Valley's News Observer 7.8.21 4C

Bill Cosby Urges Black Press to ‘Push Forward’

Richardson Will Miss Olympic 100 After Testing Positive for Marijuana

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News Observer The Valley’s

Volume 36 Number 34

Serving the San Fernando Valley for Over 36 Years

Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California

Gov Taps Three Black Judges for State Diversity Mentoring

Judge Roderick Shelton of the San Diego County Superior Court (Courtesy Photo)

Bo Tefu California Black Media Three African American judges are among 10 new members of the California Judiciary Gov. Gavin Newsom tapped last week to join the Trial Court Mentor Program, an initiative created to promote diversity and inclusion in the state’s executive and judicial branches.

The program is designed to make the Appellate Court and Trial Court application process more transparent and accessible for those interested and to develop a qualified and diverse pool of judicial applicants across California, the governor office says, Gov. Newsom emphasized that diversity is one of California’s greatest strengths and that the state is committed to ensuring that various communities are represented at every level of government.

“This mentoring program supports our efforts to identify the best and brightest judicial candidates from throughout the state, contributing to a stronger, more inclusive bench to better serve all Californians,” said Newsom.

A seven-judge executive committee is responsible for facilitating the Judicial Officer Mentorship Program, including African American Justices Teri L. Jackson of California’s First District Court of Appeal and California Supreme Court Associate Justice Martin Jenkins. The executive committee, co-chaired by Jenkins, will spearhead actions that will identify and provide judicial mentors for lawyers and judges interested in serving on the appellate and trial courts.

The ten judges appointed by the executive committee

Presiding Judge Eric Taylor of the Los Angeles County Superior Court (Courtesy Photo)

to the trial court mentor program include African American judges from Northern California, San Diego, and Los Angeles. They are joining other judges from the Bay Area, Central Coast, Central Valley, Inland Empire and greater Los Angeles area of California.

The African American judges are Judge Monique Langhorne of the Napa County Superior Court; Judge Roderick Shelton of the San Diego County Superior Court; and Presiding Judge Eric Taylor of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, according to the governor’s office.

The co-chair of the executive committee, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Bacigalupo, highlighted the importance of transparency and accessibility on the state’s judicial benches.

“In making justices and judges accessible to prospective judicial applicants, we hope to demystify the application process and recruit a wide array of qualified candidates to serve our courts and administer justice fairly, equitably, and honorably,” said Bacigalupo.

Prior to the Trial Court Mentor Program, the state implemented the Appellate Court Mentor Program as a pilot in the First District Court of Appeal.

Retired Judge Jenkins said that he looks forward to working with the executive committee, “to build a mentor program throughout our great state to meet the Governor’s goal of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our judiciary.”

Administrative Presiding Justice Jim Humes of the First District Court of Appeal said that the pilot program will be expanded across the state of California.

“We plan to conduct outreach events and provide mentors for those interested in an appellate court

Judge Monique Langhorne of the Napa County Superior Court (Courtesy Photo)

appointment,” said Humes.

The state’s judicial initiatives were implemented following the creation of the Opens Judicial Selection Advisory Committees in 2019. That year, Newsom announced eight selection committees that are responsible for providing preliminary and nonpartisan feedback on candidates nominated for California’s judiciary. The selection committee is made up of judges and attorneys chosen by the retired Justice Martin Jenkins who serves as California’s Judicial Appointments Secretary.

“Judges make decisions every day that affect every Californian,” said Gov. Newsom.

“The people of our state have little insight on the process by which judges are chosen, it is only fair that the public knows who is helping to select the people who will serve them,” he said.

Candidates for the selection committee also included nominations from affinity groups across the state’s judiciary. Among those that participated in the candidate selection process were the Association of African American California Judicial Officers, Judicial Council of the California Association of Black Lawyers, California Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Judges Association, and the California Women Lawyers.

Gov. Newsom said that the state implemented the initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion in the judicial process, which is an, “essential function of our democracy.”

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

Summer Travel Brings Higher Gas Prices; So, What’s the Solution?

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent The arrival of summer usually means family reunions, barbecues, and vacations.

Unfortunately, American automobile drivers have routinely experienced higher prices at the gas pump.

A recent U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) report noted that gasoline prices continue to climb for winter lows, averaging $3.112 per gallon. The price is comparable with May 2019 ($2.909) and May 2018 ($3.039).

It is also well below levels this time of year from 2011 to 2014.

Like so many other of life’s necessities, high fuel prices disproportionately affect the motorists of color.

For instance, one report noted a 60-cent per gallon price difference in the cost of fuel in the heart of predominately Black North Philadelphia and the ritzier suburbs.

While advanced fuels and innovative technologies help consumers benefit from more fuel-efficient vehicles that drive farther and run cleaner, consumers still notice when prices rise at the pump.

Officials say demand continues to drive the higher cost of gasoline.

According to AAA, 60 percent more people are traveling 50 miles or more from home this year than last year during the height of the pandemic.

The EIA increased its forecast this month for summer gasoline demand by 100,000 barrels – or 4.2 million gallons – per day over its April forecast.

Supply is another reason for the higher prices.

“Our industry, along with the rest of the country, is recovering from impacts of the pandemic, which dramatically cut petroleum demand leading to slowing domestic oil production,” oil and natural gas officials wrote in a recent blog post.

“Now demand is returning, and production must keep pace,” the officials noted.

In a podcast, American Petroleum Institute Chief Economist Dean Foreman pinpointed supply and demand.

“If you think of the way it’s played out, the fact that we grew domestic oil production over the last decade really did break the stranglehold that OPEC and Russia together had previously over oil prices,” Foreman noted. “And the ability to control its own destiny there has just cushioned U.S. consumers. So, to the extent that oil prices rise, it could affect U.S. household costs for transportation for driving and flying.”

Because oil is traded globally, robust domestic production puts downward pressure on global crude costs

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Thursday, July 8, 2021

First Black Named to Lead US Forest Service

By MATTHEW DALY Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) – Veteran forester Randy Moore has been named chief of the U.S. Forest Service, the first African American to lead the agency in its 116year history.

Moore, 66, replaces Vicki Christiansen, who has led the agency since 2018. The Forest Service, a division of the Agriculture Department, oversees 193 million acres of public lands in 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands.

Moore has served as regional forester in the California-based Pacific Southwest Region since 2007, where he has responsibility for 18 national forests in California and Hawaii.

He will take over from Christiansen as head of the 30,000-employee agency upon her retirement July 26. Christiansen and Moore will collaborate on what is already shaping up as a severe wildfire season in the West, where an epic drought, complicated by climate change, has made putting out fires more challenging and strained firefighting resources throughout the region.

In the Pacific Northwest, where an extended heat wave has triggered record-breaking temperatures in Oregon and Washington state, fire crews have been positioned in high-risk areas, and cities and counties have imposed burn bans.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who appointed Moore, called him “a catalyst for change and creativity” in carrying out the Forest Service’s mission to sustain the nation’s forests.

As a regional forester, Moore has been on the forefront of climate change, most notably leading the region’s response to the dramatic increase in catastrophic wildfires in California over the last decade, Vilsack said.

“His proven track record of supporting and developing employees and putting communities at the center of the Forest Service’s work positions him well to lead the agency into the future at this critical time in our country,” Vilsack said in a statement.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., praised Moore’s selection as Forest Service chief.

“California understands all too well the challenges facing our forests and I’m glad a Californian will head efforts to tackle them,” she said.

Arkansas Rep. Bruce Westerman, the top Republican on the House Natural Resources Committee, called Moore “a seasoned professional,” adding: “I sincerely hope we can work together on mitigating catastrophic wildfires, opening up our national forests to sustainable lumber harvesting, making forests more resilient against insects and diseases and much more.”

Before heading the Pacific Southwest region, Moore was regional forester in the Wisconsin-based Eastern Region, where he oversaw forests in 20 states.

Moore started his federal career in 1978 at USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in North Dakota. He has worked at national forests in Colorado, North Carolina and Missouri, a national grassland in Kansas and as an administrator in Washington.

Moore’s appointment comes as Congress and the Biden administration push to increase firefighter pay and convert at least 1,000 seasonal wildland firefighters to year-round workers as fires have grown more severe.

President Joe Biden last week called for an increase in pay for federal firefighters, who start as low as $13 an hour.

“That’s a ridiculously low salary to pay federal firefighters,” Biden said. “That’s going to end in my administration.”

