American Morning
Officer who shot college student honored
(CNN) - An award given to an officer who fatally shot a Pace University football player last year is "obviously offensive," an attorney representing the youth's parents said Wednesday. "It's a disgrace," Michael Sussman told reporters. "What concerns me is it sends a message of blatant disregard." Officer Aaron Hess was named Officer of the Year by the Police Benevolent Association in Pleasantville, New York, last week, according to CNN affiliate WCVB. Hess shot Danroy "D.J." Henry, 20, of Easton, Massachusetts, early on October 17 outside a bar at a shopping center in Thornwood, New York. On February 14, a Westchester County, NY Grand Jury cleared two police officers of criminal responsibility in the death. On American Morning, Danroy and Angella Henry said they will accept nothing less than a murder indictment against the police officer implicated in the shooting death of their son in October. Do you think it's appropriate that the officer is being honored? Let us know here. Kiran and Christine will read your responses on air.
Should your child be able to bring lunch to school?
Say goodbye to brown bag lunches. In an effort to encourage healthy eating, The Little Village Academy in Chicago has banned lunches and snacks brought from home. Unless a student has a medical reason, he or she must eat the food served in the school cafeteria. The principal says the intention is to “protect students from their own unhealthful food choices.” So far, reactions from students and parents have been mixed.
Tell us what you think about this controversial school policy. Should your child be able to bring lunch to school?
Ashley Judd's world: bitter and sweet
Ashley Judd is renowned actress but little is known about her early life. CNN's Alina Cho speaks to Ashley Judd about her new autobiography 'All That Is Bitter & Sweet,' in which she discusses a painful past her humanitarian work that allows her to do her favorite thing, connect with people and be outside of her self.
More than child's play? Walmart introduces make-up line for 8-year-olds
A new line of body mist, mascara, and other products will soon be hitting Walmart's shelves. But, this isn't your average make-up line– this one is called geoGIRL and it specifically targets 'tween' girls as young as 8.
Critics say encouraging girls to wear make-up at a young age also encourages a negative self-image. But Walmart is standing by the line and says '"The geoGIRL line was developed in partnership with our customers to give parents a healthier, age-appropriate option for their tween girls who ask about wearing make-up." CNN's Kate Bolduan talks to Psychotherapist Karol Ward about the story that's stirring up a lot of controversy.
Parents group criticizes teenage sexual content on TV, targets primetime favorites
(CNN) – Parents concerned about the images of teenage girls in the media will probably be disturbed, but not very surprised, to learn about a new study of prime-time shows most popular with 12- to 17-year-olds. The Parents Television Council found that young female characters on these popular shows are highly sexualized. They also found that there was more sexual content in scenes with underage female characters than with older females.
Nicole Clark, spokesperson for The Parent Television Council, former Elite international model, and director of the documentary film “Cover Girl Culture”, joined us on Thursday’s American Morning to discuss the effect of sexualized young female characters on adolescent viewers.
Caffeinated booze drink maker will comply with FDA
Those caffeinated alcoholic beverages, popular among college students and now notorious for their whopping alcohol and caffeine content, are not safe, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The FDA intervened Wednesday, telling the makers of the alcoholic beverages that the drinks are a "public health concern" and can't stay on the market in their current form.
One of the CEOs reacts today on American Morning.
Michael Michail, CEO of United Brands, the maker of Joose and Max, tells AM’s Kiran Chetry the brand’s plan for making the drinks safe enough to sell and why his brand “would like to comply” with the FDA. "As a responsible marketer, with an alcoholic beverage, we have to be very careful and obey the law of the land," he tells AM.
(CORRECTION: Post inaccurately said the USDA was involved in regulating the beverages. It has been corrected to reflect the accurate administration, the FDA.)
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