Beyoncé, Shaboozey and Post Malone Topped Country in 2024. How Will Grammy Voters Respond?
Los Angeles Los AngelesNews Observer
Nov. 5 General Election Update:
Most California Black Candidates Are On Track to Win
By Joe W. Bowers Jr. California Black Media
With ballots still being counted, Black candidates across California are turning in a strong showing in the Nov. 5, 2024, General Election.
While the results remain unofficial, the leads held by many Black candidates indicate they are likely to secure their positions in Congress, the State Senate, and the Assembly to represent the needs and priorities of Black communities across the state. Housing, healthcare, public safety, reparations, and economic reform resonated as some of the main concerns of campaigns this year In Congress, Black representatives are on track to retain three seats. Lateefah Simon (D) District 12 (Oakland) will fill the seat held by Barbara Lee. Sydney Kamlager (D) has retained her seat representing District 37 (Los Angeles) and Maxine Waters was re-elected in District 43 (South Los Angeles).
In the California State Senate, Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D), is leading in District 39 (San Diego), while Laura Richardson (D) most likely has won in District 35 (Inglewood), replacing termed-out Senator Steven Bradford (D).
In the races for seats in the California State Assembly, nine Black candidates currently lead in their contests, including incumbents and new candidates positioned to serve: incumbent Lori Wilson (D) - District 11 (Suisun City); Rhodesia Ransom (D) -- District 13 (Stockton); incumbent Mia Bonta (D)District 18 (Oakland); incumbent Isaac Bryan (D) - District 55 (Ladera Heights); Sade Elhawary (D) - District 57 (South Los Angeles); incumbent Corey Jackson (D) - District 60 (Riverside); incumbent Tina McKinnor (D) -- District 61 (Inglewood); incumbent Mike Gipson (D) - District 65 (Compton); and LaShae Sharp-Collins (D) - District 79 (San Diego).
If these results hold, the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) will maintain its 12-member caucus, with a shift from 10 Assembly members and 2 Senators to 9 Assembly members and 3 Senators. Additionally, the caucus will now include nine women and three men, compared to its previous makeup of six women and six men.
Richardson will be joining Weber and Lola SmallwoodCuevas in the Senate while Sharp-Collins, Elhawary, and Ransom will take the place of outgoing Assemblymembers Reginald Jones-Sawyer, Kevin McCarty, and Chris Holden respectively. Elsewhere in the state, San Francisco Mayor London Breed is lagging behind in her re-election campaign. In Alameda County, voters will likely recall District Attorney Pamela Price. In Sacramento, Kevin McCarty is at the top of that city’s mayoral contest, which might make him the city’s second Black mayor. And in Stockton, Hollywood entertainer Jason Lee is poised to win the race for Stockton City Council District 6. These are unofficial Election Night Results, final certification is expected by Dec. 13, 2024.
Dodgers Win World Series Title
fifth inning. The bases loaded and no outs, Garret Cole struck out Gavin Lux and Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts dribbled a ball to first baseman Anthony Rizzo. The inning should have been over.
But Cole had stopped running to cover first base and could only watch helplessly as Rizzo, playing back, was too slow to beat the hustling Betts. The Dodgers’ first run scored and the inning went on.
“After they scored three in the first, every half inning we came in, we were like ‘Just get one. Chip away, chip away,’” first baseman Freddie Freeman said. “Obviously we didn’t do that the first couple of innings. In this game, when you’re given extra outs, you’ve got to capitalize. That’s what we were able to do in that fifth inning.” Freeman who was ‘hotter than July’ drove in two with a single to center field. His 12 RBIs in five games tied the World Series record (Bobby Richardson of the Yankees in the sevengame 1960 Series) and earned Richardson MVP honors.
A fiery Teoscar Hernandez stepped up and hit a drive to the wall in center field for a two-run double to tie the score. All five runs in the inning came after there were two outs – and should have been four.
“We just take advantage of every mistake they made in that inning,” Hernández said. “We put some good at-bats together. We put the ball in play.”
But Brusdar Graterol walked three in the sixth inning and the Yankees regained the lead on a sacrifice fly.
But the Dodgers still had some fight in them. A brokenbat single by Kiké Hernandez and an infield single by Tommy Edman started the eighth-inning comeback. Mix in a walk, a catcher’s interference ((with Ohtani at bat) and two sacrifice flies by Mookie and Will Smith and the Dodgers had the lead for the first time in the game.
Flaherty’s early exit turned Game 5 into yet another bullpen game and Roberts had another night of antacid moments.
“We’ve got to give Doc his flowers tonight,” Freeman said later. “An inning and a third (from the starter) – he covered that whole game and our bullpen was incredible.”
Judge doubled off Treinen with one out in the eighth and Chisholm walked. Manager Dave Roberts walked to the mound with Treinen at 37 pitches.
“I looked in his eyes. I said how you feeling? How much more you got?” Roberts recalled. “He said: ‘I want it.’ I trust him.”
Treinen retired Stanton on a flyout and his 42nd pitch struck out Anthony Rizzo with two runners on to end the eighth.
It was a heroic effort – but Roberts. needed another hero to get him three more outs. On came Walker Buehler who according to Dodger audio man David Vassegh unknowingly headed to the bullpen and warmed up on his own to be ready in case he was needed. He got the call and retired the side in order in the ninth for his first relief appearance since his rookie season in 2018 and first major league save and the Dodgers celebrated on the field at Yankee Stadium. Roberts became the 4th Manager to have fifty postseason wins.
pandemic year of 2020, the
for
and the
before Game 2. Hernandez said the Dodgers knew “we’d already won it” as soon Ice Cube came out. He then took a dig at the New York Yankees and Fat Joe’s performance before Game 3 at Yankee Stadium.
“He used to be fat, but he’s
celebration. “No,” Ohtani said immediately in English, bypassing his translator. “Never.”
Earlier in the interview, Ohtani expressed astonishment at the number of Dodgers fans in attendance along the parade route. The players are starting to arrive at Dodger
From left to right: Incumbent Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D) is running in Congressional District 37 (Southwest L.A.); Assemblymember and medical doctor Akilah Weber (D) is running in California State Senate District 39 (San Diego); Incumbent Isaac Bryan (D) is running in Assembly District 55 (Ladera Heights); and Lateefah Simon (D) is running In Congressional District 12 (Oakland).
Democratic Presidential Nominee Kamala
Harris Delivered a Historic Closing Argument Before an Enthusiastic Crowd
By Stacy M.
Brown and Greer Marshall LIBK and NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent and Let It Be Known Producer @StacyBrownMedia @StacyBrownMedia With just one week until the pulse of the nation beats at the ballot box and over 51 million votes already cast, Kamala Harris stood before an audience Tuesday night that outgrew its bounds. What was once imagined as an intimate gathering of 8,000 souls evolved into an ocean of hope, a swelling tide of support that illuminated the final stretch of her journey, with over 75,000 people gathering at the Ellipse in our nation’s capital.
At 7:37 pm, under a sky heavy with purpose, Harris stepped onto the stage, embraced by a wave of thunderous love—a scene lit in flashing reds and blues, where applause rolled like a breaking tide. Her spirit was ablaze as she lifted her voice: “Good evening, America!” Each word rose above the chants of her name pulsing through the crowd, “Kamala, Kamala.” Her gaze remained steady, and with reverence for each life present, as she continued to speak. “Thank you for taking the time out of your busy lives.” When she paused, it was clear that she was feeling the weight of the moment. With clear conviction, she said, ”One week from today, you will have a chance to make a decision that directly affects your lives, the lives of your family, and the future of this country. It will probably be the most important vote you’ve ever cast,” she said. Beyond selecting between two parties and two candidates, she said, “It’s about more than just making a choice—of whether you have a country of freedom or one ruled by division.”
Emphasizing her focus on “common ground and
“USA”
common-sense solutions,” Harris promises to hold space for all, regardless of creed or corner of the country. “I am not here to play politics; I am here to make progress,” she proclaimed, as “Freedom” and “USA” banners waved above the crowd like living symbols. “Unlike Donald Trump, I don’t believe people who disagree with me are the enemy. He wants to put them in jail. We have to stop pointing fingers and start locking arms. It’s time to turn the page on the drama, conflict, fear, and division,” Harris advises. The atmosphere was pulsating, like a never-ending fiesta for the soul. Fatimah Glasnow, who came five hours early from Southeast D.C. to secure her spot, was deeply moved. “The feeling here is hope, love, and peace,” Glasnow said. “An America where we can all thrive, regardless of our race or gender. I needed this kind of energy in my life.” Glasnow felt seen and empowered, and her faith was renewed by Harris’s words, particularly on issues of social and maternal justice. “She’s advocated for social justice and, really, justice itself.”
For Harris, this gathering was more than a rally; it was a moment to bare the heart of her mission, a testament to what fuels her as a leader. There’s something about people being treated unfairly or overlooked that, frankly, just gets to me,” she shared. “I don’t like it. It’s what my mother instilled in me—a drive to hold accountable those who use their wealth or power to take advantage of others.”
When addressing the fall of Roe v. Wade, her resolve was clear. She promised the crowd, “I will fight to restore what Donald Trump and his hand-selected Supreme Court justices took away from the women of America.” With this pledge, Harris reaffirmed her steadfast commitment to preserving and expanding civil rights.
Capitol Hill resident Leander Davis, a social services
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worker, said Harris’s words resonated deeply. “She’s all of us,” Davis said. “She’s been criticized, ostracized, demonized, and called all sorts of names, yet she hasn’t stopped fighting for what’s right. When she’s president, we will all be better off.”
Harris’s campaign is woven from a life spent challenging injustice and protecting those vulnerable. This was personal. As her words echoed, the crowd’s response was nothing less than electric. Harris made it clear: Her campaign was a call to action. Vowing, “If you give me the chance to fight on your behalf, there is nothing in the world that will stand in my way.”
A striking contrast to the divisive language that has marked Trump’s racist rhetoric, Harris did not shy away from the comparison. “If elected, Donald Trump would walk into that office,” Harris said, gesturing toward the White House, “with an enemies list. When elected, I will walk in with a to-do list.” Her words painted a vision of governance rooted not in vengeance but in purpose. Her administration, she pledged, would focus on practical solutions: lowering costs, supporting working families, and rekindling a sense of unity and shared ambition across the nation.
