Where Are The Epstein Files? Democrats Press For Answers As The Current Administration Stonewalls
By Ashlee Banks/Special to the AFRO
Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives are ramping up pressure on the Trump administration to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein, even as President Donald Trump has conjured distractions and lashes out at supporters in his own base for demanding the same.
Trump took to Truth Social back in July to scold those calling for more transparency, calling them “weaklings” who have “bought into this bulls—.”
“My past supporters have bought into this ‘bulls—’ hook, line, and sinker,” the president wrote.
“Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats’ work, don’t even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don’t want their support anymore!”
The post came after renewed attention on Epstein’s case, following a Justice Department memo stating there was no evidence of an incriminating “client list.” That determination
only intensified calls from both sides of the aisle for more disclosure, particularly among Democrats.
House Democrats, including Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.-4) say the public deserves answers and are demanding the Trump administration follow through on its promise.
“The Trump administration promised to release the Epstein files. In fact, Attorney General Bondi said she had the list on her desk just a few months ago,” said Ivey. “Now all of a sudden, they’re in this full stonewall mode. I don’t really understand what’s going on, but I think the bottom line is the public has a right to know. Turn over the files, so we can put all the questions and conspiracy theories to rest, one way or another.”
Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.-4)
echoed that call.
“Sexual predator President Trump promised that he would release the Epstein files. It’s time he lived up to at least one of his campaign promises,” he told the
AFRO.
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, (R-Ga.-14), a staunch Trumper, also chimed in last week in an all-caps post on X: “RELEASE THE EPSTEIN CLIENT LIST.”
U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.-17) led a failed effort in July to force the release of the documents. He proposed
an amendment to the GENIUS Act that would have required Attorney General Pam Bondi to publish the Epstein materials on a public website. But, the measure was voted down 5 to 7 in the House Rules Committee, with all but one Republican voting against it.
Since then, Khanna and cosponsor Rep. Thomas Massie,
Black Lawmakers at Forefront of Newsom–Trump Redistricting Clash
Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media
At the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, Gov. Gavin Newsom and top California Democratic leaders unveiled a plan to authorize a special election for new congressional district maps in response to President Donald Trump’s push for partisan gerrymandering in Texas and other states to benefit House Republicans in next year’s midterm elections. The museum, which chronicles Japanese American incarceration during World War II, carries symbolic weight underscoring California’s commitment to safeguarding civil rights. Newsom, standing with legislative leaders, members of Congress, civil rights advocates and union leaders, said California has a responsibility to respond.
“Donald Trump, you have poked the bear, and we will
punch back … I know they say, ‘Don’t mess with Texas.’ Well, don’t mess with the great Golden State,” Newsom warned. During the press conference Q&A, Newsom added: “We’re not going to sit back … and be complicit… and watch this system get rigged and watch our democracy fail.” He also pointed to the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents outside the museum, calling it “a sign of weakness, not strength” from Trump’s allies. Earlier in the week, in a letter to Trump, Newsom wrote: “This is a dangerous game — you are playing with fire when you try to undermine free and fair elections in America.”
The Election Rigging Response Act
Newsom is proposing a
constitutional amendment, the Election Rigging Response Act for the Nov. 4 ballot. It would keep California’s Citizens Redistricting Commission, declare support for fair, nonpartisan commissions nationwide, and temporarily adopt new congressional districts through 2030 unless other states keep their maps. Voters would decide whether to bypass the
commission temporarily and let the Legislature draw maps for the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections.
The package includes three bills: one calling for the Nov. 4 special election, another establishing new district maps if triggered, and a third reimbursing counties for election costs.
The maps, drawn by the Legislature’s independent
R-Ky., said they are planning to file a discharge petition, which would allow them to circumvent House leadership and force a vote on the matter of compelling the release of the controversial files. They have also announced plans to hold a press conference with some Epstein survivors on Sept. 3, the day that the House returns from August recess.
Meanwhile, Rep. Ivey told the AFRO that alternative options remain on the table.
“Jim Jordan and the House Judiciary Committee could issue a subpoena if necessary to get the files,” he said. Attorney General Bondi has faced criticism for her vague public statements about the case. In February, she told Fox News the alleged client list was “sitting on my desk right now to review.”
She later walked that back, saying during a cabinet meeting that she was referring to a different Epstein file.
Trump defended her staunchly on Truth Social.
“What’s going on with my ‘boys’ and, in some cases, ‘gals?’ They’re all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB,” he wrote.
Trump’s dismissiveness has also stirred controversy given his long-known ties to Epstein. “I’ve known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy,” Trump told New York Magazine in 2002.
“He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it — Jeffrey enjoys his social life.”
After Epstein’s 2019 death in jail, officially ruled a suicide, conspiracy theories erupted about possible efforts to protect highprofile figures in his network. At this time, Democrats and a growing number of Republicans say they are not letting the issue go.
Renaming Randall Pepper Elementary School to the O'Days Short Elementary School
Aug 5th 2025 the renaming of a school, in 1945, 80 years ago the inhumane horrific murder of a whole family in Fontana happened on the property that a fair skinned African American family lived and owned.
Randall Pepper Elementary School was built and hope that no one would ever know what happened. It wasn't until a12 year old African-American young man alumni of Randall Pepper Elementary School became very interested in the history of the school and dug up the truth. He and his mother connected 150 names and submitted a petition to the Fontana Unified School board to change the name in honor of the family to the now O'Day Short Elementary.
The NAACP was actively involved in this tragedy in 1945 and on August 5th 2025 some of the Rialto Fontana Branch of the NAACP was present and stood with relatives of the Short family as we celebrated the renaming of the school.
The link below is a pictorial account of the renaming of the school celebration.
https://m.facebook.com/groups/2323469584571825/ permalink/3938458523072915/?mibextid=Q6QiJO
Fontana News
Left Branch Secretary Diane Hall, Catherine Cabbil Branch member, relatives of the Short family Judith Shores (center) Ellen Turner Branch President, Michael Townsend, and Jean Reese Branch members.
California Governor Gavin Newsom holds a press conference to discuss his plan for a special election to redraw congressional maps in response to efforts in Texas. Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles), vice chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, speaks on Aug. 14. CBM photo by Maxim Elramsisy.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters speaks to the media following the press conference, Aug. 14. CBM photo by Maxim Elramsisy.
California Governor Gavin Newsom holds a press conference to outline his plan for a special election to redraw congressional maps in response to efforts in Texas, Aug. 14. CBM photo by Maxim Elramsisy.
Democrats are demanding the White House administration release Jeffrey Epstein’s files, while the 47th president lashes out at supporters pushing for transparency (Photo courtesy Freepik)
Everything You Need to Know About Head Start
By BlackPress of America
Head Start programs prepare America’s most vulnerable young children to succeed in school and in life beyond school. To achieve this, Head Start programs deliver services to children and families in core areas of early learning, health, and family well-being while engaging parents as partners every step of the way. The Head Start program encompasses Head Start Preschool programs, which primarily serve 3- and 4-year-old children, and Early Head Start programs for infants, toddlers, and pregnant women. Head Start programs operate in every state, many tribal nations, and several U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico. Head Start services are
delivered nationwide through 1,600 agencies that tailor the federal program to the local needs of families in their service area.
To reach the children and families who need Head Start services the most, programs are designed according to community needs. Directly funded at the local level, Head Start programs tailor their programs as appropriate for families in the designated service area. These programs may be provided in different settings and hours according to the needs indicated by their community assessment.
Since 1965, Head Start programs have reached 40 million children and their
12,000 Stater Bros. Workers Vote Yes to Ratify New Contract
Community News
LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Locals 135, 324, 770, 1167 and 1428 voted to ratify a new threeyear contract with Stater Bros. The contract was reached after months of negotiations and active participation from thousands of grocery workers at Stater Bros. stores across Southern California.
The five UFCW Locals released the following statement:
“The journey to contract ratification was different this year. Never before have our members had to fight this hard to get what they deserved. Never before has the company disrespected our members, intimidated them, bullied them and retaliated against them for their union support.
“However, they persevered and saw a record turnout of grocery workers, customers, and community members, all fighting for the same thing – better stores, better lives, better communities. Our members fought to ensure their jobs would be sufficient to feed their own families and afford health benefits and a dignified retirement at the end of a long career. They fought for safety measures so they wouldn’t be afraid of going to work.
