A3
The Valley’s The Valley’sNews Observer
Rams Kick Off Season with Unique Hollywood Forever Viewing Party
By Earl Heath
Contributing Sports Writer
As most of us know sometimes Hollywood is known for the unusual. The 2024 Los Angeles Rams opened the season on the road in Detroit NBC’s Sunday Night Football. For those that couldn’t make the trip the team hosted a viewing party at the world famous Hollywood Forever Cemetary.
Since 2002 Thousands of people gather weekly on Fairbanks Lawn after sunset to watch classic Hollywood movies projected onto the side of a mausoleum. Visitors bring a picnic baskets whole meals and special beveragesto enjoy a unique experience.
On the NFL opening an estimated 5,000 Rams fans gathered at the venue to see the team just fall short of a win 26-20 in overtime.
“We try to create different experiences for everyone”, said Sara Shuler Vice President of Experiential Marketing for the LA Rams told Jaime Maggio of CBS sports. “This was the perfect time to do an event like this. It’s a one of a kind event as the team opened up on the road in Detroit.” Rampage the team mascot was on hand and brought many smiles to the young and old. He was joined by Rams Cheerleaders and they had several giveaways for those in attendance including rally towels, sunglasses and t-shirts. Visitors also had an oppotunity tourchase new RAM gear. Founded in 1899, Hollywood Forever National Cemetery in Los Angeles is the resting place for hundreds of Hollywood’s greatest luminaries. The cemetery has restored has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A Los Angeles institution that draws visitors from all over the world, Since 2002, Hollywood Forever has teamed up with film organization Cinespia to produce outdoor classic film screenings each summer (May through September).
Thousands of people gather weekly on Fairbanks Lawn after sunset to watch classic Hollywood movies projected onto the side of a mausoleum. RAM fans brought in baskets whole meals, chairs to enjoy the unique experience.
“This is great “said Ramon Gonzales of Pico Rovera. “Its great to be in an environment and Its is a different than I imagined.”
Normally some outdoor screenings also feature preshow DJs, themed photo booths, and sometimes a visit by the film’s stars, directors or filmmakers.
There are several events and festivals held there such
By Antonio Ray Harvey
A week after advocates rallied at the State Capitol to protest lawmakers for not allowing two reparations bills to be brought up for a vote on the Assembly floor, Gov. Gavin Newsom said the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) members are “owed an apology.” For several days now, CLBC chair Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) and other caucus members have been under fire from some activists and advocates who say the lawmakers did not do enough to push the reparations bills authored by their colleague, Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood).
Others have been accusing members of intentionally sabotaging the bills even though last week the CLBC issued a statement informing the public that it intends to reintroduce the reparations bills during the next legislative session.
On Sept. 7, Newsom said it was “disgraceful” for anyone to unleash their frustrations out on the CLBC. “There were members of that Black Caucus that are owed an apology for being treated the way they were treated – to be doxed, to be personally maligned, and attacked. So, forgive me for expressing that,” Newsom said. “I have great respect and admiration for the leadership of the Black Caucus and members of the Black Caucus,” Newsom told reporters.
Newsom made the statement at a news conference held at the Capitol Annex Swing Space when he announced that he issued proposed emergency regulations to protect youth from the adverse health effects of dangerous hemp products. The Coalition for A Just and Equitable California (CJEC), a reparations advocacy group that helped to organize the protests, released a statement on Sept. 5. “CLBC members are now falsely claiming to the media and others, with no evidence, that
and
as Dia de Los Muertos – the Day of the Dead. It is a holiday that remembers the lives of the deceased with food, drink and celebration. Our annual Dia de Los Muertos is a daylong festival that features gorgeous altars. This is the first time a professional football or sports team has had a watch party there. Those who have a final resting place there include Rudolph Valentino, Mickey Rooney, Douglass Fairbanks, Julie Garland, Johnny DeDe Ramone and a world favorite Mel Blanc, who would become known as “The Man of a Thousand Voices,” began his which at the time was producing cartoon shorts for
Bros. In the
The another dynamic section is historic Masonic Lodge, first opened in 1927, is a gorgeous venue that host concerts, literary author evenings, live podcast tapings, story telling events, screenings, and other thoughtfully curated cultural events. The Masonic Lodge is also available for select private event rentals.
By ANDREW DALTON
as she talked about the privilege that she gets to do what she loves in her life.
“It’s making me cry because I’m very menopausal,” Rudolph said. She won on the first of the two-night Creative Arts Emmys, which honor behind-the-scenes artistic and technical achievement in television and are a precursor to the main Emmys ceremony, hosted by Dan and Eugene Levy, that will air at 8 p.m. EST Sept. 15 on ABC. Bassett appeared to collect her trophy for best narrator, a category that is usually star studded but where the winner, like Barack Obama last year, rarely shows.
“Oh my god, wow, my first Emmy,” an emotional Bassett said. “I couldn’t be more thrilled and more grateful.”
Bassett was attracted to the wildlife documentary project because of the all female-led production team, a rarity in the medium, she said backstage.
“It just touched my heart,” she said. “So I said yes.” Bassett is a two-time Oscar nominee who won an honorary Academy Award earlier this year.
Other winners included the recently retired Pat Sajak, who won best game show host for his final season on “Wheel of Fortune.” It was his fourth time winning the award, and first time since 1998.
“Saturday Night Live” thrived in the craft categories with six wins, including victories for its makeup and production design.
Rudolph won two Emmys when she was a cast member on the show, and is nominated for two more for her work as host of the sketch institution last season. Those will be awarded Sunday.
She will be returning this fall to play Vice President Kamala Harris on the 50th season of “SNL” in the weeks leading up to the election. “I feel like I am connected somehow to an incredible time in this country and an excitement that I haven’t felt in a long time,” she said backstage on Saturday.
She is also nominated at the main Emmys ceremony for best actress in a comedy for her Apple TV+ series “Loot.” She is a longshot for that award, where the favorites are Jean Smart for “Hacks” and Ayo Edebiri for “The Bear,” which leads all shows in the comedy category with 23 nominations.
The Ron Howard-directed documentary “Jim Henson Idea Man” won four times and “Welcome to Wrexham” won three including best unstructured reality show. “Shark Tank” won best structured reality show. In an awards show crossover, the telecast of the Oscars won four Emmys including best live variety special. Dick Van Dyke, who turns 99 next month, may have stolen the show when “Dick Van Dyke 98 Years Of Magic” won best pre-recorded variety special. Van Dyke did a little dance and announced “that hurt” afterward. As the winners were being played off stage, he said, “I’d like to take this opportunity to invite you to my memorial. I don’t have a date yet but I’m not feeling very well.” Van Dyke became the oldest person to get a daytime Emmy when he won in June for appearing on “Days of Our Lives.” The season’s top overall nominee, “Shogun,” got a win of sorts Saturday when the team that puts together the post-show making of featurette took home an Emmy. The FX series itself is up for 25 Emmys. Seventeen of those will be handed out on Sunday, which focuses on scripted television. Plenty of big names are also up for Creative Arts Emmys on Sunday, including Oscar winners Jamie Lee Curtis and Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Oscar nominee Ryan Gosling.
Some 5,000 RAM fans at viewing party at Hollywood Forever Cemetery (Photo-Sara Madena)
Warner
decades to come, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Tweety Bird, Sylvester the Cat, Foghorn Leghorn, Yosemite Sam, Speedy Gonzales, Marvin the Martian, Pepé Le Pew, Wile E. Coyote, the Road Runner, the Tasmanian Devil.
