Bakersfield News Observer 1.25.23

Kern County Board of Education Approves CAAT Petition

News Observer Cops Search Black California Teens Six Times More Than White Peers

The U.S. Department of Education Announced

$63 Million in School Grants

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

The U.S. Department of Education announced $63 million in new five-year Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) grants to support 42 local educational agencies, non-profits, and other public or private organizations and institutions of higher education working to expand existing community schools or to establish new programs in eight new states and territories. Those locations include Alabama, Alaska, Louisiana, Maryland, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Puerto Rico. Additionally, the District of Columbia Public Schools received a $492,000 capacity building and development grant. The Department of Education said it is working to create new programs or expand existing community schools. “Meeting the needs of the whole child is essential to help America’s students grow academically and improve their well-being,” officials said in a news release. DOE officials said that’s why the BidenHarris Administration remains committed to supporting community school models across the country, which provide comprehensive support to the nation’s students, their families, and communities. They said community schools meet the unique needs of the neighborhoods they serve by bringing services into school buildings through local non-profit, private sector, and agency partnerships. This includes services such as high-quality tutoring, health, mental health and nutrition services, and high-quality early learning programs, among others, for students and the community. “Community Schools are an essential component of accelerating our students’ learning and supporting their social, emotional, and mental health, and deepening community partnerships,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “At the height of the pandemic, community schools connected students and families with vital nutrition assistance, mental, physical, and other health services, and expanded learning opportunities,” Cardona added. He continued: “This work continues today because we know that students learn best when there is a comprehensive and holistic approach to meeting their needs. “I am thrilled that through the historic investment we’re announcing now, the Department is funding the largest cohort of grantees in the history of this grant program. “This represents a huge step toward the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of doubling the number

of Full-Service Community Schools across the country and raising the bar for our support of children.” This year’s grant competition received the largest number of applications in the program’s history, which officials said showed how important it is to have a support system in place to address students’ social, emotional, and mental health needs. The new grantees are committed to implementing the four pillars of community schools, including expanded and enriched learning time and opportunities, and integrated student supports that address out-of-school barriers to learning. It also includes active family and community engagement, and collaborative leadership and practices. The White House also released a new toolkit that shows how other government agencies, such as the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, can help. The announcement comes while Cardona visited

Selma Celebration to Go on Despite Tornado Damage

SELMA, Ala. (AP) – The annual Selma celebration that commemorates the fight for voting rights will go forward in March despite the tornado damage to the city, organizers said.

“The Bridge Crossing Jubilee is needed every year. But in light of the massive devastation in Selma, it is needed now more than ever,’’ Faya Rose Toure, a founder of the annual celebration, said in a news release.

A tornado with estimated winds of 130 mph (209 kph) swept through the city on Jan. 12, destroying houses and businesses. The area, along with others in the South impacted by the storms, was declared a major disaster area.

The Bridge Crossing Jubilee will take place from March 2 to March 5, organizers said.

“We need all the help we can get to overcome the devastation wrought by this tornado. We need as many people as possible to come to Selma during The Bridge Crossing Jubilee to see the devastation so that they can help,’’ Dallas County Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn said.

The annual event remembers Bloody Sunday, the March 7, 1965 day when white state troopers attacked Black voting rights marchers attempting to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Two weeks later, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. led demonstrators out of Selma on a march to the Alabama Capitol. The marches and images of the violence shocked the nation and helped galvanize support for passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Turner Elementary School in Washington D.C., one of two District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) where FSCS funding will ensure a strong pipeline of services. The administration said it would further demonstrate the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to providing a high-quality education for all students. DCPS is one of the 42 local educational agencies, non-profits, or other public or private entities and institutions of higher education to receive this funding. The Department conducted robust outreach to expand interest, and almost half of grantees in this cohort are first-time grantees, DOE officials stated. “Notably, this cohort includes the first set of grantees in the history of the program that have expressed a commitment to scaling the community school model across the grantee’s state. With this award, the Department has awarded FSCS grants in 20 states and territories.”

Jan 31 is Deadline for Signing Up for Health Insurance in California

The open enrollment period for Californians to secure health insurance plans ends on Jan. 31, Depending on your situation, there are multiple options to explore when searching for a plan that is best for you through Covered California.

Covered California is the state’s health exchange marketplace created to get Californians quality health insurance through brand name plans like Kaiser Permanente, BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna and many others.

One option is to buy a plan through Covered California. If you qualify for a tax credit to help offset your premiums, you may want to buy a plan through the marketplace. Qualifying usually depends on your income and household size. Your total household income must be between 128% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

Another option is to renew or change your current plan. During the open enrollment period, you can renew your existing plan. You won’t have to do anything if you

want to keep what you have. But if your current plan is changing — for instance, your Primary Care Physician (PCP) is leaving the network, or your drugs aren’t in the list of covered medications — then you may want to switch to a plan that best suits your current needs. If you need to change policies, the open enrollment period is the best time.

You can also enroll in Medi-Cal. If your income is below 128% of the FPL, you qualify for Medi-Cal, which is Medicaid for Californians.

“The pandemic took a toll on us in so many ways, including our behavioral and mental health, which are critical to our ability to live happy, healthy and productive lives,” said Jessica Altman, executive director of Covered California. “Getting the right behavioral health care starts with making sure people have health insurance with access to quality providers, and that can be done right now through Covered California’s open enrollment.”

Cameron Nelson is an artist and painter living in San Diego who plans to enroll with Covered California.

“As an independent artist I am the one responsible for finding healthcare since I don’t have a traditional job where

it’s provided for me. Many of my friends who make a living off their art don’t have plans because they think it is too expensive to cover on their own. I’ve found the options the state provides to be helpful in my situation and I hope that my example can encourage other sole proprietors to do the same.”

The only other way to buy an insurance plan outside of open enrollment is to qualify for special enrollment. This timeframe is called the Special Enrollment Period (SEP). This exception allows you to apply for health insurance if you’ve had certain qualifying life events, such as losing your job, moving to a new state, getting married or divorced, becoming a widow or widower, aging off your parent’s plan or having a new baby.

You won’t be eligible for special enrollment if you lost your previous health plan because you failed to pay your monthly premiums or if you voluntarily cancelled the coverage.

Visit Health for California to get more information on plans that work best for you before the deadline arrives.

The commemoration draws visitors to Selma, including politicians paying homage to on of the key moments in the civil rights movement. Vice President Kamala Harris spoke last year in Selma. Then-President Barack Obama in 2015 gave a speech at the foot of the city’s Edmund Pettus Bridge to mark the 50th anniversary of the civil rights marches from Selma to Montgomery.

Former Sen. Hank Sanders, a founder of the annual commemoration, said the celebration will likely look somewhat different this year. He said there will be a focus on not just rebuilding Selma but striving for the “beloved community,” a phrase popularized by King to describe a community of justice and cooperation.

“With all of this devastation, it’s not something the people of Selma can do by themselves. It’s going to take people from all over the country,’’ Sanders said.

Reports of Hate Crimes Have Grown in New Hampshire

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – The number of hate crime complaints being reported New Hampshire has grown in the nearly six years since the state set up a dedicated civil rights unit in the attorney general’s office. The office received 187 hate crime complaints statewide in 2022, up from 40 complaints in 2018, according to Sean Locke, director of the Civil Rights Unit.

Locke told WMUR-TV his office is seeing acts related to race, sexual orientation and other marginalized groups among the complaints.

