Bakersfield News Observer 4.12.23

Nashville Council Returns Justin Jones to State House

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

In an unanimous vote and a rebuke of Tennessee Republicans, the Nashville Metropolitan Council on Monday voted to reappoint Justin Jones to the state House of Representatives.

Jones returns as an interim representative and will again act on behalf of House District 52.

The 36-0 vote came after the council suspended its rule that disallowed an individual from being nominated and appointed to the seat in the same meeting.

A spokesperson for House Speaker Cameron Sexton said he’d go along with the council if they chose to send Jones back.

He also indicated that he’d also welcome back Justin Jones if Memphis officials voted later this week to return him to the House.

“The two governing bodies will make the decision as to who they want to appoint to these seats,” the Speaker said in a statement.

“Those two individuals will be seated as representatives as the constitution requires.”

The Shelby County commission expects to take up a motion to return Pearson on Wednesday.

The expulsion of the two Democrats, who vociferously called on their colleagues to act on gun control after the latest school shooting in Nashville that claimed the lives of three elementary school students and three adults.

The reinstatement of Jones comes on the same day a gunman in Kentucky, believed to be a disgruntled exemployee, killed five people at a bank in Louisville.

It’s the latest in a string of mass shootings that have rocked the nation in recent years, with gun violence continuing to be a divisive and contentious issue.

Some politicians and interest groups have pushed back against calls for stricter gun control. They say that doing so would violate their rights under the Second Amendment.

As the nation mourns the victims of the Louisville shooting and grapples with the ongoing issue of gun violence, many are left wondering when, if ever, meaningful action will be taken to address the issue.

Across the country and in Tennessee, the backlash has been palpable, and even some Republicans have expressed regret for the actions of party members and Sexton, who led the vote to oust Jones and Pearson.

“If my job, along with other members of the R.N.C., is to protect the brand of the Republican Party, this didn’t help,” Oscar Brock, a Republican National Committeeman from Tennessee, told the New York Times. “You’ve energized young voters against us. Worse than squandering support, you’ve made enemies where we didn’t need them.”

He continued:

“Even in Tennessee, we have swing districts in the State House and Senate, and if you’ve angered tens of thousands of students and presumably their parents, you could theoretically expose yourself to a united front,” Brock demanded.

Rev. Mark Thompson, the host of Make it Plain and an NNPA contributor, returned to Tennessee on Monday for the vote to re-seat Jones, his longtime friend.

On NNPA’s Let It Be Known, Thompson stated, “My understanding is that the Nashville National City Council will re-seat Jones, and I believe the Memphis Council will meet later in the week to discuss Pearson.”

Thompson noted that most, if not all, flights to Nashville have been sold out, signaling the large demonstrations ahead.

“This isn’t going away,” Thompson asserted.

“This is a movement. This is going to build and grow.

You can’t do this, it’s not sustainable. I’m not sure that if the two Justins are re-seated the movement will stop. This is bad for the national Republican party.”

Phyllis Qualls, who’s covering the proceedings for the Tennessee Tribune, said the G.O.P. leadership miscalculated in expelling Jones and Pearson.

“Republicans had no vision as to the aftermath of what they can do,” Qualls said. “Mom has always said, ‘what’s done in the dark will come out in the light.’ The Republicans took a major issue like gun control and reduced it to decorum. It’s almost like children in the car complaining that ‘Mom, he’s looking at me.’ The crimes doesn’t equate, and to do this during holy week, you crucified these men, and they are rising to a level that nobody expected. They have become leaders of the gun control issue, and it was the Republicans who caused that.”

As Nation Mourns, California Debates Concealed Firearm Laws

Maxim Elramsisy California Black Media

On March 28, one day after three children and three adults were shot at the Covenant School, a Christian elementary school in Nashville, Tenn., the California Senate Public Safety Committee heard arguments for and against Senate Bill (SB) 2, legislation proposing enhancements to California’s existing concealed carry permit law.

“God bless the families of those little kids,” said the bill’s author, Senator Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank) at the hearing. “Gun violence inflicts a terrible toll on our communities. Last year, nearly 20,000 people were killed in gun related homicides in the United States. To put that in perspective, it’s enough people to fill forty Boeing 747s, and sadly, the number keeps rising.”

SB 2 would make 21 the required age to apply for a Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW), although existing state legislation restricts the sales of pistols to people under 21. A system of appeals would also be created for people initially denied the permit. The bill would also limit where people can carry firearms, creating locations called “sensitive sites” where guns would be prohibited. Property owners of sites where guns are off limits would have the authority to allow guns if they choose.

California’s prior concealed carry permit law, which required that applicants show reason for needing to carry a concealed firearm, was deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court last year in the case of New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen.

In a 6-3 vote, the high court’s conservative majority ruled that “may-issue” systems, like those used in New York, California and three other states using “arbitrary” evaluations of need, made by local authorities, are unconstitutional. States are, however, allowed to enforce “shall-issue” permitting, where applicants for concealed carry permits must satisfy certain objective criteria, such as passing a background check.

“Bruen affirmed the ability of states to keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals and out of certain sensitive places. With SB 2, California does just that. It provides objective, reasonable guidance that prevents CCW permits from being issued to dangerous individuals and provides a list of places where weapons may not be carried,” said Portantino. “The presence of firearms in public increases the dangers of intentional or accidental gun violence—at the workplace, at the movies, or on the road. One study showed that states with permissive right-tocarry laws experience 29% more workplace homicides than states with more restrictive licensing requirements.”

During the hearing, opposition came from handfuls of law enforcement groups, particularly from the southern part of the state, including the Los Angeles Police Officers Association and

the Orange County Sheriffs Association.

“Addressing Bruen in this way is unnecessarily complicated and overly burdensome,” said California State Sheriffs’ Association Legislative Director Cory Salzillo. “Given what we’ve seen in other states, it is likely to be challenged and probably overturned in whole or in part.”

In the nation’s most populous county, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department (LASD) is responsible for taking applications and issuing CCWs. Though the Sheriff did not endorse the bill publicly, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors did, and in a written statement to California Black Media (CBM) the LASD appeared to tacitly support the bill.

“Recently, several of our California Government leaders have joined together to announce new gun legislation which would enhance gun safety laws in California. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has partnered with the Board of Supervisors on the added gun safety measures and how we can bring awareness to the communities we serve,” the statement said.

