Diddy’s Allegedly Blames Drugs as Judge Clears Violent Video for Trial
By Stacy M. Brown BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent
Sean “Diddy” Combs is preparing to argue that heavy drug and alcohol use left him mentally incapable of forming criminal intent, a defense that prosecutors are moving swiftly to block ahead of his looming federal trial. Media Take Out, the entertainment blog that focuses primarily on African Americans in the entertainment industry, reported that Diddy’s legal team plans to call a Columbia University professor to testify about the music mogul’s alleged impaired mental state during the time of the alleged offenses. Prosecutors have filed motions opposing the testimony, calling it improper and irrelevant. They argue that Diddy’s defense failed to provide proper notice under the law and noted that the professor never personally evaluated him, meaning any testimony would rely on general expertise rather than clinical observation. According to newly filed documents, Diddy’s attorneys hope to argue that substance abuse impaired his ability to control his actions. Prosecutors counter that whether Diddy was “lucid” during the alleged incidents does not excuse or diminish his legal responsibility.
The defense also faces another major setback.
During the latest hearing, Judge Arun Subramanian ruled that graphic surveillance video showing Diddy allegedly attacking ex-girlfriend Cassie at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016 will be allowed as evidence during the trial. None of Diddy’s attorneys responded to comment requests from Black Press
USA. Prosecutors declined to comment. The trial is set to begin with jury selection on May 5. In preparation, Diddy’s legal team submitted 30 questions for potential jurors, TMZ reported. The proposed questions probe prospective jurors’ views on drug use, celebrities, group sex, cheating in relationships, and opinions about hip-hop culture. One question asks whether hearing about “people
engaging in sexual relations with multiple sexual partners” would impact a juror’s ability to be fair. At the same time, another addresses whether jurors believe wealthy individuals are treated differently by the justice system.
Diddy’s legal team is stacked with high-profile attorneys, including lead lawyer Marc Antony Agnifilo, who previously represented NXIVM
leader Keith Raniere, former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng, IMF chief Dominique StraussKahn, and “Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli. He is joined by Teny Geragos, a partner with experience in defending sexual misconduct allegations and the daughter of famed attorney Mark Geragos. Other defense team members include Alexandra Shapiro and Brian Steel, who recently defended rapper Young Thug in Georgia’s longest-running criminal trial. The prosecution team features eight lawyers, with five designated as leads: Emily Anne Johnson, Madison Reddick Smyser, Mary Christine Slavik, Meredith Foster, and Mitzi Steiner. Prosecutor Maurene Comey, daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, will also play a major role, having previously helped secure the conviction of British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell.
Prosecutors are expected to call forensic psychologist Dawn Hughes, who testified during the R. Kelly criminal trial and the Johnny DeppAmber Heard defamation case. Meanwhile, Diddy’s former chief of staff, Kristina Khorram is facing at least three civil lawsuits alleging that she helped cover up Diddy’s alleged behavior. She has not been charged with a crime. Judge Subramanian, who once clerked for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and practiced at the prestigious Manhattan firm Susman Godfrey, is presiding over the case which NBC News said is the most highprofile assignment of his career to date.
After ‘The Idol,’ Abel Tesfaye’s
New Movie ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ Brought ‘Joy Back into Filmmaking’
By KRYSTA FAURIA
Associated Press
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Abel Tesfaye has always known he wanted to pursue a career in cinema. He sees his meteoric rise to fame as one of today’s biggest pop superstars under the moniker The Weeknd as a detour to make that happen.
Nearly two years after he made his acting debut with HBO’s “The Idol,” which he co-created with Sam Levinson, Tesfaye said his latest experimental musical film which also stars Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan “brought the joy back into filmmaking."
“Hurry Up Tomorrow,” a Lionsgate release hitting theaters May 16, is a kind of companion piece to the final album of the same name released earlier this year in the artist’s record-breaking trilogy.
Along with director Trey Edward Shults, Tesfaye, 35, spoke with The Associated Press about retiring The Weeknd, losing his voice onstage in 2022 and lessons learned from making “The Idol.”
The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
AP: How has cinema and long-form storytelling through film influenced you as an artist?
TESFAYE: Cinema, for me, it’s always been my number one passion. And then I happened to sing and make music and it kind of felt like a little detour, a little cheat code to kind of get into this. I always wanted to make movies and I always
want to make music with movies. You always kind of hear and see the DNA of cinema in my albums and my music videos, my performances and my stage. So it’s always just been a part of me.
AP: You come in with this very vulnerable, personal project, and you enlist Trey to make it. How did you guys navigate that and why did you trust him?
TESFAYE: Well, first and foremost, I was a fan of his work. So I knew that he was gonna, whatever I gave him, he’s gonna make something incredible. But when we met, we just were kind of inseparable. We became really, really close friends and family. And the trust just came natural after that. It’s like no one else can tell the story but Trey. So it was very easy for me.
