Happily Divorced And After

LOS ANGELES, CA—- From an inspirational keynote by acclaimed television personality and Founder, State of Menopause Stacy London to a “queening ceremony” performed by personal transformational vision coach Barbara Biziou, WisePause Wellness LIVE provided a full day of presentations, panel discussions, therapeutics and most importantly, solutions from top physicians, functional medical practitioners, and experts for women on the topics of hormones through menopause.  Over 25 speakers covered a myriad of issues women 35-65+ face ranging from incontinence, belly fat and sleep, to sex, brain fog and nutrition during the daylong event held at the Skirball Cultural Center on September 10, 2022.

“WisePause Wellness is about empowering women with knowledge and information,” says WisePause Founder, Denise Pines.  “The message that we convey to women is that they are not alone, and they don’t have to suffer in silence because there are answers out there.  WisePause brings together experts to discuss virtually every menopausal symptom that women experience, so for the attendees it is like having their own personal appointment with a medical team to not only get crucial information, but also to see how they can thrive during this period of their lives.”

In addition to presentations from the stage, attendees were treated to Table Talks during lunch, where they could sit down one-on-one with experts to ask their own questions on topics such as hair loss, sex, mindfulness, stress, weight loss, facial rejuvenation, CBD and more.

Over 30 exhibitors showcased their latest health, beauty, medical and nutraceutical products and services designed for women 40+ and at the event.  Many of the exhibitors also presented their products in a 2-minute pitch during the WisePause Lifestyle Showcase segments, to provide more information on advances in women’s health and wellness.

At the end of the day, after a relaxing sound bath, attendees feasted on Mediterranean-inspired food at the “Afterparty” and were treated to massages, acupuncture, skin and eyebrow consultations and sampled products at the Best Self Wellness Experience.

Concludes Pines, “The feedback I’ve gotten on WisePause Wellness has been amazing.  I kept hearing the words ‘powerful,’ ‘transformational,’ and ‘I had no idea that what I was experiencing was due to hormones and menopause’ throughout the day.  That is the environment I wanted to create—a safe space for women to talk about what they are going through, get answers and most importantly, a place where community is cultivated and developed through shared experiences.”

Sponsors of WisePause Wellness include Toyota, Tea Botanics and Equelle. Partners included New Beauty magazine, State of Menopause, MoxieLash, Gennev, GoodPharma, Potency NO. 710 and podcast Hot Flashes & Cool topics.

Stacy London, Founder, State of Menopause on Loving Your Age – photo credit Joan Fuller

Panelists (l-r) Master Your Hormones panel Dr. Leita Harris, Dr. Michael Krychman, Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz and moderator/WisePause Founder Denise Pines – photo credit Joan Fuller

Ramos worked to secure $5 million in current state budget

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) today presented a symbolic check of $5 million to BLU Educational Services/ Foundation to expand the organization’s College Exodus Project aimed at helping at-risk students attend and graduate from college. He presented the check to Chief Executive Officer Dina Walker as well as BLU students.

Ramos worked to help secure the funding in the 2022-23 state budget. The lawmaker said, “BLU has worked steadfastly to help at-risk youth receive the opportunities and assistance they need to earn a college degree and the skills they need for career success. I was proud to work with BLU and my colleagues to get this funding into the state budget. It benefits the students directly, but it is also helping our region build a skilled workforce with close community ties. We need the students’ talent and energy if we want thriving communities in our future.”

BLU has worked with local communities since 1996 to help students with limited resources and opportunities receive the assistance and opportunities to complete high school and further their educations while also helping them find internships and develop leadership and workforce skills. The mission of BLU’s College Exodus Project is to help students get their undergraduate or graduate degrees from accredited colleges and universities. BLU’s goal is that those in the project will contribute to the Inland Empire economy through entrepreneurship, employment, and/or volunteer service. BLU provides comprehensive college information, assistance, and support to help students with admissions, financial aid, retention, and graduation from public and private institutions throughout the country.

Dina Walker, BLU’s president and chief executive officer, said, “BLU’s College Exodus Project is a bold step in the diversion arena, placing a priority on education, collaboration, and the young person as a whole. This work is a commitment to the hopes and dreams of our youth and families, and a healthy productive community. This project will be one of the most impactful projects in this region!”

