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Bakersfield News Observer has been locally owned and operated since 1977

23/07/2025

WASHINGTON — Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the actor best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on the groundbreaking NBC sitcom The Cosby Show, has died at the age of 54. Warner reportedly drowned while on a family vacation in Costa Rica, according to a family source cited by People magazine. His death was confirmed on Sunday, July 21. Warner’s sudden passing has stunned fans and colleagues alike. He is survived by his wife and daughter, whose identities have been kept private throughout his career. Authorities in Costa Rica have not released additional details, but Warner’s death is being described as a tragic accident.

Warner became a household name in the 1980s as the wisecracking middle child of Cliff and Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show, one of the most successful and influential sitcoms in television history. His portrayal of Theo earned him an Emmy nomination and endeared him to millions of viewers during the show’s eight-season run from 1984 to 1992. After The Cosby Show, Warner continued to build a diverse and acclaimed career. He starred in the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie from 1996 to 2000, and held recurring roles in numerous TV dramas and comedies, including Major Crimes, Suits, Community, The Resident, Reed Between the Lines, Jeremiah, and 9-1-1. He also voiced “The Producer” on the popular animated series The Magic School Bus and served as an executive producer on the show.

22/07/2025

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At OGNSC, we deliver trusted journalism and global perspectives—from every angle, across the globe. Whether it's politics, culture, health, or innovation, our reporting helps you see the full picture.

📰 Explore real stories that matter:
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21/07/2025

A report from the Employee Benefit Research Institute shows that Black Americans continue to face serious challenges in saving for retirement, even as their incomes grow.

The 2025 Retirement Confidence Survey, which included a special oversample of Black workers and retirees, found that the wealth gap remains wide at every income level. Among households earning $75,000 or more, only 33% of Black Americans reported having $250,000 or more in savings and investments, compared with 63% of non-Black Americans. Debt remains a significant barrier. 63% of higher-income Black households said debt is a problem, while just 45% of non-Black households at the same income level said the same. Nearly half of upper-income Black respondents said debt affects their ability to save or live comfortably in retirement.

While many Black Americans expressed confidence managing day-to-day budgets, fewer felt prepared to invest or plan for the long term. The study showed that Black Americans with higher incomes were less likely to have personally saved for retirement, 77%, compared with 87% of non-Black Americans. Retirement experiences also differed sharply. Forty-four percent of Black retirees said they retired earlier than planned because of a health problem or disability, compared with 32% of non-Black retirees. After leaving their main jobs, Black retirees were more likely to work for pay to make ends meet, and more often said their retirement lifestyle was worse than expected. Access to financial advice and planning remains uneven. Just 31% of Black respondents reported currently working with a financial advisor, although nearly half expect to do so in the future. Black Americans were more likely to seek help with reducing debt, creating wills or estate plans, and arranging life insurance than simply determining if they had saved enough to retire.

📢 Explore more: https://ognsc.com/black-americans-still-face-deep-retirement-gaps-despite-higher-incomes/

21/07/2025

Elected officials and grassroots organization leaders are speaking out against recent federal immigration raids they are calling “immoral,” and pledging their support for immigrants impacted by the intensified enforcement efforts in Los Angeles and across California.

On July 7, approximately 90 armed federal agents, National Guard troops and Border Patrol officers swarmed MacArthur Park — regarded by many as the heart of L.A.’s immigrant community.

Mayor Karen Bass was on the scene.

“The Administration is treating Los Angeles as a test case for how far it can go in driving its political agenda forward while pushing the Constitution aside,” said Bass.

18/07/2025

The U.S. Department of Justice has requested data from several California counties on all noncitizen inmates currently held in state jails… The request follows an intensified deportation campaign in Los Angeles, including the deployment of over 2,000 National Guard troops—a decision contested by California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Across the state, community activists, legal advocates, and elected officials are pushing back—urging legal accountability, organizing protests, and defending immigrant rights under sanctuary protections.

📢 Explore more: Read the full coverage here 👉 https://ognsc.com/california-is-fighting-back-state-leaders-and-community-activists-resist-stepped-up-immigration-raids/

17/07/2025

Boycotts and other actions began against the chain after Target quietly pulled back from its $2.1 billion diversity, equity, and inclusion pledge—announced after the murder of George Floyd—to expand Black‑owned brands, diversify leadership, and improve the shopping experience for Black customers. Instead, organizers and clergy say the company has attempted to buy goodwill through marketing campaigns and donations, while avoiding meaningful accountability.

