#NNPA BlackPress

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Sen. Doug Jones On Voting Rights, Impeachment, and Iran

NNPA NEWSWIRE — In an interview that tackled several pressing topics, Jones said he “absolutely agreed” that voting rights are under attack all over the country. “Access to the ballot box is the key. It has got to be fairly easy to register to vote these days but getting to cast a vote is what’s getting harder and harder,” Jones stated. “And, that is because of purging voter rolls; because of closing polling places; and convenient polling places and moving them. Those are the kinds of things that are causing some real concerns, and access to the ballot box is causing concerns,” he stated.

Published

6 years ago

January 30, 2020

Stacy M. Brown

Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) and Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association meet for an Exclusive Fireside Chat on Black voter turnout, the Reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act, bipartisan politics, the Futures Act, environmental justice and the administration's current military actions.

This interview is the follow-up to the Exclusive Fireside Chat between Senator Jones and Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., NNPA President and CEO

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

President Donald Trump should seek Congressional approval before engaging U.S. military personnel into any conflicts with Iran, or any other nation, according to Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.).

Jones spent a great deal of time on Wednesday, January 8, speaking exclusively with the Black Press of America.

The outspoken senator, who stunned Republican Roy Moore in a 2017 special election because of a large African American voter turnout, conceded that the president should act without the consent of Congress only if it’s to defend the United States.

In an interview that tackled several pressing topics, Jones said he “absolutely agreed” that voting rights are under attack all over the country.

“Access to the ballot box is the key. It has got to be fairly easy to register to vote these days but getting to cast a vote is what’s getting harder and harder,” Jones stated.

“And, that is because of purging voter rolls; because of closing polling places; and convenient polling places and moving them. Those are the kinds of things that are causing some real concerns, and access to the ballot box is causing concerns,” he stated.

Further, Jones added that it’s “past the time” for the Senate to do something about voting rights.

“Unfortunately, I don’t see that on the horizon as long as the Senate is controlled the way it’s controlled now,” Jones stated.

The senator has pushed H.R. 1, legislation that addresses voter access, election integrity, and election security. However, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) has refused to bring the bill up for consideration.

Jones, who penned the 2019 book, “Bending Toward Justice,” about the 1963 Alabama Church Bombing, has a long history of civil rights.

As a law student, he sat in on the 1977 trial of the first bomber prosecuted, Robert “Dynamite” Bob Chambliss.

“I think growing up in the South and coming of age in the 1960s and early 1970s, you just open your eyes to a lot of things,” Jones stated.

“And, that’s pretty much what happened to me. I started in my early years. I went to an integrated school system, which was the first in my city, and you know kids, kids adapted a lot better than our parents did,” he stated.

Jones continued:

“You tend to make sure that you get a sense that all people have the same rights. And, we’re all equal in God. And, you have to act that way and not just talk about it.”

It’s also why Jones has remained committed to assuring equal voting rights. He agreed that the 2020 election is crucial for America’s future and believes his party does have viable candidates.

“I think we’ve got to get candidates who are committed to their principles and committed to talking about issues that we have in common,” Jones stated. “I’m absolutely convinced across the South, and across the county, that we have so much more to come.”

Democrats cannot allow others to define them, Jones added.

“And, we stepped out, I think in 2017, to say, ‘we’re not going to let that happen here, or here is what I believe. Here are my principles. I’m going to listen, and I will be respectful. And, we’re going to see if we can find common ground,'” Jones stated.

“And, we were able to do that in 2017, and I think more candidates that do that, you’re going to establish a voice. Things will not change overnight,” he stated.

While Republicans have stood idle without challenging the president, Jones stated that Democrats hadn’t carried themselves much differently.

“I think there is,” Jones said, responding to whether Republicans have a fear of Trump.

“But, let me also add this: you rarely see Democrats standing up for the president when he does things the right way. And, I think we’ve got to get beyond that because, if we don’t work together, we’re never going to get anything done,” he stated.

Jones said bipartisanship is the way to go, and that’s evident by successful legislation passed across party lines to eliminate the widow’s tax for servicemen and women, and the Futures Act, which guaranteed funding for historically black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions.