Though her years as Vice President under President Joe Biden had been an honor, Harris acknowledged the urgency of a new direction. “I have been honored to serve as Joe Biden’s vice president,” she said. “But I will bring my own experiences and ideas to the Oval Office. My presidency will be different because the challenges we face are different.” Her voice conveyed both respect and determination—a promise to carry forward Biden’s legacy but forge a new path to meet America’s evolving needs.
The vice president confronted the charged topic of immigration, calling for accountability and cooperation. “Politicians have got to stop treating immigration as an issue to scare up votes in an election—and instead treat it as the serious challenge that it is,” she said, “that we must finally come together to solve.” She also insisted that “I will work with Democrats and Republicans to sign into law the border security bill that Donald Trump killed.”
Harris said while she will focus on prosecuting cartels and transnational gangs, “we must acknowledge we are a nation of immigrants.” Vowing to push for change that would reflect the country’s roots and values. Harris said, “And I will work with Congress to pass immigration reform, including an earned path to citizenship for hardworking immigrants, like farmworkers and our laborers.”
As her speech reached its crescendo, Harris delivered a final rallying cry. “America, we’ve been consumed by division, chaos, and mistrust for too long. But it doesn’t have to be this way,” she proclaimed, her voice rising with passion. “It is time for a new generation of leadership, and I am ready to offer that leadership as the next President of the United States.”
Evoking images of marches and a vision of unity, she
shared, “I grew up as a child of the civil rights movement.” She said, “My parents took me to those marches, pushing me in a stroller through crowds of people of all races, faiths, and walks of life, all fighting for the ideals of freedom and
opportunity. I’ve lived the promise of America.” Her voice was thick with memory and gratitude as she reflected on her mother’s sacrifices and determination, sharing, “I saw how hard our mother worked to give her daughters the same chances this country gave her,” Harris said. “Growing up, I was blessed to have family by blood and family by love, who instilled in me the values of community, compassion, and faith that have always defined our nation at its best. I’ve lived the promise of America.” In her closing remarks, her face reflected the nation’s hopes and struggles. “I’ve spent my life fighting for the people who have been hurt and counted out, but never stopped believing that in our country anything is possible,” Harris said. “I have lived the promise of America, and I see the promise of America in all of you. In all of you, I see it.” Harri’s message was unmistakable: this was a campaign fueled by purpose and people and grounded in the unyielding pursuit of justice. More than a candidate, Harris stood as a bridge to a future where leadership meant action and inclusion, a vision built on the resilience and spirit of every American she vowed to serve. In the final days of her campaign, Harris stands at the crossroads of dreams and demands. On this night, surrounded by an ocean of optimistic faces, Harris underscored the magic of the moment. She reminded us that their decision was more than just a vote—it was a breath of courage, a step toward a world remade.
ACA Marketplace Enrollment Opens
By Stacy M. Brown
the opportunity to secure or adjust health insurance plans. This year’s opening enrollment is vital, particularly if Donald Trump is re-elected. The twice-impeached former president and MAGA Republicans have vowed to repeal the healthcare law, which would deprive an estimated 40 million Americans of coverage. Under Trump’s plan, millions of individuals with pre-existing conditions would also lose health insurance.
In 2024, approximately 4.2 million Floridians enrolled in an ACA health plan, marking a more than 200% increase from 2020, according to White House data. Florida, one of 10 states that hasn’t expanded Medicaid, is seeing around 823,000 residents lose Medicaid coverage.
More than 418,000 Michigan residents signed up for new health plans through HealthCare.gov—a nearly 30% increase over 2023. In Wisconsin, over 250,000 residents secured ACA coverage, as state officials reported. Meanwhile, 1.26 million Georgia residents enrolled, reflecting a 206% rise from 2020, with about 96% receiving an advanced premium tax credit to help cover premiums.
Maryland also saw a 33% increase in Black enrollees and a 30% increase in Hispanic enrollees. In Virginia, 389,568 residents enrolled, marking a 67% increase since 2020, with 88% receiving advanced premium tax credits to help cover costs. Meanwhile, 11,910 District of Columbia residents enrolled, although enrollment has decreased by 26% since 2020 — about 22% of D.C. enrollees qualified for advanced premium tax credits.
With increased enrollment nationwide, this year’s Marketplace offers more options than ever. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), consumers can choose from a broader array of plans, with benchmark silver plans averaging a 4% premium increase and bronze plans up by 5%. However, enhanced subsidies introduced under the
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Colonial Williamsburg is nearing completion on the restoration of the Williamsburg Bray School, the oldest surviving schoolhouse for Black children in America.
Founded in 1760 by the Associates of Dr. Bray, a British Anglican charity, the school was established to teach enslaved and free Black children to read, albeit through a curriculum that promoted religious submission to slavery. Yet, for the hundreds of students who passed through its doors, literacy opened possibilities far beyond their assigned roles.
The school’s dedication on November 1 marked a milestone in the project’s meticulous restoration efforts, with public tours set to begin this spring. Located on the grounds of Colonial Williamsburg in partnership with William & Mary’s Bray School Lab, the Williamsburg Bray School stands as a testament to the oppression and resilience woven into early American history. The Smithsonian’s Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, who served as the keynote speaker, emphasized the significance of the structure by saying that it has “extraordinary potential” to demonstrate how a small number of people’s dreams helped shape the values of many people.
Dendrochronology—a method of dating wood by its growth rings—helped identify the schoolhouse in 2020, confirming that it was built in the winter of 1759 or spring of 1760. Colonial Williamsburg’s team, under the direction of architectural preservation director Matt Webster, has now identified the 89th original structure in Williamsburg’s Historic Area.
More than 80 former students, now identified through Colonial Williamsburg’s research, attended the Bray School in the 1760s. Among them was Isaac Bee, who later emancipated himself. His enslaver placed ads in the Virginia Gazette warning that Bee “can read.” Aberdeen, Bristol, and Phoebe—ages 5, 7, and 3—were among
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) continue to make coverage affordable, capping monthly premiums at a percentage of income. Most enrollees on HealthCare.gov can find plans for under $10 per month, despite unsubsidized premiums reaching $497 for a 40-year-old on a benchmark silver plan. KFF researchers noted that some states, like Vermont, Alaska, and North Dakota, face double-digit premium hikes, while others, like Louisiana, see decreases in low-cost plans.Under the Biden-Harris administration, the ACA Marketplace has expanded to include more insurers, with an average of 9.6 participating insurers per state, allowing 97% of Healthcare.gov users to choose from at least three insurers. The range of options includes silver and bronze plans tailored to meet different healthcare needs. Silver plans, which serve as the basis for subsidy calculations, offer a balance of coverage and cost, while bronze plans provide lower premiums but higher deductibles.Federal funding has also been allocated to ensure continued support for enrollees. The Biden-Harris administration committed
other students taught by Ann Wager, the school’s only teacher, who instructed over 300 Black children in reading, Christianity, and obedience. Despite the pro-slavery curriculum, many students quietly resisted by sharing literacy with others in their communities.
“It’s a story of resilience and resistance,” Maureen Elgersman Lee, the Bray School Lab director, told the Associated Press. “The Bray School’s teachings may have been rooted in pro-slavery ideology, but education had a way of empowering these children.” Lee and her team continue researching descendants, with several students tracing their ancestry to Black households such as the Jones and Ashby families. Janice Canaday, a descendant of former students Elisha and Mary Jones, is now Colonial Williamsburg’s African American community engagement manager. Reflecting on her heritage, Canaday shared, “To know what your family has come through—that’s where your power is.” The Bray School was an exception in a time when most colonies prohibited educating Black people. Though Virginia imposed anti-literacy laws later in the 1800s,
$100 million to the Navigator program, providing more resources to help Americans understand and select the best health plan. Enhanced subsidies—initially introduced under the American Rescue Plan Act and extended by the IRA—are set to expire at the end of 2025 unless renewed by Congress. Without renewal, millions would face premium hikes in 2026, with costs doubling in some cases. A young family of four in Pennsylvania earning $125,000 would see an annual increase of $6,448, while a 45-yearold in Wisconsin with a $60,000 income would experience a $1,354 hike.DACA recipients are eligible for ACA coverage for the first time, with subsidies that help reduce costs. Effective November 1, this new eligibility offers a special enrollment window for an estimated 100,000 DACA recipients despite ongoing litigation. Additionally, states like California and New Mexico are leveraging federal tax credits to reduce deductibles, enhancing affordability for those with lower incomes.KFF found that further safeguards and protections accompany this year’s enrollment. Stricter fraud protections require brokers to secure consent before making plan changes and respond to complaints about unauthorized plan modifications. NonACA-compliant short-term plans are now limited to four months and must display clear disclaimers noting they lack comprehensive health coverage. Similarly, fixed indemnity plans, which pay a set amount for specific medical events but lack ACA protections, now carry required disclaimers. New network adequacy standards for federal Marketplace plans also ensure timely access to care. Wait times are capped in 2025 at ten business days for behavioral health, 15 days for primary care, and 30 days for non-urgent specialty care. Compliance will be monitored through “secret shoppers” surveys to verify access.Health officials said the ACA Marketplace’s enrollment success reflects expanded access under the Biden-Harris administration. However, political opposition from Trump and MAGA Republicans threatens these gains.To register for health insurance for 2025, visit www.Healthcare.gov.
Colonial Williamsburg has uncovered evidence suggesting Bray students went on to influence their communities. Jody Allen, director of the Lemon Project, noted that the students likely taught siblings and others what they learned, enabling literacy as an act of defiance. Since its rediscovery, the Bray School has undergone extensive preservation efforts overseen by Colonial Williamsburg. The team restored historically accurate wooden sills and brickwork, maintaining nearly 75% of the original structure. Officials said the preserved building will anchor research on the intersections of race, religion, and education, shedding light on a part of America’s past often overlooked. “This is an incredibly important opportunity both to understand the Bray School and to understand Williamsburg in the 18th century,” Webster stated. The school, originally recommended by Benjamin Franklin as a site for Black education, also illuminates the lives of early Black educators in Virginia. William & Mary Professor Emeritus Terry Meyers said the Bray School likely fostered Virginia’s first Black teachers. Colonial Williamsburg President Cliff Fleet also stressed the educational significance of the school’s story. William & Mary President Katherine Rowe noted that the restored building will serve as a “living testament to the resilience and strength of the Black students who defied their roles by embracing literacy.” The research will continue as scholars, descendants, and visitors explore the Bray School’s historical role. Researchers hope to relocate the building to Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area, preserving the space where generations of Black children gained the knowledge that helped shape their futures. “This project honors not just the children who learned here, but their courage to transcend the limitations set before them,” said Bunch, “a resilience that endures in the story of our nation.”
