Vol 66 No. 4 Thursday, January 22, 2026

CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS PROPOSE BILLS RESPONDING TO FATAL SHOOTINGS BY ICE AGENTS

By Solomon O. Smith CALIFORNIA BLACK MEDIA

Responding to recent fatal shootings and an uptick in misconduct and excessive use-of-force incidents by federal policing agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), California lawmakers are proposing some legal guardrails to prevent them and hold officers accountable.

Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) recently authored legislation to place limits on federal officers operating in the Golden State.

By Barbara Smith

CES 2026 once again underscored its role as the world’s most influential technology showcase, drawing more than 145,000 attendees from 160 countries and roughly

4,100 exhibitors to Las Vegas. Artificial intelligence dominated the show, not as abstract theory but as a practical tool shaping everyday life in wearables, robotics, and adaptive hardware.

See CES pages 6-7

Findings From The State of the Dream 2026 Report

By Stacy M. Brown

President Donald Trump’s new tax law is now in force, and as the 2026 filing season begins, economists say the damage is not theoretical. It is already written into the tax code. The legislation locks in and expands Trump’s 2017 overhaul while layering on new provisions that funnel wealth upward, raise taxes on millions of low-income Americans, and deepen racial inequities that have defined the U.S. economy for generations.

“This massive tax-and-spending package does more to transfer wealth upward than any other single piece of legislation in decades while penalizing lower-income Americans and cutting public benefits,” the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy said in its analysis of the law.

See RECESSION page 2

By Olivia Clark VOICE & VIEWPOINT STAFF WRITER

Held on the crisp Friday morning of January 16, 2026 at the beautiful Town & Country Resort, the 41st Annual Jackie Robinson Family YMCA Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Human Dignity Award Breakfast was a grand start to a weekend celebrating the life and legacy of the great civil rights activist and Baptist minister. Recognizing and honoring the community service of Dr. Leonard J. Thompson III and Pastor Dr. Walter G. Wells, the event, keynoted by Voice & Viewpoint Publisher Dr. John E. Warren, began as the sun rose outside the Golden State Ballroom.

See MLK BREAKFAST page 2

CALIFORNIA RENT CONTROL BILL DIES IN ASSEMBLY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

By Antonio Ray Harvey

Authored by Assemblymembers Ash Kalra (D–San Jose) and Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D–Los Angeles), Assembly Bill (AB) 1157 — known as the Affordable Rent Act — failed last week to advance out of the Assembly Judiciary Committee, marking the second consecutive year the rent control proposal has been halted in the Legislature.

See RENT page 11

ARTICLE CONTINUATION

enforcement officers from moonlighting for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, its contractors, or any other entity involved in immigration enforcement.

Bryan is highlighting two recent killings by ICE agents in Minnesota and California.

“If you were out in the streets protesting the murder of Renee Good and the murder of Keith Porter,” said Bryan in a TikTok video, “I’ve got a piece of legislation for you.”

In his message, Bryan was referring to Renee Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis woman who was fatally shot by an ICE agent on Jan. 7, and Keith Porter, 43, a Los Angeles resident and father of two who was also fatally shot on New Year’s Eve by Brian Palacios, an off-duty ICE officer.

“His heart was big. He had big heart. He loved so deep, he loved so deep,” said Porter’s mother Franceola Armstrong at an L.A. City Council meeting. “He was a joy. He was my baby. He was a father.”

Last week, Palacios was publicly identified after his name surfaced in a custody-related court filing, according to reporting by the Los Angeles Times.

AB 1537, the legislation Bryan authored and introduced would prohibit state and local law

RECESSION

According to ITEP, the poorest 40 percent of Americans will pay more in taxes under the new law, while the middle fifth receives only marginal relief. The richest 1 percent, however, will take home more benefits than the bottom 80 percent combined in 2026. The racial divide is stark. High-income households are disproportionately white, while Black and Latino families are far more likely to be concentrated in income groups that lose ground.

At the center of the imbalance is the expanded pass-through business deduction, increased from 20 percent to 23 percent. Treasury Department data show that nearly all of the $1 trillion in tax cuts generated by this provision over the next decade will flow to the top 1 percent. Hispanic taxpayers, who account for 15 percent of the population, receive about 5 percent of the benefit. Black taxpayers, 11 percent of

MLK BREAKFAST

The crowd of about 1,300 San Diego community leaders and residents stood in line to fill their plates with a delicious breakfast, before being treated to a rousing opening song by Ms. Carmelia “Toot” Bell. Pastor Dennis Hodges of the Church of Yeshua Ha Mashiach led the room in an invocation. The long panel of past awardees of the Human Dignity Award or their representatives, stretched out on either side of the podium, acted as a reminder of the power and legacy of the event.

The emcee for the morning, Melissa Mecija, ABC 10 News Anchor, offered a reminder of the importance of keeping the words and calls to action invoked by MLK Jr. alive today. The program officially began with the energy and power of the Teye Sa Thiosanne African Drum & Dance Company filling the room with music, joy and a willingness to make the morning a celebration.

The push for AB 1537 responds to a number of recent clashes between protesters and ICE in major cities across the country. Thousands of ICE officers have been deployed in Minneapolis, and in California violent conflicts between ICE and protesters have resulted in major injuries.

Authorities allege that Porter was firing a gun to mark the New Year, an activity his cousin, Jsane Tyler, said was not uncommon in the neighborhood where he lived in Northridge.

According to the Department of Homeland Security’s assistant secretary of homeland affairs, Tricia McLaughlin, Palacios claimed to have heard the gunshot Porter allegedly fired and confronted him.

“On Dec. 31, an off-duty ICE officer bravely responded to an active shooter situation at his apartment complex,” reads McLaughlin’s statement.

The district attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division is running a parallel investigation with the LAPD Robbery and Homicide Division,

the population, receive roughly 2 percent.

The law also sharply weakens the estate tax by permanently raising the exemption to $15 million for individuals and $30 million for married couples, indexed to inflation. Economists say the change all but eliminates the tax for ultra-wealthy families while locking in racial disparities tied to inherited wealth. White families are about three times as likely as Black families to receive an inheritance, and the median inheritance for White families is roughly 25 percent higher.

Supporters of the law point to larger tax refunds expected this year as proof that working Americans are benefiting. The Tax Foundation estimates individual income taxes were reduced by $129 billion for 2025, with as much as $100 billion likely to be paid out through higher refunds during the 2026 filing season. Average refunds could rise by several hundred dollars, and in some cases close to $1,000.

But analysts say those refunds are largely the

The Buffalo Soldiers presented the Colors and the winners of the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Art & Poetry Contest, held each year for local students in grades K-12, led the room in the Pledge of Allegiance. The MLK Jr. Community Choir then led the ballroom in singing “Lift Every Voice & Sing.”

Dee Sanford, Event Chair and Jackie Robinson Family YMCA Board member, and Anna Arancibia, Jackie Robinson Family YMCA Executive Director, welcomed the crowd to the special annual event, recognizing that the YMCA has been celebrating Dr. King since the

according to a communications officer at the LAPD.

Tyler told California Black Media (CBM) that the family has been stonewalled by authorities, which has led them to seek evidence themselves. She says her family heard about bullet holes at the complex and that they are asking neighbors for any video they may have.

Both the LAPD and the U.S. Department of Justice declined to comment on an active investigation but referred CBM to older published statements about the shooting and the ongoing investigation.

“We may just have to go knocking on doors,” said Tyler.

Porter’s family has hired a lawyer, Jamal Tooson, and has held press briefings, with the help of Black Lives Matter L.A., where they continue to challenge authorities in L.A. to arrest Palacios.

Aided by Black Lives Matter L.A. the family met with Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman. Activists, educators and lawyers faced off with Hochman in a tense hourlong discussion demanding a more critical investigation and charges against the ICE agent.

