From the Staff of the Bakersfield News Observer
News Observer
Congressional Black Caucus Ushers in New Era with Record Membership and Historic Firsts
By Stacy M. Brown
The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) celebrated a historic milestone with its largest membership ever, as 62 Black lawmakers were sworn in ahead of the 119th United States Congress. Among them were groundbreaking figures, including two Black women Senators and two Black U.S. House members from Alabama serving simultaneously for the first time.
Democrats Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland and Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware made history as the first two Black women to serve together in the U.S. Senate. Their elections were met with enthusiasm and optimism, signaling progress in representation. “I am honored to serve the people of Maryland and am ready to get to work,” Alsobrooks shared, while Blunt Rochester expressed her excitement, saying, “Let’s get to work.” Both Senators took their oaths of office from Vice President Kamala Harris. The CBC also celebrated the historic election of Shomari Figures, who joins incumbent Rep. Terri Sewell as Alabama’s two Black U.S. House members. Figures represent Alabama’s newly created 2nd Congressional District, which emerged following a landmark 2022 federal court ruling mandating a second “opportunity district” for Black voters. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the decision in 2023, paving the way for greater representation in the state.
Established in 1971 with just 13 members, the CBC has grown significantly and now includes seasoned leaders such as Rep. Alma Adams of North Carolina, serving her sixth term, and notable newcomers like Janelle Bynum, Oregon’s first Black member of Congress. The swearing-in ceremony, held at The Anthem in Washington, D.C., was attended by family members, supporters, and prominent figures, including Maryland Governor Wes Moore, New York Attorney General Tish James, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
While the CBC remains nonpartisan, its Democratic members reaffirmed their dedication to advancing policies that protect the rights and opportunities of Black
Americans. “We renew our pledge to fight racism where it exists, to weed out inequities in health care, the criminal justice system, education, voter access, and so many other areas,” said Rep. Terri Sewell. Notably absent from the ceremony were the five Black Republican members of Congress—Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina and Reps. Byron Donalds of Florida, Wesley Hunt of Texas, John James of Michigan, and Burgess Owens of Utah. As supporters of President-elect Donald Trump, they have pledged allegiance to his future policies, diverging from the CBC’s priorities. Rep. Glenn Ivey of Maryland expressed concerns
about potential abuses of power under the incoming administration, particularly within the Department of Justice. “Protecting the rule of law is what we’ve got to make sure happens now and going forward,” he said. Ivey also voiced optimism about future elections, declaring, “A setback is a setup for a comeback.” Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League, spoke fervently about the CBC’s advocacy despite the hostile political climate the upcoming administration has wrought. “If your plan is to administer solely to your MAGA base, we will lead the resistance,” he said.
New Year Brings a Wave of New Laws Across the United States
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
As 2025 begins, jurisdictions across the United States enact new laws that impact gun safety, healthcare, consumer privacy, and transportation.
Washington, D.C.
In the nation’s capital, insurance providers must now cover infertility diagnosis and treatment, including three rounds of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and associated costs for surrogacy. Families with children under six will benefit from a new child tax credit, offering up to $420 per child based on income.
A “bill of rights” for student loan borrowers prohibits deceptive practices by loan servicers and provides debt forgiveness for individuals with total or permanent disabilities. The District has also mandated birdfriendly construction materials for new commercial and multifamily buildings to reduce avian deaths caused by building collisions.
Businesses in D.C. are now required to accept cash payments, with limited exceptions. At the same time, a ban on right turns at red lights is enforceable only at intersections with posted signage due to funding limitations.
Maryland In Maryland, new laws emphasize worker and public safety. Stricter penalties for speeding in work zones are now fully implemented, with fines ranging from $60 to $1,000 based on the severity of the offense. Health insurers must now cover hearing aids prescribed by licensed audiologists, capped at $1,400 per device every three years. Hospitals across the state must stock opioid overdose medications, implement treatment protocols, and support patient transitions into community-based care.
Virginia
Virginia has launched a shared solar program that allows Appalachian Power customers to participate in solar energy facilities and earn bill credits. The state’s minimum wage has risen to $12.41 per hour under a cost-of-living adjustment tied to the federal consumer price index. Protections for children’s personal data now bar online vendors from using data for targeted ads or geolocation without parental consent.
Virginia will no longer adhere to California’s stricter vehicle emissions standards. Health insurers must now cover colorectal cancer screenings, including follow-up colonoscopies, without deductibles or cost-sharing.
Gun Safety Laws Nationwide
With new laws in several states, gun safety will take center stage in 2025. In Colorado, handguns stored in unoccupied vehicles must now be locked in a hard-sided container and hidden from view, with the vehicle itself locked. Beginning July 1, applicants for concealed carry permits must complete an eight-hour training course, including a written exam and live-fire exercise. Certain misdemeanors within five years of application will disqualify individuals from obtaining permits.
In New York, gun dealers must post warning signs about the risks of gun ownership starting January 7, and the state will implement a registry for extreme risk protection orders. Minnesota has banned binary triggers, and Delaware extended its Safe School Zone laws to include university campuses, making firearm possession on campus a felony.
Monisha Henley of Everytown for Gun Safety noted the importance of these measures. “America’s gun violence epidemic is not inevitable, it is the logical outcome of lawmakers’ callous inaction in service to the gun lobby,” Henley said. “As we head into 2025, not a
single consequential law rolling back our progress on gun safety will go into effect, but countless laws making our communities safer will.”
Transportation and Public Safety
California’s “Daylighting to Save Lives Bill” bans parking within 20 feet of crosswalks to improve pedestrian visibility. Colorado has imposed stricter penalties for express lane misuse and requires individuals convicted of violent crimes to serve 85% of their sentence before parole eligibility. Washington state has enacted tougher penalties for negligent driving that results in fatalities.
Consumer Privacy and Protections
Delaware, Iowa, Nebraska, and New Hampshire have implemented new privacy laws granting consumers greater control over their personal data. Tennessee and Florida now require minors to verify their age on social media platforms. Florida’s law includes significant penalties for violations, although parts are under legal challenge.
Other Notable Laws
Colorado: All eggs sold must come from cage-free facilities.
Connecticut: New minimum wage and healthcare laws take effect.
Nevada: Constitutional language updates remove outdated terms and prohibit slavery or involuntary servitude as criminal punishment.
Illinois: New laws streamline the juvenile expungement process and require autism training for law enforcement officers.
Alabama: The “Sound of Freedom Act” imposes harsher sentences for human trafficking involving minors.
Florida: Social media platforms must terminate accounts of users under 14, with substantial fines for noncompliance.
14 New California Laws in 2025 You Should
By Edward Henderson
Know More About
COLLEEN SLEVIN
something to the effect of: “Are you even a U.S. citizen? This is Trump’s America now! I’m a Marine and I took an oath to protect this country from people like you!” Alex, who had been out reporting, then drove back to his news station in the city. After he got out of his vehicle, Egan chased Alex as he ran toward the station’s door and demanded to see his identification, according to the document laying out police’s evidence in the case. Egan then tackled Alex, put him in a headlock and “began to strangle him,” the affidavit said. Coworkers who ran out to help and witnesses told police that Alex appeared to be losing his ability to breathe during the attack, which was partially captured on surveillance video, according to the document.
According to the station’s website, Alex is a native of Detroit. KKCO/KJCT reported that he was driving a news vehicle at the time.
Egan was arrested on suspicion of bias-motivated crimes, second degree assault and harassment. He is scheduled to appear in court Thursday to learn whether prosecutors have filed formal charges against him.
Egan’s lawyer, Ruth Swift, was out of the office Friday and did not return a telephone message seeking comment.
