california news

A Florida mother, Desarae Prather, is demanding an apology from Floral Avenue Elementary School after a teacher sang a birthday song to her 6-year-old son that included lyrics comparing him to a monkey. Prather found the video, sent by the teacher, deeply offensive due to the racist historical context of comparing Black people to monkeys. The incident occurred at the Polk County school near Orlando, leaving her son with hurt feelings and prompting her to request disciplinary action against the teacher and counseling for her child. The Polk County Public Schools district has launched an investigation into the matter while Prather plans to transfer her son to a different school.

The article explores the cultural significance of brass bands and second line parades in New Orleans, highlighting how these musical traditions serve both funerals and celebrations throughout the city. Rooted in West African and Caribbean influences, these parades feature brass bands leading crowds through the streets, creating communal experiences that transition from mourning to celebration. The tradition has evolved since the late 1800s, with influential groups like Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Rebirth Brass Band modernizing the sound while maintaining its cultural importance. Though historically male-dominated, female brass bands like The Original Pinettes have emerged, adding to the rich musical landscape that defines New Orleans' unique cultural identity.

NPR's Morning Edition recently aired a StoryCorps interview with Dr. John Warren, the publisher of San Diego Voice & Viewpoint. The interview is available for listening on both the NPR website and the StoryCorps website. The article encourages readers to access the interview through provided links to hear Dr. Warren share his story. The publisher expresses gratitude to the readership for their support and connection to Dr. Warren, his family, and the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint newspaper.

Recent whistleblower complaints have revealed a systematic dismantling of fair housing and civil rights enforcement at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), prompting Rep. Maxine Waters and Sen. Elizabeth Warren to call for congressional hearings. HUD has dramatically reduced fair housing settlements from previous annual amounts of $4-8 million to less than $200,000 in the first half of this year. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary John Gibbs issued two September memoranda that fundamentally changed enforcement approaches, eliminating consideration of racial or community-based trends and withdrawing long-standing guidance documents. A coalition of civil rights organizations has united in opposition to these actions, arguing that HUD is failing to uphold its statutory responsibility to enforce the Fair Housing Act.

President Trump's administration announced a significant one-time investment of an additional $495 million for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and tribal colleges, which HBCU advocates consider beneficial for these chronically underfunded institutions. The funding would help Black colleges enhance their endowments, expand research, upgrade facilities, strengthen campus security, and improve student and faculty support services. However, higher education experts question Trump's motives for increasing HBCU funding while simultaneously working to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at other educational institutions and cutting $350 million from other grants, particularly those for Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs). Some experts believe Trump's support for HBCUs while opposing DEI programs suggests he is comfortable with "Black people in Black spaces" but not in spaces he considers belonging to White people.

Acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has released "Dream Count," her first novel in over a decade, following a prolonged period of writer's block and depression triggered by personal tragedies including her father's kidnapping, the loss of both parents, and the challenges of motherhood. During this creative drought, Adichie turned to poetry as a lifeline to maintain her connection to writing, while also filling her schedule with speaking engagements in hopes of rekindling inspiration. Her new novel explores the interconnected lives of four African women during the COVID-19 pandemic and reflects a more expansive, indulgent writing style compared to her earlier works, influenced by her renewed appreciation for poetry and perspective on life's brevity.

President Trump has directed a review of interpretive materials at National Park Service properties, requiring alterations to content that "inappropriately disparages Americans" or presents negative aspects of American history, including how slavery is portrayed. This directive extends beyond historical sites to nature parks where climate change references are being removed, such as at Acadia National Park where ten climate change signs have been taken down. While the impact remains unclear, some parks appear to be proceeding cautiously with changes, as seen at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park where the guided tour about John Brown's anti-slavery raid remains unflinching in its depiction of slavery. Democratic lawmakers and descendants of historical figures, including Brianna Wheeler who is related to one of Brown's raiders, have expressed concerns about potential historical sanitization and erasure.

Lenny Kravitz will star in the opening segment for NBC's "Sunday Night Basketball" coverage, as announced by the network on Monday. The four-time Grammy winner's opening segment will debut on February 1 before a doubleheader featuring the Lakers vs. Knicks and Oklahoma City vs. Denver. The opening was shot in Philadelphia with Tripp Dixon, the same NBC sports creative director who has worked with Carrie Underwood on the NFL's opening for 13 seasons. NBC is returning to NBA game coverage this season for the first time since the 2001-02 season, with broadcasts beginning October 21 and including 11 "Sunday Night Basketball" games.

