Los Angeles News Observer 10.21.21

Dionne Warwick Shines in New Documentary

Artist Sues Newly Freed Bill Cosby Over 1990 Hotel Encounter

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Volume 36 Number 49

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Colin Powell Remembered as a ‘Good Man,’ and ‘Great American IN MEMORIAM: “General Colin L. Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away this morning due to complications from Covid 19,” the former General’s family wrote on Facebook. “We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American,” the family wrote. They reported that Powell had been fully vaccinated.

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Colin Powell has died from complications from Covid-19, his family members have confirmed.

The first Black US secretary of state was 84.

“General Colin L. Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away this morning due to complications from Covid 19,” the former General’s family wrote on Facebook.

“We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American,” the family wrote.

They reported that Powell had been fully vaccinated.

Powell became the first Black national security adviser during the end of Ronald Reagan’s presidency.

He also counted as the youngest and first African American chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President George H.W. Bush.

Powell was thrust into the global spotlight after leading the United States to victory during the Gulf War, with many even considering him as a presidential candidate.

“Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of Colin Powell. He was a great public servant, starting with his time as a soldier during Vietnam. Many Presidents relied on General Powell’s counsel and experience,” former President George W. Bush stated.

“He was National Security Adviser under President

Reagan, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under my father and President Clinton, and Secretary of State during my Administration.”

Bush continued: “He was such a favorite of Presidents that he earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom – twice. He was highly respected at home and abroad.

“And most important, Colin was a family man and a friend. Laura and I send Alma and their children our sincere condolences as they remember the life of a great man.”

National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., said the Black Press of America will fondly remember General Powell’s contributions.

“We pause to express our profound condolences to the family of The Honorable Colin Powell,” Dr. Chavis remarked. “Secretary Powell was America’s military general and, at the same time, the nation’s conscience as U.S. Secretary of State.”

He continued: “We in the African American community mourn his passing and rededicate ourselves to ensure that the legacy of Colin Powell will live on.”

General Powell had a reputation for generating Continued on page A2

“Colin embodied the highest ideals of both warrior and diplomat. He was committed to our nation’s strength and security above all. Having fought in wars, he understood better than anyone that military might alone was not enough to maintain our peace and prosperity,” said President Biden. (Photo: Mark Mahoney / Dream in Color Photography / NNPA)

California Black Caucus Gives Thumbs Up to Law

Reforming Courtroom Sentencing Edward Henderson California Black Media Members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) are applauding a new law Gov. Newsom signed on Oct. 8 that modifies the state court sentencing procedure for crimes.

Senate Bill (SB) 567 requires judges to only hand out sentences with lengths that match a number of years that reflect the median point of the possible term.

Moving forward, according to the new law, sentences will only exceed middle term after circumstances presented to a jury are proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

“We are now in a period of reckoning that requires us to confront the reality and interconnectedness of racism, inequality, and injustice which have permeated our institutions and deprive people of liberty, without the fundamental standards for fairness in our processes,” said Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Gardena), who is chair of the CLBC The new law marks a correction to a ruling that was only meant to last 2 years but ended up lasting 14.

In 2007, the Supreme Court of the United States

(SCOTUS) held in Cunningham v. California ruled that California’s determinate sentencing law was unconstitutional. The court found that California law impermissibly allowed judges to impose an upper/ maximum term based upon facts that were never presented to a jury and deemed to be true beyond a reasonable doubt. This was a violation of the 6th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution right to a trial by jury, according to the SCOTUS. Later that year, a temporary law was put into place allowing judges to impose any of the three sentencing terms as long as they stated a reason for giving them.

The law allowed judges to apply a maximum sentence without granting defendants the opportunity to have a jury determine if the reasoning for the sentence was true or not. The law was supposed to last until 2009 when a review of the sentencing process could determine a longterm solution.

However, the mandate ended up lasting until Gov. Newsom signed the law a little over a week ago.

Bradford was a lead proponent of SB 567 as part of this year’s criminal justice reform efforts.

“SB 567 makes our criminal justice system more credible, and is a step in the right direction for criminal justice reform. I am grateful to Governor Gavin Newsom for signing the bill and appreciate the support of my legislative colleagues who voted for the bill because, only together, can we create a system that gives the public more confidence,” he said.

The bill was also sponsored by California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, Legal Services for Prisoners with Children, and Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice and supported by organizations such as Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, and San Francisco Public Defender.

“SB 567 is a huge step forward in the fight for true justice in the courtroom. The impact of long sentences on individuals and families should not be taken lightly or subjected to arbitrary terms. As a lawyer and someone who has been impacted by the loss of loved ones to incarceration, I find this bill a worthy step in the right direction,” said Joanna Billingy, Policy Manager, Legal Services for Prisoners with Children.

SB 567 will take effect on January 1, 2022.

Gov. Newsom Stands Firm on Mandates as State Reaches COVID Milestone

Gov. Gavin Newsom listens to speakers during a news conference at James Denman Middle School in San Francisco, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. California has announced the nation’s first coronavirus vaccine mandate for schoolchildren. Newsom said Friday that the mandate won’t take effect until the COVID-19 vaccine has received final approval from the U.S. government for various grade levels. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Aldon Thomas Stiles California Black Media California Gov. Gavin Newsom took to Twitter earlier this month to praise Californians for getting vaccinated when the state’s COVID rate dropped to 57.3 cases per 100,000 people, the lowest in the U.S. “85% of eligible Californians have received at least one COVID vaccine shot. The result? California continues to have the lowest case rate in the nation,” he said.

California’s COVID-19 vaccination rate is currently 16th in the country with 71.8% of the population fully vaccinated.

For now, students will be required to be vaccinated for in person learning starting the term following FDA full approval of the vaccine for their grade span (7-12 and K-6).

The coronavirus vaccines will be added to other vaccines like ones for measles, mumps rubella, tetanus, and whooping cough, for example, that are required without exception for all students in the state. For those and other shots explicitly stated in California law, no waivers are allowed for any reason, even religious or philosophical ones.

But even though the state’s COVID-19 rates have flattened and the numbers of hospitalizations and deaths have significantly dropped, the governor is facing mounting protests from people opposed to governmentimposed vaccine mandates, including parents who do not want their children to take the shot.

Responding to those critics, Newsom’s campaign sent out a letter that included a survey asking recipients for feedback on his vaccine mandate for schoolchildren.

“As you have probably heard, California is the first state in the nation to require our students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This will go into effect following full FDA approval,” Newsom said in the letter. “Why did I

make this decision?

Because it’s the right thing to do, and it will keep our kids safe. This decision may not be popular with some of the people who protest vaccination sites and are opposed to mask-wearing in almost any circumstance, but it will save lives.”

On Oct. 8, Newsom also signed several bills that give dentists, podiatrists and optometrists the authority to administer COVID-19 vaccines.

Those bills are Assembly Bill (AB) 526, 691 and 1064.

The governor also tweeted his advice on vaccine booster shots.

“Protect yourself. Protect your loved ones. Get your booster when it’s your turn,” tweeted Newsom.

As it currently stands, booster shots are not required but are authorized for “individuals 65 years of age and older, individuals 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19, and individuals 18 through 64 years of age whose frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 puts them at high risk of serious complications of COVID-19 including severe COVID-19,” according to the FDA. Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock highlighted the fluid nature of the nation’s pandemic response.

“This pandemic is dynamic and evolving, with new data about vaccine safety and effectiveness becoming available every day,” Woodcock stated in a press release.

“As we learn more about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, including the use of a booster dose, we will continue to evaluate the rapidly changing science and keep the public informed,” Woodcock continued.

California Black Media’s coverage of COVID-19 is supported by the California Health Care Foundation.

Take!

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Thursday, October 21, 2021

Tempe,AZ May Rename Streets, Parks Named for Klan Members

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) – Tempe will consider renaming parks and streets named after former community leaders who were recently discovered to have been dues-paying members of the Ku Klux Klan.

The city said Friday that the names of will be up for discussion when the city council meets next week.

They are Hudson Drive, Hudson Lane, Laird Street and Hudson, Harelson and Redden Parks.

The city’s research showed that three schools also were named for members of the Klan. Officials say they’ve notified Tempe Elementary School District leaders about the namesakes of Laird and Hudson elementary schools and Gililland Middle School.

“Together we can acknowledge the past and make purposeful decisions that reflect our community values of equality and anti-discrimination,” City Manager Andrew Ching said in a news release.

A Klan chapter called Butte Klan No. 3 included many prominent Tempe residents in the 1920s, including mayors, council members, bankers and other power brokers, according to a memo prepared for the City Council. The city’s elementary schools were segregated, as was a swimming pool at Tempe Beach Park.

