Several Black Californians Are Playing Key Roles in LA 28 Olympics Planning
By Lila Brown
From politicians and businesspeople to athletes and community leaders, a number of Black Californians are contributing to the thought leadership that is shaping the planning of LA28, the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
At the forefront is Los Angeles’ first Black woman mayor, Karen Bass, who has, in many ways, become the face of the Games in the City of Angels.
“The 2028 Games present an incredible opportunity to unite our city and lift up every corner of Los Angeles,” said Bass during a historic event at Los Angeles City Hall on Sept. 13, when the Olympic and Paralympic flags were unveiled and installed.
The event marked the return of the Olympic flag to L.A. since 1984, when the city hosted the Olympics for the second time. It was the first time the Paralympic flag was raised in California’s largest city.
“From creating jobs to supporting small businesses, we are committed to ensuring that these Games benefit all Angelenos -- not just for the summer of 2028, but for decades to come,” Bass added.
On Aug. 11, Bass received the Olympic flag at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, making history by becoming the first ever Black woman Mayor to receive the Olympic flag at a closing ceremony of the Olympic Games. Team USA Gymnast Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, joined Bass on stage, sharing that historic moment. Nearly two months after the Olympic flag handover from Paris to Los Angeles, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach visited Los Angeles.
Inflation Hits Lowest Level Since Pandemic as Consumer Prices Stabilize
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent According to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation in the United States has slowed to its lowest level since the early months of the pandemic. The CPI for All Urban Consumers rose by 2.4% over the past year, a substantial easing from the higher inflation rates seen over the last two years. September’s monthly increase of 0.2% matches the growth recorded in August and July, indicating a steady, moderate rise in consumer prices. The most significant contributors to the monthly increase in CPI, a vital indicator of inflation that measures the price change for goods and services affecting consumers’ daily lives, were shelter and food, which comprised over 75% of the overall rise. Food prices alone increased by 0.4% in September, with the cost of meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rising sharply by 8.4%. Fruits and vegetables also saw a notable increase of 0.9%. These rises reflect ongoing pressures on household budgets as essential goods continue to grow more expensive. The nonprofit Prosperity Now said the index showed
housing prices increased by 0.2%, remaining a major stumbling block for American families seeking security and economic stability. The organization noted that housing costs remain a significant hurdle for families striving to build wealth and achieve long-term financial security through homeownership.
“Homeownership has long been one of the most reliable ways to build wealth in this country, but for far too many families, it remains out of reach,” said Marisa Calderon, President and CEO of Prosperity Now. “While it’s encouraging to see inflation slow, we must ensure that economic gains translate into real opportunities for families to build a more secure financial future.”
A cooling of inflation could bode well for African Americans. Research in 2022 revealed that, at a time when households across the U.S. widely reported experiencing serious problems from inflation, Black Americans were disproportionately affected by rising costs. According to a poll conducted by NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 55% of Black Americans report facing serious financial difficulties, compared to 38% of white
Americans. The survey also showed that Black Americans are more likely to lack emergency savings, with 58% unable to cover even a month of expenses, compared to 36% of white respondents. Food insecurity also presented a more pressing issue, as 32% of Black Americans report struggling to afford food, compared to 21% of white Americans. Meanwhile, the latest CPI Index revealed that energy costs declined 1.9% over the past month. Gasoline prices
By Edward Henderson
to care reality in California. We’ve done a wonderful job of expanding coverage, expanding benefits, and we’re still having challenges in the state to make sure people can see a physician, a nurse, timely to care in the emergency room and it’s because the lack of stable funding. So, it’s an opportunity to secure access for funding for health care the way it was meant to be.” More than 15 million Californians are enrolled in Medi-Cal, representing more than one third of the state’s population. However, the lack of funding for medical professionals creates a lack in service that can have devastating impacts on patients who need care immediately.
“In some areas of the state, wait times to get a mammogram for instance is six months a year. That’s the difference between life and death for many people,”
Silva noted. “Prop
suspects, witnesses or victims for cases they’re working, sometimes for long distances. Crook remembered a case where his detectives drove 630 miles to Mexico to transport a potentially dangerous subject in their vehicle. If the detectives were in a Tesla, Crook noted they would have had to spend an hour in the middle of the drive at an unsecured public charging station standing guard over the person, something that would not happen with an internal combustion engine.
Furthermore, Crook told SFGATE that he’d heard officers were unable to comfortably get in and out of the driver’s seat with their duty belt on because of the Tesla’s design. Police duty belts generally weigh between 20 and 25 pounds, adding bulk to an officer’s torso, which may not fit within the slim, streamlined Tesla aesthetic.
Another concern Crook has about Teslas, and EVs broadly, comes from an essential lesson he was taught in the police academy: “In a firefight, hide behind the engine block.” In a Tesla, there is no engine block, leaving officers without their preferred cover, he said. There’s also the issue of charging. While public chargers are on the rise, police have struggled to find and use them. And they say that stopping to charge while on a long haul with a dangerous suspect can put officers at undue risk. The Model Y is not much better than the Model 3, according to Menlo Park officers. Problems include cramped spaces for cops in bullet proof vests and duty belts leavelittle room for comfort and an inability to do cop things like jump curbs due to Autopilot programing.
But there is an obvious option here: Don’t use a Tesla. The Fort Bragg Police Department told SFGate using a F-150 Lightning as a
Frontier Passenger Demands Flight Turn Back to Gate
woman’s screams related to her forgetting her phone in the gate area and proceeded to blame Frontier Airlines. The woman who was standing up in the section of her seat, appearing distressed, was shouting over to a flight attendant in the aisle.
“If I was white and in a suit, you would stop the f***ing plane,” she shouted in the video posted on Sunday. “Laugh now, I am the president of this whole godd*** country. Watch see the f***ing TV news. That’s a d*** bonafide word.”
“Yes, I need to get off this plane and I’mma tell you straight up, don’t you ever come against nobody because of their skin colour again,” she continued. She went on to claim that Frontier Airlines had been engaging in criminal activity other times she had flown with the airline in years prior.
“You had enough time. I see Frontier do illegal stuff several times. I’ve been riding you for the last eight years.
The unnamed woman made bizarre claims while shouting at the flight attendant (@jenskilicious/TikTok)
“Don’t tell me. You had enough time to stop, tell the pilot to not go. You just released him from the bay. I saw it out the window. I know it was in my heart,’ she said.
A flight attendant started to explain something to the passenger that was not clearly picked up by the video’s audio, but the woman replied to the attendant, “that’s a lie from the pit of hell.”
She asked for the flight attendant’s name before declaring to the rest of the cabin that she was “an affirmed sovereign ruler here in the government.”
“Seven continents I own,” the woman added before fellow passengers on the two-and-a-half-hour flight started to laugh at the woman.
“Keep laughing, watch your a** be right on a boat,” she said, addressing other the other passengers.
“We shipping people out just for a nice group of expedition. What comes around goes around, it’s time now. Keep laughing watch what happens – you’ll be expired just like your battery on your watch.” It is unclear why the woman made those claims, or whether the flight was delayed due to the incident.
The Independent has contacted Frontier Airlines for comment.
IOC Member Hong Zhang, IOC Vice President Nicole Hoevertsz, Rex Richardson, Mayor of Long Beach, LA28 President Casey Wasserman, James T. Butts, Mayor of Inglewood, IOC President Thomas Bach, Marqueece Harris-Dawson, the President of the Los Angeles City Council (IOC/Greg Martin)
California Black Media
45 Months After January 6, DOJ Charges
Over 1,500 with Focus on Trump
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
This week marks 45 months since the devastating January 6 attack, where over 140 police officers were assaulted as rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, delaying the certification of the 2020 presidential election results. Officials said the attack caused over $2.8 million in damages to the Capitol in a report by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia while outlining the nearly four-year aftermath of the insurrection. Since then, the Department of Justice said it has launched one of the most extensive investigations in US history. Approximately 1,532 individuals have been charged in federal court for their roles in the attack.
