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A historic naval battle from 1779 off the East Yorkshire coast, known as the Battle of Flamborough Head, is being commemorated with a refurbished monument on its 246th anniversary. The battle, which saw American captain John Paul Jones capture the British HMS Serapis while commanding the USS Bonhomme Richard, is considered a pivotal moment in US Navy history despite mixed outcomes for both sides. The refurbished toposcope will provide visitors with information about this significant engagement during the American War of Independence, which boosted American morale despite not achieving all military objectives. The commemoration represents the transformation of the British-American relationship from enemies to allies over the past 250 years.

Erika Kirk has been appointed the new chief executive of Turning Point USA following the tragic shooting death of her husband and organization co-founder Charlie Kirk. During his memorial service attended by President Trump and Vice President Vance, she pledged to expand the conservative nonprofit's chapters, faith initiatives, and campus events in honor of her husband's vision. The 36-year-old former Miss Arizona has her own public profile through Christian podcasts, Bible study leadership, and a nonprofit organization, while sharing her husband's conservative Christian values particularly regarding gender roles and family structure. Erika Kirk, who described having an "Ephesians 5 marriage" with Charlie, has indicated she will continue his mission exactly as planned, though she has historically focused more on marriage and motherhood topics than specific political positions.

The US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that President Donald Trump can dismiss Federal Trade Commission Democratic Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter while legal challenges continue. This decision comes alongside the Court's agreement to review a 1935 precedent that protects independent agencies from presidential control. The liberal justices, led by Elena Kagan, dissented, arguing that the ruling gives the president control over agencies Congress designed to be independent and bipartisan. The Court will hear arguments in December about potentially overturning the Humphrey's Executor ruling, which established that commissioners could only be removed for misconduct or neglect of duty.

A federal report from 2024 highlights a significant disparity in organ donation in America, where Black Americans comprise over 25% of the transplant waiting list but only 13% of organ donors. To address this inequity, Word In Black's research division has launched a survey seeking direct input from the community about barriers to organ donation, including issues of mistrust, misinformation, and access. The initiative aims to gather firsthand experiences to better understand these disparities and improve the organ donation system. Survey participants will be entered into a drawing for prizes as an incentive for sharing their perspectives.

The U.S. government faces a potential shutdown as Democrats in Congress refuse to support a spending bill that would cut Medicaid and allow Affordable Care Act subsidies to expire. Democratic leaders like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries have taken a firm stance against the Republican spending bill, framing it as a defense of healthcare for ordinary Americans. For Washington D.C. residents, these proposed cuts would exacerbate existing racial health disparities, particularly affecting Black communities already facing higher rates of chronic illnesses and discrimination in healthcare settings. Democrats are demanding restoration of previously cut Medicaid funding and extension of ACA subsidies, arguing they're fighting to maintain healthcare access for vulnerable communities.

U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Birmingham, is actively campaigning for Detroit's support in the 2026 Democratic primary election for U.S. Senate, recently holding an event with members of Michigan's Legislative Black Caucus. During the event, Stevens addressed her controversial vote to approve a resolution honoring Charlie Kirk, while her colleague Rep. Thanedar noted he voted against it due to Kirk's racist views. Stevens emphasized her experience representing Southeast Michigan residents and highlighted her focus on addressing healthcare costs and economic issues affecting everyday Americans. Former House Speaker Joe Tate endorsed Stevens as the candidate who best represents the interests of Black voters, particularly amid concerns about rights being diminished and historical revisionism.

Lisane Basquiat, co-administrator of the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat, participated in Actively Black's New York Fashion Week event titled "This Is Not a Fashion Show" on September 12th at Sony Hall. Accompanied by her children Raymond and Jessica, as well as her 8-year-old granddaughter Emma, the family modeled clothing from a collaboration between Actively Black and the Basquiat Estate. The event honored several Black cultural icons, including Jean-Michel Basquiat and Ruby Bridges, with Emma reenacting Ruby's historic school integration experience. Lisane expressed deep gratitude for the event, praising Actively Black co-founders Lanny Smith and Bianca Winslow for celebrating important figures in Black history through their fashion presentation.

The 40th annual Mayor's Arts Awards, scheduled for September 25 at the National Theatre in D.C., celebrates local artistic achievements while highlighting the District's commitment to supporting its creative culture. Originally established by former Mayor Marion Barry and continued by current Mayor Muriel Bowser, the awards coincide with 202Creates Month, which recognizes D.C.'s $15 billion creative economy. This free, black-tie event will feature performances by notable artists including Grammy-nominated Eric Roberson and go-go band Black Alley, with special appearances by broadcaster Donnie Simpson and other surprise guests. The ceremony represents an opportunity to showcase D.C.'s artistic talent to visitors in town for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference.

