Community leaders, elected officials seek answers and solutions in wake of mass shootings

By DaQuan Lawrence, AFRO International Writer, DLawrence@afro.com and Aria Brent, AFRO Staff Writer, abrent@afro.com

Community leaders and elected officials alike are seeking to help neighborhood residents recover mentally and emotionally in the wake of recent mass shootings. Though mass shootings since July 1 have occurred across the country from California to New York and Massachusetts, the questions remain the same: why? And where do we go from here?

“The only thing that we really have to do is take a deeper look into the heart of the matter,” said Gregory Dennis, president of ACT Now Baltimore. “If we can’t get people’s hearts to change, we won’t get their lifestyles to change. What we need to do is begin to inspect and look at how we are helping families stay together.”

In the days after the mass shooting in Baltimore that injured dozens and claimed two lives, ACT Now made a point to be present with resources.

“How are we caring for one another? Do we see one another as a support system? Do we look at one another as an enemy or as a foe?” quipped Dennis. “If we see our neighbors as foes, this can always happen.”

Act Now Baltimore operates as a network of faith-based community hubs in each of Baltimore’s 14 Council Districts. Members of the organization work together to assure Baltimore’s political leaders are accountable, credible and transparent to the people they serve. Since the mass shooting on July 2, ACT Now has been on the ground, helping those who were affected by the tragic event cope and heal.

While residents are having their holistic needs addressed with food giveaways and free counseling resources, law enforcement officers in Baltimore and Philadelphia are busy arresting individuals suspected of involvement in mass shootings that occurred around the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

As police search and arrest suspected individuals in unrelated shootings in Baltimore and Philadelphia, community leaders are working to holistically address the issue of gun violence in the community. Shown here, Baltimore city Mayor Brandon Scott leads a crowd of advocates and residents as they walk through the Brooklyn Homes complex, the area where dozens were shot and two were killed on July 2. Mass shooting victims Kylis Fagbemi (top right), 20, and 18-year-old Aaliyah Gonzalez (bottom left) lost their lives in the Brooklyn Homes complex while celebrating at a neighborhood block party. Homicide detectives are still seeking information on what led to the shooting and who should be responsible.

On July 7, members of Baltimore Police Department’s (BPD) Homicide and SWAT team arrested a 17-year-old male, after obtaining a search warrant and examining his residence.

Mayor Brandon M. Scott released a statement on the day of the arrest, thanking those who helped with bringing in the suspect and assuring the people of Baltimore that more will be done.

“Bringing the perpetrators of this horrific crime to justice is our number one priority, and I want to thank everyone who had a hand in bringing this person of interest in. I am confident that this investigation will continue diligently working through every single tip, lead, and suspect,” said Scott.

The suspected teen was transported to the Central

OP-ED: Bidenomics Builds on Efforts to Invest in Struggling Communities

Clyburn (SC-06)

Booking Intake Facility, where he is facing several charges, including possession of a firearm by a minor, possession of an assault weapon, carrying a handgun in a vehicle and reckless endangerment.

BPD did not charge the suspect with murder and mentioned their investigation was ongoing. Thus far, no other arrests have been made. Authorities have not determined a motive for the shooting and the number of suspects involved is not clear. BPD stated that there is a $28,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest and charges.

In an unrelated and separate shooting in Philadelphia during the evening of July 3, five people were killed and multiple minors were wounded.

Authorities mentioned that the suspect, 40-year-old Kimbrady Carriker, opened fire on strangers with an AR-15 while wearing body armor. Officers are currently investigating social media for a series of posts by Carriker, about guns, the Second Amendment and the “loss of freedom,” according to law enforcement.

Last month, Carriker shared a contemptuous video of a speech by President Biden and his opinion that Biden was supporting legislation to “take our arms.” In May, Carriker distributed posts from pro-gun advocates in support of the Second Amendment and former President Donald Trump.

As of July 12, 2023 there have been at least 374 mass shootings in the U.S. this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which defines a ‘mass shooting’ as an occurrence where at least four people are shot, not including the shooter.

California Black Media Political Playback: News You Might Have Missed

partners with individuals from underserved communities to own and operate competitive retail businesses.

“It is an incredible honor to serve as President of Board of Airport Commissioners,” said Webb. “An extraordinarily talented group of Commissioners have been assembled to ensure the benefits of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) are realized equitably across our region.

counties. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass congratulated Webb on his election to BOAC President.

“I am confident that LAWA will continue to innovate and grow its impact in the region under the leadership of President Karim Webb and Vice President Matt M. Johnson.”

Bass also congratulated Courtney La Bau and Victor Narro on their appointments as new commissioners of BOAC.

There is an increased focus on “Bidenomics” as President Joe Biden and his administration implement and communicate his economic policy agenda to the American people. President Biden gave a major speech on the subject in Chicago last month. Listening to that speech, I was struck by one line in particular: “I believe every American willing to work hard should be able to say where they grew up and stay where they grew up.” ranged from drinking water infrastructure in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, to a public safety building in New Madrid County, Missouri, to a “green” administration building for a tribal housing authority in Pine Ridge, South Dakota.