Actor Will Smith Pays for July 4 New Orleans Fireworks

NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Fireworks are returning to New Orleans on Independence Day thanks to actor Will Smith.

Smith is picking up the roughly $100,000 tab for the pyrotechnics over the Mississippi River after learning New Orleans didn’t plan a 2021 show, city officials told news outlets.

New Orleans canceled last year’s fireworks because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Smith is in New Orleans working on his latest film “Emancipation,” which will tell the story of a slave, Peter, who escaped a Louisiana plantation and whose photo of scars on his back from being whipped exposed the brutality of slavery. He would also fight for the Union in the Civil War. Smith moved production of the film from Georgia to Louisiana in early April after Georgia passed a new voting law that prompted a federal lawsuit saying the overhaul was intended to deny Black voters equal access to the ballot.

Doctor Used Wrong Covid Test to Clear Patients While advanced fuels and innovative technologies help consumers benefit from more fuel-efficient vehicles that drive farther and run cleaner, consumers still notice when prices rise at the pump. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

and consumers benefit, oil and gas industry officials noted.

“Thus, we need policy approaches that safely develop domestic reserves, on and offshore, so that U.S. production once again impacts the global crude market,” one official wrote.

The industry believes that strong domestic production also is critically important to U.S. energy security. Thanks to rising domestic production, the U.S. in 2020 became a petroleum net exporter on an annual basis for the first time since 1958.

“But, because of less trade and lower domestic production compared to pre-COVID levels, the U.S. returned to being a petroleum net importer earlier this year,” the official stated.

The oil and gas industry official continued: “Put simply, when the U.S. is a net importer of petroleum, it is reliant on foreign suppliers and less energy

secure.

“So, the question is, can’t the U.S. just produce more oil? Historically, it has with more development – and relatively quickly as supporting prices increased, a key benefit of the U.S. energy revolution.

“But with the economic impacts of the pandemic, drilling and capital investment have remained low.

“Industry-wide capital investment in the first quarter of this year was the lowest for any quarter since 2008 (chart below). It’s a global phenomenon, not limited to the U.S., making sound energy policy all the more important.”

“Now, with the pandemic’s effects on the economy and domestic energy production playing out, Americans are beginning to notice the importance of planning for energy abundance and security through strong domestic production – as well as the need to ensure that we have the energy infrastructure to deliver supplies where they’re needed.”

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A Tennessee doctor used the wrong test to clear at least two patients of the coronavirus, according to discipline allegations before the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners.

Dr. Michael LaPaglia, 49, used rapid blood test kits that can detect antibodies from a previous infection but aren’t reliable in checking for a current infection, according to the allegations brought by the Department of Health and reported by The Tennessean from information obtained in a public records request.

Records say the improper testing occurred in November and December of 2020 while LaPaglia operated a concierge medical company called Elite HealthCare offering in-home coronavirus antibody testing. Both people requested testing and LaPaglia used a rapid antibody test and then cleared both of infection even though he “knew or should have known’’ the tests did not work that way, records state.

The allegations could result in LaPaglia losing his medical license, which is already on probation.

He previously admitted to writing fraudulent opioid prescriptions and his license was suspended in 2018 but reinstated the following year.

LaPaglia’s attorney, Garrett Asher, declined to comment to the newspaper.

World & Nation

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Thursday, July 8, 2021

White Police Chief Resigns After ‘KKK’ Note Placed in Black Officer’s Jacket

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Sheffield Lake Police Chief Anthony Campo, who was captured on surveillance video placing a Ku Klux Klan note in the jacket of a Black officer, has retired.

Campo reportedly decided to retire after more than 30 years on the police force in the Ohio town of just over 9,000 people and just over 21 miles from Cleveland.

“We had a very emotional sit down because it took us 10 minutes to talk to each other because we were both crying,” Mayor Dennis Bring told a local television news crew.

Bring, who had immediately placed Campo on administrative leave, said at first, he did not know why the chief decided to put the note in the officer’s jacket.

“I don’t know why he did it. I really do not. There are no words to describe this,” the mayor asserted. He said the chief maintains it was a joke that got out of hand, one for which Campo still refuses to apologize.

“I took it very seriously, and I’ve asked for his badge and keys,” Bring said, adding that he asked for Campo’s resignation and advised him to retire.

The video, which has been replayed over various news and social media outlets, shows Campo tampering with a raincoat on a desk that appears to be that of a Black officer.

He then places a white piece of paper on the jacket, with the words “Ku Klux Klan” covering a police label on the back.

The video is without sound, but the African American officer appears to laugh off the note, even pointing it out while smiling with other officers.

The African American officer has not been publicly identified. Neither the officer nor Campo has issued any statements.

Former Sheffield Lake Ohio Police Chief Anthony Campo is caught on surveillance placing a note that read, “Ku Klux Klan” on the jacket of a Black officer/YouTube.

“We Have His Back” Dem Leaders Throw Support Behind Gov. Newsom in $276 M “Republican Recall”

Tanu Henry California Black Media A group of influential California Democratic leaders held a press conference July 2 to pledge their support for Gov. Gavin Newsom against what they are calling the “Republican Recall,” and to remind Californians, from their point of view, what the state will lose if that effort succeeds.

“This recall is a partisan power grab - nothing more, nothing less -- a cynical attempt by national Republicans to force an election, and to try to seize control in California,” said U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, former California Secretary of

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State and California’s first Latino U.S. Senator.

Stating that the recall threatens advances California’s Democratic leadership has made, Padilla continued, “This Republican recall effort is powered by the same forces who still refuse to accept the results of the presidential election in 2020. They are pushing voter suppression efforts in statehouse after statehouse across the country.”

Other Democratic leaders participating in the press conference were Rusty Hicks, chair of the California Democratic Party; Robert Garcia, mayor of Long Beach: Holly Mitchell, Supervisor, Los Angeles County; and Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco).

“When you think about what he has been able to do around protecting the environment, education, expanding opportunity for our low income and working families – and middle-income Californians – as well as justice for all Californians, its crystal clear to me that Gov. Newsom is the kind of leader we need at a time like this,” said Mitchell.

Last week, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis announced Sept.

14 as the date for the recall election after the state verified Newsom’s opponents had collected the1,495,709 signature they needed (12 % of the total votes in the last gubernatorial election) to officially trigger the recall process.

“In just a few weeks, every Californian is going to get a ballot in the mail. And you have to fill out the ballot.

Mark ‘no” and return it by September 14. If you prefer to go in person, you can do that at your local polling place on September 14. You can find information about that on our Secretary of State website,” said Chiu, urging Californians to support Newsom.

The effort to recall Newsom began in 2020 led by a former Yolo County Sheriff’s Deputy, Orrin Heatlie, with the support of a group called the California Patriot Coalition. They criticized the governor for high taxes, what they perceived as inaction on the drought, pro-illegal immigrant policies and other grievances. The movement gained traction during the COVID-19 global pandemic when larger numbers of Californians became resistant to the governor’s pandemic-related business closures and other restrictions.

To recall Newsom, more than 50 % of voters would have to check yes on that option, which will be the first question on the ballot. If more than 50 % of voters agree to Newsom’s recall, the candidate on the ballot (the governor will not be included as a choice) with the highest number of votes will qualify as Newsom’s replacement.

Tom Del Beccaro, a vocal supporter of the recall and chair of RescueCalifornia.org, a political action committee galvanizing Newsom’s opponents across the state, said removing the governor from office is “every American’s business.”

Del Beccaro wrote in a Fox News op-ed last month, “California is beset with problems. For years, California’s policies have led to crisis after crisis. There is a perennial water crisis, a wildfire crisis, an electricity crisis, a crime problem, business and job flight from the state, homelessness and poverty.”

Expressing the opposite view, according to Chiu, what the governor has achieved in the two and a half years since he was sworn into office, is nothing short of remarkable.

“Our governor has led our state and invested in truly bold investments,” Chiu said. “He led the passage of unprecedented legislation to protect civil rights, to reform our criminal justice system; to double down on our fight against climate change; to create more housing for the

unhoused than any governor in history; to expand access to health care; to make record investments in education; to support immigrant communities; and truly deliver big for working families. He has launched the biggest economic recovery plan in our state’s history.”

At the press conference the high cost of holding an off-cycle special election was discussed. The California Department of Finance estimates that the election will cost taxpayers $276 million.

