Donald Trump Exploited Presidency, Secret Service for Personal Profit, House Report Alleges
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VP Kamala Harris Unveils
Extensive Agenda for Black Men
Promises Wealth-Building and Opportunity as Election Nears
By Stacy M. Brown
Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Vice President Kamala Harris has unveiled an extensive agenda designed to dismantle systemic barriers and foster new opportunities for Black men across America. The agenda, announced on October 14, spotlights wealthbuilding, health equity, criminal justice reform, and expanded education and job training access. Her plan follows recent controversial remarks by former President Barack Obama, who addressed concerns about voter turnout among Black men and stressed the importance of participating in the election.
Obama’s comments in Pittsburgh were roundly criticized as scapegoating Black men, though he emphasized the high stakes of the 2024 election, noting that some African American males might hesitate to vote. He suggested that part of the reluctance could stem from discomfort with the idea of a woman president. Harris’s plan aims to address the specific needs of Black men, with initiatives focused on financial empowerment, healthcare, and education.
Forgivable Loans and Wealth Creation
Harris’s economic plan centers on wealth-building and supporting Black entrepreneurship. Her administration would provide one million forgivable loans, each up to $20,000, to help Black men and others who have faced significant barriers to starting a business. By partnering with community banks and mission-driven lenders, Harris aims to make capital accessible to Black entrepreneurs looking to launch or expand businesses in fields ranging from technology to landscaping and beyond.
Additionally, Harris has proposed a significant expansion of the Small Business Startup Tax Deduction, increasing it from $5,000 to $50,000, which would allow Black entrepreneurs to offset startup costs. She also plans to boost access to venture capital, low-interest loans, and incubators specifically for Black-owned businesses. Recognizing that Black entrepreneurs are frequently
Political Playback: California Capitol
News You Might Have Missed
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
Newsom Signs Bill to Ensure Refineries Have Enough Fuel to Avoid Gas Shortages
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law on Oct. 14 written to help prevent gas prices from spiking to protect consumers. Democrats in the Legislature introduced ABX2-1 to push back on the increasing cost of energy prices and the impacts of climate change by the oil industry.
“With this new law, big oil companies are now responsible for stabilizing prices at the pump,” said Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) after Gov. Newsom signed the law. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), California residents pay the highest prices for gas in the U.S. as a result of taxes and added costs resulting from environmental regulations. The average price for unleaded gas in California was approximately $4.68 per gallon this month, compared to the national average of $3.20 per gallon. The bills authors, Assemblymembers Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) and Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) and Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) introduced the legislation after the state’s Division of Petroleum Market Oversight revealed that gas price spikes are primarily caused by increases in global crude oil prices and unplanned
refinery outages. State law allows energy regulators to require that refineries keep certain amounts of fuel on hand to prevent sudden price increases when refineries go offline for maintenance.
Newsom said the State Legislature is “not waiting around for the industry to do the right thing.
“We’re taking action to prevent these price spikes and save consumers money at the pump. Now, the state has the tools to make sure they backfill supplies and plan ahead for maintenance so there aren’t shortages that drive up prices,” Newsom said.
Democrats criticized the oil industry for trying to keep the legislation from passing. Lawmakers said that price spikes have cost residents billions of dollars over the years.
Opponents of ABX2-1 argued that the law could unintentionally raise overall gas prices and threaten the safety of workers by giving the state more oversight over refinery maintenance schedules, and a delay in maintenance could lead to accidents.
Catherine Reheis-Boyd, president of the Western States Petroleum Association said policymakers do not understand the oil industry and what drives gas prices.
“Regulators remain fixated on controlling businesses with more taxes, fees, and costly demands,” said ReheisBoyd in a statement.
Following Gov. Newsom’s decision to enact the bill, Phillips 66 announced that it will shut down its refinery in Wilmington next year. The state is projected to lose more than 8% of its crude oil processing capacity as a result of the company’s cost-saving move to close its refinery.
United Health Foundation Is Offering $3,200 Scholarships for Health Care Professionals
The United Health Foundation (UHF) announced the Diversity in Health Care Scholarship program, an initiative offering $3,200 scholarships to underrepresented healthcare professionals.
The program is part of the foundation’s commitment to making the healthcare system work better for students, professionals, and people from diverse backgrounds.
According to UHF, the initiative is designed to help underrepresented health professionals advance their clinical degrees and credentials. The scholarship provides funding for professionals from various clinical fields such as nursing, mental health, physical therapy, dentistry, pharmacy, and medicine. Previous scholarship recipients stated that they are motivated by the desire to serve patients within their respective communities by providing culturally responsive care.
“Experience shows that when patients receive care from health providers who speak their language or understand their cultural needs, they are more responsive and engaged,” said Anne Yau, UHF President, in a statement.
“This can lead to better health outcomes, as patients feel safe and trust their health care providers,” Yau added.
Since the program launched in 2022, the foundation has provided scholarships to approximately 2,000 students and professionals who want to make a difference in health care. The initiative aims to sponsor 10,000 clinicians by 2033. Interested health care workers can apply for the scholarship at this website.
California Increase Wages for Health Care Workers
California has increased wages for some of the lowestpaid healthcare workers in the state.
According to the University of California, Berkeley Labor Center, the new minimum-wage increase to $25 an hour over the next decade will affect approximately 460,00 workers in the health care industry. Under the new law, which took effect Oct. 16, professionals working at rural independent healthcare facilities will earn a minimum of $18 an hour immediately. Hospitals with at least 10,000 employees will now have a minimum wage floor of at least $23 an hour.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the law last year, and the wage increase was supposed to take effect on June 1, 2024. However, the state budget deficit of nearly $46 billion at the time caused a delay in implementing the pay increase for some months. John Logan, professor of Labor and Employment at San Francisco State University, said that the
and
By COLLEEN LONG and WILL WEISSERT Associated Press
“There is so much at stake right now,” she said at the Divine Faith Ministries International in Jonesboro. “Our strength is not based on who we beat down, as some would try to suggest. Our strength is based on who we lift up. And that spirit is very much at stake in these next 16 days.”
Wonder led the crowd in singing his version of “Happy Birthday" to the vice president, who turned 60 on Sunday. When he was done, she appeared to choke up, saying, “I love you so much.”
Wonder grinned and said “don’t cry" before telling the crowd how important it was for people to get out and vote.
“We’re going to make the difference between yesterday and tomorrow,” he said. Harris later said that she “had to check off a whole big one” on her bucket list because of Wonder singing her a birthday song, which prompted the singer to spring up and lead the congregation in a quick verse of ”Higher Ground."
Pastor Donald Battle said of the election: “Georgia's gonna be the state that turns it for the vice president.”
“Souls to the Polls” as an idea traces back to the Civil Rights Movement. The Rev. George Lee, a Black entrepreneur from Mississippi, was killed by white supremacists in 1955 after he helped nearly 100 Black residents register to vote in the town of Belzoni. The cemetery where Lee is buried has served as a polling place. Black church congregations across the country have undertaken get-out-the-vote campaigns for years. In part to counteract voter suppression tactics that date back to the Jim Crow era, early voting in the Black community is stressed from pulpits nearly as much as it is by candidates. In Georgia, early voting began on Tuesday, and more than 310,000 people voted on that day, more than doubling the first-day total in 2020. A record 5 million people voted in the 2020 presidential election in Georgia.
Earlier Sunday, the Democratic presidential nominee attended New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, where the congregation also sang “Happy Birthday.”
New Birth Pastor Jamal Bryant called the vice president “an American hero, the voice of the future” and “our fearless leader.” He also used his sermon to welcome the idea of America electing its first woman president, saying, “It takes a real man to support a real woman.”
“When Black women roll up their sleeves, then society has got to change,” Bryant said. Harris referenced scripture as she promoted the importance of loving one's neighbor, and then drew a contrast to the current political environment.
“In this moment, across our nation, what we do see are some who try to deepen division among us, spread hate, sow fear and cause chaos,” Harris told the congregation. “The true measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you lift up.”
One congregant who got a hug from Harris was 98-year-old Opal Lee, an activist who pushed to make Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday. Harris is a Baptist. Her husband, Doug Emhoff, is Jewish. She has said she’s inspired by the work of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and influenced by the religious traditions of her mother’s native India as well as the Black Church. Harris sang in the choir as a child at Twenty- Third Avenue Church of God in Oakland. Her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, attended church in Saginaw, Michigan, and his wife, Gwen, headed to a service in Las Vegas.