“Their fight took to the streets where they organized numerous rallies, marches and boycotts that showed their power. They stood up and demonstrated their unity by signing petitions and wearing buttons. These actions and their courage to stand up to their employer built the strength needed to reach this agreement. Only by rising up together and pushing back on Stater Bros.’ illegal behavior were our members able to make a change in their workplaces that will benefit both all grocery workers and customers in the future.”
families. Children who enrolled in Head Start programs are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college, have improved social, emotional, and behavioral development, and are better prepared to be parents themselves than similar children who did not attend the program.
Children enrolled in Early Head Start programs have significantly fewer child welfare encounters related to sexual or physical abuse between the ages of 5 and 9 than those who don’t attend.
Research consistently shows a broad pattern of impacts for children at the end of their Head Start enrollment. While these benefits may appear to diminish in the early grades, economic benefits emerge as children become adults. The Head Start program’s two-generation design — coupled with research-based, high-quality comprehensive services — has the power to change the trajectory for children’s outcomes.
Does my family qualify for the Head Start program?
Your family qualifies for the Head Start program if your household income is at or below the poverty level. Check the Poverty Guidelines to see if your
family qualifies. Families who receive public assistance (TANF, SSI, or SNAP), and those with children in foster care or children who are homeless, also qualify regardless of income.
How do I apply for the Head Start program?
Talk to your local Head Start program. They’ll help you find out if your child qualifies, give you the forms you need, and tell you what documents you’ll need to submit. If there is no space for your child, you can ask to be added to the waiting list.
How to Find Your Local Head Start Program
Use the Head Start Center Locator to find a Head Start program near your home. Watch this video if you need more help using the Locator. Call the phone number listed to find out the next steps in the process. If you need more help to find a Head Start program near your home, call (toll-free) 1-866-763-6481
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
ET or use the “Contact Us” link at the top of the page.
Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
The Racist Theater of Troop Deployments
Community News
The occupation of Washington, DC by militarized troops at the behest of a racist, fascist Trump regime is the full-on declaration of war on Black people in America. While some “Black faces in high places” are complicit, becoming proxies for the colonizer, it is ultimately the power of the people that will defeat the oppressor. In DC, this is the long-held work of the #FreeDC movement and Black Washingtonians who have always resisted, never submitting to their own oppression.
Key provisions of the agreement include:
Substantial wage increases
A new supplemental pension plan to help workers in their retirement
Increased healthcare benefit contributions and quicker healthcare eligibility requirements for new hires
Staffing language that includes the union in evaluating reasonable staffing levels that address efficient operation of the store, the health and safety of employees, and the quality of customer service
Safety language that empowers workers to keep their workplace safe from hazards
Protections of our bargaining unit to protect against subcontracting of union work
This contract will go into effect immediately for over 12,000 essential grocery workers at Stater Bros. stores across Southern California.
BACKGROUND:
Grocery Workers Rising is 65,000 essential grocery workers across Southern California rising up for what they deserve. Visit the campaign at www. groceryworkersrising.org.
These workers are employed at Ralphs, Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions, Stater Bros., Gelson’s and Super A stores. Grocery workers at Ralphs, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions voted yes to ratify new contracts on July 11, 2025.
Their contracts expired on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Bulldozers come at dawn to demolish the makeshift homes built by those that gentrification has pushed out, relegating people to “blight.” Those who call themselves “cleaners” claim it is progress, refusing to acknowledge the wheelchair left behind, its bent spokes catching the light like a broken halo.
The heavy boots of the National Guard echo assault rifles trained on Black bodies throughout “Chocolate City,” one of America's Blackest communities. Washington, DC was built on stolen Piscataway Nacotchtank (Anacostan) land, designed by Black genius Benjamin Banneker, and built by enslaved Black labor. A rhythm and culture is sown into the very soil of the City. Transgenerational memories bury themselves in Black hips swaying to go-go beats. Ancestral voices echo through every “Shawty” singsonged through an air that hangs heavy with a humidity reminding us of African homelands.
Residents are 48% Black, pay federal taxes without Congressional representation, and now face military occupation by a white-supremacist regime. The same federal power that genocided the Nacotchtank and dehumanized Black mamas, babas, and babies now deploys military troops against the Black folks who designed, built, and power DC.
A Blueprint For National Repression
When more than 700,000 predominantly Black residents can be locked down by federal troops acting as an occupying force, the blueprint becomes clear: manufacture ‘chaos’ in a disenfranchised city, then normalize domestic military occupation nationwide. By Trump’s own utterances, Washington, DC is the testing ground for tactics destined for Black cities nationwide.
1. Manufactured Crises:
UCR School of Medicine to Host Annual J.W. Vines Diversity Colloquium
By: BVN
Dr. Medell Briggs-Malonson, chief of Health Equity and Inclusive Excellence at UCLA Health System, will give the keynote address at the annual J.W. Vines Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Colloquium on Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
Widely recognized as a leader in health equity and a Riverside native, Dr. Briggs-Malonson’s presence at the event is highly anticipated and welcomed by the J.W. Vines Medical Society and UCR School of Medicine.
“We are honored to welcome Dr. Briggs-Malonson to the UCR School of Medicine,” stated J.W. Vines Medical Society President Dr. Leita Harris in a press release.
To justify the imposition of federalized policing in a city with its own police force, the Trump regime makes false claims of pandemonium and widespread crime, from which residents must be saved. They are manufacturing fear where there should be none. Violent crime in DC is down, hovering at a 30-year low, as it is in most major American cities.
2. Occupation: Residents are treated as enemy combatants, subjected to the same militarized policing that occupies Palestine.
3. Sidelining Black Leadership: The threats against; Los Angeles, Oakland, Philadelphia, Chicago, Baltimore, and New York all cities, like Washington, with Black mayors, expose the plantation logic that survives in marble corridors: that Black governance deserves no more sovereignty than sharecroppers' cabins.
When Washington’s Black majority can be locked down without consequence, every city is next.
And they will not save us. Black mayors and the political class (many of whom are vacationing in Martha’s Vineyard right now… as their cities are literally under siege) rarely put their own positions and ambitions at risk. They cannot be relied on to counter growing fascism.
All power to the people! It is ordinary, everyday people who have toppled every oppressor; slaveholders, colonizers, genociders, and lynchers. The liar and thief that occupies the White House may not have been held accountable by a criminal system of injustice that is built to protect white-supremacist-patriarchalcapitalism. But he and his brethren will not escape the power of the people. Now is the time to double down on People Power.
Black Lives Matter Grassroots stands in solidarity with the boots that have been on the ground for decades and centuries… Gifted organizers like DC native Nee Nee Taylor, and organizations like Harriet’s Wildest Dreams and Free DC are leading the way. In the coming days, we can expect the soul of the City to take shape through the formation of sound brigades and “DC Don’t Sleep” actions, community safety patrols, and guerrilla tactics. Even when facing down assault rifles, tanks, flashbangs, tear gas, rubber bullets, and masked men, the people have the power. And the people will win.
“Her extraordinary work in advancing health equity and her deep roots in our community make her the ideal voice to inspire our students, faculty, and partners.”
The colloquium, open to all, is a key event of the medical school’s commitment to fostering discourse on critical issues of diversity and inclusion within the medical community.
The J.W. Vines Colloquium is a vital platform for addressing the differences in health outcomes for groups in our region who are at the highest clinical and social risk, and we are thrilled to have such a distinguished leader guide this important conversation,” Dr. Harris continued.
The UCR School of Medicine’s J.W. Vines Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Colloquium will be held at UC Riverside School of Medicine, SOM Education Building II in Riverside, CA, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. To register for the event visit https:// bit.ly/4lZhkmE.
Former Superman Actor to Join ICE, Says He Backs Trump’s Immigration Crackdown
Nationwide — Former Superman actor Dean Cain, best known for playing Clark Kent in the 1990s television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, has announced he will soon join the ranks of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The move aligns him with former President Donald Trump’s hardline approach to immigration enforcement, a stance Cain says he strongly supports. While the superhero he once portrayed was famously an immigrant from another planet, Cain has made it clear that his personal views on immigration are far stricter.
ABC 7 reports that Cain revealed his decision during a Fox News interview, explaining that it began after he shared an ICE recruitment video on social media. The post gained traction, prompting him to connect with ICE officials. “I’m actually a sworn deputy sheriff and a reserve police officer. I wasn’t part of ICE, but once I put that recruitment video out there, it went crazy,” Cain said. “Now I’ve spoken with some officials over at ICE, and I will be sworn in as an ICE agent ASAP.”
