Senators Demand Special Counsel to Investigate Justice
Clarence Thomas
LL Cool J Relearned ‘How to Rap’ on His First Album in 11 Years, ‘The FORCE.’
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Teoscar Hernández Claims HR Derby Title
It was just a few days before this year’s Home Run Derby participants were finalized. While other stars were invited early to the contest, Teoscar Hernández had to lobby to join the field. He was the last contestant to be selected.
“I’m here,” Hernández said confidently, just hours after learning he would also be an All-Star starter as well, filling in at center field for the injured Fernando Tatis Jr., “and I’m as talented as all those guys over there.” After advancing by one home run in the first round, Hernández was tied with Alec Bohm at 14 home runs apiece in the semifinal.
With the new rules, ties after the second and third rounds are determined by a swing-off in which players get three swings to determine the winner. Hernández won the swing-off two homers to one to advance to the final.
The DODGER outfielder had 14 homers as did Bobby Witt Jr.-Thus bring on overtime . Tension was high as Witt also hit 11 in regular time, and even more so when he came one away from tying the score in bonus time. But his last swing just fell short, hitting off the left-center-field wall, to give Hernández the victory. Hernández made his presence felt for the DODGERS all season long. He became a dependable clutch hitter for his new team, logging 62 RBI at the All-Star Break—only Shohei Ohtani has more on the Dodgers. He’s also in second when it comes to hits with runners in scoring position (28, behind Freddie Freeman).
“He’s been a stalwart,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who has compared Hernández to Manny Ramirez. “He’s driven in a lot of big runs for us, taken a lot of good at-bats. To have a guy in there that hits righties, hits lefties, can slug and can smell a run batted in – it’s been big.” Hernandez had Derby help from a crafty veteran. It was seventeen years ago, DODGER third base coach Dino Ebel threw to the Pedro Guerrero as he won the Home Run Derby in 2007. This year at Globe Life Field in Texas, Ebel was victorious on the mound again as the batting practice extraordinaire Hernandez becomes the first Dodgers batter to win the derby. Ebel found a rhythm with Hernández by watching his player’s shoulders. When they dropped, Ebel knew Hernández was ready for the pitch.
In the first round, Hernández told Ebel he wanted the ball down the middle or middle-up. “After we advanced, he said, ‘Dino, throw it down the middle and let me do my thing,’” Ebel relayed. “I just try to not put extra pressure on [myself in those situations], or get anxious,” said Hernández. “Just try to calm down, slow my body down and get a pitch that I can put in play.” It’s that understanding of not only how to get a much-
needed hit, but also of how that hit can be just as good as a homer, that manager Dave Roberts appreciates.
Hernández kept that in mind while prepping for the Home Run Derby and was careful not to overswing, instead opting to retain his usual, compact swing as much as possible.
“It’s huge,” Roberts said of Hernández’s impact. “And he’s done it time and time again.”
Witt Jr. the son of former Major Leaguer Bobby Sr,grew up in nearby Colleyville, Texas — “My house, I mapped it out today, is 20 minutes away from here,” he said before the event — and had a bevy of family and friends in attendance.
Six years after winning the 2018 High School Home Run Derby, he came just feet short of having an opportunity to win
the major-league competition and had the crowd behind him in the final round. Like Hernández with the Dodgers, Witt would have been the first Royal to win the event. Hernandez became the seventh Dominican-born player to win the Derby, and the second in three years, joining Juan Soto (2022). Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Hernández’s former Blue Jays teammate who last year became part of the first father-son Derbywinning duo, was born in Canada. Guerrero gave a righteous gift- the home run title chain“From a Derby champ to a Derby champ,” Guerrero said. “I’m feeling very, very proud of Teo. He’s a great friend of mine. He’s my brother. My ex-teammate. What can I say about Teo? I’m so proud of him right now.”
Slavery Ban, Minimum Wage and Smash and Grab Penalties
Edward Henderson
California Black Media
The general election on Nov. 5 is less than four months away. This year, Californians will vote yes or no on 10 propositions that have qualified for the ballot covering a range of issues from raising the minimum wage to amending the state constitution to ban involuntary servitude as punishment for crimes. Five of those measures were placed on the ballot by the Legislature and five of them qualified through the initiative process.Here’s a list of the 10 measures Californians will be voting on in November with an overview of what each one is proposing.
Prop 2 - Issue $10 billion in bonds to fund construction and modernization of public education facilities across the state.
$8.5 billion would go to elementary and secondary schools. The remaining $1.5 billion would go to community colleges. CSU or UC systems would be excluded from the funding. To qualify for funding, the measure would require school districts to write a 5-yeear facilities school master plan.
Prop 3 - Repeals Proposition 8 and establishes a right to marry. This would remove the ban on same-sex marriage from the California Constitution. The ban was added by voters in 2008. However, the United States Supreme Court has blocked the enforcement of the ban since 2013. The amendment would remove the original language in the constitution and change it to “The right to marry is a fundamental right.”
Prop 4 - Issues $10 billion in bonds to fund state and local parks, environmental protection projects, water infrastructure projects, energy projects, and flood protection projects.
$3.8 billion would help pay to improve drinking water systems and prepare for droughts and floods. $1.5 billion would go to programs preparing for wildfires and $1.2 billion would go to programs combating the rise of the sea level. The remaining funds would be divided up among parks and outdoor recreation programs and climate initiatives.
Prop 5 - Lowers the vote threshold from 66.67% to 55% for local bond measures to fund housing projects and public infrastructure. This would change the state constitution to make it easier for local governments to borrow money if they use the funds to
Leaders React to Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump
after the attack.
California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., issued a statement shortly after the incident, sharing that her “heart goes out to the victims and their families” and that she is “praying” for the former president.
“Over my lifetime, I have witnessed too many acts of political violence in America. Going back decades, too many people have been harmed or killed for what they believe,” Weber stated. “We resolve political differences at the ballot box, through activism and by participating in political discourse. There is no room for political violence.”
Gunshots rang out at approximately 3:15 p.m., Pacific Standard Time (6:15 p.m. Eastern) at the site of the rally. The attempt by the alleged shooter took place from a roof nearby.
The attempt on the former president’s life happened two days before the start of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
“My heart goes out to the victims and their families of this terrible tragedy. We are praying for the former president and those who were injured for a rapid recovery. We will keep those who have lost their lives and their families in our prayers,” continued Weber.
California Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) shared his sentiments in a letter hours after the shooting.
“Today’s senseless attack was a shocking and horrific act,” Gallagher stated. “We must completely shut down those who would use violence to snuff out their political opponents. Janna and I are praying for President Trump, and everyone impacted by this violence.
Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln, a Black Republican running for Congress in the November General election, offered prayers and support to Trump after the shooting in Pennsylvania.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with President Donald J. Trump and his family following the recent shooting in Pennsylvania,” Lincoln stated. “We extend our heartfelt support to him and his loved ones during this challenging time. May they find strength, comfort, and a swift recovery in the outpouring of well wishes from across the nation.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass posted her sentiments on the X, social media platform formerly called Twitter.
“What happened today in Pennsylvania is unacceptable and tragic. Political violence has no place in our nation,” Bass stated. “I wish former President Trump a full recovery and my thoughts are with all those impacted this evening.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted on X, “Violence has NO place in our democracy. My thoughts are with President Trump and everyone impacted at the rally today.”