“We’ve got to work together. I’d like to see more Republicans standing up and speaking out when the president does some things that clearly give Republicans, colleagues of mine, a lot of heartburn,” Jones stated.

“I don’t think Democrats should be afraid politically to simply say, ‘I agree with the president.’ It’s time to move forward. Let’s work together,” he stated.

With Trump’s impeachment trial looming over the Senate, Jones was asked if the president could receive a fair trial without witnesses.

“His definition of a fair trial maybe a little bit different than mine. He will have his counsel to cross-examine witnesses,” Jones stated. “The president complained about not being able to cross-examine the witnesses in the House. Well, if witnesses are called in the Senate, he would be able to cross-examine them. I think the American public deserves a fair trial. And by that, I mean, they deserve to have a complete picture with as much information as possible, and that includes people like John Bolton and Mick Mulvaney and others who have direct knowledge of these instances.”

“I don’t know what they would testify to, but I think we should hear from them. Let the House managers examine them and let the president’s lawyers examine them and let the chips fall,” Jones stated.

The confidence of Americans is vital for the impeachment process, and Jones is wary of a tainted trial.

“The last thing that we need is to have new evidence dribble out over the next year leading up to the election, whether it’s in a committee hearing, whether it’s leaks, or whether it’s in a book that somebody writes,” he stated.

“We need to have that information now so that we are all working off the same set of facts.”

Finally, Jones noted that the conflict with Iran is troublesome in that Trump hasn’t sought any guidance or feedback from lawmakers.

“Well, I don’t think the president is going to take any other military action unless it’s a purely defensive action. He needs to come to Congress pursuant to the War Powers Act,” Jones stated.

“I think there needs to be a review of authorization for the use of military force, and I think he needs to involve Congress a lot more. Look, [Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem] Soleimani was a bad guy, and the world is not going to miss him. He was a treacherous, ruthless human being. But, at the same time, the president and his administration should have consulted with the leaders of Congress in my opinion.”

Stacy M. Brown

Posts by Stacy M. Brown

Up Next

EXCLUSIVE: Black Press Screens Two Films Headed for Major Festivals

Don't Miss

Kaplan Proposes Law to Protect Police Commissioners From Official ‘Intimidation and Harassment’

Stacy M. Brown

Click to comment

#NNPA BlackPress

2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring Review — Is This $136K EV Sedan Worth It?

AUTONETWORK ON BLACKPRESSUSA — Finished in Stellar White Metallic with the Tahoe Grand Touring interior, this Lucid makes a strong first impression. The shape is sleek and low, but it still feels elegant instead of trying too hard. Features like soft-close doors, powered illuminated door handles, 20-inch Aero Lite wheels, and the Glass Canopy Roof help the car feel expensive before you even start it.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 3, 2026

Oakland Post

The 2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring is the kind of luxury EV that makes people stop and ask a simple question: Is this really better than a Tesla Model S, Mercedes EQS, or BMW i7? At $136,150, it has to do more than look futuristic. It has to feel special every time you get in it.

Finished in Stellar White Metallic with the Tahoe Grand Touring interior, this Lucid makes a strong first impression. The shape is sleek and low, yet it still feels elegant rather than trying too hard. Features like soft-close doors, powered illuminated door handles, 20-inch Aero Lite wheels, and the Glass Canopy Roof help the car feel expensive before you even start it.

Inside is where the Air Grand Touring really makes its case. The 34-inch Glass Cockpit Display and retractable Pilot Panel screen give the cabin a clean, modern look that still feels different from other EVs. The Tahoe Extended Leather and Lucid Black Alcantara headliner lifts the sense of occasion, and the front seats are a highlight. They are 20-way power-adjustable, heated, ventilated, and include massage. That matters because luxury buyers at this price expect comfort first.

Rear passengers are not ignored either. You get 5-zone heated rear seating, a rear center console display, and power rear and rear side window sunshades. Add in the Surreal Sound Pro system with 21 speakers, and the Air feels like a true long-distance luxury sedan.

Lucid also gives this car serious EV hardware. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, 900V+ charging architecture, and Wunderbox onboard charger are big talking points. Buyers in this segment care about range, charging speed, and everyday ease, not just raw performance. That is where the Lucid continues to stand out.

