California

Aug 23 2012

Some states are redirecting monies to their general funds

In February 2012, a joint state-federal settlement was reached with the country’s five largest loan servicers—Ally/GMAC, Bank of America, Citi, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo—to addresses a pattern of unfair and predatory mortgage-servicing practices. The terms of the settlement indicated that as much as $25 billion in relief could be provided to distressed borrowers and direct payments to federal and state governments. While $25 billion is a significant number, the most important number is the amount that will reach your community.

Jun 5 2012

90-day window for appeal

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—The Los Angeles-based sponsor of the federal challenge to Proposition 8’s ban on same-sex marriage lauded today’s appellate ruling not to review the contentious case.

“Today’s order is yet another federal court victory for loving, committed gay and lesbian couples in California and around the nation,” said Chad Griffin, co-founder of American Foundation for Equal Rights, sponsor of Perry vs. Brown, the federal constitutional challenge to Proposition 8.

Oct 11 2011

Affects California, Nevada

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—A Los Angeles-based meat company is recalling more than 377,000 pounds of ground beef due to possible E. coli contamination, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today.

The affected ground beef was produced by Commercial Meat Co. between Sept. 7 and Thursday, and was shipped to restaurants in California and Nevada, according to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. No illnesses have been reported.

The possible contamination was discovered during routine testing.

Aug 9 2011

New maps mean big problems for Black voters.

 
Most of California's legislators and congressional representatives will be elected over the next decade from districts dominated by white voters, the state's new political maps show.
 
Districts drawn by the state's first-ever redistricting commission may bolster the clout of other racial groups – particularly Latinos – but probably not end the longtime political dominance by whites.
 

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Jul 7 2011

Practical Politics

Imagine a well-dressed African American man and woman driving through Death Valley on the way to Vegas to party with some of their disposable income. They are chatty, enjoying each other’s company, and hurrying to get through the Mars-like landscape of the California desert. Abruptly, there is an awful moan from under the hood of their automobile, and the engine of their expensive foreign car simply quits, the car rolling to a stop on the side of the road.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
 

Alabama
Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will address the annual African American Business Council luncheon on June 28. Hrabowski, who is chairman of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans, has a national reputation for his work studying the performance of minority students in math and science. Hrabowski, named one of the 10 best college presidents in the country by Time magazine, was a child leader in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the 1960s.
 

Arkansas
The Liberty Counsel filed a motion and a brief in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking to intervene on behalf of a Concepts of Life crisis pregnancy center to defend against a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The groups seek to impose a permanent injunction before the Human Heartbeat Protection Act goes into effect July 18. Liberty Counsel also filed a brief opposing the ACLU’s request for an injunction. The “Heartbeat” bill states that when a woman seeks an abortion at or after the 12th week, doctors must test for a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed and inform the pregnant mother that the child in her womb has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, a woman cannot have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and if a mother’s life is in danger. “As we promised when the legislation was introduced, Liberty Counsel will defend this law without reservation for the people of Arkansas, born and pre-born,” said Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “No right is more foundational than the right to life. Without life, all other rights are irrelevant,” concluded Staver.