ICYMI: Federal Policy Threats to Food Assistance and Analysis of the Governor’s 2026-27 Budget from the California Budget & Policy Center

Early this year, the California Budget & Policy Center (Budget Center) released timely analyses examining the impacts of federal policy changes on Californians’ access to food and essential services, along with an overview of the governor’s proposed 2026-27 California state budget. To learn more about each publication, please see below: Timeline of Funding Cuts to…

EPA Selects 11 California Organizations to Receive $5.5 Million for Environmental Career Training

 SAN FRANCISCO (February 9, 2026) – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the selection of 11 California organizations to receive approximately $500,000 each in Brownfields Job Training grant funding. Grants awarded to California are nearly half of the $12 million awarded nationally. This funding will help the organizations recruit, train, and place workers for…

Bigger Than Africa Digs Deep Into Black History

Toyin Ibrahim Adeyeke’s far-reaching documentary on Yoruba culture comes to public stations across the U.S. and streaming The film features interviews with the likes of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, Afrobeat musician and activist Femi Kuti and former Presidentof the Federal Republic of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo. BOSTON (February 9, 2026) — Bigger Than Africa, Toyin Ibrahim…

Thousands of UFCW Kaiser Pharmacy and Lab Employees to Begin Strike Over Unfair Labor Practices in Southern California and Bakersfield

LOS ANGELES – Today, thousands of Kaiser workers and supporters showed up and showed out, walking off the job at Kaiser locations throughout Southern California to protest the company’s unlawful actions that have prevented frontline healthcare workers from getting the fair contract they deserve. Picketing is taking place at select Kaiser medical centers throughout the…

California Doubles Down on Commitment to Transit, Improving Mobility for All 

 Sacramento — Caltrans today announced major steps in strengthening its commitment to public transportation by establishing a new Deputy Director for Transit and Rail Programs and restoring the Division of Mass Transportation to create a dedicated team focused on providing faster, more reliable, and connected transit services statewide. The department is also releasing its first…

Commentary: Court ruling forces No. 47’s administration to restore CFPB funding

By Charlene Crowell Over the past year, the Trump administration took a series of steps to weaken the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Despite broad and bipartisan legislative and consumer support for the agency’s efforts that delivered transparency in financial transactions for consumers, these reversals also ended the kind of data collection, research, and investigations…

What to know about dating and companionship after 60

By Victoria Mejicanos AFRO Staff Writer Dating can provide renewed confidence and companionship, but as time passes, returning to the dating scene after divorce or widowhood can appear intimidating. Modern dating, online scams and emotional unavailability or stagnancy have created new challenges that experts say should be approached with community, caution and patience.  Lauren Sanders…

IRS Provides Tips to Help Taxpayers Spot Fraudulent Tax Preparers

By Birmingham Times  irs.gov   With the 2026 tax season officially underway, and while millions of Americans prepare to file, IRS Criminal Investigation Atlanta Field Office officials are urging taxpayers to stay vigilant against unscrupulous preparers who prey on unsuspecting filers. In fiscal year 2025, IRS-CI identified $4.5 billion in tax fraud, more than double…

California Insurance Bill Ignites Battle Between Fire Survivors and Big Oil

Antonio‌ ‌Ray‌ ‌Harvey‌ ‌|‌ ‌California‌ ‌Black‌ ‌Media‌  Survivors of the Los Angeles fires and consumer advocates joined Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) at the State Capitol on Feb. 5 to announce Senate Bill (SB) 982, the Affordable Insurance and Recovery Act (AIR Act) The legislation aims to tackle California’s growing home insurance affordability crisis.  Supporters…

Reclaiming Nature: State Agencies Partner with Black-Led Groups Aiming to Expand Access, Belonging

Edward Henderson | California Black Media  For generations, Black Americans have been written out of the story of the outdoors, say Black nature enthusiasts and leaders of Black conservation and environmental organizations.  They point out: It’s as if hiking trails, fishing lines, campsites, and open skies were someone else’s inheritance.  That absence from official documents…

California Insurance Bill Ignites Battle Between Fire Survivors and Big Oil

Antonio‌ ‌Ray‌ ‌Harvey‌ ‌|‌ ‌California‌ ‌Black‌ ‌Media‌  Survivors of the Los Angeles fires and consumer advocates joined Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) at the State Capitol on Feb. 5 to announce Senate Bill (SB) 982, the Affordable Insurance and Recovery Act (AIR Act) The legislation aims to tackle California’s growing home insurance affordability crisis.  Supporters…

The Obama Foundation opens applications for the 2026-2028 Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service

By Black PR Wire (Black PR Wire) CHICAGO – The Obama Foundation opened applications for the 2026-2028 Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service. Funded by a $100 million contribution from Airbnb CEO and Co-Founder Brian Chesky, the scholarship provides college students with demonstrated financial need a last-dollar scholarship to help alleviate the burden of college…

Cheryl Brown Gerontology Scholarships Now Available

 SACRAMENTO, CA – California State University, Sacramento, is now accepting applications for the 2026/27 Cheryl Brown Gerontology Scholarship program. This initiative aims to support students pursuing gerontology majors and minors, emphasizing diversity and inclusion in the field of aging. Eligible students from the Black Honors College and those from San Bernardino and Riverside counties in…

Amid California’s Housing Crisis, Good News for First-Generation Homebuyers

Even as housing costs soar amid California’s affordability crisis, would-be first-generation homebuyers have a new way to reach the American dream. By Selen Ozturk Even as housing costs soar amid California’s affordability crisis, would-be first-generation homebuyers have a new way to reach the American dream. The California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) is rolling out the…

Can You Afford a Mortgage but Not the Down Payment? Dream For All Offers Up to $150K

Tanu Henry | California Black Media  Tiffany Duvernay-Smith went from knowing the harsh realities of homelessness to owning her first home – made possible by the California Housing Finance Agency’s (CalHFA) Dream For All program, which is reopening applications this month with up to $150,000 in down payment assistance for first-generation buyers. “I feel like…