In nearby Orange County, a 21-year-old protester,

result of delayed withholding adjustments, not sustained gains in wages or financial security. Many low-income filers, particularly those with little or no tax liability, receive little to nothing. ITEP said provisions marketed as help for working families continue to bypass the poorest households, many of them Black.

The child tax credit was raised to $2,200 per child, yet it remains only partially refundable and far below its 2021 level. Millions of very low-income families are still excluded. Census data show that nearly one in five Black and American Indian people lived below the poverty line in 2024, placing them among those least likely to see any benefit.

The law offsets tax cuts at the top by reducing funding for health care, food assistance, and other programs relied upon by working families. Economists warn that the long-term costs will fall heaviest on younger Americans. Millennials and Gen Z, the most racially diverse generations in U.S. history, will inherit higher deficits and

spoken word poem, “Prepared, Not Scared.” The audience clapped, snapped, and praised her after each stanza. “Dr. King dreamed big. So I can dream without limits,” Cyprian recited, to a standing ovation.

A highlight of the morning was a striking performance of Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered by Rhys Green, co-founder and Artistic Director of the San Diego Black Ensemble Theatre. Standing at the podium, his voice echoed through the grand halls, becoming a vessel for its enduring call to hope and action.

Award recipient Dr. Leonard J. Thompson III, recounted his early academic career. Having been labeled a special needs student, he later became his high school’s first African American valedictorian. “One thing I thank God for is the village that raised me,” he said with a radiant smile, thanking his wife and family. As the founder of M.A.N.D.A.T.E. Records Inc., San Diego’s long-standing record label, and Mandate Project, a nonprofit training inner-city youth in music, TV, film, radio and event production, Dr. Thompson offered a message: “To all the young people, I want you to know that we are here for you. We are stronger together.”

Kaden Rummler, was shot point-blank in the face with a less-than-lethal round by federal officers. Rummler lost an eye and was dragged across the courtyard by ICE agents, according to an interview on CBS LA and video from the scene.

Responding to the escalating anti-ICE protests, President Trump threatened [SS1] to invoke the Insurrection Act on the official White House X account.

In addition to Bryan’s bill, California State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) proposing Senate Bill (SB) 747, The No Kings Act, a bill designed to hold federal, state and local police accountable for violating individual constitutional rights. The bill, if passed, would only affect California.

For the family the ordeal has taken a toll, Tyler says.

Family members say they want the public to see Porter as a person and not a suspect.

“From day one when he was born people looked for him, he was a joy to be around,” said Armstrong. “My son had the biggest heart. He was sympathetic, and he had so much gratitude.”

Donations to the Porter family to support his children can be made at their GoFundMe site.

fewer public resources.

The Internal Revenue Service began accepting 2025 returns on Jan. 26 and expects to process roughly 164 million filings this year. New deductions for overtime, tips, auto loan interest, and seniors are now available, though many phase out well before reaching higher income levels. Analysts note that administrative readiness does not change who ultimately wins and loses under the law.

ITEP said Congress had options that would have protected working families without deepening inequality, including limiting tax extensions to households earning under $400,000 and restoring the expanded child tax credit. That approach would have delivered larger tax cuts to the bottom 60 percent of Americans at a fraction of the cost.

“This law harms the economic well-being of poor and working families of all races, especially people of color,” ITEP said. “The new tax and spending law doesn’t meet the basic test of fairness, and it falls tremendously short.”

regated North Carolina, seeing water fountains labeled “colored” and “white,” sitting high up in a tree to watch Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, and beginning a long career on Capitol Hill at the age of 17. “We cannot appreciate where we are unless we appreciate where we’ve been and where we came from,” he said.

establishment of the national holiday. “This is who we are. This is what we do, and together this is how we carry on his legacy every single day,” Arancibia said. Sanford remarked, “This is probably the most diverse audience many of you will be in. Diversity, equality, and inclusion is still alive and well and important, and what Dr. King gave his life for.”

Speakers also included Robert Ito, Jackie Robinson Family YMCA Board Chair, and County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe. 10th grader Nyla Cyprian, a finalist of the Youth Art & Poetry Contest, presented her

Dr. Walter G. Wells, pastor and founder of Mt. Erie Christian Academy, voiced that “This award really belongs to all of you as we honor the legacy of Dr. King. Let us continue to work for God.”

The Voice & Viewpoint’s Publisher, Dr. John E. Warren, offered Friday morning’s keynote address. Dr. Warren opened with a warning not to fall into hopelessness. He took the audience through his experiences growing up in a seg-

“We have a new battle today,” Dr. Warren declared, “Today, we’re not fighting for civil rights as much as we are fighting for human rights now.” His answer? Prayer. “This is the missing element in our struggle,” he said. “We are not praying anymore. We will not get any place without prayer.” Dr. Warren reminded those present that Dr. King was a servant and a man of action first and foremost. Dr. Warren called on all of us to follow in King’s image and to take action to be involved, noting that “Dr. King’s attitude was not what’s happening to us because, his attitude was what we can do in spite of.”

Dr. Warren closed with a call for consistent celebration of Dr. King, and to include reading the news with social media scrolling in order to be fully informed on the state of the world we find ourselves in.

Pastor Hodges closed out the beautiful morning’s events with a benediction, and Rev. Lisa Payton Harris blessed us all with a heartfelt rendition of “Total Praise” that brought tears to every eye and the audience of 1,300 to their feet.

THE DREAM CANNOT BE REALIZED WITHOUT FINANCIAL FREEDOM

By Ben Crump

We honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. each January with speeches, service projects, and by reciting powerful quotes we know by heart. But too many Black families will spend much of MLK Day the same way they spend most Mondays.

With the gas tank hovering near empty, hoping

the car can go until the next paycheck arrives. With a prescription waiting at the pharmacy counter because they cannot afford the cost. With a paycheck that has to stretch further than what seems possible. Dr. King understood that true dignity means being able to afford and build a good life. In one of his clearest reminders, he asked what it means to “eat at an integrated lunch counter” if you cannot “buy a hamburger and a cup of coffee.”

That question still carries weight for many. Personal freedom will not be achieved without financial freedom. Dr. King spent the final chapter of his life pushing the country to face economic injustice. The day before he was tragically assassinated, Dr. King stood with sanitation workers in Memphis to call for economic equality. He helped launch the Poor People’s Campaign because he knew freedom hollowed out by poverty is not freedom at all. Dr. King kept pushing America to match its promises with practical pathways. That is the part of his legacy we should sit with this MLK Day.

This work has never been more important or needed. The cost of groceries, rent, and childcare has become an increased burden. And many families go from stable to scrambling with just

one unexpected expense. These realities are on display in a recent national survey commissioned by DreamFi, echoing what so many families already feel so deeply. More than one in four respondents told us they used check-cashing services in the past year. This finding makes it clear that too many households still need simpler and more accessible options for moving money.

The survey also shows how unexpected expenses impact families. Only 41% of Black respondents said they could cover a $1,000 emergency, compared with 56% of white respondents. When a tire blows out, when a child gets sick, when hours get cut, the question is not theoretical. The question is immediate, and the impact is real. We must shine a light on this struggle and work to equip families with tools to build better futures. We must recognize Dr. King’s wisdom and acknowledge that financial stability is a civil rights issue, because financial instability limits the ability to have choices.

The survey also found hope that can guide how we move forward. Black families are not turning away from the idea of building stability. In fact, they are reaching for it. In the survey, 79% of Black respondents said they sought out financial education in the past six months. Ours is a

STATE VIOLENCE TOOK KEITH AND RENEE.

By Black Lives

On New Year’s Eve, as the world thirsted for celebration, Black father, son, neighbor, and community member, #KeithPorter stepped outside his front door to celebrate. Like many around the nation, he fired his gun in the air to celebrate the coming of 2026. An ICE agent who lived in the same complex moved as if Keith was no more than a target in a game. He went inside his own unit, put on his tactical gear, grabbed his ICE-issued firearm, stepped back outside, and shot this Black man dead in front of his own home.

