NEWS FROM OUR PUBLISHERS

By Gillian Brooks | WBRC The Birmingham City Council has approved a federal funding package aimed at expanding childcare access and workforce development in four city neighborhoods: North Birmingham, Northside, Pratt and Smithfield. The Reinvest initiative is helping with the city’s Cradle to Career framework, which focuses on setting up children for success in Birmingham. […]

Family now raising newborn after shocking loss at Birmingham Medical Center By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS A heartbreaking tragedy at a Birmingham hospital has left a newborn baby without parents and a grieving family searching for […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS EVERGREEN, Ala. — An Alabama dentist has been sentenced to prison after burning down his own dental office to collect insurance money while facing mounting debt. Conecuh County Circuit Judge Jack B. Weaver sentenced Douglas […]

CORETTA & FLOYD COLLINS By Mia Watkins | For The Birmingham Times Live: Pelham Married: Oct. 4, 2003 Met: Floyd Collins knew that Coretta would be his wife as a matter of science, much like the lessons they were learning in the science summer program at Alabama A&M University, where they met when they were […]

Special to The Times On Tuesday, March 17, audiences in Birmingham will have the chance to experience a powerful musical tradition when the American Spiritual Ensemble takes the stage at Jane Hollock Brock Recital Hall on the campus of Samford University. The 7:30 p.m. performance celebrates the enduring legacy of the American Negro spiritual, a […]

A Florida woman has been charged with attempted murder and multiple felony assault counts after allegedly firing several gunshots at the Los Angeles home of singer Rihanna while the star, her partner A$AP Rocky, their children and her mother were inside. No one was injured, and the suspect, Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, was arrested and ordered held on $1.8 million bail while authorities investigate a possible motive.
The post A Florida woman has been charged in a shooting at Rihanna’s Los Angeles home appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Decatur city leaders will begin a series of district community meetings Tuesday evening to discuss the results of the city’s 2026 Community Survey and hear feedback directly from residents about local priorities. The […]

By: SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS One of Honda’s most popular SUVs, built in Alabama, will soon be heading overseas, as the automaker prepares to export the Honda Passport to Japan later this year. Honda plans to begin shipping […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Cyber fraud is evolving rapidly, and experts say the same tactics used to target businesses are increasingly putting everyday consumers at risk. Jeff Taylor, head of Commercial Fraud Forensics at Regions […]

Jihadi extremist groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have intensified coordinated attacks on Nigerian military bases in the country’s northeast, killing officers and soldiers while seizing weapons and equipment. Analysts say the raids show growing sophistication by the militants, who exploit vulnerable bases and limited military presence despite U.S. training and logistical support.
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By Steven Ragsdale This past weekend, thousands gathered in Alabama for the annual Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Celebration, retracing the famous steps across the Edmund Pettus Bridge where civil rights marchers once faced violence for demanding the right to vote. As the nation reflected on that history, many of today’s and yesterday’s activists also mourned […]
The post Commentary: As the Old Guard of civil rights finish their march, ours must continue appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

INDIANAPOLIS — The UCLA women’s basketball team left little doubt about its dominance this season.

Anne To | Contributing Writer | California Local News Fellow From Carson to East Los Angeles, a large majority of Los Angeles County had a pollution burden higher than 90% of California, according to the draft CalEnviroScreen 5.0, which was released on Jan. 28. This percentage has only increased compared to the previous CalEnviroScreen release […]

Mzee Mason Byrd, a 106-year-old African American woman, is being honored for her wisdom and cultural significance, having outlived three of her eight children, all of her siblings, and many friends, while living an active and fulfilling life.
The post Keeping it Real: Sitting at the Feet of The Elder—Mzee Mason Byrd appeared first on Black Voice News.

Compiled From Wire Reports MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday commuted the death sentence of a 75-year-old inmate who was set to be executed this week, even though he was not in the building when the victim was killed. Ivey reduced Charles “Sonny” Burton’s sentence to life in prison without possibility of […]

Northside Church of Christ in Riverside hosted their annual Black History Month program on March 7, honoring Cheryl Brown, Sherdale Smith, Willard Crigler, Ellen Crigler, and Monica Stockhausen for their contributions to the community, state, and overall contributions to Black history.
The post Black History Month Program at Northside Church of Christ Recognizes Community Leaders appeared first on Black Voice News.

The African American Citizens Panel in Riverside discussed the impact of systemic racism on mental health in the Black community, calling for culturally competent counselors, mental health education in schools, and support groups for Black men and veterans.
The post Breaking Generational Barriers: Advancing Mental Health in Riverside’s Black Community appeared first on Black Voice News.