Also Sunday, Harris sat for an interview with the Rev. Al Sharpton and was asked about the idea that she might see her support slipping among Black men — some of whom might be reluctant to vote for a woman for president. Former President Barack Obama suggested that might be an issue during a recent campaign stop for Harris in Pittsburgh. Harris said she had garnered support from many key Black male leaders, adding, “there’s this narrative about what kind of support we are receiving from Black men that is just not panning out in reality.” On Monday, she will campaign with former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., in the suburbs of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
NNPA
Donald Trump Exploited Presidency, Secret Service for Personal Profit, House Report Alleges
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
A newly released report from House Democrats reveals how Donald Trump’s presidency became a platform for personal financial gain. The twice-impeached former president allegedly profited from the U.S. Secret Service and other government entities that paid inflated rates at his properties. The report details how Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel regularly overcharged the Secret Service while agents protected him, his family, and foreign dignitaries—a practice that Democrats say violated the Constitution’s Domestic Emoluments Clause.
From September 2017 to August 2018, Trump’s hotel in Washington billed the Secret Service for more than 200 rooms over 50 separate nights. The rates charged were often far above the authorized government per diem, with the report highlighting multiple instances where the Secret Service paid 300% or more than standard rates. In one case, during a stay by Eric Trump and his wife, Lara Trump, in November 2017, the Secret Service was charged $600 per room, while the per diem was $201. On the same night, other guests paid significantly less, including a Chinese business interest.
“These payments reveal hundreds of unconstitutional and ethically suspect transactions Trump accepted while in office from domestic sources—including a federal agency, numerous federal and state officials, and individuals who sought and frequently obtained federal offices as well as presidential pardons,” the report states.
Secret Service Overcharges and Pay-to-Play Allegations
The report highlights how Trump’s hotel treated the Secret Service as a “captive customer,” repeatedly overcharging the agency even as Trump’s children publicly claimed that government staff stayed at his properties “for free” or “at cost.” The reality, according to the report, was quite different. In one February 2018 incident, the Secret Service was charged $895 per room to protect Eric Trump
during his stay, while the per diem rate was just $201—a 450% markup.
Moreover, the report shows that Trump’s hotels often charged the Secret Service more than other guests, including foreign dignitaries. On the same night that Eric Trump stayed in February 2018, the Qatari royal family was billed significantly less for their rooms, with some paying as little as $280.
The report also emphasizes the more significant implications of these financial transactions. In addition to overcharging the Secret Service, Trump’s businesses benefited from payments made by federal and state officials, individuals seeking political favors, and convicted criminals hoping for presidential pardons. Among the 30 examples of these payments highlighted in the report, more than half involved current federal or state officials using taxpayer funds to stay at Trump’s hotel, potentially violating the Domestic Emoluments Clause.
One instance involves Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, whose delegation stayed at the Trump International Hotel in Washington in September 2017, racking up charges of more than $248,000 during their visit. The Department of Justice was investigating a major corruption scandal involving Najib’s government at the time. Meanwhile, the Secret Service also spent more than $12,000 for its accommodations while protecting Trump and his family that same month.
Trump’s Financial Gains During Presidency
This new report builds on a January 2024 report revealing that Trump’s private businesses had received $7.8 million from foreign entities during his office. The combined findings suggest that Trump routinely used his properties and the presidency to extract financial benefits from federal agencies, foreign governments, and individuals seeking to curry favor.
“These transactions show that Trump used his position to line his own pockets, and at times, at the expense of
American taxpayers,” the report states.
The Secret Service reported spending more than $1.4 million at Trump-owned properties during his presidency. However, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee argue that this figure likely represents just a fraction of the total amount, as many transactions remain undisclosed.
The report noted that only 11 months of guest logs from Trump’s D.C. hotel were reviewed and that the full scope of Trump’s financial entanglements throughout his presidency
has yet to be fully uncovered.
Legal Loopholes and Call for Reform
While Trump has faced multiple lawsuits over violations of the Emoluments Clauses, courts have dismissed many of these cases on technical grounds, leaving him without direct legal consequences. The new report, however, stresses the need for stronger federal anti-corruption measures and clearer penalties for Constitutional violations.
“The findings of these Democratic staff reports reveal significant shortcomings in the current federal anticorruption framework—shortcomings that Donald Trump exploited to the tune of millions of dollars and intends to exploit again if he is returned to the Oval Office,” the report’s authors write.
The report stops short of recommending penalties for Trump but instead calls on Congress to pass stricter legislation to address the loopholes that allowed Trump to profit from his presidency. It emphasized the need for more vigorous enforcement of both the Domestic Emoluments Clause and the Foreign Emoluments Clause, which bar a president from receiving payments from federal agencies and foreign governments.
Urgent Congressional Action Needed
The report warns that Trump’s behavior sets a dangerous precedent for future presidents, particularly if reforms are not enacted. House Democrats argue that without swift action, future presidents could be emboldened to follow Trump’s example and leverage their office for personal gain.
“These reports are urgent calls to action that Congress must heed to ensure the effective enforcement of the Constitution’s Domestic Emoluments Clause—as well as the Foreign Emoluments Clause—and to ensure that our government serves exclusively the public interests of the people rather than the private interests of the president,” the report concluded.
Harris Unveils Agenda for Black Men
Continued from page A1
jobs in sectors like cybersecurity, renewable energy, and healthcare. She also seeks to eliminate unnecessary college degree requirements for 500,000 federal jobs, making these roles more accessible to Black men who may not have pursued higher education.
To increase the representation of Black male teachers—a crucial role model for young Black students—Harris said she plans to invest in teacher training programs through the Department of Education. By collaborating with HBCUs and MSIs, the Democratic presidential nominee hopes to build a pipeline for Black male educators, addressing the severe underrepresentation in this profession, where only 1% of teachers are Black men. Research has shown that Black students benefit academically and socially when they have Black male teachers, yet structural barriers have prevented many from entering the field. Harris also supports the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program to attract and retain Black male teachers, ensuring they have a pathway to long-term careers in education.
Financial Protections in the Digital Economy Harris’s plan includes protections for Black men who invest in cryptocurrency and other digital assets, acknowledging that over 20% of Black Americans have owned these assets. Among her goals is establishing a regulatory framework to safeguard digital investments,
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ensuring that Black men are protected as they participate in the burgeoning digital economy. The framework would set standards to protect investors from fraud and provide educational resources on digital asset management.
Health Equity and Addressing Medical Debt
Health equity remains a cornerstone of Harris’s agenda. She has introduced a National Health Equity Initiative focused on Black men, which would address high rates of chronic diseases like diabetes, prostate cancer, and sickle cell disease. Harris proposes capping insulin costs at $35 per month and limiting out-of-pocket expenses on prescription drugs to $2,000 annually. Additionally, she said she would expand funding for sickle cell research and build a national database to improve prevention and treatment.
To tackle the burden of medical debt, which disproportionately affects Black men, Harris proposes removing medical debt from credit reports and working with states to relieve outstanding medical debt. The effort would help Black men access better credit, opening doors for homeownership and business financing.
Criminal Justice Reform and Economic Opportunities in Legal Cannabis
The vice president also has committed to legalizing recreational marijuana at the federal level, which she argues will reduce incarceration rates for Black men and create economic opportunities in the emerging cannabis industry. By working with Congress to ensure the safe cultivation, distribution, and possession of marijuana, Harris would remove longstanding barriers that have disproportionately impacted Black men. Her plan would establish pathways
for Black men to access licenses and jobs in the legal cannabis sector, providing a chance to build wealth in a market that has historically excluded them.
Affordable Housing, Homeownership, and Financial Literacy
Harris further proposes building three million affordable housing units during her first term to address the housing crisis. She would offer up to $25,000 in down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, aiming to triple the number of new Black homeowners annually by the end of her term. The initiative would specifically target those who have been unable to buy homes due to a lack of generational wealth, which disproportionately affects Black families.
Still, another facet of her plan would tackle racial bias in home appraisals, a pervasive issue that often results in undervalued properties in majority-Black neighborhoods. Her proposal would mandate training and accountability measures for appraisers to ensure that Black homeowners receive fair property valuations, helping to close the racial wealth gap.
Community Events and Outreach
As part of her outreach to Black men, the HarrisWalz campaign is launching several community-centered events. The “Black Men Huddle Up” initiative will feature NFL and NCAA watch parties in battleground states, where Black men can discuss the upcoming election and its implications for their communities. In addition, the campaign will host a series of Economic Freedom Talks, with notable Black entrepreneurs discussing strategies for business growth and financial independence. Harris’s team
is ramping up its Shop Talk series, Brother to Brother canvass events, and launching new testimonial ads to reach Black voters in states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Michigan.