Before the hearing, CBM asked Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna about the proposed bill.

“I believe we have to change the status quo when it comes to guns because there’s way too much gun violence,” he said. “I don’t want to take guns away from legal gun owners, but I always believe that there has to be a path to doing it right.”

The threat of legal challenges is almost certain.

“Any law that we passed through the Legislature, someone can bring a challenge to. That’s not a unique circumstance. This bill will probably be challenged,” said Portantino. “But do we believe it’s constitutional? Absolutely. We looked at the Bruen decision as a roadmap to create a constitutionally sound approach. The Supreme Court said you can’t be arbitrary, so this bill is not arbitrary. It’s creating concrete criteria of who should and shouldn’t be eligible to get this responsibility of having a concealed carry permit, that’s consistent with the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court said you can have prohibited places. This bill has prohibited places that make sense.”

The Bill was advanced through the committee after a 4-1 vote and will next be heard on April 10 by the Committee on Appropriations.

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

LSU’s Reese on White House Flap: ‘We’ll Go to the Obamas’

By The Associated Press First lady Jill Biden’s walk-back of her suggestion that runner-up Iowa should join NCAA women’s basketball champion LSU for a visit to the White House didn’t sit well with Tigers star Angel Reese.

Prompted by a discussion of Biden’s comments during her Wednesday appearance on “The Paper Route Podcast,” Reese said the Tigers should celebrate their title with former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama rather than President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden.

Jill Biden, at an appearance in Denver on Monday, had praised Iowa’s sportsmanship and congratulated both teams. She also said that as part of the longstanding tradition of having champions visit the White House, Iowa should come as well ‘’because they played such a good game.”

The Tigers defeated Iowa 102-85 for the title in Dallas on Sunday.

Reese on Monday called Jill Biden’s suggestion “a joke.”

“I’m not gonna lie to you, I don’t accept the apology because of, you said what you said. I said what I said. And like, you can’t go back on certain things that you say,” Reese told podcast hosts Brandon Marshall and Ashley Nicole Moss.

“I mean, you felt like they should’ve came because of sportsmanship, right?’’ Reese added. “They can have that spotlight. We’ll go to the Obamas. We’ll see Michelle. We’ll see Barack.”

Some social media commenters noted the racial dynamics involved, saying that only winners should be rewarded with a White House visit and that hosting both teams would detract from the achievement by LSU’s team, which is predominantly Black. The Iowa team is largely white. Others noted the important role of Black women in Democratic Party politics.

Following LSU’s victory, coach Kim Mulkey said she would go to the White House if invited. Reese said Wednesday she was uncertain if she would go.

Reese said she didn’t think LSU, had it lost to Iowa, would have gotten the same praise from Jill Biden as the Hawkeyes did.

‘’If we were to lose, we would not be getting invited to the White House,” she added. “I remember she made a comment about both teams should be invited because of sportsmanship. And I’m like, ‘Are you saying that because of what I did?’ Stuff like that, it bothers me because you are a woman at the end of the day. White, Black, it doesn’t matter, you’re a woman, you’re supposed to be standing behind us before anything.”

1st Moon Crew in 50 Years Includes Woman, Black Astronaut

By MARCIA DUNN

AP Aerospace Writer

NASA on Monday named the four astronauts who will fly around the moon late next year, including the first woman and the first African American assigned to a lunar mission.

The first moon crew in 50 years - three Americans and one Canadian - was introduced during a ceremony in Houston, home to the nation’s astronauts as well as Mission Control.

“This is humanity’s crew,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

The four astronauts will be the first to fly NASA’s Orion capsule, launching atop a Space Launch System rocket from Kennedy Space Center no earlier than late 2024. They will not land or even go into lunar orbit, but rather fly around the moon and head straight back to Earth, a prelude to a lunar landing by two others a year later. The mission’s commander, Reid Wiseman, will be joined by Victor Glover, an African American naval aviator; Christina Koch, who holds the world record for the longest spaceflight by a woman; and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen, a former fighter pilot and the crew’s lone space rookie. Wiseman, Glover and Koch have all lived on the International Space Station. All four are in their 40s.

“This is a big day. We have a lot to celebrate and it’s so much more than the four names that have been announced,’’ Glover said.

This is the first moon crew to include someone from outside the U.S. - and the first crew in NASA’s new moon program named Artemis after the twin sister of mythology’s Apollo. Late last year, an empty Orion capsule flew to the moon and back in a long-awaited dress rehearsal.

“Am I excited? Absolutely,” Koch said to cheers from the crowd of schoolchildren, politicians and others. “But my real question is: ‘Are you excited?’ “ she said to more cheers.

The Canadian Space Agency snagged a seat because of its contributions of big robotic arms on NASA’s space shuttles and the space station. One is also planned for the moon project. Hansen said he’s grateful that Canada is included in the flight.

“We are going to the moon together. Let’s go!” he said.

During Apollo, NASA sent 24 astronauts to the moon from 1968 through 1972. Twelve of them landed. All were military-trained male test pilots except for Apollo 17’s Harrison Schmitt, a geologist who closed out that moonlanding era alongside the late Gene Cernan.

Provided this next 10-day moonshot goes well, NASA aims to land two astronauts on the moon by 2025 or so.

NASA picked from 41 active astronauts for its first Artemis crew. Canada had four candidates. Almost all of them took part in Monday’s ceremony at Johnson Space Center’s Ellington Field, a pep rally of sorts that ended with Wiseman leading the crowd in a chant.

President Joe Biden spoke with the four astronauts and their families on Sunday. In a tweet Monday, Biden said the mission “will inspire the next generation of explorers, and show every child - in America, in Canada, and across the world - that if they can dream it, they can be it.”

The Metropolitan Nashville Council voted to temporarily appoint Justin Jones back to his Nashville seat in the state legislature, just days after Republicans overwhelmingly voted to expel him. (Photo: Jon Cherry for The New York Times)

Biden Issues Proclamation for Black Maternal Health Week

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

In 2022, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra implemented actions to improve maternal health and reduce health disparities, and this year, the BidenHarris Administration has continued to champion policies to improve maternal health and equity.

Vice President Kamala Harris convened a meeting with Becerra and other Cabinet leaders amplifying a wholeof-government approach to reducing maternal mortality and morbidity.

On Monday, April 10, President Biden issued another proclamation to begin Black Maternal Health Week.

