Happy New Inglewood
By Willie Brown
This year, Inglewood Today will celebrate 31 years in the publishing industry.. Like most small businesses, we’ve had our share of struggles, but we’re still standing. There is something to be said for longevity and consistency. And we would not be here had it not been for the support of our loyal readers and viewers. THANK YOU!!!
A lot has changed over the years. The move from print to digital content has put a vast majority of newspapers out of business. While Inglewood Today still publishes hard copies of our weekly newspaper, we also publish on our website and social media. We have had to change with the times.
Likewise, for those living and working in Inglewood, change has been major. The city looks, feels and moves differently. And, whether you are resistant to change or embrace it, will determine the outcome of your future. The key is making change work for you.
As we welcome the new year, Inglewood Today wants to reaffirm our moniker as your “community connection.”
Throughout our long history in Inglewood, we have engaged in and sponsored scores of events and projects that benefit people who live and work here.
More than iust a local news source, Inglewood Today has always stood for fairness in journalism. We have fought to change negative, distorted images of our community. In fact, our newspaper was created specifically to counter salacious stories about Inglewood as a community of drugs, poverty and crime.
Our mission was to set the record straight and present news that
objectively and accurately tells the stories of our readers. We wanted to capture the positive and report news that is rarely covered by mainstream media, like achievements of our youth, improvements in our quality of life and noteworthy community-focused events.
Our efforts to tell the truth in a positive way have paid off in ways we could have never imagined when we began in 1994–laying the groundwork for major investments. Multi-billion dollar projects that have materialized recently came about primarily because deep-pocketed investors felt safe enough to build here. And this sense of safety was created to a large extent on the reputation of Inglewood as a positive place to live, work and raise families.
The Inglewood of 2025 seems like an entirely different place than it was just 5 years ago. The look, feel and vibe is different. Many have embraced the changes, and feel excited about the potential for growth. But change has not been kind to some long-time residents and businesses.
Despite truckloads of dollars pouring into infrastructure projects,
small business owners–especially those with businesses near the entertainment district–are suffering financially due to traffic detours and other challenges. Some residents are finding themselves outpriced in the rental and home buying market. Some of you feel ignored, overlooked, maybe even abandoned by the City or corporate neighbors. Left with little to show for your hard work and tax dollars, you may feel like David battling Goliath.
We hear you. That’s why.In the coming months Inglewood Today will be rolling out new projects and opportunities to drive more revenue to your business, welcome new businesses and bring existing businesses back into the spotlight. There is room for every business to thrive in Inglewood, but business owners must find ways to forge their own path–with or without the City’s help.
To our Inglewood families, we want to shine a light on your achievements and share your good news. If you have a story idea, let us know. Email your information to veronica@ inglewoodtoday.com.
Together we can create a path forward that works for everyone who wants to thrive in this city. Happy New Inglewood! May God continue to bless you and yours richly in this new year.
Inglewood Today
Announces Internships
Inglewood Today (https://inglewoodtoday.com) has announced immediate internship opportunities for aspiring journalists and data/research assistants. The 31-year old media company is considering college and high school students for 3-6 month internships working hybrid 4-8 hours per week.
Journalist interns will have an opportunity to build their writing portfolios while interviewing celebrities, elected officials and other community leaders. They will also cover issues related to Inglewood and surrounding areas. Data/research assistants will work behind the scenes maintaining databases and helping to organize and launch a new blog.
Interested candidates may apply by submitting resumes to veronica@ inglewoodtoday.com. If applying for the journalist internship, candidates must also submit their best 2-3 writing samples.
As the new year begins, California continues its forward momentum with a new set of laws signed by Governor Gavin Newsom that improve the health, safety, and wellbeing of all Californians.
California lawmakers introduced nearly 5,000 bills in the most recent legislative session ending this fall, a two-year period that saw nearly half die without a single vote. In all, lawmakers passed about 1,200 bills in 2024 and Gov. Newsom vetoed 200 of those.
“California’s new laws tackle today’s biggest emerging challenges head-on — from cracking down on retail crime to protecting your digital identity. Through partnership with the Legislature, we’re strengthening public safety, building more housing, and providing more resources for our communities. These practical reforms protect what matters most while creating more opportunities for all Californians,” Gov. Newsom said in a statement.
Here are some of the new laws either approved or taking effect in 2025.