Kaylie White, a freshman at San Bernardino Valley College, participated in Blu’s College Exodus Project and was a graduate of the Entrepreneur High School class of 2022. “My experience with BLU has always been amazing. The advising staff are very resourceful and caring. They go above and beyond to make sure you’re getting the best of the best,” White stated.

By Manny Otiko | California Black Media

The COVID-19 virus was discovered in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. To date, over 90 million cases have been recorded and more than 1 million Americans have died from the disease. After more than two years, COVID-19 doesn’t look like it’s going away.

President Joe Biden’s positive test last month for the disease illustrates that COVID-19’s transmissibility is an ongoing and persistent problem.

Biden, who was treated with the antiviral drug Paxlovid, isolated himself for 5 days and returned to work after testing negative. Then, a few days later, he tested positive again and went back into isolation until he tested negative about a week ago.

Because the President is vaccinated, he suffered mild symptoms. However, the rebound positivity he’s experienced shows more needs to be done to eliminate coronavirus.

While vaccines and past infections have enabled the U.S. population to develop what is described as substantial COVID-19 immunity and those who get sick have a number of effective treatments options, cases of people being infected with new mutations of COVID-19 continue to be reported.

Dr. Ben Neuman, professor of Biology and chief virologist of the Global Health Research Complex, Texas A&M University, has studied the coronavirus and found that it’s constantly changing. That is a major reason people continue to be infected with the disease, he says.

During a recent Ethnic Media Services COVID-19 panel discussion with other medical scientists and researchers, Neuman said that people vaccinated against previous variations of the virus are not fully protected against the new variations. According to him, immunity to the current versions of the virus depends on how recently someone had been vaccinated.

“We are still vaccinating against the 2019 virus, and it is now late 2022. We have a problem……This is a virus that will continue changing,” he said.

Infections caused by Omicron sub variants have been reported to be not as dangerous as ones caused by earlier coronavirus strains, but they appear to be more transmissible.

If Neuman’s predictions are correct, by the time a vaccine is developed to fight the BA.5 subvariant, which is currently responsible for 85.5 % of infections in the US, there will already be a new subvariant spreading the disease.

Neuman added that it is still important to protect yourself with masks and by washing your hands. While he has been vaccinated, he recently tested positive for the coronavirus while after being on an airline and failing to adhere to proper masking protocol.

Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine at the University of California San Francisco, who specializes in treating infectious diseases, stressed the importance of continuing to follow preventative measures when he spoke during the panel discussion.

Chin-Hong pointed out that one problem with implementing a mask mandate is political will. He cited the example of Los Angeles County, which recently considered reintroducing a mask mandate because of rising infection numbers, but cancelled implementation when cases declined. Had the mandate been
imposed, the County sheriff said they would not enforce it which would have been problematic.

Unfortunately, the mask issue has become a political problem and few politicians want to take it on and risk the wrath of voters.

Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville discussed how prevalent the disease is and how strict adherence to preventative measures does not assure protection against mutations of the coronavirus.

Schaffner and his wife tested positive despite being fully vaccinated and were treated with Paxlovid and, unlike Biden, they did not experience a rebound occurrence of the virus.

Chin-Hong said the pandemic will eventually end. But that will only happen when we create the conditions where there are no new host bodies to develop variations of the coronavirus.

Currently, about 400 people are dying every day from COVID-19. That averages out to more than 100,000 deaths every year.

“Right now, we have too many deaths,” he said. “We shouldn’t accept that.”

Chin-Hong also predicted that in the future we might see an annual COVID-19 shot to ward off the disease.

Schaffner agreed and said that we should learn to manage the disease with vaccinations, medications and preventive measures.

“COVID will be with us for the foreseeable future,” he said.

By Maxim Elramsisy | California Black Media

On the last night of this year’s legislative session last week, the State Assembly rejected Senate Bill (SB) 918, authored by state Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge). The bill — written to strengthen restrictions on concealed firearm permits – was one of several bills the Legislature did not approve during the tension-filled finale to a session marked by pointed debate among members of the Assembly’s Democratic majority.