The president called the week a reminder that so many families experience pain, neglect, and loss during what should be a joyous occasion.

Biden called it urgent that all act.

“Black women in America are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women,” the president remarked.

“This is on top of the fact that women in America are dying at a higher rate from pregnancy-related causes than in any other developed nation.”

He insisted that tackling the crisis begins with understanding how institutional racism drives these high maternal mortality rates. Studies show that Black women are often dismissed or ignored in hospitals and other health care settings, even as they suffer from severe injuries and pregnancy complications and ask for help, the president reminded.

He said systemic inequities are also to blame.

“When mothers do not have access to safe and stable housing before and after childbirth, they are at greater risk of falling ill,” Biden exclaimed.

“When women face barriers traveling to the hospital for prenatal and postpartum checkups, they are less likely

to remain healthy. Air pollution, water pollution, and lead pipes can have dangerous consequences for pregnant women and newborns. And when families cannot afford nutritious foods, they face worse health outcomes.”

He claimed his administration has penned the blueprint for addressing the maternal health crisis, an agenda that lays out specific actions the federal government

would take to improve maternal health and secured funding from Congress to help implement it.

“Vice President Kamala Harris has been a leader on the issue of maternal mortality for years and led the charge to improve maternal health outcomes, including by issuing a call to action to address disparities in maternal care,” Biden stated.

“She continues to elevate the issue nationally, convening State legislators, medical professionals, and others so all mothers can access the care they need before, during, and after childbirth.”

The president continued:

“Additionally, my American Rescue Plan gave States the option to provide a full year of postpartum coverage to Medicaid beneficiaries — up from just 60 days of coverage.

“As a result, my Administration has approved requests from 30 States and Washington, D.C. to provide women with Medicaid coverage with a full year of postpartum coverage, and we have made this option permanent for every State that extends Medicaid postpartum coverage.

“My Administration has helped facilitate Medicaid expansion in four States since I took office, and I continue to call on the Congress to close the Medicaid coverage gap.

“We are also working to expand and diversify the maternal health workforce, helping health care providers hire and train diverse and culturally competent physicians, certified nurse midwives, doulas, and community health workers to support women during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care.”

The president’s budget includes $471 million to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity rates, improving access to care in rural communities, expanding implicit bias training for health care providers, and further supporting the perinatal health workforce.

“This week, as we continue our work to make pregnancy and childbirth safe, dignified, and joyful for all, let us remember that health care should be a right and not a privilege,” Biden continued.

“Let us give thanks to the extraordinary maternal health care workforce, which serves its patients and their families every day. And let us join in common cause to end the tragedy of maternal mortality once and for all.”

Click here to read the president’s proclamation.

Mass Shooting at Louisville Bank Heightens Gun Control Issue

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

In the wake of still another mass shooting in America, this time at an Old National Bank in Louisville, Kentucky, the nation is left reeling.

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At least four people were killed, and eight others were injured, two of whom are in critical condition.

The shooter, who police believe had a connection to the bank, is dead, and authorities are working to establish the motive behind the shooting.

Police responded quickly to the call this morning, arriving within three minutes of the first reports.

They encountered the shooter almost immediately and exchanged gunfire, which ultimately led to the shooter’s death.

Police are still investigating whether the shooter died from the gunfire or a self-inflicted wound.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed grief over losing two close friends in the shooting and having another friend injured.

The bank where the shooting occurred is also his bank, making the tragedy even more personal for him.

The mayor of Louisville, Craig Greenberg, asked people to pray for those fighting for their lives.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, said he was heartbroken when he heard the news.

Officials apprised President Joe Biden of the shooting,

As the nation mourns the victims of the Louisville shooting and grapples with the ongoing issue of gun violence, many are left wondering when, if ever, meaningful action will be taken to address the issue.

and the White House has said there will be more details to share later.

The shooting comes as a Nashville City Council is expected to decide whether to reinstate former Tennessee Democratic state Rep. Justin Jones, whom Republican majority leaders ousted after he urged them to act on gun control.

Later this week, Jones’ former colleague, Democrat Justin Pearson, could also be re-seated after the GOP ousted him.

The pair protested the lack of action by the Republicanled body on gun control following a school shooting in Nashville that left three elementary school students and three adults dead.

The Louisville shooting is just the latest in a string of mass shootings that have rocked the nation in recent years, with gun violence continuing to be a divisive and contentious issue.

Some politicians and interest groups have pushed back against calls for stricter gun control. They say that doing so would violate their rights under the Second Amendment. As the nation mourns the victims of the Louisville shooting and grapples with the ongoing issue of gun violence, many are left wondering when, if ever, meaningful action will be taken to address the issue.

“Until then, the country will continue to mourn the loss of innocent lives and search for solutions to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future,” stated the Rev. Mark Thompson, host of Make It Plain.

“This isn’t going away,” Thompson asserted.

“This is a movement. This is going to build and grow. You can’t do this; it’s not sustainable. I’m not sure the movement will stop if the two Justins are re-seated. This is bad for the national Republican Party.”

Republicans Feeling Heat in Tennessee as Councils Poised to Re-Seat Ousted Legislators

By Stacy M. Brown

Nashville’s metro council plans a vote today that could send Jones back to his seat, while the Shelby County commission expects to take up a motion on Wednesday that would return Pearson.

The expulsion of the two Democrats, who vociferously called on their colleagues to act on gun control after the latest school shooting in Nashville that claimed the lives of three elementary school students and three adults.

The backlash has been palpable, and even some Republicans have expressed regret for the actions of party members and House Speaker Cameron Sexton, who led the vote to oust Jones and Pearson.

“If my job, along with other members of the R.N.C., is to protect the brand of the Republican Party, this didn’t help,” Oscar Brock, a Republican National Committeeman from Tennessee, told the New York Times. “You’ve energized young voters against us. Worse than squandering support, you’ve made enemies where we didn’t need them.”

He continued:

“Even in Tennessee, we have swing districts in the State House and Senate, and if you’ve angered tens of thousands of students and presumably their parents, you could theoretically

expose yourself to a united front,” Brock demanded.

Rev. Mark Thompson, the host of Make it Plain and an NNPA contributor, returned to Tennessee on Monday for the vote to re-seat Jones, his longtime friend.

