News Observer Weekly

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The top five stories of the week for Black California, from the Bakersfield News Observer, the Los Angeles News Observer, and the Valley's News Observer. Every week, Marcus and Nia break down the five stories that matter most to our readers — housing, education, health, politics and culture — with the reporting behind them and one thing you can actually do about it. Read everything at ognsc.com.

3d ago

November 11, 2026 — Top 5 Stories of the Week

What was Iraqi Freedom? Because I certainly didn't feel any freedom. That's a retired Army colonel, talking about coming home from Baghdad. And today is Veterans Day. So we're starting with her. Marcus and Nia break down the week's five biggest stories for our readers. One thing this week: it's Veterans Day. Call a veteran in your life. Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988, then press 1, or text 838255. Need to publish a legal notice in Kern or L.A. County? File online at legal.ognsc.com. 0:00 Cold open 0:39 Veterans Day: After the Uniform Comes Off: A Veteran's Journey From Baghdad to Healing 3:14 Election 2026: Poll: Black Voters Gave Democrats Their Strongest Support in the 2026 Midterms, With Grocery Bills and Rent Driving the Vote 5:42 Sacramento: Becerra, Legislative Leaders Put Affordability First, but Details Remain Open 7:17 From the Observer: publish a legal notice 8:09 Commentary: World Day of Remembrance for Traffic Victims Matters Because Every Life Matters 9:47 State Capitol: Political Playback: California Capitol News You Might Have Missed 11:53 What to do this week Full stories: 1. After the Uniform Comes Off: A Veteran's Journey From Baghdad to Healing https://ognsc.com/after-the-uniform-comes-off-a-veterans-journey-from-baghdad-to-healing/ 2. Poll: Black Voters Gave Democrats Their Strongest Support in the 2026 Midterms, With Grocery Bills and Rent Driving the Vote https://ognsc.com/poll-black-voters-gave-democrats-their-strongest-support-in-the-2026-midterms-with-grocery-bills-and-rent-driving-the-vote/ 3. Becerra, Legislative Leaders Put Affordability First, but Details Remain Open https://ognsc.com/sacramento-becerra-legislative-leaders-put-affordability-first-but-details-remain-open/ 4. World Day of Remembrance for Traffic Victims Matters Because Every Life Matters https://ognsc.com/world-day-of-remembrance-for-traffic-victims-matters-because-every-life-matters/ 5. Political Playback: California Capitol News You Might Have Missed https://ognsc.com/political-playback-california-capitol-news-you-might-have-missed-133/ If you are in crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free and available 24 hours a day, by call or text. Veterans: dial 988, then press 1. Observer Group Newspapers — ognsc.com
Nov 4

November 4, 2026 — Top 5 Stories of the Week

As usual, Dolores got there first. That's Barack Obama, on the woman who was saying Sí, se puede decades before he said Yes, we can. Dolores Huerta died a week ago today, at her home in Bakersfield. She was ninety-six. Marcus and Nia break down the week's five biggest stories for our readers. One thing this week: voted by mail? Ballots postmarked by Nov. 3 count if they arrive within seven days; track yours at sos.ca.gov. Need to publish a legal notice in Kern or L.A. County? File online at legal.ognsc.com. 0:00 Cold open 0:55 Bakersfield: Dolores Huerta, Farmworker Champion, Dies at 96 in Bakersfield 2:54 Kern County: 'Don't Ghost Your Vote': Young Kern County Residents Say Why Their Peers Skip the Polls 5:21 Long Beach: NAACP California-Hawaii Convention Concludes With Call to Action: 'We Will Not Be Deterred' 6:52 From the Observer: publish a legal notice 7:48 California: California Big-City Mayors Want at Least $1 Billion in State Funding to Fight Homelessness 10:21 Family Budget: 'Raising a Child Shouldn't Break the Bank': California Is Helping Families Save on Childcare Costs 12:03 What to do this week Full stories: 1. Dolores Huerta, Farmworker Champion, Dies at 96 in Bakersfield https://ognsc.com/dolores-huerta-farmworker-champion-dies-at-96-in-bakersfield/ 2. 'Don't Ghost Your Vote': Young Kern County Residents Say Why Their Peers Skip the Polls https://ognsc.com/dont-ghost-your-vote-young-kern-county-residents-say-why-their-peers-skip-the-polls-and-what-they-want-from-leaders/ 3. NAACP California-Hawaii Convention Concludes With Call to Action: 'We Will Not Be Deterred' https://ognsc.com/naacp-california-hawaii-convention-concludes-with-call-to-action-we-will-not-be-deterred/ 4. California Big-City Mayors Want at Least $1 Billion in State Funding to Fight Homelessness https://ognsc.com/california-big-city-mayors-want-at-least-1-billion-in-state-funding-to-fight-homelessness/ 5. 'Raising a Child Shouldn't Break the Bank': California Is Helping Families Save on Childcare Costs https://ognsc.com/raising-a-child-shouldnt-break-the-bank-california-is-helping-families-save-on-childcare-costs/ Observer Group Newspapers — ognsc.com
Oct 28