South African Ambassador to France Nkosinathi Emmanuel "Nathi" Mthethwa was found dead in the courtyard of the Hyatt hotel in Paris after sending a message to his wife expressing his intention to end his life. The 58-year-old diplomat had checked into a room on the 22nd floor of the hotel about 10 days prior, with his body being discovered by a security guard the morning after his wife reported him missing. Paris prosecutors noted the window's safety mechanism had been forced open with scissors and found no signs of struggle, medication, or narcotics, though an investigation will be conducted to understand the facts. Both South Africa's Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola and President Cyril Ramaphosa issued statements of condolence, recognizing Mthethwa's service to the nation in various capacities.

The United States has recently expanded its third-country deportation program, with 10 more migrants arriving in Eswatini on October 6, bringing the total African deportations since July to over 40. These deportations are part of largely secretive agreements between the U.S. and at least five African nations, which have drawn protests from rights groups. Four previous deportees to Eswatini have been held in a maximum-security prison without charges for nearly three months, while Human Rights Watch revealed the U.S. will pay Eswatini $5.1 million to accept up to 160 deportees. Similar controversial deportation arrangements exist with South Sudan, Rwanda, Ghana, and potentially Uganda, with several deportees now pursuing legal action against their detainment conditions.

Mary Ann Shadd, born in Delaware in 1823, was an influential abolitionist who advocated for Black emigration to Canada during the 1850s. She established The Provincial Freeman newspaper in Ontario, where she championed racial and gender equality, before later returning to the United States after the Civil War. Eugene Jacques Bullard, born in Georgia in 1895, became the first African American combat pilot while serving with French forces during World War I, after facing racial barriers in America. Milton "Bags" Jackson, a renowned jazz vibraphonist born in 1923, co-founded the Modern Jazz Quartet and created enduring compositions like "Bag's Groove" before his death from liver cancer in 1999.

The White House has issued a memo suggesting furloughed federal workers may not automatically receive back pay when the ongoing government shutdown ends, despite the 2019 Government Employee Fair Treatment Act. The Office of Management and Budget argues new legislation would be needed to authorize these payments, contradicting the Office of Personnel Management's own statements that retroactive pay would be provided. President Trump has made concerning statements indicating some federal workers "don't deserve to be taken care of," while promising military personnel they would receive "every last penny." This situation has created significant hardship for federal employees, with approximately 49,000 District residents (13% of residents) being federally employed and many facing financial difficulties as they receive their final paychecks.

Trust in mainstream American media has fallen to a record low, with Gallup reporting only 28% of adults have confidence in news outlets to report fully and fairly, down from 31% last year and 40% five years ago. The decline is particularly pronounced among Republicans (8%) and Independents (27%), while Democrats show higher but declining trust at 51%. For Black America, this distrust is not new, as the Black Press has historically carried truths when mainstream outlets would not, though now these approximately 200 family-owned Black newspapers face their own survival struggles due to reduced advertising and support. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump has emphasized the critical importance of the Black Press in today's climate, pledging $50,000 over five years to support these institutions that he describes as "needed more than ever before."

of the Article California homelessness agencies are bracing for significant federal funding cuts from the Trump administration that would drastically reduce money available for permanent housing solutions. The administration reportedly plans to redirect funding from permanent housing to temporary shelter, capping permanent housing funding at just 30% of total homelessness funds compared to the current 87%. Counties throughout California are panicking as they may lose hundreds of millions of dollars, potentially forcing thousands of vulnerable residents out of subsidized housing and back onto the streets. Local agencies are holding emergency meetings and already scaling back services in anticipation of these cuts, which would severely undermine recent progress in addressing California's homelessness crisis.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a lawsuit against the City of El Cajon for allegedly violating state law by sharing automated license plate reader (ALPR) data with law enforcement agencies in over two dozen states. The lawsuit highlights concerns about privacy and safety for immigrants and women seeking reproductive care, as California loses oversight of how this data is used once it leaves the state. El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells defends the city's practices as legally sound and necessary for crime-fighting efforts across state lines, dismissing concerns about potential misuse of the data as "ludicrous." This legal action comes as Governor Gavin Newsom recently vetoed a bill that would have further regulated ALPR technology, siding with law enforcement arguments that stricter regulations could impede criminal investigations.