VP Harris packed them in at the Ellipse where she excoriated former president Donald Trump and made the case to America “not going back.”/Mark Mahoney, Dream in Color
VP Kamala Harris embraces husband, Second Gentlemen Doug Emhoff at the Ellipse in D.C./ Mark Mahoney, Dream in Color
“Freedom” and
signs adorned the backdrop as a record crowd jammed into the Ellipse in D.C. for VP Kamala Harris’s closing argument for the 2024 presidential election/Mark Mahoney, Dream in Color
Beyoncé, Shaboozey and Post Malone Topped Country in 2024.
How Will Grammy Voters Respond?
By MARIA SHERMAN
NEW YORK (AP) — Country music has become a dominant force, bleeding into pop music's mainstream. And artists who might not have been previously associated with the genre — like Beyoncé and Post Malone — have recently released country albums. They’ve been popular, but their prospects at the Grammys remain uncertain.
Beyoncé's landmark “Cowboy Carter" recentered Black performers in this music's history and made her the first Black woman to hit No. 1 on Billboard country albums chart.
Shaboozey's “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is the biggest song of the year, having spent more weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 than any other — it combines his twang with the familiar sample of J Kwon's 2004 rap hit “Tipsy.”
This summer, he followed Beyoncé to became only the second Black artist ever to top Billboard’s pop and country singles charts at the same time.
And Post Malone made an effortless transition into the world of country, spending time in Nashville, playing at the Grand Ole Opry, and dominating the charts with “I Had Some Help,” his collaboration with Morgan Wallen. For all the success, will these country newcomers be rewarded when the Grammy Award nominations are announced next week? Here’s some key things to know.
What are the Grammys' country categories?
There are four main Grammy country music categories: best country album, best country solo performance, best country duo/group performance and best country song. The latter is awarded to the songwriters.
Each category recognizes five nominated works. Who submitted in the country categories? Beyoncé, Shaboozey and Post Malone have been submitted in all four of the major country music categories, including country album of the year for “Cowboy Carter,” “Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going,” and “F-1 Trillion,” respectively. They are not guaranteed
nominations, though each has submitted in several other categories that honor pop, R&B and Americana and are also vying for best album, record and song of the year recognition.
Beyoncé's “Texas Hold ‘Em” has been submitted in the country song category. “16 Carriages” is up for country solo performance and in the country duo/group performance category, “ll Most Wanted,” her duet with Miley Cyrus, has been submitted. In the case of Shaboozey: “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is up for the country song and country solo performance categories. “My Fault” with Noah Cyrus is up for country duo/group performance. And lastly, for Post Malone: “I Had Some Help” with Wallen is up for country song and country duo/group performance. “Yours” is his submission in the country solo performance category. They will likely be up against some of the 2024 Country Music Association Awards’ best country album nominees, which include Luke Combs’ “Fathers & Sons,” Cody Johnson’s “Leather,” Kacey Musgraves’ “Deeper Well” and Chris Stapleton’s “Higher,” as well as the other allstars who’ve released albums that are eligible for Grammy nomination, Lainey Wilson’s “Whirlwind” among them.
Is Beyoncé likely to score a Grammy nomination in country categories?
Beyoncé received no nominations for “Cowboy Carter” for the 2024 CMAs, a decision country star Mickey Guyton called dispiriting — and one that might reflect the ways in which the Nashville country music industry operates. Could the same happen at the Grammys?
“A lot of times in country music, if you’re releasing a country record, you need to — you don’t need to, but it’s beneficial to you to — invest in the community and really show yourself in that audience so the community feels an attachment to you," Guyton said. "Nashville is very, very, very — it’s a club almost, and it’s a community. And people ... feel like they need to know you. And so that was definitely a factor. It still doesn’t make it not disappointing.”
the first, for her 2022 debut, “Remember Her Name.” Country musician BRELAND, who is both a CMA and Grammy voter, points to the differences between both award shows.
“Nashville in general is a community that, when you come to town, you kind of pay your dues. And I feel like that’s the way that the system runs. That’s how country radio runs," he explained. “You saw Post Malone really ingratiate himself in the ... community here in Nashville, which I think contributed to him getting some of those looks. You know, Shaboozey was nominated (at the CMAs,) but you also saw him playing CMA fest and playing a bunch of these country festivals.”
In Beyoncé’s case, “Her not being here (in Nashville) probably didn’t help her case for getting nominated,” he continued. “She’s done a really great job in helping to change the narrative in country music, and I would be surprised if she wasn’t acknowledged in some respect at the Grammys. ... Grammy voting members are probably going to be a little bit more receptive to that, than people would be on the CMA side.”
Maura Johnston, a freelance music writer and Boston College adjunct instructor, said Beyoncé “often is a victim of tall poppy syndrome where she’s so good, she’s so great and so, like, on another level from everybody," the gut reaction is to “honor something else." Race is a consideration, too, where Black performers are rarely recognized in country categories.
“She should get nominated because it is such an artistic achievement. You know, it is such a way for people to get a very crash course in the history of Americana," she continues. "But I also know how country feels about outsiders.”
On the flip side, Johnston argued that Grammy voters may attempt to course-correct the decision made by the CMAs, and ensure she receives nominations. “It would be
Legendary Producer Quincy Jones Dies at 91, Leaving a Monumental Legacy in Music
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA
Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Quincy Jones, the record producer, arranger, and cultural trailblazer whose influence spanned more than seven decades, has died at 91. His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed his death in a statement, noting that Jones died peacefully at his home in Bel Air. The statement did not specify the cause.
Known for producing Michael Jackson’s landmark albums, “Thriller” and “Bad,” Jones’s career far exceeded even those iconic works. Jones transformed genres, introduced new styles, and championed Black artistry in a largely segregated industry. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which inducted him in 2013, called him a “Jack of All Trades” but noted that Jones “excelled at every role he took on.” His contributions as a record producer, arranger, composer, and performer reflect a boundless curiosity that kept him at the cutting edge of music across generations. His presence shaped countless albums, film scores, and even social movements, making him a bridge between jazz, R&B, pop, and hip-hop and between Black and white audiences.
Jones began as a jazz trumpeter, arranging for bands like Count Basie’s and becoming a respected composer in his own right. His compositions for films, including The Pawnbroker and The Color Purple, displayed his extraordinary range, mixing classical, jazz, funk, and AfroCuban influences. His television scores, such as those for Sanford and Son and Ironside, brought Black music to mainstream audiences, shaping a generation’s auditory landscape.
The three Jackson albums Jones produced — Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad — stand among his most famous works. The albums broke sales records and redefined the global pop music industry, bridging racial divides and setting new standards for production. But Jones’s career had already reached milestones before those records. He had become the first Black vice president at Mercury Records in 1964 and had garnered critical acclaim for his arrangement of Count Basie’s “I Can’t Stop Loving You.” Over time, he received 28 Grammy Awards from 80 nominations, a record surpassed only by a few.
Born in Chicago on March 14, 1933, Quincy Delight Jones Jr. faced a childhood filled with challenges and resilience. According to his official biography, Jones was primarily raised by his father, a carpenter, after his mother was diagnosed with schizophrenic disorder. Moving to Seattle in his early teens, he honed his craft in a music scene as diverse as his musical inclinations. By 15, Jones
had already earned a spot in Lionel Hampton’s band, launching a career that would take him across the globe and into the company of jazz greats like Dizzy Gillespie and Ray Charles, who would become a lifelong friend and collaborator.
Jones’s time as a jazz bandleader and arranger in the 1950s established his name in elite music circles, but his ambitions led him into film and television scoring, where he created iconic soundtracks. Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Jones’s music could be heard in theaters and living rooms, with scores for films like In Cold Blood and The Deadly Affair and contributions to Alex Haley’s Roots, the celebrated mini-series. His soundtrack for The Color Purple in 1985, adapted from Alice Walker’s novel, remains a cultural milestone.
In 1985, Jones united more than 40 of the world’s biggest music stars for the charity single “We Are the World,” raising awareness and funds for famine relief in Africa. The project’s success further cemented his reputation as a visionary capable of bridging divides for a greater cause. His label, Qwest, produced a roster as diverse as his interests, featuring artists from George Benson to the experimental jazz saxophonist Sonny Simmons.
Through the 1990s and 2000s, Jones expanded his reach beyond music, producing television hits like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and the magazine Vibe. In his later years, he remained active, working on projects that celebrated his love for jazz and hip-hop alike. In 2022, he collaborated with The Weeknd on Dawn FM, delivering a spoken monologue reflecting his decades of life and artistry. His work became a rich tapestry, woven with threads from every major genre and cultural moment in modern American history.
“He always is soaring ahead and doesn’t like to look backwards,” Oprah Winfrey said of him during his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.
Jones leaves behind seven children: Jolie, Kidada, Kenya, Martina, Rachel, Rashida, and Quincy III in addition to his brother Richard, sisters Margie Jay and Theresa Frank.
a nice tip of the cap and a nice realization that, yeah, the music business is pretty big, and we have to get rid of the parochialism that can dominate,” she said.
What are Post Malone's Grammy prospects in country categories?
“Just judging by country radio’s reaction to him, I think he might have the best shot of the three,” said Johnston. “Radio, it’s such a crucial gatekeeper in the country music industry," and Malone is playing the game, she says. “The album ... has so many cameos from, like, everybody in country music,” she added. “The possibility of him getting nominated just by the people he collaborated with is very high.”
Those include Hank Williams Jr, Tim McGraw, Dolly Parton, Combs and Wilson. “I think he has a better shot at receiving a nomination for country album of the year."
Johnston said she believes that were the inclusion of “I Had Some Help,” which features Morgan Wallen could be a hindrance at the Grammys, where past behaviors — such as throwing a chair off a Nashville rooftop near two police officers and using a racial slur in a 2021 video — mean “he is still a bit radioactive.”
