united states news

A DeKalb County, Georgia woman, Mary DeBardelaben, has discovered the truth about her grandmother Hattie's death in 1945 through records released by the Civil Rights Cold Case Review Board. The documents revealed that four law enforcement officers in Autaugaville, Alabama killed Hattie while searching for illegal whiskey, beating her to death in her own yard after she defended her nephew. A bipartisan bill authored by Senator Jon Ossoff has passed the Senate and awaits House approval to extend the review board's mandate, which was originally established by Congress in 2018 to investigate thousands of racially-motivated killings and civil rights violations. Mary DeBardelaben now seeks to have her grandmother's name added to the National Memorial for Justice and Peace in Montgomery, Alabama, which honors Black lynching victims from 1877 to 1950. # Key Takeaways

Michigan's four-year high school graduation rate reached a historic high of 84% in 2025, up from approximately 83% the previous year, while the dropout rate decreased to 7.13%. The improvement was seen across various student populations, including economically disadvantaged students, those with disabilities, and students experiencing homelessness, with Detroit Public Schools achieving its highest graduation rate since the state adopted its current tracking formula. Districts attribute their success to expanded credit recovery programs, increased counseling services, mental health interventions, and career-focused learning opportunities that make education more relevant to students' interests. However, despite rising graduation rates, college readiness remains a significant concern, with SAT scores showing most students across the state falling below benchmarks in math and reading, prompting calls for more rigorous graduation standards that better prepare students for post-secondary success. # Key Takeaways

The Supreme Court has ruled against President Trump's use of emergency powers to impose reciprocal and country-specific tariffs, significantly disrupting his trade policy approach. While this decision theoretically cuts the average tariff rate by more than half from around 15%, many tariffs imposed under different legal justifications remain in place, keeping rates approximately three times higher than early 2025 levels. The ruling creates a window of uncertainty as Trump seeks alternative legal routes to maintain his tariff strategy, though these methods are more complex and time-consuming. Meanwhile, global trading partners have adapted by diversifying their relationships and supply chains, with countries like Vietnam and Thailand benefiting from shifts away from highly-tariffed Chinese imports. The decision's legacy includes continued market volatility and America's diminished reliability as a trading partner, potentially driving traditional allies toward stronger relationships with each other.

Long-time U Street corridor resident Gregory Adams and other members of Black Neighbors of 1617 U Street are challenging development plans in their historically Black Northwest D.C. neighborhood, arguing that proposed upzoning and new construction threaten to worsen displacement and fail to guarantee truly affordable housing. The group successfully lobbied to modify a zoning proposal for land near Third District police headquarters, though the compromise resulted in fewer total and affordable units than originally planned. As the D.C. Office of Planning undertakes a comprehensive rewrite of the city's development plan through the DC 2050 process, community advocates are pushing for social housing programs and questioning "gentle density" proposals that would subdivide single-family homes without explicit affordability requirements. Historian Briana Thomas notes that of over 300 Black-owned businesses that once thrived on U Street during its "Black Broadway" era, only three remain today, with newer Black-owned businesses often forced to close within a year due to high costs.

A woman at Las Vegas's Harry Reid International Airport was arrested and charged with animal abandonment after leaving her two-year-old golden doodle/mini poodle mix tied to a baggage scale on February 2nd. The incident occurred after airline staff denied her boarding because she lacked proper documentation for the dog to travel as a service animal. Police apprehended the woman at a departure gate, where she claimed the dog had a tracking device and would return to her, then became hostile during her arrest. After a mandatory 10-day holding period passed without the owner reclaiming the animal, a local rescue organization took custody of the dog, now nicknamed Jet Blue, and received an overwhelming number of adoption applications.

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 against President Trump's sweeping global tariffs that were imposed using emergency powers legislation, determining that the Constitution grants tariff authority exclusively to Congress rather than the executive branch. Chief Justice Roberts authored the majority opinion while three conservative justices dissented, arguing the tariffs were legally permissible. The decision represents Trump's first major Supreme Court defeat on a cornerstone economic policy, though the administration indicated it may pursue tariffs through alternative legal mechanisms with different constraints. The contested tariffs, which Trump justified as responses to trade deficits and drug trafficking emergencies, were projected to cost approximately $3 trillion over ten years and had already generated over $133 billion in collected import taxes. # Key Takeaways

Eric Dane, the 53-year-old actor famous for his role in Grey's Anatomy, has passed away less than a year after publicly revealing his ALS diagnosis in April 2025. During his final months, he dedicated himself to fundraising and advocacy work, helping launch campaigns that raised over $500,000 and joining the board of Target ALS while pushing for more than $1 billion in federal research funding. The actor also raised awareness through his craft, appearing in a medical drama portraying an ALS patient and speaking publicly about the urgent need to combat the disease despite bureaucratic obstacles. ALS is an aggressive, incurable condition that causes progressive muscle paralysis, with most patients surviving only two-and-a-half years after diagnosis, and Dane's condition deteriorated rapidly, leaving him bedridden and unable to swallow or speak near the end. # Key Takeaways

