SB American News Week Ending 7/24

Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.

will be imposed upon them and these will

California Leaders React to Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump

(CBM) – After the assassination attempt on Donald Trump on June 13, in Butler, PA, various California leader denounced the violent act and shared messages of support with the Republican presidential candidate.

While the former President was speaking to supporters, a sniper fired a shot that grazed his right ear before he was removed from harm’s way by secret service officers. One spectator was killed and two critically wounded, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced that the suspect, Matthew Thomas, 20, was shot and killed after the attack.

California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., issued a statement shortly after the

incident, sharing that her “heart goes out to the victims and their families” and that she is “praying” for the former president.

“Over my lifetime, I have witnessed too many acts of political violence in America. Going back decades, too many people have been harmed or killed for what they believe,” Weber stated. “We resolve political differences at the ballot box, through activism and by participating in political discourse. There is no room for political violence.”

Gunshots rang out at approximately 3:15 p.m., Pacific Standard Time (6:15 p.m. Eastern) at the site of the rally. The attempt by the alleged shooter took place from a roof

nearby.

The attempt on the former president’s life happened two days before the start of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

“My heart goes out to the victims and their families of this terrible tragedy. We are praying for the former president and those who were injured for a rapid recovery. We will keep those who have lost their lives and their families in our prayers,” continued Weber.

California Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) shared his sentiments in a letter hours after the shooting.

“Today’s senseless attack was a shocking and horrific act,”

Gallagher stated. “We must completely shut down those who would use violence to snuff out their political opponents. Janna and I are praying for President Trump, and everyone impacted by this violence.

Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln, a Black Republican running for Congress in the November General election, offered prayers and support to Trump after the shooting in Pennsylvania.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with President Donald J. Trump and his family following the recent shooting in Pennsylvania,” Lincoln stated. “We extend our heartfelt support to him and his loved ones during this challenging time. May they find strength, comfort, and a swift recovery in the outpouring of well wishes from across the nation.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass posted her sentiments on the X, social media platform formerly called Twitter.

“What happened today in Pennsylvania is unacceptable and tragic. Political violence has no place in our nation,” Bass stated. “I wish former President Trump a full recovery and my thoughts are with all those impacted this evening.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted on X, “Violence has NO place in our democracy. My thoughts are with President Trump and everyone impacted at the rally today.”

Nov. Election: You Will Vote on Slavery Ban, Minimum

schools. The remaining $1.5 billion would go to community colleges. CSU or UC systems would be excluded from the funding. To qualify for funding, the measure would require school districts to write a 5-yeear facilities school master plan.

Prop 3 – Repeals Proposition 8 and establishes a right to marry.

This would remove the ban on same-sex marriage from the California Constitution. The ban was added by voters in 2008. However, the United States Supreme Court has blocked the enforcement of the ban since 2013. The amendment would remove the original language in the constitution and change it to “The right to marry is a fundamental right.”

$8.5

to elementary and secondary

Prop 4 – Issues $10 billion in bonds to fund state and local parks, environmental protection projects, water infrastructure projects, energy projects, and

flood protection projects.

$3.8 billion would help pay to improve drinking water systems and prepare for droughts and floods. $1.5 billion would go to programs preparing for wildfires and $1.2 billion would go to programs combating the rise of the sea level. The remaining funds would be divided up among parks and outdoor recreation programs and climate initiatives.

Prop 5 – Lowers the vote threshold from 66.67% to 55% for local bond measures to fund housing projects and public infrastructure.

This would change the state constitution to make it easier for local governments to borrow money if they use the funds to build affordable housing or public infrastructure. Local

of whom they

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear editor,

My grandmother suffers from high blood pressure, and it can often be challenging for her to access the care she needs. After reading a recent New York Times article detailing the abuse of middlemen known as pharmacy benefit managers, I was shocked by the tactics these groups use to prioritize their profits over patient access. These middlemen, known as PBMs for short, implement anti-patient practices to cut the cost of their “services,” despite their negative impact on the well-being of patients. Even if a patient is prescribed a specific medication by their doctor, PBMs can deny the treatment if

it is not optimal for their bottomline. As nearly anyone who’s taken prescription medication knows, treatments work differently for everyone, and it shouldn’t be the prerogative of big PBM corporations to interfere with this care. Thankfully, lawmakers can change this by passing legislation like the DRUG Act, which could prevent the abusive practices that make it more difficult for patients to receive the care they need. I hope Senator Padilla and the rest of our state’s Congressional delegation will work to pass this legislation this session. Patients like my grandmother have waited long enough.

Juan Vicencio

The San Bernardino AMERICAN News Submission Deadline: Mondays By 5 pm

Nov. Election: You Will Vote on Slavery Ban, Minimum Wage and Smash and Grab Penalties... continued

governments, excluding school districts, currently need twothirds of voters to approve before they can borrow funds.

Prop 6 – Removes involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime from the state constitution.

This would change the California Constitution to ban forced labor in any form. The constitution currently bans involuntary servitude, or forced labor, except as a punishment for crime. It is common for people who are incarcerated to be required to work and earn less than $1 an hour.

Prop 32 – Increases minimum wage to $18 an hour.

This would increase California’s minimum wage to $18 per hour. It is currently $16 per hour for most people and $20 per hour for fast food workers. Health care workers will eventually see their minimum wage reach $25 per hour, according to a law Gov. Gavin Newsom signed last year.

Prop 33 – Repeals Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act.

This would repeal a state law prohibiting cities and counties from capping rents on singlefamily homes, condominiums and apartments built after 1995 in an effort to address the state’s homelessness problem.

Prop 34 – Requires health care providers to spend 98% of revenues from federal discount prescription drug program on direct patient care.

This would permanently allow California’s Medicaid program to pay pharmacies directly for prescription drugs.

California started doing this in 2019 after Gov. Newsom signed an executive order allowing the payments. This measure would make it state law. The measure would also mandate that healthcare providers spend almost all the money they get from a federal prescription drug program directly on patient care.

Prop 35 – Permanently authorizes a tax on managed care organizations to fund Medi-Cal programs.

This would make the state pay doctors more money for treating patients who are covered by Medicaid. Managed care organizations contract with the state to provide these health benefits. The state taxes these organizations to help pay for the Medicaid program. This measure would require the state to use a portion of that tax money to increase how much Medicaid pays doctors.

Prop 36 – Increase drug crime and theft penalties and allow a new class of crime to be called treatment-mandated felony, which gives the offender the option to participate in drug and mental health treatment.

This would make the crime of shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders and increase penalties for some drug charges, including the death penalty if someone dies as a result of the convicted person’s actions. It also increases penalties for trafficking involving the synthetic opioid fentanyl. The measure would give judges the authority to order those with multiple drug charges to get treatment and to sentence people convicted of trafficking drugs to state prison rather than county jail.

Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

How Medi-Cal is Helping California’s Growing Older and Disabled Adults

By Selen Ozturk

For the over six million Californians aged 65 and over, and the over seven and a half million with a disability, getting the care they need has not always been easy.

For the over six million Californians aged 65 and over, and the over seven and a half million with a disability, getting the care they need has not always been easy.

To help these Californians live healthier lives in their own communities, Medi-Cal — California’s version of Medicaid — has new programs including integration with Medicare; elimination of asset limits restricting eligibility; enhanced care management; and expanded community services like housing aid and healthy meals.

At a Wednesday, July 10 Ethnic Media Services briefing, Department of Health Care Services officials and community health care providers explained what new programs are available to older and disabled Californians, how they’re implemented on the ground and how these programs are changing lives.

An overview

Nearly 6 million Californians, or 15% of the state’s population,

HUD

and

were aged 65 and older as of 2021 according to the U.S. Census — a number projected to grow to over 8.7 million, or 20% of the state, by 2030.

The CDC reports that over 7.6 million Californians have a disability.

Dana Durham, DHCS Managed Care Quality and Monitoring Division chief], said Medi-Cal is helping older and disabled Californians through Community Supports and Enhanced Care Management (ECM), programs that “meet social drivers of health” — like housing, healthy food, language access, and preventative health care — “in people’s communities so they can stay in the least restrictive setting possible.”

