WSSN Stories

By Manny Otiko | California Black Media   

A number of California groups, officials and individuals are taking proactive steps to educate immigrants subject to deportation about their legal rights as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids escalate.

One of them is Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland), who represents a district encompassing Oakland, Alameda and Emeryville.

“Communities in Assembly District 18 and the entire nation are confronting direct attacks on our fundamental rights as citizens,” said Bonta in a press release. “ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids and presence in our neighborhoods are threatening our safety in the workplace, schools, and places of worship, breaking apart families and disrupting commerce — all while costly federal delays threaten funding for schools, healthcare, and countless other aspects of our lives.”

Bonta listed several immigrant rights resources in her newsletter.

• Know your rights: How to Communicate with ICE Agents. This is a series of videos explaining what to do if ICE officers show up at your door.

• A listing of state, national, and local resources in different languages such as Spanish and Haitian Creole.

• California Rapid Response Networks. This features a listing of hotline numbers that help immigrants.

• A link to the California Department of Justice’s website featuring resources and information for immigrants.

Ethnic Media Services (EMS) also recently hosted a press conference featuring experts who offered advice and tips on how immigrants can grapple with Trump administration immigration policies.

Amanda Alvarado-Ford, deputy directing attorney at the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, was one of the speakers at the news conference.

She said most of her clients are from Latin America, but she has also represented people from Asia and Africa.

Alvarado-Ford said in this climate of anti-immigration raids, it’s important to know that immigrants, whether undocumented or legal, have rights.

She said anybody in this country has the right to be protected from unlawful searches and the right to remain silent. She advised immigrants to exercise both rights.

“One important thing to know is that people in this country for more than two years have a right to a hearing. So, even if they are arrested, they still have to go through a procedure,” said Alvarado-Ford.

She also recommended that immigrants keep documents that prove they’ve been in this country on their cell phones. Also, it’s important to keep information to show that you are going through the immigration procedure such as applying for a visa.

Alvarado-Ford said immigrants must inspect documents if ICE officers show up at their doorstep.

A U.S. district judge must sign an immigration arrest warrant, she said. However, in many cases, they are signed by ICE officers. That doesn’t make it valid.

She recommended never letting ICE officers in the door and asking for them to either shove the documents under the door or show them on the screen door.

“You have the right to inspect the warrant,” said Alvarado-Ford.

She added that if you are arrested, you should demand to speak to an immigration attorney, even if you don’t have one. And mention that you fear being sent back to your country.

Alvardo-Ford advised immigrants to be calm when faced with this kind of situation.

 “Don’t open the door,” she said. “We have to breathe and remember our rights.”

Alvarado-Ford also said immigrants have specific laws they can use if they are faced with an ICE raid at work. ICE is allowed to enter public places at work, but not allowed to enter private areas, such as break rooms.

However, workplaces and homes are not the only place where the government can go after undocumented immigrants.

The Trump administration has also given ICE the green light to target undocumented immigrants in schools. There have been news reports of ICE agents raiding school buses and asking students for documentation.

And that’s where Viridiana Carrizales, comes in. Her organization, Immschools, advocates for undocumented students and parents of undocumented students.

Immigrant parents are aware of ICE’s new directive, said Carrizales, who also spoke at the EMS news conference. And that means many are now wary about sending their children to school.

“It has caused a lot of fear in immigrants,” she said.

According to Carrizales, more than 5 million children have undocumented parents or at least one undocumented parent. And now many of them are contemplating pulling them from school She added that its harmful to the entire community to have that many children removed from the education system.

Carrizales added there are laws that protect both students and parents. One of them is the 1982 Plyler Vs. Doe decision. This law establishes that all children within the United States have the right to an education, no matter their status. It also prevents schools from revealing information about a student’s or their parents’ immigration status.

Another law that protects immigrant students and families is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This law protects students’ educational records.

Because of FERPA, schools can’t release student information unless the family approves it.

During education seminars, Carrizales also tells families ICE agents can’t get this information unless they have a judicial warrant.

“We’re telling families about those laws,” she said.

Carrizales added that even in these tense, anti-immigrant times, it’s essential children of immigrant families get an education. She advises them to stay informed and attentive.

