Commentary: California Must Protect Mental Health Funding That Centers
Our Communities
Sonya Young Aadam | Special to California Black Media Partners
At California Black Women’s Health Project, we believe a healthier future is possible when women are empowered to make choices in an environment where equal access and health justice are community priorities.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s revised budget proposal includes the California Department of Health’s complete elimination of the California Reducing Disparities Project (CRDP), a devastating move that would dismantle critical, communitydriven mental health programs across the state. This includes our own Sisters Mentally Mobilized – Advocate Training Program, which trains and supports Black women as mental health advocates and change agents in their communities.
Let’s be clear: this funding saves lives. CRDP supports 33 trusted, culturally rooted programs led by and for Black, Latinx, LGBTQ+, AAPI, and Native communities -populations most often excluded from and neglected by traditional mental health systems. Stripping these resources away sends a painful message: Our healing, our leadership, and our lives are not valued. When the system fails us,
we lean on each other. That’s what the CRDP makes possible, and that is now at risk. The outcome would be devastating to communities already crippled by mental health disparities and limited resources. Now is not the time to disinvest from the mental health of our communities. We are calling on our state leaders to uphold California’s commitment to health equity and mental health disparities reduction by restoring this funding and protecting the vital work of community-based organizations like ours and the many others making a continuous impact in our communities. Because when Black women are well, families are stronger. Communities thrive. And California moves closer to the just, inclusive future we all deserve.
About the Author Sonya Young Aadam is the CEO of the California Black Women’s Health Project.
San Bernardino 17 Girl Body Slammed by SB Police
Erin who's a 17 year old African American female student was viciously assaulted and body slammed face first unto the cement by a male San Bernardino police officer on May 21st around 2 pm. That video has now gone viral. Erin and her family is being represented by Attorney Toni Jaramilla and has enlisted civil rights activist Najee Ali Director of Project Islamic as it's advocate.
"The family, Attorney Toni Jaramilla and civil rights leaders are calling for California Attorney General Rob Bonta to launch an independent investigation into this vicious and unprovoked assault by a San Bernardino police officer on Erin, who was handcuffed and violently body slammed by the police officer face first causing serious injuries to the victim. She required immediate medical assistance.. Her wrist is dislocated and she received several stitches to her face . 'This is a clear cut case of police abuse and excessive force by the San Bernardino police department which has a long history of excessive force complaints by African American victims of police brutality. We're calling for California Attorney General Rob Bonta to launch an independent investigation. " Stated Najee Ali Director of Project Islamic Hope. Erin the victim of the assault and family members were at the following press conference Press conference : Date Sunday. May 25th Time 1 pm Location San Bernardino Police Station 710 N. D Street San Bernardino CA 92410
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Charlie Rangel, the long-term Congressman and a heavyweight in New York politics as a member of Harlem’s “Gang of Four”, has died at 94.
By Lauren Burke
Charlie Rangel, the long-term Congressman and a heavyweight in New York politics as a member of Harlem’s “Gang of Four”, has died at 94. His colorful and charismatic personality, bowties, and raspy voice made him a character on Capitol Hill who was impossible to forget. Rangel was simultaneously larger than life but also approachable and engaging. Rangel was the last living member of the “Gang of Four” made up of powerful African American leaders in New York: David Dinkins (19272020), Basil Paterson (19462014), and Percy Sutton (19202009). The four dealmakers were powerbrokers at a time when political decisions were made in smoke-filled rooms over poker games. In 2010, President Obama suggested that Rangel resign from Congress “with
Congressman Charlie Rangel
dignity” after he was targeted by an ethics investigation that would eventually mean he had to give up the Chairmanship of the Ways & Means Committee.
“This guy from Lenox Avenue is retiring with dignity,” Rangel would later tell reporters as he departed Congress on his terms and at the time of his choosing. Rangel ignored Obama and remained in Congress for another six years with an aura that made many forget about the ethics investigation. Before serving Congress, Rangel did about every job in politics that existed. In 1961, Rangel was appointed by Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy to be an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York. Rangel was also a legal counsel for the New York Housing and Redevelopment
Board. Charlie Rangel was born in Harlem in 1930. He would go on to represent one of the most storied parts of Manhattan for 46 years in the U.S. Congress. Along with the late John Conyers, Rangel was also a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus. “We all have a large stake in preserving our democracy, but I maintain that those without power in our society, the black, the brown, the poor of all colors, have the largest stake not because we have the most to lose, but because we have worked the hardest, and given the most, for what we have achieved,” Rangel once said. Rangel was the first African American to serve as Chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. As chair and as a member of the Committee, Rangel played a central role in shaping U.S. tax legislation. He advocated for progressive tax reform, closing corporate loopholes, and increasing tax equity. Rangel was also a strong supporter of Social Security and Medicare and defended and expanded programs aimed at reducing poverty and supporting workingclass families. The legendary Harlem Congressman also championed federal investment in affordable housing and urban
infrastructure, especially for Harlem and other underserved communities.
In a noteworthy policy move, Rangel also pushed to reinstate the military draft during the Iraq War—not to promote it, but to spark debate on the fairness of who bears the burden of war. Rangel earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his service in the Army during Korea. Rangel served as a member of the New York State Assembly from 1967 to 1971 and went on to defeat another New York political legend — Adam Clayton Powell Jr. in a primary, before winning in the general election in 1970. Rangel retired from Congress in 2016 at 86 years old. At a time when many are discussing the age of members of Congress and the many who have died in office over the past two years, Rangel was an exception who departed on his terms. Rangel’s seat in Congress would go to Dominican-born Adriano Espaillat. The moment represented a shift in Harlem’s demographics and the power of the Latino community in the Bronx. Rangel’s wife Alma Carter, passed away last year. The two met in the 1950s at the famous Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. They married in 1964 and have two children.
by Breanna Reeves
A California appellate court unanimously ruled that the Temecula Valley Unified School District (TVUSD) can no longer enforce a ban on critical race theory (CRT) while pending legal action takes place.
The ruling came on May 20, as the Court of Appeal reversed a lower court’s decision to deny students and teachers’ request for a preliminary injunction that would have prevented the TVUSD Board from enforcing the ban. The recent decision striking down the Temecula curriculum ban is the first in the nation from a state court applying a state constitution to block an anti-CRT policy.
While CRT is typically a framework taught in law school, in 2022, the district imposed a ban on CRT which extended to teachings about the history of racism and slavery in the U.S. The ban passed with a 3-2 vote, with Board Members Joseph Komrosky, Danny Gonzalez and Jen Wiersma favoring the resolution. Komrosky, board president at the time, proposed the ban.
Following the ban, a group of teachers, students and teachers’ unions filed a lawsuit in 2024, Mae M. v. Komrosky, alleging that the 2022 ban on critical race theory has impacted students’
Sonya Young Aadam
SBCUSD Breaks Ground on the New James Ramos Center for Public Safety
New $20M facility honors District alum and state leader deeply committed to safety, equity and student success
SAN BERNARDINO, CA—
The San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) officially broke ground on a new Public Safety Building named in honor of California State Assemblymember James C. Ramos, a proud attendee of San Bernardino schools and lifelong advocate for public safety and passionate supporter of culturally responsive education.
The SBCUSD Board of Education unanimously approved the naming of the facility during its regular meeting on May 20, recognizing Ramos’s lasting impact on the community and
his deep-rooted commitment to the District’s students, families and staff. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on April 7 and was attended by school District Police as well as representatives of state, regional and city law enforcement agencies.
“This is more than a building–it’s a promise to our students and community that safety, inclusion and student success will always come first,” said SBCUSD Superintendent Mauricio Arellano. “Naming this facility after Assemblymember Ramos honors not only his
Black Educator’s College Planning Program Seeks Sponsors
Nationwide -- Educator, author, and college planning activist, Mychal Wynn, founded the Georgia-based Foundation for Ensuring Access and Equity College Planning Cohort program in 2006 to expand college, career, and scholarship opportunities for students from under-resourced backgrounds and marginalized communities.
Wynn recounts, “In 2006, when my wife and I were appointed as Education Ministry Leaders of the Turner Chapel AME Church in Marietta, Georgia, our mission was to implement a research-responsive program to increase K-12 student achievement and expand the postsecondary pathways for Black students, who, by every statistical measure, were the lowest performing students in K-12 schools and the least likely to attend college, and when they did, were the most likely to use student loans to pay for college. For years, we had been providing training for teachers and school counselors, who, for a variety of reasons, were failing to implement the strategies outlined in our training and published in our books.”
Recognized by the AME Church as Transformational Leaders, Wynn and his wife, Nina, achieved such extraordinary success in their church, they received national media coverage in 2012 and formed partnerships with Guilford County Schools in North Carolina, Florence School District 3 in South Carolina, and Pinellas County Schools in Florida to work hands-on with students. When each of these school districts began funding the Wynns’ College Cohort Program, were they prepared for the success? Rather than simply getting more students of color into college, the Wynns’ program was guiding students into full scholarships at such top PWIs as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT,
Caltech, Amherst, Williams, Bowdoin, Swarthmore, Vassar, Northeastern, University of Richmond, University of Chicago, and Georgia Tech. Their students received full scholarships to such HBCUs as Spelman, Tuskegee, Xavier University of Louisiana, FAMU, NC A&T, and NC Central. Their students became the first students in many high schools to be offered full scholarships to such schools. It appeared that not only were they exceeding expectations, but they were also too successful!
