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President Donald Trump's attempt to remove Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors has been temporarily blocked by a federal appeals court in a 2-1 decision along party lines. Trump claimed he was firing Cook "for cause" over allegations of mortgage fraud, though she has not been charged with any wrongdoing. The court ruled that Trump failed to provide Cook with minimal due process before attempting to remove her. This case raises significant concerns about Federal Reserve independence, as it would mark the first time in the central bank's 111-year history that a president successfully fired a Fed governor if Trump ultimately prevails.

President Trump's recent social media post criticized the Smithsonian Institution for allegedly focusing too much on slavery and not celebrating American success, prompting him to instruct his attorneys to review the museums. This follows an August 12 letter from Trump administration officials demanding a "comprehensive internal review" of eight Smithsonian museums based on a March executive order to remove "improper ideology." A. Scott Bolden, the author, counters that the Smithsonian museums accurately depict history in a nonpartisan manner, noting that Trump himself had previously praised the National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2017. Bolden emphasizes that the museums balance their portrayal of difficult historical periods like slavery with extensive exhibits highlighting Black Americans' achievements and success stories across various fields.

On September 13th at Swiss Park & Hall in Chula Vista, Thelma Van-Anders celebrated her 95th birthday surrounded by family and friends who traveled from across the country to honor her. The celebration featured a lavish luncheon with various dishes including fried fish, chicken, and numerous sides to accommodate all attendees. Throughout the event, the birthday honoree received heartfelt tributes from her nine children and other family members who praised her strength, wisdom, and unconditional love. Thelma, described as a "world treasure" by her daughter Tracy Van-McCallie, was visibly moved by the outpouring of affection, expressing gratitude while being at a loss for words.

The Trump administration has ordered federal agencies to remove exhibits and materials highlighting slavery and racial injustice by September 17, with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issuing the directive that has sparked protests. In Philadelphia, activists are defending the President's House memorial site, which documents George Washington's enslavement of nine people while serving as the first president. The administration's actions are part of a broader campaign that includes a March executive order empowering Vice President JD Vance to review and remove "improper ideology" from Smithsonian programming. Historians and community leaders warn this represents an attempt to sanitize history rather than confront it, with federal agencies already making controversial removals of historical information about Black Americans.

The San Diego County Registrar of Voters has sent postcards to over 2 million registered voters detailing their options for the upcoming November 4 special election. Voters will receive mail-in ballots beginning the week of October 6, which they can return by mail, at official ballot drop boxes, or at vote centers. California voters will decide on Proposition 50 regarding redistricting, while Poway District 2 residents will additionally vote on whether to remove their city council representative. Early voting begins October 6 at the Registrar's office, with select vote centers opening October 25 and all centers operating by November 1.

Georgia's highest court has declined to review Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' appeal of her removal from the election interference case against Donald Trump and others. Willis was removed due to an "appearance of impropriety" created by her romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, whom she had hired to lead the case. The decision means the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia must appoint a new prosecutor to replace Willis, who stated she would make the case file and evidence available for transfer. This Georgia case was one of four criminal cases brought against Trump in 2023, with Trump calling it "a rigged case" while his supporters celebrated the court's decision.

Week three of Black College Football featured several exciting games, including Grambling State's overtime victory against Kentucky State thanks to Tyrell Raby's 83-yard fumble return touchdown. Howard University claimed a 38-20 win in the HBCU NYC Classic, while Alabama A&M narrowly defeated Tennessee State 23-21 in The Legacy Series game. Florida A&M secured their first season victory against Albany State, and South Carolina State won a high-scoring 55-41 game against Bethune-Cookman despite an impressive performance from backup quarterback Cam'Ron Ransom. The article concludes by listing upcoming games for week four.

