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California Introduces 'Ebony Alert' to Locate Missing Black Children

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California State Sen. Steven Bradford   Advocates hail the 'Ebony Alert' system as a pivotal move to address the crisis of missing Black children. In a groundbreaking move, California has enacted the "Ebony Alert" law, marking the first of its kind in the nation to prioritize the search for missing Black youth. Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 673 into law on Sunday, solidifying California's position as the pioneer state in establishing an alert notification system, akin to the Amber Alert, designed to address the pressing issue of missing Black children and young women. Scheduled to go into effect on January 1, the law empowers the California Highway Patrol to trigger the Ebony Alert upon the request of local law enforcement whenever a Black youth goes missing in the vicinity. The Ebony Alert will leverage electronic highway signs and encourage the use of radio, TV, social media, and other communication channels to disseminate information about the missi

Increased Enrollment of Latino and Black Students in Advanced Math Classes Sparks Interest: Is It a Model to Follow?

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      Image credit: Pexels In a state that has grappled with anti-diversity legislation and attempts to stifle discussions on systemic racism, a new law in Texas is making waves, potentially offering Latino and Black children new opportunities in advanced math courses. Only a few states have taken the bold step that Texas did this year. Under a law signed by Governor Greg Abbott in May, school districts and open-enrollment charter schools are now required to automatically enroll sixth graders who score in the top 40% of the math portion of the state standardized test, STAAR, in advanced math courses. This move is a significant departure from the previous practice of relying on teacher and counselor recommendations or the initiative of students and their families. In the Dallas school system, this policy shift has yielded encouraging results. The share of Latino sixth graders enrolled in honors math has surged from one-third to nearly 60%. Similarly, Black sixth graders' enrollment

Family of La'Keian Woods Demands Full Transparency Following Brutal Arrest

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  I'm here to provide a brief update on what I currently know about the situation and the condition of Lin. Attorneys representing Le'Keian Woods and members of his legal team have visited him, and unfortunately, he is still in immense pain. He's dealing with a ruptured kidney, severe migraines, and he's in excruciating physical distress. As I mentioned before, it's vital that we practice what we preach – if we call for transparency, it must be complete transparency. Anything less only raises more questions. Video credit:  News4JAX The Local Station News4JAX The Local Station In recent developments, additional body camera footage has come to light, and you've all seen it. The footage shows several blows to the head, elbows to the head, and punches to the face – it's reminiscent of a UFC ground and pound beatdown. This incident involves trained professionals allegedly using excessive force, and that's why we're here today. We need to question the stat

Shaquille O’Neal: The Big Man with a Big Heart

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  Shaquille O’Neal, or Shaq, as he is widely known, is one of the most dominant and influential basketball players of all time. He is also a successful businessman, a charismatic media personality, and a generous philanthropist. Here are some facts and achievements that showcase his remarkable career and life: Video credit: @ NBA Born on March 6, 1972, in Newark, New Jersey, Shaq's early years were marked by his family's frequent military relocations. Remarkably, he discovered his love for basketball at the tender age of nine, showcasing his immense potential from the start. At Louisiana State University (LSU), from 1989 to 1992, Shaq's talent was undeniable. He became a college basketball sensation, amassing numerous awards and accolades. After just three years, he left LSU to enter the NBA draft. The Orlando Magic selected Shaq as the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft. His debut season earned him the Rookie of the Year award, and he led the Magic to the NBA Finals

Texas Reforms Impact Latino and Black Parents as School Choice Debate Rages

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  Children carry signs to protest the state takeover of the Houston Independent School District | Credit:  nbcnews The recent overhaul of Houston's schools by the state of Texas has stirred up a long-standing history of racism and neglect, particularly affecting Latino and Black children. Additionally, it has cast a spotlight on the state's still-inequitable public school funding system. In a sweeping move, Texas has taken control of approximately 85 schools, with the majority serving Latino or Black communities. This intervention has led to standardized teaching methods, revamped curricula, the conversion of school libraries into discipline and study centers, and the reassignment of teachers and librarians. The state argues that these drastic changes were necessary to rescue the schoolchildren in the district, where 62% of the students are Latino and 22% are Black. For years, many students in these communities have struggled with education, often lagging behind their peers in