Focusing on struggling communities has been a priority of mine for many years. For too long, communities like many of those I represent have been victimized by government policies, overlooked for private investments, and neglected for economic development. President Biden understands that we must make America’s greatness accessible and affordable for everyone, everywhere.

Back in 2009, as we began to plot our recovery out of the Great Recession, I remembered how the New Deal was a raw deal for many of the communities I represent, as it largely excluded African Americans. Careful to avoid repeating that shameful history, I insisted that resources be targeted to long-struggling communities.

We increased the number of accounts subject to the 10-2030 formula from the 3 in the Recovery Act to 15 for the past several years. Billions of federal dollars have been invested under these provisions, and the benefits have continued. Funded by a USDA Community Facilities Grant, the Bamberg-Barnwell Emergency Medical Center opened in 2019 in rural South Carolina, filling an essential need in two communities where two hospitals had closed in 2012 and 2016.

Roosevelt County Electric Cooperative in New Mexico took advantage of the formula to improve reliability and affordability, and the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians received a $1.4 million water and waste disposal grant to improve the water infrastructure on their reservation.

On July 13, the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners (BOAC) unanimously elected Karim Webb as the group’s President. Webb is an Entrepreneurial Activist and CEO of 4thMVMT, a Los Angeles-based firm that

“Collectively, we’ll work to support the LAWA team complete the transformation of LAX while centering the interests of all Angelinos in all we do,” said Webb, who is the son of Reggie Webb, a philanthropist and owner of McDonald’s franchises in Los Angeles and San Bernardino

L.A. City Councilmember

Curren Price Says Charges Are “Unwarranted” as He Makes First Court Appearance

On July 13, embattled Los Angeles City Councilmember

Curren Price made his first court appearance since L.A. County Dist. Atty. George Gascón filed charges against him last month.

Gascón is charging Price with receiving nearly $34,000 in medical benefits for his current wife, Del Richardson Price, between 2013 and 2017 while he was still married to his former wife. Prosecutors also allege that Price made several false statements on forms, including misstating his wife’s income.

Price, 72, who continues to serve his district on the city council, did not speak to reporters at the hearing but released a statement afterward.

“We believe that the charges

We came up with what we called the 10-20-30 formula, which required at least 10 percent of funds in designated accounts to be spent in persistent poverty counties, which are defined as counties that have had a poverty rate of at least 20 percent for at least 30 years. There are more than 400 such counties in America. These counties are as diverse as our country. They are majority Black in the South, majority white in Appalachia, majority Latino in the Southwest, and majority Native American in the Great Plains. Far more are represented by Republicans than by Democrats.

The Recovery Act applied the 10-20-30 formula to three rural development accounts: the Rural Community Facilities Program Account, the Rural Business Program Account, and the Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program Account.

The results were impressive. According to the USDA, the 10-20-30 formula was responsible for funding 4,655 projects totaling nearly $1.7 billion in persistent poverty counties. These projects

A more recent investment by the Economic Development Administration at the Department of Commerce illustrates the promise of these targeted investments in persistent poverty counties. An EDA grant of nearly $4 million was awarded to Panola County, Mississippi, to support the county, and I’m quoting the Department, “with renovating a former outlet mall building for use as a workforce training center that will serve North Mississippi.” That is what the 10-20-30 formula is all about.

Our work to target funds to distressed communities has not stopped with the 10-20-30 formula focused on persistent poverty counties. We recognize that county poverty rates are not necessarily the best metric by which to assess the level of need in urban areas, so we have set aside funds for both persistent poverty counties and highpoverty census tracts, including in the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant program. Late last month, a $22.8 million RAISE grant was awarded to build a pedestrian bridge and multi-modal transit hub in Orangeburg, South Carolina, to connect

SBCUSD Holds Back-To-School Extravaganza July 19

Community/Education

Ramos announces California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation district scholarship recipient....continued competitive pool of more than 900 applicants and are evaluated using the following criteria: academic performance, personal statements, extracurricular activities, leadership positions held, special awards and honors

The Heat Is On: California Ramps Up Coping Strategies

received, and work history. Each winner receives a $5,000 scholarship, which aids eligible students admitted to or currently enrolled at an accredited college or university.

OP-ED: Bidenomics Builds on Efforts to Invest in Struggling Communities...continued

from page 1 downtown with surrounding neighborhoods and two HBCUs, South Carolina State and Claflin. This investment will be transformational for that community.

By Mark Hedin

Exposure to extreme heat can be deadly. But simple solutions, such as planting more trees for shade, can greatly mitigate harm for vulnerable communities.

The San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) is holding its annual Back-to-School Extravaganza on Wednesday, July 19 at Court Street Square in San Bernardino.

The event is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and features community organizations and sponsors all focused on helping families prepare students to return to and succeed in school. Sponsors include Amazon KSBD, San Bernardino Valley College, Molina Healthcare, OmniTrans, IEHP (Inland Empire Health Plan), Dignity Health, Stater Bros. Charities, Mother’s Nutritional Center, SMILE San Bernardino County, Loma Linda University–Institute for Community Partnerships, and CAAASA (California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators).

