Solomon O. Smith | California Black Media Voters in California have two major elections coming up this year: the state primary election on June 2, and the midterm election on Nov. 3. To help make sure eligible state residents understand the voting process, the state has created resources to inform the public. Shirley N….
Valdez Educational Services opens its new headquarters, honoring civil rights leader Bonnie Johnson and the long fight for educational equity she helped lead. SAN BERNARDINO, CA – In a moving ceremony that blended celebration, reflection, and community unity, Valdez Educational Services dedicated its new headquarters facility on Friday, May 15, to Bonnie Cherie Johnson, a…
Zaidee Stavely Gov. Gavin Newsom’s latest education budget proposal for 2026-27 received mixed reviews from education leaders and advocates. Many applauded Newsom’s proposed increases to special education funding, but school districts and teachers unions continue to protest the governor’s plan to withhold billions in overall funding. Some advocacy organizations also called for increased funding for…
Wanda Haynes-Certified Sommelier So, what’s the thirst quenching sassy warm weather white wine this year? Pinot Blanc aka Pinot Blanco is a versatile white-wine grape variety used in the production of still, sparkling and sweet dessert wines. Producing lovely white wines in Italy, Alsace, and beyond. An easy drinking white wine and great for a…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has mobilized response activities following confirmation of an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and cases in Uganda. Through existing relationships with the DRC and Uganda Ministries of Health, CDC was notified of the ongoing outbreak as soon as cases were confirmed…
By Roxsy Lin In 2024, Kaiser Permanente announced the rollout of Abridge. Described in a press release as “ambient listening technology,” the AI-powered scribe is designed to help clinicians including mental health providers securely capture clinical notes during patient visits. But what the description fails to indicate is that the tool records entire medical appointments,…
By Sally C. Pipes and Wayne Winegarden The death rate from cancer in the United States has fallen by more than one-third since 1991. HIV-related mortality has dropped ninefold since 1995. Death rates for Alzheimer’s, chronic respiratory diseases, and stroke have all declined in recent years, too. These gains didn’t happen by accident. They’re the…
By KiwiDrug High prescription drug costs create serious financial burdens on many American families. These same families have no choice but to make extremely difficult financial choices. The most severely impacted are typically those in the lower-income bracket. New research from the West Health-Gallup Center found that nearly a third (82 million) of Americans cut…
By Nicole Chang LOS ANGELES — More low-income and immigrant patients in Los Angeles’ Koreatown are delaying health care because of concerns over medical costs. This comes amid increasingly stringent Medi-Cal eligibility reviews and restrictions on new enrollments. The new rules, along with the closure and consolidation of services at health clinics countywide, are fueling…
By Billie Pollisotto Trades jobs offer stable income, hands-on work, and strong long-term demand, making them one of the most practical career paths available today. From electrical and plumbing to HVAC and construction, these roles combine skill development with real earning potential without the need for a traditional four-year degree. A high school graduate watches…
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) joined Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Representative Mark Takano (D-Calif.) in introducing the Restoring Overtime Pay Act to expand and strengthen overtime protections for nearly 30 million workers. This legislation was introduced amid President Trump’s efforts to advance “No Tax on Overtime” while simultaneously denying the…
By Christopher Alam SAN FRANCISCO — When it comes to food, there is perhaps no more iconic or indeed universal ingredient as tomatoes. They’re a staple, essential to everything from pizza to pico de gallo, from Middle Eastern wraps to your favorite Indian curries. And they are getting expensive, in the Bay Area and nationally,…
538 students. 53 teams. 7,861 challenges solved. The marquee event of a continuous, year-long pipeline now connecting Inland Empire students directly to the region’s top cybersecurity employers. INLAND EMPIRE, CA. April 27, 2026. The 8th annual Inland Empire Mayors Cyber Cup, hosted by the Inland Economic Growth & Opportunity Collaborative (IEGO), wrapped today with a…
Edward Henderson | California Black Media As California confronts rising insurance costs, market instability, and growing concerns about access and equity, the race for the state’s top insurance regulator is drawing increased attention. Among the candidates is Steven Bradford, a veteran public servant with more than two decades of experience in government, including eight years…
In a political climate where voters are hungry for authenticity, real-life experience, and leaders who truly understand struggle, one name is beginning to spark conversations across San Bernardino County: Eugene Weems. A world champion kickboxer, community activist, bestselling author, and CEO of Vibrant Green for Vibrant Peace (VG4VP), Weems is now stepping into the political…
Wanda Haynes-Certified Sommelier What is sake? Sake is a Japanese alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice. It consists of four ingredients: rice, water, yeast, and a mold called koji. Primarily sakami rice is used for making sake. Koji is the mold that is distributed over the rice that convert the starches into sugar. This process…
Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media Housing, energy, food and gas are four essential household expenses, and their rising costs are forcing residents—especially lower-income households—to make difficult trade-offs, Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton) said at a conference on affordability last week in Sacramento. Ransom, a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), noted a…
Pedro Noguera California students need more than instruction to succeed. They need consistent support from trusted adults who can help them stay engaged, attend school regularly and navigate the challenges that can interfere with learning. That is why California should continue funding the Student Success Coach Learning Network in the 2026-27 state budget. Without action…
Bo Tefu, Antonio Harvey and Edward Henderson | California Black Media California Launches Free Diaper Program for Newborns Statewide Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday that California will launch a first-in-the-nation programproviding free diapers to families with newborns, part of a broader effort to lower costs for parents and improve infant health outcomes. The initiative, called…
Black Californians United for Early Care and Education (BlackECE) is a powerful coalition of advocates, policy-influencers, civil rights organizations, researchers, university faculty, non-profit leaders, early educators, caregivers, providers, families, and community-based organizations. BlackECE members have intentionally organized our influence around a 10-point policy plan to serve over 490,000 of California’s Black children (Kids Data, 2020)….
By April D. Lee Financial emergencies can happen when a household faces a sudden expense, income loss, medical bill, car repair, housing issue, or family crisis. Access to responsible lending matters because it can provide a safer bridge when savings, insurance, or community help are not enough. A broken transmission, surprise medical bill, job loss,…
By Amy Kang To compete and grow, service-based businesses need a consistent flow of potential clients. Quality marketing attracts the correct customer base and generates inquiries from potential clients. Through well-structured marketing strategies, service-based companies can build trust with their clients and turn curiosity into booked appointments. The most recent Small Business Check Up Survey…
By Aria Ellise, BDO Special Contributor It seems like everyone is talking about the Hantavirus. There have been people questioning if it’s like the coronavirus that plagued us years back. Some say it’s just an over-hyped flu. But what’s the truth? Luckily, BlackDoctor has you covered. Hantavirus is a rare but potentially deadly virus that…
PASADENA, CA — Ruthie Hopkins, co-founder and publisher of The Pasadena/SanGabriel Valley Journal News and one of the San Gabriel Valley’s most celebratedcommunity voices, passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2026. She was 83.Born October 16, 1942, in Oakland, California, Hopkins relocated to Altadena in 1969,where she would spend the next five decades building a…
By Amy Kang As you enjoy your youth, you should think about retirement income planning. Many retirees face financial suffering because of some planning errors they made in their younger years, such as not considering longevity, ignoring inflation, or claiming Social Security too early. If you aren’t too careful, these mistakes can make it hard…