He said some cases are testing the limits of the First Amendment.

“Every time they are successful, it emboldens them, it emboldens others to engage in similar conduct, and I think that’s why we are seeing more,’’ he said.

Earlier this week, the state filed civil rights violations against what the Anti-Defamation League calls a New England-based neo-Nazi group and two members accused of displaying “Keep New England White’’ banners from an overpass in Portsmouth last year.

The group, identified as the Nationalist Social Club, also known as NSC-131, said it was being charged “for hanging a banner bearing a slogan protected by The First Amendment on public property.”

Lawsuit Claims Woman’s Death Stemmed from Disneyland Fall

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) – A lawsuit claims

Disneyland employees snickered at a disabled woman struggling to get off a Jungle Cruise boat before she fell and broke a leg, leading to her death from an infection five months later.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court in November by the family of Joanne Aguilar, 66, of Ventura, against the Walt Disney Company, its theme park division and Disneyland, the Southern California News Group reported this week.

In a response filed with the court Dec. 29, Disney denied the allegations and said it is seeking a jury trial, the news group reported.

According to the lawsuit, Aguilar went to Disneyland on Aug. 22, 2021, with her adult daughters Andrea Mallul and Zenobia Hernandez.

The lawsuit says Disneyland employees at the Jungle Cruise ride told the family a wheelchair-accessible boat was unavailable and Aguilar opted to board with the assistance of her daughters.

At the end of the ride, employees “placed small unsecured blocks on top of the existing steps inside the boat to reduce the height of each step’’ and the daughters attempted to help Aguilar get out of the boat, the lawsuit says.

It claims that employees did not assist but snickered and giggled as they watched Aguilar struggle before she lost her balance on the blocks, fell backward and fractured the femur in her right leg.

Aguilar had surgery at a local hospital where she spent 10 days before moving to a rehabilitation center. According to the lawsuit, she spent five months at the center, got an infection, went into septic shock and died on Jan. 29, 2022.

The lawsuit claims wrongful death and violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It seeks monetary damages for pain, mental suffering, humiliation, medical costs and funeral expenses.

The case was assigned this month to U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney at the Santa Ana courthouse.

Edward Henderson

California Black Media

Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Lawsuit Dropped After Officials Clean up Mississippi’s Parchman Prison

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Conditions at the notorious Parchman Prison in Mississippi have “substantially improved” since Jay-Z, a hip-hop star and business mogul, filed a lawsuit demanding better conditions for the thousands of people who are locked up there. The superstar’s management company, Roc Nation, said that it would drop its lawsuit against the state Department of Corrections now that the maximumsecurity prison for men has been greatly improved. In a statement, attorney Jordan Siev, a partner at Reed Smith LLP in New York who works with Roc Nation, said, “We are happy with the changes that have been made so far and the improvements in the day-to-day lives of the guys inside.” “But we’re also aware that Parchman has a long history of lawsuits, improvements, and then conditions that get worse again,” Siev added. The Jackson, Mississippi, newspaper Clarion Ledger says that the Justice Department started looking into Parchman in 2020 after watchdog groups said there was more violent crime, less control over gangs, and living conditions that were less than human. Built on an old slave plantation, Parchman is said to have broken numerous constitutional statutes. Leaked cell phone footage from inside the prison at the start of the coronavirus pandemic showed that inmates were living in places that were flooded, full of bugs, and full of rats. Mold was everywhere in the building, and the food was often rotten or, at the very least, unhealthy. In 2020, Daniele

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. (NNPA Photo)

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Selby wrote for The Innocence Project that slavery, racist Jim Crow laws, and hateful lynchings have left a legacy of mass incarceration and a disproportionate number of Black people in jail. “Nowhere is that more clear than in prisons like the Mississippi State Penitentiary, also known as Parchman Farm, and Louisiana’s Angola Prison, which were built on and modeled after slave plantations and where several Innocence Project clients have been locked up,” Selby determined. She went on to say, “Racial bias and discrimination have always been a part of the criminal justice and law enforcement system, and they still are at every level of the system today. With your help, the Innocence Project is determined to fix these problems.” As a result of Roc Nation’s lawsuit and a subsequent – and ongoing – DOJ investigation, prison officials said they would make changes like giving the medical center at Parchman two working ambulances instead of an old van; installing new stainless-steel showers, toilets, and sinks; upgrading the heating, air conditioning, ventilation, and plumbing systems; adding basketball, flag football, and boxing as recreational activities; replacing broken tiles and getting rid of mold; and putting up a new fence around the property. “We are pleased that improvements have been made inside,” Siev asserted, noting that Roc Nation may revisit the suit if officials allow the prison to deteriorate again. “But we’re also not going to take our foot off the gas.”

National Co-Chair of No Labels

By Stacy M.

Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent No Labels, a nonprofit think tank that describes itself as a national movement of Democrats, Republicans, and independents working to solve the country’s most complex problems, has named Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. as its national co-chair. The formal announcement occurred during a Zoom news conference on January 22. It included welcome messages from Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia), and former Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, among others. Recording star Deborah Cox opened the introductory news conference by performing a spirited song about No Labels, who created the bipartisan House Problem Solvers Caucus and an allied Senate group that led passage of some of the most important legislation of recent years, including the CHIPS Act, a gun safety bill, and a rewrite of the Electoral Count Act in 2022. Voiceovers were woven in of former U.S. Presidents from John F. Kennedy to Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. The organization then played a tribute video that included Dr. Chavis’ family and his legendary career as a civil rights leader.

“As the new co-chair of No Labels, I’m proud to continue to be the president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association on the 196th anniversary of the Black Press of America,” Dr. Chavis stated. “Working with former Sen. Joseph Lieberman and

former Gov. Larry Hogan as co-chairs, I believe this will lift up the Black Press of America and elevate its visibility in the American mainstream politics, business, economics, and public policy that will affect the quality of life in the communities in which we serve.” Dr. Chavis continued. “As a veteran of the civil rights movement, during the last six decades, I’ve learned a few things about the importance of people working together across lines of race, ethnicity, language, geography, and the things that divide us. I want to work on things that unite us as Americans. I believe No Labels offers that opportunity but also that responsibility to move forward.” Lieberman, a former U.S. Senator from Connecticut, who changed parties in 2006 and is now an Independent, said No Labels is fortunate to have Dr. Chavis on board. “Based on his history as a civil rights leader and the kind of person he is, I’m thrilled. Dr. Chavis has always been a bridge-builder and will bring civility, which is sorely needed in our government and our country,” Lieberman asserted. Hogan, who served two terms as Maryland governor, also congratulated Dr. Chavis. “I’m thrilled to congratulate Dr. Chavis and welcome him to No Labels. I know Dr. Chavis will be a great addition to the leadership team of No Labels,” Hogan stated. “He shares our commitment to bringing people together to achieve common sense solutions for all Americans. Having worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dr. Chavis knows what it means to fight for freedom

and respect for all Americans, and that’s exactly what No Labels stand for,” Hogan concluded. Manchin, the conservative-leaning Democrat, said he got involved with No Labels more than 12 years ago because the organization works to unite America.