Dana Durham, Chief, Managed Care Quality and Monitoring Division, Department of Health Care Services, discusses MediCal’s new approach to care delivery, which includes a

The Appraisal

How Medi-Cal is Helping California’s Growing Older and Disabled Adults...continued

focus on prevention and meeting members where they are.

Community Supports include medically tailored meals, transportation to and from appointments, in-home care, home accessibility modifications, long-term care transition assistance, mental health care,

substance abuse disorder treatment and housing aid.

“Historically, the healthcare system has been difficult to navigate,” particularly isolating seniors and people with disabilities, Durham continued.

Tips to Protect Yourself Against Imposters and Scams

In-Person Scams

SoCalGas encourages customers to be aware of these scams and to question anyone who presents themselves as a representative of SoCalGas. Here are some things to consider if someone comes to your home claiming to be from the gas company:

· Typically, SoCalGas visits a customer’s home in response to a specific service request. If you’re not expecting a visit, call us before allowing anyone into your home.

· On occasion, SoCalGas conducts maintenance and company-generated work that requires employee access to customer properties – such as safety inspections – that could encompass inspections, leak surveys, etc.

· Most authorized SoCalGas employees will drive a company car or truck and be in uniform with our company logo.

· All SoCalGas employees on company business are required

to carry a SoCalGas photo ID badge. Always ask to see their badge/identification.

· SoCalGas employees will never ask for payments during home visits.

· To verify the authenticity of anyone claiming to be a representative of SoCalGas, ask for identification or call us at 1-800-427-2200 or 1-800342-4545 for Spanish-language customer service.

SoCalGas also works with contractors authorized to engage with customers to represent the Energy Savings Assistance Program.

· These contractors must present a valid photo ID badge.

· If you are contacted by a contractor to schedule an appointment and have concerns about the contractor's identity, call 1-800-331-7593 to speak with a SoCalGas representative. The representative can answer general questions and verify

Foundation forge historic deal to tackle racial inequity in real estate appraisal

TAF, the organization responsible for setting standards and qualifications for real estate appraisers, faced allegations of creating discriminatory barriers that prevent Black individuals and other persons of color from entering the profession, violating the Fair Housing Act. (Courtesy photo)

(NNPA Newswire) – To address systemic racial disparities in the real estate appraisal profession, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced an historic conciliation agreement with The Appraisal Foundation (TAF).

TAF, the organization responsible for setting standards and qualifications for real estate appraisers, faced allegations of creating discriminatory barriers that prevent Black individuals and other persons of color from entering the profession, violating the Fair Housing Act.

Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights the stark lack of diversity in the appraisal industry, with 94.7 percent of property appraisers and assessors being White and a mere 0.6 percent being Black, making it the least racially diverse among 800 surveyed occupations. The Interagency Task Force on Property Appraisal

and Valuation Equity (PAVE) warns that this homogeneity contributes to the persistent undervaluation of properties in communities of color, further entrenching the racial wealth gap.

Fannie Mae’s 2021 research underscores this issue, revealing that 12.5 percent of appraisals in majority-Black neighborhoods and 15.4 percent in majorityLatino neighborhoods were valued below the contract price, compared to just 7.4 percent in predominantly White neighborhoods.

The HUD complaint against TAF identified the experience requirement for appraisers as a significant barrier to entry for people of color. This requirement often forces aspiring appraisers to secure supervision from a licensed appraiser, typically someone they know personally, thereby perpetuating a cycle of exclusion. The new agreement

aims to dismantle these barriers by providing increased funding for alternative pathways to meet experience requirements, making the profession more accessible and inclusive.

HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman hailed the agreement as a significant victory in the fight against racial bias in home appraisals. “To eliminate racial and ethnic bias from home appraisals, we must ensure that the industry reflects the diversity of America,” Todman stated. “This historic agreement will help build a class of appraisers based on merit rather than connections, bringing us closer to eradicating housing discrimination and opening doors of opportunity for all.”

Diane M. Shelley, HUD’s principal deputy assistant secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, emphasized the agreement’s significance in promoting inclusivity. She thanked Demetria McCain, who initiated the investigation and secured the conciliation.

“HUD’s agreement requires policy changes that expand pathways to becoming an appraiser, promoting greater inclusion of Black people and other persons of color,” Shelley said. “This groundbreaking agreement addresses systemic issues that have perpetuated unacceptable inequities in the appraisal industry.”

Melody C. Taylor, executive director of PAVE, highlighted the crucial role of homeownership in addressing the racial wealth gap.

“Homeownership remains a primary driver of wealth disparity, with wide racial and

Tips to Protect Yourself Against Imposters and Scams...continued

the contractor's identity and authorization to represent the Energy Savings Assistance Program.

Search Engine Scams

Online search engine scams can occur when a customer uses a search engine, like Google, to find the website or phone number for a utility, like SoCalGas, to make a payment. An unofficial SoCalGas website or an unofficial SoCalGas partner could show up at the top of search results, which may be another company misrepresenting itself.

These fake websites may take a “payment” or provide a phone number for a customer to pay by phone. Over the phone, a customer could be requested to provide billing, personal

information, and a credit card to make a “payment.” This money is not sent to SoCalGas, but instead goes to the scammer. Here are tips to protect yourself from search engine scams:

· Find the official ways to pay your bill on our Ways to Pay webpage or a printed bill.

· Save our contact information in your cell phone or near your phone.

· Remember, we will never ask for credit card or banking information over the phone.

SoCalGas is dedicated to the safety of its customers and employees. To learn more about how to protect yourself against scammers, visit socalgas.com/ ScamAlert.

Riverside, CA – Riverside Community Health Foundation (RCHF) needs residents of Riverside, Jurupa Valley, Perris, Moreno Valley, Norco, and Corona to lend their voices in shaping the future of community health services. Every four years, RCHF conducts a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), and community input is essential to its success.

ethnic gaps in homeownership rates and financial returns from owning a home,” Taylor noted. “This Agreement is a significant step forward in cultivating a diverse and well-trained appraiser profession that upholds equal opportunity for all.”

Under the terms of the Agreement, TAF will establish a $1.22 million scholarship fund to cover costs for aspiring appraisers attending the Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) programs. These programs provide an alternative pathway to meet state licensure experience requirements. The agreement also includes:

Provisions for marketing the PAREA program and scholarship fund to diverse communities.

Evaluating the effectiveness of this marketing.

Collaborating with state and territory appraiser regulatory agencies for the program’s adoption.

Although HUD did not issue findings before the agreement and the deal does not constitute admissions by TAF of any violations, it represents an enforceable resolution to dismantle long-standing barriers and foster greater diversity and equity within the appraisal industry.

Individuals who believe they are victims of housing discrimination can contact HUD at (800) 966-9777 (voice) or (800) 927-9275 (TTY).

Additional information is available at HUD’s fair housing website.

The CHNA process aims to understand the health needs of our diverse communities. RCHF will gather primary data through focus groups, surveys, and key informant interviews. This approach ensures a thorough understanding of emerging issues and disparities among various populations within the communities we serve.

We encourage residents to participate in an anonymous online survey by August 30, 2024. Participants play a crucial role in guiding the organization's initiatives and programs. Whether you participate in our online survey or join our focus

group sessions, your insight is helpful to understanding the community's needs. As a token of appreciation, survey participants will have the opportunity to enter weekly drawings for exciting prizes. Additionally, each focus group participant will receive a $50 gift card.

To contribute to the 2024 CHNA, residents can:

Take part in the online survey at rchf.org/yourvoice.

Join focus groups or interview with a Community Health Worker (available in English and Spanish) – To reserve a spot, please complete the online interest form HERE.

Assist in disseminating information and recruiting participants for the assessment.

For more information and to participate in the survey, please visit rchf.org/yourvoice.

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

A Dark Future for Black Americans

NNPA NEWSWIRE-Black Americans make up 18.2% of the federal workforce, providing crucial, stable jobs. This proposal aims to create a “color-blind” society by stopping racial counts and erasing progress in workplace diversity and equal opportunity.