Worker Protections
Ending subminimum wages: SB 639 (enacted in 2021) by Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) fully
takes effect in January 2025, ensuring workers with disabilities earn at least the standard minimum wage by ending new subminimum-wage licenses and phasing out existing licenses. By guaranteeing fair pay, California affirms that every worker — regardless of ability — deserves dignity and equal treatment.
Safety during extreme weather: Farmworkers can now take needed sick leave during certain dangerous weather conditions, thanks to SB 1105 by Senator Steve Padilla (D-Chula Vista).
Event safety standards: AB 2738 by Assemblymember Luz Rivas (now Member-elect of the U.S. House of Representatives) builds upon existing safety and training requirements for live events before the show starts —
helping protect workers and audiences alike.
Fair treatment for freelancers: SB 988 by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) guarantees freelancers written agreements and timely payment for work worth more than $250.
No unnecessary driver’s license requirements: SB 1100 by Senator Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank) bars employers from requiring a driver’s license unless driving is actually part of the job,
Addressing food & medical deserts: SB 1089 by Senator Lola SmallwoodCuevas (D-Los Angeles) requires grocery stores and pharmacies to provide advance notice to the community and workers before closures, helping to address food
New California Laws in 2025: How Will They Affect You? Have a Consistent, Happy New Year
By Maya Mackey
And so we’ve made it through another year. Congratulations!
2024 brought its challenges and triumphs as does most every year but for the first time since 2020, But 2025 feels particularly hopeful. I have no logical basis for my feelings, but I sense this next year will be lighter.
Occasionally, I like to set the intention for my upcoming year with a word to help me define my focus and keep me attached to my goals. So I ask you, what will your word for 2025 be? What yearnings live deep inside you? What hard lessons were learned in 2024? What relationships and experiences brought up old issues that still need to be healed?
This may seem like a lot of questions, but I want you to win in 2025 And winning requires getting clear about where you are and where you want to be.
If discipline is part of your 2025 plan, don’t go from zero to sixty, go from zero to one and then build on that once you’ve become consistent.
If you feel the need to be more consistent in achieving your goals, I highly recommend the book by James Clear called Atomic Habits. The book emphasizes the connection between Identity change and habit change. The key is to shorten the bridge between the person you want to be and the person you are. Who you are is a culmination of the habits you’re adopted over the years..
Clear says some practical tips to advancement in this area is to align your habits with a supportive environment. So if you want to read more, pack a book in your bag for the train riddle to work and leave a book on your pillow so it’s the first thing you see when you lay down for bed and wake up in the morning. If you have the goal of fitness then purchase some athletic wear that you’ll intentionally wear exclusively to the gym. Find a gym that is so close to your home or work that it makes it easy to incorporate into your daily schedule.
Before you even lock in and build the habits that will bring you the success you want, find clarity. James Clear teaches that clarity is not a
magical thing that falls upon you in the middle of the night but the result of focused attention and planning.. It comes from you deciding what steps are most likely to get you to the finish line.
Maybe your intentions for the new year are less action based and more about inner wellness and healing. The start small rule still applies. Maybe you’ve finally decided this is the year you learn how to set and stick to your own boundaries. Or the year you allow yourself to embrace calm after a lifetime of growing up in chaos.
Start with 1 minute of mindfulness–where you simply close your eyes and breathe or you lock in and just observe everything in your current environment. Just hold tight to the present moment for 60 seconds. Do it everyday and your tolerance will grow to being able to meditate for longer. Find one safe person in your life you can practice saying no to, like “I won’t be able to go out with you tonight. Maybe next time.”
deserts that disproportionately affect low-income communities.
Public Safety Electric Bicycle Regulations. Senate Bill 1271, authored by Senator Dave Min, (D-Irvine). mandates safety testing and labeling for electric bicycles, powered mobility devices, and lithium-ion batteries. This bill will take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Impoundment for vehicles used in speed contests. Assembly Bill 2186 is sponsored by Assemblymember Greg Wallis (R-Rancho Mirage). The bill permits the impoundment of vehicles used in exhibitions of speed for up to 30 days.
If you’re a recovering people pleaser, it’ll probably make you sweat but just do it once a month until it gets easier to do twice a month, and so on. Slow and steady wins the race!
I leave you with a call to self-care by millennial guide and encourager Michell Clark:
Take that break. Take that nap. Take that trip. Take what you need-because the world will take everything from you, if you don’t take care of yourself.