Families can enjoy free entertainment and participate in raffle drawings as they learn about services that can help children stay in school and overcome obstacles to academic success. SBCUSD departments will be on hand to provide information and guidance on the District's English-learner programs, after-school programs, special education services, student wellness and support services, and more. Community sponsors will be giving out free school supplies, dental supplies, and information on how to access free and low-cost health and financial resources.

Immunizations will be available for those who qualify. All supplies and immunizations will be available only while supplies last.

Attendance is limited to the first 3,000 SBCUSD students who RSVP at https://sbcusd. info/btse or by calling the Family Engagement Office at (909) 8804057. You must provide a student ID number to register. Court Street Square is located at 349 North E Street in San Bernardino. OmniTrans bus routes, including the sbX Green Line, have stops at or near Court Street Square.

If you plan to attend the Back-to-School Extravaganza and require reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the SBCUSD Affirmative Action Office at (909) 381-1122 or mike. medina@sbcusd.com before the event.

Ramos announces California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation district scholarship recipient

First generation college student receives a 2023 California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation Scholarship

Community /Education News

SAN BERNARDINO—

Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino) announced today that Fontana resident Angelica Macias was selected as the California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation 2023 Scholarship for the 45th Assembly District and will receive $5,000.

Macias, a first generation college student attends California Baptist University and is pursuing a career as a nurse practitioner in the field of neonatology. She has already graduated from community college. “I have dreamt of working in the medical field since I was nine years old, and that dream lives on to this day,” Macias said. While attending school, she works as a Perioperative Technician at Loma Linda University to offset her school, family, and living expenses.

The nursing student said she found her educational inspiration from her parents who emigrated from Mexico. “My father did not have the privilege to attend high school in Mexico and was expected to provide for his siblings at a young age. When he arrived in California at about eighteen years old, he came with a strong will to learn and absorb any knowledge. He had a hunger to learn and solve any situations in his workplace by studying books in his free time.”

We have been working to target resources to communities in need across the entire federal government while recognizing that different targeting measures will work better for different programs. Last Congress, we developed and introduced the Targeting Resources to Communities in Need Act, which would direct the Office of Management and Budget to work with agencies to take steps to better target funds to struggling communities and report to Congress on the steps that they have taken and the results that they have had. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and I introduced this legislation on a bipartisan basis last year with Hal Rogers (R-KY-05) in the House and Rob Portman (R-OH) in the Senate. It passed the House and was marked up in the Senate. It came up just short of being enacted into law, but our work continues. We have achieved remarkable progress. We cannot help struggling Americans unless we help the communities they call home. We have a president of the United States who understands that. His vision of a country where “every American willing to work hard should be able to say where they grew up and stay where they grew up” is within reach.

The free access Barton Springs Municipal Pool in Austin, Texas. (photo by Tomek

Extreme heat poses the greatest natural risk to human health. These days, there’s plenty of it, and more is on the way.

“This is not your grandmother’s summer,” Marta Segura, chief heat officer and director of climate emergency mobilization for the city of Los Angeles, warned at a July 13 press briefing, the first of three planned to discuss the health risks heat poses to Californians and the resources being marshaled to combat it.

The briefing, hosted by Ethnic Media Services and California’s Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications, came the week after Planet Earth recorded highest-yet daily average temperatures on four continued on page 7

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD at Universal Studios Hollywood Welcomes Toad,

A New Walk-About Character, Joining Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach in the Mushroom Kingdom, to Greet and Interact with Guests and Fans

Community/Education News

Universal City, California, July 17, 2023 – Toad joins his friends Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach as a new walk-about character within SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Toad, a resident of the Mushroom Kingdom who works in service of Princess Peach, will now be on hand to meet and interact with guests visiting from around the world.

Macias added, “His hard work ethic has profoundly influenced me to also accomplish my career goals . . . it is possible with hard work and grit.”

As the first in her family to attend college, Macias also served as a model and support system for her four younger siblings by helping them meet their education goals and set a career path for themselves.

Ramos said, “Angelica is a testimony to the values her parents have instilled in her. She also brings compassion and care back to the community in her current job as well as her desire to work as a nurse, nurturing and caring for children.

I wish Angelica all the best as she continues to overcome challenges and celebrate the success of Latinos in higher education.”

Each year the California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation opens applications for their statewide scholarship. Over 60 students from the 45th Assembly District applied for the scholarship this year. Applicants included high school seniors and university graduate level students with interests in a variety of studies such as medicine, political science, and technology.

California Latino Legislative Caucus scholarship recipients are selected from a highly

Since opening in early 2023, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD has been incredibly well received, resonating with theme park guests and Nintendo fans across every generation. From the moment guests pass through the signature giant green pipe and are transported into the Mushroom Kingdom to become a part of this exhilarating universe, the energy and excitement is transformative, filled with exploration, discovery and play unlike anything they’ve ever experienced.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is an all-new visually spectacular land, located within an expanded area of Universal Studios Hollywood. Within the vibrancy of colors and architectural ingenuity sits the groundbreaking “Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge” ride, as well as many interactive activities to engage the entire family within the captivating Mushroom Kingdom.

Along with themed dining at Toadstool Cafe™ and shopping at the 1-UP Factory™ retail store, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is an inspiring, game-changing addition to the world-famous theme park.