On the technology side, the Air Grand Touring includes DreamDrive Premium, with 3D Surround View Monitoring, Blind Spot Warning, Automatic Park In and Out, Automatic Emergency Braking, and a Driver Monitoring System with distracted and drowsy driver alerts. This one also has DreamDrive Pro, which adds future-capable ADAS hardware.

There are still some real-world annoyances. Based on your notes, the windshield wiper control is hard to find and use, and that matters more than people think in a high-tech car. When controls become less intuitive, even a beautiful interior can feel frustrating.

Still, the 2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring succeeds where it matters most. It feels luxurious, advanced, comfortable, and thoughtfully engineered. For buyers who want an EV sedan that feels truly premium and less common than the usual choices, this Lucid makes a very strong case.

AutoNetwork helps serious car shoppers inspect any new vehicle online before walking into a dealership. I’m Roosevelt — I’ve been reviewing cars and shaping digital car buying and credit union auto leasing since before YouTube car reviews existed.
You’ll find detailed walkaround reviews, POV test drives, and buyer-focused breakdowns covering comfort, space, features, and real-world value.
How to use the channel:

Watch the walkaround of the car you’re considering
Visit AutoNetwork.com for the full review
Check CouponsOffersAndDeals.com for current dealer specials
Walk in already knowing what you want — and what it should cost

Live talk show “AutoNetwork Reports” — Thursdays 3:00 PM ET.
AutoNetwork.com
CouponsOffersAndDeals.com
Affiliate disclosure: some links earn a small commission at no cost to you and help support the channel. Insta360 is one of those partners.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

Snoop Dogg Celebrates 10 Til’ Midnight at the Compound

LOS ANGELES SENTINEL — The album is paired with a film that stars Snoop Dogg, Hitta J3, G Perico, and Ray Vaughn, and one of the strongest elements of the whole project is that the production stayed rooted right here in Los Angeles.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 3, 2026

admin

Snoop Dogg celebrated the premiere of 10 Til’ Midnight at his Inglewood recording studio & multipurpose facility, The Compound, but the night felt like much more than an album release. It felt like Los Angeles. It felt like legacy. And it felt like another major move from one of the city’s greatest cultural architects as he continues to prove that he is not just dropping music — he is building moments, shaping narratives, and pushing the culture forward in real time.

What made the event so powerful was the clarity behind the vision. During a panel conversation with DJ Hed, Snoop opened up about the heart behind 10 Til’ Midnight, explaining that the project was created to help bridge older and younger generations while also speaking to the long-standing divisions between Bloods and Crips in a unique way through film. That alone gave the project a different kind of weight. This was not just about songs. This was about using creativity as a tool for connection. This was about taking a story rooted in Los Angeles and telling it in a way that could bring people together.

Snoop Congratulated By Rapper & Fellow 10 Til Midnight Cast Member G Perico (CreativeLB/KreativeKapturez)

The album is paired with a film that stars Snoop Dogg, Hitta J3, G Perico, and Ray Vaughn, and one of the strongest elements of the whole project is that the production stayed rooted right here in Los Angeles. The film was shot in the city, including at WePlay Studios in Inglewood, which gave the entire project an even deeper hometown feel. It was not just a West Coast story in content — it was a Los Angeles-made production from the ground up.

That matters because, in a city like this, authenticity still carries weight. Snoop understands how to make sure that what he creates does not just represent Los Angeles on the surface, but actually comes from it.

What also makes 10 Til’ Midnight significant is that it represents another major step in Snoop’s evolution as both an artist and executive. Public reporting around the project identifies it as his 22nd studio album, but the bigger story is what it represents in this season of his life. This is one of several consecutive moves he has made in his 50s that show he is still building, still expanding, and still finding new ways to reinvent what the next chapter looks like.

Snoop Dogg at the Premiere of 10 Til Midnight (CreativeLB/KreativeKapturez)

Now, as the head of Death Row Records and the newly aligned leader of Death Row Pictures, he is taking the brand into a new dimension. That is what made this moment feel bigger than music. Snoop is not just protecting the legacy of Death Row — he is stretching it. He is expanding it beyond records and into film, visual storytelling, and larger creative worlds that can continue carrying the label’s impact forward. Public reporting has noted that this project arrives as part of that broader cinematic push.

