california news

The Annual Scholarship Reception & Awards Ceremony, held on June 1st at the University of San Diego's University Center, distributed $78,200 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors. The Ebony Pearls Foundation of San Diego awarded $55,200 to 26 students, while Alpha Phi Alpha's Zeta Sigma Lambda Chapter contributed $23,000 to 7 students. The ceremony featured cultural performances, including a rendition of "Lift Ev'ry Voice & Sing" by seven-year-old Kye Jones, spoken word presentations, and a marching band performance. Current college students also shared "Pearls of Wisdom" with the scholarship recipients to help them transition from high school to higher education, embodying the event's theme "Voices of the Future: Rising, Thriving, Leading."

The CDC has reported 1,088 measles cases across 33 U.S. jurisdictions as of May 29, 2025, with 14 outbreaks accounting for 90% of confirmed cases. This represents a significant increase compared to 2024, when 285 cases were reported with 16 outbreaks. Measles is described as an extremely contagious airborne illness that can spread rapidly during high travel periods or when unvaccinated individuals are in close proximity. Health officials emphasize that the most effective protection against measles is receiving two doses of the MMR or MMRV vaccine, which provides lifelong immunity for most recipients.

The Second Annual Never Leave One Behind Johnnie Lee Gibson Scholarship awards ceremony honored four high-achieving students with $1,000 scholarships at the JR-YMCA. Recipients Philip Huynh, Kemyron McCoy, Jai'ciyah Anderson, and Nikolao Ta'a were selected based on their impressive GPAs and outstanding conduct to assist with their higher education pursuits. The celebration included a BBQ feast for the students and their families, along with encouraging words from Xavier University graduate Jean'e McKinney who shared her collegiate experiences. NLOB President Larry Price emphasized the importance of community support for the next generation of achievers, reinforcing the organization's commitment to helping students succeed.

The Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) recently released its 2024 Longitudinal Academic Impact Report, which studied over 1,000 California students whose caregivers completed PIQE's eight-week Signature Family Engagement Program. Research conducted by San Diego State University's Center for Equity and Biliteracy Education Research found that 91% of these students graduated high school and 56.6% pursued higher education, with similar strong results among English Learners. The study demonstrates that family engagement significantly improves educational outcomes, showing how the program empowers families to support their children's academic goals while strengthening participants' self-identity and confidence. PIQE aims to continue its work promoting educational equity through enhanced inclusivity and expanded data collection strategies.

San Diego City Council has proposed a final budget that restores library services and recreation center hours despite facing a $258 million deficit. The restorations come after thousands of residents protested cuts to community services during budget hearings. A coalition of councilmembers created the proposal by cutting administrative overhead and leveraging new revenue from trash collection fees and parking reforms. However, the Independent Budget Analyst has warned that revenue projections may be overly optimistic, and the mayor has line-item veto authority to make changes before the final adoption scheduled for June 19.

San Diego Unified School District is launching a comprehensive Extended Learning Opportunities program to support 34,000 students during June and July 2023. The free summer programming offers a variety of educational opportunities exclusively for district students. The initiative consists of seven core programs designed to address diverse student needs and help each student find an appropriate educational path. Several community organizations, including the San Diego Foundation, VAPA Foundation, Chicano Federation, and others, have partnered with the district to make this summer programming possible.

California legislators are examining the challenges and opportunities of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in healthcare through a joint committee hearing. The Assembly Health and Privacy and Consumer Protection Committees, chaired by Assemblymember Mia Bonta and Rebecca Bauer-Kahan respectively, hosted physicians, researchers, and data analysts to discuss how GenAI affects patient care and potentially perpetuates healthcare disparities. Several bills addressing AI in healthcare are advancing through the California Legislature, including measures that would require testing for bias, mandate disclosure when GenAI is used in patient communications, prevent AI from misrepresenting itself as healthcare professionals, and create safeguards for AI use involving children. The hearing highlighted both the promising applications of AI in healthcare and significant concerns about racial and ethnic biases in AI models.

President Donald Trump has deployed 4,100 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles in response to immigration enforcement protests, despite opposition from Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom. The current demonstrations, primarily peaceful and confined to a small downtown area, have resulted in over 100 arrests, some vandalism, and burned vehicles, but are significantly smaller in scale compared to the deadly 1992 Los Angeles riots following the Rodney King verdict. California officials are legally challenging Trump's use of the Insurrection Act, with Attorney General Rob Bonta filing a lawsuit claiming presidential overreach and Governor Newsom seeking an emergency court order to prevent troops from assisting with immigration raids. The situation has led to minor injuries among officers and some protesters being struck by police-fired "less-lethal" munitions.

