NEWS FROM OUR PUBLISHERS

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has signed two new immigration-related bills into law, advancing her administration’s stance on public safety and election integrity. The legislation comes amid a broader push by state […]

Compiled by SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Raytheon, a division of RTX Corp., is halfway through a $115 million expansion of its missile integration facility at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. The 26,000-square-foot addition is expected to be […]

Compiled by Speakin’ Out News staff HUNTSVILLE, AL — The FBI is moving forward with plans to dramatically expand its presence in North Alabama, with as many as 1,400 additional employees expected to relocate to Huntsville’s Redstone […]

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A bill to overhaul the Alabama Department of Archives and History board was delayed Wednesday after Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, led a filibuster in protest of a House amendment that […]

Money-related stress weighs heavily on many Black Americans, often manifesting as emotional and mental exhaustion and strained relationships. Experts say historical inequities, ongoing financial disparities and cultural pressures make the burden especially intense and deeply personal.
The post Money woes and mental health: The unspoken struggles of financial stress appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The City of Los Angeles joins cities across the United States that celebrated Mother’s Day with a music festival. The inaugural Mother’s Day Music Festival supporting Domestic Violence Awareness was held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 11:00 am- 6:00 pm. 

May marks Sex Ed for All Month, a national call to action reminding us that every young person deserves access to comprehensive, medically accurate, and inclusive sex education. But in 2025, this fight has become more urgent than ever.

On May 6, employees from industries across the private and public sectors – including utility, domestic, janitorial, healthcare, oil and gas, and farm workers – joined educators and others in Sacramento to push lawmakers to strengthen the state’s health and safety enforcement systems.

Nearly a year and a half after the violent beating that led to Tyre Nichols’s death shocked the nation, a Tennessee jury has acquitted three former Memphis police officers of all state charges related to the 29-year-old’s killing.


The Assembly Committee on Education passed previously stalled legislation after an agreement was struck to strengthen early childhood literacy efforts in the state by equipping educators with the necessary tools and training. 

State Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson anticipates that California’s sprawling Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal, may need to be dialed back after Gov. Gavin Newsom releases his latest budget, which could reflect a multibillion-dollar deficit.

Transgender youth are facing a growing mental health crisis as a wave of state and federal laws undermine their identities and access to care. Advocates warn that affirming support systems are more critical than ever, especially as suicide rates continue to rise.
The post Anti-trans policies fuel mental health crisis, advocates warn appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

California Senate Bill 48 aims to prohibit school districts and charter schools from granting permission to ICE to access nonpublic areas of schools, unless they present a valid judicial warrant, in response to the Trump administration’s aggressive anti-immigrant policies.
The post Keeping it real: With Homeland Security Investigation Agents Willing to Lie, Are Immigrant Children Safe? appeared first on Black Voice News.

birminghamal.gov The City of Birmingham is inviting residents and community members from across central Alabama to make their voices heard in addressing climate and environmental challenges affecting our region. Spanning Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, and Walker counties, this initiative aims to identify priorities for mitigating the impacts of climate change and guiding […]

By Daniel Johnson | blackenterprise.com NBA Hall of Famer and “Inside The NBA” television personality Shaquille O’Neal showed love to Alabama State University through a wardrobe choice and an announcement of his future plans on the May 8 broadcast of the show. According to Sports Illustrated, in addition to wearing the bold black and gold […]

Doris Cole is remembered as a radiant, graceful woman whose unwavering love, deep faith and joyful presence touched everyone she met. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, strength and inspiration.
The post Doris Cole: Remembering a bright light appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Artificial intelligence (AI) could help close persistent gaps in mental health care for Black women and girls by improving access, affordability and cultural relevance. Experts say when designed with intention, AI tools can offer early intervention, personalized support and relief for overburdened care systems.
The post How artificial intelligence could close gaps in mental health care for women and girls appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Problem gambling doesn’t just impact a person’s wallet — it can deeply affect their mental health, often co-occurring with or intensifying conditions like depression, anxiety and substance use disorder. Experts say the growing accessibility of betting, especially online, raises serious concerns about how quietly and quickly gambling-related harms can take hold.
The post Behind the bet: The mental toll of problem gambling appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Teen mental health advocate Peyton Griffin and her mother Brittany Williams are sharing their journey with mental health. The two emphasize the importance of early support, therapy and compassionate listening. Their story highlights how open dialogue and emotional awareness can change lives.
The post Mental Health Awareness Month: Elevating teen voices and the parents who listen appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The L.A. County Board of Supervisors and L.A. County Development Authority have launched the Altadena Disaster Relief Small Business Loan Program to provide up to $75,000 in loans to small businesses in the area affected by the Eaton Fire.
The post Disaster Loan Program for Fire-Impacted Small Businesses in the Altadena Burn Area appeared first on Black Voice News.

Governor Wes Moore signed the Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act to improve education and tackle the state’s teacher shortage through updated funding and support. Although there were proposed budget cuts, lawmakers restored money for community schools, which mainly serve low-income and Black students across Maryland.
The post Moore approves major school funding legislation at third bill signing of 2025 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Eight years after the racially motivated killing of Army-bound ROTC student Richard Collins III, his legacy lives on through scholarships, symposia, and a joint BSU-UMD alliance dedicated to combating systemic racism and promoting social justice on college campuses.
The post Racial Healing: How a murder united an HBCU and a mostly-White university appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

A security guard has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Cameisha Denise Clark, the newly promoted dean of student affairs at Spartan College near Los Angeles, in what officials suspect was a case of workplace violence.
The post Man charged with murder in the death of LA-area technical college dean appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times Edward Eaton can’t wait to welcome his new neighbor “with open arms,” he said. Eaton, vice-president of the Druid Hills Neighborhood Association along with residents, got their first look at the $46 million Coca-Cola Amphitheater, which is nearing completion and opens next month not far from where they […]

The Birmingham Times Nearly 1,000 staff, students and alumni of Arthur Harold Parker High School celebrated 125 years of history with alumni returning to the school last week to speak with students during a four-day affair that culminated with an all-white gala Saturday evening at the downtown Sheraton Hotel. “It was an historic, momentous occasion,” […]

By Mark Inabinett | minabinett@al.com Brothers Quincy Williams and Quinnen Williams have been All-Pro selections for the New York Jets, and the NFL team is back at the Williams well. Their younger brother, Giovanni Williams, is at the Jets’ rookie minicamp this weekend as a tryout player. “I don’t know if there’s ever — and […]

The iconic bronze bust of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., once a focal point in the Oval Office during the Obama and Biden years, has been relocated. In this photo, the sculpture can be seen in the foreground as President Barack Obama meets with Dr. Clarence B. Jones, visiting professor at the University of San Francisco and scholar writer in residence for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research & Education Institute, in the Oval Office, Feb. 2, 2015. Jones worked with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the “I Have a Dream” speech.
The post MLK bust quietly removed from Oval Office appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Washington, D.C. will celebrate 50 years of Pride with an unprecedented three-week event, coinciding with WorldPride 2025 and themed “The Fabric of Freedom,” highlighting the LGBTQ+ community’s resilience and global solidarity. Despite political setbacks and funding withdrawals, organizers remain steadfast in their mission to celebrate progress, amplify visibility, and defend hard-won rights at a pivotal moment for the community.
The post DC to host historic 50th anniversary Pride and WorldPride 2025 amid rising challenges appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.