NEWS FROM OUR PUBLISHERS

Maryland Rep. Kweisi Mfume and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks are advancing legislation designed to bring down the soaring cost of inhalers, nebulizers and other essential respiratory treatments. Their proposal would cap monthly expenses for insured and uninsured patients alike, expanding Medicare coverage and easing the financial strain on families managing asthma. The lawmakers say the measure is urgently needed as hospitalizations and racial disparities in respiratory illness continue to climb.
The post Maryland lawmakers launch bid to slash the cost of asthma treatments appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

In order to start the new year with peace of mind, it is important to dedicate a day to review and secure one’s finances, including creating unique passwords, checking bank statements, reviewing insurance and beneficiaries, and shredding old documents.
The post Start the Year with a 24-Hour Financial Security Reset appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Sidney Spencer | CBS42 David Fleming, President and CEO of the nonprofit economic development agency REV Birmingham and several other local and state officials, said Fannie Mae’s relocation from San Francisco, California to Birmingham brings job opportunities to the Magic City. “Fannie Mae is a significant agency, an important agency, within the economic ecosystem […]

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times While Tobie Windham can credit a lot of people and places for what he’s doing in films, one thing has been a constant, he said: “I’ve always repped Birmingham hard because being from Alabama is a part of why I’m doing what I’m doing.” Windham recently showcased his […]

Despite Sean Combs’ long status as a controversial public figure, the Netflix documentary “Sean Combs: The Reckoning” has struck a nerve across Black America, dominating conversations about power, violence, and abuse in hip-hop. The series is prompting broader soul-searching about the culture that enabled Combs’ rise and the limits of accountability in the music industry.
The post Is Black America reckoning with the end of hip-hop’s ‘Diddy Era’? appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Lamar Jackson threw two first-half touchdown passes and Baltimore’s defense dominated as the Ravens snapped a two-game skid with a 24-0 shutout of the Cincinnati Bengals. A late 95-yard interception return for a touchdown sealed Baltimore’s most complete performance of the season and kept them in the AFC North race.
The post Lamar Jackson’s 2 TD passes, long pick-6 propel Ravens to 24-0 win over Bengals appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Parents, students and community members rallied at a Dec. 11 public hearing to urge Baltimore City Schools officials to keep Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys open, citing the school’s role in academic growth, mentorship and emotional support for Black boys. District leaders have recommended closure due to low test scores, enrollment shortfalls and financial issues, but families argue the all-boys public charter school is breaking cycles of trauma and incarceration while giving students a chance to thrive.
The post First public hearing held regarding the future of Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The Washington Huskies intercepted Boise State five times to win the LA Bowl 38-10, with Husky quarterback Demond Williams Jr. and linebacker Xe’ree Alexander taking Offensive and Defensive MVP honors respectively.
The post Washington Dominates Boise State In LA Bowl 38-10 at SoFi Stadium appeared first on Black Voice News.

The U.S. Department of Education is urgently recalling hundreds of Office for Civil Rights employees—fired during a March reduction-in-force—to return on Dec. 15 as unresolved civil rights complaints soar past 25,000. The sudden move follows months of staffing turmoil, ongoing litigation, and a near-collapse of OCR’s capacity, leaving students and families facing long delays in discrimination investigations.
The post Education Dept. scrambles as civil rights backlog explodes appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The AFRO sends condolences to the friends, family and all those who knew and loved Hilda E. Kelson. The Morgan State alumna was 102 years old at the time of her death.
The post Family and friends mourn death of Hilda E. Kelson  appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

A second grand jury in a week has declined to re-indict New York Attorney General Letitia James, dealing another major setback to the Justice Department’s efforts to revive a case championed by the 47th president. The repeated rejections underscore growing public skepticism toward the administration’s push to prosecute political opponents after a judge previously dismissed the charges over an illegal appointment of the prosecuting U.S. attorney.
The post Justice Department again fails to re-indict New York Attorney General Letitia James, AP source says appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Gestational diabetes affects five to nine percent of U.S. pregnancies, with Black women facing higher long-term diabetes risk. With lifestyle changes, monitoring, and medical guidance, the condition can be managed to support a healthy pregnancy and baby
The post Healthy moms, healthy babies: A look at preventing gestational diabetes appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

birminghamal.gov As temperatures are expected to fall below freezing, the City of Birmingham and Jimmie Hale Mission, will open its nightly warming station Saturday, Dec. 13 through Monday, Dec. 15, from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. Men, women and children needing warm shelter can come to the Mission, located at 3420 2nd Ave North. Food […]

By Steven J. Gaither | HBCU Gameday HBCU marching culture took center stage Friday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as Southern University and Miles College emerged as champions at the Red Lobster Band of the Year competition in downtown Atlanta. Southern claimed the Division I crown for the first time in the three-year history of the […]

By Greg Garrison | AL.com Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones greeted thousands of loud supporters in Birmingham on Friday night to launch his longshot run to be elected governor of Alabama as a Democrat, promising to fight for a state lottery and Medicaid expansion if he’s elected. Jones took repeated shots at Republican candidate U.S. […]

