NEWS FROM OUR PUBLISHERS

Americans across nearly every region of the country are paying more to keep the lights on and the heat running, according to a new nationwide analysis that shows electric and natural gas rate increases spreading deeper into households from coast to coast.

Family, friends, and journalists gathered on Dec. 19 at Hemingway Memorial AME Church to honor the life and legacy of James L. Wright Jr. Wright Jr. was a staff writer for the Washington Informer, and a former writer for the AFRO News and Washington Post. He also was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
The post Family and friends gather for celebration of journalist James L. Wright Jr.’s life and legacy appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWSPublished December 19, 2025 Girls across Huntsville are invited to lace up their sneakers and build confidence one step at a time as registration opens for the 2026 Girls on the Run season. […]

As questions mounted over the heavily redacted release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and new material placing President Donald Trump closer to the late sex trafficker than previously acknowledged, the White House shifted abruptly to a familiar tactic. The president turned outward, announcing U.S. military strikes in Nigeria and framing the action as a defense of Christianity, while critics said the move functioned as a political diversion that again placed Black people and Black nations in the crosshairs.

On Jan. 1, Assembly Bill (AB) 422 — legislation authored by Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D–Moreno Valley) – takes effect.

Black Voice News reflects on the impactful stories of 2025, from federal attacks on social safety nets to wildfires and statewide warehousing regulations, while also highlighting the progress made on key local concerns and the joy and celebration found in the community.
The post Truth, Resistance and Resilience: Editor’s Picks for 2025 appeared first on Black Voice News.

Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom represents the 13th Assembly District, which includes Stockton, Tracy and Mountain House.

Photographer Aryana Noroozi has been building community partnerships to uplift stories across the Inland Empire, and her work has been featured in Black Voice News and the IE Voice, celebrating the region’s resilience and strength.
The post Black Voice News Uplifts Inland Empire Stories Through Visual Journalism in 2025 appeared first on Black Voice News.

Black military veterans are expressing mixed reactions to the Department of Defense’s decision to strictly enforce facial hair grooming standards and significantly limit medical shaving waivers. While some veterans view the policy as part of the military’s long-standing emphasis on uniformity and discipline, others worry it will disproportionately affect Black service members who suffer from medical conditions like pseudofolliculitis barbae, potentially forcing some out of the armed forces.
The post Blacks vets share mixed views as Department of Defense eliminates shaving waivers appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFRO The Go-Go Museum and Café will celebrate 50 years of go-go music at the 2026 Go-Go Awards, on Tuesday, Jan. 6. The awards will be hosted at the Lincoln Theatre in D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood, historically known as the city’s ”Black Broadway.”  This year’s theme, “Returning to Our Roots and Embracing the Diaspora,” promises to […]
The post Go-go, D.C.’s signature sound, to celebrate 50 years appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The Trump administration is accused of reinterpreting long-standing principles of governance and the Constitution to fit its backward perspective of greatness, leading the nation down the rabbit hole of political ideologies and making it difficult to separate fact from fiction.
The post Keeping it Real:  Reflecting on America Through the Looking Glass As We Prepare for 2026 appeared first on Black Voice News.

The AFRO, a Black-owned news outlet, has been publishing for 133 years and continues to be a source of truth and self-definition for the Black community, covering a range of topics from public safety to culture and sports, while also honoring the legacy of Black leaders and preserving Black history.
The post AFRO CEO reflects on 2025: A year of resilience and relevance in Black journalism appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Black Public Media (BPM) has launched a grassroots fundraising campaign to ensure the future of Black stories on public media after the federal government defunded its biggest funder, and has acquired “We Call Each Other” for its AfroPoP Digital Shorts series.
The post Black Public Media Launches Grassroots Campaign After $1.8M Defunding appeared first on Black Voice News.