KKCO/KJCT vice president and general manager Stacey Stewart said the station could not comment beyond what it has reported on the attack.
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
FBI Renews Push for Tips in Capitol Hill Pipe Bomb Case
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA
Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Federal authorities released new video footage and details on Thursday in the ongoing investigation of a suspect who placed pipe bombs near the headquarters of the Republican and Democratic National Committees the night before the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
The newly disclosed video depicts the suspect sitting on a bench near the Democratic National Committee (DNC) building, removing what law enforcement officials identified as a pipe bomb from their bag and placing it outside the facility. Officials also revealed the suspect’s estimated height as 5 feet 7 inches.
The investigation, now entering its fourth year, has stymied federal and local investigators despite extensive efforts. Authorities have conducted about 1,000 interviews, examined 39,000 video files, and vetted 600 tips without identifying the individual responsible. David Sundberg, assistant director of the FBI Washington Field Office, said releasing new details aims to prompt someone to come forward with information.
Sundberg acknowledged that the timing and circumstances of the incident have complicated the investigation. “The suspect was wearing a hood, a mask, gloves—entirely covered. And that is exacerbated by what was going on in the world and the time of year,” Sundberg said. “It was January during the pandemic, so wearing lots of clothes and a mask would not have been abnormal to anyone passing this person on the sidewalk.”
The pipe bombs were placed near the Republican National Committee (RNC) and DNC headquarters between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on January 5, 2021, in a Capitol Hill neighborhood just blocks from the U.S. Capitol. Although the bombs did not detonate, authorities said the devices were viable and could have caused serious injury or death. Constructed with galvanized pipes, kitchen timers, and homemade black powder, the bombs were discovered 15 hours later January 6, diverting critical resources as the Capitol riot unfolded. Challenges in the investigation include sporadic and
“The tips have been very helpful, but they have not allowed us to identify a suspect yet,” Sundberg said. “So, we are releasing some subsequent information in order to hopefully jog someone’s memory or convince them that they have information that maybe they thought was not particularly important — but could actually be important.”
low-quality camera footage from the area and the delay in discovering the devices. Officials have also faced scrutiny over security lapses, including a report indicating that Vice President-elect Kamala Harris was allowed to enter and remain at the DNC for more than an hour before the pipe bomb outside was discovered.
The FBI has released close-up images of the suspect’s distinctive Nike Air Max Speed Turf sneakers and updated maps showing their route. Officials believe allegiances and relationships have shifted over time and are hopeful the new information might encourage someone to provide a critical tip.
“We urge anyone who may have previously hesitated to come forward, or who may not have realized they had important information, to contact the FBI,” Sundberg said. A reward of up to $500,000 is being offered for information leading to the suspect’s arrest and conviction.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submitting tips online at tips.fbi.gov. Tips can remain anonymous. “Your information could make the difference,” Sundberg asserted.
Federal Judges Sound Alarm as Jan. 6 Arrests, Sentences Continue
While Trump’s Pardons
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Federal judges are expressing concern over the future of justice for January 6 defendants as Donald Trump prepares to retake office and considers pardoning the participants in the Capitol attack. This week’s arrests and sentences of more alleged offenders show effort by the Department of Justice hasn’t stopped as they continue to attempt to hold those involved accountable for the violence that disrupted American democracy.
On December 18, a Texas man and a Virginia man were arrested for allegedly assaulting law enforcement during the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. Authorities said their actions contributed to the chaos that interrupted the certification of Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential
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victory. Earlier in the month, a South Carolina man was sentenced to prison for four misdemeanors related to the attack. On the same day, a judge sentenced a Georgia man to prison after his conviction for assaulting police officers during the riot.
The ongoing arrests and sentences come nearly three years after a mob stormed the Capitol, injuring over 140 police officers—including more than 80 from the U.S. Capitol Police and over 60 from Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department. The siege caused extensive damage, with losses estimated at over $2.8 million. In total, at least 1,561 people have faced federal charges.
However, Trump has remained adamant that those convicted are “hostages,” and “patriots.”
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who has presided over numerous Jan. 6-related cases, acknowledged her waning confidence in reassuring law enforcement that the rule of law still applies. “I’m not sure I can do that very convincingly these days,” Chutkan remarked during a recent sentencing hearing.
Chutkan isn’t alone. Fellow jurists appointed by Repubilcans and Democrats have fretted over the possibility of Trump granting clemency to those convicted.
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, appointed by President Barack Obama, recently condemned efforts to downplay the Capitol attack. “The rewriting of the history of Jan. 6, 2021, is incredibly disturbing,” Howell said during a sentencing hearing.
Judge Reggie Walton, a George W. Bush appointee, cautioned that continued false claims about election outcomes could tear the nation apart. “We’re headed for a breakup of this country,” Walton warned, adding, “America isn’t a third-world country.” Walton also noted that Democrats accepted their defeat in 2024 without spreading misinformation. “Mr. Trump won,” he stated. “He won legitimately just like he lost legitimately.”
By OGNSC Staff
Baltimore, a city long synonymous with high crime rates, is experiencing a transformation that deserves national recognition. In 2024, homicides in the city dropped by an impressive 23% compared to the previous year and a staggering 40% compared to two years ago. These statistics mark a sharp departure from the past and are a testament to the city’s renewed approach to tackling violence at its roots. At the forefront of this change is Mayor Brandon Scott’s Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS)—an innovative program that places an emphasis on community engagement and targeted resource allocation for those most at risk of committing or becoming victims of violent crime.
A Strategic Pivot
For decades, Baltimore’s struggles with violent crime were met with traditional law enforcement tactics—heavy
According to Politico, several judges have openly criticized Trump’s rhetoric and impact on defendants’ attitudes toward the court. The outlet reported that Walton clashed with defendant Michael Bradley, who was convicted of attacking police officers with a baton. Bradley defied Walton’s authority, questioning his integrity and claiming he was “being convicted without a victim.”
Some Jan. 6 defendants have recently requested permission to attend Trump’s second inauguration, Politico noted. The Justice Department has opposed these requests, arguing that allowing defendants to return to the “scene of the crime” would dishonor the officers who defended the Capitol that day. Yet on Thursday, Chutkan permitted one
policing, punitive measures, and reactive approaches. While these strategies yielded periodic decreases, they failed to produce sustainable results. Enter Mayor Scott, who took office in December 2020 with a commitment to addressing violence as a public health issue. His administration introduced the GVRS, modeled after evidence-based approaches that have shown promise in other cities like Oakland and Boston.
GVRS focuses on identifying individuals and groups most likely to be involved in violent activity. Instead of solely relying on law enforcement, the program uses a collaborative framework that involves social services, community leaders, and law enforcement working together. The strategy recognizes that those at the center of violence are often products of systemic inequities, including poverty, lack of education, and limited economic opportunities.
The Core of GVRS
The Group Violence Reduction Strategy is built on three main pillars:
1. Focused Deterrence: Law enforcement identifies individuals or groups with the highest likelihood of engaging in violence. These individuals are given a choice—access resources to change their circumstances or face swift consequences for continued violence.
2. Resource Allocation: Recognizing that violence is often a symptom of broader issues, GVRS prioritizes providing housing, employment, mental health services, and addiction support to individuals deemed high-risk. This holistic approach addresses the root causes of violence.
3. Community Engagement: Trust between communities and law enforcement has long been a barrier to effective crime prevention in Baltimore. GVRS prioritizes rebuilding that trust through community meetings, open dialogues, and partnerships with grassroots organizations.