In part due to the Trump Administration’s cut in federal funding, and the uncomfortable position of Title I Directors and school administrators forced to explain how an outside program could achieve such historic success with student populations whom they believe incapable of reaching beyond community college or state universities. While traditional schools were introducing students to conversations about college and scholarships as high school juniors and seniors, the Wynns were not only introducing students to such conversations as rising 6th graders, but engaging students in deliberate planning through a college planning system of books, online curricula, monthly virtual meetings in which students with similar aspirations from diverse backgrounds and communities engage in conversations about their plans and share their goals, and providing 1-on-1 guidance through the final phase of applying to college and for scholarships. Without funding from school districts, the $899.95 annual fee to participate in the program is unaffordable for the students most in need. The Wynns are assisting students in reaching out to relatives, local businesses, mentoring programs, and even schools of higher education to sponsor their registration in the program. Unlike programs that are only focused on students who are top-performing high
public service, but his ongoing presence in our schools and unwavering dedication to making every student feel safe, seen and supported.”
Assemblymember Ramos currently serves as Chair of the California State Assembly Committee on Budget, Subcommittee No. 6 on Public Safety, which provides oversight of public safety efforts statewide. The naming of the facility holds personal meaning for Ramos, whose family has always served in various roles that support education and public safety.
“I am deeply honored and humbled by the decision to name this Public Safety building after
me,” said Assemblymember James C. Ramos. “Ensuring the safety and well-being of our students has always been one of my highest priorities. A secure learning environment is essential for our young people to thrive, and this facility stands as a symbol of that commitment. I’ve spent my career advocating for the needs of students—fighting for resources, safer campuses, and stronger support systems— and I remain as dedicated as ever to their success. I thank
Superintendent Mauricio Arellano, the San Bernardino City Unified School District
Lost Black History: “Rucker Park”
by Don Valentine
Rucker Park has been a cornerstone of Black basketball history, a legendary proving ground for both amateur and professional talent. Credit Walt “Clyde” Frazier, the swag God himself, who draped himself in mink coats and fedoras, flossing before the word was even in our lexicon. Young hustlers like Pee Wee Kirkland would step out of his Rolls Royce Silver Shadow just to run the court, competing to be the flyest "Cat" in the game. Rucker Park fundamentally shaped the game’s "Swag" and culture through the lens of the Hip-Hop tidal wave. Opened in 1956 in Harlem, it honors Holcombe Rucker, a passionate New York City playground director. His mantra, “Each one Teach one!”, fueled a summer tournament specifically designed to keep inner-city kids off the streets. What began with junior high players quickly expanded to high school and college talent, igniting a meteoric rise in popularity. In an era before formal pro summer leagues, Rucker Park became the destination for NBA giants, who faced off against the park's best amateurs, creating legendary matchups and setting style trends.
After a period of decline at the end of the '70s, the park's mystique was dramatically resuscitated in 1982 by Greg Marius, a rapper and St. John's player. Greg orchestrated a dynamic fusion of hoops and hip hop, birthing the Entertainers
SBCUSD Breaks Ground on the New James Ramos Center for Public Safety...continued
Board of Education, the San Bernardino City Unified School District, and District Facilities Naming Committee for this incredible recognition and for their continued partnership in putting students first.”
Designed by Ruhnau Clarke Architects, the $20 million, 17,140 square-foot facility is being built by renowned contractor C.W. Driver and is expected to be completed in 2026.
The building serves as a key milestone in SBCUSD’s Vision 2030: SBCUSD SHINES, a strategic plan that prioritizes safe, welcoming learning environments where all students can thrive. It will also be the central hub for the SBCUSD Police Department and other emergency response operations. It will include a 24-hour communications
center, emergency response coordination areas and space for staff training and student engagement initiatives.
As part of the District’s long-term vision, the Public Safety Building will also provide internship and career pathway opportunities for students interested in public service careers. The facility, conveniently located next to the City of San Bernardino Police Department, will allow for seamless collaboration between District and city law enforcement officials.
“The Assemblymember and his family exemplify public service,” said SBCUSD Board President Mayra Ceballos. “His dedication to public safety and equity is both personal and professional. He is a tireless champion for our schools, our students and our values.”
Basketball Classic (EBC) from a famous challenge between rival rap crews. As rap surged in the 1990s, the EBC exploded. Sponsorships from iconic HipHop labels like Def Jam, Roca-Fella, and Bad Boy poured in, making EBC competition a badge of honor. With "No weapons, no cameras" as house rules, Rucker Park seamlessly melded NCAA players, pros, and Hip-Hop labels into a vibrant arena, fostering unique cultural convergence.
The league's extraordinary traction culminated in its 20th season, hosting former President Bill Clinton alongside NBA Commissioners David Stern and Adam Silver. This was no ordinary day at the park—Secret Service clearance right alongside ROCAWEAR and “Timbs.” In addition, Rucker Park became an academic springboard, through the unparalleled visibility of the tournaments and Holcombe’s resilience. He fostered relationships with college recruiters nationwide. He created opportunities, leading to over 700 scholarships to universities like St. John's University, Syracuse University, Georgetown University, and other prominent schools. It was a life-changing path for countless talented kids who might never have otherwise afforded it. Rucker Park remains a vibrant testament to Black basketball history, a phenomenon born from asphalt and ambition. The Black Press: Sentinel of Our Story.
California Court Rules Against Temecula School District’s Anti-CRT Ban...continued from page 1
rights, censored teachers and has created a hostile environment.
The court ordered the Board to stop enforcing its policy while the case is in progress, noting that the ban is “unconstitutionally vague on its face” and “so ambiguous,” and ultimately clashes with California-mandated educational standards.
The court’s opinion, written by Judge Kathleen O’Leary, detailed how teachers in the district feared being terminated for teaching students about Native American communities, anti-Asian exclusion movements and past civil rights United States Supreme Court cases without violating the ban.
“This decision is a beacon of hope for educators and students across California,” stated Dawn Sibby, teacher at Temecula Valley High School, in a statement released by Public Counsel and Ballard Spahr LLP, who is representing teachers and students.
“If we are ever to become a democracy free from discrimination, our students must learn the true history of our nation and confront the real discrimination that people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ people have endured and
continue to endure.”
It is not yet clear if TVUSD will appeal the court’s decision. Two of the board members, Komrosky and Wiersma, from the initial vote still reside on the current board.
An attorney from the Murrietabased law firm Advocates For Faith & Freedom, representing TVUSD, released a statement following the ruling on Facebook.
“Although we are disappointed with the court’s decision, we remain committed to defending the constitutionality of Temecula Valley Unified School District’s actions,” Julianne E. Fliescher stated. “Critical race theory and its offshoots have no place in public institutions that are meant to serve all individuals equally. These ideas promote division, resentment, and a distorted view of history that punishes students and staff based on skin color rather than character.”
However, during an oral argument, defendants’ appellate counsel, representing TVUSD board members, informed the court that the current Board consists of different Board members, and they “do not intend to adopt a similar policy or related policy.”
Remembering George Floyd
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Trump was in office when George Floyd was killed, and I would blame Trump for creating a negative environment for police-community relations.
By April Ryan
Mural showing the portrait of George Floyd in Mauerpark in Berlin. To the left of the portrait the lettering "I can't Breathe" was added, on the right side the three hashtags #GeorgeFloyd, #Icantbreathe and #Sayhisname. The mural was completed by Eme Street Art (facebook name) / Eme Free Thinker (signature) on 29 May 2020. (Wikimedia Commons)
“The president’s been very clear he has no intentions of pardoning Derek Chauvin, and it’s not a request that we’re looking at,” confirms a senior staffer at the Trump White House. That White House response results from public hope, including from a close Trump ally, Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. The timing of Greene’s hopes coincides with the Justice Department’s recent decision to end oversight of local police accused of abuse. It also falls on the fifth anniversary of the police-involved death of George Floyd on May 25th. The death sparked national and worldwide outrage and became a transitional moment politically and culturally, although the outcry for laws on police accountability failed. The death forced thenDemocratic presidential candidate Joe Biden to focus on deadly police force and accountability. His efforts while president to pass the George Floyd Justice in policing act failed. The death of George Floyd also put a spotlight on the Black community, forcing then-candidate Biden to choose a Black woman running mate. Kamala Harris ultimately became vice president of the United States alongside Joe Biden. Minnesota State Attorney
Opinion:
General Keith Ellison prosecuted the cases against the officers involved in the death of Floyd. He remembers,” Trump was in office when George Floyd was killed, and I would blame Trump for creating a negative environment for police-community relations. Remember, it was him who said when the looting starts, the shooting starts, it was him who got rid of all the consent decrees that were in place by the Obama administration.”
In 2025, Police-involved civilian deaths are up by “about 100 to about 11 hundred,” according to Ellison. Ellison acknowledges that the Floyd case five years ago involved a situation in which due process was denied, and five years later, the president is currently dismissing “due process. “The Minnesota Atty General also says, “Trump is trying to attack constitutional rule, attacking congressional authority and judicial decision-making.”
George Floyd was an AfricanAmerican man killed by police who knocked on his neck and on his back, preventing him from breathing. During those minutes on the ground, Floyd cried out for his late mother several times. Police subdued Floyd for an alleged counterfeit $20 bill.
