united states news

Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield has launched "Rise Higher Detroit," an expansive transition initiative featuring 18 policy committees led by prominent local figures from various sectors including finance, healthcare, education, and public safety. The transition team, headquartered at Marygrove Conservancy in a Detroit neighborhood rather than downtown, represents the first time a mayoral transition has operated from within the city's residential areas. More than 795 residents submitted resumes for administrative positions, demonstrating significant community interest in Sheffield's incoming administration, which begins January 1st. The committees, chaired by leaders ranging from banking executives to community activists, will meet weekly through year's end to develop recommendations for Sheffield's first 100-day plan, with a focus on creating policies that benefit all Detroit neighborhoods, not just the downtown core.

Following the Supreme Court's 2023 ban on affirmative action in college admissions, an Associated Press investigation has revealed significant declines in Black student enrollment at elite universities over the past two years. Analysis of twenty selective institutions shows that nearly all experienced drops in their Black student populations, with some schools like Princeton seeing their Black freshman enrollment cut roughly in half and falling to levels not seen since the Civil Rights era. While some universities attribute the changes to natural fluctuations in applicant pools, students and advocates express concern about losing decades of progress toward campus diversity. The decline occurs amid intensified Trump administration scrutiny of college admissions practices and threatens representation at institutions that historically serve as gateways to social mobility, particularly as Black students comprise about 14% of high school graduates nationally but far less at these elite campuses. # Key Takeaways

The Trump administration is dismantling the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), reducing its staff from 23 career employees to zero, leaving only two political appointees. Originally established by President Nixon to help minority entrepreneurs access capital and business opportunities, the MBDA has served over 12 million minority-owned businesses through a network of more than 130 centers providing technical assistance and guidance. In recent years, the agency helped businesses secure billions in contracts and capital while supporting thousands of jobs, including its landmark Capital Readiness Program that raised $263 million for over 6,300 entrepreneurs in its first year. The authors argue this dismantling represents both a moral and economic failure that will harm not just minority communities but America's overall economic competitiveness, potentially sacrificing $7.1 trillion in untapped economic output.

The author argues that healthcare reform and welfare programs have been deliberately racialized through strategic messaging that falsely portrays them as primarily benefiting people of color, when White Americans actually constitute the majority of recipients. The article specifically criticizes how the Affordable Care Act was rebranded as "Obamacare" and suggests this racial coding was used to manipulate public opinion, particularly among MAGA supporters during a government shutdown. Mainstream media is accused of perpetuating this racial framing by consistently using "Obamacare" instead of the legislation's proper name. The author contends that calling the program by its official name—the Affordable Care Act—might reduce racially-motivated opposition and help people recognize it as a major social insurance program benefiting all Americans, similar to Social Security.

Project AWARE, a grassroots nonprofit organization, held its inaugural fundraising gala on November 8, 2025, marking twenty years since its founding by Reginald Washington. Washington established the organization while incarcerated to provide emotional literacy and restorative justice programs to marginalized youth—skills he lacked during his own involvement with gangs that led to imprisonment. The celebration featured keynote speaker Chef Jeff Henderson, who similarly transformed his life after incarceration by discovering his culinary passion and becoming a successful executive chef and bestselling author. The event honored multiple community leaders and youth recipients while raising funds for Project AWARE's ongoing programs across San Diego County's detention centers, schools, and neighborhoods. # Key Takeaways

The Grind2Gether (G2G) non-profit organization, under CEO Rickey Weaver's leadership, operates a weekly meal service every Sunday evening at 17th and K Street, providing free warm meals to anyone in need without judgment. The organization recently opened a youth center on Imperial Avenue as part of its expanded community outreach efforts. G2G receives support from donors like "I Am My Brother's Keeper" and relies heavily on volunteer participation to maintain its operations. The organization focuses on empowering communities through compassionate service, offering what they call "cooked-up kindness" to those seeking assistance. # Key Takeaways