On NNPA’s Let It Be Known, Thompson stated, “My understanding is that the Nashville National City Council will re-seat Jones, and I believe the Memphis Council will meet later in the week to discuss Pearson.”

Thompson noted that most, if not all, flights to Nashville have been sold out, signaling the large demonstrations ahead.

“This isn’t going away,” Thompson asserted.

“This is a movement. This is going to build and grow. You can’t do this, it’s not sustainable. I’m not sure that if the two Justins are re-seated the movement will stop. This is bad for the national Republican party.”

Phyllis Qualls, who’s covering the proceedings for the Tennessee Tribune, said the G.O.P. leadership miscalculated in expelling Jones and Pearson.

“Republicans had no vision as to the aftermath of what they can do,” Qualls said. “Mom has always said, ‘what’s done in the dark will come out in the light.’ The Republicans took a major issue like gun control and reduced it to decorum. It’s almost like children in the car complaining that ‘Mom, he’s looking at me.’

The crimes don’t equate, and to do this during holy week, you crucified these men, and they are rising to a level that nobody expected. They have become leaders of the gun control issue, and it was the Republicans who caused that.”

On Monday, April 10, President Biden issued another proclamation to begin Black Maternal Health Week.

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Ousted Tennessee Democratic State legislators Justin Jones and Justin Pearson appear headed for re-appointment to their seats by the local councils in their constituencies.

Mary J. Blige and Method Man Make ‘Power’ Moves on Hit Starz Series

By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr.

Entertainment Writer

AP

LOS ANGELES (AP) - While filming “Power Book II: Ghost,” Clifford “Method Man” Smith sometimes camped out in Mary J. Blige’s dedicated break area during their downtime to briefly warm up near her heater on a chilly New York set.

Unlike most, Smith can randomly crash Blige’s space simply because of their decadeslong friendship. The music icons’ strong bond helped both during the filming of the Starz hit spinoff series, where both have integral roles.

“Some of my favorite days on set is when me and Mary get to work together,” said Smith. Smith and Blige won a Grammy in 1995 for the classic single “I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get By,” which served as a remix for the Wu- Tang Clan rapper’s “All I Need” from his debut solo album “Tical.”

Over the years, both have hit the stage together several times, including their recent performance in 2022 at Blige’s Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit in Atlanta.

Blige and Smith tried to make their set experience enjoyable and supportive - especially before filming their serious scenes.

“We leaned on each other a lot,” said Blige, who portrays the character of Monet Stewart Tejada - a leader of her family’s illegal drug organization on the show, which

airs Fridays on Starz. Smith plays the role of the slicktalking defense attorney Davis Maclean.

“This was a chance to work with my friend,’’ she continued. ‘’We joke, we laugh and just have a good time on set as friends. It’s always beautiful seeing Meth. “

Smith said he and Blige mesh well together professionally. Last year, both won NAACP Image awards for their acting roles on “Power Book II.’’

“People like seeing us together. We’re like peanut butter and jelly,’’ Smith said. “We can’t be Batman and Robin, because then somebody’s got to be the sidekick. Mary ain’t no sidekick, and I definitely ain’t no damn sidekick.”

“She’s so spot on. When it comes to improv, she’s on it. To have my first Grammy win with her ... epic,” he added. ‘’But to win my first acting award with her was even bigger, in my opinion.”

Blige, a nine-time Grammy winner, said working with Smith over the years has been an “amazing” experience. The singer, known as the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,’’ said the transition into their roles on “Power Book” was seamless after years of focusing on improving their acting craft.

“We’ve been doing this for a longtime,” said Blige, who received an Oscar nomination in 2018 for her supporting role in the Netflix film “Mudbound.” She’s starred in a number of other projects, including “The Umbrella Academy,” “Body Cam” and “Respect.”

For once in Smith’s acting career, he’s starting to see more people recognize him for his role in “Power Book II” than his rap persona.

“If you look at the tweets maybe two or three years ago, they were calling me ‘Method Man.’ He’s so cringe. They were saying ‘Why is Method Man playing a lawyer?’’’ said Smith, who got his acting start in the mid-’90s. He’s starred in films like “Belly,” “How High,” “The Cobbler” and “Trainwreck.” He’s also appeared on some popular television shows such as “The Wire,” “Luke Cage” and “Godfather of Harlem.”

“There are some people that still can’t peel away the layers of Method Man in order to see the character. It’s so rewarding to have people calling you ‘Davis’ in the street and people referring you to cases - real cases - to get some of their favorite rappers out of jail,’’ he said. ‘’There are some fans who are keeping me in the ‘Method Man’ box, so I’m going to kick my way out.”

Blige said their previous acting endeavors helped prepare them for “Power.”

“We transitioned slowly, slowly, slowly into acting, but never leaving music behind,” Blige said. “We’re going where we fit in. We fit in with this ‘Power’ universe.”

Season 3 of “Power Book” is almost halfway done: Blige’s Monet has sought revenge after the death of her son, and is willing to pay a hefty price to avenge her firstborn

and keep the rest of her children - and the business - in line. She works closely with Smith’s character to solve her son’s murder while keeping the authorities off her trail.

“She’s super ruthless but more so strategizing her next move to build an empire to get out of the game,” Blige said about her character. “She’s in a vulnerable state. She can’t help but to cry or just lay around the around the house. She doesn’t like being weak. She doesn’t like people seeing her like that. So, everybody is getting cursed out or killed.”

Smith applauded Blige for taking on the role as Monet. He also said he’s proud of those from the hip-hop community who, like him and Blige, have made their way into TV and film.

“I love working with her,” he said of Blige. “There isn’t many that can hang with that queen. But it’s good to see people like you on screen. And I don’t mean Black people. I mean people from your background. There’s a reason why Larry the Cable Guy was one of the biggest comedians in the world. There were a lot of people out there just like him.”

Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Fentanyl Caused ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ Rapper Coolio’s Death

LOS ANGELES (AP) - "Gangsta's Paradise" rapper Coolio suffered an accidental death from the effects of fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine last year, the Los Angeles County coroner's office reported Thursday.

The county agency also cited cardiomyopathy, a disease that makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood to the body, as a "significant condition." Investigators also determined Coolio's severe asthma and cigarette smoking played a role in his death.

Coolio's former longtime manager Jarez Posey also confirmed the cause of death Thursday.

Coolio - born Artis Leon Ivey Jr., on Aug. 1, 1963died at the Los Angeles home of a friend on Sept. 28, 2022. He was 59.