When asked what inspired the move, Cain—who is openly conservative in Hollywood— framed it as a matter of patriotism. “This country was built on patriots stepping up, whether it was popular or not, and doing the right thing. I truly
believe this is the right thing,” he told Fox News host Jesse Watters. Cain also criticized the nation’s immigration system as “broken,” urging Congress to act but praising Trump for following through on campaign promises to tighten border and immigration enforcement.
Cain’s announcement comes at a time when ICE has ramped up operations nationwide under the Trump administration, with hundreds of immigrants being arrested daily. While enforcement is happening across the U.S., a CNN analysis found a stark difference in arrest patterns between states that voted for Trump and those that lean Democratic.
In Republican-leaning states, ICE arrests are more likely to target immigrants already in prisons or jails. In contrast, in blue states, the agency often conducts workplace raids, street arrests, and large-scale sweeps— operations that have sparked protests and public backlash, especially in cities like Los Angeles. Notably, many of those detained in these community arrests have no criminal record.
Overall, the data shows ICE has made more arrests in red states than in blue states, particularly in detention facilities, reflecting both the administration’s priorities and the political divide over immigration enforcement in America.
By BlackPress of America
A group of diverse kids smile in this portrait. They are stacked on top of each other while cuddling in close and showing how happy they are.
The J.W. Vines Foundation board members and leadership team include: Left to Right: Dr. Anthony Fenison, Dr. Leita Harris, Dr. Ernest Levister, Dr. A.J. Rogers, Kamie Taylor, and Dr. Michael Nduati. Register for the J.W. Vines Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Colloquium on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. (Image courtesy)
From ‘I Will Survive’ to ‘I Approve’: Gloria Gaynor Joins Trump Honors
By Stacy M. Brown
Gloria Gaynor, the disco legend whose 1978 anthem “I Will Survive” became a rallying cry for empowerment and resistance, will now stand center stage at Donald Trump’s first Kennedy Center Honors since seizing control of the institution. Gaynor’s acceptance of the award from a president rejected by 92 percent of Black women voters is a stunning turn for the 81-yearold performer — one that critics say undercuts the very spirit of her signature song. Trump unveiled this year’s honorees — Gaynor, KISS bassist Gene Simmons, and actor Sylvester Stallone — in a made-for-TV spectacle, boasting he was “about 98% involved” in picking them and rejecting others for being “too woke”. His involvement breaks with decades of tradition, when honorees were selected by a nonpartisan committee, and underscores how the event has been reshaped to serve his political and personal brand. Simmons’ inclusion is especially jarring. Once friendly with Trump from his Celebrity Apprentice days, Simmons has since accused him of unleashing open bigotry. “Once upon a time, you were embarrassed to be publicly racist… now it’s all out in the open because he allowed it,” Simmons told SPIN, adding that Trump “got all the cockroaches to rise to the top”. Despite that history, Simmons will take the stage this December under Trump’s
banner. Stallone, a loyal Trump supporter and one of his so-called Hollywood “ambassadors,” will also be honored. The appearance gives the “Rocky” star a national platform to promote his ratingschallenged television series.
Trump’s control over the Kennedy Center began with a boardroom purge earlier this year. He fired longtime president Deborah Rutter, ousted Bidenappointed board members, and made himself chairman — the first sitting president to do so. Rutter accused Trump’s team of making “false allegations” and distorting audited financial reports. The upheaval has triggered boycotts by major artists and cancellations of highprofile productions, including “Hamilton.” The Kennedy Center Honors were once a rare bipartisan celebration of American cultural achievement. Under Trump, the ceremony is now a curated display of loyalty, where politics takes the lead over artistry. For Gaynor, whose defining hit once symbolized resilience in the face of adversity, this December’s performance will carry a far different message — one of approval for the very man her core audience overwhelmingly rejected.
“When you get into a position of power, it does affect lives,” Simmons has said of Trump. However, this year’s honors will show just how far that influence can reach.
Governor Newsom’s office reminds Bondi of ethical obligations for U.S. Department of Justice lawyers
What you need to know: Governor Newsom’s office responds to U.S. Attorney General Bondi’s letter on sanctuary policies. California’s Rules of Professional Conduct generally prohibit lawyers from bringing a claim or a position in litigation without probable cause and for the purpose of harassing or injuring a person.
SACRAMENTO –Reaffirming the state’s values and ongoing commitment to protect Californians, Governor Gavin Newsom’s office responded to the federal government’s threats regarding the state’s laws related to law enforcement cooperation with immigration enforcement and reminded U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi of the ethical obligations for U.S. Department of Justice (US DOJ) lawyers.
Last week, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter to various states and cities nationwide, including California, threatening criminal prosecution against state and local officials who use their official position to “obstruct federal immigration efforts and facilitat[e] and induc[e] illegal immigration.”
“The courts have reaffirmed the validity of California’s laws time and again. This is yet another attempt by the federal government to pressure states into bending the knee and accepting their authoritarian tactics. We will not be bullied into relinquishing our sovereignty.”
In 2019, the Ninth Circuit upheld California law in the face of a lawsuit by the Trump Administration – United States v. California. The Court held that
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Governor Newsom’s office reminds Bondi of ethical obligations for U.S. Department of Justice lawyers...continued
US DOJ attorney involved in threatening or initiating such a prosecution in California may therefore risk facing an ethics complaint to the California State Bar.
The reality about California law State law does not impede criminal investigations or sharing of information about an individual’s criminal history. California does not interfere with the federal government’s authority to enforce federal immigration laws with federal resources. To that end, since 2019, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has coordinated with ICE on more than 11,300 cases — including individuals convicted of murder, rape, child molestation, and other felonies.
State law prioritizes public safety by allowing coordination with ICE for people convicted of, or who are facing, credible charges around violent or serious felonies or other crimes that threaten public safety. State law helps ensure that all Californians are not scared of reporting crimes to the police, such as victims of human trafficking or domestic violence, and that local law enforcement cooperates with federal law enforcement to protect public safety.
At the local level, there are more than 30 crimes –serious, violent, specific and other categories – that allow communication and coordination for federal immigration enforcement purposes.
Trump’s misuse of federal agents at public event
On Sunday, Governor Newsom announced he filed a formal request for information about the Trump Administration’s recent action and role in directing federal law enforcement and
New Book Keeps Black History Alive
Senate Bill 54 is not preempted by federal law, concluding that states have the right, under the Tenth Amendment and its anticommandeering rule, to decline to adopt or enforce federal policies under state law or with their own resources.
Today’s letter observed that threatening to pursue prosecutions in California while United States v. California and a subsequent case decided in 2020 remain binding legal precedent in California could be seen as malicious prosecution.
Bound by professional conduct
Today’s letter also explained that California’s Rules of Professional Conduct generally prohibit lawyers from bringing a claim or a position in litigation without probable cause and for the purpose of harassing or injuring a person. Initiating criminal prosecution for conduct that the courts have expressly found to be lawful – which AG Bondi’s August 13 letter implicitly threatened – would likely violate these ethical obligations.
Any California-licensed
military personnel in what appeared to be an operation intended to intimidate those defending a fair electoral process and who Trump perceives as potential political threats.
Trump’s illegal National Guard deployment
Earlier this month, Governor Gavin Newsom announced he’s requesting the federal government provide the total cost to taxpayers for this unlawful deployment. Through the federal Freedom of Information Act, the Governor’s Office is requesting all documents and records to identify the total expenses incurred to activate the U.S. Marines and federalize the National Guard since June 7.
Economic impact of this Trump’s theater
The military deployment and subsequent immigration raids are costing taxpayers millions and harming California’s economy. Private sector work attendance is down 3.1%, a drop comparable only to COVID-19 lockdown levels. Trump’s actions, including global tariffs and immigration raids, are expected to contract California’s economy later this year, impacting construction, hospitality, and agriculture, per a UCLA Anderson forecast.
Mass arrests, detentions, and deportations in California could cost the state’s economy $275 billion and eliminate $23 billion in annual tax revenue. The loss of immigrant workers, including undocumented individuals and those losing lawful status, would hinder projects (like rebuilding Los Angeles after wildfires), reduce food supply, and increase costs. In 2022, undocumented immigrants contributed $8.5 billion in state and local taxes, a figure that would rise to $10.3 billion if they could work lawfully.