The charges are extensive and include 571 counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers. Of these, 164 individuals allegedly wielded deadly or dangerous weapons, including firearms, chemical sprays, tasers, and makeshift weapons fashioned from objects like flagpoles and office furniture. Additionally, 171 defendants are accused of entering restricted areas with deadly weapons, while 87 face charges for destruction of government property. Among the most severe charges, 18 defendants face accusations of seditious conspiracy, with prosecutors alleging an organized attempt to overthrow the government by force. Charges related to the theft of government property have been brought against 66 individuals. Nearly all defendants face some form of trespassing or disorderly conduct charges, as the DOJ said it continues to seek comprehensive accountability.
Sunday, October 6, 2024, marked 45 months since the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. As the Department of Justice pursues more than 1,500 individuals in connection with the attack, new court filings reveal further details on former President Donald Trump’s alleged involvement in the violent attempt to overturn the 2020 election.
The expansive prosecution effort has led to approximately 943 guilty pleas, with 304 felony admissions. Of these, 161 pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement,
122 admitted to obstructing law enforcement during civil disorder, and 67 admitted to assault with a deadly weapon. Nearly 1,000 cases have reached sentencing, with over 600 individuals receiving prison terms and 141 allowed to serve their sentences in home detention.
The DOJ’s pursuit of justice has been impacted in 259 cases by the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Fischer v. United States about the proper use of the felony charge of obstructing an official proceeding. So far, prosecutors have dismissed these charges in 73 cases, while evaluating others. Despite the ruling, the DOJ said it remains firm, with all affected defendants still facing other charges related to their involvement in the Capitol attack that eventually led to the deaths of several police officers. The man who carried out a pepper-spray attack on a U.S. Capitol Police officer who died the day after the riot received an 80-month sentence.
Julian Khater, 32, who admitted in a guilty plea he had used the pepper spray against Officer Brian Sicknick and at least two other officers, told U.S. District Judge Thomas Hogan the rash actions he took that day were not in his nature. He said he wished he could take them back. Sicknick, 42, died of a stroke a day later.
In a 165-page court filing released earlier this month, Special Counsel Jack Smith outlined new allegations against the twice-impeached and 34 times convicted former President Donald Trump, accusing him of engaging in “increasingly desperate” actions to cling to power after his election loss. The filing detailed Trump’s alleged strategy to incite his supporters, pushing them toward violence on January 6. “When the defendant lost the 2020 presidential
election, he resorted to crimes to try to stay in office,” the filing states. The filing also described Trump’s public statements as calculated moves to provoke anger among his supporters, even as his advisers discredited his claims of voter fraud. According to prosecutors, Trump privately dismissed his lawyer Sidney Powell’s fraud claims as “crazy,” while continuing to use similar rhetoric in public. Prosecutors allege that Trump “laid the groundwork for his crimes well before” Election Day, including by promoting doubt in the electoral process and planning to declare victory immediately.
US District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who has overseen the case, recently addressed Trump’s defense team’s claims of partisan bias. “Defendant’s opposition brief repeatedly accuses the government of bad-faith partisan bias,” Chutkan wrote. “These accusations, for which Defendant provides no support, continue a pattern of defense filings focusing on political rhetoric rather than addressing the legal issues at hand.”
Meanwhile, the DOJ has vowed to continue prosecuting fugitives, and the FBI recently released videos of suspects involved in assaults on law enforcement, seeking public assistance in identifying individuals who remain at large. The Bureau is also pursuing fugitives like Evan Neumann, Adam Villarreal, and Paul Belosic and is encouraging anyone with information to contact them at 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit tips.fbi.gov.
Federal Response Mobilizes Across Florida as Biden-Harris Administration Assures Continued Support After Hurricane Milton
By Stacy M. Brown
Newswire Senior National Correspondent
In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton’s devastating impact on Florida, the Biden-Harris Administration has mounted a robust federal response to assist recovery efforts. Officials said the administration ensured there were pre-staging personnel and resources before the storm hit, and teams were swiftly deployed to support state and local officials. The administration said the focus spotlighted search and rescue, power restoration, and debris cleanup as immediate priorities.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have communicated closely with state leaders, receiving updates on the storm’s impact and coordinating federal support. Biden, who spoke with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, emphasized the federal government’s commitment to aiding recovery. He assured DeSantis that the federal government would provide “any federal support the state needs to speed response and recovery.”
To expedite relief for residents, Biden said he directed FEMA to open disaster recovery centers across the affected areas, offering centralized resources for individuals seeking federal assistance. As part of restoring power, the Federal Aviation Administration authorized Florida Power and Light to deploy drones for damage assessment, allowing ground crews to accelerate repairs.
BakersfieldNews Observer
Adjudicated a Newspaper of General Circulation August 11, 1980, Kern County Superior Court Decree, Case No. 16964, Government Code 6023.
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Published By Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California, Inc. Corporate Office 1219 20th St. Bakersfield, CA 93301 (661) 324-9466.
Member of The National Newspapers Publishers Association, Associated Press, and The Better Business Bureau
President: Ellen Coley
CEO: Jon Coley
Publisher/ Editor: James Luckey Jr. Operations Manager: James Luckey Intern: William Clark Coley
Credo-The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accounts to every person, regardless of race, color, or creed full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as any one is held back. The Observer Group Newspapers reserves the right to publish views an opinions that may not necessarily reflect those of the staff and management and are solely the product of the responsible individuals who submit commentaries published in these newspapers. Letters, articles and comments appearing in the Observer Newspapers reflect the opinions of the contributor and do not constitute the opinion or endorsement by The Observer Newspapers or its staff. The Observer Group Newspapers assumes no responsibility for photographs, articles, letters, press releases and unsolicited materials. Decisions as to the editing and publishing of materials are at the discretion of the Publisher and Editors. All rights are reserved on materials accepted for publication unless otherwise specified.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Coast Guard have also been tasked with assessing how quickly the Port of Tampa can reopen, which will be vital for reestablishing the flow of essential goods, including fuel, food, and water. Three Army Corps Temporary Power teams have also mobilized to support power restoration, and more than 50,000 utility workers from across the United States, Washington, D.C., and Canada have been mobilized to support crucial facilities like hospitals.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has been on the ground since last night, coordinating closely with state and local leaders. Joined by over 1,000 federal responders, Criswell continues to evaluate the storm’s impact and address unmet needs.
FEMA’s deputy administrator, Erik Hooks, spoke about the agency’s efforts on the Black Press’ Let It Be Known digital show. “It has been tremendous,” Hooks said. “You know, there are always a lot of challenges when you have a major and complicated storm and a community like that, but there are many assets on the ground.” He also addressed misinformation that has circulated about relief efforts, highlighting the complexities of coordinating a response of this magnitude.
In addition to speaking with DeSantis, Biden said he’s reached out to numerous local officials across Florida, including Sen. Rick Scott and Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Kathy Castor, and Anna Paulina Luna. He also called several mayors. Biden urged all of them to seek direct federal
Inflation Hits Lowest Level Since Pandemic as Consumer Prices Stabilize
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overall price growth is moderating. “We keep making progress, with inflation returning to pre-pandemic levels, 16 million
Black Californians Are Playing Key Roles in LA 28
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the largest swimming venue in Olympic history, boasting 38,000 seats. Intuit Dome, Inglewood’s newest state-of-the-art venue and home to the LA Clippers, will host the Olympic basketball tournament in the 18,000-seat arena. In an interview with California Black Media, Butts highlighted Inglewood’s central role in the upcoming Games, stating, “Inglewood will host the Opening and Closing ceremonies, basketball, and swimming competitions of the 2028 Olympic Games. This will be our second hosting of Olympic Basketball, the first in 1984.”
By 2028, Inglewood will have hosted two Super Bowls, the 2027 NBA All-Star Weekend, and eight FIFA World Cup Soccer matches in 2026. Inglewood has become the sports entertainment epicenter of the United States,” Butts added. Butts said the LA28 will also be a boon to his city’s
economy, pointing out that 30% of subcontractors are minority-and womenled disadvantaged businesses. Nearly 88% of Inglewood residents identify as Black or Latino. Among his goals are reaching 35% in development agreements. He also pointed to a reduction in unemployment in Inglewood -from 17.5% in 2011 to 5% today.