At-a-glance, this is SUPER NINTENDO WORLD:

“Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge”: This all-new, technologically advanced ride, inspired by the popular Mario Kart™ video game series, seamlessly fuses cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) with projection mapping technology and actual set pieces along a moving ride track. Set against a multi-sensory backdrop of color, sound and movement, guests are seated in stadium-style, four-seat vehicles as they navigate familiar courses through the creative use and integration of head mounted AR goggles. This unique feature is a key point of differentiation that distinguishes this ride from other theme park attractions.

The premise of “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” is simple but equally inspiring and challenging, appealing to guests of all ages regardless of gaming experience. As part of Team Mario, guests steer through underwater courses and courses in the clouds to compete for the Golden Cup while collecting digital coins to defeat Team Bowser and win. “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” raises the stakes for guests as an intriguing and repeatable ride with a variety of outcomes.

Mount Beanpole: This towering landmark sits at the heart of the land and also serves as the entry queue for “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.”

Bowser’s Castle: Adorned with a breathtaking sculpture of a large and powerful Bowser, this structure serves as a key centerpiece of the land, home to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD’s signature ride, “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.” As guests navigate the corridors and pass through the hall of medallions and trophies of the ominous castle towards the ride, they learn more about Bowser’s calculated plans to defeat Team Mario for the coveted Golden Cup.

Power-Up Band™: These wearable, state-of-the-art wristbands sync with the official Universal Studios Hollywood’s free downloadable app to levelup the guest experience within the land and enhance its many interactive elements. These include, but are not limited to, keeping individual and team scores, collecting digital coins and obtaining keys after winning Key Challenges throughout the land. When riding “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge,” guests are encouraged to tap their PowerUp Band on the ride vehicle’s steering wheel. By doing so, they can track digital coins collected as well as gauge their ranking against friends and family when synced to the official Universal Studios Hollywood app. They are available in six design options with character themes and can be purchased both within the land and at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD retail shops located within the theme park and on Universal CityWalk Hollywood.

Interactive Gameplay: Within the land, guests can enjoy many interactive areas, including punching ? Blocks to collect digital coins. They will discover a new dimension of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD via the interactive binoculars positioned within the land, employing augmented reality technology. Guests can also collect keys after winning the Key Challenges from Goomba Crazy Crank, Koopa Troopa POWer Punch, Piranha Plant Nap Mishap and Thwomp Panel Panic. Collecting at least three keys will ultimately allow access to the final boss battle with Bowser Jr.’s Shadow Showdown.

Toadstool Cafe: The land’s signature restaurant Toadstool Cafe serves a delicious menu perfected by Chef Toad where he greets guests upon entry. Menu items prepared fresh daily include Toadstool Cheesy Garlic Knots, Super Mushroom Soup, Piranha Plant Caprese, Mario Bacon Cheeseburger, Luigi Pesto Chicken Burger, ? Block Tiramisu and Princess Peach Cupcake.

1-UP Factory: What better way to commemorate a visit to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD than to visit the 1-UP Factory retail shop to purchase collectable memorabilia. The 1-UP Factory offers an extensive selection of merchandise from themed apparel to iconic character hats and an array of plush characters, including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Toad and Bowser.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is conceived in partnership with Nintendo and the visionaries at Universal Creative to deliver exhilarating entertainment with innovative technological achievements inspired by characters and video games that have appealed to Nintendo fans for generations.

For more information and details, guests can visit www. UniversalStudiosHollywood. com; like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.

America’s Traffic Stop Coach Says African American Drivers Are Being Hunted

Every 13 Seconds, Another Driver Gets Pulled Over

Keeping it Real: A Pending Insurance Crisis

by S.E. Williams

Just before the fires erupted across parts of the inland region this past weekend, Farmers Insurance Company announced it would no longer write new policies in California.

The announcement did not surprise many who have been following this issue as it comes on the heels of similar announcements by both Allstate and State Farm.

Riverside County Probation staff praised during Probation Services Week

2023 Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week is July 16-22

Nationwide -- “It’s alarming and overwhelming that Black America still gets disproportionately pulled over more than everyone else,” notes esteemed African-American author Eric Bryant who is considered to be America’s Traffic Stop Coach. “Yes, they are hunting us,” he adds.

“Correct pullover etiquette is always an afterthought until it’s too late,” he continues. “I’ve heard many say, ‘that’s common sense’ but I have been involved with this for a long time and literally when you see the red/blue lights behind you, everything goes out the window.”

Bryant says that there are as many stories as there are actual traffic stops themselves. However, he believes that there is a proven science to having safe, uneventful, ticketless traffic stops.

Arrest Me Not’s 2023 Top 10 Do’s & Don’ts When Stopped By Police Include:

#1. Best Line to Avoid a Speeding Ticket

#2. What Not to Say

#3. Best Question to Ask Police

#4. What Police Think You Lied filed by the D.A.’s office are completely unwarranted and that the facts will bear this out,” Price said. “I have always conducted myself, in and out of the public eye, with integrity and professionalism.”

If convicted, Price could face 8 to 10 years in prison.

Gov. Newsom Signs Legislation to Speed Up Infrastructure Projects

Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an infrastructure package aimed at accelerating construction on projects that will help California meet its 2035 clean energy goals.

