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UCLA Bruins Women’s Basketball says the Pac-12 is the best conference in the country.

LOS ANGELES SENTINEL — UCLA recognizes its weaknesses. One of the issues the Bruins faced was having a backup plan when their scoring leaders were double-teamed. This game, UCLA lacked a counter offense. Moving forward, UCLA women’s basketball head coach Cori Close will emphasize other players stepping up when needed. She will challenge her players to take that next step. 

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By Khari Jones Jr., Contributing Writer, Los Angeles Sentinel

The UCLA Bruins took a disappointing loss against the Stanford Cardinal. They are exiting the Pac-12 tournament with their heads held high and will use this as preparation for the NCAA tournament in a few weeks.

UCLA recognizes its weaknesses. One of the issues the Bruins faced was having a backup plan when their scoring leaders were double-teamed. This game, UCLA lacked a counter offense. Moving forward, UCLA women’s basketball head coach Cori Close will emphasize other players stepping up when needed. She will challenge her players to take that next step.

Close mentioned that it begins with her and that she can handle losing. She also states that Stanford played to their identity more than the Bruins played to their own identity, which caused issues throughout the game. But it’s hard for them to swallow being overpowered and not executing.

This loss was a reality check for UCLA. It was tough for them to accept the fact they were outplayed, but Close acknowledges the fact they will come back stronger. According to Close, she says, “The Pac-12 is the best conference in the country. I can pretty much guarantee you we will come out differently for the first couple of rounds of the NCAA tournament. We will be much tougher, we will be much more together, and we will be able to execute through difficult circumstances on a higher level.”

Close encourages her team to embrace the challenges that come with playing in the Pac12. You grow the most when you have to conquer tough things. “I’m ready to take the fruits of our labor of going against each other and go apply that to somebody else. I’m so thankful for what grinding it out has done for our team.”

The Bruins do not doubt in their mind that playing in the Pac-12 conference has made them better as a team. Playing in this conference forces you to level up, it’s a grind. The competitiveness of the Pac-12 elevates teams to play at the best version of themselves with all the different styles of play.

Coaches in this conference believe other conferences are not as prepared in terms of excellence. Close mentions, “I am very grateful for how it prepares us. Right now, of course, we are disappointed, and it stings. I don’t think anything but good can come from these environments. It’s like your dress rehearsal for the NCAA tournament. It gives you a taste of the intensity, which we require, the attention to detail, and what must happen to be able to play your best when your best is needed. The duration of the conference from a tactical standpoint is the best preparation you can ask for.”

Michaela Onyenwere knows that they will be better moving forward, and the team is extremely motivated. She mentions that from this point, it’s win or go home. UCLA has a chance to regroup, get their minds right, and reenergize themselves. Onyenwere says, “I think this will motivate us. Because from here on out, it’s one and done. We don’t want to go home. I believe we will get better and come back stronger.”

Close says her final words to the media, “I appreciate you guys in covering the tournament. This has been one of the best years for Pac-12 Women’s Basketball not only on the court but also in our coverage and telling the stories of these women. As frustrated as I am in this loss I am very grateful for all the work you guys put in and the way you tell these stories. We need you, our game needs you and we appreciate you. Thank you for your work and your efforts.”

The post UCLA Bruins Women’s Basketball says the Pac-12 is the best conference in the country. appeared first on Los Angeles Sentinel.

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#NNPA BlackPress

Trump Set to Sign Largest Cut to Medicaid After a Marathon Protest Speech by Leader Jeffries

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The bill also represents the biggest cut in Medicare in history and is a threat to the health care coverage of over 15 million people. The spending in Trump’s signature legislation also opens the door to a second era of over-incarceration in the U.S.

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By Lauren Burke

By a vote of 218 to 214, the GOP-controlled U.S. House passed President Trump’s massive budget and spending bill that will add $3.5 trillion to the national debt, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The bill also represents the biggest cut in Medicare in history and is a threat to the health care coverage of over 15 million people. The spending in Trump’s signature legislation also opens the door to a second era of over-incarceration in the U.S. With $175 billion allocated in spending for immigration enforcement, the money for more police officers eclipsed the 2026 budget for the U.S. Marines, which is $57 billion. Almost all of the policy focus from the Trump Administration has focused on deporting immigrants of color from Mexico and Haiti.

The vote occurred as members were pressed to complete their work before the arbitrary deadline of the July 4 holiday set by President Trump. It also occurred after Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries took the House floor for over 8 hours in protest. Leader Jeffries broke the record in the U.S. House for the longest floor speech in history on the House floor. The Senate passed the bill days before and was tied at 50-50, with Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski saying that, “my hope is that the House is gonna look at this and recognize that we’re not there yet.” There were no changes made to the Senate bill by the House. A series of overnight phone calls to Republicans voting against, not changes, was what won over enough Republicans to pass the legislation, even though it adds trillions to the debt. The Trump spending bill also cuts money to Pell grants.