California Black Media
Biden-Harris Administration Pushes
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
The Biden-Harris administration is continuing its relentless pursuit to transform America’s public education system, despite repeated attempts by conservative Republicans and controversial rulings from the U.S. Supreme Court to block key initiatives like student debt cancellation. On Wednesday, Sept. 4, the White House released a comprehensive fact sheet outlining the administration’s bold actions to ensure that every student in the country has access to the resources they need to succeed.Since taking office, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have championed education as the bedrock of America’s democracy and the foundation for opportunity. Their administration has delivered the largest-ever federal investment in K-12 education through the American Rescue Plan (ARP), allocating $130 billion to schools nationwide. The White House said the funding has had a transformative effect, particularly in communities hit hardest by the pandemic.A groundbreaking study by Harvard and Stanford revealed that schools receiving federal COVID-19 relief funds—ranging from $4,000 to more than $13,000 per student—are already seeing significant improvements in academic performance. Administration officials proclaimed that the long-term economic benefits are expected to be just as impressive, with the investments likely to lead to higher future earnings for students, especially those from low-income backgrounds. They said research shows that a 10% increase in per-student spending over a 12-year period boosts lifetime wages by 7%.As students return to the classroom this fall, the administration wants to ensure the momentum continues. The White House announced a series of new initiatives to accelerate academic success, bolster student engagement, and tackle
key challenges like absenteeism and literacy. Among the most impactful of these actions is the allocation of $149 million to support evidence-based reading programs to ensure all students can read fluently by third grade. Officials said states like Ohio and Montana will use the funding to expand teacher training and strengthen literacy programs, particularly in underserved communities that have been historically left behind.In addition to bolstering literacy, the administration is awarding $30 million to improve comprehensive student assessment systems. According to the White House, these tools will provide educators with critical data on student progress and help inform instruction, driving better classroom outcomes nationwide. For instance, Nebraska plans to use these funds to improve assessment data for English learners, ensuring that teachers have the insights needed to tailor instruction and close achievement gaps.The Department of Education also issued updated school improvement guidance, providing
states and school districts with evidence-based strategies to increase student achievement. The guidance offers solutions for tackling chronic absenteeism, a significant barrier to student success, through early warning systems and better family engagement. It also emphasizes the importance of small-group tutoring, after-school programs, and expanded learning opportunities to help students recover from pandemic-related disruptions. The draft guidance is open for public comment until October 4, 2024, allowing educators and community leaders to provide input before it is finalized.The administration also said it’s taking decisive action to address chronic absenteeism, an issue that has only worsened since the pandemic. The White House called on state education leaders to create statewide data systems that provide real-time information on absenteeism rates, allowing schools to identify root causes and implement targeted interventions. States like Alabama and Rhode Island have already implemented innovative systems to monitor attendance and have seen improvements.To support these efforts, the Biden-Harris administration said it’s pressing industry vendors to improve the availability of attendance data, urging them to make this critical information accessible to schools without additional costs. Officials said the actions are part of a larger push to ensure that every district has the tools to track absenteeism and boost student engagement.The administration has launched the Student Attendance and Engagement Solutions Network to further engage students in partnership with AmeriCorps and Johns Hopkins University’s Everyone Graduates Center. Nearly 200 school districts across 43 states have joined the network, representing over 7 million students. The initiative allows districts to share best practices for improving attendance and engagement, and the administration is encouraging more districts to join.Recognizing that transportation
challenges often prevent students from attending school regularly, the administration is also collaborating with the Department of Transportation to improve transit options for students in underserved areas. This includes expanding safe routes to school, offering free or reduced transit fares, and supporting creative solutions like walking and bike buses. Officials asserted that the efforts aim to remove transportation barriers that disproportionately affect lowincome families, ensuring that students can get to school safely and on time.In addition to addressing transportation
By Stacy M. Brown
According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the U.S. economy added 142,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in August, less than the 165,000 economists had predicted. While the job growth missed forecasts, the unemployment rate dropped to 4.2% from July’s 4.3%, suggesting continued strength in the labor market under the Biden-Harris administration.
Job growth in August came in higher than July’s revised 89,000, but revisions to June and July figures showed the U.S. economy added 86,000 fewer jobs than initially reported. Despite the adjustments, wage growth continued to increase, with year-over-year wage gains rising to 3.8%, up from 3.6% in July. Monthly wages grew
News Observer
by 0.4%, double the prior month’s 0.2%, offering signs of resilience for American workers amid ongoing inflation concerns. Some economists, however, are cautious about how these figures will impact the Federal Reserve’s upcoming decision on interest rates. “The overall solid gain in August payrolls, the retreat in the unemployment rate, and the pop in average hourly earnings are not likely enough for Fed officials to start the rate-cutting cycle with a 50 bps reduction on September 18,” Nationwide’s chief economist Kathy Bostjancic noted. Bostjancic’s remarks reflect the broader debate among economists. Some see the data as a reason for the Fed to pursue a more conservative rate cut of 25 basis points to avoid overheating the economy.
In a statement following the jobs report, President Joe Biden celebrated the continued economic progress under his administration. “Thanks to our work to rescue the economy, nearly 16 million new jobs have been created, wages and incomes are rising faster than prices, businesses are investing in America, and millions of entrepreneurs are opening small businesses—acts of hope and confidence in our economy,” Biden said. The president also stressed the importance of maintaining these gains as inflation returns to manageable levels. “With inflation back down close to normal levels, it is important to focus on sustaining the historic gains we have made for American workers,” he remarked.
Biden warned against returning to what he described as failed Republican policies, including tax cuts for the
wealthy and reductions to critical programs. “The last thing we should do is turn back to the failed trickledown economics… cutting taxes for the wealthy and large corporations, raising taxes on middle-class families, or cutting Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act,” Biden emphasized. “We’re fighting to expand opportunity, and we’ll keep pushing forward. The American people have shown their resilience, and we’re committed to building an economy that works for everyone,” he insisted.
Newspapers or its staff. The Observer Group Newspapers assumes no responsibility for photographs, articles, letters, press releases and unsolicited materials. Decisions as to the editiing and publishing of materials are at the discretion of the Publisher and Editors. All rights are reserved on materials accepted for publication unless otherwise specified.
Continued from page A1
on the Assembly floor.
Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), a CLBC member, inked an opinion article sharing her perspective on why the Legislature did not advance SB 1403 and SB 1331. McKinnor did not mention Bradford by name, but it is clear from context that she was referring to the author of the two bills in question.
“From the outset, a Black caucus member worked against the CLBC’s efforts. Days after the CLBC introduced its reparations legislative package, a Black caucus member introduced his own reparations bills, not part of the CLBC’s work, and spent months attempting to negotiate away the $12 million that the CLBC had secured in this year’s state budget for his own project,” McKinnor wrote. Bradford appeared on various media platforms as well with accusations directed at his CLBC colleagues. Bradford told Roland Martin, the popular media host on his podcast, that all the members of CLBC had signed on as co-authors of SB 1403 in May.
“It’s probably the most heartbreaking, disappointing time I’ve experienced in the Legislature,” Bradford told Martin on his “Unfiltered” show on Sept. 4. “You’re taught early ‘don’t fall in love with your bills.’ I didn’t fall in love with this bill, but I felt what this bill meant not only to Black Californians but Black Americans.”
