Special from MSR News Online   It was a drama-filled day in court Friday as the defense for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin rested its case after two days of testimony from seven witnesses. The day began with Chauvin invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Chauvin removed his mask and for the record, said ...

As California surpasses a major milestone in the fight against COVID — administering more than 20 million vaccine doses, including 4 million in the state’s hardest-hit communities, and with hospitalizations continuing to steadily decline — Governor Gavin Newsom outlined the state’s next step in the COVID-19 pandemic recovery, moving beyond the Blueprint for a Safer ...

By Dianne Anderson Rumors on the street before last weekend’s KKK-sponsored White Lives Matter rally in Huntington Beach was that Tory Johnson’s Black Lives Matter organization would show up with guns, looking to start trouble. It’s precisely those kinds of lies that can cost more lives. He was so concerned that he contacted the Huntington ...

By Bo Tefu California Black Media Some African American leaders in California are concerned. As the state looks forward to receiving billions in new federal funding this year for development projects, they fear African American and other minority-owned businesses and their workers will be left out. The leaders say California has not lived up to its ...

By Bo Tefu California Black Media In Los Angeles County last week, 211 LA, a local non-profit organization that provides health-related information and services to residents, announced that it had reached an important milestone. Celebrating its success, the community-based organization shared with California Black Media that it has been instrumental in helping more than 100,000 ...

By Dianne Anderson Nothing brings out the community for COVID-19 testing and vaccines like food and milk. Last June, Cathy Woodard connected with USDA Farmers to Families program, and has since distributed thousands of boxes packed with dairy, produce, and meats out to the community, but milk was the most striking example of local need. ...

By Bo Tefu California Black Media Business and Labor leaders are joining hands with women working in male-dominated industries in California, stepping up their participation in the fight for gender in the state. They say the time is now to advocate for equal pay for women. According to the National Partnership for Women and Families (NPWF), women ...

3 Million People Can Benefit More money for more people equals more and better health insurance coverage for millions of Californians and consumers nationwide — especially vital during this age of COVID-19. That’s the upshot of President Joe Biden’s recently passed $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, with health care provisions containing new and expanded financial ...

Even with increased vaccine supply, vaccination of willing Californians will take several months  State supporting trusted providers and counties for non-traditional outreach in hard-to-reach communities With supply of vaccines expected to significantly increase in the coming weeks, the state is expanding vaccine eligibility to more Californians. Starting April 1, individuals aged 50+ will be eligible ...

By Dianne Anderson All those wanting to step out of their shell and into effective leadership are invited to check-in and learn from some of the top Black female leaders and experts in Orange County An upcoming Amplify event offers a rare opportunity in virtual space to connect and network. Dr. Shelley Henderson said the ...