“We’re still working to unite this country,” Manchin declared. “What we’ve done in the last two years in a bipartisan way because of No Labels has been [major]. “So I’m thrilled to have the experience of Dr. Chavis and the wealth of knowledge he’s gained over the years that he’ll share with us to help make us a more perfect union.” In welcoming Dr. Chavis, Collins, Maine’s longestserving Senator, lent her voice. “As a highly respected civil rights leader, his service alongside Sen. Lieberman and Gov. Hogan will help move our organization and nation forward,” Collins insisted. “Dr. Chavis has dedicated his life to championing equality and encouraging our nation to live up to its ideals. He believes in American unity, democracy, and opportunity for all.” Dr. Chavis said his life’s work had taught him that if everyone works together, divisions can be overcome. “And when we overcome divisions, we make progress,” he insisted. “I believe we need to restore bipartisanship in the American Congress. We need to restore bipartisanship at the state legislative level. “We need to restore bipartisanship at the local and municipal level. Americans today are worn out with all the divisions and looking for a way forward. No Labels offer that way forward.”

Biden-Harris Tout Record

Small Business Growth President Says ‘Best Days Ahead’

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Recent Census numbers show that the Biden-Harris administration set a new high for the number of new small businesses created. The U.S. SBA administrator, Isabella Guzman, stated that the rate of new business applications in 2022 was slightly lower than in 2021, but still showed excellent growth under President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. According to Guzman, “Small business applications hit a high of 10.5 million since the start of this administration, the largest in any two years in our nation’s history.” The report’s authors state, “Steady and consistent growth, as well as unprecedented investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, and R&D, present enormous prospects for America’s entrepreneurs.” Small businesses, Biden said in a statement, are “the engines of our economy and the heartbeat of our

communities.” According to data released on Jan. 17, “we learned that my first two years in office have been the two greatest years for new small company applications, with more than 10 million total new businesses created,” Biden noted. The president added that the news provides more evidence that his economic plan is helping to strengthen the middle class and the economy as a whole. Guzman said that tens of thousands of businesses were struggling to stay operational when Biden was elected. According to her, Americans have been creating businesses and employment at unprecedented rates since the economic recovery began. Guzman claimed that “the SBA and the Biden-Harris Administration continue to retool vital federal small business support programs and services to expand access to capital, provide much-needed trusted networks for technical assistance and training, and help America’s entrepreneurs seek new revenue opportunities

from transformational legislation,” such as the president’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Biden said there are reasons for economic confidence all around the country because of the historically low unemployment rate and the two strongest years of job growth in history. He stated that revitalizing America’s infrastructure and supply networks would be essential in the long-term success of the country’s small companies. The president called House Republicans “sad” because they have made defending affluent tax cheats their main legislative goal. He argued that his plan to crack down on corporations that cheat on their taxes will also help level the playing field for small businesses. “I will continue to work with anybody from either party, in Congress or in the states, to implement my economic agenda and build our economy from the bottom up and middle out. And I am convinced America’s best days are ahead,” Biden said.

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The superstar’s management company, Roc Nation, said that it would drop its lawsuit against the state Department of Corrections now that the maximum-security prison for men has been greatly improved.

Entertainment

Drake Delivers Nostalgia, Teases New Music at Apollo Show

By GARY GERARD HAMILTON Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) – It's easy to forget how many hit songs Drake created in his nearly 15-year musical career. But he presented an emphatic reminder with an intimate concert at Harlem's Apollo Theater on Saturday, his firstever show at the legendary venue.

During the performance, the four-time Grammy winner teased that new music could be on the way, despite releasing two albums last year.

“I thought about a bunch of things in life, but at this moment in time, none of those things are stopping making music for you,'' Drake told the doting crowd. “I hope I can strike up some more emotions for you, maybe this year _ I might get bored and make another one.''

The first night of two Apollo weekend shows presented by SiriusXM, featured the 36-year-old ripping off songs at a frantic pace _ most with just a verse and chorus _ satisfying day-one fans with fan-favorite, deep non-radio cuts as well as those only familiar with his No. 1 hits. The recorded performances will air on Drake's SiriusXM Sound 42 channel in the coming weeks.

Noting this was his first show in about five years and later stating “I'll be out and about on the road a lot this year,'' Spotify's most-streamed artist in the U.S. last year told his captivated audience the show was about gratefulness.

“I wanted to make this a show about gratitude,” Drake said. “This is a little story we put together: my deep love for my family, for my dear friends and each and every one of you that have been supporting me for a long time.''

Donning cornrows while wearing baggy jeans and a blue and yellow Jimmy Brooks basketball jersey _ a nod to his days as an actor on the teen drama series “Degrassi'' _ Drake opened the performance with “Over My Dead Body'' as celebrity guests such as Justin and Hailey Bieber,

Concern Over NYC Police Filming of People Leaving Drake Show

NEW YORK (AP) – Some audience members leaving a concert by Drake at a Manhattan theater came outside to see a New York Police Department officer filming those filing out, raising concerns from privacy advocates over what would be done with the footage.

The NYPD said Monday the video would only be used for a social media post, but there were still calls for the material to be deleted.

Music writer Jon Caramanica of The New York Times posted on Twitter on Saturday night that the NYPD was filming those leaving the show at the Apollo Theater, putting up a video showing an officer seemingly recording

those coming out.

In a statement, the department said the officer was part of the social media team for the local precinct and was getting video for a social media post about local events.

“The video will not be utilized for any other reason,”the department said.

But the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, a New York City-based group that focuses on privacy and civil rights, called the videotaping “highly concerning” and that attendees were being surveilled without their consent. It demanded the video be destroyed.

By JAKE COYLE AP Film Writer

NEW YORK (AP) – James Cameron’s “Avatar: The Way of Water’’ led ticket sales in movie theaters for the sixth straight weekend, making it the first film to have such a sustained reign atop the box office since 2009’s “Avatar.”

The Walt Disney Co.’s “The Way of Water’’ added $19.7 million in U.S. and Canadian theaters over the weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. Its global total has now surpassed $2 billion, putting it sixth alltime and just ahead of “Spider-Man: No Way Home.’’ Domestically, “The Way of Water’’ is up to $598 million. Continued robust international sales ($56.3 million for the weekend) has helped push the “Avatar’’ sequel to $2.024 billion worldwide.

A year ago, “Spider-Man: No Way Home’’ also topped the box office for six weekends, but did it over the course of seven weeks. You have to go back to Cameron’s original “Avatar’’ to find a movie that stayed No. 1 for such a long span. (“Avatar” ultimately topped out at seven weeks.)

Before that, the only film in the past 25 years to manage the feat was another Cameron film; “Titanic’’ (1997) went undefeated for 15 weeks.

“The Way of Water’’ has now reached a target that Cameron himself set for the very expensive sequel. Ahead of its release, Cameron said becoming “the third or fourth highest-grossing film in history’’ was “your break even.”

The box-office domination for “The Way of Water’’ has been aided, in part, by a dearth of formidable challengers. The only new wide release from a major studio on the weekend was the thriller “Missing,” from Sony’s Screen Gems and Stage 6 Films. A low-budget sequel to 2018’s “Searching,” starring Storm Reid as a teenager seeking her missing mother, “Missing’’ plays out across computer screens. The film, budgeted at $7 million, debuted with

$9.3 million.

January is typically a slow period in theaters, but a handful of strong-performing holdovers have helped prop up sales.

Though it didn’t open hugely in December, Universal Pictures’ “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’’ has had long legs as one of the only family options in theaters over the last month. In its fifth week, it came in second place with $11.5 million domestically and $17.8 million overseas. The “Puss in Boots” sequel has grossed $297.5 million globally.