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Nationwide -- Andrea Blackstone has created a platform to honor her ancestors, celebrate her personal identity, showcase her artistic projects, and keep history alive. AndreaBlackstone. com was developed because Blackstone wanted to prevent her ancestors’ plight from being forgotten. The first book in her new Black Water Cove series, The World We Left Behind, was inspired by Queen Jackson Haley, a multiracial enslaved woman whose alleged father was a Confederate Colonel.
A miniseries and book based on Queen’s life was written by Alexander Murray Palmer Haley, author of Roots, and David Stevens. However, Blackstone is a next-generation storyteller and a 15-year journalism veteran who continues to piece together elements of a more intimate story about her great-grandmother, Queen. Alex Haley passed away before “Queen” was completed. Stevens finished the story that was tied to the Forks of Cypress plantation located in Florence, Alabama.
“In an era when historical stories are at risk of being silenced, The World We Left Behind is a reimagined novel based on a large plantation in Alabama. It underscores the struggles of enslaved people; the intersecting lives of their enslavers; and the brave abolitionists who could have been related to individuals who despised their anti-slavery beliefs,” said Blackstone.
Biracial and multiracial children like Queen, who were born on plantations to enslaved mothers and plantation owners or overseers, faced additional challenges while being left fatherless in the world’s eyes.
“I do not want any of these historical aspects of slavery to slip between the world’s fingertips,” Blackstone explained.
Additionally, slave ownership sometimes included women, not just men.
“I write about a slaveholding couple who infringed on the agency of people together
while increasing their Southern wealth,” said Blackstone.
In Blackstone’s family tree, Queen’s husband, Alec Baugh Haley (who has also been known as Alex), was the son of an overseer of Scottish descent. After a cousin agreed to take a DNA test, the results confirmed that the family oral history about Alec’s paternal heritage was correct. Simon Alexander Haley, who was Blackstone’s maternal grandfather and author Alex Haley’s father, was one of Queen and Alec’s sons. He served in World War I, became a professor of agriculture, taught at numerous HBCUs, and lent support to Black farmers. Blackstone’s late mother, Lois Ann Haley Blackstone (Butts), was Simon’s daughter and Alex Haley’s lesser-known half-sister.
“My mother was a history keeper who took pristine care of family articles and memorabilia. She told me that she remembered her grandmother, Queen. I have also read family notes that my grandfather provided about his parents’ lives as children of the plantation. I am grateful that I had a starting point to write my novel. I know that having access to this family history is rare, and I regard my grandfather as a forward-thinking man for sharing information when he was alive. Black and white American families can be connected through DNA. If we face this truth, perhaps some of us can move forward together,” said Blackstone.
After penning The World We Left Behind, Blackstone painted artwork, crafted inspirational sayings, and turned them into attractive journals while connecting them to characters in her novel. Additionally, another one of Blackstone’s books, For Such a Time As This, blends poetry, Bible verses, and journal prompts.
“I hope to inspire people to indulge in self-care through slowing down to journal or using art to heal. I plan to write an
continued on page 7
Black Lawmakers at Forefront of Newsom–Trump Redistricting Clash...continued from page1
experts, are now publicly available on the Assembly and Senate Elections Committee websites for review.
Lawmakers have set an expedited schedule for passing the bills: introduce them in both houses when they return from recess on Aug. 18, hear them in each Elections Committees on Aug. 19, move them to Appropriations on Aug. 20, and hold floor votes on Aug. 21, when they must pass with a two-thirds majority in order to go before voters in a special election.
Assembly Republicans estimate the special election could cost $235.5 million statewide. According to Secretary of State Shirley Weber’s office, final costs will depend on logistical details once the Legislature formally calls the election.
Black Lawmakers Speak Out
Black lawmakers speaking at the press conference linked Trump’s redistricting strategy to broader threats against communities of color.
Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights), vice chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), tied the fight to his Texas roots and to the Texas Democrats who walked out to block voter suppression.
“This isn’t about redistricting. This is about whether we let an authoritarian in the White House break our democracy,” Bryan said at the museum.
He also took the message national. Appearing on MSNBC, Bryan said, “We cannot let one man dismantle our democracy. California is stepping up to make sure every voter’s voice is heard.”
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA43) called Trump “dangerous and authoritarian,” saying he targets Black and Latino communities with “militarized” tactics. She said California is organized and “will not be intimidated,” stressing the fight is about protecting communities of color from systemic assault.
Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37) described the GOP’s mid-decade redraws as “racebased and classist,” designed to silence Black and Latino voices. She pointed to other states “in play” — Florida, Indiana, Missouri and Ohio — and said Democrats nationwide are asking California to share its playbook. “Voters, not janky maps, should decide elections,” she said, urging passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
CBLC Chair State Sen. Akilah
Weber Pierson (D-San Diego) later in a press release from Newsom’s office reinforced the caucus’ message stating: “California will not sit idly by while Republicans attempt to rig the electoral system … California is responding to protect our democracy and preserve the will of the people.”
Republican Pushback
California Republicans blasted the Democrats’ plan, calling it a power grab accusing them of abandoning the voter-approved independent redistricting commission, created to take mapdrawing power from legislators. GOP leaders warned the move would erode public trust and predicted voters would reject the measure as partisan politics disguised as reform.
“Don’t p--s on my boots and tell me it’s raining. These are rigged maps drawn in secret to give Democrat politicians more power by dismantling the independent commission Californians created to keep them out of map-drawing,” said Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City).
What Happens Next
If voters approve the measure, the new maps would govern California’s 52 congressional districts starting in 2026. That could offset Texas’s redrawn maps and potentially help Democrats retake control of the U.S. House.
Costly, High-Stakes Campaign
With less than three months until the election, both sides are preparing for an expensive fight.
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican who represented Bakersfield, is reportedly planning a $100 million campaign to defeat the measure. Charles Munger Jr., who championed California’s independent redistricting commission, may contribute up to $30 million more. If Democrats mount a comparable effort, the statewide campaigns could exceed $200 million as both sides battle to sway voters. For Black Californians, the outcome carries added weight.
“We have fought too hard for voting rights to sit by while Trump tries to erase them. This is about protecting our communities and making sure our voices are heard at the ballot box.” Waters said.
Inland Empire/Government News
A Healthy Start to the School Year: 3 Wellness Appointments to Help Kids Get Ready to Learn
By Dr. Dinelli Monson, Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealthcare of California
As kids are back at school and eager to get to know their new teachers, many families may still be trying to squeeze in some of the last details to be sure their kids are ready to succeed in their new school year. A few important details for parents to also check in on are their children’s mental and physical well-being.
A child’s health can influence their growth, development and academic performance. To help set children and teens up for success this school year, it’s important to stay up to date with wellness appointments, including annual physicals, dental checkups, comprehensive eye exams and mental health assessments.
Here are a few things parents can consider to help support their children’s well-being:
It’s ok to talk about mental health
Mental health challenges are on the rise among young people, driven by factors like academic pressures, relationships, social media, and broader social and economic inequalities. Age, race, and gender also shape how these issues manifest and affect young people.
While it's beneficial for parents to discuss health matters with their children throughout the year, an opportune time arises during the annual back-to-school exam, also known as a well-child visit. This scheduled check-up can serve as a timely platform for addressing various health concerns, including mental health, ensuring that kids are supported holistically as they prepare to return to school.
Data from UnitedHealthcare found that 60% of college students reported encountering behavioral or mental health concerns in the past year. So, even as children grow older and head off to college, be sure to check in on them emotionally, encourage open conversations, and remind your student that help is available.
No matter the age, checking in on your child’s mental health before the school year begins and throughout can help lay the foundation for a more successful and balanced year ahead.
Brush up on dental care for healthy smiles
Cavities are preventable, yet they are the most common chronic disease among children and teens in the U.S. If left untreated, cavities can cause pain that leads to problems learning and speaking, as well as contribute to other long-term health issues. Cavities can also make eating uncomfortable and can affect nutrition and development.
Children, teens and adults should visit a dentist every six months for routine preventive dental care. Dental plans usually cover preventive care, which means you may pay $0 out of pocket for certain covered preventive services if you go to a network provider.