“Be alert, be aware, but bring your kids to school,” she said.

By Ty Jones

Many people take the stand that violence should never be used to combat violence, believing it only breeds more violence, and as some believe, corrupts the moral center of a liberation movement. However, history has endlessly chronicled that the ruling class only wakes up to how they exploit the working class when the threat of violence is on the table. Those who find this idea abhorrent, feel free to sit this one out. For those still with me, as the young folks say—L.F.G!

I would argue that the reaction to the death of the UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson was not joy but the release of years of rage at the policies and ruthless exploitation embedded in our for-profit healthcare system. And rather than just debating whether Luigi Mangione was right or wrong, part of the equation should be: Is his choice the only way?

This is where theatre comes in.

Specifically, I’m speaking to those in the “working class” realm of theatre—those without permanent spaces or endowments but with the ability to engage communities. Imagine if theatre could be a vehicle to challenge the exploitation of the American healthcare system without resorting to violence, yet still have an uncompromising impact on universal healthcare.

How? Young theatermakers, you need an audience. Healthcare in the U.S. affects everyone, across class and political lines. Reach out to your communities—local Facebook groups, neighbors, civic organizations—and ask them to share their healthcare horror stories. Record them. Write them down. Meet with them in person.

Gather 10-12 stories and find a venue to present them. If possible, have actors perform these stories. The people who share them will invite others, ensuring engagement is high. Start small, but be consistent—weekly if possible. Capture videos and photos to spread awareness.

Once momentum builds, invite local politicians. Research their campaign contributions—are they taking money from Big Pharma? If they aren’t, seeing their constituents’ stories may keep them that way. If they are, public accountability will pressure them to reconsider. Storytelling has the power to change minds, policies, and futures. If a politician continues to take Pharma dollars, let them know their constituents (the audience you’ve organically built) will rally to vote them out.

Some theatre practitioners have organized national performance movements, where artists across the country present work on the same day. Imagine a nationwide theatrical event dedicated to a singular conversation about universal healthcare—with thousands of contributors.

Theatre today is often focused on identity and hyper-individualism. However, those individuals all need healthcare too. This is a moment to shift attention outward and serve something bigger—something necessary.

Violence has a place in progress, though it often breeds more violence. History is filled with evidence of what happens when an unarmed minority faces an armed majority. Yet sometimes, when you bring a knife to a knife fight, people may actually lay down their arms in the interest of progress. The pen can be as mighty as the sword, if we dare to wield it for historic change.

Fate vs. free will. The human condition.

For thousands of years, theatre has sparked conversations on community maintenance. It serves as a mirror up to nature, reflecting our hopes, fears, and complexities – including rage. I am persuaded that we can lay down our arms and use language, storytelling, and collective action to spark substantive, lasting legislative change.

Remember, employ patience – it’s the type of marathon where a baton is passed on.  So—L.F.G!

Ty Jones is an OBIE Award and NAACP Award winner and the Producing Artistic Director of the Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH).

SELMA, AL — The Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium (Southern Black Girls) proudly announces the appointment of Chanceé Lundy as its new Executive Director. A distinguished environmental engineer, entrepreneur, and social justice advocate, Lundy brings decades of leadership experience to an organization dedicated to empowering Black girls and women across the South.

Founded in 2017, Southern Black Girls channels resources to underfunded Black women-led organizations that empower Black girls and women in 13 Southern states. The consortium has awarded over $10.2 million to more than 220 Black girl and women-led organizations and empowered over 800 girls with microgrants totaling nearly $500,000 since its inception. Lundy’s appointment signals a bold step forward in expanding the organization’s influence, sustainability, and commitment to investing in Black girls and women.

“Chanceé embodies everything our organization stands for – vision, resilience, and a deep commitment to uplifting Black girls and women,” said LaTosha Brown, Visionary Founder. “When I first met Chanceé as a bright-eyed 14 year old, I glimpsed a spark that has since blazed into a powerful force for change. As a founder of Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium, I am profoundly confident she will elevate our vision to extraordinary heights. I’m blessed to call her my mentee, and now, with immense pride, my leader.” Lundy’s relationship with Brown began in 1995 when Brown was working with a youth activism and social justice organization in Selma, Alabama.