By State Representative Ron Reynolds

Donald Trump’s Project 2025 is a major threat! As we look toward November’s presidential election, we must confront what this plan means for our community. This plan is a stark reminder of the hardships we faced under his previous administration, and it promises to deepen the challenges for Black Americans in critical ways. We simply cannot ignore the projected economic impact Project 2025 will have on Black Americans. To know what we should expect looking forward, we must look back. Trump’s tax cuts continue to mainly benefit the rich along with big corporations, leaving many Black families with only a tiny fraction of the advantages. Project 2025 will undoubtedly worsen this by adding work requirements that unfairly target Black folks, feeding harmful stereotypes, and deepening racial job market disparities. Compared to other

workers, African Americans are already half as likely to receive callbacks for entry-level jobs. These new requirements will only make economic stability harder to achieve. Unfortunately, Project 2025’s plan to replace long-term civil servants with presidential appointees threatens the stability of many Black families. Black Americans make up 18.2% of the federal workforce, providing crucial, stable jobs. This proposal aims to create a “color-blind” society by stopping racial counts and erasing progress in workplace diversity and equal opportunity. This plan is simply a rollback from the progressive and inclusive workforce policy that has stabilized the wealth of Black earners since the 1960s. It jeopardizes the economic security and career prospects of thousands of Black Americans who rely on these government jobs for their livelihoods.

Another deeply troubling aspect of Project 2025 is its fervent attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. This plan is an omnibus conservative policy initiative that seeks to end affirmative action and DEI initiatives, which have been crucial in fostering a more inclusive society. We’ve already seen the damaging effects of antiDEI rhetoric in Texas, where the University of Houston closed its LGBTQ resource center, and the University of Texas at Austin fired dozens of DEIrelated employees. These actions undermine progress toward equality and harm marginalized communities, including Black Americans.

Similarly, the public education of our youth is also under attack. Project 2025 proposes to slash federal funding for essential programs like Title I and IDEA, which support low-income districts and students with special needs. This reckless approach would turn these funds into unregulated block grants, jeopardizing the futures of countless children. I know firsthand the importance of programs like Head Start, which provided a crucial foundation for my education. Dismantling these programs means denying the same opportunities to the next generation.

One of the most alarming aspects alluded to in the first debate is the proposed extreme abortion ban. They are stripping women of their rights and endangering their health. Maternal mortality affects Black women disproportionately. In many circumstances, elective termination procedures protect a woman’s right to choose

the best possible outcome. Moreover, this agenda includes removing requirements for insurance to cover certain forms of contraception, further limiting reproductive choices for women of color. The right’s push to classify emergency contraceptives like Ella as abortifacients could exacerbate racial health disparities, as women of color already face systemic barriers to accessing reproductive healthcare.

Speaking of healthcare, the plan also threatens to remove the lower prescription drug costs and healthcare access that have been lifelines for many in our community, helping to achieve record-high insurance rates among Black Americans. At a time when inflation has spiked the cost of necessities, a drastic rise in prescription costs will be a death sentence for Black people with chronic illnesses.

In the face of these challenges, our resilience and unity are more important than ever. We must stand together to oppose Project 2025 and protect the progress we’ve made. Our community’s strength lies in our ability to support one another and fight for a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

The stakes are incredibly high for Black Americans. Together, we can make sure our voices are heard and our rights are protected. Let’s remain vigilant, informed, and proactive.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

OpEd: Democrats, Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

by Hardy Brown

Overview: Former President Donald Trump’s supporters are calling for President Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential race, but the author argues that Biden should stay in the race because he has a proven track record of protecting civil rights and advocating for equal opportunity in employment, low cost medical coverage, women’s reproductive rights, and investing in Black-owned businesses. The author also highlights the importance of keeping our eyes on the prize of freedom and equal rights, and the need to resist attempts to take us back to the days of segregation and discrimination.

Hardy Brown, Sr.

Listening to some Democrats calling for President Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential race is ludicrous.

I am reminded of what Paul wrote in a letter to the Philippians in Chapter 3 verses 13-14. “But one thing I know forgetting what lies behind, but keeping pressing forward to what lies ahead and keep my eyes on the prize in front of me.” Then in verse 16 Paul reminds them to not forget what they have already attained.

A lot has happened since the debate and last Saturday a 20-year-old white, registered Republican male tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump. We do not know at this time why. Regardless of his reason, I do not condone killing anyone over different political beliefs or views. During my 60 years of participating in politics, I do not like those who lie on other candidates, forge signatures on absentee ballots–like a candidate who ran against me once did–just to win an election; or, finding absentee ballots– like the city

of San Bernardino did against Ralph Hernandez–when he ran for city council. In the two cases I mentioned above, one person went to jail for forging signatures and I threatened the city, in the other scenario, that I would have the Attorney General investigate the election.

In every election, the candidates should explain why they are seeking public office and explain their vision, without lying to the voters about the other candidate(s) in the race. It is up to each voter to research every candidate for themselves or rely on people they know and trust before they vote.

One of the verses in the song, “Keeping Your Eyes on the Prize” goes like this: “The only thing we did was right, Was the day we started to fight. Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on, hold on.” This is what we did during the Civil Rights Era of the 50’s and 60’s. We kept our eyes focused on the prize, and in 1964, the Civil Rights Act was signed into law and in 1965, the

Voting Rights Act was signed into law.

The fight was not easy and many Black leaders had different views on how to get there. Some wanted to pick up guns and fight, like the Black Panther Party or Malcolm X of the Nation of Islam who famously said, “By any means necessary.” On the other hand, leaders like Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., labor leader A. Phillip Randolph, the Urban League, the National Council of Negro Women and others, advocated for peaceful marching and protesting.

Today, however, I am reminded of the agreement reached between Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. The agreement was not to fall out with each other just because they had a different strategy as they were focused on reaching the same objective. Their mutual goal was to secure laws that gave Black people legal rights to jobs, housing, education, business loans, voting rights, equal justice under the law. That consensus agreement is what led to the signing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act 60 years ago and other Civil Rights legislation that followed, including Roe vs. Wade, The Equality Act, American With Disability Act and others.

In the 50s and 60s we had southern Democrats like Governor George Wallace of Alabama, who stood in the college doorway with other white conservative Christians saying, “Segregation now. Segregation tomorrow. Segregation forever,” to keep Black children from going to school with white children.

Now, we have Republicans and white Christian nationalists trying to take us back to those days. Read the Heritage Group’s report, Project 2025: Mandate Leadership- The Conservative Promise, if you don’t believe me. It was written by known

OpEd: Democrats, Keep Your Eyes on the Prize... continued

Constitution. In addition, on Monday, July 15, he announced Senator J.D. Vance as his Vice President and running mate. A far-right extremist, J.D. Vance believes banning abortion nationwide is a ‘good idea’. He has also suggested women in violent relationships shouldn’t get divorced, praised Project 2025, and has attacked both Social Security and Medicare.

Or, we can choose a person who vows to serve the public with dignity and respect as outlined in the Constitution, where no one is above the law. Someone who has a track record of protecting

our civil rights to vote, own a home, and attend college without high debt when you graduate. This person is someone who advocates for equal opportunity in employment, low cost medical coverage, women’s reproductive rights including the right to an abortion, is addressing issues related to the changing climate, and investing in Black own businesses.

It is up to us, the voters, to KEEP OUR EYES ON THE PRIZE OF FREEDOM AND HOLD ON. . . HOLD ON. .

New California Law Mandates Fentanyl Education in High School Health Courses

by Breanna Reeves

A new law beginning with the 202627 school year requires schools with existing health courses to include lessons on fentanyl's dangers, risk factors, how to identify when fentanyl is mixed with other drugs (lacing) and how to respond to an overdose and use naloxone. (Graphic by Chris Allen, BVN)

A new law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom this month will now require school districts to include curriculum on the dangers of fentanyl use as part of high school health courses, beginning with the 2026-27 school year.

Overdose Surveillance Dashboard. Among young adults aged 15 to 24, 547 experienced a fentanyl-related death. Health officials across the state have ramped up awareness regarding fentanyl overdoses to spread awareness about the dangers of fentanyl use, harm reduction and how to administer naloxone. Last year, the governor signed AB 641 which requires California State University and Community College campuses to have fentanyl testing strips available at campus health centers.

Trump loyalists from his past administration.