Let’s Urge Congress to Pass Legislation to Save the U.S. Postal Service
Kevin
Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night can stop the U.S. Postal Service, but the mismanagement of former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy just might. Although DeJoy resigned this spring, the U.S. Postal Service continues to follow his failed “Delivering for America” plan into ruin. There is no doubt that DeJoy’s 2021 Delivering for America plan has been a total disaster. It kicked off sharp stamp and postage rate increases twice peryear at amounts far above the inflation rate -- something that had never been done throughout the Postal Service’s 250-year history. Still following DeJoy’s foolish plan, the Postal Service is plotting yet another massive price hike this July. Not only are postal officials making mail prohibitively expensive for consumers and businesses alike, but they are also making mail services increasingly slow and unreliable. As a result, the Postal Service is hemorrhaging customers -- and we’re not even halfway through DeJoy’s 10-year plan.
Opinion: Let’s Urge Congress to Pass Legislation to Save the U.S. Postal Service...continued success -- such as creating an autonomous Office of Customer Advocate to hear Americans’ concerns and protect the public.
While there are many issues in today’s tumultuous world that deserve attention, there is no doubt that the mail is essential and needs help. If Congress doesn’t enact the USPS SERVES US Act, the price of a stamp could be $1.19 by 2030. By then the Postal Service could even be defunct — destroying our ability to send and receive mail and putting its 8 million employees out of a job.
It’s important to remember that for millions of Americans, mail isn’t just a convenience; it’s a lifeline. The Postal Service is the only courier that delivers to every address in the U.S., no matter how rural or remote. No private company could — or would — deliver to our country’s most remote locations because profits are the first priority for any private enterprise. And that’s exactly why the U.S. Postal Service should be reformed, not privatized.
Like our country, the Postal Service was established by the people, for the people -- and we must take action to keep it that way. If you would like to help save the mail, please ask your member of Congress to support the USPS SERVES US Act. Now is the time to raise our voices and save the mail before it self-destructs. We can’t allow Louis DeJoy’s damaging shadow to continue looming over the Postal Service.
About the Author
Kevin Yoder is a former Republican congressman from Kansas and executive director of Keep Us Posted — a nonprofit advocacy group united in the belief that a reliable, affordable U.S. Postal Service is essential to our way of life and should be protected. To learn more and easily ask your member of Congress to support the USPS SERVES US Act, visit www. KeepUSPosted.org and click “Take Action.”
OP-ED: Oregon Bill Threatens the Future of Black Owned Newspapers and Community Journalism... continued
to these national conglomerate owners—without the right safeguards to protect independent and community-based outlets— rewards the forces that caused this inequitable crisis in the first place. A just and inclusive policy must guarantee that support flows to the front lines of local journalism and not to the boardrooms of large national media corporations.
The Black Press exists to fill in the gaps left by larger newsrooms. Our reporters are trusted messengers. Our outlets serve as forums for civic engagement, accountability and cultural pride. We also increasingly rely on our digital platforms to reach our audiences, especially younger generations— where they are.
We are fervently asking Oregon lawmakers to take a step
back and engage in meaningful dialogue with those most affected: community publishers, small and independent outlets and the readers we serve. The Skanner, The Portland Observer, and The Portland Medium do not have national corporate parents or large investors. And they, like many smaller, communitytrusted outlets, rely on traffic from search engines and social media to boost advertising revenue, drive subscriptions, and raise awareness.
Let’s work together to build a better future for Black-owned newspapers and community journalism that is fair, local,l and representative of all Oregonians. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., President & CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association
CSUSB School of Entrepreneurship re-named in honor of business leader
and philanthropist Randall W. Lewis
The California State University Board of Trustees has approved the naming of the university’s entrepreneurship school and center as the Randall W. Lewis School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the Randall W. Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship.
OP-ED: Oregon Bill Threatens the Future of Black Owned Newspapers and Community Journalism
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Nearly half of Oregon’s media outlets are now owned by national conglomerates with no lasting investment in local communities. According to an OPB analysis, Oregon has lost more than 90 news jobs (and counting) in the past five years. These were reporters, editors and photographers covering school boards, investigating corruption and telling community stories, until their jobs were cut by out-of-state corporations.
By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.
Congress stepped up help in 2022 with a series of bipartisan reforms, including removing a requirement for the Postal Service to pre-fund its retiree health benefits 75 years in advance. That reform alone has saved the Postal Service billions of dollars. And although it was intended to preserve service and prevent the need for massive postage hikes, DeJoy still plowed ahead as if the reform law never existed. As a result of such mismanagement, the Postal Service has lost over $16 billion and counting in just two years. The huge losses aren’t surprising, given that traditional mail, not packages, is still the Postal Service’s biggest revenuegenerator. Fortunately, Congress is taking action again with new legislation to keep the Postal Service delivering like it should. Called the “USPS Services Enhancement and Regulatory Viability Expansion and Sustainability for the U.S. Act” (or USPS SERVES US Act), the bill would give the Postal Regulatory Commission -- the agency that regulates the USPS -- the power to stop onerous stamp hikes and mail delays. The bill, which was introduced by Congressman Sam Graves (R-Mo.), would also limit price increases to once per-year, and institute other reforms aimed at accountability, efficiency and
President and CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association
For decades, The Skanner newspaper in Portland, the Portland Observer, and the Portland Medium have served Portland, Oregon’s Black community and others with a vital purpose: to inform, uplift and empower. But legislation now moving through the Oregon Legislature threatens these community news institutions— and others like them.
As President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), which represents more than 255 Blackowned media outlets across the United States—including historic publications like The Skanner, Portland Observer, and the Portland Medium—l believe that some Oregon lawmakers would do more harm than good for local journalism and community-owned publications they are hoping to protect.
Oregon Senate Bill 686 would require large digital platforms such as Google and
Meta to pay for linking to news content. The goal is to bring desperately needed support to local newsrooms. However, the approach, while well-intentioned, puts smaller, community-based publications at a future severe financial risk.
We need to ask – will these payments paid by tech companies benefit the journalists and outlets that need them most? Nearly half of Oregon’s media outlets are now owned by national conglomerates with no lasting investment in local communities. According to an OPB analysis, Oregon has lost more than 90 news jobs (and counting) in the past five years. These were reporters, editors, and photographers covering school boards, investigating corruption, and telling community stories, until their jobs were cut by outof-state corporations.
Legislation that sends money
The California State University Board of Trustees has approved the renaming of the CSUSB School of Entrepreneurship and Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship to the Randall W. Lewis School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the Randall W. Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship.
The school and center are part of Cal State San Bernardino’s Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration. The CSU trustees gave their formal approval when it met on May 21.
Randall W. Lewis, executive vice president for marketing with The Lewis Group of Companies and a recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Cal State San Bernardino (2021), has gifted the school and center with $6 million.
The endowed gift and irrevocable estate gift aim to empower the Randall W. Lewis School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation to broaden its transformative impact across the university and throughout the region. The school will continue to champion interdisciplinary approaches to entrepreneurial thinking and practice, engaging all academic colleges and administrative divisions in advancing a culture of innovation and opportunity.
“As I said back in 2021, through his nearly 50-year career in the real estate industry as well as through his extensive community leadership and service, Randall Lewis has become a well-known and widely respected business leader and philanthropist,” said CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales. “His ongoing support of the students and programs at CSUSB is literally transforming lives. And now, through this gift, our student-entrepreneurs will have both an inspiration for their own achievements along with the security of knowing their study will be sustained well into the future.”
Lewis said his gift was about the future. “I’ve always believed that the best investments we can
make are in people and ideas,” he said. “Supporting the School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Cal State San Bernardino is an opportunity to help empower the next generation of creative thinkers and doers — individuals who will shape the future of our region and beyond. I’m honored to be part of a university that is committed to access, equity, and the entrepreneurial spirit."
As Mike Stull, professor and school director as well as program director for the Randall W. Lewis Entrepreneurship Center, said when the School of Entrepreneurship was established in the fall of 2020, “Becoming the first School of Entrepreneurship in the state of California enables us to extend our existing brand as a top entrepreneurship program and continue to be an innovator both locally and within the CSU system with regard to entrepreneurship education.” Stull added, “Potential students will be drawn to CSUSB as we practice what we preach –innovation, growth and applying the entrepreneurial mindset to achieve impact.”
The Randall W. Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship operates three Entrepreneurial Resource Centers (ERC) in Palm Desert, San Bernardino and Temecula, in order to better serve the people of the Inland Empire.
“The Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration strives to serve as an innovator,” said Dean Tomás Gómez-Arías. “We are already recognized as a leader in business education globally. The naming of the School of Entrepreneurship, along with the Center for Entrepreneurship, underscores the excellence of what we offer not only to the people of Inland Southern California, but also throughout our state.”
Lewis oversees sales and marketing operations for the Upland-based Lewis Group of Companies, started by his parents as a home building firm in 1955. Today, it is among the nation’s largest privately held real estate development companies. The Lewis Group focuses on developing mixed-use planned communities and residential subdivisions in California and Nevada, as well as building and owning rental communities, shopping centers, and office and industrial parks.
