NEWS FROM OUR PUBLISHERS

By Taylor Sarallo | WVTM Saturday through Monday are First Warning Impact Days due to a prolonged stretch of dangerously cold temperatures weather, hard freezes and some light snow. SATURDAY: Dangerously cold. Temperatures plunge into the 10s with a northwest wind gusting as high as 40 miles per hour. That wind will be dropping the […]

By Jaimie Ding, Alanna Durking Richer and Eric Tucker | Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Journalist Don Lemon was released from custody Friday after he was arrested and hit with federal civil rights charges over his coverage of an anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a service at a Minnesota church. Lemon was arrested overnight in […]

By Valerie Wilson | Special to The Times At first glance, some may ask what a comedian and actor brings to a conference centered on business and ownership. The answer, according to Roy Wood Jr.’s career, is everything. “I realized comedy was a business when I started selling CDs,” he explained. “Just learning the art […]

The Senate approved a stopgap funding deal to keep most of the federal government running through September, with a two-week extension for Homeland Security funding as lawmakers debate new limits on federal immigration raids. The bipartisan agreement, backed by the White House, comes amid public outrage over fatal encounters involving federal agents and sets up a contentious House vote that could still trigger a brief shutdown.
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More than 250 mayors gathered in Washington, D.C., for the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ 94th Winter Meeting to discuss public safety, housing, and crime reduction strategies. Leaders highlighted the strain on police officers and emphasized investing in communities, youth programs, and stable housing to lower violent crime.
The post Mayors gather in DC to discuss crime and policing appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Federal agents have arrested veteran journalist Don Lemon and Minnesota-based reporter Georgia Fort in connection with their coverage of a Jan. 18 protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, where demonstrators challenged a pastor who also serves as a senior ICE official. The arrests have sparked widespread outrage from press freedom advocates and civil rights groups, who argue the charges represent a dangerous escalation in the federal government’s efforts to criminalize journalism amid heightened national tensions over immigration enforcement and protest.
The post Federal agents arrest journalists Don Lemon, Georgia Fort for reporting on Minnesota church protest appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Home heating fires surge during the winter months, with nearly half occurring between December and February, according to the National Fire Protection Association. NFPA data shows space heaters and heating stoves account for almost half of these fires and the majority of deaths and injuries, prompting renewed safety reminders as colder weather keeps families indoors and increases electricity use, cooking activity and reliance on heating equipment.
The post U.S. home heating fires peak during winter months appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Dayvon Love serves as director of public policy for the Baltimore-based think tank, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle. This week, he speaks to the question “Where is Jill Stein?” and how it functions as a deflection, shielding liberals from confronting the Democratic Party’s long-standing, exploitative relationship with working-class Black voters.
The post You actually don’t care where Jill Stein is… appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women and 100 Black Men hosted their 2026 Legislative Day, bringing lawmakers and community members together to discuss maternal health and economic equity in Maryland.
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Rep. Maxwell Frost was assaulted at a Sundance Festival event on Jan. 23 by a man who made racist remarks, and the individual was arrested and the Congressional Black Caucus has condemned the attack.
The post Man arrested after racist assault on Rep. Maxwell Frost at Sundance appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Shirley Raines, founder and CEO of Beauty 2 The Streetz, a nonprofit organization providing resources to people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles, has died at age 58, leaving behind a legacy of service and advocacy.
The post Shirley Raines, Black community advocate and Beauty 2 The Streetz founder, dies at 58 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

birminghamal.gov This past Tuesday night, about 150 residents filed into the Boutwell Auditorium. Elders in their 70s stood alongside children as young as four, all seeking relief from a cold that had lingered for days with no sign of letting up. Inside, they were met with blankets, hot food, and a place to lay their […]

By Charlize Ramos | CBS42 Birmingham city leaders approved new funding Tuesday aimed at bringing more film and TV productions to the Magic City. The Birmingham City Council approved an agreement allocating $160,000 to Create Birmingham to continue attracting film and television projects. Officials said the investment will help boost the local economy and position […]

The post Sophisticated Settings — Lifestyle — January 30, 2026 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

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Sean Grayson, a former Illinois sheriff’s deputy, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for fatally shooting Sonya Massey, a Black woman who had called 911 to report a possible prowler outside her home.
The post A former Illinois deputy is sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing Sonya Massey appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The Becoming Everything You Are (BEYA) STEM Conference returns to Baltimore Feb. 12–14 to mark its 40th anniversary, bringing together students, professionals and industry leaders for networking, training and career opportunities. As workforce needs shift, organizers say this year’s conference will focus on artificial intelligence, quantum computing and cybersecurity.
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Story and photo submitted by Sor. Clarrisa Benson Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Epsilon Gamma Omega Chapter is pleased to announce its 67th Annual Debutante Presentation and Ball, honoring its 51 prospective debutantes. The Presentation […]

The trial of Kevin Epps has exposed the contradictions and manipulation of truth within San Francisco’s justice system, as the prosecution attempted to portray the victim as harmless while evidence revealed a history of violence and criminal activity, and the judge was accused of bias and collaboration with the prosecution.
The post Part 5 The Kevin Epps Murder Trial: appeared first on Black Voice News.