October 28, 2026 — Top 5 Stories of the Week

We make money while we sleep. That's the mayor of Inglewood, talking about billboards. And six days from now, Inglewood voters decide whether he gets to keep sleeping on it. Marcus and Nia break down the week's five biggest stories for our readers. One thing this week: vote by Tuesday, Nov. 3. Drop boxes close at 8 p.m.; mailed ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and arrive within seven days. Same-day registration is available in person. State voter hotline: 800-345-VOTE (8683). Kern County Elections: 661-868-3590. 0:00 Cold open 0:43 Inglewood: Inglewood Mayor Defends Billboard Revenue as Measure BB Heads to Nov. 3 Election 3:03 Kern County: Villegas Rallies SEIU Caregivers in Bakersfield in CD-22 Race Against Valadao 5:49 Governor's Race: Becerra to Bakersfield Caregivers: "You Are My Family" 7:56 Corcoran: Healing the Wounds Behind the Walls 10:39 Los Angeles: Metro to Kick Off Vermont Bus Rapid Transit Project Ahead of 2028 Olympics 12:33 What to do this week Full stories: 1. Inglewood Mayor Defends Billboard Revenue as Measure BB Heads to Nov. 3 Election https://ognsc.com/inglewood-mayor-defends-billboard-revenue-as-measure-bb-heads-to-nov-3-election/ 2. Villegas Rallies SEIU Caregivers in Bakersfield in CD-22 Race Against Valadao https://ognsc.com/villegas-rallies-seiu-caregivers-in-bakersfield-in-cd-22-race-against-valadao/ 3. Becerra to Bakersfield Caregivers: "You Are My Family" https://ognsc.com/becerra-to-bakersfield-caregivers-you-are-my-family/ 4. Healing the Wounds Behind the Walls https://ognsc.com/healing-the-wounds-behind-the-walls/ 5. Metro to Kick Off Vermont Bus Rapid Transit Project Ahead of 2028 Olympics https://ognsc.com/metro-to-kick-off-vermont-bus-rapid-transit-project-ahead-of-2028-olympics/ Observer Group Newspapers — ognsc.com
Oct 21

October 21, 2026 — Top 5 Stories of the Week

Shirley Weber is California's secretary of state. Her grandparents died before the Voting Rights Act, and never got to cast a ballot. And her message to you, thirteen days out, is that her vote counts exactly as much as yours. One each. Marcus and Nia break down the week's five biggest stories for our readers. One thing this week: it's not too late to register. Register and vote the same day, in person, through Nov. 3. A past felony conviction doesn't stop you from voting unless you're currently serving a prison sentence for a felony. State voter hotline: 800-345-VOTE (8683). Kern County Elections: 661-868-3590. 0:00 Cold open 0:44 Elections: Before You Vote: 6 Things California Voters Need to Know 3:24 Governor's Race: Becerra Outlines Housing, Homelessness and Health Care Priorities in Governor's Race 5:22 Sacramento: California Political Legends Reunite in Sacramento 7:34 Health: Cash for Moms: A New Approach to Improving Black Maternal Health 10:18 Inglewood: Inglewood Study Finds Nearly 7 in 10 Seniors Wearing Ill-Fitting Shoes 12:16 What to do this week Full stories: 1. Before You Vote: 6 Things California Voters Need to Know https://ognsc.com/fact-check-6-things-to-know-before-you-vote-from-californias-secretary-of-state/ 2. Becerra Outlines Housing, Homelessness and Health Care Priorities in Governor's Race https://ognsc.com/becerra-outlines-housing-homelessness-and-health-care-priorities-in-governors-race/ 3. California Political Legends Reunite in Sacramento https://ognsc.com/sacramento-golden-state-legislative-reunion-brings-together-lawmakers-and-officials-who-served-between-1964-and-1995/ 4. Cash for Moms: A New Approach to Improving Black Maternal Health https://ognsc.com/cash-for-moms-as-medicaid-cuts-loom-cities-test-a-new-approach-to-black-maternal-health/ 5. Inglewood Study Finds Nearly 7 in 10 Seniors Wearing Ill-Fitting Shoes https://ognsc.com/falls-are-a-leading-cause-of-injury-among-seniors-inglewood-study-finds-nearly-7-in-10-wear-ill-fitting-shoes/ Observer Group Newspapers — ognsc.com
Oct 14