The creepy doll horror hit “M3gan,’’ also from Universal, has likewise continued to pull in moviegoers. It notched $9.8 million in its third week, bringing its domestic haul to $73.3 million.

And while the popularity of horror titles in theaters is nothing new, Sony Pictures’ “A Man Called Otto,” starring Tom Hanks, has flourished in a marketplace that’s been trying for adult-oriented dramas. The film, a remake of the Swedish film “A Man Called Ove,’’ about a retired man whose suicide plans are continually foiled by his neighbors, made $9 million in its second week of wide release. It’s taken in $35.3 million domestically through Sunday.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.

“Avatar: The Way of Water,” $19.7 million. 2. “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,’’ $11.5 million. 3.

“M3gan,’’ $9.8 million 4. “Missing,’’ $9.3 million.

“A Man Called Otto,’’ $9 million.

He also sang his most popular deep cut, “Marvin's Room,'' as the standing-room only crowd joined him word-for-word before transitioning into his hook from Timbaland's “Say Something'' as the “Marvin's Room'' beat continued.

As the bedroom set dimmed and the light shifted to the left side of the stage, revealing a board room, Drake changed into a black leather hoodie with his OVO owl symbol. The rapper stood in front of a performer playing a record label exec who skeptically noted it was “interesting'' he was a rapper from Canada, before saying, “Alright, let's see what you got.'' (Drake would later remind the crowd how every major record label in New York passed on him.)

Starting with “Best I Ever Had,'' the R&B smash that jump-started his career, he continued his musical journey with early Young Money-era hits such as Headlines, “HYFR,'' “Started From the Bottom'' and “I'm on One.'' The crowd also two-stepped to his more danceable records like “Massive'' from last year's “Honestly, Nevermind'' project, as well as “Hold On, We're Going Home,'' “One Dance,'' “Passionfruit'' and “In My Feelings.''

The final leg of the 90-minute set opened with a surprise performance by the popular early 2000s Harlem rap collective, The Diplomats, which featured Drake wearing Cam'ron's signature pink hoodie and headband. He was then joined by 21 Savage to perform songs such as “Rich Flex,'' “Spin Bout You'' and “Knife Talk'' from their joint project, “Her Loss,'' released in November.

The longtime tagline for the Apollo is “Where Stars are Born and Legends are Made!'' So it was either strategic or serendipitous that he ended the show with “Legend.'' While it might be too soon to drape him with the legend moniker in the manner that Apollo Walk of Fame icons such Michael Jackson, Prince, Aretha Franklin James Brown carry, he left no doubt that he is well on his way.

former NBA MVP and current Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant, NFL star Odell Beckham Jr., rappers A$AP Ferg and A Boogie wit da Hoodie watched. Sitting on a bed positioned stage-right, modeled after

his bedroom in his mom's Toronto basement where he said he wrote songs, Drake belted out many of his downtempo, B-side hits such as “Wu-Tang Forever,'' “Trust Issues,'' “Practice'' and “Feel No Ways.''

Asm. Chris Holden Wants More Rights, Revenue Sharing for College Athletes

California Black Media

At a press conference held at the Pasadena Rose Bowl last week, Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 252, called the College Athletic Protection Act.

If the Legislature passes the bill, it will expand and reinforce protections for college athletes, says Holden, who also serves as Assembly Appropriations Committee chair.

“As a former college basketball player at San Diego State, I know how close you can come to an injury taking away not only the game you love to play, but also your opportunity to finish college,” said Holden. “So, we look at this bill as going further and establishing some important safeguards for athletes as they are out there enjoying what they love to do, but also getting a degree.”

In 2019, Holden introduced a similar bill, the college Athlete Civil Rights Act, which was signed into law by Gov. Newsom. That bill required schools in the state to inform student athletes about their rights and made it illegal for schools to retaliate against athletes who report the school for violations of any kind.

Holden represents Assembly District 41, where Pasadena, “The City of Champions,” is the political center. It is a town that prides itself on its appreciation for sports and the many accomplished athletes who have called the area home, including baseball great Jackie Robinson and several NFL players who have excelled in various sports and made it to the Super Bowl, according to the Pasadena Sports Hall of Fame website.

Holden described AB 252 as “comprehensive.” He told California Black Media at the Rose Bowl press conference, that it will require colleges to set aside $25,000 in tuition for athletes who are not fairly compensated annually to cover the cost of game-related injuries. It will also require that Division1 schools set aside 50% of sports revenue to pay athletes as well as make it easier to report abuses and inform their student athletes of their rights.

While other state and federal bills have dealt with the

needs of college athletes in a piecemeal fashion, Holden says, this bill comes with a built-in way to enforce it.

A 21-member watchdog group, called the College Athletic Protection (CAP) panel, will oversee enforcement of the bill’s requirements and ensure that schools are reporting their athletic program’s finances. The board will have the power to enforce the provisions in the new bill and mete out discipline to violators.

The financial responsibility of the schools remains tied to annual revenue reports made to the United States Department of Education. For example, institutions reporting revenue over $20 million will pay for “out of pocket sports-related medical expenses” while colleges reporting over $50 million in revenue will also provide “nationally portable primary medical insurance” to each athlete, according to the language in the bill.

Ramogi Huma, the executive director of the National College Players Association, is a former football player at UCLA and has been a longtime advocate of college athletes.

He was introduced by Holden as a “partner” in crafting the bill.

Huma pointed out the difficulties faced by Black athletes and the exploitative nature of some of the NCAA rules, many of which were highlighted in a 2020 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research, which looked at basketball and football. It found that the system funnels funds away Black and students from low-income backgrounds.

Huma was quick to call the NCAA business model illegal using “amateurism” to “strip wealth” from Black athletes.

“The NCAA and its colleges do nothing about the trail of seriously injured abused and dead college athletes. This unchecked abuse is not an oversight – it’s by design,” said Huma.

Huma’s organization supports the bill, and, in his speech, he talked about player safety and fair market value as important parts of helping student athletes. He referred

to the bill as a step to ending what he characterizes as “exploitation” by the NCAA.

The bill requires those students who are not receiving “fair market” value to have a graduation fund created for them every year which will apply to tuition – even if they can no longer play. Making graduation a goal for student athletes, the bill’s supporters say, is pivotal because data shows many students are spending long hours training to the detriment of their education or forced to play with serious injuries for fear of losing a scholarship.

Amy LeClaire was a college gymnast and victim of sexual assault at San Jose State in 2016. She and over two dozen other victims settled with the college, according to Jemma Dunn, her attorney. LeClair was abused by her coach and her trainer, and the college failed to report the abuse, the lawsuit alleged.

Several of the working conditions LeClair endured will also be addressed by the bill. Ensuring athletes can complete medical treatment and providing ways to report abuse without repercussion are both included in the language.

“I have witnessed firsthand the depths and complexities of institutional cover ups. Universities have not earned the privilege of operating unchecked, nor have they earned the benefit of the doubt,” said LeClair. “I entered the Institute as knowing the risks of a high-level sport, but never imagined the dangers of the institution itself.”

Not everyone will be happy if the bill passes. The NCAA has asked the federal government to block many of the Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) laws being passed by states and claims that these types of laws undermine their ability to regulate this billion-dollar industry, according to Linda Livingstone, the NCAA’s Board of Governors chair who was quoted in Fortune magazine.

Livingstone said in cases involving NIL disagreements, said, “We already see that state legislators will take action that they believe will give the universities in their states a competitive edge over their neighbors.”

