The Nursing Shortage Is Real – Community Colleges Are Ready to Respond

By Cassandra Jennings, Chair, California Community Colleges Black and African American Advisory Panel California is facing a critical nursing shortage – and our communities feel it every day. From small towns to urban neighborhoods, not having enough qualified nurses makes it harder to get care and deepens health disparities. One promising step forward is AB…

SB Symphony to present Jazz Ensemble Concert on September 20

The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra is proud to present its fourth annual jazz performance featuring The Josh Nelson Ensemble on Saturday, September 20 at 3 p.m. at the historic San Bernardino Valley College Auditorium.  In 2021, Maestro Anthony Parnther created the Symphony’s ensemble concert series to ensure residents of the Inland Empire could experience high…

California Bill Requires Schools to Alert Families of Immigration Agents, Backed by Tony Thurmond

By Bo Tefu | California Black Media California lawmakers have passed a bill requiring K-12 schools, state universities, and community colleges to notify students, faculty, and families when immigration enforcement authorities are present on campuses. The legislation, known as the Safe Act, comes amid the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation efforts and increasing immigration enforcement activity…

13-Year-Old Black Author & Illustrator

Nationwide — At just 13 years old, Saadiq Stevens is capturing the hearts of readers nationwide with his vibrant imagination, meaningful messages, and dedication to representing all children in literature. The Ridgeland, South Carolina native has already written and illustrated three engaging children’s books, each bursting with creativity and purpose. Saadiq’s works range from playful…

California Leaders Mourn John Burton, Trailblazing Democratic Powerhouse Dead at 92

By Bo Tefu | California Black Media John Lowell Burton, an influential figure in California politics who served as State Assemblymember, U.S. Congressman, President pro Tempore of the State Senate, and Chair of the California Democratic Party, passed away of natural causes on Sept. 7. Burton was 92. Gov. Gavin Newsom honored his legacy: “There…

California Payroll Report Highlights Top-Earning Public Workers as Controller Malia Cohen Publishes New Data

By Bo Tefu | California Black Media California State Controller Malia M. Cohen has released 2024 payroll data for special districts, spotlighting some of the state’s highest-paid government jobs. The report, published on the Government Compensation in California (GCC) website, offers a detailed look at wages and benefits for nearly 173,000 positions. The self-reported data…

The Violence Trump Claims to Fear Occurs Mostly in Red States

By Stacy M. Brown Donald Trump continues to attack cities and jurisdictions heavily populated by minorities, often painting them as crime-ridden and unsafe despite evidence showing overall declines in many categories of crime. Nowhere is this tension clearer than in Washington, D.C., where residents face relentless scrutiny from Trump while Red States — many with…

California’s Largest ICE Detention Center Reopens, Begins Receiving Detainees

By Bo Tefu | California Black Media California’s largest federal immigration detention facility has quietly reopened in Kern County and has started receiving detainees, according to the private prison operator CoreCivic. The facility, now known as the California City Immigration Processing Center, is a 2,560-bed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) center. “We have begun…

RE: Guest column: New FDA rule could put premature babies at risk

By Sally C. Pipes One of the great triumphs of health policy is America’s generic drug market. Nine out of ten U.S. prescriptions are filled with generics. That overwhelming share saves patients and taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars annually — and fuels innovation. Pharmaceutical companies know that their exclusivity on new therapies won’t last…

Mental Illness Linked to Higher Heart Disease Risk and Shorter Lives

By Stacy M. Brown A sweeping review published in The Lancet Regional Health—Europe has drawn a direct line between mental health disorders and cardiovascular disease (CVD), showing that individuals living with psychiatric conditions face not only a higher risk of heart problems but also a shorter life expectancy. The paper, authored by researchers from Emory…

Dos Lagos Carnival

It’s finally happening… after more than 10 years! We’re thrilled to announce that the Dos Lagos Carnival is coming to The Shops at Dos Lagos! 🎡✨ Bring your family and friends for a weekend packed with rides, games, food, and fun. From thrilling attractions to classic carnival favorites, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 📍…

Nation’s Report Card Shows Drop in Reading, Math, and Science Scores

By Stacy M. Brown The latest results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reveal troubling declines in academic performance among U.S. students, with twelfth-graders posting lower scores in reading and mathematics and eighth-graders showing setbacks in science.In reading, the 2024 national average for twelfth-graders was three points lower than in 2019, and ten…