Area Communities
Serving Ladera, Hawthorne, Westchester, Lawndale, Gardena, Carson
America Says Farewell to Pres. Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter, 39th president of the United States died peacefully on Dec. 29 at his home in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family. He was 100, the longest-lived president in U.S. history.
President Carter is survived by his children — Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rosalynn, and one grandchild.
“My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” said Chip Carter, the former president’s son. “My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.”
There will be public observances in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., followed by a private interment in Plains, Georgia. The final arrangements for President Carter’s state funeral, including all public events and motorcade routes, are still pending. The schedule will be released by the Joint Task ForceNational Capital Region at https:// jtfncr.mdw.army.mil/statefunerals/.
Jimmy Carter served as the U.S. President from 1977 to 1981. He aspired to make Government “competent and compassionate,”
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Warrant for vehicles used in speed contests. Assembly Bill 3085, sponsored by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Gardena) allows the impoundment of vehicles used in speed contests or exhibitions with a warrant.
Housing
More time to respond to evictions. Assemblymember Ash Kaira (D-San Jose) authored the new housing protection Assembly Bill 2347. It gives renters more time to respond to eviction notices. Renters now have 10 business days to respond vs. the previous 5-day time limit.
Reporting positive rent payment history to boost your credit score. Under Assembly Bill 2747, landlords will be required to offer tenants the option of having positive rental payment information reported to at least one nationwide consumer credit reporting agency–a choice that was
responsive to the American people and their expectations. His achievements were notable, but in an era of rising energy costs, mounting inflation, and continuing tensions, it was impossible for his administration to meet these high expectations.
Carter, who has rarely used his full name–James Earl Carter, Jr.–was born October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia. Peanut farming, talk of politics, and devotion to the Baptist faith were mainstays of his upbringing. Upon graduation in 1946 from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, Carter married Rosalynn Smith.
After seven years’ service as a naval officer, Carter returned to Plains. In 1962 he entered state politics, and eight years later he was elected Governor of Georgia. Among the new young southern governors, he attracted attention by emphasizing ecology, efficiency in government, and the removal of racial barriers.
Carter announced his candidacy for President in December 1974
and began a two-year campaign that gradually gained momentum. At the Democratic Convention, he was nominated on the first ballot. He chose Senator Walter F. Mondale of Minnesota as his running mate. Carter campaigned hard against President Gerald R. Ford, debating with him three times. Carter won by
297 electoral votes to 241 for Ford. Carter worked hard to combat the continuing economic woes of inflation and unemployment. By the end of his administration, he could claim an increase of nearly eight million jobs and a decrease
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previously reserved for those living in subsidized affordable housing. The bill is sponsored by Senator Matt Haney (D-San Francisco).
For existing leases, landlords need to offer this choice to their tenants no later than April 1, 2025. For all lease agreements entered into after April 1, the offer must be made at the time an agreement is reached and once annually thereafter.
Consumer Finance
Medical debt won’t damage your credit. A new state law will keep medical debt off your credit report, sparing a hit to your all-important credit score. Senate Bill 1061 was authored by Sen. Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara).
Voting
A new law bans voter ID rules. Senate Bill 1174 prohibits local governments across California from compelling
voters to present identification to cast a ballot in an election. The bill was authored by state Senator Min.
Economy
Drink alcohol on public streets.
Senate Bill 969, authored by state Sen. Wiener, will let local governments designate “entertainment zones,” where bars and restaurants can sell alcoholic beverages for people to drink on public streets and sidewalks.
Cannabis cafes. AB 1775 legalizes Amsterdam-style cannabis cafes, allowing lounges to also sell food and drinks that aren’t pre-packaged. After opposition from the American Heart and Lung Association and Newsom’s veto of a similar bill in 2022, AB 1775 includes additional protections for workers against secondhand smoke.
Authored by state Senator Haney.
Crime
Locked door loophole for automotive
property thefts ends. Under SB 905, California car owners no longer have to prove their car was locked when it was broken into.
Previously, “The mere fact that a window was broken into (was) insufficient. Prosecutors had to prove that the door was locked, which require(d) that victims must physically come out to court to testify as such,” bill sponsor state Senator Wiener said. Stronger petty theft laws. AB 2943 doubles probation for persons convicted of shoplifting or petty theft from one year to two years. Defendants under 25 may be referred to rehabilitative programs. The bill was written by Assemblymembers Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) and Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Los Angeles).