Remembering the two Black boys who also died on the day of the infamous Birmingham Church explosion

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  Video credit:  African Diaspora News Channel Podcast The tragic events of September 15, 1963, forever etched the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing into the annals of history. Four innocent Black girls—Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carol Robertson, and Denise McNair—lost their lives in the senseless attack. Yet, amidst the chaos that followed, two more young lives were tragically cut short, Johnny Robinson and Virgil Ware, whose stories have long been overshadowed. Outside of Birmingham, Alabama, the names Johnny Robinson and Virgil Ware have faded into obscurity over the decades. These two boys met their untimely demise on that fateful day when the Ku Klux Klan unleashed terror upon the 16th Street Baptist Church. In the aftermath, Robinson, a 16-year-old, and Ware, a 13-year-old, lost their lives in the midst of the turmoil. Robinson's life was abruptly ended when a group of white individuals drove by, hurling racist slurs and displaying Confederate flags. He and his frien

Chris Rock and Steven Spielberg Join Forces for Martin Luther King Jr. biopic

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  Two of the most acclaimed figures in Hollywood, comedian Chris Rock and director Steven Spielberg, are joining forces to bring the life of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. to the big screen. The biopic, titled “King”, will be based on the authorized biography of King by David J. Garrow, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 19871 Image credit: nbcnews Rock, who is best known for his stand-up comedy and his sitcom Everybody Hates Chris, will play the lead role of King, while Spielberg will direct and produce the film through his company Amblin Entertainment. Rock said he was honored and excited to portray one of his heroes, who inspired him to pursue a career in comedy and activism. Spielberg, who has directed several historical dramas such as Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, and Lincoln, said he was fascinated by King’s story and wanted to explore his personal and political struggles, as well as his legacy and impact on the world. He said he was impressed by Rock’s dramatic r

Illinois Grants Tribal Nations Authority Over Ancestral Remains and Reburial

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  Image Credit: Pexels In a historic move, Illinois has enacted groundbreaking legislation that empowers tribal nations to reclaim their ancestral remains and sacred items, marking a significant shift away from state agencies, universities, and museums having control over repatriation decisions. Empowering Tribal Nations Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker recently signed the Human Remains Protection Act, a law forged through extensive consultations with tribal nations, the Illinois State Museum, and the state Department of Natural Resources over a two-year period. Under this legislation, tribal nations will have the final say in the repatriation process, including deciding when and how ancestral remains and cultural artifacts are returned. Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Chairperson Joseph “Zeke” Rupnick expressed the significance of this milestone, highlighting how it reflects a commitment to rectify past injustices and pave the way for a future that honors interconnectedness. State Respo

Southeast Asian Casinos Fuel Global Cybercrime Surge

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  Image credit: Pexels A troubling trend is emerging in Southeast Asia, where casinos in countries like Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar are inadvertently aiding large-scale money laundering and facilitating cyber-fraud that's causing victims worldwide to lose billions of dollars. New research by the United Nations has shed light on this alarming situation. The Nexus Between Casinos and Cybercrime The presence of casinos in this criminal network is no coincidence. In Southeast Asia, numerous casinos have become integral components of an underground banking system that caters to organized criminal groups. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), there are now over 340 physical casinos in the region, along with countless online counterparts. Many of these casinos are becoming increasingly intertwined with organized crime networks. These casinos essentially operate as shadow banking systems, allowing for the rapid and virtually unrestricted movement of money acros

Fatal Shooting Outside Melbourne Shopping Centre Believed to be Targeted Attack

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  A tragic incident unfolded outside a shopping center on Windrock Avenue in Craigieburn, Melbourne's northern region, as a man lost his life in what authorities suspect to be a deliberate attack. Emergency responders rushed to Craigieburn Central shopping center on Windrock Avenue shortly before 3 pm last Saturday following reports of gunshots fired. At the scene, they discovered two injured individuals within the shopping center's car park. Regrettably, one of the victims remains unidentified and succumbed to their injuries at the location, while the other man was transported to the hospital with severe injuries. The assailant had fired shots directly into the car's front windscreen, leaving multiple bullet holes in the front passenger-side window. Local law enforcement has sealed off the area and is actively investigating the incident to ascertain the motive behind this act of violence. Preliminary findings suggest that this shooting was a deliberate and targeted act. We