RACE IN THE NEWS: From Starbucks closing all its stores for a day of anti-bias training to the firestorm created by a tweet from comedian Roseanne Barr, the issue of race in America certainly was in the spotlight this past week. The popular coffee shop shut down more than 8,000 locations across the country to conduct racial bias training for its 175,000 employees. The Starbucks initiative came nearly seven weeks after two black men waiting at a Starbucks in Philadelphia were arrested when a store manager called the police. Some critics, mainly on social media, saw the anti-bias effort as political correctness gone too far while others welcomed the training. Meanwhile, the star of the revived "Roseanne" sitcom found her hit series canceled soon after she made a "Planet of the Apes" reference in a tweet about a former Obama administration official who is black. While some people raised the issue of free speech, experts pointed out that the First Amendment protects Americans from government interference, not consequences from the private sector.
» Reruns of 'Roseanne' disappear from the airwaves
Credit: HANDOUT
Credit: HANDOUT
IT WAS A WET WEEK: Subtropical Storm Alberto came in from the Gulf, and metro Atlanta and North Georgia felt its impact. Memorial Day tributes dodged the worst of predicted thunderstorms, flash floods and wind gusts Monday as the heaviest rain bands from the powerful Gulf of Mexico storm stayed south and west of metro Atlanta. While holiday cookouts survived the threat, the region wasn't so lucky the rest of the week. On Tuesday, commuters contended with soggy drives for the start of the shortened work week. And at the end of the work week, storms again were causing headaches for commuters and residents.
» Memorial Day events weathered rain risk
» By Thursday, there was some glimmer of dry days ahead
» Hurricane season underway; Georgia prepares
» Flooding causes $1 million in damage in mountain county
Credit: Allen Sullivan
Credit: Allen Sullivan
A RETAIL INSTITUTION SHRINKS: Sears, the once mighty mass retailer, announced Thursday it would be closing 72 more Sears and Kmart stores across the country after a $424 million net loss during the first fiscal quarter. Three locations in Georgia are on the list: Northlake Mall, Southlake Mall and Gwinnett Place. The auto centers at these locations will close in late July.
» How Sears brought a retail revolution to Atlanta
» The second lives of Sears buildings
» Three 'non-profitable' metro Atlanta stores closing
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