Marqueece Harris-Dawson, President of the Los Angeles City Council, also attended the tour.
Harris-Dawson is one of the leading backers of PlayLA, a parks development program that promises to provide sports programming to “young Angelenos of all abilities.” The initiative is funded by a $160 million investment from the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the International Olympic Committee.
“An investment in neighborhood parks is an investment in our families and community. The benefits are priceless,” said Harris-Dawson. “Outdoor spaces that are responsive to the needs of the neighborhood and offer programming and activities that residents want become the heartbeat of community life.”
Black Californians serving on the LA28 Board include Businesswoman Mellody Hobson; decorated Paralympian Lex Gillette; former Netflix Executive Dana Smith; President of the LA County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO Yvonne Wheeler; and television host, retired sprinter and four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson.
Among those in attendance at the unveiling of the flag in Los Angeles were Black Olympians such as Marcus Tupuola, a USA Rugby Sevens player who grew up in Carson, and Paralympian Arrell Middleton, a 16-year-old shotput silver medalist from Rancho Cucamonga. Other Paralympians Ashley Dyce, Korban Best, Isaac Charmond
Jean-Paul, as well as several civic leaders and LA28 executives also attended. At that event, Bass emphasized the event’s theme, “Games for All,” underscoring the significance of the Games for every Angeleno and the transformative impact they could have on the city’s residents, particularly
NNPA
“We will be with you and your communities before, during, and after the storm,” Biden declared.
Jason Mott Follows Award Winning Meta Novel with Novel About Award Winning Author
By HILLEL ITALIE
AP National Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Jason Mott's first novel since “Hell of a Book” is a kind of meta-sequel to his awardwinning meta-narrative about a Black author's haunting promotional tour.
The Penguin Random House imprint Dutton announced Thursday that it has reached a deal with Mott for “People Like Us,” in which a “prize-winning Black author” embarks on a global book tour that finds him experiencing everything from invisibility and time travel to sea monsters and peacocks. “Hell of a Book," published in 2021, won the National Book Award for fiction and was chosen for Jenna Bush Hager's “Today” show book club.
“People Like Us” is scheduled for release next fall.
‘“People Like Us' originally began as a memoir. I was attempting to sort through some of the impactful experiences I had both as an author and as a teacher recently, and over the last few years," Mott said in a statement. “After a few false starts, I came to realize that, for me, exploring truth requires the framework of fiction. When I returned to the page with that understanding about myself and how I try to create art, I found the characters from ’Hell Of A Book' waiting for me, with new heartaches and joys they wanted to share.”
Mott's other books include the novels “The Returned” and “The Calling” and poetry collection “We Call This Thing Between Us Love.”
Next Met Gala Chairs: Pharrell Williams, Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo, A$AP Rocky and LeBron James
By JOCELYN NOVECK AP National Writer
Eds: UPDATES: Updates with background, quote from curator.; Updates Media. NEW YORK (AP) — The theme of the next Met Gala and its celebrity chairs have been announced: Pharrell Williams, Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo, A$AP Rocky and LeBron James will help the museum launch an exhibit examining Black style in menswear over the centuries. Williams and Hamilton were on hand Wednesday morning to help officials at the Metropolitan Museum of Art announce “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” the spring exhibit that will be launched by the Met Gala on May 5.
A precise dress code for the star-studded gala — tailored specifically to the exhibit's theme — will be announced early next year.
And this one's for the guys: It's the first fashion exhibit at the Met in over 20 years to focus exclusively on menswear, which explains the almost all-male slate of hosts. (Vogue editor Anna Wintour, who oversees the gala each year, rounds out the list of co-chairs.)
Hamilton, the Formula 1 star, gave poignant remarks on how fashion became a way of expressing his identity. When he was young, Hamilton said, “I was forced to conform. From my daily routine down to what I wore. My routine was rigid. And as the only Black kid on the racing track, there was no one like me to look up to.”
Later in life, he said, "I started to express myself more creatively and more specifically, through fashion. Finding my identity in how I dressed. This was a huge positive change."
“I know the power of representation and how fashion can be a vehicle to help push diversity forward and celebrate our differences,” Hamilton added. “I’m excited to celebrate Black history ... and to show that inclusion and creativity go hand in Museumhand.director and CEO Max Hollein said the exhibit, which will run for six months — more than previous Met fashion exhibits — would explore “the importance of sartorial style to the formation of Black identities in the Atlantic diaspora,” and would celebrate “the power of style as a democratic tool for rejecting stereotypes and accessing new possibilities.” He noted it was inspired by a book, “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of
who among his many pursuits is menswear creative director for Louis Vuitton, began by paying homage to the artists responsible for the pyramids in Egypt, and spoke broadly of the power of art.
“To me art is an expression of our humanity. It’s where we store our history, it's how we tell our stories, and the literal manifestation of our dreams," Williams said during the theme announcement.
“We are the survivors of what is perhaps the most intense hardships, trials and tribulations to ever bedevil a group of human beings, and not only did we survive, we carried the music, the culture, the beauty and the universal language across an ocean...” Williams added. “We gave it all back to the world and we continue to and that is what the Met Gala will celebrate — us, our gift, our history, our food, our resilience, our beauty, our style and our strength, our authorship."
Andrew Bolton, chief curator at the Met's Costume Institute. noted that in the last few years menswear has been undergoing a renaissance.
“That’s thanks in no small part to men of style like Lewis (Hamilton) and his fellow co-chairs, men who aren’t afraid to take risks when it comes to their self-presentation,” Bolton said. He added that Williams was among a group of talented Black designers that represent “a flowering of Black creativity in fashion that were very proud to highlight in this exhibition.”
Miller, the author and guest curator, noted that back in the 1780s, “dandies” were often defined as “men who paid distinct and sometimes excessive attention to dress.
“Historical definitions of dandyism range from absolute precision in dress and tailoring to flamboyance and fabulousness," Miller said. The show will focus specifically on Black dandyism and its various manifestations. The Met Gala red carpet is always one of the biggest pop culture spectacles of the year with stars like Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, Billy Porter and Rihanna wearing outfits tailored to the night’s theme. It is also a huge fundraiser: Last year's gala raised more than $26 million, a record and an enormous sum for such an event.
“Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" will be open to the public from May 10 to October 26, 2025.
to Stay in Jail While Appeals Court Takes Up Bail Fight
By MICHAEL R. SISAK
Black Diasporic Identity” by Monica L. Miller (a Barnard professor and guest curator of the show). Williams,
TD Bank Pleads Guilty to Bank Secrecy
Act Violations and Money Laundering, Agrees to $1.8 Billion Penalty
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA
Newswire
Senior National Correspondent
TD Bank N.A. (TDBNA) and its parent company,
TD Bank US Holding Company (TDBUSH), pleaded guilty to Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) violations and money laundering charges, agreeing to pay over $1.8 billion in penalties. The plea resolves a Justice Department investigation into the bank’s failure to comply with antimoney laundering (AML) requirements, including lapses in filing accurate Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs). TDBNA admitted to conspiring to neglect its AML program and launder money, while TDBUSH pleaded guilty to causing TDBNA’s BSA compliance failures. The bank’s penalties stem from a coordinated resolution with the Federal Reserve Board (FRB), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
“By making its services convenient for criminals, TD Bank became one,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland remarked. He noted that TD Bank is now the largest US bank that has pleaded guilty to such charges and emphasized that the investigation remains active.
“Today’s guilty plea…offers an unmistakable lesson: crime doesn’t pay—and neither does flouting compliance,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said. The charges relate to long-term deficiencies in TD Bank’s AML program, spanning from January 2014 to October 2023. According to court documents, despite warnings, the bank failed to address significant risks and enforce necessary controls. Under a “flat cost paradigm,” the DOJ said the bank restricted compliance funding, leaving it vulnerable to money laundering activities involving trillions of dollars.
“These failures allowed corrupt bank employees to facilitate a criminal network’s laundering of tens of millions of dollars,” Principal Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri emphasized.
Additionally, US Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for
approximately $18.3 trillion in transactions, including automated clearinghouse (ACH) transactions and highrisk activities. The oversight facilitated over $670 million in money laundering through TD Bank accounts. According to reports, the bank allowed transactions to proceed unreported, even when suspicious.