“The Big Ugly Bill steals food out of the hands of starving children, steals medicine from the cabinets of cancer patients, and equips ICE with more funding and more weapons of war than the United States Marine Corps. Is there any question of who those agents will be going to war for, or who they will be going to war against? Beyond these sadistic provisions, Republicans just voted nearly unanimously to close urban and rural hospitals, cripple the child tax credit, and to top it all off, add $3.3 trillion to the ticking time bomb that is the federal deficit – all from a party that embarrassingly pretends to stand for fiscal responsibility and lowering costs,” wrote Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Yvette Clarke (D-NY) in a statement on July 3.

“The Congressional Budget Office predicts that 17 million people will lose their health insurance, including over 322,000 Virginians. It will make college less affordable.  Three million people will lose access to food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). And up to 16 million students could lose access to free school meals. The Republican bill does all of this to fund tax breaks for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations,” wrote Education and Workforce Committee ranking member Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) in a statement. The bill’s passage has prompted Democrats to start thinking about 2026 and the next election cycle. With the margins of victory in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate being so narrow, many are convinced that the balance of power and the question of millions being able to enjoy health care come down to only several thousand votes in congressional elections. But currently, Republicans controlled by the MAGA movement control all three branches of government. That reality was never made more stark and more clear than the last seven days of activity in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate.

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WATCH: NNPA Publishers Pivot To Survive

7.2.25 via NBC 4 Washington

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7.2.25 via NBC 4 Washington

https://youtube.com/watch?v=9oZc5Sz0jQQ&feature=oembed

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Congressional Black Caucus Challenges Target on Diversity

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — we found that the explanations offered by the leadership of the Target Corporation fell woefully short of what our communities deserve and of the values of inclusion that Target once touted

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By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

Target is grappling with worsening financial and reputational fallout as the national selective buying and public education program launched by the Black Press of America and other national and local leaders continues to erode the retailer’s sales and foot traffic. But a recent meeting that the retailer intended to keep quiet between CEO Brian Cornell and members of the Congressional Black Caucus Diversity Task Force was publicly reported after the Black Press discovered the session, and the CBC later put Target on blast.

“The Congressional Black Caucus met with the leadership of the Target Corporation on Capitol Hill to directly address deep concerns about the impact of the company’s unconscionable decision to end a number of its diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts,” CBC Chair Yvette Clarke stated. “Like many of the coalition leaders and partner organizations that have chosen to boycott their stores across the country, we found that the explanations offered by the leadership of the Target Corporation fell woefully short of what our communities deserve and of the values of inclusion that Target once touted,” Congresswoman emphasized.  “Black consumers contribute overwhelmingly to our economy and the Target Corporation’s bottom line. Our communities deserve to shop at businesses that publicly share our values without sacrificing our dignity. It is no longer acceptable to deliver promises to our communities in private without also demonstrating those values publicly.”

Lauren Burke, Capitol Hill correspondent for Black Press of America, was present when Target CEO Cornell and a contingent of Target officials arrived at the U.S. Capitol last month. “It’s always helpful to have meetings like this and get some candid feedback and continue to evolve our thinking,” Cornell told Burke as he exited the meeting. And walked down a long hallway in the Cannon House Office Building. “We look forward to follow-up conversations,” he stated. When asked if the issue of the ongoing boycott was discussed, Cornell’s response was, “That was not a big area of focus — we’re focused on running a great business each and every day. Take care of our teams. Take care of the guests who shop with us and do the right things in our communities.”

A national public education campaign on Target, spearheaded by Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the NNPA’s board of directors, and with other national African American leaders, has combined consumer education efforts with a call for selective buying. The NNPA is a trade association that represents the more than 220 African American-owned newspapers and media companies known as the Black Press of America, the voice of 50 million African Americans across the nation. The coalition has requested that Target restore and expand its stated commitment to do business with local community-owned businesses inclusive of the Black Press of  America, and to significantly increase investment in Black-owned businesses and media, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU, Black-owned Banks, national Black Church denominations, and grassroots and local organizations committed to improving the quality of life of all Americans, and especially those from underserved communities. According to Target’s latest earnings report, net sales for the first quarter of 2025 fell 2.8 percent to $23.85 billion compared to the same period last year. Comparable store sales dropped 3.8 percent, and in-store foot traffic slid 5.7 percent.

Shares of Target have also struggled under the pressure. The company’s stock traded around $103.85 early Wednesday afternoon, down significantly from roughly $145 before the controversy escalated. Analysts note that Target has lost more than $12 billion in market value since the beginning of the year. “We will continue to inform and to mobilize Black consumers in every state in the United States,” Chavis said. “Target today has a profound opportunity to respond with respect and restorative commitment.”

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