Despite having some of the biggest songs and albums of the last few years, Wallen has never been nominated for a Grammy. (At February's show, his single “Last Night” was nominated in the best country song category, but did not win. Wallen wouldn't have received a trophy anyway — it is given to the songwriters only.)
Overall, she sees Malone as a lock from some nomination — particularly those that don't include Wallen.
What are Shaboozey's Grammy chances? As great as Shaboozey's album is, it's much more likely that the country star will be recognized for his massive hit, “A Bar Song (Tipsy.)”
“It kind of builds on the premise of ‘Old Town Road,’” says Johnston, pointing to Lil Nas X's game changing single. “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” hit No. 1 on both the country and all-genre charts, she points out. “It's a cross-genre moment, and just a good song. It's also classically country.”
Shaboozey “was the first male Black artist to chart at No. 1 on country songs and country airplay,” she Johnston said, “So I think that’s a good sign that, you know, radio embraced him.”
Perhaps the Grammys will do the same.
Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul on Netflix:
Mike Tyson/Jake Paul fight quickly approaching, but what took so long?
Mike Tyson and Jake Paul are on course for a heavyweight fight that has taken over the boxing world, with the former world champion and the YouTuberturned-boxer the main event for a November fight card on Netflix.
The streaming giant and Most Valuable Promotions are putting on the bout at the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The contest was
Tyson recently declared himself ready for the fight, and has been training to face the 10-1 Paul, whose only professional defeat came in a 2023 split-decision loss to Tommy Fury. Paul kept the originally-planned date of the Tyson fight, claiming a TKO win over Mike Perry, a bareknuckle boxing champion.
Here’s everything you need to know for the Tyson vs. Paul bout on Netflix:
Mike Tyson and Jake Paul face off during a press conference at the Apollo Theatre in New York, on May 13. Jake Paul’s big talk of 90,000 fans for Mike Tyson fight proves to be no guarantee Mike Tyson and Jake Paul are scheduled to fight Friday, Nov. 15. The bout was originally scheduled for July 20, but a May ulcer flare-up forced Tyson to take a break from training, with both sides agreeing to push the fight date back.
The Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul bout is scheduled to take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Regularly the home of the Dallas Cowboys, the stadium has an NFL capacity of 80,000.
How to watch Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul on Netflix: Time, TV, streaming. Netflix is the exclusive home for the fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, with the streaming behemoth a key part of the promotion. Fans looking to catch the fight will need to sign up for a subscription, with a standard streaming plan with ads starting at $6.99 a month.
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight card Note: Full card will be available to watch on Netflix. Super lightweight title bout: Katie Taylor vs. Amando Serrano Middleweight: Neeraj Goyat vs. Whindersson Nunes Welterweight: Mario “El Azteca” Barrios vs. Abel Ramos Mike Tyson and Jake Paul have agreed to some modifications to standard boxing rules for this bout, which has been sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations.
The changes include a maximum of eight twominute rounds (instead of the traditional three minutes). Additionally, 14-ounce gloves will be used, as opposed to the standard 12-ounce gloves used in the majority of professional fights.
AP Music Writer
If Beyoncé receives a best country album Grammy nomination, she will become the second Black artist to do so — Guyton was
los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen
caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www. sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con
por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California www. sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene
‘A Pressure Campaign’: Beverly Hills Settles After Allegedly Blocking Abortion Clinic
By Christine Mai-Duc
The city of Beverly Hills has agreed to train its employees on abortion clinic protections after local officials interfered with the opening of an abortion clinic in “blatant” violation of state law, according to a proposed settlement to be unveiled Thursday by California Attorney General Rob Bonta.
Bonta’s office said the city’s then-mayor, city attorney, and city manager pressured DuPont Clinic’s landlord last spring to cancel the lease and that city officials also delayed permits to the clinic. They went so far as to warn the building owner that it could be liable for bomb threats and shootings at the medical office building in the wealthy city’s business district.
The Washington, D.C.-based reproductive health provider is one of a handful of clinics nationwide that advertise abortions past 28 weeks of gestation. It had secured a lease and begun preparations to open a second U.S. location in Beverly Hills.
Concerned about potential anti-abortion protests and negative media coverage, city officials “engaged in a pressure campaign under the guise of public safety,” according to Bonta’s complaint. The actions “blatantly violated” state law, Bonta said in the complaint. It’s the state’s first action under the voter-passed initiative known as Proposition 1, which enshrined abortion rights in the state constitution. “It’s a stark reminder that there are efforts right here in California to undermine reproductive freedom,” Bonta said in an interview with KFF Health News ahead of the announcement. “These are city officials who took an oath to uphold the state constitution and state law, and they did the opposite.”
In signing the agreement, the city did not admit fault or liability. In a statement, Mayor Lester Friedman said the city disagreed with the allegations in the attorney general’s complaint.
“Beverly Hills is already home to medical facilities that offer complete reproductive health services,” Friedman said in a statement. “The city reaffirms and pledges that it did
not and will not discriminate against any reproductive healthcare provider and strongly supports a woman’s right to choose.”
As part of the agreement which has been approved by the Beverly Hills City Council and must be approved by the Los Angeles County Superior Court, city officials will be required to train employees about state and federal protections for abortion clinics, create a protocol for handling complaints of potential violations, and appoint a “reproductive justice compliance officer” to manage the training program and materials.
Beverly Hills council member John Mirisch said in a statement that Bonta had unfairly singled out the city for “political showmanship.”
“I have seen no evidence that the Dupont Clinic’s failure to open in Beverly Hills was a result of the City’s actions or was essentially anything other than a tenant/ landlord dispute,” said Mirisch, who was in office at the time the clinic was preparing to open there.
In a statement, a DuPont representative lauded Bonta’s intervention.
“Beverly Hills blocked our clinic from opening, knowing it would limit abortion access not just for the people of their city, but for Californians and people living under abortion bans across the country,” said Jennefer Russo, who was slated to lead the Beverly Hills clinic.
California prohibits abortions past the point of fetal viability, around 24 weeks, except in cases in which the life or health of the woman is at risk. Proposition 1 strengthened reproductive freedom protections in the state constitution.
Approved by an overwhelming majority of statewide voters in 2022, the law says that the state, and by extension local governments, “shall not deny or interfere with an individual’s reproductive freedom in their most intimate decisions, which includes their fundamental right to choose to have an abortion and their fundamental right to choose or refuse contraceptives.”
Bonta said the measure, which at the time was widely
regarded as a largely symbolic measure in deeply progressive California, provided a strong legal basis for the state’s case against the city of Beverly Hills and led directly to the settlement agreement.
“There are protections, both constitutional and statutory, that protect reproductive freedom in California,” Bonta said. “Cities need to honor and follow those rights and protections and when they’re not, we will get involved.”
DuPont Clinic had announced plans in October 2022 to expand to the Los Angeles area, according to Bonta’s office. The following month, flyers opposing the clinic’s opening appeared in and around the building.
Beverly Hills police officials later drafted a plan to send a letter to other tenants of the building warning them of the potential security risks, something Bonta said they’d never done with previous properties targeted by protesters.
The city attorney instructed city officials to not issue permits to DuPont until he’d spoken with the clinic about “whether the proposed use is allowed or not.” He later
suggested DuPont provide a letter “confirming its intention to comply with California law” as it relates to abortions later in pregnancy.
“They acted differently and inserted themselves in delayed permits and launching a pressure campaign based on the fact that reproductive freedom is at stake,” Bonta said. “They targeted DuPont because of the fact that it provided fully legal reproductive health care.”
During a City Council meeting in April 2023, City Manager Nancy Hunt-Coffey sent an email to council members alerting them of the controversy over the new clinic, just before several activists spoke in opposition. The clinic could, she warned, “be the focus of protests, rallies and unfortunately other more violent actions on occasion.”
“How did this get through?” council member Sharona Nazarian immediately wrote back.
Hunt-Coffey replied: “Well, it’s a private business renting space in a private building. We don’t have anything in our code that prevents it…”
What followed was a series of attempts by then-mayor Julian Gold, Hunt-Coffey, and the Beverly Hills police chief to stymie the clinic’s opening, Bonta said. Gold and the police chief met with building owner Douglas Emmett Inc., warning that the clinic could become a “lightning rod” for the city and that the landlord would be “responsible” and “liable” if anything were to happen. Gold also raised the possibility of bomb threats and active shooters, and the safety of other tenants in the building.
The clinic never opened.
Bonta said his office is prepared to go after local governments that shirk their responsibility to uphold state laws that protect abortion rights. He also suggested he would support amending state law to levy financial penalties on those who violate it.
This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.
Election Outcome Could Bring
Big Changes to Medicare
By Stephanie Armour
On the campaign trail, both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are eager to portray themselves as guardians of Medicare. Each presidential candidate accuses the other of backing spending cuts and other policies that would damage the health insurance program for older Americans.
But the election’s outcome could alter the very nature of the nearly 60-year-old federal program. More than half of Medicare beneficiaries are already enrolled in plans, called Medicare Advantage, run by commercial insurers, and if Trump wins, that proportion is expected to grow — perhaps dramatically.
Trump and many congressional Republicans have already taken steps to aggressively promote Medicare Advantage. And Project 2025, a political wish list produced by the conservative Heritage Foundation for the next presidency, calls for making insurer-run plans the default enrollment option for Medicare.
Such a change would effectively privatize the program, because people tend to stick with the plans they’re initially enrolled in, health analysts say. Trump has repeatedly tried to distance himself from Project 2025, though the document’s authors include numerous people who worked in his first administration.
Conservatives say Medicare beneficiaries are better off in the popular Advantage plans, which offer more benefits than the traditional, government-run program. Critics say increasing insurers’ control of the program would trap consumers in health plans that are costlier to taxpayers and that can restrict their care, including by imposing onerous prior authorization requirements for some procedures.
“Traditional Medicare will wither on the vine,” said Robert Berenson, a former official in the Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton administrations who’s now a senior fellow at the Urban Institute, a left-leaning research group. While the fate of Medicare has gotten scant attention so far in the campaign, the different visions under Trump versus Harris indicate the high stakes.