In Stark Contrast to Trump’s Agenda Harris’s proposals directly counter Donald Trump’s Project 2025, which she argues would dismantle progress for Black communities. Trump’s plan includes: Reinstating stop-and-frisk practices. Cutting funding for urban education. Eliminating critical programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, which many Black families rely on. Harris’s agenda seeks to offer Black men a comprehensive path to economic stability and success, positioning her as the candidate dedicated to addressing their unique challenges. Harris’s detailed plan appears to offer Black men a vision of leadership, opportunity, and economic empowerment, which she argues is essential for the future of Black communities. She believes investing in education, health, and wealth-building would help address systemic inequities and build a path to prosperity for Black men nationwide.
“Donald Trump could care less about equipping hardworking Americans with the tools needed to get ahead,” campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond stated. “While Vice President Harris is promising to equip Black men with the tools needed to pursue our dreams and aspirations, Donald Trump is promising Black men in America a national nightmare.”
California Capitol News
Continued from page A1
make the rate the highest statewide minimum wage in the country.
Apply Now: You Can Help to Shape Calif. Transportation Policy by Joining This Board
Last week, California State agencies announced a call for applicants to serve on the Interagency Equity Advisory Committee.
Applications are due by, Dec.1, 2024.
The committee consists of the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), the California Transportation Commission (Commission), and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
The committee has 15 members who advise, review, and provide recommendations related to transportation plans, programs, and policies. Committee membership is intended to promote diverse and historically marginalized voices in California with the aim of improving transportation equity.
Toks Omishakin, Secretary of CalSTA said that the Equity Advisory Committee is making a difference through valuable recommendations to the state’s transportation system.
“I encourage all interested Californians to apply to join the committee as a critical voice helping elevate historically marginalized communities,” said Omishakin.
The committee has experts from various backgrounds including tribal and indigenous communities. The group also has advocates from community organizations such as climate and air quality, housing justice, as well as environmental justice and equity. The committee will address accessibility disability advocacy and rural area concerns.
Members serve up to two years on the committee and are eligible for a $100 per diem for their service. Applicants must be residents of California and have experience in developing and implementing community-derived policies in partnership with the government or similar institutions.
For more information on the Equity Advisory Committee, please visit: https://catc.ca.gov/programs/ interagency-equity-advisory-committee
Secretary of State Weber Urges
Californians to Take Advantage of Early Voting
Last week, California Secretary of State (SOS) Shirley N. Weber encouraged voters to submit their ballots early for the upcoming general elections in November.
The SOS’s office listed a step-by-step process that voters can follow to complete and return their vote-by-mail ballot.
“California voters are no longer limited to a single day of voting. Why wait in line on Election Day when you have early voting options?” said Secretary Weber. “Once you receive your ballot, complete it, sign the back of the envelope, and then you can return it by mail, drop box, or at any early voting location.”
Voters can visit the Secretary of State’s official website to view the full list of drop box locations, where they can drop off their vote-by-mail ballot
Eligible citizens can register to vote or update their voter registration online. The last day to register for the Nov. 5 General Election is Oct. 21, 2024. Other important dates for the upcoming elections are
beginning on Oct 26. 2024.
ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by Nov. 12, 2024.
Information about county elections offices can be found at elections-offices.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-
Upcoming California key deadlines and dates for the Nov. 5, 2024, General Election can be found at sos. ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/general-electionnov-5-2024/key-dates-deadlines.
The November 5, 2024, General Election Calendar can be found at elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/statewideelections/2024-primary/section-08-general-electioncalendar.pdf.
California Expands Access to Culturally Based Treatment For Substance Abuse
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the state is expanding access to culturally based treatment services for people struggling with substance use disorder.
Recently, the state expanded Medi-Cal coverage to include traditional healthcare practices that help improve the health outcomes of individuals with substance disorders. State data showed that Native Americans are disproportionately impacted by the opioid epidemic with higher death rates caused by overdoses compared to other racial and ethnic groups in the country.
Newsom said that the State wants to help heal the historical wounds inflicted on tribes, including the alarming health disparities between Native communities and other groups.
“By supporting greater access to traditional medicine and healing, we are taking another step toward a healthier, brighter future,” said Newsom.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved medical coverage for two new categories of interventions under state law in partnership with tribal partners. The first intervention will be provided by traditional healers using methods such as spiritual ceremonies, music therapy, and herbal remedies. The second intervention works with natural helpers offering navigational support, psychological skill building, selfmanagement, and trauma support.
Tyler Sadwith, California State Medicaid Director, said Indigenous people, “now have access to culturally based traditional healing practices through Medi-Cal, marking a historic step toward health equity and honoring the rich traditions of our diverse Native communities.”
A study by the National Council of Urban Indian Health showed that culturally centered approaches help enhance engagement and recovery outcomes.
Black and Latino Men Lag in Developmental Education, Study Reveals
Black and Latino men have the lowest educational attainment in the state, according to a report on developmental education reform by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC). Recent state data shows that only 13% of Latino and 16% of Black men between the ages of 22 and 27 have at least a bachelor’s degree, according to the report.
The level of educational attainment of Black and Latino women is nearly double that of their male counterparts.
When it comes to college enrollment and completion, “persistence may be the biggest challenge for Latino and Black men,” with more than half of them leaving college without a degree or transferring.
The State Legislature implemented Assembly Bill 705, a law that mandated reforms in developmental education. The reforms allowed historically underrepresented students such as Black and Latino Men to use community colleges
as a primary gateway to higher education. The data also revealed that Black and Latino men lag in educational attainment compared to White and Asian students.
“The implications of the growing racial gap in bachelor’s degree attainment are significant, considering that a growing share of California’s future labor force will come from these groups,” the report stated regarding the future contributions of Black and Latino men.
In California, community colleges are the primary access point to higher education for Black and Latino students. Most underrepresented students transfer to a four-year institution to attain a bachelor’s degree. However, state data shows that transfer rates remain low among Black and Latino male students, and few students succeed in their goal to transfer and pursue a bachelor’s degree.
Despite the low college graduation rates among Black and Latino students, AB705 has helped reform developmental education. The study recommended that institutions of higher learning create and implement initiatives that help connect students to academic and student services, including resources that cultivate a broader sense of belonging for men of color.
Conservative Group Targets
LAUSD Program for Black Students
A conservative group in Virginia filed a federal civil rights complaint against the Los Angeles Unified School District, demanding that it end racial preferences in a program aimed at helping low-performing Black students.
Supporters of the Black Student Achievement Plan have condemned this political move and insist that the program to be preserved in its original form.
However, under pressure, the LAUSD has decided to overhaul the $120 million academic program for Black students by removing race as a factor that determines which children will get help in public schools.
The Virginia-based group, Parents Defending Education, wants to overhaul the program, alleging that it violates the Constitution and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by providing additional education services based on a student’s race. The group filed the complaint in July 2023, arguing that its mission is to oppose “destructive practices” in schools regarding policies related to race, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
“The Los Angeles Unified School District is offering race-based programming for some students that is not open to all,” stated the group in an online post. However, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights dismissed the complaint on July 11, 2024. The department stated that that the LAUSD revised the criteria for the program from being centered on race to basing it on achievement, school environment survey, and absenteeism. Supporters of the academic program, such as Ebony Batiste, a teacher at 74th Street Elementary School in South L.A., argued that the program is a form of restorative justice.
“There’s a lot of historical and systemic inequities that, if we’re not going to address them, Black children are going to continue to fail,” said Batiste to the LA. Times “Sometimes I feel like every time we try, our hands are tied behind our back, and we’re not being allowed to help the children that need help.”
Following the dismissal of the complaint, the LAUSD intends to continue working with Black students and support other students with similar academic needs under the revamped program.
Whitney Houston’s Iconic South Africa
Concert to Be Released in First-Ever Live Album and Concert Film
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Whitney Houston fans around the world are in for a rare treat as Sony Music’s Legacy Recordings, in collaboration with The Estate of Whitney E. Houston and Primary Wave Music, brings Whitney Houston: The Concert for a New South Africa (Durban) to audiences on November 8. The release marks the first time that fans can own a live album and concert film of the music icon, showcasing Houston’s historic performance in post-apartheid South Africa. Houston’s estate said the 1994 South Africa concerts were more than a musical tour—they were a powerful symbol of hope, freedom, and resilience in a country emerging from decades of racial oppression. Houston became the first major Western artist to perform in South Africa following Nelson Mandela’s election, delivering powerhouse renditions of “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” “Greatest Love of All,” and “I Will Always
Love You” to over 200,000 adoring fans. Her performance in Durban, captured on the new release, helped solidify her place as a music legend and a cultural ambassador of unity.
“This album will remind not just her core fans but music lovers worldwide of Whitney’s virtuosity as a recording artist,” said Pat Houston, the executor of her estate. “The fans have been waiting on this project for over a decade, and they have certainly expressed and made their sentiments known.”
