california news

California experienced a significant drop in most crime categories in 2024, with violent crime decreasing by 5.5% and property crime reaching a 40-year low after dropping 10%. Despite these positive trends, shoplifting increased by nearly 14% and remains almost 48% higher than pre-pandemic levels. The NAACP California-Hawaii State Conference received three national awards at the 116th NAACP National Convention, including the Willis Edwards Award for LGBTQIA+ advocacy. Additionally, a Yale University study revealed worsening disparities in nitrogen dioxide pollution exposure for Black and Latino Californians over the past 42 years, and a federal appeals court recently struck down California's ammunition background check law, ruling it violates the Second Amendment.

Tom Lehrer, a renowned American musician, mathematician, and satirist known for his darkly humorous songs with political themes, has died at age 97. Despite achieving musical fame in the 1950s and 1960s with controversial songs like "The Elements" and "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park," Lehrer primarily devoted his life to academia, teaching at prestigious institutions including Harvard, MIT, and the University of California. His influential work, which was often banned by the BBC for its controversial content, inspired modern comedians like Weird Al Yankovich and enjoyed a revival in 1980 when Cameron Mackintosh staged the musical revue "Tomfoolery." In 2020, Lehrer placed all his songwriting copyrights in the public domain, allowing free use of his work without compensation.

A widespread strike by Republic Services waste management workers, organized by the Teamsters union, has resulted in uncollected garbage piling up across multiple American cities since July 1st. The workers are demanding better pay and benefits, claiming they receive significantly less compensation than other sanitation workers, while Republic Services accuses the union of refusing to compromise and engaging in illegal behavior. The strike has affected communities in Massachusetts, California, Illinois, Georgia, and Washington, with over 2,000 garbage collectors participating at its peak, causing cities to implement emergency measures and even pursue legal action against the company. While agreements have been reached in some locations like Lacey, Washington and Manteca, California, the stalemate continues in Massachusetts with no negotiations currently scheduled, forcing municipalities to create alternative waste disposal solutions and businesses to endure overflowing garbage amid summer heat.

The U.S. Department of Education has granted San Diego Mesa College $1,762,655 over five years through the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program to boost retention and graduation rates among disadvantaged students. The program provides individualized services such as academic tutoring, financial guidance, and counseling to help students overcome barriers to education success. SSS has demonstrated significant effectiveness, with participating students at two-year colleges being 48% more likely to earn degrees or transfer compared to non-participants. As one of eight federal TRIO programs established under the Higher Education Act of 1965, SSS has helped millions of students graduate and contribute to society since 1968.

Southwest Airlines Flight 1496 from Burbank to Las Vegas experienced a rapid elevation drop on Friday after responding to traffic alerts, injuring two flight attendants. Passengers reported the pilot had to take evasive action to avoid colliding with another aircraft, which CNN identified as a privately owned Hawker Hunter fighter jet that passed dangerously close to the commercial flight. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating this incident, which occurred less than a week after another near-miss involving a Delta regional flight and a US military bomber. Southwest Airlines acknowledged the event and emphasized their commitment to passenger safety while cooperating with the FAA investigation.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known for his role as Theo Huxtable on "The Cosby Show," died at age 54 in a drowning accident while vacationing in Costa Rica with his family. His unexpected death has triggered profound grief within the Black community, similar to the reactions following the deaths of Prince, Kobe Bryant, and Chadwick Boseman. Warner was widely respected for successfully transitioning from child actor to versatile adult performer across multiple television series, avoiding the typical pitfalls of early fame. Beyond his acting career, Warner was also recognized as a poet and musician who valued family life and consciously built a meaningful legacy separate from his iconic childhood role.

The Upward Bound Summer Academy, hosted by the Institute for Transformative Education (ITE) at San Diego State University, recently concluded with a mock thesis defense symposium where low-income, first-generation high school students presented research on public health issues. During the month-long program, participants experienced college life by living in dorms, attending lectures, and conducting independent research on topics ranging from mental health to climate change, with students representing Sweetwater, San Diego Unified, and Grossmont school districts. The program, part of the federally funded TRIO initiatives founded by Dr. Cynthia Park in 1983, provides crucial academic support to underserved students but now faces potential cuts to Department of Education funding. One notable presentation came from Rukundo Muhuzi, who researched war's impact on women and children in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The United States is experiencing its most severe measles outbreak in 33 years, with 1,277 confirmed cases across 38 states and Washington D.C., surpassing 2019 figures and marking the largest outbreak since 1992. Officials attribute this surge to declining vaccination rates and travel-related exposures that have spread infections across state lines, putting significant pressure on public health agencies. The Center for Outbreak Response Innovation (CORI), operating within Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, has developed specialized tools, resources, and a Community of Practice to help health departments respond effectively to outbreaks. CORI's comprehensive support includes analytic platforms, risk assessments, decision-support tools, and collaboration networks designed to strengthen outbreak response capabilities at state, tribal, local, and territorial levels.