SHULTS: For me too, it was like my first movie I made for $30,000 with literal family members acting in it and friends in it. It was this beautiful, magical experience and I told myself going forward, doing bigger projects, I only wanna work with humans that I truly feel connected to and you feel that kismet good energy connection and when I met Abel, I felt that. And it was just natural and organic and he was a genuine fan and I could tell his genuine trust and like wanting to embolden me and try to make this my own film. And I just got crazy inspired.
AP: Did you always see this as the third part in
the trilogy?
TESFAYE: It was always the third part, yeah. I didn’t know what I wanted to say at the time, but I knew I was making some sort of saga. But that was more just for myself. I kind of wanted to establish that I wanted to make something that can end a story. And lo and behold, something actually happened to me that I felt like, whatever I had in store, whatever plans I had prior, threw it out the window aocused 110% on this story.
AP: How did what happened change your understanding of you as an artist? You said cinema has always been the goal. Do you feel like it kind of helped you see your priorities in some ways?
TESFAYE: Absolutely. I mean I was juggling a million things at the time, you know, and I was on tour, dealing with personal stuff as well. But that’s happened before. I was able to still rely on my super power. You know, I can go on stage and it’s this cathartic experience with the fans. I can shut my world off for an hour and a half, two hours and just lose myself in my performance. And when it got to a point where the lines were blurring, it was affecting my stage performance — people spend a lot of money to come to these shows. They save up for a year, and it got a point where, oh my God, I can’t give them what they want, my voice is failing me. And I knew at that moment, I needed to sit down and figure out what was going on up there.
Because it wasn’t a physical injury.
AP: Did that influence your decision to retire The Weeknd?
TESFAYE: That kind of helped it.
AP: So now you’re bringing yourself? Abel is who you want people to know?
TESFAYE: It’s not even that. I mean, I’ve always been Abel. The Weeknd’s always been a performance. I’m gonna be super hyperbolic here a little bit, but it felt like I had nothing else to say. That’s what it kind of felt like to me. I was on stage and it’s like I’ve said everything I can say as this person, and now it’s time for me to take that next step. And this film was kind of like that guiding light for me.
AP: Were there any lessons from “The Idol” that you took into this project?
TESFAYE: Yeah, I mean, naturally you learn. That was the first thing we had ever done. You always learn. You’re working with great, great artists at the time and I'm still really close with everyone from the set. But it was a learning experience. This felt a little bit, had a little more joy making it. Felt a little but more personal. “Idol” didn’t really feel like mine at the time. This one felt very much personal and I’m saying this now, that Trey really brought that, and Jenna, of course, brought the joy back into filmmaking. Like, “Yeah, I do want to do this. This is great.” (Laughs)
Sean Combs (Wikimedia Commons)
100 Days of Chaos: Trump’s Return
Feels Like a Sequel No One Asked For
By Stacy M. Brown BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent
Donald Trump’s return to the White House has triggered a surge in consumer prices, widespread protests, and mounting legal and political concerns—all within his first 100 days.
A new analysis from Americans for Tax Fairness (ATF) reveals that Trump’s sweeping tariffs on foreign goods have already added $14 billion in costs for U.S. households. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, import taxes soared to $96.3 billion in the first quarter of 2025, up 17 percent from the same period last year. ATF called the tariffs a regressive tax scheme that burdens working—and middle-class families while shielding the wealthy. “These are just the first effects of Trump’s reckless and regressive tariffs—the beginning of higher costs that families will face due to the president’s incompetent trade policies and to fund his tax giveaway to billionaires,” David Kass, ATF’s
executive director, said. ATF’s analysis found that the bottom 60 percent of households, which receive about one-fifth of the nation’s income, will shoulder nearly one-third of the tariff burden. Meanwhile, the top 1 percent of income earners—those making
more than $940,000—will pay just one-tenth of the cost despite taking in more than one-fifth of
national income.
The Yale Budget Lab projects that Trump’s tariff policy will result in an 18 percent effective tax rate on imported goods by the end of 2025—the highest since 1934. Without changes in consumer behavior, the rate could rise to 28 percent, the highest since 1901. More than 200 demonstrators shut down traffic across Washington on Tuesday to protest what organizers called “100 days of disaster.”
The protests resulted in eight arrests and widespread disruption throughout the city’s morning commute.
“For 100 days, Trump, Musk, and their billionaire friends have stripped away our fundamental freedoms—abducting our neighbors, cracking down on political dissidents, and attempting to erase trans people from existence,” Ella Weber, an organizer, said. Olivia DiNucci of CODEPINK said the administration has “gutted social services, sent billions to Israel, and boosted a trillion-dollar Pentagon budget, while families struggle to survive.”
Rev. Al Sharpton said Trump’s first 100 days “are Project 2025 in motion.” He pointed to executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion, eliminating police accountability efforts, and attacking LGBTQ+ rights. “Trump may have executive orders. He may have the House and the Senate. He may have a conservative Supreme Court that will stand idly by even when he defies their orders. But he does not control our dollars. He cannot stop us from marching,” Sharpton asserted. The Not Above the Law coalition accused the administration of ignoring court rulings, targeting political opponents through the Justice Department, and rewarding allies with sweeping pardons and federal contracts. “We have come too far, heard too many commitments, and proved our case for success to go back now,” Sharpton said.
