Valley's News Observer 2.10.22

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Volume 37 Number 13

Serving the San Fernando Valley for Over 37 Years

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“Visionary” Stan Kroenke and Rams Have Already Won

Hall of Famer Michael Strahan, Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kronke , Hall of Fame Terry Bradshaw, and Hall of Fam Coach Jimmy Johnson. (Photo: Earl Heath)

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer The Los Angeles Rams are trying to win a Super Bowl this week for the against the Cincinnati Bengals.Some years back aSuper Bowl and So-Fi were part of a “vision” Stan Kroenke had.

We want them to come out on top But no matter the outcome he and the team has won. It s been five seasons since moving the National Football League franchise to Los Angeles from St. Louis Since buying the team he’s built the biggest most modern stadium in sports. He has worked with City of Inglewood Mayor James T. Butt to help everyone be winners now and down the road. Sponsorships, ticket sales are near the roof and still growing.

Known as the “City of Champions” it has prospered with new housing new streets money pouring into public schools.

With concerts and games at SoFi nearby business are booming with visitors. There has been several new housing built for Senior Citizen’s around the City. And the jobs have multiplied at an staggering rate He’s developing the surrounding area, the former Hollywood Park horse-racing track, into a mixed-use community of apartments, offices and stores that’s triple the size of the biggest

real estate project in the western U.S. SoFi Stadium, also home to the NFL’s Chargers and was built without funds from the US, government funds.

The site has entitlements for 500,000 square feet (46,000 square meters) of additional office space and a 300-room hotel.

The 6,000-seat YouTube Theater, which shares a roof with SoFi Stadium, opened in August, and the first of as many as 2,500 residences will be completed this summer.

Kroenke’s real estate are all poised to benefit as the franchise’s winning record and a state-of-the-art venue feed off each other, according to sports-industry analysts. Sportscorp Ltd., a Chicagobased sport consultancy.

The Dallas Cowboys, worth $6.92 billion, making it the most-valuable NFL franchise, haven’t won the big game since 1995.

But as a new team in a market where fans have numerous entertainment options -- there are the Dodgers, the Lakers, UCLA and USC basketball and football games, concerts, beaches -- the Rams need to prove themselves to be a hot ticket.

Stan Kroenke’s vision is here for all to see.

Your 2021 Taxes: 7 Things the IRS Wants You to Know Manny Otiko California Black Media As the 2022 tax season kicks off, the IRS is reaching out to the public, encouraging people to file their taxes online and early. This was the main takeaway from a recent news briefing featuring IRS officers that Ethnic Media Services organized.

During the virtual meeting, IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig and Ken Corbin, Wage and Investment Division Commissioner and Chief Taxpayer Experience Officer at the IRS, stressed the importance of filing via the internet and making sure all information submitted is accurate. That way, they said, taxpayers can avoid delays and seamlessly receive their returns into their bank accounts by direct deposit.

“It is our intent that filing is as smooth and easy as possible.

We want to make certain that consumers are getting all the credits and refunds they are eligible to receive,” said Rettig.

“Paper returns have an inherent delay in processing,” Rettig emphasized.

During the presentation, Rettig and Corbin shared several updates and pointers they said everyone filing taxes this year should know. Here are seven important ones: The Tax Deadline Filing Deadline This Year Is April 18 Unlike the last two years of the pandemic when the IRS moved the tax filing deadline to July (2020) and May (2021), this year’s deadline to file your taxes is April 18. That is much closer to the April 15 date we all know and have become accustomed to over the years.

You Can File Your Taxes Online for Free The IRS is providing the option for you to file your taxes online at no coast via the IRS Free File Program. The IRS also provides a service to taxpayers called Volunteer Income Tax Assistant Program (VITA). The program allows taxpayers to get

in-person tax filing assistance from certified tax professionals in their community for free. This year, due to the pandemic, some of the VITA professionals are offering virtual tax preparation sessions.

For customer support, Rettig is also discouraging taxpayers from contacting the agency via telephone. He said they should use the website instead. The IRS gets about 1 million calls a day and it only employs about 15,000 people to service the phone lines. The service is mainly for people who don’t have access to broadband or the internet, the Commissioner said.

Mistakes Could Delay Your Return Corbin said it is important for people to be accurate when filing their taxes. Inaccurate filings mean the IRS has to schedule an employee to contact the filer, which will cause a delay.

“We urge taxpayers to take care, particularly for those who

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Calif. Black Women Leaders Talk Politics, Health, Economics

Take One!

Thursday, February 10, 2022

Bill Cosby Likely to Avoid Testifying in Sex Assault Lawsuit

By ANDREW DALTON AP Entertainment Writer SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) – A Los Angeles judge on Friday appeared strongly inclined to allow Bill Cosby to invoke his Fifth Amendment privilege and avoid giving a deposition in the lawsuit of a woman who alleges he sexually abused her when she was 15 in the mid-1970s.

At a hearing to argue the issue, Superior Court Judge Craig Karlan agreed with Cosby’s attorney that the 84-yearold has a reasonable fear of again facing criminal charges for one or more of the many sexual assault allegations that have been publicly aired against him, and has a right to avoid saying anything under oath that might lead to such charges.

“It does appear he has a reasonable fear of prosecution, and if new information came out, that could cause a prosecutor to change their mind,” Karlan said. “I don’t see how one could find to the contrary, other than concluding that he has a reasonable fear.”

Attorneys for Judy Huth, who alleges Cosby forced her to perform a sex act on him at the Playboy Mansion around 1974, are seeking to compel Cosby to give a second deposition. Cosby’s attorneys denied the allegation. He gave an initial deposition soon after the lawsuit was filed in 2014, before his two criminal trials and a later-overturned conviction in Pennsylvania.

Huth’s attorney John Steven West argued that accusations against Cosby have been aired for years, and that all the alleged incidents date back decades. He said that any criminal charges would already have been filed.

“The facts that are known overwhelmingly show that Mr. Cosby does not have a realistic fear of prosecution,” West said. “Despite the fact that for 16 years his name has been at the forefront of accusations of sexual misconduct, there has been exactly one prosecution.”

West pointed out that Los Angeles police investigated Huth’s allegations seven years ago, that the district attorney declined to file charges, and that other prosecutors have done the same with other Cosby accusers.

The judge didn’t buy the argument.

“The fact that prosecutors decline to prosecute, doesn’t mean that a newly elected prosecutor won’t take a different view,” Karlan said, “nor would any future district attorney be bound by a decision not to prosecute.”

The judge planned to issue a written ruling later, but left little doubt that it would favor Cosby.

Cosby’s lawyer Jennifer Bonjean argued, and the judge agreed, that the Pennsylvania case was a cautionary tale that applied here. Cosby, believing he had assurance from a prosecutor that he would not face charges, then was prosecuted after making damaging revelations in a 2005 civil lawsuit.

“They told him they weren’t going to prosecute him,” Bonjean said, “then 10 years later, they revoked it, after what?

After he gave a deposition.”

That reversal is what led a Pennsylvania appeals court to throw out Cosby’s conviction in June, after he had served nearly three years in prison.

Cosby had become the first celebrity convicted of sexual assault in the (hash)MeToo era when the jury at his 2018 retrial found him guilty of drugging and molesting college sports administrator Andrea Constand in 2004.

Earlier this week, Bonjean asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reject a bid by prosecutors to revive the case.

Cosby was already a groundbreaking Black actor and standup comedian when he created the top-ranked “Cosby Show” in the 1980s. A barrage of sexual assault allegations later destroyed his image as “America’s Dad” and led to multimillion-dollar court settlements with at least eight women.