Another prominent Tempe figure was known for fighting the Klan. Col. James McClintock worked to expose the Klan and was the foreman of a federal grand jury investigating Klan violence, according to the city memo. He’s the namesake for McClintock Drive _ one of Tempe’s major north-south arteries _ and McClintock High School.

City officials are contacting descendants of the former Klan members “so they feel invited to be part of the conversations,’’ according to the city news release.

Woman Got Into Alabama Police Van Days Before Death HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) – Investigators say video from a city surveillance camera showed a woman get into a parked police van on her own, 12 days before she was found dead inside the van in Huntsville, Alabama.

Police showed the video during a news conference Friday after showing it to the family of 29-year-old Christina Nance, al.com reported.

“We will continue to work with them through this difficult time,’’ Police Chief Mark McMurray said in a statement.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump is representing Nance’s family as they continue to question the circumstances of her death.

“We will get to the truth of what happened to Christina Nance, the young Black woman found dead in the police van in front of the Huntsville Police Department,’’ Crump said in a statement Wednesday.

WHNT-TV reported that Nance’s relatives said they still had questions after watching the video. Latausha Nance said she was hoping for a clear indication of how her sister died, but the video did not provide that.

“Everything was blurry. I don’t know if that was my sister,’’ Latausha Nance told the station.

Authorities said an officer walking to a police car Oct. 7 found Nance’s body in an unused prisonertransport van at the Huntsville public safety complex.

Nance was not in police custody at the time of her death.

Madison County Coroner Tyler Berryhill said this week an autopsy of Nance’s body showed no signs of foul play or trauma. The cause of death will be determined after further tests, including toxicology analysis, by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. The family plans to have a private autopsy done.

McMurray said the department had been working with Nance’s family for more than a year through the Crisis Intervention Team, a program designed for first responders who handle crisis calls involving people with a mental health condition.

Deputy Chief Dewayne McCarver said during the news conference that the video came from a camera on the public safety building. The video shows a person police believe is Nance walking through the back of a parking lot used by police officers. The area has a crossbar to stop vehicles, but pedestrians can walk through.

During the video played at the news conference, timestamped for Sept. 25, a person is seen walking slowly through the parking lot. The person sits on the hood of a police car. Later, the person is seen walking among bushes. Though the video is timestamped about 12:39 a.m., the time was 12:39 p.m., police said.

The person walks behind the van. McCarver said investigators believe that’s when Nance entered the van, which had not been used since March. The doors could open from the outside but not the inside, McCarver said.

At other portions of the video, McCarver said, motion can be seen in the van, which had windows that could be popped outward instead of raised and lowered.

“We just wish she would have hollered out to someone,’’ he said.

Nance’s family reported her missing Oct. 2, telling police she was last seen Sept. 27. Police said the video last showed movement inside the van Sept. 28.

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Los Angeles News Observer

World & Nation

Thursday, September 23, 2021

CUNY Study Underscores the Enduring Vitality of the Black Press

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent The racial awakening after the death of George Floyd didn’t prove as much of an arousal for mainstream media, after all.

By contrast, Floyd’s murder and the global protests that ensued further espoused the importance of the Black Press, and again revealed the dire straits of people of color face if there is no Black Press of America.

A new study released by the City University of New York’s Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism found that Black media publishes as much as six times more coverage than mainstream outlets on issues of importance to Black communities, including racism, health disparities, and voting access.

Released on Wednesday, October 6, the study, Why Black Media Matters Now, found that nearly one in four articles in Black media mentioned racism or related issues, as compared with less than one in 10 in mainstream media.

“Within coronavirus coverage, Black media wrote five times more on the disproportionate racial impact of the pandemic and nearly twice as much on frontline and essential workers,” CUNY researchers found.

The study concluded that Black media “stood out in its focus on a variety of other health issues of particular relevance to Black communities, including maternal health, hypertension, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and sickle cell disease.”

“It also led the way in coverage of voting access, racism, and stories that humanize the individuals and groups in the news,” the authors wrote.

They said Black media connects news events across subjects to cover wider issues of injustice, and it provides historical context to present day challenges and breaking news.

The authors paid homage to the Black Press of America, whom the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) has represented for more than 81 years.

“On March 16, 1827, in New York City, a group of free Black men founded Freedom’s Journal, the first newspaper owned by, led by and for Black Americans in the United States,” the authors wrote.

They noted that, in that inaugural four-page broadsheet, Samuel Cornish and John Russwurm, the editors and proprietors noted, “The peculiarities of this Journal, render it important that we should advertise to the world the motives by which we are actuated, and the objects which we contemplate. We wish to plead our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us. Too long has the publick been deceived by misrepresentations, in things which concern us dearly…”

The clear intention laid out in this founding document spoke to the need for Black press and set the tone for the role Black media still play in our communities and Black society at large, CUNY researchers exclaimed.

“Nearly 200 years later, Black media continue to create a space where Black folks can speak for ourselves about issues of importance and combat stereotypes that harm us,” the researchers continued.

This role of the Black press was both needed and visible over the past 18 months when the convergence of the worst pandemic in US history and state violence both were disproportionately impacting Black Americans, the researchers further acknowledged. This report, a comparative content analysis of the Black press and US mainstream media, shows the ways that Black media have continued the tradition started by the Journal in a contemporary context.

Black media center the humanity of people who are often dehumanized by society and not given that by mainstream media, the report stated.

Also, Black media accurately call people killed by police brutality victims, sons and daughters. That thread of empathy and recognition of everyone’s humanity and dignity was first stitched in the Freedom’s Journal, the authors penned in the study.

Freedom’s Journal noted, “And while these important subjects shall occupy the columns of the Freedom’s Journal, we would not be unmindful of our brethren who are still in the iron fetters of bondage. They are our kindred by all the ties of nature; and though but little can be [affected] by us, still let our sympathies be poured forth, and our prayers in their behalf, ascend to Him who is able to succour them.”

The researchers concluded: “Black media were important in 1827, and they are just as critical today.”

Some of the highlights of the report include:

• Black media publishes, by a factor of as high as six times, more coverage than mainstream media on issues of importance to Black communities, including racism, health disparities, and voting access.

• Nearly one in every four (23%) articles in Black media mentioned racism or related issues, as compared with less than one in ten articles (8%) in mainstream media.

• Within coronavirus coverage, Black media wrote five times more than mainstream media on the disproportionate racial impact of the pandemic, and nearly twice as much as mainstream media on frontline and essential workers.

• Black media covered a variety of health issues of particular relevance to Black communities at higher levels than mainstream media, including maternal health, hypertension, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and sickle cell disease.

• The issue of voting access was included in 12% of all politics stories in Black media, which is more than twice the percentage for mainstream media (5%).

• Black media leads the way on stories related to racism, putting focus on these stories at higher

Black media center the humanity of people who are often dehumanized by society and not given that by mainstream media.

levels and earlier in the news cycle than mainstream media.

• Black media centers the community in coverage and humanizes the individuals and groups in the news.

• Black media used the word “Black” frequently in coverage, in an explicit naming of Black people and communities in reporting the news. The word “Black” was consistently in the most frequently used 100 words across various topics, and in many cases was uniquely prevalent when compared with the top words used by mainstream media.

• Black media consistently had certain social identities emphasized for a variety of topics –

community, family, women, and children foremost among them. Mainstream media did not use these words with similar frequency.

• Black media connects news events across subjects to cover wider issues of injustice, including threats to voting access, disparities in medical care, and policing and mass incarceration.

• Black media provides historical context to present day challenges. This is done by explicitly including historical events in related breaking news, as well as by linking related news events such as police killings of Black people.

Colin Powell Remembered as a ‘Good Man,’ and ‘Great American

Continued from page A1

bipartisan support, being a trusted military adviser, and putting country over party, added Spencer Overton, the president of the Joint Center for Political and Economic

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Studies.

“General Powell was a true leader and a man of many firsts – the first Black U.S. Secretary of State and the youngest officer appointed chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,” Overton reflected.

“We will remember General Powell’s commitment to public service and Black communities. General Powell was a friend of the Joint Center and participated in various events.

“He always remembered where he came from and tried to ensure that opportunities would remain open to others – as evidenced by his support of affirmative action and other programs designed to facilitate economic mobility and the full participation of Americans from all backgrounds.

“His memory will live on as a testament to the importance of working across party lines for Black communities. Our thoughts and prayers go out to General Powell’s entire family, including his wife Alma Powell and son Michael K. Powell, a former FCC

Chair, who served as the initial chair of the Joint Center’s National Advisory Committee of its Media and Technology Institute.”

President Joe Biden remembered Powell as the son of immigrants, born in New York City, raised in Harlem and the South Bronx, and as a graduate of the City College of New York.

Powell believed in the promise of America because he lived it, President Biden asserted, noting that the general devoted much of his life to making that promise a reality for so many others.