Assemblymember Issac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights), one of the CLBC members who was feeling the heat from disgruntled activists, faced the music and showed up at a town hall meeting held on Sept. 5 at the Los Angeles’
Center for Black Power in Leimert Park. Bryan said the crowd yelled at him, but he understood the community’s frustrations. The next day, Bryan appeared on Dominique di Prima’s KBLA 1500 AM radio show, based in L.A., to explain why the CLBC did not push for the bills to get an Assembly floor vote. Bryan said the CLBC had a number of concerns that included “last-minute amendments” to SB 1403 requested by the governor that were not immediately shared with the Black lawmakers, absent legislative oversight, a potential veto, and no solutions for longtime funding of the CAFAA. Bryan said he was still in favor of the CLBC bringing the bills to the Assembly floor for a vote, but the group collectively decided against it. In the end, he respected the members’ action.
“On a personal level, I had no problem sending the bills to the Governor,” Bryan said to di Prima. “But I think when you’re moving in solidarity, not just with your colleagues in Sacramento, but within the community and there are disagreements, strategically, you’ve got to make the best decisions you can.” Bryan continued by saying “In this particular instance, there was a decision collectively by a majority of the caucus to not move on (SB 1403 and SB 1331) this year.”
By
The Valley’s
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
John Branca’s Masterstroke: How
Michael Jackson’s Estate Surged
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Michael Jackson’s legacy continues to dominate the entertainment industry, with his various projects collectively surpassing $2 billion in global ticket sales. The King of Pop’s influence remains unmatched, from groundbreaking concert films to sold-out Broadway shows. However, beneath this glittering success lies a complex tale of financial recovery, legal battles, and persistent family strife.
In 2002, Michael Jackson signed a will that left nearly all his assets to his children through a trust while granting his mother, Katherine Jackson, a small interest during her lifetime. Crucially, the will endowed his executors—John Branca and John McClain—with broad powers to manage the estate, including the authority to sell its assets. This provision has proven to be pivotal, enabling Branca and McClain to rescue the estate from near financial collapse after Jackson’s untimely death in 2009, turning it from a half-billion dollars in debt into a multi-billion-dollar empire.
Branca, a towering figure in the entertainment law world, has been central to this remarkable financial revival. Often described as a “rock star” among lawyers, Branca’s career is defined by his representation of some of the biggest names in music, including the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Dr. Dre, and the Eagles. His work has secured record earnings for these artists and set industry-changing precedents that continue to shape the music business today. Branca’s relationship with Michael Jackson began in 1980, and over the years, he became one of the most trusted figures in Jackson’s professional life. Known for his ability to negotiate landmark deals, Branca was instrumental in Jackson’s acquisition of the ATV Music Publishing catalog, which included the rights to many Beatles songs—a move that is still considered one of the most astute in music industry history. Michael Jackson once called Branca “the greatest lawyer of our time,” and the accolades he received from industry giants only reinforced this reputation. Marty Bandier, Sony/ATV Music CEO, and Chairman, has named Branca as the number one publishing lawyer in the United States, while Carlos Santana referred to him as “the
Shaman.” Under Branca’s stewardship, the estate has seen a remarkable financial transformation since Jackson’s passing. Over the past 12 years, Branca has orchestrated deals that have generated a staggering $2.5 billion for the estate. These include high-profile projects such as Michael Jackson’s THIS IS IT, the highest-grossing concert film of all time, and MJ The Musical, a Broadway sensation that has won four Tony Awards and continues to draw sold-out crowds in North America, London’s West End, and soon, in Hamburg and Australia. In February 2024, Branca and McClain negotiated what The New York Times described as a ‘blockbuster deal.’ They sold a significant portion of Jackson’s music
Jannik Sinner Gets a Hug From His Friend Seal after Winning the US Open Title
By BRIAN MAHONEY
of Jacksons.”
Additionally, a source close to the estate said Katherine Jackson has been the recipient of more than $60 million since her megastar son’s death while Tito and Jackie have been among the most supportive of their younger brother’s executors, arguably the greatest and most organized estate in history.
The Jackson estate continues with its most recent project, the eagerly anticipated Antoine Fuqua biopic MICHAEL (2025), starring Jermaine Jackson’s son, Jaafar, as Michael, casting that again showed the executor’s willingness to spread the vast wealth. Still, Branca and McClain’s ability to navigate familial complexities while continuing to grow the empire Michael Jackson left behind has been a testament to their expertise and commitment.
Michael Jackson’s legacy, built on groundbreaking music and iconic performances,
catalog to a joint venture with Sony for a staggering $600 million. This deal, while financially beneficial, was not without controversy. Katherine Jackson objected, arguing that Michael had expressly stated his assets should never be sold. However, a California appellate court ultimately upheld the executors’ decision, citing the broad powers granted to them in Jackson’s will.
With unparalleled financial success, and conflict within the Jackson family, Branca and McClain have remained undaunted, focusing on preserving and expanding Michael’s legacy. Their efforts have been so effective that one observer noted, “They’ve taken such great care of the business of Michael Jackson that his heirs, his three children, will be able to feed a few dozen generations
Rap Megastar Kendrick Lamar Will Headline the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show
By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. AP Entertainment Writer
biggest stage next year: The Grammy winner will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation announced Sunday that Lamar would lead the halftime festivities from the Caesars Superdome on Feb. 9. The rap megastar, who has won 17 Grammys, said he’s looking forward to bringing hip-hop to the NFL's championship game, where he performed as a guest artist with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent and Eminem in 2022.
“Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date," Lamar said in a statement. "And I’ll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one.” Lamar, 37, has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he's accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize for his 2017 album “DAMN.”
The rapper's latest album “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” was released in 2022. He was featured on the song “Like That” with Future and Metro Boomin on a track that spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 this year. He also scored another hit with “Not Like Us."
In 2016, Lamar gave a stunning seven-minute performance of tracks such as “The Blacker the Berry” and “Alright" at the 58th Grammy Awards. Lamar dazzled as an opener two years later at the Grammys with a performance of “XXX.”
In June, Lamar turned his Juneteenth “Pop Out” concert into a celebration of Los Angeles unity. It came on the heels of his rap battle with Drake during the three-hour concert featuring a mix of p-and-coming LA rappers and stars including Tyler, The Creator, Steve Lacy and YG. Roc Nation founder Jay-Z called Lamar a “once-in-ageneration” artist and performer.
“His deep love for hip-hop and culture informs his artistic vision,” Jay-Z said. “He has an unparalleled ability to define and influence culture globally. Kendrick’s work transcends music, and his impact will be felt for years to come.”
Roc Nation and Emmy-winning producer Jesse Collins will serve as co-executive producers of the halftime show. The creative direction of Lamar's performance will be provided by pgLang, a creative company founded by Lamar and Dave Free — who has previously directed the rapper's music videos. "Time and time again, Kendrick has proven his unique ability to craft moments that resonate, redefine, and ultimately shake the very foundation of hip-hop,” said Seth Dudowsky, the head of music at the NFL. Last year, Usher shined with a star-studded show with guests including H.E.R., Jermaine Dupri, Lil Jon, Ludacris and Alicia Keys. “The Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show is a celebration of the
de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a
abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro
$76 Million in State Grants: Religious Orgs, Non-Profits Can Apply to Upgrade Security
By McKenzie Jackson
Celebrate Grandparents Day: Read with your Grandchildren
and again, their knowledge of the word will move from never hearing it, to sounds familiar to it has something to do with, to well known. One study even showed that hearing the same words in the same story helped more than hearing the same words in different stories.