A candidate’s position on protecting Medicare and Social Security is the most important health care issue,
or among the most important, in determining 63% of Americans’ vote in the presidential election, according to a September poll by Gallup and West Health, a family of nonprofit and nonpartisan organizations focused on health care and aging.
Medicare, which covers about 66 million people, is funded largely by payroll taxes. At age 65, most Americans are automatically enrolled in Medicare coverage for hospitalization and doctor visits, known as Part A and Part B, though others must sign up. Consumers must also sign up for other aspects of Medicare, specifically drug coverage (Part D) and supplemental plans from insurers that pay for costs that aren’t covered by traditional Medicare, such as extended stays in skilled nursing facilities and cost sharing.
People on Medicare pay premiums plus as much as 20% of the cost of their care.
Medicare Advantage plans typically combine coverage for hospital and outpatient care and prescriptions, while eliminating the 20% coinsurance requirement and capping customers’ annual out-of-pocket costs. Many of the plans don’t charge an extra monthly premium, though some carry a deductible — an amount patients must pay each year before coverage kicks in.
Sometimes the plans throw in extras like coverage for eye exams and glasses or gym memberships.
However, they control costs by limiting patients to networks of approved doctors and hospitals, with whom the plans negotiate payment rates. Some hospitals and doctors refuse to do business with some or all Medicare Advantage plans, making those networks narrow or limited. Traditional Medicare, in comparison, is accepted by nearly every hospital and doctor.
Medicare’s popularity is one reason both candidates are pledging to enhance it. Last month, Harris released a plan that would add benefits including care for hearing and vision, and long-term in-home health care. The costs would be covered by savings from expanding Medicare’s negotiations with drugmakers, reducing fraud, and increasing discounts drugmakers pay for certain brandname drugs in the program, according to Harris’ campaign.
Trump’s campaign said he would prioritize home care benefits and support unpaid family caregivers through tax
credits and reduced red tape.
The Trump campaign also noted enhancements to Medicare Advantage plans during his tenure as president, such as increasing access to telehealth and expanding supplemental benefits for seniors with chronic diseases.
But far less attention has been paid to whether to give even more control of Medicare to private insurers.
Joe Albanese, a senior policy analyst at Paragon Health Institute, a right-leaning research group, said “a Trump administration and GOP Congress would be more friendly” to the idea.
The concept of letting private insurers run Medicare isn’t new. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a Republican, asserted in 1995 that traditional Medicare would fade away if its beneficiaries could pick between the original program and private plans.
The shift to Medicare Advantage was accelerated by legislation in 2003 that created Medicare’s drug benefit and gave private health plans a far greater role in the program.
Lawmakers thought private insurers could better contain costs. Instead, the plans have cost more. In 2023, Medicare Advantage plans cost the government and taxpayers about 6% — or $27 billion — more than original Medicare, though some research shows they provide better care.
The Trump administration promoted Medicare Advantage in emails during the program’s open enrollment period each year, but support for the privately run plans has become bipartisan as they have grown.
“It helps inject needed competition into a governmentrun program and has proven to be more popular with those who switch,” said Roger Severino, lead architect of Project 2025’s section on the Department of Health and Human Services. He served as director of HHS’ civil rights office during the Trump administration.
But enrollees who want to switch back to traditional Medicare may not be able to. If they try to buy supplemental coverage for the 20% of costs Medicare doesn’t cover, they may find they have to pay an unaffordable premium. Unless they enroll in the plans close to the time they first become eligible for Medicare, usually at age 65, insurers selling those supplemental plans can deny coverage or
charge higher premiums because of preexisting conditions.
“More members of Congress are hearing from constituents who are horrified and realize they are trapped in these plans,” said Andrea Ducas, vice president of health policy at the Center for American Progress, a liberal public policy organization.
[Correction: This article was updated at 7:20 a.m. PT on Nov. 4, 2024, to correct the amount Medicare Advantage plans cost the government and taxpayers last year compared with original Medicare.]
This article was produced by KFF Health News, a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism.
Tucked in a $10 billion climate bond on the November ballot is an earmark to improve drinking water quality for communities such as East Orosi. Proposition 4 would allocate $610 million for clean, safe, and reliable drinking water and require at least 40% be spent on projects that benefit vulnerable populations or disadvantaged communities. But it’s a fraction of what the state says is needed. While most Californians have access to safe water, roughly 750,000 people as of late October are served by 383 failing water systems, many clustered in remote and sparsely populated areas. A June assessment by the California State Water Resources Control Board pegged the cost of repairing failing and at-risk public water systems at about $11.5 billion.
“We have communities in California that are served drinking water that has been out of compliance with regulatory standards for potent toxins like arsenic for
years,” said Lara Cushing, an associate professor in UCLA’s Department of Environmental Health Sciences. And climate change is eroding people’s access to clean water, she said. “There is kind of a perfect storm, if you will, of compounding hazards.”
Supporters say Proposition 4, to enact the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024, would jump-start upgrades by authorizing grants and loans for local governments to repair water systems contaminated with lead, arsenic, nitrates, or other chemicals tied to cancer, liver and kidney problems, and other serious health issues. Water priorities vary by region, and the bond would give communities flexibility to address their needs, said MJ Kushner, a policy advocate at the Community Water Center, a statewide nonprofit. “It isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution,” Kushner said. A taxpayer group opposing the bond says the state will go further into debt on piecemeal projects. It says the state is increasingly addressing its climate-related programs with bonds, which it calls the most expensive way for government to pay for things, rather than within the state budget.
Lawmakers in July added Proposition 4 to the ballot after Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, facing a $47 billion deficit, cut $6.6 billion in climate spending from the state budget, according to Department of Finance spokesperson H.D. Palmer. The reductions followed $3.1 billion in climate cuts Newsom and lawmakers enacted in 2023. Susan Shelley, a spokesperson for the Howard Jarvis
Taxpayers Association, said the state has already borrowed billions and that now isn’t the time to add more debt given the deficit. “If the legislature chose to cut these from the budget,
California Attorney General Rob Bonta at a news conference on July 13, 2023, in Los Angeles. (FRANCINE ORR/LOS ANGELES TIMES VIA GETTY IMAGES)
By Vanessa G. Sánchez When Cynthia Ruiz turns on her kitchen faucet, she
voter drops off their ballot in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 31. (Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images)
The Next Four Years: Debt and Rent are Among Top Issues for Young California Voters
(Shutterstock)
By Edward Henderson California Black Media
As America elects a new President this week -- and a slate of new elected officials at the local and state level -the voices of young voters in California are resounding as political campaigns and policy makers order their priorities and shape their messages to include their perspectives and respond to their concerns.
But what are those issues on the minds of the next generation of California’s electorate in 2024?
Power California, an organization that informs and empowers young voters, and Latino Decisions, a political research company, set out to answer this question in their Rising Electorate Survey, whose findings were released earlier this fall.
The survey polled 1,754 young Californians ages 1830 on the issues they cared about the most. While many of the findings showed a growing stress and uncertainty surrounding rent control, housing, better wages and special interest groups being too involved in government, nearly half of the young Californians surveyed believed things will get better in the future.
“For us, there are several things we know and several things that we can expect in the next four years, including that young Californians, Gen Zs, and aging millennials will become the largest political voting bloc here in California,” said Saa’un Bell, Senior Associate Director of Power California.”
Among responders to the survey, 35% were Latino or Hispanic, 25% Black, 20% Asian American and Pacific Islander, 16% were White, non-Hispanic. There were about 4% identifying with some other racial groups, which includes those who identify as Indigenous. In terms of geography, 28% of the participants surveyed came from Los Angeles County, followed by 16% from the Bay Area, 16% from the Central Valley. And the remainder of the sample, which was roughly 40%, came from other parts of the state.
Economic pressures were one of the areas covered in the survey. One in 4 young Californians have thought about leaving the state, taken on a second job or postponed bills. One in 5 is supporting friends and family or had to choose between rent and paying their bills. For young Black and Latino Californians, the impacts of economic
insecurity were more significant. Young Black and Latino Californians are more likely to have a second job or report postponing bills and 1 in 5 young Black Californians have moved back home with family.
Kaja Wilson, a youth member of Power California living in Fresno, spoke during a digital webinar organized by the organization. She shared her perspective on the priorities of young voters in the state.
“Young people are still having a hard time seeing ourselves reach milestones like home ownership, savings, investments, and personal development, all the while we deal with the burden of debt, including student loans. Over the last year at Power California, I’ve seen the potential of young people to show our power. We’ve been working on a rent control campaign. I’ve been activated to get the Fresno community members to take action on local issues. It’s possible to create a better and affordable future for me and my community, and a world that’s easier for us all to navigate.”
Dr. Andrew Proctor, Senior Analyst for Latino Decisions, was one of the leads facilitating the young voter survey and shared his analysis of the data collected during
the Power California webinar.
“Many young Californians blame low wages, elected officials, and corporate landlords for the housing crisis. Things are so bad that one in four young Californians have considered leaving the state. Young Californians are also motivated by their experiences with economic insecurity as well as their commitments to social justice causes. Economic concerns, including inflation and housing, are top issues that they want the government to address, and those issues are motivating their decision to turn out and vote in 2024.”
The survey also found strong support for rent control laws and addressing climate change. Reproductive rights and gun control are also salient issues for young Californians, and they are active participants in several movements for social justice. However, individuals taking the survey also shared their belief that organizations and political parties are not reaching out and engaging the full potential of young Californians.
“There are many narratives that young people, young voters, are apathetic, pessimistic, and cynical. Those narratives are out of context – and not true,” said Bell.
Will Gov. Newsom’s New Film and TV Tax Credit Prioritize Diversity?
By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media
Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson), a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) says he supports Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to expand the state’s Film and Television Tax Credit Program from its current $330 million annual budget allocation to $750 million. Gipson, who is chair of the Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism, says, historically, that tax credit has aimed to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion” as outlined in SB 132.
He’s counting on it to continue making diversity a priority.
“The Legislature finds and declares an overall trend toward increasing diversity based on existing research on diversity in the motion picture production and television industry,” the bill language states.
In a statement, Gipson told California Black Media (CBM) the tax credit, “would allow our state to be more competitive against states with tax incentive programs of their own, such as Georgia, New York, and New Mexico.”
