Trump Floats Compensation for January 6 Rioters While Black America Awaits Reparations
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The Comeback
Trump Orders Purge of Black History from Smithsonian, Targets African American Museum
Even the most cynical observers knew this day would come.
By Stacy M. Brown BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent
Since Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, the dog whistle has become a bullhorn. The whitewashing of American history is no longer implied— it’s spelled out in ink, signed into law, and backed by a government that is now openly in the grip of white supremacist power. In his latest executive order, President Trump has targeted the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, calling for the erasure of what he deems “divisive race-centered ideology.” He has directed Vice President JD Vance to eliminate these so-called “divisive” elements from the Smithsonian’s 21 museums, educational and research centers, and even the National Zoo. The executive order is chillingly titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” It declares that the Smithsonian, once a symbol of “American excellence,” has become tainted by narratives that portray “American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive.”
“Museums in our Nation’s capital should be places where individuals go to learn—not to be subjected to ideological indoctrination or divisive narratives that distort our shared history,” the order states. The directive goes further, instructing Vance, along with Vince Haley, Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, and Lindsey Halligan, Special Assistant to the President, to work with Congress to block all federal appropriations for Smithsonian exhibitions or programs that “degrade shared American values, divide Americans based on race, or promote programs or ideologies inconsistent with Federal law and policy.” The order also aims at the American Women’s History Museum, demanding that no future appropriations “recognize men as women in any respect,” and calls for new citizen members to be appointed to the Smithsonian Board of Regents—individuals committed
to enforcing the president’s vision. This is not an isolated move. Since returning to office, Trump has issued a barrage of executive orders aimed at dismantling every vestige of diversity, equity, and inclusion across the federal government. He terminated all DEI programs, calling them “illegal and immoral discrimination.” The National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America initiative—long dedicated to uplifting historically underserved communities—has been gutted. The Pentagon’s website erased the stories of Navajo Code Talkers. A “Black Lives Matter” mural in the heart of Washington, D.C., was demolished. Perhaps most brazenly, the Department of Defense Education Activity banned Black History Month observances at military base schools and ordered the removal of any book or material that mentions slavery, the civil rights movement, or the treatment of Native Americans.
Now, the National Museum of African American History and Culture—which opened to national fanfare in 2016—is in the crosshairs. “In an almost surprising fashion, the Smithsonian has been outside of the bounds of political wrangling,” said Samuel Redman, a history professor and director of the public history program at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. “It’s not as though there hasn’t been political influence … but just in terms of overall funding and support for the Smithsonian, it’s been remarkably consistent.” That consistency has now been shattered. Trump’s executive order doesn’t just attack the museum—it hints at restoring what many hoped America had buried: Confederate monuments, white supremacist names on federal buildings, and the reinstallation of statues that were taken down during the country’s reckoning after the murder of George Floyd. What the president calls “shared American values” is beginning to resemble a national doctrine rooted in erasure and oppression. The Smithsonian Institution, the world’s
largest museum, education, and research complex— was founded on increasing and diffusing knowledge. Established by Congress with funds left by James Smithson, a British scientist, the institution spans 21 museums and the National Zoo, with 11 of the museums located along the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Now, it faces its greatest threat yet—not from budget cuts or neglect, but from a government determined to rewrite history at the expense of truth. The stakes have never been clearer as the country watches these moves unfold. The battle over American history isn’t theoretical. It’s happening now, in plain sight, with executive orders, political enforcers, and the full weight of the federal government behind it. “This is about power,” said a Smithsonian staffer who asked not to be named out of fear of retribution. “They’re not hiding it anymore.”
DEI Rollback Costs Target Billions and Loyalty
By Stacy M. Brown
BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent Target continues to face mounting financial and reputational fallout after reversing course on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The retail giant has lost more than $12.4 billion in revenue, seen its stock plunge by $27.27 per share, and is grappling with multiple lawsuits linked to its shifting DEI policies. Separate but powerful actions from Black-led organizations and faith leaders have intensified pressure on the company. Rev. Jamal Bryant launched a national Target Fast, calling for continued community mobilization. Meanwhile, the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and the NAACP initiated public education and selective buying campaigns. While distinct in approach, the collective efforts have amplified scrutiny and economic consequences for Target. “Black consumers helped build Target into a retail giant, and now they are making their voices heard,” said Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO of the NNPA. “If corporations believe they can roll back diversity commitments without consequence, they are mistaken.” Early data from analytics firms Placer.ai and Numerator confirms a decline in consumer support. Numerator found that Black and Hispanic households are reducing their visits to Target at the highest rates. Placer.ai reported that on the national blackout day last
month, Target saw an 11 percent decline in store traffic compared to average Friday visits. Since the company’s January 24 DEI reversal, Placer.ai data shows Target’s overall foot traffic has fallen every week. In contrast, Costco has gained ground. The warehouse chain rejected a shareholder proposal to weaken its diversity programs and stayed firm in its DEI stance. Analysts say Costco’s consistency and longstanding commitment to high wages and strong employee benefits may attract consumers frustrated with Target’s retreat. Costco’s shares have outperformed those of Walmart and Target over the same period. Walmart has also seen a dip in foot traffic, though not as sharp as Target. While grassroots boycotts are not always financially damaging in the long term, Target’s situation may prove different. “Boycotts put a ‘negative spotlight’ on the company that can have reputational consequences,” Brayden King, professor at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, told Forbes. He noted that consumer trust, closely tied to corporate reputation, plays a critical role in shopping habits. In addition to its woes, Target issued a string of recalls in 2025 involving products sold on shelves due to undeclared allergens and injury hazards. Affected items included Gerber Soothe N Chew Teething Sticks, Dorel Safety 1st Comfort Ride and Magic Squad child car seats, Nuby stroller fans, Baby Joy highchairs, Chomps beef and turkey sticks, and Pearl Milling Company pancake mix. Rev. Bryant said Target
Store
products from Target. He urged continued focus and unity in holding the company accountable. “It is critical that Black people can’t afford to get A.D.D; we can’t taper off and lose synergy. It’s important that people stay the course and keep amplifying our voices because it is being heard from Wall Street to Main Street,” Bryant said. He added, “No, I’m now committed and grateful.”
Congressional Black Caucus Sounds Alarm to Protect SNAP Benefits
By Lauren Burke During a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol on March 25, members of the Congressional Black Caucus spoke out with concern about budgetary threats to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). CBC Chair Yvette Clarke spoke of “grave concerns” about the “Republican scheme to cut billions of dollars to cut SNAP benefits that held millions of American families.” CBC Chair Yvette Clarke, Rep. Sanford Bishop speaks at CBC press conference on SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program.
“Twenty percent of Black households have faced food insecurity compared to 7 percent of their white counterparts. Forty-two percent of all SNAP recipients are children. In fact, 4 in 5 SNAP households include a child, an elder, or an individual with a disability,” the CNC Chair added. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program formerly known as the Food Stamp Program began during the Great Depression but has changed significantly over time. In 2008, the Food Stamp Program was renamed SNAP. The 1980s saw budget cuts and stricter eligibility requirements under President Ronald Reagan. In the 1990s, a welfare reform push under President Bill Clinton led to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996. That legislation mandated work requirements and restrictions on certain groups such as non-citizens. Today with a push towards billions in cuts by President Trump and continuous talk of cuts to social
programs by Elon Musk, Republicans in the U.S. House have been positioning to cut programs to free the budget up for a tax cut focused on the top 1 percent in the U.S.
“It is outrageous that Republicans have spent all their time working to dismantle the social safety net including SNAP,” Rep. Clarke said outside of the Capitol today. “SNAP is not a handout, it is a lifeline,” she added. One of the lead members of the Appropriations Committee, Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA).
