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…

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…

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…

Marcelino “Mars” Serna to Receive a  Black Rose Award

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.— The 34th Annual Black Rose Award nominees showcase the outstanding leadership within the Inland Empire, according to Black Culture Foundation President Christen Irving. “Nominations started in September, with individuals from every corner of the Inland Empire nominating those who have made a profound impact on our communities.”  2026 Black Rose awardee Marcelino…

Lose the Chaos, Not Just the Weight: Healthy School-Year Routines

Milwaukee, WI — When the school year begins, routines naturally start to take shape. Early mornings, packed schedules, and busy evenings can make it challenging to prioritize your health. TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly SM), the nonprofit weight-loss support organization with a “Real People. Real Weight Loss.®” philosophy, teaches that consistent routines and…

Santa Clarita native participates in world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise

By Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist John Osborne, Navy Office of Community Outreach PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii – 2nd Lt. Philip Olivero, a native of Santa Clarita, California, is assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked aboard USS Essex, a U.S. Navy warship participating in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in…

Canada’s Impact On The Global Black Power Movement Revealed In “True North: Canadian Myths And Black Power” Premiering On PBS’S Independent Lens And Streaming July 6

How  1960s  Montreal  Helped  Shape  the  Global  Movement  for  Black  Liberation (San Francisco, CA) — Revealing the largely untold history of anti-Black racism in Canada, “True North: Canadian Myths and Black Power” premieres Monday on PBS’s INDEPENDENT LENS. Through historic archives and the voices of those who lived through 1960s Montreal, “True North” explores pivotal…

California Commission on Aging hosts hearing on supportive housing

Event examined challenges, gaps, and solutions as unhoused population over age 50 grows Sacramento (June 16, 2026) – The California Commission on Aging hosted its annual information hearing on June 11, 2026. Titled “Nowhere to Go: Addressing the Crisis in Supportive Housing for Older Californians,” the hearing explored challenges, gaps, and potential solutions for older…

Riverside Transit Agency Offers “Youth Ride Free” Promotion, Making Summer Break Trips Even Easier

Anyone 18 or younger can ride free on RTA buses through June 30, 2027 WHAT: As Riverside County schools begin summer break, the Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) continues to offer free bus rides for youth. The “Youth Ride Free” promotion is available to anyone 18 or younger and runs through June 30, 2027. Youth riders…

Advisory: Victorville Police Department Conducting DUI Patrols on Friday, June 12th

Victorville, Calif. – The Victorville Police Department will be out June 12, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence (DUI).  “Impaired driving is preventable,” Sergeant J. Snyder said. “It’s a choice. If you’ve been drinking or taken drugs that impair, make the right choice by finding…

Luvina Beckley Honored as Innovator of the Year Ahead of National Multi-City Tour

Ontario, CA — Recently, business leader and funding strategist Luvina Beckley was honored with the Innovator of the Year Award during the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Dinner in Ontario, CA The award recognized Beckley’s years of work helping businesses, nonprofits, and underserved communities gain better access to funding opportunities, federal grants,…

Empowering Teen Wellness: Planet Fitness Announces Sixth Annual High School Summer Pass®  Program And Opens Its Doors To Teens For Free All Summer Long 

Program powered by Gymshark provides a welcoming, Judgement Free environment for teens to prioritize physical and mental health  HAMPTON, N.H. (May 20, 2026) – Planet Fitness, one of the largest and fastest-growing fitness center operators with more members than any other fitness brand, announced the return of its annual High School Summer Pass® program. Now…

Seven-day-a-week tutoring and mentoring through a partnership between Valdez Educational Services and the San Bernardino City Unified School District, Valdez helps students improve academic performance and gain access to higher education.

 SAN BERNARDINO, CA—Valdez Educational Services, headquartered in San Bernardino, recently recognized student achievement at a banquet highlighting academic progress and the impact of tutoring and mentoring, and awarded scholarships to four deserving students. The event brought together students, families, school district leaders, and community leaders to celebrate the importance of sustained tutoring and mentoring. The…

Inland Empire Mayors Cyber Cup Crowns 2026 Champions and Launches Year-Round Cybersecurity Pathway for Regional Students

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…

California schools could get billions more in Newsom’s May budget revision

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…

Governor Newsom appointments Kisha Collier to the 28th District Agricultural Association San Bernardino County Fair

History was made when Governor Newsom appoints Lizet Angulo a latina Community Leader and National Chef the first hispanic President on the SB County Fair Board and Governor Newsom appoints Kisha Collier, who was nominated by Lizet as the first black woman  to the San Bernardino County Fair Board   Kisha Collier, of Victorville, has…

The Golden Renaissance Scholarship Gala Recognizes IE Black Leaders with Lifetime Achievement Awards

RIVERSIDE, CA —  Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Phi Upsilon Chapter’s inaugural Golden Renaissance Scholarship Gala recognizes Black leaders whose contributions have shaped education, public service, and community empowerment in the Inland Empire. The Gala is Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 6:00 PM, in the Grand Parisian Ballroom at the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa…

Mayor and Council Candidate Forum at San Bernardino Valley College

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – San Bernardino Valley College, in partnership with the League of Women Voters, San Bernardino Area, announces a nonpartisan candidate forum scheduled for April 29 and April 30.   Valley College supports civic engagement and voter education by hosting this nonpartisan candidate forum in partnership with the League of Women Voters. Date: April…

Memorial  Day  Remembrances  Span Forest Lawn’s Six Southern California Locations

Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills’s Memorial Day commemoration is the featured event in family-friendly, parkwide observances Monday, May 25, 2026 Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks Cathedral City, Covina Hills, Cypress, Glendale, Hollywood Hills, Long Beach GLENDALE, CA—Forest Lawn will honor fallen veterans with free Memorial Day remembrances at each of its six Southern California locations: Cathedral City, Covina Hills,…

California Advances a National Model for Early Wealth-Building at CEWAS Summit

Los Angeles, CA — Launched under the leadership of the State Treasurer’s Office and California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA, through the STO-FSFA (State Treasurer’s Office Financial Savings for All) initiative—the nation’s largest and most inclusive public savings collective—California is advancing one of the most comprehensive early wealth infrastructures in the nation, bringing together leaders…

CAIR Condemns President Trump’s Threat to Destroy Iranian Civilization; CAIR-SFBA’s Zahra Billoo Warns of Anti-Iranian, Anti-Muslim Hatred

Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization joins national call for Congress, presidential cabinet, and Pentagon to prevent genocidal attack on Iran (SANTA CLARA, CA, 4/7/2026) — The San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today joined a national CAIR condemnation of…