents.”

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Henyard said she has “receipts” and told residents to stay tuned, announcing that she will soon be holding a State of the Village address.  

The mayor also appointed a new village attorney and a village administrator Tuesday – despite one already holding the latter role.

“She can’t appoint one because Keith Freeman is still the village administrator,” said Valeria Stubbs, a former village trustee, according to Fox 32. “All of that was illegal. Once she didn’t have a quorum, the meeting should have been adjourned.”

The clash over Tuesday’s meeting came on the same day Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued a binding opinion that Dolton repeatedly violated the Open Meetings Act this summer.

Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard faces allegations of misusing public funds.

Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard faces allegations of misusing public funds.

He found that Henyard and the village board failed to make its June 3 and July 1 meetings “convenient and open to the public.” He ordered Dolton to make all future meetings convenient and open to the public, including ensuring there is enough space and not closing streets or putting up parking barricades.

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Henyard’s accusations of financial misdeeds have prompted an ongoing FBI investigation.

Furthermore, Lewis A. Lacey, the former deputy chief of police of Dolton and an ally of Henyard, was indicted earlier this month by a federal grand jury on bankruptcy fraud charges and is accused of concealing assets and income to avoid paying creditors and settling a lawsuit.

In February, it was reported that the FBI was investigating Henyard after six people had reportedly spoken to the agency about her alleged misconduct, including “business owners, a former village employee and one or more public officials.” 

In April, the FBI served two federal subpoenas as part of an investigation. Henyard was not served.

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Tiffany Henyard

Tiffany Henyard in outfits professionally styled by a fashion expert. (stylemebrandon | Instagram/screenshot)

The first one was for employment records, personnel files and disciplinary reports for 25 Dolton employees, including three police officers and Keith Freeman, who is the village administrator and Henyard’s top aide. Freeman was charged with bankruptcy fraud.

The second subpoena was served specifically on Freeman, asking for records of all companies associated with him and possible ties to the village.

Fox News’ Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report. 

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Detroit, MI

Eight-Year NBA Veteran Reps Detroit Pistons in Latest Workout

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Eight-Year NBA Veteran Reps Detroit Pistons in Latest Workout


The Detroit Pistons are set to welcome a handful of new veterans for the 2024-2025 NBA season. The eight-year former first-round pick Malik Beasley is one of them.

Although the Pistons haven’t gathered for their 2024 training camp just yet, Beasley has been putting in offseason work and supporting his new team in the process.

In a recent workout montage, Beasley donned a Detroit Pistons Basketball shirt.

Despite having a ton of cap space heading into the free agency market, the Pistons didn’t break the bank with an All-Star signing. However, they were productive once the signing period opened up and inked complementary role players to add to Cade Cunningham’s squad.

Beasley enters Detroit with plenty of experience under his belt. Back in 2016, Beasley left Florida State and landed on the Denver Nuggets as the NBA’s 19th overall pick that year.

There wasn’t much of a role for Beasley through his first two seasons in Denver. He averaged fewer than four points in 84 games. By year three, Beasley’s role increased. He averaged 23 minutes on the floor, appearing in 81 games. He even picked up 18 starts.

Beasley would produce 11 points and three rebounds per game. In year three, Beasley averaged 40 percent from three. After seeing the court for 41 games with the Nuggets in year four, Beasley was moved to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He spent two and a half seasons with the Timberwolves before getting traded to the Utah Jazz. Midway through the 2022-2023 season, Beasley was dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Last summer, Beasley hit the open market before signing with the Milwaukee Bucks. He started all but two of the 79 games he played. Averaging nearly 30 minutes of playing time, Beasley recorded 11 points per game on 41 percent shooting from three.

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As a 39 percent shooter from three through nearly 500 games in his career, Beasley is an ideal fit for the Pistons. The 27-year-old might not stick around in Detroit for a long time, but he fills a temporary need as Cunningham could use plenty of shooting around him.





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Milwaukee, WI

Governor Tim Walz Campaigns at Milwaukee’s Laborfest – Milwaukee Courier Weekly Newspaper

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Governor Tim Walz Campaigns at Milwaukee’s Laborfest – Milwaukee Courier Weekly Newspaper


U.S. Representative Gwen Moore (Photo/Karen Stokes)

By Karen Stokes

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz celebrated Labor Day with the working people of Milwaukee at Laborfest 2024 held at Maier Festival Park on Monday. The annual event is to acknowledge the history and culture of the labor movement.