“As a Senator, I worked closely with him when he served as National Security Advisor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and as Secretary of State. Over our many years working together – even in disagreement – Colin was always someone who gave you his best and treated you with respect,” the President reflected.

“Colin embodied the highest ideals of both warrior and diplomat. He was committed to our nation’s

strength and security above all. Having fought in wars, he understood better than anyone that military might alone was not enough to maintain our peace and prosperity,” President Biden declared.

“From his front-seat view of history, advising presidents and shaping our nation’s policies, Colin led with his personal commitment to the democratic values that make our country strong. Time and again, he put country before self, before party, before all else – in uniform and out – and it earned him the universal respect of the American people.”

Above all, President Biden said General Powell was a friend.

“I am forever grateful for his support of my candidacy for president and for our shared battle for the soul of the nation. I will miss being able to call on his wisdom in the future,” the President continued.

“Colin Powell was a good man. He will be remembered as one of our great Americans.”

NNPA Meets with President’s Advisor

By Lisa Fitch Our Weekly News President Joe Biden’s Senior Advisor, Cedric Richmond, who serves as the director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, attended a live streamed briefing for the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) on Wednesday to address a number of issues of concern in the Black community.

“It’s been a long fight,” Richmond said of the struggle for racial equality. “We’re not where we want to be, but we are making progress.”

The director noted that he was in the capitol on January 6 and understands how close the country came to experiencing a coup in this country. He noted that the President is vocally advocating, and his administration is pushing the restoration of voting rights. An act to address the issue is now sitting in the Senate.

“We understand the importance of voting,” Richmond said, explaining that the first order of business is to craft an act which all 50 Democrats can agree on. With 50 votes the Vice President would be the tie breaker. “There are some challenges there.”

Richmond explained that the administration is fighting on this issue using a three-pronged approach – in the justice department, filing suits in the courts; pushing the act in the halls of congress; and organizing and educating voters on the street corners.

The advisor said that voter suppression happens in several ways—creating barriers to voting like requiring

Cedric Richmond was recently appointed senior advisor to President-Elect Joe Biden.

identifications and also persuading people that voting doesn’t matter. Voters become discouraged “The best and most immediate thing we can do is restore the voting rights act,” he said.

Richmond also addressed the administration’s promise to increase education funding — from pre-kindergarten to HBCUs — noting that the country’s public schools have turned into a system of haves and have nots.

“This is something that flies under the radar far too often,” he said. “We want to make sure three- and fouryear olds go to school for free… It’s Time to invest in our children and put our money where our mouth is.”

Richmond also addressed the issues of home ownership, generational wealth and the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which, among other things, directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to create uniform accreditation standards for law enforcement agencies and requires law enforcement officers to complete training on racial profiling, implicit bias, and the duty to intervene when another officer uses excessive force.

The House passed the measure in May, but it sits in the Senate now, where it still needs votes.

“That process went on and on,” Richmond said. “Senate Republicans wouldn’t even go as far as President (Donald) Trump’s executive order. They were backtracking.”

“Where congress won’t act, we will,” he said, noting that the DOJ has banned choke holds. “We will do as much as we possibly can according to the constitution. The one thing this president is not afraid of doing is action with executive orders” Richmond said the administration is not letting congress off the hook and will continue to push for legislation equity.

“We are intentional about investing in the AfricanAmerican community,” he concluded. “Making sure African-Americans get to chart their own future.”

Thursday, October 21, 2021

Entertainment

Los Angeles News Observer A3

Dionne Warwick Shines in New Doc

from Director and Friend Dave Wooley

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Film director Dave Wooley has known and worked with the legendary Dionne Warwick for two decades, and the only thing about her greatness that surprises him is that major studios still haven’t come calling to distribute the new, award-winning documentary about the star’s life, “Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over.”

“We are looking for a major distributor for the film,” Wooley told the Black Press of America during an appearance on the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) live morning news program “Let It Be Known.”

The NNPA is the trade association that represents the Black Press of America.

“When [developing] the film, you realize you have to call Bill Clinton, you have to call Snoop Dogg, and Gladys Knight, and others,” Wooley remarked. “It’s like, ‘wow!”

Recently, the film earned “First Runner Up” honors in the documentary category of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) People’s Choice Award.

Warwick, whose bevy of hits include “That’s What Friends Are For,” “Do You Know the Way to San Jose,” and “Don’t Make Me Over,” Received the TIFF Special Tribute Award for her legendary career and work.

The documentary chronicles the Grammy Awardwinning singing legend’s life and career and “is based on love,” Wooley stated.

“It was indeed a labor of love,” added Wooley, who produced, wrote, and co-directed the documentary.

Wooley also co-authored Warwick’s autobiography, “My Life: As I See it.”

“Working on this documentary is a dream come true,” Wooley explained. “It took me five years to produce this film. While a project like this will have its ups and downs, especially given the time it took to complete the documentary, to see the movie come to fruition, and most importantly, for Ms. Warwick to receive such accolades during her lifetime is gratifying and made it all well worth it.”

The director insisted that the audience reaction to “Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over” at the Toronto International Film Festival amazed him and Warwick.

“We received two standing ovations after the documentary was seen, and the audience continued to cheer on afterward,” Wooley said.

“Keep in mind that the First Runner Up honors in the festival’s People’s Choice Awards are voted by folks in Canada who viewed the movie. We were competing against great films produced by major distributors, so the competition bar was high.”

“Don’t Make Me Over” counts as the first theatrical documentary feature film based on the singing legend’s life. “I wanted to focus on how Ms. Warwick has been a transformational leader,” said director Dave Wooley. (Photo: This image was originally posted to Flickr by Raph_PH at https://flickr.com/photos/69880995@ N04/44542668114 (archive))

“Don’t Make Me Over” counts as the first theatrical documentary feature film based on the singing legend’s life. “I wanted to focus on how Ms. Warwick has been a transformational leader,” Wooley continued.

“Her followers have become leaders. She has been at the forefront of change in culture throughout the decades.

First, we focus on her work and commitment to Civil

Artist Sues Newly Freed Bill Cosby Over 1990 Hotel Encounter

By MARYCLAIRE DALE Associated Press PHILADELPHIA (AP) – A prominent Bill Cosby accuser filed suit Thursday against the actor over a 1990 hotel room encounter in Atlantic City, New Jersey, before the state's two-year window to file older sexual assault claims expires.

Los Angeles artist Lili Bernard told The Associated Press she was prompted in part by Cosby's recent release from prison. The 84-year-old Cosby has been free since June, when the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned his 2018 sexual assault conviction in another case on procedural grounds.

He had served more than two years of a potential 10year sentence.

The 57-year-old Bernard says Cosby drugged and raped her in a hotel room after promising to mentor her on his top-ranked TV show. She was 26 at the time.

New Jersey's two-year window to file sexual assault lawsuits that would otherwise be considered too old to pursue closes next month.

“When Bill Cosby was released, it retraumatized me, it terrified me. I was really horrified for any woman or girl that would come into contact with him,” Bernard told the AP. “The Pennsylvania Supreme Court let a predator back on the streets.''

The Pennsylvania trial judge had classified Cosby as a sexually violent predator subject to lifetime supervision, but that finding became moot when the conviction was overturned, leaving Cosby free of any reporting

requirements.

Cosby's spokesperson said that so-called “look-back'' windows like the one passed in New Jersey violate a person's due process rights.

“This is just another attempt to abuse the legal process, by opening up the flood gates for people who never presented an ounce of evidence,” spokesperson Andrew Wyatt said, noting that Cosby maintains his innocence and would fight allegations to “the highest court in these United States of America.''

Prosecutors in suburban Philadelphia must decide soon whether to appeal the reversal of his conviction in their case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

A jury had convicted Cosby of sexually assaulting Temple University sports administrator Andrea Constand at his home in January 2004 after incapacitating her with three blue pills. Cosby was arrested in 2015, days before the 12-year statute of limitations expired.

The state Supreme Court said the case should not have gone to trial because Cosby believed he had a binding promise from an earlier prosecutor that he would never be charged.

Cosby settled a civil lawsuit with Constand for $3.4 million. His insurer, after the conviction, settled a defamation lawsuit filed by seven accusers in Massachusetts for an undisclosed amount.

The AP typically does not identify people who say they are sexual assault victims without their permission, which both Constand and Bernard have granted.

Rights in the 1960’s – especially when she and other folks of color toured the South during that time. Then we move on into the 1980s and 1990s with the AIDS epidemic and her ambassadorship on the US commission to address this matter, which led to Ms. Warwick prompting thenPresident Ronald Reagan to speak on the issue. And now here we are in 2021, and Ms. Warwick is a game-changer

on social media as the ‘Queen of Twitter.’”