Huth’s is among the few lawsuits that he is still facing.

Karlan agreed to one more postponement, from April to May, of trial in the long-delayed case, but said Friday that he was determined to see the May date stick and have the jury trial begin.

The Associated Press generally does not name alleged victims of sexual assault unless they speak publicly, as Huth and Constand have done.

Catholic High School Teacher Fired After Using Racial Slur

Charlene Muhammad California Black Media Hundreds of African American women, professionals from different backgrounds and all corners of the Golden State, came together Jan. 31 to discuss a range of issues important to Black women in California.

California Black Woman’s Collective, California Black Media and Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) organized the event to held to release and discuss the findings of a report titled the State of Black Women in California 2022 and Beyond: Essays from Black Women Thought Leaders.

“Our speakers are subject matter experts on the issues that are important to Black Women and the Black community,” Kellie Todd Griffin, convener of the California Black Women’s Collective told the virtual audience. More than 700 people registered for the event.

There are nearly 1.1 million Black women in California.

However, according to the report, more than 75% of Black households in the state are headed by single Black mothers and 80% of Black households have Black Women breadwinners.

The report’s authors say the data in their study is significant for shining a light on the needs of Black women, which is critical to uplifting the Black community. The goal of the State of Black Women in California report is to focus in strategic and collaborative ways on the needs and concerns of Black Women and Girls in California, they explain.

The forum had four panel discussions, each one centered on the major themes of the report, which were: Political Participation; Work and Family; Health and Wellness; Employment and Earning; Poverty and Opportunity; Organizational Spotlight; Education; Violence and Safety; and Black Women and Aging. Authors who contributed to the study

each spent time diving into the details of their essays.

The discussion was co moderated by Regina Wilson, executive director of CBM. Kristin McGuire, Executive Director of the Young Invincible wrote The Power of Next. Her essay highlighted the need to focus on young women leaders.

“To move forward we must be intentional about developing the power of the next generation. There are several ways to unleash the promise of the next generation of Black leaders. It can be policy-focused as well as interpersonal in nature,” she wrote.

Ms. McGuire told the audience during the forum that her essay was motivated by the need to look at who was best qualified to lead.

“Who better to lead than people directly impacted,” she

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CHICAGO (AP) – A Chicago Catholic school has fired a history teacher after she repeatedly used a racial slur for Black people during a class discussion on sports team names and in a meeting with administrators.

Mary DeVoto was teaching Native American culture for a World History class at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School. She began a discussion of the Washington Commanders ‘ former name and why it was offensive. She told students the team’s former name was as bad as the N-word, using the full word.

A student recorded the lecture, which circulated on social media. The school moved to suspend DeVoto and later terminated her position on Monday.

In a statement, school officials said the firing was necessary “because of a subsequent conversation with the teacher in which the same racial slur was communicated in its entirety several times despite clear and formal directives to stop. The N-word is never acceptable.”

DeVoto, who acknowledged she used the slur again in talks with administrators, told The Chicago Sun-Times said she wouldn’t use it again.

“You can’t just talk about wonderful things in history, we have to talk about the underbelly,” DeVoto said. “But I agree, I did not present that lesson well and it wasn’t conducive to the learning experience for my students. I am mortified and want to fix it.”

Her family has started a petition to reinstate her job.

School officials haven’t commented on it.

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The Valley’s News Observer

World & Nation

Thursday, February 10, 2022

Karine Jean-Pierre Helps Lead a Diverse, Collaborative and Confident White House

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent On the first anniversary of the Biden-Harris administration,

On January 20, the first anniversary of the Biden-Harris administration, Jean-Pierre sat down with NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., for a wide-ranging discussion.

the White House teemed with dignitaries, guests, and what appeared a larger press corps.

While that and the enormous Secret Service presence blocking off about a five-block radius on and around Pennsylvania Avenue wasn’t unusual, there remains something different – perhaps even special – about the 46th President and his staff and cabinet.

“Representation matters. We’ve seen that from the first day of this administration, the President signed an executive order to deal with racial inequity and making sure that we saw diversity and inclusion across the board in the federal government,” said White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine JeanPierre.

On January 20, the first anniversary of the Biden-Harris administration, Jean-Pierre sat down with NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., for a wide-ranging discussion.

The discussion, which will be part of a Black History Month broadcast on PBS-TV and PBS-World’s “The Chavis Chronicles,” included the successes and vision of the administration.

It also highlighted what the President and Vice President are doing to resolve issues like voting rights, police brutality, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and repairing America’s reputation abroad after four years of Donald Trump’s divisive administration.

With a light-up-the-room smile and oozing with confidence, Jean-Pierre might best exude why it might just be a matter of time before this White House earns the respect of the world.

“We’re living in a polarized country right now, and the one thing that President talked about when he was running, he wanted to make sure that he was the President for all,” JeanPierre remarked.

Jean-Pierre struck a confident tone despite strong GOP opposition to the administration’s policies and a media that relentlessly highlights any shortcomings.

“It will take more than a year to get to the other side of that so it’s not so polarizing and so we can actually get our message through to the American people,” Jean-Pierre insisted.

She understands adversity but also embraces perseverance.

At 44, Jean-Pierre has a unique window into politics and movements.

And nothing was handed to her.

Facing a hard-knock life in their native Haiti, JeanPierre’s parents gave birth to their daughter in Martinique and immigrated to the United States when she was a small child.

Her father took a job as a New York City cab driver, which he still does part-time today. Jean-Pierre’s mother began working as a home healthcare aide, which she maintains.

“My parents came here looking for a better life,” JeanPierre reflected.

“They heard of the opportunities here, but it was a Catch-22 because you came here for opportunities, and you also come here as a Black family,” she continued.

“It was very hard for them and them, like so many families across this country, live paycheck to paycheck.”

But unmistakably, Jean-Pierre knows how proud her parents are that their daughter has accomplished so much, even making history last year as just the second Black woman to take the podium and lead a White House press briefing.

“It was truly an honor, and one of the things we all recognize and say is to not to forget the shoulders that we stand on, and I certainly remember Judy Smith, [the first Black woman to lead a White House briefing],” Jean-Pierre stated.

“I wouldn’t be in this position, but President Biden made that decision to put me in this administration. To do the work that we are doing makes me so proud, and knowing that I have so many folks out there who are proud of me.”

In many ways, her parents feel they’ve reached their dreams through her, Jean-Pierre offered.

“They came from an impoverished country but left to get a better life for their kids. For them, they are so proud of me, and they feel they have reached their dream because of my successes, but without them, I wouldn’t be where I am,” she acknowledged.

“They told me I could be whatever I wanted to be, do whatever I wanted to do.”

While her parents encouraged Jean-Pierre to become a doctor or lawyer, she worked in politics in New York, served in the Obama administration, and was a spokesperson for MoveOn, the advocacy group and political action group.

She also taught campaign management at Columbia University’s graduate-level for nearly six years. “I’ve seen it all,” Jean-Pierre declared.

“Even when I was teaching, my students would ask how I got to work at the White House. I tell them to follow your

passion, what you believe in, and it will all come together if you do. So, keep following and believing your heart and what excites you every morning, and what you believe is making change. It will come.”

Jean-Pierre also expressed the victories achieved by the Biden-Harris administration.

She said those include improving foreign relations, including working with Haiti and nations in Africa.

She said that the bipartisan infrastructure bill also counted as a significant win for the administration.

“It became law after the President brought the two sides of the aisle together and did something that Congress talked about and past Presidents talked about but were not able to get done,” Jean-Pierre noted.

“That bill not only fixes roads and bridges, but it makes broadband accessible and affordable for all Americans,” she said.