The NAACP has issued a Black Consumer Advisory warning about corporations and institutions intentionally retreating from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) commitments made following the 2020 racial justice protests. This rollback includes eliminating DEI positions, reducing supplier diversity programs, decreasing investments in Black communities, and abandoning equitable hiring practices. Despite Black consumers wielding $1.8 trillion in annual purchasing power, many corporations continue profiting from Black dollars while undermining DEI initiatives that support Black economic advancement. The NAACP urges Black consumers to respond by spending intentionally, demanding corporate accountability, supporting Black-owned businesses, advocating for policy changes, and staying informed about these concerning trends.

NiJaree Canady, a 22-year-old African American softball star, has made history by becoming the first college softball player to secure an NIL deal exceeding $1 million through Texas Tech's Matador Club. After transferring from Stanford to Texas Tech, Canady signed a $1,050,024 one-year contract while demonstrating exceptional athletic performance, including leading Texas Tech to its first Big 12 regular-season and conference titles with a 26-5 record and nation-leading 0.86 ERA. The 2024 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year has an impressive resume that includes the Honda Sport Award, multiple Women's College World Series honors, and representation on Team USA in the 2024 Japan All-Star Series. Her groundbreaking deal represents a significant shift in opportunities for Black female athletes in collegiate sports.

Coco Gauff defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 to win her first French Open title, becoming the first American woman to triumph at Roland-Garros since Serena Williams in 2015. Gauff, ranked second in the world, overcame the painful memories of her 2022 French Open final loss to Iga Swiatek, demonstrating improved mental strength and emotional control throughout the match. Despite challenging windy conditions that led to numerous unforced errors from both players, Gauff maintained her composure and made fewer mistakes than Sabalenka, who committed 70 unforced errors compared to Gauff's 30. The victory marks Gauff's second Grand Slam title following her 2023 U.S. Open win, which also came against Sabalenka.

The public feud between Donald Trump and Elon Musk over the GOP's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" has created significant drama within Republican circles, with Musk calling the bill a "disgusting abomination" and Trump responding with threats to terminate Musk's government contracts. Behind this high-profile dispute, the Congressional Budget Office reports the bill would increase the national debt by $2.4 trillion and leave millions without health insurance. Meanwhile, civil rights advocates warn that this billionaire conflict may be distracting from harmful Trump administration policies disproportionately affecting Black Americans, including travel bans targeting majority-Black nations, slashed federal budgets, eliminated DEI efforts, and increased fossil fuel projects in Black communities. The Congressional Black Caucus characterizes these policies as deliberate attacks on marginalized groups disguised as fiscal reform.

Judge Richard Leon is proceeding cautiously regarding the potential public release of classified documents related to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., indicating it will be a "long journey" likely involving the King family. The Trump administration's Department of Justice is requesting an early end to a sealing order on these records, claiming they only seek documents related to King's assassination. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference and King's family oppose the early release of documents from 1963-1968. This case follows President Trump's January 2025 Executive Order 14176, which directed declassification of records concerning the assassinations of King, JFK, and Robert Kennedy, with Kennedy's records having already been released to the public.

Shameta Jones-Harrell has made history as the first woman to lead a police department in Cobb County, Georgia, after being sworn in as Austell's police chief. With over 20 years in law enforcement, Jones-Harrell previously served in College Park and Brookhaven Police Departments where she held various roles including detective, SWAT team member, and eventually major before joining Austell as deputy chief in 2021. Her key priorities include increasing female representation, enhancing community engagement, and achieving state accreditation for the department. Throughout her career, Jones-Harrell has implemented numerous community outreach initiatives and patrol strategies that she credits with reducing violent crime, while drawing strength from her faith and role as a mother of two sons.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Governing Board rejected two proposed rules that would have eliminated gas water heaters and furnaces in Southern California with a 7-5 vote on June 6. The amendments to Rules 1111 and 1121 were designed to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by requiring 17 million residents across four counties to convert to electric heating units. The proposal included manufacturer requirements for low-NOx and zero-NOx emission standards and mitigation fees for non-compliant units. Opposition came from various sources including gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa and the Cost of Living Council, who argued the regulations would financially burden working families, small businesses, and the middle class.

California is facing a severe obesity crisis disproportionately affecting Black and Brown communities, with nearly one-third of adults statewide living with obesity and 36.8% of Black adults affected. Proposed Medi-Cal budget cuts threaten to eliminate coverage for effective GLP-1 medications that not only manage obesity but reduce related health conditions and costs. This decision particularly impacts Black Californians, who represent about 7% of Medi-Cal enrollees but constitute over one million people or approximately 50% of the state's total Black population. The author argues that instead of cutting healthcare access, California should maintain its leadership in health equity by investing in community-driven solutions addressing the root causes of health disparities.

