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The article argues that Republican leadership, particularly under Donald Trump, is deliberately dismantling the Affordable Care Act by allowing federal subsidies to expire at year's end. The author contends this represents Trump's continued effort to erase Barack Obama's presidential legacy, tracing the motivation back to racist "birther" conspiracy theories and opposition to "Obamacare." Without the $35 billion in annual enhanced subsidies that cap premiums at 8.5% of income, approximately 22 million Americans face potential loss of affordable health coverage or dramatic premium increases of thousands of dollars monthly. Republicans reportedly have no replacement plan ready and are proposing alternatives like health savings accounts that the author argues would primarily benefit wealthier Americans while leaving working-class families without adequate coverage. # Key Takeaways

Samara Southern Creations, a Southern cuisine restaurant led by Chef Sarah Earring, has recently relocated to Calabash in downtown Oakland, where it operates as a popular Sunday brunch destination. The establishment specializes in Southern, Cajun, and Creole dishes, with the author JR Valrey recommending it as serving some of the Bay Area's best food. Chef Earring officially launched her business in 2017 after years of cooking for friends and family who encouraged her entrepreneurial venture. The restaurant previously operated out of Haus of Chefs for a year before moving to its current location, representing what Earring describes as "Chapter 2" in her journey toward owning a brick-and-mortar establishment. # Key Takeaways

The Trump administration has dramatically shifted US asylum policy toward Iranian nationals, conducting unprecedented deportation flights to Iran despite the absence of diplomatic relations and Iran's poor human rights record. Several Iranian Christian converts who fled religious persecution report being deported even after some received asylum protection, with sensitive information about their conversions remaining in files that Iranian authorities can access upon their return. The deportations have separated families and placed returnees at serious risk, as converts face increased arrests and interrogation by Iranian intelligence, which frames Christianity as a national security threat linked to Israel. While White House officials claim all deportees had their asylum claims fully adjudicated, lawyers and affected individuals describe significant inconsistencies in how cases are handled, with family members receiving opposite outcomes despite similar circumstances. Those deported now face surveillance and summons from Iranian authorities, while their relatives remaining in the US live in legal limbo, unable to work and fearing both separation and potential persecution.

The author describes how the federal government is cutting SNAP benefits and other food assistance programs that already provided inadequate support under what she calls a "scarcity model." She argues these programs, dating back to the New Deal era, were designed to give poor people the minimum necessary to survive rather than what they need to thrive, while historically excluding people of color, unmarried women, and other marginalized groups. In response to government failures that existed long before and worsened during COVID-19, POOR Magazine established Homefulness, a community-led initiative on purchased land that provides free food, diapers, and other essentials. This grassroots organization now serves over 500 people weekly through their sliding scale cafe, redistributing donations from wealthier supporters to low-income families in need. # Key Takeaways

The Conservation Fund has announced the protection of the historic Ben Moore Hotel in Montgomery, Alabama, a significant landmark in African American history and the civil rights movement. Originally built by Matthew F. Moore, the four-story hotel featured modern amenities including guest rooms, dining facilities, and entertainment spaces, serving as both a Green Book refuge for Black travelers and a gathering place for civil rights leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and entertainment legends such as B.B. King and Little Richard. Though the hotel eventually declined and closed, it has been recognized as an important historical site by local heritage organizations. The Conservation Fund is partnering with the Landmarks Foundation to preserve the property, which officials view as both a celebration of Montgomery's history and an opportunity for neighborhood revitalization and economic development. # Key Takeaways

During the current government shutdown, essential infrastructure needs and services continue despite federal funding delays and workforce furloughs. The author argues that skilled trades workers—including electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians—represent a stable employment sector that operates independently of political disruptions in Washington. With an aging workforce retiring and societal emphasis on four-year degrees rather than vocational training, the U.S. faces a chronic shortage of skilled tradespeople that predates the shutdown. The current crisis highlights both the immediate need for these workers and the opportunity to invest in future-proof credentials and apprenticeship programs that provide economic stability for communities. # Key Takeaways

The March of Dimes' 2025 Report Card reveals that the United States continues to struggle with a 10.4 percent national preterm birth rate, with stark disparities affecting Black mothers at 14.7 percent—the highest rate among all demographic groups. Many communities across the country have become "maternity care deserts" with no obstetric providers or birthing facilities, forcing families to travel hours for basic prenatal care or miss appointments entirely. Contributing factors include unmanaged chronic health conditions, lack of insurance coverage (particularly after childbirth), and systemic dismissal of concerns raised by Black and Native mothers during medical appointments. The situation is most severe in Southern states like Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana, though urban areas including Memphis, Detroit, and Washington, D.C. also face significant challenges with preterm births and racial disparities in maternal health outcomes. # Key Takeaways