Lewis is a long-term member of the Urban Land Institute Foundation and past governor. He has served on several executive
Stock photo / NNPA
Yoder | Special to California Black Media Partners
Kevin Yoder
Randall W. Lewis
South Africa’s President Asks for Answers and Contradicts Trump on White Killings
By April Ryan
The build-up for the Oval Office meeting between South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and President Donald Trump resulted in a spectacle of a Presidential show and tell. President Trump worked to support the alleged claims that thousands of white South African Farmers have been killed with nothing done to remedy the situation. Leaders from both countries, Elon Musk, world-renowned white Golfers from South Africa, and reporters attended the highly publicized press event in the Oval Office. Before the president showed a video, a reporter in the Oval Office sternly questioned Trump, asking, “What would it take for you to be convinced that there is no white genocide in South Africa?” President Ramaphosa immediately answered the question as President Trump said, “ I’d rather have him answer.”
“It will take President Trump listening to the voices of South Africans, some of whom are his good friends,” said the South African president. Ramaphosa also emphasized it would have to take place at a “quiet” table so he could hear the facts.
Another telling moment in
the meeting was when President Trump could not answer South Africa’s president’s question about the location of some parts of the video he showed in the Oval Office. Ramaphosa said calmly with concern, “I would like to know where that is. Cause, this I have never seen.”
However, Trump continued his assertion that white farmers are being killed throughout the meeting and warned the president of South Africa that before the November G-20 summit in South Africa, the issue must be handled. Ramaphosa said, “There is criminality in our country; people who do get killed, unfortunately, through criminal activity are not only white people. The majority is Black people.” Trump, in a passing moment in that press event, recognized the wrong of the deadly apartheid system in South Africa when the country was white minority rule from 1948 to 1994. During the deadly apartheid system, the white-led government enforced strict racial segregation rules against the Black majority in housing, employment, government, social gatherings, and facilities.
Black Educator’s College Planning Program Seeks Sponsors...continued from page 2
school juniors and seniors, Wynn notes, “The only criteria to join our program is that a student demonstrates grit, a growth mindset, and a willingness to do the work. A student must be invested in their own success.
For example, Black students take calculus in high school at a rate of just 6 percent. In some school districts, a student cannot reach calculus by 12th grade without taking algebra 1 in middle school. So why wait until 11th grade to begin the conversation about college? Additionally, most selective colleges—the ones that offer to meet each admitted student’s full financial need—require that students take calculus, if available in their school or school district. While we can guide a student in developing a 7-year middle-through-high school plan, including their 4-year high school schedule, the student must have the willingness to follow the plan and do the work.”
Sponsors can pay for the registration of a student of their choosing, or the program can recommend students in need of sponsorship. Each sponsored student agrees to share their college planning journey with their sponsor as appreciation of their sponsor’s investment in their future. Currently, the program is only accepting high school students. As sponsorship expands, the program will accept students as early as the 6th grade for guidance in developing 7-year middle school-throughhigh school college-bound plans.
Josiah Walker, a Black male student who will be a 2025 graduate of Boca Ciega High School in Gulfport, Florida, was offered full scholarships to Boston University, Macalester College, Washington & Lee
Thursday, May 29, 2025
George Floyd’s 11-Year-Old Daughter Says She’s Being Bullied in School
Nationwide — George Floyd’s daughter, Gianna, is still facing bullying at her Texas middle school five years after her father’s death. Classmates use hateful words and false claims that echo attacks on her father’s legacy. Gianna, now 11, once stood on NBA star Stephen Jackson’s shoulders and proudly said, “Daddy changed the world.” Today, she’s targeted by the same rightwing rhetoric trying to discredit George Floyd’s memory.
Her mother, Roxie Washington, feels caught between wanting to protect Gianna and helping her learn to stand up for herself. “Do I run up to the school and act like ‘Who did what?’ Or do I let her fight her own battle?” Washington said, according to BET. “I don’t want her to feel like she’s by herself. But I want her to be able to stand on her own two feet.”
Meanwhile, some conservative voices continue to spread false claims about Floyd’s death. Ben Shapiro, for example, falsely says Floyd died from a drug overdose. Official reports show Floyd died from cardiopulmonary arrest caused by police restraint.
Former police officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes, was convicted of murder in 2021 and is serving 22 and a half year in prison. Despite this, some continue to campaign for his release, spreading misinformation that not only affects Floyd’s legacy but also Gianna’s everyday life.
CSUSB School of Entrepreneurship re-named in honor of business leader and philanthropist Randall W. Lewis...continued from page 3
$20 Billion Water Battle: Delta Lawmakers and Tribes Push Back on Newsom’s Tunnel Project...continued
and Assemblymember Rhodesia Ranson (D-Tracy), also a member of the CLBC.
Other Delta Caucus members -- a bipartisan group of lawmakers representing counties in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, where the tunnel begins -- also attended, along with officials from the Delta Coalition of Counties, regional environmental leaders and tribal leaders from the Delta.
Almost a week before, on May 14, when Gov. Newsom presented his May revision of the state’s 2025-26 budget, he announced his plans to make improvements to the water supply infrastructure he called “critical.”
Planned upgrades include a 45mile tunnel with intakes to draw water from the Sacramento River; a connection to the California Aqueduct via the Bethany Reservoir; new earthquakeresistant features; a pumping plant, and other improvements.
“For too long, attempts to modernize our critical water infrastructure have stalled in endless red tape, burdened with unnecessary delay,” said Newsom, referring to opposition to the project by environmental leaders and others.
and the reliability of the existing tunnel to deliver water could reduce by 23%. The project, expected to begin in 2029, is designed to respond to that eventuality by making key improvements to the tunnel that “captures, moves and stores water used by 27 million people and 750,000 acres of farmland.” Ransom said the project would “steal water” from the Delta.
“I’m disappointed to see this proposal to override legal protections and statutes to violate both water and property rights. Let’s be real- this is a $20 billion water grab that shifts wealth from the San Joaquin Delta to wealthy Southern California interests,” said Ransom.
Both Wilson and Ransom represent districts in the Delta region that have Black populations that are among the 10 highest concentrations of African Americans in the state.
McNerney slammed the project, saying it will “destroy nearly 4,000 acres of prime farmland in the fragile Delta, along with salmon fisheries and tribal resources.”
University, and Williams College. Walker, who joined the program while attending Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle School in St. Petersburg, Florida, noted that as a high school senior, “My dad and I were evicted from our apartment in the midst of applying to colleges and writing essays. As a result, I could not provide all of the required documents for Northeastern University, the first school to which I was offered admission, so I never received a financial aid award letter. I honestly could not have made it through this process without the support of Mr. and Mrs. Wynn. Not only did they support me every step of the way, but their son, Mychal-David, reviewed and edited all of my essays, as well as guided my communication with admissions and financial aid officers at each of my schools. When I had a problem with some of my parents’ documents, they even reached out to Williams College on my behalf to ensure that I received my financial aid award letter. While I am overjoyed to be heading off to Williams College on a full scholarship, including an all-expenses-paid summer program, I am saddened for other students in our school district who will no longer have the support of the Wynns since our district stopped funding the program.”
The 2025-26 College Cohort Program kicks off on June 1, 2025, and runs through May 1, 2026 (college enrollment decision day). Interested students or sponsors may register online at: www.accessandequity. org/product/2025-26-cohortregistration/ For press inquiries, contact (678) 295-5825 or info@ accessandequity.org
boards, including the USC School of Policy, Planning and Development, the UCLA School of Public Policy, Loma Linda University Medical Center’s Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Institute Advisory Council, Cal Poly Pomona’s National Development Council and cochaired the San Bernardino County Alliance for Education. He is a leader in professional and non-profit organizations and has served as president of the Inland Empire Arts Foundation, secretary of the Los Angeles County Citizens Planning Council, director of the Home Builder’s Council and director of the National Association of Home Builders. In recognition of his service, Lewis was inducted into the California Building Industry Hall of Fame and was honored as the Sales and Marketing Council’s MAME Awards Person of the Year. In 2004, he was an honoree of the California Homebuilding Foundation and in 2006 the Los Angeles Times named him to the “West 100” list as one of the top 100 influential people in Southern California.
Additional recognition conferred upon Lewis includes: the Max C. Tipton Memorial Award (1992), the California Business Properties Association Champion of the Industry Award, Southern California Association of Governments President Award for Sustainability Leader of the Year (2014) and the 2014 ULI Bob Santos Industry Leadership Award in Sustainable Community Development. In 2015, he established the Lewis Family Inland Empire Changemaker Fund to support programs and social innovations benefitting the Inland Empire. Lewis also created the Randall Lewis Health and Policy Fellowship program to ensure the development of health professionals who possess the skills to influence positive change in the IE. Lewis earned a baccalaureate degree in economics from Claremont McKenna College. Visit the Randall W. Lewis School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation website and the Randall W. Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship website for more information.
$20 Billion Water Battle: Delta Lawmakers and Tribes Push Back on Newsom’s Tunnel Project
Tanu T. Henry | California Black Media
“I want to be crystal clear. Fasttracking the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) is a direct attack on our region's environmental integrity, economic stability and public trust,” Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) warned Gov. Newsom.
Wilson, a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), was speaking at a press conference on May 20 at the State Capitol organized to
push back against the Governor’s plans to speed up $20 billion worth of improvements to the State Water Project (SWP), a tunnel that delivers water from Northern California to areas in the south of the state.