In addition to the album, Whitney Houston: The Concert for a New South Africa (Durban), directed by Marty Callner, will screen in cinemas worldwide on October 23 and 27. The remastered 4K film featuring enhanced audio will be shown in nearly 1,000 theaters across more than 30 countries, including South Africa, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Brazil. The estate executors said this will allow fans to experience Whitney’s emotional and electrifying live presence like never before.
Houston’s career is defined by remarkable achievements that redefined what it meant to be a pop and R&B superstar. She remains the only artist with seven consecutive No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and the first female artist to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
With over 200 million records sold worldwide, Houston set standards in music that few can match, and she was the first Black artist to earn three Diamond-certified albums.
“Whitney’s South Africa concerts were special to her, and they were special to the world,” said Clive Davis, who discovered her talent and played a pivotal role in her career.
“If you want to experience the greatest female contemporary voice of all time, you must see Whitney Houston’s South Africa Durban concert film and own the album. There will never be another Whitney Houston.”
By Stacy M. Brown
The 1994 concert was a significant event in South Africa, with Houston’s powerful vocals and dynamic presence resonating with a country in transition. Proceeds from the concerts benefited South African children’s charities, furthering Whitney’s commitment to social causes. The concert film now offers fans a chance to relive this significant moment in music history and experience Whitney’s unmatched talent in a new way. Tickets for the screenings are on sale. “It was one of the greatest honors of my career to perform for such a beautiful and resilient country,” Whitney Houston once stated. “I felt like I was singing not just to the people of South Africa but to the world.”
Born into a musical family, Houston was destined for fame. The daughter of gospel legend Cissy Houston and cousin to Dionne Warwick, her official biography proclaimed that she possessed a voice that could move mountains. Her rendition of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” remains the best-selling single by a female artist, and her impact on film with The Bodyguard soundtrack created a cultural phenomenon that endures today.
celebrated in a video posted to social media. “We got all of our [stuff] back from Lil’ Joe Weinberger,” Campbell exclaimed. “All of it.” The decision marks the end of a years-long battle over rights to some of the most controversial and influential music in hip-hop history, including albums such as As Nasty As They Wanna Be. The legal journey began four years ago when Campbell and the heirs of former members Christopher Wong Won (aka Fresh Kid Ice) and Mark Ross (aka Brother Marquis) served a notice of termination to Lil’ Joe Records. Under copyright law, creators can reclaim ownership of their work 35 years after its release. With the backing of the heirs, Campbell sought to regain rights to the group’s groundbreaking albums, The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are, Move Somethin’, and As Nasty As They Wanna Be, which were initially released in the late 1980s. Lil’ Joe Records, owned by Joseph Weinberger, acquired the group’s catalog in 1996 as part of Campbell’s bankruptcy proceedings. Weinberger contended that 2 Live Crew’s music was produced as “works for hire,” which would legally assign ownership to the label rather than the artists. Campbell and the heirs argued that the members were independent creators, not employees, and retained rights to their music. In a critical ruling, Judge Darrin P. Gayles found that copyright termination rights are personal and cannot be assigned to a third party—even in a bankruptcy sale. The judge cited the Copyright Act, underscoring that Congress intended to protect authors’ rights against lopsided agreements. The decision paved the way for Campbell and the heirs to reclaim their catalog. The verdict dismantles Lil’ Joe Records’ argument that Campbell and the other members were employees of Luke Records, the label they founded. Instead, the jury recognized the group members’ independent role in creating the albums, allowing them to reclaim control over their music.
Weinberger’s defense rested on a 1991 agreement that described 2 Live Crew as employees of Luke Records, but the jury heard evidence indicating that the artists maintained creative independence. Additionally, copyright registrations from the 1980s and 1990s listed the members as individual authors, further supporting the claim that they were not employees at the time of the original recordings. “God is so good,” Campbell proclaimed. “You just gotta believe.”
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Rep. Barbara Lee Discusses Kamala Harris’ Plan for Black Men
CBM Special Interview:
By Edward Henderson California Black Media
Last week, the Kamala Harris campaign released its Opportunity Agenda for Black Men.
On Oct. 16, California Black Media (CBM) spoke with Harris-Walz campaign surrogate, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), who shared more insights on Harris’ agenda and the importance of securing the Black Male vote.
“She has said very clearly that she wants to earn the vote of everyone. And that means earning the vote of Black men,” said Lee of Harris. “She understands the systemic and historic challenges that Black men have. You haven’ t heard of a presidential candidate coming up with a concrete actual plan and policy agenda.”
The plan’s release came after a string of podcast and interview appearances during which Harris shared her plans to tackle several issues that Black Men specifically face if elected President.
The agenda includes five focus areas based on insights she gleaned from hosting discussions with Black men during her Economic Opportunity Tour: Provide 1 million loans that are fully forgivable to Black entrepreneurs and others disadvantaged groups to start businesses.
Champion education, training, and mentorship programs that help Black men get good-paying jobs in
high-demand industries It will also develop more accessible pathways for Black men to become teachers. Support a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency and other digital assets so Black men who invest in and own these assets are protected.
U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-13-Oakland) scolds SCOTUS for striking down Affirmative Action on June 29. She is shown here speaking in front of the California Reparations Task Force in Oakland, Calif. on May 6, 2023. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.
Launch a National Health Equity Initiative focused on Black men that addresses sickle cell disease, diabetes, mental health, prostate cancer, and other health challenges that disproportionately impact them.
Legalize recreational marijuana and creating opportunities for Black Americans to succeed in this new industry.
“[Vice President Harris] knows that Black men have long felt that too often their voice in our political process has gone unheard and that there is so much untapped ambition and leadership within the Black male community,” the language in the agenda states. “Black men and boys deserve a president who will provide the opportunity to unleash this talent and potential by removing historic barriers to wealth creation, education, employment, earnings, health, and improving the criminal justice system.”
Diving into Harris’ agenda, Lee says, reminded her of her own record of supporting Black men over the years as an elected official. In the 90’s, she established the first California Commission on African American Males through which she pressured the state to address urgent economic, health and social challenges specific to Black men.
Harris’ agenda was released after some Black men criticized a recent campaign speech by former President Barack Obama. They accused him of ‘scolding’ Black men because of their hesitancy to support Harris, suggesting that sexism played a role in their disinterest. The fallout from the former President’s comment has left some wondering if the Harris campaign is rolling out the agenda as a response.
“No group of people are a monolithic group of people,” said Lee when asked about Obama’s speech.
“There were different points of views and different feedback. She stated very clearly that she does not expect anyone to vote for her. She’ s not taking any vote for granted. I’ve known her over three decades and I believe she is being herself. She’ s authentic and she cares about making sure that people, I say not only survive, but thrive,” Lee added.
Each of the 5 key points addressed in the Harris Campaign’s agenda, Lee says, has additional clauses that can potentially help Black men and their families thrive. This includes lowering rent; up to $25,000 in downpayment help for first time homebuyers; and cutting taxes for Black men in lower-wage jobs by increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit maximum to $1,500. Lee says the goal of the Harris-Walz campaign is for more Black men to become “trusted messengers” for the Vice President, explaining her intentions to the community and leverage their own experiences to hold Harris to task for what they are looking for politically.
“I think the messages is one of empowerment for Black men -- regardless of whether they’ re a blue-collar worker, if they’ re not working, if they’ re in business, if they’ re an entrepreneur, whatever background or whatever they’ re doing or experiencing life. I think the authenticity of their experience can only be articulated through them,” said Lee.
“I think it’ s important that they be out there talking about what it means to be a Black man in America and how this can be connected to political empowerment,” Lee added.
Black Press Urges DSCC to Expand Black Media Reach in New Ad Campaign
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) has launched a new advertising initiative to encourage Black voter turnout in seven key battleground states. The campaign “Our Vote. Our Power.” will appear in select Black-owned media outlets across Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin. The effort focuses on promoting voter participation in the 2024 Senate elections while urging individuals to create a voting plan using the online platform IWillVote.com, where everyone can access information to plan their involvement in the election.
“Black voters have the power to shape the outcome of the 2024 election and will play a critical role in defending Democrats’ Senate majority that is fighting for the values, priorities, and issues that matter most for Black Americans,” said Jessica Knight Henry, DSCC Deputy Executive Director. “This campaign will build on Senate Democrats’ efforts to meet Black voters wherever they are and ensure that every voter has the information they need to make their plan to vote and make their voice heard.”
The campaign’s ads will run in publications including the Florida Star, Baltimore Times, Michigan Chronicle, Call & Post, West Philly Journal, Houston Style Magazine, Dallas Weekly, and the Milwaukee Community Journal starting immediately.
Gazette in Fort Lauderdale, voiced concern over the limited scope of the DSCC’s outreach. “I appreciate the effort to reach out to Black voters with your new advertising campaign, but the limited placement in just a handful of local Black newspapers is disappointing and inadequate,” Henry stated. “Black voters have consistently been at the forefront of shaping our nation’s political landscape, and yet, once again, we are seeing minimal investment in ensuring our communities are thoroughly engaged and informed.”