Three siblings who were once close to Michael Jackson—Frank Cascio, Aldo Cascio, and Marie-Nicole Porte—are now claiming the pop star's Estate coerced them into signing a secretive settlement agreement in 2019 that was designed to prevent them from speaking out. The siblings allege they were pressured to sign the document without legal representation or adequate time to review it, with tactics that exploited their emotional connections to Jackson's children. The Michael Jackson Estate vehemently denies these allegations, characterizing the siblings' current $213 million claim as extortion and pointing out that the Cascios previously defended Jackson publicly for years. This legal battle centers on questions of power dynamics, alleged manipulation, and whether the 2019 settlement was legitimate or exploitative, adding another controversial chapter to Michael Jackson's complicated legacy.

The article examines how Generation Z has become a crucial ideological battleground as they prepare to become America's largest living generation, following millennials who surpassed baby boomers in 2016. Conservative and extremist organizations like the Proud Boys and Turning Point USA are actively recruiting Gen Z members through billboards, campus chapters, and social media, using appealing language about faith and freedom to mask white supremacist ideologies. The author notes that while Gen Z demonstrates strong social activism on issues like climate change and racial justice, right-wing groups have built sophisticated grassroots infrastructure targeting young people. The article argues that communities of color need to develop comparable organized networks focused on youth to counter these recruitment efforts and protect inclusive values for future generations.

The Zeta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in San Diego initiated three new members on November 8th following a year-long rigorous vetting process. The Fall 2025 line was named "Keepers of Ma'at" by Brother Dr. Robert Walker, the chapter's Dean of Membership, drawing inspiration from ancient Egyptian principles representing truth, justice, and balance. The new initiates collectively represent the upholding of cosmic order through different domains including fire, law, and military strength. The public will have an opportunity to meet these new members at an upcoming Holiday Scholarship Ball scheduled for December 13th at the Del Mar Hilton. # Key Takeaways

Three brothers in California discovered a rare first edition Superman #1 comic from June 1939 while clearing out their deceased mother's attic during Christmas last year. The comic, which had been stored in pristine condition under old newspapers since their mother and uncle purchased it between the Great Depression and World War II, received an unprecedented 9.0 rating from a professional grading service. Heritage Auctions facilitated the sale in Texas, where the comic sold for $9.12 million, surpassing the previous record by $3 million. The brothers, who wish to remain anonymous and are in their 50s and 60s, had been told about their mother's valuable collection but had never seen it before her passing. # Key Takeaways

On November 14, hundreds of participants from three San Diego schools—Gage Elementary, Pershing Middle, and Patrick Henry High School—participated in the fourth annual Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, a student-organized commemoration. Approximately 400 students, families, and community members walked to school wearing purple shirts and carrying lunchboxes to honor Ruby Bridges, who integrated an all-white Louisiana elementary school in 1960 at age six. The event featured student-led activities including reflection, art projects, and discussions focused on promoting unity and celebrating diversity. Additional San Diego Unified schools, such as Hamilton and Ibarra Elementary, also participated in this district-wide initiative aimed at fostering inclusive school environments and strengthening community bonds.

Several historically Black colleges and universities secured significant victories over the weekend in MEAC and SWAC conference play. South Carolina State defeated NC Central 34-27 on a late touchdown run by Josh Shaw, maintaining their perfect 4-0 conference record, while Delaware State also stayed unbeaten in MEAC play with a 26-13 win over Howard. Jackson State dominated Bethune-Cookman with three running backs each surpassing 100 yards in a 28-13 victory, and Alabama State cruised to a 41-3 win over Mississippi Valley State to secure their first eight-win season since 2018. Prairie View A&M claimed the SWAC Western Division championship with a decisive 56-9 triumph over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, earning a spot in the upcoming conference championship game.

Pope Leo XIV delivered a video message to religious leaders at UN climate talks in Belem, Brazil, calling for immediate concrete action to address global warming and criticizing insufficient political will among nations. The Pope emphasized that one-third of humanity faces severe climate vulnerability, arguing that while the Paris Agreement framework remains sound, world leaders are failing in their implementation efforts. His intervention came as the conference entered its second week, with Global South nations sharing accounts of devastating climate impacts and expressing concern that Earth will likely exceed the 1.5-degree Celsius warming target. As the first American pope, Leo XIV is continuing his predecessor's environmental advocacy, positioning himself as a prominent moral voice on climate issues, particularly for vulnerable populations in developing nations.

