Category: Government

California’s cap-and-trade program is under scrutiny from state lawmakers who are concerned revenue collected from the program isn’t finding its way to disadvantaged communities.

With a woman heading the ticket of the Democratic Party, it may be challenging for us to remember that women have had the right to vote for less than a century (and Black folks less that). But the 19th Amendment that gave women the right to vote was ratified on August 18, 1920, just 96 years ago.

“There are [Blacks] who are willing to worship the pyramids of 4,000 years ago, but will not build pyramids in the present so their children may see what they left behind as well. We have a leadership who rallies the people to look at past glories, but leave their children neglected, who will make great analytical and oratorical dissertations on the inadequacies of Eurocentric education and yet will not contribute one penny of their money or their time to the construction of their own schools.” — Dr. Amos Wilson, Afrikan Centered Consciousness versus the New World Order.

Good physical and mental health help drive success and enjoyment in our lives. But when it comes to overcoming some of our society’s biggest health challenges – from HIV/AIDS to cancer to diabetes to behavioral health issues – the African-American community unfortunately shoulders a disproportionate share of the burden. As our nation increasingly deals with violence, suicide and depression, it’s important to take a close look at the state of Black mental health in America.

HIV and AIDS may not dominate the nightly news as much as it once did, however the danger of these infections is still present. This week the Board of Supervisors approved $3 million in funding to expand access to HIV medical care.

A serial rapist who was released from a state psychiatric hospital in 2014 and placed in a home near Palmdale, despite outcry from residents and elected officials, was taken into custody this week.