LOS ANGELES (AP) – Kobe Bryant was one of the most photogenic sports figures in Los Angeles and images of him seen by millions around the world _ smiling in victory, grimacing in agony _ keep his memory alive. But some photos of him should never be seen, his widow says, and she’s seeking unspecified millions in compensation for snapshots taken of the NBA star’s corpse that were circulated after he was killed in a helicopter crash with their daughter and seven others in 2020. Vanessa Bryant’s invasion of privacy trial against the Los Angeles County sheriff’s and fire departments begins Wednesday in a U.S. District Court just over a mile from where Kobe Bryant played most of his career with the Lakers. Vanessa Bryant claims deputies did not take the photos for investigative purposes and shared them with firefighters who responded to the crash scene. The lawsuit said a deputy showed the photos to bar patrons and a firefighter showed them off-duty colleagues. “Mrs. Bryant feels ill at the thought that sheriff’s deputies, firefighters, and members of the public have gawked at gratuitous images of her deceased husband and child,” according to the lawsuit. “She lives in fear that she or her children will one day confront horrific images of their lovedones online.”KobeBryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and other parents and players were flying to a girls basketball tournament when their chartered helicopter crashed in the Calabasas hills west of Los Angeles in fog. Federal safety officials blamed pilot error for the wreck. Vanessa Bryant has also sued the helicopter charter company and the deceased pilot’s estate. The county has argued that Bryant has suffered emotional distress from the deaths, not the photos, which were ordered deleted by Sheriff Alex Villanueva. They said the photos have never been in the media, on the internet or otherwise publicly disseminated and that the lawsuit is speculative about harm she may suffer. A law prompted by the crash makes it a crime for first responders to take unauthorized photos of deceased people at the scene of an accident or crime. The county already agreed to pay $2.5 million to settle a similar case brought by two families whose relatives died in the Jan. 26, 2020, crash. Vanessa Bryant did not settle her case, indicating she’s seekingThemore.litigation has at times been ugly. When the county sought a psychiatric evaluation of Bryant to determine if she suffered emotional distress because of the photos, her lawyers criticized the “scorched-earth discovery tactics” to bully her and other family members of victims to abandon their lawsuits. The county responded by saying they were sympathetic to Bryant’s losses and dismissed her case as a “money grab.”
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The arrest report said investigators found markings suggesting the vehicle “hit sidewalk areas” before stopping in an industrial section of downtown Las Vegas not far from Main“TheStreet.driver was asleep behind the wheel with the driver’s door open leaning back in the seat,” the report said, “with bloodshot, watery eyes and had one shoe on and one shoe off.” The 7:30 a.m. Tuesday arrest came the morning after the Seattle Seahawks _ the team for which Lynch played most of his 12 NFL seasons _ announced that Lynch had been hired as a broadcast special correspondent. Lynch also played for the Buffalo Bills and Oakland Raiders.The arrest report said Lynch, 36, was uncooperative with officers and fell asleep several times during questioning. Jail officers “had to use a restraint chair to force a blood draw” after a judge issued a warrant, the report said. Lynch was later released from Las Vegas City Jail pending a Dec. 7 court date in Las Vegas Municipal Court. Results of his blood test were not immediately made public. Nevada law bans driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08% or more. Court records show that Lynch entered a no-contest plea to a misdemeanor vehicle parking charge and fined $750 in April in a case that saw charges of failing to report or remain at the scene of an accident dismissed. Schonfeld, who represented Lynch in that case, declined Thursday to comment about it. Lynch’s attorneys said in their statement that he “appreciates and is thankful for everyone’s concern and support.”Lynch had 10,413 career rushing yards and 85 rushing touchdowns from 2007-19 and was chosen for the Pro Bowl five times. He won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks in 2014.
Edward Henderson California Black Media A new report by California’s Legislative Analysist Office (LAO) offers recommendations for the state’s Employment Development Department (EDD) to improve their functionality and timeliness of their Unemployment Insurance (UI) Program. The UI program provides temporary wage replacement to unemployed workers to help alleviate their economic challenges and bolster the state economy during downturns. The increased volume of unemployment claims (both valid and fraudulent) and challenges out of work people faced caused by the pandemic highlighted the need to rebalance the program. Lengthy review processes and holds on valid claims caused hardship for workers and their families, hindered the state’s economic recovery, and spurred frustration among unemployed Californians with theirDuringgovernment.the COVID-19 pandemic, EDD delayed payments to nearly 5 million workers and improperly denied payments to an estimated 1 million people.
Summer F.U.N. for Black Students
“Marshawn was not pulled over for a DUI,” the statement said. “We are confident that when all evidence is presented, this will not be a DUI under Nevada law.” The arresting officer, Kevin Barker, reported that Lynch’s black 2020 Shelby GT500 was “undriveable,” with one missing front wheel and the rear driver’s side and front passenger wheels badly damaged.
By KEN RITTER Associated Press LAS VEGAS (AP) – Former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch was asleep and smelled of alcohol when Las Vegas police found him in his damaged sports car and arrested him on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, according to an arrest report made public Thursday. Lynch’s attorneys, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, responded in a statement that Lynch’s car “was safely parked and not in operation” when police arrived early Tuesday and a driving while intoxicated charge won’t stick.
McKenzie Jackson California Black Media The Golden State is doing more than just praying for rain amidst the historic drought that is battering the stateand the western United States. Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a plan that would increase California’s water supply and combat the extreme weather patterns caused by climate change. The initiative, its scope captured in the 19-page “California’s Water Supply Strategy, Adapting to a Hotter, Drier Future” document released by Newsom’s administration, will invest $8 billion in water recycling, storage, and desalination. The plan, Newsom said, is in response to a deeper understanding of how dire California’s water crisis is. “The hydrology in the state has begun to change pretty significantly,” he said. “The aridification that we are experiencing leads us now, the science and data leads us now, to understand we will lose 10 % of our water supply by 2040.”Thegovernor made his remarks at an Aug. 11 pressconference held in front of the $110 million Antioch Brackish Desalination Project facility, currently under construction at the city of Antioch’s wastewater treatment plant. When completed within the next two years. the first surface-water desalination plant in the Bay Area will use large reverse-osmosis filters to create six million gallons of fresh water per day. Antioch mayor Lamar Thorpe said the facility is one of the innovative solutions Californians need to in response to climate change and the current drought, which began in 2020.Assemblymember Lori Wison (D - Suisun) said, “We are experiencing the worst drought the Western United States has seen in 1,200 years. We must find innovative solutions to climate challenges like this if we are to move forward successfully...... Under the Governor’s leadership, California is investing in technology, solutions, and people to build a more resilient, even as California leads the charge to combat climate change.” Newsom said constructions like Antioch project are part of the plan. “We are focused on creating more supply. We are focused on creating more water,” he said. “We need to be more creative and more aggressive in not just promoting this technology but delivering on its promise and more over its Thepotential.”“WaterSupply Strategy” includes creating storage space for up to four million acre-feet of water, so that rain water from big storms can be captured and stored for dry periods and recycling and reusing at a minimum 800,000 acre-feet of water per year by 2030, reducing wastewater discharged to the ocean. Employing more efficient water conservation the state will free up 500,000 acre-feet of water to make up for water lost because of climate change. Additionally, new water captured by stormwater and desalinating ocean water and salty water in groundwaterbasins will be available for use. Officials across the state applauded plan. San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Sandra L. Kerl said the “Water Supply Strategy” is an important step to protect California’s economy and quality of life.“The governor’s approach aligns closely with the Water Authority’s 30-year strategy that combines new supplies, infrastructure upgrades, and conservation,” she said. There were some that disagreed with some of Newsom’s plan. Kate Poole, senior director of the Natural Resources Defense Council’s nature program, told the LA Times some of the initiative was good. Poole said, “It’s really the things that aren’t in there that are most concerning,” she said. “Agriculture obviously uses 80 percent of our developed water supply in California. So you can’t really deal effectively with water use without dealing with Big Ag. And Newsom does not seem very willing to do Californiathat.”isexperiencing its second drought in the last decade. The sense of urgency is real, said Newsom. “The hots are getting a lot hotter and the dries are getting a lot drier,” he said. “We have to adapt.”
