NEWS FROM OUR PUBLISHERS

The LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), in partnership with the Pacific Asian Consortium of Employment (PACE), is launching the Economic Opportunity Holiday Grant Program, providing $584,000 in new grants to support small businesses and nonprofits as they continue to recover and rebound from the pandemic and take part in the holiday shopping season. Applications are open starting today and will remain available through the New Year here, with funding to be distributed in February of 2025.

California is taking bold steps to address the rising mental health challenges facing its youth. In a recent briefing, experts gathered to discuss the state’s $4 billion Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, which aims to provide accessible, comprehensive mental health support to young people across the state. Autumn Boylan, Deputy Director at the California Department of Health Care Services, highlighted the initiative’s focus on increasing equity and access to care, particularly for underserved communities.

After claiming a second World Series title in four seasons Los Angeles Dodger skipper Dave Roberts was presented with the Greater LA Scouting Character Award. The award was given in front of Scouts and their families, several dignitaries including  Los Angeles City Mayor Karen Bass. The event was Emceed by Comedian, Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Anthony Anderson at the world Famous Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times After working with the previous year’s budget because of a computer hack in March, the Birmingham City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the largest budget in the city’s history — totaling $582.6 million, up from the previous budget of $554 million. The current fiscal year began on July 1, […]

The Birmingham Times The City of Birmingham on Tuesday saluted Arthur Harold Parker High School with a Parade of Champions after the school captured its first ever AHSAA 6A title. The parade began near the Boutwell Auditorium, past City Hall and Linn Park and ended on Sixth Avenue North and 16th Street North. Earlier this […]

 BY JE’DON HOLLOWAY-TALLEY | Special to the Birmingham Times JACKIE AND JACQUES AUSTIN Live: Helena Married: Aug. 2, 1997 Met:  April 1992. The Deltas were having a party at the Student Center on the UAB [University of Alabama at Birmingham] campus. “I saw her at the party, and I made an intentional decision to introduce […]

For those eager to witness historic arguments and rulings firsthand, the Supreme Court has launched a pilot program that offers public seating through an online lottery system. This change ends what many consider a Washington, D.C., tradition: standing in line for hours to secure a spot in the courtroom.

On Nov. 23, President-Elect Donald Trump announced the nomination of Scott Turner as his choice for the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. 

A coalition of community leaders and reparations advocates are demanding that the California legislature, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Gov. Gavin Newsom act decisively on reparations bills that have stalled in the Legislature.

Rick L. Callender holds multiple influential roles. He is the President of the California/Hawaii State Conference of the NAACP (Cal-HI NAACP) and serves on the National NAACP Board of Directors.

Kwanzaa, celebrated from December 26th to January 1st, provides a designated time to collectively celebrate our ancestral origin and to share the riveting beauty of African culture, its values, insights, and instructive practices so we can deeply rejuvenate our lives, families, and community for mutual flourishing and benefit.

By Mary Colurso Two drag queens from Alabama, Trinity the Tuck and Sam Star, are ready to dazzle viewers with appearances on reality TV in 2025. Sam Star, from Leeds, is set to sparkle on Season 17 of “RuPaul’s Drag […]

Anna Goldman, a primary care physician at Boston Medical Center, got tired of hearing that her patients couldn’t afford the electricity needed to run breathing assistance machines, recharge wheelchairs, turn on air conditioning, or keep their refrigerators plugged in. So she worked with her hospital on a solution.

By R. Eric Thomas Dear Eric: I have a sister “Beth” who has treatment-resistant depression. I have another sister “Jo” who is physically and mentally healthy and had a really bad year. Jo typically hosts family events. […]

By Mary Colurso  Ellvie Smith knows exactly how to whip up delicious cakes, cupcakes, cookies and other sweet treats. At age 11, this Alabama girl can handle a stove, master a mixer and use decorating tools […]

Born in Stockton, Mayor Kevin Lincoln says his Army upbringing was one factor that inspired him to serve others.