“When you think about the bill, you think about that digital divide we’ve heard about for decades, clean water which is so important for our children, and continuing to create jobs.”

She said the President’s Build Back Better bill would continue to invest in America, including more investments for historically Black colleges and universities.

Another signature administration legislation, the American Rescue Plan, helped put money in the pockets of the poor and working-class, significantly reduced child poverty, and has helped lead to more than 75 million Americans getting vaccinated against Covid-19.

Jean-Pierre vowed that President Biden and Vice President Harris would continue battling hard for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and Voting Rights.

And, as she continues her course inside and outside the briefing room, Jean-Pierre said she couldn’t be more pleased with the state of the administration.

“The single-most thing that inspires me about the administration, one of the things I can say about this President and Vice President, is decency,” Jean-Pierre decided.

“They respect people and understand what people are going through, and they truly want to deliver. They saw Black and Brown communities were always left behind, and when we talk about our economic policy, we bring everyone in, and that makes me so proud.”

FBI Announces Investigation into Bomb Threats against HBCUs

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, joined other groups and individuals in welcoming the FBI’s hate crime investigation into bomb threats targeting historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and the identification of six persons of interest in connection with the case.

The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force announced it was investigating the dozens of bomb threats received by HBCUs nationwide on February 1 as “racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism and hate crimes.”

More than a dozen HBCUs, including Howard University in Washington, Morgan State University in Baltimore, and Harris-Stowe State University in Missouri, were targeted with

bomb threats.

Federal investigators have identified six persons of interest, described as “tech-savvy” juveniles, in connection with the case so far.

Authorities have said they believe racism played a major factor in the crimes.

“We welcome the hate crime investigation into these threats and the progress in identifying possible suspects,” said CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell.

“Law enforcement agencies must take the persistent threat of anti-Black racism seriously.”

Mitchell added that he’s confident that “these racist threats will strengthen HBCU’s resolve to continue doing their unique and important work.”

CAIR also condemned similar bomb threats last month that targeted HBCUs. “Our community is better than this and Harris-Stowe deserves better than this,” LaTonia Collins Smith, the interim president of Harris-Stowe, stated.

“What we really should be focusing on is how we can work collaboratively together in order to improve our community here in St. Louis.”

Christopher Tinson, chair of the African American Studies

program at St. Louis University, told St. Louis Public Radio that outsiders are often threatened by HBCUs. “I think Black autonomous spaces always represent a threat to some segment of our population, even though those spaces were needed precisely because of the threat,” Tinson said.

He added that the people or organizations behind such threats want to disrupt the mental, physical and emotional safety of Black people.

Further, he said that many African American students attend HBCUs to connect with Black culture and use its campuses as safe spaces to commune with peers and faculty members without being judged by their ideas or the color of their skin.

St. Louis County NAACP President John Bowman said the bomb threats bring back haunting memories of bombings in Black communities during the civil rights era.

“Many times, it was one of the tactics used to oppress Black people,” Bowman said.

“Unfortunately, these threats and actions seem to be really heightened due to the rhetoric and divisiveness of some of our previous leaders, and they have continued to work to create this division among racial lines.”

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Amid Historic Jobs Report

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent America – and most notably Black America – is back to work, declared President Joe Biden as he announced one of the most robust job reports in modern times.

“History has been made here,” the president declared.

The economy created 467,000 jobs in January, and the unemployment rate for Black workers fell to 6.9 percent and dropped to 5.8 percent for African American women.

The president highlighted the 6.6 million jobs added to the U.S. economy in the year since he took office.

“It comes alongside the largest drop in the unemployment rate in a single year on record, the largest reduction in childhood poverty ever recorded in a single year, and the strongest economic growth this country has seen in nearly 40 years,” President Biden asserted.

He also acknowledged the struggles that many American

Harris-Stowe University in Missouri were among the more than dozen HBCUs targeted with bomb threats.

families still face, noting that prices have increased sharply during the pandemic.

“Average people are getting clobbered by the cost of everything,” President Biden said. “Gas prices at the pump are up. We’re working to bring them down, but they’re up. Food prices are up. We’re working to bring them down as well.”

White House officials said they plan to enact policies to

slow inflation.

Before the president’s remarks, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 222-210 to pass the COMPETES Act, a bill to help America keep up with China in the semiconductor chip industry.

The legislation seeks to tackle such economic issues as supply chain disruptions and a global shortage of semiconductor chips, essential for producing smartphones, medical equipment, and cars.

The bill would introduce several changes to American trade rules to level the playing field for domestic businesses and combat China’s market-distorting trade practices.

“Democrats are prepared to build on this extraordinary economic momentum: continuing our work to lower families’ costs, strengthen our supply chains, and make more goods in America,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) declared.

“Under the leadership of President Biden and House Democrats, our nation will continue to Build Back Better to create more good-paying jobs and lower costs for families across America,” Pelosi stated.

childcare was hers. She explained that if she had a regular 9-to-5 job she would not have been able to stay home with her children.

She recommends the following, “Employers can build workplace policies, benefits and programs that provide coaching, wellness, and support services to support caregiver well-being.

Additionally, employers can review their current leave policies to ensure that they are meeting the current and future needs of their staff.”

Dr. Colette Harris Mathews, Founder/Principal DEIB Consultant at Harris Mathews Consulting wrote about the challenges Black women face becoming the most educated group in America. Her essay is entitled, Education’s Part in the Disruption of Success for Black Women.

“The journey to college is mythical for most Black girls in California. Our Nation has a long history of racial trauma and discriminatory behavior toward Black students). The urgency of closing the pay and wealth gap makes Black girls’ path to college particularly alarming due to the role Black women often play in being the primary breadwinner in Black households,” she wrote.

Black girls are further challenged with disproportionate punishments while in school.

“For Black girls, the highest suspension disparity was also in early childhood education where they are 3.56 times more likely to be suspended than the statewide average for this age demographic. Based on 2018-2019 data, there were nine Sacramento County Unified School District schools that suspended 15% or more of their Black female students,” she explained.

Carlene Davis spoke about the needs of aging Black women.

Her essay written with Kiara Pruitt is titled, Enhancing the

Experience of Growing Older for Black Women in the Golden State. They brought their lived experiences to the creation of Sistahs Aging with Grace & Elegance (SageSistahs). It was created to provide Black women with knowledge, strategies, tools, resources, and sister support to live fully empowered lives as older and aging women.

“From a health perspective, in addition to the myriad of ways in which COVID-19 has and continues to ravage the Black community, it is important to note that Black women are also disproportionately impacted by the intersectional issues of Alzheimer’s/other dementias and family caregiving,” they wrote.

In California, according to the report, the population aged 60 years and over is growing at three times the rate of the population overall and, by 2026, the number of Californians over the age of 65 is expected to increase by 2.1 million (as compared to an increase of approximately 500,000 for those 2564 years old).

“We may find ourselves not only having to make room in our hearts but also in our empty spare rooms for our sister friends in crisis,” she told the audience. “We must plan and prepare for full lives that can turn frail at a moment’s notice.”

The issues forum was created to improve “the lives of Black Women and Girls throughout California and to ensure we don’t get left out of the conversation,” explained Griffin.

“So often we are behind the scenes doing the work to help all communities thrive but there is still a need to focus on our specific issues to ensure there is intentionality to making sure change happens for us and our communities. That is why it was imperative to have this report center around the intersection of gender, race and location,” Griffin added.

Calif. Black Women Leaders Talk Politics, Health, Economics Continued from page A1

said. “Black women are disproportionately impacted.”