Chas Alamo, LAO’s Principal Fiscal & Policy Analyst, the report’s author links the UI program’s issues to its basic design which hasn’t changed much since the 1930’s. UI benefits are funded by employers. Over time, this has created a relationship with the EDD that employees don’t have. While an employee may apply for benefits once or twice during their entire career, employers have become the EDD’s primary customer because they’re interactingwith them on a consistent basis. “There’s no ongoing relationship between workers and EDD in the same way that there is with business and EDD,” said Alamo. “We think this partnership or orientation towards the business community has sort of encouraged the state and the department to prioritize policies that would tend to favor minimizing business costs and eliminating fraud rather than prioritizing gettingbenefits to workers.”
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Austin Gage California Black Media As students and parents contemplate how best to be prepared for school after the summer break, engaging in summer education offers a way to recover from the trauma and learning loss caused by the pandemic. To address this vitally important issue, the U.S. Department of Education held a virtual roundtable on July 27th titled “Summer F.U.N. for Black Students: Families Understanding and Nurturing Learning at Home”. Hosted by Alexis Holmes, Policy Manager at the National Education Association, the virtual panel focused on how Black families can support and provide rich summer learning experiences for their children. The roundtable participants were Dr. Rosiline Floyd, Chief of Staff at Normandy Schools Collaborative; Kier Gaines, licensed therapist and Job Placement Specialist at District of Columbia Public Schools; Frances Frost, education advocate and the first Family Ambassador at the Department of Education; and Josh Davis, vice president of policy and partnerships at StriveTogether. The advice provided by the panel stressed engagement of Black students during the summer as valuable toacademic success in the fall and for the students’ futures. Speaking to the roundtable audience, Holmes shared her appreciation with everyone present for understanding the importance of the topic. “We appreciate you taking the time to be here today to talk about something so important, and that is making sure thatour students continue to have the out-of-school/summer experiences that they need to support them and to get them ready for a very successful and rich fall and back to school season,” Holmes said. The panel maintained that Black families must provide support to their children due to its lasting impact
News Observer One!Take Inflation Reduction Act Contains Important CostSaving Changes Page A7 Serena Williams’ Tough Call Resonates with Women Page A3
Kobe Bryant Crash Photos Lawsuit to be Heard by Jury
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areas:Improper Claim Denials Were Numerous More than half of the UI claims the EDD denies are overturned on appeal. Overturned denials cause lengthy delays for workers who appeal and raise concern that the state denies many eligible workers. Likely between $500 million and $1 billion in UI payments annually go unpaid each year due to improper denials. Claim Delays Need to be Reduced More than half of UI claims were delayed during the peak of the pandemic, for many workers by several months. Between 15% and 20% of workers who apply for UI during normal economic times experience delays.
The LAO’s report features 12 targeted changes for the EDD to make to improve their operations and relationships with employees seeking benefits. The changes acknowledged unemployment workers experience in 3 key
The UI Application Needs to be Simplified The state’s UI application and ongoing requirements are difficult to understand and unnecessarily lengthy. Answers to many of the questions asked of employees are already on file in the EDD. Many of IU’s problem areas were magnified during the pandemic. An estimated $20 billion has been lost to Recommendation to Cal EDD: Focus Less on Fraud, More on
Assemblymember and Black Caucus Member Lori Wilson ( D-Suisun) speaks at press conference August 12 Antioch CA. L to R: Governor Newsom tours the Antioch Brackish Desalination Project and stands with new Infrastructure Advisor, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Mayor of Antioch Lamar Thorpe, Karla Nemeth, Director of the California of Water Resources and Wade Crowfoot, CA Natural Resources Secretary.
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Newsom’s “Water Supply Strategy” Geared to Combat Drought, Climate Change
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Dept. of Education Roundtable Encourages
Senate Republicans, all of whom opposed the package, lashed“Thisout.is not about inflation reduction. This is all about Democrats spending on things they want to spend money on,” Utah GOP Sen. Mitt Romney asserted. “It’s another taxing and spending bill,” he insisted. Biden said he ran for president promising to make government work for working families again, and that is what this bill does. “This bill caps seniors’ out-of-pocket spending for prescription drugs at $2000 per year – no matter what their drug bills would otherwise be, seniors will not have to spend more than $2,000,” Biden stated “Additionally, 13 million Americans, covered under the Affordable Care Act, will see their health insurance premiums reduced by $800.” Biden continued: “This bill tackles inflation by lowering the deficit and lowering costs for regular families. This bill also makes the largest investment ever in combatting the existential crisis of climate change. “It addresses the climate crisis and strengthens our energy security, creating jobs manufacturing solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles in America with American workers. In addition, it lowers families’ energy costs by hundreds of dollars each year. “Finally, it pays for all this by establishing a minimum corporate tax so that our richest corporations start to pay their fair share. It does not raise taxes on those making under $400,000 a year – not one cent.”
Climate, Health and Tax Bill
“I’m thrilled we were finally able to pass this historic, once-in-a-generation investment in our country’s future that will lower costs for Georgians, create clean energy jobs and reduce the deficit all at the same time,” said Georgia Democratic Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock.
Summer F.U.N. for Black Students Dept. of Education Roundtable Encourages on their educational future. Emphasizing this point, Floyd and Davis both agreed that because Black and other marginalized students face steeper challenges in their journeys for higher education, these obstacles must be dealt with efficiently and effectively. “I started out as an engineer at Purdue, and I noticedthat students of color didn’t have the resources that I had to make it to a Division I university, so I started researching why and a lot of what I found was the education level that they were getting inside the schools. They changed the standards to get into universities, but schools didn’t evenoffer some of the classes that students needed to be able to enroll in universities,” said Floyd. When asked to identify resources and what they can mean to Black communities, Davis said “When I think about resources, it is the non-financial but oftentimes more important social and political capital that Black families and children do not have with equitable or equal access to those things other communities have that allow themto thrive.”
Senate Dems Pass Huge
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fraudulent California claims, according to EDD estimates.All but $1.3 billion of that total involved claims from federally-funded COVID relief programs, which ended last year. The response to this has made it even more difficult for valid claims to be processed. “During the pandemic the state was under incredible pressure to cut down on fraud so the department ramped up some of its already high levels of fraud detection efforts. They took several steps that measurably and meaningfully reduced fraud in the federal program. And they should be commended for those steps. But they also took steps that really slowed down the process for otherwise eligible workers and led to these delays.” In response to the report, the EDD released a statement where they acknowledged changes needed to be made.“EDD appreciates and will carefully review the LAO’s ideas for further simplifying processes and speeding up the delivery of services to Californians. Many of these ideas, such as limiting improper claim denials and minimizing delays, have been incorporated into EDD actions over the past year. As part of California’s commitment to improving EDD’s customer service, the recently-enacted state budget includes $136 million for EDDnext, a major effort to modernize EDD and further improve the customer experience … We agree with the LAO that “EDD must balance the need to prevent fraud … with the priority to deliver payments in a timely and easy manner.” While Alamo concedes that some of the reported changes the EDD plans to make will help, he also believes that a large number of the recommendations made in the report go beyond the steps the department has proposedto take.“The pressure really is on now to begin those efforts so that some of these improvements are in place the next time millions of workers turn to EDD for UI benefits during the next downturn. And if historical precedent tells us anything that’s going to be within 10 years. The clock starts ticking and there really is not a lot of time that the state or the legislature can wait before undertaking some of these improvements,” Alamo said.