Teoscar Hernandez poses with the Home Run Derby trophy.© Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports
(Shutterstock Photo)
Governor’s Affirm Biden as the Democratic Nominee
By Ashleigh Fields
After the June 27 presidential debate, viewers grew concerned with President Joe Biden’s ability to fulfill his duties as commander-in-chief for a second term. In response, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY), Wes Moore (DMD), and Tim Walz (D-MI) met at the White House on July 3 to discuss Biden’s future as the Democratic nominee. Afterward, the group of three pledged their unwavering support to Biden. Moore, the nation’s sole Black governor, said the choice for November was clear after the meeting. “The president is our nominee, the president is our party leader and he told us back there that he is in this to win this,” Moore shared. “For the people who are concerned, I just want to be very clear, come November we’ve got a binary choice,” he later added. “The binary choice is between someone who has continually delivered for us, our states, and the people of our states and someone whose vision for the future of our country is downright dangerous.” Walz (D) was the first to speak in favor of the president after the meeting. “Obviously we, like many Americans, are worried because of the threat of a Trump presidency. It’s not theoretical for Governors, we’ve served when Donald Trump was president. And the threats to our nation were real,” Walz explained. He compared the two leaders in terms of their ethics and morale. “A Trump presidency was chaos destruction, a Biden presidency was dealing with
COVID, using the science, investing in infrastructure, and working to the middle class,” Walz continued. The other representatives agreed, denying claims about the president’s mental state. “We feel very confident in his abilities, we talked about the plan and how he’s going to be very focused on issues that matter to Americans, and I felt very confident coming out of this meeting,” Hochul shared.
Over the past few months, the Biden-Harris campaign has worked to ease the minds of voters. A week after the debate screened, Biden was interviewed by ABC’s George Stephanopolus, Earl Ingram of Civic Media Network, and Andrea Lawful-Sanders on WURD’s The Source in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s only Black-owned talk radio station. Lawful-Sanders admitted questions were planted by the Biden Harris campaign. Once the news broke, campaign staff said they would no longer suggest questions to interviewers. Sara Lomax, president and CEO of the Philadelphia-based station released a statement mentioning the act, “violates our practice of remaining an independent media outlet accountable to our listeners.” As Biden continues to campaign, he is using one slogan to describe an honest character. “I know I’m not a young man. I don’t walk as easy as I used to. I don’t speak as smoothly as I used to. I don’t debate as well as I used to, but I know what I do know — I know how to tell the truth,’ the president has continually professed after the debate.
Misplaced Priorities:
Press Corps Attacks Jean-Pierre, Ignores Trump’s Alarming Record
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
In an era where critical issues often are overlooked, the mainstream media’s priorities remain deeply troubling at best, or at worst, very partisan. While the nation faces urgent matters like the implementation of Project 2025, significant Supreme Court rulings, and the global rise of right-wing movements, the media remains fixated on baseless health rumors about President Joe Biden. Meanwhile, it conveniently ignores Donald Trump’s incoherent speeches, convictions for 34 felonies, sexual assault, and massive business fraud, along with his clear authoritarian aspirations and lack of White House transparency during his term. The media’s treatment of White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre recently reached new lows, reflecting a broader problem of disrespect and hostility in the press corps. Following an onslaught of combative questioning
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In an era where critical issues often are overlooked, the mainstream media’s priorities remain deeply troubling at best, or at worst, very partisan.
regarding President Biden’s health, Jean-Pierre made a powerful statement addressing reporters’ unfair accusations and lack of respect. “I want to take a step back for a second. I do take offense,” Jean-Pierre asserted. “I come out here every day. We do our best to give you the information we have at the time. We understand the freedom of the press. I appreciate the back-and-forth we have. I try to respect you and hope you respect me. My team does everything we can to get the answers to you. Sometimes, we’re not in agreement, but you know what? That’s democracy. That’s important to have that healthy back and forth. To say that I’m holding information or allude to anything else is really unfair. I think people who are watching or have been watching can
say we are doing our best. I will admit that sometimes I get it wrong. Sometimes I don’t have the information. I will admit that. But I do take offense to what’s happened in this briefing. It’s not okay.” The backlash from the press towards Jean-Pierre’s earnest efforts has drawn condemnation from various quarters. Mississippi Democratic Congressman Bennie Thompson called the disrespect “absolutely despicable.” Writer Charlotte Clymer praised Jean-Pierre’s grace and competence while denouncing the unacceptable treatment she endured. “I have the utmost respect for Karine Jean-Pierre,” Cylmer noted. “Her unyielding grace and superlative record of communications competence have made her one of the most effective messaging professionals of this era. The disrespect she experienced today is unacceptable and pathetic.”
Actress and activist Heather Thomas criticized the New York Times for its “lazy reporting” and the press corps for their “piggish treatment” of Jean-Pierre. “The NYT should change their name to Enquirer. That neurologist treats over 1,000 service members with neurological issues at the White House. He was there for them. Shame on the NYT for lazy conspiracy reporting and shame on the press corps’ piggish treatment of Karine Jean-Pierre today,” Thomas stated.
However, the White House Correspondents’ Association has done little to address this troubling behavior. The association’s silence is particularly glaring in light of the White House’s transparency about visitor logs, a practice that starkly contrasts the secrecy of the Trump administration. President Biden’s doctor, Kevin O’Connor, had to release a letter explaining that the Parkinson’s expert who visited the White House was there for other patients, not the President. This clarification did little to deter reporters from their relentless and unfounded speculation.
Historian Heather Cox Richardson reminded the public of the stark difference in transparency between the Biden and Trump administrations: “A reminder that when this administration took over, it reinstated daily press briefings after Trump killed them. Remember Trump had a press secretary who held not a single briefing, appearing
only on right-wing media.”
MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell also criticized the White House press corps for their behavior, describing it as a circus. “The White House press corps, many at their absolute worst in the way they approached Karine Jean-Pierre, who was trying to be responsive to medical questions where there are limitations in what she could say,” O’Donnell noted. “The New York Times’ reporting that she dodged the question is untrue. She responded to the questions; she didn’t give the answer the New York Times or other reporters wanted, but she did answer every single question, and the New York Times and other reporters kept banging on. Out-of-control behavior by most of the White House press corps was as bad a circus as it looked.”
O’Donnell further highlighted the unfair scrutiny.
“So, the White House press corps wanted the White House to confirm this neurologist had visited the White House eight times,” O’Donnell continued. “That’s information only available to the press corps because the Biden White House reveals records of every visitor. How many times the neurologist visited White House under Trump? The press will never know because the White House under Trump never released that information. How many times has a cardiologist visited? Trump hid that information. The New York Times knows about visits only because the Biden White House makes that information public.”
Political commentator Bakari Sellers emphasized the absurdity of the media’s focus. “I think it’s patently absurd that we’re having this discussion,” Sellers said on CNN. “I think we’re chasing this rabbit of The New York Times saying that a Parkinson’s expert visited the White House eight times without even corroborating that with whether the President was there or who that doctor actually saw.
“It’s extremely clear now that he did not see the President of the United States, and to use visitor logs to simply say or deduce that someone has Parkinson’s is not journalism. We spent more time talking about Joe Biden’s age than we have Project 25, the Chevron ruling, the ruling on presidential immunity. And I think that’s a disservice to voters in this country.”