The U.S. Justice Department has launched Title IX investigations into three Michigan school districts—Detroit, Lansing, and Godfrey-Lee—examining whether they include gender identity content in classrooms and allow transgender students to use bathrooms matching their gender identity. Michigan's State Superintendent Glenn Maleyko strongly disputes the investigations, stating they are based on false claims about state requirements, emphasizing that local districts control their own curriculum and parents retain opt-out rights for sex education. The DOJ is demanding extensive documentation and threatening to terminate federal funding if districts don't comply, which could significantly impact these districts that rely heavily on federal grants. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and civil rights attorneys have condemned the investigations as politically motivated harassment designed to discriminate against transgender students, while some Republican officials have expressed support for the federal probes.

A recent survey by the Public Religion Research Institute reveals that approximately 30% of Americans identify with Christian nationalist beliefs, with support particularly strong among Republicans at 56%. Pastor Doug Wilson, who advocates for patriarchal society and criminalization of homosexuality, exemplifies this movement's growing political influence after being invited to preach at the Pentagon by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. While the proportion of Christian nationalism adherents has remained stable since 2022, their political influence has expanded significantly during Trump's second term through appointments and policy decisions aligning with their worldview. The movement attracts both men and women equally, though female adherents often hold somewhat different views on gender issues, and some women report flourishing under patriarchal structures while others describe experiencing abuse and oppression. # Key Takeaways

Actor Eric Dane passed away at age 53 after battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), less than a year following his April 2025 diagnosis. The California native gained fame portraying Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey's Anatomy and Cal Jacobs on Euphoria, along with roles in productions like The Last Ship, Charmed, and various films. During his final months, Dane devoted himself to fundraising and advocacy efforts for ALS research, joining the board of Target ALS and helping campaigns exceed their financial goals. He died surrounded by his wife Rebecca Gayheart and their two daughters, Billie and Georgia, prompting an outpouring of tributes from former co-stars who remembered his humor, kindness, and intelligence.

President Donald Trump announced he will direct US agencies to identify and release government files related to aliens, UFOs, and extraterrestrial life, citing public interest in the topic. This announcement came after Trump criticized former President Barack Obama for stating on a podcast that "aliens are real," though Obama later clarified he meant life likely exists elsewhere in the universe statistically and saw no evidence of alien contact during his presidency. Trump questioned whether Obama's podcast comments violated rules about revealing classified information, though there was no indication Obama used classified material. The announcement reflects growing public interest in UFOs that has intensified since 2017, when reports emerged about a secret Pentagon program investigating military encounters with unexplained aerial phenomena.

President Trump has stated that within approximately 10 days, it will become clear whether the United States will successfully negotiate a deal with Iran regarding its nuclear program or resort to military intervention. While American and Iranian representatives have reportedly made progress during recent discussions in Switzerland, the US has simultaneously increased its military presence in the Middle East, deploying additional forces and equipment to the region. Iran has warned the United Nations that it considers American military installations legitimate targets if they are used to launch attacks, though Tehran maintains it does not seek armed conflict. Bipartisan members of Congress are pushing to invoke the War Powers Act to prevent military action without legislative authorization, though such efforts face uncertain prospects for passage.

President Trump is threatening military action against Iran while simultaneously leading the Board of Peace, a Middle East coalition aimed at regional stability, creating a contradiction in his foreign policy approach. Despite expressing preference for a diplomatic deal to end Iran's nuclear weapons program, Trump has escalated rhetoric and ordered the largest US military buildup in the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq War. Negotiations between Washington and Tehran have stalled over disagreements about Iran's ballistic missile program and regional proxy support, though Iran has indicated willingness to discuss uranium enrichment. Trump's objectives remain unclear, particularly since he claimed last year's strike "obliterated" Iran's nuclear facilities, raising questions about why another attack would be necessary and what his broader goals are. The situation creates political complications as Trump faces domestic pressure over his interventionist approach despite campaign promises to reduce foreign entanglements, and his simultaneous pursuit of the Nobel Peace Prize while threatening military force.

New Mexico authorities are reopening their criminal investigation into Zorro Ranch, a property formerly owned by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after disturbing allegations emerged from recently released Justice Department documents. State prosecutors are requesting complete access to unredacted federal files and collaborating with a newly established bipartisan truth commission to examine claims that the remote desert property may have been used for sexual abuse and sex trafficking. The original state investigation was suspended in 2019 at the request of federal prosecutors in New York, and Epstein never faced charges in New Mexico despite multiple women alleging abuse at the ranch. The sprawling 10,000-acre property, which featured a massive mansion, private airstrip, and helicopter pad, has since been sold to a former Texas state senator who committed sale proceeds to Epstein's victims.