The NNPA is the trade association representing over
200 Black-owned newspapers and media companies, comprising the 197-year-old Black Press of America. Henry called for a more significant investment. “Our communities deserve more than token outreach; they deserve a comprehensive, robust effort that spans the diversity and geographic reach of Black media outlets nationwide,” he demanded. “To effectively energize Black voters and convey the importance of their participation, there must be a more significant investment in the publications that have historically served as trusted voices and sources of information.”
Washington added that the Texas senate election between Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and Democratic Congressman Colin Allred will have a massive impact on education, immigration, and the state’s economy. “Dallas Weekly will do their part, as we have for 70 years, to inform our community on the power of their vote,” Washington affirmed.
However, National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Chair Bobby Henry, publisher of the Westside
“Technology and social media have given us the opportunity to see history almost repeat itself,” said Jessica Washington, CEO of The Dallas Weekly. “The Black Press has been pivotal in advocating the necessity of civic engagement from our community. This was the case for the first Black vote as it is for this 2024 election.”
By Stacy M. Brown
Correspondent
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation has
agreed to pay $8 million and an additional $1.9 million civil penalty to resolve allegations of redlining predominantly Black neighborhoods in Birmingham, Alabama. This settlement is part of the Justice Department’s Combating Redlining Initiative, which has now secured over $150 million in relief for communities of color nationwide. Redlining, an illegal practice where lenders avoid providing credit services based on race, has historically limited financial access and homeownership opportunities in Black and minority communities. “This case is a reminder that redlining is not a relic of the past, and the Justice Department will continue to work urgently to combat lending discrimination wherever it arises and to secure relief for the communities harmed by it,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland. The Justice Department, in conjunction with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), accused Fairway of focusing its marketing efforts solely on majority-white areas. At the same time, its retail loan offices were similarly located in majoritywhite neighborhoods. Fairway’s practices allegedly discouraged Black residents from applying for loans, with the company originating loans in Black neighborhoods at a rate far below that of its peers. As part of the settlement, Fairway agreed to establish a $7 million loan subsidy fund to provide affordable home purchase, refinance, and home improvement loans for Black residents in Birmingham. Additionally, the company will invest $1 million in programs designed to support this fund, including financial education initiatives and community partnerships to help address the longstanding impacts of discriminatory lending.
“This settlement will provide Birmingham’s Black neighborhoods with the access to credit they have long been denied and increase opportunities for homeownership and generational wealth,” remarked Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
In addition to the financial commitments, Fairway will also open a new loan office in a majority-Black neighborhood in Birmingham and invest heavily in local advertising and outreach programs aimed at Black communities.
Fairway’s $1.9 million penalty will be paid into the CFPB’s Civil Penalty Fund, which provides restitution to victims of financial misconduct. “The CFPB and Justice Department are holding Fairway accountable for redlining Black neighborhoods,” offered CFPB Director Rohit Chopra.
By Duchesne Drew
Head Start alumnus Duchesne Drew is senior vice president of American Public Media Group and president of Minnesota Public Radio. Duchesne’s career has been punctuated with several accolades: In 2021, he was inducted into the Hall of Achievement at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism; he received the 2022 Spurgeon Award for Outstanding Community Leaders; and in 2022, he was named to The Root 100, an annual list of the most influential Black Americans in the fields of arts, community, business, entertainment, media, and politics. He shared how Head Start played a role in his life.
I’m incredibly proud to lead Minnesota Public Radio (MPR). I’m energized by expanding the circle of people who depend on our news, information, and music programming. Our ‘going deeper’ approach helps the public to bridge gaps and form connections through meaningful community engagement and listening experiences. My professional and learning journeys started with Head Start. I remember attending the Head Start program on Pitkin Avenue in East New York, a section of Brooklyn. I have vivid memories of my mother walking me there. My Head Start classroom was a warm environment that affirmed me as a learner. That affirmation has influenced my journey from Head Start to public media president.
After Head Start, I attended Public School #159 for the first grade, and near the end of that school year, my mother and I moved to Freeport, New York, on Long Island. My mom always seemed to be a step ahead, and to ensure I didn’t experience learning loss; she bought the first-grade reading and math books from the school before we moved and the second-grade books. I spent the rest of the school year and summer completing the lessons in those books. When I began second grade in my new school, those same books were the texts for the year, meaning I was well ahead! I was a top performer for the remainder of my primary and secondary school years. I graduated from Freeport High School in the top 10% of my class and was accepted
into three Ivy League schools. I decided to attend Columbia University to take advantage of being in New York City and remain close to home. While there, I volunteered with and worked for Upward Bound, one of the federal TRiO programs. TRiO programs identify and support high school students from historically marginalized communities as they progress through school and prepare for college. As part of my time with Upward Bound, I saw firsthand the difference that the wraparound approach makes in the lives of students and their families. When I reminisce about the program’s impact on our students, I also think of Head Start and how it offers wraparound services to children and families to provide the support they need while on the journey to self-sufficiency. After completing my undergraduate studies, I worked at Columbia University as a development officer for Upward Bound and its sister program, Talent Search, for a few years, successfully securing program funding. I then earned a master’s degree at Northwestern University, focusing on journalism. While I was in graduate school, I got an internship with the Minneapolis Star Tribune, one of the nation’s largest newspapers. From that internship, I landed a permanent reporting role and ultimately rose to managing editor of operations with oversight for the copy and design desks, IT, recruitment, training, and more. This experience was an excellent foundation for my future path. After a five-year stint as a vice president of a local foundation, I was hired to lead MPR in early 2020, and I’ve been here ever since.
Photo Credit by Jacob Wackerhausen
As DE&I Programs Face Rollback, Study Highlights Black Women Are Still Facing Barriers in Predominantly White Workplaces
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National
Correspondent
As diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) programs face increasing dismantling across corporate America, the challenges Black women face in predominantly White workplaces are more critical than ever. Dr. Elizabeth Linos, Emma Bloomberg Associate Professor of Public Policy and Management at Harvard University, appeared on the Black Press’ Let It Be Known to discuss her groundbreaking study, “Intersectional Peer Effects at Work: The Effects of White Co-Workers on Black Women’s Careers.” The research explores how the racial composition of teams affects the career trajectories of Black women.Dr. Linos’ findings are seen as especially relevant considering ongoing debates about the effectiveness and future of DE&I initiatives. Her study, which tracked 9,037 new hires in a professional services firm, revealed that Black women are disproportionately impacted by being placed on Whiter teams. Black women were 51% more likely to leave the firm
within two years and faced a significant decrease in their chances of promotion when working with predominantly White colleagues.“One of the main metrics used to define employee success is billable hours, and so, regardless of your race and gender, employees who report lower billable hours are also likely to receive lower performance scores,”
Dr. Linos told Let It Be Known News. She added, “The ‘penalty’—how much your performance evaluation drops based on a reduction in billables—is larger for Black women than other groups.”The research emphasizes that Black women assigned to whiter teams often logged fewer billable and more training hours, which directly correlated with lower performance evaluations. This created a cycle of disadvantages that reduced their chances for promotion.
“Ultimately, I interpret these findings as confirmation that while, as a society, we may be making progress in diversifying workplaces on some dimensions, Black women may still face additional hurdles for promotion at work,” Linos stated.Dr. Linos’ findings are alarming, mainly as DE&I
initiatives—designed to counter such disparities—are increasingly under scrutiny and at risk of being rolled back. The study also uncovered that these challenges were not universal across all demographic groups. Hispanic, Asian, and Black men did not experience the same adverse effects from working with White co-workers. In contrast, Black
women were uniquely impacted by these team dynamics, highlighting the intersectional nature of the barriers they face.Moreover, the study showed that when Black women worked alongside more Black co-workers, their turnover rates decreased, and their overall workplace experience improved. “This is in line with a common finding in the literature that having more similar peers (in this case, Black co-workers) can have a positive effect on retention,” Dr. Linos and her colleagues wrote.As discussions about equity in the workplace continue, the study offers a sobering reminder of how “neutral” workplace practices— such as team assignments and performance metrics—can disproportionately harm Black women. “Seemingly neutral practices around staffing and promotion that rely on peers and networking can have a negative impact on equity at work,” Linos said.“We need more research on how white employees can adjust their behavior to ensure they don’t contribute to existing racialized and gendered dynamics at work.”
Drop, Cover & Hold On: Get 7 Tips to Prepare
You and Your Family for an Earthquake
Black Media
By Edward Henderson California
This year’s International ShakeOut Day was October 17, when millions of people worldwide participated in earthquake drills at work, school, or home. October also marks the 35th anniversary of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which devastated the Bay Area. That 6.9 magnitude shock was responsible for 63 deaths and nearly 4,000 injuries.