Before the final vote, supporters of the legislation added an Urgency amendment so it could go into effect immediately — instead of Jan. 1, 2023, when bills passed during the current legislative session take effect.

As an Urgency Measure, SB 918 required 54 votes in the Assembly to pass, rather than the usual 41. The bill received 53 votes which is more than enough votes needed to reach the Governor’s desk had the urgency amendment not been added.

Last June, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen that “may carry” laws giving states discretionary authority to reject concealed carry permits violated the Second Amendment. The decision rendered California’s law requiring applicants to show “good cause,” or a justifiable reason for needing such a permit unconstitutional.

In his opinion on the case, Justice Clarence Thomas, wrote that states could still prohibit guns in “sensitive places.” Chief Justice John Roberts, joined by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, wrote in a concurring opinion that the ruling did not affect “shall issue” laws requiring objective licensing requirements such as “fingerprinting, a background check, a mental health records check, and training in firearms handling, and in laws regarding use of force, among other possible requirements.”

SB 918 complies with the Supreme Court ruling by designating courts, places of worship, zones around schools, hospitals, public parks, libraries, airports, public transportation and bars as sensitive places. The bill requires authorities to review publicly available statements including social media to assess whether applicants present a danger to the public.

Applicants would be required to submit to in-person interviews to ensure they are “qualified,” and licensing officials will be required to interview at least three-character references. The state would also give licensing officials, usually a sheriff’s office, greater ability to revoke a license.

Initially, leaders believed that the measure had enough support to pass with an urgency amendment allowing it to go into effect this month. After the bill passed the Senate with a super majority (2/3) of the votes, it failed to gain a super majority vote in the State Assembly. Seven Democratic Assemblymembers voted against the bill or abstained from voting.

Notably, two Democratic members, Adam Gray (D-Merced) and Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) who are running for Congress in swing Central Valley districts may have felt the possibility of a political backlash by supporting gun control measures. Retiring Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach), voted against the measure, though he was expected to support it.

“I’m very disappointed in the outcome,” the bill’s author, Portantino told California Black Media. “But for one assembly member who switched their vote from aye to no, we would have had the 54 votes. I plan on reintroducing the bill on December 5. I’ve already spoken to the governor and the Attorney General.”

If it had passed, the bill was likely to face legal challenges because many critics believe that it is too restrictive. The requirement of interviews and character references are points of contention for gun rights groups.

For Gov. Gavin Newsom prioritizing gun control measures is still a leading priority in this legislative term, responding to an uptick of gun violence across the country. As of Sept. 2, the Gun Violence Archive reports 450 mass shootings in 2022, compared to 417 in all of 2019.

“California has the toughest gun safety laws in the nation, but none of us can afford to be complacent in tackling the gun violence crisis ravaging our country,” said Newsom. “These new measures will help keep children safe at school, keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people and responsibly regulate the sale of firearms in our communities.”

Though defeated in this attempt to regulate concealed firearms, Newsom has a number of notable legislative victories, including AB 2571, which restricts the marketing of firearms to children and AB 1594, which strips gun manufacturers of some legal protections when their products are used to commit acts of violence. SB 1327 and AB 1621 target ghost guns by restricting their manufacture, transportation and sale and close the loophole that allowed sale of incomplete and un-serialized “firearm precursors.”

As gun violence plagues the country, the tug-of-war between gun rights and gun regulations on a local and national level will likely continue. Although California has some of the toughest gun laws in the country, the Legislature has yet to find a solution for concealed carry permits.

“Together, all of the gun laws that we passed make California safer,” Portantino said, “though not having a CCW (concealed weapons permit) consistent with the Supreme Court decision hurts California, which is why I’m committed to bringing it back on December 5.”

By McKenzie Jackson | California Black Media

One hundred and ten African Americans died or suffered serious bodily injury during encounters with law enforcement officers in the Golden State over the course of the last year.

Blacks made up 16.7 % of the civilians that were killed or suffered severe injury injured during incidents involving the discharge of a firearm or the use of force by police officers in 2021. Of the 660 civilians, who died or were injured, 50.6 % were Hispanic and 25.5 % were White.