Coolio won a Grammy for best solo rap performance for "Gangsta's Paradise," the 1995 hit from the soundtrack of the Michelle Pfeiffer film "Dangerous Minds" that sampled Stevie Wonder's 1976 song "Pastime Paradise.'' Coolio was born in Monessen, Pennsylvania, and later

moved to Compton, California.

He started rapping at 15 and knew by 18 it was what he wanted to do with his life, he said in interviews. Coolio attended community college before devoting himself fulltime to the hip-hop scene. His career album sales totaled 4.8 million, with 978 million on-demand streams of his songs, according to Luminate. He was nominated for six Grammys.

With his distinctive persona, he became a cultural staple, acting occasionally, providing a voice for an animated show and providing the theme music for a Nickelodeon sitcom.

Coolio's estate plans to release a studio album later this year that he had been working on in the days before he died.

Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Received Id 2100215880 on Apr 07 2023 08:19

Legal Notices

Why ASALH is Going to Florida

Special to NNPA Newswire

Like many of you, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) has followed the actions that Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis and other conservative lawmakers have taken against teaching Black History and the histories of other historically marginalized communities.

We have especially followed the actions taken by DeSantis and the Florida Board of Education on the AP African American Studies course as well as the legislation passed against “woke” curricula in the state. Please see our statement about these actions on our website at www.asalh. org. (“ASALH’s Response to Gov. DeSantis and the African American Studies AP Censorship”).

While we have been alarmed by these actions, we see it as an opportunity to defend the teaching of Black History in the state and to support the citizens, teachers and scholars who are on the front line against the laws that hinder the teaching of the truth in the state.

So, ASALH is going to Jacksonville, Florida for its annual conference on September 20-24, 2023.

We are going to Florida to make a point: that we will follow our mission to promote the study of African

American life and history and to demonstrate that we will not be intimidated by the policies of Governor DeSantis and the Florida legislature.

ASALH members will converge in Florida to support the educators and scholars who are teaching or want to teach Black History, to buy from Black-owned businesses and vendors who come to the conference, and to provide space for networking and community.

Our campaign for promoting Black History will start in the spring of this year. ASALH will hold a series of workshops about teaching Black History and why it is necessary to present the truth to our children. As a part of ASALH’s Social Justice Initiative, in partnership with Howard University and the Andrew Mellon Foundation, ASALH will also develop and publish a toolkit for teachers tentatively entitled “How to Teach Black History.”

When we arrive in Jacksonville in September, we plan to open the conference with a session on the topic of how to challenge draconian laws and to continue to teach the truth about the African American experience.

Throughout the conference many of the sessions will focus on teaching Black History and empowering those who want to learn about Black Americans’ contributions,

challenges, and successes. Additionally, ASALH plans to provide learning resources for teachers and community members on the pedagogy and content for teaching the African American experience.

As an organization that has confronted the denial and neglect of African American history throughout our nation’s history, we have always asked ourselves the question: “what would Carter G. Woodson (ASALH’s founder) do under these circumstances?”

Based on our knowledge and understanding of his goal when he started the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915, we know that he would go to Florida to take on the challenge to the teaching of Black History. Thus, we will do the same.

In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., ASALH is going to Florida “because injustice is there, and injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

So, ASALH is going to Florida with a purpose, and we invite all persons interested in sharing their scholarship, expertise and interest in the field of African American history and culture to join us.

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas Violated Ethics Laws with Multiple Super Yacht Cruises with Republican Donor

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

For more than two decades, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has accepted luxury trips virtually every year from Dallas businessman and Republican mega donor Harlan Crow without disclosing them, a bombshell new report from ProPublica has revealed.

Citing documents and interviews, the nonprofit and Pulitzer Prize winning legal news organization said Thomas who has a salary of $285,000, has vacationed on Crow’s superyacht around the globe.

Had Thomas footed the bill himself, one trip on

Crow’s yacht would have set him back a cool half-million dollars.

What’s more, the controversial conservative justice often flies on Crow’s Bombardier Global 5000 jet. That’s a $70,000 trip.

Justices are required to report all gifts of $415 or more that are “anything of value” and not fully reimbursed.

There’s no record of Thomas reporting the gifts or reimbursing anyone for the trips.

“He has gone with Crow to the Bohemian Grove, the exclusive California all-male retreat, and to Crow’s sprawling ranch in East Texas,” the legal news site reported

on Thursday, April 6.

“And Thomas typically spends about a week every summer at Crow’s private resort in the Adirondacks.”

The extent and frequency of Crow’s apparent gifts to Thomas have no known precedent in the modern history of the U.S. Supreme Court, and ProPublica further notes that the trips appeared nowhere on Thomas’ financial disclosures.

“His failure to report the flights appears to violate a law passed after Watergate that requires justices, judges, members of Congress and federal officials to disclose most gifts,” the site reported, citing two ethics law experts.

Thomas, the experts said, also should have disclosed his trips on the yacht.

“It’s incomprehensible to me that someone would do this,” Nancy Gertner, a retired federal judge appointed by President Bill Clinton, told ProPublica.

When she was on the bench, Gertner said, she was so cautious about appearances that she wouldn’t mention her title when making dinner reservations: “It was a question of not wanting to use the office for anything other than what it was intended.”

Virginia Canter, a former government ethics lawyer who served in administrations of both parties, said Thomas “seems to have completely disregarded his higher ethical obligations.”

“When a justice’s lifestyle is being subsidized by the rich and famous, it absolutely corrodes public trust,” said Canter, now at the watchdog group CREW.

“Quite frankly, it makes my heart sink.”

As ProPublica noted, federal judges sit in a unique position of public trust.

Each justice enjoys lifetime tenure, which is supposed to inoculate them from feeling any temptation toward corruption.

Intentionally, a code of conduct for federal judges below the Supreme Court requires them to avoid even the “appearance of impropriety.”

Members of the high court, Chief Justice John Roberts has written, “consult” that code for guidance.

However, the Supreme Court is left almost entirely to police itself.

And many opine that Thomas has exploited that privilege and, along with his wife Ginny, have thumbed their noses at Democracy.

“The most glaring example of the Supreme Court’s ethical vacuum is Clarence Thomas,” political columnist Jonathan Chait wrote for New York Magazine.