Sponsored by JPMorganChase As the boom in artificial intelligence and ongoing inflation continue to shape our global economy, communities, businesses and investors across the U.S. should be open to new opportunities generating from AI, while hedging against risk in their investment plans for 2026. According to J.P. Morgan Private Bank’s 2026 Global Investment Outlook, like […]

By Michael KunzelmanThe Associated Press BALTIMORE (AP) — A federal judge blocked U.S. immigration authorities on Dec. 12 from re-detaining Kilmar Abrego Garcia, saying she feared they might take him into custody again just hours after she had ordered his release from a detention center. The order came as Abrego Garcia appeared at a scheduled […]
The post Federal judge issues order to prohibit immigration officials from detaining Kilmar Abrego Garcia appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

____________________________   MERCHANDISE ____________________________ _____________________________ EMPLOYMENT ____________________________   Seeking   “Haren Construction Company, Inc. is seeking qualified Small/Minority/Women Business Enterprises (S/MWBE) for construction of the Birmingham, AL – Contract No. 2026 PS02 – Collegeville Pump Station Improvements Project. Subcontractor and supplier opportunities include but not limited to: Tree Removal, Painting, Rebar, Fencing, Erosion Control, Roofing, Doors, Demo, Electrical, […]

Kyhla Desire was misdiagnosed twice before her Type 1 diabetes was correctly identified at age five, highlighting the challenges Black children face in receiving timely care. Today, she channels her experience into advocacy as a founding youth board member of the African American Diabetes Association, working to bring education, support and life-saving resources directly into Black communities.
The post From misdiagnosis to mission: How Kyhla Desire fights for Black children with diabetes appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder Jr. on Thursday accepted the prestigious 2025 Fred L. Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award at the downtown Birmingham Sheraton, a recognition he called “a profound and humbling honor.” The award represents BCRI’s highest honor, bestowed upon national and international leaders advancing justice, equality, […]

Shipt.com Shipt and the City of Birmingham will be distributing free groceries to 1,000 families on Saturday, December 13. With the holidays upon us, Shipt aims to make life a little bit easier for the families of Birmingham by giving them the gift of a full table. Each household that participates will receive a selection […]

By Grant Martin | www.uab.edu Devin Manigault arrived at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in pursuit of two lifelong dreams: to play college football and to become a civil engineer. Nearly four years later, he is leaving UAB as an athlete who showed potential and an engineer who has been nothing short of All-American. Manigault will […]

The Redlands Unified School District board voted to remove the novel “Push” by Sapphire from high school libraries and restrict access to “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison to students aged 18 and older with parental consent, following public comments that the novels were “pornographic” and could be used as manuals for sexual abuse.
The post Redlands School Board Restricts Access to Toni Morrison Novel, Removes ‘Push’ by Sapphire appeared first on Black Voice News.

By Jennifer Porter GoreWord in Black Christmas, Kwanzaa and other end-of-year holidays typically mean travel followed by close indoor contact with friends or loved ones — near-perfect conditions for nasty airborne viruses to spread. And when it comes to communicable illnesses, experts say, this holiday season is going to be a doozy.  This December, public […]
The post Six vaccines that can keep you safe this holiday season appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The First Amendment Coalition has filed a lawsuit against Riverside County for refusing to disclose records related to in-custody deaths at Riverside County jails, seeking to enforce the new California transparency law, SB 519.
The post Keeping it Real: FAC Sues Riverside Over Transparency in Quest for Sheriff Department Jail Deaths Accountability appeared first on Black Voice News.

The post Sophisticated Settings — Lifestyle — December 12, 2025 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

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Even in December, taxpayers have more control over their refund than they might think. Strategic contributions, careful planning and overlooked credits can still make a difference before the year ends.
The post Year-end moves that could boost your 2026 tax refund appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The CDC recommends that all newborns receive a hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth, which has been shown to be 90% effective in preventing infection from the mother, and 98% effective if babies receive all three doses, with the protection lasting at least 30 years.
The post RFK Jr. Wants To Delay the Hepatitis B Vaccine. Here’s What Parents Need To Know appeared first on Black Voice News.

In the absence of a federal Office of Men’s Health, faith leaders and veterans are stepping up to fill the gap. Through grassroots advocacy and personal storytelling, John Bruce and Charles Flanagain are challenging stigma, promoting early screenings and redefining community health for men across the Southeast.
The post In churches and communities, a new model for men’s health emerges appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar and Vice Chair Ted Lieu held a press conference to address the affordability and health care crises, urging Republicans to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits and to investigate the war crime of killing shipwreck survivors.
The post Congressmen Aguilar and Lieu Address Rising Costs and Health Care Crisis appeared first on Black Voice News.

The Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys, which serves hundreds of Baltimore city boys from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, is facing potential closure in 2026, prompting a press conference and two public hearings to discuss the matter.
The post Public hearings set for Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Nicole A. Wynn In a busy Washington, D.C. classroom, a student rocks gently in his chair, hands over his ears. The teacher assumes he’s being defiant and calls his name sharply. In reality, the fluorescent lights and echoing voices have overwhelmed his senses. This scene plays out daily in schools across the District not […]
The post Reframing autism in D.C. schools: From label to understanding appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.