Inglewood Today News
Sports & Entertainment
Rams clinch 2024 NFC West title
By Stu Jackson therams.com
It took handling their own business and some help from other teams, but the Rams became the NFC West division champions Sunday via the Strength of Victory tiebreaker over the Seahawks and are headed to the playoffs.
It is the Rams’ fourth division title under head coach Sean McVay and first since 2021.
In order to clinch the division in Week 17, the Rams needed a win over the Cardinals Saturday night, plus at least four wins from any of the Bengals, Bills, Browns, Vikings, Commanders and 49ers to win the Strength of Victory tiebreaker over the Seahawks. The Bengals knocked off the Broncos in overtime Saturday leading into Rams-Cardinals. On Sunday, the Bills defeated the Jets, the Vikings defeated the Packers, and the Commanders defeated the Falcons in overtime on
Sunday Night Football.
McVay in a video conference with reporters Sunday morning acknowledged he’d have the games on to keep tabs on those outcomes, but that most of his focus was toward preparing for next week’s regular season finale against the Seahawks.
“I’ll have them on,” McVay said. “I’ll definitely be paying attention to them but I think for us… we’ll clean this film up. We’ll get with the coaches and then we’ll start to get our plans together as far as what’s the best way to approach our Seattle preparation like we would in any other week while having our eye on those games. Maybe a little bit more intentful, but that’s typically what I would do if we had played a little bit earlier anyways.”
Asked how the team would celebrate if they ended up clinching today, given they’ve structured their week of preparation in anticipation of facing the Seahawks next Saturday and therefore
have the player off day scheduled for tomorrow instead of Tuesday, McVay said he don’t know, but “that’d be a positive problem though.”
“Maybe I’ll call guys up, say congratulations, we’ll have a Zoom team meeting,” McVay said with a smile. “I don’t know. It’s weird. If we were able to do that, you’d love to be able to do that collectively. However we do it, I’m certainly not going to be complaining. Let’s hope that’s an answer that I have for you the next time we connect.”
The feat is a remarkable one when considering the Rams began the season 1-4, then won 9 of their last 11 –including five-straight entering Week 18 – to put themselves in position to capture the division title.
“I don’t want to get too much into hypotheticals, but sitting here doing this at 1-4 and to where we are right now, I sure am proud of this group,” quarterback Matthew Stafford said
postgame. “Got a lot more football to play and a lot more to earn, but we’ve earned the opportunity to be where we are. And whatever that is, that is at the end of the weekend. But I’m proud of this group and the way they’ve battled back. A lot of people doubting us, a lot of people writing us off at 1-4, and being able to sit here with our record is what it is right now, I feel proud of this group.”
Los Angeles currently possesses the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoff picture.
Merch
Grab your NFC West Champions shirts, hats and more merchandise available now at www.RamsFanShop. com or The Equipment Room at SoFi Stadium.
Wild Card Tickets
With the NFC West Championship secured, the Rams will host a Wild Card round matchup at SoFi Stadium on January 11, 12 or 13. Possible opponents for this home playoff showdown include the Packers, Vikings, Lions and Commanders. Secure your tickets HERE to be in the Rams House for the playoff atmosphere!
Wild Card Suites
If you are looking for an elevated gameday experience, you can take in the playoff action in luxury by securing a suite rental. Deposits are now available for our Wild Card matchup so you can secure your first choice of suite type, location and price point before the general public.
2024 in Review
This was a hell of a year folks! 2024 was equal parts messy, moving, and confusing. Entirely too much took place to capture it all but, we feel we’ve captured the most notable events this year. So, enjoy your 2024 Rewind!
MUSIC + ENTERTAINMENT
Let’s start with the most obvious bit - errbody (e v e r y b o d y) and their momma decided this was the year to drop new music.We got so many album drops in 2024 that I’m not sure anyone is going to (or even needs to) put out anything in 2025. Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Future’nem, Kasey Musgraves, Shaboozey, Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish, Charlie XCX, Chappel Roan, Tyla, Flo Millie, Latto, Megan thee Stallion, Glorilla, Doechii, Tyler the Creator, Cardi B, Sza and Justin Timberlake (and many others)! This will all make for a competitive Grammy Awards come February.