Wilson, who is also co-chair of the legislative Delta Caucus, was joined at the press conference by Sen. Jerry McNerney, the other co-chair of the caucus,
“We’re done with barriers -- our state needs to complete this project as soon as possible, so that we can better store and manage water to prepare for a hotter, drier future. Let’s get this built,” the Governor added.
Newsom is urging the State Legislature to create policy that will simplify the process to obtain construction permits and expedite the time judicial reviews take.
Wilson said the construction on the tunnel will damage the San Joaquin Valley ecosystem.
“Shifting water from one farming region to benefit another farming region does not solve our water problem,” she said. Wilson also pointed out that the project will become a cost burden for utility ratepayers.
According to the Governor’s office, California is expected to lose 10% of its water supply
On May 22, a number of Southern California Water utilities wrote a letter of support commending Newsom for proposing action to streamline approvals for conveyance tunnel improvements. They include The Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA), Western Municipal Water District (Western Water), Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD), and Three Valleys Municipal Water District (Three Valleys/TVMWD).
Joe Mouawad, EMWD’s General Manager, said the SWP helps to manage California’s water supply during floods and drought, but the system’s infrastructure needs urgent repair. “There have been significant challenges and deficiencies with the current infrastructure, leading to significant water supply loss,” said Mouawad. The DCP is critical to protecting the reliability of the SWP from threats by extreme weather fluctuations, seismic activity, and aging infrastructure.”
FOR JUSTICE Issue #1257
Rachel Hackenberg
Evil is well worth our anger, our outrage, our fury, our deep indignation. Violence too is a worthy recipient of our defensiveness, our horror, our disquiet, our fear. To rage against the injustices of the world is an appropriate response of Christian faith.
And yet…
Carrying all that rage and fear around on our shoulders as if they are the yoke of Jesus is not faithful living. Holding anger tightly within our bodies—in a knot in our backs, in the tension of our hips, in the shallowness of our breath—is not a spiritual practice. Allowing fear to establish a residence in our guts, hunching our shoulders permanently forward to guard our hearts, fatiguing our minds with the obsession of resentment— these are not the disciplines to which Christ calls us.
If we were called to a faith of rage, we would be followers of Peter with his sword swinging wildly in the Garden of Gethsemane.
If we were called to a faith of fear, we would be adherents in the church of Ananias and Sapphira with their hands clenched tightly around security and their hearts racing with anxiety.
If we were called to a faith of self-righteousness, we would be
siblings to the sons of Zebedee in our clamor for seats of judgment and control.
And if we were called to a faith of stiff necks and tense backs, we would be known by the sign of a millstone rather than the sign of the cross, weighed down by worry, tripping over our own doubt.
Instead…
We are called to a faith of radical love and abundant life. We are called to displace the bitter anger from our bodies with a strong backbone of love, the kind of loving backbone that moves easily to make room and holds steady to protect joy. We are called to exhale fear from our guts, to breathe in the expansiveness of hope. We are called to throw off the burden of anxiety from our shoulders, so that we have room to bear the light yoke of Christ.
Anger and fear and heartache have their place in faith—God knows!—but when they sink their roots into our bodies, psyches, and nervous systems, we are hindered from faith. So we choose to love from our physical core, trading fear for community. We love from our hips and our backs, releasing resentment in favor of hope. We love with our whole bodies, because Christ did too. We love, and God is known.
Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, September 2024 (Wikimedia Commons / Photo by Ricardo Stuckert)
At the podium, Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), flanked by members of the Delta Caucus, speaks at a press conference organized to push back on Gov. Newsom’s planned upgrades to the State Water Project. CBM screenshot
Thursday, May 29, 2025
October London is the Rebirth of Cool
By Dwight Brown Entertainment Critic for DwightBrownInk.com and NNPA News Wire
“Make me, make me wanna get down tonight….” October London sang what was on the minds of his audience during his entire performance at the Beacon Theatre. On New York’s Upper Westside, on May 25, 2025, that’s what his aura did to them.
London’s path was created by Marvin Gaye, Teddy Pendergrass, Luther Vandross and others. Artists who made music folks could make love by. Songs, melodies and rhythms that touch the soul and libido. Song by men who held the room key and were inviting lovers into their boudoir.
October London took up that mantle with his 2023 album The Rebirth of Marvin. A tribute to Gaye that brought his vibe back into the light and updated it with a 2020s feel that’s bits of classic R&B, neo soul and jazz for this generation. And so, the young and the old made the pilgrimage to the Beacon theater to see, hear and feel the new king of hearts. The love messenger. And he didn’t disappoint.
Jared Samuel Erskine was born October 17, 1986, in South Bend Indiana. Mom was a singer and dad played guitar. Playing piano from age five started his musical journey. After taking the moniker Sam London, then October London
and honing his craft, his career took off when he signed with what would become Snoop Dog’s Death Row Records. He knew his career had grown when he played a fictionalized version of himself on the TV series Empire. The song “Back to Your Place” started his rise up the Billboard charts and reached #1 Adult R&B song. Subsequent singles, EPs, albums, TV appearances, etc. have led to him selling out the Beacon theater on a warm spring night.
As the audience took their seats for “The October Nights: Calling All Lovers Tour,” there was great anticipation for London’s first time leading a concert as the main act. His show opened with Joe Leone, from L.A., whose soulful voice is reminiscent of Robin Thicke and Justin Timberlake’s. He sang Over Under and wowed the women. Next, Ro James brought a hip hop vibe to the night with his hit “Permission,” which evokes Curtis Mayfield. That led up to Tamar Braxton. Having honed her skills on WE tv’s Braxton Family Values, she knew how to work the audience. She had a running conversation with the crowd and campily stalked around like she was a refugee from The Real Housewives of Atlanta. The
The Importance of Lung Cancer Screening
Health News
Did you know that more people die from lung cancer than from colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined? Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancerrelated death in the U.S. Lung cancer develops when abnormal cells in the lungs grow uncontrollably, often causing severe health issues or death. While lung cancer symptoms may not always be present until the disease has spread, some common symptoms may include a cough that does not go away or gets worse, chest pain that is often worse with deep breathing, coughing or laughing, and shortness of breath.
What are some common risk factors of lung cancer?
Smoking: The greatest risk for lung cancer is a history of smoking.
Environmental factors: Exposure to certain materials in the environment, such as radon gas, asbestos and secondhand smoke.
Family history: If someone in your family has had lung cancer, you may have a slightly higher risk of developing lung cancer. Why is lung cancer screening important, and what does it involve?
An annual lung cancer screening for eligible people may help by detecting lung cancer earlier, before it has spread.
Lung cancer screening involves a low-dose computed tomography scan (also called a
youngest Braxton sang some of her hit songs with her sultry voice and a melodramatic style. The place went nuts when she invited two couples on stage to talk about their marriages. She was funny, bawdy and exhibited a comic sense that makes her a prime candidate for a TV sitcom. Her performance peaked with the classic song, “Superwoman.”
By the time October London hit the stage, the audience was primed by the opening acts.
A drummer guitarist, bassist, keyboardist and three backup singers named the “Shendellas” took the stage. The bareboned group made it clear that authentic music would ensue. London came on stage leaving an air of coolness in his wake. The purple and white plaid summer suit, blue turtle neck and sunglasses set the tone. Then he sang, and that voice, which entranced music lovers on Rebirth of Marvin and beyond, sounded exactly the same as it does on your highpriced, high-quality sound bar at home. As he would put it later in his act, “I ain’t autotuned. Not me!”
He crooned into the microphone and the sound that came out the speakers evoked Gaye and consummate live performers at their best. “Back to Your Place,” was as sensual as “Mulholland Drive” was evocative. “Make Me Wanna” and “Touch On Me” hit a Motown groove. His guest appearance on the Boney James jazz album Slow Burn yielded the very sexy, I’m in the mood song “All I Want Is You”: “Effervescence is your essence. When my confession, it's like you set me free. Preconception, indiscretion. Teach me lessons, let me know your boundaries….”
The guitarist and bassist each
took solos. The singers did a song too as London generously gave them time to show their talents. He also displayed a quick wit and a love for basketball. The New York Knicks are in the playoffs; London was clearly aware. He invited the audience to check the score with their phones, making a funny remark at the same time. “My money’s on the Knicks tonight. Smartphone users take a look. Android users we’ll wait on you….?” That funny comment should make Apple’s CEO Tim Cook happy, because the singer was passively praising iPhones and the audience was in hysterics. Then he sealed the deal, “Knicks in six!”
The friendly banter was almost counter intuitive to the ultra-cool appearance and the sophisticated sound that all were experiencing. This is how you head your first tour. How you make an impression and build a rapport with your fans. Sing like your momma made you just for that. Don’t bring an entourage of twenty, when a basic band will let you shine. Sound better than you do on your records and let your fans leave the auditorium feeling upbeat about life and in the mood for love.
That was the assignment for the kid from Indiana who had just picked a New York basketball team over the Indiana Pacers. Know your audience, give them what they want. In return, they’ll wanna get down tonight and see your rebirth of cool.