The California Legislature has sent several bills to Governor Newsom for consideration, including legislation on regulating chatbots which have become integral to daily activities from banking to online shopping. Two specific bills, SB243 by Senator Padilla and AB1064 by Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan, aim to regulate chatbots to protect children, though the article argues that AB1064's approach could effectively ban useful chatbot technologies in healthcare and education. The author contends that while regulation and accountability are necessary, AB1064's restrictive framework would isolate California while other states and countries continue advancing chatbot technology. The article concludes by urging Governor Newsom to veto AB1064 and instead pursue balanced regulation that protects Californians without eliminating beneficial chatbot applications.

Karen Attiah, the only Black female opinion writer at the Washington Post, was terminated after over a decade of service allegedly for social media posts addressing white extremism and violence. Her dismissal occurs amid significant underrepresentation of Black journalists in American newsrooms, where only 6% of reporting journalists are Black despite comprising 12% of the population. The National Association of Black Journalists and other advocacy groups have condemned the firing as an "erosion of Black voices" and "a dangerous act of erasure" that sends a chilling message to other Black journalists. Experts warn that the absence of diverse perspectives has substantial consequences for journalism and national discourse, particularly as Black journalists remain clustered primarily in social issues coverage while being scarce in other important beats.

The United Domestic Workers Union (UDW) hosted a breakfast event for local pastors to build support for Proposition 50, also known as the Election Rigging Response Act. The proposition, sponsored by California's governor and passed by the legislature, would temporarily modify congressional districts to counter redistricting efforts in Texas that would increase Republican representation in the House. California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber and Assemblymember Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins emphasized the importance of voting in the November 4, 2025 special election. UDW, with over 200,000 members who could be affected by potential program cuts, presented the proposition as an opportunity to potentially flip control of the House of Representatives.

The McChrystal Group's 132-page After-Action Review examining emergency response during the Eaton and Palisades fires in Los Angeles County has provoked strong reactions from Altadena residents and officials. Released on September 25 and presented to the LA County Board of Supervisors on September 30, the report identified "compounding weaknesses" in emergency systems rather than a single point of failure, highlighting issues like delayed evacuation warnings, poor infrastructure, and inadequate communication systems. Altadena residents, particularly from the predominantly Black community, claim they received less urgent emergency response compared to the Palisades area, with many survivors and County Supervisor Kathryn Barger expressing frustration that the report raises more questions than it answers. While the Board moved to accept the recommendations, additional investigations are underway by Governor Newsom's office, with fire victims calling for Attorney General Rob Bonta to investigate further.

The Old Globe Theater has renamed its technical center after Rosemary Pope, the Executive Director of the George L. Stevens Fourth District Seniors Resource Center, honoring her longtime community leadership in southeastern San Diego. At the October 6 ceremony, Pope was celebrated by various community and political leaders including Mayor Todd Gloria, Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, and County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe. The newly named Ms. Rosemary Pope Technical Center will host the Old Globe's community programs for people of all ages. Pope, who began her partnership with the Globe 15 years ago, expressed joy at receiving this recognition during her lifetime, calling it a "beautiful day."

The Valencia Park Hornets Pop Warner football teams played their first home games of the season, winning 2 out of 3 contests against Oceanside and Temecula teams, with their Flag football team also securing a victory at another location. The once-dominant Hornets organization is working to regain its former reputation of excellence that it maintained from the 1960s through the mid-2020s. Under President David Dunn's leadership and with Vice President Dwayne Harvey emphasizing the need for community involvement, the association is striving for a comeback with its four competitive teams. Key players like Jadiel Marcelino, Alexander Mecardo, Ethen Harper, and Giovanni Brown contributed to the 11-U team's victory, while the undefeated 13-U team is considered the best Pop Warner team in San Diego.

