Extend Obamacare Tax Credits: Calif. Assembly Votes to Pass Resolution Pressuring Congress and White House

Antonio‌ ‌Ray‌ ‌Harvey‌ ‌|‌ ‌California‌ ‌Black‌ ‌Media‌ On Feb. 5, the California State Assembly voted to pass Assembly Joint Resolution 25 (AJR 25) – legislation focused on maintaining lowered health care costs authored by Assemblymembers Mia Bonta (D-Alameda) and Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay).  The resolution urges the United States Congress and President Donald Trump to…

38th Annual Oratorical Contest Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity & Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, Mu Xi Lambda chapter, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Eta Nu Omega chapter, will be hosting the 38th Annual Oratorical Contest at San Bernardino Valley College, 701 S. Mt. Vernon Avenue, Room: Business 100, Parking Lot 11, San Bernardino, California, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday March 14,…

Ed. Dept. dismissed 90 percent of discrimination cases, report says

By Alvin Buyinza Overview: According to the Government Accountability Office, while nearly half of the Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights staff were laid off last year, the federal agency resolved 90 percent of discrimination cases during that time. The Education Department office responsible for protecting the rights of marginalized and minority students in the…

ICYMI: Federal Policy Threats to Food Assistance and Analysis of the Governor’s 2026-27 Budget from the California Budget & Policy Center

Early this year, the California Budget & Policy Center (Budget Center) released timely analyses examining the impacts of federal policy changes on Californians’ access to food and essential services, along with an overview of the governor’s proposed 2026-27 California state budget. To learn more about each publication, please see below: Timeline of Funding Cuts to…

EPA Selects 11 California Organizations to Receive $5.5 Million for Environmental Career Training

 SAN FRANCISCO (February 9, 2026) – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the selection of 11 California organizations to receive approximately $500,000 each in Brownfields Job Training grant funding. Grants awarded to California are nearly half of the $12 million awarded nationally. This funding will help the organizations recruit, train, and place workers for…

Bigger Than Africa Digs Deep Into Black History

Toyin Ibrahim Adeyeke’s far-reaching documentary on Yoruba culture comes to public stations across the U.S. and streaming The film features interviews with the likes of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, Afrobeat musician and activist Femi Kuti and former Presidentof the Federal Republic of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo. BOSTON (February 9, 2026) — Bigger Than Africa, Toyin Ibrahim…

Thousands of UFCW Kaiser Pharmacy and Lab Employees to Begin Strike Over Unfair Labor Practices in Southern California and Bakersfield

LOS ANGELES – Today, thousands of Kaiser workers and supporters showed up and showed out, walking off the job at Kaiser locations throughout Southern California to protest the company’s unlawful actions that have prevented frontline healthcare workers from getting the fair contract they deserve. Picketing is taking place at select Kaiser medical centers throughout the…

California Doubles Down on Commitment to Transit, Improving Mobility for All 

 Sacramento — Caltrans today announced major steps in strengthening its commitment to public transportation by establishing a new Deputy Director for Transit and Rail Programs and restoring the Division of Mass Transportation to create a dedicated team focused on providing faster, more reliable, and connected transit services statewide. The department is also releasing its first…

Commentary: Court ruling forces No. 47’s administration to restore CFPB funding

By Charlene Crowell Over the past year, the Trump administration took a series of steps to weaken the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Despite broad and bipartisan legislative and consumer support for the agency’s efforts that delivered transparency in financial transactions for consumers, these reversals also ended the kind of data collection, research, and investigations…

What to know about dating and companionship after 60

By Victoria Mejicanos AFRO Staff Writer Dating can provide renewed confidence and companionship, but as time passes, returning to the dating scene after divorce or widowhood can appear intimidating. Modern dating, online scams and emotional unavailability or stagnancy have created new challenges that experts say should be approached with community, caution and patience.  Lauren Sanders…

IRS Provides Tips to Help Taxpayers Spot Fraudulent Tax Preparers

By Birmingham Times  irs.gov   With the 2026 tax season officially underway, and while millions of Americans prepare to file, IRS Criminal Investigation Atlanta Field Office officials are urging taxpayers to stay vigilant against unscrupulous preparers who prey on unsuspecting filers. In fiscal year 2025, IRS-CI identified $4.5 billion in tax fraud, more than double…

California Insurance Bill Ignites Battle Between Fire Survivors and Big Oil

Antonio‌ ‌Ray‌ ‌Harvey‌ ‌|‌ ‌California‌ ‌Black‌ ‌Media‌  Survivors of the Los Angeles fires and consumer advocates joined Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) at the State Capitol on Feb. 5 to announce Senate Bill (SB) 982, the Affordable Insurance and Recovery Act (AIR Act) The legislation aims to tackle California’s growing home insurance affordability crisis.  Supporters…

Reclaiming Nature: State Agencies Partner with Black-Led Groups Aiming to Expand Access, Belonging

Edward Henderson | California Black Media  For generations, Black Americans have been written out of the story of the outdoors, say Black nature enthusiasts and leaders of Black conservation and environmental organizations.  They point out: It’s as if hiking trails, fishing lines, campsites, and open skies were someone else’s inheritance.  That absence from official documents…

California Insurance Bill Ignites Battle Between Fire Survivors and Big Oil

Antonio‌ ‌Ray‌ ‌Harvey‌ ‌|‌ ‌California‌ ‌Black‌ ‌Media‌  Survivors of the Los Angeles fires and consumer advocates joined Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) at the State Capitol on Feb. 5 to announce Senate Bill (SB) 982, the Affordable Insurance and Recovery Act (AIR Act) The legislation aims to tackle California’s growing home insurance affordability crisis.  Supporters…

The Obama Foundation opens applications for the 2026-2028 Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service

By Black PR Wire (Black PR Wire) CHICAGO – The Obama Foundation opened applications for the 2026-2028 Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service. Funded by a $100 million contribution from Airbnb CEO and Co-Founder Brian Chesky, the scholarship provides college students with demonstrated financial need a last-dollar scholarship to help alleviate the burden of college…

Cheryl Brown Gerontology Scholarships Now Available

 SACRAMENTO, CA – California State University, Sacramento, is now accepting applications for the 2026/27 Cheryl Brown Gerontology Scholarship program. This initiative aims to support students pursuing gerontology majors and minors, emphasizing diversity and inclusion in the field of aging. Eligible students from the Black Honors College and those from San Bernardino and Riverside counties in…