It’s important to know that about 1 in 3 people in the United States have a fear of dental treatment. If you believe your child may experience dental fear or anxiety, speak with their dentist or primary care doctor for support.
Vision screenings can help kids see better
More than 1 in 3 school-age kids in the U.S. are nearsighted. Also known as myopia, nearsightedness can cause issues seeing things in the distance, like the front of the classroom, which may contribute to problems learning. Possible signs of vision issues in kids include frequent eye rubbing or blinking, headaches, or struggling to remember what they have read.
It’s recommended kids get regular eye screenings throughout their school years. Yet, only 38.2% of California children have recently seen an eye doctor. School-based vision screenings or pediatric office visits are valuable. Comprehensive eye exams can detect more complex issues.
Vision plans also usually cover preventive care, including comprehensive eye exams. A vision plan may also provide an allowance to purchase glasses or contacts.
Consider talking with your children’s doctor and scheduling any care visits before school starts. Check with your health plan to see what benefits are available to your family.
Actress Halle Berry Responds to ExHusband Who Says She Didn’t Cook or Clean
Nationwide — Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry, 58, appeared to subtly respond to recent remarks made by her ex-husband, former MLB star David Justice, about her domestic habits during their marriage. Justice, who was married to Berry from 1993 to 1997, claimed in a new interview that she “didn’t cook, didn’t clean” and didn’t seem “motherly” during their time together. Speaking on the All the Smoke
Thursday, August
Actress Halle Berry Responds to Ex-Husband Who Says She Didn’t Cook or Clean...continued
busy schedules as a factor in their split, noting Berry’s thriving acting career kept them apart for long stretches. “She was doing movies in this country, that country,” he said. “Honestly, we probably could have made it if I knew about therapy.”
He went on to reveal that Berry had been the one to initiate marriage, asking him to wed after just five months of dating. “I said OK, but I don’t know if my heart was really into it,” Justice admitted. “I didn’t want to make her feel bad and say no.”
The candid interview quickly went viral, with many on social
media debating his comments. Justice’s remarks stirred up discussion about gender roles, expectations in relationships, and the challenges of celebrity marriages. According to WLBT, Berry, however, seemed unfazed. Taking to Instagram, she posted a carousel of photos with the tongue-in-cheek caption, “Phew…! cooking, cleaning and mothering…” — a clear nod to her ex-husband’s claims. The post sparked thousands of likes and supportive comments from fans applauding her playful clapback.
8 Signs Your Kidneys Are Failing (And You Don’t Know It)
The two bean-shaped organs midway in your body make up the kidneys in the renal system. They aid in the process of eliminating waste via urination. In addition, they aid in the filtration of blood before it is returned to the heart. The kidneys handle numerous essential tasks such as: maintaining overall fluid
balance regulating and filtering minerals from blood filtering waste materials from food, medications, and toxic substances creating hormones that help produce red blood cells, promote bone health, and regulate blood pressure
Causes of Kidney Failure Kidney failure, also known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD), occurs when the kidneys can no longer effectively filter waste and excess fluids from the blood. This leads to a buildup of harmful substances in the body, causing various symptoms and requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant
continued on page 6
Got Milk? You'd Better Hope So.
By Dr. Matthew Drake
Dairy milk is making a comeback -- and not a moment too soon for America's bone health.
For years, calcium intake has declined, even as boneweakening lifestyle factors have surged. Americans are spending more time indoors, sitting at desks, getting less vitamin D, and doing fewer weight-bearing activities. All of this contributes to an overlooked but growing crisis: our bones are becoming weaker, at an earlier age, and in greater numbers than most people realize.
As Chief of Endocrinology and Metabolic Bone Disease Services at the Hospital for Special Surgery, I see this firsthand. One of the biggest misconceptions patients have is that bone loss is unavoidable with aging -something to worry about only later in life, if at all. But bone health is a lifelong investment, and Americans are dangerously underinvesting.
We aren't getting nearly enough calcium, and the consequences of that deficiency are showing up sooner and more severely than expected. It's time for patients and providers to prioritize bone health -- through better education, daily habits, and preventive activity long before suffering a fracture.
Think of your skeleton as a cement foundation. Most of the structure you'll rely on as an adult is built during adolescence when the body is rapidly laying down bone.
podcast, Justice reflected on their short-lived marriage, saying he was young and inexperienced in relationships at the time. “I was young and had only been in one real relationship before her,” he explained. “If we have kids, is this the woman I want to have kids with and build a family with? At that time… she don’t cook, don’t clean, don’t really seem motherly — and then we start having issues.” Justice also pointed to their
Calcium is the primary mineral in that foundation -- essential for building and maintaining strong, healthy bones. That's why children and teenagers need substantial amounts to develop peak bone mass.
But even after the growth phase ends, bones still need care. Adults must continue supporting their skeletal health with steady calcium intake, adequate vitamin D, and regular physical activity.
Fall short, and your body will draw calcium from your skeleton. If you're not getting enough of the mineral, or don't have enough vitamin D to help absorb the amount you take in,
WITNESS FOR JUSTICE Issue #1269
A Vocabulary Test
Derek Duncan
Many in the United States are learning a new vocabulary— one familiar to communities that have lived under state authoritarianism. Words shaped by the experience of having to confront governments that abuse basic civil and human rights. Where leaders wield state power against their own people, the language of rights—and their violations—becomes part of everyday life.
The first word in our vocabulary lesson is Disappeared. Not goneoff-the-grid, or missing victim of ordinary crime, but rather someone taken by the state. When I started working with partners in the Philippines decades ago, I learned that disappearances, along with detentions and attacks against community members, were surging in numbers not seen since the first Marcos dictatorship. Many picked up were never officially acknowledged, and some were never seen alive again.
In recent months, hundreds in the United States have been swept off streets and from courthouses by armed, often masked men—presumed immigration agents—then transferred to faroff detention centers without notice to family or lawyers. Not just criminals—even those with valid visas and green cards. On July 31, Yeonsoo Go, a college student and daughter of an Episcopal priest, was arrested after a routine visa hearing in New York City and flown to a Louisiana facility. Only sustained public protest won her release four days later, but without such connections, the whereabouts and fate of most who are picked up remain elusive.
your bones become the backup supply to maintain normal blood levels.
That silent sacrifice can lead to osteoporosis, a progressive disease that leaves bones fragile and more prone to break from minor falls or everyday activities.
Osteoporosis affects at least 10 million Americans, and almost 45 million others are at increased risk for fracture due to low bone density. Over half of U.S. adults aged 50 and older are vulnerable to potentially devastating fractures.
The economic burden is just as sobering. Osteoporosis-related fractures cost the U.S. healthcare system tens of billions annually.
We can't treat our way out of this. There's already a critical shortage of specialists who manage bone health and osteoporosis specifically. We need to prevent it, starting with patient education and a renewed focus on calcium -- and vitamin D.
That begins at the table.
Calcium from dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese is among the most easily absorbed. For those who are lactose intolerant or dairy-free, calcium-fortified beverages and supplements can help fill the gap -- but they need to be taken correctly.
We also need to rethink physical activity. Our bones respond to gravity and ground impact -- meaning walking, running, or strength training are far better for our skeletons than swimming or cycling. "Use it or lose it" isn't a cliché -- it's biology.
The recent uptick in milk consumption is a welcome trend. But the bigger opportunity is cultural: to start thinking about bone health the way we think about heart or brain health -as something worth preserving every day.
We only get one skeleton. Let's treat it like the vital organ system it is.
Matthew T. Drake, MD, Ph.D, is the Chief of Endocrinology at Hospital for Special Surgery. This piece originally ran in RealClearScience.
Civic leaders have been targeted based on ideology. These measures have eroded the rule of law and constitutional authority in America.
A third word is Red-tagging. In the Philippines, authorities routinely brand community leaders and groups, even churches, as communist. An international review found that red-tagging, no matter how warranted the label, enables extrajudicial raids, arrests, and killings. Our partner, the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, has been redtagged for sheltering Indigenous people displaced by mining and agribusiness. Pastors have been jailed on dubious charges, their work with the poor reframed as subversion.
The United States has seen a parallel tactic—the branding of critics as “communists” to delegitimize and intimidate. Trump has used the label against judges, educators, and political opponents, calling them “subversive.” Speaking about New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani this year, Trump called him a communist, then mused, “We’ll have to arrest him.”
