New data on English learners could help California schools pinpoint needed support, experts say

By Zaidee Stavely, EdSource For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, California has released school-by-school data showing how many English learners became proficient in English, giving parents, educators and policymakers a new way to see how well schools are helping students become proficient in English. The data shows that 13.8% of English learners statewide…

Late Obituary

Jackie Malone Carter Jr  Born:  October 3, 1957 Died: August 30, 2022 Jackie Malone Carter Jr., aged 65, passed away on August 30, 2022, in Twentynine Palms, CA. Born on October 3, 1957 in San Diego, CA, Jackie, known affectionately as Jack, was a beloved figure in his community, especially known for his dedication to…

White funeral wreaths, bouquets, and candles arranged in a chapel setting

Theresa Hall, born on November 30, 1940, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2026, in Apple Valley, California.

A devoted member of Emmanuel Temple CME Church in Victorville, Theresa served faithfully on the Women’s Missionary Committee. Her dedication to service extended beyond her church as she held the esteemed position of Worthy Matron for the Order of the Eastern Star of California Prince Hall Rite 93 (High Desert Flower). Theresa was a woman…

Support a Safe, Healthy School Year

By BlackPressUSA Newswire San Diego Voice & Viewpoint —  San Diego County health officials are urging parents and caregivers to include vaccinations in their back-to-school preparations. California mandates several vaccines for students from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade, such as DTaP, Hepatitis B, MMR, chickenpox, and polio. As reported by the San Diego County Communications…

On Your November Ballot: Prop 42 Would Ban New Taxes on Retirement Savings and Personal Assets

Edward Henderson | California Black Media California voters will decide in November whether to amend the state Constitution to prohibit new taxes on retirement savings, personal assets and other forms of personal wealth while also banning retroactive taxation. Proposition (Prop) 42, titled the Prohibit New Taxes on Retirement Holdings, Personal Assets, and Savings and Limit…

Asm. Elhawary “Hopes” Bill Barring Police From Blocking Emergency Medical Care Will Advance to Floor for Vote

Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media A bill Assemblymember Sade Elhawary (D-Los Angeles) authored would make it illegal for law enforcement officers to deny or delay emergency medical care for people under their control when it is safe to provide treatment. Assembly Bill (AB) 2318, known as the Ensuring Accountability After Tragedies Act, was…

Political Playback: California Capitol News You Might Have Missed

Bo Tefu | California Black Media Three Black Women Among Gov. Newsom’s Recent Judicial Appointments  Gov. Gavin Newsom has nominated three Black women — Justice Rashida Adams and Judges Denise Hippach and Juliet Macaulay — to serve on California Courts of Appeal. They are among eight appellate court nominees recently announced by Newsom. The governor…

Urban One to Launch “ONE Yard: The HBCU Experience”–a Multi-City Tour Bringing the Cultural Power of the HBCU Yard to Life

SILVER SPRING, MD, August 11, 2026 — Urban One, the nation’s largest distributor of Black and Urban content, today announced the official launch of ONE Yard: The HBCU Experience, a multi-city engagement tour celebrating the culture, community, and legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Originally born as a digital sanctuary, ONE Yard is…

Cedars-Sinai Mobile Clinic Offers Free Back-to-School Immunizations

August Vaccination Clinics Will Help Students Meet School Requirements Cedars-Sinai’s COACH for Kids mobile medical unit is providing free vaccinations to children and adolescents across Los Angeles through Aug. 31, helping families meet school immunization requirements before the academic year begins. The mobile clinics provide school-required immunizations, including Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) and MMR…

Priority Ambulance Announces CONFIRE EMS Leadership Team

SAN BERNARDINO, CA (August 11, 2026)—Priority Ambulance is pleased to announce the appointments of four key leadership positions for the company’s CONFIRE EMS operations, bringing together experienced EMS leaders focused on local coordination and reliable ambulance response for the communities served through the CONFIRE EMS system, which launches October 1. Priority’s leadership team will be…

Talarico Pitches ‘a New American Dream’ as Economic Agenda Centers Workers, Affordability

By BlackPressUSA Newswire ARLINGTON — Framing affordability as the defining issue facing Texas families, Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico unveiled what he called “A New American Dream” Wednesday night, introducing an economic platform centered on lowering household costs, strengthening workers’ rights and expanding access to housing, healthcare and education. Speaking before a crowd of…

Money Matters: The State of Black Media – and Why Its Future Matters to Business

BlackPressUSA Newswire Black-owned media has long served as more than a source of news. It has been a trusted institution, an advocate for underserved communities, and an economic catalyst for entrepreneurs and neighborhood businesses. From covering the Civil Rights Movement to spotlighting local business success stories, Black media has consistently filled information gaps left by…

Sacramento City Unified remains on path to state takeover after Thurmond rejects appeal

By Diana Lambert, EdSource Last week, Sacramento City Unified leaders thought they had solved the district’s financial problems with a plan to save $158 million, in part by dipping into retiree health benefits, to stave off bankruptcy. That plan fell through Monday when state Superintendent Tony Thurmond denied an appeal by the district after the…

What Banking Actually Means for Young People

By BlackPressUSA Newswire Youth Financial Education Series This installment of MSR’s Youth Financial Education Series, sponsored by JPMorgan Chase, follows Hannah D. Williams as she describes learning to use bank accounts strategically after getting her first job at 15. With guidance from Game Time Budgeting founder Al Riddick, Williams developed habits around high-yield savings, credit…

Jim  Crow  2.0  at  the  Pentagon

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The American people are expected to believe that one extraordinary officer after another suddenly fails to meet some undefined standard of excellence. We are expected to ignore impeccable service records while accepting that political appointees alone possess the wisdom to determine who is worthy of advancement. By BlackPressUSA Newswire Pete Hegseth insists…

California Lawmakers and Advocates Push Voter Protection Measures Ahead of November Election

Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media With less than three months until the general election, Darius Kemp, executive director of California Common Cause, says California must protect both election security and voter access for the state’s approximately 23 million eligible voters. Kemp delivered that message during a June news conference at the State Capitol…

LAUSD could face layoffs, furloughs and school consolidation amid projected $231M shortfall

By Mallika Seshadri, EdSource Los Angeles Unified School District leaders say they are confident they can persuade county officials that the district can avoid a projected cash shortfall and remain under local control, and are preparing for budget cuts, possible furloughs and school consolidation.   A July 2 letter from the Los Angeles County Office…

Black Mayors: Climate Change is in America’s Top Five Crucial Issues

By Hazel Trice Edney As the Trump Administration continues to deny the reality and community impact of climate change, Black mayors have united to protect African-Americans and other people of color, who are increasingly and disparately in danger across the nation. “Even though we have an administration that doesn’t even believe that climate change is…