Happily Divorced And After

By Bruce Finley

Federal Bureau of Investigation officials are warning travelers and shoppers to avoid public free phone charging portals, warning that “bad actors” use these to install malware and tracking software onto computers and phones.

This is the practice commonly known as “juice-jacking.”

“Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices,” FBI officials announced Thursday in a tweet.

“Carry your own charger and USB cord and use an electrical outlet instead,” the FBI officials advised.

The free public charging stations have multiplied in recent years as operators of airports, including Denver International Airport, increase services to accommodate growing numbers of people in transit. Hotel operators and shopping center managers also have installed the charging portals, and FBI officials warned these too could lead to the installation of unwanted surveillance software and malware onto computers and smartphones.

Denver International Airport officials on Thursday said they are wise to this activity, known among operations crew members as “juice-jacking,” but that they weren’t aware of any reports of trouble at DIA, airport spokeswoman Ashley Forest said.

DIA “has methods of determining whether a public charging port has been tampered with and the ability to take any tampered port out of service,” Forest said.

“However, the best defense against this type of attack on any public charging port remains within the smartphone itself,” she said, referring to Apple and Android “updates” to their smartphone software “to prevent or alert users to this type of attack when using a public charging port.”

By Lou K Coleman-Yeboah

Do not weep or pray for them, and don’t beg Me to help them, for I will not listen to you. I tell you, even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before Me, my heart would not go out to these people. Send them away from My presence! Let them go! They wouldn’t listen, and now it’s too late!  Mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, upon beast, upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn and shall not be quenched for this is a nation [America] that obeyeth not the voice of the Lord their God, nor receiveth correction. Therefore, I will appoint over them four forms of destruction,” “the sword to slay, the dogs to drag, the birds of the heavens and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy. I will hand them over to trouble, to all kingdoms of the earth.  I will stretch out My hand against them and destroy them; I am weary of relenting! Do not pray for these people. Their fate of judgment and exile is already certain, [Jeremiah 7:16, 20, 28; 11:14; 15:1-3].

Listen, in all your getting get an understanding. If you don’t get yourself together, you will find yourself caught up in the wrath of God. Understand, whatever God says, He does, and His word stands for eternities. Waste no more time. God’s wrath is coming, and it’s coming soon. For His wrath is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. [Romans 1:18]. Take advantage of the opportunities God’s grace provides. What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! [Romans 6:1-2].

If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

On Friday, California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) Chair Lori Wilson (D-Suisun) announced that she is receiving treatment for Breast Cancer.

The lawmaker, who was elected last year, thanked supporters for all the love and support she has received and assured constituents that she will still be fighting for their interests.

“I remain steadfast in my dedication to serve the residents of the 11th Assembly District,” Wilson said.

Assemblymember Akilah Weber to Run for State Senate

On April 6, Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa) announced she is entering the race to replace Senate President pro tempore Toni Atkins, who is termed out at the end of this year.

Weber, who is also a physician, represents the 79th Assembly District in the greater San Diego area.

“I have successfully fought to improve access to quality healthcare, strengthen our education system, protect our environment, and further economic prosperity,” Weber said in a statement. “As State Senator for District 39, I will continue this fight.”

Weber’s announcement came roughly a week after County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher withdrew from the race citing his battle with alcohol abuse and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Fletcher is also facing allegations of sexual harassment and infidelity.

In 2021, Weber won a special election to replace her mother, Shirley N. Weber, in the Assembly after the elder Weber was appointed Secretary of State by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

HIGHLAND, CA— Rep. Pete Aguilar announced $2,500,000 of federal funding he secured for the Santa Ana River Enhanced Stormwater Recharge Project. This project will increase the amount of storm water from the Santa Ana River that can be captured and recharged from the Seven Oaks Dam. The water captured by this project in the San Bernardino Basin will help approximately 400,000 residents. With recent storms battering the Inland Empire, this project will play a key role in our region’s long-term drought resiliency and water-conservation efforts.

“Protecting our water supply is one of the most important issues we face as a region, state and nation,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “With the latest surge of storms, California’s drought has been cut in half, but this is not a sustainable solution to our drought. This project will benefit over 400,000 people in our region and play a key role in our long-term conservation and drought resiliency efforts.”