Detroit City Councilman Fred Durhal III has endorsed City Council President Mary Sheffield for mayor of Detroit, becoming the second former mayoral opponent to back her candidacy. Durhal made the announcement at In Harmony Cafe on Detroit's west side, emphasizing Sheffield's 12 years of experience and leadership in city government. He stressed that Detroit needs experienced leadership rather than a "rookie" in the city's top position, highlighting Sheffield's work on ordinances and neighborhood development. Sheffield, who will face Rev. Solomon Kinloch in the November 4 general election, expressed honor at receiving Durhal's endorsement and their shared commitment to neighborhood improvement.

The White House has firmly rejected reports that border tsar Tom Homan accepted a $50,000 bribe during an FBI undercover sting operation last year. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt characterized the investigation as a politically motivated attempt by the Biden administration to target one of President Trump's vocal supporters, claiming Homan "did absolutely nothing wrong." Current FBI Director Kash Patel has reportedly ordered an investigation that found "zero evidence of illegal activity," and the administration maintains that Homan was not involved in awarding any contracts. The White House has emphasized that President Trump stands fully behind Homan, who is leading efforts on mass deportations and stopping illegal immigration.

ABC has indefinitely suspended Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show following his comments about Charlie Kirk's assassination, prompting hundreds of celebrities including Jennifer Aniston and Meryl Streep to sign a letter calling the suspension "a dark moment for freedom of speech." FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatened regulatory action against ABC after Kimmel's monologue criticized Trump and Republicans for their reaction to Kirk's murder. The controversy has sparked a national debate on free speech, with critics accusing ABC and Disney of caving to pressure from the Trump administration, which has subsequently threatened broadcast networks with license revocation.

The University of California community has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming it is violating civil rights laws to restrict academic freedom. The suit challenges the administration's $1.2 billion fine and research funding freeze at UCLA over alleged antisemitism violations. Plaintiffs argue that the government's proposed settlement demands violate university independence by requiring access to private data, ending diversity scholarships, banning overnight demonstrations, and mandating cooperation with immigration enforcement. UC President James Milliken described these actions as "one of the gravest threats" in the university's 157-year history, as the system receives over $17 billion annually in federal support for research and student aid.

California's 39th District State Senator Dr. Akilah Weber Pierson has authored Senate Resolution 56, officially designating September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in California. As an OB-GYN, she emphasizes that while less than 20% of ovarian cancers are caught early, increased awareness can lead to earlier detection and better outcomes. The resolution aims to create a platform for educational campaigns, partnerships with health organizations, and encourage healthcare providers to have proactive conversations with patients about risk factors. Dr. Weber Pierson urges other states to follow California's example, noting that awareness initiatives can help address health disparities, spur policy development, increase research funding, and provide support for survivors and families.

The San Diego City Council is considering a Paid Parking Program for Balboa Park that would implement tiered rates in surface lots while offering discounts for residents and free parking for park employees and volunteers, with revenue dedicated to park maintenance. Additionally, the Council has approved creating a Parking Meter Zone for streets around the park and will implement special-event parking rate increases to $10 per hour near Petco Park for events with over 10,000 attendees beginning September 1. Other recent developments include California Attorney General Rob Bonta issuing guidance to protect immigrants from scams and the adoption of a Residential Tenant Utility Fee Ordinance that prevents landlords from charging tenants more than the actual cost of city utilities, effective August 17, 2025.

Several health care bills awaiting Governor Gavin Newsom's approval aim to improve access to affordable prescription drugs, reduce medical care delays, and enhance privacy protections for Californians. These bills include measures to cap insulin costs at $35 monthly, regulate pharmacy benefit managers, streamline prior authorization processes, and ensure patients receive information about hospital financial assistance. The legislation also includes privacy protections for immigrants seeking medical care and safeguards for abortion information, responding to concerns about federal enforcement and interstate legal conflicts regarding reproductive healthcare.