The report, however, does not indicate how many of the 149 individuals that died during the 628 incidents were Black or of any other race.

The stats were gleaned from the Use of Force Incident Report released by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) late last month.

The report was one of four annual criminal justice statistical breakdowns released to give the public, policymakers, researchers, and law enforcement statistics to support informed policy choices based on data and analysis and to help protect the safety and well-being of all Californians, according to an Aug. 25 press release from California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

“Good data,” Bonta said, “is key to good public policy.” He urged people to read the documents.

“Accurate statistics and the data in the annual crime reports are a critical part of calibrating our response, ensuring policymakers and law enforcement are able to make informed decisions,” Bonta stated.

The other reports released by the DOJ include Homicide in California, Crime in California, and Juvenile Justice in California.

The quartet of documents are available online and offer an analytical breakdown of criminal activity and related statistics such as the number of homicides reported last year, how much violent crime has increased in the state and the specificity of those crimes, a breakdown of age, race, sex of crime victims and offenders, and the various types of force used by law enforcement during encounters when an individual died or was injured badly.

The information found in the Use of Force report reveals that the types of force used by law enforcement officers against the 660 individuals included blunt impact weapons, chemical sprays, firearms, impact projectiles, vehicles, electronic control devices and their hands, feet, fists use or other body parts.

According to DOJ, officers shooting a firearm hit 233 people and missed 58 others. They used K-9 dogs on 77 people and controlled holds or takedowns on 121 others. While officers perceived that 383 civilians were armed during the incidents, 341 or 89% of them were confirmed to have been carrying weapons.

1,462 officers were reported to be involved in shooting a firearm or using excessive force during incidents that resulted in death or serious injury. Fifty-eight of the officers were Black.

The Crime in California report presents an overview of the criminal justice system in California. It revealed that the violent crime rate rose 6.7 %, from 437 crimes per 100,000 people to 466.2 last year. The property crime rate increased 3 % and the homicide rate jumped up 9.1% while the rape incidence rate increased 8.6 %. The motor vehicle theft rate rose 8.2%. The state’s burglary and arson rates dropped.

There were 153,546 violent crimes in the state in 2021. All the data are based on the number of known victims and incidents.

Bonta said crime rates remain below historical highs, but property and violent crimes continue to have terrible effects on California communities.

“Gun violence, in particular, remains a consistent and growing threat. In fact, in 2021, nearly three-fourths of all homicides in California involved a firearm,” he said. “As we confront these ongoing challenges, we must have accountability and appropriate consequences for those who break the law.”

The total number of reported civilian complaints against peace officers increased from 16,547 in 2020 to 28,617 last year. The number of complaints from civilians accusing officers of crimes — 683 — was the lowest since 1983.

There were 2,361 homicides reported in 2021, according to the Homicide Crime in California report. Of the homicides where the victim’s race or ethnicity was identified, 29.5 % or 690 were Black, second only to the 47.1 % or 1,102 victims who were Hispanic. The largest segment of Black victims — 38.4 % or 264 — were aged 18-29. Three hundred and twenty-five of the Black victims were killed on a street or sidewalk. None were killed on school grounds.

Blacks are 5.5% of the total California population.

The Juvenile Justice in California report detailed the 19,355 juvenile arrests in California reported by law enforcement last year.

Felony arrests made up 47.2 % or 9,132 of the apprehensions, with Black juveniles being 60.3 %. Black juveniles were arrested for 49.0 % of the felony violent offenses.

Over 70 % of all juveniles, including 77.3 %of the Black juveniles arrested were referred to probation departments by law enforcement.

Bonta said the DOJ is using every tool it has to prevent violence and combat crime.

“Whether it’s successfully securing federal certification of our data systems or taking guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals,” he said, “my office remains committed to doing our part to support safety and security for all Californians.”

By Solomon O. Smith | California Black Media

California has announced a new policy that will phase out the sale of gas-operated vehicles in 2035, thirteen years from now. But that ambitious effort to protect the environment leaves some unanswered questions.

The order was formalized into policy by the California Air Resources Board, a state organization responsible for policy affecting air quality, after Gov. Gavin Newsom initially issued Executive Order N-79-20 in 2020.