Elisha Guidry is a recent graduate from UCLA and

was a student athlete for the Bruins. As a recent graduate, he has a hopeful view on how the bill will affect students.

“I want to thank all student athletes out there past current and future,” said Guidry. “Our hard work and dedication on and off the field has gone unnoticed. This bill is a step in the right direction to improving things for us now and in the future to come.”

First President and CEO at NCNW Named

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) said that Shavon Arline-Bradley would be the first president and CEO of the organization. After 88 years, the organization said it has changed its governance structure to work more efficiently. Dr. A. Lois Keith, the new board chair of NCNW, said, “We’re excited to have Shavon as our new president and CEO.” “She is an extraordinary communicator, and her expertise in the areas of public health and social justice is impressive.” Keith predicted that Arline-Bradley would do better than expected because “these are the areas in which NCNW would like to continue, as we bridge the generational gap.” Arline-Bradley is an ordained minister with 21 years of experience in healthcare, equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), government affairs, and executive leadership. She’s the founder and CEO of R.E.A.C.H. Beyond Solutions, a public health, advocacy, and executive leadership firm that promotes EDI, political and organizational strategy, risk management, government affairs, and technical assistance. Under her direction, the firm’s gross profit grew exponentially in 5 years by broadening its client base to include federal government, foundation, corporate, nonprofit, and political candidate entities in the United States and Netherlands. Before she started her firm, she worked as a senior advisor and director of external engagement in the Obama Administration’s Department of Health and Human Services for the 19th U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy. Before she started her firm, she worked as a senior advisor and director of external engagement in the Obama Administration’s Department of Health and Human Services for the 19th U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy. In a press

release, the organization said that Arline-Bradley cofounded The Health Equity Cypher Group because she wanted to advance EDI and improve the health and social outcomes of the most vulnerable people. That group is made up of health leaders who work to advance EDI and executive leadership in all sectors, officials stated. As president and chairman of Delta for Women in Action, a 501(c)4 organization, Arline-Bradley works as a community advocate. As president and chairman of Delta for Women in Action, a 501(c)4 organization, Arline-Bradley works as a community advocate. Arline-Bradley is also a member of the advisory board for the Oprah Winfrey Network initiative “OWN Your Health.” She is also a member of the American Public Health Association, Links, Inc., and Jack & Jill of America, Inc., all of which she remains involved with. She is also a member of the American Public Health Association, Links, Inc., and Jack & Jill of America, Inc., all of which she remains involved with. A southern New Jersey native, Arline-Bradley attended Tulane University where she received a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public health. Later, she earned a Master of Divinity from Virginia Union University’s Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology and became a minister. Additionally, Arline-Bradley obtained an Executive Certificate in Business Management from Howard University and an Executive Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University. Additionally, Arline-Bradley obtained an Executive Certificate in Business Management from Howard University and an Executive Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University. “This is an exciting time for NCNW. Shavon is a person of vision, with tremendous ideas, a broad outreach, and a flawless work record that will be recognized for years to come,” said Dr. Thelma T. Daley, NCNW immediate past president

and chair, the last individuals to hold the combined position in the organization’s history. At the 60th Biennial National Convention of the NCNW, which was held in December 2022, officials said that Daley “skillfully led the assembled delegates in passing the bylaws to allow the organization founded in 1935 to be restructured.” In a news release, officials said, “This is the first time NCNW has designated separate leadership roles electing a board chair and hiring a president/CEO serving in a salaried position.” Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole suggested a new structure for NCNW where the chair would oversee bringing the board together to do its work, which will be focused on governance and making big decisions “to set a tone for carrying out the vision and mission of NCNW.” “With this structure, NCNW will be an even better civil rights and women’s rights group,” Cole said in the press release. “We are in an intensely difficult time in our country. A time when there are constant challenges to the fundamental rights of women, people of color, and all marginalized communities.” She went on to say, “At such a time as this, a deeply challenging time such as this, NCNW is so fortunate to have Shavon Arline-Bradley as our president and CEO; for she is a deeply admired and an effective leader in our on-going struggle for justice and equity.” Arline-Bradley is scheduled to begin her new job in March. “It is just very exciting, very exciting that a person under 50 is coming in to lead the organization, communicating to the public that NCNW is moving into the 21st century,” Daley added. “NCNW is vital. NCNW is up to date. No one is cast aside. All will work together as a unit for justice the way Dr. Bethune and Dr. Height would have like to bring us together. The idea of leaving no one behind.”

A Painful and Still-Present Memory: Honoring the Lives of Holocaust Victims

Holocaust education worldwide.

In Jewish communities, January 27 is known as Yom HaShoah. Families and communities will often light Yahrzeit candles -- Yahrzeit means anniversary (specifically related to someone’s death) -- to honor those who were murdered in the Holocaust. The candle burns for 24 hours, and it is custom to light it at sundown on the day before Yom HaShoah. Occasionally, electric Yahrzeit candles are used as a substitute and are plugged into a wall in places like hospitals, for safety reasons.

In Los Angeles, at the Holocaust Museum LA, visitors can see firsthand artifacts that were personal items from survivors and other memorabilia. This museum, founded in 1961, is the oldest survivor-founded Holocaust exhibit in the United States that is solely focused on the impact of the mass genocide. The experience is free for students, and the museum offers tours, educational programs, and conversations with survivors meant to inspire critical thinking and show the Holocaust’s current social relevance.

Morgan Blum Schneider, Director of the Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS) Holocaust Center, says that she is dedicated to raising social awareness about Jewish history and inspiring social responsibility.

“The JFCS Holocaust Center was founded by Holocaust survivors through perseverance and determination to fight antisemitism. We continue to share their testimony with thousands of students each year,” said Schneider. “This week, in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day and every week throughout the year, the JFCS Holocaust Center works in partnership with CA teachers to bring lessons of the Holocaust and genocide into classrooms throughout California to inspire social responsibility and moral courage in today’s youth.”

For some, it may be hard to imagine barely escaping alive from one of the biggest mass genocides in world history, or hearing stories about family members who were the victims of a catastrophe of that magnitude. But for Jewish Americans living in California that scenario is a painful and present truth that they live with, respectfully acknowledging and memorializing it every year.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day (IHRD), commemorated yearly on January 27, is a Memorial Day established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005 to honor victims (and their families) who suffered from the German genocide that lasted more than a decade. According to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the day of commemoration was established for several purposes. Among them are serving as an official date to honor victims of the Nazi regime and promoting

The JFCS Holocaust Center is a program of Jewish Family and Children’s Services of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin, and Sonoma Counties. It holds more than 13,000 books and several thousand documents, photographs, and artifacts in the Tauber Holocaust Library and Archives.

For Brandon Brooks, director of California Black Media’s Stop the Hate Project, it is critical for Californians -- and all Americans -- to recognize and uplift the experiences and perspectives of their neighbors from other ethnic groups. Funded by the California State Library, the

Stop the Hate project aims to eradicate hate crimes and hate incidents in the state and promote inter-cultural understanding and cooperation.

“For Black Americans, the way we identify with the horror stories of the Holocaust is immediate and deeply sympathetic. It is a recognition based, in part, on our own collective memory of slavery, exclusion and suffering because of who we are – not what we did – as a people,” he says. “The only way we, Americans from all backgrounds, can begin to do something about the division, misunderstanding and normalization of racial and ethnic hatred that we see trying to flourish in our society is to fight it by learning; push back on it by listening. Get to know about each other’s histories, celebrate each other’s traditions, embrace the things that unite us as Americans and take a hard, uncompromising stance against hatred in any form and the violence it triggers.”