The only reports of Keith’s killing hailed the murderer as a “hero” and painted Keith as a “suspect” instead of the victim. Nowhere is it written that he was his mother’s only child and called to check in on her every single morning. It doesn’t talk about his stellar work record and the laughter that he brought to his coworkers at Home Depot. There are no mentions of him as a “girl dad,” who brings light to his 9-year-old’s eyes or that he couldn’t stop bragging about his 20-year-old, a standout college sophomore at the University of Texas. Keith was deeply loved in his Compton community and moved to Northridge “for love.”

Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles learned immediately about Keith’s death because he is the relative of one of our members. A community vigil was held two days after his murder.

In the pouring rain, Keith’s spirit was lifted. What was made starkly clear is that ICE does not only terrorize migrants, it is a death sentence for African Americans, a warning that Black Lives Matter Grassroots issued back in June, at the start of the Los Angeles ICE raids. Less than a week after Keith’s murder, as we are ramping up the organizing for justice in his name, it was made clear that even white people are fodder for ICE violence.

On January 7th, we all watched in horror as evil stole Renee from this world. She was murdered in cold blood by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was driving a car, complying with orders to move when the masked agent —who we now know to be Jonathan Ross — shot her three times in the head.

The Trump Administration immediately blamed Renee for her own death. Praising her killer as “brave,” condemning Renee as a “domestic terrorist.” Ross is the terrorist. ICE is a terrorist organization working at the behest of a fascist regime.

Both of these murders were committed by an agency that was chartered to advance white-supremacist colonial imperialist fascism. The already massive ICE budget was just increased by $170 billion, making it the largest federal law enforcement agency in the his-

tory of the nation, placing it in the top 20 of military budgets globally, all while money was cut to essential services.

The murders of Keith Porter and Renee Good are especially jarring because both were both birthright citizens and supposedly out of the purview of ICE. And as we mourn and rage for them, we must also remember that ICE’s murderous presence has been levied on migrant communities since the inception of the agency.

community hungry for tools and a fair shot at creating a better tomorrow.

So what does it mean to honor Dr. King right now? It means we get practical. It means we expand access to clear, trustworthy financial education that respects people’s time and speaks to real solutions. It means we support savings pathways that help families prepare for emergencies before emergencies arrive. It means we encourage options that make routine transactions easier and less costly, so a family is not paying extra simply to manage their own money.

Most of all, it means we stop treating financial instability as normal. Because normal is not the same as acceptable.

Dr. King asked America to make its promises real. The best way to honor him now is to provide opportunities for everyone to achieve Dr. King’s dream.

Ben

ICE violence continues to escalate. Two days after Renee’s murder, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol shot a husband and wife in Portland, Oregon. ICE has shot at least 14 people since last January, killing at least four people. 2025 represented the most deadly year on record in more than two decades, with at least four people shot and killed by ICE and 32 dying while in ICE custody. This does not include additional violence perpetrated by ICE in the numerous documented cases of brutality and the violence inherent in ripping apart families and facilities such as Alligator Alcatraz. This also does not include violence by ICE and police in the midst of protests.

The violence is more than data, it is real lives destroyed by a fascist regime. We mourn each of these murders and condemn them, not only in theory, but in practice by doubling down on our solidarity, organizing, and protest. The elected officials who protect and defend this violence through action and inaction are complicit, they too have blood on their hands.

The answer lies in our communities and in our solidarity. In the names of Keith Porter and Renee Good, we fight. We fight for a world where parents live to raise their children and they can realize the world that they imagined for them. Black Lives Matter Grassroots remains committed to this work as frontline organizers until we win full liberation for all of our people.

WITH GRATITUDE AND PRAISE FOR 2026

and the promise of eternal life. These blessings are not based on human merit but are freely given by God’s grace.

Here in 2026, we must not forget His benefits from 2025.

We have already received and continue to receive Spiritual Blessings. Apostle Paul declares that God has blessed believers with “every spiritual blessing.” They encompass gifts of redemption, including forgiveness, grace,

The timeless nature of these spiritual blessings goes beyond our everyday needs, offering comfort and purpose in a world often filled with chaos and uncertainty.

Understanding our identity in Christ can bring hope and transformation, allowing us to shape our perspective and actions. We should pray for a deeper understanding and appreciation

of these spiritual blessings, that we may walk in the fullness of God’s grace and purpose.

Look back on 2025. Remember His forgiveness when we did not follow Him, the grace that carried us through, and the ultimate promise of eternal life.

The book of Ephesians invites believers to reflect on their new creation in Christ and the immense blessings they have received. They are chosen, redeemed, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. These verses encourage believers to live

in gratitude and glorify God for His grace and purpose in our lives.

Prayer: With Gratitude and Praise for 2026, we come before You, Lord, praying that we may continue receiving Your spiritual blessings, Your forgiveness, Your choosing us, and bringing us to this place in our lives. Lord, in this new year, we are asking You to direct our paths. We will not lean on our own understanding but look toward you for direction. We commit ourselves to do more, be more, and act more like Christ. Please show us the way. Amen.

CHURCH DIRECTORY

Mae Ella Arthur Sharlet

Antoine

SUNRISE 08/27/1936

SUNSET 12/15/2025

ARRANGEMENTS BY PREFERRED CREMATION & BURIAL

Service was held January 5, 2026, at Christ the King Catholic Church.

Mae Ella Antoine was born on August 27, 1936, in Rayne, Louisiana, to the late Wilson and Daisy Marks. On December 15, 2025, she peacefully transitioned to her heavenly home. Mae Ella was one of nine children. She was preceded in death by her husband Ernest Antoine, her parents, her sisters; Helen Horne, Masey Marks, and Theresa Marks, her brothers; Wilson “Graveyard” Marks Jr., Milton Marks, and Mitch Marks, and her children, Gary Antoine and Ernestine Antoine.

Mae Ella was known for sharing the story of her journey to California. She received her education in the Catholic School System in Rayne, Louisiana, and married her beloved husband, Ernest Antoine, at the age of 14. At 29, she courageously moved to California with her first child, Terry Antoine, determined to build a better life. Through faith, perseverance, and hard work, she purchased her home on Shorewood Drive, where she reunited her family and raised all seven of her children with love and devotion.

Mae Ella often spoke of God’s guidance in her life. After praying for work in a Catholic hospital, she was introduced to Mercy Hospital, where she was hired and faithfully served as an Environmental Services Technician for more than 25 years.

She consistently credited God for sustaining her and emphasized the importance of prayer and gratitude.

Family was Mae Ella’s pride and joy. Her strength, wisdom, and faith shaped five generations. As a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and greatgreat-grandmother, she offered gentle guidance, laughter, and unconditional love. She was also a devoted sister, cherishing lifelong bonds of loyalty and compassion.

In her final days, Mae Ella found joy caring for her great-grandchildren, Andre and Navayah, who brought light to her heart.

Mae Ella Antoine will be remembered for her strength, grace, and giving spirit. Her legacy of love, service, and faith will continue through the many lives she touched.

She is survived by her children; Terry Antoine, Barbara Fife, Charlotte Black, Paulette Antoine, and Natalie Antoine, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, her brother Gabriel Marks, her sister Vida (Benjamin) Burns, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Mae Ella Antoine was deeply loved and will be forever remembered.

Dorothy Ann

Ferguson

SUNRISE 06/10/1947

SUNSET 12/24/2025

ARRANGEMENTS BY PREFERRED CREMATION & BURIAL

Service was held January 10, 2026, at North Park Apostolic Church.

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Dorothy Ann Ferguson, born on June 10, 1947, in the peaceful town of Sheridan, Arkansas, was a beacon of light and joy to all who knew her. On December 24, 2025, Dorothy was called home to the Lord in San Diego, California, leaving behind a legacy of laughter, faith, and selfless love. Her life reflected the Christian values she held dear, and her memory will continue to inspire those blessed to know her.