The NAACP is embarking on an aggressive legal strategy for 2025, with Chief Strategy Officer Yumeka Rushing declaring "We suing everybody" as their rallying cry. This approach revives the organization's historical roots of seeking social change through court battles, similar to the work of NAACP Legal Defense Fund icons like Thurgood Marshall and Constance Baker Motley. The organization has already filed multiple lawsuits challenging actions they view as threats to Black Americans, including suits against the Trump Administration over education policies, and against Texas and Missouri for alleged racial gerrymandering. Beyond litigation, the NAACP is also launching community mobilization efforts like the Fierce Advocacy in Action Town Halls and the Black Voter Defense Fund to protect voting rights and engage Black communities ahead of upcoming elections.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture has established a new citrus quarantine across northern San Diego County and part of Camp Pendleton after finding Huanglongbing (HLB) disease in a residential tree in San Clemente. This quarantine, which connects with existing restrictions in southern Orange County, prohibits moving citrus plants and fruit outside the quarantine boundaries without proper treatment. HLB, spread by the Asian citrus psyllid, poses a significant threat to San Diego County's $144 million citrus industry by causing bitter, misshapen fruit and eventually killing infected trees. Officials are actively testing nearby trees, arranging protective treatments, and collaborating with local residents and growers to prevent further spread of this deadly citrus disease.

Afro-Bolivians, though officially recognized in the constitution since 2009, continue to struggle for visibility and acceptance in a country where they're often mistaken as foreigners despite being native Bolivians. Around 23,000 people identified as Afro in Bolivia's 2012 census, with most residing in the remote Yungas region where they depend on coca harvesting and honey production for their livelihoods. Despite some progress through the establishment of the Afro-Bolivian National Council (CONAFRO) in 2011 and the designation of a national day for Afro-Bolivian people, community leaders argue that symbolic recognition has not translated into meaningful structural change or accurate representation in educational curricula. The community maintains its cultural identity through traditional "saya" music and dance, which serves as both a cultural touchstone and a tool for political visibility and protest.

of News Article A memorial event for conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Arizona blended religious service and political rally elements, revealing tensions within the Republican Party between reconciliation and conflict. Erika Kirk, Charlie's widow and newly appointed head of Turning Point USA, delivered a powerful speech advocating forgiveness and love, contrasting with President Trump's subsequent remarks rejecting such sentiments toward opponents. The event showcased potential future Republican leaders including JD Vance, Marco Rubio, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., while emphasizing Christian values as central to the conservative movement. Additionally, the event unexpectedly featured a reconciliation between Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk, who had previously fallen out over policy disagreements.

Wayne State University has partnered with Detroit Public Schools Community District to launch "Warriors on the Rise," a guaranteed admission program that promises university entry to DPSCD juniors and seniors who maintain a 3.0 GPA and complete core English and math credits. The comprehensive initiative goes beyond admission by offering year-round support including mentoring, college prep workshops, academic advising, financial aid navigation, and transportation assistance. Beginning in February 2026, qualified students will receive invitations to join the program, followed by campus visits, summer social events, dual-enrollment opportunities, and ongoing family involvement. The program aims to transform Detroit students' access to higher education by removing barriers, building confidence, and creating clear pathways for success.

Michigan's Department of Education has proposed the first update to its K-12 health education guidelines since 2007, addressing contemporary challenges like the opioid crisis, smartphone use, and mental health concerns. The draft updates shift from grade-specific standards to more flexible grade ranges and emphasize ongoing "practices" rather than fixed "standards," borrowing from national health education updates and Massachusetts' model. While providing a framework that covers personal wellness, substance use, mental health, and sexual health, the guidelines ultimately allow local school districts to determine implementation, particularly regarding contentious areas like sexual health education. The update acknowledges that today's health challenges differ significantly from those in 2007, requiring schools to equip students with tools to navigate increasingly complex physical, mental, and social landscapes.

On September 18, leaders from various DMV area chambers of commerce gathered at Gallery O in Northeast D.C. for an event hosted by The Washington Informer to discuss the state of Black business. The panel discussion, moderated by WI Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes, featured chamber leaders from D.C., Charles County, Prince George's County, Greater Washington D.C., and Northern Virginia Black chambers of commerce. The event, which included an exhibition highlighting 60 years of Washington Informer photography, emphasized challenges facing Black entrepreneurs including gatekeeping, dismantling of supportive systems, and the need for greater collaboration. Chamber leaders encouraged Black businesses to stay focused, consider local government contracts instead of federal ones, embrace technology, and look for partnership opportunities with larger companies.