The heaviest hitters of Hip Hop and R&B though were Megan, Beyonce, Kendrick and Sabrina. Megan kicked off the year with a punch at Drake and Nicki Minaj, two opps that dismissed and degraded her after news broke out about Tory Lanez shooting Meg in the foot. On January 26th, HISS, the scathing single from thee Stallion, was released. She called out Nicki Minaj’s husbands’ sex offender status and said Drake should forever shut his mouth about women since it’s been confirmed, he’s “walking around with the same (BBL) scars”.
Future and Young Metro doubled down on embarrassing the Canadian by releasing a song, “BBL Drizzy,” releasing the beat for free and inviting random people on the Internet to freestyle to the track - it even has a
Merengue version! Whew. This of course brings me to the pop culture story of the year and possibly the decade, Kendrick mollywhopping Drake in an epic year-long battle that started in March, ended in May and then resurfaced this November with the release of GNX and Drake attempting to sue Universal Music Group for “helping” boost Not Like Us to number 1. Universal brushed Drake off as ridiculous, further proving Kendrick to be King.
Beyonce and Shaboozey took the country music industry by storm, ruffling feathers as they shot up to number one on the Billboard charts, defying the notion that Black people can’t make country music. We started this genre after all, ya know. Need I remind them who invented the Blues?
Justin Timberlake made a resurgence after a 6-year hiatus and the album, Everything I Thought It Was, was embraced with high favor by fans. Unfortunately, Timberlake decided to drink and drive this year which resulted in a DUI arrest that gave us one of the funniest quotes of the year, “This is going to ruin the tour.” The tour in fact was not ruined and has amassed over $140 million, and it’s still going through summer of next year.
Lastly, when it come to tunes, Disney Darling Sabrina Carpenter became a pop diva seemingly overnight. Whilst she has put out several albums prior, this was her breakout year with the song you just could not escape, Espresso. Follow up single Please, Please, Please, gave us a chuckle with the iconic line “I pray you don’t embarrass me mother. But it was Espresso who took the world by storm with signature lattes crafted after the singer and about a billion soundbites on TikTok using the chorus to flex or
Speaking of TikTok, I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the impending U.S. ban of the app, set to go into effect in mid January. If the ban is successful, well…pray for Gen Z and Gen Alpha. They might lose their ability to function IRL (in real life).
On the other side of the entertainment world you have the people’s champ, Shannon Sharpe, host of Club Shay Shay. Comedian Katt Williams “opened a portal” as Sharpe’s first guest of the year. Katt Williams. Admitting he has psychic abilities, Katt correctly predicted that, in his words, “deviants” like Diddy and T.D. Jakes would begin to fall from grace. He also said Steve Harvey was never homeless, and Harvey told the story to amplify how meaningful his success is. The funny man generally exposed the pettiness that runs rampant in the stand-up comedy arena.
The hot guest gossip didn’t stop there. Comedian Mo’nique came down to the fireplace and rehashed her grievances with Tyler Perry, Oprah, and Lee Daniels. Sharpe gave a public apology to Megan thee Stallion in person after taking shots at her getting shot, an enormous gesture that shows the path to healing the divide between Black women and men is possible with humility and accountability. Breakout Memphis rapper Glorilla, Meagan Good and Kel “loves orange soda” Mitchell were also top notch interviews. Give Shay Shay his flowers. He’s kept us entertained all year.
Movies made a splash this year including Wicked, Moana 2 and Inside Out 2. However, one movie in particular made noise for all the wrong reasons. It Ends With Us, an adaptation of the novel by
Colleen Hoover was picked apart for its horrific press tour and the allegations against each co-star, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Blake was called a diva by Justin and a smear campaign against her ran through the late summer but the tables have turned! Lively ordered a lawsuit against Baldoni alleging sexual harassment, assault and defaming her character. This will be a story to follow next year as well as the impending allegations against Jay-Z for allegedly raping a 13 yearold girl. Whew. Somebody tell Katt Williams to close the damn portal to hell already.
SPORTS
The Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series in October, once again proving that L.A. will always reign supreme over New York! Yes, I said it!. And when the Rams win the superbowl again next year, LA Supremacy will reign again. You also may have already forgotten (as did I, no shame) that this was the year of the Paris Olympic and Paralympic games.