The bank’s plea agreement includes a forfeiture of $452 million and a criminal fine exceeding $1.4 billion. As part of its AML program improvements, TD Bank will also retain an independent compliance monitor for three years. It reached additional agreements with the FRB, OCC, and FinCEN, with $123.5 million credited towards the FRB’s resolution.
TD Bank’s partial cooperation with the investigation earned it a 20% penalty reduction, although it did not receive full credit due to delays in reporting AML concerns. The Justice Department noted that TD Bank’s nondisclosure contributed to imposing a substantial fine. The IRS Criminal Investigation Division, the FDIC Office of Inspector General, and the DEA investigated the case with support from several law enforcement agencies, including the Morristown Police Department and US Customs and Border Protection.
The case was prosecuted by attorneys from the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and US Attorneys from New Jersey. The Bank Integrity Unit, established to address BSA and AML violations in financial institutions, led the investigation, which forms part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative to disrupt high-level criminal organizations in the US.
“We have taken full responsibility for the failures of our U.S. [anti-money laundering] program and are making the investments, changes and enhancements required to deliver on our commitments,” said Bharat Masrani, group president and chief executive of TD Bank Group. “This is a difficult chapter in our Bank’s history. These failures took place on my watch as CEO and I apologize to all our stakeholders.”
Prop 4 Would Approve $10 Billion for Climate Action, Conserving Natural Resources
By Edward Henderson California
$3.8 billion would help pay to improve drinking water systems and prepare for droughts and floods. Another $1.5 billion would go to programs focused on wildfire preparedness and $1.2 billion would go to programs combating the rise of the sea level. The remaining funds would be divided up.
Supporters of the proposition argue that the threat climate change brings to the state is an immediate one. Issues like wildfires, water pollution, and extreme heat call for funding to be directed towards countering the effects of climate change. Several environmental groups are backing the measure as well.
Supporters say urgency to push for the proposition
increased even more when Gov. Gavin Newsom scaled back the “California Climate Commitment,” which originally was a $54.3 billion spending package. In the most recent budget, it was cut to $44.6 billion.
Katelyn Roedner Sutter, State Director of the California Environmental Defense Fund, is on record saying, “We need to be not only helping communities adapt to climate change right now, but we also need to be reducing our climate pollution. This is not a problem that can wait until it’s convenient to fund in the budget.”
Ariana Rickard, public policy and funding program manager for Sonoma Land Trust, added, “Every Californian has felt the impact of the climate crisis, whether it is wildfires, extreme heat, flooding, sea level rise. I feel like this will resonate with voters who want to protect themselves and their communities.”
The bond measure would also require the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency to publish a list of programs and projects on the agency’s website for the public, increasing transparency and accountability with the public. The measure would require the report to list the project’s location, objective, status, anticipated outcomes, total cost,
amount of bond funding, and any matching funds. Opponents argue that using bonds to pay for what they call “unproven technologies” is not the most prudent way to approach the issues. They believe the state should pay for projects like this without taking on more debt.
Governments, corporations and municipalities issue bonds when they need capital. An investor who buys a government bond is lending the government money. If an investor buys a corporate bond, the investor is lending the corporation money. Like a loan, a bond pays interest periodically and repays the principal at a stated time, known as maturity. Taxpayers eventually are burdened with paying for the bonds the Government issues.
Howard Jarvis of the Taxpayers Association is on the record stating that “These bonds will be paid by people decades from now that didn’t even get to vote for their authorization.”
A “yes” vote supports the state issuing $10 billion in bonds to fund state and local parks, environmental protection projects, water infrastructure projects, energy projects, and flood protection projects.
A “no” vote opposes the state issuing $10 billion
The Transatlantic Slave Trade: Overcoming
the
Authors, Legendary Civil Rights Icon Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. and Acclaimed Journalist Stacy Brown, Detail the Consequences of the Transatlantic Slave Trade New York, NY—Civil Rights icon and National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. and renowned journalist and NNPA Senior National Correspondent Stacy M. Brown collaborated on the groundbreaking book The Transatlantic Slave Trade: Overcoming the 500-Year Legacy, which is now available from Select Books (ISBN 978-1-59079-569-9). Released on October 8, 2024, this work explores the brutal legacy of the transatlantic slave trade and its ongoing impact on African people throughout the world. This searing book offers an unflinching account of the 500-year legacy of the transatlantic slave trade, beginning in 1500 with the abduction of millions of Africans and following the historical arc through centuries of oppression, Jim Crow-era terror, and modern systemic racism. The book is an unapologetic examination of how the horrors of the past—rooted in slavery—continue to manifest in present-day America through police brutality, mass incarceration, economic disparities, and educational inequality. Chavis, a central figure in the civil rights movement, draws on his decades of activism and personal experiences in the fight for equal justice. As a young activist with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), Dr. Chavis worked under Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and later became a prominent leader within the United Church of Christ Commission for Racial Justice, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the National Newspaper Publishers
Association (NNPA). His wrongful imprisonment as the leader of the Wilmington Ten in 1971—a group political prisoners falsely convicted and imprisoned for untruthful allegations of arson during the civil rights movement in North Carolina—serves as a vivid reminder of the institutionalization of racial discrimination in America that continues to suppress the human rights of communities of color.
“This book does not simply chronicle history; it challenges readers to face the lasting consequences of the transatlantic slave trade,” says Dr. Chavis. “The blood, sweat, and tears of enslaved Africans laid the very foundation for the American experiment in democracy, yet their descendants are still fighting for equality and justice in every facet of American life.”
Isiah Thomas, a legend in the NBA, highlights the importance of this work in his stirring words, which support Dr. Chavis’s call to action:
“Dr. Ben Chavis must continue to fight and tell this story, not just for our generation, but for future generations who must understand the truth about our history if they are to finish righting the wrongs that began over 400 years ago,” Thomas emphasizes that this book is a vital tool in paving the way for future generations, ensuring that they are armed with the unvarnished truth.
Arikana Chihombori-Quao, African Union Ambassador to the United States, underscores the importance of the book’s message:
“Dr. Chavis connects the dots from the slave ports of West Africa to the present-day struggles of Black Americans. The transatlantic slave trade was not just a historical event—it laid the groundwork for centuries of racial oppression. The fight against that legacy is still ongoing.”
The Transatlantic Slave Trade: Overcoming the 500Year Legacy digs deep into the trauma of the Middle Passage, where millions of Africans were stripped of their dignity, crammed into ships like cargo, and forced into lives of unimaginable brutality. Yet, as Chavis and Brown remind us, the legacy of slavery is not confined to the past. The authors draw powerful connections between historical atrocities and modern-day issues such as redlining, environmental racism, economic injustice, and mass incarceration.
The book pulls no punches in confronting America’s hypocrisy: while African slaves built the economic foundation of the nation, their descendants are still treated as second-class citizens. From the auction blocks of the 1700s to the prison industrial complex of the
21st century, The Transatlantic Slave Trade unveils the continued systemic structures designed to oppress Black communities.
As legendary hip-hop icon, Chuck D of Public Enemy passionately states in the foreword, “The chains of slavery may have been broken, but the shackles of systemic racism are still very much intact. If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention.” His call to action resonates throughout the book, echoing the urgent need to confront this history and dismantle the systems of oppression that have evolved from it.
Public Enemy’s track “Can’t Truss It” is a thematic thread in the book, with its unfiltered depiction of the slave trade’s legacy. The song’s haunting lyrics—“Ninety damn days on a slave ship / Count ’em fallin’ off two, three, four hun’ed at a time”—capture the rage and pain of an entire people. This visceral connection to history is what makes The Transatlantic Slave Trade a powerful rallying cry for justice and equity.
Brown, an award-winning journalist and Senior National Correspondent for the National Newspapers Publishers Association (NNPA), brings his keen insight into this exploration of history. Brown has relentlessly advocated for justice and equity, using his platform to shed light on systemic injustices nationwide.