For Lundy, leading Southern Black Girls represents a full-circle moment in her journey. Growing up in Selma, Alabama, she directly benefited from the type of community organizations that Southern Black Girls now fund. “I am honored to lead an organization that is transforming the landscape for Black girls and women across the South,” said Lundy. “My own life trajectory was forever changed by community organizations that invested in me as a young Black girl in Selma. These programs gave me access to opportunities, mentorship, the confidence to pursue a career in engineering, and the social consciousness to understand systemic injustices and fight against systems of oppression.”

In 2024, Lundy was invited by the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia to engage with Colombian leaders, activists, youth, and women entrepreneurs to discuss shared challenges around climate change, equity, and economic empowerment. “Whether in the US South or South America, communities of color face similar systemic barriers that demand both grassroots action and institutional support,” Lundy reflected. She has consistently demonstrated her commitment to providing transformative experiences for Black girls and women in the South. She founded Destination Liberation to enhance cross-cultural connections and learning for Black girls through travel in the African Diaspora. She also co-designed Harvard University’s Power, Innovation, and Leadership program to boost Southern women leaders’ effectiveness and penned the anthology “It’s Just High School” to aid girls in navigating adolescence. These initiatives underscore her deep commitment to empowering Black girls and women.

Lundy also brings a wealth of business experience to her new role. She co-owned an engineering and planning firm, Nspiregreen, LLC, for over eleven years before selling it in 2020. She has served as the National Chair of the National Society of Black Engineers and as the National Co-Chair of Black Youth Vote. Her accomplishments have been recognized by Ebony Magazine, which named her one of the “30 Leaders of the Future,” and US Black Engineer, which included her among the “Top 100 Most Important Blacks in Technology” and  she has been recognized with a day in her hometown “Chanceé Lundy Day.”

Lundy holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Alabama A&M University and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Florida State University. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

For more information about the Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium, visit www.southernblackgirls.org.

About Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium:

Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium (SBGWC) has been committed to channeling greater resources to underfunded Black women-led organizations across the South. Founded in 2017 by LaTosha Brown, Felecia Lucky, and Alice Eason Jenkins, the Consortium operates in  in 13 southern states, and employs a participatory grantmaking approach that centers Black girls’ voices and experiences while supporting racial justice, education, health and wellness, economic mobility, and leadership development.

By Lou K. Coleman | WSS News Contributor

Because the repetition of “listen” and “hear” underscores the urgency and necessity of heeding divine guidance. Give ear and hear My voice, listen and hear My words you deaf; and look, you blind, that you may see. Heed, instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. If you do your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying; This is the way, walk in it, when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. – [Isaiah 28:23; Isaiah 30:21; Isaiah 42:18; Proverbs 8:33]. For when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come [John 16:13]. So, watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.” [Luke 21:34-36].

For the water is boiling, and the pot is about to explode. You have got to choose and choose NOW!  It is the last hour! Receive the saving grace of God. Waiting any longer is like playing with fire while soaked in gasoline because you never know when your time in this world is up.  The day is near; It will be a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations. [Ezekiel 30:3]. No more procrastination, you have got to choose and choose NOW!  For the trumpets are sounding; the mountain is engulfed and smoking; the earth is quaking; thunders are clapping; lightning is flashing; people are trembling [Exodus 19:19–20].

O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord! [Jeremiah 22:29]. Listen to God’s warnings and instructions [Isaiah 28:23].

Why do you play so loose with your life? Not this physical life but the one coming after – the eternal life. Consider today with some urgency your eternal life. Choose Christ NOW, for NOW is the acceptable time, NOW is the day of salvation [2 Corinthians 6:2].

Understand the value of time. The brevity and uncertainty of life: [James 4:14]. The importance of making the most of every opportunity: [Ephesians 5:16]. The consequences of wasted time and missed opportunities: [Proverbs 10:5]. The danger of procrastination: [Proverbs 27:1]. The eternal implications of temporal decisions: [2 Corinthians 4:18].