Senators Demand Special Counsel to Investigate Justice Clarence Thomas Over Undisclosed Gifts and Financial Omissions
By Stacy M. Brown
In an unprecedented attempt to uphold judicial integrity, Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) have urged Attorney General Merrick Garland to appoint a Special Counsel to investigate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas for potential violations of ethics, false statements, and tax laws. The request follows recent revelations by the Justice and his wealthy benefactors of undisclosed gifts and financial omissions.
In a letter sent last week and released on Tuesday, July 9, Whitehouse and Wyden, who chair the Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, and the Senate Finance Committee, respectively, pointed to solid evidence of wrongdoing. “The evidence assembled thus far plainly suggests that Justice Thomas has committed numerous willful violations of federal ethics and false-statement laws and raises significant questions about whether he and his wealthy benefactors have complied with their federal tax obligations,” the senators wrote. They stressed the need for a thorough investigation into Thomas’s financial disclosures and his relationship with his benefactors, emphasizing that “no government official should be above the law.”
The senators’ letter specifically calls for an investigation into Thomas’s failure to disclose more than $267,000 in forgiven debt used to purchase a luxury motorcoach. Wyden’s Senate Finance Committee discovered the omission, which raises concerns about whether Thomas declared the forgiven debt as income on his tax returns. Despite repeated opportunities to clarify this, the senators asserted that Thomas’s counsel had not provided satisfactory explanations.
The letter also outlined numerous undisclosed gifts from billionaire benefactors, including private jet travel, yacht trips, country club memberships, sports tickets, and significant financial support for Thomas’s family. According to Whitehouse and Wyden, these gifts, which Thomas should have reported under the Ethics in Government Act, suggest a pattern of omission that warrants further investigation.
In addition to these worries, a January letter written
by Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.)
and other lawmakers highlighted potential conflicts of interest involving Ginni Thomas, the wife of Justice Thomas. The letter urged Justice Thomas to recuse himself from cases involving the 2020 election due to Ginni Thomas’s public support for Trump’s attempts to overturn the election results and her participation in the “Stop the Steal” rally before the Capitol attack. The lawmakers argued that her actions and financial interests align with Trump’s, potentially compromising Justice Thomas’s impartiality.
The January letter also highlighted the fluctuating value of Ginni Thomas’s consulting firm, Liberty Consulting, which saw significant increases during Trump’s presidency. “The value of Ms. Thomas’s consulting firm skyrocketed from only ‘up to $15,000’ before Mr. Trump was elected to ‘between $100,000 and $250,000’ during his presidency, and then fell again to ‘between $15,001 and $50,000’ the year Mr. Trump lost the White House,” the letter stated, suggesting a direct financial benefit tied to Trump’s political success.
Whitehouse and Wyden said their letter underscores the importance of transparency and accountability. They urge appointing a special counsel to investigate potential criminal violations by Justice Thomas and his benefactors. They cited previous Department of Justice prosecutions of other officials for less serious disclosure violations, emphasizing the need for consistent enforcement of ethics laws.
“We, therefore, request that you appoint a Special Counsel authorized to investigate potential criminal violations by Justice Thomas under the disclosure, false statement, and tax laws; pursue leads of related criminal violations by donors, lenders, and intermediate corporate entities; and determine whether any such loans and gifts were provided pursuant to a coordinated enterprise or plan,” the senators concluded.
“Presented with opportunities to resolve questions about his conduct, Justice Thomas has maintained a suspicious silence,” the senators added.
President Joe Biden
LL Cool J Relearned ‘How to Rap’ on His First Album in 11 Years,
By MARIA SHERMAN
AP Music Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — The Grammy award winning rapper-actor- author LL COOL J will release his first new album in 11 years, “The FORCE” in September — 40 years into his hip-hop career.
Not that he hasn't been making music in that time. “I've always tinkered around in the studio here and there,” he told The Associated Press over Zoom. But over the last two or so years, inspiration really struck. He started working with a producer and pursuing music-making more seriously.
Then he hit a roadblock. “I just felt like the tracks that this producer was giving me were better than the songs that I was writing,” he said. Then the late Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest came to him in a dream. “He told me, ‘Yo, man, that new music you’re working on is great, man.’ But he had a look on his face like a Cheshire cat, like he was lying to me,” he says.
It was a wakeup call — and something told him to call A Tribe Called Quest's Q-Tip to work together. The move worked: Q-Tip produced every track and made all the beats on “The FORCE,” which will be released Sept. 6.
‘The
LL COOL J describes the process of making his 14th studio album as “going back to the drawing board and learning how to rap again ... making sure I was really inspired by the things I was saying. That's why there isn't a lot of fluff on this album."
“The LeBrons, the Stephs, the Jordans and the Kobes, they all go back to the drawing board, they always try to make themselves better” he continued. “I wasn't trying to do trendy, and I wasn't trying to recapture anything I did before.”
“The FORCE” is an inventive rap record, informed by LL COOL J's lengthy career, touching on various themes, like the power of self-motivation ("Passion"), full-force swag ("Murdergram Deux," a long-awaited collab with Eminem ), not-safe-for-work sensuality ("Proclivities" featuring Saweetie) and cautionary tales, as evidenced in the lead single, “Saturday Night Special” featuring Rick Ross and Fat Joe.
Particularly effective is the one-two punch of “Huey in the Chair,” — a reference to a famous photo of Black Panther Party co-founder Huey P. Newton — what the rapper describes as “taking a stand for what you believe in,” into the funky downtown beats of “Basquiat Energy,”
FORCE.’ Here’s How
a celebration of the namesake artist's innovative spirit. The rapper says the American icons share an ability to “express their personal truths,” something he aimed to do on this album.
In that way, “The FORCE,” which stands for “frequencies of real creative energy,” became an unofficial mantra for the release.
“That's what we wanted to present to the world," he said. “It's about wanting to vibrate at a high level.”
And following the 50th anniversary of hip-hop last year, LL COOL J says he “wanted to show people that artists that have had long storied careers, so to speak, can make modern contributions to hip-hop that have a major impact. I hadn't seen that done before. It was another challenge: Can I create something that sounds new and fresh?"
He's not leaning into fads here — expect to hear rappers actually rapping — but no one should consider this a play at nostalgia. The album is stacked with features, even beyond Ross, Fat Joe, Saweetie and Eminem: Snoop Dogg, Sona Jobareth, Busta Rhymes, Nas, Mad Squablz, J-S.A.N.D. and Don Pablito are among them.
“The one thing I wanted to do is, I wanted to meet
people where I’m at now. I wasn’t trying to be preachy,” he said. “I’m not trying to tell people necessarily how to live. I did want to express with people where I’m at artistically at this point in my life and give them that. And then they can take that and do whatever they want with it."
“The FORCE” Track List:
1. “Spirit of Cyrus” (feat. Snoop Dogg) 2. “The FORCE” 3. “Saturday Night Special” (feat. Rick Ross and Fat Joe) 4. “Black Code Suite” (feat. Sona Jobarteh)
5. “Passion”
6. “Proclivities” (feat. Saweetie)
7. “Post Modern”
8. “30 Decembers”
9. “Runnit Back”
Deux” (feat. Eminem)
“The Vow” (feat. Mad Squablz, J-S.A.N.D., and Don Pablito)
By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer
The NBA might not be happy with the NFL making Christmas Day a regular part of its schedule. However, its new media rights deals nearly put the two leagues in the same economic arena.