President Joe Biden said he ran for president promising to make government work for working families again, and that is what this bill does.
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Senate Democrats took a critical step toward reducing inflation and the cost of living by passing the Inflation ReductionProponentsAct. said the measure would make a big difference for many Americans by locking in savings on health insurance premiums and reducing the cost of prescription drugs by allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prices.The bill, when signed by President Joe Biden, should also lead to creating family-sustaining jobs and cutting energy costs by making the most significant investment in history in combating climate change, Democrats have claimed.The country will pay the bill’s $739 billion price tag by making corporations pay their fair share. Those making less than $400,000 annually won’t see tax increases. Vice President Kamala Harris cast the tie-breaking vote in a deadlock Senate to ensure passage. “I’m thrilled we were finally able to pass this historic, once-in-a-generation investment in our country’s future that will lower costs for Georgians, create clean energy jobs and reduce the deficit all at the same time,” said Georgia Democratic Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock. “I’m especially proud the legislation includes two provisions I introduced to cap insulin costs for Medicare patients at $35 a month and to limit the cost of prescription drugs for seniors. This bill will strengthen health care access and lower health care costs for people across Georgia.” Warnock said the legislation would make a real change in people’s“Fromlives.saving seniors money by allowing Medicare to directly negotiate drug prices, to expanding vital health care subsidies, to greening the economy, this legislation will make a lasting impact on Georgians’ lives,” Warnock stated.Experts and economists said the Inflation Reduction Act would save American households thousands of dollars. “This bill will reduce the cost of prescription drugs, make health insurance more affordable, cap out-of-pocket costs, reduce your energy bill, reduce the federal deficit, and bring down inflation,” Florida Democratic Rep. Val Demings said. “As the daughter of a maid and a janitor, every dollar mattered in our household, and I’ll always fight to protect workingDemingsfamilies.”said the deal builds on work she did in the House to allow Medicare to negotiate the cost of prescription drugs, bring down energy costs, and create significant new jobs by fighting climate change. “Senate Republicans tried and failed to block this legislation because it takes on their biggest backers: prescription drug companies, fossil fuel companies, and billionaire tax cheats,” Demings remarked. “I’m going to put Florida families first and support policies to bring down costs for working people even if it cuts into the profit margins of these special interests.”
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Understanding the obstacles standing in the way of Black students’ academic potential success was the first step the panelists explored. Next, they discussed strategies to academically engage the students during the summer. “Try to find that sweet spot in between what some of the children are naturally good at and what they like to do, help them understand that those two things sometimes are two completely different things and then just allow an exploratory nature in introducing them to different options that they might not have had otherwise. Putting kids in the driver’s seat seems to be a really remarkable strategy,”GainesRegardingsaid.
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specific teaching strategies, Gaines shared that, “What has been the most effective for me in the program that I’ve been in charge of is finding ways to integrate social media and technology into what you’ve already been doing. Also allow time for breaks. ‘Hey y’all, we are going to work for an hour and then we’ll take a 15-minute break; you can be on your phone, you can go chill, you can do whatever you want but promptly I want us to be back in and back ready.’” Frost shared a specific strategy of her own regarding making a summer education system effective. “Make sure that your program is a welcoming environment. That’s one of the standards that we have as National PTA [National Parent Teacher Association]. It is summertime, they have been in school for 180 days, they want to do everything but be in school so make it something that they want to come to and things they want to learn,” said Frost. The main message the roundtable panelists conveyed to the audience was Black families supporting their children was key to academic success. “Our research shows that children who have parents who are engaged are more likely to show up to school, they are more likely to graduate, they are more likely to be successful in school because you are encouraging your child, you are in contact with their teacher, you understand what’s going on,” Frost said.
Report Recommendation to Cal EDD: Focus Less on Fraud, More on Employees
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Veteran “Saturday Night Live” cast member Kenan Thompson will host next month's Emmy“BeingAwards.apart of this incredible evening where we honor the best of the television community is ridiculously exciting, and to do it on NBC - my longtime network family - makes it even more special,” Thompson said in a statementThompsonTuesday.has been with NBC's late-night sketch show since 2003 and returns for his 20th season this fall. His work on “SNL” has earned him a trio of Emmy supporting acting nominations, and he won a trophy in 2018 as lyrics co-writer of the song “Come Back, Barack,” which was featured on the show. He earned a lead acting nomination last year for his sitcom “Kenan,” which NBC canceled in May after two seasons.Thompson was an original cast member of Nickelodeon's children's sketch comedy series “All That” and starred with Kel Mitchell on the spinoff “Kenan and Kel.” His film credits include “Clifford the Big Red Dog” and “Barbershop 2: Back in Business.” The Sept. 12 Emmy ceremony will air live on NBC and be carried on its streaming sibling Peacock. Top nominees include the dramas “Succession” and “Squid Game” and comedies “Ted Lasso,” “Hacks” and “Only Murders in the Building.”