“In so doing we will improve air quality as well as improve the economic climate here in the state of California,” said Newsom, “and so I couldn’t be more proud today to be able to sign this executive order.”

The California automotive market is the largest in the United States, with small SUVs and light trucks being the most popular vehicles, according to a study by the California New Car Dealers Association, an organization that uses car registrations to compile consumer market data.

California sets the standards for car manufacturers who want access to its auto-buyer market, and its emission laws often become the blueprint for other states. Several states are preparing to set their own dates to end the use of gasoline-powered vehicles, including Maryland and New York.

By excluding gas-powered vehicles, the policy may compound an issue very familiar to underserved communities — one of limited choices.

Some community advocates feel there is the very real chance that those who are not financially able to purchase electric cars could be left with few alternatives. The pandemic and problems in manufacturing have led to scarcity in the electronics that many EVs need. It has also led to higher prices. The policy does not exclude used gas-powered vehicles which are likely to see their prices rise as supplies become limited.

A used 2020 Honda Civic (Kelly Blue Book Best Small Car of 2020) in good condition is listed for $20,000; the top selling 2020 EV, the Tesla 3, resales for around $40,000. Many electric vehicles are aimed at upper and middle-class buyers. New, these cars can start at about $50,000 for the basic package and may also require other expensive add-ons like chargers, power adapters and cables.

This was known well before the policy was enacted. Assembly Bill (AB) 2127 Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Assessment (2018) requires the California Energy Commission to biennially assess the electric vehicle charging infrastructure needed to support the state’s target for Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs).

The assessment determined that electric power-hungry vehicles could increase demands by 20—25%. It also found the number of charging stations in the state is low. The state would need 1.2 million charging stations, as well as another 157,00 stations for passenger busses and trucks.

Increased power consumption, and an infrastructure falling behind usage trends could be burdened by more power-hungry cars. Last week during an intense heat wave the state put out flex alerts warnings asking to EV owners to not to charge cars during peak hours to prevent rolling blackouts and brownouts which could bring a city of mostly electric cars to a standstill.

Electric vehicles are powered and charged a variety of ways. Autotrader explains different types of vehicles will need different methods of charging, adding to the difficulty of building out the infrastructure. Without a private garage many apartments do not have the needed setup to charge an EV. The strain to the power grid will be increased by millions of people charging vehicles at prime-time hours.

Many poorer communities find themselves in a “charging” desert. Large swathes of area are void of charging stations, many of them predominantly African American.

The bill does leave some wiggle room. It only affects the registration of new cars; used cars are still fair game. It also leaves space for hybrids to coexist under the new structure — 20% of new cars sold.

California’s Clean Cars 4 All program offers up to $9,500 toward a new EV, for those who qualify and Senate Bill (SB) 457, by state Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge), offers $1,000 to those who do not have a car, an incentive for public transportation or bikes.

An increase in the demand for electric vehicles and shortages in electronic components have led to higher prices for EV’s. The federal government has made electric cars part of their strategy to reduce pollutants as well, secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, Jennifer Granholm told California Black Media.

Some federal programs could help California reach its goal. The federal government is offering $4,000 in tax credits, $7.5 billion for a charging network and has set aside funds to address the infrastructure of the EV industry.

“We are focused, especially this administration, on ‘Environmental Justice 40’,” said Granholm. “Meaning that 40 percent of the benefits of all these bills that have been passed have got to go to disadvantaged communities which are the places which disproportionately have higher asthma rates and higher health issues related to not just carbon pollution but particulates because they may be living in those shadows of smoke stacks.”

The new gas car ban will address one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases how equitable it will be for everyone, only time will tell.

Aldon Thomas Stiles, California Black Media contributed to this story.

By Dr. Alveda King

Reverend Martin Luther King Junior was an American patriot. In the years since his death, my family has shared the memory of my martyred uncle with the world. More than any figure from modern American history, my uncle and his call to “let freedom ring” unites people from all walks of life and every corner of the political spectrum.

As we celebrate the 59th anniversary of the March on Washington and the I Have a Dream speech, social media will be flooded with excerpts from the address. People will rightly highlight his ever-consistent call for America to honor its promise to all citizens.