Results That Speak Volumes
The numbers tell a powerful story. By the end of 2024, Baltimore recorded its lowest homicide rate in nearly two
defendant, Eric Peterson, to attend, issuing a terse, onesentence order without explanation. Judge Royce Lamberth, a Ronald Reagan appointee, captured the frustration of the judiciary in a 13-page opinion accompanying a Jan. 6 sentencing. “The true story of what happened on January 6, 2021, will never change,” he wrote, rejecting attempts by some defendants to portray themselves as victims of government persecution.
“They trashed it,” Chutkan said of the rioters’ actions in the Capitol. “They treated it like a motel room after a concert. Engaging in an act of destruction and violence in order to halt the peaceful transfer of power has to be met by consequences.”
decades. This reduction is not just a statistical milestone; it represents lives saved, families spared from grief, and neighborhoods reclaiming their sense of safety.
In addition to the decline in homicides, the city has seen decreases in non-fatal shootings and other violent crimes. Local hospitals report fewer emergency room visits due to gun violence, and community surveys indicate a growing sense of security among residents.
A Blueprint for the Nation
Baltimore’s success with GVRS challenges the notion that high-crime cities are doomed to perpetual violence. It provides a replicable framework for cities grappling with similar issues. What sets GVRS apart is its recognition that violence is not an isolated phenomenon but a symptom of deeper societal problems. Addressing these problems requires a multi-faceted approach that combines prevention, intervention, and accountability.
Mayor Scott has been vocal about his desire for Baltimore’s success to serve as a national case study. “This isn’t just about Baltimore,” he said in a recent press conference. “Every city in America can benefit from a strategy that centers people, addresses inequities, and works collaboratively to prevent violence.”
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite the promising results, challenges remain. Scaling up programs like GVRS requires substantial investment in social services and sustained political will. Additionally, building trust with communities affected by decades of systemic racism and over-policing is an ongoing process.Nevertheless, Baltimore’s progress offers hope and a blueprint for change. Cities nationwide should take note of this approach, which prioritizes compassion and accountability over punitive measures. Baltimore’s story is no longer one of despair but of resilience and transformation. Its success serves as a powerful reminder that even the most entrenched problems can be solved with bold leadership, innovative strategies, and a commitment to addressing the root causes of violence.
Baltimore’s Dramatic Homicide Decline: A Model for the Nation?
The Most Unexpected Sci-Fi Blockbuster
of Last Year is Finally Streaming
A Quiet Place: DAY ONE
Perfectly Embodied
One 2024 Horror Movie Trend
By Gayle Sequeria
Silence can begin to feel oppressive in a horror movie. Think of a hand inching towards a closed door, or a secluded alleyway that goes suspiciously quiet. In the silence, there is anticipation, and a longing for a burst of sound to puncture the tension.
Some of 2024’s most inventive horror films understand this, thriving on quiet, withholding instead of introducing sound. Noise, in these movies, instead begins to feel invasive and intrusive, an unwanted presence that we reflexively bristle at. In Chime, a cooking instructor is slowly driven insane by the sound of a chime that only he can hear, but the audience is never privy to this noise. Instead, writer-director Kiyoshi Kurosawa fills the film with the natural sounds of the cityscape, laying the groundwork for the madness lurking under the mundanity of everyday life. In A Violent Nature, a slasher described as an “ambient horror” film, contains no score. Instead, the forest in which it’s set lends itself to a terrifying sonic contrast between the rhythmic calm of the murderer’s footsteps and the panicked unsteadiness of his victims as they stagger away. And in Azrael, set in a post-Rapture world, speech is considered to be a sin among cultists. Their scarred throats, from which only guttural noises emanate, reveal just what they’ve had to sacrifice.
Silence has always been a crucial component of the A Quiet Place franchise — it’s the only way to avoid being detected by invading predatory aliens highly attuned to sound — but Day One enriches this thematic conceit through its main characters’ backgrounds. Both belong to groups that have been historically marginalized and silenced. Terminally-ill cancer patient Samira (Lupita Nyong’o) is Black, while law student Eric (Joseph Quinn) — though it isn’t evident in the movie — is gay, according to director Michael Sarnoski.
Samira lives like she’s already a ghost of herself, so fixated on the ticking clock of her impending demise that she forgets to savor the time she has left. She puts up walls, is aloof and responds in insults and cutting sarcasm. It’s only when she meets and gets to know Eric, so lost and vulnerable in the wake of the invasion, that she finally embraces vulnerability herself. If one is dying,
the other desperately wants to live. Their conversations are deeply moving, but more importantly, they develop a companionable silence. The film’s best scene is wordless — when Samira realises Eric has missed the last boat out of the city to stay back with her, she gives him her coat to shield him from the cold. It’s a moment of human connection amid the destruction, two people reaching out as the world falls apart around them.
Day One isn’t without its genre thrills. Every routine sound feels amplified, from the footsteps of people in mass exodus to a wheelchair being rolled across the pavement; each might as well be a homing beacon for the bloodthirsty creatures. The film derives tension from characters having to stifle their natural urge to scream when a predator is mere inches from their face — a single moment of clumsiness could be their last. It also ups the ante by adding a pet to the mix, Samira’s cat Frodo, who is just one ill-timed meow or precarious position away from sealing his owner’s fate.
Despite retreading the familiar ground of its franchise territory, however, it’s the emotional landscape of Day One that remains compelling and sets it apart from the rest of 2024’s “quiet horror” films. Grieving the loss of a loved one out loud becomes a luxury, as is having a breakdown. To call out for a missing relative is to invite your own demise. In constant pain, Samira can only let out a cathartic primal scream in time with the thunder.
Unlike other apocalyptic films, which hinge on their protagonists’ fight to survive until the end, Samira’s imminent demise has been set in stone from the beginning. It was never a question of whether she could make it out alive, but if she could face her mortality on her own terms. Her quest for a slice of pizza, a journey that propels the film, assumes the larger significance of her wanting back a piece of her childhood at the end of her life. And it’s only when she’s revisited her past and secured Eric and Frodo’s futures that she’s able to let go, choosing how and when she dies. In New York, a city that gives off an average of 90 decibels — the “volume of a constant scream” as a title card declares — she manages to make her one last shout into the void heard. A Quiet Place: Day One is streaming now on Amazon Prime Video.
alien attack.
Soprano Angel Blue Sings Her First Metropolitan Opera
By MIKE SILVERMAN Associated Press
If she has the voice of an angel, and the face of an angel, she must be an Angel. Angel Blue, that is.
The American soprano, one of the most admired singers of her generation, is headlining the Metropolitan Opera’s first new production of Verdi’s “Aida” in 36 years. Blue, now 40, debuted at the Met in 2017 as Mimi in Puccini’s “La Boheme” and has become a fixture at the house, starring in two opening nights and this fall portraying the lead character in Osvaldo Golijov’s “Ainadamar.” But “Aida” is something else. The title role of the enslaved Ethiopian princess
for a Black soprano at the Met, where Leontyne Price embodied the role from her first performance in 1961 until her retirement in 1985.
“I don’t think I’m the next Leontyne Price, but I’ve definitely looked at her my whole life as an example of someone to model myself after,” Blue said in an interview after a day of rehearsal.
“Sometimes in opera there’s an intimidation factor because of those who come before us,” she added. “But when it’s somebody who I look up to, I feel like, OK it’s my turn. Thank you so much, it’s because of you I’m here.” Blue’s turn comes on New Year’s Eve, when Michael
Mayer’s production opens before a sold-out house with a cast that includes tenor Piotr Beczala as her lover, Radames, mezzo Judit Kutasi as her rival, Amneris, and baritone Quinn Kelsey as her father, Amonasro. Met music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts. The Jan. 25 matinee will be broadcast live in HD to movie theaters worldwide.