Medical advances have allowed people with HIV to live longer, creating a growing population of older adults who now face age-related illnesses alongside the emotional and social legacy of the early epidemic. Experts and long-term survivors like Gregory Curtis say aging with HIV in 2025 requires holistic care, continued research, and stronger community support, especially as Black Americans remain disproportionately impacted.
The post From survival to longevity: What aging with HIV looks like in 2025 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Fortune Schools, a network of tuition-free public charter schools in California, is closing the Black achievement gap by providing intensive small group instruction, longer school days and years, and pre- and post-testing to re-teach where academic gaps are found.
The post Fortune School Outpaces CA by Closing the Achievement Gap for Black Students appeared first on Black Voice News.

The past 12 months have been a beautiful display on Black excellence when it comes to music, fashion, the big screen and more. Take a look at some of the top moments in this year’s arts and culture timeline.
The post Black culture didn’t just show up in 2025—it shaped the year appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

At a time when Black history is being censored and equity efforts reversed, ABC’s Revival became a call for spiritual renewal and civic resistance. Faith leaders reminded attendees that they were “born to carry the weight” of leadership and truth-telling.
The post ABC Revival calls faith leaders to renew commitment to Black progress appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

An amazing group of tenacious reporters empowered the AFRO to cover everything from health and education to politics, public safety, business and more. Click the link to learn a bit about the reporters and the work done in 2025.
The post Behind the byline: AFRO reporters talk top stories, lessons learned in 2025 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS K’aun Green, an HBCU football player, could receive an $8 million settlement after being shot by San Jose police in March 2022, according to reporting by the San Jose Mercury News. The recommended payout […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Norfolk State and Delaware State experienced notable boosts in football attendance during the 2025 season, driven largely by the arrival of former NFL stars Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson as head […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWSPublished Dec. 23, 2025 An Alabama mother has been arrested after authorities say loose bits of marijuana were discovered inside Christmas candy bags distributed to a kindergarten class in Brewton. Karima Frasier, […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS A Gadsden woman has been arrested in connection with a 2023 homicide case in Jackson County, authorities confirmed. Johneil Steadman, 23, of Gadsden, was taken into custody on Christmas Day and charged with murder and abuse […]

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS SHELBY COUNTY — A 63-year-old Pelham woman remains behind bars today following her arrest on felony charges involving the alleged sexual abuse and exploitation of a minor. Lorri Kitchen was taken into custody Monday […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWSPublished Dec. 26, 2025 A North Alabama woman is facing federal charges after authorities allege she was involved in a conspiracy to transport undocumented immigrants, according to court records. Arely Guzman, 28, […]

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville (CFGH) is celebrating a major milestone, announcing it has distributed $100 million in grants since its founding in 2008 — a landmark achievement underscoring nearly two […]

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS A University of Alabama in Huntsville professor has been awarded a $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to help address the growing environmental and public health threat posed by so-called […]

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS The Beta Epsilon Sigma (BES) Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. continued its tradition of service and holiday giving on Thursday, Dec. 18, through its annual BLU Santa initiative at James […]

The Birmingham Times The Birmingham City Council will consider a proposal to temporarily pause new data center applications and hold a public hearing during its regularly scheduled meeting on January 13, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. The meeting will take place in the City Council Chambers. The proposed moratorium would last 270 days, or about nine […]

By Joy Marsch | UAB News As the year ends, people of all ages are setting new goals to prepare for the new year. While many may plan around this time, few people often manage to maintain their newly set routines and lifestyle changes. For those who seem to abandon their goals by the end […]

gseagles.com O.J. Arnold ran for 153 yards and the defense created four turnovers as the Georgia Southern football team downed Appalachian State University 29-10 Monday afternoon at Protective Stadium to capture the JLab Birmingham Bowl. The Eagles started hot, going 11 plays in 66 yards to take a 7-0 lead on Terrance Gibbs’ first career touchdown. Tripp Bryant added […]

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS U.S. Senator Katie Britt, R-Alabama, is celebrating the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, a sweeping defense policy bill signed into law by President Trump last […]

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) announced Tuesday that Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded approximately $43.8 million in energy assistance grants to help low-income Alabamians cover home heating and […]

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS The City of Huntsville has given final approval to three requested annexations, expanding the city’s boundaries to accommodate future commercial, industrial, and residential development. The largest annexation involves 686.46 acres located on […]