united states news

The Washington Informer held its inaugural Best of the DMV Winners Celebration on December 21st at Busboys and Poets in Anacostia, honoring winners selected through more than 15,000 votes across 200 categories celebrating Black excellence in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region. The event, led by Ra-Jah Kelly and supported by Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes with Safeway sponsorship, recognized Black-led businesses, creatives, and institutions ranging from event planners and festivals to HBCUs and nonprofit organizations. During the celebration, organizers announced the creation of The Washington Informer Charities' James L. Wright Memorial Scholarship Fund to honor the recently deceased longtime staff writer known for his business reporting. Attendees emphasized the importance of supporting Black-owned businesses and telling positive community stories, particularly during challenging times marked by federal pushback against Black narratives. The awards program is scheduled to return in 2026 with plans for expanded partnerships and continued celebration of regional changemakers. # Key Takeaways

Vince Zampella, the 55-year-old co-creator of the Call of Duty video game franchise, died in a single-vehicle Ferrari crash on a Los Angeles highway that resulted in a fire. The influential game developer, who also created successful titles including Titanfall and Apex Legends, was traveling with another person when their vehicle left the roadway and struck a concrete barrier, killing both occupants. Throughout his career, Zampella was known for prioritizing player experience and creating some of gaming's most commercially successful franchises, with Call of Duty alone selling over 500 million copies. At the time of his death, he was working at Electronic Arts' Respawn Entertainment, which he co-founded, and was involved in developing Battlefield 6. # Key Takeaways

The Trump administration has seized multiple oil tankers off Venezuela's coast and plans to retain or sell both the crude oil and vessels, with the US Coast Guard currently pursuing a third tanker. President Trump stated these actions could pressure Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to resign, while also announcing plans to expand military strikes from sea to land targets. The US justifies these measures by accusing Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund drug trafficking, though it has provided no public evidence for recent strikes that have killed approximately 100 people. Venezuela has condemned the seizures as piracy and requested an emergency UN Security Council session to address what it calls US aggression. The escalating tensions follow Trump's designation of Maduro's government as a foreign terrorist organization and implementation of a blockade on sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers.

A Mexican Navy aircraft crashed into Galveston Bay near Texas on Monday during foggy conditions, resulting in at least five fatalities. The plane was conducting a humanitarian medical transport mission for the Michou y Mau Foundation, carrying a pediatric burn patient from Mexico who required specialized treatment. Two survivors were pulled from the partially submerged wreckage, including a severely injured woman found trapped with minimal breathing space amid jet fuel fumes. One person remains unaccounted for as search operations continue in the bay waters. Local witnesses and yacht captains assisted police and Coast Guard teams in the rescue efforts conducted under extremely poor visibility conditions. # Key Takeaways

Brown University's police chief, Rodney Chatman, has been placed on immediate administrative leave as part of a comprehensive safety review following a campus mass shooting on December 13 that left two students dead and nine wounded. University President Christina Paxson announced the decision amid mounting criticism of law enforcement's delayed response and the six-day gap before authorities identified the gunman as Claudio Neves Valente, a former Brown student who was later found dead in New Hampshire. The suspect is also believed to have killed an MIT professor two days after the Brown attack, though no motive has been disclosed. Both the university's governing body and the U.S. Department of Education have initiated reviews of Brown's safety protocols and emergency response procedures. # Key Takeaways

The FDA has approved a pill form of Wegovy, making it the first oral weight-loss medication of its type to receive regulatory clearance in the United States. Manufacturer Novo Nordisk reports that clinical trials demonstrated an average weight reduction of 16.6% among participants, with one-third achieving losses of 20% or more. The daily pill offers a more convenient alternative to the existing injectable version while delivering comparable results. Set to launch in early 2026, this approval provides a potential boost for Novo Nordisk amid increased competition from companies like Eli Lilly and a difficult financial period that saw declining share prices.

The Leaders in Training (LIT) program run by Urban Neighborhood Initiatives in Southwest Detroit's Springwells neighborhood provides youth aged 14 to 24 with career preparation through paid internships, mentorship, and skills development. The initiative has evolved from seasonal job placements into a comprehensive year-round workforce development program that helps young people overcome systemic barriers to employment and education. A key success story is 21-year-old Wayne State student Melany Sanchez, who joined as a college freshman and now mentors younger participants while receiving support including scholarship connections and educational supplies. The program emphasizes building positive adult relationships and currently has five of its six career pathways led by former participants, demonstrating how it creates sustainable community leadership from within the neighborhood.

The Motor City Contractor Fund is recruiting Detroit-based contractors for its fourth cohort before a January 30 application deadline, aiming to help local small and mid-sized construction businesses compete for projects in Detroit's $5 billion revitalization boom. Since launching, the program has provided over $2 million in capital support, nearly $2.5 million in lending, and $365,000 in grants to address barriers like limited access to capital, bonding, and technical assistance that prevent local contractors from securing large-scale development work. The fund, backed by the Gilbert Family Foundation, Invest Detroit, and Barton Malow, combines financial resources with hands-on support to strengthen business operations and competitive positioning. By helping local contractors succeed, the initiative aims to retain wealth in Detroit neighborhoods, create jobs, and ensure outside firms don't monopolize the city's development opportunities.