Click here to check out October London singing Make Me Wanna live at the Beacon Theater: Or go to: https://www.facebook.com/ share/v/1LYHKzGzUx/ Visit NNPA News Wire entertainment critic Dwight Brown at DwightBrownInk.com
Here’s What Your Metabolism Is Telling
You
Health News
low-dose CT scan or LDCT). During this scan, you lie on a table and an X-ray machine takes pictures of your lungs. The scan takes less than 10 minutes, and it doesn’t require any medications or needles. After the scan, a doctor looks at the images and shares the results with your health care provider. For a low-dose CT scan, the dose of radiation is less than the average background radiation a person may be exposed to in a year.
Who should get lung cancer screening?
As of 2021, to be eligible for a lung cancer screening, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that people meet the following criteria: Age between 50-80 years old Currently smoke or you have quit smoking tobacco within the last 15 years
Have at least a 20 pack-year smoking history
However, despite the expanded guidelines, unfortunately, in 2022 it was estimated only 16% of eligible people actually underwent screening.
Some groups of people are more likely to get lung cancer, including Black men. Of note, Black individuals were 15% less likely to be diagnosed early, 12% more likely to not receive treatment and 16% less likely to survive five years after diagnosis, compared to white individuals. Lung cancer screening can play an important role in earlier detection for those who are eligible.
To find a place where you can get screened if you are eligible, speak with your doctor or visit GO2 for Lung Cancer. To find out if you meet the screening criteria, take the screening eligibility quiz on Merck’s Focus on Your Lungs
We’ve all heard terms like ‘obese’ or ‘overweight,’ but it turns out… these are just symptoms of the problem. The real issue – the heart and source of many of these health problems – is something called metabolic syndrome.
If you didn’t know, metabolic syndrome is a growing health concern that disproportionately affects Black adults, with 35 percent of this population diagnosed compared to 31 percent of the general U.S. population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
But these statistics go deeper than just trouble losing weight. Metabolic syndrome is a silent alarm that your body is struggling with its metabolic processes. And from there? All kinds of increased risks of conditions like heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and more.
So let’s get to the bottom of it. Ready to break down the science behind metabolic syndrome and get the preventative strategies you need?
It might not be as hard as you think…
Understanding Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that together raise your risk for heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. It’s called a “syndrome” because it involves multiple interconnected health issues that, when present together, contribute to one another.
According to the American Heart Association, you need to have three or more of the following to be diagnosed:
Abdominal Obesity – Waist
circumference >40 inches (102 cm) in men and >35 inches (88 cm) in women.
High Triglyceride Levels –Levels ≥150 mg/dL (1.7
House GOP Passes Budget Bill That Prompts Largest Cuts to Health Care in History
By Lauren Burke
United States Capitol
After months of denying that there would be cuts to Medicaid and Medicare, the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives passed a budget bill that would lead to cuts in both programs into the billions of dollars. The budget legislation would represent the largest cut to Medicaid in history if enacted. But the U.S. Senate is expected to make changes to the House version of the bill. If a large cut to Medicaid does take place, that change is likely to damage the financial health of rural hospitals around the U.S. The Trump Budget, known formally as “HR. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” was a struggle for Republican leadership to confirm votes as hardliners pushed for even deeper cuts to social programs and health care claiming fraud and waste were the reason cuts were needed, though — no evidence of mass fraud or waste were presented. “Republicans just voted for the largest cuts to health care in American history — cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act. At least 13.7 million will now lose their health care as a result. And why? To pay for tax cuts for billionaires and special interests,” Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA), the senior Democrat on the House Budget Committee, wrote after the vote.
“I voted NO because this bill would strip health care from 14 million Americans—including nearly 130,000 people in my district who rely on Medicaid. And it would rip food from the tables of at least 3 million Americans, including 115,000 folks in my
≥130 mmHg and Diastolic ≥85 mmHg
High Fasting Blood Sugar –Levels ≥100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L)
Just keep in mind that while these criteria are universally accepted, certain measurements may pose greater risks for certain people. For instance, some risk factors can manifest differently across ethnic groups, and Black adults may face more challenges in managing them due to genetic and environmental factors.
Why Metabolic Syndrome Is More Common in Black Adults
To understand how this multifaceted issue strikes the Black community hardest, we don’t need to look far. In fact, you can go right to the CDC’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 1988–2012. These numbers show that metabolic syndrome has been on the rise across all demographic groups, with Black adults facing the worst of it.
Simply consider the alarming fact that non-Hispanic Black women are 20 percent more likely to have metabolic syndrome than nonHispanic white women.
What’s causing this, you ask?
One of the key factors, unfortunately, is genetics. Research indicates that Black people may have a higher genetic predisposition to insulin resistance and abdominal obesity, which can make the whole issue far more complicated.
Then you have socioeconomic variables, such as limited options for clean, nutrient-dense foods, a lack of safe spaces for physical activity, and poor access to equitable, quality healthcare. From here, lifestyle factors worsen the problem even further, leading to high consumption
district who rely on SNAP to feed their families,” wrote Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) in a statement after the bill passed. The budget pushed by President Trump will threaten rural hospitals around the U.S. if Medicaid payments go down substantially. In the final two days before the legislation would be voted on in the early morning hours of May 22, the independent Congressional Budget Office confirmed the impacts of billions in cuts on health care. After a marathon session of committee and House floor debate, the decisive action took place after 7 a.m. this morning. The bill passed the House by 215-214. According to CBO, the bill would add $2.4 trillion over 10 years to the debt. The U.S. debt is currently over $36 trillion, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
“Unbridled spending and failed fiscal policies sent our country’s economy into a tailspin. Trillions in deficit spending, trillions more in regulations, cradle-to-grave welfare without work, and an allout assault on American energy independence wreaked havoc on our economy and created the worst inflation crisis in 40 years,” claimed House Budget Chair Jodey Arrington (R-TX) in a statement. But Democrats on committees that oversee spending on health care education, countered that argument. “Over 4 million students are estimated to have their Pell Grants reduced or eliminated, over 18 million children are estimated to lose access to free school meals, and over 13 million people are set to lose their health care coverage,” wrote Rep. Bobby Scott in a statement after the vote early this morning. When the bill is considered by the U.S. Senate it is expected to change. But how much is unknown.
Here’s What Your Metabolism Is Telling You...continued
of processed foods and harmful sedentary habits.
what is metabolic syndrome
The Health Risks of Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome doesn’t just increase your risk for heart disease and diabetes—it can lead to a whole cascade of unexpected diseases and disorders. With unhealthy cholesterol levels, plaque buildup in the arteries can contribute to heart attack and stroke.
In the case of Type 2 diabetes, kidney failure, nerve damage, and even vision loss can all result if the condition is poorly managed. And finally, there are also other problematic diseases linked to metabolic syndrome, such as fatty liver disease, sleep apnea, and even certain cancers.
Fortunately, there are numerous ways you can lower your risk factors and get back in the best shape of your life!
Preventative Strategies for Black Adults
If you face a higher burden because of your race, there’s no reason to lose your cool. Simple, daily, common-sense steps can go a long way.
As always, focus on a balanced meal plan. Make sure you have a ‘colorful plate’ so you’re getting all the important food groups, with complementary vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. This means a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins (like fish, beans, and lentils), and low-fat dairy.
Not sure where to start? Try the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan. It puts a special emphasis on foods that lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol.
Just make sure you’re avoiding processed foods, sugary drinks, and saturated fats commonly found in red meat and full-fat dairy. Also, don’t forget to reduce or eliminate harmful trans fats, which fill up many fried foods and baked goods.
According to one study in Atherosclerosis, Black women who participated in a community-based lifestyle intervention saw significant improvements in their metabolic markers, such as reduced waist
circumference and lower blood pressure. In addition to dieting, make sure to get out and sweat a little! Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week. Brisk walking should be plenty, or if you want to ratchet it up a notch, opt for 75 minutes of vigorous activity (like jogging). Whatever you choose, make sure to do it several days each week, adding muscle-strengthening exercises twice a week.
By exercising like this, with complementary exercises, you can improve your insulin sensitivity, lower your blood pressure, and keep your weight down. If walking and running aren’t your thing, you can always participate in dance classes such as Zumba or Afrobeat, or even join a sports league!
Remember: even a modest weight loss of five to 10 percent of your body weight can significantly improve metabolic health. It might not sound like a huge amount, but just 10 lbs can make a big difference. And finally, avoid known poisons. That is to say, cut back on alcohol and cigarette smoking. If you didn’t know already, smoking is not just terrible for your lungs, but it also damages your blood vessels and boosts the risk of heart disease. Meanwhile, alcohol can jack up blood pressure and keep the weight coming back.
If you’re struggling with any of these suggestions, don’t feel bad about seeking help. Local community exercise groups, support networks, and healthcare clinics can help you curb even the worst of your habits.
So don’t delay! It’s not as difficult as you think; the hard part is getting the ball rolling. Once you’ve gotten into the habit of being healthier, you’ll love the way you feel and look! Just make sure you get your regular screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and waist circumference as well. You can do it. Take charge of your health, enact small changes—like swapping soda for water, taking a daily walk, or joining a community fitness group—and watch as your metabolic health improves. Your body is worth the investment.
Thursday, May 29, 2025 THE SAN BERNARDINO AMERICAN NEWS - COUNTY/WORLD /BUSINESS
Hate and Chaos Rise in Trump’s America
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Tactics ranged from local policy manipulation to threats of violence. The SPLC documented bomb threats at 60 polling places in Georgia, traced to Russian email domains.