A devastating avalanche near Castle Peak in California's Sierra Nevada mountains killed eight skiers and left one person missing and presumed dead from a 15-person guided backcountry skiing group. The victims, primarily women from the Bay Area, Idaho, and Tahoe region, were part of a close-knit group of friends who regularly skied together, with many having known each other since university. The incident, which occurred during California's popular "ski week" holidays, represents the deadliest avalanche in the state's modern history. Recovery efforts have been hampered by continued severe winter weather conditions, including heavy snowfall and dangerous whiteout conditions, forcing authorities to delay body extraction operations into the weekend.

Recent deadly avalanche incidents in California and across the Alps have drawn attention to avalanche safety during this year's ski season, with different weather conditions contributing to unusually dangerous situations in both regions. California experienced a fatal avalanche that killed eight skiers after intense snowfall following a prolonged drought created unstable conditions where new snow couldn't properly bond with the hardened surface below. Meanwhile, the European Alps have seen above-average fatalities this season due to two major storms dumping heavy snow after extended dry periods, creating weak layers in the snowpack and prompting evacuations and lockdowns at some resorts. While climate change may be contributing to more extreme weather patterns that increase avalanche risk, experts emphasize that multiple factors are at play, including skiers increasingly venturing off marked trails where safety measures like avalanche blasting aren't implemented. Though modern warning systems and safety protocols appear to be preventing even higher casualty numbers, the situation highlights the persistent dangers winter sports enthusiasts face.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the King's brother who was stripped of his titles in 2023, has been arrested in the UK on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to allegedly sharing confidential information with Jeffrey Epstein. Multiple US lawmakers, including those who sponsored legislation forcing the release of Epstein-related files, are calling this a significant breakthrough and demanding accountability for all Epstein associates. While the former prince has consistently denied wrongdoing, members of Congress are urging him to testify in the United States, with some offering to travel to the UK to interview him. The arrest comes amid ongoing Congressional investigations into Epstein's network of associates, though appearing in the released files does not necessarily indicate criminal activity. # Key Takeaways

Michigan regulators have approved a $242.4 million electric rate increase for DTE Energy, which amounts to roughly half of what the utility originally requested and will raise residential bills by approximately 4.1 percent starting in early March. The approved increase will add about $4.93 monthly to customer bills and follows another substantial rate hike granted just two months earlier in January 2025. DTE claims the additional revenue is necessary to fund infrastructure projects including converting a coal plant to natural gas, building battery storage systems, and decommissioning old power facilities. Consumer advocates have criticized the commission for approving a return on equity rate that exceeds the national industry average, arguing it prioritizes shareholder profits over customer affordability and encourages the utility to focus on capital-intensive projects rather than reliability improvements like tree trimming. # Key Takeaways

The U.S. Department of Justice has launched investigations into three Michigan school districts—Detroit Public Schools Community District, Lansing School District, and Godfrey-Lee Public Schools—to examine whether they are providing instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity without offering parents the ability to opt out their children. The investigations stem from Michigan's November 2025 revision of health education standards that incorporate LGBTQ+ topics into required health classes, which the DOJ suggests may violate Title IX and a recent Supreme Court ruling protecting parental religious rights. The DOJ is demanding extensive documentation of materials related to gender and sexuality topics across all grade levels and has threatened to withhold federal funding if districts fail to comply. These districts receive higher percentages of federal funding than wealthier districts, making the threat of losing such support particularly significant for their operations.

Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson's childhood home stands in Greenville, South Carolina, approximately one mile from the downtown area and near modern housing developments. Freddie Clinkscales, who attended the same all-Black high school as Jackson in the early 1940s and later purchased his family's former residence, remembers him as a natural leader with exceptional kindness. She credits Jackson's civil rights activism with transforming conditions for African Americans, recalling how she once faced mandatory segregation on buses, exclusion from public restrooms, and restrictions to "colored only" facilities. Clinkscales believes Jackson's legacy will endure nationally and that his efforts were essential in achieving racial equality and opportunities for millions. # Key Takeaways

Reverend Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., writing on behalf of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, pays tribute to the recently deceased Reverend Dr. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., praising his transformative leadership in civil and human rights movements. Drawing from his personal experiences working alongside Jackson since joining the Southern Christian Leadership Conference as a teenager in 1962, Chavis reflects on Jackson's courage, integrity, and movement-building genius throughout pivotal moments including the March on Washington and Jackson's presidential campaigns in the 1980s. The author emphasizes that despite Jackson's passing, his spirit must continue inspiring the ongoing struggle against racism and injustice that persists in 2026. Chavis calls on future generations to carry forward Jackson's legacy of fighting for freedom, justice, and equality while keeping hope alive. # Key Takeaways

