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Trump’s First Week Back in Office Marked by Racist Actions, Rollback of Worker Protections

NNPA NEWSWIRE — For Black Americans, who already face systemic barriers in employment, the loss of these protections exacerbates long-standing disparities. Women, particularly women of color, will likely see even more significant hurdles in hiring, pay, and promotions.

Published

1 year ago

January 24, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

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

For members of the African American community, women, Latinos, LGBTQ, and even some marginalized white men, the buyer’s remorse has been swift and the sense of betrayal gut-wrenching. President Donald Trump wasted no time in using his first week back in the White House to enact policies that critics have called overtly racist, discriminatory, and regressive among the most controversial actions: mass deportations, a push to end birthright citizenship, and the revocation of key worker protections for minorities, women, and other marginalized groups.

The latest executive order, targeting the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) rule, is poised to dismantle decades of progress in workplace equity. The rule, which required federal contractors to take affirmative action to ensure workers are not discriminated against based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, was a crucial safeguard against systemic inequities. Now, with its removal, Black Americans, other minorities, women, and LGBTQ individuals face heightened vulnerability to workplace discrimination.

A Step Backward for Civil Rights

The EEO rule held federal contractors accountable for creating equitable workplaces, covering everything from hiring and promotions to pay. It also empowered the Department of Labor to enforce these standards. By rescinding the rule, Trump has significantly weakened the government’s ability to combat workplace discrimination, leaving marginalized groups with fewer avenues for recourse.

“Revoking this rule not only undermines workplace equity but signals to private employers that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are no longer a priority,” said Alex Hontos, a partner at the law firm Dorsey & Whitney and an expert on government contracting. Hontos added that Trump’s executive orders will likely extend beyond federal contractors, targeting private companies through enforcement actions and public scrutiny of their DEI efforts.

Ripple Effects Beyond Federal Contractors

The chilling effect of rescinding the EEO rule could reach private employers, many of whom have already begun scaling back DEI programs in response to political and legal pressures. Corporations such as Meta, Ford, McDonald’s, and Walmart have rolled back DEI initiatives following the 2023 Supreme Court decision banning affirmative action in college admissions. Critics warn that this trend and Trump’s executive orders threaten to undo years of progress toward workplace equity.

For Black Americans, who already face systemic barriers in employment, the loss of these protections exacerbates long-standing disparities. Women, particularly women of color, will likely see even more significant hurdles in hiring, pay, and promotions.

Hypocrisy Within the MAGA Movement

While Trump’s base includes supporters from across various demographics, his actions reflect the MAGA movement’s increasingly hostile stance toward LGBTQ individuals. Notably, Trump’s supporters include Caitlyn Jenner, a trans woman and high-profile conservative figure. However, after the administration’s executive orders targeting LGBTQ rights, many in Trump’s circle have strongly suggested they will only refer to Caitlyn as “Bruce,” her former name, before transitioning. The action signals a clear disregard for transgender identities, even among those who have been loyal to Trump’s agenda. “This is the hypocrisy of the MAGA movement,” noted one LGBTQ advocate who, like so many others, doesn’t want to be identified for fear of Trump and his band of worshippers. “They claim to have diverse supporters, but their policies and rhetoric are unapologetically discriminatory.”

Weakening Enforcement, Discouraging Complaints

Under the now-revoked rule, the Department of Labor had the authority to investigate and address workplace discrimination. Without it, federal contractors may feel less pressure to ensure fair practices, and workers may hesitate to report discrimination, fearing that their cases will not be taken seriously. That’s especially concerning for marginalized communities that already face disproportionate challenges in accessing legal recourse. “Workers who believe they’ve been treated unfairly could find themselves with fewer options to fight back,” a labor expert warned. Several labor experts fear the rollback of these protections could embolden employers to ignore diversity and inclusion goals, further marginalizing those already disadvantaged.

A Broader Conservative Agenda

Trump’s actions align with those of a broader conservative movement against DEI initiatives. The executive order’s directive for attorneys general to scrutinize private-sector DEI efforts has raised alarm among civil rights advocates, who see it as an attempt to dismantle diversity programs across all sectors. Hontos noted that this “stepwise approach” will likely chill DEI initiatives even in companies not directly tied to federal contracts. The impact of these measures is compounded by other actions taken by Trump during his first week in office, including mass deportations and his move to end birthright citizenship. Critics have described these policies as part of a calculated effort to erode the rights of minorities, immigrants, and women while emboldening his base with overtly racist and exclusionary rhetoric.

Widening Inequities

The rollback of the EEO rule comes at a time when racial and gender inequities remain deeply entrenched in the U.S. workforce. By eliminating proactive measures to ensure equity, Trump’s actions risk normalizing discriminatory practices. Combined with the Supreme Court’s ban on affirmative action in college admissions, these developments create a hostile environment for those seeking equal opportunities. “This is a direct attack on the progress we’ve made as a nation,” civil rights advocates have argued. “It sends a message that diversity and inclusion are no longer valued and that discrimination will not be meaningfully addressed.”

A Return to Jim Crow-like Policies?

For many, Trump’s actions signal a return to an era where the rights of marginalized groups were openly disregarded. Black Americans stand to lose hard-won gains in workplace equity, with women and LGBTQ individuals facing similarly dire consequences. The broader implications of these policies, including their impact on private-sector companies, could reverse decades of progress in creating fair and inclusive workplaces. As Trump’s first week in office draws to a close, the question remains: how much damage will these policies inflict on the most vulnerable populations in America? The stakes could not be higher for those who have fought for civil rights and workplace equality. “We cannot afford to go backward,” said another labor advocate. “This is a fight for the soul of our nation.”

Stacy M. Brown

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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

1 week 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.

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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

1 week 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.

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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

1 week 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.

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