Shakari Byerly, of Evitarus was the other co-moderator. She questioned, “Why is work and family along with employment and earnings important issues for Black women?”

Jonie Ricks-Oddie, Director of the UCI Center for Statistical Consulting, answers that in her essay titled, The Balancing Act and the Support Needed. She writes about the near circus act Black women perform on a regular basis maintaining their families and careers. Can Black women have it all?

“For Black women, this balancing act has gone way past the breaking point. With nearly 80% of Black mothers with children under six participating in the workforce, the highest workforce participation of any racial/ethnic group, the challenges facing their ability to remain in the workforce remain,” she wrote.

Ricks-Oddie’s answer to the problem entails “addressing the complexities of working families, particularly working Back families with female headed households. It is going to require both legislative and non-legislative solutions.”

She told the audience, “There are a lot of things employers can do to improve our quality of life (allow telecommuting and hybrid work options). Some of that can be creating cultural awareness of the needs of families. Dispelling the stigma associated with asking for a flexible schedule and alternative arrangements to handle the responsibilities of caregiving.”

Ricks-Oddie reflected on her experiences during the COVID pandemic. Her husband is an essential health care provider. They have two children. The responsibility for

Thursday, February 10, 2022

Entertainment

The Valley’s News Observer A3

Super Bowl/Olympics Sunday About to Become Routine for NBC

By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer Super Sunday has morphed into Super Gold Sunday for NBC. Next Sunday's matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals will mark the first time a Super Bowl and Winter Olympics are taking place at the same time. CBS was scheduled to have this year's game, but in 2019 agreed to a trade with NBC. CBS had last year's game, giving it two Super Bowls in three years.

The trade made sense for many reasons. NBC was able to pair Super Bowl and Olympic spots for advertisers, while CBS will not worry about going up against the Olympics.

NBC Sports Group President Pete Bevacqua admitted there are logistical challenges to doing two mega-events simultaneously, but the advantages far outweigh the negatives.

“We'll have that 100 million-plus audience from a Super Bowl, and we'll segue right into great live Olympic coverage back in Beijing. To me, that's an unbelievably, really unparalleled and never before seen one-two punch,” Bevacqua said. “I think from

a sales and marketing perspective, it's an absolute home run.”

NBC has sold all of its spots during the game, with only a couple spots remaining for pregame. Dan Lovinger, NBC Sports' executive vice president for advertising sales, said rates are up nearly 20% compared to the last time they had the Super Bowl in 2018. Some 30-second spots went for $7 million.

Lovinger credited a variety of factors for the robust sales.

“I think first the NFL has never been stronger, particularly in comparative terms. If you're looking to reach 100 million people in an evening, there's only one place you can go, and that's the Super Bowl,” he said. “I think second is the economy, and it seems to be on pretty stable footing. You've got great consumer confidence, and what we've learned is that when consumers consume, advertisers advertise.

“But the third thing, which is the really interesting thing, is the impact of COVID and how advertisers have learned to adapt to it. Marketers are finding a way through it and we're seeing categories that sat out last year come back, like studios. We see new categories like legalized sports betting, cryptocurrency, and some streaming platforms come in, and then you've got your old

standbys (autos, beverages). So, it all adds up to a really strong market for the Super Bowl.”

NBC executives have promoted this as a “once in a lifetime” day. However, it is about to become a common occurrence.

When the NFL's 11-year television contract starts in 2023, NBC's spot in the Super Bowl rotation lines up the same year as the Winter Olympics.

If the league remains on its 17 games over 18 weeks regularseason schedule, the 2026 Super Bowl will take place on Feb. 8, the first weekend of the Milano Cortina Games.

Next Sunday beginning at 8 a.m. ET with four hours of Olympics coverage before the Super Bowl programming kicks off at 12 p.m. Following the Super Bowl postgame, which is likely to be around 10:30 p.m., NBC will return to Beijing for ice dance and the new monobob (one-woman bobsled) competition.

By the time NBC signs off with the Prime Plus show from Beijing, there will be nearly 18 consecutive hours of coverage between the Super Bowl and Olympics.

“Yeah, we are going to be that Super Bowl party guest that

doesn't leave because we're going to be there first and stays last.

We're going to leave the lights on for you,” NBC Olympics and Super Bowl pregame host Mike Tirico said.

Tirico will be doing double duty. He will fly from Beijing to Los Angeles for Friday's Olympic prime-time show. He will have a location outside of SoFi Stadium throughout the weekend to host the Olympics and the Super Bowl pregame.

This is Tirico's third Olympics as the prime-time host after joining NBC in 2016, and his fourth Super Bowl (the previous three were with ABC).

“They're both dream assignments, so who needs to sleep at that point? The one thing you want to make sure is you can do it the right way,” Tirico said. “I think from an editorial standpoint, we'll still be able to deliver the same coverage and that's got to be at the forefront of this. And in some ways, I think it will help enhance this unique weekend to be at the Super Bowl site, as we're part of that buildup during our coverage of the Olympics.”

Rogan’s Use of Racial Slurs Adds to Pressure on Spotify

By TOM KRISHER and LINDSEY BAHR Associated Press Joe Rogan's mouth has put Spotify in a tough spot. Anticoronavirus vaccine comments and racial slurs on some episodes of his popular podcast are forcing the streaming service to weigh difficult choices.

Spotify must decide where it stands on race relations and vaccine misinformation in a society with heightened sensitivity to both issues. Then there's the business decision about what to do with Rogan's $100 million podcast, which threatens the bottom line but is also a key part of the company's strategy to be a one-stop shop for audio.

Neither the streaming service nor Rogan was talking Sunday. But experts say Spotify's management team has to choose whether to sever ties with Rogan as it risks more musicians yanking their work in protest. Or is there some middle ground that might be acceptable to artists and subscribers?

Whatever decision emerges won't sit well with one side or the other in an increasingly polarized country.

On race, the choice is between keeping Rogan and sending a message that society has become too “woke” or showing that Spotify is more attuned to a multiracial society, said Adia Harvey Wingfield, a sociology professor at Washington University in St. Louis.

“If Spotify says `We can't drop him. He has the right to say what he wants,' that continues on the line where there is this implicit support to say racist things on these platforms,” she said.

The streaming site also has to decide whether offensive words are allowable elsewhere on its app, where songs with racist, homophobic and anti-immigrant messages are available, said John Wihbey, a Northeastern University professor and specialist in emerging technologies.

“There's some real self-examination to be doing beyond Joe,” Wihbey said. “This is a big moment of reckoning for entertainment and streaming platforms to see where the window is, what's over the line.”

The bottom-line question should be pretty simple for Spotify, said Erik Gordon, a University of Michigan business and law professor. The conservative Rogan stands in contrast

to the much more liberal musicians who generate the bulk of Spotify's profits, he said.

“They can't blow off the artists. The artists make Spotify,” Gordon said. “They need to settle up with Rogan, let him go to a home that will be consistent with who he is. And everybody will be better off.”

Having Rogan on Spotify is like having a political party with Donald Trump as the presidential candidate and liberal Elizabeth Warren as vice president. “It isn't going to work,” Gordon said.

Spotify reports having 406 million active monthly users, up nearly 20% from last year, and advertising has grown largely because of podcasting. The company had 31% of the 524 million music streaming subscriptions worldwide in the second

quarter of 2021, more than double that of second-place Apple Music, according to Midia Research.

Rogan's public troubles started on Jan. 24 when musician Neil Young asked to have his music removed because of concerns that Rogan was promoting skepticism about the COVID-19 vaccines. Other artists followed suit, including Joni Mitchell and Roxane Gay. The scrutiny only intensified when a video compilation emerged last week showing Rogan repeatedly using racial slurs.

