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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

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
Sep 16

September 16, 2026 — Top 5 Stories of the Week

Six thousand pairs of electric shock gloves. Sixteen point seven million dollars. That's a federal contract, for ICE. And the Sacramento County Sheriff already bought ten of his own, for thirty-five thousand dollars. California has two weeks to decide whether its police can wear them. Marcus and Nia break down the week's five biggest stories for our readers. One thing this week: if you're a Black man 45 or older (40 with family history), call your doctor and ask whether you should be screened for prostate cancer. No doctor? American Cancer Society helpline, free, 24 hours: 1-800-227-2345 0:00 Cold open 0:42 Sacramento: Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins's Bill Would Pause Law Enforcement's Use of Shock Gloves Pending Study 3:09 Los Angeles: Blacks and Latinos Clash Over LA's Barrio Run; Mayor Karen Bass Calls for Dialogue Across Racial, Neighborhood Lines 5:26 Inglewood: How Inglewood's Homeless Seniors Are Finding Relief Through Housing and Trauma-Informed Care 7:52 Your November Ballot: Prop 38 Would Allocate $8.4 Billion to Immunology and Immunotherapy Funding 10:15 Your Health: Prostate Cancer is Twice as Likely to Kill Black Men. Talking to Your Doctor Could Help Save Your Life 12:46 What to do this week Full stories: 1. Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins's Bill Would Pause Law Enforcement's Use of Shock Gloves Pending Study https://ognsc.com/assemblymember-lashae-sharp-collinss-bill-would-pause-law-enforcements-use-of-shock-gloves-pending-study/ 2. Blacks and Latinos Clash Over LA's Barrio Run; Mayor Karen Bass Calls for Dialogue Across Racial, Neighborhood Lines https://ognsc.com/blacks-and-latinos-clash-over-las-barrio-run-mayor-karen-bass-calls-for-dialogue-across-racial-neighborhood-lines/ 3. How Inglewood's Homeless Seniors Are Finding Relief Through Housing and Trauma-Informed Care https://ognsc.com/how-inglewoods-homeless-seniors-are-finding-relief-through-housing-and-trauma-informed-care/ 4. Prop 38 Would Allocate $8.4 Billion to Immunology and Immunotherapy Funding https://ognsc.com/on-your-november-ballot-prop-38-would-allocate-8-4-billion-to-immunology-and-immunotherapy-funding/ 5. Prostate Cancer is Twice as Likely to Kill Black Men. Talking to Your Doctor Could Help Save Your Life https://ognsc.com/prostate-cancer-is-twice-as-likely-to-kill-black-men-talking-to-your-doctor-could-help-save-your-life/ Observer Group Newspapers — ognsc.com
Sep 10

September 10, 2026 — Top 5 Stories of the Week

If a man who wasn't related to you lived in your house, California could make him prove what he spent on groceries. Under penalty of perjury. Or your family's check stopped. That rule is still on the books right now. Marcus and Nia break down the week's five biggest stories for our readers. ONE THING THIS WEEK Pull your child's immunization record before the school year gets away from you and book the well-child visit. California's school and child-care vaccine requirements have not changed. The routine childhood schedule is free whether or not you're insured, through Vaccines for Children — find a location and your child's digital record at myturn.ca.gov CARING FOR SOMEONE AT HOME? In-Home Supportive Services can pay family caregivers for work they're already doing unpaid. Kern County Aging and Adult Services will talk through your situation and connect you. ON THE GOVERNOR'S DESK SB 1030 repeals the CalWORKs "man-in-the-house" rule. It passed 77-0 and 40-0. Newsom has until September 30 to sign it. 0:00 Cold open 0:34 Sacramento: Asm. Smallwood-Cuevas's Bill Repealing 'Racist' CalWORKs 'Man-in-the-House' Rule Clears Legislature 2:33 Los Angeles: Street Medicine Brings Care to Unhoused Angelenos — But Housing Remains the Missing Prescription 5:12 Bakersfield: “This is Not a Job. This is Life”: One Grandmother's Fight Against Caregiver Burnout 8:11 At The Table: Black Americans Have Doubts About the U.S. Food System 10:11 Your Health: Giving Our Black Children the Healthiest Start We Can 12:15 What to do this week Full stories: 1. Asm. Smallwood-Cuevas's Bill Repealing 'Racist' CalWORKs 'Man-in-the-House' Rule Clears Legislature https://ognsc.com/asm-smallwood-cuevass-bill-repealing-racist-calworks-man-in-the-house-rule-clears-legislature/ 2. Street Medicine Brings Care to Unhoused Angelenos — But Housing Remains the Missing Prescription https://ognsc.com/street-medicine-brings-care-to-unhoused-angelenos-but-housing-remains-the-missing-prescription/ 3. “This is Not a Job. This is Life”: One Grandmother's Fight Against Caregiver Burnout https://ognsc.com/this-is-not-a-job-this-is-life-one-grandmothers-fight-against-caregiver-burnout/ 4. Black Americans Have Doubts About the U.S. Food System https://ognsc.com/black-americans-have-doubts-about-the-u-s-food-system/ 5. Giving Our Black Children the Healthiest Start We Can https://ognsc.com/giving-our-black-children-the-healthiest-start-we-can/ 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 2

September 2, 2026 — Top 5 Stories of the Week

Eleven and a quarter percent. Lancaster and Palmdale. The highest sales tax in the United States. On October first it goes higher. Marcus and Nia break down the week's five biggest stories for our readers. ONE THING THIS WEEK Kern County parents: children under five can get a free book in the mail every month through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, administered locally by the Kern Literacy Council. No income requirement. Enroll at kernliteracy.org/dolly-partons-imagination-library.html And before October 1, look up the sales tax rate for your own address at cdtfa.ca.gov. Groceries and prescription medicine are exempt from the increase. 0:00 Cold open 0:33 Your Money: America's Highest Sales Tax Is About to Go Higher 2:51 The Vote: California Black Civil Rights Leaders Mobilize to Defend Voting Rights 5:27 Sports: Aaron Donald Comes Out of Retirement to Rejoin Rams 7:08 Culture: Why Kern County and Black Americans Love Dolly 9:46 Bakersfield: He Learned to Believe in Himself. Then He Built a Legacy 12:36 What to do this week Full stories: 1. America's Highest Sales Tax Is About to Go Higher https://ognsc.com/americas-highest-sales-tax-is-about-to-go-higher/ 2. California Black Civil Rights Leaders Mobilize to Defend Voting Rights https://ognsc.com/california-black-civil-rights-leaders-mobilize-to-defend-voting-rights/ 3. Aaron Donald Comes Out of Retirement to Rejoin Rams https://ognsc.com/aaron-donald-comes-out-of-retirement-to-rejoin-rams/ 4. Why Kern County and Black Americans Love Dolly https://ognsc.com/why-kern-county-and-black-americans-love-dolly/ 5. He Learned to Believe in Himself. Then He Built a Legacy https://ognsc.com/he-learned-to-believe-in-himself-then-he-built-a-legacy/ 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

14
Rating

Clean
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© OGNSC
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News Observer Weekly