The second word is ExtraJudicial. Reports from Philippines partners show how, instead of protecting civil rights, a repressive government acts outside of the legal system in order to avoid making its case in court. State abuse and violence have continued through multiple administrations in the Philippines, and as of June 2025, the human rights group Karapatan has documented over 100 extrajudicial killings under President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
The US record is worsening. Under the Trump administration, due process has been curtailed by expanding expedited removals of perceived threats. The administration has invoked the Alien Enemies Act to detain and deport without hearings, defy court orders, and restrict Congressional and public oversight of executive actions.
Our final word is Impunity— when abuses go unpunished because the systems meant to check power have been weakened, co-opted, or silenced. Maria Ressa, the Nobel Prize–winning Filipino journalist, warns in How to Stand Up to a Dictator that the United States is not immune to authoritarian drift. She points to the role of tech in spreading disinformation faster than truth, eroding trust and the rule of law. Without truth, she argues, there can be no accountability, and democracy ultimately is at risk.
Our relationships with churches and institutions worldwide are rooted in a principle of mutual support—that “if one part suffers, every part suffers with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26). While our partnerships often call us to stand with other countries facing repression, to speak truth and defend the rights of all, our global partners are now standing with us as we learn the language of resistance and resilience. Learning these words is not enough. We must also learn to use them—to name abuses, resist intimidation, and protect the principles they represent. This is a test, and history will grade us on how well we do.
Credit: Shutterstock
Lifestyle
información a continuación. Tiene 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www. sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso. CASE NUMBER (Número del Caso): CIVSB2512864
The name and address of the court is (El nombre y dirección de la corte es): San Bernardino Superior Court 247 West 3rd Street San Bernardino, CA 92415-0210
The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff's attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is (El nombre, la dirección y el número de teléfono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es): Nicole S. Dunn, Esq. First American Law Group 5 First American Way Santa Ana, Ca 92707 (714) 250-3500
DATE (Fecha): 5/15/2025
Clerk (Secretario) by: /s/ Jocelin Acosta, Deputy (Adjunto) (SEAL) NOTICE TO THE PERSON SERVED: You are served
Published in The San Bernardino American Newspaper July 31, August 7, 14, 21, 2025.
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COMMENTARY: Trump Wrong to Federalize Policing in Washington, DC
By A. Scott Bolden
L E G A L S / C L A S S I F I E D S for survival.
President Donald Trump sounded like a 19th-century European colonialist justifying the subjugation of “savage natives” in “darkest Africa” when he recently ordered a federal takeover of the police force in Washington, D.C, and deployed 800 National Guard troops in the city.
This followed Trump’s order assigning 500 federal law enforcement officers — including FBI agents who should be protecting the nation against major threats — to combat D.C. street crime.
Black people make up the largest racial group in Washington — about 43 percent — and the city’s mayor, police chief and non-voting delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives are all Black. The president seems to believe they are incapable of fighting crime.
Trump falsely claimed in an Aug. 11 news conference that D.C. “has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty
criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged out maniacs and homeless people.” Not coincidentally, Trump used his news conference to also attack other cities run by Black mayors: Baltimore, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Oakland.
I’ve lived in Washington for decades. It is a beautiful city, drawing visitors for safe and enjoyable trips from around the world — not the nightmarish hellhole Trump described. We have some of the world’s finest museums, monuments, parks, neighborhoods, and public spaces.
Trump notably failed to mention that crime in Washington fell 35 percent to its lowest level in 30 years in 202,4, and violent crime has plummeted an additional 26 percent so far this year. Some people may not feel safe in Washington, but the significant drop in crime in the capital city hardly qualifies as the “public safety emergency” Trump said existed. Alarmingly, Trump said that under his orders, police “are allowed to do whatever the hell they want.” What does that mean?
Does the president claim police can violate the constitutional rights of anyone and break any laws they want in their zeal to somehow reduce crime? Is he giving himself the power to allow police to beat or even kill suspected criminals without accountability? Under Trump’s order, will we see more Black people murdered by police, as George Floyd was in Minneapolis in 2020?
Trump has no power to violate the Constitution and laws, no matter how much he wishes he did.
The president’s action overriding the powers of the local government in D.C. constitutes a brazen power grab and a desperate publicity stunt designed to distract attention from his yearslong friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He also wants to portray himself falsely — the first convicted felon to serve as president — as a tough-on-crime supporter of police. The truth is that Trump is the best friend criminals have — as long as they break the law in support of him. He proved this by pardoning about 1,500 people — most of them white
— accused or already convicted of crimes in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot that was designed to keep him in power after he was defeated in the 2020 presidential election. Rioters violently attacked and injured about 140 police officers, including five officers who later died. Washington already has more police officers per capita than any state or large U.S. city. Turning over the police department to federal officials without local knowledge and no handson policing experience — assisted by National Guardsmen without law enforcement training — won’t improve the police department’s performance. It will make things worse.
A better way to help D.C. strengthen its police department would be for the U.S. House to approve legislation allowing the city government to spend $1 billion of its local tax dollars on police and other programs this year. Unfortunately, the Republican-controlled House has failed to approve legislation to do this by correcting a mistake in a federal spending bill. continued on page 7
8 Signs Your Kidneys Are Failing (And You Don’t Know It)...continued from page 4
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD):
The most common cause, often developing gradually over time due to conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI):
Sudden, temporary kidney damage from factors like infections, medications, or severe dehydration. Other factors:
Genetic conditions, autoimmune diseases, and urinary tract obstructions can also contribute.
8 Signs Your Kidneys May Be Failing Without You Knowing It
8. Muscle Cramps
It is possible that kidney illness is to blame for the leg cramps. Chronic kidney disease has been linked to peripheral neuropathy and limb pain. Pain or restless leg syndrome in those on dialysis has been linked to poor sleep quality, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
7. Swelling
When the kidneys aren’t working as they should, salt builds up in the body. Swelling of the ankles, feet, and hands are symptoms of kidney disease. It’s not pleasant, and it might give you a headache if your kidneys or fluid retention causes it.
Many medical conditions, including heart disease, liver ailment, and varicose veins, may lead to the swelling of the lower extremities, known as edema. Swelling of the hands, cheeks, and joints occurs when the kidneys cannot remove excess fluid from the body.
6. Puffy Eyes
One of the signs is puffy eyes. Mild swelling may not necessarily indicate kidney disease. Nephrotic syndrome is suspected when there is edema of the face, hands, and feet.
If you sustain damage, protein can become lost in your urine. Leakage of three grams or more of protein per twenty-four hours characterizes nephrotic syndrome. kidney illness
5. Fatigue
You’re worn out, depleted of willpower, and unable to focus. Damage to the kidneys may lead to poisonous blood. The stress and weakness you feel are direct results of this issue. Patients may feel tired because of low blood oxygen levels.
4. Frequent Urination
How often do you need to go to the bathroom throughout the night? You may have an issue with your kidneys. Infections of the prostate or urinary tract are possible in men.
Numerous folks report being unable to urinate or experiencing discomfort while trying to. An extended stop to use the toilet may not be the best option.
You should see a doctor immediately if you’re having this problem. The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) warns that protein in one’s urine is an early sign of impairment to the kidneys’ filtration systems.
Urinating Troubles:
Pale pee or urinating greater volumes frequently.
Foamy urination
Urges to urinate frequently at night
When you pee, you feel the pressure.
3. High Serum Creatinine
Creatinine is a waste product mostly eliminated by the muscles. It is typically eliminated via the kidneys. In normal circumstances, creatinine would be filtered by the kidneys and passed out of the body in urine.
Creatinine levels in the blood and urine are one way in which doctors may evaluate kidney function. This is evaluated by creatinine clearance. Creatinine levels over normal may indicate chronic kidney disease, although they are not dangerous on their own.
Clinicians may be able to better estimate kidney function using a serum creatinine blood test in addition to other factors such as age, weight, and medical history.
2. Dry & Itchy Skin
The kidneys play a crucial role in the body. The kidneys function in various ways, including detoxification, cell production (including red blood cells and bone tissue), and mineral balance maintenance. When the kidneys are unable to control blood pressure, it may cause the skin to become dry. Even though the itchiness comes and goes, kidney illness is almost always to blame.