Turn to God before it’s too late [Hebrews 9:27] because God is about to turn up the heat. He has sent an eagle to fly above the earth and send out one last warning before a period of unexampled warfare, distress and suffering come upon this troubled world. Give your life to Christ NOW before the Rapture to avoid the horrible tribulation period, which includes the Antichrist, Armageddon, and the Final Judgment. For the tribulation period will be the most horrible, horrible time for those who are not saved.

Understand, Jesus said something really tough for us to hear. He said, “you can be sure that if you don’t turn back to God, every one of you will die.” [Luke 13:5]. Choose Christ NOW! Don’t wait until it’s TOO LATE! The matter is URGENT! NOW is the time for repentance!

When God Repeats Himself Over and Over ?We Better Listen!

Five Cries from Hell –

The Rich Man – “In Hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried… I am in agony in this fire” [Luke 16:23-24].

Cain cries again and again, “My punishment is greater than I can bear” [Genesis 4:13].

The people in Noah’s day crying, “Let us in! Let us in!” But it was too late for them to enter in! [Genesis 7:16].

Judas screaming over and over, “I have betrayed…innocent blood” [Matthew 27:4].

King Agrippa crying, “He cries out, “Almost! Almost! Almost thou persuadest me!” The Apostle Paul witnessed to him, but he rejected Christ. He was almost converted, but he waited too long. [Acts 26:28].

You too have been almost persuaded. You say in your heart, “Someday” but there is great danger in saying, “Someday.” Satan has told you to wait a little longer. The Devil knows that he will get you if you keep waiting and putting off your salvation. But one of these days death will slip up on you. You won’t be ready, and it will be too late forever.

These people had resisted the call of God too long. They fiddled and played and procrastinated. They put off their salvation too long. They forgot that “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” [Hebrews 9:27].

Oh, if God grows impatient, the sweet Spirit offended, if no longer He calls you, doom is yours when He’s gone. Then how sad facing judgment you’ll recall with no mercy, that you tarried and lingered till the Spirit was gone; what reproaches and mourning, if when death finds you hopeless, you have tarried and lingered and have waited too long. [If You Linger Too Long” by Dr. John R. Rice ?1895-1980].

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision [Joel 3:14].

“Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps [Amos 5:3].

And just as He called and they would not listen, so they called and I would not listen,” says the Lord of hosts [Zechariah 7:13].

So awful and terrifying was the [phenomenal] sight that Moses said, I am terrified, aghast and trembling with fear [Hebrews 12:21].

They refused to listen. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might [2 Thessalonians 1:9]. Throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [Matthew 13:50]. For they refused to listen to the Lord their God and obey Him [2 Kings 18:12].

I Tell You, When God Repeats Himself Over and Over, We Better Listen!

CHICAGO, CA— When he was 17 years old, Troshawn McCoy was arrested, convicted and sentenced to 55 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. In 2017, after being incarcerated for more than 20 years, McCoy’s conviction (along with those of three other men) was overturned, leading to a lawsuit in which the City of Chicago settled with the four men for a combined $50 million.

McCoy was the first of four teenagers arrested in Chicago in 1995 for a double murder and robbery. Despite the lack of physical or forensic evidence linking the teens to the crime, all were convicted and given lengthy prison sentences.

“My experience serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for systemic reform and the human capacity to overcome profound adversity,” McCoy said.

Chicago’s legacy of overturned convictions and hundreds of millions of dollars in lawsuit settlements has led the Innocence Project to nickname Illinois the “wrongful conviction capital of the country.” But no amount of money can compensate McCoy and other wrongfully imprisoned people for the years they’ve lost.

“While my settlement has provided financial stability, it underscores a poignant reality: material wealth cannot reclaim lost time,” McCoy commented. “I cannot buy back the 22 years taken from me.”

McCoy’s harrowing story underscores the personal and familial toll of wrongful imprisonment and the systemic failures in the criminal justice system. Demonstrating remarkable resilience and strength, he is working toward rebuilding his life while fighting for others facing similar circumstances.

And McCoy’s case isn’t an isolated one. Chicago has a long and troubling history of corrupt policing, particularly in cases involving young Black men. According to the Innocence Project, 540 wrongfully convicted people in Illinois have been exonerated — more than in any other state.