The next stop for “Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over” is the Montclair NJ Film Festival on Saturday, October 23, 2021, at 4 pm ET. The event is open to the public, and tickets went on sale Friday, October 1 – www. montclairfilm.org/events/dionne-warwick-dont-make-meover

Getting back to birthday parties starts with getting informed.

Get the latest information about COVID-19 vaccines at GetVaccineAnswers.org

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Features CDC Study Shows Effectiveness of Pfizer Vaccine for Adolescents Los Angeles News Observer

The CDC has released some positive results about vaccine efficacy in adolescents (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

Thursday, October 21, 2021

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report has concluded that the two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine have proven highly effective in preventing COVID-19 hospitalization among individuals 12 to 18. Earlier this year, federal officials approved vaccines for children as young as 12. Experts now are closing in on vaccinations for children under 12. Released on Tuesday, October 19, the report revealed that currently, 46 percent of U.S. children and adolescents aged 12-to-15 and 54 percent of those aged 16 and 17 had received full vaccination against COVID-19. The study found that recipients of two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine proved highly effective in preventing COVID-19 hospitalization among those 12-to-18years-old. “The data suggest that increasing vaccination coverage

among this group could reduce the incidence of severe COVID-19 in the United States,” officials wrote in a fact sheet. Further, as inperson school attendance increases, multicomponent preventive measures to reduce the incidence of severe COVID-19 among adolescents, including vaccination, are imperative. Conclusively, the CDC report noted in a real-world evaluation of U.S. pediatric hospitals, about 97 percent of unvaccinated adolescents aged 12–18 years were hospitalized with COVID-19. The findings are consistent with efficacy data from the Pfizer-BioNTech clinical trial among those ages 12-to-15. Finally, in the real-world analysis, in which all case patients were hospitalized, vaccination reduced the risk for COVID-19 hospitalization in persons aged 12 to 18 years by 93 percent. Moreover, 16 percent of unvaccinated patients hospitalized with COVID-19 had critical illnesses requiring life support.

New Cal Law Addresses Anti-Black Bias in Home Appraisal Process Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media Paul Austin and his wife Tenisha Tate, a Bay Area Black couple, were confident that the sale of their Marin City home would net them a sizeable profit. They had invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into renovations before putting it on the market.

But that process turned sour when the couple discovered alarming race-based discrimination baked into the system of home appraisals.

Austin shared that harrowing experience with the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals during its fourth meeting on Oct. 13.

California’s Assembly Bill (AB) 3121, signed into law in 2020, created the nine-member task force to investigate the history and costs of slavery in California and around the United States. The group is charged with studying and developing reparation proposals for African Americans and recommending appropriate ways to educate Californians about the task force’s findings.

Austin’s testimony added to the growing body of evidence that the wealth gap that exists between Black and White families in the United States was created -- and has been maintained throughout history – by deep-rooted racial biases and intentional government policy at the federal, state and local levels.

“We had an appraiser come out in 2019 to appraise our home,” Austin said, talking about selling of his home, which is located five miles north of San Francisco. “She was an older White woman, and she appraised our house for just under a $1 million after we had already put in an additional $400,00 into our property. We did our homework because we should have appraised for $1.4 million. We had to fight against it.”

Austin and his wife added an additional 1,300 square feet to the home’s original 1,300 square footage, he told A man tours his new home (John Minchillo/AP) the Task Force A qualified appraiser is responsible for creating a too, were given deceptively low estimations of their homes’ report based on a visual inspection. The property’s lot values. size, square footage, amenities, and number of bedrooms “We’re right at the beginning. The story is now and bathrooms are expected to provide the basis for an being told,” Austin told the task force. “But within our unbiased valuation. community, we have not had the opportunity to galvanize When Austin and Tate found a second appraiser, they people to start looking at their loans and appraisals and decided to ask a White female friend to pose as the seller. comparing them with others, and I mean White folks, to This time around, they actually netted a surprisingly higher see what’s going on in this industry.” offer of $500,000 more.

On Sept. 28, Gov. Newsom signed Assemblymember When Austin and Tate’s story went viral and made Chris Holden’s (D-Pasadena) legislation Assembly Bill headlines in news reports around the world, other Black (AB) 948, which would address discrimination in the real families emerged to share disturbing stories of how they,

estate appraisal process, such as the prejudicial treatment of Austin and his wife received.

“Black homeowners in predominantly White neighborhoods are getting their homes appraised for far less than their neighbors,” Holden said. “It’s just another example of how bias, whether explicit or implicit, creates inequity for Black Americans. This is redlining 2.0.”

AB 948 would require the Bureau of California Real Estate Appraisals to gather demographic information on buyers and sellers of real estate property and compile data of homeowners from

protected classes who file complaints based on low appraisals. The legislation also requires appraisers to take anti-bias training when renewing their licenses.

“This bill reflects a starting point in a much-needed conversation about how discrimination is still prevalent in the home buying and selling process, and I am committed to addressing this inequity,” Holden said.

Less than one in five Black California households could afford to purchase a home valued at the statewide median-price of $659,380 in 2020, as compared to two in five White California households that could buy a home at the same price, according to the California Association Realtors (CAR).

CAR also stated in a February report that the affordability gap is “stark in expensive counties like San Francisco,” where a median-priced home of $1,650,000 was only affordable for 8% of Black households, 15% of Latinx households, and 22%of Asian households, compared to 35% of White households.

The 2019 homeownership rate in California was 63.2% for Whites, 60.2% for Asians, 44.1% for Latinx and 36.8% for Blacks, according to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

Austin said that his family was part of the “second wave Great Migration” of Black people from the Deep South that settled in California around the 1940s. Many of them worked in the Sausalito shipyard in Marin County.

Many of the Black families that came to California during that period lived in government housing in Marin City while working in the naval shipyards in and around San Francisco. When World War II ended, Austin’s grandparents had enough money to purchase a home anywhere in Marin County.

“Due to redlining, they did not have that opportunity.

Blacks weren’t able to buy land outside of Marin City,” he said. “If you look at Marin County, currently it’s arguably the richest county in California. The data also shows, when race counts, that Marin County, as a whole, has the largest disparities anywhere. It’s such a huge gap.”

Austin, who attended the Historical Black College and University, Texas Southern University in Houston, said that he doesn’t want to see his children or other Black Californians deal with the same types of issues.

“Just think that if we didn’t have the will to fight the appraisal company,” Austin said. “It’s the systems that have been created by White people for White people that continuously, negatively affect people that look like me.

Now it’s time to take those steps and right the wrongs.”

Black Women Face Unfair Judgment While Seeking Medical Care

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent The Urban Institute’s Coronavirus Tracking Survey, a nationally representative survey of adults ages 18 to 64, found that Black adults were more likely than White or Hispanic/Latinx to report being discriminated against or unfairly judged by a doctor or health care provider.

“These patterns are concerning given that health care disruptions and suboptimal quality that result from unfair treatment can lead people to delay or forgo care, to search for a new provider, and to experience adverse health consequences,” authors of the study wrote.

The report comes as Covid deaths and hospitalizations continue to soar, with people of color disproportionately affected.

It also comes as many advocates and activists call more attention to the dire maternal health crisis facing Black women.

CNN reported that Black women in the United States are more likely to die in pregnancy or childbirth than any other demographic – and the Covid-19 pandemic may be exacerbating one of the starkest disparities in American health care.

The network reported that health care practitioners and advocacy groups had raised the alarm that the pandemic may further increase barriers to care for pregnant women.

“Even before the pandemic, the United States was considered the most dangerous developed nation to be pregnant,” Stacey Stewart, CEO, and President of the March of Dimes, a nonprofit that advocates for better health care outcomes for mothers and babies, told CNN. “Black women and women of color are far more likely to die — and that was the case even before the pandemic.”

Earlier this year, Congress introduced the Black Maternal Momnibus Act, providing pre-and post-natal support for Black mothers.

However, the bill has lingered since its February introduction.

The Urban Institute’s study, part of an ongoing body of work exploring patients’ reported experiences of discrimination and unfair treatment in health care, found: • Roughly 5 percent of all nonelderly adults reported having been discriminated against or judged unfairly by a doctor, other health care provider, or their staff in the previous 12 months.

• Black adults (10.6 percent) were more likely than Hispanic/Latinx adults (4.5 percent) and White adults (3.6 percent) to report having experienced this type

Given the well-documented pattern, researchers asserted that it’s imperative to identify and implement needed changes in policy and practice to eliminate the systematically worse treatment that Black patients and other people who frequently experience discrimination receive. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

of discrimination or unfair judgment.

• Just over half of respondents reporting this type of discrimination or unfair judgment in the past 12 months indicated there were multiple reasons for it.

• Race or ethnicity (cited by 3.0 percent of adults) was the most common reason reported for perceived discrimination or unfair judgment by a health care provider or their staff, and 7.9 percent of Black adults reported having experienced this type of discrimination or unfair treatment.