Advertising and organizing on both sides of the recall effort could cost hundreds of millions of dollars more.

“I was blown away – not in a good way – when the Los Angeles Country registrar’s office told us what it would cost us locally to hold this election,” said Mitchell. “From the operational aspects of an election at this time of year to what it is going to cost statewide. All of us as taxpayers are going to have to pay when our dollars need to be going to the California Comeback plan to help us recover.”

In California, Democrats dominate. Of the 20.9 million registered voters in the state, an estimated 46.3 % are Democrats, about 24 % are Republican and roughly 24% consider themselves independent or having “no party preference,” according to 2020 numbers compiled by the Public Policy Institute of California.

Hicks said with the recall election officially happening in less than three months, he is paying close attention to the lessons of 2003 when a successful recall effort against Democratic Gov. Gray Davis led to his ousting and the election of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“Every poll shows that Democrats overwhelmingly

reject this Republican recall and we as a party our prepared to put forth the effort to ensure that the 10 million California Democrats get to the polls to defeat this,” said Hicks, adding that this election has national implications for Democrats.

Hicks said low voter turnout is a concern. But he assured supporters that the California Democratic Party has the technology, strategies and infrastructure in place to successfully push back on the recall.

Garcia says he’s confident, too, that the recall will fail in September.

“Let’s not forget, Democrats didn’t want this recall in the first place.

This is a state that supports the governor, and we expect to defeat the recall.”

Mitchell says the two options voters’ have couldn’t be clearer.

“What side of this do you want to be on? Do you want to be on the side of someone who stood in the gap, understood vulnerable communities, and the needs of vulnerable communities, and did all that he could to protect us?” asked Mitchell. “Or do we want to stand with the people who never stand with working families on any other issue ever?”

Mitchell says that Democrats have to work hard to inform ethnic communities across California about what is at stake for them if Newsom is recalled.

“I know where I’m going to stand, and the people I represent are clear as well,” she said.

What side of this do you want to be on? Do you want to be on the side of someone who stood in the gap, understood vulnerable communities, and the needs of vulnerable communities, and did all that he could to protect us? Or do we want to stand with the people who never stand with working families on any other issue ever? Democrats have to work hard to inform ethnic communities across California about what is at stake for them if Newsom is recalled.

–– Supervisor Los Angeles County Holly Mitchell

Thursday, July 8, 2021

Rashad Draws Critics and Dismissal Calls for Defending Cosby

By ASHRAF KHALIL Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) _ Phylicia Rashad has found herself embroiled in controversy after expressing public support for Bill Cosby’s release from prison, with some prominent Black voices calling for her dismissal as dean of Howard University’s College of Fine Arts.

It remains to be seen whether Rashad’s position at Howard is in jeopardy, but the university quickly distanced itself from her comments.

Rashad, who played Cosby’s wife for years on the family sitcom “The Cosby Show,” was named dean of the college with great fanfare this year. Cosby was released from prison Wednesday after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned his sexual assault conviction, ruling that Cosby’s agreement with the previous district attorney in 2005 should have prevented him from being charged in the 2018 case.

After the ruling, Rashad tweeted a picture of Cosby, with the message: “FINALLY!!!! A terrible wrong is being righted – a miscarriage of justice is corrected!”

The tweet drew an immediate online response with a few expressing support but many others attacking Rashad for defending a man accused of drugging and raping multiple women over a period of decades.

Some of the harshest critics called for Rashad to be removed from her post, saying her apparent indifference to serial sexual assault allegations made her unfit for a position of authority over students.

Jelani Cobb, a Columbia University journalism professor and frequent New Yorker magazine contributor, tweeted directly to Howard University, bluntly stating: “This person should not be a Dean.”

Rashad’s support for Cosby is not new. She had publicly defended him during his years-long legal battles.

But the rise of the (hash)Metoo movement and her new position at a prominent educational institution have contributed to the intense backlash as Cosby goes free.

Hours after her tweet Wednesday, Rashad sent out a clarification, stating her sympathy for all survivors of sexual assault but not mentioning Cosby or his case.

“I fully support survivors of sexual assault coming forward. My post was in no way intended to be insensitive to their truth,” she wrote. “Personally, I know from friends and family that such abuse has lifelong residual effects. My heartfelt wish is for healing.”

In a statement, Howard acknowledged Rashad’s clarification and said her initial tweet “lacked sensitivity towards survivors of sexual assault. Personal positions of University leadership do not reflect Howard University’s policies. We will continue to advocate for survivors fully and advocate their right to be heard.”

Rashad is a prominent Howard alumnus, and her appointment as fine arts dean was hailed as a homecoming, with Howard Provost Anthony K. Wutoh stating that her “passion for the arts and student success makes her a perfect fit for this role.”

Cosby, 83, had served nearly three years of a threeto-10-year sentence for drugging and violating Temple University sports administrator Andrea Constand in 2004.

After his release, he tweeted that he has always maintained his innocence and thanked his fans, supporters and friends who stood by him.

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Georgia Native Plays Kevin Hart’s Mom in New Netflix Movie

By MARK RICE Ledger-Enquirer COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) – Striving for three decades to receive a named role in a major film production, Columbus native Thedra Porter has reached that goal in a movie featuring one of Hollywood's most popular stars.

Porter plays Kevin Hart's mother in “Fatherhood,” a dramatic comedy based on a true story about how a widowed new dad raises his daughter. It's streaming exclusively on Netflix.

“It really feels great,” Porter told the LedgerEnquirer in a phone interview from New York City. “It's very rewarding to be among the legends in this industry.”

She was referring to not only Hart but also actors Alfre Woodard and Frankie Faison, the latter to whom she looked up while she made her way up in the industry.

Porter, 60, was educated in Muscogee County schools: Fifth Avenue, Dimon, Rothschild and Kendrick (Class of 1978). Her parents, Mattie and Newman Crawford, are retired and still live in Columbus.

Newman worked for Atlanta Life Insurance, and Mattie was a secretary at Spencer High School and Davis Elementary School.

ANOTHER SIDE TO KEVIN HART Acting with Hart was a joy, Porter said.

“Every day on set,” she said, “he was always encouraging and saying, `Let's have fun.”'

But the comedian has a serious side as well, Porter said.

“He's a gentleman,” she said. “He really is.”

The movie was filmed in Montreal and Boston. It was expected to be shown in theaters last year, but the coronavirus pandemic changed the distribution plan, Porter said.

That complication, however, didn't drain her appreciation for the most significant role of her career.

“Oh, my God,” she said. “You have no idea. I have been in the business for decades, and I just kept honing my craft. I always say, `Don't give up but give out when you have a passion for something.' It's just made me feel that I have grown, escalated and got to the bigger world of the industry.”

ACTING JOURNEY Porter started acting in elementary school plays.

Then she became a baton twirler and a cheerleader in junior and senior high. After graduating from Florida A&M University, where she majored in theater and minored in computer science, she acted in local theater productions around Atlanta while working for BellSouth

Thedra Porter plays Kevin Hart’s mother in “Fatherhood”.

and AT&T. Her breakthrough came in the mid-1990s, when she appeared as a teacher in the NBC then CBS TV series “In the Heat of the Night,” when it was filmed in Covington, Georgia.

After her daughter graduated from high school, Porter's husband encouraged her to pursue acting full time.

“I needed to do this now,” she said.

So they moved to New York City in 2009. Guest roles in TV series such as NBC's “Law & Order: SVU” and “The Blacklist” followed. Now, she is acting in a short film called “I Do, But Then Again” and auditioning for other productions.

“That's the life of an actor,” she said. “I am moving on every day.”

ADVICE FOR PERSEVERING Porter encourages folks to not let their identity and

self-worth be defined by their goals. The key, she said, is to find a balance between pursuit and perspective.

“You have to stay grounded,” she said. “You stay centered within yourself.”

And bring along a dose of reality, Porter said.

“It doesn't matter whether you're a star or a character actor,” she said. “You just be the best you can be. You're not the one who decides if you're going to be a star. It's the people around you. . That's the business side of acting. I understood that early on in my career.”

Regardless of the role, Porter said, she cherishes being part of a film.

“I enjoy the process,” she said. “I enjoy the reading of the script, understanding the character, building the character, diving into it, putting my life within that character, bringing my experience along with that. I like the whole process of getting into my own little world and creating this person.”