“The film and television industry is iconic to California, impacting thousands of jobs for below-theline workers on film and television crews, as well as many
news conference at the State Capitol on July 13, 2023. The lawmakers challenged Hollywood about its commitment to DEI programs after several Black women executives left leading Tinseltown companies. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.
others working in hair and make-up, food services and transportation, costume and set design, and more,” Gipson continued.
According to the Governor’s office, the increase would uplift the state for capped film incentive programs, surpassing other states. Gipson says he agrees with Newsom’s assessment and the notion that the program would bring more business back to California.
“California is the entertainment capital of the world, rooted in decades of creativity, innovation, and unparalleled talent,” said Newsom on Oct 27 in L.A. at the unveiling of the tax credit.
“Expanding this program will help keep production here at home, generate thousands of good-paying jobs, and strengthen the vital link between our communities and the state’s iconic film and TV industry,” the Governor continued.
As chair, Gipson’s oversees programs and policies affecting the recording, motion picture, and other entertainment industries, tourism and arts programs, and museums. His purview also extends to professional and amateur sports, including the State Athletic Commission and the regulation of athlete agents.
California’s Film and Television Tax Credit Program has generated over $26 billion in economic activity and supported more than 197,000 cast and crew jobs across the state since it was created in 2009, according to Newsom’s office.
The California Film and Television Tax Credit 2.0, enacted in July 2015, has generated over $26 billion in economic activity and supported more than 197,000 cast and crew jobs across the state. Now, for the first time in 15 years, tax credits will become refundable, beginning with “Program 4.0” set to get underway on July 1, 2025. According to the Newsom Administration, between 2020 and 2024, data reveals that California experienced lower production spending due to limited tax credit funding and increased competition in other states and countries. This dip in production directly impacted California’s labor market and local economies Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass says she supports the proposal because California is the entertainment capital of the world and supporting a thriving film and television industry is key to the state’s economy.
Bass said she was Speaker of the Assembly when the tax credit program was first approved.
“I worked to support leaders like now-Councilman Paul Krekorian to create the film tax credit,” Bass said.
“Despite the economy being in a difficult spot, we knew that the industry needed support, and if we could at least start the program, then we could grow it.”
Newsom’s tax credit proposal is expected to appear as a bill during the next legislative session, raising concerns about diversity, equity, and inclusion for some lawmakers and advocates. Gipson’s CLBC colleagues Sen. Lola Smallwood-
Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) led a faction of legislators who demanded answers from Hollywood last year after several Black women left high-profile executive positions in Hollywood. A number of those Black executives who left those prominent roles were leading DEI initiatives at major entertainment companies such as Netflix, Disney, British Broadcasting Company, Warner Bros., and the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Before the tax credit program was scheduled to sunset on June 30, 2025, on July 10, 2023, Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 132 to extend the state’s $1.65 billion or $330
Asm. Mike Gipson (D-Carson)
Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D- Los Angeles) and Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) voiced their opinions during a
California Capitol News You Might Have Missed Political Playback:
By Bo Tefu and Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media
Feds: California Will Be
Home
to
New National Semiconductor Technology Center
California was chosen by the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) and Natcast, the operator of the
National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) to be home to the headquarters for the National Semiconductor Technology Center – as part of the Biden-Harris Admin’s CHIPS and Science Act.
The CHIPS for America Design and Collaboration Facility (DCF) will be one of three CHIPS for America research and design (R&D) facilities and will also operate as the headquarters for the NTSC and Natcast.
“We are thrilled that the Department of Commerce and Natcast chose to locate this critically important facility in Sunnyvale, the heart of the Silicon Valley, alongside the world’s largest concentration of semiconductor businesses, talent, intellectual property, and investment activity,” said Dee Dee Myers, Senior Economic Advisor to Gov. Gavin Newsom and Director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). “The Newsom Administration and our partners across the industry know how important it is to shorten the timeframe from R&D to commercialization.”
According to GO-Biz, the DCF is expected to direct over $1 billion in research funding and create more than 200 employees in the next decade. The facility will serve as the center for advanced semiconductor research in chip design, electronic design automation, chip and system architecture, and hardware security. The CHF will be essential to the country’s semiconductor workforce development efforts.
As detailed in the released NSTC Strategic Plan, the DCF will suppress the obstacles to “semiconductor prototyping, experimentation,” and other R&D activities that will enhance the country’s global power and leadership in design, materials, and process innovation while enabling a vigorous domestic industr“Establishing the NSTC headquarters and design hub in California will capitalize on our state’s unparalleled assets to grow a highly skilled workforce and develop next-generation advancements,” stated U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.). “This CHIPS Act funding will propel emerging technologies and protect America’s global semiconductor leadership, all while bringing good-paying jobs to our state.”
California Ports to Receive Over $1 Billion in Federal Funds to Decarbonize
Last week, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will allocate over $1 billion to seven California ports for zero-emission (ZE) infrastructure and climate management plans.
In an Oct. 29 press release, Padilla said this funding, part of the EPA’s Clean Ports Program and supported by the Inflation Reduction Act, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality at ports nationwide.
Among the grants, the Port of Los Angeles received over $411 million, the largest award in the country. California ports are vital to the national economy, handling about 40% of containerized imports and 30% of exports.
“California’s ports move the goods that power our economy. This historic investment in our ports is a major step forward in accelerating the zero-emission infrastructure transition,” said Padilla.
Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka and fellow port officials echoed Padilla’s sentiments, with plans to acquire over 400 pieces of ZE cargo handling equipment, reducing emissions by 41,500 tons annually.
“This transformative investment will be a tremendous boost to our efforts to meet our ambitious zero emission goals, improve regional air quality, and combat climate change while accelerating the port industry’s transition to zero emissions across the country,” said Seroka.
Other ports, including Oakland, Stockton, San Diego, and San Francisco, will also use their grants to transition to ZE operations, improve regional air quality, and create job opportunities.
The EPA’s funding will support various projects, from electrifying cargo terminals to establishing the first high-speed zero-emission ferry network in the U.S. Ports will collaborate with various stakeholders to ensure these investments benefit their surrounding communities.
The port of Hueneme in Ventura County and the Port of Redwood City on the Southern San Francisco Bay will also receive funding, respectively.
Covered California Open Enrollment Began Nov. 1
Open enrollment for Covered California kicked off on Nov. 1, 2024, offering individuals, families, and businesses a chance to secure quality, affordable health insurance for the upcoming year. This annual enrollment period allows California residents to choose from a variety of health plans that meet their specific needs.
Covered California offers comprehensive coverage, including preventive care and financial assistance to help eligible applicants lower their monthly premiums. The program features insurance plans from leading providers, ensuring access to essential health services such as doctor visits, hospital care, and mental health services.
This year, notable updates include expanded financial assistance, which increases the support available for eligible households to help offset monthly costs. Additionally, consumers will find greater plan flexibility, allowing them to select options that fit their lifestyles and budgets. Access to no-cost preventive services -- like vaccinations, screenings, and annual check-ups -- remains a priority.
Key enrollment deadlines are set as follows:
The open enrollment period runs from Nov. 1, 2024, to Jan. 31, 2025.
Those who enroll by Dec. 15, 2024, will have their coverage start on Jan. 1, 2025.
To facilitate enrollment, applicants can fill out an inquiry form on the Covered California website, reach out to Certified Enrollment Counselors, or contact Covered California directly at (888) 234-5366 or via email at GetCovered@cbhn.info.
The California Black Health Network (CBHN) collaborates with Covered California to advocate for health equity, focusing on underserved communities, including unemployed and gig workers. CBHN’s certified enrollers engage in outreach and onsite signups to help individuals access affordable healthcare options.
Gov. Newsom Issues Executive Order to Tackle Rising Electric Bills
Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order to help alleviate the financial burden of skyrocketing electric bills on residents. This directive instructs the state’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and Energy Commission to identify strategies to lower electricity costs and prevent rapid increases in the future.
Among the key actions proposed, the governor emphasized a closer examination of utility expenditures related to wildfire mitigation, which accounts for about 13% of residential electric bills.
Newsom underscored the state’s commitment to balancing affordability with environmental goals.
“We’re taking action to address rising electricity costs and save consumers money on their bills,” said Newsom. “California is proving that we can address affordability concerns as we continue our world-leading efforts to combat the climate crisis.”
California now has the second-highest electric rates in the country, trailing only Hawaii, with residential bills having surged as much as 110% over the past decade. The largest utilities, including Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric, have seen rate hikes of 20% to 50% in just the last three years, approved by the state’s regulatory bodies.
The executive order also directs the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to explore increasing the California Climate Credit, which provides some relief on energy costs for residents. Additionally, the PUC is urged to pursue federal funding opportunities to further reduce electric expenses.
While consumer advocates welcomed the governor’s focus on lowering costs, concerns were raised regarding potential cuts to essential clean energy programs.
CALPIRG, a consumer group, pointed out that the real issue behind high utility bills is wasteful spending by utilities and urged greater accountability.
Newsom Introduces Housing Program for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals
“Housing stability is an important aspect to successful reentry, and this groundbreaking effort in partnership with HCD will provide a valuable opportunity to address these challenges,” said Macomber. Applications for the program are now open until the Dec. 31, 2024, deadline. Initial funding awards are expected in the summer of 2025.
Attorney General Bonta: California to Receive $4.2 Billion in Opioid Settlement Cash
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced last week that the state is poised to receive up to $4.2 billion in opioid abatement funds from nationwide settlements and bankruptcies related to the opioid crisis. This funding aims to support local governments in combating the devastating impacts of opioid and fentanyl misuse.
In an Oct. 30 statement, Bonta emphasized the urgency of addressing the crisis, which has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives across the nation. He noted that more than 10,900 Californians died from overdoses in 2022, with nearly 6,500 fatalities linked to fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid.
Recognizing the escalating toll, the Attorney General issued guidance to help local governments strategically utilize the settlement funds for prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives.
“The opioid epidemic, fueled by prescription opioid painkillers and fentanyl, continues to devastate families, communities, and lives across this nation,” said Bonta.
“The funds from opioid settlements are designed to allow multi-faceted approaches for local governments to provide comprehensive resources,” he said. The opioid epidemic in the U.S. has unfolded in three waves: a rise in prescription opioid overdoses in the 1990s, an increase in heroin deaths from 2010, and a surge in fatalities from illicit opioids like fentanyl. In California, over 7,000 deaths in 2022 were attributed to opioid overdoses, with fentanyl involved in approximately 90 percent of those cases.