His love for America manifests all these years later in the true example of patriotism. His expression of love was never ever giving up on this great experiment in Democracy. Yes, all these years later, his model of non-violent protest and servant leadership are examples of excellence that would benefit each of us to study and emulate.

My memory will always be of an uncle who loved America too much to not push her towards becoming her best self. He refused to give up on America living out the true meaning of its creed. The self-evident truth that all men are created equal remains a courageous standard today.

In a speech about Vietnam, he dispelled any confusion about his motives and his love for America. He described his disappointment in America but asserted that “there can be no great disappointment where there is no great love.”

Over these past months, I have felt disappointment in America. But like my uncle, my disappointment pales in comparison to my faith in Americans to do what is right. My hope for America’s bright future is fortified because I join Dr. King as he believed America is a nation bent towards justice. For all the areas of sorrow that might bring us despair, there are far more reasons that bring hope.

I was 17 years old when my uncle died, and as a guardian of the King family legacy, I remember him well and still have faith in his American Dream. As one blood, one united race, with eyes wide open and not colorblind, we, the people of America, must press on to realize the “possible dream” together, from the womb to the tomb into eternity.

BPA LiveWire features articles and news releases from organizations with altruistic missions that celebrate diversity of thought in the marketplace. BPA LiveWire content may be shared on your media platforms with attribution BPA LiveWire. 

By Lou Yeboah

Just image the Reality of Hell ? Brutal Heat! Unquenchable Fire! Everlasting Fire! Where the pain is horrific, and the suffering is endless. Where is no pity; no light; no food; no water; no second chance, no God’s mercy, or His compassion. If you think it is hot now, you don’t know hot. But keep on doing you and you will find out what hot really is.

Gods wrath is going to bring more than a heat wave. Every place with evil will go up in flames; there will be earthquakes, floods, winds, storms, volcanic eruptions, snow, and hail. Extreme weather all apart of God’s plan to get our attention. He will use these events to speak to, and judge, the nations. Fierce, Scorching heat! I say, and I say again if you think it’s hot now, you don’t know hot!

God has had enough of our disobedience, hard hearts, and rebellious. How long did you think He was going to just sit back and let us continue to ignore Him and His warnings. Through these extremes happening, God is thinning out the impurities in the world and burning them. “And I heard the altar reply: “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are Your judgments.” Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was given power to scorch the people with fire. And the people were scorched by intense heat, and they cursed the name of God, who had authority over these plagues; yet they did not repent and give Him glory.… [Revelation 16:7-9]. Extreme Heat is just the beginning. So I admonish you to repent before it is too late because if you do not the Lord will smite you with consumption and with fever and with inflammation and with fiery heat and with the sword and with blight and with mildew, which will pursue you until you perish. [Deuteronomy 28:22-24]. If you think it’s hot now, you don’t know hot!

The day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up … the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat [2 Peter 3:10,12].

I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do. [Isaiah 46:10-11].

Traumatic Times for a Rebellious World!

LOS ANGELES, CA— KBLA Talk 1580 is gearing up for its election coverage of heated races making news with a Public Safety Forum, designed to provide a place to discuss politics for Black voters.  First up, incumbent Sheriff Alex Villanueva will face off with his challenger, former Long Beach Chief of Police Robert Luna from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday, September 12, 2022, in front of a live KBLA Talk 1580 listening audience of 200 invited guests.

Moderated by media personality Tavis Smiley, he’ll be joined by radio hosts Dominique DiPrima, Angela Reddock-Wright and Nii-Quartelai Quartey, who also serves as KBLA Talk 1580’s chief national political affairs analyst. The trio will pose tough, probing questions to the candidates. The Public Safety Forum will be live streamed on  KBLA1580.com as well as KBLA’s YouTube channel and Facebook page with an encore broadcast to air on KBLA Talk 1580.