• Black women (13.1 percent) and Black adults with low incomes (14.6 percent) reported having experienced discrimination or unfair judgment by a health care provider or their staff in the prior year at, exceptionally high rates.

• Although researchers found less prevalence of discrimination or unfair judgment than comparable surveys due to differences in survey wording and question reference period, the disparities in these experiences by race and ethnicity were similar across surveys.

Given the well-documented pattern, researchers asserted that it’s imperative to identify and implement needed changes in policy and practice to eliminate the systematically worse treatment that Black patients and

other people who frequently experience discrimination receive.

They determined that immediate steps include educating and training providers and other health care staff to acknowledge and recognize racism and the implicit, unconscious, and explicit biases ingrained in the health care system – including how such biases harm patients.

The Urban Institute researchers added that it’s vital that institutions acknowledge other forms of discrimination based on gender identity, language spoken, or health insurance coverage.

Researchers wrote that institutions should implement practices to disrupt these patterns to ensure that health care providers and their staff provide consistent, evidencebased, and culturally effective care.

They also should hold providers, their staff, and health care education institutions accountable for racist and other discriminatory policies and practices.

The authors continued that reducing inequities in the health care system will also likely require diversifying the racial, economic, linguistic, and educational backgrounds of physicians and other health professionals to more closely resemble the communities they serve.

Policies that would make the health care workforce more diverse and culturally competent include expanding and targeting scholarship and loan repayment programs for medical school.

Urban Institute researchers said that policies should include expanding training opportunities in other health professions for underrepresented communities and providing mentoring and tutoring programs to support a pipeline into these programs.

Further, the intentional implementation of antiracist medical school programming will also be essential.

At the same time, health policy and health services researchers should prioritize building the evidence base on what public and private investments and interventions reduce unequal treatment and contribute to equitable outcomes in the health sector.

“To fully ameliorate racial and ethnic inequities in health outcomes, policymakers and the health care system will need to confront and address the adverse experiences patients have when seeking health care and hold payers, providers, and their staff accountable for discriminatory practices and unfair treatment,” the authors wrote.

Legal Notices PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER 21CHCP00356 Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles 9425 Penfield Ave. Chatsworth, Ca. 91311 Branch Name: Chatsworth Courthouse PETITION OF: SAKURA KOMURO and VINCENT SONG LU TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: SAKURA KOMURO and VINCENT SONG LU for a decree changing names as follows:

Present name ESMEE MINORI LU Filed a petition with this court Proposed name ESMEE MINORI KOMURO-LU THE COURT ORDERS: that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the

hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted if no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: Nov 29, 2021 Time: 8:30 a.m.

Dept: F47 The address of the court is: Same as noted above.

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this

county: LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER Date: September 23, 2021 DAVID GELFOUND JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT NATASHA CHAMBERS DEPUTY Petitioner: Sakura Komuro 12182 Canyon Hill Ave. Sylmar, Ca. 91342 Phone: (818) 272-3963 E-Mail address: sakurakomuro58@ gmail.com LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Sept 30, Oct 7, 14, 21, 2021

Thursday, October 21, 2021

Features

Los Angeles News Observer A5

Close the Coverage Gap Help Break the Cycle of Health Inequities

By Congressman James E. Clyburn (D-SC) As a lifelong student of history, I believe that past is prologue and I tend to rely on history to help inform my decisions in public life. I often paraphrase George Santayana, who is credited with having said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

With some history lessons in mind, I have been sounding the alarm as Congress works to put together the Build Back Better Act, a comprehensive bill to invest in American families. Together with the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, this legislation would be a significant step towards fulfilling the campaign promises that President Joe Biden and Democrats ran on during the last election cycle; promises that - if kept - will turn the tide on some of the growing inequities in this country.

Some have equated President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda with President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal due to its focus on needs of working families who have been so devastated by this pandemic just as the New Deal assisted working families who suffered disproportionately during the Great Depression. While those making this comparison view the New Deal as a positive model to be emulated, I caution that there were shortcomings in the New Deal that left significant numbers of people and communities behind.

We are at risk of repeating those shortcomings. The New Deal did a lot of good for a lot of people. But for many people and communities, some of which I currently

represent, the New Deal was a raw deal. Let’s take Social Security as an example. This transformative program helped lift many seniors out of poverty, but when the legislation was written, the decision was made to set the Social Security retirement age at 65 and leave out farm and domestic workers. Some argue that the decision was not based on race, but rather to make the creation of the new program less unwieldy. No matter the intent, the result is undeniable.

According to the 1930 Census, 65 percent of African Americans were employed on farms or as domestic workers and life expectancy of Black workers was 48 years. The New Deal perpetuated second class citizenship for Black communities and effectively institutionalized the wealth gap.

We risk repeating that history today, as many of the same people and communities left out of Social Security are now at risk of being left out of health care coverage due to the refusal of Republicans in 12 states - eight of which are in the South - to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. As a result, 2.2 million uninsured Americans living in poverty are within the so-called coverage gap, without assistance to help them get covered. Sixty percent of them are people of color.

I have been vocal about ensuring that we address this injustice as we structure the Build Back Better Act. I am imploring my colleagues to address the racial inequities exposed and exacerbated by COVID-19. This is a not a red state/blue state issue. This is a moral issue for all Americans.

I don’t want this President and this Congress to ignore

existing racial inequities. This is our opportunity to address the systemic inequities.

There are numerous worthy priorities under consideration for inclusion in the Build Back Better Act. Given the unwillingness of a few of my colleagues to support sufficient funding for all of them, congressional Democrats are in the process of making difficult decisions about which to include. Some argue that expanding Medicare is more important than closing the Medicaid coverage gap. I beg to differ.

While I fully support expanding Medicare, if forced to choose between the two, I would prioritize health care coverage to low-income Americans who have no coverage at all over additional health coverage for millionaires and billionaires, who already have basic Medicare. If both can’t be funded permanently, at the very least, the two should be treated equally.

Last year during a closed-door meeting, I expressed to my Democratic Caucus that “we have an opportunity to restructure things to fit our vision.” My comments were leaked to the press and roundly criticized by some of my Republican colleagues. But I stand by them.

We Democrats, extoll America’s vision of “liberty and justice for all.” Currently, low-income Americans in the 12 non-expansion states are being unjustly denied the liberty and justice that comes with having access to health care.

The Build Back Better Act gives us an opportunity to fit America’s vision by closing the coverage gap. Remembering and learning from past failings, let’s fix this inequity.

Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-SC), House Majority Whip (Courtesy Photo)

Loss of African American Businesses and a Global Future for the Black Dollar

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent During the first three months of the pandemic, approximately 442,000 – or 41 percent – of Black businesses shuttered.

As COVID continues to hamper progress, the overall decline of small and minority-owned firms remains striking.

Data culled from multiple studies revealed that Latinx business owners fell by 32 percent and Asian business owners dropped by 26 percent. Meanwhile, the number of White business owners fell by 17 percent.

While the current climate has exacerbated the wealth gap and unveiled the unimagined financial straits of Black and other minority companies, studies also revealed that about 58 percent of African American-owned businesses were at risk of fiscal distress even before the outbreak of the pandemic in February 2020.

“There’s no question it has been a challenge,” said Ron Busby, the president and CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. in Northwest, Washington, D.C. “Last year was a difficult time for the majority of businesses in America with COVID, the murder of George Floyd, and the Stimulus Package – or lack thereof, in our community,” said Busby, who visited the new state-of-theart television studios of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) for an appearance on PBS-TV’s “The Chavis Chronicles.”

Ron Busby, the president and CEO of the U.S. Black NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. Chambers, Inc., said the U.S. Black Chamber also hosts the nationally televised program. works with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce by join“When you talk to Black business owners, very few ing quarterly discussions on issues pertinent to Afreceived any stimulus money,” Busby continued. “We lost rican American business owners.

41 percent of Black businesses, and many of them will never re-open, and many of those firms had employees, vendors, and customers.”

Such losses critically hurt the tax base in Black communities while White firms have stepped in to replace some of the lost businesses, Busby noted.

To better understand the alarming loss of Blackowned firms, some have reflected on pre-pandemic statistics, which revealed that between 2012 and 2017, Black-owned businesses with no employees in the United States increased 19.2 percent.

According to BlackDemographics.com, receipts generated by Black-owned businesses with no employees during the same period increased from $46.8 billion in 2012 to $65.7 billion in 2017.

Overall, Black-owned employer businesses in the United States increased 13.6 percent, while the number of employees at those firms rose by 23.9 percent.

“It’s difficult to start a business out of the gate, and it’s going to be tough to try and have them come back,” Busby stated.

He said the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. provides leadership and advocacy in the realization of economic empowerment.

The organization supports African American Chambers of Commerce and business organizations by helping them develop and grow Black enterprises.