“SNAP’s effects go beyond just the people in need — it’s also the farmers and the businesses that provide the food,” Rep. Bishop said standing in front of ten of his colleagues as tourists and school groups listened nearby. If there are big cuts to SNAP, “over 285,000 jobs would be at risk” Rep. Bishop pointed out. “Real people are going to be hurt if the $230
added. In 2023, approximately 36.8 million people in the U.S. were living in poverty, representing an official poverty rate of 11.1%. This figure reflects a slight decrease from the previous year’s rate of 11.5%, equating to about 37.9 million individuals in
Longtime LA Gang Leader Suspected of Murder and Human Trafficking Declares His Innocence in Video
LOS ANGELES (AP) — An alleged leader of a Los Angeles street gang who’s accused of murder, kidnapping and extortion appeared in court Thursday afternoon, a day after he posted a video declaring his innocence before surrendering to federal authorities. Eugene Henley Jr., known as “Big U,” was one of 18 members of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips suspected of a litany of federal crimes including drug trafficking, conspiracy, and firearms offenses, the U.S. attorney’s office said in a statement Wednesday.
Before turning himself in on Wednesday, the selfdescribed community activist recorded videos denying the accusations.
“This the price of being Black and trying to help somebody, trying to help your community and do what you can,” Henley said. “You just guilty because somebody else don’t like you.”
Following his court appearance, he will remain in custody until his detention hearing March 31, the federal prosecutors’ office said. His arraignment is scheduled for April 8. The Associated Press could not locate an attorney for Henley. Henley, 58, and two others are accused of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO.
Henley allegedly masterminded a criminal operation that investigators dubbed the “Big U Enterprise,” and is also suspected of embezzling donations to Developing Options, an anti-gang charity he founded but which prosecutors say he used “as a front for fraudulent purposes and to insulate its members from suspicion by law enforcement.”
He is suspected in the 2021 killing of an aspiring rap musician who was signed to his recording company, Uneek Music, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors said Henley ran the enterprise like a mob boss and used his stature and long-standing association with the Rollin’ 60s and other street gangs to intimidate businesses and individuals in Los Angeles. If convicted, he could face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
A New York judge dismissed one of the many sexual assault lawsuits against Sean “Diddy” Combs today after a Jane Doe chose not to reveal her identity by pursuing the case. In the suit, originally filed by attorney Tony Buzbee in Oct. 2024, Doe claimed that Combs attempted to sexually assault her at a New York City party in 1995 and violently struck her when she refused his advances. In January, Buzbee filed a motion for Doe to proceed anonymously, which the court denied, stating that the “very gravity of the charges” combined with “no evidence of specific and concrete harm… undermin[ed] her claim to proceed anonymously.”
After the court ordered Doe to file a complaint under her name by March 20, the judge dismissed the case earlier today as Doe chose not to pursue the case further. Buzbee explained in a statement to Variety that Doe did not feel comfortable revealing her identity and ultimately decided to drop the allegations. “In this particular case, Jane Doe opted not to proceed,” he said. “There is a lot of fear amongst these plaintiffs. I thus can’t blame her. These are tough cases and they are many times re-traumatizing for those who pursue them. Each case stands on its own merit. This woman chose not to proceed and subject herself to the media circus and the perceived danger she felt. We have to respect that.”
Combs’ legal team shared with Variety that this dismissal is a sign of what’s to come with other pending cases.
“Today a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed against Mr. Combs by Texas attorney Anthony Buzbee and his local counsel Antigone Curis on behalf of an anonymized plaintiff,” reads the statement. “This is now the second case brought by these attorneys against Mr. Combs that has been dismissed in its entirety. It will not be the last. For months, we have seen case after case filed by individuals hiding behind anonymity, pushed forward by attorneys more focused on media headlines than legal merit. The other claims, like the one dismissed today, also will not hold up in a court of law.”
The dismissal comes in the wake of last week’s ruling that a Jane and John Doe must also reveal their identities in separate suits by April 10 to proceed. In her opinion, Judge Jennifer Rochon stated that each case was “substantively identical to declarations filed on the same day in other Doe v. Combs cases in this District involving different plaintiffs and facts.”
Combs is currently incarcerated in Brooklyn on federal charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. Last week, a judge dismissed five charges against Combs in a separate $30 million sexual assault lawsuit, but allowed several other charges to proceed.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Target
Fast has now mobilized more than 150,000 participants and persuaded over 100 Black vendors to withdraw their
Trump Floats Compensation for January 6 Rioters
While Black America Awaits Reparations
By Stacy M. Brown BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent
While African Americans continue to fight for longpromised reparations for slavery and its lasting impacts, President Donald Trump is now considering compensation for the mostly white individuals who violently stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. In a recent interview with the far-right Newsmax host Greg Kelly, Trump was asked whether there was any discussion of a compensation fund for the Capitol rioters, citing lost income and opportunities. “Well, there’s talk about that,” Trump responded. “We have a lot of people… a lot of the people that are in government now talk about it because… really like that group of people.”Trump continued, “They were patriots as far as I was concerned,” calling the defendants “incredible people” and claiming, “They were treated so unfairly, so horribly.” He went on to suggest that “some of them didn’t even go into the building.” The former president’s comments follow his sweeping pardon of approximately 1,500 individuals convicted for their roles in the insurrection, including those charged with violence and sedition. As Trump moves to compensate individuals who tried to overturn a democratic election—jeopardizing lawmakers, Capitol police, and the foundation of American governance—Black Americans are still waiting for the country to honor its centuries-old debt.Since the abolition of slavery, African Americans have received little more than broken promises—from the unfulfilled offer of 40 acres and a mule to the persistent failure of meaningful reparative policy. Meanwhile, nearly every other aggrieved group in America has received redress from the federal government, whether for the
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commission to examine the legacy of slavery, de jure and de facto racial discrimination, and their continuing impact on African Americans today.“We as a nation have not yet truly acknowledged and grappled with the ways slavery, racism, and white supremacy continue to disadvantage African Americans,” said Booker. “Commissioning a study to understand better where our country has fallen short will help lawmakers better address the racial disparities and inequalities that persist today as a result of generational injustices.” According to the bill, roughly four million Africans and their descendants were enslaved in America from 1619 to 1865, with slavery legally sanctioned by the U.S. government. After emancipation, the federal and state governments continued to enact and uphold racist policies, including sharecropping, redlining, unequal education, and mass incarceration.The legislation notes that Black Americans continue to experience severe economic, educational, and health disparities—including an unemployment rate more than twice that of white Americans, more than one million under correctional supervision, and a wealth gap where Black families possess, on average, less than 1/16 of the wealth of white families. The proposed commission would investigate systemic injustices, identify their ongoing effects, and recommend forms of reparations. These may include financial compensation, educational and policy reforms, and a national apology from the U.S. government. “Any conversation about compensation for insurrectionists while refusing even a serious study of reparations for the descendants of slavery shows just how far we have to go,” said Booker.
Color of Change Urges Caution for Black Taxpayers This Season
By Stacy M. Brown BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent
As the April 15 tax filing deadline approaches, Color of Change Executive Director Portia Allen-Kyle is urging Black taxpayers to be on high alert for deceptive practices and structural pitfalls in the tax system. “The biggest thing we are letting folks know is that there is a free option 70 percent of taxpayers qualify for,” Allen-Kyle said, referring to the IRS’s Direct File program during an appearance on BlackPressUSA.com’s Let It Be Known News morning show. “It cuts out the corporate middleman. You no longer need to go to H&R Block or use TurboTax or hit up Jackson Hewitt,” she stated. She said the free IRS Direct File option can save time and money for most taxpayers, many of whom remain unaware they qualify. But Allen-Kyle warned that deeper, more systemic threats remain, including the proliferation of refund anticipation
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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.
loans, which often function as high-cost payday loans.