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (AP) – Teddy Ray, a comedian and actor who appeared on the HBO Max series “PAUSE with Sam Jay,” has died, authorities confirmed on Saturday. He was 32. The Riverside County Sheriff's Office and the county's coroner's office confirmed that the death of the comedian, whose legal name was Theadore Brown, was reported Friday morning in the desert community of Rancho Mirage, the Los Angeles Times reported. Sheriff's Sgt. Brandi Swan, who said deputies responded to a call about the death at a private residence, said that the cause of death was unknown.Entertainment companies and some of Ray's fellow comedians reacted with sadness to the news of Ray's death. “Teddy Ray was a hilarious and beloved performer,” TV network Comedy Central said in a Twitter statement. “He'll be deeply missed by the entire comedy community.” All Def Digital, a multi-platform media company that Ray had collaborated with, tweeted that it was “heartbroken” about the news of Ray's death. “We will miss him every day but we know he will have Heaven laughing,” the tweet read. Ray appeared as the bailiff on “PAUSE with Sam Jay,” appeared in the digital series Cancel Court, and was a stand-up comedian
Kenan Thompsonof ‘SNL’ to Host Emmy Awards
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Actor and Comedian Teddy Ray Dies
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By JOCELYN NOVECK AP National Writer NEW YORK (AP) – Serena Williams said it plainly: It isn't really fair. A male athlete would never have to make the same choice. But after a trailblazing career that both transformed and transcended her sport, Williams, who turns 41 next month, has told the world she'll soon step away from tennis to focus on having a second child and making her daughter, Olympia, a big sister. Her explanation in a lengthy Vogue essay resonated with women in sports and well beyond, many of whom could relate only too well to her words, “Something's got to give.” And to the idea that, no, you really can't have it all _ at least, not all at the same time.Many noted that Williams' achievements, which included winning a major when two months pregnant, had made her seem superhuman. But, said Sherie Randolph, even ordinary women are expected to seamlessly combine work and “Societymotherhood.makeswomen think they can have everything all at once _ be the best hands-on-mom and at the top of the field,” said Randolph, a history professor at GeorgiaTech and founder of a Black feminist think tank who's working on a book about African American mothers. “But that just is not borne out in reality for most women,” she said. “What ends up happening is that working mothers are just worn out and overworked trying to labor at the highest level of two demanding jobs _ motherhood and their profession.” As if to prove her point, Randolph's 4-year-old son constantly interrupted her thoughts about Williams' decision as she tried to discuss them in a phone call. In explaining how her daughter yearned to be a big sister, Williams noted she didn't want to be pregnant againas an athlete: “I need to be two feet into tennis or two feet out.”“Believe me,” the 23-time Grand Slam champion also wrote, “I never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family. I don't think it's fair. If I were a guy I wouldn't be writing this because I'd be out there playing and winning while my wife was doing the physical labor of expanding our family.” “Maybe I'd be more of a Tom Brady if I had that opportunity,” she added, a reference to the 45-year-old superstar quarterback who recently retired, then reversed his decision 40 days later. Many women, discussing Williams' announcement, reflected on their own agonizing choices in the name of “having it “Evenall.”as a woman who sits at a desk, whose body is not taxed by the work at hand, I have felt that searing pulling apart of myself _ towards my career, and towards my family,” said Jo McKinney, 57, a New York advertising executive.“Now, looking back, I wish that every time I chose my family over my job ... it didn't label me as unambitious,” she said. “I got goosebumps as I read Serena's piece because she said what many of us feel and are afraid to voice: It's not fair, and something's got to give.” Such dilemmas are exacerbated in sports, said Lisa Banks, a prominent Washington employment attorney specializing in both gender and sports cases. “Having it all is a subjective thing,” she said. “You can have it all, but can you have it at the same time and the same level, if you're going through pregnancies? No, you miss some time, you miss training. You're necessarily at a disadvantage.”Theissuehas been illustrated vividly in track and field. U.S. sprinters Allyson Felix and Alysia Montano became advocates for mothers when they split with Nike over contract clauses that reduced salaries when they became pregnant.Four-time Olympic champion sprinter Sanya Richards-Ross retired after the 2016 Olympics before starting a family with her husband, former NFL defensiveback Aaron Ross. “I always knew I didn't want to start a family while I was still competing,” she said. “I feel being an athlete is the most selfish role you could have because it's always all about you. Resting, recovering, training. Everything is so hyper-focused on the athlete. And being a parent is the opposite of that.” Of Williams' decision, she said, “I don't want to say it's unfair, but it's a harsh reality and harsh truth that as an elite female athlete, we definitely have to consider a lot of things our male counterparts don't.” Distance runner Kara Goucher, who also fought battles over pregnancy pay, said people are starting to acknowledge the issue, and careers are lasting longer. But she added: “You see the dad at the Super Bowl holding hiskids. The reason he's able to do that ... is because someone else is there taking care of their children. That's not how itis forLikemothers.”Williams when she won the Australian Open in 2017, beach volleyball player Kerri Walsh Jennings was newly pregnant when she won a gold medal in London in 2012.“Ithink at some point, you gotta make that choice,” she said. “Ultimately it's very clear that that clock is ticking. Usually, being a mama wins out.” But Walsh Jennings expects Williams to keep building her legacy. (Williams has become a venture capitalist with her Serena Ventures, and is a fashion designer, among other things.) “She has earned the right to stop and breathe, and to grow her family,” she said. Tennis legend Chris Evert, who won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, retired at 34 and started a family two years later. “The motherhood/tennis career subject is not one I experienced,” she said in an email message. “I wanted and chose to spend every second with my children. That was my choice but doesn't mean it's the right choice for everyone. “As far as Serena, I think this is the right time,” Evert said. “She's squeezed everything she could out of her game. ... She's transcended tennis and become a leader on many important cultural, social and gender issues. She has lived an extraordinary life and will undoubtedly continue to crash the glass ceiling.” One thing is clear: The U.S. Open, after which Williams strongly hinted she'll retire, will be a huge draw. Ticket sales were sharply up on Tuesday, said Kirsten Corio, chief commercial officer for the U.S. Tennis Association. A mother of two herself, Corio said of Williams' announcement that “the realization is a little bit crushing, that as a woman you can't do both as an athlete at the top of your“It'sgame.”alot of emotions to process, both as a fan of sports and of working moms,” she said. “The one emotion that I can boil it down to, really, is just gratitude.” Dearica Hamby was also feeling gratitude. Williams, said the WNBA player for the Las Vegas Aces, has been “an example for a lot of us, especially mothers being able to compete at such a high level.” Still, Hamby, who like Williams has a daughter, 5-year-old Amaya, said the tennis star's call was a hard one _ and it's a discussion she's been having a lot lately with coaches and players. “You're almost forced to choose,” she said of motherhood and pro sports. “It's the reality of the world we live in. I mean, are men gonna start having kids? It's the hard reality of the world.”
withCallWilliams’Choice:ToughResonatesWomen
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2022-B5509 Doing business as: JMV ENTERPRISES at 9300 Kingsmill Lane, Bakersfield, Ca. 93312 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: JOHN MAGGAY VILLASENOR, 9300 Kingsmill Lane, Bakersfield, Ca. 93312-3966 Full name of registrant: MARIE CABALLES VILLASENOR, 9300 Kingsmill Lane, Bakersfield, Ca. 93312-3966 The business is conducted by: Married Couple SIGNED: JOHN M. VILLASENOR The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: August 8, MARY2022 B BEDARD County Clerk By: M DeputyHERNANDEZ, This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions Icode).declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on August 8, 2027
B BEDARD County Clerk By: C DeputyMARTINEZ, This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions Icode).declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on August 12, 2027
