united states news

of Detroit's Industry Standards Board Recommendations for Arena Workers Detroit's first Industry Standards Board has released recommendations aimed at improving working conditions for arena employees in the city. The recommendations focus on enhancing access to childcare, subsidizing public transit, developing better job training pathways, and improving security measures for workers who face harassment. According to a commissioned report, while Detroit's stadiums financially benefit the city, nearly one-third of arena workers live below the poverty line and two-thirds are living paycheck to paycheck. The board notes that state law prevents Detroit from setting local wage standards, which limits the city's ability to ensure workers benefit from tax incentives given to arena owners.

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel has returned to ABC after a brief suspension following controversial comments about Charlie Kirk's murder, defending free speech while acknowledging his remarks may have seemed ill-timed or unclear. During his emotional comeback show, Kimmel criticized FCC head Brendan Carr for using "mob tactics to suppress free speech" and former President Trump for celebrating job losses in the entertainment industry. However, many ABC affiliates owned by Nexstar and Sinclair (representing about 20% of ABC's local stations) refused to air the comeback episode, continuing to replace his show with alternative programming. The suspension had prompted significant backlash from celebrities, lawmakers, and free speech advocates, leading Disney to reinstate the show after "having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy."

The U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner recently participated in a panel discussion about opportunity zones during the Innovative Housing Showcase on the National Mall. Turner, who previously served as executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, emphasized that opportunity zones deliver jobs and economic stability to people in need, stating they're "about people" rather than just buildings. Fellow panelists Ja'Ron Smith and Jill Homan highlighted the bipartisan nature of opportunity zones and noted they have become a permanent part of the tax code following the passage of the "Big, Beautiful Bill." Panelists agreed that opportunity zones can attract capital to low-income communities through tax incentives.

The Trump administration is challenging Maryland's approach to rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed in March 2024. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent a letter to Governor Wes Moore expressing concerns about potential race and gender-based contracting requirements for the project, currently projected for completion in 2028. Governor Moore responded by emphasizing the port's economic importance, bridge safety priorities, and the efficient clearing of the channel in just 11 weeks. Maryland's congressional Democrats also defended the project, noting the bridge's regional significance and that the construction contract was awarded through a legal, competitive process.

The D.C. Chamber of Commerce's State of the District & Region Conference gathered 200 local business and political leaders who expressed optimism about the city's economic future despite current challenges. At the Georgetown University Capitol Campus event, Mayor Muriel Bowser highlighted recent achievements including plans for a new Washington Commanders stadium and the NFL's 2027 draft coming to the National Mall. The Chamber released its 2025 State of Business Report, which acknowledges economic challenges including a 20% office vacancy rate downtown, a 66% drop in business establishments from 2021-2023, and 5.8% unemployment, while recommending a pro-growth agenda focused on diversification, innovation, and workforce development. Mayor Bowser emphasized the city's business-friendly environment and her administration's accomplishments in housing development and bringing professional sports teams to the District.

The March On! Festival, the nation's longest-running civil rights film festival, took place in Washington from September 15-21 with the theme "The Right to Be Well," focusing on health equity and wellness. This hybrid event brought together filmmakers, creatives, lawmakers, health leaders, and advocates to address inequities in healthcare, particularly those affecting marginalized communities. Participants like Ndifreke Ikpe highlighted how racism has been embedded in medicine for centuries, contributing to poor health outcomes for marginalized populations. The festival featured panels, workshops, and documentaries that addressed various health disparities, including COVID-19 impacts, maternal mortality, and higher rates of certain cancers among Black Americans compared to white counterparts.

Adelita Grijalva has been projected to win the special election for the U.S. House seat previously held by her late father, Democratic Rep. Raúl Grijalva, making her the first Latina elected to Congress from Arizona. Her victory represents a significant milestone for Latinx political power in Arizona, a battleground state where Latinx voters constitute a quarter of eligible voters and where Latinas vote at higher rates than Latinx voters overall. Grijalva defeated Republican Daniel Butierez in what is considered a safe Democratic district, though some counties in the district have recently shifted toward the GOP. As a congresswoman, Grijalva plans to champion progressive positions on reproductive rights and immigrants' rights while also pursuing her own priorities including universal preschool, alongside continuing her father's environmental protection work.

The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Zeta Sigma Lambda Chapter and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Epsilon XI Omega Chapter hosted a community discussion at the Southeastern Live Well Center last Saturday featuring five African American local elected officials. The panel included Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins, Dr. Akilah Weber Pierson, Marcus Bush, Sharon Whitehurst-Payne, and Henry Foster, who shared their experiences with mentorship and their motivations for entering public service. While the officials emphasized the importance of community involvement as a pathway to public service, they notably did not frame public service as emerging from a fundamental commitment to addressing community needs. The discussion highlighted the importance of engaging young people in addressing community challenges, with an apparent consensus that more similar events are needed.