The recently approved state budget allocates $180 billion towards related infrastructure development. It is estimated that these projects could create up to 400,000 jobs, according to the Governor’s office.

“For decades, infrastructure projects critical to our future have stalled because of a pervasive mindset of ‘no,’” said Newsom in a press release.

“With this legislation, California is saying ‘yes’ to building the clean energy, safe drinking water and transportation projects we need to deliver on our worldleading climate action. Now it’s time to roll up our sleeves and build California’s future.”

Newsom also signed components of the 2023-24 state budget agreement, which includes $37.8 billion in total budgetary reserves. This represents the largest figure in state history.

In Annual “Top States for Business” Report, California Gets “F” for Cost of Living and Business Friendliness

Every year CNBC releases

#5. 2nd Do after Parked

#6. Biggest Mistake When Stopped

#7. Two Trick Questions Police Ask

#8. What You Never Do to Police

#9. Correct Position When Talking to Officers

#10. Know Your Rights

See the #1 – #10 answers and the free printable PDF –ArrestMeNot.com a “Top States for Business” ranking.

About Arrest Me Not, the first nationally published title/book for African-American teenage & adult drivers in the mid90s, details “correct pullover etiquette” when stopped by police & has been featured on Oprah, MTV News, and even in Playboy magazine to mention a few of the countless news media coverage. Created because of a very negative whitecop black-motorist traffic stop plus following day in Cleveland (OH) traffic court, Arrest Me Not provides timeless what-todo and what-to-avoid instructions in multiple formats.

The network evaluated all 50 states on 86 metrics across 10 broad categories of competitiveness. Each category was weighted based on how frequently states used it as a selling point to attract potential residents and businesses. The metrics were scored on a scale of 2,500 points and the states with the highest scores made the list. California gained top rankings in ‘Access to Capital’ and ‘Technology & Innovation’. However, the state received F rankings in ‘Business Friendliness’ and ‘Cost of Living’. Overall, California ranked number 25 in the study.

“Our overall ranking should come as no surprise to the governor and Legislature, who continue to push higher taxes, fees, and expensive regulations onto businesses,” said Rob Lapsley, president of the California Business Roundtable.

“The governor and Legislature’s policies continue to give clear signals that California is not a friendly place to expand or grow jobs,” Lapsley added.

State Board of Education Votes

Unanimously to Adopt Math

Framework for California

Public Schools

On July 12, the California State Board of Education unanimously passed a new framework for Math instruction.

The nearly 1,000-page document calls for significant changes in instruction, emphasizing approaches that engage students through problem-solving, creating context and relating the subject to their daily lives.

Proponents of the new approach say that the goal is to build

California Insurance Commissioner

You may be surprised to learn that California is not only the largest insurance market in the U.S., it is the fourth largest market in the world. Regardless of the profits these corporations make in the state however, insurers appear to be weighing the risk and the continuing impact of a changing climate coupled with the industry’s growing concern over expansive wildfires and the costly claims that result against their bottom lines and apparently deciding that expanding coverage in this state is untenable as it may cut too deeply into their capital reserve requirements.

But, that may not be the only concern. A question remains as to whether ‘insurers have expanded coverage in the state beyond their ability to serve such a large market?

“This wildfire insurance crisis has been years in the making, but it is an emergency we must deal with now if we are going to keep the California dream of home ownership from becoming the California nightmare, as an increasing number of homeowners struggle to find coverage.”

Still others believe the insurance cutbacks are being driven by the industry’s purported inability to raise rates quickly enough due to state regulations and other factors like the cost of rebuilding in the wake of wildfires and related inflationary pressures. All of these may be concerns in addition to drought and other impacts of a changing climate.

Meteorologists estimate that 400,000 to one million acres may burn across the state this year which could mean slightly above average fire dangers due to storms this past winter that gave birth to more brush to fuel fires this season. This puts the state at average or slightly above average for fire dangers later in the summer.

If there is any good news in all of this, it’s that although the big named carriers are bowing out because they are skittish about writing new policies, there are at least 100 insurance carriers still doing business in the state.

If you have questions or concerns about your insurance or are in the market for a new policy, resources are available on the California Department of Insurance’s website. I encourage you to stay informed on this important issue. Today some insurers are shying away from writing new policies, the next step could well be deciding not to renew existing policies.

Of course this is just my opinion. I’m keeping it real.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. –

Pretrial, Probation, and Parole

Supervision Week is a time to recognize dedicated community supervision professionals across the United States. This July 16 through 22, we honor Riverside County Probation Department probation officers, probation corrections officers and support staff who hold justice-involved youth and adults accountable through community supervision while working to help them regain control of their lives and improve safety in Riverside County.

“We are proud of our incredible Riverside County Probation staff for their dedication to assisting clients to overcome challenges and access resources that allow them to build a stable foundation from which they can work their way out of the criminal justice system,” Chief Probation Officer Christopher H. Wright said. “Their efforts reach far beyond the clients; breaking the cycle of recidivism to heal families and make communities safer.” mental health support. In addition, probation officers work with state and local law enforcement through multi-agency task forces that specialize in gangs, narcotics and accountability and compliance. The department has implemented juvenile delinquency prevention and intervention programs to reduce entry by youth into the justice system. of the subject matter before introducing the math procedures and algorithms that have traditionally been taught first.