The NBA's 11-year, $76 billion contract package would kick in with the 2025-26 season. The deal is for the same number of years as the NFL's most recent agreement, which began with the 2023 season. The deals with ESPN/ABC, NBC and Amazon Prime Video will average $6.9 billion per season. The NFL averages $10 billion per year, but that is with five networks. Depending on how things fare with TNT Sports, the NBA could cross the $7 billion threshold. The NFL remains the top attraction because of its ratings and advertising prowess. The NBA is a firm second and can command top dollar due to
days to match one of the deals. Does TNT Sports have any chance?
Very slim. And if the NBA really wanted to keep one of its legacy partners in the game, it could have carved out a limited fourth package of games by now. With TNT’s recent acquisitions of the French Open, College
Nat’l Park Service Marks 80th Anniversary of Port Chicago Explosion
That Killed 202 Black Sailors
The National Park Service (NPS) is set to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Port Chicago explosion, a tragic event that claimed the lives of 202 Black sailors. The incident occurred on July 17, 1944, in Contra Costa County, when 4,606 tons of ammunition being loaded unto two U.S. Navy cargo ships detonated, instantly killing
320 men on site and injuring another 390 workers.
On July 20th, the National Park Service (NPS) in collaboration with Friends of Port Chicago National Memorial band, the U.S. Army’s 834th Transportation Battalion, will host the commemoration at the Military Ocean Terminal Concord (MOTCO) in Concord.
According to organizers, the event provides an opportunity for friends, family, journalists, and
Freddie Meeks was one of 50 Black sailors accused and convicted of rebellion after the Port Chicago disaster on July 17, 1944. Meeks was the only sailor from the group who petitioned for a pardon, which he received from President Bill Clinton in December 1999. Meeks died at the age of 83 in Los Angeles, Calif. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy Memorial)
at the pier from the blast. The exact cause of the explosion is still unknown (Courtesy of the National
others interested in the history of the disaster to honor the memory of the victims and shed light on the largest mutiny trial in U.S. naval history.
The Rev. Amos C. Brown, President of the San Francisco Branch of the NAACP, and the Pastor of the Third Baptist Church of San Francisco, says he continues to seek justice for the men who died in the blast and survivors who later were accused of rebellion.
“It was nothing but another instance of forces in America being perpetrators of hate, harm, and hardship of Black folks,” Brown said of tragedy and the injustice that followed. These Black men who died in that blowup several miles from San Francisco should never be forgotten.”
Jake Sloan, an Oakland resident with extensive knowledge of San Francisco Bay shipyards that attracted many African American men from the South seeking employment during the World War II, attended the 75th commemoration of Port Chicago at MOTCO.
Sloan, the author of “Standing Tall: Willie Long vs. U.S. Government at Mare Island Naval Shipyard,” said standing on the grounds where the explosion occurred was a surreal feeling.
“It was quite an event. It was exciting in a way and sad in another way,” Sloan told California Black Media (CBM) of his experience at the monument site. “I actually walked through the site in addition to attending the ceremony. If you’re an African American, and if you know the story, you can almost feel it.”
Located 35 miles northeast of San Francisco, the Port Chicago pier was built in 1942 and expanded within two years to accommodate space for the loading of naval cargo ships.
According to the Naval History and Heritage Command (NNHC), around 10:18 p.m., a “seismic shock wave” that started at Port Chicago shook the entire San Francisco Bay and “was felt as far away as Boulder City, Nevada. The explosion was so powerful that it decimated both ships, sent debris flying for miles over the Suisun Bay, and left a large crater in place of the pier.
Brown also said the African American sailors were unfairly blamed for the explosion, which was later determined to have been an accident likely caused by unsafe working conditions and lack of proper training.
What ensued after the explosion highlighted the racial disparities in the Navy’s policies at the time.
“In the aftermath, surviving sailors were ordered to resume the same dangerous tasks without any changes to safety protocols,” NPS described on its webpage dedicated
to Port Chicago Naval Magazine, which was converted into a National Memorial Park. “On Aug. 9, 1944, 258 African American sailors refused to work, leading to 50 being charged with mutiny.”
The men were dishonorably discharged for refusing to follow a racially motivated order to clear debris from the area and retrieve sailors’ appendages, many of them who were the survivors’ friends and fellow servicemembers. White officers were given hardship and time off following the accident.
U.S. Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA-08) and Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10) have been working to seek justice for victims and their families.
“The Port Chicago 50 were ordered to their deaths in the summer of 1944, nearly four years before President Truman signed the executive order formally banning racial segregation in the American military,” Garamendi said in 2023. “Now, almost eight decades later and even after President Clinton’s 1999 pardon for Freddie Meeks, the families of the Port Chicago 50 convicted for mutinying against an order that should never have been given are still waiting for justice.”
The court hearings and trials were conducted at Treasure Island Naval Base in San Francisco and Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo.
In an Aug. 24, 1980 interview for the University of California-Berkeley’s Port Chicago Oral History Project, Meeks said it was reported that the explosion was a “sabotage” mission. He countered that argument, saying that some of the bombs were handled “lackadaisically” by the soldiers. Many of the bombs had to be rolled on and off the ships, causing them to bump against each other if the sailors on the other end didn’t adequately retrieve them, Meeks said from his perspective. On Feb. 23, 2023, Garamendi, DeSaulnier and U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), presented a House Resolution recognizing the victims of the Port Chicago explosion and the clearing the court martial charges against the African American sailors.
“These 50 courageous sailors have suffered the impact of racial discrimination throughout their service in World War II, and their names have been tainted for 73 years,” Lee said in a February 2023 statement. “In today’s political climate, we must come together against discrimination and inequality. It is imperative that we rectify this wrongdoing and bring justice to those sailors who made great sacrifices for our nation.”
DHCS: California Health Care Roadmap Will Make Medi-Cal
More Accessible, Member-Driven
Edward Henderson California Black Media
Although California reached its lowest uninsured rate in state history in 2022, many Californians still do not have access to timely, quality and affordable health care.
This disparity disproportionally affects Black Californians and other people from underserved groups, particularly low-income individuals.
Public Health authorities say this racial gap contributes to higher rates of illness and premature death.
“African American Californians are among the most likely groups to report that they always make their health a priority. However, African American Californians experience disparities in care and outcomes despite having higher health insurance coverage rates (93 percent) than the state average,” according to data included in a California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) report.
“For example, the life expectancy at birth for African American Californians is five years shorter than the state average and the lowest life expectancy of all racial and ethnic groups,” the report continues.
Dr. Pamela Riley, Chief Health Equity Officer and Assistant Deputy Director of Quality and Population Health Management at DHCS said the disparities should not exist.
“Who you are and where you live should not determine whether you live or how well you live,” said Riley. “Everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, where you live, age, gender, language, sexuality, income, citizenship, has a right to compassionate and comprehensive care that meets their physical and behavioral health needs,” said Riley, who was speaking at a virtual press conference hosted by Ethnic Media Services (EMS) organized to inform the public about Medi-Cal’s efforts to better meet the health needs of more Californians.
Over the last decade, DHCS has taken several steps to eliminate this problem, including expanding MediCal access to all low-income Californians, regardless of immigration status; eliminating the “asset test” requirement so only income is considered when determining MediCal eligibility; expanding language access so members can receive interpretation services; and creating new community supports that provide culturally responsive and more customized care, including housing aid, nutritious meals, and substance abuse treatment.
Backing up their commitment to health equity, DHCS leaders recently concluded a statewide tour to listen to Medi-Cal members who have experienced health inequity firsthand. These listening sessions, hosted by communitybased organizations, were the first phase of the DHCS Health Equity Roadmap, a new multi-year initiative to create a more member-driven whole-person Medi-Cal.
