NEWS FROM OUR PUBLISHERS

Black composers and arrangers shape the Christmas repertoire, adding spirituals and gospel songs that endure across generations.
The post 7 Christmas carols with a touch of soul appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Traditional Black holiday dishes carry memory, culture and meaning far beyond the dinner table. Rising grocery prices push families to find creative ways to honor tradition while stretching food budgets.
The post 4 smart tips for budget-friendly holiday meals appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Times Staff Report Kwanzaa, the African American and Pan-African holiday celebrating history, values, family, community and culture will be observed from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, in Birmingham and culminates in gift giving and a feast. The weeklong festivities were first celebrated in 1966, honoring African heritage in African American culture. Celebrations begin at the […]

LISA MCCARROLL, CEO OF NAVIGATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PARTNERS; WHICH AWARDED MORE THAN $2.9 MILLION TO ALABAMA NONPROFITS AS PART OF AN INITIATIVE TO SERVE SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAMS; BHAMNOW.COM, DEC. 19.

Congress’ failure to extend the enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies has resulted in increased healthcare premiums, leaving millions of Americans facing uncertainty regarding their healthcare coverage in the coming year.
The post Keeping it Real: The Grinch That Stole Christmas by Blocking the Extension of ACA Subsidies appeared first on Black Voice News.

The African American Health Equity Collaborative (AAHEC) was launched to address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black residents in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, and has since increased vaccine rates and is working to build health equity for African American communities in the Inland Region through community partnerships and collaboration.
The post African American Health Equity Collaborative Makes Strides in Building Health Equity for African American Communities appeared first on Black Voice News.

Millions of Americans rely on the ACA and the enhanced premium tax subsidies are set to expire on December 31, which could result in four million people losing coverage and premiums rising by 86% for those enrolled in Covered California.
The post Congress Fails to Extend ACA Subsidies, Premiums to Soar for Millions appeared first on Black Voice News.

Magic Johnson will serve as Grand Marshal at the 137th Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, and the #1 ranked Indiana Hoosiers will face Alabama in the 2026 Rose Bowl game.
The post Magic Johnson Chosen Grand Marshal For 2026 Rose Bowl Parade appeared first on Black Voice News.

By Rev. Stacy Swimp The enhanced health insurance subsidies, set to expire at the end of 2025, represent a direct threat to the financial and health stability of Black Americans. While the crisis affects all races, the consequences for the Black community will be disproportionate and severe, effectively rolling back historic progress in health equity. […]
The post Protect our gains: Why the Black community must fight to save ACA subsidies appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

With the expiration of the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced subsidies looming, families who rely on Medicaid coverage are facing uncertainty about how they will afford care. For parents like Hillary Harris in Missouri and Sam Gwesinie in Minnesota, higher costs and reduced access threaten both their own health and the care of their children.
The post As ACA enhanced subsidy expiration looms, families brace for higher costs and limited care appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) is entering his final year of service in the state Legislature due to term limits.

Assemblymember Sade Elhawary — an educator, organizer, and lifelong advocate for social justice — represents California’s 57th Assembly District, representing communities in Los Angeles like Exposition Park, South L.A., and Downtown.

Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins was elected to the California State Assembly in November 2024 to represent the 79th District, which includes southeastern San Diego, El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Africana Studies, a master’s in education with an emphasis in Multicultural Counseling, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from San Diego State University, where she later returned as an adjunct professor.

Just days before Christmas, East Brundage Lane in Bakersfield was filled with laughter, music, and the unmistakable excitement of children clutching brightly colored Santa gift bags. But this time, Santa Claus came in the form of neighborhood mothers.

Leon Harris, 35, is intimately familiar with the devastation guns can inflict. Robbers shot him in the back nearly two decades ago, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. The bullet remains lodged in his spine.