Covered California Pushes for Better Health Care as Federal Spending Cuts Loom
By Bernard
J. WolfsonFaced with potential federal spending cuts that threaten health coverage and falling childhood vaccination rates, Monica Soni, the chief medical officer of Covered California, has a lot on her plate — and on her mind.California’s Affordable Care Act health insurance exchange covers nearly 2 million residents and 89% of them receive federal subsidies that reduce their premiums. Many middle-income households got subsidies for the first time after Congress expanded them in 2021, which helped generate a boom in enrollment in ACA exchanges nationwide.From the original and enhanced subsidies, Covered California enrollees currently get $563 a month on average, lowering the average monthly out-of-pocket premium from $698 to $135, according to data from Covered California.The 2021 subsidies are set to expire at the end of this year unless Congress renews them. If they lapse, enrollees would be on the hook to pay an average of $101 a month more for health insurance — not counting any premium hikes in 2026 and beyond. And those middle-income earners who did not qualify for subsidies before would lose all financial assistance — $384 a month, on average — which Soni fears could prompt them to drop out. At the same time, vaccination rates for children 2 and under declined among 7 of the 10 Covered California health plans subject to its new qualityof-care requirements. Soni, a Los Angeles native who came to Covered California in May 2023, oversees that program, in which health plans must meet performance targets on blood pressure control, diabetes management, colorectal cancer screening, and childhood vaccinations — or pay a financial penalty.Lack of access to such key aspects of care disproportionately affects underserved communities, making Covered California’s effort one of health equity as well. Soni, a Harvard-trained primary care doctor who sees patients one day a week at an urgent care clinic in Los Angeles County’s public safety net health system, is familiar with the challenges those communities face.Covered California reported last
November that its health plans improved on three of the four measures in the first year of the program. But childhood immunizations for those under 2 declined by 4%. The decline is in line with a national trend, which Soni attributed to postpandemic mistrust of vaccines and “more skepticism of the entire medical industry.”Most parents have heard at least one untrue statement about measles or the vaccine for it, and many don’t know what to believe, according to an April KFF poll.Health plans improved on the other three measures, but not enough to avoid penalties, which yielded $15 million. The exchange is using that money to fund another effort Soni manages, which helps 6,900 Covered California households buy groceries and contributes to over 250 savings accounts for children who get routine checkups and vaccines. Some of the penalty money will also be used to support primary care practices around California.In addition to her bifurcated professional duties, Soni is the mother of two young children, ages 4 and 7. KFF Health News senior correspondent Bernard J. Wolfson spoke with Soni about the impact of possible federal cuts and the exchange’s initiative to improve care for its enrollees. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.Q: Covered California has record enrollment of nearly 2 million, boosted by the expanded federal subsidies passed under the Biden administration, which end after this year. What if Congress does not renew them?A: Our estimates are that it will approach 400,000 Californians who would drop coverage immediately. We hear every day from our folks that they’re really living on the margins. Until they got some of those subsidies, they could not afford coverage.As a primary care doctor, I am the one to treat folks who show up with preventable cancers because they were too afraid to think about what their out-of-pocket costs would be. I don’t want to go back to those days.Q: Congress is considering billions in cuts to Medicaid. How would that affect Covered California and the state’s population more broadly, given that more than 1 in 3 Californians are on
Medi-Cal, the state’s version of Medicaid?A: Those are our neighbors, our friends. Those are the people working in the restaurants we eat at. Earlier cancer screenings, better chronic disease control, lower maternal mortality, more substance use disorder treatment: We know that Medicaid saves lives. We know it helps people live longer and better. As a physician, I would be hard-pressed to argue for rolling back anything that saves lives. It would be very distressing to watch that come to California.Q: Why did Covered California undertake the Quality Transformation Initiative?A: We were incredibly successful at covering nearly 2 million, but frankly we didn’t see improvements in quality, and we continue to see gaps for certain populations in terms of outcomes. So, I think the question became much more imperative: Are we getting our money’s worth out of this coverage? Are we making sure people are living longer and better, and if not, how do we up the ante to make sure they are?Q: There’s a penalty for not meeting the targets, but no bonuses for meeting them: You meet the goals or else, right?A: We don’t say it like that, but that is true. And we didn’t make it complicated. It’s only four measures. It’s things that as a primary care doctor I know are important, that I take care of when I see people in my practice. We said get to the 66th percentile on these four measures, and there’s no dollars that you have to pay. If you don’t, then we collect those funds.Q: And you use the penalty money to fund the grocery assistance and child savings accounts.A: That’s exactly right. We had this opportunity to think about what would we use these dollars for and how we actually make a difference in people’s lives. So, we cold-called hundreds of people, we sent surveys out to thousands of folks, and what we heard overwhelmingly was how expensive it is to live in California; that folks are making tradeoffs between food and transportation, between child care and food — just impossible decisions.Q: You will put up to $1,000 a child into those savings accounts, right?A: That’s right. It’s tied to doing those healthy behaviors, going to child well visits
and getting recommended vaccines. We looked at the literature, and once you get to even just $500 in an account, the likelihood of a kid going to a two- or four-year school increases significantly. It’s actually because they’re hopeful about their future, and it changes their path of upward mobility, which we know changes their health outcome.Q: Given the rise in vaccine skepticism, are you worried that the recent measles outbreak could grow?A: I am very concerned about it. I was actually reading some posts from a physician colleague who trained decades earlier and was talking about all the diseases that my generation of physicians have never seen. We don’t actually know how to diagnose and take care of a number of infectious diseases because they mostly have been eradicated or outbreaks have been really contained. So, I feel worried. I’ve been brushing off my old textbooks.