The Grandparents Connection (GPC) held its 21st Annual Community Picnic and Cancer Awareness Walk on July 12th at Bayside Park in Chula Vista. The event featured a buffet from Soul Food & BBQ, entertainment from various performers including jazz harpist Mariea Antoinette and the Junkyard Dance Crew, and activities like bounce houses and a popular mechanical bull. Local officials including Monica Montgomery-Steppe, Henry Foster III, and Paloma Aguirre attended to support event organizers Cliff and Shearl Lambert. The celebration maintained a family reunion atmosphere while raising money and awareness for cancer.

The 6th Annual Purple Dress Luncheon, hosted by S.H.A.D.E.S. (Sisters Honoring Authentic Divas & Empowering Successful Women), adopted an All-Pink theme this year as women gathered at Admiral Baker Golf Course in San Diego on July 19. Founder Aisha Davis served as host and keynote speaker, sharing her personal journey of overcoming setbacks and discovering her purpose of creating a supportive environment for women. The four-hour event featured awards recognizing women's resilience and accomplishments, fostering an atmosphere of empowerment, authenticity, and connection among attendees. Throughout the luncheon, women engaged in honest conversations and meaningful interactions that embodied the organization's mission of empowering women and creating a supportive community.

"Washington Black," a 2018 novel by Esi Edugyan about a young enslaved boy's journey to freedom, has been adapted into an eight-episode Hulu miniseries premiering Wednesday, with Sterling K. Brown as both producer and actor. The adaptation follows 11-year-old George Washington "Wash" Black from slavery in 1830s Barbados through adventures across the seas after he flees with Christopher "Titch" Wilde, requiring filming across multiple locations including Nova Scotia, Mexico, and Iceland between 2022 and 2024. The production team conducted extensive casting searches to find the perfect actors to portray Wash at different ages, ultimately selecting Ernest Kingsley Jr. and 14-year-old Eddie Karanja. Brown became a mentor to the inexperienced actors on set, creating a supportive environment where they could voice doubts and ask questions comfortably.

This letter to the editor expresses deep disappointment with legislators who voted for "One Big Beautiful Bill" (BBB), criticizing them for not reading the 870-1000 page legislation before voting. The author claims the rushed bill fails to represent constituents' interests while benefiting wealthy corporations. The letter criticizes Republicans for supporting measures that allegedly remove healthcare, reduce clean energy programs, sell public lands, and provide tax breaks to billionaires. The writer urges readers to advocate for policies and support politicians who prioritize people and environmental protection over corporate interests.

Anthony Tilghman, a Black father of a daughter with autism, shares his journey of overcoming initial fear and confusion to become a strong advocate for his child and others in similar situations. He highlights how Black children face systemic disadvantages in autism diagnosis and treatment due to healthcare disparities, stigma, and bias. Tilghman emphasizes the often overlooked role of Black fathers in supporting children with autism and calls for both cultural change and policy reform. Through his advocacy work in Prince George's County, he aims to build community support, reduce stigma around neurodiversity, and reframe the conversation about strength and vulnerability for Black men caring for children with special needs.

A Black man named William McNeil Jr. was forcibly removed from his car during a traffic stop in Florida, an incident captured on both body cameras and a cellphone video that has sparked nationwide controversy. The cellphone footage shows deputies punching McNeil and dragging him from his vehicle after he asked to speak to a supervisor, while body camera footage reveals he had been repeatedly asked to exit the vehicle before force was used. Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters cautioned against rushing to judgment based solely on the viral cellphone video, while civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Harry Daniels accused officers of fabricating claims in their arrest report about McNeil reaching for a knife. McNeil ultimately pleaded guilty to resisting an officer without violence and driving with a suspended license, while an administrative review of the officers' conduct remains ongoing.