This article commemorates three significant African American figures in history connected to November 13th. James Thomas Rapier, born in 1837, served as a Reconstruction-era congressman who championed civil rights legislation and Black suffrage before organizing migration efforts to Kansas. Ebenezer D. Bassett, who died in 1908, broke barriers as America's first Black diplomat serving as U.S. Minister to Haiti for eight years during a politically unstable period. June Carter Perry, born in 1943, built a distinguished 21-year Foreign Service career that culminated in ambassadorships to two African nations where she advanced democratic values and social programs. # Key Takeaways

This is an obituary, not a news article. It commemorates the life of Robbie Jean Williams, who passed away in October 2025 at age 75. Born in Tennessee and raised in San Diego from age nine, she built a successful career spanning over 25 years at Pacific Bell Communications before earning her business degree and working in real estate investment. She married her husband Ken in 1973 and dedicated herself to providing for her family throughout her life despite ongoing health challenges. She leaves behind three children, one grandchild, four siblings, and numerous extended family members. # Key Takeaways

The federal government has reopened after a historic 43-day shutdown when President Trump signed legislation funding agencies through January 30th. While hundreds of thousands of federal employees can return to work and receive back pay, the extended closure has caused lasting damage including depleted savings, mounting debt, and an estimated $11 billion in permanent economic losses. Critical programs like SNAP benefits for 42 million recipients and the National Flood Insurance Program are resuming operations, though significant backlogs remain. Advocates emphasize that the shutdown disproportionately harmed women, low-income families, and communities of color, while critics warn the temporary funding measure fails to address healthcare subsidies and risks repeating the crisis in coming months. # Key Takeaways

The federal government reopened after a historic 43-day shutdown when President Trump signed legislation extending funding temporarily through January for most agencies and through September for programs like SNAP. The shutdown caused approximately 900,000 federal workers to be furloughed and 700,000 to work without pay, while threatening food assistance for over 40 million Americans who depend on SNAP benefits. Black communities faced disproportionate harm due to higher reliance on federal safety-net programs and greater vulnerability to economic disruptions. Michigan took emergency action to maintain SNAP payments after the Supreme Court paused federal funding, while state lawmakers addressed related issues including airport staffing reductions and medical debt relief. Although immediate funding is restored, the underlying policy conflicts remain unresolved, particularly regarding Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire, leaving many households facing potential premium increases and coverage loss.

The sixth-ranked Michigan Wolverines defeated Wake Forest 85-84 in overtime during the first-ever Wolverine-Deacon Basketball Challenge held at Detroit's Little Caesars Arena. Michigan built a 13-point halftime advantage behind strong shooting, but Wake Forest mounted a second-half comeback to take a seven-point lead before the Wolverines rallied to force overtime with a late tying layup. In the extra period, Michigan's Elliot Cadeau sank a decisive free throw with 14 seconds remaining, and Wake Forest's final shot attempt fell short. UCLA transfer Aday Mara dominated with 18 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 blocks to earn Most Outstanding Player recognition, though Michigan's poor three-point shooting and 17 turnovers revealed concerns moving forward. # Key Takeaways

Detroit made a significant impression at Art Basel Paris 2025 through the Detroit Salon initiative, which showcased over 20 local artists across three exhibitions at venues including the Palais de Tokyo. The presentations, curated by leaders from Cranbrook Art Museum and the Detroit Institute of Arts, highlighted Detroit's deep artistic heritage rooted in the 1960s Black Arts Movement while demonstrating its contemporary creative vitality. The programming extended beyond visual art to include musical performances featuring Detroit DJs and the Detroit Public Schools All-City Marching Band, offering international audiences a comprehensive experience of the city's cultural output. For the author, a leader with the DIA's Founders Junior Council, seeing artists whose work her organization had acquired for the museum's permanent collection displayed on this global stage validated years of intentional investment in Detroit's Black artistic community. # Key Takeaways

Dr. Bryanne Standifer-Barrett, a Detroit-based board-certified internist and menopause specialist, is challenging the cultural silence surrounding menopause in Black women's health through education and community building. She is organizing "The Glow Through It" dinner event in Southfield to create space for open dialogue about perimenopause and menopause, addressing the documented reality that Black women experience earlier onset and more severe symptoms than white women while receiving inadequate treatment. The physician, who teaches internal medicine and advises health companies, advocates for reframing menopause as an empowering life transition rather than something to endure quietly. Her work emphasizes health equity and the need to normalize conversations about midlife changes affecting women. Through this event and her broader platform, she aims to provide Black women with knowledge, community support, and validation of their health experiences.

Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans has announced a $7.5 million commitment to bring the Rx Kids program to six cities across the county, providing direct cash payments to pregnant women and families with newborns. Eligible mothers will receive $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 monthly for their baby's first six months, with no conditions or work requirements attached. The program, which originated in Flint and demonstrated success in reducing preterm births and improving maternal health, has already expanded to multiple Michigan communities with $270 million in state support. This evidence-based initiative aims to address economic instability during critical early development periods in communities that have historically faced disinvestment and systemic inequity.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., 84, has been hospitalized and is being monitored for progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare brain disease he has privately managed for over ten years. A close associate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Jackson built a remarkable legacy through founding Operation PUSH, running historic presidential campaigns in the 1980s that transformed Democratic Party rules, and advocating tirelessly for civil rights, economic justice, and voter registration. His diagnosis was officially confirmed in April after years of being treated for Parkinson's disease, and he has faced additional health challenges including COVID-19 and a serious fall in 2021. Despite stepping down from leading the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in 2023 after more than fifty years, Jackson remained committed to serving Black communities through regular columns in African American newspapers and continued activism.

Newly released emails from Jeffrey Epstein's estate appear to confirm the authenticity of a photograph showing Prince Andrew with Virginia Giuffre, contradicting Andrew's previous claims that he never met her and that the image might have been fabricated. The 2011 correspondence, published by House Democrats alongside over 20,000 pages of documents, also reveals that Epstein and Andrew maintained contact longer than the prince previously acknowledged, and shows Epstein attempting to undermine Giuffre's credibility. Andrew settled a lawsuit with Giuffre in 2022 without admitting wrongdoing after she accused him of sexual assault when she was a teenager. The document release coincides with a congressional request for Andrew to testify about his relationship with Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in jail in 2019. # Key Takeaways

Lionsgate has released the trailer and set an April 24, 2026 theatrical release date for "Michael," a comprehensive biographical film about pop icon Michael Jackson directed by Antoine Fuqua. The movie stars Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson in the lead role, supported by an ensemble cast including Colman Domingo, Nia Long, and Miles Teller portraying key figures from the singer's life. Though production concluded in 2024, the film experienced significant delays due to legal complications requiring extensive reshoots and editing adjustments. The biopic aims to chronicle Jackson's evolution from child performer in Gary, Indiana to global entertainment phenomenon, emphasizing his artistic legacy and creative achievements rather than tabloid controversies.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has demanded international intervention to halt weapons flowing to Sudan's Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group responsible for systematic atrocities in el-Fasher, including mass killings and sexual violence. The RSF captured el-Fasher last month after an 18-month siege, giving them control over all major cities in Darfur, where satellite images reveal evidence of massacres. While Sudan's military accuses the United Arab Emirates of supplying the RSF with arms through African intermediaries—allegations the UAE denies—Rubio avoided directly criticizing Abu Dhabi despite credible evidence of their involvement. The two-year civil war between the RSF and Sudan's army has created what the G7 calls the world's largest humanitarian crisis, with over 150,000 deaths and 12 million displaced people. # Key Takeaways

The United States government shutdown, which lasted 43 days and became the longest in American history, has ended with federal workers returning to work and suspended services resuming. Senate Democrats initially triggered the shutdown by demanding an extension of healthcare subsidies for low-income Americans, but ultimately reopened the government after receiving only a promise of a Senate vote on subsidies with no guarantees of passage. Democrats, particularly those on the left wing, have criticized Senate leader Chuck Schumer for what they view as a surrender that yielded minimal results, while President Trump celebrated the outcome as a major victory. The political fallout continues as Republicans face the challenge of addressing expiring healthcare subsidies that could dramatically increase insurance costs for millions, while attention has shifted to demands for the release of Jeffrey Epstein investigation files.