Explore more 👉 https://ognsc.com/target-looks-for-love-in-all-the-wrong-places-as-black-leaders-reject-corporate-spin/

16/07/2025

Pres. Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” signed into law on July 4, is already reshaping California’s 2025–26 state budget.

With $1.6 to $2 trillion in projected federal spending cuts over the next decade, the law slashes Medicaid, food assistance, housing, transportation, education, and clean energy programs — centerpieces of California’s social safety net programs and the state’s equity goals.

Gov. Gavin Newsom called the bill “a complete betrayal of Americans by the Trump administration,” warning that it “decimates middle-class opportunities — including health care and children’s access to college.”

Medi-Cal and Health Services

The law’s most immediate impact falls on Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, which covers about

15 million residents — nearly one-third of all state residents. Black Californians are especially at risk, relying on Medi-Cal more often than other groups due to chronic health disparities and economic inequality. Currently, over 3 in 5 (61%) Black children and youth and almost half of all Black residents — rely on Medi-Cal for their health coverage.

The new law replaces Medicaid’s open-ended federal match with capped block grants. Since the federal government funds about 60% of Medi-Cal, analysts estimate California could conservatively lose $2.8 billion per year in federal funding over 10 years.

15/07/2025

📰 In a world flooded with noise, trust the voice that brings you clarity.
Observer is your calm in the chaos—news, stories, and insight that matter.

🌐 Explore more at www.ognsc.com

14/07/2025

Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego), chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), last week congratulated Sen. Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) after she was named Pro Tem Designee of the California State Senate.

“Senator Limón’s selection as the first woman of color to be named Pro Tem is nothing short of historic,” Weber told California Black Media. Limón is Latina.

“Her leadership represents the voices of communities long underrepresented at the highest levels of state government,” Weber continued. “I look forward to working alongside Senator Limón to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for all Californians.”

On June 9, California Senate President pro Tem Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) announced that the Senate Democratic Caucus had unanimously selected Limón as the Pro Tem Designee. The leadership transition is scheduled to take place in early 2026.

14/07/2025

Did You Know? Celebrating the Rich Legacy of Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
Did you know there’s a remarkable place in California dedicated to honoring the resilience and legacy of African Americans? Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, located in Earlimart, CA, was founded in 1908 by Colonel Allen Allensworth—a visionary and the highest-ranking Black officer of his time in the U.S. Army. This unique town symbolizes Black determination, self-sufficiency, and cultural pride.

Did you know there’s a remarkable place in California dedicated to honoring the resilience and legacy of African Americans? Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, located in Earlimart, CA, was founded in 1908 by Colonel Allen Allensworth—a visionary and the highest-ranking Black officer of his time in the U.S. Army. This unique town symbolizes Black determination, self-sufficiency, and cultural pride.

Each October, people gather from across California and beyond to commemorate the town’s historic founding and to celebrate its continuing legacy. On Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 11 am to pm, the park will host its annual Rededication Festival.

11/07/2025

Trump Budget: GOP Controlled U.S. Senate Passes Largest Cut to Food Assistance in History
After a record number of consecutive votes over two consecutive nights, the Republican controlled U.S. Senate passed President Trump’s budget bill that includes the largest cut to food assistance in history. The bill also threatens health care coverage for over 15 million Americans. “This is a reversal of so much progress we’ve had. Under Biden-Harris, we reduced childhood poverty in half, this rolls that back,” said Jotaka Eaddy, the founder of Win With Black Women. “This bill takes health care away from 16 million Americans,” State of the People founder Angela Rye pointed out.

11/07/2025

Congressional Black Caucus Challenges Target on Diversity

Target is grappling with worsening financial and reputational fallout as the national selective buying and public education program launched by the Black Press of America and other national and local leaders continues to erode the retailer’s sales and foot traffic. But a recent meeting that the retailer intended to keep quiet between CEO Brian Cornell and members of the Congressional Black Caucus Diversity Task Force was publicly reported after the Black Press discovered the session, and the CBC later put Target on blast.

“The Congressional Black Caucus met with the leadership of the Target Corporation on Capitol Hill to directly address deep concerns about the impact of the company’s unconscionable decision to end a number of its diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts,” CBC Chair Yvette Clarke stated. “Like many of the coalition leaders and partner organizations that have chosen to boycott their stores across the country, we found that the explanations offered by the leadership of the Target Corporation fell woefully short of what our communities deserve and of the values of inclusion that Target once touted,” Congresswoman emphasized.

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