—”The Foot Book,” Dr. Seuss
It has been 40 years since I last read Dr. Seuss’s “The Foot Book” aloud, but I can still recite it, nearly word for word. That’s because I read it an estimated 83,492 times during my daughter’s earliest years. When kids fall in love with a particular book, they want to hear it again and again. For the grandparent reading this favorite book, it’s good to know that research into how children learn language supports these seemingly unending repetitions. This year, National Grandparents Day will be celebrated on September 8. It’s a great day to spend time reading with your grandchildren. You will be sharing a favorite book, but you’ll also be helping your grandchild learn important reading skills. Of course, you may be sharing that book repeatedly. Researchers tell us that children learn words through repeated readings of texts. (Grandparents could tell us that as well.) As your grandkids hear words again
This is where “The Foot Book” comes in. (“Wet foot, dry foot, low foot, high foot,” my brain is chiming in.) Repetition helps kids learn I would tell myself as my daughter would say, “Again!” Young readers need to know how to sound out an unfamiliar word, but the more words they recognize instantly, the more time they’ll have to figure out what the text means. The ability to read quickly and accurately is one key step in becoming a strong reader. If you stop while you are reading to discuss what you have just read, you can help your grandchild build background knowledge. “Remember when we went to the zoo and saw the lion?”
Sometimes, the story may include information your grandchild doesn’t know. See if you can learn more. Is there a TV program about alligators? Does your library have a book with pictures?
The way you read can also be a good model for your
grandchild. Sometimes you may need to stop, reread, and then untangle what you’ve just read. You might say, “That long paragraph about crickets didn’t make sense to me. Let’s go back and see if we can read it more slowly to make sure we understand it.” Doing that will give your grandchild permission to do the same thing when they read something they don’t understand. And you’ll create the expectation that we read so we can understand what we have read. Read widely. This fall, as election news fills the airwaves, help your grandchildren learn more about pioneering lawmakers like John Lewis and Barack Obama by looking for biographies written just for kids. Your local children’s librarian can point you to a book that should work.
Of course, repetition is not limited to books. Ask any grandparent who has watched “Moana” for the 271st time. Kids seem to be hard-wired to enjoy things over and over. And don’t worry—eventually, new favorites will replace the old. Something else will capture your grandchild’s attention, and you’ll find yourself reading it over and over. And over.
Kristen J. Amundson is a former teacher, school
New Report Exposes Tax System’s
Role in Widening Racial Wealth Gap, Calls for Urgent Reforms
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Today, Color of Change, the nation’s largest online racial justice organization, and Americans for Tax Fairness released a damning report exposing the deep racial inequities entrenched in the U.S. tax system. The issue brief “How Tax Fairness Can Promote Racial Equity,” written by Color of Change Managing Director Portia Allen-Kyle and Americans for Tax Fairness Executive Director David Kass, exposes the systemic flaws in tax policy that have widened the racial wealth gap and prevented economic mobility for Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities. The report urgently calls for sweeping reforms to stop the flow of tax benefits to the wealthiest Americans—who are overwhelmingly white—while offering concrete solutions to make the tax code work for everyone, not just the top 1%.“An equitable tax system does two things,” Allen-Kyle asserts. “It narrows the racial wealth gap from the bottom up and spurs economic mobility for Black, Brown, and Indigenous individuals and families. Our current tax code fails on both accounts. It’s a prime example of how so-called ‘colorblind’ systems actively prevent Black families from building generational wealth and economic security.”Tax Code Deepens Racial Disparities, Experts Say The brief pulls no punches in describing how current tax policies disproportionately benefit wealthy white families, further deepening racial inequalities. By giving preferential treatment to wealth over work, the system locks in economic advantages for white households while leaving communities of color to bear the brunt of these inequities. “Our tax system is not only failing to address racial wealth inequality, it’s exacerbating it,” Kass warns. “We privilege wealth over work, fail to adequately tax our richest households and corporations, and allow inherited fortunes to compound unchecked by taxation. This perpetuates a legacy of racial inequality.” The
and
COVID-19 pandemic further entrenched these divides, benefiting the already wealthy while leaving Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities further behind.
The Racial Wealth Gap and Homeownership
Homeownership, long touted as a primary means of building wealth in America, has failed to deliver for Black families. The report points to factors such as biased home appraisals and a regressive property tax system as key reasons why Black homeowners have been unable to accumulate wealth at the same rate as their white counterparts.
As the brief notes, with critical provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) set to expire, now is a pivotal moment for tax reform. “We have a once-in-ageneration opportunity to reform our tax system to address racial inequality,” the report states, comparing recent monumental legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.Three Key Reforms to Tackle Racial Inequity
The report lays out three central reforms aimed at curbing the wealth concentration among the ultra-rich and dismantling the racial inequities baked into the tax code: Taxing Wealth Fairly: The report calls for equalizing the tax rates on wealth and work. Currently, capital gains—profits from investments—are taxed at a far lower rate than wages earned by working people, a disparity that overwhelmingly benefits white households. The vast majority of capital gains income flows to white families, who comprise only two-thirds of taxpayers but receive 92% of the benefits from lower tax rates on investment income.
Strengthening the Estate Tax: The estate tax, which is supposed to curb the accumulation of dynastic wealth, has been weakened over time, allowing large fortunes— primarily held by white families—to grow even larger across generations. The report calls for stronger enforcement of the estate tax to prevent the further entrenchment of wealth and power within a small, overwhelmingly white elite.
from falling behind due to policies that are currently biased in favor of the wealthy, the brief advocates for restructuring these deductions.
Biden-Harris Administration and Senate Proposals for Change
Both the Biden-Harris administration and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden have proposed addressing the racial wealth gap. The Billionaire Minimum Income Tax (BMIT) and the Billionaire Income Tax (BIT) would ensure that the wealthiest Americans—who often go years without paying taxes—contribute their fair share. These proposals would raise over $500 billion in revenue over the next decade, which could be reinvested in healthcare, education, and housing for communities of color.As the report points out, our current tax system is skewed in favor of the ultrawealthy. It allows the rich to avoid paying taxes on the increased value of their investments unless they sell them. They often borrow against these growing fortunes, further delaying taxation, which allows white billionaires to accumulate vast wealth while paying a fraction of what working families pay in taxes.Defending IRS Funding to Hold the Wealthy Accountable
The report also highlights the critical need to defend IRS funding, restored under the Inflation Reduction Act, which is essential for cracking down on wealthy tax cheats. Contrary to Republican claims, this funding will not increase tax enforcement on households earning less than $400,000. Instead, it will improve customer service and expand the Direct File program, saving taxpayers significant time and money.
The Biden administration’s restored IRS funding is expected to raise an additional $100 billion over the next decade by ensuring the wealthiest Americans and corporations pay what they legally owe.
A Call for Urgent Action
The message from Color of Change and Americans for Tax Fairness is clear: America’s
without
Grandparents by sylviebliss
By Kristen J. Amundson
“Left foot, left foot, Right foot, right. Feet in the morning Feet at night.”
board chair, state legislator, and CEO of a national education organization. This column is excerpted from her forthcoming book “The Grandparent Effect,” which will be published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2025.