The settlements provide immediate financial resources for abatement and ensured long-term funding for cities and counties to address the ongoing crisis effectively.
Bonta’s guidance states that local governments should implement comprehensive strategies to combat the opioid epidemic and strengthen public health systems.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced a new program that aims to improve public safety through federally funded investments in supportive housing for individuals exiting incarceration. This initiative, collaboratively managed by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), seeks to reduce homelessness and recidivism among formerly incarcerated individuals. The federal funding will help the state reduce homelessness and support those looking for a clean start by, “ensuring that those exiting our prison system have the resources and housing they need makes us all safer,” said Newsom. Newsom stressed the importance of stable housing for successful reintegration. Formerly incarcerated individuals are nearly ten times more likely to experience homelessness, often facing barriers to public housing programs. The HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Reentry Housing Pilot Project (RHPP) will allocate $16 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The program aims to provide safe, stable housing alongside comprehensive services that promote employment, education, and healthcare access, which are crucial for reducing recidivism rates. Jeff Macomber, Secretary of the CDCR, said that the CDCR understands the impact of homelessness on California’s communities and is committed to enhancing public safety and promoting successful community reintegration.
Election Outcome Could Bring Big Changes to Medicare
are eager to portray themselves as guardians of Medicare.
Each presidential candidate accuses the other of backing spending cuts and other policies that would damage the health insurance program for older Americans. But the election’s outcome could alter the very nature of the nearly 60-year-old federal program. More than half of Medicare beneficiaries are already enrolled in plans, called Medicare Advantage, run by commercial insurers, and if Trump wins, that proportion is expected to grow — perhaps dramatically.
Trump and many congressional Republicans have already taken steps to aggressively promote Medicare Advantage. And Project 2025, a political wish list produced by the conservative Heritage Foundation for the next presidency, calls for making insurer-run plans the default enrollment option for Medicare.
Such a change would effectively privatize the program, because people tend to stick with the plans they’re initially enrolled in, health analysts say. Trump has repeatedly tried to distance himself from Project 2025, though the document’s authors include numerous people who worked in his first administration.
Conservatives say Medicare beneficiaries are better off in the popular Advantage plans, which offer more benefits than the traditional, government-run program. Critics say increasing insurers’ control of the program would trap consumers in health plans that are costlier to taxpayers and that can restrict their care, including by imposing onerous prior authorization requirements for some procedures.
“Traditional Medicare will wither on the vine,” said Robert Berenson, a former official in the Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton administrations who’s now a senior fellow at the Urban Institute, a left-leaning research group.
While the fate of Medicare has gotten scant attention so far in the campaign, the different visions under Trump versus Harris indicate the high stakes.
A candidate’s position on protecting Medicare and Social Security is the most important health care issue, or among the most important, in determining 63% of Americans’ vote in the presidential election, according to a September poll by Gallup and West Health, a family of nonprofit and nonpartisan organizations focused on health care and aging.
Medicare, which covers about 66 million people, is funded largely by payroll taxes. At age 65, most Americans are automatically enrolled in Medicare coverage for hospitalization and doctor visits, known as Part A and Part B, though others must sign up. Consumers must also sign up for other aspects of Medicare, specifically drug coverage (Part D) and supplemental plans from insurers that pay for
costs that aren’t covered by traditional Medicare, such as extended stays in skilled nursing facilities and cost sharing. People on Medicare pay premiums plus as much as 20% of the cost of their care.
Medicare Advantage plans typically combine coverage for hospital and outpatient care and prescriptions, while eliminating the 20% coinsurance requirement and capping customers’ annual out-of-pocket costs. Many of the plans don’t charge an extra monthly premium, though some carry a deductible — an amount patients must pay each year before coverage kicks in.
Sometimes the plans throw in extras like coverage for eye exams and glasses or gym memberships.
However, they control costs by limiting patients to networks of approved doctors and hospitals, with whom the plans negotiate payment rates. Some hospitals and doctors refuse to do business with some or all Medicare Advantage plans, making those networks narrow or limited. Traditional Medicare, in comparison, is accepted by nearly every hospital and doctor.
Medicare’s popularity is one reason both candidates are pledging to enhance it. Last month, Harris released a plan that would add benefits including care for hearing and vision, and long-term in-home health care. The costs would be covered by savings from expanding Medicare’s negotiations with drugmakers, reducing fraud, and increasing discounts drugmakers pay for certain brandname drugs in the program, according to Harris’ campaign.
Trump’s campaign said he would prioritize home care benefits and support unpaid family caregivers through tax credits and reduced red tape.
The Trump campaign also noted enhancements to Medicare Advantage plans during his tenure as president, such as increasing access to telehealth and expanding supplemental benefits for seniors with chronic diseases.
But far less attention has been paid to whether to give even more control of Medicare to private insurers. Joe Albanese, a senior policy analyst at Paragon Health Institute, a right-leaning research group, said “a Trump administration and GOP Congress would be more friendly” to the idea. The concept of letting private insurers run Medicare isn’t new. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a Republican, asserted in 1995 that traditional Medicare would fade away if its beneficiaries could pick between the original program and private plans.
The shift to Medicare Advantage was accelerated by legislation in 2003 that created Medicare’s drug benefit and gave private health plans a far greater role in the program.
Lawmakers thought private insurers could better contain costs. Instead, the plans have cost more. In 2023, Medicare Advantage plans cost the government and taxpayers about 6% — or $27 billion — more than original Medicare, though some research shows they
provide better care.
The Trump administration promoted Medicare Advantage in emails during the program’s open enrollment period each year, but support for the privately run plans has become bipartisan as they have grown.
“It helps inject needed competition into a governmentrun program and has proven to be more popular with those who switch,” said Roger Severino, lead architect of Project 2025’s section on the Department of Health and Human Services. He served as director of HHS’ civil rights office during the Trump administration.
But enrollees who
Congresswoman Maxine Waters
(Shutterstock)
By Stephanie Armour
On the campaign trail, both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris
Chargers’ Effective Pass Rush Leads to Week 9 Victory over Browns
By Austin Gage
Contributing Sports Writer
Thanks to a six-sack performance and another efficient passing game, the Chargers dominate the Cleveland Browns to pick up their fifth win of the season.
For the second straight week, the Chargers displayed effective defense and offense in a successful effort to win convincingly, this time defeating the Cleveland Browns on the road by a score of 27-10.
Thanks to a high offensive output in the first half, Los Angeles was able to coast to victory. The only Cleveland touchdown on the day occurred with 44 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter when the game was decided well before.
Although the Chargers did not score on their first possession of the game, a 53-yard punt return by wide receiver Derius Davis put the Bolts in a great position to put the first points of the game on the board. However, a sack on second down of quarterback Justin Herbert forced the Los Angeles offense into a 3rd and 21. Luckily for Herbert and company, a blown coverage on the third down allowed wide receiver Joshua Palmer to be wide open in the right side of the endzone and mark the first points of the contest on a 28-yard touchdown reception. Despite also being sacked six times by the Cleveland defensive front, Herbert produced a quality game, ending with 282 yards through the air on 18 for 27 passing to go along with two touchdowns. After two punts by each team to follow the Los Angeles scoring drive, the Browns put up their first points of the game off a 38-yard field goal by kicker Dustin Hopkins. The promising drive for Cleveland was abruptly stopped thanks to a third-down sack of Browns quarterback Jameis Winston by Chargers defensive lineman Morgan Fox. The Chargers defensive line was at work Sunday afternoon, as Fox ended the day with 2 sacks, star edge rusher Khalil Mack totaled a sack, and the young edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu finished with 2.5 sacks of his own. Following the field goal, with the score 7-3 in Los Angeles’ favor, the Chargers struck back immediately to take control of the game. On the third play of the ensuing possession, Herbert found former first-round
Garfield Defeats Roosevelt in East LA Classic
over the Roosevelt Rough Riders recently in the 89th East L.A. Classic with a thrilling 38-28 victory, adding another chapter to one of the biggest rivalries in youth sports. The Event was put on by the LA RAMS and the GRONK BOWL” It brought out Alberto M. Carvalho Superintendent of LA Unified schools. The game had an officiating crew that was led by Referee Gordon Weisenberger JR. and members of the Los Angeles Football Officials Unit
“The Los Angeles Rams are grateful to be a part of bringing the historic East LA Classic matchup to SoFi Stadium,” said Los Angeles Rams senior director of social justice and football development Johnathan Franklin. “As an alumnus of LAUSD, I’m thrilled to see the Classic grow as we invite high school athletes to play on the same field as professionals. We’re excited to include girls’ flag football as we continue to grow the legacy of one of the most iconic high school games in the nation.”
At one point early on the nearly 18,000 fans in the stood and exploded as Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off grand slam giving the DODGERS a game 1 win in the World Series that appeared on the videoboard during a break in the action- the Black Eyed Peas performed with
the help from the Garfield and Roosevelt High’s bands and cheerleaders.
The mother of Peas member Taboo Nawasha went to Garfield and William Adams, better known by his artist name will.i.am, is connected to the Bulldogs’ opposition through his mom, who attended Roosevelt. By game end Garfield (7-2, 5-0) defeated Roosevelt (3-6, 1-4) in an Eastern League game by a score of 38-28.
The Bulldogs trailed 20-17 in the third before fighting back to take the lead sophomore Ceasar Reyes had a twoyard run. Then in the fourth, the sophomore added a 24yard scamper that finished the scoring for Garfield.
“I have been looking to play in a pro stadium all my life,” said Reyes. “I have been looking to go pro one day and I can’t wait. I know it’s going to happen. “
I went out there to rock with the Garfield side,” Nawasha told the LA Times.
“I stuck to the Roosevelt side,” will.i.am stated about his bandmate
Regardless of who the crowd represented, much like the band itself, the event and its ongoing entertainment is one of the top cultural events for youth anywhere. The celebration of East Los Angeles and Boyle Heights was on full display in Inglewood with Roosevelt‘s and Garfield‘s mariachi bands strumming their tunes on the second-level concourse. The Black-Eyed Peas’ halftime show — featured
“Let’s Get It Started” and “I Gotta Feeling” — energizing an already deafening-loud to L.A. sports fans.