As a former union member, the Vice Presidential candidate pledged on Monday that he and Vice President Kamala Harris would lead an administration focused on prioritizing workers’ interests.

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Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (Photo/Karen Stokes)

“If you want to attack me for standing up for collective bargaining, for fair wages, for safe working conditions, for health care and retirement, you roll the damn dice. I’ll take my chances on that,” Walz said.

Warm-up speakers included Gov. Tony Evers, U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) and U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, who is running for reelection, worked to build enthusiasm for the Democratic ticket — a task that loud cheers from the crowd suggested didn’t require much effort.

Senator Tammy Baldwin (Photo/Karen Stokes)

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Walz was introduced by Rich Kangas, vice president of Iron Workers Local 8 who said, “Walz is someone who will continue the historic effort to support unions and workers, because he knows when unions are strong, we are strong.”

“We have some of the best union leaders in the country here in Wisconsin and we’re better for it,” said Governor Evers.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (Photo/Karen Stokes)

Walz said that he had a responsibility not just to tell people what they’re against but also what they are for, “Lowering taxes “on working families” and making “corporations pay their fair share”; ensuring that Social Security and Medicare benefits aren’t cut; fighting for a national paid family and medical leave program along the lines of the one signed in Minnesota.” Labor Fest is an annual

Labor Day event sponsored by the Milwaukee County Labor Council. The event is a traditional Wisconsin venue for politicking in election years. President Obama, and President Joe Biden have both been keynote speakers at the festival.

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Vice President of Iron Workers Local 8, Rich Kangas introduced Governor Walz (Photo/Karen Stokes)

En route from the Milwaukee airport to the event, vans at the back of the Walz motorcade were involved in a crash. The cause of the crash was not immediately clear, but there were minor injuries to some of the passengers in those vehicles.

“Some of my staff and members of the press that were traveling up with us were involved in a traffic accident on the way here today. We’ve spoken with the staff,” he told the crowd. “I’m relieved to say that with a few minor injuries, everybody’s going to be okay.”

Walz’s first aboard the Harris-Walz campaign charter aircraft. It bears decals of an American flag, the words Harris-Walz, and “A New Way Forward.” (Photo/Karen Stokes)

Walz thanked the Secret Service and local first responders “for their quick reaction to help”.

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The Governor was recently in Milwaukee for a rally with Vice President Kamala Harris at Fiserv Forum during the week of the Democratic National Convention. This is the third visit for Walz to the battleground state since the beginning of their campaign.

Walz’s running mate, Kamala Harris started the day in Detroit, later joining President Joe Biden for an appearance in Pittsburgh.





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Minneapolis, MN

North Minneapolis street to be renamed after child advocate of community

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North Minneapolis street to be renamed after child advocate of community


After years of living on Russell Avenue in north Minneapolis, Bernadette Anderson will soon have the street in front of her old house as a tribute to the woman who once called this neighborhood home.

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Tireless advocate

“It’s truly a blessing. We loved our mother, and we know many in the community loved her as well,” said Anderson’s daughter, Sylvia Amos.

First at the Ruth Hawkins Center at North Commons Park, and later at the Minneapolis Urban League’s Street Academy, Anderson was a tireless advocate for children.

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She even had her own teen club at the Uptown YWCA called Bernadette’s Place.

Family members say Anderson was not only a mother to her own six children, she was considered a mother to the entire community.

“She and her sisters went into foster care when they were young because their parents got tuberculosis. So that was what caused them to take in other kids all the time. I think that’s why their house was always open to folks,” said Amos.

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Sound inspiration

One of the people Anderson took in and helped raise was a friend of her youngest son, Andre, named Prince Rogers Nelson.

He and Andre, as well as other musicians from the Northside like Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and Alexander O’Neal all practiced in Anderson’s basement, causing many to think of her as the Mother of the Minneapolis Sound.

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“If you ever came over to our house at that point, there was always music going on,” said Anderson’s son Andre Cymone.

Anderson passed away in 2003, but next week, the city will rename the 1200 block of Russell Avenue North “Bernadette Anderson Way” in her honor, so her contributions to her community will never be forgotten.

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“It’s a way to remember her and leave a legacy, so that people will remember what impact she had on the community, what impact she had on youth in the community,” said Amos.

Bernadette Anderson Way will be officially unveiled on Friday, Sept. 13. After the remaining ceremony, there will be a block party with music provided by Andre Cymone and some of the other musicians she helped back in the day.



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