1. Poor Concentration
The brain’s capacity to function is hindered by a lack of red blood cells, essential for synthesizing oxygen. Diarrhea, lightheadedness, and amnesia are all symptoms of kidney disease. Hypoxia, or low blood oxygen levels, may influence several body processes.
The brain is one of the most energy-intensive parts of the body; thus, this might impact mental performance. When patients don’t get enough to eat, they might feel drowsy and develop brain fog, making it hard for them to concentrate.
By Dominique Lambright
| Published October 8, 2024
Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA
Facial Recognition Expands in Airports as Congress Eyes New Limits
By Stacy
Focused young businesswoman standing at an airport check-in kiosk, with facial recognition technology digitally scanning her face, highlighting advanced security, innovation, and efficiency in modern travel.
Facial recognition technology is now in use for security screening at some of the nation’s busiest airports, with TSA’s PreCheck Touchless ID available at 15 locations including Chicago O’Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Las Vegas, Atlanta, New York’s JFK and LaGuardia, Los Angeles, Newark, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Seattle, and Ronald Reagan
Washington National. The system allows enrolled TSA PreCheck travelers with valid passports to verify their identity with a quick photo instead of a physical ID. TSA says the images are deleted within 24 hours of a flight and are not used for law enforcement or surveillance. If biometric matching fails, passengers must present a physical ID, and those who opt out receive the same screening position.
As Democrats Return to Texas, Republicans Gets Closer to Erasing the Seats of Four Black Members of Congress
By Lauren Burke
Republicans in Texas, on orders from President Donald Trump, are now closer to approving a new congressional map that would eliminate five seats’ Democrats have won over several cycles. The hyperpartisan move is designed to assist Democrats in boosting their chances in the midterm elections in 2026, as Democrats in Texas ended a two-week boycott aimed at stalling the plan.
The Texas Republicans’ reaction to their boycott turned bizarre today as Texas Republicans who control the Texas House, led by GOP House Speaker Justin Burrows, mandated that police would escort Democrats over the next two days if they wanted to depart the Capitol. Much like the rising levels of disrespect that white Republican lawmakers in the south demonstrated in Tennessee towards Black Democrats Rep. Justin Jones and Rep. Justin Pearson in 2023, Texas Republicans appear to be operating on a level of partisanship that is racially driven — though lawmakers on the right deny it. Texas Democrats left the state to delay the play — but not to stop it — on August 3. A disagreement emerged among the Democrats about whether to return with a segment of the group, arguing that winning national attention was the goal of their August 3 departure. Other Democrats in the Texas House regard the moment as a loss and say that a “moral victory” is not satisfactory.
“We killed the corrupt special session, withstood unprecedented surveillance and intimidation, and rallied Democrats nationwide to join
this existential fight for fair representation — reshaping the entire 2026 landscape,” said Texas Rep. Gene Wu, Chairman of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, in a statement on August 18.
After leaving Texas for two weeks to stall the Republicans’ redistricting plans, the Democrats have now returned. Their return means that Republicans can procedurally move forward with changes in congressional maps that are likely to flip and/or eliminate at least four seats now held by Democrats. They include the seats of Congressional Black Caucus members Rep. Jasmine Crockett and Marc Veasey.
Texas Republicans also moved the seat of Rep. Al Green, a Black Democrat who protested President Trump during his address to Congress on March 4, 2025, even further to the right. That change in the maps revealed on August 18 will make it even more difficult for Rep. Green to be re-elected. Republicans are in the majority in the U.S. Congress with 219 members versus 212 Democrats. The 2026 elections in the U.S. House are all but guaranteed to be close. As President Trump’s polling numbers fall, he remains fully aware that, as Gov. Newsom put it, his “presidency is over” if Democrats win the majority in the U.S. House starting in January 2027. The moment represents one of the most unheard-of partisan moves in modern politics. Texas Republicans are barely shielding the intended purpose of their unprecedented mid-decade redistricting. Congressional redistricting usually takes place
CBP is also expanding its use of biometric processing. This month, the agency launched Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP) at Nashville International Airport, which photographs travelers using auto-capture technology before they reach an officer to confirm identity, check eligibility, and conduct enforcement screening. CBP says the system speeds inspection for
most travelers while allowing officers to focus on higher-risk passengers, and participation is optional. Critics have long raised privacy concerns. In 2019, the Department of Homeland Security acknowledged that traveler photos had been stolen in a breach involving a subcontractor’s network, The Washington Post reported. TSA says its systems are encrypted, but lawmakers from both parties are seeking stricter protections.
The Traveler Privacy Protection Act of 2025 would require affirmative consent before any biometric data is collected, bar passive surveillance, and set deadlines for deleting stored images. It also calls for annual Government Accountability Office reviews on accuracy and potential bias by race, age, and gender. “By leveraging advanced technologies and mobile applications, we are transforming inspections at airports into a seamless, touchless process, enabling faster risk identification and efficient processing of legitimate visitors,” said Steven Stavinoha, CBP’s New Orleans Director of Field Operations.
As Democrats Return to Texas, Republicans Gets Closer to Erasing the Seats of Four Black Members of Congress... continued
every ten years in tandem with the annual CENSUS.
But the moves by Texas Republicans will be challenged in court. The question is, will the challenge be met with the same partisan results as the maps
that have been redrawn — and if the case makes it to the U.S. Supreme Court, will they remain consistent with the previous precedents regarding racially redrawn districts?
COMMENTARY: Trump Wrong to Federalize Policing in Washington, DC...continued from page 6
Reducing crime requires more than putting police on the streets and making arrests. It requires a series of policies to prevent crimes, not just respond to them.
More federal funding for privatepublic partnerships with local businesses and houses of worship can create alternative paths for young people to help them stay out of trouble, graduate from high school, and go on to job training, college, or careers. Programs like these are far cheaper than tracking down and imprisoning criminals, and are more effective at protecting public safety.
Mayor Muriel Bowser said the federal government could do more to reduce crime if it funded more prosecutors in the district and filled the 15 vacancies on the D.C. Superior Court, including some that have gone unfilled for years.
Because the District of Columbia is not a state, the president and Congress have greater power to exercise control than they do over the 50 states. Trump recently said he has asked lawyers to study congressional repeal of the 1973 D.C. Home Rule Act, which gave residents of the capital limited selfgovernment and the right to elect a mayor and city council. Before
the act’s passage, the president appointed commissioners who ran local government like colonial overseers.
Increased federal control of Washington is the exact opposite course the president should follow. Rather than denouncing and demonizing city officials as adversaries and falsely portraying Washington, he ought to work with city leaders as allies to reduce crime, homelessness, and other problems that affect all big cities.
The 700,000 residents of the capital are as entitled to selfgovernment as other Americans are and will hopefully eventually achieve statehood. We do not need to be occupied by the National Guard and a federalized police force as if we were an enemy nation conquered in war.
Having the federal government increase its control of D.C. local affairs is a mistake that the president should reconsider, and Congress should halt if he refuses.
A. Scott Bolden is an attorney, NewsNation contributor, former chair of the Washington, D.C. Democratic Party and a former New York state prosecutor.
New Book Keeps Black History Alive...continued from page 3
array of stories that will preserve history,” said Blackstone.
All of Blackstone’s recent projects will be released between August 7- 13, 2025, to honor various people in her mother’s family who have upcoming birthdays. The paperback version of The World We Left Behind will be available on August 7, 2025.
“I look forward to connecting with a broader audience and reminding people who are interested in family history to feel proud of the legacies that preceded them, regardless of their circumstances. In my
opinion, everyone should dig for at least one ancestor who inspires them. I found three of mine,” Blackstone said. Books and journals will be sold on Amazon and through other retailers. The eBook version of The World We Left Behind is now available for preorder on Amazon.
For more information about Blackstone and her projects, visit her official website at AndreaBlackstone.com For press inquiries, contact 804-834-7718 or theandreablackstone@gmail. com
Help is available for CalFresh customers impacted by Rosa fire
If you lost food due to this natural disaster, you may qualify for replacement benefits
CalFresh customers who lost food purchased with their benefits due to the Rosa fire or related power outages must report their food loss by Tuesday, Sept. 2, to receive replacement benefits. The Rosa fire, which ignited on Aug. 4, 2025, has burned more than 1,000 acres in Riverside County, prompting mandatory evacuations for hundreds of households. Many residents experienced power outages from Public Safety Power ShutOff events and transportation challenges due to the closure of Highway 74, a major route to impacted rural communities.