“The right-wing justice has operated, in conjunction with his wife, in the center of a network of conservative activists whose project is indistinguishable from his legal work.”

Meanwhile, ProPublica reported evidence that Thomas has taken even more trips on the superyacht.

Justices are required to report all gifts of $415 or more that are “anything of value” and not fully reimbursed. There’s no record of Thomas reporting the gifts or reimbursing anyone for the trips.

The report noted that Crow often gave his guests custom polo shirts commemorating their vacations. ProPublica found photographs of Thomas wearing at least two of those shirts. In one, he wears a blue polo shirt embroidered with the Michaela Rose’s logo and the words “March 2007” and “Greek Islands.”

“Thomas didn’t report any of the trips ProPublica identified on his annual financial disclosures,” the outlet noted.

“Ethics experts said the law clearly requires disclosure for private jet flights and Thomas appears to have violated it.”

Edwige Robinson, SVP at T-Mobile

Joins Forbes Technology Council

Forbes Technology Council is an Invitation-Only Community for World-Class CIOs, CTOs and Technology Executives.

Chicago, IL — Edwige Robinson, Senior Vice President of Network Engineering & Operations and Transformation of the Central Region at T-Mobile US has joined the Forbes Technology Council, an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs, and technology executives. She is responsible for 23 states with a P&L of several billion dollars, leading more than 5,000 employees and contractors who design, build, and maintain a cuttingedge 5G Network. She works across the business to create strategy that enables sustainable growth, closes the digital divide and supports emerging AI products and technologies. She was vetted and selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of her experience. Criteria for acceptance include a track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honors. “We are honored to welcome Edwige into the community,” said Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes

Councils, the collective that includes Forbes Technology Council. “Our mission with Forbes Councils is to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating a curated, social capital-driven network that helps every member grow professionally and make an even greater impact on the business world.”

As an accepted member of the Council, she will connect and collaborate with other respected local leaders in a private forum. Edwige will also be invited to work with a professional editorial team to share her expert insights in original business articles on Forbes.com, and to contribute to published Q&A panels alongside other experts.

“I am honored to join this community of accomplished technology executives to exchange ideas that help to change our world,” Edwige Robinson, SVP of Network Engineering & Operations and Transformation. “The Forbes brand has always stood for excellence and I have excited to lend my expertise to those who look to it help then on their career journey.”

Marvin Dulaney

Edwige Robinson, Senior Vice President of Network Engineering & Operations and Transformation of the Central Region at T-Mobile US (Courtesy Photo)

As Deadline to File Income Taxes Nears, Blacks Still Face Systemic Challenges

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

As the April 18 deadline to file 2022 income taxes arrives, many African Americans share their experiences with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Some have said that filing their taxes was hard and they ran into problems, while others were happy with the process.

Recent statistics show that African Americans comprise a large share of taxpayers in the United States.

However, many still need help navigating the complex tax system and dealing with the IRS.

One common issue African American taxpayers report is difficulty accessing tax services and resources.

Many live in areas that need access to qualified tax professionals, making it harder for them to file their taxes accurately and on time.

This can lead to costly mistakes, late fees, and other penalties. Many have reported experiencing discrimination and bias while dealing with the IRS. Such actions can come in many forms, such as being audited unfairly or getting less help than other taxpayers. A recent study confirmed that Black Americans are three to five times more likely to face an IRS audit when compared with other taxpayers. Evelyn Smith, an economics graduate student at the University of Michigan and visiting fellow at Stanford University’s RegLab, told CNBC that the audit rate differences seem to be driven by the agency’s focus on “lowdollar, high-certainty cases.” Specifically, the study examines audits of filers claiming the earned income tax credit, a tax break for low to moderate earners.

The credit is refundable, meaning eligible filers can receive it even with zero taxes due.

The findings show Black filers claiming the earned income tax credit were more likely to be audited than nonBlack filers claiming the same credit.

“It’s a type of audit that the IRS does a lot,” Smith told the network.

“It’s cheap, it’s easy to perform and Black taxpayers get caught up in that disproportionately relative to non-Black taxpayers.”

Those facts have proven discouraging for African American taxpayers, who already have to deal with systemic racism and discrimination in other parts of their lives.

Despite the problems, many still have found ways to deal with the tax system and file their taxes successfully.

Some have sought free or low-cost tax preparation services provided by community organizations or the IRS.

Others have relied on online tax software and resources to file their taxes independently.

Those who have had positive experiences with the IRS emphasize the importance of being organized, keeping good records, and staying on top of tax deadlines. They also say to find tax professionals or resources early on to ensure the filing process goes smoothly and without stress.

Overall, the experiences of African Americans with the IRS show that the tax system needs to be fairer and easier to use.

“Taxpayers of all backgrounds should have access to high-quality tax services and resources, regardless of where they live or their income level,” Alton Moore, a tax preparer and accountant, insisted.

“The IRS should get rid of bias and unfair treatment so that all taxpayers are treated equally,” Moore asserted.

Federal Judge Says Health Insurance Companies Don’t Have to Cover Preventive Care Services

The ruling comes as a result of a lawsuit brought by a group of insurers who argued that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exceeded its authority by requiring them to cover certain preventative care services without being able to charge co-payments or deductibles.

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

In a big blow to health insurance in the U.S., a federal judge has ruled that insurers no longer have to pay for preventive care services like cancer and heart disease screenings.

The ruling comes as a result of a lawsuit brought by a group of insurers who argued that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exceeded its authority by requiring them to cover certain preventative care services without being able to charge co-payments or deductibles.

The Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, was signed into law in 2010 to make it easier for millions of Americans to get health insurance.

One of the law’s key provisions was the requirement that insurance companies cover certain preventative care services without cost-sharing, including immunizations, blood pressure screenings, and mammograms.

However, the recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor of the Northern District of Texas has effectively invalidated this provision of the ACA.

In his ruling, Judge O’Connor wrote that the ACA’s requirement for insurers to cover preventative care services “exceeds the powers of Congress under the Commerce Clause” of the U.S. Constitution.

The ruling is likely to significantly affect health insurance in the U.S., especially for people who already have health problems like cancer or heart disease.

If insurance companies weren’t required to cover preventive care services, patients might be less likely to get the screenings and tests that could catch these health problems early.

Experts said this could lead to serious health problems and higher healthcare costs.