The Birmingham Times  Edna Ferber, novelist, short story writer and playwright once said “Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling.” Here are thoughts from others about the year’s most celebrated holiday as well as photos from Christmas displays across the Birmingham metro area: “Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.” Charles M. Schulz, […]

BY JE’DON HOLLOWAY-TALLEY | Special to the Birmingham Times RHETT & MIRIAM FRANKLIN Live: Gardendale Married: Dec. 10, 2022 Met: Spring 2019. Rhett and Miriam were introduced by Rhett’s brother, Rodney Franklin, who had previously worked with Miriam at UAB. Miriam said Rodney was acting as their matchmaker and told her that she would like […]

Every night, Abdullah Ibrahim retreats from the streets into a wooded stretch along the Potomac River.
As night falls and temperatures drop, he erects a tent and builds a fire beneath a canopy of pine, hemlock, and cedar trees.

For the millions of Americans who buy Affordable Care Act insurance, there’s still time left to enroll for 2026. But premium increases and the expiration of enhanced tax subsidies have led to larger-than-expected costs.

Assemblymember Corey A. Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) represents the 60th Assembly District. He was first elected in November 2022.

By Baltimore City Public Schools Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) is proud to announce that Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises, chief executive officer, has been selected as one of four finalists for the 2026 National Superintendent of the Year award, following her recognition as Maryland Superintendent of the Year.  This prestigious national honor, presented by […]
The post City Schools CEO Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises named finalist for National Superintendent of the Year appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

CITY OF HUNTSVILLE (L-R): Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and celebrate Eli Lilly’s $6 billion investment in North Alabama, the largest private industrial project in state history. (Screenshot: City of Huntsville) […]

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — In a unified show of leadership and accountability, Huntsville City Councilwoman Michelle Watkins stood alongside local club and restaurant owners this week to announce a collaborative effort aimed at […]

SPEAKIN’ OUT  NEWS MONTGOMERY — As Alabamians continue crossing state lines to buy lottery tickets and place legal sports bets, state lawmakers are signaling that a long-debated lottery proposal is unlikely to reach voters in […]

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS WASHINGTON — As Huntsville continues its rapid growth as North Alabama’s economic engine, residents there could soon feel the financial sting of rising health insurance costs after Alabama’s Republican House members voted […]

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday introduced the Moseley family as a real-life example of how the state’s CHOOSE Act education savings account program is intended to work, placing a personal face […]

For immigrants from Senegal, Detroit’s religious communities are a source of spiritual grounding and practical support. The westside of Detroit has become a destination that many Senegalese now call home.
The post Resilient Neighborhoods: Senegalese immigrants find community of support in West Detroit appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The public welfare requiring it, and under authority granted by Section 11-52-78 of the 1975 Code of Alabama, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council for the City of Huntsville,Alabama, as follows: 1. That the […]

WHEREAS, an application for a Planned Development amendment to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Huntsville, Alabama (“the Zoning Ordinance”), has been submitted for the Westmoore Landing development pursuant to Article 30 of the […]

WHEREAS, Brandon Reeves and Riley Reeves, a married couple, being the owners, as the term is defined by Section 11-42-20, Code of Alabama 1975, of all the property or territory hereinafter particularly described (which property […]

WHEREAS, 25 Martin Properties, LLC, an Alabama Limited Company, by JeffW. Mullins, as its Sole Member, being the owner, as the term is defined by Section 11-42-20, Code of Alabama 1975, of all the property […]

WHEREAS, Huntsville Center, Inc., an Alabama Corporation, by John W. Hays, as its President; Grassy Pond, L.P ., by John W. Hays as the President of Grassy Pond, Inc., as its General Partner; The City […]

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 […]

Sealed Bid Proposals will be received by The University of Alabama at Birmingham Facilities Planning Design and Construction at the Facilities Administration Building Conference Center, 801 6th Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, Thursday January 29, […]

McCord Construction, Inc. hereby gives Legal Notice of Completion of Contract with City of Huntsville, Project Name: Mohawk Phase 3, located in the City of Huntsville, Alabama. All Claims should be filed at City of […]