Project 2025 will expand the powers of the President and the U.S. Supreme Court made it clear in its latest decision, if reelected president, Donald Trump will have broad immunity.

The Chair of the conservative Heritage Group Project 2025, Kevin Rogers, says it will be a peaceful and bloodless revolution unless resistance comes from those on the left.

Donald Trump, if elected in November 2024, with immunity, would have the authority to declare Martial Law across the country, if people participate in peaceful protests.

It was Governor Lester Maddox of Arkansas, who stood in his restaurant doorway with an ax handle to keep Blacks from entering his public place of business.

It was Police Chief Eugene “Bull” Connors in Birmingham, Alabama, that used German Shepard dogs and billy clubs to beat Black students while using fire hoses, to prevent them from peaceful protesting.

During all those hard years, we, as a people, never took our eyes off the prize of Civil Rights.

We are now faced with the choice of electing a felon convicted on 34-counts; a person who incited a riot against the federal government on January 6, 2021; a person convicted of sexual assault where the courts awarded his victim hundreds of millions of dollars; and a person who vows–if reelected–to use the Justice Department against his political opposition to indict them and lock them up. This opposition will include news media and journalists who would speak out against his administration and its policies in spite the Freedom of the Press authorized in the First Amendment of the U.S.

Authored by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego), Assembly Bill 2429 will require schools with existing health courses to include lessons on fentanyl’s dangers, risk factors, how to identify when fentanyl is mixed with other drugs (lacing) and how to respond to an overdose and use naloxone.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine, but is 50 to 100 times stronger.

“Fentanyl is now the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 49, and its impact is felt across the nation and globe,” said Assemblymember Alvarez in a statement when the bill initially passed the Assembly in May. “AB 2429 underscores the importance of education in combating this crisis and ensures our youth are prepared to protect themselves and their communities.”

In 2023, among the total population, there were more than 6,700 fentanyl-related deaths, according to California’s

Awareness campaigns have also been enacted at the local level, like San Bernardino County’s campaign, “Fentanyl Doesn’t Care. But We Do.” Across both Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, the health departments have launched surveillance dashboards to track fentanyl and opioid overdoses and deaths.

Fentanyl overdose deaths have been declining over the last several years among individuals aged 15 to 24, in both Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

“Educating young people and students on the dangers of fentanyl is a critical harm prevention strategy and will help students be able to recognize fentanyl and assist in an emergency,” stated Chairwoman Nora Vargas of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. San Diego County co-sponsored the bill. “There is no one-size solution to this crisis, but providing education about the dangers of fentanyl is a good first step.”

This bill is one of many that are part of Newsom’s Master Plan for Tackling the Fentanyl and Opioid Crisis, which also includes expanding California National Guard-supported operations that has led to an increase in seized fentanyl.

ACLU warns of threats to civil liberties under potential 2nd Trump administration

The ACLU released its memo, “Trump on Surveillance, Protest, and Free Speech” as part of its 2024 election policy series. The study, written by ACLU experts on matters of the First Amendment, surveillance and privacy, details the dangers posed by a potential second Trump administration and provides a road map to combat them. (Courtesy photo/ NNPA Newswire)

(NNPA Newswire) – As mainstream media and some Democrats zero in on President Joe Biden’s recent debate missteps, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is drawing attention to Donald

Trump, the 34-times convicted felon and twice-impeached former president. The ACLU released its memo, “Trump on Surveillance, Protest, and Free Speech” as part of its 2024 election policy series. The analysis, written by ACLU experts on topics like the First Amendment, surveillance and privacy, details the dangers posed by a potential second Trump administration and provides a road map to combat them. The ACLU released its memo, “Trump on Surveillance, Protest, and Free Speech” as part of its 2024 election policy series. The study, written by ACLU experts on matters of the First Amendment, surveillance and privacy, details the dangers posed by a potential second Trump administration and continued on page 8

Stacy M. Brown

Texas Rep. Ron Reynolds

Drug Used to Treat Diabetes Now a Weight Loss Miracle but Difficult to Obtain in

By Andre ‘M. Johnson

Black and Brown

Communities

Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA

Small pharmacies find difficulty in prescribing the drug due to Big Pharma restrictions

According to a recent study published in Lucent, the number of people living with diabetes worldwide is on pace to more than double in the next three decades. This increase will bring the total of worldwide diabetic patients to a staggering 1.3 billion by 2025, making diabetes one of the top 10 leading causes of death and disability, in the world.

On December 5th of 2017, a little-known drug hit the market to help millions of people suffering with diabetes. The drug was called Ozempic. Ozempic was created to lower blood sugar by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin and has shown continual success in patients with lowering their A1-C. The introduction of medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy has changed the game for millions of people worldwide who have been struggling with diabetes. It was a once weekly auto injector that would allow patients to maintain their sugar levels and create a healthier way of life. One of its known side effects, however, was dramatic weight loss.

In early 2022, Ozempic rose to fame when celebrities who do not suffer from diabetes began publicizing the drugs’ ability to assist in fast acting weight loss. It quickly went from a lifesaving medication for diabetics to the celebrity go to for shedding unwanted pounds. In 2021, in the U.S. alone, prescriptions of the drug quadrupled landing the miracle drug on the worldwide shortage list creating rippling effects through many communities.

Valentine Paterson of

Brooklyn, New York thought he had found a solution to his endless battle with obesity and diabetes when he was prescribed Ozempic. The effects were almost immediate and life altering. “I weighed more than 365 pounds and after being hospitalized for heart failure, my doctor recommended I take Ozempic,” said Paterson a 52-year-old Uber driver. “Within four months of taking the drug, I lost 65 pounds, and my doctor reduced my other medications from nine to four. It changed my life. But then I could not get my prescription filled. I looked for months; it was a nightmare. All the work and progress I was making was slipping away, all because I was unable to pay out of pocket.”

The reason Mr. Paterson could not get his prescription filled is because Mr. Paterson’s local pharmacy, like many others nationwide, was no longer able to obtain the blockbuster medication. The craze of Ozempic and Wegovy created a nationwide shortage of medication by those willing to pay the exorbitant out-ofpocket costs getting first cracks at the available supply. So, while pharmacies in lower income neighborhoods could not stock their shelves, pharmacies on Manhattan’s Upper Eastside had a twelve-month supply of the miracle drug readily available to those able to pay $1,400.00 per prescription. Given this void, the question was raised as to whether anyone or anything could help. Enter the compounding pharmacy. According to the FDA, compounding pharmacies

are authorized to produce exact drugs in times of a national shortage. But what exactly is a compounding pharmacy?

A compounding pharmacy makes and sells prescription medicines based on the specific formula provided to it by the FDA. When a medicine makes its way to the national shortage list, compounding pharmacies are authorized to make generic versions of those medications to assist all those in need. When a medicine is not on the national shortage list, compounding pharmacies are only authorized to make alternate forms of the prescribed drug. Ozempic has been on both the worldwide and US shortage list since April of 2022. However, what happens when Big Pharma doesn’t want to let compounding pharmacies earn money they feel belongs to them even during a shortage?

“Lifeline Pharmacy” is a small compounding pharmacy run by Dr. Aisha Johnson in the heart of south Los Angeles. For years, this pharmacy has served as a beacon of hope, providing personalized care and essential medications to the predominantly Black and Latino residents. Among the most critical medications Dr. Johnson compounds is semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, Black adults are nearly twice as likely as white adults to develop type 2 diabetes. This racial disparity has been rising over the last 30 years creating a disproportionate need for these life altering medications in communities of color. Despite the FDA’s approval for compounding pharmacies to produce semaglutide, Novo Nordisk has targeted these providers in order to protect their profits and eliminate the competition.

In the Ward 8 area of Washington, D.C., a heavily populated community of Black and Latino residents, the drug remains in high demand with little to no supply. “There is definitely a monopoly on it by Big Pharma,” said Dr. Damon Ricks, Pharmacy Manager at SIP. “Small Compounding Pharmacies are definitely within their rights and scope to create these drugs when the FDA declares a shortage.”