How Proposed Federal Medicaid Cuts Could Impact California
By Edward Henderson California Black Media
Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives are fighting over whether they should slash Medicaid funding (known as Medi-Cal in California) -- and by how much. The cuts are critical to achieving a $1.5 trillion federal budget reduction the GOP-led House already approved in a February resolution. If implemented, the cuts to Medicaid will be the largest drawdown in the program’s history. The budget resolution to slash at least $880 billion through 2034 in Medicaid, nutrition programs and health care programs, including some funding for nursing homes, was proposed to the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee in late February. Congress could vote on the measure as early as this week. Of the almost one in four Americans enrolled in the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which includes low-income households, senior citizens, pregnant women and people with disabilities, the measure could eliminate coverage for 15.9 million people, according to data compiled by the Center for American Progress, a left-leaning but non-partisan think tank based in Washington, D.C.
A California Health Care Foundation report states that $100 billion of Medi-Cal’s $160 billion budget comprises federal funds.
“House Republicans passed a budget proposal that would lead to the largest Medicaid cuts in history, taking healthcare away from tens of millions of Americans to fund tax breaks for billionaires like Elon. It has never been clearer that Donald Trump and his Republican Party do not care about the health and well-being of seniors, children, people with disabilities, and working families. However, Democrats do care,” said Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37), reacting to the Republican passage of the budget resolution.
Kamlager-Dove convened a roundtable discussion at Eisner Health in Los Angeles with patients and healthcare providers to address the local impacts of the proposed Medicaid cuts. Her district has the fourth highest Medicaid enrollment in the nation.
“Democrats are fighting to protect Medicaid because it helps everyone, including those in both red and blue districts. Defending and improving this vital program should never be a partisan issue -- it’s about preserving healthcare in our country,” Kamlager-Dove continued.
The Medi-Cal program insures 14.9 million people, more than one-third of the state’s population.
Nine Republicans are a part of California’s delegation to the United States Congress, representing 2.5 million Medi-Cal enrollees. All nine of them voted to approve the House GOP budget bill.
Approximately 72.1 million Americans are currently enrolled in Medicaid and 7.2 million in CHIP -- including over 13 million African Americans.
Opponents of the cuts predict that they would pose a number of problems -- not only for states, but also for the people covered by Medicaid and the hospitals and physicians that provide services.
Among plans under consideration to implement the cuts are initiating work requirements for adults without disabilities and young children and beginning continual monitoring of eligibility. This would limit states’ abilities to tax providers for their share of Medicaid revenues and reduce the amount the federal government matches for state Medicaid expansion.
“California will continue to work collaboratively with our federal partners to ensure that families in our state are healthy, and our communities are vibrant places to live and work,” said Anthony Cava, media relations manager at the California Department of Health Care Services.
State Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R-Santee) blasted Newsom and his Democratic colleagues for approving the funding, which will benefit all state residents, even those without legal status.
“Meanwhile, healthcare access is plummeting. Wait times are growing. Democrats have made their choice: legal residents come second,” Jones wrote on X. “We must stop new enrollments of illegal immigrants and rein in this unsustainable program before it collapses entirely.”
The California Budget and Policy Center has recommended that “state policymakers should prioritize identifying new, sustainable sources of revenue to safeguard health care access for millions,” in a recent fact sheet they released on the subject. They also recommend that policymakers close tax loopholes that benefit corporations and the wealthy.
On April 15, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation approving $2.8 billion to cover this year’s Medi-Cal funding gap, after taking out a $3.44 billion loan to pay bills. It is unclear how much the state will set aside to help make up the difference if the proposed Medicaid cuts pass.
Jessica Walker, co-founder and director of operations of Be Mom Aware, who served on the California Task Force on Maternal Mental Health, shared her experiences with postpartum depression during the “Pain to Power” advocacy day at the State Capitol. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.
Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D–Los Angeles) spoke at the Pain to Power event hosted by the California Coalition for Perinatal Mental Health and Justice. She is the author of SB 626, a survivor-led bill aimed at strengthening California’s response to the perinatal mental health crisis. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.
Parents, survivors, advocates, and clinicians from across the state gathered at the State Capitol for the Pain to Power advocacy day, hosted by the California Coalition for Perinatal Mental Health and Justice. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.