Richardson Will Miss Olympic 100 After Marijuana Test

By EDDIE PELLS and PAT GRAHAM AP Sports Writers American champion Sha’Carri Richardson cannot run in the Olympic 100-meter race after testing positive for a chemical found in marijuana.

Richardson, who won the 100 at Olympic trials in 10.86 seconds on June 19, told of her ban Friday on the “Today Show.” She tested positive at the Olympic trials and so her result is erased. Fourth-place finisher Jenna Prandini is expected to get Richardson’s spot in the 100.

Richardson accepted a 30-day suspension that ends July 27, which would be in time to run in the women’s relays. USA Track and Field has not disclosed plans for the relay.

The 21-year-old sprinter was expected to face Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in one of the most highly anticipated races of the Olympic track meet.

On Thursday, as reports swirled about her possible marijuana use, Richardson put out a tweet that said, simply: “I am human.” On Friday, she went on TV and said she smoked marijuana as a way of coping with her mother’s recent death.

“I was definitely triggered and blinded by emotions, blinded by badness, and hurting, and hiding hurt,” she said on “Today.” “I know I can’t hide myself, so in some type of way, I was trying to hide my pain.”

Richardson had what could have been a three-month sanction reduced to one month because she participated in a counseling program.

After the London Olympics, international regulators relaxed the threshold for what constitutes a positive test for marijuana from 15 nanograms per milliliter to 150 ng/m.

They explained the new threshold was an attempt to ensure that in-competition use is detected and not use during the days and weeks before competition.

Though there have been wide-ranging debates about whether marijuana should be considered a performanceenhancing drug, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency makes clear on its website that “all synthetic and naturally occurring cannabinoids are prohibited in-competition, except for cannabidiol (CBD),” a byproduct that is being explored for possible medical benefits.

While not weighing in on her prospects for the relays, USATF put out a statement that said her “situation is incredibly unfortunate and devastating for everyone involved.” The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee said it was “working with USATF to determine the appropriate next steps.”

Richardson said if she’s allowed to run in the relay “I’m grateful, but if not, I’m just going to focus on myself.”

Her case is the latest in a number of doping-related embarrassments for U.S. track team. Among those banned for the Olympics are the reigning world champion at 100 meters, Christian Coleman, who is serving a suspension for missing tests, and the American record holder at 1,500 and 5,000 meters, Shelby Houlihan, who tested positive for a performance enhancer she blamed on tainted meat in a burrito. Also on Friday, defending Olympic 100-meter hurdles champion Brianna McNeal had a five-year ban for tampering or attempted tampering with the doping-control process upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Now, Richardson is out as well, denying the Olympics of a much-hyped race and an electric personality. She ran at the trials with flowing orange hair and long fingernails.

“To put on a face and go out in front of the world and hide my pain, who am I to tell you how to cope when you’re dealing with pain and struggles you’ve never had to experience before?” Richardson said.

Sha’Carri Richardson said she took marijuana after learning about the death of her biological mother Leave a Comment on Sha’Carri Richardson said she took marijuana after learning about the death of her biological mother Summary List PlacementUS sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson has said she took marijuana after learning about the death of her biological mother. Speaking to NBC’s Today show, Richardson said a reporter told her about her biological mother’s death a few days before the US Olympic Trials began. “To hear that information come from a complete stranger, it was definitely triggering. It was definitely nerve-shocking.” she said. “No offense to him at all, he was just doing his job, but it put me in a state of mind of emotional panic.” She told Today that she took marijuana after finding out the news. “I’m not making an...

Sha’Carri Richardson looks on after winning the Women’s 100 Meter final on day 2 of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials US sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson has said she took marijuana after learning about the death of her biological mother.

Speaking to NBC’s Today show, Richardson said a reporter told her about her biological mother’s death a few days before the US Olympic Trials began.

“To hear that information come from a complete

stranger, it was definitely triggering. It was definitely nerveshocking.” she said.

“No offense to him at all, he was just doing his job, but it put me in a state of mind of emotional panic.”

She told Today that she took marijuana after finding out the news.

“I’m not making an excuse or looking for empathy in my case,” she said.

“However, being in that position in my life, finding out something like that … Dealing with the relationship I have with my mother, that definitely was a very heavy topic on me.”

“I was definitely triggered and blinded by emotions, blinded by sadness, and hurting, and hiding hurt,” she said.

Richardson was in Oregon at the time, where marijuana is legal, but the substance is on the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) banned list.

Sha’Carri Richardson celebrates winning the Women’s 100 Meter final on day 2 of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials On Friday morning, USADA announced that Richardson was banned for one month, backdated from June 19.

“The rules are clear, but this is heartbreaking on many

levels,” said USADA chief executive Travis Tygart.

“Hopefully, her acceptance of responsibility and apology will be an important example to us all that we can successfully overcome our regrettable decisions, despite the costly consequences of this one to her.”

Richardson won the women’s 100m race at US Trials with a time of 10.86 seconds, but her result was invalidated because of the positive test.

As such, while her ban ends before the Olympics starts, she won’t be allowed to compete in the individual 100m race in Tokyo.

She could still be eligible to race in the 4x100m relay, however. Heats for that competition begin on August 5.

Richardson told Today that she intends to compete in many Olympics to come after returning from her ban.

“This is just one game. I’m 21. I’m very young,” she said.

“Unlike most, I have plenty of games left in me to compete in and I have plenty of talent that backs me up because everything I do comes from me naturally.

“After my sanction is up I’ll be back and ready to compete.”

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Features The Valley’s News Observer

Thursday, July 8, 2021

BILL COSBY

Urges Black Press to ‘Push Forward’

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s ruling to vacate Bill Cosby’s conviction is not only about vindication for the comedian.

For Cosby, it is now about helping other Black men who were falsely accused.

He told the Black Press in an exclusive telephone conversation just hours after his release from a prison outside of Philadelphia.

“This is an opportunity that the Black Press, the writers, the men, and the women have now an opportunity with great intelligence, with great foresight, with great after sight, not just about Mr. Cosby, it is about what you saw, it is about what you know, and you must tell it, and you must be believed, and you have to put it in a way a level of intelligence,” Cosby insisted.

He said it’s important that the NAACP’s Crisis Magazine also reports the truth of his case because it could assist many falsely accused African Americans who don’t have the notoriety or the means to fight their cases.

The National Newspaper Publishers Association closely monitored both of Cosby’s trials in Pennsylvania, and not surprisingly, the reporting done by the Black Press of America proved far different from mainstream media’s accounts.

For instance, the Black Press regularly reported on the egregious behavior of trial court Judge Steven O’Neill, District Attorney Kevin Steele, and several lawyers who openly coached witnesses while they were giving testimony.

The Black Press also reported that jurors in Cosby’s first trial initially voted to acquit the comedian but was ordered by Judge O’Neill to deliberate further. That first trial ended in a hung jury, despite Cosby’s team declining to put on a defense.

Former prosecutor Bruce Castor exclusively told the Black Press that Cosby should never have been tried because of a deal he reached with the superstar a decade prior.

Castor also called into question the credibility of Andrea Constand, the lone alleged victim in the case.

“What is happening to Bill Cosby is a travesty, a

: E V I S U EXCL

Former prosecutor Bruce Castor exclusively told the Black Press that Cosby should never have been tried because of a deal he reached with the superstar a decade prior. (Photo: Getty Images / NNPA)

miscarriage of justice,” Castor said.

The state Supreme Court backed up Castor in overturning the conviction.

“By publicly announcing that appellant William Cosby would not be charged with any crimes related to Andrea Constand — a decision apparently made, in part, to force Cosby to testify in Constand’s future anticipated civil suit — former Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor intended to, and in fact did, force Cosby to give up his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination,”

Justice Kevin Dougherty wrote.

“Then, years later, Castor’s successor used the damaging evidence Cosby turned over in the civil case to convict him of the same criminal offenses he had previously been induced to believe were off the table. I am constrained to agree with the majority that due process does not permit the government to engage in this type of coercive bait-andswitch.”

Justice David Wecht further broke down the reason for overturning Cosby’s conviction.

“In 2005, Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor learned that Andrea Constand had reported that William Cosby had sexually assaulted her in 2004 at his Cheltenham residence. Along with his top deputy prosecutor and experienced detectives, District Attorney Castor thoroughly investigated Constand’s claim,” Justice Wecht wrote.