“The President is glad to see the Department of Justice is appealing the judge’s decision, which blocks a key provision of the Affordable Care Act that has ensured free access to preventive health care for 150 million Americans,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated.

“This case is yet another attack on the Affordable Care Act – which has been the law of the land for 13 years and survived three challenges before the Supreme Court.”

Jean-Pierre continued:

“Preventive care saves lives, saves families money, and protects and improves our health. Because of the ACA, millions of Americans have access to free cancer and heart

disease screenings. This decision threatens to jeopardize critical care.

“The Administration will continue to fight to improve health care and make it more affordable for hard-working families, even in the face of attacks from special interests.”

Critics of the ruling include healthcare advocacy groups and politicians. They say it will make it more complicated and expensive for millions of Americans to get health insurance. In a statement, Dr. Patrice Harris, president of the American Medical Association, called the ruling “a clear step backward for our health system.”

“Preventative care is a cornerstone of good health,” Dr. Harris said. “It’s critical that patients have access to these services without cost-sharing to stay healthy and catch health problems early before they become more serious and more costly to treat.”

The ruling is also likely to face legal challenges in the coming months. Several states and healthcare advocacy groups have already said they will appeal the decision. They say that the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) requirement that insurers cover preventive care services is a crucial part of the law’s goal to make more people eligible for health insurance.

In the meantime, patients and healthcare providers alike are left to grapple with the uncertain future of healthcare coverage in the U.S. Without the assurance of coverage for preventative care services, and patients may be forced to choose between paying out-of-pocket for these services or foregoing them altogether, potentially putting their health and well-being at risk.

“Once again, an extreme activist judge is taking a monumental swing at the Affordable Care Act, which has saved millions of lives and made Americans healthier for the last 13 years,” Congressional Black Caucus Chair Steven Horsford (D-Nevada) stated.

“The preventative care provisions in the law have ensured that, without concern for cost, Americans have been able to get screened for things like diabetes, breast cancer and heart disease.

“It also puts the brakes on critical preventative treatments like immunizations and PrEP for HIV.

“The impact of this ruling, especially on working Nevadans and communities of color, will result in the loss of lives, increased costs for treatment of preventable illnesses, and increased inequities in our already unbalanced health care system.”

Recent statistics show that African Americans comprise a large share of taxpayers in the United States.

California Black Chamber of Commerce Is Helping to Expand Broadband Access

California Black Media

The California Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCC) is joining hands with state government to help narrow the Golden State’s Digital Divide for nearly two million houses without access to broadband.

In partnership with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the California Department of Technology (CDT), the CBCC will help push the state’s MiddleMile Broadband Initiative – a $3.25 billion effort to enhance internet connectivity --under the “Broadband Technology Small Business Initiative.”

The initiative was created to provide a durable, open-access

network that would bring high-speed broadband service to unserved and underserved communities, regardless of technology used, on equal economic and service terms.

“We are the lead agency working with Caltrans,” said Jay King, the President and CEO of CBCC. “We’re front of the line making sure small businesses are included, matchmaking is taking place, and that we meet the goal and the deadline of making sure that every Californian has access to digital connections.”

The initiative connects CBCC’s statewide membership of 5, 500-plus small African American business firms and non-Black entities to the benefits of broadband technology, according to King. The state also allows small businesses to bid as contractors

for projects related to strengthening broadband connections to improve access to education, health services and employment opportunities throughout the state.

According to the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), in 2020, 10% of California residents reported not having a desktop, laptop, or other computing device at home.

In addition to a lack of functional units for computation, access was especially limited among low-income (23%), lesseducated (16%), Black (15%), and Latino (15%) households, PPIC presented in its June 2022 fact sheet.

So far, California has invested $6 billion through the legislation that created the Middle Mile Broadband Initiative, Senate Bill (SB) 156. The legislation, which Gov. Gavin Newsom

signed in 2021, expands broadband infrastructure, addresses affordability, and promotes digital literacy. California will receive approximately $100 million more to enhance its broadband infrastructure through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Middle-mile refers to the fiber optic infrastructure that makes internet connections possible by transmitting large amounts of data over long distances at high speeds through highcapacity cables. The complete design features a proposed system of 10,000 miles of infrastructure, covering the entire state.

Although federal dollars are involved in the project, King stated that state projects are “race neutral” to stay in compliance with California’s Prop 209 law that prohibits “preferential treatment” based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin.

“We know the importance (of closing the gap) not just in the Black community but in all marginalized communities,” King said. “The digital divide will only continue to hurt our country and state if we don’t ensure that everybody has full access to the digital world.”

CBCC’s Director of Small Business Willard “Will” McClure said that the design and construction of the middle-mile network is monitored by the Middle-Mile Advisory Committee (MMAC). The MMAC monitors the development and construction.

According to McClure, the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF), an organization providing leadership in expanding broadband access statewide, offers “five strategies” to close the digital divide. These include Civic Leader Engagement, Venture Philanthropy Grantmaking, Public Policy Initiatives, Public Awareness and Education, and Strategic Partnerships.

CETF’s network of more than 100 grantees have delivered digital literacy training to more than 800,000 residents and has assisted in providing internet connections to more than 250,000 low-income households in rural and remote areas, urban disadvantaged neighborhoods, and people with disabilities.

McClure said that the Middle-Mile project will be completely implemented by December 2026 but the work to close the gap really starts after the last fiber optic is installed. All participants must be “logged on with confidence,” he said.

“Once the access is available the problem is not over,” McClure said. “There’s confidence that comes with getting people to understand how to use it. Grandma doesn’t know how to download ZOOM.”

Last month, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel joined Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to announce the campaign to increase enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program in Los Angeles at the Pio Pico-Koreatown Branch Library.

Qualifying households are eligible for a discount of up to $30 a month for internet service and discounts on devices through the Affordable Connectivity Program. The households can also get a one-time discount of up to $100 to buy a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from qualifying providers.

“For many households, the cost of groceries, gas and rent can eat up the monthly budget, putting internet access out of reach,” Rosenworcel said. “We want to do more to get out the word about this powerful program and reach families that may not know about this benefit.”

Jay King, the President and the CEO of California Black Chamber of Commerce, says the non-profit is helping small businesses participate in the state’s effort to close the digital divide and provide online access to underserved communities. (CBM

photo by Antonio Ray Harvey)

Antonio Ray Harvey|

California Legislative Black Caucus Chair  is

Receiving Medical Treatment for Cancer

(CLBC) Chair Lori Wilson (D-Suisun) announced that she is receiving treatment for Breast Cancer.