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2022-B5628 Doing business as: CD WRIGHT CONSULTING at 2821 Carriage Street, Bakersfield, Ca. 93314 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: COBY DECK WRIGHT, 2821 Carriage Street, Bakersfield, Ca. 93314 The business is conducted by: Individual SIGNED: COBY DECK WRIGHT The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: August 12, MARY2022 B BEDARD County Clerk By: P DEL VILLAR, Deputy This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on August 12, 2027 NEWSBAKERSFIELDOBSERVER (E) PUB: Aug 17, 24, 31, Sep 7, 2022 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2022-B52502022-B5249 Doing business as: PARTY PLUS / PARTY PALACE at 930 19th Street, Bakersfield, Ca. 93301 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: REINA DOLORES BENITEZ, 11126 New Forest Dr., Bakersfield, Ca. 93312 The business is conducted by: Individual SIGNED: REINA DOLORES BENITEZ The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: April 1, 1996 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: July 28, MARY2022 B BEDARD County Clerk By: C DeputyMARTINEZ, This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on July 28, 2027
PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICEPUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICEPUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2022-B5605 Doing business as: ROSEDALE HOME FURNITURE at 9935 Rosedale Hwy, Bakersfield, Ca. 93312 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: FURNITURE PROS LLC, 9935 Rosedale Hwy, Bakersfield, Ca. 93312 The business is conducted by: Limited Liability Company SIGNED: AHMAD F ALQUDAH, CEO The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: March 1, 2022 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: August 12, MARY2022 B BEDARD County Clerk By: P DEL VILLAR, Deputy This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions Icode).declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on August 12, 2027 NEWSBAKERSFIELDOBSERVER (E) PUB: Aug 17, 24, 31, Sep 7, 2022
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2022-B5536 Doing business as: CROWN CONSTRUCTION at 3630 Phairfield St, Bakersfield, Ca. 93314 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: BRIAN CRAIG SHOCKLEY, 3630 Phairfield St, Bakersfield, Ca. 93314 The business is conducted by: Individual SIGNED: BRIAN CRAIG SHOCKLEY The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: April 1, 2006 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: August 9, MARY2022 B BEDARD County Clerk By: C DeputyMARTINEZ, This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions Icode).declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on August 9, 2027 NEWSBAKERSFIELDOBSERVER (E)
STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE NO: 2022-B1298 Business Name you wish to abandon: SWEET TREATS BY ASHLYN KUJALA Street address of business: 608 Arbuckle Court, Bakersfield, Ca. County:93309Kern Mailing address of business: Same Registrant(s) who wish to abandon the business name: ASHLYN MIRIN KUJALA, 608 Arbuckle Court, Bakersfield, Ca. 93309 I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) Business was conducted by: Individual SIGNED: ASHLYN KUJALA, Owner This statement of abandonment filed on: Jul 25, 2022 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: C DeputyMARTINEZ NEWSBAKERSFIELDOBSERVER (E) PUB: Aug 17, 24, 31, Sep 7, 2022
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2022-B5615 Doing business as: CENTRAL VALLEY ELECTRIC at 1010 Main Street, Delano, Ca. 93215 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: JULIAN LOUIS LOPEZ, 1010 Main Street, Delano, Ca. 93215 The business is conducted by: Individual SIGNED: JULIAN LOUIS LOPEZ The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: August 12, MARY2022 B BEDARD County Clerk By: P DEL VILLAR, Deputy This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on August 12, 2027 NEWSBAKERSFIELDOBSERVER (E) PUB: Aug 17, 24, 31, Sep 7, 2022 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2022-B5613 Doing business as: CLOUD 9 HEATING & AIR at 1525 Porter St, Ridgecrest, Ca. 93555 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: BRYAN DAVID SCOTT, 1525 Porter St, Ridgecrest, Ca. 93555 The business is conducted by: Individual SIGNED: BRYAN DAVID SCOTT The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: August 12, MARY2022
STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE NO: 2022-B0160 Business Name you wish to abandon: BRIGHTSIDE POWER WASH Street address of business: 7400 Henness Ct, Bakersfield, Ca. 93313 County: Kern Mailing address of business: Same Registrant(s) who wish to abandon the business name: ALLEN CORONA CASTILLO, 7400 Henness Ct, Bakersfield, Ca. 93313 I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) Business was conducted by: Individual SIGNED: ALLEN CORONA CASTILLO, Owner This statement of abandonment filed on: Jul 26, 2022 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: T DeputyFISHER NEWSBAKERSFIELDOBSERVER (E) PUB: Aug 17, 24, 31, Sep 7, 2022
NEWSBAKERSFIELDOBSERVER (E) PUB: Aug 17, 24, 31, Sep 7, 2022
NEWS OBSERVER Published Bakersfield News Observer August 17,
NEWSBAKERSFIELDOBSERVER (E) PUB: Aug 17, 24, 31, Sep 7, 2022 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2022-B56582022-B56572022-B5656
Legal Notices
A6 Bakersfield News Observer Wednesday, August 17, 2022 2027
NEWSBAKERSFIELDOBSERVER (E) PUB: Aug 17, 24, 31, Sep 7, 2022
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2022-B5149 Doing business as: SWEET TREATS BY ASHLYN KUJALA at 11810 Leigh River Street, Bakersfield, Ca. 93312 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: ASHLYN MIRIN KUJALA, 11810 Leigh River Street, Bakersfield, Ca. 93312 The business is conducted by: Individual SIGNED: ASHLYN MIRIN KUJALA The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: February 28, 2022 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: July 25, MARY2022 B BEDARD County Clerk By: C DeputyMARTINEZ, This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions Icode).declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on July 25, 2027 NEWSBAKERSFIELDOBSERVER (E) PUB: Aug 17, 24, 31, Sep 7, 2022
NEWSBAKERSFIELDOBSERVER (E) PUB: Aug 17, 24, 31, Sep 7, 2022
STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE NO: 2022-B1524 Business Name you wish to abandon: FUR AND FEATHERS PET RESORT Street address of business: 3329 Allen Rd, Bakersfield, Ca. 93314 County: Kern Mailing address of business: Same Registrant(s) who wish to abandon the business name: FUR AND FEATHERS PET RESORT, INC, 3329 Allen Rd, Bakersfield, Ca. 93314 I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) Business was conducted by: SIGNED:CorporationPAM SHOCKLEY, President This statement of abandonment filed on: Aug 9, 2022 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: C DeputyMARTINEZ NEWSBAKERSFIELDOBSERVER (E) PUB: Aug 17, 24, 31, Sep 7, 2022
Doing business as: MAD DOG TATTOO AND BODY PIERCING / MAD DOG TATTOO / MAD DOG TATTOO & BODY PIERCING at 1218 19th Street, Bakersfield, Ca. 93301 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: CHRISTOPHER ADAM DELEON, 1218 19th Street, Bakersfield, Ca. 93301 Full name of registrant: MARC CHRISTOPHER DELEON, 1218 19th Street, Bakersfield, Ca. 93301 The business is conducted by: General SIGNED:PartnershipCHRISTOPHER DELEON The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: August 15, MARY2022 B BEDARD County Clerk By: P DEL VILLAR, Deputy This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on August 15, 2027 NEWSBAKERSFIELDOBSERVER (E) PUB: Aug 17, 24, 31, Sep 7, 2022 KERN COUNTY PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 23821, 23961 AND 24070 OF THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL ACT, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL WILL ACCEPT PRIORITY APPLICATIONS FROM SEPTEMBER 19, 2022 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2022, AT THE DEPARTMENT’S OFFICE AT 4800 STOCKDALE HIGHWAY, SUITE 213, BAKERSFIELD, FOR TWENTY FIVE NEW ORIGINAL ON-SALE GENERAL LICENSES AND THE INTERCOUNTY TRANSFER OF TWENTY FIVE ON-SALE GENERAL LICENSES FOR PREMISES TO BE LICENSED IN KERN COUNTY. LEGISLATION, WHICH BECAME EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2022, ESTABLISHED A $16,560 FEE FOR ORIGINAL GENERAL LICENSES. THE FEE FOR INTERCOUNTY TRANSFERS OF GENERAL LICENSES IS $6,275. ONLY CERTIFIED CHECKS, CASHIER’S CHECKS OR MONEY ORDERS MADE PAYABLE TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL WILL BE ACCEPTED IN PAYMENT OF PRIORITY APPLICATION FEES. OTHER STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING SAID APPLICATIONS MAY BE EXAMINED AT ANY DEPARTMENT OFFICE. 8/17/22 BAKERSFIELDCNS-3611568# 2022
PUB: Aug 17, 24, 31, Sep 7, 2022
Meanwhile, those corporations are collectively sitting “Companies may have raised these funds during the era of easy money and low-interest rates over the past decade,” Vishesh Raisinghani wrote for Yahoo Finance. “Now, this cash is acting as a buffer and could allow companies to retain staff despite the economic slowdown.”