“San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District is excited to move forward with this critical water supply project as it demonstrates our commitment to collaboration, regional partnership, innovation, and perseverance in getting hard things done. This project is so unique because of its many integrated benefits; first and foremost it captures much-needed local stormwater during wet years for use during future dry years; it improves the long-term water quality of our groundwater; it supports and actually enhances endangered species habitat; and finally it serves as the foundation of our long-term climate resilience strategy for the upper Santa Ana River watershed,” said Heather Dyer, CEO/General Manager of the regional water agency which has been ensuring water supply to the area since 1954. “This is a generational investment in water infrastructure that will support the changing needs of our region’s population and environment for decades to come. I’m honored to be part of it,” she added.

“In a state like California where every drop of water is precious, cooperative management is essential. As a partner with San Bernardino Valley for more than five decades, Western Water is proud that our region is leading by example and working together,”said Western Water’s Board President Mike Gardner. “Local projects like the Enhanced Recharge Project are needed to capture and store more stormwater when we get it, so we can stretch our resources during longer, hotter and drier weather conditions.”

LONG BEACH, CA— Over 180,000 fans will watch in anticipation as world-class racers take to the streets of Downtown Long Beach in the 48th annual Acura Grand Prix, but they will also see some smaller wheels on the sidelines.

After a pandemic pause, Jehovah’s Witnesses are returning to the longest-running street race in North America with their mobile Bible-based literature carts.

“The pandemic halted our face-to-face ministry for a period of time, but we are so happy to be back reconnecting with people again,” said David Cohen, regional spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “We enjoy sharing a positive message with people of all backgrounds, and the Grand

Prix is an exciting event with wide appeal.”

The event will take place April 14-16, where a variety of races will run throughout the weekend, finishing with a big-league IndyCar Series race. This year, more than 200 volunteers will share a positive Bible message at 30 literature carts stationed along the racing routes.

Volunteer Amanda Derby is revved up to return to the famed seaside circuit where some of the biggest names in the sport have taken the checkered flag, including legends Mario Andretti and the late Al Unsur. “It feels so good to get back out there to see smiling faces and share a smile,” she said.

Kicking people into high gear is what the Grand Prix is all about expressed Kefflyn Mathews, who has not only been a spectator for many years but also a local volunteer.

“It brings the community together and it’s a good chance for people to celebrate and enjoy life,” said Mathews. “It’s exciting to be back in person and let people know we have not forgotten about the community; we are still very active in sharing the Bible’s positive message. We are here for them.”

Jehovah’s Witnesses have incorporated mobile displays of Bible-based literature as part of their public ministry in the United States since 2011. First launched in major metropolitan areas worldwide, this practice rapidly gained momentum and has become a staple at rail and bus stations, airports, harbors, main streets and large events such as the Grand Prix.

“We thoroughly enjoy the city of Long Beach which hosts the Grand Prix. Jehovah’s Witnesses have been holding their conventions there for over 25 years, and we are very appreciative of the city’s support,” said Cohen.

To learn more about Jehovah’s Witnesses, their history, beliefs and activities, visit their official website jw.org, which features content in more than 1,000 languages.

NEW YORK (AP) — Saying she is ready to share the “unfathomable” experience of being arrested and incarcerated in Russia, basketball star Brittney Griner is working on a memoir that is scheduled for spring 2024.

Griner was arrested last year at the airport in Moscow on drug-related charges and detained for nearly 10 months, much of that time in prison. Her plight unfolded at the same time Russia invaded Ukraine and further heightened tensions between Russia and the U.S., ending only after she was freed in exchange for the notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

A WNBA All-Star with the Phoenix Mercury, Griner had flown to Moscow in February 2022 to rejoin UMMC Ekaterinburg, a Russian women’s team she has played for in the off-season since 2014.

“That day (in February) was the beginning of an unfathomable period in my life which only now am I ready to share,” Griner said in a statement released Tuesday by Alfred A. Knopf.

“The primary reason I traveled back to Russia for work that day was because I wanted to make my wife, family, and teammates proud. After an incredibly challenging 10 months in detainment, I am grateful to have been rescued and to be home. Readers will hear my story and understand why I’m so thankful for the outpouring of support from people across the world.”