The impact of Big Pharma’s campaign is being felt in

communities from Brooklyn, NY to Los Angeles, CA. The misinformation spread by Novo Nordisk, stating that compounded versions of semagludies are unsafe and potentially life threating has created fear and uncertainty in those using compounded versions of the popular medication. Intensifying the problem, legislative proposals influenced by pharmaceutical lobbyists threatened to impose restrictions that would make it nearly impossible for small pharmacies to continue compounding semaglutide. For communities of color, this means losing a critical source of affordable and accessible medication.

“Big Pharma should not have a hold on these drugs. There needs to be a leveling of the playing field. I think having access to these drugs all across the board is needed. If a patient needs it for diabetes, then it should be made available to them. Prioritizing weight loss over diabetic patients is an injustice to our health care system,” said Ricks.

But Big Pharma continues to push for stricter regulations, claiming the need for patient safety. However, insufficient evidence exists to back up any of the claims made by Big Pharma. Compounding pharmacies must comply with existing rigorous standards to make any medication. They follow these standards in order to serve lower economic depressed communities of color. The popularity of these drugs has made it difficult for average Americans to afford or find these medications. These are not just weight loss medications; they are tools for survival for many diabetic patients. Due to Big Pharma’s bullying campaign, many patients have been forced to accept lower doses of these drugs to maintain any benefits even though most experience little to no progress with the reduced dosage. Yet those that truly need these lifesaving medications continue to suffer.

For communities of color, the ability of local compounding pharmacies to provide semaglutide and other essential medications is about more than access to treatment. They serve as a testament to the power of community and the relentless pursuit of a more just and equitable healthcare system.

Dr. Anju Mathur Makes Medicine Functional With Blue Zone Lifestyle Prescriptions For Health and Longevity

For over 15 years, Dr. Anju Mathur and her Angel Longevity Medical Center have been administering prescriptions that infuse her patients with long term health and Blue Zone tempered wellness to defy the effects of aging. In acknowledgement of Chronic Disease Day in July, Dr. Mathur is hoping to expand the awareness of alternative healing modalities.

Studio City, CA - When Dr. Anju Mathur experienced health

complications years ago, the shortcomings of her medical practice really hit home. While traditional medicine suppresses the symptoms of illness, she realized that actual healing needed to occur at a root level. She began to investigate alternative treatments for her own transformation which led to the establishment of her functional medicine office, the Angel Longevity Medical Center. For over 15 years now, Dr. Mathur has been administering prescriptions that infuse her patients with long term health and Blue Zone tempered wellness to defy the effects of aging. In acknowledgement of Chronic Disease Day in July, Dr. Mathur is hoping to expand the awareness of alternative healing modalities.

Around the world, there are Blue Zone areas which hosts individuals with good health and lower rates of chronic diseases who live past the age of 100. As a holistic and functional medicine practitioner, Dr. Mathur works to secure similar results for her patients. With aging, the risk of prolonged

illnesses, like cancer, diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer’s is increased. The power of selfrejuvenation decreases with senescence and brings symptoms that include muscle mass loss, weight gain, kidney issues, inflammation, and high blood pressure. Functional medicine differentiates from traditional methods by uncovering the root causes of persistent health issues and autoimmune disorders. This alternative medicinal approach allows Dr. Mathur to focus on extending one’s lifespan. Through customized diagnoses, Dr. Mathur and her staff hone a creative combination of resources that boost the immune system and promote prolonged renewal at a cellular level. Dr. Mathur’s prescribed health plans typically include combinations of natural medications, hormone replacement therapy, IV treatments, fitness, and nutrition coaching. As a menopause specialist, she has also successfully guided hundreds of women through midlife changes with her attentive treatment methods.

Dr. Anju Mathur Makes Medicine Functional With Blue Zone Lifestyle Prescriptions For Health and Longevity....continued consists of Angel Calm, Super Food, Adrenal Fuel, Prebiotic and Meno-Pro which she uses in her private practice when dispensing medications for her patients.

Dr. Mathur is an active community philanthropist providing support to numerous non-profit agencies. A few of her favorite organizations include The Boy & Girls Clubs, Drug Free World and The Way to Happiness Foundation. An advocate of literacy for improving the social betterment of society at large, she has personally sponsored book campaigns distributing thousands of free books to youths for over a decade in communities as far as New Delhi, India to local neighborhoods in Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Anju Mathur trained and practiced as a medical doctor in the Greater Los Angeles Area and is board-certified in antiaging medicine by the American Academy of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. She studied at Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi, followed by a residency at the Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles. She trained in functional medicine at IFM, the Institute of Functional Medicine. While Dr. Mathur works with her patients by providing them with the best natural medicines and lifestyle choices, her commitment to her community at large is also commendable. A society enabled by healthy individuals not crippled with chronic ailments can create a Blue Zone world that benefits everyone. A true visionary in functional medicine, Dr. Anju Mathur advocates for a paradigm shift toward holistic care, one patient at a time! For a consultation, make an appointment with Dr. Anju Mathur at https://www. angellongevity.com. Follow Angel Longevity Medical Center across all social media platforms and watch Dr. Mathur explain functional medicine on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=6w54OJX8KmY .

What if Crooks Had Been a Black Man?

By Hazel Trice Edney

(TriceEdneyWire.com) – Can you imagine what would have happened to a Black man who showed up at a Donald Trump rally acting “suspiciously” around the metal detectors?

It is no secret to any conscious American why the 20-year-old shooter of former President Trump was not stopped although police and security deemed him to be acting “suspiciously” around the metal detectors at the entrance of the July 13 Trump event in Butler, Pennsylvania.

There is a reason that the 20-year-old Crooks was reportedly not interrogated for identification. He was not chased, not followed; not heavily surveilled as he climbed to the roof of a building and aimed an AR-15 styled rifle only about 130 yards away from where former President Trump was speaking.

“Blue Zones are areas of the world where people live their longest lives, but you can achieve the blue zone effect no matter where you are when you are consciously maintaining a healthy state of living and that is my fundamental goal for my patients." explains Dr. Mathur. “Functional medicine is a very personalized, and yes, pro-aging approach to physical restoration. Every patient has unique traits that revolve around their genetics and environment. When these traits are analyzed and understood, an individualized program is created for the patient which targets the root cause of their ailments. When the malfunctions of the body are targeted at the base, the body can begin to align and correct itself and the life span is lengthened.”

In addition to achieving wonderful results for restoring her patients back to health and vitality, Dr. Anju Mathur is the founder of Angel Pure MD, an assemblage of health supplements made of natural ingredients. The product line

It is evident by only a brief review of recent American history that the reason Crooks was not stopped at the gate and caught before he pulled the trigger was because he was White. Period. Once again, it was the lone White male syndrome.

There is no question that had Crooks been a Black man, he would have been commanded to show identification. Had he not concurred, he would have been wrestled to the ground and likely shot dead or choked to death like D’Vontaye Mitchell, who was killed by hotel security June 30 right there in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where the Republican National Convention is being held this week.

Unlike Trayvon Martin, 17, out for Skittles and ice tea in Florida; Tamir Rice, 12, with a toy gun in Ohio; or Airforce Senior Airman Roger Fortson, 23, in his own apartment in Georgia, among dozens of other household names, Crooks was somehow given the benefit of the doubt, allowed to slide on by. It ultimately ended with

Crooks shooting and wounding former President Donald Trump in an assassination attempt, killing firefighter husband and father Cory Compechello and critically injuring two other people before he was killed by a police sniper. As authorities now intensely investigate, the debacle has been described as an “epic failure” of security, mainly the Secret Service. But we all know what it really was. The failure of security was catastrophic because Crooks was White.

As President Joe Biden quickly took authority, met with Homeland Security, the FBI and Secret Service and promised the nation a thorough investigation. But, Americans have witnessed this all too familiar scenario many times before. When thousands of predominately White Confederate flag-waving Trump supporters headed for Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021, none of the federal law enforcement agencies responded with the appropriate level of force, resulting in the violent January 6 attack and insurrection. Clearly, had those rioters been Black, the Capitol Police and other security agencies would have been prepared in advance with military force, dogs and high-powered rifles. They were unprepared for the destruction that occurred that day for the same reason that they were unprepared for the attack on former president, Donald Trump’s life in Butler, Pennsylvania. They have yet to become fully sensitized to the danger of the loan White male syndrome. The spirits of racism and White supremacy in America have trained authorities that the Black man should be treated as a threat and the White man should be given a pass. Fortunately, the would-be Trump assassin did not succeed although a family man took the bullet and died. Donald Trump, shot across the top of his right ear, escaped serious injury and was given a hero’s welcome at the Republican National Convention this week. In an iconic photo seen around the world, he pumped his fist seconds after the shooting, shouting to the crowd, “fight, fight, fight!”

