NNPA NEWSWIRE — The Texas bill is the latest in a national GOP push to make voting less easy after President Biden defeated Donald Trump by seven million votes in November 2020. The underlying argument made by Republicans, which is part of the “big lie” messaging, is a manufactured need for “voter security.” New voting restrictions led by Republican Governors and legislatures have taken place in Georgia, Florida, and Arizona as well.
SB1: Texas Republicans Pass Voter Suppression Law
Howard University Closed After Ransomware Attack
NNPA NEWSWIRE — University officials said Howard’s Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) became aware Friday of a potential cyberattack. In response, ETS shutdown all the university’s networks to further investigate. On Monday, the university said, the computer and technology interruption were a ransomware attack. Consequently, all in-person and online classes were cancelled Tuesday, Howard’s Office of University Communications said.
Report: Campaign Underway to Convince Rep. Karen Bass to Run for L.A. Mayor
NNPA NEWSWIRE — While the recall of Gov. Gavin Newsom has topped headlines in California politics, flying just under the radar is the effort to draft Congresswoman Karen Bass for Los Angeles mayor.
Illinois Assistance Rental Applications now closed for tenants to apply
The Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP) is an emergency rental assistance program designed to support households in Illinois that are unable to pay rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
IN MEMORIAM: Michael K. Williams, Star of ‘The Wire’ and ‘Lovecraft Country’ Dead at 54
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Williams received three Primetime Emmy awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his work in Bessie (2015), The Night Of (2016) and When They See Us (2019). The thespian also won a Screen Actors Guild award for Outstanding Ensemble in Television for his role as Chalky White on Boardwalk Empire and most recently won the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Montrose Freeman in Lovecraft Country.
Baltimore Writer, Producer and Director Continues to Shine in Hollywood
NNPA NEWSWIRE — In a live interview with the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s morning news show, “Let It Be Known,” Cuffie-Jones explained that she just wrapped on directing her first feature film, “Twice Bitten,” scheduled for a fall release and the second season of “Stuck With You,” a hit that’s streaming on the ALLBLK network.
Federal unemployment benefits end
Federal unemployment programs, including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, came to an end on Sept. 4. All those on unemployment will now receive $300 less in weekly benefits and experts said it will likely hurt Blacks and brown workers the hardest.
Pritzker extends vaccine deadline at request of hospital and school leaders
UPDATED STORY
A two-week extension has been granted to hospitals and schools to implement COVID vaccine requirements for their employees. The Sept. 5 deadline has now been pushed to Sept. 19 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office.
Joliet officially on its way to getting Lake Michigan Water
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) this past Wednesday, Sept. 1st, issued an order granting the City of Joliet a Lake Michigan Water Allocation Permit. This permit allows Joliet to begin using Lake Michigan water as its source of supply in 2030 and establishes annual allocation amounts through the year 2050.
COMMENTARY: Labor Day the March Begins!
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Proclamation 95, like the 13th Amendment that it 31 years later, favored the fundamental freedoms of enslaved workers in deference to the liberties slaveholders exercised for almost 300 years. W.E.B. DuBois once remarked that he saw the American Civil War as a “General Strike.” Throughout the bloodiest war in our history, an estimated 198,000 Black men traded their “pruning hooks” for military issued muskets. These men made up 10% of the Union Army, and another 19,000 served in the Navy. Although Labor Day was created in 1882 by unions, it didn’t gain national acceptance until some blood was shed.