Grammy-winning artist India.Arie posted it on her Instagram, using the hashtag (hash)DeleteSpotify.

The company has yet to publicly address the slurs, but Spotify recently removed dozens of episodes of the podcast.

Spotify, which reportedly paid over $100 million to

license Rogan's podcast, said previously that it would soon add a warning to all podcasts that discuss COVID-19, directing listeners to factual, up-to-date information from scientists and public health experts.

“They take this money that's built from streaming, and they pay this guy $100 million, but they pay us like .003% of a penny,” Arie wrote. “I don't want to generate money that pays that.”

Rogan apologized Saturday, saying that the slurs were the “most regretful and shameful thing” he has ever had to address and that he hasn't used the N-word in years.

Spotify CEO and co-founder Daniel Ek said last week, before the racial slurs resurfaced, that “it is important to me that we don't take on the position of being content censor.”

Ek told The Wall Street Journal last week that he took responsibility for being “too slow to respond” to the criticism over vaccine misinformation. It took the company five days to respond publicly to Young.

“It's become clear to me that we have an obligation to do more to provide balance and access to widely accepted information from the medical and scientific communities guiding us through this unprecedented time,” Ek continued in a statement.

Rogan is an odd mix of shock-jock and host who leads discussions of public policy, arts and culture, Wihbey said, describing his brand as conservative “bro America.”

His comments were clearly racist, Wihbey said, but he hopes that Rogan will see this as a chance to substantively discuss race and vaccine issues in future episodes. His audience may not hear the discussions otherwise, Wihbey said.

“I do think that assembling this kind of audience is important,” he said. “He can say things that I think can move the needle.”

Wingfield has doubts that Spotify can keep Rogan, but she said the controversy could be positive if it starts a shift to discussions of racial stereotypes.

“I think that if Joe Rogan kind of learns from this experience and becomes a driving voice for that conversation, that could be really valuable,” she said. “But I want to stress again that that's a pretty big if, and I don't know if it will come to that.”

Features

A4

The Valley’s News Observer

Brenda Lee Rawls (Courtesy Dorothy Rawls) and Lauren Smith-Fields (Courtesy Darnell Crosland)

Unsolved Deaths of Two Black Women, Two Bridgeport Police Detectives Placed on Leave The two Black women, Brenda Lee Rawls, 53, and Lauren Smith-Fields, 23, died on the same day: Dec. 12, 2021, in separate incidents. The Chief Medical Examiner in Bridgeport has not determined a cause of death for Rawls. Rawls was close to her family by text and by phone and informed them she was to visit a male acquaintance.

When she was non-responsive two days later the family became concerned.

By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Newswire Correspondent Two Bridgeport, Connecticut, police detectives are now on administrative leave after public attention that spurred attention from the media and brought scrutiny surrounding the deaths of two Black women.

The two Black women, Brenda Lee Rawls, 53, and Lauren Smith-Fields, 23, died on the same day: Dec. 12, 2021, in separate incidents. The Chief Medical Examiner in Bridgeport has not determined a cause of death for Rawls. Rawls was close to her family by text and by phone and informed them she was to visit a male acquaintance. When she was non-responsive two days later the family became concerned.

Lauren Smith-Fields, was in contact with a man she met on the dating app Bumble. Smith-Fields was found dead in her apartment after that date. That man, who is 37 and white, called 911 on Dec. 12 but it’s unclear if police contacted him for questioning in Smith-Fields’ death.

The medical examiner said on January 31 that Smith-Fields’ death was an accident related to “acute intoxication.”

An attorney for Smith-Fields’ family, Darnell Crosland, has indicated that the family intends to sue the city of Bridgeport over what he described as the police department’s “racially insensitive” handling of Smith-Fields’ case.

In reaction to growing criticism of the lack of investigation on the part of police, Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim extended condolences to the families of Smith-Fields and Rawls in a statement on January 30.

Ganim also said he was planning to work with the police chief to “make appropriate changes here in Bridgeport now for our department’s policies and practices regarding notifying family members of a death.”

The news of the two police detectives being placed on administrative laeve gives an indication that the cases of Rawls and Smith-Fields will receive more attention and scrutiny.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist and the host of the podcast BURKEFILE. She is a political analyst who appears regularly on #RolandMartinUnfiltered. She may be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @ LVBurke

Your 2021 Taxes: Continued from page A1

received a third economic impact payment or an Advanced Child Tax Credits in 2021,” he said. “Taxpayers should ensure the amounts they receive are entered correctly on the tax return.”

“This slows down the return process,” Rettig added, explaining that the automated system pushes filings with incorrect figures. “Last year we had 10 million returns that didn’t match.”

To get ahead of the problem this year, the IRS issued letters to taxpayers indicating the total amount received in 2021 by filers that were eligible for Advanced Child Tax Credits.

Taxpayers can also create an account at IRS.Gov to verify the amount they received.

Rettig said the IRS still owes people who received the Advanced Child Tax Credits between July and December 2021, but they have to make sure all the information they include in their tax returns is correct. “Know that was only half, of the advance tax credit they should receive,” he said. “To receive the other half, they must file a tax return with us.”

More Married Couples and Singles Qualify for Earn Income Credit This year, Corbin says more families qualify for Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC), which is federal tax relief for filers with low to moderate annual incomes.

“Workers with qualifying dependents may be eligible for EITC if their earned income was less than $57,414,” he said.

“The maximum EITC for those with no dependents is $1,502.

That’s up from over $500 in 2020.”

The annual income requirement to qualify for EITC for

taxpayers without dependents is $21,430 for single filers, and $27,380 for those filing joint returns.

“In the past, EITC for those with no dependents was only available to people ages 25 to 64,” he added.

You also don’t need to be under the age of 65 any longer to qualify for EITC without a qualifying dependent, and individuals and families who received investment income up to $10,000 may also qualify.

Homeless and Former Foster Youth Qualify for EITC Homeless and former foster youth who are at least 18 years old also quality for EITC this year. The minimum age is 19 for most taxpayers and 18 for former foster youth and youth experiencing homelessness.

Beware of Scams Corbin says tax filers should beware of scams.

“The IRS will not call you by phone without a notice in advance. Don’t accept a text, a call, especially if they ask for bank info or to pay with a gift card. That is a scam,” he said. “Those are the things we are seeing this season.”

The IRS Is Hiring Rettig said the IRS, which is still processing a backlog of about 6 million tax returns from the last two years, is currently hiring. “We want to be reflective of the people we proudly serve,” the Commissioner said, touting the agency’s commitment to diversity. He said the IRS wants to employ people, including those who speak more than one language, who are able to communicate with taxpayers from all backgrounds. For more information, visit USAJobs.Gov.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2022 014103 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: TAURO CAPITAL ADVISORS, INC. at 444 S. Flower Street Suite 620, Los Angeles, Ca. 90071 Articles of Incorporation or Organization Number (if applicable): 3707143 Mailing Same REGISTERED OWNERS(S): TAURO REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS SERVICES, 444 S. Flower Street Suite 620, Los Angeles, Ca. 90071 The business is conducted by: a Corporation SIGNED: TAURO REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS SERVICES Title: PRESIDENT If COPR or LLC, Print Name: STEPHEN STEIN The date registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 01/2022 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: Jan 21, 2022

DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: M. CARRASCO, Deputy NOTICE: IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014, THE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY FORM. This statement expires on Jan 21, 2027

LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Feb 3, 10, 17, 24, 2022

Deputy NOTICE: IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014, THE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY FORM. This statement expires on Jan 27, 2027 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Feb 10, 17, 24, Mar 3, 2022

Legal Notices

������������������������������� FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2022 020416 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: HEALTHCARE STAFFING HIRE (HSH) at 1058 S Citrus Ave, Los Angeles, Ca. 90019 Mailing Same REGISTERED OWNERS(S): THEODORE DREW AND ASSOCIATES, LLC, 1058 S Citrus Ave, Los Angeles, Ca. 90019 The business is conducted by: a Limited Liability Company SIGNED: THADDEUS DUFELMEIER, CEO The date registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 09/2020 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: Jan 27, 2022 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: (No Signature)

Thursday, February 10, 2022

Features

Thursday, February 10, 2022

The Valley’s News Observer A5

Note to Pres. Biden: Build Local Media Back With Real Dollars, Not Tax Credits Dr. John Warren Special to California Black Media Partners When the Build Back Better Act passed the House of Representatives last year, there was some excitement about a provision in it authorizing a payroll tax credit for local news organizations. If the bill had not died in the U.S Senate last month, it would have provided tax savings for local media outlets amounting to nearly $1.7 billion over 10 years.