“Sometimes they take 30 percent off the top of your refund,” she added. “And they’re not required to disclose the interest rates or terms. With IRS staffing cuts, if your refund is delayed, those lenders will come for you.”AllenKyle co-authored the Color of Change report “How Tax Fairness Can Promote Racial Equity,” which lays bare how the U.S. tax code has long rewarded the ultra-wealthy and white Americans while placing a disproportionate burden on Black taxpayers. The report points to capital gains tax preferences, corporate loopholes, and deductions that benefit wealthy white households far more than workingclass families of color. “Our tax system isn’t just broken— it’s built that way,” Allen-Kyle said. “Black families are audited at three to five times the rate of others. And storefront tax prep services that prey on our communities are part of the problem.” The continued gutting of the IRS further complicates the situation. Allen-Kyle noted that cuts go beyond customer service and threaten the agency’s ability to oversee the ultra-wealthy. “They’re closing IRS offices, cutting the folks who answer the phones, and most
critically, cutting those responsible for auditing the rich,” she said. “When billionaires underpay their taxes, it’s Black communities who end up shouldering the cost.” Allen-Kyle also raised concerns about discussions within the Trump campaign to eliminate income taxes and replace them with tariffs.“Taxes fund our schools, our hospitals, our roads. Getting rid of income tax means shifting the burden to the rest of us through sales and property taxes—taxes that disproportionately hurt working-class Black Americans.”
She drew a direct line between these policies and civil rights, noting that the Department of Education was a legacy of the Civil Rights Act and Brown v. Board of Education. “These attacks on education are attacks on the legacies of the civil rights movement itself.” Despite mounting challenges, Color of Change continues to organize, build power, and demand accountability at every level—from state attorneys general to corporate boardrooms. “There is no diversity ban or DEI backlash that will stop us,” AllenKyle said. “Even if the election had gone differently, we’d still be in this fight. Because this fight is bigger than any one administration.” Allen-Kyle had a final word for those
Americans Want Congress and the White House to Act on Child Care, According to New Poll
By First Five Years FundFirst Five Years Fund (FFYF), a nonprofit, recently shared insights about what the public thinks about early childhood education. FFYF says in the 2024 election, voters made it clear that childcare challenges were causing a serious strain on family finances, workplace productivity, and the economy. They want candidates to have a plan to address these challenges, and now, with the Trump White House and the Republican-led 119th Congress underway, they want action. A new national poll conducted by the Republican polling firm UpONE Insights on behalf of First Five Years Fund and First Five Action shows childcare expenses continue to be a major financial burden on working families. The poll, which surveyed more than 1,000 registered voters nationwide as well as an oversample of Republican primary voters, also found an overwhelming majority of Republicans want the White House and Congress to act.The following are key takeaways from the poll. Voters say childcare costs are straining family budgets.Nine in ten Republicans (91%) think it’s a problem or crisis that Americans can’t afford childcare, along with 91% of Independents, and 97% of Democrats.
36% of parents across the country say they are not able to save money or get ahead financially due to childcare costs And the cost of childcare is causing two-thirds of younger Republicans to delay having children.Nearly twothirds (61%) of Republican voters under age 34 say either they or someone they know have put off or delayed having children due to childcare costs.
Voters want President Trump and the GOP-led Congress to act.79% of Republicans say they want President Trump and Republicans in Congress to do more to help working parents afford quality childcare.
Voters also say improving access to affordable childcare
will both help lower costs for working families (85%) and improve the overall economy (71%).
A majority (55%) of Republican voters say increasing funding for and access to quality childcare is as important for families as securing the border and stopping the increase in crime.
The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) is the most popular childcare-related tax credit.The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) is the only federal tax credit that specifically allows working parents to keep more of what they earn to pay for child care. It is the most popular childcare-related tax credit, with 86% saying they support increasing the CDCTC, including 83% of Republicans, 83% of Independents, and 91% of Democrats.
63% of voters would be less likely to vote for a candidate who voted to eliminate an existing tax credit for childcare expenses for working families, including 50% of GOP primary voters and 59% of independent women.
Republicans also support increasing federal investments in childcare.A wide majority of Republican voters (72%) say increasing federal funding for childcare is an important priority and a good use of tax dollars, as do 70% of Independents and 90% of Democrats.
Nearly two-thirds of Republican voters (62%) say that, even with concerns over the growing national debt and deficit, President Trump and Republicans in Congress should prioritize increased federal funding to support quality childcare programs.
Decreasing federal funding for programs is incredibly unpopular; 90% of voters agree that federal funding shouldn’t be decreased, including 84% of Republican voters.
There is especially strong support for the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG).The Child Care
Development Block Grant (CCDBG), which sends money to the states so they can best decide how to increase access to affordable, quality child care, is very popular (67%) across a wide selection of voters, including 69% of Republicans. Taking action would increase childcare options for families.Most voters (75%) believe these proposals will increase quality childcare options for families, who currently don’t have the choices they need. This includes 71% Republicans, 75% Independents, and 80% Democrats.
Nearly three out of four Republicans (71%) say increasing funding for childcare programs will increase options for rural families who are having trouble finding childcare in their communities, along with 75% of Independents, and 85% of Democrats.
This support reaches across geographic demographics, including 84% of Rural Americans, 86% in the Farm Belt, and 72% in the Deep South.
Early childhood development is a practical, nonpartisan issue. Access to reliable, affordable, quality early learning and childcare programs can dramatically improve a child’s opportunities for a better future while offering parents improved job stability and overall economic security. FFYF works to protect, prioritize, and build support for early learning and childcare programs at the federal level. FFYF works with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to identify federal solutions that work for children, families, and taxpayers, as well as states and communities. FFYF also works with policy makers to identify and advance new and innovative ways to increase access to high-quality childcare and early learning programs for children from low-income families. And supporters collaborate with advocacy groups to help align best practices with the best possible policies.
Crowd of Trump supporters marching on the US Capitol on 6 January 2021
internment of Japanese Americans, the Holocaust, or the terrorist attacks of September 11. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) has once again introduced S.40, the
“Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act.” The bill, supported
than a dozen Senate Democrats, aims to establish a federal
Will Smith Gets a Street Named in the Philadelphia Neighborhood Where He Was Born and
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — In West Philadelphia where he was born and raised, now there’s a street called Will Smith Way. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and city leaders honored the Oscar and Grammy winner on Wednesday, renaming a street next to Smith's old high school.
“Philly, I love you. I am yours. You are mine,” Smith said at a ceremony along a section of 59th
The Comeback Trail: Jonathan Majors Lands Leading Role in Action Film
By Lauren Burke
Actor Jonathan Majors, whose career was slowed by a misdemeanor conviction in late 2024, is on the comeback trail. Last week, the film “Magazine Dreams” appeared in 800 theaters. Despite controversy in his personal life, positive reviews by movie critics and online movie buffs have hailed his performance. The independent film directed by Elijah Bynum was released on March 21. The film focuses on a fictional bodybuilder named Killian Maddox who is struggling with mental illness. During an unpredictable two-hour ride, Majors command the screen in an intense role that deals with broad themes of the meaning of human existence to failure and personal adversity.