In The Transatlantic Slave Trade, Chavis and Brown challenge readers to reckon with the uncomfortable truths of America’s past—and to acknowledge how those truths continue to shape the realities of today. The authors highlight how the scars of slavery persist in police violence, economic disparity, and the underfunding of Black communities. They demand we face this history head-on without sugarcoating or sanitizing the truth.
This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the historical roots of modern-day racism and the enduring fight for equal justice. As Public Enemy famously said, “Fight the Power.” The Transatlantic Slave Trade is a potent weapon in the ongoing battle for racial equity and justice, reminding us that the struggle continues—and so must our resistance.
The Transatlantic Slave Trade: Overcoming the 500-
Legacy will be available at major book retailers and online platforms beginning October
First Partner Jennifer Siebel-Newsom Backs New
State Effort Addressing Black Maternal Mortality
By Edward Henderson California Black Media
California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom has joined forces with the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications (OCPSC) in collaboration with the Office of the California Surgeon General to promote the state’s “Strong Start & Beyond” movement.
Launched on Sept. 17, 2024, the effort aims to reduce maternal mortality in California by 50% by December 2026. African American women experience a maternal mortality rate three times higher than the state average, with the most common cause of death being cardiovascular disease.
“California is uniquely positioned to build on proven initiatives that enhance maternal health and reduce disparities,” said Siebel-Newsom, as the state led a coordinated effort to raise awareness of the program and its push to impact Black women.
“We are setting critical goals to improve maternal health outcomes and creating a robust support network for mothers, from preconception through postpartum care, addressing the diverse needs of our population and setting an example for the nation,” added Siebel-Newsom.
The OCPSC manages the state’s priority community engagement and public awareness efforts. It works in collaboration with state agencies, departments, and other stakeholders to realize more inclusive and effective outcomes in statewide outreach initiatives.
Black mothers continue to experience higher rates of complications during pregnancy and suffer from maternal
behavioral health conditions at alarming rates.
Every five days a mother dies due to pregnancy-related complications. Leading causes of maternal deaths are heart disease (23%), Bleeding (14%), Behavioral Health (mental illness/substance overdose) (12%), and Infection (excluding COVID-19 infections) (12%), according to the California Maternal Health Blueprint. About 62% of these deaths occur after the baby is delivered.
Dr. Diana E. Ramos, California Surgeon General, presented “Strong Start & Beyond,” during a media webinar last week emphasizing the movement’s focus on
reducing racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes that disproportionately affect communities of color.
Although California currently has the lowest maternal mortality rate in the nation, Ramos says there is still work to do to eliminate disparities.
“The best investment in a newborn’s health is ensuring the health of the mother,” added Ramos. “By leveraging powerful partnerships and pioneering cuttingedge solutions, together we can help California mothers, pregnant people, and newborns have a strong start and healthy future.”
Over 80% of maternal deaths are preventable. One of the action plans Start Strong & Beyond is promoting involves a seven-question quiz that can alert a person to the fact they may want to get overall general well-care before they become pregnant.
“Our vision is to put this in the laundromats, put this in the supermarket, wherever people are already before they’ re pregnant, so that they can then start to think, ‘wow, I didn’ t realize,’ and perhaps ‘my current health could maybe not be so healthy if I became pregnant’,” said Ramos. “We want to educate and empower individuals on their reproductive health. So, before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and then most importantly, afterwards.”
Additionally, the media webinar featured testimonials from mothers who experienced complications during their pregnancies and shared what they wish they knew going into their pregnancies.
Dr. Nzinga Graham is a practicing family medical
physician working in Urgent Care in Los Angeles. She is also a mother of three and experienced complications with each of her pregnancies.
“I know that Black women were three and a half times more likely to die but it’s different when it happens to you,” said Graham. Graham was admitted to the hospital suffering from severe postpartum preeclampsia (high blood pressure and excess protein in urine after childbirth). After this health scare, she was determined to take matters into her own hands going into her second pregnancy. She exercised more, ate healthily, and even ran a marathon. Unfortunately, after her second child was born, Graham was admitted to the hospital again with the same symptoms as before.
“Of course, the number one risk factor for any health complication is having had it before, so going into that second pregnancy, I should have known, I should have been aware that this was a real possibility,” said Graham. “I thought I did what I could to prevent it, but unfortunately, as Kairos mentioned, it really is our system that contributes to a lot of these health complications for women of color.” Graham noted that the main takeaway from her story is advocacy, and that speaking up is the most critical thing she could’ve done to get more information and demand the treatment she needed, even when she was told there weren’t any issues.
The OCPSC is also inviting advocates to pledge their support to the Strong Start & Beyond movement to continue providing lifesaving information and support to at risk mothers to be.
Asm. Mike Gipson: Calif. Ports Need Dedicated Funding From State Budget
By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media
Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson), a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) and chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Ports and Goods Movement, said the state must provide seaports permanent funding for them to run optimally and remain competitive.
“We have yet to see dedicated, ongoing, consistent money allocated to our ports from our state budget,” said Gipson during a news conference held at the State Capitol.
In August, Gipson released an interim report that features California ports’ crucial role in the state and national economy.
The 52-page “Chair’s Interim Report” includes an observation of the most critical issues facing the goods movement sector and lays out a blueprint to keep the state’s 11 ports competitive in a complicated and constantly shifting environment.
Gipson stressed that foremost among priorities is the need for the state to continue investing in docking places for cargo ships.
Over the past year, the Select Committee on Ports and Goods Movement toured the state’s 11 public ports and hosted numerous hearings on the state of the ports. Gipson was first appointed chair by former Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood). When Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) replaced Rendon as speaker, he asked Gipson to continue as Chair.
“The final tour stop for the Select Committee was the port of San Diego last spring. The tour highlighted the port’s efforts in green and sustainable operations,” Gipson told California Black Media (CBM). The tour gave select committee members a breakdown of all of the possibilities the port has to create for economic vitality and growth.
“It’s important that California policymakers support efficient, modern, and sustainable maritime operations while we reduce emissions to improve environmental and public health in our communities,” stated Frank Urtasun, chairman of the Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners.
One of the most significant findings and policy recommendations summarized in the report is the need to understand the standard operations of the ports.
“We are still happy to make sure these ports are not left behind and not neglected,” Gipson said at the news conference. “We still see today that our ports are fighting to have allocations from our federal partners and federal dollars. This report elevates that we need our fair share,” he added.
The report states that a “failure to maintain competitiveness” could result in an “inability to afford climate and modernization investments” as well as maintaining “regional and national economic benefits.”
According to the report, the states’ ports drive trade and tourism, supporting millions of good-paying jobs; they are the cleanest in the nation and, by many measures, in the world; and the ports play a key role in local, regional and national emergency readiness.
In addition, the Chair’s report provides details that the market share of California ports has consistently declined since 2006, federal funds obtained by Californian ports are disproportionately low, and environmental challenges of decarbonization, reducing localized air pollution impacts, and maintaining clean water are negatively impacting California ports.
“It’s been made painfully clear that we need to do everything possible to elevate ports in the state of California,” Gipson told CBM. “I for one believe that the pandemic underscored why ports are essential to California.”
In July, Gov. Gavin Newsom invested $27 million in 10 innovative projects at the Ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, San Diego, and Hueneme, “the busiest ports in the nation,” Gipson said during the news conference.
The projects include a range of solutions including maximization of cargo routing, distribution of cuttingedge technologies such as artificial intelligence, emissions reduction measures, trucking appointment systems, and the development of new data systems for cargo.
Representatives from The California Association of Port Authorities (CAPA) praised the governor for allocating funds for projects that advance the ports’ objectives to improve the state’s supply chain.
CAPA consists of 11 major deepwater port authorities across our state. Since 1940, CAPA’s mission has been educating state and federal policymakers on port operations.
“These critical funds will establish more coordination across the supply chain at a time when the global economy is counting on California Ports,” said CAPA President Kristine Zortman.
In May, U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) announced a $112 million federal investment in that the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach (San Pedro Ports) will receive more than $112 million through a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers program for critical construction upgrades, operations and maintenance activities.