Blue was less than a year old when Price made her Met farewell, so she never got to hear her live in opera. But her father, a classically trained gospel singer and pastor, loved her recordings and — according to family lore — pronounced shortly after Blue was born that she would be “the next Leontyne Price.”
“My beautiful dad, he was just enamored of her,” Blue said. “It was like a thought that came into his heart when I took my first breath.”
Growing up as one of five children in Southern California, Blue sang in church, studied voice and piano in high school, then entered several beauty pageants and used her prize money to help pay for her musical studies. She had been bitten by the opera bug at age 4 when her father took her to see a concert performance of Puccini’s “Turandot” while the family was visiting relatives in Cleveland.
Though she had sung “Aida” once in concert in Detroit, her only previous staged performances came last year at London’s Royal Opera House. The critics were impressed, though some felt she was still mastering the role.
“Sometimes Blue’s tone frays under pressure,” wrote Neil Fisher in The Times. But he added that she is “a heartfelt, affecting Aida … riding high in ensembles. This gutsy Aida will grow in authority.” Mark Elder, who conducted Blue in London, recalled that “when she came to me, she wasn’t very experienced
in the part, and I was incredibly impressed with how she would quietly go on with studying it and thinking about it and taking on board some of the ideas that I gave her.
“To express everything the music demands of her is by far the hardest thing that she’s probably ever had to do,” Elder said. “By the time she did the first performance with me it was clear she was very suited to the role. She will sing it for years to come.” Mayer said that during the Met rehearsals he was struck by how naturally Blue was able to capture the character’s inner conflicts as she is torn between love for her Egyptian captor and duty to her homeland and her father.
“What’s remarkable about working with Angel is that she is utterly sympathetic,” Mayer said. “She does the thing that great actors do: She has the thought, and we see it. She’s not doing any histrionic indicating of feelings, she’s trusting that Verdi knew what he was doing in terms of how the music is telling its own story.
“She’s a gentle soul, but then she opens up and you hear this magnificent voice,” Mayer said.
Opening night of the Met production will be a poignant occasion for Blue because New Year’s Eve marks the 18th anniversary of her father’s death. Her mother and brother will be in the audience cheering her on, and the rest of her family will come to a later performance. She’s determined not to disappoint them.
“I feel like a boxer at the
the
A Quiet Place Day One Samira (Lupita Nyong’o) stifles her scream right after the
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Surgeon General Warns Alcohol Consumption Increases Cancer Risk, Urges New Warning Labels
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has issued an advisory linking alcohol consumption to an increased risk of cancer, calling for updated warning labels on alcoholic beverages to inform consumers better. Alcohol is listed as one of the leading preventable causes of cancer in the United States, contributing to 100,000 cases and 20,000 deaths each year.Current warning labels on alcoholic beverages focus on general health risks, impaired driving, and pregnancy-related concerns but omit the established connection to cancer. Dr. Murthy urged Congress to mandate updated labels that address the cancer risks associated with alcohol consumption—a move like requirements for cigarette packaging.Research Confirms Alcohol-Cancer Connection
Decades of research confirm that alcohol is causally linked to at least seven types of cancer, including breast, liver, colorectal, and throat cancers. For example, studies show that consuming even one drink daily raises the risk of breast cancer by 10 percent compared to non-drinkers, while the risk of mouth cancer increases by 40 percent for the same level of consumption.
The advisory explains that the lifetime risk of breast cancer for women rises from 11.3 percent for those drinking less than one drink per week to 13.1 percent for those consuming one daily and 15.3 percent for two daily beverages. Among men, the risk of developing alcoholrelated cancers increases from 10 percent with less than one drink per week to 11.4 percent for one drink daily and 13 percent for two daily beverages.
The Surgeon General noted that cancer risk increases with higher alcohol consumption but added that even low levels of drinking are not without risk. Health officials have noted that there is no safe limit for alcohol consumption,
which aligns with the World Health Organization’s findings.
Mechanisms Behind Alcohol-Related Cancers
The Surgeon General’s advisory notes several ways in which alcohol contributes to cancer development. Dr. Murthy noted that alcohol breaks down in the body into acetaldehyde, a toxic compound that damages DNA and interferes with cellular repair processes. He said it generates reactive oxygen species, leading to inflammation and further DNA damage. Additionally, alcohol alters hormone levels, including estrogen, which plays a role in breast cancer development.
Alcohol’s interaction with tobacco also increases the absorption of carcinogens, compounding the risk for cancers of the mouth and throat. These biological pathways are consistent across different types of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, and spirits.
Global Perspective and Recommendations
Globally, alcohol was linked to over 740,000 cancer cases in 2020. While countries such as South Korea and Ireland have begun implementing cancer-specific warnings on alcohol labels, the United States lags. Ireland, for instance, reportedly plans to introduce labels by 2026 stating a direct connection between alcohol and fatal cancers.
Dr. Murthy recommended strengthening public education campaigns to increase awareness of the risks associated with alcohol. He also encouraged healthcare providers to inform patients about these risks and incorporate alcohol screening into routine care.
“Many people assume that drinking within current guidelines of one drink daily for women and two for men is safe, but the evidence does not support that assumption,” Dr. Murthy said. “Less is better when it comes to reducing cancer risk.”
Media Personality Dr. Willie Jolley Receives “Titans of Public Speaking” Award
By John Hope Bryant
ATLANTA - PRLog -- At this year’s Hope Global Forum annual conference in Atlanta, GA, Operation Hope Founder and CEO, John Hope Bryant, presented a special award recognizing the profound contributions of three legendary thought leaders and speakers: Dr.Willie Jolley, Les Brown, and Dr. George C. Fraser. In a memorable ceremony, the trio was honored with the prestigious “Titans of Public Speaking” award. John Hope Bryant expressed his desire to spotlight these distinguished individuals for their decades-long impact on economic growth, personal empowerment, and leadership. He praised Dr. Jolley, Les Brown, and Dr. Fraser as icons who have inspired and empowered millions worldwide to improve their lives, businesses, and financial well-being. “These three industry titans,” Bryant said, “have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to shaping a modern, inclusive global economy—one that extends the opportunities of free enterprise to everyone.”
The Hope Global Forum is an annual event that unites influential leaders across government, business, and community sectors to discuss solutions for economic empowerment and inclusion. Attendees include renowned figures such as Ambassador Andrew Young, SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Milken Institute Chairman Michael Milken, Delta CEO Ed Bastian, and esteemed minister and businessman Bishop T.D. Jakes. The award presentation underscored the Forum’s mission: “Together, we create a more inclusive and prosperous global economy.”
Dr. Willie Jolley with Dr. George C. Fraser and Les Brown
January 6 Committee Leaders Cheney and Thompson Receive Presidential Citizens Medal
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
President Joe Biden announced that he would honor 20 Americans with the Presidential Citizens Medal during a ceremony at the White House. Among the recipients were Mississippi Congressman Bennie Thompson and former Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney, who co-led Congress’ investigation into the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The bipartisan committee, formed after the Capitol riot, investigated the attempt by Donald Trump supporters to disrupt the certification of Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election. Their work included public hearings and a final report in December 2022 that accused Trump of engaging in a “multi-part conspiracy” to overturn the election results. Thompson, a veteran civil rights advocate, grew up in segregated Mississippi and was inspired by the movement for racial justice. His career in public service began with grassroots organizing and voter registration efforts. Elected to Congress in 1993, he became the longest-serving
African American lawmaker in Mississippi history. As chair of the January 6 Committee, Thompson was pivotal in investigating the insurrection and holding Trump accountable.