Will U.S. Lawmakers Follow California’s
Lead, or Continue to Allow Mass Murderers to Access Military-Style Weapons?
By Joe W. Bowers Jr.
California Black Media
The tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia on Sept. 4, claiming four lives, is a sobering reminder of the grave threat gun violence poses in America. Even more disturbing is how some lawmakers have allowed mass murderers easy access to high-powered firearms, leaving parents fearing whether their children will return home safely each day they send them to school.
By refusing to pass commonsense gun control measures, those lawmakers have ensured that mass shooters have easy access to military-grade weapons -- designed for war, not civilian life.
The Georgia school shooter used an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle. The four killings happened within minutes and left nine other people injured.
Attorney General Rob Bonta, addressing the urgency of the situation, declared, “None of it is acceptable. None of it is normal. We will continue to promote the blueprint of California that has led us to transform from 30 years ago, being a state with one of the highest levels of gun violence, to now one of the lowest because of our commonsense gun laws that make us safer. If others did that, we would be safer.”
Bonta, along with 19 other attorneys general, is fighting back by filing an amicus brief supporting Cook County, Illinois’s ban on assault weapons. California has proven that such measures save lives, but this effort must extend nationwide to truly address the crisis.
Gov, Gavin Newsom has also weighed in, reflecting on the immediate tragedy and the broader failure of leadership. “I’ve got four kids, one just going into high school,” Newsom said. “The trauma of these shootings is devastating, not just for the families directly affected, but for entire communities. This is the only country in the world where this happens over and over again. And it will continue happening unless we take serious action.”
Newsom did not mince words in holding lawmakers accountable: “I mean, you had a nominee for president of the United States who almost lost his life to an assassination attempt from a member of his own party, and still, we’ve had no substantive conversations around gun safety. No
real discussions on background checks, no conversations about an assault weapons ban, or limiting large-capacity magazines. It’s a serious moment in America that requires serious leadership, and you do not have that from the other party. Gun safety saves lives.”
California’s strict gun laws, which are among the toughest in the nation, were born out of tragedy -- the 1989 Cleveland Elementary School shooting in Stockton. That horrific event, where five children were gunned down, led to the country’s first assault weapons ban. From mandatory background checks and red flag laws, California has created a comprehensive framework that aims to prevent mass shootings like the one in Georgia.
It’s crucial to point out that protecting Second Amendment rights is not at odds with making communities safe. Responsible gun ownership and public safety can coexist through thoughtful regulations that prioritize human lives without infringing on constitutional rights. As Newsom highlighted, “We’re not talking about confiscating guns; we’re talking about commonsense measures overwhelmingly supported by Republicans and Democrats that are being denied because of the ideology in the Republican Party and the ideologues in the federal judiciary.”
Meanwhile, Donald Trump and his allies have made it easier for mass shooters to arm themselves with the most destructive weapons available. Despite banning bump stocks after the Las Vegas shooting, his administration rolled back restrictions on gun access for people with mental health issues and resisted efforts to tighten background checks or ban assault weapons. These weapons are not for protection. They are designed to kill as many people as quickly as possible.
Trump’s response to the Apalachee High School shooting, calling the shooter a “sick and deranged monster,” rings hollow. The dismantling of gun restrictions under his administration ensured that these “monsters” are better armed than our police, our security guards, and our first responders.
Prioritizing gun manufacturers’ profits over public safety has led directly to tragedies like Georgia’s. Republicans often shift the blame to mental health issues and promote expanded mental health programs and school security measures instead of tackling the root issue – easy access to firearms.
There’s a Sensible
Republican Vice-Presidential nominee JD Vance lamented that school shootings have become a “fact of life” and argued that hardening schools is the best solution. This approach aligns with Trump’s Agenda 47, which focuses on expanding gun rights, and Project 2025, which advocates rolling back gun control laws, promoting civilian armament, and increasing school security protocols.
Vice President Kamala Harris, reacting to the shooting, spoke with compassion and urgency. “It doesn’t have to be this way,” she said. “We can end this epidemic of gun violence, but only if we have the courage to stand up to the gun lobby and make real change.” As we approach the 2024 election, Americans face a critical choice: continue allowing mass murderers access to military-style weapons or follow California’s lead in implementing life-saving gun laws. With gun violence rising, it’s
Approach to Fix
California’s Broken Lemon Law
By Earl Skip Cooper Special to California Black Media Partners
California’s Lemon Law is a long-standing consumer protection that allows our community members to replace the family car if they take it to the shop for repairs and it can’t be fixed. This law is a vital tool for consumers that must be protected at all costs; however, there are serious flaws in the current system that must be dealt with, especially with the current increase in the cost of living. In the last few years, lemon law complaints filed in California courts have increased by many thousands, which has resulted in a court system that is severely backlogged and slows justice down even more for the consumers who need it the most. To show in numbers what this looks like, there were 4,300 cases filed in 2015 – and this year, there will likely be 30,000. This isn’t due to issues with vehicle quality; studies show those ratings are better than ever. Instead, our current law has created a system that allows, even encourages, and rewards bad-acting attorneys to mass-file thousands of lawsuits to force companies to settle and get their big cut. This can’t be allowed to continue any longer.
The backlog in the courts caused by these bad actors results in families waiting years for these cases to resolve, which means they have to spend their hard-earned dollars renting vehicles for months or relying on rideshares and taxis constantly. Anyone who ever had to call a car with a baby and a car seat in tow knows this option is expensive, inconvenient, and nearly impossible. To give a real-world example of the effect of this problem, it is not uncommon
for families to be forced to wait 3-5 years for their car to be replaced while their case is tied up in court. The court backlogs are especially bad in our Southern California courts, which has trickle effects to the health of other parts of the system.
This problem, that is heavily affecting our communities who rely on vehicles to get around the large Los Angeles region in particular, can be significantly helped by a piece of legislation that just made it to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk with the heavy opposition of mass-filing, litigious plaintiff attorneys, some of the foreign automakers, and some of the companies pushing the exclusive use of electric vehicles, like Tesla.
Meanwhile, supporters of this legislation include storied American companies like Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, as well as the statewide organization representing the consumer-side lawyers trying to fight for the best interests of their clients while not prioritizing delay tactics and punitive, unfair penalties.
The bill is called Assembly Bill 1755, coauthored by well-respected and strong leaders in our State Legislature –Sen. Thomas Umberg (D-Santa Ana) and Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose). AB 1755 is a vital bill that gives consumers the right to cut out expensive, unnecessary middlemen and email the auto manufacturers directly to own the resolution of the problem and find out directly whether and how quickly an auto manufacturer will offer a vehicle repurchase or replacement for a customer having a car repair issue that can’t be fixed. Under the deadlines in the bill, manufacturers would have to decide within 30 days of simple customer notice whether they will make it right. And if a vehicle repurchase or replacement is offered, that solution must be completed within the next 30 days.
Simply put, this is a strong new policy that will provide real relief for many of our community members while also strongly protecting a consumer’s right to sue if they do not get a new car or money quickly to buy a new one.
AB 1755 is a historic piece of compromise legislation that will give consumers peace of mind, alleviate our court systems of unnecessary lawsuits, and help our small businesses save and avoid litigation costs. By signing AB 1755, Gov. Newsom can address these delays and provide timely solutions to consumers who depend on reliable transportation for work, school, and family obligations.