Some households displaced since the start of the fire were unable to return home until Aug. 9, making it difficult to assess and report food loss. To help, the state has recently approved a waiver of timely reporting requirements, giving households extra time to request replacement benefits. CalFresh customers can report
or in person at nearest DPSS SelfSufficiency Office.
“This fire has brought real challenges to our community— from evacuations to extended power outages,” said Allison Gonzalez, Assistant Director of the Self-Sufficiency Division at the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS). “If you lost food because of the Rosa fire, please reach out to us by Sept. 2 so we can help you recover.”
CalFresh is California’s largest food assistance program, helping eligible households purchase groceries at supermarkets, farmers markets, and online retailers such as Amazon and Walmart. County residents not currently enrolled in CalFresh who need food assistance are encouraged to apply online, by phone, or in person at a local Self-Sufficiency office.
M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
A view of the Rosa fire burning in Riverside County in August.
Photo Credit: Riverside County Fire Department Volunteer Photographer Tod Sudmeier.
Texas state capitol building dome with a blue sky in the background
Thursday, August 21, 2025
for College financial aid workshop focused on helping community college students Deadline to submit the FAFSA and CADAA applications is September 2nd.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN AND DO
• Step-by-step process of applying for financial aid
• Learn about the FAFSA and why it’s important
• Important deadlines you shouldn’t miss
• Other sources of financial
Congress Moves to Block Trump’s Social
Security Assault
By Stacy M. Brown
In its nonstop assault on the most vulnerable Americans, the Trump administration is preparing to impose sweeping cuts to Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a program that provides a lifeline for the nation’s poorest seniors, children, and severely disabled adults. The proposed rule would strip eligibility from hundreds of thousands and slash monthly payments by as much as one-third, even as new data confirms Social Security’s trust funds are facing insolvency within the next decade.
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), nearly 400,000 people stand to lose critical income. That includes more than 275,000 who would see cuts of about $300 a month, and over 100,000 who could lose their benefits entirely. The changes target families already under strain, specifically SSI recipients living with relatives who receive SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Reversing Protections for Struggling Families
face losses. Advocates warn that the proposal would drive more disabled people into institutions, increase homelessness, and add crushing red tape. The cuts come as Social Security marked its 90th anniversary. Nearly 70 million Americans depend on the program, but the latest Trustees’ report projects its trust funds will be depleted by 2034, triggering an automatic 23% cut to monthly checks unless Congress acts.
Unions and Lawmakers Push Back
*The CADAA mirrors many aspects of the FAFSA application and is for undocumented, immigrant, and other students that qualify for in-state tuition rates through AB 540.
Window Closing: California Community Colleges and California Student Aid Commission Urge Students to Apply for Financial Aid Before September 2 Cal Grant Deadline
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office’s ICanGoToCollege.com campaign and the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) are joining forces to urge current and prospective community college students to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) before the September 2 Cal Grant deadline. Missing this deadline could mean missing out on state-based grants, scholarships and other non-repayable funds that make college accessible and affordable.
“Financial aid is a game-changer for so many of our students, opening doors to higher education that might otherwise remain closed,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian. “Financial stability is often the foundation for student success, which is why it’s so important that community college students file for financial aid before the upcoming deadline. We want students to know support is available and we’re committed to breaking down barriers so that all have a fair shot at achieving their goals.”
CSAC offers free Cash for College workshops, providing invaluable assistance with completing financial aid applications. These workshops are available both in-person and online, offering students and families the latest information and expert guidance on the FAFSA and CADAA, as well as step-by-step instructions for students and parents on how to fill out their financial aid applications. During the webinar, participants can ask questions and get tailored support with their applications. High school seniors and their parents or guardians as well as emancipated minors, current and former foster youth, and new and returning community college students of any age are encouraged to attend.
“The California Student Aid Commission knows that students and future learners can achieve their educational dreams in California,” said California Student Aid Commission Executive Director Daisy Gonzales. “The September 2 deadline is a lifeline to make college affordable for students seeking to enroll in a California community college for the 2025-26 academic year. We urge students and families to complete their financial aid application and attend our free Cash for College Workshops if you need help. So, apply today, help others apply and share your success story with us to inspire California. Together we can reach every student, every family and region of our state.”
Students can visit the multi-lingual ICanGoToCollege.com website to enroll at a California community college and get directly connected to their local college financial aid off ice for support. The website offers links to the FAFSA and CADAA and information about the programs, resources, and support available for community college students. The website is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Tagalog.
Visit the California Student Aid Commission’s website at https://www.csac.ca.gov/apply to learn how to apply for financial aid. Students can access specific resources for financial aid for undocumented students, financial aid for mixed-status families, and get information on in-person Cash for College Workshops or the Statewide Virtual Cash for College Workshops. Some virtual workshops will include interpreters for Spanish-speaking and Mandarin-speaking families.
About the California Community Colleges
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 116 colleges serving 2.1 million students per year. California community colleges provide career education and workforce training; guaranteed transfer to four-year universities; and degree and certificate pathways. As the state’s engine for social and economic mobility, the California Community Colleges supports Vision 2030, a strategic plan designed to serve our students, our communities, and our planet. For more information, please visit the California Community Colleges website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).
About the California Student Aid Commission
The California Student Aid Commission currently serves over 610,000 students and administers the state’s $3 billion portfolio of student financial aid programs and services, including the Cal Grant, the Middle-Class Scholarship and the California Dream Act Application. The Commission serves as a resource for policymakers and the public on college affordability and financing issues, and advocates for policy changes to eliminate cost as a barrier to any qualified California student pursuing a higher education. Visit our website at www.csac.ca.gov or follow us on social media by clicking on our Link Tree. PRESENTED BY:
The Biden administration had expanded the definition of “public assistance household,” shielding recipients from the harshest penalties. That safeguard ensured that low-income families receiving food assistance would not be punished for offering shelter to an elderly parent or disabled child. Trump’s rollback would erase that protection, returning to outdated rules from 1980. “Receiving food assistance from SNAP would no longer be enough to qualify a family as a ‘public assistance household,” CBPP analysts warned. “The resulting SSI benefit cuts would be felt in low-income households with disabled family members or older relatives across the country”. The typical multiperson SNAP household with an SSI recipient survives on about $17,000 annually—well below the poverty line. Under the new rule, a woman with Down Syndrome living with low-income parents could see her benefits plunge from $967 to less than $700 a month, with families forced to track and report household expenses line by line.
Fallout Across the States
Every state would be affected. California could lose benefits for 57,600 people, New York 35,900, Florida 30,800, and Texas 23,600. Even small states like Vermont, Wyoming, and Alaska
Unions and community groups are mobilizing. The AFL-CIO’s “It’s Better in a Union” bus tour stopped in Bakersfield, California, where California Nurses Association president Sandy Reding blasted the Trump budget bill as “a cruel piece of legislation that will have disastrous consequences for the most vulnerable in our communities, including the patients I care for in Bakersfield.” In Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) President Everett Kelley pledged to fight Social Security staffing
Democratic leaders are also taking action. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is preparing a September bill he calls the “Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act,” aimed at reversing Trump’s cuts, reopening shuttered field offices, and restoring staffing. “Social Security to me means my life,” said Ellen Carter, a New York recipient. “It means medicine gets paid; it means that I have a place to sleep at night.” Sen. Ron Wyden (DOR) introduced a companion bill in the Senate that would add $5 billion in funding, restore staff, safeguard data, and launch an investigation into the Department of Government Efficiency, which has overseen the Trump administration’s Social Security cutbacks. “Trump and his Republican allies have made it crystal clear—holding on to earned benefits requires vigilant defense,” Wyden said.
The Stakes for Millions
For the 7.5 million Americans who rely on SSI each month, including many with severe disabilities, the stakes are life and death. “For 90 years, we’ve kept America’s
cuts. “Across the country, we are using our voice—as workers, as parents, as people who care about our communities—to demand that this administration and Congress do whatever it takes to protect Social Security,” Kelley asserted. “The American people deserve nothing less.”
greatest anti-poverty success story alive,” Jessica Lapointe, president of AFGE Council 220, told reporters. “We serve widows, orphans, the elderly, disabled, every vulnerable soul in your families and your communities, and they deserve respect and dignity when they come for their earned benefits.”
Capitol Building in Washington DC USA (Photo by Mesut Dogan)