Wednesday, August 17, 2022 Bakersfield News Observer A7 Features
Downturn
“Congress has a historic chance to do that by passing the CHIPS and Science Act and Inflation Reduction Act Still, corporations have experienced a decline in sales and earnings during recessions and continue to fear what According to reports, the average U.S. corporation’s In traditional recessions, the rate drops down to single
The giant health care, climate, and tax bill expected to pass the House on Friday and be sent to the president for his signature won’t be as sweeping as the Democrats who wrote it had hoped, but it would help millions of Americans better afford their prescription drugs and health insurance.TheInflation Reduction Act is estimated to spend about $485 billion over 10 years on health and alternative energy programs while raising about $790 billion through tax revenue and savings. The difference would be used to help reduce the deficit. On the health front, the legislation achieves two key goals of congressional Democrats. First, it would give the federal government the ability to negotiate prices of some drugs purchased by Medicare beneficiaries, a tool that has long been opposed by the drug industry. Second, it would extend the enhanced premium subsidies for people who buy insurance on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces that Congress put in place last year to help confront the covid-19 pandemic. “It’s historic. Never before have we been able to negotiate prescription drug prices. This is something we’ve been fighting for [for] decades,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said this week. “I want more, of course — we always want more. But this is a great deal.” The bill extends the enhanced subsidies, which will expire this year if they are not continued, through 2025.The 2021 covid relief bill boosted subsidies for those people who had already qualified for the aid and provided subsidies to some middle-income people who had found coverage to be too expensive. According to an analysis by KFF, about 13 million people will see their premiums jump by more than half, on average, if the enhanced subsidies are not continued. And people who earn more than four times the poverty level will not be eligible for subsidies anymore, on top of seeing their premiums spike. The subsidies’ extension is expected to cost about $64 billion.The bill will also have a major impact on Medicare, including by allowing the program to negotiate prices for some of the most expensive drugs, capping beneficiaries’ out-of-pocket payments for drugs, limiting their insulin cost sharing to $35 a month, and barring drug companies from raising prices faster than inflation. The drug pricing provision, estimated to save the government nearly $100 billion over 10 years, would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to identify Medicare’s 100 most expensive drugs and then pick 10 for price negotiations starting in 2023. Those prices would take effect in 2026. Another 10 drugs would be added over the next two years, with the savings fully in effect by 2028. The negotiations would apply first to drugs people get at the pharmacy, but in the later two years, drugs that people get in doctors’ offices could also be covered. Some of the Medicare changes would kick in next year. One is the cap on price hikes. Under the bill, companies that raise the price of drugs sold to Medicare faster than inflation must pay rebates back to Medicare, generating an estimated $101 billion in savings for the government. The inflation protections will also apply to certain drugs, such as biologicals, that patients get in a doctor’s office. New vaccine and insulin cost caps would also take effect in 2023. Under the bill, all vaccines recommended by the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will be fully covered by Medicare, as well as by Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. For Medicare beneficiaries who need insulin, out-ofpocket costs would be capped at $35, and starting in 2026, the cap would be $35 or 25% of the negotiated price ifthat is Anotherlower. big saver for Americans enrolled in Medicare would be a $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket drug costs, which would begin in 2025. According to KFF, 1.5 million Medicare beneficiaries paid more than $2,000 for their drugs in 2019. According to an analysis by the Council for Informed Drug Spending Analysis based on data from 2012, about 3.5 million beneficiaries would likely save more than $1,500 a year. Starting sooner, in 2024, people whose out-of-pocket drug costs reach the “catastrophic” threshold of $7,050 won’t have to pay any additional money on drugs that year. Currently, there is no cap, and people must pay 5% of the cost of extremely expensive drugs after hitting the threshold.Alsostarting in 2024, Medicare would extend lowincome subsidies to about 500,000 beneficiaries who earn between 135% and 150% of the poverty level ($18,347 to $20,385 for a single person). Premium hikes on drug planswould also be limited in 2024 to 6% for all beneficiaries through 2029. The bill could have reached far more people, but Democrats’ attempts to slow the increase in drug prices and cap insulin copays outside of Medicare were blocked. Because the bill is being passed on expedited procedures known as budget reconciliation, all the provisions must have a direct impact on federal spending or revenue. The Senate parliamentarian, who vets such measures, ruled that the insulin and inflation measures targeting the private insurance market were out of bounds. Democrats tried to add back the broader-market insulin cost caps but fell three votes shy of the 60 needed to do so, with only seven Republicans joining them. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer pledged to hold another vote on expanding the insulin cost cap in thefall. Still, some analysts see reasons to believe that most Americans not directly affected by the bill will see some benefits, particularly from the limits on drug price increases and the Medicare drug price negotiations. In a conference call with reporters Thursday, Sean Dickson of the nonprofit West Health Policy Center pointed to the government’s 340B program, in which drug companies are required to provide discounts to certain care providers and in which there are inflation penalties. He estimated that Medicare alone saved $7 billion over five years indirectly because of those inflation restraints. “There was a spillover effect from the subsection of a government program that had an inflation penalty,” Dickson said. “That resulted in lower costs for everyone who used those drugs and slower price growth.” This story was produced by KHN (Kaiser Health News), a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information onhealth issues to the nation. KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.
You Fearing a Recession, Many Express Misgivings
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Reduction Act Contains Important Cost-Saving
In the past, it hasn’t always been clear when a recession loomed, let alone when it had already begun. However, the silver lining now is that unlike in previous downturns, the Federal Reserve and the U.S. government have already taken action by making critical adjustments to fiscal and monetary policies to regulate economic activity.
Inflation Changes for Many Patients — Maybe for about a Looming
By Michael McAuliff California Healthline
“The United States currently has certain interim policies and tools, such as automatic stabilizers like the Earned Income Tax Credit and Unemployment Insurance that are automatically triggered to inject funds into the economy and don’t require any government action to take hold in the event of a downturn,” said Mila Garcia, a finance expert, and the founder of iPaydayLoans. “And while such programs have proven effective, they should have an even stronger effect with congressional action being taken alongside them. So, if a downturn does
Over 10 Years of Success in AcademicallyPreparing Young Men for the Future
A8 Bakersfield News Observer Wednesday, August 17, 2022 Features
Congratulations, Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men and Dr. Crook on establishing an over 10-year stellar reputation as a beacon for young men with bright minds. By Jeffrey L. Boney Houston Forward Times
Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men Celebrates
The new school year is already upon us, and with it comes the task of teachers and administrators preparing to welcome new and returning students to their campuses. After celebrating over ten (10) years of exemplary growth and accomplishments, the leadership at the Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men (MLCPA) is excited about returning to in-person learning and continuing their trend of being one of the most highly respected 6th through 12th grade magnet school campuses in the country. Originally named the Young Men’s College Preparatory Academy, MLCPA is proudly named after Mickey Leland— former U.S. Congressman and anti-poverty activist who proudly represented the 18th Congressional District before his untimely death in a plane crash. Leland grew up in Houston’s Fifth Ward community and graduated from Phillis Wheatley High School—the very spot where MLCPA’s new campus now sits. Located in the Fifth Ward community, MLCPA isn’t the new kid on the block, and not only develops students academically, but also fosters leadership skills and helps them with the ability to make healthy and responsible decisions. Upon taking on the role as the founding principal, Dameion J. Crook knew exactly what he wanted this school to be for the Fifth Ward community, and beyond. Dr. Crook helped get the school off the ground after serving as the principal of the historic E.O. Smith Education Center before the launch of MLCPA. Originally from Baton Rouge, LA, and born in New Orleans, LA, Dr. Crook is a lifelong educator. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in Biology from Texas Southern University. In 2016, he earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Houston. This is his 24th year with Houston Independent School District (HISD) and his twelfth year as a principal. “I am deeply invested in improving the lives of young people in the Houston community,” says Dr. Crook. “Education is the most impactful way to improve our community and our young people.”Since the founding of MLCPA in 2011, the school has dedicated itself to Dr. Crook’s vision of having a single-gender secondary school that academically prepares young men for college, while building their leadership skills and moral character. MLCPA proudly boasts that they serve a population that is 74% economically disadvantaged but are able to offer their deserving students a top-notch, rigorous education that is usually only afforded to students who receive a private education. As stated, Dr. Crook has been at the helm since the school’s founding and is seeking to address the biggest challenge he believes the school is facing in the community they are located in. “We really want more African American kids to attend our school, especially those who live near our school,” Dr. Crook states. “We are challenged with exposing families in the Fifth Ward to our program, mostly because many families assume they can’t attend our school because we are not considered a neighborhood zoned school. That is a myth we want to change.” There have been many accomplishments at MLCPA and some challenges as well—one of the primary challenges has been dealing with the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic that every school has had to deal with and navigate through. Dr. Crook states that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the overall educational landscape at MLCPA and the community in so many ways, but they have remained resilient, while working hard to adjust to the new normal. If you ask any teacher at MLCPA, they will probably know and tell you exactly where they were on March 12, 2020—the day HISD announced that Spring Break would begin early due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Paul Laforet, MLCPA’s robotics coach, remembers that day, and how it impacted the school. “The robotics team was in our workshop preparing for our second First Robotics Competition event, Mr. Laforet recalls. “After the announcement over the intercom, I saw them drop their tools to cheer and high-five. What kid wouldn’t be excited to start their Spring Break early? But then, we never returned to school.”That moment marked the beginning of the global COVID-19 pandemic for MLCPA, and other schools just like them. No one could have predicted that students would not return for in-person learning until the following school year, and even then, most students elected to learn from home, virtually. Nicole Walker Laforet, MLCPA’s high school English teacher acknowledged that everyone—students, teachers, and staff—all felt lost during those lonely months that they spent in their homes away from school, trying to make sense of our new normal.“No one was immune to the shock,” says Mrs. Laforet. “We adopted the whole-child philosophy as the cornerstone of our program. We envisioned a boy-friendly learning environment that would foster the healthy development of every young man we served, as well as a principled approach to the competitive spirit. Committing to this approach has set us apart from other all-male schools across the country, bringing our visions to fruition: our school has paid dividends upon dividends for the young men and families we serve.” Even after mask protocols and vaccines allowed students to return to in-person learning, MLCPA and schools across America continued to grapple with the emotional, mental, and spiritual consequences from the COVID-19 pandemic. “We came back together as new people,” Mrs. Laforet reflects.To put things into context, the entire incoming 2021 sixth grade class at MLCPA had last been in a normal, pre-pandemic classroom, as fourth graders. The freshman class had spent most of their middle school careers at home or in a virtual classroom. Mrs. Laforet recalls her shock when discussing this year’s high school awards ceremony with a junior, with the student asking if that was really a thing. “We have those?” marveled student Joaquin Castaneda. Due to the safety protocols, typical high school events such as award ceremonies, field trips, and school dances, hadn’t happened in the last few school years—a lifetime for any adolescent boy. Though there will be many traditional hallmarks lost to the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the MLCPA community has been committed to pushing past any obstacles to get back to work, and return to celebrating student accomplishments, no matter what the world’s new normal might look like. It isn’t just the COVID-19 pandemic that MLCPA is charging against. The school is also seeking to navigate through a national and global community that is heavy with political disunity, pervasive racial inequity, and all the physical and cultural violence that stems from that. MLCPA’s teachers and staff take their mission of fostering tomorrow’s world innovators and leaders seriously, holding their duty like a radiant torch each day they walk into the school. MLCPA’s academics maintain a rigorously high bar. Middle school scholars take exclusively HISD Advanced courses, which prepare them for the AP courses they’ll take in high school. While other schools offer a tiered selection of courses to choose from, juniors at MLCPA, for example, don’t have the option to take an “on-level” English III option. Every student takes AP Language & Composition. Consequently, graduates face the rigors of college and the workforce with agility and grace. MLCPA has sent graduates to MIT, University of Virginia, UT Austin, A&M, Oklahoma State, Northeastern University, Vanderbilt University—the list could roll on for an entire article in and of itself. As an established institution, each school year promises a predictable rhythm with a clear intention for both the students and staff—focus on both individual and collective success, stay driven, and keep growing. Important dates—both academic and extra-curricular—serve as goal posts throughout the year. Athletic tournaments and championships, midterm exams, STAAR and AP testing—but the cycle of the school year in the midst of a global pandemic has proven to be unpredictable and at the whim of forces out of the control of anyone within the perimeter of the school.MLCPA’s Athletics—a program that was only reserved exclusively for the middle school in the beginning, has since exploded, now serving middle through high school. Over the years, MLCPA athletes have brought home a plethora of awards, including but not limited to cross-country district championships, basketball district championships, and track and field district championships. Head of MLCPA Athletics Coach Byron Shelton has marveled at the rapid growth and athletic accomplishments at MLCPA.“Inthe five years since we’ve added high school athletics to our program, our varsity basketball team has qualified for the UIL state playoffs two years running,” Coach Shelton reflects. “Our track and field team has produced multiple regional qualifiers and our cross-country team has claimed two district championships. Our baseball team has qualified for UIL state playoffs twice, and our soccer team is growing more competitive and is becoming quite the force to be reckoned with.” As a college-preparatory magnet school, the union between academics and extracurricular activities provides the opportunity to teach students the importance of balance and focus. “Here at MLCPA we have worked hard to build our athletes up on a foundation of character, commitment, compassion, and growth,” Coach Shelton states. “We look forward to making our school district and community proud for years to come.” MLCPA’s highly competitive robotics program is also no stranger to success, qualifying for state tournaments yearly and even hosting robotics competitions on campus. Mr. Laforet, computer science teacher and robotics coach talked about the growth of the program on the MLCPA campus. “When I stepped in to lead the robotics program several years pre-pandemic, we went into a full rebuild, as I wanted to cultivate a culture of excellence through a program that met the needs of the students while remaining competitive on a regional and state level,” Mr. Laforet states. “We did that. Now, as we emerge from the pandemic, we find ourselves rebuilding again, but with more confidence than ever in our future success. We have a large group of dedicated and passionate students ready to exceedMLCPAexpectations.”alsofosters the competitive spirit in countless ways. Christina Frascino, social studies teacher extraordinaire, who is also known as Mrs. Fresh by students, has dedicated herself to growing MLCPA’s up-and-coming debate team. “Debate provides a challenging opportunity for students to develop their higher-order thinking and research skills to build a formidable case,” says Ms. Frascino. “But more than that, each student develops confidence in their unique perspectives and voice, taking that powerful energy into debate tournaments. There’s nothing like the moment when a student witnesses the fruits of their labor come to life while competing against other schools from a variety of different backgrounds.” When young men come to MLCPA, they don’t just become a student on campus, they become a part of a thriving and lifelong family and community. Graduates remain members of the MLCPA family and legacy. “Graduates come back to campus all the time during their college vacation periods to visit us,” Mrs. Laforet shares. “I love the look of confidence and pride they have when walking into my classroom and seeing current students in the same chairs they once sat in. Anyone who sits in those blue chairs becomes my son, and to see them years later, thriving and now honoring where they came from, is a feeling absolutely unmatched. It makes everything we do as a staff and community feel that much more crucial and necessary.” The mission and legacy of the Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy community continues to persevere and prosper despite any obstacles that come their way. This year, that legacy comes full circle. Nahome Mekonnen, graduate of MLCPA’s Class of 2016, received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from John Hopkins University, and knew exactly what he wanted to do next. He wanted to become a teacher at MLCPA, the school who grew his mind and commitment to excellence. This month, Mekonnen will step into his middle school social studies classroom at MLCPA and carry forth everything he learned, growing each new MLCPA scholar with commitment, passion, and the certainty that each student in his classroom can and will thrive and succeed in the world, no matter what that new world looks MLCPAlike.has been ranked as high as second on The Washington Post’s prestigious annual “America’s Most Challenging High Schools” list, which ranks schools by the number of AP classes they offer and the number of seniors who graduate. Dr. Crook wants the community to help them continue growing.“We are looking for community partners to support our campus mission of creating a High performing boy-friendly environment,” states Dr. Crook. Congratulations, Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men and Dr. Crook on establishing an over 10-year stellar reputation as a beacon for young men with bright minds.The post A Beacon of Light for Young Men appeared first on Houston Forward Times.