Supporters of the bill in the U.S Congress have vowed to bring it up again this year with the hope of funding a range of social, economic, education health and national security priorities.

Researchers at the University of North Carolina Hussman School of Media and Journalism found that there are at least 200 counties in the U.S. lacking a local newspaper and the Pew Research Center reported a decline from 71,000 journalism positions in 2008 to 31,000 in 2020, a 57 % drop. The dismantling of local news reporting has diminished its role in providing important public oversight that holds our government accountable; promotes fairness, honesty, equity and justice; and preserves the integrity of our democracy.

So, the decline in local papers is real and disturbing. But

those pushing a payroll tax credit for media outlets as the answer to the problem are way off the mark. The legislation and the discussion around it miss a very important point concerning small community newspapers, in general, and Black newspapers in particular, which have now been in existence for195 years.

Many of our small local newspaper businesses operate at a loss. We do not need a tax credit. We have a hard time making payroll. As a result, most small newspapers hire journalists as independent contractors because they can’t afford payroll taxes and benefits. So, how would a payroll tax credit benefit us?

The solution for helping cash-strapped media outlets, and, by extension, solving the crisis facing local media businesses across the country, requires generating sufficient revenues that would allow us to hire journalists and other staff either on payroll or as independent contractors.

If the President and the Congress really want to help small newspapers, which have declined from 5,000 community newspapers a few decades ago to less than 2,000 today, there is fix that can be a win-win for all those concerned.

The President should issue an executive order requiring all bids for government contracts under the Build Back Better Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Infrastructure

Investment and Jobs Act) to adhere to Title V of the U.S. Code’s Administrative Procedures Act, which requires the publication of “Notice” under due process. Those notices must also be inclusively published in local newspapers as a mandate so that small businesses and independent contractors are aware when government contracts are announced, allowing them to compete in the procurement process.

The publication of such notices in local newspapers would bring both awareness and dollars to the communities of Main Street. Those dollars would help local newspapers hire journalists in a way far more meaningful than tax credits to people who already can’t afford payrolls.

The President could make such an executive order so inclusive that the benefit would be far reaching and felt immediately.

Perhaps Vice President Kamala Harris, who is from California and familiar with the Black Press, and Mr. Cedric Richmond, Domestic Policy Advisor to the President from New Orleans, might be helpful in making the case for such an executive order.

Dr. John E. Warren is the Publisher of The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint newspaper (Courtesy Photo)

President Biden Confirms he Will Select a Black Woman for the U.S. Supreme Court

On February 25, 2020, as Biden’s campaign for the presidency was in serious trouble, he said during a debate that “I’m looking forward to making sure there’s a Black woman on the Supreme Court, to make sure we in fact get every representation.” (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

At the White House before Breyer spoke, the President said, “I have made no decision except one. The person I will nominate will be a person of extraordinary qualifications, character, experience and integrity and that person will be the first Black woman ever nominated to the United States Supreme Court. It’s long overdue in my opinion.

I made that commitment during my campaign for President and I will keep that commitment.”

By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Newswire Correspondent With the retirement of Associate Justice Stephen Breyer,

“I want my daughter to see how strong women create their own future in retirement.”

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83, the oldest serving member of the nation’s highest court, President Biden has a unique opportunity to make a historic pick. On January 27, President Biden confirmed who he would select for the high court.

“The person I nominate to replace Justice Breyer will be someone with extraordinary qualifications, character, experience, and integrity. And they will be the first Black woman nominated to the United States Supreme Court,” the President’s twitter account proclaimed in virtually the same words he used standing five feet from retiring Associate Justice Stephen Breyer in the White House.

At the White House before Breyer spoke, the President said, “I have made no decision except one. The person I will nominate will be a person of extraordinary qualifications, character, experience and integrity and that person will be the first Black woman ever nominated to the United States Supreme Court. It’s long overdue in my opinion. I made that commitment during my campaign for President and I will keep that commitment.”

On February 25, 2020, as Biden’s campaign for the

presidency was in serious trouble, he said during a debate that “I’m looking forward to making sure there’s a Black woman on the Supreme Court, to make sure we in fact get every representation.”

With that promise confirmed and history about to be made, many are focused on who that historic selection will be.

The names widely mentioned to replace Associate Justice Breyer are Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, 51, of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Justice Leondra Kruger, 45, a justice on the California Supreme Court since 2014, and J. Michelle Childs, 55, who is on the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina.

President Biden has set the timetable for historic Supreme Court selection for February.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist and the host of the podcast BURKEFILE. She is a political analyst who appears regularly on #RolandMartinUnfiltered. She may be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @ LVBurke

Features

A6

The Valley’s News Observer

Thursday, February 10, 2022

SoCal Black Leaders Hype Up Rams, Super Bowl With Hometown Love Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media Black political leaders from Southern California are sounding off as a week of celebratory activities and high anticipation begins. It is the lead-up to the National Football League’s (NFL) Super Bowl LVI game between the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals.

The NFL’s premier sporting event will be played in front of an estimated 70,000-plus spectators on Sunday, Feb. 13 at SoFi Stadium, the state-of-the-art sports and entertainment complex in Inglewood, which opened two years ago.

U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA-43) was among the first hometown lawmakers to celebrate this year’s Super Bowl game featuring the hometown Rams being held in her city.

“We don’t want to brag but we’re the baddest! The @ RamsNFL are going to be the #SuperBowl (champs) and the game will be happening in my district, the 43rd District! The world will be watching and we will be winning,” Waters tweeted on Jan. 30.

The Rams moved from Los Angeles to St. Louis in 1994.

In 2000 they won Super Bowl XXXIV played at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The team returned from the Midwest back to the City of Angels in 2016 after a $790 million settlement was paid to the city of St. Louis.

Members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) from the South end of the state also jumped in on the excitement, sharing their thoughts about the game and hyping up their hometown team that could bring a Super Bowl championship to Los Angeles.

“As Vice Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, it is my pleasure to wish the Los Angeles Rams a successful Super Bowl,” said Sen. Sydney Kamlager (D-Los Angeles). “It is no easy feat to represent the greatest area in the nation, but there’s no better team I can think of to do it. Rams house!”

Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) of the 41st Assembly District, which covers areas on the eastern end of Los

Angeles County applauded the team’s grit that he says took them to the big game.

“Congratulations to the Los Angeles Rams for making it to the Super Bowl! You all earned the right to be there, make us proud,” he said The excitement of the sporting event is reverberating across the state, but millions of eyes around the world will be on the city of Inglewood.

Inglewood is located in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County near Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and is17 miles from downtown Los Angeles. According to the 2020 United States Census, it has a population of 107,762.