But fight for what?

Thomas Matthew Crooks

Dr. Anju Mathur

NOTICE INVITING BIDS

COACHELLA VALLEY UNIFIED DISTRICT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Coachella Valley Unified District, acting by and through its Governing Board, hereinafter referred to as “District”, will receive prior to 2:00 pm on July 29, 2024, sealed bids for the award of a Contract for the following:

BID NO. 171-2024FB

PLAYFIELD IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND OUTDOOR LEARNING AT CESAR CHAVEZ

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, CORAL MOUNTAIN

ACADEMY ELEMENTARY, VALLE DEL SOL

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, VALLEY VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

All bids shall be made and presented only on the forms presented by the District. Bids shall be received in the Office of the Superintendent, Coachella Valley Unified District located at 87-225 Church Street, Thermal, CA 92274, and shall be opened and publicly read aloud at the above state time and place. Any bids received after the time specified above or after any extensions due to material changes shall be returned unopened.

Miscellaneous Information

Bids shall be received in the place identified above, and shall be opened and publicly read aloud at the abovestated time in the CVUSD Facilities Conference Room.

The bid documents are available for free download at the District Bid Manager Portal: https://cloud.astihosted. com/CVUSD/dbm/Vendor/Ven_Default.asp. All vendors interested in the project must be registered users and download/print their own set of bidding documents.

There will be a mandatory Pre-Bid Conference 7:00 am July 22, 2024 at CVUSD District Office, 87225 Church Street, Thermal, CA 92274. Report to Admin Building. Any Contractor bidding on the Project who fails to attend the entire mandatory job walk and conference will be deemed a non-responsive bidder and will have its bid returned unopened.

Scope of work to include but not limited to, fence removal and installation of new fence, installation of new concrete track pathway and natural grass field, irrigation improvements, new athletic site furnishing, etc.

Project time of completion: 60 days

**Note: Pursuant to Public Contract Code section 20103.8, the selection process selected does not preclude the District from using any of the additive or deductive alternates from the Contract after the lowest responsible responsive bidder has been determined.

Miscellaneous Information

Bids shall be received in the place identified above, and shall be opened and publicly read aloud at

Each bidder shall be a licensed contractor pursuant to the California Business and Professions Code, and be licensed to perform the work called for in the Contract Documents. The successful bidder must possess all valid and active Class “A, B, 27, 16” Licenses at the time of bid and throughout the duration of this Contract. The Contractor’s California State License number shall be clearly stated on the bidder’s proposal.

Subcontractors shall be licensed pursuant to California law for the trades necessary to perform the Work called for in the Contract Documents.

Each bid must strictly conform with and be responsive to the Contract Documents as defined in the General Conditions.

The District reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any irregularities or informalities in any bids or in the bidding.

Each bidder shall submit with its bid — on the form furnished with the Contract Documents — a list of the designated subcontractors on this Project as required by the Subletting and Subcontracting Fair Practices Act, California Public Contract Code section 4100 et seq.

In accordance with California Public Contract Code section 22300, the District will permit the substitution of securities for any moneys withheld by the District to ensure performance under the Contract. At the request and expense of the Contractor, securities equivalent to the amount withheld shall be deposited with the District, or with a state or federally chartered bank as the escrow agent, who shall then pay such moneys to the Contractor. Upon satisfactory completion of the Contract, the securities shall be returned to the Contractor.

Each bidder’s bid must be accompanied by one of the following forms of bidder’s security: (1) cash; (2) a cashier’s check made payable to the District; (3) a certified check made payable to the District; or (4) a bidder’s bond executed by a California admitted surety as defined in Code of Civil Procedure section 995.120, made payable to the District in the form set forth in the Contract Documents. Such bidder’s security must be in an amount not less than ten percent (10%) of the maximum amount of bid as a guarantee that the bidder will enter into the proposed Contract, if the same is awarded to such bidder, and will provide the required Performance and Payment Bonds, insurance certificates and any other required documents. In the event of failure to enter into said Contract or provide the necessary documents, said security will be forfeited.

The Contractor and all Subcontractors shall comply with the requirements set forth in Division 2, Part 7,

Chapter 1 of the Labor Code. The District has obtained from the Director of the Department of Industrial Relations the general prevailing rate of per diem wages and the general prevailing rate for holiday and overtime work in the locality in which this work is to be performed for each craft, classification or type of worker needed to execute the Contract. These per diem rates, including holiday and overtime work, as well as employer payments for health and welfare, pension, vacation, and similar purposes, are on file at the District, and are also available from the Director of the Department of Industrial Relations. Pursuant to California Labor Code section 1720 et seq., it shall be mandatory upon the Contractor to whom the Contract is awarded, and upon any subcontractor under such Contractor, to pay not less than the said specified rates to all workers employed by them in the execution of the Contract.

A Contractor or Subcontractor shall not be qualified to bid on, be listed in a bid proposal, subject to the requirements of Section 4104 of the Public Contract Code, or engage in the performance of any contract for public work, as defined in the Labor Code, unless currently registered and qualified to perform public work pursuant to Labor Code section 1725.5. It is not a violation of this section for an unregistered contractor to submit a bid that is authorized by Section 7029.1 of the Business and Professions Code or by Section 10164 or 20103.5 of the Public Contract Code, provided the contractor is registered to perform public work pursuant to Section 1725.5 at the time the contract is awarded.

The Contractor and all subcontractors shall furnish certified payroll records as required pursuant Labor Code section 1776 directly to the Labor Commissioner in accordance with Labor Code section 1771.4 on at least on a monthly basis (or more frequently if required by the District or the Labor Commissioner) and in a format prescribed by the Labor Commissioner. Monitoring and enforcement of the prevailing wage laws and related requirements will be performed by the Labor Commissioner/ Department of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE).

No bidder may withdraw any bid for a period of ninety (90) calendar days after the date set for the opening of bids.

Separate payment and performance bonds, each in an amount equal to 100% of the total Contract amount, are required, and shall be provided to the District prior to execution of the Contract and shall be in the form set forth in the Contract Documents.

All bonds (Bid, Performance, and Payment) must be issued by a California admitted surety as defined in California Code of Civil Procedure section 995.120.

Where applicable, bidders must meet the requirements set forth in Public Contract Code section 10115 et seq., Military and Veterans Code section 999 et seq. and California Code of Regulations, Title 2, Section 1896.60 et seq. regarding Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (“DVBE”) Programs. Forms are included in this Bid Package.

Any request for substitutions pursuant to Public Contract Code section 3400 must be made at the time of Bid on the Substitution Request Form set forth in the Contract Documents and included with the bid.

No telephone or facsimile machine will be available to bidders on the District premises at any time.

It is each bidder’s sole responsibility to ensure its bid is timely delivered and received at the location designated as specified above. Any bid received at the designated location after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids shall be returned to the bidder unopened.

COACHELLA VALLEY UNIFIED DISTRICT

Leticia C. Torres, Interim Director of Facilities, Planning and Development

Publication Dates: July 11, 2024 July 18, 2024

Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference: July 22, 2024

Bid Submittal/Opening: July 29, 2024

Published in The San Bernardino American Newspaper July 11, 18, 2024.

L E G A L S C L A S S I F I E D S G O H E R E

The United States of America. Reference: https://www.commonlawcourt.com/list/deeds/ OTH/22/857259 ~2 Legal Description: Lot 3 Amended Tract 16100 Recorded Book of Maps 308 Pages 58-59 Rancho Cucamonga San Bernardino County California APN 0225 071 80 0000 Now 1087 231 03 0000; being a portion of LAND PATENT Accession # CACAAA 073444 / Certificate # 4624, Dated, 31st day of May 1892; Township 1N Range 6W part &

Opinion: False Reality RevealedCalifornia's Growing Dependence on Government Jobs Threatens Long-term Economic Stability

Craig J. DeLuz | Special to California Black Media Partners

In the ongoing debate over government spending and its impact on job growth, the latest news from California reveals a harsh reality. While the public sector has seen an increase in jobs supported by tax dollars, the private industry - the backbone of any strong economy - has experienced a significant decline.