Notably, the dedication to honoring IHRD extends incredibly far beyond California, where there are an estimated 1.19 million people of Jewish descent (about 3% of the state’s population), based on U.S. Census numbers compiled by World Population Review.

According to the Holocaust Encyclopedia, 39 countries participated in IHRD commemorating ceremonies in 2015. Many of those countries hosted lectures, showed films, or lit candles while reading names of the victims. Additionally, many participating countries established their own remembrance days that linked to events caused by the Holocaust.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) -- established in 1945 to promote international cooperation through education, science, and culture -- has also fought to counter antisemitism and other forms of group-targeted violence.

“The Holocaust profoundly affected countries in which Nazi crimes were perpetrated, with universal implications and consequences in many other parts of the world,” reads the UNESCO site. “As genocide and atrocity crimes keep occurring across several regions, and as we are witnessing a global rise of antisemitism and hate speech, [sharing a collective responsibility] has never been so relevant.”

Jaivon Grant  California Black Media

California Students meet Holocaust Survivor Gloria Lyon, z’l, at the JFCS Holocaust Center’s Day of Learning with 700 California students. (Photo Credit: Trish Tunney Photography)

This California Black Media feature was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.

Assemblymember Chris Holden ( D- Pasadena) introduces legislation at a press conference in front of the Rose Bowl Stadium, standing next to the Jackie Robinson statue on Jan. 19. (Photo by: Soloman Smith)

Solomon O. Smith

Features

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Two proposals aimed at curbing the spread of assault rifles were submitted today by Democratic senators Dianne Feinstein of California, and Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy of Connecticut.

The Assault Weapons Ban seeks to prohibit the commercialization, distribution, production, and importation of assault rifles and other firearms designed for use in military operations, as well as high-capacity magazines and similar devices.

On January 22, a gunman opened fire on a crowd celebrating the Lunar New Year in Monterey Park, California, killing 11 and wounding 9.

The Democrats’ proposed Age 21 Act would make it illegal to sell or buy an assault weapon to anybody under 21, bringing it in line with the legal age for purchasing handguns.

President Joe Biden has publicly stated his support for the legislation.

Biden said that the number of mass shootings declined during the decade that the Assault Weapons Ban was in effect.

“In the 10 years that the Assault Weapons Ban was on the books, mass shootings went down,” Biden remarked.

“After Republicans let the law expire in 2004 and those weapons were allowed to be sold again, mass shootings tripled,” he declared.

Both houses of Congress were urged to take quick action by the president.

According to Biden, “the majority of American people agree with this rational measure.”

“There can be no greater responsibility than to do all we can to ensure the safety of our children, our communities and our nation,” he insisted.

In the House of Representatives, Rhode Island Democrat David Cicilline said he plans to introduce a companion bill to the Senate’s Assault Weapons Ban.

Feinstein said assault rifles “seem to be the unifying denominator in the seemingly endless number of horrific shootings.”“Because these firearms were created for maximum efficiency in mass murder,” the senator noted.

“They have no place in our society or educational institutions. It’s time to take a stand against the gun lobby and do something about getting these lethal weapons off the streets, or at the absolute least, out of the hands of our youth.”

Democrats Introduce Assault Weapons Ban Following More Mass Shootings

Blumenthal added, as the gunman at the Lunar New Year celebration in Monterey Park demonstrated just days ago, assault weapons are designed for one and one purpose only: to murder or hurt human beings.

“These military-style combat weapons – built for the battlefield and designed to maximize death and destruction – have brought bloodshed and carnage to our streets and continue to be the weapon of choice in countless mass shootings,” Blumenthal said.

“Guns don’t respect state boundaries, which is why we need a national solution to restricting the ownership and use of assault weapons. Now is the time to honor gun violence victims and survivors with this commonsense

The Assault Weapons Ban seeks to prohibit the commercialization, distribution, production, and importation of assault rifles and other firearms designed for use in military operations, as well as high-capacity magazines and similar devices.

action.”

Rep. Ciciline argued that it is long past due to reinstate an assault weapon ban and remove these “weapons of war” from civilian areas.

The assault weapons prohibition “passed the House last year with bipartisan backing, but was blocked by Senate Republicans,” Ciciline noted. “We need to come together to enact this commonsense,

effective, and proven policy to reduce gun violence and save lives. I thank Senator Feinstein for her partnership in this fight and look forward to introducing the House companion bill in the coming weeks.”

Features

Report: Cops Search Black California Teens Six Times More Than White Peers

car, searched, or handcuffed during a higher percentage of stops than any other combination of perceived race or ethnicity and age groups.

The report also details that law enforcement officers used force against people perceived as Black at 2.2 times the rate of individuals perceived as White. For those perceived as Latino, officers used force against them at 1.3 times the rate of individuals perceived as White.

Fifty-eight agencies reported over 3.1 million stops during the data collection 12-month study, with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) conducting the most stops of any single agency (54.9%). In addition, individuals perceived to be Hispanic/Latinos (42.4%), White (30.7%), or Black (15.0%) comprised the majority of stopped individuals.

“Coupled with a strong set of evidence-based recommendations to the Legislature, local jurisdictions, and policing agencies, such as an end to pretext stops and consent searches, our hope is that this year’s report will continue to push California towards building communities that are safer for all,” Ochoa stated.

The Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC), a coalition of over 77,000 public safety workers in more than 950 associations, released its own study, which refutes the RIPA Board’s report.

PORAC’s 2023 annual report, “A Critical Analysis” by Dr. Brian L. Withrow, dated Jan. 2, 2023, states that “California is experiencing a public safety crisis” while “law enforcement departments are understaffed, underfunded, and underappreciated.”

“Unfortunately, California’s Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory Board (RIPA) has pursued an inherently flawed approach to assessing police stop data that both misrepresents the data itself and misleads the public to believe things that simply are not true,” Withrow said. “Californians deserve appropriate scrutiny of officer behavior, but they also deserve the truth. To do otherwise would only sow further division between law enforcement and the communities they risk their lives every day to serve.”

To date, the traffic stop data made available by the RIPA Board is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive collection effort under which all state and local law enforcement agencies will be required to report to the California Department of Justice by April 1, 2023.

Ray Harvey California Black Media

The California Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory Board (RIPA Board) released its annual report on policing in December. It revealed that People “perceived as Black were searched at 2.2 times the rate of people” appearing as White.

Additionally, law enforcement officers in the state searched a total of 6,622 more people perceived as Black than those perceived as White, the report states. Also of note, those perceived to be Black adolescents between 15 to 17 years old were searched at nearly six times the rate of those perceived as White youth.

“In addition to providing a detailed analysis of the policing activities of 58 law enforcement agencies, this year’s report provides much-needed context on the negative physical, emotional, and mental health consequences experienced by students and the broader communities that

are most often the subject of those activities,” said RIPA board member Melanie Ochoa, Co-Chair of the Board and Director of Police Practices at the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California.

RIPA Board is a diverse group of 19 members representing the public, law enforcement, and educators. It was formed in 2016 when Assembly Bill (AB) 953, the “Racial and Identity Profiling Act,” was passed. The bill was authored by Shirley Weber, California Secretary of State, when she was an Assemblymember representing the 79th District in the greater San Diego area. The board’s charge is to “eliminate racial and identity profiling and improve diversity and racial and identity sensitivity in law enforcement,” according to language included in AB 953.