We witnessed the truly inspiring (Rebecca Andrade winning gold for Brazil and the first all Black womens gymnastic podium) Simone Biles made a resilient comeback after the disastrous Tokyo games in 2021, and Celine Dion made a triumphant return to the stage after battling severe illness. Also notable was the impact (and unfortunately drama) that surrounded the WNBA, namely the rivalry between players Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark can be resolved. Former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson was defeated by Paul Logan, a man 30 years his junior, in a boxing match sponsored by Netflix. His wife has forbidden him to enter the ring again.
show good cheer.
By Maya Mackey and Veronica Mackey
POLITICS
Where do we even begin? To say that 2024 was one c-a-r-a-z-y political year would be a major understatement, to say the least. It was a literal smorgasbord of conflict, hope, hypocrisy, wokeness, violence, progression, regression and regret.
Election
Vice President Kamala Harris’ fast tracked, meteoric run for the White House captured everyone’s attention. With sitting President Joe Biden dropping out of the race, and just 107 days leading to the General Election, Harris made a valiant effort to secure the presidency as the first Black and South Asian female. Kamala is a BRAT afterall, a Gen-Z slang term coined by singer Charli XCX, meaning someone who is confidently rebellious, unapologetically bold, and playfully defiant. While Kama Harris did not win the presidential campaign, she did win the hearts of young people and that’s honestly a step in the right direction for the Democratic party.
She lost to former President Donald Trump, who won the popular and electoral vote, despite having 34 felony convictions, including rape and election interference, AND promising mass deportation of all undocumented immigrants. About 45% of Latinos helped get him elected. Now many are regretting their decisions.
Before the ink had dried on the ballots, thousands of Trump voters began to realize they made a mistake. They believed Trump would actually improve the economy until he publicly walked back his promise to lower food and gas prices.
The far right wing of Trumpers have been accused of resorting to below-the-belt tactics to win the election, including purging voter rolls and burning mail-iin ballot boxes Oregon and Washington State..
UK Royal, Kate Middleton went missing or so we thought! Turns out she was battling cancer but the Twitter conspiracists made up all types of stories as to why nobody
had seen her in weeks. “She’s getting BBL surgery! She’s divorcing Prince William, and therefore has to lay low until they decide how to move forward!” and perhaps the most sinister of them all was that William had somehow unalived her because he didn’t want more bad press coming out about his affairs. The poor woman was simply fighting for her life.
Biden Pardons Son
All hell broke loose when President Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden, who was convicted on nonviolent gun and drug charges. Trump called the pardon a “miscarriage of justice,” .despite him promising to pardon those arrested for participating in political insurrection at the nation’s Capitol in 2021. Chaos and violence ensued over Trump losing the election to Joe Biden, ending in the deaths of 5 people. Hundreds were injured
Trump Assassination Attempts
President-elect Trump almost got killed this year–not once,but twice. He was shot during an outdoor rally in Pennsylvania. Two months later, while playing golf at his own golf course in Florida, another wouldbe killer tried to end his life. He pointed a shotgun toward Trump, but was quickly spotted by a Secret Service agent. Conspiracy theorists believe the first attempt was fake and that what appeared to blood coming from Trump’s ear was actually paint from a paintball gun
New York Mayor Indicted Mayor Eric Adams was charged with bribery and soliciting foreign funding to finance his campaign. He has maintained his innocence and will stand trial in April 2025.
BUSINESS
Store closures
Shoppers said goodbye to their beloved 99 Cents Only stores. (Moment of silence)...The discount chain went out of business at all 287 locations across 4 states due to rising operating costs..
Big Lots almost experienced a similar fate. After filing for bankruptcy in September, the discount chain announced on
December 27, it would have to liquidate all stores after a deal fell through. A day later, a deal was reached which will allow Big Lots to keep up to 400 stores open. A Christmas miracle! It is not clear which stores will remain open in Southern California.
Other brick and mortar retailers who have closed stores in 2024 or will close in 2025 include Party City, CVS, Walgreens, Advanced Auto Parts, and Dollar General. Wendy’s and Red Lobsters have closed some of their restaurants.
Hollywood Park
While retail giants are closing their doors, Inglewood’s Hollywood Park is open for new business. Shops at Hollywood Park recently opened its 300-acre development to the public. Nestled next door to Sofi Stadium and the YouTube Theater, the newly built outdoor area includes retail, dining and entertainment establishments.