Monica Soni, a Harvard-trained physician, is chief medical officer of Covered California, the state’s Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplace. Soni oversees an effort to hold Covered California’s health plans accountable for the care they provide. (Rich Pedroncelli for KFF Health News)
California Capitol News You Might Have Missed Political Playback
By Bo Tefu and Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media Sen. Padilla Releases
Statement on Trump’s First 100 Days
U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) issued a strong condemnation of President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office, calling them “the worst first 100 days of any president in modern history.”
and fiscal challenges. The Trump administration has slashed higher education funding, launched investigations into UC’s admissions and diversity practices, and accused campuses of fostering antisemitism. In response, UC has lost $300 million in federal research grants and enacted a systemwide hiring freeze.
Addressing the UC Regents at a public meeting in San Francisco, Milliken emphasized the urgency of confronting these external threats while continuing to expand access and innovation. “These are unprecedented times in higher education,” he said. “We need to right the ship and move forward with strength and clarity.”
“We’re DOGE but better,” Newsom said, stressing that California’s approach is about strengthening public services, not cutting them. Newsom emphasized that the projects are being implemented in coordination with state employees and unions, contrasting the state’s approach with federal cost-cutting measures under Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. “The announcement we’re making today was done in partnership with state workers and employees. That’s the difference,” Newsom said in Los Angeles.
announced Tuesday that his Affordable Rent Act, AB 1157, which proposed reducing the state’s rent cap from 10% to 5% for most multifamily properties over 15 years old, would be delayed and reintroduced in 2026. The bill also sought to expand eviction protections and extend safeguards to renters in single-family homes.
Padilla highlighted several areas of concern, including the administration’s impact on federal programs, the economy, and immigrant communities.
In a statement released on April 29, Padilla accused Trump of undermining vital federal services that millions of Americans depend on.
“Trump has devastated federal programs and services that families in California and across the country rely on,” he said.
Padilla added that the president’s trade policies have raised prices for Americans while failing to deliver on promises of economic relief.
“Trump promised to lower costs, but since taking office, his policies have driven prices up on everything from food to utilities to prescription drugs,” he said.
Padilla also criticized Trump’s budget proposals, which he called a “cruel Billionaire-first Budget” that would increase costs for working families while benefiting the wealthy. The senator reinforced that cuts to federal programs have real consequences further warning that critical services like healthcare, Social Security, and veterans’ benefits are at risk.
The senator’s remarks underscored the growing frustration among California’s Democratic leadership over Trump’s policies, which Padilla says are contributing to “costs, chaos, and corruption.”
He further stressed the negative impact on Californians, stating, “Our economy, consumer confidence, and the livelihoods of the American people are down -- that’s the legacy of Donald Trump’s first 100 days.” Padilla vowed to continue fighting for California communities, pledging to oppose what he described as Trump’s attacks on the economy, environment, and core values.
Gov. Newsom
Congratulates New U.C. President; Thanks Outgoing Leader for Vision, Contribution
The University of California has named James B. Milliken, current chancellor of the University of Texas system, as its next president. The UC Board of Regents announced the appointment May 2, selecting Milliken after a six-month national search to succeed Michael V. Drake, who will step down on July 31. Milliken, 68, will lead the nation’s top public university system, a $53 billion enterprise with 10 campuses, six academic health centers, and three national laboratories, at a time of mounting political
California Gov. Gavin Newsom welcomed the appointment of Milliken as UC President, highlighting the importance of his leadership in shaping the university’s future.
“Chancellor Milliken brings years of experience and the steady, strategic leadership needed to expand UC’s impact across the state,” said Newsom.
“I am excited to see him drive the next chapter of innovation, talent, and progress that will shape California and the country for generations to come.”
The governor also expressed gratitude to outgoing President Michael V. Drake for his leadership and dedication to California’s students.
“I also want to thank Dr. Michael Drake for his leadership and vision during his tenure. He is a strong partner and his intellect, experience and commitment to our students has helped grow the next generation of California leaders. We wish him well in his retirement,” said Newsom.
A veteran of public university leadership, Milliken previously served as president of the University of Nebraska and chancellor of the City University of New York. At Texas, he led efforts to broaden access for low-income students, launch mental health initiatives, and implement major changes following GOP-led bans on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Milliken is expected to bring steady leadership and a collaborative approach as UC navigates federal investigations, state budget cuts, and growing campus unrest. Regents praised his deep experience and political acumen.
“He understands the transformative power of a public university system,” said Regent Chair Janet Reilly.
Milliken will begin his term in August, relocating from Austin to the Bay Area to take the helm of California’s flagship university system.
California Expands AI Use to Boost Public Safety, Customer Service, and Gov’t Efficiency
Gov. Gavin Newsom on April 29 announced a new wave of artificial intelligence initiatives aimed at improving public safety, enhancing customer service, and streamlining state operations. The state has entered into three new partnerships to apply generative AI (GenAI) technologies in traffic management, highway safety, and taxpayer assistance.
“California is demonstrating that GenAI can help us improve the way we do business for Californians,” said Trista Gonzalez, director of the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA), which will use AI to assist call center agents during peak seasons.