According to a recent analysis by the state Legislative Analyst's Office, private-sector industries in California have lost a staggering 340,000 jobs since their peak a couple of years ago. The tech and finance sectors, which were once major drivers of the state's economy, have been hit particularly hard. The information sector, home to tech giants like Google, Apple, Intuit and Facebook, has experienced a 16% decline in jobs, while the financial sector has lost 8% of its workforce.

Meanwhile, the health care and social-service industries, which are largely funded by the government, have seen a gain of 240,000 jobs. However, as principal fiscal and policy analyst Chas Alamo points out, these industries are heavily dependent on government spending, blurring the line between public and private-sector jobs. In total, the private sector has 12.5 million jobs, while the public and publicly supported sectors have a combined total of 5.5 million jobs.

This stark contrast in job growth raises important questions for the future of California's economy. With a

current unemployment rate of 5.2%, the highest in the nation, it is clear that the state's reliance on revenue from personal income taxes is not sustainable. As Brooke Armour, president of The California Center for Jobs and the Economy, points out, the state is losing high-wage, middleclass jobs and replacing them with low-wage hospitality and service jobs. This not only affects individuals' financial stability but also has a significant impact on the state's budget.

The California Business Roundtable, a group of top executives from the state's major employers, echoes this sentiment in their analysis of employment data. While they note the state's high costs of doing business, they also acknowledge the impact of the pandemic on the tech industry's job losses. However, the question remains, is the trend of tech companies investing and growing outside of California a temporary correction or a more permanent shift?

With the state facing budget deficits and an increasingly dependent economy on the stock market, these job trends are concerning. And while Alamo points out that the public sector includes jobs supported by the federal government, it is unclear if this will continue to offset the state's budget challenges in the long term.

In the end, as much as we may strive for equality and job

continued in next 2 columns

How Medi-Cal is Helping California’s Growing Older and Disabled Adults...continued from page 2

With ECM, introduced in January 2022, high-risk members or those with complex needs — for example, overlapping issues of dementia, mental health, and daily living — are assigned a lead care manager to help them navigate the system and access Medi-Cal services. These care leads can travel to meet the member if need be; for instance, the patient is homeless, disabled or isolated.

For Californians eligible for both Medi-Cal and Medicare, the federal insurance program for seniors and some younger people with disabilities, there are also now dual Medi-Medi Plans in 12 counties that cover copays and services across both programs, said Anastasia Dodson, DHCS deputy director of the Office of Medicare Innovation and Integration.

In 2026, Medi-Medi will be available statewide.

Currently, of the 6.6 million Californians on Medicare, 1.6 million are also on Medi-Cal.

How Medi-Cal is Helping California’s Growing Older and Disabled Adults...continued

with our services.”

“For example, we hired a Vietnamese-speaking care manager who went to community centers in San Jose and Santa Clara counties where there’s a large population. We got a huge influx, and could hire more VIetnamese-speaking staff, which increased referrals even more,” LaPlante explained. “We’re now doing the same thing in Merced County, posting jobs for Spanish-speaking staff.”

“This recent expansion to use Medicaid dollars for social determinants of health, like first month’s rent and a security deposit, is incredibly novel. I don’t see it anywhere else,” she added. “Each state can apply to waive how they use federal dollars for more than just medical services. Some do and some don’t … but here in California, we’re at the forefront.”

Jenna LaPlante, Senior Director of Care Management Programs, Institute on Aging, shares the success Medi-Cal has had in reaching underserved communities following efforts to recruit bilingual staff.

With older and disabled Californians, health risks often overlap across many areas of life, not just physical health concerns — for instance, if “they’re homeless with no income, no food, and they need a wheelchair,” said Carrie Madden, program director of Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Central and South LA (ADRC), a social service counseling and referral organization.

“What’s really been helpful is being able to coordinate and refer them to services that address these different areas,” she continued. “We have no wrong door. People who call us will get some kind of referral … and we follow up to make sure they get the services they need to live out of nursing homes and treatment facilities, back in the community they came from … With the Medi-Cal change now,

we’re seeing individuals get this help much faster.”

ADRC is partnered with Communities Actively Living Independent and Free (CALIF), one of 28 independent living centers in California.

Keith Miller, executive director of CALIF, said “Recently we entered a contract with an insurance provider to provide these new Medi-Cal programs like housing navigation or retention, assistive technology and ongoing case management,” particularly for people frequently entering emergency rooms.”

At CALIF, where “51% of our staff are people with disabilities,” this transformation of Medi-Cal crucially helped “keep our clients out of institutions and nursing homes,” he added.

Lilly Sanchez, case manager at CALIF, shared the story of how this transformation changed the life of one high-risk client who was often in the ER and about to enter a nursing home before he was referred to CALIF, which helped him enroll in Medi-Cal and stay in his community over the course of three months.

“When he came to us, he didn’t have in-home support, no California ID, couldn’t transport himself to and from the services he needed,” she explained. “We were able to do the paperwork for him and coordinate our social services with medical care through the insurance plan.”

“Because of that coordination of care, he is currently housed, he has in-home support, he has food nurtures him to stop needing the emergency room as much as he was before,” Sanchez continued.

“This speaks to how important it is not only to have medical care available but to coordinate it with all the other social services people need to be healthy,” she added. “Medi-Cal is making that coordination possible.”

Opinion: False Reality Revealed - California's Growing Dependence on Government Jobs Threatens Long-term Economic Stability...continued

“Living Eternity with Regret When It Didn’t Have to Be That Way”

By Lou K. Coleman

Lou K. Coleman

You know [Luke 16:19-31] tells a parable about a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in hades [Hell], being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.

And he called out, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame. But Abraham said, “Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.”

And he said, “Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s

house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.” But Abraham said, “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them. And he said, “No, Father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” He said to him, “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.” [Luke 16:19 – 31]. Living in Eternity with regrets.

The rich fool made plans he thought would give him security for the rest of his life. He planned for whatever could possibly occur, but according to [Luke 12:20], he did not plan for what was certainly going to happen. Ponder the brevity of life from the Book of Psalms and remember how short your time is. [Psalm 39:5; Psalm 78:39; Psalm 89:47; Psalm 90:10; Psalm 102:3; Psalm 144:4]. For as David said in [1 Samuel 20:3], “Truly, as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between you and death.” And to not be 100 percent ready for something that is100 percent certain is 100 percent foolish. The rich man’s experiences set before us some terrifying realizations. Hell is real! A place of conscious anguish and a place of profound regret. Don’t ignore Hell’s reality! Seek Salvation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is imminent. [Matthew 24:44].

Vision and Reality

Elizabeth Dilley

Anastasia Dodson, Deputy Director, Office of Medicare Innovation and Integration, Department of Health Care Services, says people who are enrolled in Medicare may also be eligible for Medi-Cal and explains the benefits of enrolling in both plans.

Community perspectives

Since this expansion of MediCal began in 2022, “We went from three counties to nine statewide where we provide ECM and connection to community supports like doctors, caregivers, meals, transportation, residential care away from nursing homes, home accessibility modifications, housing navigation and rent aid,” said Jenna LaPlante, senior director of care management programs at the Institute on Aging, which serves about 1,000 Medi-Cal members.

“It’s more than we’ve ever served, and we’re in talks with health plans to expand more,” she continued. “Hiring bilingual, bicultural staff from the communities we serve has been key to reaching communities who weren’t historically engaging

Dodson added that in January 2024, Medi-Cal eliminated asset limits, meaning that bank accounts, property or a second car won’t affect eligibility; now, only income and household size count.

growth in all sectors, the reality is that the private industry is the engine that drives economic growth. Ignoring the decline in this sector and its impact on the state's budget and job market would be a grave mistake. As economist Thomas Sowell reminds us, “The first lesson of economics is scarcity: There is never enough of anything to satisfy all those who want it.” And in California's case, the

scarcity of private-sector jobs may have serious consequences for its future.