In the aftermath of disastrous storms on the East Coast and with wildfires still raging here in the West, Listos California, the state’s disaster preparedness program, partnered with Ethnic Media Services and California Black Media in partnership to provide vital information to help Californians be prepared in the event of an earthquake.
“Preparing can be about securing your space, having an emergency plan, minimizing your hardship after the fact by having important documents organized and in place,” said Amy Palmer, Deputy Director of Crisis Communications and Public Affairs at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES).
While earthquakes remain unpredictable, within the next 30 years, scientists predict there is a 60% chance of a 6.7 magnitude quake hitting the Los Angeles region and a 72% chance for the San Francisco Bay region.
The experts say there are seven key safety steps to take to make sure you and your family are prepared for an earthquake:
Secure your space by identifying hazards and securing movable items.
Plan to be safe by creating an emergency plan.
Organize emergency supplies in convenient locations.
Minimize financial hardship by considering insurance and organizing important documents.
Drop, Cover and Hold On when shaking begins.
Improve Safety after earthquakes by evacuating if necessary or helping others.
Reconnect and restore daily life by rebuilding community, and reconnecting with others.
“We’ve had a number of quakes this year where our system of statewide sensors is giving people a significant number of seconds before the shaking starts,” said Palmer. “The key for everyone in California is to make sure that you know the phrase: ‘drop, cover, and hold on’ so that you can take action when you get an alert on your phone, or you feel the very first indications of shaking.”
To further educate and prepare Californians for earthquakes, Cal OES hosted a tour focused on providing life-saving earthquake preparedness tips including a simulator that can demonstrate the power of up to a 7.0 magnitude quake.
“You need to take action upon feeling shaking or receiving an earthquake early warning alert and that means truly drop, cover, hold on,” said Jose Lara, Chief of the Seismic Hazards Branch at Cal OES. “We really encourage you to practice that on your own with your all types of
settings. Because without this muscle memory when shaking arrives at your location, you may not take that protective action that you need to stay safe.”
There are also several ‘myths’ about earthquake survival the campaign aims to dismiss. One is that standing in a doorway is a safe measure during an earthquake. This is NOT a safe measure due to modern building codes that have strengthened other areas in homes and commercial buildings. Another myth is that running outside is safer during an earthquake. Due to the danger of falling objects that could strike you on the way out, running outside is not encouraged.
“I
is to pull over safely if you can and wait out the shaking inside of your vehicle while looking out for debris falling onto roadways in mountainous areas.
The MyShake App is another pivotal tool in the state’s effort to prepare individuals for an earthquake. The app connects users with the Earthquake Early Warning System designed to give residents warnings seconds before shaking starts. Some individuals receive alerts up to 20 seconds before shaking begins.
Harris Backs Slashing Medical Debt. Trump’s ‘Concepts’ Worry Advocates.
By Noam N.
The
protections for
including a
by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. In 2022, President Joe Biden also signed the Inflation Reduction Act, which limits how much Medicare enrollees must pay out-of-pocket for prescription drugs, including a $35-a-month cap on insulin. And in statehouses across the country, Democrats and Republicans have been quietly working together to enact laws to rein in debt collectors. But advocates say the federal government could do more to address a problem that burdens 100 million Americans, forcing many to take on extra work, give up their homes, and cut spending on food and other essentials. “Biden and Harris have done more to tackle the medical
debt crisis in this country than any other administration,” said Mona Shah, senior director of policy and strategy at Community Catalyst, a nonprofit that has led national efforts to strengthen protections against medical debt. “But there is more that needs to be done and should be a top priority for the next Congress and administration.”
At the same time, patient advocates fear that if former President Donald Trump wins a second term, he will weaken insurance protections by allowing states to cut their Medicaid programs or by scaling back federal aid to help Americans buy health insurance. That would put millions of people at greater risk of sinking into debt if they get sick.
In his first term, Trump and congressional Republicans in 2017 tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act, a move that independent analysts concluded would have stripped health coverage from millions of Americans and driven up costs for people with preexisting medical conditions, such as diabetes and cancer.
Trump and his GOP allies continue to attack the ACA, and the former president has said he wants to roll back the Inflation Reduction Act, which also includes aid to help low- and middle-income Americans buy health insurance.
“People will face a wave of medical debt from paying premiums and prescription drug prices,” said Anthony Wright, executive director of Families USA, a consumer group that has backed federal health protections. “Patients
and the public should be concerned.”
The Trump campaign did not respond to inquiries about its health care agenda. And the former president doesn’t typically discuss health care or medical debt on the campaign trail, though he said at last month’s debate he had “concepts of a plan” to improve the ACA. Trump hasn’t offered specifics.
Harris has repeatedly pledged to protect the ACA and renew expanded subsidies for monthly insurance premiums created by the Inflation Reduction Act. That aid is slated to expire next year.
The vice president has also voiced support for more government spending to buy and retire old medical debts for patients. In recent years, a number of states and cities have purchased medical debt on behalf of their residents.
These efforts have relieved debt for hundreds of thousands of people, though many patient and consumer advocates say retiring old debt is at best a short-term solution, as patients will continue to run up bills they cannot pay without more substantive action.
“It’s a boat with a hole in it,” said Katie Berge, a lobbyist for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The patient group was among more than 50 organizations that last year sent letters to the Biden administration urging federal agencies to take more aggressive steps to protect Americans from medical debt.
“Medical debt is no longer a niche issue,” said Kirsten Sloan, who works on federal policy for the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network. “It is key to the economic well-being of millions of Americans.”
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is developing regulations that would bar medical bills from consumer credit reports, which would boost credit scores and make it easier for millions of Americans to rent an apartment, get a job, or secure a car loan.
Harris, who has called medical debt “critical to the financial health and well-being of millions of Americans,” enthusiastically backed the proposed rule. “No one should
denied access to economic opportunity simply because they experienced a medical emergency,” she said in June. Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who has said his own family struggled with medical debt when he was young, signed a state law in June cracking down on debt collection.
CFPB officials said the regulations would be finalized early next year. Trump hasn’t indicated if he’d follow through on the medical debt protections. In his first term, the CFPB did little to address medical debt, and congressional Republicans have long criticized the regulatory agency.
If Harris prevails, many
“We
and other regulators to monitor these companies.”
Some advocates want other federal agencies to get involved, as well. This includes the mammoth Health and Human Services department, which controls hundreds of billions of dollars through the Medicare and Medicaid programs. That money gives the federal government enormous leverage over hospitals and other medical providers. Thus far, the Biden administration hasn’t used
leverage to tackle medical debt. But in a potential preview of future actions, state leaders in North Carolina recently won federal approval for a medical debt initiative that will make hospitals take steps to alleviate patient debts in exchange for government
Medicare Drug Plans Are Getting Better Next Year. Some Will Also Cost More.
By Susan Jaffe
When Pam McClure learned she’d save nearly $4,000 on her prescription drugs next year, she said, “it sounded too good to be true.” She and her husband are both retired and live on a “very strict” budget in central North Dakota. By the end of this year, she will have spent almost $6,000 for her medications, including a drug to control her diabetes.
McClure, 70, is one of about 3.2 million people with Medicare prescription drug insurance whose out-of-pocket medication costs will be capped at $2,000 in 2025 because of the Biden administration’s 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, according to an Avalere/AARP study.
“It’s wonderful — oh my gosh. We would actually be able to live,” McClure said. “I might be able to afford fresh fruit in the wintertime.”
The IRA, a climate and health care law that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris promote on the campaign trail as one of their administration’s greatest accomplishments, radically redesigned Medicare’s drug benefit, called Part D, which serves about 53 million people 65 and older or with disabilities. The administration estimates that about 18.7 million people will save about $7.4 billion next year alone due to the cap on out-ofpocket spending and less publicized changes.
The annual enrollment period for Medicare beneficiaries to renew or switch drug coverage or to choose a Medicare Advantage plan began Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7. Medicare Advantage is the commercial alternative to traditional government-run Medicare and covers medical care and often prescription drugs. Medicare’s stand-alone drug plans, which cover medicines typically taken at home, are also administered by private insurance companies.
“We always encourage beneficiaries to really look at the plans and choose the best option for them,” Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, who heads the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, told California Healthline. “And this year in particular it’s important to do that because the benefit has changed so much.”
Improvements to Medicare drug coverage required by the IRA are the most sweeping changes since Congress added the benefit in 2003, but most voters don’t know about them, KFF surveys have found. And some beneficiaries may be surprised by a downside: premium increases for some plans.