“In 2022, over 30,000 fans enjoyed a thrilling game and a spectacular halftime show at the Los Angeles Coliseum,” Roosevelt High School Principal Ben Gertner said. “Now this huge rivalry game is heading to SoFi Stadium, one of the premier sporting venues in the world, and we are highlighting our newest competition.”
Jada Barnes, The Girl’s flag teams played each other before the annual classic took place.
“I think it feels really great to come out here and just showcase what our team could do,” Barnes said, leading the Bulldogs to a 62-0 victory —It was the largest win in the short program history. “We put on a show for the community, The Bulldogs’ senior quarterback, hoisted the trophy as she ran through a banner reading, “WARNING: ROSIE HUNTING AHEAD.” Hunt she — and the Bulldogs — did.
Despite his program’s third consecutive loss to Garfield becoming Roosevelt coach Ernesto Ceja couldn’t help but be grateful for his team’s opportunity to play on the Chargers’ and Rams’ turf when reminiscing on the game he just coached.
It’s a dream that became reality, right?” he said.
Ole Miss Watkins and Indiana Kamara
Named Walter Camp Players of the Week
By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer Jordan Watkins from Ole Miss and Mikail Kamara from Indiana were selected Walter Camp offensive and defensive Players of the Week for the college football week ending November 2 Watkins set the Ole Miss single-game records for both receiving yards (254) and touchdowns (5) on eight receptions in the Rebels’ win against Arkansas. Watkins’ five touchdowns tied the SEC single-game record, and the 254 yards marked the 12th 250-yard performance in league history. Three of Watkins’ five scores came on passes of at least 62 yards, scoring twice from 62 and once from 66. Watkins and his family are expecting a child soon. “The last couple of weeks have been rough”, said Watkins. “We were expecting and then we found out the baby was coming early. Good thing I had my teammates around me. They helped me with preparation and I am really blessed to have these guys around me” The Senior from Louisville, KY native is the second Ole Miss player that has earned Walter Camp National FBS Player of Week honors since 2004, and for the second straight week (linebacker Suntarine Perkins was honored on Oct. 29). The 12th-ranked Rebels return to VaughtHemingway for a key contest this week when the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs come to town this Saturday. Kickoff on Nov. 9 on ABC.
47-10 win at Michigan State
On the Defensive side, Mikail Kamara from Indiana tallied seven tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 4.5 tackles for loss in the Hoosiers’ 47-10 win at Michigan State. Kamara led a defensive unit that held Michigan State to a programrecord minus-36 rushing yards. The single-game sack total is the highest by an Indiana player since 2017. With the win, the Hoosiers improved to 9-0, their best start in
school history. “We are having a lot of fun,” said Kamara an Ashburn, Virginia native. “Especially this winning. Winning is a lot of fun,” The RS Junior, Defensive End from Ashburn, VA is the second Indiana player who has earned Walter Camp National FBS Player of the Week honors since 2004, joining former Hoosier linebacker Micah McFadden (Dec. 6, 2020).
This is the 21st 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. It is the nation’s longestrunning Player of the Week award. Walter Camp, “The Father of American football,” first selected an All-America team in 1889. Camp – a former Yale University athlete and football coach – is also credited 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 (www.waltercamp. org) – 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. The Heights Group is run by brothers Ryan Heald and Brooke Heald, both of whom are former collegiate student-athletes and have earned the rare distinction of Morgan Stanley Global Sports and Entertainment Director, a designation earned by fewer than 1% of Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors. Ryan is an NFLPA Registered Institutional Player Financial Advisor with more than 20
years of experience working with top performers in sports and entertainment. The Heights Group started working with many talented clients and their families before they signed their first pro contracts, helping them understand, and prepare for, the complex financial challenges they would face as their careers progressed. The Heights Group at Morgan Stanley serves as their go-to advisors, always ready to
Rams Comeback In Win Over Seahawks
and one interception for the Rams (4-4), who have won three straight after losing four of their previous five. Robinson finished with six catches for 94 yards and
both scores. Cooper Kupp had 11 catches for 104 yards
The Rams trailed 13-3 at the half fought back and took a 20-13 lead on Kamren Kinchens’ 103-yard interception return early in the fourth quarter. With the interception return, Ktnchens set a franchise record for the longest return. A few years back the Arizona Cardinal DB Bubba Baker was caught from behind by the Seahawks DK Metcalf. This week Metcalf was out with an injury. “They didn’t have DK,” said Kinchens. “I didn’t have to worry about him running me down.” Hall of Famer Ed Reed once told Kinchens-“If you catch one it’s not illegal to catch another one”. So I try to catch as many as possible.” Kinchens had two of the Rams’ three interceptions of Smith, He also picked him off at the 7-yard-line on another drive. in the fourth quarter, the defense came up with clutch plays all day.
“I was proud of the way we came out in the second half,” said RAMS Coach Sean McVay.
QB Geno Smith threw for 363 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions for the Seahawks (4-5), who have lost four straight at home and five of six overall to fall into last place in the bunched-up NFC West. Jaxon Smith-Nigba had seven catches for a career-best 180 yards and two scores. Rams receiver Puka Nacua was ejected in the second
quarter for throwing a punch at Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson following an interception by Woolen. After Woolen intercepted Stafford and ran to the opposite side of the field. Dodson and Nacau briefly engaged holding each other by the shirt. When they separated Nacua threw a right hook at
Los Angeles wide receiver Quentin Johnston, 1, brings in a 66-yard touchdown catch and run in the first half of the Chargers’ 27-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio on Nov.. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent of schools Alberto M. Carvalho shares a moment with Gordon Weisenberger JR before the coin toss. Photo-Sara Medina
By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer
Watkins set the Ole Miss single-game records for both receiving yards (254) and touchdowns (5) on eight receptions in the Rebels’ win against Arkansas Ole Miss athletics Mikail Kamara from Indiana tallied seven tackles, 2.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss in the Hoosiers’
March Forward Inglewood
With Immigration Reform on the Table, Advocates Put Human Face on Calif’s Migrant Farmworkers
By Edward Henderson California Black Media
About 99% of the commercially grown crops consumed by people across the United States come from California, according to data compiled by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).
Between half and one-third of the farmworkers who help to grow, tend, harvest and package these crops live in the Golden State. That’s about 500,000 to 800,000 workers.
Astonishingly, 75% of them are undocumented.
“People are very afraid,” said Manuel Ortiz Escámez, a sociologist, audio-visual journalist, and co-founder of Peninsula 360, a news organization based in Redwood City.
“I hold interviews with people who later call and say, ‘Please do not publish anything, because I’m afraid of what could happen,’” he added.
Escámez spoke earlier this month during a news briefing organized by Ethnic Media Services (EMS) that addressed the plight of migrant workers in California, particularly those who live in the United States without legal status.
During an election year when immigration is a polarizing issue with strong opinions on all sides, Escámez says the lives and critical contributions of farmworkers have been reduced to soundbites or barbs in Left vs. Right talking points.
The fervent anti-immigration rhetoric these debates generate can brew hate and motivate hate crimes and hate incidents against migrants, creating an atmosphere of fear and danger among California’s farmworkers, advocates warn. In these situations, the debate shifts from the virtues of legal vs. illegal immigration to politicians scoring political points by finding a group to blame for the country’s problems.
“Power in politics needs to invent a physically and morally repugnant enemy who wants to take what’s yours because the feeling of emergency creates unity and the need of a savior,” said Escámez. “That’s why migrants have always been the ideal enemy of some U.S. political campaigns … and the data shows that it works.”
No matter where Californians stand on immigration, the contributions migrant farmworkers make to California’s
economy and the country’s food supply are undeniable.
In February 2024, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) calculated that immigration will generate a $7 trillion boost to gross domestic product over the next decade. A vast majority of these contributions come from immigrants like California’s farmworkers who perform jobs and endure conditions many Americans choose not to.
“I’m undocumented with a sliver of privilege. I’m still in a precarious position, but millions of people would love to be in my shoes,” said Gustavo Gasca Gomez, immigration outreach specialist and a Stop the Hate
coordinator at the Fresno-based Education and Leadership Foundation.
“I can work, and I have social security. But I can’t vote or leave the country and return without express permission. And before I was a DACA recipient in 2012 I was a farmworker right out of high school,” said Gomez. “The work is difficult. It’s hot, dirty and tedious. It makes your mind numb in many ways. But it’s a job that the entire country depends on.”
If the stress of enduring long hours and harsh working conditions weren’t enough, the added pressure stemming from the national political discourse surrounding immigration has impacted these communities even more.
“Ninety nine percent of the communities we’ve reached out to are farmworkers and all have expressed anxiety and fear. All feel their future is deeply impacted by this,” said Gomez. “They’re most concerned about public charge, about being deported if they access benefits like health care that they or their children -- who are often U.S. citizens -- qualify for.”
Escámez said, that until now, many of these farmworkers had built good relationships, including with the White population in the mostly rural areas where they work.
“Now, they tell me they’re more isolated. That they just go to church, to work, to the store, then stay home, because they don’t know what could happen,” he said.
Arcenio Lopez, executive director of Venturabased Mixtec Indigenous Community Organizing Project discussed the centuries-long history of oppression faced by indigenous communities and notes that they are the original people of the American continents and therefore are not immigrants.
“We talk about the politics, but the indigenous Mexican migrant communities we work with experience this hate daily,” explained Lopez. “We’re called ‘Oaxaquitas’ (‘little Oaxacan’) and ‘indito’ (‘little Indian’). We’re told what we speak is a dialect, not a language. We hear ‘You’re brown,’ ‘You’re short,’ ‘You’re ugly’ … When this language takes the mic, it gives the green light for these actions.”
Around 84% of California farmworkers are born in Mexico and 9% identify as indigenous
“When we talk about this, we should also mention why people leave their lands to come here. Many don’t want to,” he added. “If you go to Oaxaca, you’ll see so many companies from the U.S., Canada and Europe extracting natural resources. How does that impact indigenous communities who can’t compete, who don’t have trees or clean water? What are the decisions that this government is making? Who is in power?”
This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.
Photo by Ricky Richardson
With Immigration Reform on the Table, Advocates Put Human Face on Calif’s Migrant Farmworkers