“I feel like DHCS is approaching this with a humility,” said Debbie Toth, CEO of Choice in Aging (CiA), an
organization that provides services for aging Californians in Napa, Solana, Sacramento and Contra Costa Counties.
Toth said the state is improving health care by “looking at the needs of this diverse population of multiintersectional human beings that live in our great state -- who have varied histories with interacting with our healthcare system.
Toth said it is also critical to involve communitybased organizations to strengthen the relationship with individuals who are receiving their health care through Medi-Cal.
“I think it’s cutting edge. I think it’s brilliant,” she added.
Riley said to create meaningful change and foster genuine trust with Medi-Cal members, DHCS must work directly with members and trusted messengers particularly in Black and Indigenous communities of color who have not been historically underserved by the healthcare system.
DCHS’ multi-year initiative contains 3 phases. The first, which concluded recently, consisted of a member feedback listening tour that began in November of 2023. It consisted of 11 virtual and in person listening sessions with members across the state that were facilitated by Medi-Cal community partners in a variety of health care fields. These tours were focused in areas of the state most impacted by health disparities including rural areas and communities with a high concentration of minorities.
During each listening session, members were asked these questions:
What is important to you about your health care?
What is your experience with Medi-Cal?
What is your ideal vision for Medi-Cal?
How would you improve Medi-Cal?
What is your vision for your health and well-being?
Overviews of all the sessions are documented on the DHCS website.
The second and current phase of the health equity initiative is a co-design phase working directly with members and community-based organizations to ensure that voices are heard and considered in identifying solutions that impact care that people need. DHCS is identifying partners to help implement the information gathered during the statewide tour.
The final phase is the Health and Equity Roadmap. This report, which is scheduled to be released next year, will outline steps to reach mutual goals compiled in the first two phases to achieve a more equitable healthcare system in the state.
“Generally, members want to prioritize high quality, accessible and affordable healthcare,” said Riley. “They want to feel respected, listened to heard and understood in their native language or from someone who understands their cultural experience.”
Black sailors packaging ammunition in a workroom at Port Chicago. They were not properly trained to perform such duties (Courtesy of the National Park Service)
Debris
Park Service)
Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media
Political Playback:
California Capitol News You Might Have Missed
California Black Media Black Caucus, Black Freedom Fund Host State of Black California in Santa
Barbara
The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) in partnership with the California Black Freedom Fund hosted the second event in the “State of Black California” series in Santa Barbara, on July 13.
The State of Black California is a “community conversation” organized to raise awareness about the effort to pay reparations to Californians who are the descendants of enslaved people in the United States.
Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) led the discussion with policymakers and other stakeholders that centered on California’s role in slavery and discrimination suffered by African Americans.
Members of the CLBC also discussed details of the 2024 reparations bill package that was introduced earlier this year in the California Legislature.
The Equity Research Institute at the University of Southern California (USC) presented research data that detailed well-being indicators of Black residents along the Central Coast. Dr. Kim Tabari, director of external affairs at USC, discussed key takeaways from an equity report published in 2021 highlighting regional disparities and facilitating ways to implement initiatives that promote social, economic, environmental, and health equity.
The equity report is a research project that includes an equity database, compiling data and information for teaching, research, policy, and action. The study examined the rise of social economic inequality and its impact on communities of color. The report indicated that systemic inequities imposed income, employment, education, health, and environmental burdens on Black people in Venture and Santa Barbara counties.
Marc Marc Philpart, executive director of CBFF, joined local community leaders and grassroots advocates discussing community building and organizing in the coastal region. Community leaders who contributed to the panel discussions include Jordan Killebrew of Juneteenth Santa Barbara, Simone Baker of Healing Justice Santa Barbara, and Audrey Gamble of Gateway Educational Services.
Santa Barbara was the second of a six-city tour hosted by CLBC and CBFF. The community events are hosted by CLBC members.
The next event will be hosted by Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) on August 17, in Fresno.
For more information, residents can visit the event website and learn more about the series.
California Invests Nearly $2 Billion in Public Transportation
Last week, the California State Transportation Agency
(CalSTA) approved nearly $1.9 billion to upgrade and sustain public transportation systems statewide.
The state plans to invest a total of $5.1 billion among regional transportation planning agencies over several years, as mandated in Senate Bill (SB) 125, which Gov. Newsom signed into law in 2023.
The funding will pay for transit operations and capital improvements, allocating varying amounts of money to 22 agencies based on population.
“This vital funding serves as a lifeline for transit agencies all over the state and helps to advance California’s ambitious, world-leading climate goals,” said Newsom.
At the same time, we’re adding accountability measures that help put our state’s transit agencies on a path toward long-term stability,” the Governor added.
Planning agencies will also receive funds from the transportation package. CalSTA plans to approve $500 million for projects implemented this summer. More funds will be approved for future projects until the 2027-2028 fiscal year.
California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin said the investment aligns with the state’s environmental and equity goals and responds to the needs of the public.
“California’s commitment to public transit is unwavering, and with billions more in funding in the pipeline -- including for zero-emission equipment and operations -- we are just getting started in delivering a more sustainable and equitable transit system for the people of California,” said Omishakin.
Oakland Crime Crisis: Gov. Newsom Steps Up State Police Presence
Gov. Gavin Newsom was Oakland on July 13 to announce his decision to scale up efforts to clamp down on crime in the East Bay, including increasing the number of California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers deployed to the area.
Newsom and CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee announced the recovery of 1,142 stolen cars, the seizure of 55 guns linked to crimes, and the apprehension of 562 suspects since February. Duryee said “Operation Safe Streets” (OSS) started in August last year with six CHP officers.
“The lawlessness we’re seeing on the streets of Oakland is unacceptable,” Newsom said. “Building on our partnership with local law enforcement, I’m deploying a new surge of CHP officers to help provide the people of Oakland and the East Bay the safety and security they deserve.”
An additional 120 CHP officers will be added to OSS.
Starting July 15, law enforcement in Oakland will target organized crime, sideshows, carjackings, and other criminal activity every day of the week.
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao stated that she is “deeply grateful” for Newsom’s efforts to curb crime in Oakland. Newsom said the state will make a significant investment to combat organized retail crime with an annual increase of 310% in proactive operations targeting organized retail crime.
“After years of rising crime rates, we are seeing a steady decrease --- and we know this is in part because of the strong partnership between the Oakland Police Department and the California Highway Patrol,” Thao posted July 11 on the X platform. “This partnership models good government that yields results and I thank the Governor once again for his continued support and shared commitment toward keeping all Oaklanders safe.
“Fire Year”: Cal Fire Chief Warns of Dangerous Season Ahead
On July 10, California Fire Chief Joe Tyler joined Gov. Gavin Newsom and other state emergency officials to announce that California has expanded response and readiness efforts for this year’s fire season.
Speaking at the CAL FIRE McClellan Air Tanker Base in Sacramento, the officials provided updates on the state’s wildfire response and readiness.
Tyler highlighted that fire crews across the state are battling fires nonstop.
“We are not just in a fire season, but we are in a fire year,” said Tyler.
State fire officials encouraged residents to create wildfire action plans, including escape routes, meeting points, animal arrangements, and a communication plan with their families.
The state has prepared resources for aerial firefighting and plans to use new technologies to help protect communities from wildfire.
This year over 3,500 wildfires burned approximately 207,415 acres of land and damaged 128 structures across California.