It is past time for California to afford consumers the same rights that people in other states get in getting their defective cars replaced on quicker timelines.
AB 1755 is supported by our California African American Chamber of Commerce, and speaking for myself as a Community activist for over 50 years, and the Chairman of the Board and President Emeritus for the Black Business Association, headquartered in Los Angeles, I wholeheartedly agree. On behalf of the consumers and businesses I work with, I call on Governor Newsom to sign AB 1755.
The delay in justice for our friends and family members who were unlucky enough to buy a “lemon” is unfair.
Consumers should not be forced to wait months or years for a replacement vehicle so that they can get to work, drive their kids to school, and explore everything our great region has to offer in their time off. I would humbly ask for our community to support the common-sense reforms proposed in Assembly Bill 1755, which is on our Governor’s desk awaiting his signature.
Let California be a leader on this issue and provide an example of what good a consumer protection reform can look like.
Earl ‘Skip’ Cooper is the Chairman of the Board and President Emeritus, Black Business Association. (Courtesy photo)
Trump’s Rallies in Racist Sundown Towns as Black Celebrities Continue
Misinformation about VP Harris
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign is drawing intense criticism for its choice of rally locations— towns with deeply racist histories known as “sundown towns.” These communities, where Black people were historically prohibited after sunset through intimidation, violence, discriminatory laws, and lynching, remain predominantly white. Trump’s decision to hold rallies in these locations is raising alarms, especially given his long history of stirring racial tensions and his open embrace of white supremacist groups.
For many, what makes this even more troubling is the continued support Trump receives from some Black celebrities and self-proclaimed Black conservatives, who either align with him or spread misinformation about his opponents. Actor and R&B singer Tyrese Gibson recently made headlines for his false claims about the Asian Hate Crime Bill during an Instagram Live chat with civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who failed to correct him.
Gibson accused President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris of “prioritizing the Asian Hate Crime Bill” over addressing racially motivated crimes against Black Americans. Black journalists quickly corrected Gibson, pointing out that the bill, while referencing attacks on Asian Americans, is not limited to any one group. They also highlighted the significant anti-lynching legislation passed under the Biden-Harris administration.
Gibson’s misleading statements are part of a broader, profoundly concerning trend among Black celebrities like Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Lil Wayne, Waka Flocka Flame, and Ice Cube, who have shown varying degrees of support for Trump. Their endorsements lend an unfortunate legitimacy to a candidate who has repeatedly demonstrated racial animus and who now appears to be actively courting white supremacist support by rallying in sundown towns. Journalists and social media commentators have been quick to point out the implications of Trump’s rally locations. Journalist Jim Stewartson and singer Bill Madden both flagged a disturbing pattern of Trump holding rallies in sundown towns like Howell, Michigan. Reacting to a TikTok video that exposed this trend, Madden remarked, “This gentleman has noticed something very disturbing. Trump has been holding his hate rallies in sundown towns.”
Former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance also addressed the issue, particularly noting Trump’s rally in Cullman, Alabama, a town with a notorious sundown history. Vance questioned whether these choices could be coincidental, concluding, “Sometimes the dog whistle is actually words, loudly spoken.”
Other social media users have also connected the dots between Trump’s rally locations and his broader strategy of racial division. One user noted, “Interesting notice recently that Trump is holding his rallies in sundown towns. This caught my interest when he chose Cullman, Alabama, my
Mother-in-Law’s hometown, as one of his 2021 stops for this campaign.” Opinion columnist Will Bunch further emphasized the point, saying, “This is remarkable— Trump’s visits to sundown towns—and cannot be a coincidence. Hat tip to [Madden] and the dude he posted who figured it out.”
In stark contrast to Trump’s racially charged rallies, Vice President Kamala Harris is currently on a “Freedom Bus Tour” focused on promoting reproductive rights and equality. As one X user sharply contrasted, “Kamala looks to the future and restoring rights. Trump looks to the past and Jim Crow.”
Some on social media have argued that some Black men may have problems elevating a Black woman to power, the support from Black celebrities for Trump is particularly jarring considering his history. Trump also has made clear his intentions to act as a dictator if re-elected. Critics said his rallies in sundown towns are not just campaign stops— they are deliberate provocations that evoke America’s racist past, a past he seems eager to revive. Maya Angelou’s famous quote serves as a sobering reminder in this context: “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” As journalists like Reecie Colbert, Roland Martin, and Kathia Woods have noted, Trump has shown who he is—“someone who fans the flames of racial division and aligns himself with those who seek to oppress.”
Congressional Black Caucus Releases Groundbreaking Corporate Accountability Report on
By
Stacy M. Brown
which catalyzed the report.
Correspondent Congressional
(CBC)
Steven Horsford (NV-04) and CBC members have released a first-of-its-kind report titled “What Good Looks Like: A Corporate Accountability Report on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.” The report aims to hold Fortune 500 companies accountable for their commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the wake of George Floyd’s murder and the racial justice movement that followed. This initiative comes as corporate America faces renewed scrutiny following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn affirmative action in the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard case.The CBC’s report highlights which corporations are making tangible progress in advancing DEI and offers a roadmap for other companies to follow. Despite efforts from rightwing groups to dismantle diversity initiatives, the report finds that many Fortune 500 companies are standing firm in their commitments. The report also examines DEI practices in manufacturing, finance, insurance, and technology sectors, providing industry-specific insights. Most Fortune 500 companies participating in the CBC’s survey demonstrated their commitment to DEI even after the Supreme Court’s ruling. CBC members said this is crucial because conservative organizations, such as Stephen Miller-led America First Legal, are increasingly waging legal and political attacks against corporations’ diversity initiatives. These groups argue that DEI initiatives violate federal law, threatening legal action against companies that continue to promote workplace diversity.The Findings The CBC’s report offers a detailed analysis of diversity efforts across various industries, using data from the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) and the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Key findings include:Sector Representation: The bulk of the responses came from companies in manufacturing (31%), finance and insurance (25%), and information (16%).
Best Practices: The report identifies 12 best practices, including leadership accountability, data disaggregation, talent retention, and pay equity. These examples provide a model for other companies to implement DEI strategies effectively.
Progress and Challenges: While many companies have made significant strides, persistent gaps remain, particularly in leadership diversity and retention rates. The report encourages corporations to move beyond public statements and implement measurable DEI outcomes.
The CBC hopes the report will serve as a tool for corporations to benchmark their progress and adopt more robust DEI measures. “What Good Looks Like” outlines not only where companies are succeeding but also where opportunities for improvement lie, urging corporate leaders to align their actions with their stated DEI values.
Conservative Backlash and the Fight for DEI
Officials said the CBC’s efforts to hold corporations accountable come amid heightened political tensions. Since the Supreme Court’s ruling, Donald Trump and his supporters have escalated their attacks on DEI programs. Right-wing legal campaigns have targeted not only corporate diversity efforts, but also federal programs aimed at leveling the playing field for Black and minority-owned businesses.
Conservative attorneys general from over a dozen states have warned Fortune 500 companies, threatening legal action over their diversity programs. Additionally, anti-DEI bills have been introduced in more than 30 states, aiming to restrict diversity efforts in college admissions and the workplace.
