Category: Uncategorized

A Nation at a Crossroads: The Case of David Dew and the Meaning of Justice By Karen Marine There are moments in history when silence becomes a form of injustice. This is one of those moments. For 44 years, David Dew has lived behind prison walls—forty-four years in a place built to break the human…

Asm. Mia Bonta “Tells the Truth” About Bill Conservatives Say Would Silence Citizen Journalists Bo Tefu and Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media     Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) is pushing back against criticism of her bill, Assembly (AB) 2624, releasing a video statement on X defending the legislation and accusing critics of spreading misinformation….

Edward Henderson | California Black Media   As California heads into the 2026 election cycle, all four elected seats on the State Board of Equalization are up for grabs, with voters in each of the agency’s four geographic districts choosing a representative. The board—which handles tax appeals, property tax oversight and equalization, and other key functions…

By Steve Cain, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of California  April is Financial Literacy Month, a good time to learn how your health plan can support your financial and health goals. Understanding your coverage can be a vital part of your family’s financial planning. Especially since 36% of adults report skipping care due to cost in the last…

Kimberly.brown@tandtpublicrelations.com A New Revolution for Black Student Success Statewide Week of Action Returns April 20-24, 2026 Los Angeles, Calif. — On Monday, April 20, community colleges across California will kick off the seventh annual Black Student Success Week (BSSW), bringing together students, educators, policymakers, and community partners for a week of programming focused on advancing…

Gary S. May Unless Congress acts, one of the most effective anti-poverty initiatives in history will soon be forced to turn its back on millions of students.  The Pell Grant program has served as a cornerstone of upward mobility in America, making higher education accessible to more than 80 million lower- and middle-class families since…

Bo Tefu | California Black Media  California is investing $37.2 million to expand apprenticeship and workforce training programs, aiming to support more than 60,000 residents and strengthen pathways into high-demand careers. On April 9, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the funding through the California Apprenticeship Council Training Fund and the California Workforce Development Board’s High Road…

Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media    Nearly 6 in 10 Californians delayed or skipped medical care in the past year because of cost, and 4 in 10 reported their conditions worsened as a result — trends that disproportionately affect communities already facing disparities, including Black Californians.  Black Californians have the shortest life…

By Amanda Seitz and Maia Rosenfeld A brief notice from the Office of Personnel Management could dramatically change which personally identifiable medical information the agency obtains, giving it the power to see prescriptions employees had filled or what treatment they sought from doctors. The regulation would require 65 insurance companies that cover more than 8…

By Paolo Pontoniere “God does not bless any conflict,” wrote Pope Leo in an April 10 post to the social media platform X. “Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs.”  For the Pope, and increasingly…

We are 10 days away from one of the most inspiring nights of the year and we need to know — do you have your tickets yet? Time for Change Foundation’s 24th Annual Awards Gala, Anchored in Promise, Powered by Purpose, is just around the corner and seats are going fast. This is your community,…

By Ashleigh Fields, Special to the AFRO Black women in rural areas are facing the brunt of declining medical services, including access to obstetric care as new policies threaten clinic and hospital closures. Under the current White House administration’s summer spending package, federal reimbursement for services covered through Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act severely…

John Fensterwald “This story was originally published by EdSource.  Top Takeaways A new governor with an agenda of new programs could find a chilly reception from districts. A continuing decline in statewide enrollment will erode districts’ ability to cover operating expenses and increase staff pay. Ideas for financial relief include increasing money for special education,…

Edward Henderson| California Black Media    Editor’s Note: This California Black Media Q&A series with California’s gubernatorial candidates is intended to inform voters about where the candidates for governor stand on key issues. The opinions, assertions, and claims expressed are those of the candidates and have not been independently verified; they may or may not…

By Eric Arnold Kevin Epps shot and killed Marcus Polk inside his home in 2016, saying he did so to defend himself. Kevin Epps shot and killed Marcus Polk inside his home in 2016, saying he did so to defend himself. California’s Castle Doctrine, which allows homeowners and residents to use reasonable — including deadly…

Dwight Brown at DwightBrownInk.com. (**1/2) You wouldn’t wish this wedding day on anybody. But there they are. Two lovers who should be in bliss are trapped in their own turmoil.  Norwegian writer/director Kristoffer Borgli has built a solid reputation for dark comedy (Sick of Myself). It’s an avenue he treads again, somewhat. Only this time…

By Karen Heslop There’s been a lot of buzz around the use of GLP-1 agonists for the past couple of years when it comes to weight management. In fact, statistics show that the use of these medications has reduced the country’s obesity rate by three percent in just as many years. However, researchers acknowledge that…

By Madison Holcomb Last year, the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office attempted to enter into an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that would have given officers immigration enforcement authority. The process was paused last May, and it’s unclear where things stand now.  Documents recently obtained by Shasta Scout show the sheriff’s office was seeking…

Wanda Haynes-Certified Sommelier This wine and cheese pairing article is based on listings from several recent food and government websites. Top three cheeses consumed by Americans are:  ● Mozzarella  ● Cheddar ● Processed cheese  With this in mind let’s do some wine pairing and create leisure moments in our lives. We all know that Americans…