Griner added that she also hoped her book would raise awareness of other Americans detained overseas, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, arrested in Russia last month and accused of espionage; businessman Kai Li, serving a 10-year sentence in China on charges of revealing state secrets to the FBI; and Paul Whelan, a corporate security executive imprisoned in Russia on spying charges. Around the time Griner was released, Whelan criticized the U.S. government for not doing enough to help him.

Russia has been a popular playing destination for top WNBA athletes in the offseason, with some earning salaries over $1 million — nearly quadruple what they can make as a base WNBA salary. Despite pleading guilty to possessing canisters with cannabis oil, a result of what she said was hasty packing, Griner still faced trial under Russian law.

Griner’s memoir is currently untitled and will eventually be published in a young adult edition. Financial terms were not disclosed.

In Tuesday’s press statement, Knopf said that the book would be “intimate and moving” and that Griner would disclose “in vivid detail her harrowing experience of her wrongful detainment (as classified by the State Department) and the difficulty of navigating the byzantine Russian legal system in a language she did not speak.”

“Griner also describes her stark and surreal time living in a foreign prison and the terrifying aspects of day-to-day life in a women’s penal colony,” the announcement reads. “At the heart of the book, Griner highlights the personal turmoil she experienced during the near ten-month ordeal and the resilience that carried her through to the day of her return to the United States last December.”

Griner, 32, is a 6-foot-9 two-time Olympic gold medalist, three-time All-American at Baylor University, a prominent advocate for pay equity for women athletes and the first openly gay athlete to reach an endorsement deal with Nike. She is the author of one previous book, “In My Skin: My Life On and Off the Basketball Court,” published in 2014.

In February, she re-signed with the Mercury and will play in its upcoming season, which runs from May through September.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— As the country continues marking the 50-year anniversary of Title IX, which paved the way for women to finally pursue athletic and academic opportunities at the next level, close to 100 girls from high schools across San Bernardino and Highland gathered for the official kickoff of the newly formed Women’s Flag Football League, which was held on Friday, April 7 at the San Bernardino High School football stadium. The evening included a demonstration game with 12 professional female players and an appearance by the Los Angeles Rams, with the team providing team t-shirts, eye black, and USA Football flag belts to players.

The flag football league is part of San Bernardino City Unified School District’s (SBCUSD’s) Expanded Learning—Sunrise/CAPS program and was started in partnership with Athletes for Life (AFL) and former NFL Pro Bowl running back Greg Bell. SBCUSD is the first Inland Empire school district to launch a flag football program for high school girls.

In December 2022, the CIF Federated Council and the state of California elected to make flag football a sanctioned varsity sport for girls starting in 2025. SBCUSD is getting a leg up on the competition by starting its own flag football league for girls.

“We’re always looking for expanded learning activities that allow our students to experience new opportunities that may otherwise be out of reach to them,” said Expanded Learning Director Ann Pearson. “Team sports expose our students to various valuable lessons that will help them now and in the future.”

This summer, AFL will also host its 23rd Annual IAM GIFTED summer football camps with San Bernardino High School alum and Minnesota Viking running back Alexander Mattison, a former camp attendee. The camp is free for all local San Bernardino County youth ages 6 and up. For more information and to sign up to attend, please visit www.AthletesforLife.org or call Barbara Nelson at (888) 675-8884.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) is proud to announce the return of one of its own, Mauricio Arellano, as the new superintendent of California’s seventh-largest school district. Arellano, a native of San Bernardino, attended District schools and returns on April 17 to lead SBCUSD as superintendent.

“We are thrilled to have Mauricio back in San Bernardino,” said Board of Education President Dr. Scott Wyatt. “His experience and expertise will be invaluable as we work to ensure that every student in San Bernardino and Highland has access to a quality education.”

Arellano’s career in education spans more than three decades, and he has held a variety of leadership roles in Southern California school districts. Most recently, he served as superintendent of neighboring Redlands Unified, where he oversaw significant improvements in academic achievement.

As superintendent, Arellano is responsible for setting a clear and compelling vision for SBCUSD, including goals and strategies for improving student achievement, creating safer schools, and engaging families and the community. The superintendent oversees the District’s budget, staffing, and facilities, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively and efficiently to support teaching and learning.

“I am honored to return to San Bernardino, the place where I grew up and went to school,” Superintendent Arellano said. “I am excited to work with our dedicated educators, staff, and community partners to provide our students with the best possible education and abundant opportunities for success.”