Pretrial Services provide reports regarding the circumstances of a client’s arrest and criminal history to assists the Court in making the most appropriate orders to encourage their success while remaining free in the community.

The changes to the mathematical framework in response to declining math test scores, which are largely attributed to outdated textbooks and students struggling to recover from the pandemic and readjust to in-person learning.

Only 33% of students met or exceeded mathematics proficiency standards in 2022.

“The framework’s focus on fundamental concepts, open-ended tasks, justice, student inquiry, reasoning and justification aligns with effective mathematics teaching practices,” state board member Gabriela Orozco-Gonzalez told edsource. org.

U.S. Small Business Administration Gives L.A.-

Based Black-Owned Fintech

Firm SBA Preferred Lender Status

Last week, Lendistry, a Los Angeles-based fintech firm that administered COVID-19 state grants to small businesses in California, announced that it has been granted Preferred Lender status by the Small Business Administration (SBA).

The Preferred Lender Program grants SBA lenders the ability to underwrite and approve SBA loans independently without waiting for the SBA to review them, resulting in faster and more flexible decisions for customers, according to a Lendistry press release.

"In a time when stricter lending rules are slowing the flow of capital to businesses and households, we're determined to keep expanding financing opportunities," says Everett

K. Sands, CEO of Lendistry. "Technology is the key to equitable lending.”

Probation is an essential and integral part of the justice system. People often enter probation at a vulnerable time in their lives, hoping for a chance to overcome past mistakes and move forward. With courage and dignity, probation staff provide a balance of effective enforcement and finding rehabilitative services to get clients back on their feet and lead productive futures.

Probation staff work collaboratively with the Courts, community-based organizations and fellow county agencies to provide educational, vocational, substance abuse recovery and

The department operates three juvenile detention facilities and one residential treatment facility. The detention facilities primarily house youth pending court hearings or out-of-home placement. The residential treatment facility provides programs and services to youth who are committed to this program by the Court. This includes re-entry case planning to facilitate the youth's seamless transition back into the community upon their release.

The Victim Restitution and Resources Division provides victim restitution memorandums to the Court on a countywide basis for all adult and juvenile cases. Individualized restitution services are provided to the Court and approximately 10,000 crime victims each year.

The Riverside County Probation Department supervises approximately 10,000 adult and 700 juvenile clients throughout the county.

Carlee Russell's Parents Speak Out After Her Mysterious Return

By Kalyn Womack

Derek Smith Joins California

African American Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

The California African American Chamber of Commerce (CAACC) has unanimously added Derek Smith to its Board of Directors. Smith is the founder and managing member of Marinship Development Interest, a California African American Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) leading heavy building and construction innovation for civil and energy infrastructure projects.

CAACC Chairman Timothy Alan Simon, announced that Smith’s experience, leadership skills, resourcefulness, professional achievements, and ability to approach strategic solutions will prove useful to CAACC’s leadership team and objectives.

Smith said he will help the largest African American, statewide-business organization expand exponentially, increase its professional capacity and enhance its image. He will operate as CAACC’s “spokesperson” and is looking forward to elevating the profile of the organization in California and throughout the country.

The parents of the Alabama woman who went missing upon finding a toddler on the side of the road have spoken out for the first time since their daughter returned home. They told TODAY the assumptions of their daughter’s whereabouts have gotten out of hand.

The internet has been speculating what exactly happened when Carlee Russell, 25, disappeared July 13 after pulling over on Interstate 459 to check on a toddler she saw walking on the side of the road. The public’s claim that “something isn’t adding up” in the theory that she was kidnapped have bothered Carlee’s parents, Talitha and Carlos Russell. During the 48 hours of their daughter’s disappearance, they were even trolled with fake phone calls claiming to have tips on Carlee’s whereabouts.

“There were actually just so many calls and texts from people who maliciously lied to us. I just didn’t know people could be so evil,” said Mrs. Russell.

“Carlee has given detectives her statement so that they can continue to pursue her abductor,” Talitha Russell read from the statement. When asked if she believes her daughter’s abductor is still out there, she responded: “Absolutely.”

Russell’s parents declined to

Screenshot: NBC News/TODAY share what their daughter told them after she returned, citing the ongoing investigation.

“Anything leading to the case itself, we can’t discuss that,” Talitha Russell said. But Russell’s parents said one thing was clear: They believe she fought for her life.

“There were moments when she physically had to fight for her life, and there were moments when she had to mentally fight for her life,” Talitha Russell said. “She made it back.”

The Russells said they were filled with joy when Carlee came back home but also concerned, saying she was not in a “good state.” The public’s conspiracies about what happened to Carlee have not been making the situation any better.

The Russells urged for the internet trolls and TikTok commentators to refrain from making assumptions about the alleged abduction for the sake of Carlee’s mental recovery. The Hoover Police Department plans to release more details about the incident in the coming days.

Hollywood Under Fire: Black Caucus Members Concerned About Black Women Execs Leaving Entertainment Industry

Antonio Ray Harvey| California Black Media

Film studios in Hollywood took a one-two punch last week after actors announced they were joining the ongoing writers’ strike and as legislators in Sacramento questioned their commitment to Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI).