October 14, 2026 — Top 5 Stories of the Week

Seventy-three thousand people in Los Angeles County slept without a home last night. Maxine Waters' number for fixing that is one trillion dollars. And Karen Bass's number is control. She wants the city, not the county, deciding where L.A.'s housing money goes. Marcus and Nia break down the week's five biggest stories for our readers. One thing this week: register to vote by Monday, Oct. 19 at registertovote.ca.gov (same-day registration is available in person after that, through Nov. 3). Ballot in hand? Sign and date the envelope and use one of Kern County's 20 drop boxes. Kern County Elections: 661-868-3590. 0:00 Cold open 0:40 Housing: Maxine Waters Calls for $1 Trillion Federal Housing Investment 3:03 Los Angeles: Mayor Bass Seeks Greater Control Over Homelessness Response as Black Press Raises Affordability Concerns 5:23 Kern County: Valadao vs. Villegas: Where the Candidates Stand on Health Care, Water, Immigration and the Economy 7:55 Sacramento: As Gov. Newsom's Term Nears End, Advocacy Groups Urge Him to Commute Life Sentences 10:59 Bakersfield: Voting Is Sacred: Faith Leaders, Registrar Urge Kern County Residents to Make Their Voices Heard 13:23 What to do this week Full stories: 1. Maxine Waters Calls for $1 Trillion Federal Housing Investment https://ognsc.com/maxine-waters-calls-for-1-trillion-federal-housing-investment/ 2. Mayor Bass Seeks Greater Control Over Homelessness Response as Black Press Raises Affordability Concerns https://ognsc.com/mayor-bass-seeks-more-control-over-homelessness-response-as-black-press-raises-affordability-concerns/ 3. Valadao vs. Villegas: Where the Candidates Stand on Health Care, Water, Immigration and the Economy https://ognsc.com/u-s-house-of-representatives-californias-22nd-congressional-district/ 4. As Gov. Newsom's Term Nears End, Advocacy Groups Urge Him to Commute Life Sentences https://ognsc.com/as-gov-newsoms-term-nears-end-advocacy-groups-urge-him-to-commute-life-sentences/ 5. Voting Is Sacred: Faith Leaders, Registrar Urge Kern County Residents to Make Their Voices Heard https://ognsc.com/voting-is-sacred-faith-leaders-registrar-urge-kern-county-residents-to-make-their-voices-heard/ Observer Group Newspapers — ognsc.com
Oct 7

October 7, 2026 — Top 5 Stories of the Week

Nolan Wells was eighteen. A Mississippi grand jury says nobody is responsible for his death. The state medical examiner says she can't tell you how he died. The district attorney's message to the family was, we'll never know. The family's answer was, we'll never stop. Marcus and Nia break down the week's five biggest stories for our readers. One thing this week: Kern County ballots are in the mail. Sign and date the envelope, return it by Nov. 3, and register by Oct. 19 if you haven't (same-day registration is available after that, in person). Kern County Elections: 661-868-3590. 0:00 Cold open 0:37 Justice: Rulings Leave Questions Lingering in Nolan Wells Case 3:25 Sacramento: Gov. Newsom Signs Bill Requiring Large Corporations to Disclose Profits From Chattel Slavery 5:55 Inglewood: Inglewood Shifts $2.8 Million in HOME-ARP Funds to Sankofa Place Affordable Housing Project 8:34 Kern County: Your Ballot Is in the Mail: Here Is What Kern County Voters Need to Know 10:21 Los Angeles: Mayor Bass Hosts 3rd Annual Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Procurement Summit to Prepare Small Businesses for LA28 Contracts 12:22 What to do this week Full stories: 1. Rulings Leave Questions Lingering in Nolan Wells Case https://ognsc.com/rulings-leave-questions-lingering-in-nolan-wells-case/ 2. Gov. Newsom Signs Bill Requiring Large Corporations to Disclose Profits From Chattel Slavery https://ognsc.com/gov-newsom-signs-bill-requiring-large-corporations-to-disclose-profits-from-chattel-slavery/ 3. Inglewood Shifts $2.8 Million in HOME-ARP Funds to Sankofa Place Affordable Housing Project https://ognsc.com/inglewood-shifts-2-8-million-in-home-arp-funds-to-sankofa-place-affordable-housing-project/ 4. Your Ballot Is in the Mail: Here Is What Kern County Voters Need to Know https://ognsc.com/your-ballot-is-in-the-mail-here-is-what-kern-county-voters-need-to-know/ 5. Mayor Bass Hosts 3rd Annual Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Procurement Summit to Prepare Small Businesses for LA28 Contracts https://ognsc.com/mayor-bass-hosts-3rd-annual-los-angeles-sports-and-entertainment-procurement-summit-to-prepare-small-businesses-for-la28-contracts/ If you are in crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free and available 24 hours a day, by call or text. Observer Group Newspapers — ognsc.com
Sep 30

