Category: Uncategorized
Bonta and Weber Pierson Lead on State Health Policy as Disparities Persist
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…
The Trump administration is quietly seeking unprecedented access to medical records for millions of federal workers and retirees, and their families.
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…
Co-Opting Christ — Trump, Pope Leo and the Trans-Atlantic Schism
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…
The Countdown Is On — Don’t Miss This Night.
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,…
Black Women in Rural Areas Grapple with Stark Decline in Obstetric Care
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…
Women’s Basketball Rising at Famed School for the Deaf
By N.C. Greene As women’s basketball continues to draw renewed national attention, Gallaudet University — the nation’s premier university for Deaf and hard of hearing students — entered this season building on a championship foundation. A new roster and two freshmen emerging as dominant forces in the program’s next phase are now bolstering hopes for…
California’s next governor to face tough choices for education as state budget tightens
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,…
“I Want to Write a New California Story”: Eric Swalwell Makes His Case for California Governor
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…
Acquitted of Murder, Convicted Anyway: Epps Trial Reveals Racial Gap in Self-Defense Law
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…
The Drama
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…
What You Need to Know About GLP-1 Patches
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…
Sheriff’s Office in Northern CA Sought Agreement With ICE, in Violation of State Law
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…
Wine and Cheese Pairing
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…
Bernard Hoyes: The Desert in Transition at the Victor Valley Museum
The Desert in Transition, an exhibition of watercolor landscapes by Bernard Hoyes, opens for public viewing at the Victor Valley Museum in Apple Valley from April 27 through June 28. For more than 30 years, Hoyes has drawn inspiration from the desert landscapes of Southern California, particularly the Coachella Valley, where he lives and works….
Commentary: Our Vote Is Not a Blank Check–What Black Women Are Really Saying About the Governor’s Race
Kellie Todd Griffin | Special to California Black Media Partners Every election cycle, the conversation starts the same way. Campaigns announce their outreach. Candidates say our name. They show up at our churches, our sorority events, our community gatherings. And then, too often, they govern like they forgot we existed. That pattern is why the…
Historic Mission: NASA Astronaut Victor Glover Selected to Pilot Lunar Mission
By Staff Reporter United States — Victor J. Glover has made history as the first Black astronaut selected to pilot a mission traveling to the Moon, marking a groundbreaking moment for both space exploration and representation in science and technology. Glover serves as the pilot of Artemis II, the first crewed lunar mission in more…
“It’s Bigger Than One Person”: Black Caucus Members Support Bill Renaming César Chávez Day to Farm Workers Day
Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media Last week, members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), through their voices and votes, supported Assembly Bill (AB) 2156, which proposed renaming César Chávez Day to Farm Workers Day. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law on March 26, allowing it to take effect immediately before…
Civil Rights Giant, Legal Expert Kristen Clarke Joins NAACP as General Counsel
communications@naacpnet.org WASHINGTON — The NAACP today announced that Kristen Clarke, one of the nation’s most respected civil rights attorneys and legal advocates, has been appointed General Counsel of the Association. The move comes as the Trump Administration works to erode democratic institutions and dismantle civil rights protections. To meet the moment, the NAACP is…
The Ontario Museum of History & Art presents its inaugural Youth Art Month exhibition, a collaboration with Mariposa Elementary School
The Ontario Museum of History & Art presents its inaugural Youth Art Month exhibition, on view through May 17, 2026. The exhibition showcases outstanding artwork by students from Mariposa Elementary, inspired by the national Youth Art Month theme, “The World Needs Art,” and celebrates how art education and creative expression shape vibrant communities. The 2026…
Grief, Advocacy, and Education: A Counselor Reflects on Black Maternal Health
By Jennifer Porter Gore | Word-In-Black | San Diego Voice and Viewpoint SAN DIEGO VOICE & VIEWPOINT — Last month healthcare leaders, birth workers, and community members gathered to honor the legacy of Charleston native Dr. Janell Green Smith, a nurse-midwife and doctor of nursing practice who died in January from childbirth complications. She had…
A Head Start Administrator’s Story
By Marcia Claggett My name is Marcia Claggett. I reside in Calvert County, Maryland , and work at the United Planning Organization’s (UPO) Office of Early Learning in Washington, D.C. As a child at the age of 3, I was enrolled in the Head Start program located at the Southern Maryland Tri-County Community Action Committee. The year would…
U.S. Pedestrian Deaths Fall 11% in First Half of 2025, According to New GHSA Research
Despite recent progress, more than 16 people die every day on U.S. roads over six months By Adam Shapiro Drivers struck and killed 3,024 people walking during the first half of 2025, an average of 16 per day, according to a new data analysis from the Governors Highway Safety Association(GHSA). That is an 11% decline…
After Deep Federal Cuts, California Lawmakers Push for Full Restoration of Medi-Cal Benefits
By Bo Tofu, California Black Media | L.A. Focus California’s public health programs could lose billions of dollars due to recent federal budget cuts, state health officials told lawmakers during a joint committee hearing on March 10. The hearing, held at the State Capitol, focused on the impacts of reductions to programs such as Medi-Cal,…
Political Playback: California Capitol News You Might Have Missed
Bo Tefu | California Black Media New Poll Shows Gender Divide Among Black Voters in California as 2026 Primary Approaches A new statewide survey of California voters reveals a notable gender divide among Black voters, with Black men more likely than Black women to lean Republican ahead of the 2026 primary election. The findings come…