Cheney, a conservative Republican and the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney spent two decades in public service, including her tenure as a member of Congress representing Wyoming. Known for her sharp criticism of Trump, Cheney lost her House seat in 2022 after standing against him and advocating for the investigation into the Capitol attack. Despite political backlash and numerous threats against her, Cheney stood her ground and called Trump’s actions a direct threat to democracy.
The Presidential Citizens Medal, established in 1969, recognizes individuals who have performed what the White House called exemplary deeds of service for the country.
Along with Thompson and Cheney, Mary L. Bonauto was honored for her instrumental role in the fight for marriage equality, culminating in the landmark Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. Civil
rights attorneys Louis L. Redding and Collins J. Seitz, both honored posthumously, received recognition for their groundbreaking work dismantling school segregation and laying the groundwork for the landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling.
Mitsuye Endo Tsutsumi, also posthumously recognized, challenged the unjust internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, paving the way for thousands to rebuild their lives. Frances Visco, a breast cancer survivor, was celebrated for her advocacy that increased federal funding for breast cancer research and improved access to healthcare for women.
Biden also recognized two of his longtime allies, Ted Kaufman and Chris Dodd, for their decades of public service and significant contributions to financial reform, childcare legislation, and international diplomacy. Diane Carlson Evans, an Army nurse during the Vietnam War, was honored for founding the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation, ensuring female service members received long-overdue recognition.
Carolyn McCarthy, who became a leading advocate for
gun safety after her family was impacted by gun violence, was recognized for her 18 years of service in Congress. Thomas Vallely, a Marine veteran turned peace advocate, was celebrated for fostering U.S.-Vietnam relations and establishing Fulbright University Vietnam. Paula Wallace, who transformed professional education through her work at the Savannah College of Art and Design, was also among the honorees.
Trump, who will be sworn in as president again on January 20 after his November election victory, has repeatedly criticized the committee and its leaders. In an interview with “Meet the Press,” Trump said, “Cheney did something that’s inexcusable, along with Thompson and the people on the un-select committee of political thugs and, you know, creeps,” claiming, without evidence, that the committee had “deleted and destroyed” testimony. He has also promised to pardon the January 6 rioters after taking office.
“The country is better because of their dedication and sacrifice,” Biden asserted.
Gov. Newsom to Present 2026 Budget: What Black Californians Should Watch For
for California’s education, housing, healthcare, and more.
This budget will incorporate strategies discussed during a recent special legislative session convened to prepare for potential conflicts with the incoming Trump administration and to safeguard critical state programs against federal interference or defunding. During the Dec. 2 special legislative session, lawmakers introduced SBX-1 authored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), which allocates $25 million to the California Department of Justice to cover litigation costs for defending state policies against federal challenges. These funds will support Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office in lawsuits targeting federal actions on reproductive rights, zero-emission vehicle standards, and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. An additional $10 million is earmarked for county and city legal departments to defend local initiatives.
Bonta emphasized the state’s proactive stance, stating, “We will be asking for sufficient resources to fight back against the attacks that we expect from the Trump administration.” His office is already preparing legal briefs to address potential federal policies that could undermine California’s policy priorities. In the 2025-26 budget, Proposition 98 funding, which determines the minimum level of funding for K-12 schools and community colleges, is projected to increase by $1.5 billion, raising the total funding guarantee to $116.8 billion. Of this amount, $2.8 billion will be available for new commitments,
reflecting forecasts for growth and a 2.46% statutory cost-ofliving adjustment.
Despite this funding boost, inequities persist in educational outcomes for Black students, who face suspension rates nearly three times higher than their peers and lower graduation rates. Discretionary funds could support programs aimed at addressing these disparities, including investments in teacher training, mental health services, and restorative justice initiatives.
California’s higher education system is expected to benefit from increased funding to support affordability and access across its community colleges, California State University, and University of California systems. The budget will likely emphasize financial aid expansion, enrollment growth for underserved groups, and infrastructure improvements, while aligning educational programs with workforce needs to ensure graduates are prepared to fill existing gaps in the job market.
California’s housing crisis continues to disproportionately affect Black residents. Although Black Californians make up nearly 6% of the state’s population, they represent roughly 50% of its unsheltered homeless population. As of 2024, California’s homeless population exceeded 180,000, reflecting a 31% increase since 2007
High rental costs, averaging $2,225 per month for a twobedroom apartment statewide, contribute to housing instability. The budget is expected to include funding for affordable housing construction, homelessness prevention programs, and emergency rental assistance. However, long-term solutions such as increased funding for affordable housing developments and tenant protections remain critical.
Medi-Cal, which serves over 14 million Californians or about one-third of the state’s population, remains a critical
focus area for the budget. With federal funding accounting for 64.4% of Medi-Cal’s budget, potential changes under the Trump administration could pose risks. The state has historically relied on reserves to stabilize Medi-Cal programs during times of uncertainty. Proposals expected in the 2026 budget include expanding access to mental health services, addressing maternal and infant health disparities in Black communities, and increasing funding for community clinics in underserved areas.
Investments in childcare and early education programs are also expected to reduce economic burdens on families by improving access to affordable and quality services. Additionally, the budget will likely prioritize environmental justice initiatives aimed at improving air quality and providing safe drinking water in underserved communities, addressing longstanding health and environmental disparities. Public transportation improvements are expected to receive attention as well, enhancing accessibility and economic mobility in Black and low-income communities.
Economic recovery poses significant challenges for Black Californians, who face an unemployment rate of 6.7%, significantly higher than the 3.4% rate for White and Asian individuals and the 5.9% rate for Hispanic or Latino individuals. These disparities underscore the need for workforce development programs, including apprenticeships, small business grants, and enforcement against wage theft.
California’s fiscal outlook reflects long-term structural challenges. While the $2 billion deficit for 2026 is modest, spending growth is projected to outpace revenue increases, with annual deficits potentially reaching $30 billion by 2028-29 if
have provided short-term relief but are not sustainable solutions. Spending growth, averaging 5.8% annually, continues to outpace revenue growth of 4%. The state’s rainy-day fund, which holds $10.7 billion, is expected to play a critical role in managing fiscal pressures and maintaining essential services. The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) is anticipated to play an active role in budget negotiations. Historically, the caucus has championed policies that address disparities in education, housing, and healthcare impacting Black Californians. In the 2026 budget cycle, the CLBC is expected to prioritize equitable distribution of Proposition 98 funds, expanded allocations for affordable housing, and targeted healthcare initiatives to address disparities in underserved communities. With $3.7 billion in the Proposition 98 reserve, discussions may focus on ensuring these funds address inequities affecting Black Californians.
Key dates in the budget process include May 14, when the Governor presents an updated version of the budget incorporating amended revenue forecasts and adjustments. June 15 is the deadline for the final budget passage. Newsom’s 2026 budget will outline California’s approach to addressing systemic inequities while maintaining fiscal responsibility. The active involvement of stakeholders, including the CLBC, will be pivotal in shaping the state’s response to critical issues impacting Black Californians.
By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media
All twelve members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) have been assigned leadership roles in the State Senate and the State Assembly, according to separate statements issued by Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister). On Jan. 3, McGuire announced that Sen. Akilah Weber-Pierson (D-San Diego), Sen. Lola SmallwoodCuevas (D-Los Angeles), and Sen. Laura Richardson (D-San Pedro) are joining several other colleagues as committee heads and an officer of the 2025-2026 Senate Democratic Leadership Team.