Dorothy’s journey through life was defined by her unwavering faith in God. She walked confidently, grounded in a deep and abiding relationship with Christ. Her funny and spirited nature brought joy to friends and family alike. She had a special gift for finding humor in everyday moments, and her infectious laughter could lift even the heaviest hearts.

A woman of profound faith, Dorothy lived as a shining example of what it means to trust in the Lord. She faced every challenge with steadfast belief in God’s plan, encouraging others to lean on faith during difficult times. Her devotion was evident in the way she lived and served, always placing the needs of others before her own.

Selflessness was the hallmark of Dorothy’s character. She gave freely of herself, continually seeking ways to uplift and care for those around her. Many of her acts of kindness went unnoticed, as she never sought recognition. Instead, she found fulfillment in giving, faithfully living out the call to love one’s neighbor as oneself.

Dorothy’s life was a beautiful reflection of the Christian virtues she cherished. Her presence offered comfort and reassurance, reminding others of God’s love and grace. While we grieve her passing, we also celebrate the extraordinary life she lived. We find peace in knowing she is now in the presence of our Savior, hearing the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Let us honor Dorothy Ann Ferguson by living the values she embodied so faithfully. May her life inspire us to approach each day with humor, deepen our faith, and serve others with open hearts.

As we say farewell, we hold close the memories and the lasting impact she made. Dorothy’s spirit will remain a guiding light, encouraging us to live with purpose and share the love of Christ wherever we go.

Boyd Jr.

SUNRISE 01/17/1945

SUNSET 12/19/2025

ARRANGEMENTS BY PREFERRED CREMATION & BURIAL

Service ***************************************************************************

Arthur “Art” Boyd Jr. was born in Macon, Georgia, on January 17, 1945, to the late Thelma and Arthur Boyd Sr. As the eldest of three children, he was a devoted brother to Nell Stanley and Earl Boyd.

From a young age, Art had a passion for music and entertaining, while always keeping God first. In 1964, as he began his naval career, he and his beloved wife, Ida Boyd, moved to San Diego, California. There, Art became a faithful member and choir singer at The Southeast Community Church and began building his family, welcoming two sons, Reginald “Reggie” Boyd and Arthur A. “Tony” Boyd.

After 23 years of honorable service in the United States Navy, including service as a Vietnam veteran, Art retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer E-9. His commitment to leadership and education led him to earn four degrees, including a Doctorate in Education from La Salle University, earning him the respected title of “Dr. Boyd.”

In 1979, Dr. Boyd joined the Masonic fraternity and held membership in Sibs of Enoch Lodge No. 17 and Crossroads Lodge No. 696. He later served as Orator for the San Diego Scottish Rite Bodies, dedicating himself to the principles of brotherhood, charity, and truth.

Dr. Boyd continued serving others as a tenured professor and counselor with the San Diego Community College District, working at both San Diego Mesa College and San Diego City College. His passion was guiding students toward success both academically and in life.

Outside of his professional life, Dr. Boyd was known for his humor, warmth, and love of music. His talent led to the formation of The Choice Entertainers, an award-winning singing group that performed widely and brought joy to many.

To know Art—Dr. Boyd, Dad, Papa, Uncle Art, or Master Chief—was to love him. His kindness, wisdom, faith, and generosity leave a lasting legacy.

Dr. Boyd passed away on December 19, 2025.

Arthur leaves to cherish his memory his wife Ida Boyd, sons; Reginald “Reggie” Boyd and Arthur “Tony” Boyd, granddaughters; Ania and Pariss Boyd, sister Nell Stanley, brother Earl Boyd, and a host of family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

Gabriel

SUNRISE 07/06/1946

SUNSET 12/24/2025

ARRANGEMENTS BY PREFERRED CREMATION & BURIAL

Service was held January 17, 2026, at Nu-Way International Christian Ministries.

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A Time to Be Born…

Sharlet Gabriel was born on July 6, 1946, in Holdenville, Oklahoma, to the late Billie Jollivette and Clifford Daniels. At an early age, her family relocated to California, making San Diego their home.

In 1959, Sharlet accepted Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized by the late Dr. C. H. Hampton at Bethel Baptist Church in San Diego. Later in life, she rededicated her life to Christ and was baptized alongside her son, Ondre, by Dr. Steve O. Cooper at Nu-Way L.C.M. in San Diego.

A Time to Live…

Sharlet received her education in the San Diego Unified School District, attending Logan Elementary School, Memorial Junior High School, and San Diego High School. A gifted athlete, she excelled on the track team and was known for her confident personality and “gift of gab.” During her senior year, she was elected Class President, voted Best Dancer, and graduated with honors in 1964. She continued her education at San Diego State University, majoring in Business Administration.

Sharlet worked for Bell Telephone Company and later at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, before returning to San Diego. There, she was employed at North Island Naval Air Station, advancing to the position of Equal Employment Opportunity (E.E.O.) Officer.

In 1991, Sharlet relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, where she served as an EEO Officer for Nevada Power Company and later the State of Nevada Department of Corrections until her retirement.

A Time to Love…

Sharlet was blessed with two children, Ondre Lavoyd Piernas and Misha Iwanette Piernas, who were her pride and joy. She cherished time with family and friends, loved traveling, shopping, cooking, and collecting purses. A devoted Raiders fan, she supported her team with unwavering loyalty.

A Time to Say Goodbye…

Sharlet was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Orned “Chicken” Gabriel.

On Wednesday evening, December 24, 2025, surrounded by loved ones, Sharlet peacefully transitioned to eternal rest.

She leaves to cherish her memory her son Ondre Piernas, Sr. (Leonora “Leo”), her daughter Misha Piernas, her sister Gina Seunarine, five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, three nephews, and a host of nieces, relatives, and friends.

T he Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed

in spirit.

Psalm 34:18

CES 2026: WHERE PURPOSE-DRIVEN TECH MEETS A CALL

continued from cover

Many of the headline devices reflected a shift toward usefulness over spectacle. The lightweight Rokid Style smart glasses, a 2026 CESaward winner, priced at $299, promise to be a worthy alternative to the Meta Ray-Ban models, emphasizing voice-driven AI rather than bulky displays. Assistive wearables like the .lumen Glasses for the Blind demonstrated how sensors can enhance mobility and independence for people with disabilities.

Samsung’s newly unveiled Galaxy Z TriFold phone generated big excitement as did Lenovo’s rollable Legion Pro laptop, which amazingly expands from 16 inches to an impressive 21.5 inches at the press of a key. Such innovations highlight a growing emphasis on adaptability, allowing technology to conform to users’ needs. Robotics ranged from practical home tools to playful demonstrations, reinforcing how far AI reasoning and precision have advanced. The Sharpa blackjack-dealing robot drew large crowds with some attendees actually playing a simulated round of blackjack, as the robot dealt cards, collected them, and accurately determined winning hands. While entertaining, it also illustrated how far robotic reasoning and tactile sensitivity have advanced.

The humanoid RealHand robots, performing a perfectly in-synch piano duet, highlighted fine motor control with implications far beyond

entertainment, including prosthetics development and surgical training. Electric vehicles and automotive tech also maintained a strong presence, showcasing smarter, safer, and more personalized driving experiences.

Yet amid the innovation, issues of representation remain front and center. While CES h as increased its focus on inclusion, African American presence in tech continues to lag behind broader population numbers. According to The Black Chronicle, Black Americans represent 13 percent of the U.S.

population but account for just 7 percent of tech workers and only 4 percent of tech executives. Attendee Malcolm Marzett, a Phoenixbased tech exec, noted the reality of navigating the convention halls as one of the few Black faces in the room. “It’s not like it’s not there,” he said of Black participation in tech, “but we just need to galvanize each other.”

