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

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

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

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

Your ballot lands in your mailbox the first week of October. Three of the five stories in this show get decided by it.

Marcus and Nia break down the week's five biggest stories for our readers.

0:00 Cold open

0:34 The Vote: Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber Urges Californians to Vote Early as Voter ID Battle Intensifies

2:55 Education: Inglewood Unified Enters New School Year With Local Control In Sight, But Questions Linger

5:06 The Bench: Gov. Newsom Nominates 3 Black Women Judges to Serve on State Courts of Appeal

7:02 Bakersfield: Bakersfield's Nigerian Community Eyes a Role in Growing California-Nigeria Ties

9:11 Culture: The Vision Theatre Performing Arts Center Reopened in South L.A.

11:08 What to do this week

Full stories:

1. Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber Urges Californians to Vote Early as Voter ID Battle Intensifies

https://ognsc.com/secretary-of-state-shirley-n-weber-urges-californians-to-vote-early-as-voter-id-battle-intensifies/

2. Inglewood Unified Enters New School Year With Local Control In Sight, But Questions Linger

https://ognsc.com/inglewood-unified-enters-new-school-year-with-local-control-in-sight-but-questions-linger/

3. Gov. Newsom Nominates 3 Black Women Judges to Serve on State Courts of Appeal

https://ognsc.com/gov-newsom-nominates-3-black-women-judges-to-serve-on-state-courts-of-appeal/

4. Bakersfield's Nigerian Community Eyes a Role in Growing California-Nigeria Ties

https://ognsc.com/bakersfields-nigerian-community-eyes-a-role-in-growing-california-nigeria-ties/

5. The Vision Theatre Performing Arts Center Reopened in South L.A.

https://ognsc.com/the-vision-theatre-performing-arts-center-reopened-in-south-l-a/

Observer Group Newspapers — ognsc.com

Two weeks ago we told you twenty-nine thousand people sleep outside in the city of Los Angeles. This week the countywide count tells us who is going without a home across the region. Black Angelenos are under ten percent of this county. They're thirty-one point eight percent of everyone in it without a home.

Marcus and Nia break down the week's five biggest stories for our readers.

0:00 Cold open

0:58 Housing: Black Angelenos Disproportionately Unhoused in 2026 Greater LA Homeless Count

3:31 Ballot: On Your November Ballot: Prop 37 Would Assist Middle-Income Californians to Take Out Second Mortgages to Buy New Homes

5:58 Reparations: Asm. Isaac Bryan's Corporate Reparations Bill, Other Black Caucus Measures Advance From Suspense File

8:13 Health: "Sickle Cell Warriors" Urge Gov. Newsom to Sustain Critical Patient-Care Funding

10:29 Politics: Poll: One in Four Young Black Men Uncommitted to Voting in 2026

12:10 What to do this week

Full stories:

1. Black Angelenos Disproportionately Unhoused in 2026 Greater LA Homeless Count

https://ognsc.com/black-angelenos-disproportionately-unhoused-in-2026-greater-la-homeless-count/

2. On Your November Ballot: Prop 37 Would Assist Middle-Income Californians to Take Out Second Mortgages to Buy New Homes

https://ognsc.com/on-your-november-ballot-prop-37-would-assist-middle-income-californians-to-take-out-second-mortgages-to-buy-new-homes/

3. Asm. Isaac Bryan's Corporate Reparations Bill, Other Black Caucus Measures Advance From Suspense File

https://ognsc.com/asm-isaac-bryans-corporate-reparations-bill-other-black-caucus-measures-advance-from-suspense-file/

4. "Sickle Cell Warriors" Urge Gov. Newsom to Sustain Critical Patient-Care Funding

https://ognsc.com/sickle-cell-warriors-urge-gov-newsom-to-sustain-critical-patient-care-funding/

5. Poll: One in Four Young Black Men Uncommitted to Voting in 2026

https://ognsc.com/poll-one-in-four-young-black-men-uncommitted-to-voting-in-2026/

Observer Group Newspapers — ognsc.com

Seventy-five to nothing. That's how the California Assembly voted Friday on a bill about this newspaper. And it is sitting on Gavin Newsom's desk right now, waiting on one signature.

Marcus and Nia break down the week's five biggest stories for our readers.

0:00 Cold open

0:41 Media: Bill Requiring Public Notices to Be Published in Newspapers' Print Editions Heads to Gov. Newsom's Desk

3:19 Ballot: On Your November Ballot: Prop 42 Would Ban New Taxes on Retirement Savings and Personal Assets

5:36 Health: Five Tips for Understanding Your Health Coverage When Aging Out of a Parent's Health Insurance Plan

7:32 Money Matters: Money Matters: The State of Black Media - and Why Its Future Matters to Business

9:11 Bakersfield: Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for Bakersfield Senior Center Affordable Housing Facility

11:08 What to do this week

Full stories:

1. Bill Requiring Public Notices to Be Published in Newspapers' Print Editions Heads to Gov. Newsom's Desk

https://ognsc.com/bill-requiring-public-notices-to-be-published-in-newspapers-print-editions-heads-to-gov-newsoms-desk/

2. On Your November Ballot: Prop 42 Would Ban New Taxes on Retirement Savings and Personal Assets

https://ognsc.com/on-your-november-ballot-prop-42-would-ban-new-taxes-on-retirement-savings-and-personal-assets/

3. Five Tips for Understanding Your Health Coverage When Aging Out of a Parent's Health Insurance Plan

https://ognsc.com/five-tips-for-understanding-your-health-coverage-when-aging-out-of-a-parents-health-insurance-plan/

4. Money Matters: The State of Black Media - and Why Its Future Matters to Business

https://ognsc.com/money-matters-the-state-of-black-media-and-why-its-future-matters-to-business/

5. Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for Bakersfield Senior Center Affordable Housing Facility

https://ognsc.com/groundbreaking-ceremony-held-for-bakersfield-senior-center-affordable-housing-facility/

Observer Group Newspapers — ognsc.com

Twenty-nine thousand, one hundred fifteen people sleep outside in Los Angeles on any given night. And inside a tent, it runs ten to fifteen degrees hotter than the air around it.