CMS said Sept. 27 that nationwide the average
A page from a “notice of changes” that Wellcare sent to customers of its Value Script Medicare drug plan in New York. The 28-page booklet does not explain why the premium was increased or how it was calculated. “We hope to keep you as a member next year,” the booklet says, before explaining how to change plans.(Susan Jaffe for KFF Health News)
Medicare drug plan premium fell about $1.63 a month — about 4% — from last year. “People enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan will continue to see stable premiums and will have ample choices of affordable Part D plans,” CMS said in a statement.
However, an analysis by KFF, a health information
nonprofit that includes KFF Health News, the publisher of California Healthline, found that “many insurers are increasing premiums” and that large insurers including UnitedHealthcare and Aetna also reduced the number of plans they offer.
Many Part D insurers’ initial 2025 premium proposals were even higher. To cushion the price shock, the Biden administration created what it calls a demonstration program to pay insurers $15 extra a month per beneficiary if they agreed to limit premium increases to no more than $35.
“In the absence of this demonstration, premium increases would certainly have been larger,” Juliette Cubanski, deputy director of the Program on Medicare Policy at KFF, wrote in her Oct. 3 analysis.
Nearly every Part D insurer agreed to the arrangement. Republicans have criticized it, questioning CMS’ authority to make the extra payments and calling them a political ploy in an election year. CMS officials say the government has taken similar measures when implementing other Medicare changes, including under
President George W. Bush, a Republican.
In California, for example, Wellcare’s popular Value Script plan went from 40 cents a month to $17.40. The Value Script plan in New York went from $3.70 a month to $38.70, a more than tenfold hike — and precisely a $35 increase.
Cubanski identified eight plans in California that raised their premiums exactly $35 a month. California Healthline found that premiums went up for at least 70% of drug plans offered in California, Texas, and New York and for about half of plans in Florida and Pennsylvania — the five states with the most Medicare beneficiaries.
Spokespeople for Wellcare and its parent company, Centene Corp., did not respond to requests for comment. In a statement this month, Centene’s senior vice president of clinical and specialty services, Sarah Baiocchi, said Wellcare would offer the Value Script plan with no premium in 43 states.
In addition to the $2,000 drug spending limit, the IRA caps Medicare copayments for most insulin products at no more than $35 a month and allows Medicare to negotiate prices of some of the most expensive drugs directly with pharmaceutical companies.
It will also eliminate one of the drug benefit’s most frustrating features, a gap known as the “donut hole,” which suspends coverage just as people face growing drug
costs, forcing them to pay the plan’s full price for drugs out-of-pocket until they reach a spending threshold that changes from year to year. The law also expands eligibility for “extra help” subsidies for about 17 million low-income people in Medicare drug plans and increases the amount of the subsidy. Drug companies will be required to chip in to help pay for it.
Starting Jan. 1, the redesigned drug benefit will operate more like other private insurance policies. Coverage begins after patients pay a deductible, which will be no more than $590 next year. Some plans offer a smaller or no deductible, or exclude certain drugs, usually inexpensive generics, from the deductible.
After beneficiaries spend $2,000 on deductibles and copayments, the rest of their Part D drugs are free.
That’s because the IRA raises the share of the bill picked up by insurers and pharmaceutical companies. The law also attempts to tamp down future drug price hikes by limiting increases to the consumer price inflation rate, which was 3.4% in 2023. If prices rise faster than inflation, drugmakers have to pay Medicare the difference.
“Before the redesign, Part D incentivized drug price increases,” said Gina Upchurch, a pharmacist and the executive director of Senior PharmAssist, a Durham, North Carolina, nonprofit that counsels Medicare beneficiaries. “The way it is designed now places more financial obligations on the plans and manufacturers, pressuring them to help control prices.”
Another provision of the law allows beneficiaries to pay for drugs on an installment plan, instead of having to pay a hefty bill over a short period of time. Insurers are supposed to do the math and send policyholders a monthly bill, which will be adjusted if drugs are added or dropped. Along with big changes brought by the IRA, Medicare beneficiaries should prepare for the inevitable surprises that come when insurers revise their plans for a new year. In addition to raising premiums, insurers can drop covered drugs and eliminate pharmacies, doctors, or other services from the provider networks beneficiaries must use. Missing the opportunity to switch plans means coverage will renew automatically, even if it costs more or no longer covers needed drugs or preferred pharmacies. Most beneficiaries are locked into Medicare drug and Advantage plans for the year unless CMS gives them a “special enrollment period.”
“We do have a system that is run through private health plans,” CMS chief Brooks-LaSure said. But she noted that beneficiaries “have the ability to change their plans.”
But many don’t take the time to compare dozens of plans that can cover different drugs at different prices from different pharmacies — even when the effort could save them money. In 2021, only 18% of Medicare Advantage drug plan enrollees and 31% of stand-alone drug plan members checked their plan’s benefits and costs against competitors’, KFF researchers found.
For free, unbiased help selecting drug coverage, contact the State Health Insurance Assistance Program at shiphelp.org or 1-877-839-2675.
This article was produced by KFF Health News, a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism.
Harris Hits Out at Trump’s Racist Agenda - Threatens Black and Minority Americans as Carville Compares Rally to Nazi-Era Event
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA
Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Vice President Kamala Harris raised concerns about Donald Trump’s ongoing racist rhetoric during a virtual town hall with radio host Charlamagne tha God, suggesting the former president intends to use fear as a tool to target minority communities. Harris responded to a voter from Georgia who feared Trump would use the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to detain people of color. “Bobby,” the voter, expressed worry that Trump would “put anyone that doesn’t look white in camps.”
“You’ve hit on a really important point and expressed it, I think, so well,” Harris said. “He is running full-time on a campaign that is about instilling fear. Not about hope, not about optimism, not about the future, but about fear.” Harris went on to criticize Trump’s claims that immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating their pets. She also accused him of sabotaging a bipartisan border
security bill that would have added border agents and targeted fentanyl trafficking. “He would prefer to run on a problem instead of fixing a problem,” Harris stated.
Democratic strategist James Carville earlier voiced his concerns, comparing Trump’s tactics to those of Nazi Germany. Speaking on MSNBC’s Inside with Jen Psaki, Carville warned that Trump’s planned rally at Madison Square Garden on October 27 was reminiscent of a proNazi event held there in 1939. During that rally, which drew 20,000 supporters, swastikas were displayed alongside a portrait of George Washington, while speakers promoted anti-Semitic views.Carville cautioned Americans about the dangers of another Trump presidency: “They’re telling you they’re doing all of this. This is not something we’re making up. They have promised military round-up.” He emphasized the Harris campaign’s need to clarify the severe threats Trump could pose.Trump recently stated on Fox News’s Sunday Morning Futures that he might
deploy the National Guard or military forces to prevent “radical left lunatics” from causing unrest on Election Day. “It should be very easily handled by, if necessary, the National Guard, or if really necessary, the military,” he said.
Others have echoed Carville’s concerns. In June, MSNBC host Rachel Maddow questioned whether camps under a Trump administration would be limited to migrants, saying, “What convinces you that these massive camps he’s planning are only for migrants?”New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal has called on Madison Square Garden to cancel Trump’s rally, stating, “Allowing Trump to hold an event at MSG is equivalent to the infamous Nazi rally at Madison Square Garden on February 20, 1939.” He urged the venue to “keep our city safe.”With three weeks until Election Day, Carville made his final plea: “Pay attention to them right now, please. They’re telling you.”
As Harris and Trump Vie for Presidency, Civil Rights Issues Reach Boiling Point
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
The 2024 presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump has underscored a profound clash on race and justice. Trump, the twice impeached Republican nominee who next month faces sentencing in New York for 34 felony convictions, has called for greater police authority and protections, stirring deep fears within African American and minority communities already grappling with systemic racism and violence. His recent statements, supporting qualified immunity and endorsing lethal force against perceived enemies, reveal a hardline stance that threatens the very fabric of civil rights gains in America.
Trump’s divisive rhetoric is nothing new. His enduring call for the death penalty for five Black and Latino men— exonerated in the infamous Central Park jogger case—casts a long shadow over his candidacy. In stark contrast, Vice President Harris, the Democratic nominee, and a former prosecutor, has spoken out against Trump’s inflammatory language and is advocating for a justice system that is fair and equitable for all. Harris has argued that Trump’s words have exacerbated racial tensions and could lead to further violence against communities of color.
Recent high-profile cases highlighting racial discrimination and power abuse within law enforcement have heightened these concerns. In Las Vegas, a grand jury recently indicted Sgt. Kevin Menon on multiple counts, including nine charges of oppression under color of office. The charges reveal a disturbing pattern of false arrests primarily targeting Black men. Menon, now suspended, allegedly orchestrated unlawful arrests by provoking situations without probable cause, aiming to manipulate
crime statistics. One report detailed how he initiated an altercation on a pedestrian bridge, leading to an unjust arrest. Menon’s actions, now under scrutiny, have drawn attention to the broader issue of racial profiling and abuse within police forces nationwide.