Amazon Strike
Thousands of Amazon workers went on strike at 8 facilities across 4 states in the thick of the holiday season. Still, according to Amazon, strikers consist of slightly less than 1 percent of workers. Amazon also said none of the 7,000 workers represented by the Teamsters union are actual employees, despite them driving Amazon trucks, wearing Amazon vests and delivering Amazon packages. Company officials called the strike illegal.
Opening of Intuit Dome
Inglewood’s Intuit Dome, home of the NBAs Los Angeles Clippers, officially opened in August with a 2-night sold out concert by Bruno Mars. Despite facial recognition technology and other high tech systems designed to get visitors into their seats more quickly, opening night at the billion-dollar-plus venue was marred by a two hour delayed start time due to technical glitches.
HEALTH
Ozempic
The weight loss wonder drug has swept the nation, thanks to endorsements from celebs like Oprah Winfrey, Fat Joe, Kathy Bates, James Corden, Elon Musk,
Thorne, Macy Gray and Kandi Burress. Winfrey denied using Ozempic at first, but later came clean and admitted to taking the shot.
The hormone-based medication was created for Type 2 diabetics or anyone who is dangerously overweight. It targets the brain and affects satiety. The average weight loss is around 5 pounds per month. However, some users report losing around 15 pounds the first week–which is what gets most people to try it–because you lose water weight before you lose actual fat.
Bird Flu
Strains of the influenza virus that primarily infects birds, but can also infect humans has resurfaced. Most often contracted by contact with sick birds, it can also be passed from person to person. The first confirmed case was found in Maricopa County, Arizona. Like most other flus, the bird flu may cause fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath. The disease carries a high mortality rate in humans.
People who work with poultry, waterfowl and dairy cows are most at risk. As of late December, H5N1 had been confirmed in more than 900 dairy cattle herds in 16 states, including California, Texas, Utah, Michigan, Colorado, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
IN MEMORIAM
Whilst this year brought the drama of the living, we bid adieu to those who’ve joined the other side. Rest in peace to Liam Payne, my One Direction crush. His last days were drug riddled and rife with depression. They include OJ Simpson, one of the most polarizing figures in modern American history, passed away as well as TV and Film titans, Shannon Doherty aka Brenda from Beverly Hills 90210, Matthew Perry (Chandler from Friends), John Amos and James Earl Jones. Baseball legend Willie Mays, Music Titan Quincy Jones, world renowned poet Nikki Giovanni and most recently, President Jimmy Carter. They will be missed and their legacies cemented in history, for better or worse.
Bella
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in the budget deficit, measured in percentage of the gross national product. Unfortunately, inflation and interest rates were at near record highs, and efforts to reduce them caused a short recession.
Carter could point to a number of achievements in domestic affairs. He dealt with the energy shortage by establishing a national energy policy and by decontrolling domestic petroleum prices to stimulate production. He prompted Government efficiency through civil service reform and proceeded with deregulation of the trucking and airline industries. He sought to improve the environment. His expansion of the national park system included protection of 103 million acres of Alaskan lands.
To increase human and social services, he created the Department of Education, bolstered the Social Security system, and appointed record numbers of women, African Americans, and Hispanics to Government jobs.
In foreign affairs, Carter set his own style. His championing of human rights was coldly received by the Soviet Union and some other nations. In the Middle East, through the Camp David agreement of 1978, he helped bring amity between Egypt and Israel. He succeeded in obtaining ratification of the Panama Canal treaties. Building upon the work of predecessors, he established full diplomatic relations with the
People’s Republic of China and completed negotiation of the SALT II nuclear limitation treaty with the Soviet Union. There were serious setbacks,
however. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan caused the suspension of plans for ratification of the SALT II pact. The seizure as hostages of the U. S. embassy staff in Iran
dominated the news during the last 14 months of the administration. The consequences of Iran’s holding Americans captive, together with continuing inflation at home, contributed to Carter’s defeat in 1980. Even then, he continued the difficult negotiations over the hostages. Iran finally released the 52 Americans the same day Carter left office.
In 2002, Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development. He was the first US president to receive the award for contributions made after leaving the Oval Office.
The Nobel committee cited “his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.”
Throughout his post-presidency, Carter used his platform to speak up on some of the most pressing human rights issues of the era, promoting racial justice, the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, the rights of women, and more. In 2007, he published Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid, courageously recognizing Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians and calling for an end to Israeli human rights abuses.
