NEWS FROM OUR PUBLISHERS

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS As Redstone Arsenal’s role in national defense continues to expand, the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Redstone Update offered key insights into the missions, investments, and organizational changes shaping the installation’s future. Held on […]

A Christmas reflection asking whether faith, mercy and love of neighbor still guide our public life today in American politics. ByBill Britt As Christians gather this Christmas to celebrate the birth of Jesus, it is […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Alabama will receive a share of a $149 million multi-state settlement with Mercedes-Benz after state attorneys general found the automaker used illegal emissions software in certain diesel vehicles sold nationwide. Attorney General Steve Marshall joined […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS A recent state audit found that the University of North Alabama (UNA) failed to properly verify student residency status, a lapse that violates Alabama law and may have resulted in some students being […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS State Rep. Jeana Ross has pre-filed legislation to establish research-aligned screen-time standards for children from birth to age five in publicly funded early learning environments across Alabama. House Bill 78, titled the Healthy Early Development and […]

As 2025 ends, the AFRO honors the Black leaders, artists, and trailblazers who passed away this year. Their legacies shaped culture, politics and society, leaving a lasting impact on communities worldwide.
The post Remembering Black leaders and icons who died in 2025 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Gov. Kay Ivey on Friday signed Executive Order No. 740, revitalizing the Joint Enlistment Enhancement Program (JEEP) to strengthen recruitment and readiness within the Alabama State Military Department, which includes the Army […]

By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFROkmcneir@afro.com While the inevitability of change serves as an unavoidable aspect of the human condition, 2025 was a year in which those who live or work in Washington, D.C. faced challenges, controversies and surprising conclusions that might best be described as unprecedented.  As the nation’s capital, one would expect […]
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Huntsville Utilities in Huntsville, Alabama is seeking bids for the below-mentioned project located in Huntsville, Alabama. Sealed bids will be received by the City of Huntsville, a municipal corporation within the State of Alabama, d/b/a/ […]

WANTED: Sealed bids in duplicate for the construction of: Pedestrian Access and Redevelopment Corridor (PARC) along Pinhook Creek, more particularly known as Project No. 71-26-SP03 & Federal Aid Project No. RAISE-4523(252).  Description of Project: PARC […]

WHEREAS, certain property has recently been annexed to the City of Huntsville, Alabama; and  WHEREAS, said property is now legally part of the incorporated municipality of the City of Huntsville, Alabama, and as such is […]

By Patricia McDougall The University District of Columbia (UDC) “Firebirds” held the president’s annual holiday celebration for faculty and staff on Friday, Dec. 19. The event was hosted by UDC President Maurice D. Edington and First Lady Tonya Barge Edington. Faculty and staff enjoyed the food and took to the dance floor to have a […]
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From historic firsts to record-breaking performances, 2025 showcased Black excellence across sports. Highlights included Marcus Freeman becoming the first Black coach to reach the College Football Playoff national title game, Jalen Hurts leading the Eagles in a landmark Super Bowl matchup, Coco Gauff capturing her second Grand Slam, and trailblazing achievements by Bubba Wallace, Noah Lyles, A’ja Wilson, Mookie Betts, LeBron James and Mo’ne Davis, each cementing their place in sports history.
The post Top 10 sports moments of 2025 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

From Wire Reports As temperatures are expected to dip below freezing this week, the City of Birmingham and the Jimmie Hale Mission will reopen an area warming station to provide shelter for those in need. Men, women, and children seeking warm shelter may stay at the Jimmie Hale Mission, located at 3420 2nd Avenue North. […]

By Abby Haymond | WBRC Before Georgia Southern and Appalachian State battle it out on the gridiron today in the JLAB Birmingham Bowl, players from both teams took time to learn about a different kind of fight – the Civil Rights Movement. The teams visited the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Saturday as part of a […]

The Baltimore Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive after a dominant win over Green Bay and a timely Cleveland victory over Pittsburgh, setting up a winner-take-all AFC North showdown with the Steelers on Jan. 4. Back from the brink, Baltimore now controls its fate behind a resurgent rushing attack led by Derrick Henry, even as questions remain about Lamar Jackson’s health.
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Voters in the Central African Republic went to the polls Dec. 28 in wide-ranging national elections, with incumbent President Faustin Archange Touadéra favored to secure a third term after consolidating power and relying on Russian-backed security forces. Analysts say his likely victory would further entrench Russia’s political, security and economic influence in the conflict-scarred country amid a weakened and divided opposition.
The post Central African Republic’s incumbent president, a Russian ally, eyes a third term in key elections appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Guineans cast ballots on Dec. 28 in the country’s first presidential election since the 2021 coup, with junta leader Gen. Mamadi Doumbouya widely expected to win amid a weakened and sidelined opposition. The vote follows a controversial transition that expanded presidential terms and allowed military leaders to run, even as poverty, food insecurity and concerns over civil liberties persist.
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The Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective will host the fourth annual Recording Academy Honors on Jan. 29, 2026, during GRAMMY® Week, celebrating the enduring impact of Pharrell Williams, Brandy and Kirk Franklin. The event will recognize their genre-defying artistry, cultural influence and commitment to advancing Black excellence in music and beyond.
The post Recording Academy® Honors presented by the Black Music Collective returns, celebrating Grammy® Award-winning icons Pharrell Williams, Brandy and Kirk Franklin appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Residents of the Nigerian village of Jabo described panic, fear and confusion after U.S. airstrikes targeting alleged Islamic State-linked militants lit up the sky and shook homes on Christmas night, despite no reported civilian casualties. Nigerian officials say the strikes were coordinated with the U.S., but analysts warn that a lack of transparency has left villagers feeling vulnerable amid an expanding and complex security conflict.
The post Nigerian villagers are rattled by US airstrikes that made their homes shake and the sky glow red appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Derrick Henry delivered a historic, season-saving performance by rushing for 216 yards and four touchdowns as the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Green Bay Packers 41-24 to keep their playoff hopes alive. The loss marked Green Bay’s third straight defeat, as Baltimore controlled the game throughout behind Henry’s dominant showing at Lambeau Field.
The post Derrick Henry’s virtuoso performance helps Ravens stay alive with 41-24 win over Packers appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