Though “Magazine Dreams” originally debuted on January 20, 2023, at Sundance, it faded to black for two years after Majors was arrested on March 25, 2023, after an argument with his then-girlfriend. The two were seen in a surveillance video during the dispute which featured the girlfriend chasing the actor through the Chelsea section of Manhattan. After the actor called the police after spending the night alone in an uptown hotel shortly after breaking up with his ex via text, Majors called police the next morning to his Manhattan residence — which his ex had locked him out of. When police arrived, they found her dazed and confused on the floor of Majors’ bathroom. Police arrested Majors. Majors was charged with assault and would later be found guilty of a misdemeanor. The moment temporarily
delayed his career. But a comeback is underway professionally and personally. As Majors enjoyed a press event that included a Q&A panel with “Selma” (2014) star David Oyelowo it was revealed he and actress Meghan Good were married by Major’s mother, who is a pastor. His mother and Good were seen by Majors’ side during his brief trial in New York in late 2023. During an interview with Sherri Shepherd on March 21,
Legal Notices
as California is undergoing a yearslong effort to entice insurers to continue doing business in the state as wildfires increasingly destroy entire neighborhoods. In 2023, several major companies, including State Farm, stopped issuing residential policies due to high fire risk. Lara last year unveiled a slate of regulations all aiming at giving insurers more latitude to raise premiums in exchange for more policies in high-risk areas. Those rules kick in this year. California approved double-digit rate increases for nine out of ten largest insurers in California over the last few years, according to Consumer Watchdog, an advocacy group that opposes State Farm's request for higher premiums.
State Farm executives told state officials the company was already struggling before the LA fires. The company received a financial rating downgrade last year and has seen a decline of $5 billion in its surplus account over the last decade. Last year, the company asked the state for a 30% rate increase, which state officials are still considering. The LA fires, which are now estimated to be the costliest natural disasters in the U.S. history, have made things worse, State Farm executives said. The company last month paid out roughly $1.75 billion to 9,500 claims and estimated the total loss to reach more than $7 billion. Its surplus also dropped from $1.04 billion at the end of 2024 to $400 million after the fires, according to State Farm. The company is using its surplus and reinsurance to settle the claims. Without the ability to quickly rebuild its capital, banks and lenders could stop allowing State Farm insurance as collateral for mortgages and require State Farm policyholders to find coverage from different insurers, the company has argued. If homeowners can’t find a replacement, they’ll be forced on the FAIR Plan, which is designed as a temporary option to provide minimum coverage for those without private insurance. More Californians are relying on the FAIR Plan than ever despite state regulator’s efforts to reduce the plan’s enrollment. The plan also needed a $1 billion bailout last month to pay out fire claims. State Farm, in a statement, called Lara’s decision a “step
AARP Pushes Back as Social Security Administration Slashes Services and Staff
By Stacy M. Brown BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is moving forward with a sweeping overhaul of its operations, including plans to slash its workforce by 12 percent, shut down six regional field offices, and eliminate key phone services—changes that have sparked fierce opposition from AARP and alarmed millions of older Americans. Beginning March 31, the SSA will require that individuals applying for or managing their Social Security benefits confirm their identity online or in person at a local office, effectively ending the ability to complete specific critical tasks by phone. The new rule impacts retirement, disability, and other benefit applications and alters how individuals change their direct deposit information. Acting SSA Commissioner Lee Dudek said the move is designed to combat a surge in fraud, stating, “Social Security is losing over $100 million a year to direct-deposit fraud.”However, the shift has drawn sharp criticism from AARP, which represents more than 100 million Americans over age 50. In a March 19 letter to Dudek, AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond wrote that requiring in-person verification or internet access will create “undue hardship” for millions, particularly those in rural areas, without reliable transportation, or who lack internet access. She called on the SSA to immediately reverse a “rash decision.”
“It is outrageous that under this new policy, older Americans will have to call, wait on hold for possibly hours, make an appointment, or even take a day off work to claim the benefits they have earned,” LeaMond wrote. “There is nothing ‘efficient’ about creating more confusion and disrupting the lives of millions of hardworking American taxpayers with such short notice and no input from the public”.LeaMond and AARP argue that this change— announced only two weeks before implementation— compounds an existing customer service crisis. SSA is already plagued by long phone wait times, with more than half of callers reportedly hanging up before reaching a
representative. Those who do get through often face callback delays of two hours or more. The SSA’s restructuring plan includes cutting its workforce from 57,000 to 50,000 and reducing its number of field offices from 10 to just four. AARP says these actions will worsen already deteriorating services. “Older Americans have paid into and earned their Social Security after a lifetime of hard work—not just their checks, but top-notch customer service as well,” LeaMond wrote.The organization has sent letters to both chambers of Congress, urging immediate oversight. In letters dated March 24 to the House Ways and Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee, LeaMond asked lawmakers to hold hearings and intervene to stop the changes before they cause what she termed “serious harm”. “These abrupt changes, made with no public input or adequate notice, will force many Americans—especially those in rural areas or without internet access—to wait on hold for hours, make appointments, or take time off work simply to access their earned benefits,” she wrote. “This is unacceptable.”AARP has mobilized its vast membership in response, with over a million emails and calls to Congress in the past few weeks. The group has adopted what it describes as an “all-handson-deck” strategy, engaging directly with SSA leadership, educating lawmakers, and urging the public to act. John Hishta, AARP’s senior vice president of campaigns, said the organization is determined to protect Social Security for current and future generations. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that older Americans continue to see no disruption in their payments and receive the information they need to stay informed and take action on changes at SSA,” he said.AARP warned that the SSA’s abrupt changes could also heighten the risk of fraud. “While this was announced to combat fraud, we are concerned this will have the opposite effect,” LeaMond wrote in her letter to Dudek. Without a proper education campaign, scammers may exploit the confusion, using fake verification processes to steal personal data and drain bank accounts. The SSA has not publicly detailed how it plans
to mitigate the risk of fraud or assist those unable to verify their identity online or reach a field office. AARP is calling on Congress to act before the March 31 implementation date, urging lawmakers to ensure that changes to Social
Security service delivery come with transparency, sufficient notice, and public engagement. “We urge the agency to reverse this decision, or for Congress to step in and stand up for older Americans everywhere,”
Could Gen. Lloyd Austin III Have Survived
Leaking War Plans?
By Stacy M. Brown BlackPressUSA.com Senior
National CorrespondentThe question being asked all over social media, in homes, offices, and even behind closed doors in Washington: If former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had leaked war plans over Signal, would Republicans already be demanding his resignation? “Imagine the uproar if Lloyd Austin had been discussing war plans over Signal and inadvertently added a journalist,” said political strategist Chris D. Jackson. “We’d be hearing calls for impeachment by now. The double standards are astounding.” Jackson, who is white, didn’t mince words. Austin, a Black fourstar general and career military leader, was fired by Donald Trump and labeled a “DEI hire.” Now, Trump’s national security team is under scrutiny for something far worse — and the silence from many corners is deafening.According to The Atlantic, editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg was accidentally added to an 18-member Signal group chat that included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and others. The group, created by Trump national security adviser Mike Waltz, was discussing a pending U.S. military strike against Houthi rebels in Yemen. The White House confirmed the Signal messages reported by The Atlantic appear authentic. The leak may have violated multiple Pentagon security protocols. Defense Department rules prohibit using messaging apps like Signal to transmit, process, or access non-public DoD information. Vice President Vance, in the chat, questioned the political risk of launching the strike. He worried about “a moderate to severe spike in oil prices” and whether the operation’s timing was a “mistake.” He went further: “I just hate bailing Europe out again.” Hegseth responded, “I fully share your loathing of European freeloading. It’s
PATHETIC. I think we should go.”Goldberg said he received Waltz’s Signal invite and immediately notified officials. Hegseth’s response wasn’t to explain how such a breach occurred but to attack Goldberg, calling him “a deceitful, discredited so-called journalist.” That attack drew even more criticism. “This is one of the most stunning breaches of military intelligence I have read about in a very, very long time,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor. Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, called the incident “an egregious failure of operational security and common sense.” “American lives are on the line,” Reed said. “The carelessness shown by Trump’s Cabinet is stunning and dangerous. I will be seeking answers from the Administration immediately.”Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said if a lower-level official had done what’s being reported, “they would likely lose their clearance and be subject to criminal investigation. The American people deserve answers.” Republicans have also voiced concern. Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, the Republican chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told reporters, “We’re very concerned about it, and we’ll be looking into it on a bipartisan basis.” Senate Majority Whip John Thune added, “We’ve got to run it to the ground, figure out what went on there.”The National Security Council is investigating how Goldberg’s number ended up in the Signal group. Under the Biden administration, officials were allowed to download Signal on government-issued phones but instructed never to use it for classified conversations. Signal is end-to-end encrypted and considered safer than regular texting, but it isn’t secure for national security discussions. Pentagon regulations prohibit it from classified or sensitive
content. Google’s threat intelligence team has also warned that Russia’s intelligence services have ramped up attempts to target Signal users in government and military circles. Gun violence survivor and elected official Brandon Wolf said the response would look very different if the officials
resignations.”