“California is ready with the world’s largest aerial firefighting fleet and new technology that helps us fight fire smarter – and we’re already seeing our investments pay off,” said Newsom.
“The last couple of years brought welcome relief for California as we saw historically low levels of wildfire. This season is shaping up to be very active, bringing the threat of dangerous wildfire to many parts of our state,” the Governor added.
The California Legislature approved $2.6 billion as part of this year’s budget agreement to protect residents from wildfires. In recent years, the state spent approximately $200 million to improve forest health and fire prevention.
According to the Governor’s office, the state also plans to add 2,400 firefighters as full-time staff over the next five years. State firefighters will have shorter work weeks to help implement state programs and initiatives that address wildfires.
Gov. Newsom on 2024 Presidential Campaign: “I’m All In”
California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed unwavering support for President Joe Biden amid growing public doubt about the POTUS’s ability to campaign for a second term as the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee.
The 2024 presidential race is critical for California issues including climate change and women’s rights, Newsom stated at a news briefing on July 10. Newsom also criticized former President Donald Trump and the Republican Party for pushing back on climate action and abortion rights.
Newsom recalled speaking with an obstetriciangynecologist in Louisiana, a Republican-led state with antiabortion laws, who witnessed a 13-year-old rape victim be forced to give birth while clutching a teddy bear.
“That’s the world we are living in under Donald Trump. That’s the world he is promoting. This is a consequential moment for all Californians and all Americans,” said Newsom.
“Forgive me, but this is a very intense thing for me. When I say I’m all in, I’m all in,” he said.
At the news briefing, the governor was questioned
about his role as a surrogate for Biden during the presidential debate and whether that role will transition into him becoming the Democratic Party’s 2024 presidential candidate. Newsom reiterated that he has no plans to challenge Harris or replace Biden on the Democratic ticket.
“I’m focused on supporting this campaign,” said Newsom. “This candidate is a man of character, decency, and honor. Contrast that with the darkness that is Donald Trump.”
Gov Newsom is among a coalition of Democrats including the Congressional Black Caucus that have announced their support for Biden.
He reiterated that this year’s campaign will have a great impact on California. The state was involved with 122 lawsuits during Trump’s presidency, Newsom recalled. As voters cast their vote this year, they should remember, the chaos, fear, and anxiety they endured under the Trump administration, Newsom stated.
Housing Insecurity Makes Black Californians Face Higher Rates of Psychological Distress
A study on disparities revealed that Black people in California experiencing unstable housing are more likely to struggle with mental health at a higher rate, stated a report by the Center for Health Policy Research (CHPR) at the University of California Los Angeles.
The report details problems associated with housing insecurity and related mental health challenges, stating that 45% of people with unstable housing experienced psychological distress including depression and anxiety. However, only 22% of adults with housing issues used mental health care to help manage the stress. People of color experienced the highest rates of housing insecurity, the majority of whom reported that they often worry about paying their rents or mortgages.
A total of 5.2 million people described their housing situation as unstable. Consequently, 26% of Black Californians reported that they faced housing insecurity, 44% higher than the national average. The study attributed this crisis to decades of redlining, a system of discrimination that denied people financial services including mortgages and insurance loans based on race and ethnicity.
Sean Tan, a co-author of the study and senior public administration analyst for the research center said that the state’s housing crisis has become a public health concern.
“Our study reinforces what research has demonstrated for years: Access to affordable housing affects a person’s health,” said Tan, regarding the state’s housing crisis. “It also spotlights the critical need for more affordable housing in California.”
The lack of affordable housing across the state has disproportionately impacted Black people. In California, approximately 43% of Black adults reported that they often worry about being able to pay their rent or mortgage.
Joelle Wolstein, a CHPR research scientist and coauthor of the study, said housing insecurity has a ripple effect that goes beyond finances and worsens existing disparities.
“Housing is the largest regular expense for the vast majority of people, so it follows that people who typically have lower wages and fewer assets would have more unstable housing and worry more about paying their bills,” said Wolstein.
The CHPR study provided various recommendations for California lawmakers, including investments in creating and preserving affordable housing, connecting mental health services with housing resources, and enacting inclusive housing assistance policies.
Resurgence of Political Violence in America
By
Bobby R. Henry Sr., Chairman, Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., NNPA President and CEO
National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)
As we approach the 200th Anniversary of the Black Press of America in 2027, the National Newspapers Publishers Association (NNPA) is obliged to speak and plead for our own cause considering the resurgence of political violence in America. The attempted assassination of former President Trump in Pennsylvania was the latest violent contradiction that, unfortunately, remains deeply embedded in American life, culture, and politics.
America is rapidly approaching another violent and counterproductive abyss of division, hatred, and antidemocratic repression.
For nearly 200 years the Black Press has had to call out and confront the evils of violent racism, hatred, oppression, imperialism, slavery, and fascism. Violence begets violence. Extremism begets extremism. Political violence begets political violence. In a democracy, political violence cannot and should not be condoned, tolerated, or normalized. As President Biden stated, “Hate must have no safe harbor in America.”
Racial hatred and violence as well as political hatred and violence are abhorrent to freedom, justice, and equality for all. We don’t need another bloodstain on the character of America, and we don’t want to see this country implode from within due to politics of violence. Even though we are concerned about the political climate of this country, we are keenly aware that the current escalation of hate and
outward racism comes at a time when political differences are hotly contested. Unfortunately, the association of violence and politics is nothing new in America. However, what has changed is how political violence is reported by the so-called mainstream media and amplified across social media channels.
The Black Press has not only emerged as the trusted voice of Black America, but as an authentic voice for all Americans who demand equality over inequality, justice over injustice, freedom over bondage, and nonviolence over violence.
American journalism needs to be rescued from the fake, false, frailties of extremist propaganda and subjective refusal to courageously publish and distribute facts and truth. Millions of people throughout the nation continue to be polarized because of disinformation and misinformation. Again, we reaffirm the value, purpose, and impact of the Black Press. This year, we intend to mobilize our NNPA member publishers and constituencies across the nation to ensure the largest intergenerational Black voter turnout in America’s
Support Black Press
Bo Tefu
California’s Growing Dependence on Government Jobs Threatens Long-term Economic Stability False Reality Revealed -
Craig J. DeLuz Special to California Black Media Partners
In the ongoing debate over government spending and its impact on job growth, the latest news from California reveals a harsh reality. While the public sector has seen an increase in jobs supported by tax dollars, the private industry - the backbone of any strong economy - has experienced a significant decline.
According to a recent analysis by the state Legislative Analyst’s Office, private-sector industries in California have lost a staggering 340,000 jobs since their peak a couple of years ago. The tech and finance sectors, which were once major drivers of the state’s economy, have been hit particularly hard. The information sector, home to tech giants like Google, Apple, Intuit and Facebook, has experienced a 16% decline in jobs, while the financial sector has lost 8% of its workforce.
Meanwhile, the health care and social-service industries, which are largely funded by the government, have seen a gain of 240,000 jobs. However, as principal fiscal and policy analyst Chas Alamo points out, these industries are heavily dependent on government spending, blurring the line between public and private-sector jobs. In total, the private sector has 12.5 million jobs, while the public and publicly supported sectors have a combined total of 5.5 million jobs.
