By Joe Hong | CALMatters (CALMATTERS) – While the controversial updates to the California Mathematics Framework remain in limbo, a new study by Stanford University researchers released on Monday bolstered one of the main criticisms of the proposed changes.  A quick refresher: In 2018, the California Department of Education started the process of updating its guidelines for teaching math in K-12 public schools. One of the most contentious aspects of the revisions was the recommendation that all students start high school in Algebra I, infuriating parents of high-achieving studen ..read more

By Verbal Adam | OBSERVER Correspondent  University of the Pacific Chief Operating Officer Ken Mullen fields questions from Oak Park residents concerned about UOP’s proposed expansion. Verbal Adam, OBSERVER Much of a triangle-shaped block on Third Avenue in Oak Park that has helped provide thousands of free meals and loads of fresh produce to needy families has been purchased by the University of the Pacific to expand its campus. Without the community garden and the food bank – supplanted to make room for the renovation of three buildings – and with an increased campus police presence, th ..read more

By California Black Media Mayor Karen Bass attendsthe LAPD graduation of new police officers February 22 in Los Angeles. (Maxim Elramsisy | California Black Media) (CBM) – On her first day in office, Dec. 12, 2022, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared a state of emergency on homelessness. This gave her administration expanded powers to help people gain access to permanent housing. As she marks 100 days in office this week, Bass estimates that around 4,000 Angelinos will have been housed since she took charge of City Hall. She points out that most of the people are housed due to ..read more

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media (CBM) – Your weekly news roundup of stories you might have missed. Five California Cities Sign First Partner’s Equal Pay Pledge Kimberley Ellis, Director of the San Francisco Department on the Status of Women speaking at a press conference March 14 in Sacramento. Standing behind her is First Partner Jennifer Newsom and Government Operations Secretary Amy Tong. Photo by: Felicia Rule  Last week, California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom announced five cities — Oakland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego ..read more

By Maya Pottiger | Word In Black SXSW EDU took place in Austin, Texas from March 6-9. (Maya Pottiger/Word In Black) (WIB) – If you’re confused about or unsure what student data privacy is, don’t worry — I was, too.  But that all changed in early March thanks to SXSW EDU, the education arm of the Austin-based conference/festival/extravaganza.  I traveled to Austin to attend a private workshop hosted by the Education Writers Association. We attended a podcast recording where experts spoke on student data privacy as a civil rights issue, and then headed to a conference ro ..read more

By Hazel | Trice Edney Newswire (TriceEdneyWire.com) – It’s an unfortunate truth that over the course of our nation’s history, progress has often come at the expense of Black and other racial minority communities. From heavy manufacturing to busy rail lines, too often, communities of color are expected to pay more than their share of the cost of development. The ongoing fallout from last month’s derailment of a Norfolk Southern train carrying toxic chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio illustrates in no uncertain terms just how crucial the question of environmental justice is to the future of rai ..read more

By T.J. Osborne | Word In Black Credit: Jules Xénard, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons (WIB) – We often forget that Black history is happening every day. In the environmental field, new Black leaders are sprouting up across the country, but it hasn’t always been like this. For decades, the environmental movement was almost exclusively white, barring Black communities from participating — all while bearing the disproportionate impacts of air pollution and climate change. However, this narrative is starting to change.  The number of Black workers at en ..read more

DOWNEY, Calif. (AP) — The state of California and a generic drug manufacturer announced a 10-year partnership Saturday to produce affordable, state-branded insulin that they hope will rival longtime producers and push down prices for a medication used by millions of Americans. The product is not expected on store shelves until at least next year, and it was difficult to predict what effect it would have on a market already shaken by change. Earlier this week another major insulin maker promised steep price cuts as pressure builds on drugmakers and insurers to slash the cost of the drug. Demo ..read more

By Stephen Magagnini | OBSERVER Editor-In-Chief  Sacramento OBSERVER Publisher Larry Lee thanks his staff, family and supporters during the Sacramento Business Journal’s Most Admired CEOs celebration March 8 at the Hyatt in Sacramento. Louis Bryant III, OBSERVER OBSERVER Publisher and CEO Larry Lee joined 25 other local captains of industry, nonprofits and organizations March 8 celebrating the region’s “Most Admired CEOs.” The black-tie dinner, hosted by the Sacramento Business Journal, drew more than 500 people to the Hyatt Regency Sacramento. Members of The OBSERVER team are shown durin ..read more

By Antonio R. Harvey | OBSERVER Staff Writer Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown talks to the team during a time out against the Milwaukee Bucks at Golden 1 Center. After being named NBA Coach of the Month for February, Brown is a front-runner for the NBA’s Coach of the Year Award. Jameel Pugh, OBSERVER The Sacramento Kings at press time were 9-2 since the NBA All-Star break. Their play continues to open eyes around the league. “We can all agree that Mike Brown is hands down the Coach of the Year right?” Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James tweeted through his official Legion Hoops acc ..read more