Kenneth Clark, born in 1914, became the first Black psychology Ph.D. from Columbia University and, along with his wife Mamie, conducted groundbreaking "doll tests" revealing segregation's harmful effects on Black children's self-perception. Walter Charles Carrington, born in 1930, served as a U.S. Ambassador to African nations and advocated for democracy in Nigeria where he lived for decades after marrying Nigerian physician Arese Ukpoma. Mary Church Terrell, who passed away in 1954, was a prominent civil rights activist who co-founded the National Association of Colored Women, fought for racial and gender equality, and served on D.C.'s Board of Education. All three figures made significant contributions to civil rights, education, and social justice through their professional work and activism.

The Trump administration has released over 240,000 pages of previously sealed FBI surveillance records on Martin Luther King Jr., despite opposition from King's family and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The document dump, described as "unprecedented" by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, contains records that had been under court seal since 1977 and were originally scheduled to remain sealed until 2027. King's children, Martin III and Bernice, urged the public to view the files within their historical context, noting their father was subjected to invasive surveillance by J. Edgar Hoover's FBI in attempts to discredit him and the Civil Rights Movement. The release fulfills President Trump's executive order to declassify assassination files related to MLK, JFK, and RFK, though some critics view the timing as a distraction from controversy surrounding Jeffrey Epstein files.

The article discusses the cultural significance of Black sitcoms in American television history, highlighting their role in providing authentic representation and shifting cultural narratives. It specifically focuses on Malcolm-Jamal Warner's portrayal of Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, describing his character as a relatable blueprint for Black masculinity. The article reports Warner's tragic death by accidental drowning in Costa Rica on July 20, 2025, at age 54, which prompted widespread grief from colleagues and fans. In response to Warner's passing, NewsToter compiled a ranking of the greatest Black sitcoms of all time, though the specific rankings are not provided in the excerpt.

Target is facing mounting backlash after quietly withdrawing from its $2.1 billion diversity, equity, and inclusion pledge made following George Floyd's murder. The company is experiencing declining sales and increasing boycotts led by civil rights activists who condemn Target for abandoning Black communities while simultaneously funding prosecutorial strategies targeting Black youth. Instead of addressing these concerns directly, Target has pursued celebrity partnerships and collaborations, such as teaming with Kai Cenat and AMP to launch the TONE personal care brand. Religious leaders, activists, and journalists have criticized these efforts as distractions that avoid accountability while failing to engage with Black-owned media outlets that serve affected communities.

The discovery of at least 100 unmarked graves of Black children near Maryland's Cheltenham Youth Detention Center has spotlighted the state's historically racist youth justice system that continues today. Maryland ranks fourth nationally in incarcerating people for childhood crimes and charges more youth as adults per capita than almost every other state, with Black children seven times more likely to face adult charges than white peers. Senator William C. Smith Jr. plans to reintroduce legislation to narrow the 33 offenses that automatically send children to adult court, restricting such transfers to only the most severe crimes. The Sentencing Project highlights that despite nationwide decreases in youth tried as adults, Black youth—comprising less than 15% of the youth population—make up 63% of those detained pending criminal court hearings.

Artificial intelligence adoption is increasing among U.S. firms, yet research from Goldman Sachs, Brookings, and other organizations indicates it has not led to widespread job losses as initially feared. Instead, AI investment is associated with business growth, increased employment, and significant productivity gains, with companies reporting labor productivity improvements between 23% and 29%. However, the workforce is experiencing a complex transformation where certain roles like call center positions are slowing, while demand for college-educated workers and those with STEM degrees is rising. The technology is already reshaping corporate structures by reducing middle management positions and potentially exacerbating inequality by favoring highly-skilled workers and larger companies with resources to implement AI tools.

HARLEM WEEK, celebrating its 51st edition from August 1-17, 2024, returns with the theme "Celebrate Our Magic" to honor Harlem's cultural, spiritual, and historical legacy. What began in 1974 as a one-day event founded by Percy Sutton has evolved into a 17-day global celebration featuring over 100 events spanning arts, music, health, business, technology, and education. This year's festivities will honor notable figures including civil rights leader Hazel Dukes, Rep. Charles Rangel, and music legends like Kool & The Gang and Roberta Flack, while also commemorating Malcolm X's centennial and Harry Belafonte's legacy. The celebration culminates with HARLEM DAY on August 17, transforming 135th Street with three entertainment stages, a health village, and diverse musical performances that showcase Harlem's vibrancy and global influence.

The new tax bill approved by Congress caps federal student loan borrowing for medical students at $50,000 annually and $257,000 total, eliminating the previously unlimited Grad PLUS loans starting in 2026. This change will force many medical students to seek private loans, which lack the protections and forgiveness options of federal loans, particularly impacting those pursuing careers in nonprofit settings. Medical education typically costs over $300,000, meaning students will face significant funding gaps under the new rules. Critics worry these restrictions will deter lower-income and diverse students from pursuing medical careers, potentially worsening the projected physician shortage of 86,000 doctors by 2036.