By Stacy M. Brown
Concept american flag on cracked background (Photo by Jorge Villalba)
The Southern Poverty Law Center has identified 1,371 hate and antigovernment extremist groups operating across the United States in 2024. In its latest Year in Hate & Extremism report, the SPLC reveals how these groups are embedding themselves in politics and policymaking while targeting marginalized communities through intimidation, disinformation, and violence.
“Extremists at all levels of government are using cruelty, chaos, and constant attacks on communities and our democracy to make us feel powerless,” said SPLC President Margaret Huang. The report outlines how hard-right groups aggressively targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives throughout 2024. Figures on the far right falsely framed DEI as a threat to white Americans, with some branding it a form of “white genocide.” After the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, a former Utah legislator blamed the incident on DEI, posting “DEI = DIE.”
Tactics ranged from local policy manipulation to threats of violence. The SPLC documented bomb threats at 60 polling places in Georgia, traced to Russian email domains. Similar threats hit Jewish institutions and Planet Fitness locations after far-right social media accounts attacked them for trans-inclusive policies. Telegram, which SPLC describes as a hub for hate groups, helped extremists cross-recruit between neo-Nazi, QAnon, and white nationalist spaces. The platform’s lax moderation allowed groups like the Terrorgram Collective—
designated terrorists by the U.S. State Department—to thrive. Militia movements were also reorganized, with 50 groups documented in 2024. Many, calling themselves “minutemen,” trained in paramilitary tactics while lobbying local governments for official recognition. These groups shared personnel and ideology with white nationalist organizations.
The manosphere continued to radicalize boys and young men.
The Fresh & Fit podcast, now listed as a hate group, promoted misogyny while mocking and attacking Black women. Manosphere influencers used social media algorithms to drive youth toward male-supremacy content. Turning Point USA played a key role in pushing white nationalist rhetoric into mainstream politics. Its leader Charlie Kirk claimed native-born Americans are being replaced by immigrants, while the group advised on Project 2025 and organized Trump campaign events. “We know that these groups build their power by threatening violence, capturing political parties and government, and infesting the mainstream discourse with conspiracy theories,” said Rachel Carroll Rivas, interim director of the SPLC’s Intelligence Project. “By exposing the players, tactics, and code words of the hard right, we hope to dismantle their mythology and inspire people to fight back.”
Click here for the full report or visit http://www.splcenter. org/resources/guides/year-hateextremism-2024.
Political Playback: California Capitol News You Might Have Missed Bo Tefu | California Black Media
Sen. Rosilice Ochoa Bogh Praises U.S. Senate for Voting to End Taxes on Service Workers’ Tips
In a unanimous vote on May 20, the U.S. Senate voted to eliminate federal taxes on tips for service workers.
California State Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Redlands) praised the U.S. Senate for passing the bill, which was introduced by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)
“I applaud the U.S. Senate for putting service workers first and providing much-needed tax relief. Now it’s California’s turn,” said Ochoa Bogh, who has authored similar legislation in California, Senate Bill (SB) 17. The U.S. Senate bill, which codifies into federal law a campaign promise made by President Trump, establishes a
Could This Be a Call to the Black Church? California to Fund Special
Ed at Religious Private Schools
California will now allow public funds to pay for students with learning disabilities to attend religious private schools, marking a major shift in longstanding state policy. The change follows a court settlement reached May 19 between state officials and a group of Orthodox Jewish parents who had challenged the state’s exclusion of religious schools from its funding program.
Since 1993, California law has permitted the use of public funds to cover the cost of private school education for students with disabilities, but only at nonsectarian institutions. That requirement was declared unconstitutional by a federal judge after the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in October that the law appeared to violate the First Amendment’s guarantee of religious freedom.
“For too long, California has discriminated against children with disabilities simply because of their faith. This settlement puts that injustice to an end,” said Daniel Mitzner of the Teach Coalition, affiliated with the Orthodox Union, which backed the legal challenge.
The plaintiffs included three Orthodox Jewish families in the Los Angeles area, each with children diagnosed with autism. One family described their 14-year-old son being served nonkosher meals at his public school, while another struggled to afford speech therapy for their 4-year-old enrolled in a private Jewish school that had no access to state funding.
Eric Rassbach, senior attorney at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, said the resolution “ensures that Jewish kids with disabilities can access the resources they need and deserve” without compromising their religious beliefs.
The challenge drew support from 22 states led by Idaho and religious groups such as the California Catholic Conference and the Rabbinical Council of America. The California Department of Education, led by Superintendent Tony Thurmond, did not issue a statement, but attorneys for the department agreed in court that the settlement was “fair and equitable” and would not be appealed
California Seizes $123.5 Million in Illegal Cannabis in Largest-Ever Enforcement Operation
In the largest coordinated crackdown to date on California’s illicit cannabis industry, a state-led task force seized more than $123 million worth of illegal cannabis during a week-long operation in the Central Valley. The multi-agency enforcement, carried out in early May, targeted unlicensed growers and distribution sites across Kern, Kings, and Tulare counties.
Through the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force, more than 200 personnel from 15 state, local, and federal agencies executed 71 search warrants across 4,600 square miles. Authorities seized 105,700 cannabis plants and 22,057 pounds of processed cannabis. They also confiscated nine firearms. Multiple arrests were made, and charges are being coordinated with local district attorneys.
Gov. Gavin Newsom reaffirmed the state’s zero-tolerance policy on illegal cannabis and praised the joint enforcement effort behind the massive seizure.
“Let this be a reminder to all who grow cannabis illegally: we won’t tolerate the undermining of our legal industry and impacts to our environment,” said Newsom. “I appreciate the multi-agency,
Lee
Barbara Lee was sworn in on May 20 as the 52nd mayor of Oakland, becoming the first Black woman to hold the city’s highest office. The longtime East Bay congresswoman received a standing ovation as she entered Oakland City Hall to take the oath of office following her victory in a special election.
tax deduction of up to $25,000 for tips for employees who earn less than $160,000. The deduction is limited to cash tips workers earn and report to employers for withholding on their paychecks. “Tipped workers are taxed on inconsistent and unpredictable income causing instability in their families already struggling to make ends meet,” said Ochoa Bogh.
However, on May 23, the Senate Appropriations Committee voted to send Ochoa Bogh’s no-state-tax-onservice-workers bill – along with hundreds of others – to the “suspense file,” where bills are sent for further consideration of costs to the state.
Before her swearing-in ceremony, Lee revealed she has been collaborating with interim Mayor Kevin Jenkins on a comprehensive budget proposal that includes job cuts at City Hall, while prioritizing funding for public safety. Lee emphasized the urgency of addressing the city’s fiscal challenges alongside her broader goals.
Lee expressed a commitment to revitalizing the community.
“I want to restore hope, create opportunities for our young people, ensure a safe path for our sons and daughters to have long, productive lives and to be housed in our own homes in a safe, clean city,” said Lee.
Lee highlighted her progressive values, adding that she aims to “address the moral disgrace
Barbara Lee Sworn in as Oakland’s First Black Woman Mayor...continued
said Simon. Simon described Lee as “a champion for human rights, the forgotten, for peace and democracy” and affirmed that Lee “is the right person to make the difficult decisions that will help bring Oakland into its next chapter.”
“I am excited to see the mayor’s work to rebuild trust in our city’s leadership at this critical time,” Simon added.
Lee was elected last month following a special election held after the recall of former Mayor Sheng Thao. While she did not reference the recall,
Lee acknowledged the city’s expectations for change.
“Oaklanders expect and demand that we must govern in a new way,” she said while addressing the crowd. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way. And it starts with the people.”
Looking ahead, Lee said her administration plans to engage a diverse group of residents, promising that within 100 days, people “from all walks of life” will help City Hall better serve the community and “usher in a new era of prosperity and progress.”
California Leaders Blast U.S. Senate Vote to Revoke State’s Clean Air Rules
Against the guidance of the Senate Parliamentarian, the U.S. Senate voted 51-44 on May 22 to revoke a federal government waiver that allows California to set its own clean air emissions standards.
Responding to the vote, Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that they will sue the federal government for the move they say will “make America smoggy again” and undermine U.S. leadership in the global race to green energy conversion.
“This Senate vote is illegal. Republicans went around their own parliamentarian to defy decades of precedent,” said Newsom.
cross-county efforts to take on the illicit market.”
The operation also uncovered environmental violations at eight sites where banned or restricted pesticides were used. Officials warned that these substances pose a threat to native wildlife and public health when consumed through tainted cannabis.
“This operation represents the power of collaboration across agencies with a shared commitment to protecting our natural resources and preserving the integrity of California’s legal cannabis market,” said Charlton H. Bonham, Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Nicole Elliott, Director of the Department of Cannabis Control, said, “This operation sends a clear message: California will not tolerate illicit cannabis activity that threatens public safety, the environment, and the integrity of the legal market.”
This latest action adds to more than $534 million in illegal cannabis seizures made by the task force in 2024 alone. Since its establishment in 2022, the task force has served 500 warrants and seized over $650 million in unlicensed cannabis.
of our unsheltered population with dignity, to support our senior citizens and our artists, and yes, to recommend solutions to make our city and its people economically healthy and vibrant.”
Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), Lee’s successor in Congress, praised Lee’s leadership and historic achievements.