Several prominent African American voices helped elevate conversations that connected technology, culture, and equity. NAACP CEO Derrick Johnson addressed the social implications of emerging technologies, while tennis legend Serena Williams spoke about her work investing in inclusive innovation through her Serena Ventures. Williams’ focus on women and underrepresented founders reinforced the idea that diversity is not just a moral imperative but a driver of future growth. “I love investing in women,… in underrepresented founders, and I also love investing in the future,” Williams shared.

Entrepreneur and computer sci -

and your family members are sick, they all include free preventive care as well. 4 out of 5 people who enroll will also qualify for financial help. Take advantage today.

CALL FOR GREATER INCLUSION

entist Omi Bell, CEO of Black Girl Ventures (BGV), led an Innovation for All panel exploring how AI is shaping culture, cities, and communities. Under Bell’s leadership, BGV has supported more than 400 underrepresented founders, creating thousands of jobs and generating millions in revenue and social capital. Panel discussions acknowledged AI’s dual reality for African

high-tech solution for Las Vegas traffic.

CES 2026 ultimately reflected an industry evolving beyond flash toward purpose with the most meaningful conversations centered on who is building the future of technology and who still needs greater access to the room where those decisions are made.

WorldBeat Center Celebrates

MLK Holiday on January 19th

American communities: significant promise in healthcare access and economic opportunity, alongside serious risks of bias and inequity if these technol ogies are not developed intentionally.

Not everything at CES was futuristic. One of the oddest non-tech sights came not from a booth, but from the streets—a bus driver stopped in traffic, furiously crocheting while waiting for the light to change. Despite all the innova tion inside the convention halls, there is still no

IN MORE NEWS

CITY AND COUNTY NEWS YOU CAN USE

County Supervisors Select Chair for 2026

The County Board of Supervisors voted to select Chair Terra Lawson-Remer to continue as chair for 2026 during an organizational meeting on January 13th. The chair acts as the official voice for the board. The chair also presides over its meetings and nominates other supervisors to various committees. Vice Chair Monica Montgomery Steppe and Chair Pro Tempore Paloma Aguirre were chosen to continue serving in their current positions.

is a trial attorney and policy executive with over two decades of experience leading highstakes litigation, regulatory enforcement and legal strategies across government and private practice.

He will lead the Office of County Counsel, the department that manages the County’s civil law needs. The office provides advisory and litigation support to the Board of Supervisors, County departments, County officers, boards, and commissions. It also represents the County in juvenile dependency matters and administers public liability claims.

The County of San Diego provides programs and services to support local communities. Services for the entire region include social services and health programs, emergency preparedness, food and restaurant inspections, elections and more, including things like law enforcement, roads, building permits, animal shelters and protection, along with parks and libraries.

Board of Supervisors Appoints New County Counsel

The Board of Supervisors approved the appointment of Damon M. Brown as County Counsel after a national recruitment. Brown

Taking care of your health shouldn’t wait until you’re already sick. MediCal gives California adults — including Black families, seniors, parents, and caregivers — access to free or low-cost care designed to help people stay healthy, not just treat illness. However, many Medi-Cal members are not using benefits they already qualify for, including dental checkups, vision exams, medications, and preventive screenings for diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer.

Medi-Cal is one of California’s most dependable health programs. And there’s never been a better time to take advantage of these benefits. The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), which oversees Medi-Cal, confirms that most members will keep all of their benefits in 2025–26, including preventive care, dental and vision services, mental health support, and prescription coverage.

Medi-Cal provides health coverage to more than 14 million Californians, more than one-third of the state’s population. Over the past decade, eligibility has expanded, strengthening one of the nation’s largest health safety nets.

Why Preventive Care Matters — Especially for Black Adults

Black Californians are more likely to live with chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, kidney disease, or vision loss, yet are less likely to

Brown was most recently a Special Assistant Attorney General at the California Department of Justice, where he served as chief legal and policy advisor to Attorney General Rob Bonta on civil rights, education, labor, public safety and immigration – guiding statewide initiatives and multistate litigation that shape national enforcement priorities.

Brown managed the Attorney General office’s complex federal accountability litigation involving civil and voting rights and immigration as one of its lead strategists, working with other state attorneys general, subject matter experts and community stakeholders. He also previously served as City Attorney

for Compton where he led the city’s legal operations.

Brown is a graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School and the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned degrees in African American Studies and Political Science.

Join the Conversation: How You Access City Council Information City of San Diego City Clerk Hosts Community Listening Sessions on Public Access and Participation

The Office of the City Clerk invites all community members to our Community Listening Sessions to share feedback on how

the public accesses City Council agendas, notices, and information. These events are part of a broader outreach effort to improve communication, accessibility, and participation in local government.

The Listening Sessions (one held January 20th, the upcoming session is on February 19th) provide residents with an opportunity to share what works, what doesn’t, and how the Office of the City Clerk can better connect communities to the decision-making process. Participants will also learn more about the role of the City Clerk and how to engage with City Council meetings through tools such as online agendas, public comment forms, and virtual participation via Zoom.

Next Community Listening Session: Thursday, February 19, 2026, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Tierrasanta Recreation Center 11220 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard San Diego, CA 92124

Attendees are also encouraged to complete the Public Engagement Survey to share their experiences and ideas for improving public access.

Survey links: English: https://forms.office.com/g/ dpdSKVzsXS Español: https://forms.office.com/g/ hxb23eAyE0

Residents are encouraged to attend in person or participate virtually through Zoom at www.sandiego.gov/listening.

To contact the Office of the City Clerk about this event—or if you are requesting a translator for the in-person session—please email cityclerk@sandiego.gov or call 619-533-4000.

schedule regular checkups or use dental and vision benefits — even when those services are fully covered by Medi-Cal.

State data show that only about 40% of adults on Medi-Cal had a dental visit last year, and fewer than 30% used vision benefits for eye exams or glasses. Many adults delay care until pain, infection, or vision loss occurs, when treatment can become more complicated.

Preventive care protects long-term health, independence, and family stability. Using Medi-Cal benefits early can help people manage conditions before they become emergencies.

What Medi-Cal Covers for Adults

Medi-Cal covers a full range of services, including annual checkups

and screenings; vision exams and medically necessary glasses or contact lenses; dental care such as cleanings, X-rays, fillings, root canals, and dentures; mental health services; prescription medications; and hospital and emergency care. Most services are free or have no copayments for adults who meet income requirements.

How to Use Dental and Vision Benefits

Adults can access dental care through Medi-Cal Dental, which covers cleanings, exams, X-rays, fillings, and dentures at little or no cost. To find a dentist, visit SmileCalifornia. org or call 1-800-322-6384.

Vision care is just as easy to access. Medi-Cal health plan members can schedule eye exams and glasses by

calling the number on the back of their Medi-Cal ID card or by contacting the Medi-Cal Member Help Line at 1-800-541-5555.

CalAIM is Transforming How Care Works for Medi-Cal Members

Through CalAIM (California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal), the state is improving how medical, mental health, and social services work together.

Two major CalAIM programs are helping make better care. Enhanced Care Management (ECM) provides a personal care manager who helps coordinate appointments, medications, and follow-up care. Community Supports offer services such as asthma home visits, medically tailored meals, and assistance transitioning from homelessness.These programs are designed to keep you healthy and supported—body, mind, and home. Ask your health plan to find out if you qualify.

Important Changes Coming in 2026

For most Medi-Cal members, nothing will change in 2026. However, starting in January 2026, undocumented adults and certain adult immigrants will no longer be able to newly apply for full-scope MediCal based on immigration status. Beginning in July 2026, undocumented adults and some adults with certain immigration statuses will lose their dental benefits, people affected by those changes can continue to use

their benefits until July. Emergency services and pregnancy-related care will remain available, regardless of immigration status. Youth under age 19 and pregnant people (and up to 12 months after their pregnancy ends) remain eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal, including dental.