Busby said the U.S. Black Chamber also works with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce by joining quarterly discussions on issues pertinent to African American business owners.

“We also have an entire economic conversation about

America,” Busby remarked. “For us to have a great America, there must be a great Black America. So, to have a great Black America, we’ve got to have great Black businesses,” he asserted.

Busby also bristled at the continued conversation surrounding the more than $1 trillion Black Americans reportedly contribute to the economy.

“It’s an interesting number,” Busby contemplated.

“Usually, it’s corporate America saying Black consumers have $1 trillion. How can we market to them to make sure that they get their share? The U.S. Black Chamber says, ‘we as Black consumers have $1 trillion, how can we keep that in our community to make sure that our communities have sustainability?’”

Born in Houston, Texas, and raised in Oakland, Calif., Busby said the Black Panthers, which his father served as a member, displayed a commitment to the Black community that has helped him keep his resolve to better the plight of African Americans.

“I saw the impact that Black men have on communities, making sure that we are leading each other in a positive environment,” Busby reminisced.

“That stayed with me all my life, and I’ve been involved in fraternities and 100 Black Men. Then, I moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where [Arizona Informant Publisher] Cloves Campbell allowed me to know more about the NNPA and national news. Then, in 2009, I got the call to come to Washington for the U.S. Black Chamber.”

Busby added that the Black Chamber also focuses on expanding throughout the globe.

“We think about the Black dollar globally because that’s the future for Black businesses,” Busby concluded.

Together, We Can Save Our Water and Our Future By: Nichole Morgan California Water Resources Control Board Member For some reason, the day we learned about the water cycle in science class stayed with me. Then, many years later when deciding on a career I knew that I wanted to help bring clean water to homes that currently didn’t have access to safe and reliable drinking water and to protect the environment for future generations.

Now that I serve on the board of the state agency that is responsible for protecting and managing California’s water resources, my view of what it means to ensure people have access to water has expanded, especially as we grapple with another drought.

California is only getting hotter and drier. We’re seeing it all over the news as the water crisis hits closer and closer to home. Karla Nemeth, director of the state Department of Water Resources, put our harsh reality into perspective when she said, “the challenge is there is no water.” As Californians, we’re no strangers to the drought, but as we anticipate another dry year, it’s more important than ever for all of us to take action to save our water for today and years to come.

It is imperative for us to understand that the drought truly impacts everyone. From our state’s ecosystems to its economy, we all rely on an ample water supply; without it, we all suffer. Climate change is ultimately driving these threats to California, including the dire drought conditions, low reservoir levels and parched landscapes

seen throughout the West. Unfortunately, we can already see some of the consequences of the overuse of water.

California’s fish and wildlife are facing severe challenges, threatening the survival of species, including our iconic Chinook salmon. The drought also affects businesses across California, especially small business, like family-owned restaurants and hotels. Many business owners are already struggling to reconcile dried out wells and limited water supply, in addition to still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Water is essential not only to keep our economy healthy, but to keep our communities thriving with business that foundation to many of our communities.

Now is the time to strengthen conservation efforts and make active changes to save water. We know that it can be hard to change our habits when it comes to conserving water, but the smallest changes really can make a difference.

If we all make little changes in our daily routine to save water, it adds up. Below are some simple steps we can all follow to conserve water both indoors and out.

Inside the Home: 1. Wash your produce in the container instead of under running water.

2. Only use your dishwasher and washing machine for full loads.

3. Install low-flow shower heads as well as taking shorter showers. Showers under 5 minutes can save about 15 gallons, saving you money and the planet!

4. Turn the water off when brushing your teeth and soaping your hands.

5. Install a high-efficiency (HET) 1.28 gallons-per flush toilet. Check with your water supplier for current rebate information.

Outside the Home: 1. Water your yard in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler.

2. Check your sprinkler system and adjust them so that only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk or street to eliminate any wasteful runoff.

3. Plant drought-resistant trees and plants! There are so many options to create a beautiful landscape that conserves water - succulents and California poppies are great options.

4. Use a broom to clean driveways, sidewalks, patios and walkways instead of hosing them down.

5. If you have a pool, install a pool cover to reduce evaporation and filter backwash. And, if draining your pool is necessary, make sure to find a use for that water.

We know it won’t be easy, but it’s up to us to make the necessary changes to conserve the water that we need. Let’s make sure our kids and future generations get to enjoy the California that we know and love. Together, we can make our water last. Visit www.saveourwater.com to learn more about what you can do to help.

Board Member Nichole Morgan of the California Water Resources Control. (Courtesy Photo)

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Dodgers Comeback Big Time

Sports

Los Angeles News Observer

Thursday, October 21, 2021

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer The Los Angeles Dodgers overcame a 5-2 deficit this week to the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS),coming out with a 6-5 and avoiding an elimination game thanks to a monster eighth inning.

The Dodgers are following the same path as they as they did last season. The fell into a 2-0 hole against the Braves and were desperate to win.

Last season we saw the same thing occur and the “Men in Blue” fought back from a 2-0 and 3-1 series deficits to win the series4-2 and head to the World Series.

This was not just any old win for Los Angeles, though.

According to MLB reporter Sarah Langs, this was the 82nd time in the franchise’s playoff or postseason history that the Dodgers took a 3-run deficit into the eighth inning, but only the first time under that scenario that they’ve won.

The Dodgers got off to a quick start Tuesday afternoon, taking a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first thanks to a home run from shortstop Corey Seager. Things looked to be going L.A.’s way, and the team held the Braves scoreless until the fourth.

Walker Buehler and going up 4-2. A single in the fifth inning would drive home another run and make it a 5-2 Braves lead.

With things looking bleak and people leaving the Stadium With two runners on base, Cody Bellinger crushed a home run into right field to score all three men and tie the game at 5.

The Dodgers weren’t done, though, as right fielder Mookie Betts would bring in another run on a line drive to give Los Angeles the 6-5 lead.

“Thatt’s what Belly does,”said Mookie Betts who knocked in the winning run after the homer.

From there, the game would make its way to the top of the ninth, where the fate of the Dodgers rested on closing pitcher Kenley Jansen. Jansen quickly shut the door on Atlanta, striking out Austin Riley ,Joc Pederson and Adam Duval to end the game. Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Cody Bellinger reacts after hitting a three-run home run during the eighth inning in Game 3 of baseball’s National League “We were dead in the water,”said Dodger skipper Dave Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae Hong) Roberts.

Bruins Have a Fast Start then Finish

UCLA defensive back Devin Kirkwood (26) celebrates with Ale Kaho (10), Obi Eboh (22) and Quentin Lake (37) after Kirkwood intercepted a Washington pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Seattle. UCLA won 24-17. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer There is definitely a big difference in this year’s UCLA football team. They have spent years together under Chip Kelly and you can see maturity, something that years ago was unthought of. They didn’t blow it at the end of a game.

This week with a 24 -17 win over Washington in front of 62,266 at Husky Stadium the Bruins got the lead and held on.

It was senior QB Dorian Thompson–Robinson who led the team on a 6 play 75-yard drive for the go ahead score.

The biggest play of the drive came when DTR converted a fourth and one by bullying his way for three yards over the right side of the line.

During the drive it was Zach Charbonnet who had runs of 16 and 14 yards.

DTR would hit Greg Dulcich on a nine-yard bullet pass for the winning score. The Bruins were not out of the woods yet.

The Huskies got the ball back and were driving for the tying score when freshman Devin Kirkwood intercepted Washington QB Dylan Morris near the goal line for a touch back.

“I thought it was a very good play call by them,” said Chip Kelly. “When he threw it I thought we may be beat there, but (Kirkwood) closed the gap and he’s got such long arms, he made a heck of a play on the ball.”

The interception was the was the second in the game for the Bruins and the career first for Kirkwood.

Charbonnet led all rushers with 131 yards on 21 carries. It was the fifth game of the season he reached the century mark.

DTR added 87 more on 12 carries.

With the exception of a last second loss to Fresno State in September the Bruins have held on to its leads and made them count this season. Senior QB Dorian Thomson- Robinson led the way.

The Huskies (2-4,1-3 PAC-12) scored first as Payton Henry connected on a 25 -yard field goal with 3:23 left in the first quarter.

UCLA then reeled off three consecutive scores for a 17-3 lead. They also had no turnovers during the game.

The Bruins (5-2, #-1 PAC-12) have a three-game road win streak. This the first five-win season under Chip Kelly.

“It was just fun,” said veteran Lake. “You have a loud stadium, everything is hectic, you’re on the road. It’s just a lot of emotion a lot of things to look forward to. Obviously a lot of things to correct too.”

BRUIN NOTES: UCLA takes on Oregon this week at the ROSE BOWL. Be prepared to show proof of vaccination or have a negative COVID done in the last 72 hours. Zack Charbonnet is second in the PAC-12 in rushing while Brittain Brown is seventh.