“I don’t know how it feels to be in your twenties, fall in love, dream of building a family, and create the stepping stones for your future,” McCoy said. “All of that was taken away from me as I sat in a cold jail cell, knowing the truth, but being unable to do anything about it. I was robbed of my young adulthood, almost like a time glitch, where you look up and your life is just starting at 37 years old.”

By Lou K. Coleman | WSS News Contributor

For those of you who are not paying attention or have not grasped the latest announcements, you are going to be eaten alive. Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? [Mark 8:1-18]. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you [Proverbs 4:27] because your life depends on it. Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance [Proverbs 1:5]. Stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man [Luke 21:36].

In these days of quite obvious prophetic fulfillment, the Rapture and the Seven-Year Tribulation, also known as the 70th Week of Daniel, appear to be right upon our very doorstep. The devil’s puppets are operating full force in the religious realms, the political realms, the news realms, the financial realms, the medical realms, the educational realms, the social media realms, the entertainment realms, the sports realms, the weather manipulating realms, and in what has become painfully obvious, the evil globalist realms. These mega-wealthy, evil globalist creatures openly brag about the sinister plans they have for you and for me.

Consider the now-famous words of Klaus Schwab and Yuval Noah Harari. For example, “You will own nothing and like it,” and “Humans are nothing more than useless eaters that are hackable.” Those two maleficent wholeheartedly support transhumanism and the globalists’ UN Agenda 2030 to depopulate the world by about seven and one half billion people.

Satan puppets are tooting their horns. They are telling us. They are showing us. They are freely announcing it on the news. They are not hiding it anymore. The announcements that are being made are clear on what’s about to happen. Pray for discernment, because if you are not grasping these announcements that are being made, you will be deceived. The veil has been pulled backed, and the announcements have been made. Time to Decide! Christ or the Mark of the Beast!

Think about it! Choose carefully! [Joshua 24:15]. Keep in mind, “Resistance will cost you. Submission will cost you more.

For the consequences for those who resist, DO NOT receive the Mark of the Beast, who refuse to worship the image will be killed. [Revelation 13:15]. But fear not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soul but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell [Matthew 10:28].

For those who choose Christ “have gotten the victory and will be resurrected and reign with Christ for 1,000 years. [Revelation 15:1-3; Revelation 20:4].

The consequences for those who submit, WHO receive the Mark of the Beast, are dire and eternal. [Revelation 14:9-11] provides a vivid and sobering description of the fate that awaits them.

A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.” [Revelation 19:15-20].

Anyone who takes the Mark of the Beast will spend eternity in Hell.

Theologically, this judgment reflects the ultimate consequence of idolatry and rebellion against God. By receiving the mark, you are making a conscious choice to reject God and worship the beast. This decision is not a trivial one; it signifies a deep-seated allegiance and commitment to the forces of evil. As such, the judgment is both just and warranted. [Revelation 13:16-17].

The warning of Scripture is clear. Take the Beast Mark during the tribulation and you will be eternally condemned.

The call is to remain faithful to God, resist the allure of the beast, and endure in faith, knowing that your ultimate reward is eternal life with Christ. Be like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who refused to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s image, facing consequences but standing firm in their faith. [Daniel 3].

Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. [Revelation 2:10].

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?  [Psalms 118:6].

God promises redemption from death. Eternal life and freedom from the fear of death. [Hosea 13:14;].

Standing Firm in Faith!

Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also, I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the Word of God, and those who had not worshiped the Beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. [Revelation 20:4; James 1:12].

After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in Heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for His judgments are true and just; for He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants, you who fear Him, small and great.”  [Revelation 19:1-21].

The Announcements Have Been Made. Time to Decide – Christ or the Mark of the Beast!

Publisher’s Commentary by Wallace Allen IV

A fight between two students at Jehue Middle School, located in the Rialto Unified School District, has resulted in a recommendation for felony charges against one student and misdemeanor charges against the other.

The fight evolved in a classroom with other students and a substitute teacher present. Witnesses of the event agree that one of the participants began the show by using a water gun to shoot water on several students, and that one of the people hit by the water had an issue with not only the water splashing, but also something about a pencil.

