united states news

A 22-year-old Iowa man has been arrested in Colorado in connection with the murders of three women found dead in Wayne County, Utah. Two bodies were discovered on a hiking trail on Wednesday, while a third victim was found at a nearby home. Authorities tracked the suspect as he fled through southeastern Utah and Arizona while driving a vehicle belonging to one of the victims. The three deceased women were aged in their 30s, 60s, and 80s, and investigators believe the suspect had no prior connection to any of them. # Key Takeaways

The article highlights two significant March 5th events in African American history. In 1897, scholar Alexander Crummell established the American Negro Academy in Washington, D.C., creating the nation's first organization dedicated to Black scholarship and intellectual advancement. This institution played a crucial role in combating racist ideologies through academic work and publishing, while promoting education and cultural development as means of achieving racial equality. The article also commemorates the 1939 birth of Philadelphia native Charles Fuller, who became an acclaimed playwright after military service and co-founding a theater company, ultimately winning the Pulitzer Prize for his influential drama about race and military life.

Roland Wilson, a 38-year-old San Diego resident, died on February 8, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and dedication to family. Known for his gentle nature, humor, and generous spirit, he was particularly devoted to caring for both his children and his grandmother simultaneously. He leaves behind his grandmother Leomia, two children (Coral and Roland Jr.), his mother Sandra, two brothers, and his children's mother Star Lemus. Several family members, including his grandfather Eddie and cousin Deon, had passed away before him. # Key Takeaways

Three members of Congress are introducing the Fair Housing for Survivors Act, which would expand federal housing protections to prevent discrimination against survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. The legislation would amend existing fair housing laws to treat survivors similarly to other protected classes, preventing evictions or housing denials based on their survivor status. This initiative addresses a significant problem, as nearly 40 percent of domestic violence survivors experience homelessness at some point in their lives. The bill builds upon existing Violence Against Women Act protections that currently only cover federally subsidized housing, extending safeguards to the private housing market as well. # Key Takeaways

Texas Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales has acknowledged having an extramarital affair with his married aide Regina Santos-Aviles, reversing his previous denials of the relationship. The admission occurred following the launch of a House Ethics Committee investigation and during a competitive primary run-off election where he faces challenger Brandon Herrera. Santos-Aviles died by suicide in September 2025, though Gonzales maintains her death was unrelated to their relationship, a claim disputed by her husband's attorney who alleges workplace harassment after the affair's discovery. The congressman, who has six children and was previously endorsed by President Trump, now faces mounting pressure to resign from fellow Republicans who have accused him of predatory behavior. The ethics probe will examine whether Gonzales engaged in sexual misconduct and provided improper preferential treatment to his employee. # Key Takeaways

Hundreds of Scottish travelers stranded in Dubai during Iranian missile strikes have returned home after a harrowing ordeal that left many fearing for their safety. The passengers experienced flight cancellations, airport evacuations, and witnessed missiles overhead with explosions near their hotels, with one couple narrowly avoiding injury when their hotel was struck just hours after they checked out. Over 300 people arrived at Edinburgh Airport on Wednesday evening, though thousands remain stuck in the Middle East following escalating military actions between the US, Israel, and Iran. Travelers described chaotic scenes at airports with little staff support, emergency alerts on their phones, and in some cases being forced to shelter in hotel basements during the attacks.

Michigan is incentivizing school districts to require high school seniors to complete the FAFSA form as a graduation requirement by awarding grant money through its Universal FAFSA Challenge program. The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential distributed $10 million to 67 school districts in 2025 to support these efforts, which include helping students and families navigate college applications and financial aid processes. This initiative aligns with Governor Gretchen Whitmer's goal of having 60% of working-age adults hold a skills certificate or college degree by 2030, up from the current 51.6%. While there is no statewide mandate requiring FAFSA completion for graduation, individual districts are adopting these requirements locally with opt-out provisions, using grant funds for college visits, informational meetings, staff support, and student incentives. # Key Takeaways

Iran's military has launched missile and drone strikes against Iranian Kurdish opposition group headquarters in northern Iraq, killing one person and injuring several others. These attacks come amid reports that President Trump wants Kurdish forces to join military operations against Iran, though Kurdish leaders deny their fighters have crossed into Iranian territory. Kurdish opposition representatives say they cannot move without U.S. air support to neutralize Iran's security infrastructure, calling the regime brutal while noting their limited weaponry. The approximately 9 million Iranian Kurds, who comprise about 10% of Iran's population, have historically faced discrimination and oppression, and experts suggest that igniting armed insurrection among Iran's ethnic minorities could create significant challenges for the Tehran regime.