The Michigan State Historic Preservation Office has received a $75,000 federal grant to document and preserve the architectural legacy of Nathan Johnson, a pioneering Black modernist architect who shaped Detroit's built environment from the 1950s through his death in 2021. The funding will support hiring a preservation consultant to conduct a comprehensive study of Johnson's career and buildings, with the goal of nominating at least one of his properties to the National Register of Historic Places and creating documentation to facilitate future listings. Johnson, who became Detroit's Board of Education's first Black architect in 1965, designed dozens of churches, commercial buildings, and civic projects including People Mover stations, while also mentoring other Black architects throughout his career. The project, conducted in partnership with Noir Design Parti, aims to correct Johnson's relative absence from official Michigan architectural histories and provide property owners access to preservation incentives like tax credits and grants. # Key Takeaways

The article warns about common and costly mistakes people make with beneficiary designations on financial accounts and insurance policies. Many individuals fail to update beneficiaries after major life changes like divorce or remarriage, which can result in assets going to unintended recipients since beneficiary designations override wills and trusts. The author illustrates this problem through a fictional scenario where a woman's life insurance proceeds went to her ex-husband instead of her current family because she never updated the designation after remarrying. The piece emphasizes the importance of regularly reviewing and updating beneficiaries on all accounts, including life insurance, retirement accounts, and bank accounts, to ensure assets pass according to one's current wishes. # Key Takeaways

Dr. Anthony O. Kellum argues that the Trump administration's policies since January 2025 represent a systematic dismantling of systems that have supported Black Americans' economic advancement over six decades. By eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across federal agencies, educational institutions, and corporate contractors, these policies directly threaten Black access to education, employment, and homeownership. Kellum contends that removing equity protections will constrict the pathways that lead to stable employment and mortgage eligibility, ultimately widening both the Black housing gap and wealth gap. He emphasizes that this regression is deliberate rather than accidental, and calls for Black communities to maintain political engagement while building alternative support systems and community-driven capital sources. # Key Takeaways

President Trump has unveiled plans for a new "Golden Fleet" featuring Trump-class battleships, with the USS Defiant as the first vessel expected to become operational within two and a half years. The announcement includes constructing up to 25 heavily armed warships equipped with hypersonic weapons, part of a broader naval expansion addressing concerns that China currently leads in global shipbuilding capacity and fleet size. Trump emphasized that domestic construction would generate thousands of jobs while creating what he described as the most powerful battleships ever built. This initiative follows previous setbacks in naval procurement, including the cancelled Constellation-class frigate program that spent approximately $2 billion before termination, and comes amid increased U.S. naval activity in the Caribbean related to counter-narcotics operations.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has selected Mark Wiseman, a former BlackRock executive and experienced investment manager, to serve as Canada's new ambassador to the United States, replacing outgoing ambassador Kirsten Hillman. The appointment comes during a critical period as Canada navigates deteriorating relations with Washington and prepares for challenging negotiations regarding the trilateral free trade agreement. Wiseman, who currently advises financial firms Lazard and Boston Consulting Group, will join Canada's negotiating team in mid-February to advocate for Canadian economic interests. However, his selection has drawn domestic criticism from Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre due to Wiseman's advocacy for dramatically increased immigration levels through his work with the Century Initiative organization. # Key Takeaways

DTE Energy concluded its 2025 United Way fundraising campaign by raising nearly $2 million through employee participation and a matching contribution from the DTE Foundation. Employees engaged in various creative fundraising activities including cookoffs, raffles, trivia contests, bingo events, and themed gatherings like Worktoberfest and karaoke parties. The campaign also featured volunteer service projects, such as an August backpack drive at Beacon Park where workers filled bags with school supplies for students. The funds will support United Way programs including 2-1-1, a service that helps connect community members to essential resources like food, shelter, and utility payment assistance. # Key Takeaways

A utility company is offering energy-saving advice to customers during the holiday season when home appliances experience increased usage. The guidance includes lowering thermostats when hosting guests, switching to LED holiday lights with timers, and using alternative cooking appliances instead of ovens to reduce natural gas consumption. For those traveling during the holidays, recommendations include adjusting thermostats to lower settings without turning them off completely and unplugging unnecessary electronics. The company also promotes its Bill Analyzer Tool, which allows customers to review their previous year's energy consumption patterns and identify opportunities for savings. # Key Takeaways

The DTE Foundation and Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan have launched a new interactive exhibit called "Energy MVP - From Rookie to Legend" at the JA Finance Park in Detroit. This hands-on installation showcases career opportunities in renewable energy, skilled trades, engineering, and emerging technologies through real-world simulations and scenarios. DTE employees contributed actual equipment and personal tools from their careers to make the exhibit authentic and engaging. The exhibit aims to connect thousands of students annually with high-paying career pathways in Michigan's evolving energy sector, from electric vehicle infrastructure to solar technology. # Key Takeaways

The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Washington, DC, challenging the city's prohibition on registering semi-automatic rifles like AR-15s, which Attorney General Pam Bondi claims violates Second Amendment rights. The legal action stems from DC's requirement that all firearms be registered with police, though the city specifically bars registration of fast-loading semi-automatic weapons, effectively making their ownership illegal. This lawsuit represents the latest conflict between the Democrat-controlled district and the Republican federal government over gun regulations, complicated by Congress's authority to approve DC's laws and budgets. The Trump administration has simultaneously worked to reduce gun restrictions in the capital, including ending felony prosecution for certain rifle and shotgun possession cases. Despite two high-profile shootings since Trump's return to office, violent crime in DC has reportedly decreased by 28% compared to the previous year.