The Vibe Shift: As California Moves to Political Right, Dem Lawmakers Dig Their
By G. Maciel De La Vega
The Vibe Shift is an ongoing series covering the political, institutional, and cultural realignment in California caused by Trump’s win in the 2024 presidential election. On March 16, the California Republican Party elected its first Black female chair, Corrin Rankin. However, she doesn’t want her identity to be a part of the story; “I’m a qualified person who happens to be a woman who happens to be Black. We’re a party based on merit. If you have the qualifications and the experience, you should have the job, and it doesn’t matter what the color of your skin is,” she said in a recent interview with the San Francisco Chronicle.
Her words present a view that largely contrasts with the prevailing perspective held by many in the California Democratic Party who have typically made race a central issue. With the Republican and Democratic parties each pushing further to the Right and Left, respectively, there appears to be a broader political realignment of Black and Latino voters nationally on the fraying from the
by a cultural shift that has been in the making for some time. In 2019, Kanye West – a Trump supporter and California influencer -- told Black Americans, “Own your power. Your power is not to just vote 1
Democrat for the rest of our lives. That’s not the power.1
Joining Kanye is an ever-growing list of Black and pop culture influencers, including Amber Rose, who spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention, UFC Champion Jon Jones, rapper Lil Wayne, NFL stars Terrell Owens and Herschel Walker, Azealia Banks, boxing star Mike Tyson, and perhaps the most famous Californian of all, Snoop Dogg. There have been Democratic Party defections in the political arena, too. Former Democratic Assemblymember Sebastian Ridley-Thomas, who endorsed Trump in 2024, citing concerns with kitchen table issues, immigration, and culture.
“As a straight male, religious, pro-capitalist person, the policies of the Democratic Party are incompatible with my civic interests. More than 30 percent of African American men between the ages of 45 and 64 supported Donald Trump because the Democratic Party gave us no options,” Ridley-Thomas told CBM in a phone interview. That’s not our fault. That’s the Democratic Party’s fault. It is intolerant, it is anti-capitalist, and it is hostile towards religion,” Ridley-Thomas continued.
“They think that welfare and handouts and endless migration are attractive to Black men. They are not. Tax limitation, closed borders, community safety and pro-family policies are much more attractive. If this trend continues, it will be impossible for Democrats to win the presidency in the future.”
Ridley-Thomas ended by highlighting the cultural issues around LGBTQIA+ which have long been championed by the Democratic Party, but have, perhaps, splintered their coalition.
“Prop 8 passed for a reason and the radical Democrats
Heels In
wouldn’t let it go. The Supreme Court action in overthrowing it distorts the sensitivities that people have. We have a new category of sexual identity called ‘zoo,’ which was called ‘furry’ a year ago. Too many names, too many micro-minorities, and the definitions expansion does not match up with kitchen table economics.
Another category on the rainbow flag has not helped lower the cost of living or improve our quality of life.”
I think that the Democratic message is lost, is not focused. It does not center on quality of life, American identity, or American exceptionalism. The Democratic Party wants to be associated with losers, Black men and Christians want to be winners.” California Gov. Gavin Newsom similarly seems to be shifting to the cultural Middle. Although he undoubtedly has a record of standing up for LGBTQIA+ issues, his support is not uncritical. He recently hosted conservative political activist Charlie Kirk on his podcast, This is Gavin Newsom. In the interview, Newsom voiced his opposition to transgender female athletes in girls and women’s sports.
“I think it’s an issue of fairness. I completely agree with you on that. It is an issue of fairness -- it’s deeply unfair,” Newsom said during the podcast with Kirk.
“There’s also a humility and a grace,” Newsom continued.
“You know that these poor people are more likely to commit suicide, have anxiety and depression and the way that people talk down to vulnerable communities is an issue that I have a hard time with as well. So, both things I can hold in my hand. How can we address this issue with the kind of decency that I think you know.” Both the timing and substance of Newsom’s recent
comments infuriated some Democrats and progressives across California. However, despite his recent comments, Newsom has not taken a public position on
Massachusetts, USA – 10 May 2024. General view of Social Security Administration sign on building wall (Photo credit by Veronique D)
LeaMond said.
Armed Forces Farewell Ceremony honoring Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, VA, January 17, 2025 (Wikimedia Commons
Photo by: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff)
involved weren’t white and connected to Trump. “If it were Lloyd Austin, Jake Sullivan, and Kamala Harris in a sloppy Signal chat, [Trump] would be first in line demanding their
California Black Media
California Celebrates Eid: The Culmination of Ramadan in Islam
By Edward Henderson California Black Media
The Islamic holiday of Eid, meaning festival or fest, commemorates the end of Ramadan, the religion’s holy month of fasting.
During Ramadan, the faithful abstain from food and drink from sunup to sundown.
The Islamic population in California is estimated be around 500,000, yet over 1.8 billion people celebrate Eid worldwide, making it one of the biggest religious festivals in the world.
This year, Eid was celebrated on the evening of March 30, which is determined by the sighting of the waxing crescent moon.
“Eid Mubarak, California! As families and communities come together to mark the end of Ramadan, may this day be filled with peace, gratitude, and shared blessings,” Gov. Newsom posted on Twitter March 30 with a video featuring him and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom commemorating the celebration.
“As the holy month of Ramadan comes to a close and people break their fast, we wish everyone a happy Eid,” the Governor began the joint message.
“Tonight, families around the world come together in celebration and gratitude,” Siebel Newsom continued in the video.
“So, we want to express our thanks and gratitude to California’s Muslim community, an integral part of California,” the Governor continued. “You hold yourself to a higher standard as reflected this last month of fasting and your deep commitment to faith and community does not go unnoticed.”
Islamic tradition teaches that Eid originated with the prophet of Islam, Muhammad in 624 AD. According to the Quran, Eid was established in Medina, Saudi Arabia, after the prophet moved from Mecca. It was during his arrival and subsequent time in Medina that he saw people commemorate two days where they participated in feasts, recreational activities, and occupied themselves with joy
and togetherness. Upon observing this, he stated that God had created two days of festivity following Ramadan: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha – the two official holidays Muslims now celebrate today.
California Black Media spoke with Sacramento native Jibril Kyser to share his experience fasting during Ramadan this year, the lessons he’s learned and the significance of Eid.
“It’s an incredible experience because it showed me how powerful this period of fasting and consistent prayer is for the mind and the spirit,” said Kyser. “It helps me to channel my energy into where it should be.”
A typical day for Kyser during Ramadan begins around 4a.m. He prepares a meal and hydrates to give his body some sustenance. His fasting begins when the first rays of light hit the horizon and lasts until sunset. After his first meal of the day, Kyser performs the first of five prayers, with a special 6th prayer called Tarawih which occurs at night during Ramadan. After his first prayer, Kyser gets a few hours of rest before his work responsibilities as an accountant begin. During the day, he limits his physical activities and exposure to the sun to avoid dehydration. After sunset, he breaks fast with meals he prepares himself.