A reception to welcome Arellano and his family back to the community will be held on Tuesday, April 18 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Dr. Margaret Hill Community Room, located at 777 North F Street in San Bernardino.

Arellano was selected by the SBCUSD Board of Education in February 2023 in a unanimous vote following a comprehensive community engagement process and national search.

He graduated from San Bernardino High School and started his career in education as a bilingual elementary school teacher in the District more than 30 years ago. Arellano is the son of immigrant parents from Mexico who also worked in SBCUSD schools. He was a first-generation college student when he pursued his undergraduate degrees in sociology and Spanish at the University of California, Riverside. He later earned a master’s degree in educational administration from California State University, San Bernardino.

ATLANTA, CA— (BUSINESS WIRE)– Fearless Fund and the Tory Burch Foundation opened

applications for the third cohort of the Women of Color Grant Program. The program will award 75 women of color-owned small businesses with $10,000 and $20,000 grants, access to a self-paced learning portal and peer-to-peer community networking.

Applications are open until Friday, April 28. To learn more about the program and how to apply, visit the Fearless Fund’s website at https://www.fearless.fund/tory-burch-foundation. Accepted grantees will be notified in July 2023.

While the number of women-owned businesses continues to rise, due to funding disparities, only 2% of women-owned startups generate $1 million in revenue; men are 3.5 times more likely to achieve this number. The Woman of Color Grant Program was created to help women of color entrepreneurs gain access to much-needed capital, and this year’s grant program marks another significant step in advancing women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship, and reducing racial inequalities.

About Fearless Fund

Launched in 2019, Fearless Fund invests in WOC-led businesses seeking pre-seed, seed level, or series A financing. Its mission is to bridge the gap in venture capital funding for female founders of color building scalable, growth-aggressive companies. The Fearless Fund team also runs The Fearless Foundation, a

501c3 organization with a goal to educate entrepreneurs through training, reduce racial inequities, and

empower African-Americans to gain access to capital, as well as the Get Ready Venture Program, a 12-

month training program for WOC business owners to acquire the needed training, mentorship, knowledge, and skills needed to gain access to capital. For more information on Fearless Fund, please visit www.fearless.fund.

About Tory Burch Foundation

The Tory Burch Foundation empowers women and women entrepreneurs in the United States by providing access to capital, education and digital resources: the Fellows Program has provided over

$1,200,000 in grants to help women grow their businesses; the Tory Burch Capital Program, powered by Bank of America has distributed over $95 million dollars in loans to nearly 5,500 women entrepreneurs; and each month, the Foundation’s Women of Color Grant program has deployed $2.2M funding in partnership with Fearless Fund; the Foundation provides online tools and digital education to more than 600,000 women and more than 12,000 women have created their business plans on the digital destination ToryBurchFoundation.org.

Source: Fearless Fund

CARSON, CA— Festival season officially kicks off with the 4th Annual Dymally International Jazz & Arts Festival headlined by Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer Lalah Hathaway. Festival organizers have announced the addition of The Family Stone (“Everyday People”) to this year’s lineup.  Additionally, award-winning journalist Roland Martin and comedian and actor Bill Bellamy have been announced as the event’s emcees.  The event will take place on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at DignityHealth Sports Park (18400 Avalon Blvd., Carson, 90746). Doors open at 1 p.m.  Tickets are $50 and $75. To purchase, visit the AXS website.

Other performers include Marcus Miller, Down to the Bone, and Jazz in Pink. A second stage will also feature top international acts.

The day-long festival will include a curated marketplace featuring Black artists, art dealers, and galleries selling original paintings, limited edition prints, home decor, accent pieces, and gifts.

Since 2019, the Dymally International Jazz Arts and Arts Festival has used artistic culture to promote and inspire thought in honor of the late Mervyn Dymally, an internationalist who traveled to over 60 countries throughout his political career-promoting the exchange of cultures throughout the world. The Festival seeks to honor his legacy in bringing the best of jazz and jazz-influenced music, arts, and culture to Cal State University, Dominguez Hills, and surrounding communities.

The proceeds of the annual event benefit university programs such as the CSUDH Presidential Scholars and non-profit programs, The Dymally Fellows Program, and the African American Leadership Training Summit.

For more information, please visit csudh.edu/dymally-institute/jazz-and-arts-festival.