US lawmakers have released over 20,000 pages of documents from Jeffrey Epstein's estate, sparking partisan conflict as Democrats initially published select emails mentioning President Trump, prompting Republicans to release a much larger document cache accusing Democrats of cherry-picking evidence. The correspondence includes exchanges between Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell discussing Trump's lack of public association with a victim, communications with author Michael Wolff about Trump's presidential campaign, and Epstein's claims that Trump knew about underage girls at Mar-a-Lago. The documents also reference Prince Andrew and former UK ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson, both previously linked to the disgraced financier. Epstein survivors are calling for complete transparency and full release of all related files. # Key Takeaways

President Trump signed a short-term spending bill to end a 43-day government shutdown, the longest in American history, which had left 1.4 million federal workers unpaid and disrupted essential services including food assistance and air travel. The bill passed narrowly after eight Senate Democrats broke with their party to support it in exchange for a promised December vote on healthcare subsidies for low-income Americans, triggering significant internal Democratic criticism. The legislation only funds the government through January 30th, meaning lawmakers will soon face another budget deadline. The deal includes full-year agriculture funding, back pay for federal employees, and extends food assistance programs through September, but Senate Democrats criticized it for failing to address healthcare concerns substantively.

Millions of Americans with disabilities who rely on SNAP benefits faced uncertainty during the recent government shutdown as the Trump administration contested benefit disbursements in court. People with disabilities experience food insecurity at roughly double the rate of those without disabilities, with over 20 percent of households containing a disabled person depending on SNAP compared to just 8 percent of other households. Organizations like YAI, which supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in New York, prepared contingency plans to prevent clients from going hungry, though providing direct cash assistance risks reducing their Supplemental Security Income benefits. After weeks of uncertainty, SNAP recipients like Kajeana Tillman, a 51-year-old Bronx resident who lives independently with support services, ultimately received their full benefits and could resume regular grocery shopping. # Key Takeaways

The Governor's Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications held the seventh California Connects regional convening in San Diego on November 5, bringing together approximately 200 participants from community organizations, state agencies, and local partnerships. The daylong event featured interactive workshops, collaborative activities, and plenary discussions designed to strengthen relationships between state and local organizations while improving access to resources and communication channels. Notable speakers included Acting Executive Director Aubrie Fong, California's Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, Assemblymember Christopher Ward, and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, who emphasized the importance of two-way community engagement and collective action. The San Diego gathering was part of an eight-city statewide tour representing California's diverse regions, with the OCPSC working to expand public awareness and increase engagement in local and statewide initiatives since its establishment in July 2022. # Key Takeaways

Republican Kevin Lincoln, a former Marine and Stockton mayor, has announced his candidacy for California's 13th Congressional District, challenging incumbent Democrat Adam Gray in what was one of California's closest House races in 2024. Meanwhile, Nancy Pelosi announced her retirement from Congress after nearly 40 years representing San Francisco, prompting tributes from California lawmakers who praised her historic leadership and legislative achievements. California Attorney General Rob Bonta expressed concerns about potential federal interference in the 2026 midterm elections under the Trump administration, citing past attempts to undermine election integrity. Additionally, the FBI issued a warning about criminals impersonating ICE agents to commit violent crimes, while Governor Newsom designated November as Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, highlighting state efforts to support the approximately 720,000 Californians living with the disease. # Key Takeaways

California has launched Operation Feed California, a statewide initiative to address food insecurity affecting 5.5 million residents experiencing delays in federal SNAP benefits during the ongoing government shutdown. Although a federal court ordered the release of emergency funds, the distribution process to individual payment cards will take time, leaving vulnerable populations without crucial food assistance. Governor Gavin Newsom has mobilized California Service Corps members and the National Guard to help with food distribution and fast-tracked $80 million in emergency funding to support food banks facing increased demand. The initiative encourages community involvement through volunteering and donations at local food banks, mirroring California's COVID-19 pandemic response efforts. Single mothers like Tasha Reynolds, who has been waiting over three weeks for CalFresh benefits, represent thousands of working families forced to rely on food pantries while managing their daily expenses.