“I think the first three to four days of Ramadan were the hardest because I was eating a lot of food trying to bulk up before Ramadan,” Kyser recalls. “I was eating so much throughout the day, maybe three meals, four meals a day, just trying to bulk-up. I was just working out in the gym twice a day in the morning and in the afternoon at in the evening. That was the hardest adjustment period because I was so lethargic, and I was my stomach was so accustomed to eating so often.”
The discipline and reflection of Ramadan is rewarded during Eid celebrations. Traditionally, special prayers and feasts are held in mosques and with families. People wear their best clothes, gifts are exchanged, and charity is also emphasized. The phrase ‘Eid Mubarak’, meaning Blessed Eid, is joyfully shared within the community. Muslims use
the celebrations to reflect on the lessons they learned while fasting and spending time with God in prayer.
Along with taking time to feed others while he was fasting and informing others about the beauty of Islam, Kyser has used his Ramadan experience preparing for Eid to realize opportunities for growth and expansion within his life.
“I want to slow down, make more informed decisions,
and to recognize that this is a temporary life. Contemplating that impermanence, I ask myself if my deeds have been righteous and how have I shown up in my everyday life to my loved ones. Have I shown up to the people who care about me? Have I shown up to myself? I have answered some of those questions through reflection and I think that I’ve shown up really well for myself, and I still need to work on how I show up for other people.”
Congressman Greg Meeks Wants Answers on the Text Message War Plan
By April Ryan“I am immediately calling on Chairman Mast to hold a hearing on what might be the most astonishing breach of our national security in recent history,” says New York Congressman Greg Meeks. The ranking House Foreign Affairs committee chair is addressing the reported revelation that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Vice President J.D. Vance, and others used the encrypted phone app Signal to map out a war plan against the Houthis that took place on March 15. A reporter from the Atlantic was accidentally pulled into the encrypted Signal text chain conversation with high-ranking Trump officials. Once the March 15th attack happened, the reporter realized this was not a hoax and subsequently wrote a story titled “The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans.”Hegseth is working to discredit the reporter the highranking Trump officials accidentally included in the text chain during the Signal conversation he was privy to. The new Defense Secretary told reporters yesterday, “Nobody was texting war plans…” Meanwhile, as the Trump officials allegedly used the Signal phone app for this war plan, they were supposed to follow long-standing national security protocol and use a secure site that would not allow eavesdropping. One of those places happened to be the Situation Room in the White House, which was created specifically for instances like this. That room has been used
for many military missions to include the demise of Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind behind the 9-11 attacks. In the meantime, elected officials want answers to a myriad of questions about this national security breach. Congressman Meeks has drafted and sent a letter to Secretary Hegseth awaiting answers to questions.Here is a portion of the letter from Congressman Meeks to Secretary Hegseth.In the interest of congressional oversight, we request answers to the following questions:Was information regarding U.S. military activities against the Houthis on or about March 15, 2025, disclosed via the Signal messaging service by any National Security Council principal? If so, by whom and what specific information was disclosed?
In how many instances has the National Security Council held discussions on national security matters involving Principals Committee members or any other relevant executive branch officials using the Signal messaging service or any other messaging service application that has not been approved for the transmission of classified information? In each instance, please describe the specific national security matter or matters that were discussed.
Was classified information shared in the instance reported by The Atlantic or in any other instance described in reply to the previous question?
Was unclassified but highly sensitive information
shared in any such instance?
Was information shared in any such instance that could have compromised the operational security of any military activities?
Was information shared in any such instance that could have compromised the safety of members of the U.S. armed forces or those of a U.S. ally or partner?
Was information shared in any such instance that could have compromised any of the capabilities of the U.S. armed forces or those of a U.S. ally or partner?
What measures has the National Security Council, the Department of State, the Department of Defense and the intelligence community taken to ensure that the discourse of any such instance and any other discourse involving national security matters via an electronic messaging service are preserved by applicable federal record-keeping law?
If classified or any other sensitive information was disclosed via the Signal messaging service, what measures have been put into place by the National Security Council, the Department of State, the Department of Defense, and the intelligence community to ensure that it will not occur again?
We appreciate your attention to these questions and look forward to your prompt replies.
Lawmakers Release Sweeping Bill Package to Fast Track Housing Production
By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media
Two members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) joined a bipartisan and bicameral group of lawmakers to introduce a 20-bill package that would fast-track housing production in the state.
Assemblymembers Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) and Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) added bills that would make housing more affordable and cut down the time it takes to get approval to build houses.
The package of bills is based on recommendations included in the final report of the Select Committee on Permitting Reform, chaired by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland).
On March 27, Wicks, McKinnor, and other legislators attended a media event at the State Capitol Swing Space Annex to formally unveil the measures.
a
housing. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.
“As we have learned from the Legislature’s past work and the incredible package of pro-housing bills being discussed today, there is not one solution to fix California’s housing crisis. And that is ok. Because standing with my colleagues and incredible pro-housing advocates, I know that together, we will solve California’s housing crisis.”
According to Wicks, the state is in the midst of a severe housing crisis, with a shortfall of 2.5 million homes and nearly 200,000 individuals experiencing homelessness around California.
About 80% of low-income households are saddled with high rental costs and are often forced to decide between sustaining stable housing and managing basic necessities. For others, owning a home in the state is out of reach.
To address these obstacles, lawmakers are zeroing in on the systemic red tape that they say impedes progress on housing development.
“A few years ago, when asked about my pro-housing work, I said ‘I am not here for the B.S. – I am here to build housing.’ Well, years later, both statements remain true. I am still not here for the B.S. – and I am still here to build housing,” McKinnor said during the presentation.
“The Fast Track Housing package is about making our systems work better: clearer rules, faster timelines, and fewer bureaucratic hoops,” Wicks said. “It’s not about cutting corners -- it’s about being honest that what we’re doing isn’t working. This package reflects a broad, bipartisan commitment to saying yes to housing, yes to progress, and yes to a government that helps solve problems instead of creating them.”
McKinnor, the chair of the Los Angeles County Legislative Caucus, authored Assembly Bill (AB) 557 – the California Factory-Built Housing Law. The bill would facilitate cost-saving measures by eliminating local inspections on factory-built housing (FBH) that is already inspected by the state. According to the state’s Department of Housing Community and Development (DHCD), an FBH is a “residential building, dwelling unit, individual dwelling room, or combination of rooms, or building components, assembly, or system manufactured.”
CHCD regulates the manufacturing of factory-built housing and building components manufactured for sale in California. McKinnor said she and Wicks toured an FBH manufacturer in Southern California last fall.
“It’s just what we need,” McKinnor said of FBHs. “(AB
557) can reduce construction timeline by as much as 60%, cut waste by 80% compared to traditional construction, and remove cost overruns on 55% of the projects since factory costs are fixed.”
AB 1308, authored by Assemblymember Josh Hoover (R-Folsom), facilitates the post-entitlement process by requiring building departments to provide an estimated timeframe for building permit inspections. It also allows applicants to contract with private professional providers to undertake the inspection.
“Our state must do more to lower the cost of housing for California families. We can start by reducing barriers to the current residential permitting process,” Hoover said.
“AB 1308 helps do this in a bipartisan way by holding local municipalities accountable for more timely home inspections.”
Wilson has two bills that are part of the package. AB 660 would speed up the “post-entitlement process” by allowing a third-party review of building permits if they are not reviewed by the local agency in a timely fashion.
Wilson’s AB 1026 would remove unpredictability from the development process by requiring investor-owned utilities to follow the same rules as local governments in reviewing and approving post-entitlement permits, according to her office.