About 40.9 % of its residents are African American.

James T. Butts, Jr., who is African American, has been Inglewood’s mayor for the last 11 years. Butts, 68, a former law enforcement officer, has turned the South Bay town into a local

economic powerhouse.

Butts helped negotiate the return of the Rams from St. Louis to the L.A. region. He also facilitated the relocation of the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) to Inglewood.

The Clippers, currently housed in Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center) will start playing in the $1.2 billion Intuit Dome being built in Inglewood in 2024.

Next to SoFi Stadium, NFL Media moved its office from Culver City into a 2000,000-square-foot facility for its NFL Network, NFL.com, NFL app, NFL Game Pass, and NFL Redzone brands.

“This moment, this moment in time is the ultimate of my career,” Butts said during the Inglewood City Council meeting on Feb. 2. “I walk in the morning, in the last two days people will stop, roll down their windows and talk about how proud they are to live in Inglewood.”

The Inglewood sports and entertainment complex is on the former grounds of the Hollywood Park racetrack.

Under Butts Inglewood is experiencing a business and cultural renaissance. In October, the L.A. Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Program (YOLA) relocated to Inglewood in the 25,000-squarefoot Judith and Thomas L Beckmen Center. The Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles have also moved from Marina del Rey to Inglewood.

In addition, Inglewood will host the 2023 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship College Football Bowl game and present the opening ceremonies for the Summer Olympics World Games in 2028.

The city of Inglewood announced that masks will be required at the Super Bowl game and spectators must show proof they’ve been vaccinated or recently tested negative for COVID-19 upon entry into SoFi Stadium.

For more Super Bowl 56 and traffic impact information, text ‘INGSB to 888-777 or visit www.cityofinglewood.org.

February is Black History Month

Sports

Thursday, February 10, 2022

Los Angeles News Observer A7

Los Angeles Clippers Add More Talent During Up and Down Season

By Cameron Buford whatsgoodinsports.com Just as you might have thought, the Clippers are struggling to play .500 basketball as they miss team leaders Kawhi Leonard for all games and Paul George for the bulk of the season. NBA Champion Kawhi Leonard has missed all 55 games to rehab his reconstruction right ACL while twelve-year veteran Paul George has missed 29 games thus far this season with a right elbow-ulnar collateral ligament tear. It is up in the air as if either guy will return to the lineup and help out this gritty youthful roster.

Without their stars to lead the way, these Clippers have been relying on career journeyman Reggie Jackson to lead the way for this young group. Not only has Jackson won games for the Clippers, as he just did last week against the Lakers. Jackson is currently enjoying career highs in rebounds per game (3.4) and free throw percentage (85.7%), most impressively to this point this season he has a career-best 16.6 points per game. With Jackson scoring less than double digits in only eight games out of 51 games this season, his consistency has been very impressive.

They’ve also got inspiring play from their guys like Amir Coffey and Brandon Boston Jr.. Each has been an integral part of the growth of this team. In his third season in the league, Coffey’s minutes per game has ballooned to 22 minutes, more than doubling his nine minutes per game last season. Boston Jr. is getting his first look at the league and has shown promise as he’s scored in double figures in over 20% of the games he’s played.

With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, the Clippers prove, yet again, they are willing to make the necessary adjustments to field a quality roster. By packaging guard Eric Bledsoe, with forwards with Justice Winslow and Keon Johnson, the Clippers were able to turn those guys into guard NBA Champion Norman Powell and versatile forward Robert Covington. With Powell and Covington’s ability to defend guards and forwards with ease, it’s a bonus that they both can score the ball as well. Powell showed this off, as he dropped 28 points on 56.3 percent shooting in his Clippers debut.

Without Kawhi and Paul George, the young guys and the new guys will have some time to gel with each other while playing solid minutes. The culture established by head coach Ty Lue allows players to flourish while seamlessly meshing into a resilient unit. Evidence of their resilience has been seen multiple times

this season against the Washington Wizards, the Clippers became the first team over the last 25 seasons to have three comeback victories (in a single season) when trailing by at least 24 points.

The Clippers are the only team in the NBA to have such multiple comebacks this season.

Clippers fans are left to imagine how this tough gritty squad combined with frequent All-Stars Leonard and George makes them a top-three contender in the Western Conference. However, it is feasible that the Clippers play without Kawhi this entire season. Though technology continues to improve rapidly and athletes are healing quicker than ever, should we expect Kawhi to return at full strength and keep up while other teams are playing for playoff positioning? The same goes for Paul George; though he’s played earlier this season, how impactful can he be late in the season or should they shut him down for the remainder of the season?

It’ll be interesting to see how the Clippers utilize their personnel down the stretch of this season. I would never second guess coach Lue, though my questions coming into this season remain unanswered. Would Kawhi push his return to the court this season? Who would step up to assist Kawhi and George carry the load? How would the Clippers approach this season while they await Kawhi’s return?

Well, we are still waiting on Kawhi; Paul’s return is tenuous at best. Not confusing resiliency for great basketball, Ty Lue does have these guys playing inspired basketball. Can this continue?

What impact will Powell and Covington have? Do we see Kawhi and Paul this season? What are your thoughts on these Clippers, and how do you see their season playing out? Let me know by reaching out to me on Twitter @whatsgoodnsport or email or voiceofthefans@outlook.com.

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

Joey Logano holds BUSCH LIGHT CLASH winning trophy on Coliseum. (Photo: Sara Mendina)

Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue claps for his team against the Hornet during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

Eric Dickerson (L) joins former Raider great Greg Townsend are Grand Marshall at the BUSCH Light Clash at the Coliseum. (Photo: Sara Mendina)

Logano Wins BUSCH LIGHT CLASH at Coliseum

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer In front of some sixty thousand plus fans and small track, it was Joey Lagano who came away with the checkered flag in the inaugural BUSCH LIGHT CLASH. In a weekend that had a big racing buzz that went throughout the City of Angels and the entire West Coast Lagano held off Kyle Busch in the final lap of the 150-lap feature race held at one of the worlds most storied sports venues.

“I can’t believe it,” Logano said after the race. “We’re here.

The LA Coliseum. We got the victory with the old Shell/Pennzoil Mustang. This is an amazing event. Congratulations, NASCAR. Such a huge step in our industry to be able to do this, put on an amazing race for everybody.”

Busch came in second after starting at the “Pole.” The etched his name in the history books by turning the fastest qualifying lap on the quarter-mile asphalt track. His No. 18 Toyota TRD Camry jetted to a 13.745-second lap putting him at the pole for Sunday’s first qualifying heat race and making him the driver to beat during the race.

Austin Dillard, Eric Jones and Kyle Larson rounded out the

top five.

Busch, who led a race-high 64 laps was extremely disappointed.

“I was being perfect doing everything I needed to do, keep the tires underneath me. When I got close, I was like, ‘OK, I’ve got to try more and pounce at an opportunity and just overheated the tires and smoked them in three laps and that was it.”

The quarter mile track put together in just over three months with a price tag over a million bucks. It the smallest track NASCAR has raced on since 1971. The intimacy reminds one of the Waterford Speed Bowl track located in Waterford, Connecticut.

“He (Logano) ran a good race, said Dillard. He got me at the turn and I never could catch him.”

When asked about a repeat at the Coliseum. Anytime you can grow our sport it’s good for everyone.’’

Ben Kennedy NASCARS Senior Vice President of strategy and innovation along with executive vice president Steve O’donnell we both happy with the race as they saw enthusiasm in the drivers.

There was a bunch of talk about the new Next Gen cars that almost for a moment was being pushed back to 2023. Allegedly a dummy was killed during crash testing last summer.