“California remains at the forefront of the nation in examining police stop data,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Over the last several years, we’ve collected and analyzed information on nearly 12 million

police encounters in our state.”

The current report, sheds light on a study of millions of vehicular and pedestrian stops conducted from Jan. 1, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2021, by 58 law enforcement agencies in California — a notable expansion from the 18 participating agencies documented in the previous report released by RIPA last July.

At the conclusion of a stop, officers are required to report the outcome such as no action taken, warning or citation given, or arrest. For individuals perceived as Black, the 2023 report stated, officers reported “no action taken” approximately 2.2 times as often as they did for individuals viewed as White. The report concluded that there is an indication that a higher rate of those stopped who were perceived as Black were not actually engaged in unlawful activity.

In addition, Black children and adolescents (10 to 14 and 15 to 17 years old) were detained curbside or in a patrol

In addition to providing an in-depth look into policing in 2021, the Board’s report lists a wide range of recommendations related to policing, with a focus on the impact of pretextual stops, law enforcement interactions with youth, civilian complaint processes, and training on racial and identity profiling.

The RIPA Board insists that the report is consistent with the disparities observed in prior years’ data with respect to perceived race, gender, and disability status.

“California is leading the nation in its effort to collect data on police-citizen interactions and to foster transparency and make progress towards fair, equitable, effective policing,” said Steven Raphael, Co-Chair of the Board and Professor of Public Policy at UC Berkeley. “Data collected under RIPA provides important information to the public, to legislators, and to law enforcement to guide policy and practice throughout the state.”

For more on RIPA and other criminal justice data, members of the public are encouraged to visit OpenJustice, a California Department of Justice, data-driven public initiative that works to increase access to criminal justice data and support the development of public policy.

(Shutterstock Photo)

Antonio

A Culture of Preparedness

Get Need-to-Know Storm Safety and Insurance Advice

Elramsisy California Black Media

At least 20 people lost their lives due to the “Parade of atmospheric rivers” drenching California landscapes. The historic storm system, which has caused flooding, mudslides, levee breaches, heavy snow, hurricane force winds, and even a tornado, began late last year and has continued into the new year.

On Jan. 12, Gov. Gavin Newsom requested an expedited major disaster declaration for California, which was approved by President Biden on Jan. 14, in Merced, Sacramento, and Santa Cruz counties. On Jan. 18, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Monterey counties were also approved.

A Major Disaster declaration means damage is beyond the combined capabilities of local and state governments to respond. As a result, affected areas will be eligible for a range of federal assistance programs.

“The big storm event, the big weather system that’s been creating what has been called atmospheric rivers is coming to an end,” said Diana Crofts-Pelayo, Assistant Director of Crisis Communications and Public Affairs at the California Office of Emergency Services. “It’s not too late to be prepared for the next emergency. It really is incumbent on us all to talk as loved ones, family and friends about emergency plans, should another storm happen. Have an emergency kit read if you need to leave your house quickly. Communicating and checking in with loved ones will help be part of this overall culture of preparedness and resilience.”

Returning Home After a Flood When returning home following a flood “the best advice is really to avoid flood water,” says Jason Wilken, Career Epidemiology Field Officer at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

“It can contain toilet waste and bad germs. It can have

hazardous chemicals, including things like gasoline, and it can contain hidden heavy or sharp objects,” he warned.

Floodwater can also be in contact with downed power lines and floods can also cause the migration of animals. So, you there may be living or dead animals in floodwater,” he added. “If you must come in contact with floodwater, wear rubber gloves and rubber boots. If you have children, do not allow them to play in or near floodwaters,” said Wilken. “Don’t let them play with toys or anything that flood water has gotten wet until those things can be disinfected.”

Wilken said consuming contaminated food or water can make you very sick. “Other than undamaged cans or metal pouches, you should throw out any fresh or packaged food that was touched by flood water.” The outside of the containers should still be disinfected. He recommends using one tablespoon of bleach into one gallon of water for cleaning surfaces and utensils. Importantly, he notes, “NEVER MIX CLEANERS,” as it may cause dangerous chemical reactions.

If the hard surfaces in your home are wet for over 48 hours, mold may be present. Drying your home and removing items that have been water damaged is your best route for preventing the growth of mold.

Be careful and know the source of the water that you consume. Sealed bottled water can be safe, but if the surface of the bottle has been contaminated, boil it for one minute. If you get municipal tap water, listen to your local authorities regarding safety. If you get your water from a well, get in touch with local environmental health, or your water department for advice on how to test and disinfect your water source.

Navigate California’s Social Safety Net

Go to www.cdss.ca.gov for state disaster assistance and additional resources. Apply for federal help through FEMA Disaster Assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1(800)

621-3362. To learn more about help, local resources, or for app.

“For the over 5 million individuals that are currently participating in Calfresh, [including] those who have had power outages related to these storm events and have lost the food resources that they have purchased, can get those replaced within 10 days of their loss by just contacting their county social service agency,” says Kim Johnson, Director of California Department of Social Services.

A telephone number, “The Hope Line” 1(833)317HOPE (4673), was created “for individuals who are impacted to simply navigate this change,” she says.

Seniors facing isolation can call “The Friendship Line” at 1(888)670-1360.

Be Prepared. Help The Vulnerable

The importance of timely information cannot be understated. Be aware of your surroundings. Sign up for free emergency alerts at www.CalAlerts.org, authorities say.

“Anytime there are these types of disasters, there

are individuals who are disproportionately impacted by those disasters,” said Vance Taylor, Chief of the Office of Access and Functional Needs at the Office of Emergency Services. “We’re talking about older adults, people with disabilities, people who are economically disadvantaged, or transportation disadvantaged, people with access or functional needs, and so to ensure that our emergency management systems, programs and services are being rolled out in way that is equitable and accessible to everyone is a top priority,” said Taylor.

Insurance Quick Tips Comprehensive auto insurance covers damage to your automobile – and “loss of use” coverage could reimburse a rental car if you need one.

Home and renters’ insurance covers damage from fallen trees and wind. Mudslides and debris flow caused by landscape scarring from a previous wildfire is also covered by home and renters’ insurance.

Flood insurance is sold separately through the National Flood Insurance Program and takes effect 30 days after purchase in most cases.

Tips for Filing Insurance Claims: Make sure you have a copy of your policy Contact your insurance agent

Log conversations with your insurance company in a “claims diary,” including who you talked to, what you talked about, what agreements were made Track all expenses while living away from home (hotel bills, restaurant expenses)

Take pictures/video of the damages, but don’t start the remediation/cleaning until the adjuster conducts an inspection Don’t get scammed. Use licensed contractors For more information contact the Department of Insurance for help at 1(800)927-4357 or visit www. insurance.ca.gov.

It’s Not Too Late To Prepare and Stay Safe During Heavy Rain & Floods

By Philtrina Farquharson Contributing Writer

California started the new year with record rainfall that most residents have seen or felt the impact of. The torrential rain caused not only flooding, mudslides, hurricane-force winds, and power outages but also claimed the lives of 20 people.

According to the National Weather Service, Downtown Los Angeles broke the record daily rainfall

last set in 1978, which was 1.56 inches. This past week on January 14, there were 1.82 inches of rain. This new record brings the season total, which started on Oct 1, to 11.91 inches, 6.46 above average.