“The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach move 40 percent of the nation’s container imports, transporting the goods that power our economy,” said Padilla. The report outlines the importance of ports up and down the state, Gipson said. They all serve a function whether they are located on the coast or inland. The Port of San Pedro encompasses the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach. About 30% of imports filter through these main ports alone, Gipson said. The Port of Humboldt Bay, 225 miles north of San Francisco, is in the process of building the largest “Wind Farm” on the West Coast, Gipson shared.
Gipson says he learned that the Port of Oakland uploads and discharges more than 99% of the containerized goods moving through Northern California. Oakland’s cargo capacity was the ninth busiest container port in the country based on the 2023 calendar year. The inland ports cities of West Sacramento and Stockton have “unique” harbor facilities that relieve congestions and facilitate distribution to inland destinations in the Sacramento and Central Valley regions, Gipson told CBM at the State Capitol.
“Each and every port in California plays a vital role and contributes to our supply chain. Not one port in California is more important than the next,” Gipson said. “Each and every port is essential to moving forward and essential to making sure California is the 5th largest economy in the world.”
Graph illustrating the flow of goods from ports to consumers.Courtesy of the Public Policy Institute of California.
Trump’s Attempts to Overturn 2020 Election Were Part of Private Scheme, Not Official Acts
New Filing:
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Special Counsel Jack Smith has delivered a powerful legal blow to former President Donald Trump, unveiling new evidence that the twice-impeached Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results were part of a private scheme rather than actions taken in his official capacity as president.
In a 165-page legal brief unsealed Wednesday, Smith provided new details about Trump’s behind-the-scenes maneuvers to subvert the election, including pressure campaigns targeting key officials, attempts to create false electors, and private discussions with his vice president, Mike Pence.
The filing reveals the extent of Trump’s interactions with figures such as attorney Rudy Giuliani and other senior officials, some of whose names were withheld. Trump persisted with a plan to undercut Joe Biden’s victory despite numerous warnings from people in his circle that his claims of a stolen election were untrue.
Smith’s brief is part of a broader strategy to prove that Trump can face trial for his actions, even after a Supreme Court ruling granted him immunity for official acts as president. The special counsel argues that Trump’s efforts to enlist Pence in blocking Congress’s certification of the election results were part of a private, illegal campaign to retain power, not part of his official duties.
“At its core, the defendant’s scheme was a private criminal effort,” Smith wrote in the filing. “In his capacity as a candidate, he used deceit to target every stage of the electoral process.”
The document provides new evidence of Trump’s attempts to sway election officials in critical swing states
to alter the results in his favor. The brief quotes a lawyer advising Trump, who gave an “honest assessment” that his claims of widespread fraud would not withstand scrutiny in court. Yet, Trump dismissed the warning. “The details don’t matter,” Trump said, according to the filing.
Further, the brief recounts private conversations between Trump and Pence, in which Pence urged Trump to accept defeat and consider another run in 2024. Trump, however, expressed reluctance, saying, “2024 is so far off.”
Smith’s filing depicts Trump’s actions as part of a desperate and illegal campaign to remain in power after losing the 2020 election. The brief also points to Trump’s reliance on Giuliani and other private allies in his election subversion attempts, asserting that none of these efforts fell under the scope of presidential duties.
“The defendant asserts that he is immune from prosecution for his criminal scheme to overturn the 2020 presidential election because, he claims, it entailed official conduct,” the filing reads. “Not so. Although the defendant was the incumbent president during the charged conspiracies, his scheme was fundamentally a private one.”
A sealed appendix to the legal brief contains FBI interviews, search warrant affidavits, and grand jury testimony that might soon become public. Smith’s filing builds on the indictment released last year, expanding the evidence and reinforcing the argument that Trump’s conduct was criminal and not shielded by presidential immunity.
Smith concluded the brief with an explicit request to the court: “The government respectfully submits that the defendant’s conduct described in this motion is not subject to presidential immunity and that he should face trial for his private acts of subversion.”
Harris Unveils Plan to Expand Medicare
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris has announced a major policy proposal to expand Medicare to include long-term, at-home care services. The proposal marks a notable shift for the public health insurance program, traditionally limited to older Americans.
Harris announced ABC’s The View, a popular daytime talk show, emphasizing the program’s potential impact on the “sandwich generation”—the more than 105 million Americans providing care for children and aging parents. The proposed program aims to relieve the burden on families relying on Medicaid, which covers the largest portion of the nation’s long-term care services.
“Taking care of a parent means picking out clothes that are soft enough, making meals that are easy for them to eat, and finding ways to bring a smile to their face,” Harris said, highlighting caregivers’ emotional and practical challenges. “We’re talking about declining skills, but their dignity, their pride, has not declined.”
If approved, the initiative would significantly broaden Medicare’s scope. Currently, Medicare only covers at-home care under limited circumstances, typically following a hospital stay. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Medicaid spent $207 billion on long-term care services in 2021, covering everything from nursing homes to home health aides, as Harris emphasized.
Harris explained that the expansion would be funded through enhanced Medicare prescription drug negotiations and payment limitations to pharmacy benefit managers. Medicare’s recent negotiation efforts with drug manufacturers are expected to save the government approximately $98.5 billion over the next decade. While the vice president did not specify the program’s total cost, her campaign noted that at-home care is generally about $3,000 cheaper monthly than nursing home care. The proposal also addresses the Medicaid “spend down” requirement, which
Newswire Senior National Correspondent
caring for her late mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, who passed away in 2009,
Jack Smith during a statement regarding the indictment of Donald J. Trump. (Wikimedia Commons)
California Capitol News You Might Have Missed Political Playback:
NAACP Denounces L.A. City Councilmember Kevin de León; Cites Racist Rhetoric
Sen. Bradford: State Must Do More as Senate Passes Gov’s Bill to Prevent Gas Price Spikes
On Oct. 11, during a special legislative session, the state Senate passed a bill backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that aims to prevent sharp increases in gas prices.
California Legislative Black Caucus Vice Chair Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Inglewood), who chaired the Senate Special Committee on Fuel Supply and Price Spikes, applauded the passage of the bill but emphasized the state must do more.
“All members of the Senate share concern about the effect rising gas prices have on California families and the ripple effects that may have on the costs of other goods. Protecting consumers has always been our top priority,” said Bradford.
“As policymakers, we must be diligent in our oversight of the regulatory agencies to ensure that this legislation is implemented in a manner that protects the safety of the workers and makes gasoline more affordable for families. There is still much work to be done,” he added.
The bill, ABX2-1, authored by Assemblymembers Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) and Cecilia Aguiar-Curr (D-Winters) and Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) would authorize the California Energy Commission (CEC) to require refiners to store more gas.
“Rising gas prices impact everyone in California and nearly every facet of our lives – from how much we’re paying at the pump to the cost of what we’re buying at the store. Putting mechanisms in place to help prevent costs from spiking and sending family budgets into a tailspin benefits us all, and working together, we’ve been able to do just that,” said Senate President pro Tem Mike McGuire (D-North Coast).
“Thank you to all of the Senators for the swift, hard work and focus this week, and to our Assembly partners and Governor Newsom for their partnership on this effort,” McGuire continued.
The bill has been sent back to the Assembly for concurrence.
On the same day, Sen. Rosilicie Ocha Bogh (R-Yucaipa) sent a letter to McGuire urging the Legislature’s Democratic leadership to reconsider a bill she introduced to suspend the state’s excise gas tax after that legislation was killed.
“Our families across the state are facing unprecedented financial strain. From groceries to utilities, the cost of living continues to soar,” said Ochoa Bogh. “I’m deeply disappointed in the legislature’s decision to continue ignoring real solutions for lowering gas prices. It is our legislative duty to support struggling families.”
Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood), chair of the Senate Committee on Fuel Supply and Price Spikes, and vice chair Sen. Brian Dahle (R-Chico) listen to testimony during a hearing held on Oct. 7 at the State Capitol Annex Swing Space. Photo by Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media (CBM).
total number of fast-food jobs in the state to 750,500 -the highest level on record.