“The State Senate is ready to move California forward. Incredibly proud to serve alongside these dynamic Senators, who reflect the best of the Golden State. Let’s go to work,” McGuire posted on Jan. 3 on the social media platform X.
On Dec. 27, Rivas announced his Assembly leadership team and the Chairs of all Assembly committees, including CLBC members: CLBC vice chair Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights), Chair, Natural Resources Committee; Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), Chair, Transportation Committee; Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley), Chair, Budget Human Services Committee; Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom (D-Tracy), Chair, Emergency Management Committee; Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland), Chair, Health Committee; Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D- Inglewood), Chair, Public Employment and Retirement Committee; Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson), Chair, Revenue and Taxation Committee; and Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins (D-San Diego), Assistant Majority Leader for Policy.
“Californians expect us to deliver practical solutions that improve everyday life, like building more housing for families and lowering energy costs,” Rivas said in a statement. “I look forward to working with the Assembly’s new leaders to chart a path forward that renews opportunity and innovation in our state.” In the Senate, Richardson was named to the Democratic leadership as Assistant Majority Whip. Sen.
Dave Cortese (D-San Jose), is the Majority Whip. As Assistant Majority Whip, Richardson helps the Majority Whip to manage monitor legislation and secure votes for bills. Richardson will also serve as chairperson for the Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation. Weber-Pierson will serve as chair of Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Health and Human Services. According to the State Legislative Process, Budget subcommittees hold hearings on items in the Governor’s budget during the spring, then again after the May Revision. The subcommittees and their staffs examine each line item pertaining to their assigned area of the budget. The Labor, Public Employment and Retirement (formerly the Labor and Industrial Relations Committee) standing committee for the California State Senate will be chaired by Smallwood-Cuevas. She also served in that leadership position during the 2023-2024 legislative session. Bills are heard in Standing Committees which meet on a regular basis throughout the year. For the first time in its 58-year-history, most of CLBC members are women. Nine out of its 12 current members are Black women.
Weber-Pierson, Smallwood-Cuevas, and Richardson were sworn in on Dec. 2, the first official day of the 202526 Regular Session, in the chambers of the State Senate by the Hon. Patricia Guerrero, Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court. On Dec. 2, McGuire gaveled in the First Extraordinary Session called by Gov. Gavin Newsom to protect California values and fundamental rights from the incoming federal administration under Donald Trump. Wilson, the former Chair of the CLBC, thanked Rivas for reappointing her Chair of the Transportation Committee. “Grateful for your continued confidence and excited to deliver on building a sustainable, innovative, and equitable transportation future for California,” she posted on the social media platform Bluesky.
By Joe W. Bowers Jr. California Black Media
By Jan. 10, Gov. Gavin Newsom will present his proposed 2026 budget, addressing a $2 billion projected deficit while setting priorities
‘Waiting List to Nowhere’: Homelessness Surveys Trap Black Men on the Streets
By Angela Hart
LAS VEGAS — Maurice Clark huddled in his tent along dusty railroad tracks as two homeless-outreach workers began asking him questions to determine whether he would qualify for free or subsidized housing. Did he use drugs? Had he ever been in jail? How many times had he been to an emergency room? Had he been attacked on the streets? Tried to harm himself? Engaged in sex for money? Clark didn’t feel comfortable being honest with the two surveyors he’d never met before, who were flanked by police officers as they recorded his responses from a questionnaire on a tablet.
“I’ve done some crazy things to survive, but I’m, like, I’m going to say no because there’s these officers right there,” he said, recalling the encounter on a fall afternoon outside his tent.
“I’m a Black man in America, so asking this stuff hits a little bit different.”
National homelessness experts and local leaders say such personal questions exacerbate racial disparities in the ranks of the nation’s unhoused, particularly as more people experiencing homelessness compete for scarce taxpayersubsidized housing amid a deepening affordability crisis.
Vulnerability questionnaires were created to determine how likely a person is to get sick and die while homeless, and the system has been adopted widely around the country over the past decade to help prioritize who gets housing. The more a homeless person is perceived to be vulnerable, the more points they score on the questionnaire and the higher they move in the housing queue. The surveys are being singled out for worsening racial disparities by systematically placing homeless white people at the front of the line, ahead of their Black peers — partly because the scoring awards more points for using health care, and relies on trust in the system, both of which favor white people. Black people make up 13.7% of the overall U.S. population yet account for 32.2% of the nation’s homeless population. White people, including some people of Hispanic descent, make up 75% of the country and represent 55% of America’s homeless.
“It’s racist in a systemic way,” said Marc Dones, a California-based policy director at the University of California-San Francisco and a lead researcher for one of the nation’s largest studies analyzing the Black homeless population. “If you’re a white person, the more likely you are to rank higher than if you’re a Black person, so you’re more likely to get selected for housing.”
Vulnerability surveys took off after President Barack Obama in 2009 signed into law sweeping rules requiring the country’s local homelessness agencies, known as Continuums of Care and currently numbering 381, to adopt a method to assess the vulnerability of homeless people to receive federal housing and homelessness funding. Cities and counties predominantly adopted a survey called VI-SPDAT, which is still used by an estimated two-thirds of homeless agencies, even as it has been found to favor white people and rank Black people lower.
Some experts argue it’s time to toss the vulnerability assessment altogether and look not only at health and social needs but also systemic racism, poverty, involvement in the criminal justice system, barriers to housing, and other economic drivers that influence, and in some cases cause, homelessness. Several U.S. communities are revamping their vulnerability assessment systems to reduce racial disparities and help more Black people get housing.
In Los Angeles, officials are launching an effort to use artificial intelligence to better assess whether someone should be prioritized for placement, in part by looking at overpolicing of Black people and discrimination in health care. In Las Vegas, officials are revamping their vulnerability assessment to give higher scores for systemic problems including incarceration. In Austin, Texas, officials are testing a system to account for people displaced by gentrification.
“We need to own the racism that is embedded in our systems,” said Quiana Fisher, vice president of homelessness response systems for the lead agency in Travis County, Texas, which includes Austin. “It’s not just about the tool — it’s about funding, and it’s about program outcomes. Even if it’s unintentional, we have created a homeless response system that is rooted in racism.”
The assessment tool was first tested in Boston, where members of the homeless population were more likely to be white, male, and have a severe mental illness or substance use disorder. Black people, meanwhile, are more likely to be homeless because of economic reasons, such as poverty or joblessness, and are less likely to have a record of medical care due to higher uninsurance and less use of health care.
“This whole system was piloted on this older white population in Boston, so it does a poor job of capturing the needs of Black folks, who don’t tend to be as sick as white folks — they’re more broke,” Dones said. “The initial thought was to prioritize these people because they’re going to die sooner. It was trying to tackle mortality, but it wound up in racism.”
As a result, white people are more likely to gain housing because they tend to score more points on vulnerability assessments that rank sickness higher, including histories of chronic disease, addiction, mental illness, and emergency room visits and hospitalizations, according to national surveys. Black people, meanwhile, are less likely to have health insurance or medical diagnoses and to reveal their ailments, and are more mistrustful due to biases in the health care system. “Black folks are less likely to seek care, even with coverage, due to medical racism,” Dones said. Local leaders say part of the problem is becoming homeless in the first place and economic disadvantages that drive more Black people into homelessness, including placement in foster care and higher rates of eviction and joblessness. But once homeless, helping Black people get into stable housing becomes more elusive. In Los Angeles County, home to more homeless people than any other county in the country, 31% of homeless people are Black, though the overall Black population accounts for 9%. In Austin, Black people account for nearly 32% of the homeless population, compared with 7.6% overall. And in Clark County, which includes Las Vegas,
Black people represent 42% of the homeless population but just 12% of the overall population.