That is a major Los Angeles move because the city has always been built on the intersection of music, film, neighborhood identity, and cultural storytelling. With 10 Til’ Midnight, Snoop is leaning all the way into that intersection.

The room at The Compound reflected that. It felt like a private premiere, but it also felt like a statement — a reminder that Snoop Dogg’s staying power has never been based only on nostalgia. It comes from his ability to remain connected, remain visionary, and remain in tune with how to move the culture without losing the essence of who he is.

That is why this premiere mattered. It was not just about celebrating another album. It was about witnessing a Los Angeles legend continue to evolve, continue to unify, and continue to use art to tell stories that hit deeper than entertainment alone.

In that sense, 10 Til’ Midnight became more than a project launch. It became another example of how Snoop Dogg is still taking Los Angeles to the next level — using music, film, and legacy together to build something bigger than a moment.

admin

Posts by admin

#NNPA BlackPress

OP-ED: Small Businesses Need Minnesota to Act on Pass-Through Tax Policy

MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN RECORDER — A Twin Cities immigrant entrepreneur who built several businesses including grocery stores in underserved neighborhoods is calling on Minnesota lawmakers to extend the Pass-Through Entity tax option before it expires, warning that its loss would hit small businesses already recovering from Operation Metro Surge with higher federal tax bills.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 3, 2026

admin

A Twin Cities Small Business Owner Is Urging Minnesota to Extend a Tax Policy That Could Save Thousands of Businesses

By Daniel Hernandez | Minnesota Spokesman Recorder

I came to the United States as a teenager with a clear goal: to build something meaningful through hard work. I put in long days in construction, restaurants, and landscaping; doing whatever it took to learn, save, and eventually start my own business.

Over time, I built and ran several successful ventures, including an event photography company, a magazine, a tax and accounting firm, and now grocery stores serving neighborhoods across the Twin Cities where other retailers chose not to invest. I’ve created jobs, supported families, and committed to communities that deserve stability and opportunity.

That’s why I’m speaking out now.

Small business owners in Minneapolis and the communities we serve are recovering from serious disruptions, including the impacts of Operation Metro Surge. That event hit immigrant communities especially hard. In my own case, I lost nearly half of my 60 employees and saw revenue drop by about 85%. While I worked to provide competitive wages, health benefits, and paid time off, the real hardship fell on the people who lost their jobs and income.

Even as we rebuild, small businesses are facing another challenge. The Minnesota Legislature is considering letting an important tax policy expire: the Pass-Through Entity tax option.

Here’s what that means in plain terms.

Many small businesses, including mine, are pass-through businesses. That means the business itself doesn’t pay income tax. Instead, the owners report the income on their personal tax returns. But under current federal rules, there’s a limit on how much state tax we can deduct. That often leads to higher federal tax bills.

The Pass-Through Entity option fixes that. It allows the business to pay the state tax directly, which means the business can fully deduct those taxes on its federal return and lower the total amount of income taxed federally. The result is straightforward: small business owners pay less in federal taxes, without reducing what the state collects.

This policy is not new or controversial. Thirty-six states already offer it. It doesn’t cost Minnesota anything, it’s revenue neutral. And it benefits more than 66,000 businesses across the state.

In a state where the cost of doing business is already high, it’s hard to understand why we wouldn’t offer the same basic tax treatment as states like California and Illinois.

Small businesses have carried a heavy load in recent years, through a pandemic, rising costs and public safety disruptions. We’ve adapted, reinvested and stayed committed to our communities. What we need now are practical policies that support that work, not make it harder.

If the Minnesota House does not act soon, many businesses will face significantly higher federal tax bills. That’s money that could otherwise be used to hire workers, raise wages or reinvest in local neighborhoods.

I urge Gov. Tim Walz and members of the House Tax Committee to pass House File 3127 and extend the Pass-Through Entity election.

Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. We’ve proven our resilience. Now we need our state leaders to show the same commitment to us.

Daniel Hernandez is the owner of Colonial Market located at 2100 E. Lake St.

Excerpt:

Photo Captions:

Website Tags and SEO Keywords:

Twitter (X) Tags and Handles: