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Robert Turner Covington (1932-2025) was a dedicated pharmacist who graduated from Howard University in 1954 and served in the Navy before establishing a successful career in pharmacy. After meeting and marrying Carrie Smith in the late 1950s, he co-owned Fed Mart Pharmacy from 1967-1977, later opening Bob's Pharmacy in National City, and finally working at Park Blvd Pharmacy until 2009. Throughout his career, Covington was known for his trustworthiness, knowledge, and patient demeanor, while also being actively involved in several organizations including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the Boule, and Fidelity Lodge #10 Prince Hall Masons. He passed away on July 20, 2025, leaving behind his wife Carrie, two sons Ronald and Corey, and numerous family members and friends.

Rita Darlene (Murry) Ansley, born in 1945 in Houston, lived most of her life in San Diego after relocating there in 1961. A devoted member of the 31st Street Seventh-day Adventist Church, Rita was known for her unwavering faith, evangelism efforts, and compassionate service including feeding the homeless. She was married to Booker Terry Ansley for many years and raised two sons, Patrick and Reginald, while serving as a guiding presence for her siblings and extended family. Rita passed away on August 11, 2025, leaving behind a legacy characterized by wisdom, kindness, and spiritual devotion that profoundly impacted her family, church community, and friends.

The article discusses the current attacks on civil rights gains for Black Americans, highlighting how collective action is needed to counter these challenges. The author, Dr. John E. Warren, points to historical examples like lunch counter sit-ins as evidence of how Black Americans previously overcame segregation through unified efforts. He urges the community not to rely solely on government programs but to harness their own economic power, educational resources, and voting rights to protect their interests. Warren emphasizes that Black excellence stems from preparation and qualification rather than diversity initiatives, and calls for renewed collective action reminiscent of the civil rights movement.

Authorities have identified decomposing remains found in an impounded Tesla as 15-year-old Celeste Rivas, who had been missing since April 2024. The vehicle, registered to 20-year-old singer D4vd (David Anthony Burke), was discovered at a Hollywood tow yard on September 8 after being abandoned in the Hollywood Hills five days earlier. Police report that the cause and time of death remain unknown, and the body appeared to have been deceased for an extended period. D4vd, known for viral hits like "Here With Me" and "Romantic Homicide," is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

The article commemorates the 62nd anniversary of the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, which killed four young Black girls: Addie Mae Collins, Dennis McNair, Cynthia Wesley, and Carol Robertson. Alabama Congresswoman Terri Sewell states that this anniversary prompts reflection on civil rights, voting rights, and civil liberties that defined the civil rights movement. Various leaders highlight how the tragic bombing by white supremacists represented a dehumanizing act of violence against Black Americans while also serving as a catalyst for national awareness about racial injustice in America. The article notes that a fifth person, Sara Collins Rudolph (Addie Mae's sister), survived the bombing but lost an eye and bears physical scars from the attack.

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.