By John Sharp  Grant Tatum had been walking with the Cub Scouts during past Homewood Christmas parades, but he decided to change course amid the pandemic. What emerged in 2021 was a float representing the counterculture […]

EDUCATORS DEATH ROYAL FUNERAL HOME Dr. Stanley Allen Torain, II April 12, 1978 – December 11, 2024 Funeral will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 21, 2024 at the True Light Church of God in Christ […]

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS As the dust settles on a contentious legal battle over bingo operations, leaders in the small west Jefferson County town of Lipscomb are shifting focus to new ways to sustain their struggling […]

Story and photo by Jerome Saintjones The Huntsville Progressive Alumni Chapter (HPAC) of the Alabama A&M University Alumni Association, Inc., held an installation ceremony for its new officers on Monday, December 2, at the Hidden […]

LL Cool J, a hip-hop pioneer whose career spans nearly four decades, recently reflected on his profound impact on music, fashion, and entertainment. Speaking on Apple Music’s “Le Code,” the artist expressed confidence that history will recognize his contributions as foundational to the culture.

By Speakin’ Out News The Teacher Who Touched Generations  Etta B. Freeman, a beloved teacher and pillar of her community, passed away at the age of 107 on December 14, 2024. Known for her kindness, […]

IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Rosetta James Foundation has released its 2025 slate of honorees. The revered organization recognizes stellar continuing volunteerism among area citizens above 70 years of age and offers scholarships to students with impressive […]

The Alabama A&M University ROTC Bulldog Battalion celebrated a proud milestone Thursday as four cadets were commissioned as second lieutenants into the United States Army during the Fall 2024 Commissioning Ceremony at the Knight Center. […]

By Sarah Whites-Koditschek Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is voicing her support for President Trump’s plan to deport undocumented immigrants. Ivey joined 25 other Republican governors Thursday in a statement in favor of deportation of undocumented immigrants. “As […]

Today, Alabama A&M University celebrated its 149th Commencement Ceremony. The University awarded 365 degrees as 119 graduate students and 246 undergraduates completed academic chapters on The Hill.  Huntsville City Council Member Michelle Watkins, who recently […]

Marc Reed will earn his second diploma at Alabama A&M University’s 149th Commencement Ceremony Friday. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and will graduate with a Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) […]

SHERIFF’S SALE Under and by the virtue of an execution issued out of the DISTRICT Court of MADISON County on a Judgment rendered against  HILTON G. BLACKWELL aka GARY BLACKWELL Defendant(s) and in favor REDSTONE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION Plaintiff(s).  I, Sheriff of Madison […]

By Kyle Whitmire  This is an opinion column. Dearest Elon, Congratulations on your new role co-leading the Department of Government Efficiency. I know a lot of folks are incredulous of your newfound friendship with America’s riskiest […]

America’s financial system is quietly reinforcing old inequities. Black American communities — historically denied access to wealth-building tools due to practices like redlining and restrictive banking — now face a new predatory financial hurdle: credit card swipe fees.

Advertisement of Completion Legal Notice Notice is hereby given that Habitat for Humanity of the River Valley has completed the contract for New Single-Family Construction located at 3129 Nassau Drive SW between Habitat for Humanity […]

By Rebecca Griesbach Alabama families can apply to get up to $7,000 toward private school tuition from the state starting Jan. 2. In May, the legislature passed a law, known as the CHOOSE Act, to create a […]

By Kayode Crown It wasn’t a surprise that Madison County threw its support to Donald Trump in last month’s general election in deep red Alabama. Not a surprise, but a closer look at data in recent […]

By Heather Gann TikTok personality Amy Dianne Elmore Downs, 57, of Athens, also known as Slot_7.0 or Slot machine queen, was arrested Wednesday for seven counts of Charitable Fraud 1st Degree and three counts of Tax […]

By Heather Gann An Alabama woman was among the 39 people President Joe Biden pardoned today. Nina Simona Allen, 49, of Harvest “was convicted of a non-violent offense in her 20s,” the White House release reads. […]