The ongoing US government shutdown, now in its seventh day, is causing significant air travel disruptions across the country due to air traffic controller staffing shortages. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted that staffing has dropped to 50% in some areas as controllers, who must work without pay during shutdowns, are calling in sick due to stress. Major airports in Nashville, Dallas, Chicago, Newark, and other cities are experiencing delays, with Nashville International Airport reducing all flights "until further notice." The National Air Traffic Controllers Association has warned its 20,000+ members that participating in job actions could result in termination, while acknowledging controllers are overworked and concerned about missing paychecks.

Attorney General Pam Bondi faced a contentious Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing, marked by partisan divisions following her department's recent indictment of former FBI Director James Comey. Throughout the five-hour session, Bondi adopted an aggressive stance, frequently attacking Democratic senators personally while declining to answer numerous questions about justice department decisions, citing "ongoing investigations" or "personnel matters." She emphasized her administration's focus on crime reduction, highlighting statistics on arrests and drug seizures, while facing scrutiny from both parties regarding the justice department's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. The hearing ultimately devolved into partisan accusations, with each side claiming the other was weaponizing the justice system for political purposes.

Tara Davis-Woodhall won the gold medal in long jump at the world track and field championships in Tokyo, adding to her Olympic gold from last year. Despite acknowledging America's current difficulties, she expressed hope and belief in her country during an emotional medal ceremony. Her success stems from rededicating herself to better training and discipline after winning silver at the 2022 World Championships in Budapest. Beyond her athletic achievements, Davis-Woodhall has leveraged her influence and 1 million Instagram followers to successfully advocate for the inclusion of field events in the all-women's track circuit, Athlos, where she'll compete in Times Square next month.

Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated $70 million to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to support their initiative to strengthen historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). This contribution, one of Scott's largest single donations, will go toward UNCF's pooled endowment aiming to establish a $370 million fund that will provide $10 million for each UNCF member HBCU. The donation is part of UNCF's broader $1 billion fundraising effort to address the significant funding disparity between HBCUs and non-HBCU institutions, as HBCUs trail in endowment size by 70% compared to other colleges. Scott's unrestricted giving approach has proven effective in strengthening recipient organizations, according to studies by The Center for Effective Philanthropy.

Federal immigration agents in Chicago are facing criticism for increasingly aggressive tactics during a recent crackdown that has arrested over 1,000 immigrants. Controversial operations include a helicopter raid on an apartment building where agents zip-tied residents including U.S. citizens and children, deploying chemical agents near a school, and handcuffing a Chicago alderperson at a hospital. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has directed state agencies to investigate claims of children being detained separately from parents, while the Department of Homeland Security defends their actions as targeting gang connections. The situation has escalated with daily protests, legal challenges from local officials, and concerns about constitutional rights violations.

The article addresses the mental health crisis among Black women, prompted by the deaths of beauty pageant contestants Tyra Spaulding and Cheslie Kryst who struggled with mental illness despite outward success. It highlights how Black women often shoulder multiple burdens while ignoring their own mental health needs due to stigma and societal expectations of strength. The African American Wellness Project (AAWP) offers resources specifically designed for Black women's mental health needs through their Mental Health Resource Hub. The article emphasizes that depression requires proper care like any physical illness and encourages Black women to seek help through resources like the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Former President Barack Obama has reemerged in the political scene with pointed criticisms of President Donald Trump's authoritarian tendencies, including intimidation of universities and press crackdowns. His renewed activism comes as the Democratic Party faces historic low approval ratings, with 59 percent of Democrats disapproving of their party leadership according to Pew Research. Despite Obama's popularity (with a +17 net favorability rating), his return highlights the leadership vacuum within the Democratic Party, which has failed to maintain strong connections with its base, particularly Black-owned media. The contrast between Obama's forceful criticism and current Democratic leaders' muted responses underscores the party's struggles to effectively mobilize voters around key issues like healthcare while facing internal division.

Sean "Diddy" Combs received a 50-month sentence for confessed violent behavior against women, despite being acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking charges. The article criticizes the justice system for allowing prosecutors to reference acquitted charges when determining Combs' punishment, suggesting this represents a constitutional violation and reflects racial inequity. The author draws attention to the apparent disparity between Combs' treatment and that of white offenders who received lighter sentences for similar or worse offenses. While the judge acknowledged Combs' good works including his Black-owned businesses and educational initiatives, these achievements were ultimately outweighed by his admitted harmful actions.