Assembly Bill 1228, authored by Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), not only raised the minimum wage to $20 per hour but also established the Fast-Food Council to oversee wages, working conditions, and health and safety standards for fast food workers. During the signing of AB 1228, Holden stated, “We did not just raise the minimum wage to $20 an hour for fast food workers. We helped a father or mother feed their children, we helped a student put gas in their car, and helped a grandparent get their grandchild a birthday gift”
The study contradicts claims from the fast-food industry, which had expressed concerns that the wage increase would mean layoffs, a cut in service hours, and an increase in menu prices. However, the study found no significant changes in employment levels, work schedules, or benefits. According to the report some challenges, like underemployment and unpredictable scheduling, remain but existed prior to the wage hike.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has previously voiced strong support for the wage increase, saying, “We’re ensuring that workers in fast food -- the backbone of many families -can actually afford to live in the communities where they work.”
The study’s findings align with earlier research from UC Berkeley’s Institute for Research on Labor and Employment, which showed no significant reduction in employment and only a modest increase in menu prices.
which provided critical support for interventions like tutoring and expanded learning programs. “It’s high time the state’s investment and focus match our rhetoric, so California schools can prepare all students, regardless of background, for success in college, career, and civic life,” Billy concluded. Maintaining momentum beyond the pandemic will require continued investment and innovation to close the persistent achievement gaps affecting California’s most vulnerable students.
Controller Malia M. Cohen: Eligible Californians Can Now Apply for Property Tax Deferment
Two years after racist comments in a leaked recording of Los Angeles City Council members emerged, members of Los Angeles branches of the National Advancement Association of Color People (NAACP) on Oct. 7 gave councilmember Kevin de León’s a “failing” grade for his performance in office. The announcement was made on the south lawn of the Los Angeles City Hall by leaders of the NAACP branches of Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, Watts, Beverly Hills-Hollywood, Santa Monica-Venice, and San PedroWilmington. De León was on a conference call with other council members who made racial comments about Indigenous people and one of their colleague’s son, who is Black.
The leaked audio led to Council President Nury Martinez’s resignation on Oct. 12, 2022, former Councilmember Gil Cedillo’s ouster, and Ron Herrera stepping away on Oct. 11, 2022, as president of a powerful Southern California labor organization.
The branches and CA/HI State Conference of the NAACP President Rick Callender first asked all persons involved to resign from their positions in October 2022. The civil rights leader expressed concern that that the disparaging remarks coming from top city officials could impact hiring and other decisions of the City Council. “We will not sit idly by and allow our elected representatives to engage in these kinds of disgusting and racist behaviors,” stated Latricia Mitchell, President of the Los Angeles Branch of the NAACP.
Study Confirms California’s $20/Hour Fast Food Wage Raises Pay Without Job Losses
A new study from Harvard Kennedy School and the University of California, San Francisco, says that California’s $20-per-hour minimum wage for fast food workers has led to significant pay increases without causing reductions in jobs, work hours, or benefits. The findings, based on data collected since the wage law took effect in April 2024, show that fast food workers across the state experienced hourly wage increases of at least $2.50, with the number of workers earning less than $20 per hour dropping by 60 percentage points.
“We find no evidence that wage increases had unintended consequences on staffing, scheduling, or wage theft,” the study reports. The researchers found that work hours were stable on a week-to-week basis, and there was no reduction in employee benefits, such as health insurance or paid time off. Instead, the fast-food industry added 11,000 jobs between April and July 2024, bringing the
The study’s results highlight that California’s approach to raising the minimum wage has delivered higher pay for workers without the negative effects some had predicted, providing economic stability for thousands of fast-food workers across the state.
California Students Make Progress in Key Academic Areas, But Challenges Remain
On Oct. 10, the California Department of Education released its 2023-24 statewide assessment results showing promising but gradual progress within some key academic areas. The report highlights improvements, especially among Black and socioeconomically disadvantaged students, while overall scores remain below pre-pandemic levels.
Overall, the percentage of students statewide meeting or exceeding standards in English language arts (ELA) was 47%, up from 46.7% last year. Those reaching proficiency in mathematics were at 35.5%, from 34.6%. Science scores rose from 30.2% to 30.7%. Black/African American students showed the most improvement in third-grade math, with scores increasing by 0.9 percentage points. Socioeconomically disadvantaged students also saw notable gains, with a 1.5% increase in ELA and a 2.1% gain in math.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond praised the efforts of California’s schools and students, saying, “I commend California’s students and educators for their hard work and continued growth in academic achievement across the state. We know the high potential of all California’s students, and we still have a ways to go to ensure that every child is supported to build strong academic skills and access a bright future.”
Linda Darling-Hammond, President of the State Board of Education, emphasized the importance of continued investment in student success. “Today’s results suggest that California’s public schools are making encouraging gains in all of the key subject areas, and these gains are largest for our most vulnerable groups of students,” she said.
Despite the progress, overall student performance remains a concern. Vernon M. Billy, CEO of the California School Boards Association, stressed the need for more rapid and widespread improvement. “Despite incremental improvement of less than half a percentage point in English Language Arts (ELA) and less than one percentage point in Mathematics, overall student performance remains below pre-pandemic levels — which were already unacceptable,” Billy said.
He also expressed concern over the sustainability of improvements as COVID-19 relief funds expire in 2025,
State Controller Malia M. Cohen announced last week that applications for property tax deferment began Oct. 1 and will continue through Feb. 10, 2025. The California’s Property Tax Postponement (PTP) Program “allows homeowners who are seniors, are blind, or have a disability, and who meet income and other requirements to postpone payment of property taxes on their primary residence,” according to Cohen’s office. In the 2023-24 tax year, qualifying California homeowners were able to postpone over $6.2 million in residential property taxes.
Funding for the PTP program is limited and participants must reapply each year and demonstrate they continue to meet eligibility requirements. Recently, the program has been expanded to include manufactured homes, and the household income limit has been raised to $53,574. The increase, according to Cohen’s office, will help make more seniors and Californians with disabilities keep their homes.
Gov. Newsom Touts California Economic Success
In a 20-minute interview on Oct. 10, Gov. Gavin Newsom said California’s economy is in great shape due to achievements in certain areas.
The Governor was speaking at the 2024 California Economic Summit event hosted by California Forward in Sacramento. It was attended by more than 100 leaders from industry, community, and the private, public, and nonprofit sectors.
“It is an exciting and dynamic time,” said Newsom. “Thirty-two of the top 50 AI companies are all here in California. We dominate in tourism – record breaking tourism last year.”
“It isn’t by accident that California is an economic powerhouse,” Newsom continued. “Whether it be around education, infrastructure, or immigration, we’re following a formula for success.”
In Newsom’s overview of the state’s economy, he didn’t include why two companies decided to leave for the state of Texas. SpaceX and Chevron announced their departures over the summer.
Billionaire Elon Musk is moving the headquarters of his companies X and SpaceX from San Francisco to Texas. After 140 years of doing business in California, Chevron is heading to the southwestern state as well.
Chevron employs 2,000 workers in San Ramon. It operates crude oil fields, technical facilities, two refineries, and services more than 1,800 retail stations in California.
“There will be minimal immediate relocation impacts to other employees currently based in San Ramon. The company expects all corporate functions to migrate to Houston over the next five years. Positions in support of the company’s California operations will remain in San Ramon,” Chevron shared in an Aug. 2 press release.
Why More Families Are Choosing Online Learning: The Rise of Virtual Pre-K
If
virtual pre-k classroom, you may witness a chorus of enthusiastic voices singing “The Wheels on the Bus,” with hands energetically following the motions of their
teacher. These young learners represent a rapidly growing trend of parents opting out of the traditional classroom setting in favor of online learning environments, where engaging teachers, family involvement, and interactive resources create a captivating learning experience.
While both online and traditional pre-k programs share similarities—such as state-certified teachers leading classes and opportunities for peer interaction—virtual learning offers unique advantages. Teachers are specially trained for online instruction and excel in “edutainment,” a high-energy, engaging teaching approach that captures the young students’ attention through the screen. Moreover, students benefit from frequent one-to-one instruction, including dedicated sessions focused on key literacy skills such as letter recognition and learning to form specific sounds through mouth movements.