On July 13, California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) members Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) led a group of lawmakers led a news conference at the State Capitol to express their concerns over various news reports of abrupt departures of Black women leaving high-profile careers in Hollywood after the state recently approved $1.6 billion in tax credits for the industry.

The press conference was held the same day the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), the union representing Hollywood actors, joined striking Writers Guild of America (WGA) members in the biggest labor dispute the American entertainment industry has seen in 63 years.

In recent weeks, several Black women who were executives leading Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives at major entertainment companies have left their positions.

“We are here today, calling on industry executives to meet with the state legislative Black caucus and leaders in the coming weeks to explain what is behind this erasure,” Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) said at the press briefing.

“(We want them to) provide the evidence of how diversity, inclusion and the progress made will continue to move forward given the lack of leadership and gravitas at the forefront of those proposals,” added SmallwoodCuevas.

Netflix’s vice president, inclusion strategy, Vernā Myers; Disney’s LaTondra Newton, chief diversity officer and senior vice president; Joanna Abeyie, the British Broadcasting Company’s (BBC) creative diversity director; and Warner Bros executive, Terra Potts, executive vice president of worldwide marketing, have all moved on.

In addition, Warner Bros. Discovery’s DEI specialist Karen Horne and Jeanell English, executive VP of impact and inclusion at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences left their DEI roles.

The lawmakers say more Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) could join the mass exodus.

Lawmakers at the press conference said the departure of DEI specialists from major Hollywood companies gives the impression that creating an inclusive culture in the American film industry is not a priority for a sector that has a well-documented history of discrimination and exclusion.

“As Vice Chair of the Asian and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, we are proud to stand in solidarity with the Black Caucus,” Sen.David Min said.

“I don’t want to accuse anybody of anything, but it certainly looks suspicious when in a short timeframe after we pass the $1.6-billion tax credit was signed into law that we see a number of leading African American female Hollywood executives let go.”

Senate Bill (SB) 485, introduced last year by Sen. Anthony Portantino (D- La Cañada Flintridge), provides $1.65 billion in tax credits, or $330 million annually, in financial support for film and television makers and other media content creators. The California Film and Television Production Tax Credit Program was scheduled to sunset on June 30, 2025.

State lawmakers are now asking for meetings and are now looking for ways to hold television and film studios executives accountable for benefitting from state investment that essentially helped create DEI programs.

SB 485 was created after a series of production companies opted to leave California for states that offered larger tax incentive programs. The bill was amended to reflect California’s diverse population.

“I was highly offended to see the industry’s response to a $1.6 billion tax subsidy by quietly eliminating Black women from executive positions with a number of studios,” said McKinnor. “Many of these women were involved in their studios’ diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, which raises a serious question about their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in the film industry.”

SB 485 states that “This bill, for credit allocations made on or after July 1, 2023, would revise the definition of qualified motion picture for purposes of the credit to require an applicant to provide a diversity workplan that includes goals that are broadly reflective of California's population.

On July 10, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 132 to extend the state’s $330 milliona-year Film and TV Tax Credit Program an additional five years through fiscal 2030-31.

The Governor’s office put out a statement that SB 132 builds “upon a strong track record of success” and “whose productions have generated more than $23 billion” for the economy.

More than 178,000 cast and crew have been supported by the program. The new budget will create the state’s fourthgeneration film/TV tax credit program – known as “Program 4.0.”

“The California Film and

California NAACP Launches Employee Discrimination Hotline...continued

According to the report, the categories ranked as follows: Sexual Harassment (44%), Race (23%), Sex/Gender (16%), Disability (9%), and Sexual Orientation (7%).

On May 4, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a joint investigation into allegations of employment discrimination and a hostile work environment at the National Football League (NFL).

The NFL has offices in New York and California with more than 1,000 employees. If discrimination and harassment are taking place at these workplaces it should not be tolerated whether the complaint is lodged with the NAACP or the California Department of Justice, Bonta stated.

Youth Development, and Working with Ethnic Media.

The program awards funding to qualified nonprofit organizations to provide support and services to victims and survivors of hate incidents and hate crimes and their families and facilitate hate incident or hate crime prevention measures.

Funded support includes direct services for victims and survivors of hate incidents and hate crimes and their families, including mental and complementary health services; wellness and community healing; legal services; navigation, case management, and referrals.

Television Tax Credit program has led to the creation of hundreds of thousands of high paying union jobs, it’s supported countless local businesses, and pumped billions of dollars into the state’s economy,” said Charles Rivkin, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association. “The 4.0 version of the program, signed into law by Governor Newsom, will build on that success by creating new commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion and establishing a pilot program on production safety, among other provisions.”

McKinnor said, “While the California film tax credit 4.0 proposal builds upon previous work to solidify California as the entertainment capital of the world, it does not include requirements to increase diversity of its below-the-line hiring.

“The California film tax credit 4.0 only requires a good-faith effort. California, that’s not good enough,” McKinnor continued. “We should all expect more from an industry receiving $1.6 billion in subsidies from California taxpayers.”

Smallwood-Cuevas, McKinnor, and other members of the California legislature want to make amendments to SB 132 that will keep DEI programs intact.