The package targets the five key bottlenecks that delay housing development: application, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance, entitlement, post-entitlement, and enforcement. By addressing inefficiencies at every step, the lawmakers say they are aiming to reduce project timelines, cut costs, and get shovels in the ground faster.
The package proposes a number of reforms to CEQA. Wicks said she understands the need for evaluating significant environmental impacts but she says CEQA is also “weaponized” to halt important projects.
CEQA requires that state and local agencies disclose and assess the significant impacts of proposed projects and adopt all practical alleviation measures to cut back or eliminate environmental impact.
Sen. Tim Grayson (D-Concord) is a licensed contractor and knows how painstaking the permitting process can be for home buyers and homebuilders. Grayson’s SB 328
intends to ramp up the repair and reuse of contaminated sites by imposing timelines on the Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) to respond to permit requests for housing projects.
SB 328 will cap fees for reviewing the remediation of sites that were not contaminated by the project sponsor. Grayson told California Black Media that “timing and response” are the biggest barriers to building housing efficiently.
“Time is money. The longer it takes, the more the uncertainty of fees that were not published prior but added to the project processes. And having to represent your project multiple times over -- all of that takes time.”
Grayson added, “During that wave of time, prices and products have changed, supplies have changed, and the workforce has probably moved to a different place. Now you have to pay for more the workforce.”
Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland), at the podium, said the Fast Track Housing package is not about cutting corners. It’s about “making our systems work better,” she stated.
Pictured to Wicks’s left is Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood). CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.
Asm. Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) presents AB 557 at
news conference organized to introduce a 20-bill package aimed at fast-tracking housing production in California. McKinnor’s bill would end local inspections on factory-built
Official photo of US Rep. Gregory Meeks, 115th Congress (Wikimedia Commons Photo by Kristie Boyd, Official House Photographer/U.S. House Office of Photoraphy)
California Capitol News You Might Have Missed Political Playback
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
Bill Would Create California Version of National Institutes of Health
Anticipating federal cuts to scientific research and vaccine programs, California State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) has introduced a bill to establish the California Institute for Scientific Research.
The proposed state-funded agency aims to support biomedical and climate research while expanding vaccine access.
The bill, introduced March 27, comes as the Trump administration moves to cut funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expresses an aversion to vaccine mandates.
President Donald Trump has proposed slashing $4 billion from NIH grants, a decision that is currently held up in legal battles. Meanwhile, Kennedy’s vaccine policy has drawn scrutiny, especially amid a measles outbreak affecting several states.
“California is a global leader on science in our own right, and we must step in to protect our scientific institutions from the new administration’s anti-science, Make America Sick Again onslaught,” said Wiener.
The proposed agency would provide grants and loans to research institutions affected by federal cuts, including areas like drug safety and climate change. Additionally, it would direct California’s existing prescription drug program, CalRX, to expand vaccine procurement, ensuring continued access despite potential federal policy shifts.
California has historically taken independent action on public health. During President Trump’s first term, Gov. Gavin Newsom collaborated with other Democraticled states to review COVID-19 vaccine safety outside of federal oversight.
While the bill is expected to face opposition from California’s Republican minority, the greatest challenge may be securing funding amid the state’s budget constraints and Medicaid shortfalls.
If passed, the bill could position California as a selfreliant scientific leader.
Sen. Padilla: Housing Migrants at Guantanamo Bay Is Costing Americans Tens of Millions Monthly
Last week, U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) visited the U.S. Naval Station in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba (GTMO) with a group of other senators to conduct oversight of what he called “the ongoing Department of Defense activities to support the Department of Homeland Security in the unlawful relocation of migrants.
Padilla, who is the ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration moving illegal immigrants from the United States to Guantanamo Bay.
“After examining the migrant relocation activities at Guantanamo Bay, we are outraged by the scale and wastefulness of the Trump Administration’s misuse of our military. It is obvious that Guantanamo Bay is a likely illegal and certainly illogical location to detain immigrants. Its use is seemingly designed to undermine due process and evade legal scrutiny,” said Padilla in a statement.
“The staggering financial cost to fly these immigrants out of the United States and detain them at Guantanamo Bay -- a mission worth tens of millions of dollars a month --is an insult to American taxpayers. President Trump could implement his immigration policies for a fraction of the cost by using existing ICE facilities in the U.S., but he is obsessed with the image of using Guantanamo, no matter the cost,” Padilla continued.
According to the New York Times, there are about 1,000 U.S. government employees, mostly military personnel, working at Guantanamo Bay. There are also about 70 contractors from the Department of Homeland Security stationed at the facility.
Padilla blasted Trump for “undermining the readiness of the U.S. Military.”
“We met with dozens of servicemembers who were rushed to Guantanamo Bay without notice, leaving their critical day-to-day military missions behind in order to build tents that should never be filled and guard immigrants who should never be held there,” Padilla said. “Our troops will always answer the call and get the job done, but their invaluable time and resources are being carelessly wasted by the President on this mission.”
Last week, the Center for Effective Lawmaking rated Padilla the second-most effective U.S. Senator in the 118th Congress.
Feds Are Investigating California DOE on Child Outing Policy
The U.S. Department of Education has launched an investigation into California’s ban on ‘forced outing’ of students’ gender identity to parents, escalating tensions between the state and the Trump administration over LGBTQ+ rights and parental access to student records.
The probe, announced March 27, targets a 2024 California law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, which prohibits schools from automatically informing parents if a student changes their name, pronouns, or gender identity. Federal officials argue the law may violate the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which guarantees parental access to student records.
“Teachers and school counselors should not be in the business of advising minors on consequential decisions about their gender identity and mental health,” said U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon. “That responsibility lies with parents.”
If the law is found to be in violation of federal regulations, California risks losing billions in federal education funding, including grants supporting lowincome and special-needs students.
State officials defended the law as a vital protection for LGBTQ+ youth. State Superintendent Tony Thurmond emphasized that students must feel safe in order to learn, adding that “forced outing” policies put vulnerable youth at risk. The governor’s office dismissed the federal probe, arguing that FERPA does not mandate schools to disclose gender identity changes unless parents request their student’s records.
The investigation is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to limit LGBTQ+ protections in education, including executive orders restricting genderaffirming care and limiting transgender participation in school sports.
Legal experts say the case could set a precedent for how federal law applies to student privacy and parental rights in education.
California Committee on Aging Appoints Dr. Lenore Tate and Jeannee Parker Martin
The California Commission on Aging (CCoA) has announced the appointments of Dr. Lenore Tate and Jeannee Parker Martin, effective January 2025. Both appointees bring a wealth of expertise to the Commission’s mission of addressing key issues affecting California’s older adults.
Dr. Tate, a licensed psychologist, has an extensive background in mental health, public policy, and advocacy, specializing in neuropsychology, geropsychology, forensic psychology, and trauma. She has worked with state government as a Principal Consultant for both the California Assembly and Senate, and currently leads Wraparound Enterprises, a nonprofit focused on mental health services, workforce development, and social support for marginalized communities. Dr. Tate is passionate about healthy living, solo aging, caregiving, dementia, and equity for marginalized populations.
Jeannee Parker Martin, President and CEO of LeadingAge California, has led the organization’s efforts to improve housing, care, and services for older adults across the state. She has contributed to key advisory committees, including the President’s Coronavirus Commission on Quality and Safety in Nursing Homes and the California Governor’s Master Plan for Aging Stakeholder Advisory Committee.
Together, Tate and Martin will enhance the CCoA’s advocacy efforts to support equity, inclusion, autonomy, and respect for California’s aging population. The Commission advises state leaders on policies that impact older adults and promotes programs to improve their quality of life.