The newly passed "Big, Beautiful Bill" represents the most substantial rollback of health coverage since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was enacted in 2010, potentially leaving up to 16 million Americans uninsured while increasing the federal deficit by as much as $4 trillion over the next decade. According to Larry Levitt of KFF, this legislation will reduce federal health spending by more than $1 trillion, primarily through cuts to Medicaid and health insurance subsidies. Key provisions include new Medicaid work requirements, which could cause 4.8 million people to lose coverage due to bureaucratic complications, and the removal of eligibility for ACA coverage from many lawfully present immigrants. Yale professor Natasha Sarin warned that these healthcare cuts could result in 100,000-200,000 excess deaths over the next decade, while the bill's tax cuts will disproportionately benefit wealthy households.

In Burkina Faso, a nation with only 70 ophthalmologists for 23 million people, Dr. Claudette Yaméogo stands as the country's sole pediatric ophthalmologist, treating children with eye injuries that are often seen too late for effective intervention. Most eye specialists are concentrated in major cities, making access nearly impossible for the 70% of the population living in rural areas, as evidenced by only 52 of over 2,000 ophthalmology procedures being performed in rural regions in 2024. The financial burden is significant for families like Isaka Diallo's, who spent valuable time and money to reach Dr. Yaméogo only to learn his injury had become too severe to treat effectively. Despite government coverage for children under 5 on paper, families often must purchase medications elsewhere and face surgery costs that can represent several months of income.

Erik Menendez has been diagnosed with a serious medical condition, leading to his transfer from prison to an outside medical facility, though specific details about his condition have not been officially confirmed. This development comes just weeks before Erik and his brother Lyle are scheduled for a parole hearing after serving 35 years for murdering their parents in 1989. Earlier this year, the brothers' sentences were reduced from life without parole to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole consideration due to their young ages at the time of the crimes. Their lawyer, Mark Geragos, has called for Erik's medical furlough ahead of the August 21 parole hearing, describing it as "the only fair and equitable thing to do."

Scholars and artists are working to preserve African American Studies amidst increased political restrictions on teaching about race in education, as discussed during the "Black Studies Teach-In" panel hosted by Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis. Participants highlighted innovative approaches including integrating Black Studies with workforce development, using Afrofuturist art to preserve cultural memory, and redesigning curricula to center Black experiences. Panelists from various universities emphasized that Black Studies are essential not only for understanding history but for all academic disciplines including philosophy, psychology, and political theory. The scholars argued that attempts to remove Black Studies from education effectively erases Black experiences and perpetuates systemic racism.

Finding childcare and preschool is a challenging process for parents, who must navigate complex questions about availability, quality, and services. State governments collect valuable data about early childhood programs but often fail to make this information accessible to families in user-friendly formats. South Carolina's First Five SC portal demonstrates how states can effectively consolidate information about over 40 public services, allowing families to research and apply for multiple programs in one place. According to the Data Quality Campaign's poll, early childhood administrators overwhelmingly value data access, with 97% reporting improved decision-making and 99% noting better teaching or care provision through data utilization.

Willie Charles Brown, Sr., the 81-year-old publisher of Inglewood Today, passed away on June 25, 2023, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of community journalism spanning more than three decades. After founding his newspaper in 1993 to counter negative mainstream narratives about Inglewood following the Los Angeles uprising, Brown transformed it into a trusted source of local news and community commentary. Beyond journalism, Brown served as a mentor, civic partner, and community connector who championed women's rights and fought against injustice while working to maintain his publication's financial stability during challenging times for print media. His life was celebrated at memorial services in July, where family, friends, and civic leaders, including Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts, honored his contributions to journalism and his community.

Mark Walter, the Los Angeles Dodgers' principal owner and CEO of Guggenheim Partners, is facing criticism over financial connections to companies that profit from immigrant detention and surveillance. Walter's Guggenheim Partners holds a $12 million stake in the GEO Group, which operates ICE detention centers, while his TWG Global has partnered with Palantir Technologies, which developed immigration tracking software for ICE. These ties gained attention following ICE raids in Los Angeles, when the Dodgers remained silent for nearly two weeks before donating $1 million to affected communities, an amount critics called inadequate damage control. The team has also faced legal challenges from America First Legal over diversity initiatives and criticism regarding the historical displacement of Mexican-American neighborhoods to build Dodger Stadium.