Detroit is launching two free home repair programs that will accept applications for a limited two-week period starting March 9th. The city acknowledges that home repair costs present a significant ongoing challenge for Detroit residents, particularly affecting elderly homeowners most severely. While Detroit has utilized federal pandemic relief funds to address housing maintenance needs, the demand far exceeds available resources. The programs, called Critical Home Repair and Detroit LeadSafe, will use a unified application system through the city's Neighborly platform, with the application window closing on March 22nd. # Key Takeaways

Detroit Public Schools Community District is exploring a new approach to charter school authorization that would limit how many students charters can enroll from the district. This strategy emerged from a proposal for Sound Mind Sound Body Preparatory Academy, a grades 4-8 charter focused on athletics and enrichment that would cap district student enrollment at 20% and require students to apply to district high schools. Superintendent Nikolai Vitti has shifted his stance on charters since 2017, now seeing opportunities for partnerships that serve specific student needs while feeding students back into district high schools. However, board members want to develop a comprehensive charter authorization strategy before approving individual contracts, as over half of Detroit's students currently attend charter schools and district enrollment has declined as charters have proliferated.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that an American submarine torpedoed and sank the Iranian warship Iris Dena in the Indian Ocean on Tuesday, marking the first US submarine torpedo attack since World War II. The frigate, which had approximately 130-180 people aboard and was returning from military exercises hosted by India, sank roughly 40 kilometers off Sri Lanka's coast. Sri Lankan rescue teams recovered 80 bodies and rescued 32 seriously injured survivors following a Wednesday morning distress call. Iran's Foreign Minister condemned the attack as an "atrocity at sea" that occurred without warning in international waters, threatening future consequences for the United States. The incident occurs amid ongoing US and Israeli air strikes against Iran and broader regional military escalations involving Israel, Lebanon, and retaliatory Iranian attacks. # Key Takeaways

Energy companies serving the Channel Islands are closely monitoring fuel prices following increases linked to the Middle East conflict and Iran's warnings about the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for global oil and gas shipments. Islands Energy Group reports that spot gas prices have become highly volatile and risen sharply since hostilities began, potentially forcing the company to adjust its pricing if elevated costs persist. Meanwhile, Guernsey Electricity has mitigated price shocks by importing most electricity through undersea cables from mainland Europe and using forward hedging strategies. This approach previously protected Guernsey customers from the dramatic tariff increases that affected UK consumers during the 2022 Ukraine crisis.

Venezuela's interim government is preparing to reform its mining sector laws to attract foreign investment, particularly from US companies, following similar changes already made to its oil sector. US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum visited Caracas to meet with interim president Delcy Rodríguez, discussing cooperation on developing Venezuela's vast mineral resources, including gold, diamonds, and rare earth elements. This diplomatic engagement comes after the US seizure of former president Nicolás Maduro in January, who faces trial in March on charges related to criminal activities including illegal mining. President Trump praised the developing relationship and indicated the US would benefit from Venezuelan oil while promising improvements for Venezuelan citizens, as over two dozen major American mining companies attended the meeting representing potential billions in investment. # Key Takeaways

A federal trade court judge has ordered U.S. Customs and Border Protection to provide tariff refunds to businesses that paid levies under emergency powers, which the Supreme Court invalidated last month. The ruling applies broadly to all importers who paid these duties, representing a significant defeat for the Trump administration, which collected approximately $130 billion through these tariffs and has expressed opposition to issuing refunds. While the payment mechanism remains unclear, the decision came from a case filed by Tennessee-based Atmus Filtration, though the same judge will oversee all related refund cases. The administration is simultaneously working to implement a replacement 15% global tariff to substitute the invalidated emergency powers tariffs.

The US Senate rejected a bipartisan war powers resolution by a 53-47 vote that would have required congressional approval before continuing military action against Iran. While the measure failed mostly along party lines, it highlighted divisions over President Trump's authority to conduct the ongoing military strikes against Iran that began over the weekend, with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth estimating the conflict could last eight weeks. Democrats accused the administration of bypassing Congress and providing inconsistent justifications for the war, though the Trump administration maintains it met legal notification requirements. The resolution now moves to the House of Representatives where it faces difficult odds of passing, as Republicans largely argue that supporting the measure would undermine troops and embolden Iran.