By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com A year after the Eaton Fire blew through 14,000 acres of  the historically Black neighborhood of Altadena, Calif., the community is still processing collective trauma and fighting to keep its place in an ever-changing neighborhood that was already facing gentrification.  Across the city, there are signs on front lawns that […]
The post The fire is out, scars remain: What Altadena residents want people to know a year after the Eaton Fire appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

A father-and-son journey to Senegal becomes a powerful exploration of culture, hospitality, and historical memory, centering on a visit to Gorée Island and the House of Slaves. Through art, local encounters, and guided history, the writers reflect on the brutality of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, the resilience of the Senegalese people, and the enduring importance of preserving Africa’s past while engaging its vibrant present.
The post Commentary: Revisiting the brutal history of Senegal’s Gorée Island and The House of Slaves appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

A 72-inch section of the Potomac Interceptor collapsed Jan. 19, sending millions of gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River and C&O Canal. DC Water has activated a temporary bypass system to reroute wastewater while repair work begins and is urging the public to avoid affected areas.
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By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS When people talk about “brain foods,” they often mean meals that support memory, focus and mental clarity. But growing research suggests the opposite is also true — certain foods may quietly […]

By Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter As we still mourn the passing of the oldest known survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre, Mother Viola Fletcher, Washington state’s handling of its reparations study shows the fragile line between meaningful repair and performative equity. Mother Fletcher did not live to see meaningful redress for the horror she survived, […]
The post When equity is performed, not practiced appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Headaches are among the most common health complaints in the United States, affecting millions of people each year. Stress, dehydration, lack of sleep, poor posture and certain foods can all contribute. […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Belly fat is one of the most common — and frustrating — health complaints. Whether it’s caused by overeating, excess salt, poor digestion or stress, bloating and abdominal fat can be […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Meat is a staple in many American households, from chicken and ribs to steak and pork chops. For most people, it’s a primary source of protein, which the Dietary Guidelines for […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWSPublished January 23, 2026 College football is officially coming to Joe Davis Stadium. For the first time since the stadium’s renovation, Division I college football will be played on Wicks Family Field […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWSPublished January 26, 2026 Alabama A&M University continues to make its mark on the global basketball stage, with 14 former Bulldogs currently competing in professional leagues worldwide. One of the program’s veteran standouts, Obie […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Huntsville will celebrate Black History Month with the return of “Voices of Hope and Power,” a free community choral concert bringing together student voices from across the city. Hosted by the […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS The Athens State University Board of Trustees has unanimously voted to name the Alabama Center for the Arts’ Performing Arts building the Arthur Orr Performing Arts Center, recognizing the longtime state […]

Compiled by The Birmingham Times For 2026, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is featuring prominent Black figures on stamps, notably Phillis Wheatley, the first published African American poet, as the 49th Black Heritage stamp, and the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. These stamps honor significant contributions to American history, literature, and culture. Ali’s stamp debuted on January 15 […]

By Alaina Bookman | abookman@al.com Students from Washington K-8 School, one of Alabama’s most improved Turnaround Schools, were recognized this month by Gov. Kay Ivey in her State of the State Address. The recognition highlights the school’s significant academic progress. During the 2017 school year, Washington received an F in the state’s academic report card. The school […]

By Je’Don Holloway-Talley | For The Birmingham Times Twyla S. Grider self-describes as a creator, cultivator, and curator, bringing fashion and design concepts to life across multiple mediums. Now, Grider, 48, steps into the role of “Costume Goddess” for Red Mountain Theatre’s production of The Wiz, running Feb. 6-Mar. 1, bringing a fresh visual interpretation […]

TANESHA SIMS-SUMMER, NAUGHTY BUT NICE KETTLE CORN CO. CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND EXPERIENCE OFFICER ON RAISING FUNDS TO GET “MS. POPPY”, FOOD TRUCK BACK ON THE ROAD; BIRMINGHAMTIMES.COM, JAN. 25.