We all know it’s early in the season several drivers experienced different issues. At the mid-race point (75 laps) Tyler Reddick-8, Denny Hamlin-11, Chase Briscoe-14, Ryan Preece-15 and all were out due to wreck or car trouble.

Both Kennedy and O’donnell mentioned that each car that left the race would be given a through going over.

There were qualifying races held Saturday that generated a lot of excitement while narrowing the field to 23.

In one qualifying race Aric Amarillo became the first driver to have a car towed off the oval. In in one of Sundays LCQ (Last Chance Qualifier) it became a game of bumper cars as five cautions came out the final eight laps.

Fan Favorite Bubba Wallace finishes 18th. This season Kurt Busch joined car 23XI.The 43 year-old Busch has won at least one race in 18 of his 22 seasons.

At introductions Daniel Saurez #99 finished in 14th walked down the Coliseum steps wearing a Sombrero slapping hands with fans, smiling reminiscing of his heritage he was the only

driver from Mexico.

Dillard from Richard Racing summed it up a return to the Coliseum perfectly. “Bob Kennedy and NASCAR did a great Job. If its worth it to the drivers and others then why not. I love California and Fontana is a great place to race.”

NASCAR BUSH LIGHT NOTES: NASCAR has been reaching out trying to be more inclusive and branch out to as many different people as possible. During the building of the track they invited some 25 young people from the Boys and Girls Club of Carson The youth had a chance to see the behind the scenes of the track wall and fence operated...Pitbull performed a dynamic 45-minute concert, before the featured race. ICE CUBE performed at the mid-way point and DJ. Grand Marshalls included Eric Dickerson football Hall of Famer, former Raider Greg Townsend, Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart, Misty May-Traenor, Jeff Gordan and Dodger Skipper Dave Roberts. Race winner Joey Logano headed home right after the race as his wife Brittany was expecting their third child.

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The Valley’s News Observer

Thursday, February 10, 2022

Super Bowl Experience Presented by Lowe’s- Day 1

Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award (Photo: Ricky Richardson)

England Patriots), Ronny Stanley (Baltimore Ravens), Shawne Merriman (San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills), Sam Donald (Carolina Panthers), and Chase Daniel (Los Angeles Chargers) to name a few. The events inside were games, merchandise from NFL Shop presented by Visa and a chance to bid on highly sought after autograph items from NFL legends. The auction was hosted by Hunt Auctions.

Some of the interactive games consisted of two-minute drill, NFL training camp, QB scramble, FedEx Air Challenge, FedEx Ground Challenge, Lowe’s Field Goal Kick, NFL Extra Point Kick, Hail Mary, 40-Yard Dash, and UBER Eats Bench Press.

NFL Play 60 Zone featured engaging, interactive games for kids, arts and crafts, gear up and go, kick, run thrown and defend.

Multiple fascinating exhibits were on display to educate and inform fans. AFC & NFC Championship Trophies, Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, NFL Locker Room, Oversize replicas of NFL Team helmets presented by Pepsi, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Collections of all Super Bowl Rings, Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year and photos with the Vince Lombardi Trophy. The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award will be presented on Thursday, February 10, 2022, during the NFL Honors.

The Los Angeles Convention Center is the perfect venue to host this event, which is the size of a football field and more.

Super Bowl Experience presented by Lowe’s starts up again on Thursday, February 10-12, 2022 A sea of team’s regalia was on full display throughout the Convention Center. Hats, hoodies, jerseys, T-shirts etc. representing several NFL teams were worn by fans from across the United States.

Super Bowl Experience presented by Lowe’s is a fun, fan-filled, family friendly event. It was great to see the camaraderie of fans in attendance for opening day.

The lines to get in ran smoothly and quick. Once inside, football fans were presented with an opportunity to have photos with and get autographs from current players and legends at the Super Bowl Experience Autograph Stage presented by Panini.

NFL players on site were T. J. Houshmandzadeh (Cincinnati Bengals, Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens and Oakland Raiders), Torry Holt (St. Louis Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars, New

Shawne Merriman (Photo: Ricky Richardson)

By Ricky Richardson Contributing Writer Los Angeles, CA.- A large crowd descended on downtown Los Angeles for the opening day of Super Bowl Experience presented by Lowe’s, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Saturday, February 5, 2022.

Super Bowl Experience presented by Lowe’s is the NFL’s interactive football theme park, leading up to Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium, Sunday, February 13,2022 between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Lombardi Trophy (Photo: Ricky Richardson)

Mark Sanchez, Marcus Allen and Austin Ekeler (Photo: Ricky Richardson)

I’m sure by now you have viewed and been captivated by the “Road to Super Bowl” commercial featuring NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, Jerome “The Bus” Bettis, Victor Cruz and Terry Bradshaw, presented by Pepsi and Frito-Lay. I’m also certain that you can’t wait for additional episodes as well as the final slot of commercials during the Super Bowl.

Tostitos hosted Calle de Crunch, an in-person experience at L. A. Live on the days leading up to Super Bowl LVI. Doritos® and Tostitos® were given to fans in attendance. Several DJ’s were on deck spinning an eclectic soundtracks of beats. NFL Players Marcus Allen (Los Angeles Raiders & Kansas City Chiefs), Austin Ekeler (Los Angeles Chargers) and Mark Sanchez (New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills) were on site to talk about their NFL career and offer perspectives on the Super Bowl LVI. Marcus Allen and Austin Ekeler battled it out in an impromptu cook off featuring Doritos® and Tostitos®, with Mark Sanchez serving as judge.

The fun starts again on Thursday, February 10-12, 2022. You don’t want to miss out on this historic occasion. For more information visit https://www.nfl.com/super-bowl/eventinfo/super-bowl-experience.

Building Tech in Inglewood, ComplYant raises $5.5M to Build Digital Tax Assistant for Small Businesses LOS ANGELES – ComplYant®, a digital tax assistant for small business owners, announced today that it has closed a seed funding round of $5.5 million led by Craft Ventures with participation from Mucker Capital, Slauson & Co., and Techstars. ComplYant was founded by Grid110, MuckerLab, and

Techstars alum Shiloh Johnson.

There are more than 31 million small businesses in the United States, and they pay billions in tax penalties every year for filing forms or making payments late. Some businesses just forget while others don’t understand enough about the taxes they owe to know that they owe them. ComplYant’s digital platform solves this problem by streamlining workflow, providing a savings wallet for taxes, and allowing accountants to collaborate with client accounts – all right in your browser. Using ComplYant, U.S. small business owners can easily manage and take charge of income tax, sales tax, business licenses, and even annual reports with deadline tracking, budgeting, tax education, and more.

By digitizing and streamlining the business tax compliance process ComplYant has saved thousands of customers over 70,000 hours and over $4 million in late fees and penalties each year.

“During my time as a CPA, I saw firsthand how small business owners struggle with managing their tax deadlines.

Running a small business is hard enough already, and on top of everything entrepreneurs have to manage, late fees and fines are the last things they need,” said Shiloh Johnson, CEO and founder of ComplYant.”Tax compliance is fragmented and complex, so it’s no wonder small business owners find it difficult to navigate.

It’s time we make it much easier to do the hard stuff better.”

“ComplYant is a no-brainer for any small business owner to navigate complex tax rules and requirements,” said Michael Tam, partner at Craft Ventures. “Shiloh is a domain expert with a keen product sense on a mission to empower all types of business owners with fiscal guidance. This is the strong combination we look for as investors and we found it in spades with ComplYant.”

ComplYant founder Shiloh Johnson (Image courtesy of ComplYant)