A real physical fight quickly developed from the loud arguing between the two students, one, a small-in-stature female and the other, a much bigger in height and weight male. The fight lasted long enough for anyone who saw the viral video to wonder, “Where is the teacher?” After about 15 seconds of video, the female student was slammed onto a desk and apparently rendered unconscious. As several students went to the aid of the fallen warrior, the question about the teacher’s presence was answered in that you could hear her voice, not addressing the incident or checking the status of the fallen, apparently unconscious student.

The fight provides another level of concern when it is revealed that the female combatant is Black and the male is Brown. The N-word was used by the male fighter, as well as by some other students! As these children wallow in the racist terminology, they have no knowledge of the fact that most of them in the room would have been forced to use the back doors and drink from separate water fountains in Mississippi during the 1950s Jim Crow Era! Furthermore, they, Black and Brown, are equally subject to being picked up and deported by ICE during the present-day Trump era!

Yet some Black and Brown spoke-stars are able to discern the differences between Black and Brown folks enough to promote the ‘they are not like us’ aspect of the relationship. Who does that line of thinking really help? Justifying the divide between Black and Brown people is a tool that benefits fascism and white superiority!

Felonies and misdemeanors are not solutions for the children who drink the poison Kool-aid that encourages violence as a solution to chaos and confusion. Our children need to be protected and nourished!

The students who fought and who witnessed the fight, plus the teacher who was in the room before and during, should all be required to participate in counseling designed to manage and deescalate anger.

NATIONWIDE — Tia Mowry recently opened up about the idea of reviving Sister, Sister, the popular ’90s sitcom she starred in with her twin sister, Tamera Mowry-Housley. While she’s not ruling out the idea entirely, Tia also values the show’s legacy and wants to preserve its classic status.

At the Overjoyed launch event in Los Angeles, Tia told People, “Yeah, I mean, never say never. I’m just a huge believer in that, meaning I don’t have a crystal ball, but never say never.”

Sister, Sister aired from 1994 to 1999 and followed the story of twins separated at birth who reunite as teenagers and navigate life together with their adoptive families. The show became a beloved staple of ’90s television.

While many fans are eager for a Sister, Sister reboot, Tia admitted that part of her wants to leave the show as it is. “It was such a beautiful, amazing show, and a part of me just wants to leave it there,” she explained. Tia added that, despite her fondness for the show, she wouldn’t want to risk tarnishing its legacy by bringing it back.

To mark the 30th anniversary of Sister, Sister last year, Tia shared throwback photos and reflected on the impact the show had on her life. She recalled how the show initially faced rejection before becoming a hit, emphasizing how perseverance played a key role in its success.

Tia’s latest project, Tia Mowry: My Next Act, is a reality series that dives into her life after her divorce from Cory Hardrict. It follows her journey of self-discovery and co-parenting her children, Cree and Cairo. She said the series aims to inspire and empower others going through similar experiences.

NATIONWIDE — Former Vice President Kamala Harris is reportedly considering a run for California governor in 2026, aiming to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom. According to CBS News, she plans to decide by the summer of 2025 and has already started discussions with supporters and aides.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has publicly backed Harris, saying he will fully support her if she enters the race. Her national profile and strong donor network could significantly influence the state’s political landscape.

While some speculate she may run for president in 2028, winning the governorship could strengthen her political standing. Despite her 2024 presidential loss, analysts suggest a high-profile role in California politics could help revive her national prospects.

In addition to politics, Harris has signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) to explore opportunities in publishing and public speaking. This move indicates she is keeping her career options open, whether in public office or elsewhere.

The 2026 California governor’s race already features notable Democratic candidates, including former State Senate President Toni Atkins, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. If Harris enters, she could shift the race dynamics with her broad recognition and fundraising ability.

Harris is currently consulting with family, friends, and advisers before making a final decision. Her choice will impact both California’s political future and national Democratic strategies. With her summer deadline approaching, political observers and voters are closely watching her next move.

By Antonio? ?Ray? ?Harvey? ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media?

Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton) says she understood before she was elected to office last year that Californians pay among the highest electricity rates in the country.

So, lowering that cost – and that of other utility bills — has become her top priority.