Rams Take a Bite of Big Apple

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer It was good win for the Rams as they traveled 3000 miles to take on the New York at Giant stadium. They came away with a 38-11 win.

Mathew Stafford had a hot first half tossing three touchdown passes help give the Rams now (5-1) a 28-3 lead at the half. The veteran QB connected with Robert Woods for a 15 yarder, Cooper Kupp for a 3- yarder and Daryl Henderson on a 25-yarder all in the second period.

The 28 points are the most the team has scored in a half under Sean McVay. The coaches team also has a 41-0 record when leading at the half.

Stafford finished the day completing 22 0f 28 passes for 251 yards and four TD’s. The good thing he connected with seven different receivers. He finished the day with a 128 QB rating.

“There’s room for improvement,” said Stafford. “We need to be more efficient, we had some big plays without a doubt but we still can in prove more.”

Henderson led the Ground game with 78 yards on 21 carries including a 2-yard TD run. It’s his third straight game with 75 yards or more. He also caught two passes for 29 yards.

Kupp led the team with nine catches for 130 yards including a 30-yarder and 2 touchdowns.

“We’ve got to do better on third down,” said Kupp who was not complacent “ Receivers have to concentrate more and catch the balls.”

The defense flexed up all day only allowing 60 yards on the ground. It marks the third time this season they have held an opponent under 100 yards rushing.

“The defense played great today,” said McVay. “The players, coaches all did a fantastic job of preparation and executing the game plan.”

The defense had 4 takeaways Taylor Rapp had two interceptions and the d forced two fumbles. It was Rapp’s first multi-interception game. His play earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

“For me it feels great,” said Rapp. “Go out there with your brothers and let the preparation and execution follow.”

Jordan Fuller led the team with 11 tackles, Ramsey followed with five. Aaron Donald had two tackles (1 solo) a pass deflection and a QB hit. The D allowed 259 yards by the Giants (1-4).

Robert Rochell had his first career interception to go with five tackles (4 solo) and one pass deflection in his second career start.

The Rams had seven penalties for 50 yards, that’s the most this season.

RAM NOTES: The Rams will take on Jarred Goff and the Lions this week at So-Fi Stadium.

Los Angeles Rams’ Darrell Henderson, right, celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Matthew Stafford, left, and Cooper Kupp, second from right, during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Thursday, October 21, 2021

Sports

Los Angeles News Observer A7

Chargers Weekly - Who is Kyzir White?

Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Kyzir White rushes in on Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/ Nick Wass)

Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Kyzir White sacks Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

By Cameron Buford whatsgoodinsports.com As the country realizes the new normal, the National Football League has a new normal as well. Gone are the days of locker room access for the media members, where we could pull a player aside and talk to them individually or at their locker. As part of the new normal, the media must rely on the team’s public relations members to schedule players at the podium or request individual interviews with a specific player(s).

Recently, I conducted a phone interview with Los Angeles Chargers’ fourth-year Linebacker West Virginia Mountaineers graduate Kyzir White. I was eager to talk to White about his development in the league and his opportunity to play for coach Brandon Staley. Staley has been widely recognized as the hottest defensive mastermind to take over the NFL. I was also interested in hearing his immediate thoughts on some of the high-profile teammates he’s been playing with the past few years.

White grew up as one of seven siblings in their Plainfield, New Jersey home before they would relocate to Pennsylvania, before him going to high school. Sports was a major part of his upbringing for him and his brothers, Kyzir wrestled, played basketball and baseball to stay busy, and stay out of trouble. He and his brother Ka’Raun played on the same team three out of four in college, which he described as “a dream come true.”

Following in the steps of his older brothers Kevin and Ka’Raun, Kyzir became the third White brother to play football at the University of West Virginia, impressively each of them would get drafted and go on to play in the National Football League. Before becoming a Mountaineer, schools approached Kyzir about the possibilities of playing linebacker. It wasn’t until his preparation for the NFL draft process that he bought into the idea of becoming a linebacker.

“I think it (the transition) helped my skillset because I feel like I’m an athletic linebacker. Whereas at safety, I wouldn’t have been one of the most athletic guys at the position. Linebacker definitely is better for my skillset; I could use my speed; I still have ball skills from playing safety. I still have good feet and quickness from playing safety, so I think it helps me, for sure.” White said this about his transition from safety to linebacker.

When I told him that I viewed him as more of a hitter than a cover guy, White was quick to let me know that, “I definitely love hitting, but I can cover as well. When you play linebacker, of course, you’re going to be doing more hitting than covering.”

“Over the last 10 years, that safety-to-linebacker transition has become a lot more common. I think that you’re always looking for that projection and how would they truly play behind

the ball? Do they have those true ‘behind the ball’ instincts? Are they physical enough to take on blocks in the core? That is a real transition. White is just an example of a guy, that is just a really good football player. He has real toughness, real physicality. We’re just definitely glad that we have him, for sure.” Coach Staley said when asked about White’s transition from safety to linebacker in college.

Staley added, “Kyzir is our style of linebacker. I think that he’s physical. He’s tough. He can tackle. He can see. I think that’s one thing that I’ve appreciated about him; he can see the game within the box. You need that at linebacker, someone who has that key to diagnose. He’s a fearless competitor. He’s done a really good job for us running the show at times in some of those onelinebacker defenses. He plays with a type of physicality, a type of toughness. He can get you the ball, too — he’s a ballhawk. He can go after the football. You can see that safety background kind of express itself at the end of the down when he’s trying to go hunt the football. I’m just so proud of him. I think that he’s been a real bright spot for our defense.”

Since the Chargers brass did decide to bring in a new coach this off-season, I figured it would be interesting to hear White thoughts on the differences between this season and the previous seasons’ environment. “We all are, bought in, we pretty much trust each other to do our job, and I feel like we are going into these games with the mindset that we are going to win. If we are down by fourteen (points) in the fourth (quarter), we got (Justin) Herbert, Keenan (Allen), Austin Ekeler on the offensive end that can get done for us. We know, on the defensive end, we have key pieces as well, where we can get a lot of key stops when we need to.”

When I asked about the difference between this team and the team from years past, White emphatically told me, “Coach (Anthony) Lynn is a heck of a coach. He gave me a great opportunity, so I have nothing bad to say about him at all.” This is understandable, considering that is the regime that drafted him.

White added, “Staley is a great coach as well. He has us prepared; I feel like we go there knowing what to expect. Throughout the week, we’re game planning. I think we are locked in and keyed in!

Some years are just different than others.”

In his young career with the Chargers, White was able to play beside and learn the position from established NFL veterans like Thomas Davis and Denzel Perryman. Davis a three-time pro bowler, All-Pro linebacker, and 2014 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner would be a great resource for a young player.

White told me that his takeaway from Davis, who is also the Carolina Panther leading tackler, was, “how he prepared and his

work ethic was crazy to see first-hand. He motivated me to want to be on my P’s and Q’s with taking care of my body, so I could last as long as him hopefully.”

“With Denzell, everything was mindset. Because he’s not one of the biggest linebackers out there, but he’s very strong and his mindset separates him.” White was also happy to point out that, at the time of our conversation, Perryman was leading the NFL in tackles; “he’s coming to hit you and strike you every time.

There’s no fear in his heart. The mindset, even if you are out there and somebody gets you, just come back the next play and get them. That’s really what I took from DP and I appreciate him for taking me under his wing since my rookie year and showing me the ropes along the way.”

When asked about what jumps out to him about White, Chargers Defensive DC Renaldo Hill told me this, “the biggest thing is not making the same mistakes. He’s big at self-correcting, also taking our coaching and saying, ‘Hey, this is what I need to do to get better.’ He’s doing those things and not making those same mistakes. He’s improving his game just by the things he saw in the past and not letting them happen again.”

Off the field Kyzir is an avid gamer, White confidently told me “I do 2K, Madden, Call of Duty, I do it all man.” He even shared his online handles with me, “you can find me at Kywhite8 on Playstation; on everything.”

Because of the way some guys can get caught up on social media, I was curious about his approach to social media, “I’m not that active on social media. I’ll post here and there, but as far as twitting all the time and posting pictures every day and doing all that, I don’t do all that too much. I try to stay low-key on social media. As far as being on it all the time, that a’int me. Because like you say, you can get caught up on it.”

With his wrestling background, I was wondering if he thought of himself as a potential WWE wrestler, so I brought this up when I asked him what he would be doing if he weren’t playing in the NFL, after chuckling he said “Nah man.” He then went on to say, “that’s a tough one. I don’t know what I’d be doing, maybe coaching because I love the game so much. I couldn’t see myself being away from the game; maybe like a high school coach or something like that.”

