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…
Bo Tefu, Antonio Harvey and Edward Henderson | California Black Media After a hearing on May 6, the Assembly Appropriations Committee ordered Assembly Bill (AB) 1578to the Suspense File, delaying action on legislation that would require California public officials to complete anti-hate speech training. The bill, authored by Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley), would add…
Following a highly successful debut, the San Bernardino County Library (SBCL) Highland Branch Farmers Market is set to continue as a weekly event, bringing fresh produce, local vendors, and community engagement to residents every Wednesday from 2 to 7 p.m. Launched in partnership with the California Farmers Market Collective (CFMC), the market has quickly established…
By John Fensterwald, EdSource Look for three key numbers affecting TK-12 funding when Gov. Gavin Newsom releases a much-anticipated revision of 2026-27 state budget on Thursday, known as the “May revision.” One big, one small and one huge. $5.6 billion: In his initial January budget, Newsom said he planned to withhold $5.6 billion from TK-12…
San Bernardino County Museum invites residents to participate in guided Mahjong sessions on May 26, held in conjunction with the Chinese Pioneers exhibition. Two sessions will be offered in the Fisk Gallery from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. These two-hour, instructor-led experiences introduce participants to the modern American style of…
By Ms. Wanda Radio Host, Full Circle KDEE-FM There are lots of reasons why people don’t seek assistance when it comes to mental health, especially in our community and it’s time we break those barriers. For far too long, we have had this saying in our community of “What happens in this house stays in…
By Dr. Nicole Brady, chief medical officer, UnitedHealthcare Student Resources Mental health challenges among young people remain persistently high, and many students and families are still trying to understand how best to respond. UnitedHealthcare’s fourth annual Young Adult and College Student Behavioral Health Report found that more than 6 in 10 (62%) college students and…
Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media Various youth organizations and youth-led initiatives participated in legislative advocacy days last month at the California State Capitol to amplify the voices of Black communities and help cultivate the next generation of leaders. Among the organizations, the NAACP California-Hawaii State Conference youth councils and young people sponsored by…
By Alvin Buyinza Word in Black Gabrielle Brundidge knew she wanted to be a school guidance counselor since she was a teenager. The idea first came to her while discussing college plans with her guidance counselor, Ms. Garcia, during her senior year at Northview High School in Johns Creek, Ga. “She was Hispanic, and it…
by Victoria Mejicanos With the rising costs of living, economic pressures and longer life expectancy, many who are preparing to retire must think about what retirement would look like while still financially supporting legal dependents, young adult children or their parents. According to experts who spoke with the AFRO, retiring with dependents has become either…