As Kwanzaa begins on Dec. 26, longtime observers are helping guide people interested in celebrating the holiday but unsure how to begin. Rooted in seven principles known as the Nguzo Saba, Kwanzaa offers families a time to reflect, reconnect and honor Black culture.
The post Ways to celebrate Kwanzaa appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) fell short of a comeback against the Houston Texans, losing 14-0 in the first quarter and ultimately losing the game, despite two second half interceptions, and will look to secure a win against the Denver Broncos in the final contest of the regular season.
The post Chargers Drop a Tough One to Texans 20-16 appeared first on Black Voice News.

Urban One marked its 45th anniversary in 2025, celebrating its evolution from a single radio station founded by Cathy Hughes into one of the nation’s largest African-American media companies. Hughes reflected on the company’s legacy, innovation and continued expansion.
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Watch Night, also known as Freedom’s Eve, is a sacred New Year’s Eve tradition in Black communities rooted in Christian worship and remembrance of Dec. 31, 1862, when enslaved and free African Americans gathered in prayer to await the Emancipation Proclamation. The tradition endures today as a blend of faith, cultural ritual and historical memory, honoring both spiritual perseverance and the long struggle for freedom.
The post Watch Night: How Black Americans welcomed freedom with prayer appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Angelique Walker-Smith reflects on the historic hosting of the G20 in Africa and COP30 in Brazil as moments of inclusive global engagement that elevate the voices of Indigenous, African and Afro-descendant communities most impacted by climate change and economic inequity. While acknowledging unfinished negotiations, she offers cautious hope that new frameworks like the Gender Action Plan and the Mutirão Decision signal a more just economic and environmental path forward—if backed by sustained investment and commitment.
The post COP30 and G20: Good tidings of a way forward appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Alice T. Crowe, a lawyer, educator and entrepreneur that has practiced law for over 25 years in New York, argues that collective economic action—exemplified by the African Diaspora Federal Credit Union—offers a viable, overdue solution to systemic financial exclusion and predatory lending in Black communities.
The post Group unity is worth a try—nothing else has worked appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The year 2025 was marked by historic firsts, social movements and major political and economic events. From the election of the first Black mayor in Omaha, Neb. to the longest federal shutdown in history, the Target boycott and funding for historically Black colleges and universities, the year left a lasting impact on communities across the United States and around the world.
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The United States Mint abandoned its planned semiquincentennial currency series honoring Frederick Douglass, suffragists, and Ruby Bridges, instead opting for a white-centered version of the founding, highlighting the difficulty of the country to move beyond honoring figures whose legacies sit uneasily beside its professed ideals.
The post The Abolition of Coins appeared first on Black Voice News.

During the holiday season, many Americans face grief and stress, intensified by financial pressures and social expectations. Mental health experts emphasize self-care, community support and coping strategies to navigate the season’s emotional challenges.
The post Ways to manage grief, stress during the holidays appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The Birmingham Times  Georgia Southern and Appalachian State, both prominent members of the Sun Belt Conference, are set to face off in the JLab Birmingham Bowl on Monday, Dec. 29 at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, marking the first appearance for both schools in this event. The Birmingham Bowl has had a significant financial impact on the […]

Bob Mehr | Memphis Commercial Appeal Don Bryant, one of the last great Memphis soul singers and songwriters, has died. The co-author of a string of classic R&B hits for his wife, Ann Peebles — including “I Can’t Stand the Rain” — Mr. Bryant died on Dec. 26, following a series of health issues. He […]

Kwanzaa, a week-long, non-religious celebration observed from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, honors African heritage through the seven principles of the Nguzo Saba, encouraging reflection, creativity and community engagement. Celebrants say the holiday remains vital today as a way for Black Americans to reconnect with culture, strengthen community values and affirm identity amid ongoing challenges to Black history.
The post Seven principles, one people: How Kwanzaa connects Black Americans to their heritage appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Compiled by The Birmingham Times and Black America Web The oldest, Viola Ford Fletcher, the last living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, was 111. Mrs. Fletcher passed away in November. The youngest, Marshawn Kneeland, who played professional football for the Dallas Cowboys, was 24. He also passed away in November. They were among […]

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