(Shutterstock Photo) Edward Henderson California Black Media A lawsuit filed by the California-Hawaii NAACP Conference on Aug. 2 to remove an election ballot opposition statement to Proposition 26 attributed to a Los AngelesNAACP branch member has been settled. The statement will be stricken from ballot materials.
The statement against Proposition 26 found on the Secretary of State’s website reads as follows: “We oppose Prop 26 to protect young people from developing lifelong gambling addictions that often lead to ruined finances, relationships, even homelessness and crime.” Minnie Hadley-Hempstead, Retired teacher and President Emeritus of the Los Angeles NAACP Branch The lawsuit named Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber as the defendant because removing the quote from ballot materials, requires a court ruling. A declaration statement made by Hadley-Hempstead for the lawsuit describes how she was misled by the No on Prop 26 Campaign. The lawsuit also points out that the position ‘President Emeritus’ does not exist within the NAACP, and the only branch that can clear use of the trademarked term NAACP in support or opposition of any legislation is the state branch of the organization. It also claims the use of the term ‘We’ creates the belief that the NAACP supports a NO vote, which it did not. “We’re glad the card room casino operators did the right thing and removed the deceptive and inappropriate quote from their “No on 26” ballot arguments,” said Rick Callender, President of the California-Hawaii State Conference of the NAACP. “Despite the California-Hawaii NAACP’s strong support for Prop 26, opponents tried to deceive voters into thinking the opposite. Thankfully, voters will not be provided this false and misleading quote in the official voter guide sent to every voter.” Prop 26, the in-person Tribal Sports Wagering Act would authorize in-person sports wagering at existing tribal casinos. All bets must be placed in-person at a tribal casino with safeguards in place to prevent underage and illegalProponentsgambling.of the proposition believe it will help create jobs and economic opportunities that support Indian selfreliance, while benefiting all Californians, generating new revenues for public schools, wildfire prevention and other state Opponentspriorities. of the proposition believe it will force local cardrooms out of business and, in turn, cause the state to lose tax revenue. A statement from the “No on 26” Campaign, respectfully adheres to the wishes of Hadley Hempstead while standing behind the ballot initiative.“Californians from across the state have been clear with their objections to Prop 26 which includes a poison pill that will unfairly harm communities of color. We appreciate and respect Ms. Hadley-Hempstead and will honor her wishes to remove her previously approved quote from the ballot statement,” it read. Also named in the NAACP lawsuit, was Jay King,President of the California Black Chamber of Commerce. He told California Black Media opposition to Prop 26 is justified saying, “With the tribes, they want to oversee what cardrooms do and want to legislate cardrooms. We have a body to do that already. I stand on the opposite side of the NAACP statewide and that’s ok.”
NAACP Settles Lawsuit to Remove the False Quote About Proposition 26
Wednesday, August 17, 2022 Bakersfield News Observer A9 Local
The civil rights organization found the statement “false and/or misleading” because it supports Prop 26. Also, according to NAACP bylaws, a local branch is prohibited from taking positions opposite that of the state group.
A10 Bakersfield News Observer Wednesday, August 17, 2022 Local
The National Black Farmers Association is worried that the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will roll back debt relief provided Black, indigenous, and other farmersof color in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. When President Joe Biden signs the law, which just passed both houses of Congress, approximately 15,000 farmers of color across the country -- including over 400 in California -- will be affected, according to the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA). Of the 70,000 farms in California, less than 1% are Black-owned or managed, while more than 90% are White-owned or managed. In 2012, California had 722 Black farmers according to an agriculture census report released that year. By 2017, the number had decreased to 429. Nationally, 45,508 Black farmers (1.3% of all farmers) were counted in the 2017 agriculture census, making up 0.5% of the country’s farmlands. The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan which included $4 billion to help Black and other “socially disadvantaged” farmers will be replaced with a plan that makes relief funds available to all United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) farmers suffering hardships. “I’m very, very disappointed in this legislative action,” John Wesley Boyd, Jr., NBFA’s founder and president, said in an Aug. 9 statement. “I’m prepared to fight for debt relief for Black, Native American, and other farmers of color all the way to the Supreme Court. I’m not going to stop fighting this.” The NBFA is a non-profit organization representingAfrican American farmers and their families. It serves tens of thousands of members nationwide. NBFA’s education and advocacy efforts are focused on civil rights, land retention, access to public and private loans, education and agricultural training, and rural economic development forBlack and other small farmers. The American Rescue Plan debt relief program was expected to pay off USDA loans held by 15,000 Black, Native American, Alaskan Native, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Hispanic and Latino farmers, Kara BrewerBoyd, NBFA’s Program and Event Coordinator, told California Black Media in a telephone interview on Aug. 12. “Socially disadvantaged Black, Native Americans, and people of color were automatically approved for 120% debt relief. They were to be paid in full,” said Kara Brewer-Boyd. “Now they won’t get that money at all. It’s horrible. Those farmers were already identified and sent letters that their debt had been paid. These farmers are in a bad situation. Congress put them in a worse situation by telling them ‘You’re gonna get it.’ Now they are telling them ‘You’re not going to get Objectionsit.’” raised by non-Black farmers to the debt relief the federal government pledged to Black farmers has put the program in limbo. Those opponents have filed a dozen lawsuits against the American Rescue Plan Act, including one class action case. The courts are currently hearing the cases. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, the USDA is authorized to provide $3.1 billion to distressed borrowers. Another fund has been established to supply farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who faced discrimination before 2021 with a package of $2.2 billion. “What they replaced (the American Rescue Plan Act 2021) with is Section 22006 that now states that any farmer can apply to see if they are economically distressed, get their loans written down, or have them restructured,” Brewer-Boyd said. “Now, can you tell me that’s not a big difference? You took $4 billion in debt relief at $120%, put it in a fund of $3 billion, taking $1 billion away, and you opened it up to every farmer.” Brewer-Boyd said Black farmers from California were approved under the original debt relief program. “Discrimination at USDA against Black farmers was rampant and severe. Section 1005 Loan Repayment program was a necessary step towards fixing those harms. To acknowledge and correct racism is not unconstitutional or racist,” James Wesley Boyd, Jr., stated. Last year, Lawrence Lucus, who founded the USDA Coalition of Minority Employees, told the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans that racism is prevalent in agriculture, and it is the primary reason why there are just a little over400 Black farmers in California. “I’m sorry to say that it doesn’t look like it’s going to get any better under the times we are faced with,” Lucus said. “You have White farmers, who own most of the land and get all the benefits from the land, they are the ones now bringing court cases around the country. They are saying that it’s discriminatory to have debt-relief for Blackfarmers.”
Black ReductionConcernedFarmersInflationActWillRollBackPromisedDebtRelief
Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media