More than 75 local high school students and about a dozen community volunteers participated in a park cleanup event organized by the Urban Collaborative Project, the Harvey Family Foundation, and partners including I Love a Clean San Diego. The cleanup focused on beautifying Chollas Creek Park and Hawk Project Park within a specific corridor in San Diego. This inaugural community cleanup in the area aimed to foster community responsibility while providing participating students from schools like Morse High School and Lincoln High School with potential school credit for their service. The initiative emphasized youth involvement as a way to develop future community leaders while addressing the ongoing need for environmental stewardship in the area.

Washington D.C. has launched the nation's first Refrigerant Recovery and Reclamation (RR&R) Pilot program through the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU) in partnership with Hudson Technologies. The groundbreaking initiative incentivizes HVAC contractors to properly recover hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) instead of releasing these powerful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The program provides training, storage containers, and financial incentives to participating contractors, with early participant Hugee Corporation already preventing emissions equivalent to 400,000 pounds of CO2. This pilot integrates with existing DCSEU programs and aims to address the fact that only 1.6% of refrigerants sold in the U.S. come from reclaimed sources.

Five bills from the California Legislative Black Caucus' "Road to Repair" package have been passed by the Senate and now await Governor Newsom's action by October 12. Among these, SB 437 and SB 518, authored by Senator Weber Pierson, have faced criticism from reparations advocates including the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California (CJEC), who view them as delay tactics in providing reparations to descendants of enslaved Black Americans. CJEC supports SB 515, which would refine demographic data collection to better identify descendants of enslaved people, while opposing SB 437's proposed genealogical study and SB 518's establishment of a Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery within the Department of Justice. Community organizers are urging Governor Newsom to veto SB 437 and SB 518, emphasizing that "reparations delayed are reparations denied."

Washington Gas has reached a settlement with the District of Columbia to address ongoing pollution from its former East Station plant that continues to contaminate the Anacostia River. For decades after the plant's closure in the mid-1980s, hazardous chemicals have been actively seeping into the waterway, with investigators documenting near-daily oil sheens and chemical vapors bubbling from the riverbed since 2021. Under the agreement announced by Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb, Washington Gas must implement multiple containment measures by specific deadlines to stop further pollution while a larger environmental investigation continues. The settlement aims to address a toxic legacy that has forced swimming bans and fish consumption warnings, depriving District residents of safe access to the river.

Wayne County, Michigan has received a significant credit rating upgrade from Moody's Ratings, moving from A1 to Aa3 for both its issuer rating and general obligation bonds. This improvement reflects the county's strong financial recovery over the past decade, transforming from near-bankruptcy to substantial financial stability. Key factors contributing to the upgrade include increased reserve funds (growing from 42% to 72% since 2021), reduced long-term liabilities, disciplined budgeting practices, and regional economic growth. County Executive Warren C. Evans highlighted this achievement as evidence of responsible fiscal management and the county's positioning for long-term success.

The Washington Informer reports on growing opposition to Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton's reelection bid for D.C. Congressional Delegate, with multiple candidates now seeking the position. D.C. Councilmember Robert White has launched his campaign, joining Kymone Freeman, Jacque Patterson, Dierdre Brown, and Gordon Chaffin in the race to represent the District in Congress. The article details how candidates emphasize the urgent need for energetic leadership to combat Republican efforts to undermine D.C.'s home rule, particularly following recent federal interventions in the District. Each candidate outlines their qualifications and priorities, with common themes including strengthening home rule, protecting local autonomy, and advancing D.C. statehood efforts.

Assemblymember Chris Ward has named Dr. Fabiola Bagula, Superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District and the first Latina to hold this position, as the 2025 Latino Heritage Month honoree for Assembly District 78. Dr. Bagula's selection recognizes her extensive contributions to education, including her work as an educator, principal, and administrator, as well as her leadership coaching for superintendents across San Diego County. Throughout her distinguished career, she has received several awards, contributed to academic publications, and maintained academic positions while drawing from her bicultural upbringing on the San Diego border. Upon receiving this recognition, Dr. Bagula expressed her gratitude while emphasizing her commitment to ensuring educational opportunities for all students in the San Diego Unified School District.

A significant government shutdown looms in Washington as Democrats stand firmly against what they characterize as attacks on healthcare programs. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries have explicitly rejected compromising on Republican spending proposals that would cut Medicaid and Affordable Care Act funding. In a joint letter to President Trump, the Democratic leaders accused him of deliberately seeking a shutdown to undermine Americans' healthcare coverage. Democrats are leveraging their minority position to demand restoration of Medicaid funding, extension of ACA subsidies, and an end to the administration's appropriations freeze, warning that failure to do so would have devastating consequences for healthcare access nationwide.

Assembly Bill 1263, authored by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson), has passed both the California Assembly and Senate and now awaits Governor Newsom's decision. The legislation aims to strengthen oversight of privately manufactured firearms, commonly known as ghost guns, by expanding California's Firearm Industry Responsibility Act and creating legal liability for those who help produce them. The bill specifically targets distribution of instructions for creating 3D-printed and computer numerical control-milled firearms, requiring vendors selling firearm-making equipment to provide clear notice about California's laws on firearm manufacturing. Opposition comes from gun rights groups like the California Rifle and Pistol Association, which argue the bill is unconstitutional and could decrease firearms safety by removing technological access.