The initiatives include using Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI platform to help Caltrans reduce highway congestion, deploying Google Gemini AI via Deloitte to identify traffic safety improvements, and incorporating Anthropic’s Claude to improve CDTFA’s response times to taxpayer inquiries.
The announcement builds on Newsom’s 2023 executive order directing state agencies to adopt GenAI to deliver faster, more responsive services. It comes as California faces off with the federal government over proposed cuts to AmeriCorps and tariffs, further asserting its role in shaping national policy through innovation and legal challenges.
Additional initiatives, including the Engaged California digital platform and a new productivityfocused AI pilot program, underscore the state’s broader push to modernize how it serves residents.
California’s Elections Chief and AG Bonta Oppose Federal Voter ID Push
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber and Attorney General Rob Bonta are pushing back against a federal bill backed by President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans that would impose voter ID requirements nationwide, arguing it threatens decades of progress in expanding voter access.
The U.S. House passed the proposed legislation, known as the SAVE Act, in April. It would require all voters to register in person with proof of citizenship, effectively undermining California’s voter-friendly laws such as same-day registration and automatic enrollment through the DMV. Trump previously suggested tying wildfire aid to California’s adoption of voter ID and signed an executive order on the issue, which has been blocked by a federal judge.
Weber criticized the bill as a “step backward,” saying it would disproportionately impact voters without easy access to documents like passports or birth certificates. Drawing from her personal history, she noted that her parents, former sharecroppers, were unable to vote in the Jim Crow South because of discriminatory barriers.
“Access to voting is essential in a democracy,” said Weber. “We are prepared in California to fight for democracy.”
Weber and Bonta are also challenging a voter ID law passed in Huntington Beach, arguing it violates state law. While an Orange County judge dismissed the state’s lawsuit, an appeal is underway. Democrats in the California Legislature recently blocked a state-level voter ID proposal, while Weber emphasized that California already has multiple safeguards ensuring only eligible voters can register.
“We don’t have any information that says we have voter fraud,” she said.
If the SAVE Act passes the Senate and is signed into law, it could reshape voting rights across the U.S., a prospect that California’s top officials say they are determined to resist.
California Rent Cap Bill Pulled Amid Housing Development Concerns
A bill aimed at strengthening rent control across California has been withdrawn for the year amid mounting opposition from real estate and landlord groups, though backers vow to revive the effort next legislative session.
Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D–San José)
“As we enter an economic downturn and vulnerable Californians face dire financial situations, we must guide our policies with empathy,” said Kalra. “Housing is a human right.” The legislation passed the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee by a slim margin but faced hesitation in the Judiciary Committee, where lawmakers cited concerns over unintended impacts on housing development. Industry opponents, including the California Apartment Association, argued the bill would discourage construction and strain small landlords.
Tenant advocates expressed disappointment. “We are going to come back every single year until there is a resolution,” said Shanti Singh of Tenants Together, citing the urgency of rising rents. “At the current cap, a tenant’s rent could double in just seven years.”
The 2019 Tenant Protection Act, which Kalra’s bill aimed to strengthen, will sunset in 2030. With rents continuing to climb and housing affordability ranked among voters’ top concerns, both sides expect continued battles ahead.
State Is Empowering Older Californians Through Conversation and Resources
May is Older Californians Month, a time to celebrate the resilience, strength, and wisdom of older adults while encouraging important conversations about aging, according to the California Department of Aging (CDA). This year’s theme is Flip the Script on Aging.
CDA urges families to start open discussions about the support that older adults need to thrive. This month highlights the need for early conversations, focusing on independence, dignity, and the wealth of knowledge older Californians contribute to their communities.
CDA Director Susan DeMarois emphasizes that initiating these conversations is a sign of strength. “Older adults are vibrant, capable, contributing members of our communities. Let’s celebrate the possibilities that come with every new chapter of life,” she said.
California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS) Secretary Kim Johnson notes that the best way to ensure independence as we age is through early conversations.
“Starting the conversation early is the best way to ensure independence and dignity as we age. It’s about empowering people with information and resources and helping them to thrive,” she said. These discussions are key to connecting older adults with valuable resources and information, empowering them to live with dignity.
As the state prepares for a significant demographic shift, by 2030, older adults will outnumber children under 18 for the first time. California’s groundbreaking Master Plan for Aging provides a strategic framework to support the growing senior population.
To help foster these intergenerational conversations, the CDA offers the Aging Resource Guide. The guide provides practical information on a range of topics, including fraud prevention, nutrition, caregiver support, disaster preparedness, and more. Californians can access the aging resource guide on the CDA’s website.
These Four Black Caucus Bills Clash With Key Aspects of Trump Admin Agenda
By Edward Henderson
California Black Media
Over the last four weeks, California Black Media (CBM) has been examining the 16 bills included in the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) “Road to Repair 2025 Priority Bill Package.” This week’s article looks at the last four bills in the series. Each piece of legislation, authored by different members of the CLBC, is written as part of a broader umbrella package designed to repair “the generational harms caused by the cruel treatment of African American slaves in the United States.” However, the bills each include provisions that
stand in stark contrast to key aspects of the Trump administration policies which call for eliminating DEI in government and ethnic studies in schools as well as weakening criminal justice protections and pushing back against programs that level the playing field for descendants of enslaved people in the United States. Here is an overview of the four bills, a summary of what each one proposes and insights from each author.