About the Author

Craig J. DeLuz has almost 30 years in public policy and advocacy. He currently hosts a daily news and commentary show called The RUNDOWN. You can follow him on X at @ CraigDeLuz.

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In 1215, at Runnymede in England, King John signed the Magna Carta. The mythos surrounding this document as a foundational text of Western democracy, which ensured that even kings were subject to the rule of law, inspired the those who drafted the founding documents of the United States. I confess I was taught this mythos and believed in its fundamental truths, so much so that in 2008, when I first encountered the Magna Carta at Salisbury Cathedral, I wept openly at seeing those words on paper.

I was reminded of the words in Philippians 2:6–7, “Though [Jesus] was in the form of God, he did not consider being equal with God something to exploit. But he emptied himself…” To think that someone with so much power over others would voluntarily limit their power and share it is extraordinary. Giving up power to the people was, ironically, the most Godlike thing a king could ever do!

To be sure, the Magna Carta did propose some sharing of power, but not by all the people. And it did inform the creation of the United States Constitution, although not all people were included in its original promises. These are very human documents, not divine ones. Over the many years of my life, I have often wept for the ways these promises have (and have not) been lived into in our nation. I have wept for all who believed in the promise of equality under the law, for the ways that lie has been laid bare in the United States (over and over again—there are too many examples to share), and for the ways that this promise still shapes our vision and hope for who we can be.

So in 2024, when the Supreme Court granted absolute immunity for a president’s “official acts,” I wept again. I wept because that promise taught to us about the Magna Carta—that no one is above the rule of law, even a king!—seems further away today than it did a year ago. I wept because some people get to hide behind a shield of “official acts” as a cover for theft and even murder, while others do not even get the shield of law to protect them from extrajudicial beatings and execution. And now the president, the most powerful individual in the nation, is covered in such a shield as to essentially protect him from any accountability for actions taken while in office.

But I also remember this: even though the Magna Carta was not a document protecting all the rights of all people, and even though its technical aspects were ignored by the original signatories, and even though it could not inspire our nation’s founders to grant liberty to women or those who had been enslaved—even despite all this: the vision persists. All of us are granted the same freedoms and the same responsibilities. Sure, individually, a president is powerful. But collectively, the people are more powerful still. That power comes to us from Jesus Christ, and nothing is stronger than him.

So we weep, but we do not despair.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rev. Elizabeth Dilley serves as the Minister and Team Leader for the Ministerial Excellence, Support and Authorization (MESA) ministry team in the national setting of the United Church of Christ.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon Dismisses All Charges in the Federal Classified Documents Case Against Trump

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Judge Cannon’s decision removes a significant legal obstacle for Trump as he campaigns for a return to the White House despite being found responsible for sexually assaulting a woman, committing massive business fraud in New York, and, by the U.S. Congress, for inciting the deadly January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

regarding the indictment

In a bombshell decision, U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon dismissed all charges in the classified documents case against former President Donald Trump on Monday, ruling that the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith was unconstitutional. Smith’s appointment, according to Judge Cannon — who was appointed to the bench by Trump and is commonly viewed as a fervent supporter of his policies — violated the Constitution’s appointments clause because neither the president nor the Senate nominated or confirmed him.

Several legal experts and news reports immediately noted that Judge Cannon’s ruling defies decades of legal precedent,

including decisions dating back to the Watergate era, that have upheld the legality of appointing independent prosecutors. The timing of the decision is particularly notable, coming on the first day of the Republican National Convention, where Trump is expected to be officially nominated as the party’s presidential candidate.

Smith’s team filed federal charges against Trump and two other defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, in the Southern District of Florida. The former president is a convicted felon, having been convicted in New York on 34 felony counts that are unrelated to these charges.

Trump was charged with

unlawfully retaining national defense information, including improper storage of highly classified materials, after leaving office. He was also charged with obstruction based upon his actions following repeated attempts by the government to retrieve the files.

As a result of the dismissal, an appeal from Smith’s team is almost inevitable.

Judge Cannon’s dismissal was based on her finding that Attorney General Merrick Garland did not have the authority to appoint Smith, who isn’t a U.S. Senate-confirmed U.S. attorney. However, the appointment of special counsels is a process that has been in place

for nearly 30 years. Cannon cited defense arguments that allowing special counsels to operate under the attorney general’s authority violates the Constitution’s separation of powers.

The ruling follows closely on the heels of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ separate opinion in the recent landmark decision granting Trump and future presidents broad immunity from criminal prosecution. Justice Thomas, himself an ardent Trump supporter, raised questions about the constitutionality of Smith’s appointment, even though this issue was not germane to the case being decided and had never been otherwise previously addressed.

Judge Cannon’s decision removes a significant legal obstacle for Trump as he campaigns for a return to the White House despite being found responsible for sexually assaulting a woman, committing massive business fraud in New York, and, by the U.S. Congress, for inciting the deadly January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

“Smith will appeal,” Washington Informer and Let It Be Known Contributor Austin Cooper added. “The 11th Circuit will overturn [the decision],” and it will eventually end up in the Supreme Court which means the case is officially dead.”

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ACLU warns of threats to civil liberties under potential 2nd Trump administration...continued from page 3

provides a road map to combat them. (Courtesy photo/ NNPA Newswire)

The memo highlights what it calls an unprecedented threat to democracy, pointing to Trump’s promises to criminalize dissent, suppress free speech, expand government surveillance and target political opponents.

“The Trump presidency, with its false declarations of national emergencies in service of discrimination and total disregard for the rule of law, demonstrated what we’ve always known—that relying on unwritten norms for presidential behavior is grossly insufficient.

Trump is now threatening to be even less constrained if given a second chance,” said Cecillia Wang, deputy legal director of the ACLU.

According to the memo, a second Trump administration would likely:

Leverage federal law enforcement to attack journalists and protesters, violating First Amendment rights and possibly deploying the military in urban areas to suppress protests.

Exploit executive powers to spy on Americans using authorities like Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance

Act and Executive Order 12333, leading to the mass collection of private data.

Target political opponents through investigations and prosecutions, replacing civil servants with loyalists, and demanding employee loyalty pledges.

The ACLU’s roadmap for protecting civil liberties includes litigation to defend those wrongfully prosecuted, mobilizing public support to limit executive power, and state and local advocacy to enact strong data protection laws.

“Donald Trump has made no secret of his disregard for the rule of law and his intent to corrupt the immense powers of the federal government to target his opponents and break the institutions that could pose checks and balances to presidential power,” said Mike Zamore, national director of policy and government affairs for the ACLU. “In a second term, unleashed and feeling invulnerable from legal and political repercussions, he would pose an unprecedented challenge to our constitutional values. But the ACLU is ready. If Trump is elected and comes for our First Amendment rights, we’ll stand with the people of this country to defend our freedom.”

What if Crooks Had Been a Black Man?... continued from page 4

Ironically, it has been Donald Trump himself who has been a ringleader in fanning the fumes of racism and White supremacy in America.

· He implied that the Central Park Five, Black and Latino men who were ultimately exonerated of rape after a wrongful conviction, deserved the death penalty. Trump has never apologized.

· He led the birther movement claiming President Barack Obama was not born in the U. S.

· He called Haiti and African nations “sh*thole countries.”

· He called football players protesting wrongful police killings of Black men and women “sons of bitches.”

· During the Charlottesville “Unite the Right” rally that drew White supremacists from across the country in 2017, Trump said there were “very fine people on both sides.”

· And most recently, during the CNN debate against President Biden, he referred to “Black jobs”, apparently espousing a stereotype that he has yet to explain. Thankfully, Donald Trump survived the assassination attempt. But the fact is that the so far unrepentant former president was nearly killed by the same evil that he has helped to perpetuate.

Hazel Trice Edney is editorin-chief of the Trice Edney News Wire.

Aileen M. Cannon, United States District Judge, Southern District of Florida. Official photo, Aileen M. Cannon, United States District Judge, Southern District of Florida. Jack Smith during a statement

of Donald J. Trump. Photo: United States Department of Justice.