Lou Holtz, the renowned college football coach who led Notre Dame to an undefeated championship season in 1988, has passed away at age 89 in Orlando, Florida. Throughout his five-decade coaching career, he achieved 249 total victories across 33 seasons at multiple universities and one NFL season with the New York Jets. Beyond his athletic achievements, Holtz became known for his motivational leadership style and instituted lasting traditions at Notre Dame, including the famous "Play Like A Champion" locker room sign. After retiring from coaching, he worked as a sports commentator and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2020 for his contributions to football and his charitable work. # Key Takeaways

Cuba experienced a massive power outage on Wednesday affecting two-thirds of the island, including Havana, after an unexpected shutdown at the Antonio Guiteras power plant located east of the capital. The blackout is part of an ongoing energy crisis driven by severe fuel shortages that have been significantly worsened by US sanctions blocking oil shipments from Venezuela, which previously supplied about half of Cuba's oil needs. The fuel crisis has broader impacts beyond electricity, forcing airlines like Air France to suspend service due to aviation fuel shortages and disrupting essential services including hospitals, public transportation, and waste collection. This represents the second major western region outage in three months, highlighting Cuba's deteriorating infrastructure and its vulnerable dependence on imported fuel amid intensifying US economic pressure under President Trump.

Allegations that Texas GOP Representative Tony Gonzales sent sexually explicit messages to a former aide who later died by suicide have created divisions within the House Republican caucus. While some members, including Representative Anna Paulina Luna, have filed censure resolutions against him, party leadership has largely avoided taking decisive action, preferring to let voters decide his fate in an upcoming May runoff election. Representative Nancy Mace's resolution to release all congressional sexual misconduct investigations failed after bipartisan opposition citing concerns about victim protection and witness cooperation. Gonzales has acknowledged "a lapse in judgment" and stated he has reconciled with his wife, while an ethics investigation has been opened following findings by the Office of Congressional Conduct. # Key Takeaways

American Black Journal's Stephen Henderson interviews Mark S. Lee, an integrated marketing consultant and CEO of The LEE Group, about the business landscape facing small enterprises in 2025. Lee emphasizes that small business owners must remain proactive rather than passive while navigating economic headwinds including rising prices, trade barriers, and workforce availability issues. He recommends that entrepreneurs pursue collaborative opportunities, expand their income sources, and seek available funding programs. The discussion particularly highlights the distinct obstacles confronting Black business owners and examines how adopting technological solutions can help reduce operational expenses. # Key Takeaways

The conflict between the US-Israel alliance and Iran is consuming weapons and munitions at an unsustainable pace, with over 2,000 coalition strikes already conducted and Iran launching nearly 2,000 missiles and drones combined. Intelligence indicates Iran's attack rate has dropped dramatically—down 86% for ballistic missiles and 73% for drones since the conflict's first day—suggesting depleting stockpiles or strategic conservation amid destroyed air defenses and production facilities. While the US possesses deeper conventional weapons reserves and has shifted to less expensive munitions now that it controls Iranian airspace, critical air defense systems like Patriot missiles remain in limited supply with only about 700 produced annually. The situation highlights how even America's substantial military resources face constraints during high-intensity operations, prompting President Trump to schedule meetings with defense contractors to accelerate production.

California Assemblymember Buffy Wicks spoke at a Sacramento housing conference, emphasizing that addressing the state's housing crisis requires building approximately 2.5 million homes across all income levels while maintaining environmental standards. The conference brought together policymakers, experts, and industry leaders to discuss solutions focused on increasing housing supply, improving financing options, and addressing labor shortages. Black Californians are particularly impacted by the crisis, with homeownership rates around 35-37% compared to the statewide average of 55-56%, reflecting ongoing effects of historical discrimination and redlining. Wicks and other legislators, including Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, are pursuing multiple legislative approaches including affordable housing bonds and streamlined development processes to increase housing availability for low-income families and communities of color.

Michigan is distributing approximately $94 million in marijuana excise tax revenue to 313 local governments and tribal authorities, representing a slight decrease from the previous year's $99.5 million allocation. The funds, derived from a 10% excise tax established in the 2018 recreational marijuana ballot initiative, will provide eligible municipalities, counties, and tribes roughly $54,000 for each licensed retail store or microbusiness within their jurisdiction. Meanwhile, state education and transportation funds will each receive over $109 million from the marijuana tax revenue. The reduced payout reflects a cooling cannabis market with declining sales and increased competition, while a controversial new 24% wholesale tax that took effect in January faces bipartisan opposition and legal challenges from industry groups.