Assembly Bill 766
Assembly Bill (AB) 766, introduced by Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins (D-San Diego), seeks to require all executive branch agencies to conduct periodic racial equity analyses
and develop programs to further advance racial equity.
“DEIA programs across the country are under attack,” said Sharp-Collins. “These critical programs expand opportunities but also ensure equity and access. AB 766 protects those programs in California and commits the state to ensuring fairness by requiring a racial equity review in all departmental rulemaking.”
The bill would require all agencies and departments subject to the Governor’s authority to undertake a racial equity analysis before implementing any budget or before any regulation takes effect. The bill would require the racial equity analysis to be undertaken by an appointed DEI officer.
On April 30, the Assembly Committee on Appropriations voted 15-5 to approve the bill but re-referred it for further examination by the committee members.
Assembly Bill 475 AB 475, introduced by Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), seeks to require the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to develop voluntary work programs for inmates.
Provisions in the bill align with Wilson’s mission to advocate for incarcerated individuals’ rights when it comes to forced labor.
“This bill would no longer require CDCR to require each able-bodied inmate to work and, instead, would require CDCR to develop a voluntary work program and to prescribe rules and regulations regarding voluntary work assignments for CDCR inmates,” wrote Wilson in the bill text.
“Including the wages for work assignments and requiring wages for work assignments in county and city jail programs to be set.”
Last month, the Assembly Appropriations Committee voted 6-1 in favor of the bill before referring it to the suspense file.
SB 510
SB 510, introduced by Sen. Laura Richardson (D-Inglewood), seeks to require complete and
accurate K-12 curriculum regarding racial disparities, including impacts of segregation, slavery and systemic discrimination.
“SB 510, if passed, would ensure that California K-12 students have accurate teachings that reflect historical facts related to the treatment, struggles, and accomplishments of African Americans throughout our state’s history,” said Richardson.
The bill is similar to AB 1821, introduced by Assemblymember Ramos in 2024 that stated, “any instruction on the Spanish missions in California or the Gold Rush Era must also include instruction regarding the treatment of Native Americans during those periods.”
The Senate Appropriations Committee is currently reviewing the legislation.
AB 742 AB 742, introduced by Assemblymember Sade Elhawary (D-Los Angeles), seeks to designate descendants of American chattel slavery for priority when issuing professional licenses.
The bill is connected to SB 518, introduced by Senator Akilah Weber-Pierson, which establishes the Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery. The Bureau would be a state agency to verify lineage and facilitate access to reparations programs.
Once an individual’s lineage is established by the bureau, AB 742 would make the information a priority when issuing professional licenses, creating pathways towards economic opportunities. The bill’s introduction builds on the two main pillars of her political platform: restorative justice, and wellness equity.
“Change takes courage and community,” said Elhawary in a release. “And I intend to get right to work bringing people together and helping Californians keep a roof over their heads and food on the table, get their kids a good education, find family-sustaining jobs, become healthier, and live in safer neighborhoods.” On April 29, the Assembly Judiciary Committee voted 8-2 to advance the bill. It is currently under review in the Assembly Appropriations
Asm. Dr. LaShae-Sharp Collins (D-San Diego). Photos by Antonio Ray Harvey
By Dr. Maxmillian
D.D.S. Summer can be a great time to establish and reinforce good oral hygiene habits. As a dentist, I also emphasize the importance of limiting sugary drinks, which can significantly impact our children’s overall health and wellbeing.
Protect Your Smile This Summer: Limit Sugar-Sweetened Drinks!
The Hidden Dangers of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages
Research shows that a significant portion of the added sugars in our diets come from sugary drinks like regular soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, sweetened teas and flavored coffees. Excess consumption of too much sugar has been associated with an increase in chronic conditions and diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and tooth decay.
A Los Angeles County-wide survey found that African American children have twice the rate of sugary drink consumption compared to White and Asian children. Untreated tooth decay can negatively affect overall health and quality of life. Reducing the consumption of sugary drinks is essential for enhancing our children’s oral health and well-being, setting them up for healthier, more active summers.
Prioritizing Oral Health This Summer This summer, let’s prioritize stepping up our oral health game in a few easy steps:
Drink More Water: Enhance water’s appeal by adding slices of fruits like lemons, berries, or cucumbers. Explore Healthier Options: Encourage your family to substitute one sugary drink daily with a healthier choice, like sparkling water with a splash of 100% fruit juice or homemade iced herbal tea.
Promote Healthy Eating Habits: Talk to your children about the importance of a balanced diet. Encourage them to choose water, milk, or 100% fruit juice over sugar-sweetened beverages. Pack lunches and snacks that include fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to promote better oral health.
