Year: 2025

Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson In 2020, on the eve of the global lockdown due to the spread of the then mostly unknown COVID-19 virus, my father took sick in New York. I spoke with my sister who also lives in New York to determine what we should do about his care. We discussed options…

Edward Henderson | California Black Media Authorities in California and Washington continue to assess the fallout from the five devastating wildfires in Southern California caused by a mix of dry conditions and powerful Santa Ana winds. As of Jan.10, ten deaths have been reported while emergency responders are still combing through the damage. The blaze…

SB 1348 Aims to Address Systemic Barriers for Black Students and Elevate Black Student Success SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Starting January 1, California has taken a historic step to support Black students in higher education with the enactment of SB 1348, a groundbreaking law creating the nation’s first official Black-Serving Institution (BSI) designation. Authored by former State Senator…

Joe W. Bowers Jr | California Black Media   California Department of Finance Director Joe Stephenshaw, standing in for Gov. Gavin Newsom, presented the state’s $322.3 billion proposed budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year at a press briefing on Jan. 10.  The presentation, held at the Media Briefing Room of the Swing Space Building in Sacramento,…

By Liz Courquet-Lesaulnier It was a perfect recipe for a disaster in Los Angeles: 10 months of drought after a summer of record-setting heat. Bone-dry scrub grass and vegetation — near-unlimited wildfire fuel. Hurricane-force winds barreling down from mountains, packing gusts of up to 90 miles per hour.  But apparently Karen Bass — the first…

By Charlene Crowell  The year 2025 marks the nation’s 39th observance of a national holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ironically, the still-beloved minister and martyr was only 39 years old age when an assassin’s bullet took his life on April 4, 1968.  While many will rightly recall his valiant civil rights activism, his…

By Selen Ozturk The killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson sparked a national debate over rising health care costs and claim denials. The killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson sparked a national debate over rising health care costs and claim denials. AI is used to deny millions of health insurance claims today, while two-thirds of…

Abigail Cipparone In August of this past year, I married a percussionist in the President’s Own United States Marine Band and officially became an active-duty military spouse. Since getting married, I have been absolutely blown away by our military healthcare system. Active-duty members of the military are automatically enrolled in their health insurance, Tricare Prime,…

By: Lou K Coleman Keep Watch! Be on Guard, Stay Alert, and Pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen. [Luke 21:36; Mark 13:33-37].  Again, the Word of the Lord came unto me, saying, daughter of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel:…

To Be Held At: The Doubletree Airport Hotel, Ontario, Calif Monday, January 20, 2025 @ 8:30 AM Theme 2025  ‘‘ Making The Dream Come True” Ms. Trudy Coleman and the Juneteenth/MLK Committee of Southern California, invites you to attend the “24th Golden year Annual, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast and Tribute”. Celebrating, 57…

LOS ANGELES – Two FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers will open tomorrow in Los Angeles County to assist Californians who experienced damage to their primary home, personal property loss or have disaster-caused emergency needs related to the wildfires. At the center, people can get help applying for federal assistance, speak to representatives from state and federal…

Discounted tickets to assist those impacted by wildfires ORANGE, Calif., Jan. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency is offering $10 fares on the Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner® train service for travel anywhere on the LOSSAN Rail Corridor to assist those impacted by the Southern…

 WASHINGTON—The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) today released a study entitled “Heirs’ Property in the United States – Its Destabilizing Structure and Contribution to Black Property and Wealth Erosion.” Conducted by a team of experienced researchers, the study meticulously documents the discriminatory policies and practices that have facilitated the loss of property, farmland,…

By: Stan Popovich It can be frustrating to struggle with your mental health and to get your family and friends to understand where you are coming from.  Although most people may be understanding, there is usually one or two people who will make things more challenging for you. As a result, here are six suggestions…

Sacramento – Property owners who have been impacted by the current wildfires in Los Angeles County may be eligible for various property tax disaster relief.  “Our hearts and prayers go out to all the residents and communities impacted by these devastating wildfires, and we thank all of the courageous firefighters and first responders who continue…

By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Contributor NNPA NEWSWIRE — The music and the sound of Sam & Dave would come to define the “Stax sound” and more broadly, the sound of soul music for a generation. Sam & Dave delivered energetic performances that featured their hits including, “Soul Man” (1967), “Hold On, I’m Comin’”…

What you need to know: Governor Gavin Newsom today issued an executive order to accelerate getting California children back in a classroom, assist schools.   LOS ANGELES – Governor Gavin Newsom today signed an executive order to quickly assist displaced students in the Los Angeles area and bolster schools affected by the firestorms  “We are…