"Clothes Story," an exhibition at Mesa College Art Gallery featuring replicated historical African American women's fashion from 1890-1963, opened last week to celebrate Black women's contributions to history. Curated by Kenneth Green, who drew inspiration from his seamstress mother and collected archival photographs over decades, the exhibit showcases authentic recreations of garments worn by notable figures like Coretta Scott King and Mahalia Jackson. The exhibition provided Mesa College Museum Studies students with valuable hands-on experience in exhibition setup and design. This culturally significant collection runs through October 16 and aims to preserve African American history by presenting stories of courage and resilience through fashion.

The Black Press, approaching its 200th anniversary, faces significant financial challenges as corporate America and Washington withdraw support while Black billionaires remain notably absent from providing assistance. The article highlights the historical importance of the Black Press in carrying Black America's stories when other outlets denied them voice, fighting against oppression, and providing essential guidance during times of racial terror. It specifically calls on wealthy Black individuals who collectively control nearly $100 billion to support Black-owned publications through advertising, storytelling partnerships, and financial contributions. The article emphasizes that this support is crucial for survival, not charity, as many Black Press outlets are family-owned businesses often run by Black women who are struggling to maintain operations.

Karen Attiah, the last full-time Black opinion columnist at The Washington Post, announced on her Substack that she was fired last week after 11 years with the publication. Her termination follows a pattern of departures of Black staff from senior positions at The Post, including Monica Norton and Krissah Thompson who left during a recent buyout round. Attiah claims she was fired over a social media post related to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed on September 10 at Utah Valley University. The Washington Post Guild has condemned Attiah's firing, stating that the newspaper "flagrantly disregarded standard disciplinary processes" and "undermined its own mandate to be a champion of free speech."

Joe Black, the first Black pitcher to win a World Series game for the Brooklyn Dodgers, formed a profound brotherhood with Bill Cosby that lasted until Black's death. Beyond his baseball achievements, Black served as an Army officer, teacher, Greyhound executive who created opportunities for Black workers, and a devoted single father to his daughter Martha Jo, who later wrote a book about him. Cosby recounts their deep friendship, including their final conversation when Black was hospitalized after a fall, ending with Black's poignant final words to Cosby: "Let's go!" The article emphasizes Black's legacy beyond sports statistics, highlighting how he preserved Jackie Robinson's experiences and insisted on protecting Black history for future generations.

A lawsuit has been filed against OpenAI after 16-year-old Adam Raine took his life following conversations with ChatGPT that allegedly validated his suicidal thoughts. California Attorney General Rob Bonta and other state officials are demanding stronger safeguards to protect young users of large language models (LLMs). In response, California legislators have passed SB 243, a bipartisan bill preventing LLMs from engaging in conversations about suicide, self-harm, or sexually explicit content with minors. This landmark legislation, which Governor Newsom is expected to sign, would make California the first state to comprehensively regulate AI companion chatbots, while psychology experts warn against teenagers using LLMs for sensitive life advice.

Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, the first Black woman to serve on the Board, has become the center of controversy after President Trump announced his intention to fire her and the Department of Justice launched a criminal investigation against her over alleged mortgage fraud. Federal District Judge Jia M. Cobb has issued an injunction allowing Cook to continue her service, stating there was no indication she was performing her duties unfaithfully or ineffectively. In response to removal attempts, nearly 600 economists from domestic and international universities, along with research organizations and investment firms, have expressed support for Cook through an open letter defending central bank independence. The Congressional Black Caucus and a coalition of civil rights organizations have condemned the actions against Cook as racist, misogynistic, and an unlawful attempt to politicize the Federal Reserve.

Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old Democratic congressional candidate running for Illinois' 9th District, is campaigning with an unconventional approach that emphasizes mutual aid and direct community engagement. Following her layoff from Media Matters and motivated by frustration with Democratic leadership's response to Trump, she launched her campaign on her 26th birthday with the slogan "What if we didn't suck?" Initially challenging incumbent Jan Schakowsky (who has since announced retirement), Abughazaleh represents a growing movement of young Democrats pushing for generational change and more aggressive opposition to Trump's agenda. Her campaign combines punk rock fundraisers, mutual aid initiatives, and social media savvy while rejecting corporate PAC money and emphasizing economic issues alongside unwavering support for transgender rights.