“We’ve failed to capture the complex vulnerabilities of our marginalized groups. We’re asking all these questions, but we created a waiting list to nowhere,” said Brenda Barnes, who leads the Southern Nevada Homelessness Continuum of Care.
Streets of Las Vegas
Grasping his toothbrush after cleaning up in his tent on a recent morning, Clark, 45, recalled taking his housing questionnaire this year. He ticked off responses to outreach workers that should rank him high in the queue — he lacked stable housing, has been homeless for nearly four years, and has no job or reliable income.
He’d frequented emergency rooms and had been to jail, pleading guilty to a felony theft crime he said he didn’t commit, and several times for possession of drugs and paraphernalia, he told them. He used methamphetamine, mostly to be alert at night when it became dangerous. Was he ever assaulted? Yes, especially in adulthood since becoming homeless in 2020. In reality, he hustled sometimes for a dime, and he worried he’d be targeted for taking recyclables or engaging in prostitution. “I’ve done it to get a room for a night. It’s like a last resort,” he said.
And Clark wasn’t forthcoming with outreach workers about the details of his drug use or involvement with law enforcement, that he’d sold his body for sex, that he’d experienced abuse. He couldn’t recall all the details of his medical history either. Continually fleeing law enforcement sweeps with his tent, hauling it along busy train tracks, he’s high at times, and often in a state of chaos and fear that can scramble his memory or make him fearful of arrest. He didn’t share with them his occasional thoughts of suicide or his health concerns, including possibly having diabetes.
“They asked me about drugs, I was like, um, I don’t know,” Clark said. “Like I’m supposed to tell them I got addicted to meth or sold my body for a meal and hotel room? I had no idea where this information was going or what it was being used for.” After he took the survey, no housing came.
Even those who do answer honestly find themselves competing for a limited supply of affordable housing. John Harris was sleeping under a bridge on a recent October afternoon. He said he has taken the questionnaire twice. It led nowhere.
“They asked me, have I been incarcerated? And I said yes. I’ve been to prison too many times. And I have mental health struggles,” said Harris, 59, who has been in and out of sober living shelters but still uses methamphetamine. He has been a repeat visitor to emergency rooms, and on an October afternoon recorded a high blood pressure reading that put him at risk for a heart attack — factors that should score points for vulnerability.
“I called and asked what happened with my housing. They said I didn’t score high enough,” he said. After getting his blood pressure checked by a street medicine nurse, he shrugged, saying he may just wind up back in the emergency room, as he retreated under the bridge.
“No matter what society says today, things ain’t never going to change,” he said.
‘I Don’t Know What the Solution Is’
How communities assign points to homeless people and rank them for housing is the biggest problem.
The most common questionnaire deployed by communities around the country, the VI-SPDAT, assigns points meant to gauge the vulnerability of a person living on the streets. Experts say this model was never tested as a housing assessment tool, nor meant to determine whether someone gets into housing.
“This is not a reliable instrument, and Black men consistently score the lowest for vulnerability, so they are deprioritized for housing — to get housing, you really need to score high,” said Courtney Cronley, a University of Tennessee researcher who analyzed the vulnerability assessment. Her findings were published in 2020 in the Journal of Social Distress and Homelessness.
Cronley pointed to a range of questions that exacerbate racial bias and have little to do with qualifying for housing:
How many times have you received health care in an emergency room? Have you been attacked or beaten up? Have you threatened to harm yourself or anyone else in the last year?
Does anyone force you or trick you to do things that you do not want to do? Do you exchange sex for money? Run drugs?
Experts who study the vulnerability questionnaire also point out that the racial or ethnic background of surveyors often doesn’t reflect that of the people being questioned, which can lead to inaccurate results if a respondent doesn’t feel safe or understand the survey’s purpose.
Some cities and counties are creating surveys that local homeless agencies hope will narrow racial disparities.
Clark County deployed a new vulnerability assessment in June after a 2023 secret-shopper project found the system was not connecting homeless people with housing or services, especially people of color.
“We failed in every category,” Barnes said. Formerly homeless people fanned out on the streets and in the tunnels to test whether the housing questionnaire resulted in providing housing for the most vulnerable. “All we were doing is counting people.”
Clark County’s new weighted questionnaire now considers how likely a person is to exit homelessness on their own — instead of how likely they are to die on the streets or in the tunnels. The new system assigns homeless people points in four categories to get higher in the queue for housing: whether someone is pregnant or a parent; whether they have a substance use disorder, chronic health condition, or mental health diagnosis; whether they’re 55 or older; and whether they have committed a felony or violent crime.
“Because you’re not going to get approved for a job or housing if they run a background check and there’s a criminal record,” she said, “so we want to address that in our housing system.” Still, Barnes isn’t sure Clark County will get it right this time. As of mid-November, more homeless Black people
were waiting for housing than white people. According to local data obtained through public records requests, nearly 1,500 Black people are in the county’s housing queue, compared with roughly 1,000 white people.
“I don’t know what the solution is,” Barnes said. “To be honest, the numbers may spike again.”
Los Angeles County, where an estimated 75,000 people experience homelessness, is creating a weighted tool to assign more points for factors that disproportionately affect people of color.
If someone has been incarcerated or detained by law enforcement, instead of getting one point, a homeless person would score five, moving them up on the housing list, said Eric Rice, a social scientist and professor at the University of Southern California.
“We are assigning more points to structural inequities,” said Rice, who is helping develop the new questionnaire.
Los Angeles County also plans to assign more points for drug use and for having HIV, which affects Black men more than any other group. New HIV diagnoses for Black adults were eight times those of white people, according to research by KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News.
Homelessness coordinators have also revamped their vulnerability assessment in Travis County, Texas, where a Black resident is six times as likely to fall into homelessness as a white person.
The county’s homelessness agency, according to Fisher, looked at historically Black neighborhoods in Austin that had been gentrified and scored homeless people higher if they’d lived in those areas but were now homeless.
“If you lived in a place that was previously redlined or now gentrified, you got a point for that,” Fisher said. The survey also gave points for involvement in the criminal justice system, because Black people are more likely to get arrested or jailed, she said.
Some experts say the idea of using a tool to rank people should disappear altogether.
Instead, communities should have flexibility to tailor their housing resources based on the local needs and demographic makeup of their homeless populations, said Mary Frances Kenion, vice president of training and technical assistance at the National Alliance to End
Homelessness.
She said communities can cultivate trust between homeless people and outreach workers through a one-onone approach that can be more responsive to individual needs and local housing conditions, which can better determine whether someone should be moved to the top of the housing list. Kenion also encouraged federal, state, and local governments to reimagine their approach to prioritizing people for housing based not on vulnerability but economic factors like income, history of eviction, or having a felony record. She argued communities should devote more resources to stem the flow of Black people into homelessness.
“If we don’t manage to stop that,” she said, “this is just going to keep getting exponentially worse.”
This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.
Maurice Clark is homeless on the streets of Las Vegas. He took a survey that should help him get into housing, but he’s waiting. (ANGELA HART/KFF HEALTH NEWS)
Clark was given a questionnaire by two homeless-outreach workers flanked by police officers. (ANGELA HART/KFF HEALTH NEWS)
Outreach workers Bryon Johnson (center) and Nick Freddes (left) talk to Clark in October.(ANGELA HART/KFF HEALTH NEWS)
John Harris, who is homeless, has taken a housing assessment a couple of times but says he didn’t score high enough to qualify.(ANGELA HART/KFF HEALTH NEWS)
Harris gets his blood pressure checked on an October afternoon.(ANGELA HART/KFF HEALTH NEWS)
Political Playback
California Capitol News You Might Have Missed
By Bo Tefu, Joe W. Bowers Jr. and Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media
In Letter, Conservative Org Threatens Mayor Bass, Other Officials, With Imprisonment
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is one of 249 officials across the country who have been warned that they could be imprisoned for not supporting federal government efforts to detain and deport people illegally living in the United States.