Despite the attacks, the CBC said it remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing racial and economic equity. In December 2023, the CBC sent Fortune 500 companies an accountability letter urging them to uphold their DEI commitments in the face of political pressure,
Corporate America’s response has been overwhelmingly positive. Since the CBC’s letter, companies have held over 50 meetings with CBC representatives, affirming their dedication to diversity. The CBC has also convened discussions with industry trade associations and hosted a briefing with more than 300 Fortune 500 company representatives to strengthen collaboration on DEI efforts.
Moving Forward
The CBC’s report is not just a reflection on past efforts but a call to action for the future. It highlights the importance of cross-industry learning, encouraging companies to share best practices and build upon one another’s successes. The CBC also recommends that corporations adopt consistent performance metrics to track progress and foster accountability.
Looking ahead, the CBC plans to push for more economic opportunities for Black Americans, focusing on closing the racial wealth gap. Horsford emphasized that
DEI is not only a moral imperative but also an economic one. Research from McKinsey & Company shows that racially diverse companies outperform their peers by 39% in profitability, further underscoring the business case for diversity.
The CBC’s report offers a roadmap for companies committed to fostering a more inclusive and equitable future, despite political and legal challenges.
“Following the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, we witnessed a nationwide response calling for long-overdue justice and accountability,” Horsford wrote in the report. “Millions of Americans flooded the streets in protest to advocate for an end to the cycles of violence against Black Americans that are perpetuated by systemic racism ingrained deeply in the United States.
“Now, in order to move forward and achieve the goals of these commitments, we must evaluate where we are and stay the course. We cannot allow a handful of right-wing agitators to bully corporations away from their promises.”
Klubnik and Scott Win Walter Camp Awards
Earl HeathContributing Sports WriterThe Walter Camp Football Foundation has announced the Football Bowl Subdivision National Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week for games ending September 7, presented by The Heights Group at Morgan Stanley. Cade Klubnik from Clemson amassed seven total touchdowns (five passing, two rushing) in just one half of play and set a school record for pass efficiency rating (277.9), finishing 24-of-26 (.923 pct.) for 378 yards in the Tigers’ 6620 win over App State. He became the first FBS quarterback in the last 25 years with five passing touchdowns, multiple rushing touchdowns, and a completion percentage of 90.0 percent or better in a game. The junior from Austin Texas is the 4th Clemson player who has earned Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors since 2004, and the Tigers’ first offensive honoree since RB Travis Etienne (Sept. 1, 2019). On the defensive side, XAVIER SCOTT forced three turnovers in Illinois’ 23-17 win over #19 Kansas. Scott collected two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown, one forced fumble, 1.0 quarterback sacks, and had eight solo
tackles to lead Illinois to its highest-ranked nonconference win since 1995. The Junior from Rivier Beach Florida recorded the game-ending strip-sack and forced fumble on the final play to secure the win for the Fighting Illini (2-0).Scott is the fourth Illinois player to earn Walter Camp National FBS Player of the Week honors since 2004, and the first since DB Sydney Brown (Nov. 27, 2022).The Father of American football,” first selected an All-America team in 1889. Camp – a former Yale University athlete and football coach – is also credited with developing play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries, and the restriction of play to
New Haven-based all-volunteer
was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team. The Foundation is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA).
Chargers Dominate on Ground to Take Down Raiders in Week 1
By Austin Gage
Contributing Sports Writer
Thanks to a big day rushing from newly acquired running back J.K. Dobbins, the Chargers are able to pull away in the fourth quarter to exit Week 1 with a victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Although it was not the cleanest of efforts for the Chargers, Los Angeles defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 2210 to start their 2024 campaign with a win.
For the new-look Chargers, a win in Week 1 would serve as a key confidence booster for the rest of the season. Fresh off an offseason in which many veteran players and Charger fan favorites such as Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Austin Ekeler were let go and shifted to other teams, Los Angeles came into the 2024 season with low expectations in what many believe to be a rebuilding year for the Bolts.
On top of a myriad of personnel changes and new faces, new head coach Jim Harbaugh was brought in to take charge of the rebuilding team. Harbaugh, who had just won the college football national championship with the University of Michigan and previously served as the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers, was hired in hopes of eventually bringing the Chargers back to the playoffs and making best use of quarterback Justin Herbert’s pure talent.
With that said, Herbert’s arm wasn’t as necessary in Sunday’s opening-week victory against the Raiders. Herbert finished the game with only 144 passing yards and a single touchdown on 17 for 26 passing.
A slow start offensively for both teams saw Las Vegas running back Alexander Mattison score the only touchdown of the first half on a 31-yard screenplay out of the backfield from veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew. Mattison, who started his career with the Minnesota Vikings, rumbled down the right sideline and hurdled a would-be tackler in Charger cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to represent the Raiders’ only points of the first two quarters. On the Los Angeles side, a duo of kicker Cameron Dicker field goals made sure they would only be down 7-6 going into the half. Great defense from the Chargers, including a defensive possession in the second quarter
where star linebackers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa sacked Minshew on back-to-back plays, kept the Las Vegas offense in check. Bosa ended the contest with the one sack to add to his seven tackles and Mack, who was a bright spot last season for the Chargers, added 1.5 sacks to go along with 3 total tackles.
“Minus the one play where we gave up the touchdown, I thought it was lights out and really great defense by our guys. Just super happy about, and the whole team was inspired by the defensive play,” Harbaugh said after the game regarding his defense.
Dickers’ second field goal in the first half was set up by a Minshew fumble on a play where the football just seemed to slip out of the latter’s hands as he attempted to throw. The ball squirted out of his hands backwards and Mack was able to scoop it up to take possession for the Chargers.
In the third quarter, newly acquired J.K. Dobbins began to show why the Chargers had faith in bringing him in. Dobbins, who began his career as a second-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens, always flashed the talent at the running back position but could never stay healthy enough to display that talent fully on the field. Taking a chance and signing Dobbins to a one-year prove-it deal in the offseason, the Chargers relied on him heavily in the opener.
After a big run in the third quarter to set up another chip-shot field goal for Dicker, Dobbins would cash in a touchdown on another drive that finished very early in the fourth quarter to bring the Charger lead to 16-7. Flashing that talent, Dobbins shook off a Raider defender en route to a 12-yard touchdown run.
Dobbins wasn’t done. With just over four minutes remaining and Los Angeles wanting to put the game on ice, he received a carry on a second down and three. Dobbins raced through a hole created by the Charger offensive line and nearly scored on a dynamic 61-yard run to all but put the game out of reach. The fifth-year man out of Ohio State University finished the game with 10 carries for 135 rushing yards and that aforementioned touchdown.
“It means a lot. This is the City of Angels and I must have some angels here. I’m just going to keep fighting, keep working and hopefully I can get more big games in Los Angeles,” Dobbins said.
Just a few plays later, Herbert was able to find secondround-rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey on a shallow
RAMS Come Up Short in Opener
By Earl Heath Contributing
took advantage of having the ball, gaining at least 9 yards on its first four plays in overtime to set up Montgomery’s winning score. The Rams were in a position to spoil Detroit’s season-opening party when Stafford threw a go-ahead, 9-yard touchdown pass to Cooper Kupp with 4:30 left in the fourth quarter. The visitors did their best to replace several linemen during the game With a chance to attempt a 40-yard field goal when it was tied at 3, McVay elected to go for it and turned the
when
crossing route for a touchdown. Flashing the skills that made him a highly-regarded prospect and early-round pick out of the University of Georgia, McConkey ended his rookie debut with 5 catches for 39 yards and a touchdown.