Assembly Bill 62, authored by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor and part of the California Legislative Black Caucus "Road to Repair" package, has passed the Assembly with a 66-4 vote and now awaits Governor Newsom's decision by October 12. The bill aims to provide restitution for victims of racially motivated eminent domain and their descendants, defining this as property acquisition by government without just compensation based on the owner's race or ethnicity. If signed, the California Civil Rights Department would be directed to review applications from dispossessed owners or their descendants seeking compensation. AB 62 builds on California's previous reparative action returning Bruce's Beach to descendants of its original owners and is accompanied by several other reparations-focused bills also headed to the governor's desk.

Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old white man from Salt Lake City, has been identified as the suspect in the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA. Investigators recovered a Mauser .30-caliber rifle with cryptic messages engraved on bullet casings found at the scene, including mocking phrases like "hey fascist! catch!" Utah Governor Spencer Cox stated that Robinson, whose father is reportedly a law enforcement officer who helped convince him to surrender, is believed to have acted alone and described the killing as "an attack on the American experiment." The assassination has intensified concerns about security vulnerabilities at political events, with experts noting how ordinary precautions can be bypassed in an era of escalating political violence.

President Donald Trump has established a federal task force to combat crime in Memphis, Tennessee, despite opposition from the city's mayor, Paul Young. The initiative, which Trump signed in the Oval Office alongside Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, mirrors similar efforts recently implemented in Washington DC. Trump plans to activate several federal agencies including the National Guard, FBI, ICE, ATF, and Department of Justice to address what he described as Memphis being "overrun" with carjackings, robberies, and shootings. FBI statistics show Memphis has one of the highest violent crime rates in the US, with 2,501 violent crimes and 41 homicides per 100,000 people in 2024.

The article discusses the assassination of Charles James Kirk, a 31-year-old right-wing evangelical figure known for controversial rhetoric. Author Graylan Scott Hagler criticizes the formulaic responses to Kirk's death while acknowledging the tragedy, but also examines Kirk's legacy of promoting racist views, opposing civil rights, and spreading misinformation. Hagler argues that Kirk's inflammatory rhetoric represented a form of violence itself, packaging hate speech as legitimate political discourse. The piece concludes by noting how political figures are responding to Kirk's death and warning that continued hateful rhetoric will lead to more violence.

Los Angeles has been piloting programs that dispatch unarmed civilian crisis responders instead of police to handle nonviolent mental health emergencies. The initiative, which includes "The Unarmed Model of Crisis Response" and "The CIRCLE program," has responded to over 6,700 calls in its first year, saving the LAPD nearly 7,000 hours of patrol time. According to a recent city report, the programs have shown promising results by minimizing potential escalation and addressing mental health crises with compassion and safety. Mayor Karen Bass supports the expansion of these programs as part of a strategy to prevent crime before it happens by assisting people with mental illness.

Recent research from Barna has revealed a surprising shift in church attendance patterns, with Millennials and Gen Z now leading the country in church attendance while Baby Boomer participation has declined significantly. The study shows Gen Z churchgoers attend approximately 1.9 weekends per month and Millennials 1.8 times, representing the highest rates of attendance among young Christians in Barna's tracking history. Black pastors attribute this resurgence to young people confronting mortality after the COVID-19 pandemic and seeking authentic faith experiences that address contemporary social issues. These younger generations are approaching church with deep questions about faith's relevance and are drawn to spaces where they can be authentic rather than traditional religious environments.

American sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden won the women's 100 meters at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, setting a championship record time of 10.61 seconds, the fourth fastest in history. She dominated the race with the second-biggest winning margin in championship history, finishing 0.15 seconds ahead of Jamaica's Tina Clayton and 0.23 seconds ahead of Olympic champion Julien Alfred. Jefferson-Wooden attributed her success to preparation, hard work, faith, and focusing on execution while maintaining an undefeated record this season. She now aims to compete in the 200 meters, hoping to become just the second woman in 30 years to win both events at a single world championship.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the most decorated female 100-meter sprinter in history, concluded her 18-year career at the world championships in Tokyo, finishing sixth in the 100-meter final. Her career began in Japan in 2007 and has come full circle, ending in the same country where she first won a silver medal as a relay team reserve. Despite initially planning to retire after the Paris Olympics, she opted to continue after a gate mix-up prevented her from competing in the semifinals there. Throughout her illustrious career, Fraser-Pryce accumulated an impressive 24 medals from the Olympics and world championships combined, including 3 Olympic golds and 10 world championship golds.

The Mississippi Museum of Art is now displaying two rare pre-emancipation portraits of enslaved individuals, "Portrait of Frederick" and Delia's portrait, together for the first time. These paintings, created around 1840, are the only known such portraits from Mississippi and were purchased from descendants of the subjects' enslavers. Frederick, who later took the surname Baker and became ordained after emancipation, held a managerial position overseeing other slaves on the plantation, while less is known about Delia who appears to be sewing in her portrait. Both paintings are distinctive for portraying these individuals as sole subjects in dignified three-quarters compositions, prompting visitors to reflect on their humanity and the complex history of slavery.

Assembly Bill 7, which would allow California colleges to offer preferential admissions to descendants of enslaved people, has passed the State Senate and awaits Governor Gavin Newsom's signature by October 12. About 150 supporters rallied at the State Capitol urging the governor to sign the legislation, which is a key priority for the California Legislative Black Caucus as part of its "Road to Repair 2025" package. Supporters argue the bill focuses on lineage rather than race to withstand legal challenges, particularly after federal rulings against race-based affirmative action. The California Association of Black Lawyers defends the bill's constitutionality, framing it as a mechanism for restorative justice rather than special treatment.

Sikh truck drivers, representing approximately 150,000 workers in America's trucking industry, are facing increased scrutiny and harassment following a fatal crash in Florida involving a Sikh driver. After the incident, Secretary of State Marco Rubio paused work visas for foreign commercial truck drivers, while the Trump administration has tightened language requirements. In response, Sikh temples across California are offering English classes to help drivers meet proficiency standards and return to work. The situation has created fear among Sikh drivers, who report experiencing racial slurs and harassment at truck stops, potentially leading to driver shortages in an essential industry where Sikhs comprise about 40% of truck drivers on the west coast.

This letter to the editor expresses disappointment that President Trump's administration has failed to deliver on campaign promises to improve conditions for working families. The author argues that workers deserve fair wages, safe conditions, healthcare, retirement security, and union rights. The letter claims that instead of helping working families, the administration has cut funding for essential services like education and healthcare while giving tax breaks to the wealthy. The writer concludes by calling for collective action through protests, unionization, and political engagement to fight for workers' rights.

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) has released "Forward Together: The Black Policy Playbook for an Equitable America," a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at dismantling systemic barriers to racial equity in the United States. Published in 2025 and authored by Jonathan Cox and his team from the CBCF's Center for Policy Analysis and Research, the playbook outlines strategies to address disparities in wealth, health, education, and criminal justice. The recommendations include investments in affordable housing, voting rights protections, universal healthcare access, and support for Black-owned businesses, arguing that equity is not just morally imperative but necessary for national prosperity. The CBCF plans to highlight the playbook at its Annual Legislative Conference in September 2025, with an emphasis on accountability and transforming these recommendations into measurable outcomes.

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which has been the foundation of U.S.-Africa trade relations since 2000, faces possible expiration on September 30 with diminishing chances for extension. Supporters including African ambassadors and U.S. business organizations continue advocating for the trade pact's renewal through various channels. Dr. Bob Wekesa from the African Centre for the Study of the United States has outlined three potential scenarios for AGOA's future in an AllAfrica guest column. Madagascar's Ambassador to the United States, Solo Andry Lantosoa Rakotomalala, has warned that AGOA's expiration threatens millions in investments and hundreds of thousands of livelihoods across both Africa and the United States.