The NAACP Image Awards is concluding its multi-night ceremony on Saturday in Pasadena, California, marking one of the final events of Hollywood's awards season. The film "Sinners" has received the most nominations in the film category among this year's contenders. The Image Awards recognize achievement across multiple entertainment and cultural fields, including film, television, music, and literature. This year's final ceremony is taking place near the conclusion of Black History Month in the United States. # Key Takeaways

Recent scientific research has uncovered potentially dangerous chemicals, including lead, flame retardants, and carcinogens, in hair extensions commonly used by Black women for protective hairstyles like box braids and twists. Two major studies published in early 2025 found hazardous substances in dozens of extension brands, with over 80% containing chemicals linked to breast cancer, though definitive proof of health harm hasn't yet been established. Despite these findings, many hair braiding salons continue operating without significant changes, with braiders and clients largely unaware of or unconcerned about the risks. The discoveries highlight how the largely unregulated billion-dollar hair extension industry may be disproportionately harming Black women, who use these products regularly and more frequently than other demographic groups. This adds to existing concerns about other Black hair care products that have already been found to contain harmful substances like formaldehyde.

The Block Club, a community improvement project focused on Black arts and culture, is celebrating its first anniversary with a three-day fundraising event from March 27-29, seeking to raise $10,000 for operations and facility improvements. The celebration includes a cocktail reception with a silent auction launch on Friday evening, an intimate music lounge on Saturday afternoon, and a family-oriented gaming event on Sunday that coincides with a city proclamation honoring the organization. The online silent auction will feature artwork from Black and Brown artists, local experiences, and products from community businesses, with bidding open throughout the weekend. All events will take place at The Block Club, a donation-based creative coworking and event space operated by the nonprofit Raimo Residence 501(c)(3).

The estate of Henrietta Lacks has settled a lawsuit against pharmaceutical company Novartis over the unauthorized use of her cells, which were taken without consent from her cervical tumor in 1951. These "HeLa" cells became the first immortal human cell line and enabled crucial medical breakthroughs including polio and COVID-19 vaccines, yet Lacks' family received no compensation despite companies profiting from them for decades. This represents the second settlement for the estate, following a 2023 agreement with Thermo Fisher Scientific, as part of ongoing litigation against multiple biomedical companies accused of exploiting a racist medical system. The poor tobacco farmer died at age 31 and was buried in an unmarked grave, while her continuously reproducing cells became a cornerstone of modern medicine used in laboratories worldwide. # Key Takeaways

Iran has postponed the funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated in coordinated US-Israeli strikes, citing the need to prepare infrastructure for large crowds though the decision comes amid ongoing military operations across the country. The US and Israel continue intensive airstrikes targeting Iranian military facilities, while Iran has retaliated by launching missiles and drones at Israel and Gulf nations hosting American bases, resulting in civilian casualties including an 11-year-old girl in Kuwait. Iran's Assembly of Experts is working to select Khamenei's successor, with his son Mojtaba reportedly the leading candidate, while US defense officials claim they will achieve total air superiority within days. The conflict has already killed over 1,000 people in Iran according to reports, with additional casualties in neighboring countries caught in the crossfire.

On February 28, Lemon Grove Academy Middle School hosted a Black History Empowerment Celebration that brought together students, families, and community organizations for a day of cultural programming and festivities. The indoor auditorium featured various performances including the Black National Anthem, spoken word poetry, dance troupes, and gospel music, while an outdoor festival included food vendors, local businesses, and children's activities. Multiple community organizations collaborated to organize the event, including Thrive Lemon Grove, the school district, and several faith-based and resource groups. Despite challenges with parking and high temperatures, attendees expressed enthusiasm about the celebration, which emphasized recognizing Black history through community engagement and cultural expression.

A group of pro-Trump activists claiming White House coordination has drafted a 17-page executive order falsely alleging Chinese interference in the 2020 election, which Trump lost by over 7 million votes. The proposed order would declare a national emergency to give Trump unprecedented control over U.S. voting systems, despite the Constitution granting states authority over elections. This development comes as Trump appears increasingly focused on influencing the 2026 midterm elections, where Republicans face expected losses due to declining approval ratings and economic difficulties. The Trump Justice Department has simultaneously sued multiple states demanding access to voter rolls, though federal courts have rejected these efforts, while over 50 Congressional Republicans have announced retirement plans. # Key Takeaways