The author, a Black women's health advocate in California, warns that proposed federal cuts to social programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and WIC would devastate Black women who already face severe health disparities. Black women in California die from pregnancy-related causes at three to four times the rate of white women and rely heavily on these programs, with one in three depending on Medi-Cal and nearly half receiving WIC or CalFresh benefits. The cuts would force impossible choices between medication, care, and basic necessities while worsening existing issues like food insecurity, housing instability, and chronic disease management. While California has implemented protective measures like implicit bias training legislation and emergency funding for food banks, the author calls for increased community support and documentation to defend Black women's health amid these federal threats. # Key Takeaways

Isiah Thomas, the NBA Hall of Famer, has become the first NBA player to hold majority control of a publicly traded company through his leadership of Isiah Enterprises, a clean-tech firm focused on renewable materials and sustainable production. His business journey began with studying natural crops like rice, corn, and soy to understand how their fibers could reduce plastic use and carbon footprints, eventually leading to patented processes used in automotive and packaging industries. Thomas rescued a near-bankrupt facility in Midland, Michigan, transforming it into a successful operation that now processes tens of thousands of pounds of renewable materials weekly and has shipped over 100,000 pounds of pelletized rubber compounds. Beyond business success, Thomas is motivated by a desire to break generational poverty in his community by encouraging families to become shareholders rather than lottery ticket buyers, with an ultimate goal of being the first NBA player to uplift a company to NASDAQ listing. # Key Takeaways

California's reparations movement, which gained momentum after George Floyd's 2020 murder, faces an uncertain future as political dynamics shift rightward under Governor Newsom. Five years after establishing the nation's first state task force to study slavery reparations, California has only allocated $500,000 for an apology plaque despite task force recommendations totaling over $800 billion in estimated damages. The Legislative Black Caucus is pushing forward with 16 bills in 2025, though they've stopped using the term "reparations" since the legislation excludes direct cash payments that remain unpopular among voters. While most Californians support an official apology, polls show two-to-one opposition to direct payments, and previous attempts to pass meaningful legislation collapsed during last year's session amid budget deficits and election-year concerns. The renewed legislative package focuses on policy changes addressing education, housing discrimination, healthcare bias, and criminal justice reform rather than monetary compensation.

New York farmer David Haughton faces severe financial hardship after the USDA canceled the Local Food Purchase Assistance program in March 2025, causing him to lose 60 percent of his market as organizations could no longer afford his produce. The program, established in 2021 to help farmers recover from pandemic impacts while feeding communities, particularly supported small and minority farmers who face systemic barriers to capital. After nearly losing his 35-acre farm and home due to inability to make mortgage payments, Haughton received critical support from the Black Farmer Fund, which provides loans, grants and technical assistance specifically to Black farmers. Despite receiving a grant that saved his operation and allowed equipment purchases, Haughton suffered an additional setback when fire destroyed part of his home in August 2025, though he remains committed to farming.

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San Diego County is taking multiple steps to address behavioral health and food insecurity challenges facing its residents. The county plans to construct a $210 million Behavioral Health Wellness Campus in the Midway District that would consolidate mental health and addiction services to serve over 20,000 people annually. In response to federal funding cuts threatening food assistance programs, the Prebys Foundation partnered with major food banks to provide $3 million in emergency funding to maintain the food security network. Additionally, CalFresh/SNAP beneficiaries received their full November benefits after a federal court ruling, while the Board of Supervisors approved exploring a Safety Net Bridge Program to prevent gaps in essential services for residents who may lose benefits due to federal policy changes.

Former President Barack Obama recently called civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson, who is currently hospitalized in stable condition in Chicago, after coordinating with Jackson's family for several days beforehand. Jackson, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's syndrome in 2013 and whose diagnosis was updated to supranuclear palsy in April, has been receiving support from numerous politicians and civil rights figures, including Reverend Al Sharpton and Reverend Amos Brown, a fellow Civil Rights pioneer. Despite his condition and inability to speak, Jackson remains alert and continues advocating for his vision of organizing churches to combat malnutrition. The Obama and Jackson families share deep connections spanning decades, including Jesse Jackson Jr.'s role as national co-chair of Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.