“In evaluating the likelihood of a successful prosecution of Cosby, the district attorney foresaw difficulties with Constand’s credibility as a witness based, in part, upon her decision not to file a complaint promptly. D.A. Castor further determined that a prosecution would be frustrated because there was no corroborating forensic evidence and because testimony from other potential claimants against Cosby likely was inadmissible under governing laws of evidence.”

The judge continued: “The collective weight of these considerations led D.A. Castor to conclude that, unless Cosby confessed, “there was insufficient credible and admissible evidence upon which any charge against Mr. Cosby related to the Constand incident could be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”

NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., said the Black Press continues to cover the Cosby matter because of the tremendous interest of Black America to see justice done.

“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania emphasizes the importance of what the NNPA has been doing about the Cosby case,” Dr. Chavis exclaimed.

“As I visited Cosby in prison in Pennsylvania, I witnessed firsthand the strength of his spirit and affirmation of his innocence. Yet, it took the great work of his lawyers and the growing sentiment in the court of public review that enabled the Supreme Court to make this historic decision.

“I know from personal experience, and it is very difficult to have an alleged criminal conviction overturned by appellate courts. But now, like what happened to the Wilmington Ten in the 1970s and 1980s, we have the Bill Cosby case today as a reminder of the systemic racism and injustice in America’s criminal justice system.”

Bill to End “Slavery” in Prisons Advances Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media April Grayson, a policy associate for the Young Women’s Freedom Center and a formerly incarcerated Black woman, who spent 17 years behind bars, said she can’t wait to see the day when the language in Article 1, Section 6 of California’s Constitution is off the books.

It says, “There shall be no slavery in this state; nor involuntary servitude, unless for the punishment of crime,” California’s Constitution states.

Grayson, who was imprisoned at Central California’s Women’s Facility in Chowchilla, spoke recently at a Juneteenth rally at the state Capitol in Sacramento in support of Assembly Constitutional Amendment (ACA) 3.

“Today, can we abolish a system that was only created to keep Black people incarcerated?” Grayson said.

“I am not free,” she continued, “as long as my best friends (inmates) in Chowchilla are working for free. We’re just asking to abolish slavery in California, which is a state that voted to abolish slavery.”

The legislation authored by Sen. Sydney Kamlager (D-Los Angeles) would strike out all conditional language and prohibit involuntary servitude for all purposes in the California penal system.

“Slavery has no place in our state constitution. Full stop. And yet, that’s where we are. I’m excited ACA 3, which aims to abolish slavery and involuntary servitude without exception, continues to progress and is currently in Assembly Appropriations,” said Kamlager in a statement to California Black Media. “There’s no time like the present to dissolve the vestiges of racial inequality and modern-day slavery.”

On June 15, ACA 3 – also known as the California Abolition Act -- went before the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee. It passed 7-0 and has since been referred to the Assembly’s appropriations Committee for review.

After a hearing June 30, the appropriations committee referred ACA 3 to the “suspense file,” where it is undergoing a review to determine its impact on the state budget.

Shay Franco-Clausen is a prison reform advocate and was a co-organizer of the rally in Sacramento. She told California Black Media it is “crazy that current language is still in the California Constitution in 2021.”

“If we don’t see it as Californians to have this immoral,

barbaric, Jim-Crow language, that is still oppressive by way of forced labor, still there in our state’s constitution, we have a problem,” said Franco-Clausen, who was incarcerated for nearly two years as a juvenile.

“ACA 3 removing this discriminatory language is one step in the right direction to a California that represents everyone,” she continued.

Inmates earned between 8 and 37 cents per hour on average for regular prison jobs, according to an April 2017 report released by the Prison Policy Initiative (PPI), a nonprofit research and advocacy campaign that addresses criminal justice reform and mass criminalization.

These jobs, PPI stated, on average, require sevenhour workdays for 22 days per month. California inmates averaged about $12.00 to $56.00 per month for part-time and full-time positions, the PPI report reveals.

The prison system’s “regular jobs” include all work provided and paid for by state correctional agencies, except for industry jobs. Those jobs directly support the correctional institutions operations with custodial, maintenance, sanitation, grounds keeping and food service work.

Working in jobs providing labor to institutions outside of the prison system, California inmates averaged between 30 and 95 cents per hour. Known as the “Correctional Industries,” those jobs include assignments producing goods and services that are sold to government and nonprofit agencies.

“Making it hard for incarcerated people to earn real money hurts their chances of success when they are released, too,” Wendy Sawyer, a PPI policy analyst wrote in a 2017 report. “With little to no savings, how can they possibly afford the immediate costs of food, housing, healthcare, transportation, child support, and supervision fees?”

The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), a nonprofit think tank dedicated to informing and improving public policy in California, reported that the total number of Black inmates is disproportional to the state’s total population of African Americans, which is 6%.

In 2017, 28.5% of the state’s male prisoners were African American -- compared to just 5.6% of the state’s adult male residents, According to PPIC. African American women are also overrepresented.

Of the state’s 5,849 female prisoners, 25.9% are African

April Grayson, who spent 17 years incarcerated in California’s largest prison for women, speaks in support of ACA 3 at a rally in Sacramento on June 19. (CBM photos by Antonio Ray Harvey)

American. Black women account for 5.7% of the state’s adult female residents.

ACA 3 has already garnered significant support from legislators and community organizations, including Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) and Sen. Steven Bradford, (D-Gardena), chair of the CLBC. The Assembly Public Safety Committee yes vote last week was the first step in the legislative process to ACA 3 becoming law in California. If both the Assembly and

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the Senate approve the proposal, it would be placed on the ballot in 2022 for all California voters to approve or reject it.

“We should not be privatizing any labor in our prison system because (prisoners) have committed a crime,” Franco-Clausen said. “We already know that Black and Brown people are criminalized at the highest level. The book is thrown at us. I still don’t understand why we still use forced labor.”

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Cal Woman Quits Powerful Biz Org; Alleges Anti-Black Comments, Actions Quinci LeGardye California Black Media A California-based member of the Washington, DCbased National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) resigned last month, accusing the group’s leadership of racist actions and statements.

She was an elected official of the organization that advocates on behalf of more than 10 million womenowned businesses around the United States.

Charlotta Carter, President-CEO of GRI Technology Solutions and president-elect of the NAWBO-San Francisco Chapter, resigned her position in a letter to the NAWBO membership last month. Carter’s resignation was soon followed by by another Black woman, Vikita Poindexter, stepping down from a NAWBO leadership role.

Poindexter is CEO of Poindexter Consulting Group and president of NAWBO-California.

In her resignation letter, Carter recounted incidents during her onboarding and work as president-elect when NAWBO showed reluctance to support Black women business owners.

Carter wrote, “I’m humbled to be asked to join but find that there is a true disconnect with the overall NAWBO set of mission and goals and what I believe and need as a Black business owner to be part of the organization. NAWBO’s strategy and vision IMHO (in my honest opinion) does not value diversity and cannot see the uniqueness of Blackowned businesses -- challenges that are far beyond other demographics.”

The women’s resignations -- and Carter’s condemning allegations -- come nearly a year after the George Floyd protests last summer, a time when corporations and nonprofits took symbolic and substantive steps to promote diversity, promote racial equity and support Black individuals and institutions.

Carter shared details of a racist incident she said happened April 30.

“In bringing that draft legislation to NAWBO National and the incoming president, she was very offended that we included language in that draft bill to help address African American women-owned small businesses earning $50,000 or less. She was very offended, and said, ‘If we’re going to just focus on African American women, we can’t support this. Besides members of NAWBO, we’re tired of focusing on African American women’s issues. So, needless to say, the meeting went downhill from there,” Carter told California Black Media (CBM).

Carter also alleged that, at an onboarding meeting, she

spoke with another Black woman who was president of a different NAWBO chapter, who said she was “afraid” to reach out to the NAWBO national board for a statement about George Floyd’s death.

Carter said, “My take to that is why -- in an organization that’s supposed to be supportive of you and your community and your issues -- would you be afraid to call the headquarters and ask them to make a statement on something so critical in our history. Why would you be afraid? You’re gonna get blackballed or something? And if that’s the case, why would you want to be a part of an organization like that?”

In an email to NAWBO members obtained by CBM, NAWBO National leadership said that they were taking Carter’s allegations seriously, and that they had convened a special task force to investigate her claims. The letter reads, “As a national organization with local footprints, we must in principle and in practice, be inclusive, diverse, respectful and equitable to all members.”