A new poll by UC Berkeley, co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times, shows that Luna has a slight edge over Villanueva – 31 to 27 percent among L.A. County voters. During the KBLA Talk 1580 Public Safety Forum, Villanueva and Luna will be expected to share their thoughts on questions, like:

• How will you make all Angelenos safer?
• What are your thoughts on the sheriff becoming an appointed rather than elected official?
• What is your position on the ballot initiative to give the Board of Supervisors the power to fire an elected sheriff?
• And how would you deal with the appearance of anti-Blackness in the LA County Sheriff’s Department, especially since both finalists are LatinX, and the department is now 52 percent Latino? How will this be addressed, if elected?

The KBLA Talk 1580 Public Safety Forum is co-sponsored by the LA Urban League, the Empowerment Congress and Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC/SC).

“We intend for KBLA Talk 1580 to be the election information station for our audience. We will be covering all of the local, state and national elections that matter to our listeners,” said Tavis Smiley. “This particular sheriff’s race is perhaps the most hotly contested in some time, and we are appreciative that the candidates have agreed to speak to our audience directly.”

Smiley, radio host and owner of KBLA Talk 1580, launched the city’s first and only “Unapologetically Progressive” talk radio station for the African American listening audience just one year ago on Juneteenth 2021. KBLA Talk 1580 serves an audience long ignored by talk radio in LA – namely, people of color and progressives. Interestingly, KBLA 1580 AM is a heritage station and the original home of the iconic Hip-Hop station KDAY.

Recently, an independent survey found that KBLA Talk 1580 is the “most trusted, credible and reliable source of information” for African Americans in Los Angeles. In a fiercely competitive radio market, the findings are a big win for Smiley.

EVITARUS shared its findings from a survey of 400 Black/African Americans in the Los Angeles media market (June 4-12, 2022) revealing their habits and attitudes toward the media landscape and trusted sources of news and information. The independent survey found that KBLA Talk 1580 fills a void in providing relevant programming and content to the Black community. Furthermore, in comparison to other talk stations in LA, Smiley’s KBLA consistently emerged as “the station of choice” for the African American listener. EVITARUS is a widely respected public opinion research and public policy consulting firm based in LA. Visit EVITARUS.com.

KBLA Talk 1580 is helmed by Smiley of Smiley Audio Media, Inc. Elston Howard Butler runs the day-to-day operations as president and general manager of the station as well as president and COO of the holding company, Smiley Audio Media, Inc.

The studios of KBLA Talk 1580 are located in historic Leimert Park, directly adjacent to Destination Crenshaw’s “Sankofa Park,” a 1.3 mile open-air museum along the new Crenshaw/LAX Metro rail line, presently under construction.

For more information, visit KBLA1580.com.

ABOUT KBLA TALK 1580
KBLA Talk 1580 AM is a heritage station and the original home of the iconic hip hop station KDAY. At 50,000 watts, day and night, KBLA serves a coverage area of nearly 12 million listeners. KBLA Talk 1580 boasts an all- star lineup of hosts who speak candidly and passionately to the challenges people of color face daily trying to navigate life and realize their hopes and dreams. KBLA Talk 1580 serves an audience long ignored by talk radio in
Los Angeles – people of color and progressives. For more information, visit KBLA1580.com.

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SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Congratulations are for Michael Finlay, Ph.D., Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) psychology intern program supervisor, who received the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) Award for Innovation in Psychology Training for 2022.

The award recognizes outstanding psychologists who have demonstrated innovation in managing the challenges of COVID-19, particularly adapting APPIC member internship and postdoctoral training programs to address the impact of COVID-19 on trainee experiences, competency acquisition, and facilitation of professional development.

Finlay was new to his position in 2020 when the pandemic started, and colleagues describe Finlay as someone who always goes beyond what is expected of him as an intern supervisor. Finlay was also an intern in the DBH Psychology Internship Program in 2017-2018.

DBH’s Psychology Internship Program that Finlay supervises has a primary mission to provide high-quality training to assist doctoral psychology interns in developing competency in nine profession-wide competencies.

The internship program seeks to prepare interns for employment following graduation and encourages them to consider careers in public mental health.

In particular, the program helps prepares doctoral psychology students to work as staff members of the Department of Behavioral Health. By the end of the internship, interns will have developed the skills necessary to work as a pre-licensed psychologist in a community mental health setting or pursue specialization through postdoctoral training.