MSNBC will broadcast LIVE from Essence Music Festival this year! From Friday, July 5 to Sunday, July 7, MSNBC hosts and contributos will provide live coverage from New Orleans, Louisiana! Rev. Al Sharpton, Tamron Hall, Melissa Harris-Perry, Ed Schultz, Chris Matthews, Alex Wagner, Chris Hayes and Joy Reid will be in attendence. There will also be a special fan experience for Festival-goers!

“MSNBC’s live programming during the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience, from the heart of the ESSENCE Festival, underscores their commitment to broaden the national reach and impact of conversations with thought-leaders, politicians, authors, celebrities and artists who will address the critical issues facing our communities—especially those of people of color and women,” said ESSENCE Communications Inc. President Michelle Ebanks.
 
“MSNBC is committed to community and conversation—everything the ESSENCE Festival represents, “said MSNBC President Phil Griffin. “We’re proud to partner with ESSENCE to highlight the ideas and issues of value to our audiences.”

Visit ESSENCE Festival for the latest news and updates on the speaker and artist lineup, as well as other special events!

“Hardball” is airing a new series called ‘Unkindest Cuts’ focusing on how the sequester is hurting the poor, the sick, the elderly and the young.  Chris Matthews began the series on Monday by speaking with Vinsen Faris, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Meals on Wheels and Mother Jones’ David Corn about cuts in funding to the meal plan which feeds the poor and elderly of the community. 

On Thursday, Chris talked to Joel Berg, executive director of the New York City Coalition Against Hunger, and Bloomberg’s Josh Green about the continuing effects of the sequester on soup kitchens 

Tune in tonight for the third installment of ‘Unkindest Cuts’ when Chris sits down with Jon Retzlaff,  Managing Director of Science at American Association of Cancer Research and Mother Jones’ David Corn about the newest cuts to the National Institute of Health.

Chris wants to hear from viewers about how the sequester is impacting daily life.  Join the conversation on Twitter using #unkindestcut or on Facebook.com/hardball and tv.msnbc.com/shows/hardball.   

After the White House Correspondents' Dinner in D.C. Saturday night, MSNBC talent and celebs headed to the Embassy of Italy for the after party! Check out some great pics from the fabulous party below!

Mike Loccisano (Getty)

Mike Loccisano (Getty)

MSNBC After Party at the Embassy of Italy

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The Roots take the stage at the MSNBC WHCD After Party

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Rachel Maddow bartending at the MSNBC WHCD after party

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Modern Family's Eric Stonestreet with MSNBC President, Phil Griffin

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The Root's QuestLove with MSNBC party DJ, Biz Markie

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MSNBC's Tamron Hall, Alex Wagner, Chris Jansing

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The Cycle's S.E. Cupp and Krystal Ball

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MSNBC's Thomas Roberts with husband, Patrick Abner

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Willie and Korie Robertson from Duck Dynasty with NBC News Capitol Hill Correspondent, Luke Russert

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The Cycle's Toure with MSNBC President, Phil Griffin and his lovely wife Kory Apton and Willie Geist

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MSNBC's Rev Al Sharpton and party guest

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1600 Penn's Josh Gad with party goer

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Michael Douglas

The State of the Union Address is tomorrow and MSNBC is bringing you coverage all night!

MSNBC's coverage and analysis of President Obama's State of the Union Address and the Republican response will begin at 8 p.m. EST, Tuesday, February 12th.

Rachel Maddow will host with Chris Matthews and joining them are Reverend Al Sharpton, Ed Schultz and Lawrence O’Donnell. Chris Matthews will then anchor an additional live hour from 12 a.m. - 1 a.m. EST.

MSNBC is also asking viewers to contribute their SOTU thoughts by finishing the President’s yearly iconic statement “The state of the union is_____.” Viewers can submit photos and responses via Facebook or on Twitter using #SOTUis.

MSNBC will be sharing the images and messages on-air and via social media. For more information visit Tv.msnbc.com/SOTUis.

Be sure to tune in!

The K.I.N.D Fund has already raised more than $5 million mainly through the support of “Last Word” viewers.  Check out the interview below:

"NewsNation" host Tamron Hall spoke with Mediabistro recently on a spectrum of topics including what she's learned throughout her career path, where she sees herself down the line, and her goals for the future. Mediabistro writer Janelle Harris writes, "True to her local TV roots, Hall's commitment is to the folks on the other side of the camera." 

You can read the full interview with Tamron here.

Don't miss Tamron weekdays at 2p ET on MSNBC. 

On last night's PoliticsNation Reverend Al Sharpton put on his white lab coat and gave right wing climate change deniers a real science lesson live from the PoliticsNation Science Lab.  In the end, Rev declared "The results of the experiment are in: Republicans and facts don't mix."  Check out the video here: 

MSNBC's Election Night coverage gained some high praise in this week's digital issue of The Nation, where John Nichols called it the "Most Valuable Media Moment" in his Progressive Honor Roll of 2012.

Writes Nichols, "MSNBC’s coverage, as anchored by Rachel Maddow, was smart, professional and expansive when it came to providing insight into how and why progressives won."

You can read the full article in The Nation's digital issue. 

Krystal Ball, co-host of "The Cycle" on MSNBC, sat down with The Women's Eye podcast to talk about being a "Jill of All Trades" - a CPA, a former Congressional candidate, a co-host on MSNBC, and a mother-to-be (her second!). The show aired this weekend and will air again in January.

You can listen to the podcast here, and don't miss Krystal weekdays at 3pm ET on MSNBC.

MSNBC's Rachel Maddow is featured in New York Magazine's "Reasons To Love New York 2012" issue, alongside FNC's Bill O'Reilly. It's true, we are just around the corner from one another here in Midtown Manhattan! 

The issue is out on stands now, but you can check out the full list here as well.

Don't miss Rachel weeknights at 9pm ET on MSNBC.

MSNBC's Chris Hayes is featured on TV Week's 12 To Watch in TV News list alongside NBC colleagues Savannah Guthrie and Pat Fili-Krushel. Check out the article on TV Week's site, and don't miss "UP" weekends at 8am ET on MSNBC. 

MSNBC's “Last Word” host Lawrence O’Donnell and UNICEF have raised over $4.7 million for the K.I.N.D Fund which brings desks to the school children of Malawi.  Lawrence spoke with the Wall Street Journal about what inspired him to start the project nearly two years ago.

This year, Lawrence also unveiled a scholarship fund for girls. Carol Stern, President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, was a guest on “The Last Word” to discuss goals of the new tuition program and accept Lawrence’s personal donation.

Visit LastWordDesks.msnbc.com for more information and to learn how you can contribute to this great cause.

Don't miss "The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell" weeknights at 10PM EST.