The DTE Foundation has announced a $300,000 commitment to combat increasing food insecurity throughout Michigan by supporting six established partner organizations that distribute meals to families in need. This donation represents part of a larger initiative, bringing the Foundation's total hunger-relief investment this year to over $1 million across 39 organizations operating statewide. Foundation leaders and partner organizations emphasized that addressing hunger strengthens entire communities, not just individual recipients. The funding will help these organizations expand their meal distribution capabilities and maintain services during a period of heightened need across the state. # Key Takeaways

California Assemblymember Sade Elhawary, who represents the 57th Assembly District in Los Angeles, reflects on her inaugural year in the state legislature as an educator and social justice advocate. The daughter of Egyptian and Guatemalan immigrants, she previously worked at Community Coalition and co-founded the Nelson Mandela School for Social Justice before entering office. During her first legislative session, Elhawary focused on building coalitions between community members and policymakers, particularly working on foster youth legislation informed by her experience as a foster parent to a Black daughter. Looking ahead to 2026, she aims to shift public narratives around taxation of wealthy individuals and criminal justice reform while increasing civic engagement in underserved communities. # Key Takeaways

California Assemblymember Corey A. Jackson, who represents the 60th District and chairs Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services, discussed his legislative priorities and accomplishments in an interview with California Black Media. His major achievement in the past year involved preserving housing programs through the social safety net to prevent seniors and low-income residents from becoming homeless. Jackson also played a key coordinating role in advancing reparations legislation through the Black Caucus, helping establish what he describes as unprecedented state-level infrastructure for addressing historical injustices. Looking ahead to 2026, he has set an ambitious goal to end homelessness among seniors while expressing frustration with multiple ongoing crises, including what he characterizes as an anti-Black presidential administration.

Michigan's Senate voted 23-13 on December 16 to restore $634 million in work project funding that House Republicans had eliminated one week earlier through a rarely used procedural mechanism. The original cuts, which removed approximately $645 million from previously approved projects serving vulnerable populations, sparked intense backlash from affected organizations, local governments, and the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, who demanded accountability through press conferences and coordinated advocacy. Five Republican senators crossed party lines to join Democrats in reversing the funding cuts, which had impacted essential programs including childhood cancer treatment, fire safety equipment, environmental projects, and maternal health initiatives. The restored funding legislation now returns to the Republican-controlled House for final consideration, while questions about the constitutionality of the budget maneuver remain under legal review. This reversal demonstrates how organized community resistance successfully challenged unilateral budget decisions that disproportionately harmed Black, low-income, rural, and medically vulnerable communities.

Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield has appointed David Bowser as her chief of staff, a key leadership position in her incoming administration. Bowser previously worked as a senior policy advisor on Sheffield's campaign and currently serves as director of transition operations for her transition team. He brings extensive experience from various roles in the Duggan administration, where he focused on housing, health equity, and human services, including helping establish programs like Code Blue and the Detroit Housing Services Office. In his new role, Bowser will manage citywide communications, internal administrative functions, and high-priority mayoral projects while also serving as a senior advisor to Sheffield.

The Judson Center is launching a new infant mental health program in Oakland County with $150,000 in funding from the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation, distributed as $75,000 annually over two years. The "Our Early Years" pilot program will serve families involved with child welfare services and those experiencing poverty-related trauma, focusing on strengthening caregiver-child relationships for children from birth to age three. This initiative responds to concerning Michigan data showing that 68% of adults and 58% of youth have experienced adverse childhood experiences, with infants under one year representing 11% of child maltreatment victims in 2023. Additionally, Judson Center's CEO Lenora Hardy-Foster received the foundation's "Mental Health Hero" Award, which provides $25,000 to her organization along with support for leadership renewal time. # Key Takeaways

The US Department of the Interior has immediately halted construction on five major offshore wind farms along the Atlantic coast, claiming the turbines could interfere with radar systems and pose national security threats to eastern population centers. The projects, located off New York, Virginia, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, are being paused despite some having operated for years without security issues, according to developers like Dominion Energy. State officials and renewable energy companies have strongly criticized the decision, with Connecticut's governor calling it erratic and warning it will increase electricity costs and eliminate jobs. This action continues President Trump's opposition to wind energy, though a federal judge previously rejected his broader attempt to ban all new wind projects as unlawful. # Key Takeaways