Juneteenth, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, is celebrated annually on June 19th and marks the 160th anniversary of Union Major General Gordon Granger's announcement of freedom in Galveston, Texas. This announcement came more than two and a half years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. The article provides a comprehensive guide to numerous Juneteenth celebrations taking place throughout San Diego communities from June 14-28, 2023. These events are hosted at various locations including parks, theaters, museums, and beaches, with many offering free admission while others require tickets ranging from $5-$40.

Sly Stone, the legendary frontman of Sly and the Family Stone, has died at 82 from COPD and other health complications in Los Angeles. Born in Texas in 1943, Stone revolutionized music with his pioneering interracial, mixed-gender band that blended soul, funk, rock, gospel, and psychedelia, creating iconic hits like "Dance to the Music" and "Everyday People." Despite personal struggles with drug dependency that led to his withdrawal from the public eye for years, Stone's musical legacy persisted through his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and recent memoir and documentary projects with Questlove. His groundbreaking approach to music transcended genres and influenced generations of artists, from Miles Davis to Prince to Dr. Dre.

President Trump has reinstated a travel ban prohibiting citizens from 12 countries from entering the United States, effective June 9, 2025. The ban targets seven African nations, one Caribbean nation (Haiti), and four other countries, with Congressman Greg Meeks describing it as "discriminatory" and "self-defeating." In addition, Trump signed a separate ban on international students attending Harvard University, citing concerns about antisemitism, discrimination issues, China's influence, and "woke ideology." Critics warn these bans will have significant economic consequences, as international students contribute approximately $50 billion annually to the U.S. economy and represent substantial portions of student populations at American universities.

Dr. Jehan El-bayoumi of Georgetown University Medical Center recently discussed with BlackPressUSA the concerning trends in various infectious diseases affecting Americans. The discussion highlighted changes in federal COVID vaccine policies for certain populations alongside increases in measles, COVID, and flu cases early in the year. Medical professionals, including Dr. El-bayoumi, have expressed worry about potential future health threats, with bird flu specifically mentioned as a concern. The conversation with BlackPressUSA addressed these rising illness rates and the broader anxieties present within the medical community.

President Trump has deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles following ICE raids that resulted in 45 migrant arrests, a move criticized by Juan Proano of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) as "an attack on a sanctuary city." The ICE operations have been described as poorly planned, with centers already overcrowded and concerns about accelerated deportations bypassing due process. California Governor Gavin Newsom has blamed Trump for tensions in Los Angeles, while Trump responded by calling Newsom "grossly incompetent" and suggesting he should be arrested. The situation may escalate further as Marines at Camp Pendleton are on high alert for possible deployment, and California is suing the Trump administration over the National Guard deployment.

Karine Jean-Pierre, former White House press secretary under President Biden, has announced her departure from the Democratic Party to become an Independent as she prepares to release her book "Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines" in October. After serving in the Biden and Obama administrations, Jean-Pierre's book will detail her political evolution, including what she describes as a betrayal by the Democratic Party that influenced Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 race. The book criticizes the two-party system while advocating for Americans to transcend partisan divisions, resist political tribalism, and prioritize individual values over party loyalty. Jean-Pierre joins a growing number of Americans expressing frustration with partisan politics, encouraging people to "think outside of the blue-and-red box" to preserve democracy.

President Trump has ordered National Guard troops into Los Angeles without California's governor's approval, echoing his 2020 response to George Floyd protests in Washington, D.C. The current deployment targets immigration protests in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods like Compton and Paramount. This federal intervention against civilian demonstrations represents a pattern that concerns Black communities across major U.S. cities, who see the Los Angeles crackdown as a threatening precedent. The article suggests this military response to civilian protests should be closely monitored by Black communities nationwide.

President Trump has unilaterally deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles without Governor Gavin Newsom's request, sparking criticism from various civil rights leaders and organizations. Critics, including Black Lives Matter Chairwoman Cicley Gay and former RNC head Michael Steele, have condemned the action as provocative and inflammatory, drawing parallels to similar deployments during the 2020 George Floyd protests. The deployment comes amid tensions over immigration enforcement and related protests in Los Angeles, with Trump claiming on social media that he is intervening because state and local leaders "can't do their jobs." The situation has created tense energy that has spread from areas like Paramount and Compton into downtown Los Angeles, particularly near the Fashion District and detention centers.

The article highlights the growing solidarity between Burkina Faso and global African diaspora communities, centered around support for current President Ibrahim Traoré and the revolutionary legacy of former President Thomas Sankara. On April 30, coordinated protests took place in multiple cities including Oakland, Dallas, New York, London, Ghana, and Burkina Faso, demonstrating support for Traoré's anti-colonialist initiatives. The movement connects historical anti-imperialist struggles from the 1980s with present-day efforts, emphasizing shared experiences between African nations and Black communities in America. Protestors echo Sankara's and Traoré's calls for self-determination and liberation from colonial influences.