By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com As social justice movements gain popularity across minority communities, Hispanic and Black leaders continue to charge forward on behalf of their constituents, advocating for government accountability, equity and environmental justice. Hispanic Heritage Month, recognized from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, is a time for a continuance of these […]
Category: Politics
Posted inNational News
Biden has canceled $127 Billion in student debt–and there’s more relief to come
By Bria Overs, Word in Black The Biden-Harris administration continues on its path of debt forgiveness, adding 125,000 student loan borrowers to its growing list of those who have received relief since President Biden took office. This decision comes mere weeks after the Department of Education announced forgiveness for 2,300 University of Phoenix students. The […]
Posted in!Front Page
Hollywood legend Robert De Niro condemns “evil” Trump at Stop Trump Summit
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent (NNPA NEWSWIRE) Drawing from his experiences as a New Yorker, De Niro attested to the city’s firsthand knowledge of Trump, whom he characterized as unfit for leadership. He pointed out that New Yorkers had already tried to warn the world about Trump in 2016, but their […]
Posted inPolitics
Mississippi Democrat Brandon Presley aims to rally Black voters in governor’s race
By Michael GoldbergThe Associated Press/Report for America JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi’s gubernatorial election could hinge on turnout among Black voters, who haven’t wielded political influence commensurate with their share of the state population, the Democratic nominee said Oct. 6. At a campaign event in the 80 percent Black state capital of Jackson just over […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
California Governor Gavin Newsom appoints Laphonza Butlerto U.S. Senate seat after death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein
By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Laphonza Butler will fill the U.S. Senate seat of the late Dianne Feinstein. The groundbreaking Senator died on Sept, 29. Newsom’s decision was not on the political radar screen of most prognosticators. With the selection of Butler, the decision of California’s Governor will not include any of the currently […]
Posted inNational News
Historic confirmation of Gen. Charles ‘CQ’ Brown Jr. overcomes blockade, signals milestone for representation
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire With a rare display of bipartisan support in the Senate on the night of Sept. 20, Air Force Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown Jr. overcame a protracted obstruction by Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) to win confirmation as only the second Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, […]
Posted inNational News
Kevin McCarthy becomes first House Speaker to be ousted in U.S. History
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, Tmcqueen@afro.com Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.-20) was ousted from his position as House Speaker shortly after a compromise with U.S. House of Representatives Democrats, made in order to prevent a government shutdown. McCarthy is now the first House speaker to be removed in American history. “I do not regret negotiating. […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Richard Worley and James Wallace officially sworn in as new Baltimore police commissioner and fire chief
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Despite opposition, Richard Worley and James Wallace were sworn in as Baltimore’s new police commissioner and fire chief, respectively, by Mayor Brandon M. Scott on Oct. 5. “Together, they understand that public safety is a collective effort that requires collaboration directly with residents, community organizations, and amongst agencies […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Former mayor Sheila Dixon holds town hall meeting regarding public safety in Baltimore
By Mekhi Abbott, Special to the AFRO Community engagement and public safety were the main topics covered at a town hall hosted by Baltimore mayoral candidate Sheila Dixon on Oct. 4 at New Metropolitan Baptist Church. Dixon, a former Charm City mayor, was joined on the panel by Melvin Russell, retired Baltimore Police Department chief […]
Posted inNational News
Senator Cory Booker leads discussion on potential harms and opportunities in artificial intelligence
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, msayles@afro.com On its face, artificial intelligence (AI) may seem obscure and dubious, but it’s already revolutionizing daily life across the globe. Given its power to mimic human decision-making, many are asking questions about its potential to advance or set back equity. This was the central concern of a panel […]
Posted inNational News
Crisis temporarily averted, Congress reaches short-term funding agreement
By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor, afields@afro.com With the threat of a government shutdown looming, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) finally caved on the Democrats’ demands to drop large spending cuts from a temporary funding bill and the Senate signed off on the measure in order to successfully pass a 45-day continuing resolution. “It has […]
Posted inNational News
U.S. Supreme Court will take up abortion and gun cases in its new term while ethics concerns swirl
By Mark Sherman, The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is returning to a new term to take up some familiar topics — guns and abortion — and with concerns about ethics swirling around the justices. The year also will have a heavy focus on social media and how free speech protections apply […]