The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) has reported 1,180 hate incidents across 49 counties in 2024 through the CA vs Hate hotline and online portal, a multilingual resource providing support to victims and witnesses of hate crimes. More than two-thirds of those reporting requested counseling, legal assistance, or other resources, with racial or ethnic bias mentioned in 44% of reports. Despite a slight decrease in anti-Black hate crime events from 518 in 2023 to 494 in 2024, Black individuals remain the most-targeted racial group for hate crimes in California. In response, Governor Newsom has announced $76 million in grants to 347 community groups to protect nonprofits and houses of worship, while Attorney General Rob Bonta's Racial Justice Bureau continues developing strategies to address bias and strengthen responses to hate crimes.

The Motor City Cruise, the Detroit Pistons' G League affiliate, recently held its annual open tryouts at the Henry Ford Health System Performance Center where hopeful basketball players paid $250 to showcase their skills before team staff. Former Pistons player Lindsey Hunter made an appearance to share his NBA journey and inspire participants with advice about character and discipline. The tryouts highlight success stories like John Ukomadu, who went from being a tryout participant last year to earning a roster spot, performing well in the G League, and eventually signing an Exhibit 10 contract with the Pistons. Under third-year head coach Jamelle McMillian, the Cruise demonstrated strong development during NBA Summer League, suggesting positive momentum as they prepare for their 2025 campaign.

The County of San Diego has officially adopted an $8.63 billion budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which is now available on the County's budget website. The budget, which took effect July 1, prioritizes core services while investing in key areas such as housing, homelessness, behavioral health, public safety, and environmental sustainability. County staff developed the budget with consideration for potential federal and state policy changes, while incorporating public input gathered through hearings, open houses, and written comments. The final budget was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on June 24 following a comprehensive process that began with the release of the recommended budget on May 1 and included budget deliberations held June 3-12.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Trump-appointed Administrator Lee Zeldin has secured a significant court victory allowing it to freeze $20 billion from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund established by the Inflation Reduction Act. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled 2-1 in favor of the EPA, with two Trump-appointed judges framing the issue as a contract dispute that belongs in federal claims court. This decision affects funds that were originally earmarked for low-income and disadvantaged communities, with 70% intended for these areas. The ruling overturns a previous court decision that had required Citibank to release the frozen funds to the nonprofit organizations to which they had been awarded.

The Mental Bar Coffee, Tea & Wellness Cafe in Encanto recently celebrated its three-year anniversary with a community gathering at its Imperial Avenue location. Owners Tommy and Danielle Walker hosted the celebration for their veteran- and woman-owned business, which has become a cornerstone of Encanto's Black Arts & Culture District. Co-owner Danielle Walker highlighted the significance of reaching the three-year milestone, noting that many Black-owned businesses don't survive that long. Beyond serving coffee and food, the establishment offers wellness information, youth programs, art shows, and functions as a vital community gathering space.

Kamala Harris's new book "107 Days" provides an intimate look at her historic but unsuccessful 2024 presidential campaign, revealing aspects of her personality that were rarely seen by the public during her candidacy. The memoir recounts her shock and denial on election night, her struggle to accept the results, and her belief that the abbreviated timeline of just over three months wasn't sufficient to make her case to voters. While reflecting on the challenges she faced as both vice president and candidate, Harris also chronicles meaningful campaign moments, from voter interactions to how joy became a campaign strategy. The book concludes without clearly indicating whether Harris will run again in 2028, but with a call for her supporters to "stay in the fight."

Michigan is on the brink of a partial government shutdown as Republican-led House and Democratic-controlled Senate lawmakers remain deadlocked over the state budget with an October 1 deadline approaching. Governor Gretchen Whitmer remains confident a bipartisan agreement is possible despite the current stalemate, though her administration has not outlined shutdown management plans. Essential functions like public safety would continue during a shutdown, but many state services could stall, affecting school districts, state employees, and organizations reliant on state funding. The standoff centers on competing spending priorities, with Republicans criticizing Democrats for rejecting a stripped-down plan while Democrats argue the GOP proposal would cut too deeply into core priorities like education and infrastructure projects.

A controversy has erupted in the Detroit mayoral race between Pastor Solomon Kinloch and city council president Mary Sheffield over alleged ethics violations. Kinloch accused Sheffield of breaking city ethics rules by accepting Jeezy concert tickets from Comerica Bank, despite Detroit's charter prohibiting elected officials from accepting gifts. Sheffield defended her actions, stating she obtained the tickets for community members and that Comerica Bank isn't currently doing business with the city, while Detroit Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallet declared no ethics violation occurred. The dispute has intensified the campaign dynamics, with Kinloch's team adopting a more aggressive approach despite previously promising not to run a negative campaign.