The lawmaker, who was elected last year, thanked supporters for all the love and support she has received and assured constituents that she will still be fighting for their interests.

“I remain steadfast in my dedication to serve the residents of the 11th Assembly District,” Wilson said.

Assemblymember Akilah Weber to Run for State Senate

On April 6, Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa) announced she is entering the race to replace Senate President pro tempore Toni Atkins, who is termed out at the end of this year.

Weber, who is also a physician, represents the 79th Assembly District in the greater San Diego area.

“I have successfully fought to improve access to quality healthcare, strengthen our education system, protect our environment, and further economic prosperity,” Weber said in a statement. “As State Senator for District 39, I will continue this fight.”

Weber’s announcement came roughly a week after County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher withdrew from the race citing his battle with alcohol abuse and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Fletcher is also facing allegations of sexual harassment and infidelity.

In 2021, Weber won a special election to replace her mother, Shirley N. Weber, in the Assembly after the elder Weber was appointed Secretary of State by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

California Leaders Condemn Expulsion of Black Lawmakers in Tennessee

The Republican Majority in the Tennessee House of Representatives took the unprecedented move last week to expel two Black Democratic lawmakers, former Rep. Justin Jones and former Rep. Justin Pearson, for protesting for gun control during session.

The decision, which was widely criticized – even by members of the GOP – was met with widespread condemnation across the country, including several prominent Black leaders in California.

The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) issued a statement.

“Our 12-member body of Black legislators representing Black Californians boldly stand with our Tennessee state legislative colleagues in the national fight to end the illegal use of guns and the devastating violence it brings onto our communities and families,” said CLBC Chair, Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun).

CLBC Vice Chair, Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) says he and his Black colleagues in the California State Legislature would take the same approach.

“We are in solidarity with the two courageous brothers exercising their first amendment right. We would have taken the same approach in representing the people’s voices,” Bradford added.

Dezie Woods-Jones, President and founding member of Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) said the expelled Tennessee lawmakers were exercising their constitutional rights and fulfilling their duties as elected officials.

“BWOPA-CA proudly stands in solidarity with Tennessee representatives Jones and Pearson and call for their immediate reinstatement,” Woods Jones said. This is a stark reminder of the focused work that is before us to complete in dismantling systemic biases — even against our elected leaders.

California Releases Report on Gun Owner Tracking System

Last week, California Attorney General Rob Bonta released a program report on the state’s Prohibited Persons System (APPS), the only resource of its kind in the United States created to track registered firearm owners whose rights to possess guns have been revoked authorities.

Launched in 2006, the APSS database identifies gun owners who have fallen into prohibited status, including people convicted of felonies or violent misdemeanors and others under restraining orders for domestic violence or other offenses.

“I’m proud of the work our Special Agents do on behalf of the people of California,” said Bonta. “These brave agents are rarely in the spotlight, but they are working every day to prevent gun violence from ever happening by removing dangerous weapons from communities.”

According to the report, the California Department of Justice (DOJ) made significant progress over the course of 2022 identifying people who own guns illegally and recovering weapons in their possession.

“DOJ recovered 1,437 firearms — including 712 handguns, 360 rifles, 194 shotguns, 80 assault weapons, 54 ghost guns, 43 receivers or frames, 3 short-barreled shotguns, and 1 machine gun,” read a DOJ Press release. “Agents also seized 308 large-capacity magazines, 2,123 standard capacity magazines, and 281,299 rounds of ammunition through APPS enforcement actions. As of January 1, 2023, there were 3,347,221 known registered firearm

owners in California of which 23,869 are prohibited from owning or possessing firearms, making up less than 1%.”

Pilot Program May Bring Speed Cameras to Six California Cities

A bill making its way through the California Assembly is proposing a five-year pilot program that would temporarily legalize speed enforcement cameras in six California cities: Los Angeles, San Jose, Oakland, Glendale, Long Beach and San Francisco.

Introduced by Assemblymembers Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) and Laura Friedman (D-Glendale), Assembly Bill (AB) 645 to encourage safe driving and lower the incidents of car crashes that result in injuries or death.

“My city of San Francisco is committed to reducing traffic fatalities to zero,” Ting said in a press release explaining the proposal. “More than 70% of our city’s fatalities occur on just 12% of our streets.”

Legislations similar to AB 645 have met resistance both at the local and state level from privacy advocates who argue that the remote cameras will be intrusive and law enforcement organizations who fear automating that function would lead eliminate police officer jobs.

White House Approves Storm Recovery Support for California Communities

Last week, the White House approved major disaster support for California’s recovery from a series of severe storms that have battered the state.

According to a White House press release, the emergency aid is to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe winter storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides beginning on February 21, 2023, and continuing.”

Gov. Newsom said California’s first responders have already been deployed to hard-hit areas of the state where the need for recovery aid is most urgent.

“We are committed to supporting our communities over the long haul and thank the Biden Administration for their continued partnership,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. “The Presidential Major Disaster Declaration will help Californians in impacted counties through eligibility for several programs and supports that can include housing assistance, food aid, counseling, and medical and legal services.”

The federal funds will benefit people impacted in Kern, Mariposa, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Tulare, and Tuolumne counties, according to the governor. To apply for assistance, residents and business owners in the impacted counties can register online at www. DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800462-7585 TTY.

California Democratic Party Convention Announces 2023 Theme Last week, the California Democratic Party announced the theme for its 2023 convention, which will be held May 25 to May 28: “Don’t Agonize, Organize.”

During this year’s conference, which will be held in Los Angeles, the California Democratic Party Black Caucus (CDPBC) will hold elections and U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-11) will be honored.

Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Riverside) is currently chair of the CDPBC. Register online and get a listing of events.

Assemblywoman Dr. Akilah Weber speaks at an AB 2774 rally in front of the State Capitol in Sacramento before a hearing held on April 27, 2022  (CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey file photo)

CLBC Chair Assemblymember Lori Wilson in a committee hearing June 2022/Photo Antonio Ray Harvey (CBM file photo)

Tanu Henry California Black Media Stories You Might Have Missed Last Week.

California Legislative Black Caucus Chair Lori Wilson Is Receiving Medical Treatment for Cancer On Friday, California Legislative Black Caucus