Current Medi-Cal members will keep their coverage as long as they continue to meet eligibility requirements, including income and California residency. More information is available at www.dhcs.ca.gov/MediCal/Pages/changes.aspx.

How to Get Care — Today

If you already have Medi-Cal, call your health plan to schedule a checkup or ask about dental, vision, or specialist care. For a full list of plans, visit the Medi-Cal Health Plan Directory at dhcs.ca.gov. If you are unsure which plan you have, call 1-800-541-5555. If you do not have Medi-Cal, you can apply at BenefitsCal.com or contact the San Diego County MediCal office at (866) 262-9881.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you have Medi-Cal, now is a good time to use the benefits you already have. Schedule a checkup, dental cleaning, or eye exam, and contact your Medi-Cal health plan or the Medi-Cal Member Help Line at 1-800-541-5555 if you need help getting started.

3 Ways to Win in Business When the Rules Are Changing

Unprecedented. That’s the consensus for the 2025 economy.

Business leaders navigated supply chain challenges, geopolitical tensions, technology disruptions, economic uncertainty and government shutdown. It’s natural they look toward 2026 with concern.

According to Wells Fargo Commercial Banking, having weathered 2025 affords an opportunity for decision-makers who prioritize resilience, innovation and talent development.

Here are three ways your business can tap into 2026 opportunities:

1. Stress Test

While the goal should always be to increase resiliency and mitigate weakness, these pursuits should especially be a priority during economic uncertainty. To stay competitive, companies must understand their current strengths and weaknesses and also precisely anticipate opportunities and risks. Conduct a series of best/worst/probable simulations to model budgeting impacts, and stress test your credit facility’s structure to ensure they meet potential needs.

Using these insights to drive dynamic cash flow strategies and assess organizational agility can enable your company to respond swiftly by activating strategic, operational

and financial levers. For example, exploring financing options like asset-based lending can help an asset-rich company preserve cash flow and secure working capital, enabling you to make strategic decisions rather than reacting to urgent demands.

For companies seeking to prepare and strategically position themselves, self-evaluation through simulation is not a nice-to-have. It’s a must-have.

2. Innovate Intentionally

Innovation — especially through AI and automation — is a priority for more than 70% of commercial businesses nationwide,

according to a survey from Bain & Company. McKinsey reports that over 62% are piloting AI agents while 80% are looking to increase efficiency through AI initiatives, according to Deloitte.

Despite this enthusiasm, management that doesn’t carefully align innovation investment with operational goals, risks hindering organizational progress.

Without disciplined planning, your company may over-invest in technology while neglecting other critical areas, disrupting balance sheets and employee engagement.

Instead, your firm should deliberately inte -

grate new capabilities without losing sight of your long-term vision. Further, leaders should evaluate if additional cybersecurity measures or fraud insurance are needed. Regularly consulting with strategic advisors (lawyers, accountants, bankers) who can evaluate progress and provide expertise can help you mitigate this risk.

3. Empower Talent

Despite deliberate and thoughtful strategies, if business leaders fail to engage employees and prioritize talent development, longterm productivity and adaptability could be at risk. Tools and preparedness research are only effective if people remain central to strategy.

A Society for Human Resource Management study finds that organizations that invest in talent see reduced turnover. This investment also has a real dollar return; McKinsey reports that human capital development drives revenue and better integration of technology — which is especially important as AI applications increase.

Companies with training programs generate more income per employee and enjoy 24% higher profit margins, according to IDC research. Economic uncertainty may tempt leaders to deprioritize employee development, but with tech adoption, productivity and retention at stake, it’s more critical than ever.

Statepoint

By Bill Barrow and Rebecca Santana Associated Press

Donald Trump’s administration said Tuesday [January 13] it will end Temporary Protected Status for immigrants from Somalia, the latest move in the president’s mass deportation agenda.

The move affects hundreds of people who are a small subset of immigrants living in the United States with TPS protections. It comes during Trump’s immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, where many native Somalis live and where street protests have intensified since a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent killed a U.S citizen who was demonstrating against federal presence in the city.

The Department of Homeland Sec-

urity said in a statement that affected Somalis must leave the U.S. by March 17, when existing protections, last extended by then-President Joe Biden, will expire.

“Temporary means temporary,” said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, adding that the decision puts “Americans first.”

The Congressional Research Service last spring said the Somali TPS population was 705 out of nearly 1.3 million TPS immigrants. Trump has ended protections across multiple countries in his second presidency.

Homeland Security secretary says conditions in Somalia have changed

Noem insisted circumstances in Somalia “have improved to the

point that it no longer meets the law’s requirement for Temporary Protected Status.”

But the Council on AmericanIslamic Relations, which advocates for fair treatment of Muslims in the U.S., criticized the latest rollback as a “bigoted attack” that will send some Somalis back to a war-torn, unstable nation.

“This decision does not reflect changed conditions in Somalia,” CAIR said in a statement released jointly with its Minnesota chapter.

“By dismantling protections for one of the most vulnerable Black and Muslim communities, this decision exposes an agenda rooted in exclusion, not public safety.”

Located in the horn of Africa, Somalia is one of the world’s poorest nations and has for decades

been beset by chronic strife exacerbated by multiple natural disasters, including severe droughts. Al-Qaida affiliate al-Shabab controls parts of the country and has carried out truck bombings and other assaults in the capital, Mog-

CLASSIFIEDS / LEGAL NOTICES

Request for Proposals (RFP) Security Guard Services Solicitation No.: SOL1474714

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is seeking consultants for armed/unarmed security guard services for all SANDAG locations on a regular and/or asneeded basis. There is no DBE goal for

This fictitious business name will expire on January 12, 2031 01/15, 01/22, 01/29, 02/05

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9000553

Fictitious business name(s): Saffron Pizza Kitchen 815 F Street San Diego, CA 92101 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: A Corporation

The first day of business was: 01/01/2025

This business is hereby registered by the following: California Global Business Inc 815 F Street San Diego, CA 92101 State of Incorporation/ Organization California

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on January 09, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on January 09, 2031 01/15, 01/22, 01/29, 02/05

business is conducted by: An Individual The first day of business was: 12/10/2025 This business is hereby registered by the following: Nimo Sheikh Omer 6193 University Ave San Diego, CA 92115

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on December 16, 2025

This fictitious business name will expire on December 16, 2030 01/22, 01/29, 02/05, 02/12

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9024365

Fictitious business name(s): Wendell Stemley Dba Black IPO 6125 Imperial Ave San Diego, CA 92114 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: An Individual

The first day of business was: 05/02/2000

This business is hereby registered by the following: Wendell Ray Stemley 6125 Imperial Ave San Diego, CA 92114

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on December 31, 2025

This fictitious business name will expire on December 31 2030 01/15, 01/22, 01/29, 02/05

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9000625

Fictitious business name(s): AllTheThingzz 5228 Cushman Pl, Ste C San Diego, CA 92110 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: An Individual Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above

This business is hereby registered by the following: Catherine Elaine Worsham 5228 Cushman Pl, Ste C San Diego, CA 92110

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on January 12, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on January 12 2030 01/15, 01/22, 01/29, 02/05

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9023488

Fictitious business name(s): La Jolla Jet Service

La Jolla Jet 7514 Girard Ave

La Jolla, CA 92037 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: An Individual

The first day of business was: 12/10/2010

This business is

of San Diego County on

December 16, 2025 This fictitious business name will expire on December 16 2030 01/15, 01/22, 01/29, 02/05

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9023486

Fictitious business name(s): La Jolla Elite Limousine Inc

La Jolla Elite Limousine

La Jolla Transportation

La Jolla Limo

La Jolla Limousine

La Jolla Elite Limousine & Jet

7514 Girard Ave La Jolla, CA 92037 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by:

A Corporation

The first day of business was: 06/04/2001

This business is hereby registered by the following: La Jolla Elite Limousine Inc. 7514 Girard Ave La Jolla, CA 92037 State of Incorporation/ Organization California