A member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), Ransom, on her first day on the job in December, introduced Assembly Bill (AB 13). If passed, the legislation will reform the five-member California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and hold its regulators more accountable, providing residents with the transparency, she says, they deserve regarding how their bills are increased.

“This is necessary because (CPUC) oversees the utilities companies that request rate hikes,” Ransom told California Black Media (CBM). “So far, that has been happening but we as the public don’t understand that the CPUC is not an elected body. It is an appointed body. They don’t have to answer to constituents who hold them accountable.”

Ransom represents California’s 13th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Stockton, Tracy and Mountain House. A former Tracy City Councilmember, Ransom was elected to office in the November General Election and is one of nine Black women legislators that are part of the 12-member CLBC.

“We need to ensure that decisions affecting utilities are made with fairness, transparency, and accountability, prioritizing affordability for Californians,” she stated.

The CPUC is a state regulatory agency that was created by a constitutional amendment to regulate privately owned telecommunications, electric, natural gas, water, railroad, rail transit, passenger transportation, and in-state moving companies.

The CPUC is responsible for ensuring that California utility customers have dependable utility service at less expensive rates, protecting utility customers from acts of deception, and promoting the well-being of California’s economy. The agency has a staff of approximately 940 employees.

The commission’s board, which typically meets twice a month, is comprised of five members with a president. Board members are appointed by the Governor and serve six-year terms. The current commissioners are Alice Busching Reynolds, Darcie L. Houck, John Reynolds, Karen Douglas, and Matthew Baker.

Busching-Reynolds is the President.

AB 13 would require that four members of the commission represent the geographic locations of the four State Board of Equalization districts. The bill would require that one member be an at-large member with unspecified qualifications.

“We all wonder sometimes how they make their decisions, how they are approving these rates and are they putting people first,” Ransom said. “They are a part of the California Constitution. They are appointed by the Governor. The Constitution does say they are supposed to be accountable to the Legislature, but the Governor gets to appoint them.”

Ransom continued, “So far, the legislature does not play a big role in what they do. We do get reports from them, but we should be getting a little bit more.”

Additionally, AB 13 would prohibit an elected member of, or an employee of, the Legislature or an employee of the executive branch from serving as a member of the commission within one year after leaving the position as an elected member or employee.

Ransom said she has been working in earnest with stakeholders and her legislative colleagues for months to make sure the bill is a pathway for workable policies that will result in “accountability, accessibility, and transparency” to avoid the rate increases that have constrained many consumers.

AB 13 has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy, where amendments will be made to further align the bill with its intended goals.

The introduction of AB 13 came six weeks after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order designed to reduce electric costs for Californians. The CPUC and California Energy Commission (CEC) were tasked to examine ways to trim programs that would save money on electric bills.

The Governor’s action aimed to provide electric bill relief while maintaining the state’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality and 100% clean electricity by the year 2045.

Last year, millions of state residents received an average credit of $71 on their October electric bills from the California Climate Credit, provided by the state’s Cap-and-Trade program.

The climate credit provides ratepayers with their share of the benefits of California’s Cap-and-Trade Program, according to CPUC. The credits are issued twice a year – a natural gas credit in April and electric credits in April and October.

“We’re taking action to address rising electricity costs and save consumers money on their bills,” Newsom stated on Oct. 30. “California is proving that we can address affordability concerns as we continue our world-leading efforts to combat the climate crisis.

On Feb. 18, CPUC released a document titled “Response to

Executive Order N-5-24,” a 38-page document that recommends examining the benefits and costs to electric ratepayers, taking action to modify or sunset any underperforming or underutilized programs, and consulting with the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety on adjustments to utility wildfire safety oversight processes, procedures, and practices.

Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) discounted the report, calling it “useless.” However, he said the document confirmed that there is another problem.

“A newly released report shows there is plenty of waste in our electricity rates that has never been reviewed for cost-effectiveness,” Gallagher posted Feb. 19 on X. “Mandates and subsidies make our rates some of the highest in the nation. Enough.”

Ransom said working Californians cannot afford another rate hike or price increase.

 “We just want to make sure that people in the position can look out for our best interests,” Ransom told CBM.