A 23-year-old woman named Ari Gisell received a 20-year prison sentence for instigating the murders of three tourists in Baja California, Mexico. She instructed her boyfriend to steal tires and a phone from Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend Carter Rhoad during their surfing trip in April 2024. The boyfriend and two accomplices followed the victims to their campsite, robbed them, and fatally shot them, dumping their bodies in a well. While some defendants have alleged cartel connections, prosecutors believe the crime was motivated by theft rather than organized criminal activity, and the three men who carried out the killings still await trial.

The Lakiba Palmer American Legion Auxiliary Unit 310 recently celebrated its 91st anniversary at a gala event in San Diego. This distinctive unit holds the honor of being one of California's only units of color and the first American Legion Auxiliary charter named after an African American woman, specifically honoring San Diego Seaman Lakiba Palmer who died in the USS Cole attack in Yemen. Despite operating without a permanent facility since 2021, the organization has maintained strong performance in fundraising and community outreach under President Margaretta Hickman's leadership. The unit's 163 members continue supporting veterans through six major programs, including youth mentoring, hospital visits, and commemorative poppy sales.

This opinion piece criticizes two recent law enforcement incidents in San Diego that the author claims violated federal law. In the first case, a San Diego police officer allegedly punched an already-restrained arrestee multiple times in the face while other officers held him down, yet the police chief and mayor have not publicly responded or suspended the officer. The second incident involved ICE agents at a trolley stop detaining people without warrants, proper identification, or explanation, sometimes using force, while San Diego police stood by monitoring rather than intervening. The author argues both incidents violated federal civil rights statutes and constitute unlawful detention, calling on San Diego residents to protest such law enforcement actions before they affect more community members.

The City of San Diego has launched several municipal initiatives to improve community services and infrastructure. Environmental Services is conducting "lid flip" inspections of trash and recycling containers to educate residents about proper waste disposal and prevent dangerous contamination from items like batteries. The City Council has allocated approximately two million dollars in parking meter collections to address infrastructure problems in the neighborhoods that generated those revenues, with immediate focus on repairing numerous downtown streetlight failures. Additionally, San Diego's Safe Parking program has significant availability at its Point Loma location for vehicle residents, while consolidating operations by closing another facility to reduce costs.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly 427-1 to release files related to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019 under suspicious circumstances. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene championed the cause alongside thirty women who identify as Epstein's survivors, despite being called a traitor by President Trump for her stance. President Trump reversed his initial opposition and announced he would sign the legislation after both chambers passed it, with the Senate approving by unanimous consent. Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie architected the effort, and many Republican colleagues felt relieved by Trump's last-minute change of position. The passage represents a significant victory for survivors of sexual violence who lobbied members of Congress throughout the day.

Both chambers of Congress have voted to compel the Justice Department to release documents related to Jeffrey Epstein's criminal investigations, with the House passing the measure 427-1 and the Senate approving it through unanimous consent. President Trump, who initially opposed the release and criticized Republican supporters of the bill, reversed his position over the weekend and now says he will sign the legislation. The bill mandates Attorney General Pam Bondi to release unclassified materials within 30 days, though she retains authority to withhold information that could compromise active investigations or identify victims. Epstein survivors testified at the Capitol in support of the measure, describing years of institutional betrayal, while Trump's past social connections with Epstein have come under renewed scrutiny following recent document releases that mention him without alleging wrongdoing.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors is organizing a public hearing called Housing Forward on Wednesday, November 19 at 9 a.m. to discuss county housing matters. The event will take place at the County Administration Center and will cover housing and land use policies for unincorporated areas, along with findings from a Development Feasibility Analysis. County officials and staff will present information about current projects and future policy plans while allowing residents to provide input. Community members interested in attending or commenting can access participation details through the Clerk of the Board website or contact the Board Operations Unit directly.

The Trump administration's policies are systematically dismantling pathways to middle-class prosperity for Black Americans, despite campaign promises to support these communities. Federal workforce cuts, driven by DOGE and anti-DEI executive orders, disproportionately impact Black employees who comprise roughly 19% of federal workers and have historically relied on government jobs as a stable route to economic security. The administration is simultaneously attacking other mobility channels including education funding, HBCU support, the Minority Business Development Agency, small business programs, and fair housing initiatives. Black unemployment has risen to 7.2% by July 2025, with nearly 300,000 Black women exiting the workforce in the second quarter alone, while the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" threatens to further disadvantage Black families through tax policies and graduate school loan limits.