“Mayor Lee has always led the path forward -- as the first Black woman to represent Northern California in the State Assembly, State Senate, and Congress, and now as the first Black woman to serve as Mayor of Oakland,”
“We won’t stand by as Trump Republicans make America smoggy again -- undoing work that goes back to the days of Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan -- all while ceding our economic future to China. We’re going to fight this unconstitutional attack on California in court,” he added.
Before the vote on May 20, Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) condemned his Republican colleagues for their plan to bypass Senate rules and revoke California’s Clean Air Act waivers. Padilla accused Republicans of using the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to rescind the waivers with only 50 votes, thereby avoiding the 60vote filibuster threshold. Speaking on the U.S. Senate floor, Padilla made clear that this move would set a dangerous precedent and threaten the health of millions.
“I will be back here again and again throughout this process to make sure that everyone knows
what these votes mean not just for the precedent and procedures of the United States Senate, but for the health of my constituents in California,” he said. Padilla criticized the Republicans for a “total 180-degree reversal” on their previous defense of the filibuster, noting that Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) had earlier described overriding the Parliamentarian as “totally akin to killing the filibuster.” He emphasized that what Republicans are attempting is “more than going nuclear on the Parliamentarian. They are going nuclear on the Congressional Review Act itself.” The senator warned that such a precedent would allow the next Democratic administration to face similar attacks on agency actions, stating, “All bets are off. Every agency action that Democrats don’t like -- whether it’s a rule or not, and no matter how much time has passed -- will be fair game if Republicans go through with this.” Padilla highlighted the broader consequences of ignoring Senate rules and law. “By voting to go nuclear on the CRA, they are ignoring the law — not just Senate rules but the text of the law,” he said. “By voting to overrule the Parliamentarian, they are saying the rules are whatever Republicans say they are.” He concluded with a reminder of the stakes. “We’re in the minority today. But Democrats will be in the majority again one day. We will not forget what happened here. History won’t forget. And Mr. President, California won’t forget what’s at stake today either.”
Federal Glover, Contra Costa County’s First Black Supervisor, Dies at 69
Federal Glover, the first African American elected to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, died on May 18 at age 69.
Glover served District 5 for more than two decades, representing communities including Pittsburg, Martinez, Bay Point, and parts of Antioch.
“Federal’s leadership and tireless commitment to improving the lives of residents left a lasting legacy that continues to benefit our County today,” read a statement from the Board of Supervisors. “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of working with him.”
Glover’s wife of 47 years, Janis Glover, confirmed his passing at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center in a statement.
“It is with deep sorrow that our family announces the passing of my beloved husband, Federal D. Glover,” she stated. “His legacy is one of unwavering
commitment to justice, equity, and service.”
First elected to the Board in 2000, Glover served six terms. Before his tenure as supervisor, he was a city councilmember and mayor of Pittsburg. Born on May 9, 1956, Glover grew up in Pittsburg, the son of parents who migrated from the South during the Great Migration. He was the first in his family to attend college and was one of 12 siblings.
In a 2020 reflection on his health battles during the COVID-19 pandemic, Glover described a 16-hour heart and kidney transplant surgery that saved his life five years earlier.
“Even though our communities are faced with a daunting public health crisis, I cannot help but be thankful that I am here with both the passion and the power to face life’s challenges,” he stated. Glover announced last year that he would not seek reelection.
“I know I’ll be turning in my card key, so I won’t be coming to the building,” he said to his colleagues. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with some amazing people down through the years.”
Glover is survived by his wife, two children, and grandchildren. The funeral service for Glover will be held on May 28 at 11a.m. at The Bay Church in Concord. The church is located at 4725 Evora Road.
Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Barbara
Sworn in as Oakland’s First Black Woman Mayor
Barbara Lee
Hon. Federal Glover
Trump’s Personal Fortune Surges as Critics Point to Historic
Monetization of Presidency
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Since his reelection, Trump has reportedly doubled his net worth. The Trump name has driven more than $10 billion in real estate transactions and generated over $500 million from a single cryptocurrency venture.
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
More than any president in modern history, Donald Trump has turned the White House into a source of personal wealth, with a scale of profiteering that experts say eclipses previous administrations—and with little political consequence.
“I’ve been watching and writing about corruption for 50 years, and my head is still spinning,” said Michael Johnston, professor emeritus at Colgate University and author of several books on corruption. Investigations by multiple news outlets, including the New York Times, Bloomberg News, PBS, and Open Secrets, reveal that since returning to power, Trump and his family have significantly expanded their business empire, using the presidency as leverage to capitalize on a level of influence and impunity that has redrawn the boundaries of acceptable conduct in Washington. From cryptocurrency schemes and high-dollar memberships to foreign gifts and real estate ventures, the Trump family has raked in hundreds of millions. Since his reelection, Trump has reportedly doubled his net worth. The Trump name has driven more than $10 billion in real estate transactions and generated over $500 million from a single cryptocurrency venture. His newly formed $TRUMP coin was launched just before taking office in January, with access to private investor dinners sold based on personal investment— not campaign contributions.
that Trump’s ventures now span financial services, gun sales, and drone part manufacturing. His family members have secured corporate appointments, including at least seven executive roles for Donald Trump Jr. The brazenness has raised alarm among longtime observers.
“By conventional Washington standards, the still-young Trump administration is a candidate for the most brazen use of government office in American history,” wrote Peter Baker of the New York Times, citing the potential to eclipse even Watergate and the Teapot Dome scandal. One of the more glaring examples occurred recently when Jeff Bezos reportedly agreed to finance a promotional film for Melania Trump following a
Bloomberg News reported
dinner at Mar-a-Lago. The $28 million deal—280 times the amount Hillary Clinton once earned from a 1980s cattle futures investment that sparked weeks of scandal—has gone largely unnoticed in Washington. In another instance, Qatar handed over a luxury aircraft valued at $200 million, officially donated to the Air Force but intended for Trump’s use, including his future presidential library. Unlike his predecessors, Trump has refused to divest or establish a blind trust for his business interests. Instead, he retains control of a family-run trust that allows him to profit directly from decisions made in office. According to Open Secrets, special interests have adapted accordingly—hosting fundraisers and galas at Trumpowned properties, effectively turning campaign events into revenue streams for the president. What once would have prompted congressional hearings and federal investigations now barely moves the political needle. Trump has replaced watchdogs and ethics officials with loyalists and ensured that allies lead the Justice Department, the FBI, and other key agencies. With a Republicancontrolled Congress declining to investigate, Democrats and watchdog groups have found it nearly impossible to hold Trump accountable. “There will be no official investigations because Mr. Trump has made sure of it,” Baker wrote.
What's a fair price for a drug that's never developed?
By John Stanford
Last month, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will begin meeting with patients who use the 15 drugs it selected for the second round of Medicare price "negotiations" -- including weight-loss treatment Wegovy.
CMS will use these discussions to inform the lower prices it'll set for the medicines. What CMS won't address is the growing list of drugs that'll never be developed as a result of government price-setting.
It's been less than three years since the Inflation Reduction Act authorized the price negotiation program. Already, several companies have cited the law as a reason for pulling the plug on research programs and treatments for cancer, psychiatric disorders, and other serious conditions. Nearly 50 research programs and 24 drugs have been discontinued since the law was enacted.
Thankfully, President Trump just signed an executive order calling on Congress to roll back the Inflation Reduction Act's most damaging provisions. Without reform, the number of discontinued treatments will grow -- and so will the number of people whose lives could have been saved by those foregone medicines.
One provision stands out: the law's "pill penalty."
The IRA doesn't treat all
medicines equally. "Small molecule" medicines, typically pills or tablets, face pricesetting just 9 years after FDA approval.
By contrast, biologic drugs, which are typically administered via injection or infusion at hospitals or doctor's offices, don't face price-setting until they've been on the market for 13 years.
As a result of this disparity, companies and investors are turning away from small molecule research.
The CEO of Novartis warned that companies are deprioritizing small molecule therapies for the elderly. Pfizer announced that it'll steer its oncology portfolio away from small molecules due to the IRA.
Investments in small molecule treatments have dropped 70%. Bristol Myers Squibb -- the maker of blood thinner Eliquis, one of the first drugs selected for Medicare price negotiations -- plans to trim spending by $3.5 billion over the next two years. The effort will lay off at least 2,000 employees and has already led to cuts at cancer research facilities.
These losses track with what my organization is hearing. 87% of life science investors now have less interest in funding small molecule research and development.
That's a looming disaster for patients and taxpayers. Small molecule drugs account for the majority of all medicines. They're easier for patients to take and more cost-effective than biologics.
Yet because of the IRA, fewer small molecule drugs will secure the financing they need to make it out of the lab and into local pharmacies.
Lawmakers can restore the balance. The Ensuring Pathways to Innovative Cures Act would give small molecule drugs the same 13-year reprieve from pricesetting that biologics receive -- encouraging companies to make research investments based on scientific promise, rather than molecular weight.
The lawmakers who created the Medicare drug price negotiation program had good intentions. But in their quest for lower drug prices, they're ensuring that many experimental treatments are never developed.
Unless policymakers reverse course, the cost will be measured in human lives.
John Stanford is the executive director of Incubate, a Washington-based coalition of life sciences venture capitalists. This column originally appeared at DCJournal.com.
President Donald Trump