This stark contrast in job growth raises important questions for the future of California’s economy. With a current unemployment rate of 5.2%, the highest in the nation, it is clear that the state’s reliance on revenue from personal income taxes is not sustainable. As Brooke Armour, president of The California Center for Jobs and the Economy, points out, the state is losing high-wage, middleclass jobs and replacing them with low-wage hospitality and service jobs. This not only affects individuals’ financial stability but also has a significant impact on the state’s budget.
The California Business Roundtable, a group of top executives from the state’s major employers, echoes this sentiment in their analysis of employment data. While they note the state’s high costs of doing business, they also acknowledge the impact of the pandemic on the tech industry’s job losses. However, the question remains, is the trend of tech companies investing and growing outside of California a temporary correction or a more permanent shift?
With the state facing budget deficits and an increasingly dependent economy on the stock market, these job trends are concerning. And while Alamo points out that the public sector includes jobs supported by the federal government, it is unclear if this will continue to offset the state’s budget challenges in the long term.
In the end, as much as we may strive for equality and job growth in all sectors, the reality is that the private industry is the engine that drives economic growth. Ignoring the decline in this sector and its impact on the
Big 12 Media Days
Earl
Heath Contributing Sports Writer
Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark believes the league has clearly solidified itself as one of the nation’s top three conferences.
While expanding Yormark sought what is known as “The Four Corner schools where “ The ‘A’ scenario for us when we thought about realignment – great fanbases, both athletic and academic excellence,” Yormark said at Big 12 media days. “We got deeper and better in football, deeper and better in basketball, and deeper and better in Olympic sports.”
While the league’s past national champions Oklahoma and Texas landed in the Southeastern Conference, Yormark touted the additions of Colorado Buffaloes, Arizona Wildcats, Arizona State Sun Devils and the Utah Utes to expand to 16 teams, giving the conference a team in every continental time zone. Big 12 is a 16-school league. He says it’s “the deepest football conference in the nation,” Yormark said at football media days in Las Vegas recently that the league’s top priority as a business is growth and creating value for its schools.
Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy says NCAA rushing
his recent arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence then later had to clarify what he meant when discussing his decision. Gundy said recently during Big 12 football media days that he made decisions based on what he thought was best for Oklahoma State, the football team, and Gordon. The preseason Big 12 offensive player of the year posted a public apology on social media this month and attended Big 12 media days as scheduled. Gordon says it was important for him to face everything and not leave it to others to answer questions about him.
Media members have released their annual Big 12 preseason poll and judging by their votes, we can expect there to be plenty of competition at the top of the expanded conference’s power Five teams received first-place votes, and just six total votes separate the teams that placed in the top three of the media’s rankings in the race for the league championship. Conference Newcomer UTAH got top billing from the press, while Deion Saunders Buffs are ranked 11.
Big 12 Preseason Media Football Rankings
Utah (906, 20)
Kansas State (889, 19)
State (829, 14)
Kansas (772, 5)
Arizona (762, 3)
Iowa State (661)
West Virginia (581)
UCF (551)
Lakers Lose Big in Las Vegas Summer League Opener
By Austin Gage
Contributing Sports Writer
Despite a strong performance from first-round rookie Dalton Knecht, Lakers fall to the Houston Rockets in their first game at the Las Vegas Summer League.
With many curious eyes watching throughout Thomas & Mack Center and all over the basketball world, the Los Angeles Lakers dropped their first game of the Las Vegas Summer League to the Houston Rockets 99-80.
For the second consecutive summer, basketball fans turned their attention to Las Vegas to witness a highly anticipated debut. Last year, it was the San Antonio Spurs’ 7’ 4’ ‘ Frenchman Victor Wembanyama, and this year it was the beginning of a professional basketball story for guard Bronny James, the eldest son of current Lakers superstar forward and arguably the greatest player of all time, Lebron James.
And of course, for Bronny James, his selection and further on-court performance have been under heavy scrutiny since day one. Attending and playing basketball at the University of Southern California, the bright lights of following in his father’s footsteps as a basketball great continued to follow him. James, who overcame a cardiac arrest scare in July of 2023 that sidelined him for almost five months, went on to average 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game in his oneyear collegiate career. He was then selected with the 55th pick in the second round of the NBA Draft and joined a Lakers 2024 draft class that included dynamic offensive threat Dalton Knecht, a forward from the University of Tennessee selected 17th overall in the first round.
“Me and Bronny, the both of us are just ready to keep going out there, keep competing, leading the team, always playing hard and keep trying to lead,” said Knecht after the game speaking on the two rookies’ dynamic. The debut game itself was not particularly close. Despite a tightly contested 1 & ½ quarters, Houston was able to gain a lead and never look back around the 6-minute mark in the second quarter. For the Rockets, a team who made a phenomenal run late last season to almost sneak into the play-in tournament, the future is looking as bright as ever.
Led by the third overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft Reed Sheppard, a guard out of the University of Kentucky, and secondyear forward Cam Whitmore, who played his college ball at Villanova University, Houston proved to be too poised to handle for Los Angeles.
Sheppard produced many moments throughout the game that showcased the reason why he was such an early pick. Easily looking like the best player on the court, Sheppard’s athletic ability and superb shooting skill were evident in the third quarter especially. A personal run that included a deep three-pointer, an and-one layup off a crafty stepback hesitation move on Knecht, a pure midrange jumper and a long-range three-pointer from the “Summer League” logo/lettering capped a dominated quarter by the Rockets and truly put the game out of reach. The 6’ 3’ ’ guard finished with 23 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds and included 4 three-pointers and 3 blocks.
For Whitmore, the 2023 Summer League MVP, he continued his excellent summer form as he tallied 20 points, 4
assists and 10 rebounds to go along with 4 steals. Showing off his elite athleticism and defensive potential, Whitmore was able to force numerous turnovers and produce numerous highlightworthy dunks.
Despite the overall disappointing performance, there were some bright spots for the Lakers. One of those included Knecht, as he finished with 25 points, 4 assists and 6 rebounds on 5 for 11 shooting from downtown. Knecht, who represented one of the only two total Lakers to make a three-pointer in the contest, looked comfortable all game and found his rhythm very quickly. The 23-year-old sharpshooter looks to play a key role in the upcoming Lakers season, as he was regarded as one of the best “pro-ready” prospects in the draft.
However, the offensive concerns continued for James, as he ended with 8 points and 5 rebounds but on 3 for 14 shooting from the field that included 0 for 8 from the three-point line. Despite a solid performance defensively, a performance that often saw James pick up opposing guards almost in a full-court press, the continued shooting woes saw James’ overall shooting marks inflate to 6 for 26 (23%) from the field and 0-12 from 3. James did look much more aggressive with the ball in his hands than he
had in the previous two California Classic summer games, but he could not get shots to fall.
“I just feel like I’m in a little slump right now,” James said after the game regarding his shooting performance.
The Lakers shot 32 for 83 from the field (38.6%) and 8 for 31 (25.8%) from downtown, while the Rockets shot 37 for 81 from the field (45.7%) and 7 for 24 (29.2%) from downtown.
Up next, the Lakers will face the Celtics on Monday night as they look to grab their first Las Vegas Summer League victory and their first overall victory of the summer (as of story publication date).
Lakers Lose Big Again in Second Las Vegas Summer League Matchup
By Austin Gage Contributing Sports Writer
The Los Angeles Lakers dropped their second summer league Monday night, an 88-74 loss to the Boston Celtics. In another chapter of a storied rivalry, although this time in a summer fashion, the reigning champions took control of the game early into the second quarter and never looked back. Led by fourth-year center Neemias Queta, who contributed 22 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks, Boston secured a victory in the summer league over Los Angeles for the second year in a row. Queta, who was drafted out of Portugal in 2021 by the Sacramento Kings, is looking to solidify a spot on the Celtics’ championship roster.