September 30, 2026 — Top 5 Stories of the Week

Fifty-six. For every hundred thousand births in California, fifty-six Black mothers don't come home. For white mothers, it's about fifteen. That's the state's own count. And the woman who wrote our first story this week has stood in the delivery room while that number gets decided. Marcus and Nia break down the week's five biggest stories for our readers. One thing this week: if you or someone you love is pregnant and on Medi-Cal, a doula is a covered benefit -- ask your plan for one by name. In L.A. County, the Medi-Cal Doula Hub can connect you. 0:00 Cold open 0:37 Black Maternal Health: Listening as a Lifeline: A Doula's Witness to Black Maternal Health 3:43 Africa: California and Lagos Sign Historic Sister-State Agreement, Betting on Trade, Tech and Culture 5:50 Bakersfield: Surrounded by Crowns: A Bakersfield Woman Traces a Family Ancestry from Lagos to the American South 8:42 Los Angeles: Banc of California Opens Downtown L.A. Office as Mayor Bass Pushes for More Business Investment 11:04 Sports: Dodgers Get 100th Win, Headed to Playoffs 12:38 What to do this week Full stories: 1. Listening as a Lifeline: A Doula's Witness to Black Maternal Health https://ognsc.com/listening-as-a-lifeline-a-doulas-witness-to-black-maternal-health/ 2. California and Lagos Sign Historic Sister-State Agreement, Betting on Trade, Tech and Culture https://ognsc.com/california-and-lagos-sign-historic-sister-state-agreement-betting-on-trade-tech-and-culture/ 3. Surrounded by Crowns: A Bakersfield Woman Traces a Family Ancestry from Lagos to the American South https://ognsc.com/surrounded-by-crowns-a-bakersfield-woman-traces-a-family-ancestry-from-lagos-to-the-american-south/ 4. Banc of California Opens Downtown L.A. Office as Mayor Bass Pushes for More Business Investment https://ognsc.com/banc-of-california-opens-downtown-l-a-office-as-mayor-bass-pushes-for-more-business-investment/ 5. Dodgers Get 100th Win, Headed to Playoffs https://ognsc.com/dodgers-get-100th-win-headed-to-playoffs/ Observer Group Newspapers — ognsc.com
Sep 23

News Observer Weekly — September 23, 2026

The mayor of Inglewood stood at city hall on Monday, surrounded by his family and community leaders, and called the accusations made against him by four Inglewood political figures baseless, unsourced, and completely false. And the city attorney spoke after him and said there is no complaint in front of his office to review. No referral. No charges. Marcus and Nia break down the week's five biggest stories for our readers. 0:00 Cold open 0:43 Inglewood: Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. Responds to Allegations at Press Conference 4:13 Sports: Lisa Leslie Honored Where She Should Be 6:38 Washington: At CBC Week, California Leaders Center Economic Power and Investment in Black Institutions 8:43 Health: CalAIM Helped Alfred Flores Rebuild His Life. Why Can't More Californians Access Its Benefits? 11:32 Health: Doulas Are Helping Black California Moms Navigate Pregnancy – Even as High Mortality Rates Persist 13:55 What to do this week Full stories: 1. Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. Responds to Allegations at Press Conference https://ognsc.com/inglewood-mayor-james-t-butts-jr-responds-to-allegations-at-press-conference/ 2. Lisa Leslie Honored Where She Should Be https://ognsc.com/lisa-leslie-honored-where-she-should-be/ 3. At CBC Week, California Leaders Center Economic Power and Investment in Black Institutions https://ognsc.com/washington-at-cbc-week-california-leaders-center-economic-power-and-investment-in-black-institutions/ 4. CalAIM Helped Alfred Flores Rebuild His Life. Why Can't More Californians Access Its Benefits? https://ognsc.com/calaim-helped-alfred-flores-rebuild-his-life-why-cant-more-californians-access-its-benefits/ 5. Doulas Are Helping Black California Moms Navigate Pregnancy – Even as High Mortality Rates Persist https://ognsc.com/doulas-are-helping-black-california-moms-navigate-pregnancy/ Observer Group Newspapers — ognsc.com

The top five stories of the week for Black California, from the Bakersfield News Observer, the Los Angeles News Observer, and the Valley's News Observer. Every week, Marcus and Nia break down the five stories that matter most to our readers — housing, education, health, politics and culture — with the reporting behind them and one thing you can actually do about it. Read everything at ognsc.com.

Creator

OGNSC
Years Active

2026
Episodes

17
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© OGNSC
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News Observer Weekly