Virtual programs also strike a balance between desk time and hands-on activities away from the screen. For example, a science lesson involves a project where students and their families build birdhouses to create an ecosystem that protects birds. This activity, used as part of a K12powered pre-k program often draws in older siblings, and families share that their children love watching the birds visit their creations, making it a true family favorite. We frequently hear that these hands-on activities bring entire families together, transforming learning into a shared experience at home.
During classroom sessions, teachers take frequent
brain breaks—a strategy that incorporates interactive tools to help keep 4- and 5-year-olds focused and engaged. Take “Doggyland” for instance—this lively animated series gets kids moving through song and dance, with music that covers various educational topics like sharing, diversity, letter and number recognition, and self-confidence.
While pre-k is not mandatory in any state, studies show that children who attend a structured learning environment before kindergarten gain a significant academic advantage. Researchers point out that pre-k attendance builds foundational knowledge in subjects such as math and reading, as well as fine motor skills, which enhance longterm academic performance, including higher assessment scores and stronger math abilities, providing benefits that extend into adulthood.
Virtual pre-k programs offer a lifeline to families who want their children to experience the benefits of a structured pre-k program but face barriers to traditional programs. These obstacles can include lengthy waitlists, lottery systems, high tuition and fees, or long commutes. Moreover, families must navigate challenges like potty training requirements, lack of facilities designed for small children, and crippling separation anxiety that can make the daily drop-off traumatic and upsetting for the child and parent. No child should miss out on the benefits of pre-k due to lack of access. Virtual pre-k presents a modern solution to families, ensuring equitable access to a high-
quality curriculum for all, regardless of location or income. The flexibility and accessibility of virtual pre-k allow all children the opportunity to thrive in a structured learning environment. I expect more families will continue to embrace virtual school options that prioritize their child’s development and growth.
Niyoka McCoy is the Chief Learning Officer at Stride. She leads the development and implementation of the company’s learning strategy, curriculum, and instruction, with an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction and over 16 years of experience in the education sector.
NAACP CA-HI South Area Director and NAACP Santa Monica-Venice President Darrell Goode addressed the media at LA City Hall, issuing LA City Councilmember Kevin de León a fail grade on the 2nd anniversary of his hateful and racist remarks.
By Antonio Ray Harvey, Joe W. Bowers Jr. and Tanu Henry California Black Media
By Niyoka McCoy, Ed.D.
you catch a glimpse of 4- and 5-year-olds in attendance of a
A Celebration of Community,
Collaboration, and Renewal in Kern County Heritage Park Grand Opening
By Jason Land Jr.
Contributing Writer
The morning of Wednesday, October 9th, stamped itself in history as a moment of community and collaboration for Kern County. The grand opening event of Heritage Park located at 8683 Bernard Street marked the culmination of a significant revitalization project upheld by our leaders. A safe, welcoming space for families, friends, and neighbors in Bakersfield was the result of this project.
Hosted by Kern County’s Third District Supervisor Jeff Flores and Fifth District Supervisor Leticia Perez, the event represented the unity of two leaders. Together, they created an environment between districts within a park that would serve as a hub for local activities and community gatherings. Chief Administrative Officer of Kern County, Nancy Anderson, highlighted the dedication and determination between the two leaders and staff conducive to making the project a reality.
“Applying for funding, creating designs, completing plans and issuing permits, bidding, awarding contracts, and mobilizing is a part of some of the things that needed to be done,” Anderson explained, acknowledging the unwavering work of the staff and contractors involved in creating the project. The $4.2 million revitalization effort funded by the Clean California Local Grant Program through Caltrans resulted in a plethora of improvements to the park. These developments ranged from a shaded group picnic pavilion, soccer field renovations, amphitheater enhancements, shaded play structures, updated irrigation, a mural wall, and the planting of 68 trees. The newly introduced facilities would provide a fresh, welcoming environment for casual visitors and community events alike. Anderson praised the collective effort of the leaders within Districts Three and Five, along with the staff and community who made this transformation of Heritage Park into a true community asset possible.
Rick Helgason, Deputy Director for Design of District 6, followed up on Nancy’s speech to share more about the impact of Caltrans’ partnership with Kern County Heritage Park. He explained Clean California, Governor Gavin Newson’s ambitious 3-year $1.1 billion program investment, is a part of a statewide initiative aimed to clean and beautify California’s highways and public spaces such as Heritage Park.
“This extensive initiative spearheaded by Caltrans has played a key role in removing trash from our highways, enhancing public spaces, and generating thousands of jobs,” Helgason said. “Heritage Park also stands as a tribute to two special boys, Alejandro Vargas and Angel Berumen who tragically lost their lives in car crashes nearby.” The murals within Heritage Park stand to beautify these two victims’ honor and memory of their spirit, forever serving as a reminder of the park’s role in bringing the community together.
Supervisor Leticia Perez follows up Flores’ speech with an equally fiery address, expressing her pride in the park’s unique features. “This is the Kern County I know–community partners coming together, fulfilling our moral obligations to each other,” she said. Perez highlighted District Three and Five’s plans for a community calendar to showcase local talent at Heritage Park. This would offer spaces for open mic nights, spoken word, art showcases, and more to cultivate healing and connection. Perez also paid tribute to the families of Alejandra Vargas and Angel Berumen, recognizing their strength in helping make the park a reality through organizing. She marks October 9th as the culmination of an ever-present dream the third and fifth district together has had about Kern County: drawing the community together to demonstrate how much we needed each other and to show unprecedented unity. “This park is for families, for all of Kern County,” she said. “When we lock arms, we can make magic happen. God bless you, God bless Heritage Park, and God bless Kern County.” The grand opening event of Heritage Park concluded with the ceremonial ribbon cutting, officially opening the park to the public. With the revitalization of Heritage Park, it stands as a symbol of collaboration, community pride, and a dedication to a brighter, connected future in Kern County.
Helgason notes that projects such as Heritage Park show the impact of Caltrans’ investment in local communities, helping to cultivate pride and provide a safe space for residents, such as the mural for the two victims. Community Interventions was also funded to create a Stop the Hate Awareness Campaign for young people. The goal is to raise awareness of hate crimes and offer resources for reporting and healing from the impact of hate crimes in Kern County. The Skate Park at Heritage Park was recently renovated and painted as well so that when a skater enters the skate park they will see brightly colored street art mural reading, “Sk Not Hate!” Karina Funez, Blue Zone Project Policy Supervisor, spoke about the partnership between the Blue Zones Project and local community initiatives. She emphasized the importance of parks within communities to promote the well-being of all, along with explaining the role that the Love Your Park campaign has played in enhancing local green spaces. “We believe parks are crucial to creating vibrant, clean spaces where residents can come together and live out the values of the Blue Zone Project,” Funez noted, adding that Heritage Park will be a place for families to create lasting memories. Blue Zone Project’s involvement in Heritage Park’s revitalization served a key role in incorporating Blue Zone principles and values to make healthy and easy choices. In collaboration with Kern County Library, the Blue Zone Project will incorporate a permanent literacy path where children can enjoy reading as they stroll along the newly beautified Heritage Park. Supervisor Jeff Flores notes the importance of Heritage Park with four simple words. “One park, two districts.” These words stretch miles long, emphasizing that this community space will serve as a shared space to bring together families, friends, and neighbors. He highlights that many nearby communities lack the luxury of renting expensive venues such as country clubs or hotels, pinpointing the crucial need for this space. He notes that this park is vital for families to gather, create memories, engage in activities and play, exercise, and dream big! Flores also commends his colleague, Leticia Perez, recognizing the project as a meaningful solution to fostering a healthier, connected environment for the community. “When problems present, solutions emerge,” says Flores.
Pictured (Right to Left) Rick Helgason, Deputy District Director of Design for District 6, Jeff Flores, Third District Supervisor, Leticia Perez, Fifth District Supervisor, Deidre Hathor, and Ucedrah Osby of Community Interventions Cutting of ribbon along with members of the local community at the Skatepark (Photo: Jason Land, Jr)
Leticia Perez, Fifth District Supervisor addressing the Community at the Ribbon Cutting event (Photo: Jason Land, Jr)
Rick Helgason, Deputy District Director of Design for District 6 (Photo: Jason Land, Jr)
Jeff Flores, Third District Supervisor (Photo: Jason Land, Jr)
