Baltimore Bridge Catastrophe: A City’s Heartbreak and a Nation’s Alarm

In one of the ultimate nightmares, the Francis Scott Key Bridge, an iconic lifeline for Baltimore’s bustling metropolis, was ripped apart in a thunderous clash with a colossal container ship, unleashing chaos in and around Charm City and tragedy for at least seven families. The once-sturdy structure crumbled like paper beneath the vessel’s onslaught, sending vehicles plummeting into the icy depths of the Patapsco River below around 1:30 a.m. EST.

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Former ‘Goon Squad’ Officers Sentenced for Violent Civil Rights Offenses in Mississippi

Former Mississippi Sheriff’s Deputy Hunter Elward received a 20-year prison sentence on Tuesday, March 19, for the torture of two Black men in 2023. Elward pleaded guilty in August to federal charges of discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, conspiracy against rights, deprivation of rights under color of law, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and obstruction of justice related to the January 2023 incident.

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Black Families Beg Cops to Take Action When Loved Ones Go Missing

This story is part three of Chicago Missing Persons, a two-year investigation by City Bureau and Invisible Institute, two Chicago-based nonprofit journalism organizations, into how Chicago police handle missing person cases reveals the disproportionate impact on Black women and girls, how police have mistreated family members or delayed cases, and how poor police data is making the problem harder to solve.

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U.S. Justice Department and States Sue Apple Over Alleged Smartphone Market Monopoly

The U.S. Justice Department, joined by 16 state and district attorneys general, has sued tech behemoth Apple, alleging monopolistic practices in the smartphone market. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, accuses Apple of violating Section 2 of the Sherman Act by maintaining a stranglehold over smartphones through restrictive contractual terms and withholding critical access points from developers.

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25 million Black and Latino Voters are Missing or Incorrectly Listed in U.S. Voter Databases

An eye-opening report titled “Surfacing Missing Voters: Addressing Data Systems, Tools, and Engagement Models that Invisibilize Black and Brown Communities,” authored by Miriam McKinney Gray for the Democracy & Power Innovation Fund (DPI), has unveiled a concerning reality: Nearly 25 million Black and Latino eligible voters are effectively absent from voter databases, making them virtually unreachable by traditional outreach methods. 

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The Bakersfield (CA)Chapter of The Links, Incorporated… International Trends & Services (ITS) Facet Celebrates International Women’s Day (IWD)

IWD is a holiday celebrated annually on March 8th. The holiday focal point is the women’s rights movement. IWD provides insight into issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence abuse against women. The 2024 International Women’s Day theme is “Inspire Inclusion.” This year, the International Trends & Services Facet was honored to observe International Women’s Day with the Walter Stiern Middle School girls.

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4 Films Every Educator Teaching Black Students Should Watch

Racial prejudice and bullying, a lack of funding, inadequate mental health support, and inexperienced teachers — those are just some of the challenges Black students face in America’s K-12 public schools. We see some of these issues show up on television on “Abbott Elementary,” but representations of Black students and schools are a mixed bag on the big screen. Some films — we’re looking at you, “Dangerous Minds” — dive right into the stereotype of the white savior teacher who rescues bad Black kids from their terrible neighborhoods and families.

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SF DA Brooke Jenkins, Other Leaders, Weigh in on Prop 47 and Retail Theft

On March 21, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins shared her perspectives on Proposition 47 (Prop 47), a controversial ballot measure that has been inflaming debates and influencing law enforcement action in California. The 10-year-old proposition has significantly impacted legal proceedings related to crime and punishment in the state.

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Is a Cultural Shift on the Horizon?

Almost two weeks removed from Black History Month, I find myself pondering what Black Culture is, in modern times. There’s a running joke on X/Twitter that “we are losing recipes!” whenever young Black people (Gen Z) don’t know a Black classic, like a movie, song or “rule.”

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Biden and Harris Fight Back Against House Republicans’ Budget Threatening Health Care

Resolute in their stand against the recent budget proposal by House Republicans, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are intensifying their efforts to lower healthcare costs and safeguard crucial provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicaid, and Medicare. In a Fact Sheet, the White House noted that Biden and Harris underscored the administration’s commitment during a visit to North Carolina, where they outlined a comprehensive strategy to make health care more affordable for all Americans.

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2nd Annual Black Family Wellness Expo 

Both youth and adults reveled in a blend of vitality and happiness at the second annual Black Family Wellness Expo, hosted by the Bakersfield Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. The morning of March 16, 2024, marked a key proponent in the trajectory of the lives of all attendees, young and old alike, who gathered at Lowell Park, located at 800 4th St. This event epitomized the core values of The Links, Incorporated – services and educational research for our community.

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“California Educators are the heart of our community. And why the California Teachers Association knows quality public schools make a better California for all of us.”