Carter also told CBM that she is still confident in her decision to leave the organization, and that she was skeptical of the organization’s future regarding their diversity and inclusion initiatives.

“The incoming president Susan Dawson’s first statement that ‘members of NAWBO are tired of supporting African American women’s issues,’ was her truth. And anything that came after that was total BS. So, any apology would ring hollow to me because she really wouldn’t have meant it So, I’m happy if they do something about it and they do some soul searching and realize that they’re more of a racist organization than they think they are, that would be great. And if they don’t do anything then I know I made the right decision by distancing myself from them,” Carter said.

NAWBO ’s leadership said in a statement to CBM that they have appointed a special task force to investigate the accusations, and that they cannot publicly comment on the matter until the investigation, which is currently underway, is complete. They also said that four BIPOC women currently serve on NAWBO’s national board.

“In principle and in practice, NAWBO values and seeks a diverse and inclusive membership. We seek full participation in the organization by all business owners who support our mission to empower women entrepreneurs, regardless of race, religion, age, sexual orientation, national origin or disability. Our goal is to effectively represent the full diversity of the women business owner community and to expand access to leadership opportunities across the full (Facebook post from the NAWBO virtual conference) spectrum of our membership,” the statement reads.

Cali’s Push to Let Student Athletes Get Paid; Gets Big Assists From SCOTUS, NCAA

Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) represents the sports programs at over 1,260 academic institutions, 102 athletic conferences, and more than 480,000 student athletes who have not been allowed, until recently, to make a dime from their athletic abilities or the marketing of their names, images or likenesses.

But last week, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) unanimously ruled that the NCAA policy must fall in line with the country’s antitrust laws and that the organization does not have the authority to deny student athletes the right to receive compensation for their athleticism or fame.

“I’m excited about this ruling. It’s long overdue and I am happy that California had a small role in moving that tide, that marker,” said Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Gardena), who, along with Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) introduced Senate Bill (SB) 206 or the Fair Pay to Play Act in California.

SB 206, which Gov. Newsom signed into law in 2019 – and which is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2023 – paved the way for athletes in the Golden State to cash in on apparel endorsements, autograph signing, jersey licensing, social media commerce, ticket sales or other for-profit ventures.

Speaking during a Juneteenth celebration at the Secretary of State office in Sacramento, Bradford said, “It’s really what we were talking about here today. College athletics is an extension of the chattel system. Those athletes are people of color -- African American men and women -- who have never been fully compensated.”

About a week after the Supreme Court’s landmark decision, the NCAA, based on recommendations from the organization’s Division 1 Board of Directors, announced that it would lift its restrictions on student earnings and allow students to profit off of their athleticism and fame.

That organization’s decision came a day before laws lifting the NCAA ban in eight states – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico, Ohio and Texas – took effect July 1.

According to the NCAA, the temporary action would remain in place until federal legislation or new NCAA rules are adopted.

After the NCAA decision, Steve Berman, managing partner of Hagens Berman and co-lead attorney for a class action suit, Keller v. Electronic Arts Inc., that helped shift the ground on the student athlete pay issue, shared his thoughts.

Berman told California Black Media, “this set of rules argues that the fate of college sports is not seriously in jeopardy if the NCAA were to get out of the business of fixing NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) prices entirely.”

“The NCAA is admitting what we’ve known all along: that consumer demand is not tied to athletes’ earnings, and for many reasons, college sports can have a future that is both fair and sustainable for athletes,” he continued.

In the Supreme Court case, the National Collegiate Athletic Association v. Alston (No. 20-512), U.S. Justice Neil Gorsuch delivered an opinion in the 9-0 unanimous ruling.

Gorsuch wrote, “Colleges and universities across the country have leveraged sports to bring in revenue, attract attention, boost enrollment, and raise money from alumni.

That profitable enterprise relies on ‘amateur’ studentathletes who compete under horizontal restraints that restrict how the schools may compensate them for their play.”

The NCAA, he continued, “issues and enforces these rules, which restrict compensation for student-athletes in various ways. These rules depress compensation for at least some student-athletes below what a competitive market would yield.”

The lead plaintiff in the case the Supreme Court decided, Alston v. NCAA, is African American Shawne Alston, a former University of West Virginia (UVW) running back. Alston played for the Mountaineers from 2009 to 2012.

Alston’s landmark ruling may have led to the biggest rewriting of NCAA rules in the organization’s 115-year history, but it was Ed O’Bannon, who first brought a legal complaint against the NCAA, over the compensation of former and current student-athletes.

O’Bannon, who won a NCAA Men’s Basketball title with the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1995 filed the federal class-action lawsuit, O’Bannon v.

NCAA, 12 years ago. He and 19 others athletes sued the NCAA for violating federal antitrust laws.

National Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Oscar Robertson affixed his name to O’Bannon’s suit in 2011 when he learned that the NCAA used his image in licensing deals with trading card companies without his knowledge.

The distribution of trading cards displayed Robertson wearing his University of Cincinnati uniform, where he played for the Bearcats from 1957 to 1960. The NCAA claimed it could use his likeness in perpetuity, Yahoo!

Sports reported in January 2011.

“Today, the Supreme Court said, ‘no’ to the NCAA’s monopolistic practices,” Skinner said of the NCAA v.

Alston ruling. “For far too long, the NCAA has pocketed billions off the hard work and talent of student-athletes while limiting the support colleges can provide and denying athletes any of that wealth.”

In 2009, Sam Keller, a former starting quarterback at Arizona State University and the University of Nebraska, brought a putative class action lawsuit (along with other former college football players) against Electronic Arts (EA), the digital interactive company, alleging that its use of his likeness in the NCAA Football series of video games violated his right of publicity under California statutory and common law.

On July 31, 2013, California’s Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in California, ruled EA was not protected by the First Amendment free speech in portraying the likeness of a college football player. The ruling effectively ended the NCAA Football video series run of 17 years.

Although the SCOTUS and NCAA decisions affirm California’s law on student athlete pay, the U.S. Congress has not yet created a national legal standard on the issue.

Bradford said he was surprised by the decision coming from a Supreme Court bench with a conservative majority.

“Yes, I was surprised the ruling was unanimous. That fact impressed me far more than anything else,” Bradford told California Black Media. “Regardless of it being a conservative court, I think when the facts are just laid out so obvious — Nick Saban (Alabama head football coach) getting paid $9 million a year and many college athletes still hungry before they go to sleep.”

Now, Bradford and Skinner are working to move up the effective date of the legislation with another bill the duo introduced in December of 2020, SB 26.

“As an author of Fair Play To Play, SB 206, now SB 26, we’ll move up that date,” Bradford said. “Just because you have a scholarship, it doesn’t come close to covering your living expenses” he said. “(Student athletes) should be able to monetize their likeness just like any other student and any other American under the First Amendment.”

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Sports

The Valley’s News Observer

Thursday, July 8, 2021

Miami Sports Teams Provide Relief Aid to South Florida’s Surfside Community

By Cameron Buford Whatsgoodinsports.com The professional sports teams in South Florida sprang to action to assists the first responder’s needs after the collapse of the Chaplain Towers. Just recently, the landscape of the North Miami skyline has changed forever when a portion of a 136-unit condo collapsed. In the Surfside town, north of Miami Beach and just south of North Miami, nearly 55 units of the Champlain Towers South building came down due to a year of neglect of Major Structural Damage.

A consulting engineers report from 2018 detailed the growing issues with the structure of the building. The report detailed the disregard of the waterproofing issues, crumbling concrete, corroded rebar that led to the decay of this former oceanside oasis. As the price of repairs continued to grow, the less the condo board and owners seemingly wanted to foot the bill for the 40-year-old structure as it continued to deteriorate.

For years the condo’s Board would quibble over the cost of the repairs and how they would collect the fees for the needed repairs. Yet management openly released details of the planned multimillion-dollar restoration for prospective buyers with repair prices built into the unit’s price.

Even though the structural damage had gotten progressively worse in recent years, no one could have imagined what would happen in the early morning hours of June 24th.

At last count, the death toll of this collapse has reached 28, with another 117 people still unaccounted for. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava instructed that the remaining portion of the Chaplain Towers be demolished, as it was the rubble from the collapsed wing that was helping the structure to remain standing. By demoing the remaining of the building, as they did on July 4th, it made it safer for crews to continue their search for potential survivors or bodies, as they also prepare for oncoming Tropical Storm Elsa.

