National News - Page 9

Georgia students take to streets to protest ‘dehumanizing’ voting law that criminalizes handing out water

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By Curtis Bunn  In the latest public rebuke of Georgia’s controversial 2021 voting law, dozens of Black students and activists marched through the heart of historic Morehouse College on Saturday in an effort to push back on what they call “anti-voting” measures in Georgia and other states. Since 2021, SB 202 — also known as the Election Integrity Act — has made it illegal in Georgia for anyone to hand a hot or thirsty person a bottle of water while standing in line to vote. Those participating at Saturday’s rally cited SB 202 as one of many “inhumane laws that attempt

Senate Republicans raise questions after funds for disaster loans exhausted

By Aris Folley A group of GOP senators are pressing the Small Business Administration (SBA) for answers after officials said its disaster loan program exhausted its funds earlier this week in the aftermath of a pair of major hurricanes. The letter, addressed to SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, featured signatures from four Republicans on the Senate Small Business Committee: Sens. Joni Ernst (Iowa), Tim Scott (S.C.), Todd Young (Ind.) and James E. Risch (Idaho). In the letter, the senators raised concerns about the administration’s handling of its disaster loan account and what they described as the office’s “failure to provide its authorizing committees statutorily required information.”

Georgia judge blocks controversial ballot hand tally rule

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By Zach Montellaro A Georgia state judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked a controversial rule supported by allies of former President Donald Trump that election administrators feared would cause last-minute chaos in the election. Judge Robert McBurney granted a request from election officials in Cobb County and others to pause a rule that would require poll workers to hand-count the number of ballots soon after polls close. McBurney noted in his order that the rule was being instituted so close to Election Day that poll workers couldn’t be trained for it. “Should the Hand Count Rule take effect as scheduled, it would do

Leadership changes swell at Black colleges

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By Gabrielle Hayward When alumni of historically Black colleges and universities return to their alma maters to celebrate homecoming over the next few weeks, many will see new faces in charge on the yard. As enrollment numbers have continued to increase at HBCUs nationwide in recent years, multiple schools have faced turnovers in leadership, with top executives resigning or retiring. This issue is not solely present at HBCUs — years of tenure have decreased among collegiate leadership nationwide. However, since 2022, more than 30 of the 107 HBCUs have announced new presidents or chancellors. This summer, two schools even announced leadership changes within hours

Nikole Hannah-Jones, Center for Journalism and Democracy Host Third Annual Democracy Summit

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By Larry J. Sanders The Center for Journalism and Democracy (CJD) welcomed journalists from across the country to its third annual Democracy Summit, a day-long convening of both beginner and veteran journalists seeking to address some of their field’s – and the nation’s – most pressing issues. The theme of this year’s Summit, “Covering Oligarchy,” highlighted the increasing and multifaceted ways in which monocratic forces are pervading American democracy. Nikole Hannah-Jones, the Center’s founding director, greeted the attendees to “a knowledge exchange” to start the morning, emphasizing the importance of their presence during what she described as a “critical period”

Frederick Douglass Library chosen as a patent and trademark center for entrepreneurs

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Courtesy of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore UMES becomes fifth HBCU to receive U.S. Patent Office designation Aspiring entrepreneurs at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore – and in the local community – now have a place to help them create their next big idea. In July, UMES became the fifth HBCU designated as a Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) – and the only one of its kind on the entire Eastern Shore. Adding the PTRC was a natural progression for UMES’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI). “In the

Red Cross weighs in on how to aid Southeastern communities recovering from back-to-back hurricanes

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By Megan Sayles Hurricane Helene touched down in Florida on Sept. 26 as a Category 4 storm that devastated communities across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. The National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service deemed it among the most powerful storms to hit the United States with days of torrential rainfall and powerful winds. Then came Hurricane Milton. With winds of up to 120 miles an hour, the Category 3 storm slammed into popular cities in Florida, such as Tampa and Orlando. An estimated 500,000 people lost power and roads quickly flooded. More than 200 people died as

Residents attempt recovery efforts in devastation of Hurricane Helene

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By Reginald Williams Slow-moving showers hovered over Asheville, N.C., on Sept. 25. At the time, Hurricane Helene was a Category 1 hurricane, swelling on Cancun’s eastern Gulf of Mexico. By the evening of Sept. 26, that Category 1 hurricane dumped more than nine inches of rain on Asheville, and by noon Sept. 27, the city, perched 2,134 feet above sea level and 392 miles to the nearest coastal waters, began to feel the unimaginable devastation of being submerged by floodwaters. By the afternoon of Sept. 27, the Category 1 storm grew to a Category 4, causing residents in North Carolina

United Way’s Women United Group Amplifies, Advances, and Advocates Change in Childcare

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“Having the means to afford childcare was a big challenge for me then, and decades later, it remains a challenge for too many mothers today. It is extremely expensive. Quality childcare today can cost $500 a week. How can parents afford it, especially when they have more than one child?”  —Women United Executive Council member Tawanda Saffore Comprised of hundreds of female philanthropic leaders who are generous donors, active volunteers, and fundraisers, United Way of Central Maryland’s Women United membership network boasts a legacy of more than 20 years of social impact. Members work with United Way’s community partners to

HBCU band selected to perform at 137th Rose Parade

Courtesy of Morgan State University  In the follow-up to a momentous performance in France as the first-ever HBCU band to participate in the annual D-Day memorial parade, Morgan State University’s Magnificent Marching Machine marching band will add another historic first to its already impressive list of achievements. During a special halftime presentation at Morgan’s 2024 Homecoming football game, the Magnificent Marching Machine, led by Director of Bands Jorim E. Reid Sr., D.M.A., announced before thousands of attendees and supporters that the band has been selected by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association to perform in the 137th Rose Parade in 2026. Each year,

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