The conservative non-profit America First Legal sent letters to Bass, Attorney General Rob Bonta Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell and other
California elected officials that they deem could interfere with federal immigration activities after Donald Trump is sworn-in as president on Jan. 20.
America First Legal is run by Trump’s incoming deputy Chief of Staff for policy Stephen Miller. After the election in November, Miller confirmed that he will push for the declaration of a national emergency and use the military to carry out mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.
On Nov. 12, Bass said in a written statement that the city of Los Angeles would take swift action to implement protections for immigrant communities.
“Especially in the face of growing threats to the immigrant communities here in Los Angeles, I stand with the people of this city,” Bass stated. “This moment demands urgency. Immigrant protections make our communities stronger and our city better.”
The America First Legal letter to McDonnell’s office by email was dated Dec. 23. It states that the nonprofit “identified Los Angeles as a sanctuary jurisdiction that is violating federal law.”
“Federal law is clear: aliens unlawfully present in the United States are subject to removal from the country, and it is a crime to conceal, harbor, or shield them. It is also a crime to prevent federal officials from enforcing immigration laws. These laws were duly enacted by the people’s elected representatives,” the letter reads.
Former U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee Reflects on Her Career as She Bids Farewell to Congress
Outgoing Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12)
expressed deep gratitude to her constituents and marked the end of her 26-year career in public service.
Lee, who is succeeded by Lateefah Simon, a civil rights and racial justice activist, praised people in her community for their support. She also highlighted her dedication to promoting peace, justice, and equity.
“Together, we have raised our voices and pushed the envelope for peace, justice and equity. It has been the honor of a lifetime to provide constituent services, deliver federal investments to my district, speak out, and often times be the only one to take tough votes against the tide. I have, and will continue to, fight for working families, the middle class, low income and poor people,” said Lee On her final day in Congress.
Throughout her tenure, Lee earned a reputation as a principled lawmaker, known for taking bold and sometimes unpopular stances. One of her defining moments came in 2001 when she was the sole member of Congress to vote against the Authorization for the Use of Military Force in response to the September 11 attacks, a decision that led to death threats but ultimately cemented her legacy of courage.Lee’s leadership extended beyond her own district, where she fought for social justice, the rights of low-income communities, and global health initiatives. She was a key figure in pushing for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and was a vocal critic of the Hyde Amendment, which restricts federal funding for abortion services. The Congresswoman also faced significant challenges in her career, including a failed Senate bid in 2024. Yet, Lee’s efforts have paved the way for greater representation, with
to encourage more women of color to run for office. Lee says she looks to the future confident that the next generation of leaders will continue her unfinished work, particularly on issues like military force and reproductive rights.
Gov. Newsom Announces Historic Boost to Paid Family Leave Benefits in California
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a significant increase in California’s paid family leave and disability benefits, effective Jan. 1, 2025.
“Expanded paid family leave benefits are about making it easier for Californians to care for themselves, bond with a new child, and care for their families without worrying about how they’ll pay the bills,” said Newsom about the historic change. This new policy will allow eligible workers earning less than $63,000 annually to receive up to 90% of their regular wages while on leave. Workers earning above this threshold will receive 70% of their wages, marking a substantial enhancement in support for workers needing time off to care for a sick family member, recover from an illness, or bond with a new child.
The increase, enacted under Senate Bill (SB) 951, aims to make it more affordable for California workers to take time off for critical life events such as pregnancy, childbirth, recovery
celebrated the law’s passage, highlighting its importance for middle and low-income workers who will now receive up to 90% of their wages while on leave. The Employment Development Department (EDD) also lauded the policy, noting its role in strengthening California’s workforce and improving the lives of millions of workers. The new benefits apply to claims filed on or after Jan. 1, 2025, while claims filed in 2024 will continue at the 2024 rates of 60% to 70%.
Gov. Newsom Looks Back at 2024 Milestones; Presents Vision for 2025
In a recent video address, Gov. Gavin Newsom shared key moments that shaped California in 2024. He emphasized achievements in tourism, technology, public safety, and environmental resilience while underscoring the state’s ability to tackle challenges head-on. Newsom opened by recounting his announcement from atop the Golden Gate Bridge of $150.4 billion in record-breaking visitor spending. He reflected on signing a bill with singer Demi Lovato to protect young content creators from financial exploitation and celebrated the Olympic flag transfer ceremony, signifying California’s preparation for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
Focusing on innovation, Newsom praised NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang for his leadership in advancing generative AI. He showcased the transformation of an abandoned mall into a quantum computing center in L.A. that addresses global challenges. He also highlighted the ARCHES coalition’s work on green hydrogen, aiming to decarbonize California’s industries. On clean transportation, Newsom emphasized California’s leadership with over 2 million electric vehicles sold and a statewide network of 150,000 public chargers. He spoke about joining Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi to celebrate the long-awaited electrification of Caltrain, linking San Francisco to San Jose.
In climate resilience, Newsom spotlighted the removal of the Klamath Dam, the largest project of its kind in U.S. history, restoring salmon migration and tribal lands. He discussed agreements with Italy and Pope Francis to address greenhouse gas emissions and praised the legislature’s action to increase transparency and hold oil companies accountable for gas price spikes.
Turning to health, housing, and education, Newsom outlined progress on Proposition 1 to improve mental health care, legislative efforts to increase housing construction, and the expansion of universal free school meals for all public-school students.
Public safety highlights included combating fentanyl trafficking, expanding the California Highway Patrol, and addressing organized retail theft through new legislation. Newsom also celebrated the state’s balanced budget for both the current and upcoming fiscal years. Referring to his detailed budget presentations, he joked about them being his “yearly Super Bowl,” highlighting the importance he places on fiscal responsibility.
The Governor closed by reflecting on 2024 as a year defined by resilience and optimism, crediting California’s ability to navigate polarization and overcome challenges. He emphasized the importance of preserving California’s values of innovation and inclusiveness while continuing to invest in communities, infrastructure, and equity as the state looks ahead to 2025.
U.S. District Court Temporarily Blocks California’s Law Aiming to Protect Children from Social Media Addiction
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted a request by advocates for free expression and free enterprise on the Internet to halt a California’s internet surveillance law, Senate Bill (SB) 976, from going into effect on Jan. 1, 2025. Supporters of the legislation say it protects youth from social media addiction.
NetChoice, an advocacy group that promotes freedom of choice on the internet, filed the lawsuit with the District Court. The court issued a stay that now allows the case, NetChoice v. Bonta (2024), to head to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
“While we are disappointed that the District Court did not grant our entire preliminary injunction, we are glad it agreed to issue this temporary stay while we appeal,” said Paul Taske, NetChoice Associate Director of Litigation in a statement.
“We look forward to seeing California in the Ninth Circuit to yet again stop the state from creating an online censorship regime.”
Responding, California Attorney General Rob Bonta says he is pleased “the court understands the importance of giving California’s families choice.”
“California’s landmark law allows young people to intentionally develop the relationship they want with social media, rather than the relationship that is most profitable for companies using tricks and traps to glue young people’s eyes to their screens,” Bonta said in a Dec. 31 statement.