Former University of Southern California forward Drew Peterson supported Queta and the Celtics as he added 12 points, 3 assists, and 5 rebounds to go along with four three-pointers. As the Lakers attempted to mount a comeback midway through the fourth quarter, it was Peterson who countered with two big threepointers to put the game away. For the Lakers, first-round-rookie forward Dalton Knecht once again paced the team offensively, ending the game with 19 points, 3 assists, and 3 rebounds paired with 3 steals. Knecht, who initially struggled offensively in the California Classic summer league games, has tallied 25 and 19 points in the two games in Las Vegas. Outside of Knecht, few Lakers heavily contributed on the offensive side of the ball. Second-year forward Maxwell Lewis, who attended Pepperdine University, and sixth-year veteran center Moses Brown, who attended the University of California Los Angeles, were the only other Lakers players to score in double digits.
Lewis tallied 13 points, 2 assists and 3 rebounds, but he was held scoreless in the second half after a stellar two quarters. Brown finished with 11 points and 6 rebounds, and he was the motor along with Knecht in leading a late Lakers charge that was eventually spoiled.
Unfortunately for Bronny James, his shooting woes continued for another game as he finished with 2 points on 1 for 5 shooting (0 for 3 from three). James remained scoreless until late in the fourth quarter when he hit a midrange jump shot as the shot clock expired which cut the Boston lead to 10. James, who previously described his current shooting run as a “slump”, attacked many good looks but just couldn’t find the bottom of the net.
Looking ahead to the future, the Lakers will take on the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night in a battle between two 0-2 teams.
AL Edges Out NL in MLB All-Star Game
in amazement. The AL answered back in the bottom half of the inning after Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien singled and Clevland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan walked. That set things up for Soto, who doubled to center scoring both runners. Guardians slugger David Fry later scored Soto on a sacrifice fly to tie things up. It was Ohtani’s first home run in his four All-Star Game appearances allowing him to become the first All-Star to be a winning pitcher (Colorado 2021) and hit a homer in the
rival but they are such awesome guys.” Shohei Ohtani didn’t disappoint as he opened the scoring in the top of the third inning going to “RIP CITY” with a 400-foot three-run home run into the right center field bleachers. Ohtani’s blast off of Red Sox righty Tanner Houck scored San Diego Padres outfielder Jurickson Profar and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte, giving the NL a 3–0 lead. The blast caused Yankee outfielders Aaron Judge (centerfield )and Juan Soto (right field to look up and just shake their heads
Walter Camp All-American Ollie Gordon II (0) will not miss any games because of his recent arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence.It became a disturbing issue with MADD and others.
champion Ollie Gordon II will not miss any games because of
Shohei Ohtani after three run blast nags - Getty Photo
Commissioner Brett Yormark’s next task:
on the Big 12’s big moves
Is California Winning the Fight Against Hate Crimes? A Look at the 2023 Report
Kathleen Untalan
Contributing Writer
While headlines might tempt us to declare victory, California’s 2023 Hate Crime Report paints a more complex picture. Released by the Department of Justice (DOJ), the report highlights ongoing challenges alongside promising solutions.
Cat Nou, Director of DOJ’s Office of Community Awareness, Response, and Engagement (CARE), emphasizes the critical importance of addressing hate crimes and ensuring public safety. However, Nou underscores a persistent obstacle: under-reporting. This lack of comprehensive data hinders efforts by community leaders to tackle these issues effectively.
The report details how hate crime data is collected, analyzed, and published. It uses specific criteria like biases, victim-offender differences, and situational factors to identify hate crimes.
In 2023, there was a notable decrease in reported hate crime events, offenses, victims, and suspects compared to 2022. Specifically, hate crime events decreased by 7.1%, offenses by 8.9%, victims by 6.9%, and suspects by 9.2%.
This suggests a potential stabilization or decline in the incidence of hate crimes for the year.
Over the last decade, reported hate crime events have shown a substantial increase of 159.9%. Despite fluctuations from year to year, this long-term trend underscores ongoing challenges in combating hate- motivated incidents.
While there was an overall decrease in racial bias events by 21.6%, certain categories such as anti-Black or African American bias, though decreased by 20.6%, remained the most prevalent. This indicates persistent challenges in addressing racism and discrimination against Black communities despite an overall decrease.
Reported hate crime events involving religious bias increased significantly by 30% in 2023. The notable rise in
anti-Jewish bias events, up by 52.9%, underscores specific challenges faced by religious minority communities. There was a slight overall increase in sexual orientation bias events by 3.6%. This includes a decrease in antigay male bias events but a substantial increase in antiLGBTQ+ bias events, highlighting differing trends within the broader category of sexual orientation bias.
Gender bias events totaled 82 in 2023. The increase in anti-transgender bias events suggests ongoing challenges for transgender individuals, despite a decrease in antigender nonconforming bias events.
The DOJ’s responsibilities include monthly data collection, quality control, training law enforcement, and publishing annual reports. The Open Justice platform offers public access to these reports and related data, promoting transparency and accountability.
Michael Redding and Damon Brown reaffirmed the Attorney General’s commitment to combating hate through collaboration with law enforcement, community organizations, and leaders. They emphasized the DOJ’s role in ensuring the integrity and accuracy of hate crime data and highlighted the importance of reporting and education in preventing hate crimes.
Established by Attorney General Rob Bonta in 2021, the Racial Justice Bureau within the Civil Rights
Enforcement Section aims to combat racial injustice by enforcing civil rights laws against hate crimes. The bureau collaborates with local leaders and stakeholders to address issues such as hate crimes, bias in policing, and discriminatory policies in education. It also supports the reparations task force addressing inequalities from historical injustices.
The Ralph Civil Rights Act provides remedies for victims of violence or threats based on membership in protected categories, including injunctive relief, actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees. Claims under this act typically require evidence of physical contact or threats.
The DOJ plays a pivotal role in fighting hate by collecting data, engaging with the community, and supporting local law enforcement in prosecuting hate crimes. To facilitate hate crime investigations and prosecutions, the DOJ has appointed a statewide hate crime coordinator.
The California Civil Rights Department also combats hate through civil enforcement of anti-discrimination laws and initiatives like California vs. Hate, a resource line for reporting and support. The department collaborates with other state agencies to ensure comprehensive protection against hate and discrimination.
The California vs. Hate hotline assists individuals in reporting all forms of hate, including crimes, incidents, and discrimination, without requiring involvement with law enforcement. The hotline offers culturally competent services, such as mental health resources and civil legal services, through an extensive network of communitybased organizations. In the past year, the hotline has connected people to over 100 types of services and received more than 1,000 reports of hate. Emphasizing trauma-informed care and cultural competence, the hotline offers services in over 200 languages. Future plans include improving the online reporting process and launching awareness campaigns to further support the community.
Despite some positive trends, California’s 2023 Hate Crime Report underscores the need for continued vigilance. The state’s comprehensive approach, including data collection, community engagement, and victim support, aims to foster a safer and more inclusive environment for all residents. For more information on reporting hate crimes or accessing support services, visit CAvsHate.org or call 833-8-NO-HATE (833-866-4283).
CARE Officials - Screenshot from Zoom Briefing
CA Attorney General Rob Bonta