Marcus and Nia break down the week's five biggest stories for our readers.

0:00 Cold open

0:42 Heat: Extreme heat bakes L.A. County as 29,000 unsheltered Angelenos are directly impacted

2:23 Voting Rights: California lawmakers and advocates push voter protection measures ahead of November

5:08 Money: Predatory auto lending exploits Black consumers

7:03 Education: Newsom reverses on long-sought paid leave benefit for teachers in California

8:45 Opinion: OP-ED: The AI industry is overlooking its greatest untapped workforce

10:29 What to do this week

Full stories:

1. Extreme heat bakes L.A. County as 29,000 unsheltered Angelenos are directly impacted

https://ognsc.com/extreme-heat-bakes-l-a-county-as-29000-unsheltered-angelenos-are-directly-impacted/

2. California lawmakers and advocates push voter protection measures ahead of November

https://ognsc.com/california-lawmakers-and-advocates-push-voter-protection-measures-ahead-of-november-election/

3. Predatory auto lending exploits Black consumers

https://ognsc.com/predatory-auto-lending-exploits-black-consumers/

4. Newsom reverses on long-sought paid leave benefit for teachers in California

https://ognsc.com/newsom-reverses-on-long-sought-paid-leave-benefit-for-teachers-in-california/

5. OP-ED: The AI industry is overlooking its greatest untapped workforce

https://ognsc.com/op-ed-the-ai-industry-is-overlooking-its-greatest-untapped-workforce/

Observer Group Newspapers — ognsc.com

More than a year later, the nursery is still exactly how they left it. White crib. A mobile hanging over it. Mickey and Minnie leaning against the rails. Black infants in California die at nearly three times the rate of white babies. In Kern County, the same three to one.

Marcus and Nia break down the week's five biggest stories for our readers.

0:00 Cold open

0:47 Health: Silent Cry: The Unseen Toll of Infant Loss on Black Families in California

3:58 Voting Rights: Homeland Security demands Secretary of State Shirley Weber scrub the voter rolls

6:56 Housing: Bakersfield lands $14.1 million to turn a motel into 30 supportive homes

9:27 Culture: Sixth annual Afro Mujeres Fest reclaims heritage, healing and culture in South Central LA

11:55 Entertainment: Watts' own Tyrese packs Burton Chace Park for the Marina del Rey Summer Concert Series

13:43 What to do this week

Full stories:

1. Silent Cry: The Unseen Toll of Infant Loss on Black Families in California

https://ognsc.com/silent-cry-the-unseen-toll-of-infant-loss-on-black-families-in-california/

2. Homeland Security demands Secretary of State Shirley Weber scrub the voter rolls

https://ognsc.com/department-of-homeland-security-demands-california-secretary-of-state-shirley-n-weber-scrub-voter-rolls/

3. Bakersfield lands $14.1 million to turn a motel into 30 supportive homes

https://ognsc.com/bakersfield-lands-14-1-million-in-state-homekey-money-to-turn-a-motel-into-30-supportive-homes-15-reserved-for-veterans/

4. Sixth annual Afro Mujeres Fest reclaims heritage, healing and culture in South Central LA

https://ognsc.com/sixth-annual-afro-mujeres-fest-reclaims-heritage-healing-and-culture-in-south-central-la/

5. Watts' own Tyrese packs Burton Chace Park for the Marina del Rey Summer Concert Series

https://ognsc.com/watts-own-tyrese-packs-burton-chace-park-for-marina-del-rey-summer-concert-series/

If you are navigating pregnancy or infant loss: the Noel Alexandria Foundation in Bakersfield offers grief support, comfort kits and its Silent Cry support group. There is no time limit on when you can reach out.

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

Two hundred twenty-one thousand dollars. That is what you now need to earn, in California, to buy a median-priced house. And the median Black household in this state makes about seventy thousand.

Marcus and Nia break down the week's five biggest stories for our readers.

0:00 Cold open

0:41 Voting Rights: Sharpton and King III announce March on Washington 2026

2:25 Housing: Bonta's AB 801 targets lending bias and the homeownership gap

5:16 Health: 'It Hurts to Heal': Bakersfield men break the silence

7:31 Community: Everybody loved the 2026 FIFA World Cup

9:02 Education: At 104, Mary Louise Reeves is still teaching us how to fight

11:05 What to do this week

Full stories:

1. Sharpton and King III announce March on Washington 2026

https://ognsc.com/coalition-featuring-rev-al-sharpton-martin-luther-king-iii-announces-march-on-washington-2026/

2. Bonta's AB 801 targets lending bias and the homeownership gap

https://ognsc.com/asm-mia-bontas-ab-801-targets-lending-bias-and-californias-persistent-racial-homeownership-gap/

3. 'It Hurts to Heal': Bakersfield men break the silence

https://ognsc.com/it-hurts-to-heal-bakersfield-men-gather-to-break-the-silence-around-masculinity-and-mental-health/

4. Everybody loved the 2026 FIFA World Cup

https://ognsc.com/everybody-loved-the-2026-fifa-world-cup/

5. At 104, Mary Louise Reeves is still teaching us how to fight

https://ognsc.com/104-year-old-mary-louise-reeves-and-the-fight-for-black-education-in-los-angeles/

If you or someone you know is struggling: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988, free, 24 hours a day.

Observer Group Newspapers — ognsc.com