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 694, the Veterans Benefit Protection Act, into law on February 11 to shield veterans from unaccredited individuals who charge illegal fees for assistance with VA benefit claims. The legislation, authored by Senator Bob Archuleta, also creates a $20,000 state income tax exclusion for eligible veterans and their surviving spouses while establishing stronger oversight mechanisms against predatory practices. Despite passing both legislative chambers with overwhelming support, the bill faced opposition from civil rights organizations including the NAACP, Urban League, and several veteran advocacy groups who urged a veto. California officials assert that County Veteran Service Officers already provide free, accredited assistance to the state's approximately 1.6-1.8 million veterans, including over 160,000 Black veterans who represent 9% of the state's veteran population. # Key Takeaways

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed emergency legislation providing $90 million in state funding to Planned Parenthood and similar reproductive health clinics following federal cuts to Medicaid reimbursements under the Trump administration's H.R. 1 legislation. The bill, authored by State Senator John Laird, aims to prevent clinic closures and maintain access to services like birth control, STI testing, and cancer screenings for vulnerable populations who predominantly rely on public health insurance. The signing event garnered attention when First Partner Jennifer Siebel-Newsom publicly rebuked reporters for asking questions about unrelated political topics rather than focusing on the reproductive health funding measure. California's seven Planned Parenthood affiliates operate 115 health centers statewide, serving patients from all counties, with approximately 80% of their clients depending on Medi-Cal coverage. # Key Takeaways

The George L. Stevens Senior Center hosted its 20th annual Black History Month celebration on February 13th, focusing on the theme "Heart and Soul: A Celebration of Black Health, History, and Humanity." The event, organized collaboratively by UC San Diego's Black Women Inflammation & Tau Study and the Fourth District Seniors Resource Center, featured cultural performances, spiritual messages, and community recognition. Nine senior residents received Heart of Gold Awards for their community contributions, while DJ John Phillips was honored with a Heritage and Humanity Award for his 50-year broadcasting career. The celebration included a soul-food luncheon with locally-sourced ingredients, line dancing, and an educational session about cognitive health and dementia warning signs. # Key Takeaways

The Grandparents Connection organization hosted its 22nd annual Valentine's Day drive-thru event in Chula Vista, where they distributed complimentary red roses and See's Candies to local grandparents raising their grandchildren. Co-founder Sheryl Lambert explained that many families were initially surprised to learn the gifts came without charge, as the organization simply wanted to express gratitude for their commitment. The event recognized grandparents who have stepped up to raise their grandchildren, thereby keeping them out of the Child Protective Services system. Sheryl and Cliff Lambert, the organization's leaders, were praised for their continued dedication to supporting these families.

The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper celebrated its 66th anniversary with a 13th Annual Gala at Liberty Station Conference Center, drawing over 300 attendees in formal attire. The event featured a reception with historical displays showcasing the newspaper's past and present leadership, followed by an evening program that included presentations about Buffalo Soldiers, musical performances, and a conversation between Publisher Dr. John Warren and "Freeway" Rick Ross. Nine different awards were presented to community leaders, coaches, pastors, and organizations recognizing their contributions across various fields including education, humanitarian work, and judicial excellence. The celebration served as both an elegant social gathering and an important Black History program honoring the newspaper's legacy and community achievements.

The US Commission of Fine Arts has approved President Trump's controversial plan to construct a large ballroom at the White House, despite overwhelming public opposition and an ongoing lawsuit. The project involves replacing the demolished East Wing with a facility that has grown from an initial 500-person capacity to 1,350 people, funded by private donations according to Trump. Historic preservation organizations have filed legal challenges arguing the project bypassed required review processes and public input procedures. The approval came from a panel now dominated by Trump appointees, though the project still requires authorization from another commission before construction can proceed.

This article highlights three significant events in Black history that occurred on February 19th across different years. In 1919, W.E.B. Du Bois organized the inaugural Pan-African Congress in Paris, which gathered approximately 60 delegates from multiple continents to advocate for protections against colonial oppression and racial discrimination. The 100th Fighter Squadron, comprised of Black pilots trained at Tuskegee Institute, was activated in 1942 and went on to fly combat missions escorting bombers throughout Europe during World War II. Finally, in 1996, Dorothy Maynor, a groundbreaking soprano who shattered numerous racial barriers in classical music and established the Harlem School of the Arts, passed away at age 85.

The San Diego community has been informed of the death of Michael Eugene Jenkins, a 78-year-old community leader and co-founder of the "OG Sandbox" organization. Jenkins, who was born and raised in San Diego, passed away on January 31, 2026. His family, including Pastor Edward Jenkins and Johnna Jenkins, has announced that a memorial service will take place at Pilgrim Progressive Baptist Church in late February. The celebration of life event will include both a viewing period and a formal service for community members to pay their respects. # Key Takeaways