“That’s kind of what we expect from him, he’s going to make plays like that and that’s what makes him so special, and that’s why we think so highly of him. You just have to give him a shot and get the ball to those guys,” said Herbert on McConkey’s big play.
A tipped interception by Charger defensive lineman Poona Ford on the ensuing Raider drive officially sealed the knot and gave Los Angeles their first win of the season and a victory in Harbaugh’s return to the NFL. The Chargers will hope to advance to 2-0 next week as they travel to Charlotte to take on the 0-1 Carolina Panthers, who were shellacked by the New Orleans Saints 47-10 in their own Week 1 matchup.
TROJANS Show No Letdown
By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer
It was week two of the 2024 season and USC showed no letdown after routing Utah State 48-0 in front of 68,110 fans at the Los Angeles Coliseum, after a demanding physical opening game vs LSU. The home team jumped out to a 27-0 halftime lead.
After Michael Lance’s 23-yard field goal, Quintin Joyner scored on a nine-yard jaunt completing an eight-play 84-yard drive giving the Trojans a 10-0 lead.
There was a reason this game was scheduled after LSU, on a short week (5 days) after a draining win against a top SEC program. USC was able to manage just fine between games. The late kickoff was also good because USC and all of Southern California and the West had been dealing with an extremely high heat wave.
The offense had several contributors in the win. Miller Moss connected on 21 of 30 passes for 229 yards and a six-yard TD pass to Lakai Lemon. Woody Marks led the ground attack rushing for 103 yards on 13 carries including a nine-yard TD run Lake McRee is the team leader in receptions and receiving yards after the two games. His return comes at a crucial time as USC adjusts its offensive strategy under quarterback Moss, who has been utilizing tight ends more efficiently. He has already targeted tight ends 15 times through two games, nearly halfway to the total targets tight ends saw last season.
McCree, a redshirt junior is continuing to fight his way back from a serious knee injury that sidelined him for months. He suffered a torn ACL during bowl practice last December, which not only ruled him out for the Holiday Bowl but also raised doubts about his availability for the 2024 season.
“Having Lake back fully healthy has been awesome,” Moss said. “I have a lot of faith and trust in him, and I think he’s delivered in a way that I expected and the offense expected him to.”
Lantz connected on field goals of 23 and 24 yards and added six PATs as the Trojans rolled up 544 yards of offense.
Jaydon Maiava scored his first touchdown as a Trojan with
a seven-yard run completing a 9- play 59-yard drive opening the fourth period. The defense gave up just 190 yards against the Aggies. It was the school’s first shutout in 153 games a 50-0 victory over UCLA in the final game of the 2011 season.. After USC held LSU to 20 points in Las Vegas last
“Very
Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins, right, carries the football for a large gain in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders on September 8th, 2024 at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, California. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
XAVIER SCOTT (14)forced three turnovers in Illinois’ 23-17
Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) wins CAMP Award
Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) sacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) in the second half of an NFL football game
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER
07: Kyron Hudson #10 of the USC Trojans stiff arms Jaiden Francois #2 of the Utah State Aggies during the first half of a game at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Caribbean Heritage FestivalHot Fun in the Summertime
By Ricky Richardson
Contributing Writer
(Los Angeles, CA) The calendar might imply that summer is unofficially over. Mother Nature begs to differ. You couldn’t escape the heat, wherever you went during Labor Day weekend.
If you enjoyed a staycation in Los Angeles, you might be inclined to believe the popular adage… some like it hot! Culturally, musically, and weather-wise. Meteorologists in Southern California agreed on the forecast for Labor Day Weekend, It’s feeling HOT! HOT! HOT!
The event was held from 12-7 PM.
The community took heed to come out, rep your country flag, and wear additional memorabilia. The Caribbean Heritage Festival LA was a free event with an explosion of cultural fusion.
Everyone was welcome to attend the Caribbean Heritage Festival to celebrate the rich, diverse and vibrant, colorful culture of the Caribbean. The diverse gathering features community members from the USA, along with Central and South Americans, and other world countries.
The north parking lot was the perfect setting and offered a nice ambiance for the Caribbean Heritage Festival. The festival featured an array of arts and crafts, delicious international cuisine,
Thousands gathered at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza for a milestone celebration. The 5th Annual Caribbean Heritage Festival was held on the north side of the mall, outside of the former Macy’s, 4005 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90008.
breathtaking costumes, dancers, merchandise vendors, a fashion show, live music & entertainment, DJs, dancing, and a colorful international costume parade, and more.
Graham Goddard served as host/emcee, with DJ Epic on board the ones and twos, spinning sounds from the diaspora.
Maria Blues Band, lead vocalist is a singer, songwriter and drummer at heart. The party got underway with an awe-inspiring performance by Maria Blues Band, a popular local group that plays an upbeat fusion of Ska, Reggae and Latin music with a hint of soul. Depending on the gig, or vibe of the audience, you might hear a tinge of jazz.
The Caribbean Heritage Festival, a celebration of culture & diversity continued with two original tracks by Lil Don Omar.
The Soca Sisters, Apple Joe and Noreen Joy led the crowd in a quick engaging, interactive Soca class.
The flow of the program stayed fluid, with a performance by Brazilian Essence. The beautiful ladies sang and danced to “Samba Funk,” and “Share My Energy.”
Sapadilla, with vocalist Einstein, energized the proceeding with some original compositions and remixes of popular songs. They entertained the crowd with “Give Praise” a great opening selection for this blessed day. They continued with “High Mas” by David Rudder, “We Are Ready for the Road,” “Hammer,” and “Now That We Found Love” by Third World.
Spiceman followed with “Wake and Love This World That You Are Living,” and I’m Your Reggae Ambassador” to name a few.
The set by Cometta was LIT! Cometta is an urban, LatinAlternative band based in Los Angeles. They performed an electrifying set-in front of an appreciative and captivated crowd.
The band performed “Dime Si Te Acuerdas,” La Receta,” “Traviesa,” “Angel Cósmica,” and “Guapo.” Their sounds are a fusion of pop, Hip-Hop, Latin trap, and R&B. The Puerto Ricanborn and raised Cosme and AC Metta have been described as ‘Yin and Yang’ and “Salt & Pepper” because they bring their unique voices and styles to the project in perfect harmony. Check them out on Instagram for more information on future shows.
KG Superstar took over as host/emcee for the remainder of the evening. Raiz Brazil took the crowd and me on a visual journey through Brazil through the well-choreographed dance performance. Raiz Brazil leads the colorful, International Costume Parade (Miss Cultural World), as it made its way around the festival grounds. The elegant and beautiful costumes were made by Marvin Bendana, a Celebrity Designer.
Trinidad James, Jonia, and BZ Royal Band rounded out the stellar lineup with phenomenal performances during their respective time in the spotlight. Between DJ sets and live performances, the party people weren’t disappointed while attending the 5th Annual Caribbean Heritage Festival. The 5thAnnual Caribbean Heritage Festival was sponsored by Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, (District 8), Councilmember Curren D. Price Jr., (The New 9th), Councilmember Heather Hutt, (District 10), and Mozambique Restaurant and Bar.
Einstein, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
KG Superstar and Dancers, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
Trinidad James, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
Dr. Kimlin Ashina, V. Steve Russell, and Joan Forbes, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)