Reinforce Oral Hygiene Routine: Make sure your child brushes their teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flosses daily. Consider using a timer to ensure they brush for the recommended two minutes. Also, remember to schedule dental appointments before the school year begins! The Role of Parents and Caregivers
Beyoncé, Tariffs, and the Battle for Black America
Black Press USA Staff Report
On the April 30 edition of the Black Press of America’s daily program Let It Be Known, hosts Stacy M. Brown and Niele Anderson discussed the economic threats posed by tariffs, the weaponization of federal institutions, and a troubling smear campaign against veteran White House correspondent April D. Ryan. The show opened with a pre-recorded video dissecting the real-world effects of Trump’s tariff policies, which have yet to fully hit consumer prices because companies previously stockpiled goods ahead of implementation. The segment explained that cargo imports have sharply declined—down as much as 50 percent—signaling an impending supply shock. “When the pre-tariff inventory dries up, there will be shortages, and prices will go up,” the video noted. “This isn’t BS—this is the calm before the storm.” Following the clip, Brown and Anderson broke down how the policies disproportionately impact vulnerable communities. “We’re going
to start feeling it in our pockets,” Brown warned,
referencing recent reports from the Port of Los Angeles showing an expected 35 percent decline in shipping value. “It’s simple: supply goes down, prices go up.”
The hosts turned to another major concern— reports that the Trump administration has quietly activated the U.S. Postal Service to assist in mass deportations, while also forcing out more than 70 percent of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division staff. “We haven’t felt the full impact yet,” Anderson said. “But the consequences for Black and brown communities will be devastating.”
The broadcast grew more urgent as Brown and Anderson addressed the growing attacks on April D. Ryan, the longtime White House reporter for the Black Press, who broke the story about efforts to remove African American artifacts from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Brown condemned the backlash, particularly from fellow Black
journalists. “April Ryan is the longest-serving Black correspondent at the White House,” he said. “She’s earned her credibility. This campaign against her is unacceptable.” Anderson added that April’s reporting has been verified by Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown, who appeared on the show after receiving a letter from the museum about the return of his family Bible and one of the oldest books authored by a Black person. “April never said the chair was removed—she said it was targeted,” Anderson said. Brown added: “[For fellow Black journalists] to remove her reporting because the Smithsonian released a carefully worded denial? That’s a problem.” Anderson said the Smithsonian and the Trump administration bear responsibility for fueling confusion. “They’re playing a cat-andmouse game with the truth,” she said. “Meanwhile, some Black journalists are aiding the erasure of Black history by turning on one of our own.” The discussion included sharp commentary on cultural ownership, with Anderson praising Beyoncé’s new
country album for reclaiming the American flag and Black identity. “That flag is ours, too,” Anderson said. “We’re not giving it up. Our ancestors paid the price.”
The episode also aimed at NFL Hall of Famer Chris Carter for suggesting Shedeur Sanders needed to be “taught a lesson” after not being drafted. “That’s ‘stay in your place’ language,” Anderson said. “This is deeper than football. It’s about control and systemic racism.” From housing costs to erasing history, Brown and Anderson framed the current moment as one of real danger—but also one that requires solidarity. “Black journalists should not be attacking each other,” Brown said. “We need to be the voice that the community turns to, not the voice that helps tear it apart.” The show concluded with a call to action: a June 14 push to flood social media with images of former President Obama—Trump’s birthday—while lifting Black legacy, Black voices, and Black truth.
Watch Let It Be Known at 8 a.m. on weekdays.
A Concern for Shortages of Essential GoodsBy
By April Ryan
“Anything that raises consumer prices on necessities will hit Black Americans hard, says Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League. This week, a Senate resolution to reverse President Trump’s tariffs on imports failed in a vote of 49-49. Rhode Island Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse missed the vote as he returned from South Korea, and Republican Mitch McConnell did not vote. According to McConnell’s staffers, he has been “consistent in opposing tariffs.” Recently, Target and Walmart’s CEOs signaled to President Trump that their store shelves could soon be empty due to tariffs. Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League, has already heard of store shelves becoming bare as the shortage
could resemble the problems like the COVID supply chain chinks a few years ago. After hearing from economists, Morial says, “We’re going to have empty shelves by mid-early to mid-May because what’s happened is all of the vessels from China are turning around and going back.” So many products on store shelves are from around the world, including bananas and Mangos. The Main Suppliers of Fresh Bananas to the US market are Guatemala, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Honduras. In 2010, these five countries shipped 94 percent of U.S. banana imports. 86% of the mangos imported to the United States are imported from Mexico. Regarding essential items, Morial contends, “Think about water, think about diapers. Think about toilet tissue, think about eggs, and
paper towels, a lot of these paper products come from Canada…Other things come from China. Those things are not made in the United States… Because the type of wood that is used for toilet paper is more plentiful in Canada, is what I understand.”
The expectation is that tariffs will make many items more expensive, potentially leading to price gouging and the sale of items on the black market. Meanwhile, Morial has also ranked the number one item Black Americans consume. Grits are milled chiefly in the southern United States. Second, on the list is anything for hair manufactured in the United States, Africa, China, and the United Kingdom.
