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The California Democratic Party Convention revealed significant momentum for Black candidates, with educator Nichelle Henderson unexpectedly leading the delegate vote for Superintendent of Public Instruction over more established politicians like former Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. Other Black candidates including unopposed Secretary of State Shirley Weber and Controller candidate Malia Cohen received overwhelming support, while former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs captured 24% support for lieutenant governor. The convention also featured former Alameda County DA Pamela Price publicly condemning gubernatorial candidate Eric Swalwell for reposting what she called a racist video, demanding Democratic leaders denounce his actions. Additionally, California lawmakers passed a resolution reaffirming the state's commitment to DEI policies amid federal rollbacks, Governor Newsom secured emergency transit funding and signed a climate deal with the UK, and California leaders mourned civil rights icon Rev. Jesse L. Jackson who died at age 84.

House Speaker Mike Johnson rejected a request from Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.'s family to have the civil rights leader lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol following his death at age 84. Johnson cited precedent that the honor is typically reserved for military and government officials, though civilians like Rosa Parks and Billy Graham have received this recognition previously. Jackson, who died this week after decades of civil rights activism and two presidential campaigns, was widely praised across party lines, with President Trump calling him "a good man." Instead of a Capitol ceremony, Jackson will lie in repose at his organization's Chicago headquarters before services in South Carolina and Washington, DC.

John Peavy III, whose family has deep roots in education, has founded Radiant 7 Ventures to transform learning through artificial intelligence-powered personalized education. His company creates applications that adapt to individual students' learning styles, social circumstances, and life experiences, offering a flexible "Netflix-style" interface where students can access customized content on demand rather than following rigid schedules. Multiple educators across Houston are simultaneously reimagining Black education through various approaches, including charter school turnarounds, community-based learning partnerships with churches and museums, home literacy initiatives, and culturally responsive teaching methods. Activists warn that school surveillance technologies disproportionately harm Black students, while resources should instead focus on counselors and supportive educators. These educators emphasize that successful education for Black children requires understanding community culture, teaching Black agency in history, and addressing social factors beyond traditional curricula. # Key Takeaways

In Sacramento, California, two young founders have created Nights in the Valley, a thriving Black-centered line dancing community that meets weekly to preserve and celebrate this cultural tradition. Started just over a year ago by Sumarah Lewis and Quincy Middleton, the group has expanded from 15 participants to regular gatherings of 150-250 dancers who learn both classic and original choreography together. The organization emphasizes accessibility and inclusion, teaching beginners alongside experienced dancers without formal counting methods, which has fostered a welcoming environment where participants find community, confidence, and emotional release. Drawing on centuries of Black cultural history—from West African communal dances through the ring shouts of enslaved Africans to modern line dancing—the group has also formed a performance team that represents the organization at events throughout Northern California.

The AFL-CIO has issued a statement mourning the death of Reverend Jesse Jackson, emphasizing his profound impact on both labor and civil rights movements throughout his lifetime. Jackson's work began with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Operation Breadbasket, where he organized boycotts that created jobs for Black workers, and continued through his presidential campaigns and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. His advocacy centered on the principle that economic justice and civil rights are fundamentally connected, leading him to support workers through picket lines, bargaining negotiations, and international corporate accountability efforts. The labor federation highlighted Jackson's persistent fight for fair wages, union rights, and the full inclusion of women and people of color in union protections. # Key Takeaways

A documentary film called *The Alabama Solution* emerged from a six-year investigation after filmmakers were denied official access to Alabama prisons and instead relied on contraband cell phone footage from incarcerated people. The film exposes dangerous and deadly conditions in Alabama's prison system, where over 1,300 inmates have died since 2019, giving the state the nation's highest per capita prison mortality rate despite ongoing federal lawsuits against Alabama for failing to address violence and excessive force. Composers Mark Batson and Chris Hanebutt created a restrained, Americana-influenced score to accompany the raw footage without emotional manipulation, framing the crisis as a national issue rooted in the 13th Amendment's exception allowing forced prison labor. Following the documentary's Oscar nomination, Governor Kay Ivey defended her prison reform efforts while inmate organizers featured in the film face retaliation through solitary confinement transfers.