White plays on a talented team and I thought it would be cool to hear his description of some of the players he plays with. So, I proposed playing a name association game with him, I would mention a player’s name, and I would ask him to tell me the first thing that came to his mind describing his teammates; Derwin James- “Enforcer.”

Joey Bosa- “Laid back.”

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer Ty Davis-Price of LSU and Henry To’to To’o of Alabama earn this weeks Walter Camp Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week awards for the week ending October 17th. Both were involved in big games for their teams.

Davis-Price set the LSU single game rushing record with 287 yards and three touchdowns on 36 carries in leading the Tigers to a 49-42 win over 20th ranked Florida in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. The 6-2 230 ponder became the first player in LSU history to rush for more than 200 yards against the Gators.

His 287 rushing yards were the most ever against a Florida defense, breaking the previous mark of 238 set by Georgia’s Heisman Trophy winning running back Herschel Walker in 1980.

The junior from Southern Lab in Baton Rouge, had touchdown runs of 18, 40 and 25 yards as he averaged a staggering 8.0 yards per carry on 36 attempts. After which he stated, “I could really go out and play another game.” He also discussed how the team prepared for the Gators. “My game plan coming in was to break a lot of arm tackles and win as many one-on-one battles as I could.”

The Florida contest marked the second straight 100-yard game for Davis as last week against Kentucky, he rushed for a then-career best 147 yards and two TD’s against the Wildcats Henry To’o To’o was big man on Defense for Alabama. The junior from Concord, Ca. (De LaSalle high) recorded a game-

high 13 tackles (7 solo), including 1.5 for losses, as fifth-ranked Alabama defeated Mississippi State, 49-9. The Crimson Tide 6-1, (3-1SEC) allowed just 299 yards of total offense, including -1 rushing yard.

The transfer from Tennessee helped the Tide hold the Bulldogs to just 9 points.

This is the 18th year that the Walter Camp Football Foundation will honor one offensive and one defensive player as its national Football Bowl Subdivision player of the week during the regular season.

Walter Camp is known as “The Father of American football”, first selected an All-America team in Camp 1889.

Camp – a former Yale University athlete and football coach – is also with developing play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side. The Walter Camp Football Foundation is a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team.

Linval Joseph- “Big Goon, that what he calls himself.”

Justin Herbert- “Baller.”

Keenan Allen- “Shifty.”

Austin Ekeler- “Mr. Do it all.”

In closing, I asked Kyzir if there was anything else he wanted fans to know about who he is. In his own words, “what you see is what you get; I’m a humble guy, hard worker all about football and family. That’s pretty much my life.” I can vouch for this description of himself, as each time I’ve had an opportunity to talk to White, pre and post this COVID19 pandemic, he’s been gracious with his time and gives quality, substantive responses to my questions. This interview wasn’t much different, as you see he’s passionate about the game and being a good teammate.

On the field, White has been a factor all season as well.

In their initial game, after they turned the ball over, he caused a critical fumble which would give their offense back the ball back allowing them to then score the go-ahead touchdown for their first victory of the season. In their most recent game and further supporting coach Staley’s belief in him, White picked off a pair of passes to go along with a season-high eight tackles.

Thus, becoming the first Chargers linebacker to have multiple interceptions in a single game since 2008. All the while proving his value in this new developing Chargers defense.

White has the ability, passion, and pedigree to play in the NFL for years to come. His on-the-field production and willingness to learn from those he played and plays with makes him an ideal teammate. In a short amount of time, he’s shown that he can be a valuable asset to this Chargers squad. Kindly share your thoughts on Kyzir White and his impact on this team by reaching out to me on Twitter @whatsgoodnsport or shoot me an email at info@whatsgoodinsports.com. I encourage you to forward any suggestions on what topics, angles, or players on this Los Angeles Chargers team you would like to read about this season.

Lastly, be sure to subscribe to our weekly “Voice of the Fans Podcast,” which is available for you on most podcasting platforms; Apple and Google Podcasts, including Spotify, TuneIn, and iHeart Radio. On our Podcast, we have passionate banter about everything NFL while addressing current NBA topics, in addition to discussing multiple issues in and around the world of sports. Thank you, as always, for spending time with me and Making Our Voice, Your Choice!

LSU’s David-Price- Bama’s To’o To’o are Walter Camp Winners

Ty David-Price rushed for a record 287 yards against Florida. (Photo: LSU Athletics)

Henry To’o To’o -(10) had 13 tackles for the the Tide in win over Mississippi State. (Photo: U of Alabama Athletics)

A8

Local

Los Angeles News Observer

Thursday, October 21, 2021

Covered California Encourages Members to Re-up for Health Insurance After a Record-Setting Year providing a credit of $1 per member per month for all Covered California members throughout 2022.

“Getting more people insured, and keeping them insured, not only leads to better health outcomes – it also lowers the cost of health insurance for everyone,” Lee said.

Current Covered California enrollees can begin renewing their health coverage now, and they have until Dec. 31 to renew their existing health plan or make changes to their plans for 2022. People who do not actively select a plan for next year will be renewed in their current health plan, so they do not suffer a gap in coverage.

When consumers renew their coverage, many will find that they have more choices to choose from this year.

Three of Covered California’s health insurance companies will be expanding their coverage areas, and a new company will be joining the marketplace, bringing the total number of health carriers to 12 for 2022. These are brand-name health insurance companies -- Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Bright Health Care, Chinese Community Health Plan, Healthnet, Kaiser, L.A. Care, Molina Healthcare, Oscar, Sharp Health Plan, Valley Health Care, Western Health Advantage -- who offer quality care through some of the best doctors and hospitals in the state.

Free Preventive Health Care Always Available with Covered California Plans Not only will renewing consumers have choice of health plans, but they should be reminded that Covered California health plans are designed to make it easier for someone to get the preventive health care they need for free – including annual physicals, COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, flu shots and all other immunizations, and screenings for diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer.

As African American disproportionately suffer from chronic health conditions and diseases like hypertension, diabetes, asthma and cancer, these preventive health care

Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California Inc. via Covered California News During this historic COVID pandemic, more people than ever before signed up for health insurance through Covered California, the state agency that administers the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. Obamacare).

With a record 1.6 million consumers now enrolled in brand-name health plans through Covered California, the agency recently announced that the renewal process is now underway for its current members for health coverage in 2022. The good news is that he vast majority of Covered California members will receive financial help, from the new American Rescue Plan, that will dramatically lower their monthly health care costs.

This year, Covered California has also seen an uptick in African Americans enrolling in health plans, with quality health care being critical during the pandemic. African American enrollment in Covered California health plans increased more than 30 percent in 2021 over last year.

“Covered California continues to meet the needs of the state’s diverse population during this pandemic and heads into the upcoming open-enrollment period next month with more enrollees than ever,” said Peter V. Lee,

executive director of Covered California. “The surge in enrollment is driven by the increased financial help and lower monthly premiums made possible by the American Rescue Plan, which is helping more Californians than ever to get access to quality and affordable health care – no matter their income level.”

New Financial Help and Credits Available to Lower Monthly Health Plan Costs to $0 The American Rescue Plan provides new and expanded financial help that will be available throughout 2022, which will help Californians across all income levels.

The financial help covers about 90 percent of a consumer’s monthly health insurance premiums, making the cost of health coverage more affordable than ever before. It’s important to note that you can only get this financial help through Covered California.

Covered California also estimates that about 1 million of its existing members will be eligible for coverage at no cost because of a new state law called the California Premium Credit. The new law means that some consumers will be able to get the same comprehensive health coverage – with all the benefits and protections of the Affordable Care Act – for free, and the State of California will be

services and screenings can literally be lifesaving.

And with October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, such preventive health care services are top of mind for many people. Free mammograms are always available to women with Covered California health plans, and early detection of breast cancer is key – especially among African American women.

According to Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, African American women have a 31 percent breast cancer mortality rate – the highest of any U.S. racial or ethnic group. Among women younger than 45, the breast cancer incidence is much higher among African American women that white women, and the mortality rate for Black women diagnosed with breast cancer is 42 percent higher than the comparable rate for White women.

In addition, Covered California health plans offer free video telehealth visits with primary care physicians, along with free mental health care and substance abuse services, of particular importance during these challenging times.

Easily Renew Your Health Coverage for 2022 Covered California members renewing health insurance for 2022 should go to CoveredCA.com, log in to your account and click on the “RENEW” button. You may also use the Shop and Compare Tool to see your health plan options and cost. It is important to review your health plan during the renewal period because you could receive additional financial help from the American Rescue Plan to lower the monthly cost of health insurance. This means you may now qualify for financial help, even if you didn’t in the past. Or you may receive even more help than you did before! The amount of financial help you may get depends on your income, age, where you live and your family size.

For questions or additional help renewing your Covered California health plan, contact an enrollment expert in your area for free assistance or call Covered California (800) 300-1506.