By Haki Ammi When many think of Annapolis, Md., they envision the state capitol, the United States Naval Academy, the Alex Haley statue and the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum. But recently, Black excellence and power took center stage in Maryland’s capital, marking a historic and vibrant convergence of culture, leadership and progress. The series of events began […]
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Cummings becomes an honorary member, joining other role model sports stars

To call 1965 consequential in American history is an understatement. The year delivered a series of tipping points that urged the nation’s conscience to move closer to reaching its ideals. 

As California’s 2026 gubernatorial contest takes shape, candidates are offering competing visions for addressing some of the state’s most persistent challenges, including housing costs, homelessness, public safety, education and economic inequality.

The morning of Feb. 24 felt more like a festival than a school day. Curran Middle School threw open its doors to celebrate Black History Month with a program that was part showcase, part history lesson, and entirely community-built. Under the theme “Celebrating 100 Years of Black History,” students, teachers, and local organizations filled the campus with performances, cultural activities, and a shared sense of purpose that extended well beyond the classroom.

Assembly Constitutional Amendment 7 (ACA 7), authored by Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley), passed the State Assembly last month with a 54-14 vote, meeting the two-thirds threshold required for constitutional amendments.

Dr. Butch Ware is the Green Party representative running for Governor of California.

When Gov. Gavin Newsom released his memoir, Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery, on Feb. 24, it was presented as a personal story about childhood, dyslexia and the experiences that shaped his path into politics.

By Charlize Ramos | CBS42 Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was in town Monday to speak with Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and community members. Conversations were centered around jobs, infrastructure and how federal money should be spent. Some of that money is tied to a project in the city along Fourth Avenue North. Buttigieg […]

By Shannon Thomason | UAB News Birmingham children and their families are invited Saturday, March 14, as ArtPlay Community Education presents a free 10th birthday celebration for Vocabby, the taxicab mascot of the Vocabby’s World program. Vocabby’s World is a free community vocabulary program, sponsored by the PNC Foundation, and presented by ArtPlay, part of the University of Alabama at […]

By Rachel RichardsBaltimore Ravens Public Relations Applications for the 2026 Ravens Youth Sports Grant opened March 3, continuing the organization’s longstanding commitment to strengthening youth athletics across the community. Applications will be accepted from March 3 through April 11, 2026. The grant program supports youth and high school sports programs across a wide range of […]
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The House of Representatives recently reinforced expansive executive authorities by rejecting measures to curb presidential war powers and increase transparency regarding congressional sexual harassment. Black lawmakers warned that these decisions leave the burden of military conflict on a disproportionately represented active-duty force while shielding institutional misconduct from public accountability.
The post Black lawmakers warn of disproportionate impact as House rejects War Powers Resolution and ethics reform appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Maryland leaders toured the Baltimore ICE facility, condemning the inhumane conditions identified even in the absence of detainees. Legislators praised Judge Julie R. Rubin’s March 6 order limiting capacity for detainees at the facility to 55 people and city officials have pledged to protect immigrants by fighting private detention centers.
The post Maryland leaders conduct surprise inspection of Baltimore ICE facility appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By The Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles police took a woman into custody after she fired gunshots outside Rihanna ‘s gated home, according to authorities and news reports on March 9. No one was injured, police said. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the singer was at home when the shooting happened March […]
The post Multiple gunshots fired near Rihanna’s LA home and a woman is taken into custody appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Javacia Harris Bowser | For the Birmingham Times For Women’s History Month, The Birmingham Times highlights some of the most watched Black women anchors in our area. These women have dedicated their life’s work to sharing other people’s stories. Now, it’s time to share their stories. Gone are the days when Black women were […]

By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com When discussing how to best serve older residents, it can be easy to get lost in statistics and policies. Experts and seniors alike say what’s most important when considering the aging Black population is communication. “When we think about seniors and look at the social determinants of health, I think […]
The post Aging while Black: Seniors say listening is the first step to care appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

birminghamal.gov One hundred days into his third term, Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin’s progress report is grounded in a single, defining promise: Birmingham’s children will be the “why” behind every policy, investment, and decision made at City Hall. “In August, 75 percent of our residents voted in confidence of this administration. That’s trust,” Mayor Woodfin […]

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times At just 12 years old, London Koi Jones already carries the poise of a seasoned performer. The Birmingham native and seventh-grader at the Alabama School of Fine Arts is quickly making a name for herself across the Magic City and beyond, with a voice that blends classic R&B […]