The DOJ’s involvement in these cases underscored the urgent need to address systemic racial violence. In Kansas, Austin Schoemann was sentenced to over six years in prison for a series of racially motivated threats against Black individuals, including two juveniles and a woman he believed was associating with Black people. Schoemann’s campaign of terror, which spanned several months, involved threats of violence and the brandishing of firearms, all aimed at instilling fear within the Black community. “Racially motivated threats of violence cannot be tolerated in our society,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke stated. In another recent case of racial violence, former Louisiana sheriff’s deputy Javarrea Pouncy was sentenced for using excessive force against a detainee, severely injuring the man in a brutal assault that left him with a broken eye socket and nose. Pouncy’s conviction, resulting from a 2019 incident, highlights the DOJ’s ongoing efforts to hold law enforcement officers accountable for abuses of power. Beyond violent acts, systemic discrimination persists within the financial sector. Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation recently agreed to an $8 million settlement following allegations of redlining in Black neighborhoods in Birmingham, Alabama. This settlement is part of the DOJ’s broader Combating Redlining Initiative, which has provided over $150 million in relief to affected communities. The Fairway case marks another chapter
in the DOJ’s fight to dismantle discriminatory lending practices that have denied Black Americans equal access to housing.
As Election Day approaches, voting rights continue to be a flashpoint. The DOJ has filed lawsuits against Virginia and Alabama for voter purges targeting minority communities, raising concerns of disenfranchisement. In Virginia, the DOJ alleges that the state violated the National Voter Registration Act’s “quiet period” by removing voters too close to the election, risking widespread confusion. Alabama’s similar actions led a federal court to order the reinstatement of purged voters, ensuring that eligible individuals can participate in the electoral process. Federal observers have been deployed to monitor critical areas’ compliance with civil rights laws. The Justice Department has committed to protecting the right to vote, and officials have stated that they recognize the high stakes for communities of color in an election where race has become a central issue.
Meanwhile, Harris has called for unity and an end to divisive rhetoric, warning that a Trump presidency could further erode the nation’s commitment to civil rights.
“We don’t want a leader who is constantly trying to have Americans point their fingers at each other,” Harris said.
“I meet with people all the time who tell me, ‘Can we please just have discourse about how we’re going to invest in the aspirations, ambitions, and dreams of the American people?’ Knowing that regardless of people’s color or the language their grandmother speaks, we all have the same dreams and aspirations and want a president who invests in those, not in hate and division.”
Last Chance for High School Students
to Apply for Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World Resort
(LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.) Oct. 17, 2024 – Time is running out for high school students with big dreams to take the next step toward their future, as the Oct. 31 application deadline for the Disney Dreamers Academy is fast approaching. Disney Dreamers Academy, in its 18th year, is an educational mentorship program that is fostering the career dreams of high school students from culturally diverse communities nationwide.
Well-known celebrities, educators, business executives, community leaders and Disney cast members lead various in-depth workshops designed for the 100 students who are selected for the program. These workshops introduce Disney Dreamers to diverse career paths in business, entertainment, STEM, and more, including career opportunities at The Walt Disney Company. They also provide students with valuable life tools, leadership skills, effective communication techniques, and networking strategies.
Applications are open to U.S. high school students, ages 13 to 19. A distinguished panel of leaders will evaluate the applications, and selected participants will be announced in early 2025. The 100 selected students will receive an all-expense-paid trip along with one parent or guardian to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida to experience a combination of inspiration, education, and fun at The Most Magical Place On Earth.
Anyone interested can apply or nominate a student at www.DisneyDreamersAcademy.com
Disney Dreamers Academy is one of the many examples of Walt Disney World’s commitment to supporting diverse
communities by inspiring young people to dream boldly, pursue their passions, and make a meaningful difference in the world.
For more information, visit DisneyDreamersAcademy. com, or follow us on social media at Facebook.com/ DisneyDreamersAcademy, X.com/DreamersAcademy, and Instagram.com/disneydreamersacademy/.
About Disney Dreamers Academy:
Established at Walt Disney World in 2008, Disney Dreamers Academy’s mission is to inspire teens from culturally diverse communities nationwide to dream beyond imagination by providing life-long access to personalized support for the Disney Dreamers, their caregivers, and the community through insightful content and uplifting experts, mentors, and sponsors. Each year, 100 high school students are awarded a trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida to experience this four-day immersive and transformational program.
The Right to Vote is Protective of all Other Rights
By Colin Allred
Voting is one of our most fundamental rights. It’s not just about having a say in the future of our country, it’s about honoring the legacy of those who fought and sacrificed so that we could have a voice. As a voting rights lawyer, I’ve seen the impacts of voter suppression firsthand, and how deeply un-American it is when folks cannot vote because of arbitrary barriers put in place to make it harder. I became a voting rights attorney because I believe the right to vote is preservative of all other rights. That’s why we cannot afford to sit on the sidelines. In Congress, I’ve been working to reinstate and modernize the Voting Rights Act to stop harmful voter suppression laws here in Texas and across the country. To give more Texans a chance to participate in our democracy, we must expand early voting, make Election Day a federal holiday, and take steps like same-day voter registration that make voting more accessible, not create barriers that are harmful to our democracy. I’ve introduced legislation that would ensure integrity in our elections and protect our election workers. I stand by the words of my hero, Congressman John Lewis who said “The vote is precious. It is almost sacred. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democracy.” Despite these efforts, laws like S.B. 1 in Texas make it harder for Texans to vote by mail, limit the hours of early voting and have burdensome voter registration, and voter ID provisions. This isn’t who we are as Texans. The Voting Rights Act, championed by the civil rights movement, was signed into law by a great Texan, President Lyndon B.
Johnson. I think about other Texas icons like the late, great Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, who fought fearlessly for our democracy. She never shied away from challenging those who wanted to silence our communities and take away folks’ voices in our democracy. She said it best: “What the people want is
Disney Dreamers Academy
Photo Credit by mphillips007
Nonpartisan Community Partnership Proves Perfect Collaboration for Success Nonpartisan
Partnership Proves Perfect Collaboration for Success
“Unity is strength, ...when there is teamwork and collaboration. Wonderful things can be achieved,” Mattie Stepanek. And so, it was... a very successful Community Wide WONDERFUL nonpartisan Voter registration effort, involving partners: California State University Bakersfield, Bakersfield College and BCSW, The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., - Omega Omega Chapter, The League of Women Voters, and lead by the Bakersfield(CA) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, Zadie Hurd, President; Shirley Gordon, International Trends and Service Co- Chair; and Prof. Denise L. Norris, Social Liaison for the Bakersfield Chapter of the Links, Incorporate.
With all partners focused on their individual organization mission, which includes a nonpartisan, inspiring and enlightening mission to educate, inspire and enlighten both students, and the community, this community partnership registered voters with vigor and passion– this endeavor resulted in connecting and communicating with close to 400 students, at three different campus locations: BCSW, CSUB and BC main campus, and registered close to 100 students. These newly registered, includes pre- registration of 16-17 year olds, online registrations, QR Scans to register, paper registration forms and an untold number of these new registrants who inspired yet even more possible new registrants.
“We loved this collaboration and look forward to working together again, “stated AKA President, Harriet Edwards. “We need more collaborations, such as this” stated, Mary Helen Barro, President, The League of Women Voters
of Kern County. “We had just the right people to make an impact and in an initial big way,” stated Denise L Norris, The Bakersfield Chapter of Links Incorporate Social liaison. She continued, “With future, and an earlier planning schedule, I am certain even more impactful and dynamic organizations, would have participated. Norris continued, “Unfortunately, and with only a one-month long window to implement, and most importantly prior to the registration deadline of October 21rst, we had to act fast! Even with this time constraint, we are so wonderfully blessed that these strategic organizations saw the need, and vision to educate and register students, and then were able to commit early. We are so honored, thankful, and extremely pleased about all our community partners- it was a perfect collaboration, and a win, win, win and win! Also, kudos goes to my students at both colleges, who made poster signs with conviction and passion. We look forward to collaborative Voter Registration and GOTV endeavors, and trust to collaborate with even more dynamic and impactful organizations in the future,” Norris concluded. For more information about:
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Omega Omega Chapter contact: Harriet Edwards, President – akabakersfield@gmail.com
The League of Women Voters- Mary Helen Barromaryhelembaro2015@gmail.com
The Bakersfield (CA) Chapter Links Incorporated- Zadie Hurd, President,Bakersfieldchapter@gmail.com