As a result of this poor weather, President Biden has declared a Disaster Declaration for three counties thus far, which include Merced, Sacramento, and Santa Cruz. In the aftermath, Governor Newsom took the time to visit community members in areas with significant damage

while assessments were still ongoing.

“Every Californian needs critical, in-language information to survive these trying times. These storms are the deadliest in history,” says Diana Crofts Pelayo, Assistant Director, Crisis Communication & Public Affairs at the California Office of Emergency Services.

With additional storms and flooding on the way, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and other state agencies working the frontlines of this natural disaster came together Tuesday to share the impact and how to best prepare for the upcoming storm with resources.

Here are tips and resources to prepare for severe weather:

Sign up for free emergency alerts: Go to CalAlerts.org and sign up for alerts in your county.

Make an evacuation plan: This can include creating an emergency contact list, learning different evacuation routes in your community, and following local authority’s guidance.

Prepare for loss of power: Charge equipment during the day, find charging stations, and conserve energy when possible.

Here are resources if the severe weather has impacted you or a loved one: Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance: Apply through DisasterAssitance.gov, the FEMA mobile app or call 1-800621-3362.

Mental Health Resources at CalHOPE: If you need to talk to someone, call 1-833-317-4673 or visit www. calhope.org.

Friendship Line for Elders: If Isolated, older adults can call the friendship line at 1-888-670-1360.

Check Insurance Coverage and Contact the California Department of Insurance: Car, renters, home, and flood insurance coverage exists for winter storm damage. You can contact the Department of Insurance for help at 800-9274357 at insurance.ca.gov.

Maxim

Floodwater covers a property along River Rd. in Monterey County, Calif., as the Salinas River overflows its banks on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023.

(AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Kern County Board Of Education Approves CAAT Petition

Despite Community And Legal Counsel Concerns

By Janell Gore South Kern Sol

Tuesday night Kern County Board of Education approved the Central for Arts and Technology (CAAT) petition to build a charter school with a memorandum of understanding (MOU). The approval was made despite community feedback and recommendations from staff to deny it.

The charter school had originally been denied in August of 2022 by the Bakersfield City School District (BCSD), where the school will be located. The petitioners filed an appeal to the Kern County Board of Education.

The Dolores Huerta Foundation (DHF) held a press conference before the meeting asking the board to vote no. Three issues the foundation stated about the petition were gaps for English language Learners, students with disabilities, and students who will need transportation.

“We are here today urging the board to hear from their constituents and vote no. We want a better education and opportunities for students and we know that the Central for Arts and Technology will not provide that,” said Ashley De La Rosa with the DHF.

LYFE (Liberated Youth for Empowerment) youth members from DHF also spoke during the press conference not only to say they were against the school but to discuss how the petitioners made them feel after they spoke against the petition at BCSD.

“We LYFE youth members received criticism from the petitioners and board member Zimmerman for the lack of knowledge and understanding of the petition and how it will affect all BCSD students,” said Salvador Contreas. “Their comments make it seem as if young people do not have the capacity or ability to understand how charter schools can negatively impact students, especially those with the most needs.”

Lindsay Appell, an attorney with Disability Rights California, spoke during the press conference and the public comment portion of the meeting.

“DRC urges the Kern County Board of Education to deny the CAAT appeal because its petition violates the law and will harm students with disabilities,” said Apell.

Appell stated that the petition violates the law by not having specialists needed for students with disabilities such as therapy and speech services accounted for in their budget.

“CAAT can not offer any of these services because its budget fails to fund the staff that provides them. The CAAT completely disregarded students with disabilities when it designed its budget and as a result, it will repeatedly violate students’ rights if this petition is granted,” said Apell.

These concerns continued into the board meeting from community members during the public comment portion. Community members also spoke in favor of the petition.

Kern County Chief Administrative Officer, Ryan Alsop, and his wife Melissa Alsop spoke in favor of the school and discussed that one of their children went to a charter school. Similar to each person speaking in favor of the school, they stated a wanting parent to have a choice where to send their kids.

“Kern County parents, particularly Latino and

Black parents and those from low-income families are demanding public school choice as an option within the public education system which traditional public schools do not provide the best fit or altogether failing them and their children,” said Ryan Alsop.

The public comment portion continued for a little over an hour with each side explaining their reasonings for denial or support. During the public comment portion, the audience was filled with remarks from either side giving disapproving remarks to the other. While translation services were not provided by the board, a translator was present and assisted those who wanted to comment in Spanish. The translator assisted several speakers despite someone from the crowd yelling out asking for the commenter to speak in English.

After the public comment portion, the Kern Board of Education staff presented their findings on the petition done by their legal counsel. These findings led them to encourage the denial of the petition.

As presented by Lisa Gilbert the following were five findings that led to this conclusion:

The CAAT Petition did not include the required number of valid signatures.

The charter school presents an unsound educational program for the pupils to be enrolled in the charter school

The petition presents an unsound educational program for English Language learners.

The petitioners are demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the program set forth in the petition.

The petition does not contain reasonably comprehensive descriptions of all of the 15 required elements.

Some of the elements included in the presentation were:

Providing one meal a day to students when Ed Code requires two meals a day be available for students who need them.

Expulsion from CAAT is final with no appeal

Priority of students being accepted into the school

According to the presentation students from BCSD will be fourth on the list of priority for available seats in the school. Siblings of current students and children of staff will have higher priority.

The main source of the recommendation of denial was the petition not having the required number of signatures. According to William Hornback, the petition requires that half of the teachers that are intended to be hired sign the petition. Written in the budget portion of the petition 19 teachers are expected to be hired. Hornback stated that the petition says there will be “17 regular teachers and two special ed teachers” the petition had nine signatures.

Due to nine not meeting the requirements Hornback explained that the board could be held liable in the future and open themselves up to lawsuits. Although the MOU would protect the board with the other three findings it does not cover the signature requirement.

Joanna Kenderick, a founding member of CAAT, stated that the 19 teachers listed is a mistake and there will be 17 teachers hired including the two special ed teachers. Hornback still urged denial because the board has to

approve or deny the petition based on what was written and submitted.

Jose Gonzalez, area four board member, asked petitioners why not take the petition and fix each of the findings and then submit it again, Kinderick explained it would put them in a riskier position.

The petition was approved with all but Gonzalez and Paula Bray of area 5 voting yes.

Addressing the concern of transportation not being provided for each student Ronald Froehlich, area one board member and president of the board, said parents will find a way.

“If you want to go to those schools you find a way to take them. I know it’s a hardship on some people but I think there needs to be some equality in this world,” said Froehlich. “I think you want your kids to go to that school you find a way to get them there. We do.”

After the approval, Kenderick explained she is excited to bring the bring school to Bakersfield. In response to the

concerns about the school, she stated that they were typical of charter schools.

“I think that main of the concerns that were expressed tonight are typical things that people say against charter schools. There weren’t a lot of concerns that specifically addressed concerns in this charter petition and we’re ready to work with the community. Even those who opposed us.”

De La Rosa stated that she was not surprised by the approval and that the youth were disappointed in the decision. She stated that the petition does not address students with disabilities and English language learners so it will serve an elite community.

“The petition doesn’t really address this because we’re assuming that the people that they want in their schools are not students of English language learner background, are not students with disabilities,” said De La Rosa. “Instead catering to the downtown folks that have the privilege of transportation and folks that are well overall elite in Kern County.