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on December 16, 2025

This fictitious business name will expire on December 16 2030 01/15, 01/22, 01/29, 02/05

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9000664

Fictitious business name(s): The T.L.C. Group 8918 Arlingdale Way Spring Valley, CA 91977 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: An Individual

The first day of business was: 01/12/2026

This business is hereby registered by the following: Toshua Lynn Cornwell 8918 Arlingdale Way Spring Valley, CA 91977

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on January 12, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on January 12, 2031 01/15, 01/22, 01/29, 02/05

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-9000672

Fictitious business name(s): Frey's 312 Euclid Ave San Diego, CA 92114

County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: An Individual

The first day of business was: 01/01/2026

This business is hereby registered by the following: Jeffrey Smith 2060 N. Trekell Rd. #912 Casa Grande, AZ 85122

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on January 12, 2026

County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: An Individual

The first day of business was: 01/05/2026

This business is hereby registered by the following: Minh Hai Nguyen 4221 University Ave San Diego, CA 92105

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on January 05, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on January 05, 2031

01/08, 01/15, 01/22, 01/29

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9024205

Fictitious business name(s): Gonzalo Y Gonzalo

Coffee Culture

2548 Congress Street San Diego, CA 92110

County of San Diego

This business is conducted by:

A Corporation

Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-90000038

Fictitious business name(s): Professional & Spa 6348 College Grove Dr. San Diego, CA 92115 County of San Diego

3054 Massachusetts Ave Lemon Grove, CA 91945

This business is conducted by: An Individual Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above

This business is hereby registered by the following: Hien Thi Xuan Pham

3054 Massachusetts Ave Lemon Grove, CA 91945

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on January 02, 2026

This fictitious business name will expire on January 02, 2031 01/15, 01/22, 01/29, 02/05

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9024369

Fictitious business name(s): Dust to Shine Pro Clean 7629 Normal Ave #10 La Mesa, CA 91941 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: An Individual

The first day of business was: 12/31/2025

This business is hereby registered by the following: Al-Mudufar Al-Ahmad 7629 Normal Ave #10 La Mesa, CA 91941

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on December 31, 2025

This fictitious business name will expire on December 31, 2030 01/08, 01/15, 01/22, 01/29

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9024140

Fictitious business name(s): Unthinkable Inc

2307 Fenton Pkwy Ste 107 San Diego, CA 92108

County of San Diego

2307 Fenton Pkwy Ste 107 POB 767 San Diego, CA 92108

This business is conducted by:

An Individual

The first day of business was: 04/27/2025

This business is hereby registered by the following: D'Shango Powell

2307 Fenton Pkwy Ste 107 POB 767 San Diego, CA 92108

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on December 26, 2025

This fictitious business name will expire on December 26, 2030 01/08, 01/15, 01/22, 01/29

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2026-900084

Fictitious business name(s): Ivy Nails

4221 University Ave San Diego, CA 92105

This business is hereby registered by the following: Khong Coffee Corporation

2548 Congress Street San Diego, CA 92110

State of Incorporation/ Organization California

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on December 29, 2025

This fictitious business name will expire on December 29, 2030 01/08, 01/15, 01/22, 01/29

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9023899

Fictitious business name(s): Bonilla Tax & Accounting

330 Oxford St Unit 100 Chula Vista, CA 91910

County of San Diego

230 Glover Ave Suite K Chula Vista, CA 91910

This business is conducted by: A Corporation

The first day of business was: 12/22/2025

This business is hereby registered by the following:

CVN Business Services

230 Glover Ave Suite K Chula Vista, CA 91910

State of Incorporation/ Organization

California

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on December 22, 2025

This fictitious business name will expire on December 22, 2030 01/01, 01/08, 01/15, 01/22

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT 2025-9023898

Fictitious business name(s): Chula Vista Notary & Tax Services

230 Glover Ave Suite K Chula Vista, CA 91910 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: A Corporation

The first day of business was: 12/01/2025

This business is hereby registered by the following:

CVN Business Services

230 Glover Ave Suite K Chula Vista, CA 91910 State of Incorporation/ Organization California

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on December 22, 2025

This fictitious business name will expire on December 22, 2030 01/01, 01/08, 01/15, 01/22

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9023624

Fictitious business name(s): Serve N Savor 5813 Chaumont Dr San Diego, CA 92114 County of San Diego This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company The first day of business was: 11/20/2025

5813 Chaumont Dr San Diego, CA 92114 State of Incorporation/ Organization California This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on December 17, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 2025-9023864

Fictitious business name(s): Precision Pavers and Greens 5482 Adobe Falls Rd #10 San Diego, CA 92120 County of San Diego

This business is conducted by: A Married Couple Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the name(s) above

This business is hereby registered by the following: Weston James Buckner 5482 Adobe Falls Rd #10 San Diego, CA 92120

Caitlin Michelle Buckner 5482 Adobe Falls Rd #10 San Diego, CA 92120

This statement was filed with the Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on December 22, 2025

This fictitious business name will expire on December 22, 2030 01/01, 01/08, 01/15, 01/22

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA 330 W. Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 Central Branch Case Number 25CU068205C

Petitioner or Attorney: Jennifer Marie Caliger Murcia AKA Jennifer Marie Caliger Caliger AKA Jennifer Marie Caliger

To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Jennifer Marie Caliger Murcia AKA Jennifer Marie Caliger Caliger AKA Jennifer Marie Caliger filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

a.PRESENT NAME: Jennifer Marie Caliger Murcia AKA Jennifer Marie Caliger Caliger AKA Jennifer Marie Caliger

PROPOSED NAME: Jennifer Marie Cali Caliger

THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING

Date: February 9, 2026 Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. C-61

(To appear remotely, check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court's website. To find your court's website go to www.courts.ca.gov/find-mycourt.htm)

NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.

The court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).

If

requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One copy of the Order Granting the Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.

To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, driver license, passport, and other identification, a certified copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issue the legal document that needs to be changed, to determine if a certified copy is required.

A certified copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be obtained from the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for the information on obtaining certified copies.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If a timely objection is filed, the court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.

A RESPONDENT

OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date

Any Petition for the name change of a minor that is signed by only one parent must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other nonsigning parent, and proof of service must be filed with the court.

The address of the court is: 330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 01/08, 01/15, 01/22, 01/29

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA 330 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101

Case Number 25CU068924C

Petitioner or Attorney: Jennifer Elaine Reneau

To All Interested Persons: Petitioner Jennifer Elaine Reneau filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

a.PRESENT NAME: Jennifer Elaine Reneau

PROPOSED NAME: Jennipher Elaine Williams

THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted.

Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the

reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING

Date: February 11, 2026

Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. 61

(To appear remotely, check in advance of

2026, at AsNeeded Airport Planning & Environmental ServicesContract 1, 2, & 3 Proposal Due Date: March 09, 2026, at 4:00 P.M. It is the policy of the City of San Diego to encourage equal opportunity in its Construction and Consultant contracts. Bids or proposals from local firms, small, minority-owned, disabled, veteran-owned, and womenowned businesses are strongly encouraged. Consultants are encouraged to subcontract with and/or participate in joint ventures with these firms. The City is committed to equal opportunity and will not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, gender expression, gender identity, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, or disability; and will not do business with any firm that discriminates on any basis. Proposals shall be received no later than the date and time noted above at: City of San Diego's Electronic Proposal Site – PlanetBids at: https://www.planetbids.com/p ortal/portal.cfm?companyID=1 7950. Claudia Abarca, Director Purchasing & Contracting Department January 22, 2026 1/22/26 CNS-4003928# VOICE & VIEWPOINT NEWS

4 Books Helping Teens Make Sense of the World Right Now

Powerful reads can help youth think about how grief, justice, and identity show up for them

By Alvin Buyinza

Political upheaval, mass layoffs, violence — for teens trying to understand a complicated world, the right book can offer clarity, comfort, and escape. And books can also give students who might be feeling lost or confused a space to consider the world they’re inheriting and their place in it. These books don’t have to have all the answers, but they can certainly start a conversation.