They expect to sit down with members of the film and television industry, union representatives, and Gov. Newsom to get clarity of the entertainment business’ efforts to promote and stabilize DEI initiatives.

“We want progress towards real inclusion and equity in this industry and we want to make sure that our tax dollars are not in any way involved in this erasure,” Smallwood-Cuevas said. “We hope that these conversations will lead to a commitment and level of trust that will allow us to continue to move forward and expand our investment in this important industry.”

California NAACP Launches Employee Discrimination Hotline

Antonio Ray Harvey| California Black Media

Rick L. Callender, President of the California/Hawaii

Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (CAL/HI NAACP), has announced that the organization is offering free legal advice and consultations to public and private sector employees in California who have been targets of racial harassment and discrimination in the workplace.

“It is a legal redress clinic for folks who have contacted our branch and believe they have been discriminated against because of the color of their skin or harassed because of the color of their skins,” Callender told California Black Media (CBM).

“We are providing legal service for our people because sometimes they try to get an attorney to listen to them, but the attorney will tell them they are busy. What we have is two (legal) firms that have contracted with us to allow people to come and get free advice,” he continued.

Local NAACP branches across California will have the authority to determine if a complaint is appropriate for the legal redress consultations after affected employees submit a Legal Redress Complaint Form. However, the CAL/HI NAACP points out that completing the form does not constitute filing an official complaint with a legal authority.

According to the California Department of Industrial Relations, workplace discrimination complaints are based on race, color, ancestry, religion, age (40 and over), disability, medical condition,

“California will not tolerate any form of discrimination,” Bonta stated. “We have serious concerns about the NFL’s role in creating an extremely hostile and detrimental work environment. No company is too big or popular to avoid being held responsible for their actions.”

California employees have the right to speak to representatives of the California Labor Commissioner’s Office or any other government or law enforcement agency about any issues affecting their working conditions in California.

For those seeking assistance for workplace discrimination and harassment, the NAACP offers the first step in the process of filing a claim that could eventually become a case against the accused violator or violators.

The free, legal redress advice and consultation offered by CAL/ HI NAACP is funded through the Stop the Hate (STH) Program. The grant – administered by California Department of Social Services – comprises three components: Legal Redress,

Founded Feb. 12. 1909, the NAACP was formed in response to the horrific practice of lynching and the 1908 race riot in Springfield, Illinois. It is the nation’s oldest, largest and most widely recognized grassrootsbased civil rights organization.

The NAACP has more than 500,000 members and supporters throughout the United States, serving as premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, campaigning for equal opportunity and conducting voter mobilization.

The ability to have a program that intends to seek legal redress for workplace discrimination, retaliation, and harassment is an effective tool “to protect employees’ rights,” Callender said.

“We first received ‘Stop the Hate’ funding for the Legal Redress program in January 2023,” Callender told CBM. “This is a necessary program, and we are looking forward to receiving more funding for legal redress in three more years.”

This California Black Media report was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.

Divided, Assembly Committee Advances GOP Child Sex Bill After Public Outrage, Gov. Intervention

Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media genetic information, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, marital status, military and veteran status, or national origin (including language restrictions).

The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) established the Discrimination Complaint Tracking System (DCTS), which enables the collection of data on complaints regarding discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and denial of reasonable accommodation in state agencies, according to its “2020 Annual Report of Discrimination Complaint Activity in California State Civil Service.”

The 27-page report stated that the five highest statewide categories of complaints in 2020 were Race, Retaliation, Disability, Sexual Harassment, and Sex/Gender.

Tensions mounted in Sacramento when the California Assembly Public Safety Committee – including three members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) -- blocked a bill proposing increased criminal penalties for repeat offenders involved in sex trafficking children.

Senate Bill (SB) 14 proposes adding sex trafficking of minors to the list of “serious” crimes under California’s Three Strikes law, which increases prison sentences to 25 years for defendants convicted of previous felonies.

Under the provisions of SB 14, if a defendant is charged with a “violent sex crime, “plea bargaining is prohibited unless there is insufficient evidence to prove the people’s case, or testimony of a material witness cannot be obtained.”

The bill’s author, Sen. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield), said the need for SB 14 is obvious.

“Trafficking of children is a growing tragedy that disproportionately targets minority girls, and California is a hotbed because of our lenient penalties,” Grove said during the Public Safety Committee’s SB continued on page 6

14 hearing.

Public Safety Committee Chair Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles) was among several Democrats who did not vote for the bill when it came before the committee on July 11. Many of these Democrats are vocal opponents of the over-incarceration of Black men, women and children in California.

“SB14 makes no new corrective actions or enhancements to laws already in place,” Jones-Sawyer said in a statement after the committee’s “no” vote.

Opponents of SB 14 argue that while the bill may seem like a tough and reasonable measure to prevent heinous sexual crimes against vulnerable children, hidden are the bill’s harmful side effects. They claim the bill is ineffective as a deterrent to sex trafficking and its penalties would destabilize minority communities, particularly Black and low-income families. Additionally, they argue that the bill would have adverse effects on victims of sexual crimes, contribute to recidivism, and perpetuate the poverty-to-prison pipeline.