We have come to see after a tragedy of this magnitude, heroic rescue workers and first responders arrive on-site to save any lives and limit the losses each victim may endure.

After this tragic event, South Florida Professional Teams were just as responsive. The Miami Dolphins shared their

collective thoughts with this statement on Twitter, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim and their families as they deal with this sudden and tragic loss. We also appreciate our first responders and volunteers that have worked tirelessly today to lead rescue and relief efforts.”

The Dolphins also worked, in conjunction, with Seed Miami Food Truck to deliver meals to the displaced families and first responders of Surfside, as told by Dolphins Senior Vice President, Communications and Community Affairs, Jason Jenkins. Fourth-year Linebacker Jerome Backer and Rookie Wide Receiver Jaylen Waddle would arrive at the family unification center in Surfside to deliver supplies for families and first responders in need.

After Baker embraced Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava he told a group of local reporters at the unification center, “That was heartbreaking, obviously. That was the main thing for me. It’s heartbreaking. Just being involved with the families with all the tragedy in all these people’s lives, and right now, we’re trying to give them a little hope and give as much as we can.”

The Miami Dolphins “Special Teams” program frequently provides emergency relief all over South Florida when needed. Their team owner Stephen Ross has been a longtime advocate of the Dolphins, supporting the various communities in and around Miami. So much so, they’ve become pillars in these very communities, working endlessly to unite people of different backgrounds and experiences to enhance the lives of everyone in the surrounding area.

The Miami Heat also contributed to the relief efforts of the first responders and the multiple displaced families.

The Heat’s tweet read as follows, “We were devastated to hear of the catastrophic Champlain Towers building collapse in Surfside. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families. We are thankful for the first responders who are working around the clock in rescue efforts.” Heat Guard Tyler Herro, Assistance Coaches Chris Quinn and Eric Glass took the 12 miles drive from their Arena north to Surfside to deliver a truck full of water, food, and other essentials for the first responders on site. The Miami Marlins contributed to the cause by “sending three vans filled with meals and water to the rescue workers and kits of essential

(Courtesy Photo)

items and toiletries to the residents who have been displaced and families who have been impacted.” Their post on Twitter shows the vans loaded and ready to be delivered the those in need.

I am sure the families who had their lives thrown into chaos due to this tragic event are very grateful for each of these teams’ involvement in their relief aid. Not to mention those first responders who are still on sight, searching for lives and the bodies of those who have yet to be unaccounted for.

The teams should be commended for their generosity

and responsiveness to aid the families and first responders in this circumstance. These teams, should also be applauded for displaying their teamwork and unity throughout their communities. Simultaneously, providing an example for society to follow!

Kindly share any other news of other teams or organizations stepping up to provide aid in these moments of need by reaching out to me on Twitter @whatsgoodnsport.

Or, forward any thoughts and suggestions on what additional topics or sports angles you would like to see discussed to info@whatsgoodinsports.com.

Courtside with Clippers – Western Conference Finals

By Cameron Buford Whatsgoodinsports.com 6/30/21 Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Clippers WCF, Game 6 This Clippers team already made it further than any Clippers team had in the past. Paul George’s historic Game 5 performance of 41 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists vs. the Suns, in which he accomplished something no other player has done in NBA Playoffs history, kept them alive in this season’s playoffs, if only for one more game.

Although George averaged 30.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.4 SPG in the Western Conference Finals, the NBA fans had yet to see their best from the Suns. As they closed out the Clippers in Game 6, the Suns gave the Clipper their worse loss of the playoffs when Chris Paul erupted for his own 41-point game, which just so happened to be the highest scoring output of the entire season. After playing their 19th playoff game in 39 nights, the Clippers appeared “to be gassed” Head Coach Ty Lue would reflect post-game. In their final home game of this series, the Clippers would need Paul George to put up another monumental performance to stay alive in these playoffs however, what they got was much less inspiring.

He finished the game with, 21 points 9 rebounds, and only 2 assists, while only shooting only 1 for 6 from behind the arc.

Devin Booker had enough of Pat Beverley and Terance Mann’s defense as he decided to get his shots up in Game 6, as he shot 6/13 for 14 points in the first half. The Clippers allowed 31 points from the Sun’s backcourt of Chris Paul, Booker, and Cameron Payne in the half as they took control of the game.

More evidence of the Clipper’s fatigue was visible in their second-chance points effectiveness in this game, as the Suns took that 15-7 advantage into the locker room.

As the Sun’s lead grew to 80-67, so did their advantage in second-chance points 17-9. The Suns would finish the game with a 19-10 second chance point advantage.

More critically to the Clippers’ season-ending loss was Chris Paul’s refusal to allow this series to go back to Phoenix for a Game 7 and get to the NBA Finals for the first time in his career. Paul shot 7-9 from the field while shooting 3-3 from behind the arc and scoring 22 points in that all-important 4th quarter.

Not only were the Clippers out of energy in this game, the Suns the lineup of Cam Payne, Devine Booker, and Chris Paul, but also proved to be too much for the Clippers to defend. Conversely, their backcourt lineup of Patrick

Los Angeles Clippers’ Serge Ibaka, center hugs guard Paul George, left, as forward Kawhi Leonard looks on as time runs out in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Beverley, Terance Mann, and Reggie Jackson shot 38.4% from the field and a disappointing 25% from 3 point range while scoring 29 points in what would their final game of this season. Ty Lue would say post-game, “Hats off to Phoenix. They did a hell of a job. Monty Williams, one of the best coaches in this league and just the culture

he set, bringing CP in, young team, having everyone buy into their role and what they want to do. CP was fantastic tonight, 41 points, eight assists. Booker is a star already at a young age. They have a great foundation there with the coaches, James Jones, the job he’s done with CP and

Booker.”

Ty Lue would also say about their season, “When I think back to this season, I’ll think back to the playoff run we had, and being down in the series both those first two and fighting back and winning those, and you know, what we did this year was special!”

Post-Game, Paul George was asked about his thoughts on the teams’ personnel, to which he responded by saying, “I think we didn’t get here for no reason. We had the pieces we needed. We just have pieces that got hurt during the process. It’s really what it just came down to. We had the pieces to get to where we wanted to get to.”

Additionally, George was asked about his involvement in convincing/ recruiting players like Reggie Jackson and Kawhi Leonard to stick around for the next season. He responded by saying, “Well, one of the commitments I made signing my contract was to show I’m here for the long run and I’m committed to this team. Hopefully, that weighs on anybody’s decision. But it’s no hard feelings. You know, these guys, they got decisions to make on their own.

I will definitely try to. I haven’t talked to any of them. But hopefully, this is where they want to continue to play and grow and be something and do something special in the long run. Yeah, I’m definitely going to try my hardest to recruit. That’s all I could do.”

As this season run falls short of a desired NBA Finals appearance, with the leadership of Head Coach Ty Lue, they’ve had the best run-in franchise history. As a firm believer in applauding the progress, I applaud the Clippers for getting to unchartered territories. They must now be even more vigilant in rebuilding this team to take the next step next season. Resigning Kawhi Leonard needs to be the first order of business in that process. What changes, if any, would you like to see? Feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @whatsgoodnsport to let me know your thoughts on the Clippers season as a whole. Also, forward any suggestions on what additional topics or angles you’d like to see discussed to info@whatsgoodinsports.com.

If you haven’t done so, kindly subscribe to our weekly “Voice of the Fans Podcast.” It is available for you on most podcasting platforms Apple, and Google Podcasts including, Spotify, TuneIn, and, iHeart Radio to name a few. When you tune into our Podcast, you will hear passionate banter about various NBA storylines while addressing the multitude of NFL topics.

Dodgers Streaking Heading into the ASG Break

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer The Dodgers completed a four-game sweep of Washington and have won nine straight games and appear to be in 2020 form. However, a big show in baseball is just around the corner is the midsummer Classic.

Three Dodgers land on the All-Star Game roster.

Max Muncy, Mookie Betts and Chris Taylor all have been named to the NL team for this year’s game to be played at Coors Field in Denver.

Betts had a slow start to the season due to injury but has slowly bounced back with 10 homers, seven stolen bases and several clutch hits while has a 2.7b WAR. This is Muncy, who is 30, first ASG appearance. He leads the majors in walks with 55 with a .416 on base percentage. He will probably be the DH after being beat out by the Braves Freddy Freeman.