Following the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history, Washington D.C. residents face mounting anxiety over rising healthcare costs and potential cuts to the Affordable Care Act, which the Senate plans to review in December. The expiration of enhanced Obamacare tax credits on December 31st threatens to increase premiums by 25-30% for approximately 4,400 District residents, potentially leaving millions of low-and-middle income Americans nationwide without medical insurance. D.C. regulators have approved 2026 health insurance rates showing increases of 8.7% for individual plans and 9.5% for small business plans, while local officials work to mitigate impacts through programs like the newly launched Healthy DC Plan for those losing Medicaid coverage. Residents like Mary Blackwell, a 68-year-old retired teacher struggling with healthcare costs after losing Medicare Part B eligibility, exemplify the financial pressures facing ordinary Americans who must balance health needs against limited budgets. Local elected officials and advocates are pushing for systemic solutions like Medicare for All while urging residents to shop carefully during the open enrollment period running through January 31st. # Key Takeaways

Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr.'s 1988 presidential campaign represented a pivotal moment when a Black candidate came remarkably close to securing the Democratic nomination, forcing the party establishment to confront its own biases and electability concerns. After winning the Michigan caucuses in March 1988, Jackson briefly held a delegate lead over Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis, triggering widespread panic among Democratic Party officials who feared both nominating him and losing in November, as well as alienating Black voters by denying him the nomination. Jackson's campaign combined powerful economic populist messaging with unprecedented grassroots fundraising from small donors, drawing enthusiastic crowds in rural white communities and urban centers alike. However, despite his popular appeal, establishment Democrats' concerns about electability ultimately helped Dukakis secure the nomination, though Jackson leveraged his second-place finish to implement party reforms that would later benefit Barack Obama's candidacy. # Key Takeaways

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed landmark legislation, Assembly Bill 1454, that fundamentally reforms reading instruction for elementary and middle school students throughout the state. The law mandates adoption of new teaching materials and methods based on the "science of reading" approach, backed by a $200 million budget allocation for teacher training and educational resources. This reform emerged after years of negotiations among various education stakeholders who previously disagreed on instructional approaches, finally reaching compromise in April. The legislation aims to address particularly severe literacy gaps affecting Black and Latino students, with data showing only two out of ten Black third-graders reading at grade level, while California ranks poorly nationally in reading proficiency for these demographics.

The California Black Women's Collective Empowerment Institute is launching SheWorks California, a free workforce development program beginning January 2026 for unemployed, underemployed, and formerly incarcerated Black women in Southern California. The five-month initiative will provide career coaching, skills training, financial literacy education, and direct connections to employers, along with stipends and childcare assistance to remove barriers to participation. The program addresses significant employment challenges facing Black women, including a 6.7% unemployment rate and recent mass departures from the workforce due to federal job cuts. With funding from the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor and community resource center partnerships with Blue Shield of California, the initiative aims to enroll 30 women and help them achieve economic mobility through career-focused pathways. # Key Takeaways

Covered California officials are sounding the alarm as a federal government shutdown threatens to eliminate subsidies that help nearly two million residents afford health insurance, potentially causing premiums to spike by 97% in 2026. The Biden-era enhanced tax credits, which expire December 31st without congressional action, were excluded from the recent federal budget bill during negotiations. While California has allocated $190 million in state funds to help lower-income residents, officials warn this cannot replace the scale of federal assistance, and approximately 400,000 enrollees could lose coverage entirely. To combat this crisis, Covered California has launched a "Connectors for Coverage" campaign with community outreach events, particularly targeting Black and Latino neighborhoods where uninsured rates remain high, while open enrollment continues through January 31, 2026.