Kenneth Kelly, CEO of Detroit-based First Independence Bank and chair-elect of the American Bankers Association, recently testified before the U.S. Senate Banking Committee on modernizing deposit insurance. Representing the ABA, Kelly presented ten recommendations from a task force he chaired that aims to update the system created in 1933 and tested by recent bank failures like Silicon Valley Bank in 2023. The proposals focus on making deposit insurance more transparent, flexible during crises, and equitable across different-sized institutions, while maintaining its role as a stabilizing force in the U.S. financial system. Kelly emphasized that the current system, which guarantees deposits up to $250,000 and is funded through bank assessments rather than taxpayer money, needs improvements to reflect modern banking realities and prevent panic from spreading rapidly in today's digital environment.

A massive memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Kirk was held at State Farm Stadium in Arizona, drawing tens of thousands of mourners including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and numerous administration officials. During the five-hour event, Trump praised Kirk as a "martyr for American freedom" and "greatest evangelist for American liberty," though he notably diverged from Kirk's widow Erika's message of forgiveness toward her husband's alleged killer. The service featured emotional tributes from Turning Point USA members, Trump administration officials, and Erika Kirk herself, who has been named the new CEO of the organization her husband co-founded at age 18 to promote conservative ideas on college campuses.

President Trump's recent announcement of a $100,000 fee for H-1B visas created widespread panic among Indian visa holders and tech companies before the White House clarified it would apply only to new applicants as a one-time charge. This dramatic policy shift threatens to effectively close the H-1B pathway that has for three decades brought Indian talent to American industries, particularly in technology and medicine where Indians represent over 70% of H-1B recipients. The median salary for new H-1B employees is only $94,000, making the fee prohibitively expensive for most potential applicants and likely causing medium to long-term labor shortages in critical sectors. Experts predict significant consequences for both countries: India's $283 billion IT sector will need to restructure its business model while the US may face severe shortages in healthcare, education, and innovation sectors.

The Washington Informer celebrated its 60th anniversary with the opening of a Visual Legacy Exhibit at Gallery O on H in Northeast D.C., displaying six decades of community history through archival images. The event featured a regional Chamber of Commerce leadership forum that brought together business leaders from various chambers across the D.C. metropolitan area. Attendees networked and engaged in discussions throughout the gallery and courtyard spaces during this milestone celebration. The newspaper's publisher, Denise Rolark-Barnes, reflected on her father Dr. Calvin W. Rolark's founding vision for the paper as a platform to uplift the community through stories of triumph and resilience.

The SF Bay View National Black Newspaper is facing a financial crisis, losing an average of $4,000 monthly in 2025 and falling $7,500 behind on rent. Publishers Dr. Willie Ratcliff and Mary Ratcliff are hosting a combination 93rd birthday celebration and brainstorming session on September 24, 2025, at the Ruth Williams Bayview Opera House to generate ideas for saving the publication. The newspaper particularly emphasizes its importance to incarcerated people, crediting prisoner stories published in the Bay View with contributing to California's 30% drop in incarceration rates following the 2011-2013 hunger strikes. The publishers strongly oppose moving to an online-only format as it would cut off thousands of prisoners who rely on the print edition while simultaneously increasing their financial deficit.

President Donald Trump is publicly pressuring Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate his political opponents, including former FBI director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Senator Adam Schiff. Through social media posts, Trump expressed frustration that "nothing is being done" against these individuals whom he claims are "guilty as hell." This has drawn criticism from Democrats, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer warning that Trump is turning the Justice Department into "an instrument that goes after his enemies." The controversy follows federal prosecutor Erik Siebert's departure after Trump wanted him removed for not prosecuting Letitia James despite investigations finding insufficient evidence.

Recent reports indicate a potential deal is forming to keep TikTok operating in the United States, with President Trump revealing that Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch may join Larry Ellison and Michael Dell as investors. The sale is mandated by an April 2024 law requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok's US operations due to concerns about Chinese access to American user data. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested a deal could be finalized "in the coming days," with Oracle potentially controlling data privacy and the algorithm for TikTok's 170 million US users. While China has acknowledged welcoming negotiations, ByteDance has not commented on Trump's statements regarding the proposed investor group.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation banning law enforcement officers, including ICE agents, from wearing face masks while on duty, effective January 2026. The bill is part of a package of measures designed to protect residents from what Newsom termed "secret police" following controversial immigration raids in Los Angeles. While federal officials claim the state has no jurisdiction over federal operations, the legislation includes exceptions for undercover work, health protection, and tactical gear. Additional bills in the package require officers to identify themselves by name and badge number, restrict immigration enforcement access to schools and hospitals, and mandate that families be informed when officers visit their children's schools.