“That’s a no brainer,” said Dodger skipper Dave Robert’s who will be managing the NL squad. Robert’s is trying not to get emotionally involved with the selection process.

“That would be pretty incredible,” Muncy said. “That would be really, really exciting.

Taylor is the only one of the trio who will be at the Midsummers Classic for the first time. Taylor has played all over the field mostly filling in for Cody Bellinger. He has

started at least 60 games at four different positions and has played five this season. That’s a feat that’s a marvel by itself.

“There’s no way to qualify it (Taylors value),” said Roberts. “But in this particular case for Major League Baseball and the committee to recognize what he does and the value of his versatility-weather its the WAR production in the box whatever it is -all I know is what I said about a month ago he’s a Major League All-Star in 2021 and I’m glad this is the way it played out. Couldn’t be happier for him.”

As a child Taylor had imagined himself playing in the All-star game. “When you’re a little kid playing in the back yard you always dream of being a Big-League All-Star,” said Taylor. “You watch that All-Star game every year and hope to be there some day. Its definitely going to be a surreal experience and I am looking forward to taking it all in.”

The Dodgers have a chance to add more as Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buhler have had a solid first half of the season as starters. With a solid first half of the season Kenley Jansen has 21 saves and a 1.30 ERA could get a nod.

Nolan Arenado third baseman of the Cards beat out Justin Turner in votes, as he’ll be returning to his former home Coors Field where he was a fan favorite for years. Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Muncy scores past Washington Nationals catcher Yan Gomes on a sacrifice by Last week played in a series against the Rockies at Coors Will Smith during the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 3, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Field received a rousing ovation.

Nick Wass)

Thursday, July 8, 2021

The Valley’s News Observer A7

Local

Rep. Waters Announces More than $21.9 Million in Federal Noise Mitigation Grants for People Who Live Near LAX “These grants will help individuals and families in more than 1,300 local households mitigate the impact of noise from planes flying into and out of LAX.” WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chair of the House Committee on Financial Services, announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded $21,906,132 in grants for residential noise mitigation for individuals and families who live near LAX. “I am proud to announce that the FAA has awarded more than $21.9 million in grants for residential noise mitigation for people who live near LAX and are affected by airport noise,” said Congresswoman Maxine Waters.

“These grants will help individuals and families in more than 1,300 local households mitigate the impact of noise from planes flying into and out of LAX.” The FAA awarded the following three grants totaling

$21,906,132, which will benefit an estimated 1,326 residences in the vicinity of LAX:

• $9,906,133 for the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) for an estimated 680 residences in the unincorporated communities of Lennox, Athens, and Del Aire.

• $6,666,666 for the City of Los Angeles for an estimated 313 residences in the City of Los Angeles and the City of El Segundo.

• $5,333,333 for the City of Inglewood for an estimated 333 Inglewood residences.

“I am pleased to help make these grants available to my district, where I have received numerous complaints year in and year out about airport noise emanating from

LAX,” said Congresswoman Maxine Waters. “I will continue to work to ensure that my constituents who live near LAX can enjoy peace and quiet in their homes.”

To learn more about residential noise mitigation, Inglewood residents can contact Bettye Griffith, the director of the City of Inglewood’s Residential Sound Insulation Program (RSIP), at (310) 412-5289. Residents of unincorporated communities in Los Angeles County near LAX can contact Bill Pro, (626) 586-1836, Bill.Pro@lacda.org, or Leonor Pacillas, (626) 586-1815, Leonor.Pacillas@lacda.org, with LACDA’s RSIP. Residents of the City of Los Angeles or the City of El Segundo can contact Mark Adams, with Los Angeles World Airports, (424) 646-5114, madams2@lawa.org.

My kid would never vape.

LA Cop Cleared of Wrongdoing for George Floyd ‘Valentine’

By STEFANIE DAZIO Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) – The Los Angeles police officer who shared a photo of George Floyd with the words “you take my breath away’’ in a Valentine-like format has been cleared of wrongdoing and will not face any punishment.

The officer, who has not been named publicly, was found not guilty of any administrative charges by a internal disciplinary panel comprised of community members, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed.

Police Chief Michel Moore had directed the officer to the panel, known as a Board of Rights, in May with the recommendation that the officer be fired. The chief does not have the authority to dismiss officers.

“The Department respects the disciplinary process and will direct employees to a board of rights where it is believed that termination is the appropriate penalty,’’ the LAPD said in a statement Tuesday.

The officer chose to have their case heard by a board of three civilians, instead of two LAPD officers of the rank of captain or higher and one civilian panelist. KNBC first reported the panel’s findings.

Moore had ordered an investigation into the racist Valentine in February, vowing that if the probe found that LAPD officers were circulating the image, “people will find my wrath.”

“Our investigation is to determine the accuracy of the allegations while also reinforcing our zero tolerance for anything with racist views,’’ Moore said.

Floyd, a Black man, was killed in May 2020 after then-Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin pressed a knee on his neck as Floyd repeatedly said, “I can’t breathe.’’

His death launched massive protests nationwide over racial injustice and police brutality, including in Los Angeles.

Chauvin was sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison last month for Floyd’s murder.

More than 5 million American kids vape.

Which means, they’re being set up for a lifetime of addiction.

Good students. Athletes.

Kids who’d never smoke regular cigarettes.

All types of kids.

Maybe even yours.

Talk to your kid about vaping.

Start by getting the facts at

TalkAboutVaping.org

A8

The Valley’s News Observer

Thursday, July 8, 2021

Local

Grand Performances Concert Series Returns to Renovated Plaza

By Ricky Richardson Contributing Writer Los Angeles- Summer is Back! This means that it is time to dust off your dancing shoes and plan menus for your picnic baskets. Grand Performances Summer Series of free concerts at California Plaza is the most a n ticipated event s i n c e the state re-opened and pandemic restrictions were eased.

I’ve had the good fortune to attend this series in the past. I can’t wait to enjoy live entertainment once again this renovated plaza.

This is a family friendly concert series. You can invite your immediate family, as well as your babysitter, neighbors and friends.

Grand Performances has something for a variety of musical taste. The series features established and emerging artists that will provide an eclectic global soundtrack each afternoon or evening. Attendees at the evening concerts get to enjoy some wonderful music, plus see a beautiful sunset, framed by the Downtown skyline.

Grand Performances kicked off the Summer series in June with several virtual concerts. Grand Performances will hos their first in-person concert starting July 9th with Ethio Cali featuring Cut Chemist and Rani D. Ethio Cali plays

homage to the Golden

California Plaza, Photo Courtesy, Grand Performances

es

Seri

Age of Ethiopian Jazz and m Soul. Directed by Todd SiSum ces n a mon, the performance will also feature m rfor e P nd Gra er C

ert onc

collaborations with DJ Rani D and Cut Chemist.

July 16th- Katalyst, this 9-piece band and artist collective will perform a night of jazz-infused pieces.

July 31st - Deep w/ Marques Wyatt. Deep’s 21st Anniversary dance party will celebrate Los Angeles house music with Marques Wyatt.

August 7th- Dilla Fest featuring Talib Kweli. You don’t want to miss this magical evening as Grand Performances commemorates 15 years of Dilla’s Donuts with special guest DJ’s and live performances by Talib Kweli with a live trio along with Frank N Dank with Illa J and DJ Rhettmatic of the World Famous Beatjunkies crew.

Grammy Winner Daru Jones will serve as Music Director and drummer.

August 13th- Jacque Hammond and Qur’an Shaheed.

Their music blends the organic feel of old beloved soul

classics with the punch and appeal of contemporary music.

August 14th- Head Wrap in the Park. Afro-centric bazaar of vendors and jubilant entertainment. The series continues and concludes on September 25 with The Do-Over.

Celebrating its 35 year, Grand Performances aims to inspire community, celebrate diversity, and unite Los Angeles through free access to global performing arts. Grand Performances presents high-quality music, dance, theater, and more during the Summer at the breathtaking California Plaza in the hearth of Downtown Los Angeles as well as other venues throughout the year including Los Angeles World Airport.

Follow @GrandPerformances on Facebook, @GrandPerf on Twitter and Instagram and our YouTube Channel youtube.com/grandperformances.

For more information visit www.grandperformances.org Click on the Info link to view information about Location and Direction (Car or Public Transit), Parking, Amenities and FAQ. Hoping that you can attend one or more of this awesome concert series to experience amazing performances, feel the positive camaraderie, energy, and vibes.