“Truth Is” by Hannah V. Sawyerr

“Truth Is” by Hannah V. Sawyerr follows 17-year-old poet Truth Bangura, who, after discovering she is pregnant by her ex-boyfriend, decides to get an abortion. But when she delivers a poem about it onstage, the response from her friends and family compels her to reckon with her choice. Sawyerr says her book is “a very safe and a very reliable way to learn about these things.”

“The Leaving Room” by Amber McBride

“The Leaving Room” takes place in a liminal space between life and death where young people go after they die.

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The caretakers of the space, called Keepers, are charged with guiding souls to the afterlife. When two Keepers named Melodee and Gospel fall in love, they try to find a way to escape the Leaving Room. Amber McBride, author of the book, says that the novelin-verse can teach young people about grief after death. She wrote in the book after the University of Virginia mass shooting in 2022, and thought of a book that explored themes of love, death, and grief.

“All the Noise at Once” By DeAndra Davis

In “All the Noise at Once,” a Black teen with autism tries to figure out what really happened when his brother was wrongly arrested. This book explores themes of police violence, ableism, and social justice, while giving readers a strong narrative to follow and a main character to root for.

“Needy Little Things” by Channelle Desamours

“Needy Little Things” is about a young Black girl who has the power to hear what people need. But when her friend goes missing after she fulfills a need for her, she decides to use her gift

The bill received four “yes” votes from Democrats and three “no” votes from Republican members, while five other Democrats on the committee abstained. The legislation required seven votes to advance out of committee.

Had AB 1157 passed, the bill would have expanded tenant protections under the California Tenant Protection Act of 2019, also known as AB 1482.

“This is a cost to humanity,” Kalra told the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Jan. 13. “I think there’s a far greater cost for our humanity and for us not understanding that we need to do more to help those struggling the most.”

Assemblymember and member of the California Legislative Black Caucus Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) voted in favor of AB 1157. Assemblymembers Kalra, Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael), and John Harabedian (D-Pasadena) also voted “yes.”

Assemblymembers Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D–Orinda), Blanca Pacheco (D–Downey), Diane Papan (D–San Mateo), Catherine Stefani (D–San Francisco), and Rick Chavez Zbur (D–West Hollywood) abstained from voting, preventing AB 1157 from reaching the seven-vote threshold required for passage.

Diane Dixon (R-Newport Beach), Alexandra Macedo (R-Tulare), and Kate Sanchez (R-Rancho Santa Margarita) voted against the bill.

Without further hearings scheduled, AB 1157 is considered dead for the current legislative push.

A day before the vote, a rally was held on the West Steps of the State Capitol in Sacramento with a crowd that

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who’ve fled unstable, threatening conditions in their home countries and are living in the U.S. It allows the executive branch to designate a country, generally in 18-month increments, for the protected status. Citizens of that country who are already in the U.S. and qualify for protection can apply with Homeland Security for the designation.

If approved, recipients can legally work and are protected from deportation but there is no pathway to a green card or U.S. citizenship and they are reliant on the government renewing the TPS designation every few years.

Critics say that while these designations are supposed to be temporary, they are renewed so often that they essentially become permanent.

Somalia designation traces to the elder Bush’s administration

Somalia first received the designation under President George H.W. Bush amid a civil war in 1991.

for money. This choice may help her find her friend. Instead, it could put her in danger. Written by Chanelle Desamours, this book is great at helping readers understand the unique dangers Black girls face across the country. When Black girls go missing,

it is far less likely to be reported in the media than their white female peers, adding to the heightened risk of them never returning.

This article originally appeared in Word In Black.

ARTICLE CONTINUATION EDUCATION

included tenants and advocates who shared personal stories and urged lawmakers to pass the measure.

Smallwood-Cuevas and Kalra joined supporters from the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE), People Improving Communities through Organizing (PICO), landlords of apartment complexes, and other low-rent housing advocates at the event.

Smallwood-Cuevas, a member of CLBC, argued the bill would strengthen statewide protections to prevent the "excessive rent hikes" currently impacting millions of California renters. She shared that she is a renter of a two-bedroom apartment in Sacramento, where she started paying $2,100 per month last year. She now pays $800 more each month.

“No one should be forced to choose between paying rent and meeting basic needs,” Smallwood-Cuevas said. “Protecting people means protecting our housing. Capping rent means the bottom line of every Californian: Human rights is housing.”

According to the California Housing Partnership, California remains one of the most expensive and least “renter-friendly” states in the U.S. due to cost and availability. Median rents in the state are approximately 38% higher than the national average. Four of the 10 most expensive large cities for tenants in the country are located in California.

According to the Bay Area Equity Atlas (BAEA), the Bay Area’s regionwide housing crisis affects the majority of residents but is especially detrimental to Black homeowners, renters, and prospective homebuyers.

According to BAEA, between 2010 and 2020, the Bay Area lost over 5,000 Black owner-occupied house -

The status has been extended for decades, most recently by Biden in July 2024.

The 2025 congressional report stated that Somalis had received more than two dozen extensions because of perpetual “insecurity and ongoing armed conflict that present serious threats to the safety of returnees.”

Trump has targeted Somali immigrants with racist rhetoric and accused those in Minneapolis of massively defrauding federal programs, charges he renewed again Tuesday speaking in Michigan. He promised, without a clear legal basis, to “revoke the citizenship of any naturalized immigrant from Somalia, or anywhere else who was convicted of defrauding our citizens.”

In December, Trump said he did not want Somalis in the U.S. at all, saying they “come from hell” and “contribute nothing.” He made no distinction between citizens and non-citizens or offered any opinion on immigration status.

holds. During that period, many Black renters and homeowners were displaced from historically Black communities to other parts of the region, particularly the inland East Bay and Solano County.

Real estate owner advocates such as the California Apartment Association (CAA), California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.), and other housing industry associations opposed AB 1157.

They argued it would increase costs, deter investment, reduce housing supply, and hurt small landlords. The opponents explained that California voters have consistently rejected similar rent control policies at the ballot box, most recently with Proposition (Prop) 33 in 2024.

Prop. 33 was defeated by a significant margin, with 62% of voters casting a “no” vote.

Debra Carlton with the California Apartment Association told the Judiciary Committee that AB 1157 would “make financing of rental housing more difficult.”

“Financing is already hard due to high interest rates and, of course, extremely high construction costs. AB 1157 further complicates this by deterring investment,” Carlton said. “It imposes rent caps without offering any corresponding control over rising insurance costs, fees at the local level, and maintenance costs for rental property owners who continue to maintain their housing.”

Carlton continued, “If you want to outsmart the market, build more housing and allow rentals to be constructed, and allow tenants to live closer to their work and their jobs.”

Temporary status widened during Joe Biden’s presidency

Biden’s administration broadly expanded the number of people covered by Temporary Protected Status but the Trump administration has steadily sought to strip protections away from various nationalities including 600,000 Venezuelans and 500,000 Haitians. The actions have prompted multiple court challenges but the U.S. Supreme Court has twice issued emergency rulings, last May and again in October, that allowed the Venezuelan revocations to continue as court cases proceed.

It’s not immediately clear how quickly those Somalis covered by TPS could be removed from the country once their protections expire. Most attempts by the administration to end a TPS designation have ended up in the courts. And people covered by TPS can also apply for asylum or other immigration avenues to stay in the U.S., although the Trump administration has made those options more difficult as well for Somalis as well as other nationalities.