Nine skiers have been found dead following a catastrophic avalanche in California's Lake Tahoe backcountry near Castle Peak, marking the deadliest avalanche in modern California history. The group had been on a three-day guided backcountry skiing expedition when a football-field-sized avalanche carrying eight feet of snow and 90-mph winds struck them on Tuesday. Harsh weather conditions, including whiteout visibility and continued avalanche danger, delayed rescue operations for several days until helicopters could safely assist on Friday. The victims included six close friends, two sisters, and three professional guides from Blackbird Mountain, while two members of the 15-person group survived the disaster. # Key Takeaways

The Trump administration fired James W. Hundley just hours after a judicial panel unanimously appointed him as interim US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announcing the dismissal on social media. This represents the second instance this month where the Trump administration has terminated a judge-appointed prosecutor, reflecting an ongoing dispute over whether judges or the president holds appointment authority for these positions. The controversy stems from the administration's pursuit of cases against New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey, which the previous prosecutor declined to pursue before resigning under presidential pressure. Courts in multiple states have ruled that Trump administration appointments to US attorney positions were unlawful, creating a constitutional standoff over the appointment process and Senate confirmation requirements. # Key Takeaways

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has unanimously passed the CLEAR ordinance, which limits federal immigration enforcement agents' access to county facilities by requiring judicial warrants before entering non-public areas. This protective measure aims to enhance transparency and safeguard civil liberties while allowing county residents to utilize public services without fear of immigration-related intimidation. The regulation becomes enforceable on February 28, 2026, one month after its approval date. The article also provides resources for legal assistance and informs readers about their rights regardless of immigration status, including workplace protections and proper conduct when witnessing immigration enforcement activities. # Key Takeaways

The Black College Expo held in San Diego County on February 12 brought together nearly 100 vendors, including over 30 historically Black colleges and universities alongside other educational institutions and military representatives, to connect with thousands of local high school students. The event featured a distinctive atmosphere with music and dancing, while offering unique opportunities for students to receive immediate college acceptances and scholarship offers on-site. Students from various San Diego County districts attended, including those from specialized programs like Juvenile Court and Community Schools, San Pasqual Academy, and Monarch School. Through a partnership between San Diego County Office of Education and NCRF, some students received early access to speak directly with HBCU representatives, and the expo included educational seminars covering topics ranging from athletic scholarships to career planning. # Key Takeaways

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore informational panels about slavery at Philadelphia's Independence National Historical Park after they were removed last month. Judge Cynthia Rufe ruled that the Interior Department violated the law by removing displays from the President's House Site without consulting with the City of Philadelphia, as required by congressional legislation. The judge invoked George Orwell's "1984" in her decision, rejecting the federal government's claimed authority to alter historical exhibits unilaterally. The removal is part of a broader Trump administration initiative to eliminate materials from cultural institutions that conflict with the president's views on American history, particularly ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary. The Interior Department has announced plans to appeal the ruling.

The African American Sewcial Threaders Guild has opened an exhibit at Chesapeake Central Library featuring handcrafted quilts that document Black history and resilience. The collection, titled "A Hundred Quilts for 100 Years of Black Resilience," uses quilting as a storytelling medium to illustrate experiences related to the Underground Railroad and subsequent generations. Each quilt block functions as both artistic expression and historical narrative, depicting themes ranging from breaking free from bondage to overcoming generational challenges. Guild members emphasize the importance of publicly sharing African American stories that have traditionally remained private, hoping to educate current and future generations about their cultural heritage and history.

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

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

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 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.

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

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.

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

Les Wexner, the billionaire former Victoria's Secret CEO, testified before a House committee investigating his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, calling himself naive and foolish for trusting the convicted sex offender who worked as his financial adviser. Wexner denied any knowledge of Epstein's crimes and maintained he was a victim himself, claiming Epstein stole large amounts of money from his family during their decades-long business relationship that began in the 1980s. Democratic lawmakers strongly suggested that Wexner's financial support was essential to enabling Epstein's sex trafficking operation, though Wexner has never faced criminal charges despite being named in a 2019 FBI document as a potential co-conspirator. The 88-year-old businessman testified in a closed-door deposition at his Ohio home, insisting he severed ties with Epstein after child abuse allegations emerged in Florida.

A devastating avalanche in California's Lake Tahoe backcountry on Tuesday killed at least eight skiers, with one person still missing and presumed dead, while six others survived with injuries. The massive snow slide, roughly the size of a football field, struck a group of fifteen people during the final day of a guided three-day skiing expedition in the Castle Peak area. Recovery efforts have been hampered by treacherous conditions, including an additional three feet of snow that has fallen since the incident, leaving the bodies still trapped in the snowpack. The tragedy has deeply impacted the Sugar Bowl Academy ski school community, which lost multiple members, and involved approximately fifty rescue personnel working under extreme circumstances. Authorities are urging people to avoid the backcountry while recovery operations continue.