By Araceli Martinez It was 3 in the morning on May 13 when Lara Valdez, 70, woke up terrified by a deafening sound. Federal immigration agents were trying to enter her home in Ventura County, California. “I was in a deep sleep, and I remember hearing what sounded like a bomb in my bedroom,” said…
By Jongwon Lee On the final day of January this year, Kim sat stoically in a Fulton County courtroom, watching Robert Aaron Long and his legal team. On the final day of January this year, Kim sat stoically in a Fulton County courtroom, watching Robert Aaron Long and his legal team. Five years have passed…
By Billie Pollisotto Cooking classes do far more than teach recipes. They build confidence, sharpen problem-solving skills, and create real-world independence that carries into daily life. Learners walk away with practical abilities, stronger decision-making habits, and a deeper connection to what they eat. Someone who once relied on takeout stands in a small kitchen, calmly…
By MSR News Online Rob Base, born Robert Ginyard and one half of the legendary hip-hop duo Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2026, at age 59 after a private battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy rooted in the 1988 anthem It Takes Two and a pioneering role…
Riverside, CA, May 26th, 2026 – Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB) is grateful that Governor Newsom included $38 million of CalFood funding in the new state budget; however, the local food bank worries that it is not enough to address hunger as a whole within the Inland Empire (IE) and beyond. “Programs like…
Solomon O. Smith | California Black Media Voters in California have two major elections coming up this year: the state primary election on June 2, and the midterm election on Nov. 3. To help make sure eligible state residents understand the voting process, the state has created resources to inform the public. Shirley N….
Valdez Educational Services opens its new headquarters, honoring civil rights leader Bonnie Johnson and the long fight for educational equity she helped lead. SAN BERNARDINO, CA – In a moving ceremony that blended celebration, reflection, and community unity, Valdez Educational Services dedicated its new headquarters facility on Friday, May 15, to Bonnie Cherie Johnson, a…
Zaidee Stavely Gov. Gavin Newsom’s latest education budget proposal for 2026-27 received mixed reviews from education leaders and advocates. Many applauded Newsom’s proposed increases to special education funding, but school districts and teachers unions continue to protest the governor’s plan to withhold billions in overall funding. Some advocacy organizations also called for increased funding for…
Wanda Haynes-Certified Sommelier So, what’s the thirst quenching sassy warm weather white wine this year? Pinot Blanc aka Pinot Blanco is a versatile white-wine grape variety used in the production of still, sparkling and sweet dessert wines. Producing lovely white wines in Italy, Alsace, and beyond. An easy drinking white wine and great for a…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has mobilized response activities following confirmation of an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and cases in Uganda. Through existing relationships with the DRC and Uganda Ministries of Health, CDC was notified of the ongoing outbreak as soon as cases were confirmed…
By Roxsy Lin In 2024, Kaiser Permanente announced the rollout of Abridge. Described in a press release as “ambient listening technology,” the AI-powered scribe is designed to help clinicians including mental health providers securely capture clinical notes during patient visits. But what the description fails to indicate is that the tool records entire medical appointments,…
By Sally C. Pipes and Wayne Winegarden The death rate from cancer in the United States has fallen by more than one-third since 1991. HIV-related mortality has dropped ninefold since 1995. Death rates for Alzheimer’s, chronic respiratory diseases, and stroke have all declined in recent years, too. These gains didn’t happen by accident. They’re the…
By KiwiDrug High prescription drug costs create serious financial burdens on many American families. These same families have no choice but to make extremely difficult financial choices. The most severely impacted are typically those in the lower-income bracket. New research from the West Health-Gallup Center found that nearly a third (82 million) of Americans cut…
By Nicole Chang LOS ANGELES — More low-income and immigrant patients in Los Angeles’ Koreatown are delaying health care because of concerns over medical costs. This comes amid increasingly stringent Medi-Cal eligibility reviews and restrictions on new enrollments. The new rules, along with the closure and consolidation of services at health clinics countywide, are fueling…
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)….