PPIC: Homelessness Hits Record High in California; National Spike Outpaces California
In 2024, California’s homelessness crisis hit record levels, with over 187,000 individuals experiencing
homelessness, accounting for 24% of the nation’s total homeless population of 771,500. Nearly two-thirds of these individuals were unsheltered, representing nearly half of the unsheltered population in the United States. This stark reality continues to make homelessness one of the top issues for Californians.
However, while the state’s homelessness crisis remains dire, the growth rate in California from 2023 to 2024 was slower than the national average. The U.S. homeless population grew by 18%, driven largely by a 25% increase in sheltered homelessness, compared to just a 3% rise in California. Unsheltered homelessness in the U.S. grew by 7%, whereas California saw only a 0.4% increase, reversing the trend of larger increases in California that had been observed in the past decade.
Each January, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires local agencies to conduct a “point-in-time” (PIT) count of homelessness. These annual counts, though limited by concerns about undercounting, offer a crucial snapshot of homelessness trends at the federal, state, and local levels.
In California, over 70% of the state’s homeless population resides in the 10 Continuums of Care (CoCs). These CoCs report varying trends: Los Angeles, Alameda, and San Francisco saw a decline in unsheltered homelessness but an increase in sheltered homelessness, with rises of 14%, 18%, and 25%, respectively. In contrast, San Diego experienced an 18% increase in unsheltered homelessness, while Sacramento and San Joaquin reported significant fluctuations in homelessness figures, potentially due to local counting changes.
Advocates for unsheltered Californians say the rise in homelessness highlights the urgent need for both immediate financial and behavioral health support, as well as long-term housing solutions. Rising home prices, high rents, and low homeownership rates have intensified California’s housing crisis. Over a quarter of Californians, including nearly 40% of low-income adults, worry daily about their housing costs.
California lawmakers have invested billions into homelessness programs, but an audit revealed a lack of data to measure their effectiveness. In his 2025-26 annual budget, Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed creating the California Housing and Homelessness Agency to improve coordination and accountability in the state’s response to the ongoing crisis. Additionally, increased funding from Prop 1 will support housing and treatment for individuals with behavioral health needs.
California State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco)
TJ Simpson - Building Community and Growing in College Corps
By Charlene Muhammad California Black Media Contributor
TJ Simpson is a third-year Parks and Recreation Management major at California State University, Chico (CSU Chico). A first-generation college student from Southern California, his love for the outdoors stems from his great-grandmother, whose deep appreciation for nature shaped his own. Now based in Long Beach, T.J. is working toward his dream of becoming a park ranger—a goal made more attainable through his participation in #CaliforniansForAll College Corps. The #CaliforniansForAll College Corps program was created to help college students gain real-world experience, make a meaningful impact in their
communities, and reduce student debt. It connects undergraduates with service opportunities that address critical issues across California. College Corps fellows contribute in key areas such as education, climate action, and food insecurity. They assist K-12 students through tutoring and mentorship, support sustainability and conservation projects, and work with local organizations to combat hunger and improve access to nutritious food.
TJ first learned about College Corps during his freshman year at CSU Chico. Encouraged by his aunt to join as a way to make friends in a new city, he initially enrolled but later withdrew, feeling he wasn’t ready to “put himself out there.” However, in 2024, his perspective changed. A
series of field school trips to San Francisco exposed him to how College Corps could bridge his academics with hands-on experience in parks and recreation management.
“I realized that rejoining College Corps would supplement my studies and give me realworld experience in my field,” said TJ “It wasn’t just about making friends anymore—it was about building a foundation for my career.”
TJ credits his great-grandmother’s influence for fostering his deep connection to nature. Growing up in San Fernando Valley, she was a former Pathfinder Scout who instilled in him and his brother a love for the outdoors.
While he once considered botany or
forestry, TJ found that CSU Chico’s Parks, Recreation, and Hospitality Management program was the perfect fit. “Three years in, and I haven’t doubted this major at all!” he said. One of the most rewarding aspects of College Corps for TJ has been the opportunity to network with professionals in state parks, Bureau of Land Management sites, and conservation initiatives. Through these connections, he has explored potential career paths while developing crucial leadership skills. The program has also helped him strengthen essential skills like adaptability and problem-solving. As someone who is neurodivergent, TJ appreciates predictability and structure, but his service work has required him to embrace flexibility.
“For example, transportation has been a challenge since I rely on public transit and carpools to reach host sites,” he said. “But I’ve learned to be patient and develop creative solutions to overcome obstacles.”
His dedication and work ethic have earned the trust of College Corps directors, leading to leadership opportunities—including serving as a program ambassador.
“My directors have recognized my passion and ability to connect with others,” TJ said. “They’ve given me opportunities to help prepare for trips, coordinate with other Fellows, and take on responsibilities that have helped me grow as a leader.” T.J. has grown from a once-shy student into a confident leader within College Corps. But beyond his personal growth, he recognizes the importance of representation in the outdoor and environmental fields.
As a Black student in a predominantly White field, TJ rarely saw people who looked like him in nature-based organizations like the Boy Scouts or outdoor youth programs. This lack of representation often made him feel like he didn’t belong.
“Being a Black Corps fellow gives me the strength to share my passion with those around me, one job at a time,” TJ said. He hopes to be a role model for other Black students and individuals interested in climate-related careers. College Corps, in partnership with more than 40 colleges and universities, provides undergraduate students with access to training, networking, and professional development opportunities. Participants benefit from hands-on experience in high-impact service fields, financial assistance—earning up to $10,000 for completing 450 hours of service—and professional growth through developing skills in communication, teamwork, and leadership. Through College Corps, TJ has found purpose, leadership, and a path to a fulfilling career. With his dedication, resilience, and passion for conservation, he is well on his way to making a lasting impact in parks management and environmental advocacy.
For more information about #CaliforniansforAll College Corps visit www.cacollegecorps.com
Sec. of State Shirley Weber Calls New Trump Voting Law “Reckless and Unprecedented”
ByEdward Henderson | California Black Media
— don’t have ready access to documents that prove their citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, and would face hurdles when voting.
Trump has been vocal about his concerns surrounding how ballots are counted since 2020, attributing his loss to former President Joe Biden to “unfair voting practices” like mail-in voting.
“Election fraud. You’ve heard the term. We’ll end it, hopefully. At least, this will go a long way toward ending it,” Trump said during the signing at the White House, adding, “We have to straighten out our elections.” Among voting rights advocates, concerns have risen over the potential hurdles that requiring proof of citizenship could pose for low-income Americans. Another section of the order empowers the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), along with the Department of Homeland Security, to potentially subpoena states to review voter rolls for compliance with federal laws.
“Under the guise of protecting Americans from voter fraud, this unprecedented and reckless interference into state election processes is premised on a widely debunked myth of massive non-citizen voting,” Weber continued.
“Make no mistake, President Trump, through this action, shows that he fears voters and America’s longstanding principles of democracy. As California Secretary of State, I will do all in my power to ensure that all eligible Californians can freely and securely participate in our democracy.”
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), who served as California Secretary of State before Weber, also spoke out against Trump’s order.
“I know full well that President Trump’s executive order does nothing to improve the safety of our federal elections. What it would do is disenfranchise millions of eligible American voters,” he said in a statement. “President Trump is a notorious election denier. He lacks the authority to implement many of the changes laid out in this illegal executive order, which also ignores the requirements set forth in the bipartisan Help America Vote Act.”
Although several prominent figures have questioned the President’s authority to enforce the order, it is believed widely that the Election Assistance Commission is unlikely to comply with the mandates.
Some also view Trump’s order as a revival of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a bill that would’ve required anyone registering to vote in federal elections to
File photo: California
of
Building in Sacramento. The event was hosted by
photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.