West

Protests erupt at California State Capitol after pair of reparations bills shelved

Published

3 hours ago

September 3, 2024

Protests erupt at California State Capitol after pair of reparations bills shelved

A pair of reparations-related bills for the descendants of enslaved Black Americans failed to pass in the California legislature on Saturday after backers said the bills would not move forward.

Authored by Democrat state Sen. Steven Bradford of Inglewood, Senate Bill 1331 would have created a new state fund for reparations, while Senate Bill 1403 would have established a state agency to oversee these efforts and determine who would be eligible.

These measures were considered key components of some lawmakers’ ambitious efforts to pass legislation aimed at atoning for what they said was a legacy of racist policies that drove disparities for Black people, from housing to education to health.

While the Democrat-led California legislature did a pass a spate of other bills aimed at remedying past racial injustices, none of these would provide direct payments to African-Americans.

‘MOLESTERS’ AND ‘RAPISTS’ WOULD GO FREE UNDER CALIFORNIA BILL, STATE SENATE GOP WARNS

Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, right, talks to members of the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California about two reparations bills in the Capitol rotunda on the last day of the legislative year, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Tran Nguyen)

Bradford said the bills didn’t move forward out of fear that Gov. Gavin Newsom would veto them.

“We’re at the finish line, and we, as the Black Caucus, owe it to the descendants of chattel slavery, to Black Californians and Black Americans, to move this legislation forward,” Bradford said, urging his colleagues to reconsider Saturday afternoon.

California Legislative Black Caucus Chair Assemblymember Lori Wilson said Saturday that the Black Caucus pulled the bills, adding the proposals need more work.

People upset after reparations bills fail

Members of the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California protest and demand that lawmakers take up a vote on two reparations bills in the Capitol rotunda on the last day of the legislative year, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Tran Nguyen)

“We knew from the very beginning that it was an uphill battle…. And we also knew from the very beginning that it would be a multiyear effort,” Wilson told reporters.

In a statement posted on X, the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) said it was “unable to participate in the legislative process collectively and only recently became aware of the concerns with [SB 1403].”

PELOSI PRAISES CA BILL GIVING ILLEGAL MIGRANTS MONEY TO BUY HOMES: ‘AMERICAN DREAM’ ‘AVAILABLE TO MORE PEOPLE’

“We are well past the amendment deadline; therefore, the decision has been made to continue working on this bill and reintroduce it in the next session,” CLBC said. “Regarding the status of Senate Bill 1331, the CLBC will not be moving it forward this year.”

A group of protesters supportive of reparations showed up at the Capitol Saturday for demonstrations.

The Coalition for a Just & Equitable California accused CLBC of refusing to bring the bills up for a vote despite having the votes to pass the bills.

“This type of betrayal cannot go unanswered. There must be a political price to pay. Gone are the days when politicians of any race or party can disrespect Black Americans and expect no political consequences. We are not captured. We do not belong to any party or special interest. We are the living embodiment of our Ancestors who built this state and this country over 400 years and who are owed Reparations. We’re coming…No…We’re HERE, to get our checks and more,” the group wrote on X.

“We need to send a message to the governor,” a Black woman who is part of the group chimed in, according to video shared on X. “The governor needs to understand the world is watching California and this is gonna have a direct impact on your friend Kamala Harris who is running for president. This is going to have a direct impact, so pull up the bills now, vote on them and sign them. We’ve been waiting for over 400 years.”

California Republican Assemblymember Bill Essayli of Corona made a motion to take up the bills for a vote, but no other lawmaker would second the motion.

On X, Essayli accused Democrats of going “into hiding” and refusing to bring the bills up for a vote when it came time to pass them despite for years “promising to pay direct cash reparations to Americans who have been harmed by slavery.”

Essayli, who said he had a good faith dialogue with the bills’ supporters, clarified that he did not support California taxpayers paying for the wrongs of slave states but “believed there should be a debate and a recorded vote on the issue.”

“Politicians cannot be allowed to make promises to the people who elect them, and then hide like cowards when it’s time to go on record,” Essayli said. “At minimum, the People were owed a hearing and opportunity to know where their elected representative stands on the issue.”

SB 1331 and 1403 were put on the inactive file before midnight.

The Democrat governor hasn’t weighed in on most of the other reparations-related bills, but he signed a nearly $300 billion budget in June that included up to $12 million for reparations legislation. However, the budget did not specify what proposals the money would be used for, and his administration has signaled its opposition to some of them. Newsom has until Sept. 30 to decide whether to sign the other bills that passed into law.

Reached for comment Saturday, the governor’s office pointed to Newsom’s comments from earlier this year when he told reporters: “I haven’t [just] read [the Reparations report] — I’ve devoured it. I’ve analyzed it. I’ve stress tested against things we’ve done, things we’re doing, things that we’d like to do, but can’t do because of constitutional constraints. And I’ve been working closely with the Black Caucus.”

Fox News’ Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and much more.

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Utah

Utah cornerback Kenan Johnson out for the season following leg injury

Published

23 mins ago

September 3, 2024

Press Room

Utah cornerback Kenan Johnson out for the season following leg injury

Utah opened the 2024 season with a 49-0 win over Southern Utah on Thursday. However, the good start came with bad news this week. Utes cornerback Kenan Johnson suffered a season-ending lower leg injury during the first half of the game.

Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham confirmed the severity of Johnson’s injury on Monday, noting that while Johnson’s season is over, there is a possibility for him to return next year if he chooses. Before his injury, the Georgia Tech transfer had recorded three tackles and was expected to be a key part of the defense.

In Johnson’s absence, Utah will rely on Smith Snowden, Cam Calhoun, and Scooby Davis to fill the void at cornerback. Snowden, who had been playing the nickel position, showed versatility and performed well on the inside. Davis, who grabbed an interception against Southern Utah, provided solid contributions, while Calhoun, a transfer from Michigan, is expected to be back in action this week. Whittingham mentioned that the coaching staff would evaluate different configurations in practice to determine the best setup moving forward.

Three takeaways from No. 12 Utah’s win over Southern Utah

On the offensive side, the return of quarterback Cam Rising and tight end Brant Kuithe was a highlight. The duo showcased their chemistry by connecting on three touchdown passes in the first half, underscoring their importance to the team’s success. Rising’s ability to find Kuithe in key moments was crucial and reaffirmed the dynamic nature of their partnership.

Additionally, freshman wide receiver Dijon Stanley emerged as a new offensive threat, recording three catches for 150 yards, including two long touchdown receptions. His performance added another dimension to Utah’s potent offense.

Looking ahead, Utah faces a tougher challenge as they prepare to host Baylor, a rematch of last season’s closely contested 20-13 victory in Waco. Whittingham acknowledged the need to elevate their play, as Baylor is a formidable opponent eager to avenge last year’s loss.

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Washington

Deadline passes for Mountain West, Washington State, Oregon State to renew football scheduling deal

Published

23 mins ago

September 3, 2024

Press Room

Deadline passes for Mountain West, Washington State, Oregon State to renew football scheduling deal

The Sept. 1 deadline for the Mountain West and Washington State and Oregon State to renew their football scheduling arrangement passed without an agreement, and the conference said Monday it is anticipating making schedules for next season without the Pac-12 schools.

The announcement does not necessarily close the door on the two sides agreeing to another arrangement as the 12-team Mountain West typically does not release its conference football schedule until December at the earliest.

“For the 2025 season, the Mountain West and its member institutions are moving forward with their conference and nonconference schedules,” the league said in a statement.

Oregon State and Washington State are operating as a two-team league this season and intend to do so in 2025 as well after 10 Pac-12 schools scattered to other power conferences this year.

To fill out football schedules, Washington State and Oregon State agreed to a deal with the Mountain West to play six games against those schools that do not count toward the conference standings. The deal paid the Mountain West about $14 million for this year.

The Mountain West and the Pac-12 schools said at the time they would look to possibly extend the agreement another year by Sept. 1, but the sides could not come to terms.

Oregon State currently has seven football games booked for next season, including against Washington State.

Washington State has six games booked, including its conference game against the Beavers. Major college football teams typically play 12-game regular seasons.

Mountain West schools could also arrange games separately with Oregon State and Washington State.

Oregon State and Washington State struck a separate scheduling agreement with the West Coast Conference for basketball and other Olympic sports. That does not include Oregon State’s traditionally strong baseball program, which is operating as as an independent this school year.

Oregon State and Washington State are taking advantage of an NCAA rule that allows them to operate as a two-team conference for two years. Schools leaders have said their first priority is the rebuild the Pac-12 and they have accumulated tens of millions of dollars in conference related funds they hope can aid those efforts.

Their agreement with the Mountain West included millions of dollars in extra fees over the next two years if Oregon State and Washington State tries to add MW schools to the Pac-12.

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Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP

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Wyoming

Wyoming's Jack O’Neil Ready to Kick Off Paralympic Games

Published

41 mins ago

September 3, 2024

Press Room

Wyoming's Jack O’Neil Ready to Kick Off Paralympic Games

* University of Wyoming press release

LARAMIE — University of Wyoming swimmer Jack O’Neil is set to kick off his 2024 Paralympic Games campaign with Team USA. The Games run from Aug. 28-Sept. 8, with the swimming portion of the games spanning Aug. 29-Sept. 7 at Paris La Defense Arena in Nanterre.

Jack O’Neil was featured on the One Wyoming Podcast with Ryan Thorburn and said, “It was so surreal. This is a goal I have been working at since I knew what the Paralympics were. One of the driving purposes of having my leg amputated was seeing the Paralympics for the first time in 2012 and seeing what those people were capable of. So, knowing that I’m going in the same spot as some of the people who inspired me to amputate my leg and lead a better life, it’s just incredible.”

All of Wyoming is with you, Jack 🤠🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/OyknHXz7L1
— Wyoming Athletics (@wyoathletics) August 28, 2024
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O’Neil will be competing in the preliminaries of the 100-meter backstroke Saturday at 2:30 a.m. It can be streamed on Peacock or digitally.

Should O’Neil qualify for finals in the 100-meter backstroke, he will swim again at 10 a.m. That race will be for a spot on the podium.

O’Neil could also compete as a member of the 34-point mixed medley relay team for Team USA on Monday at 2:30 a.m. If O’Neil is selected to compete on the relay and advance to finals, they would swim again at 12:10 p.m.

The One Wyoming Podcast A-listers: @wyo_football QB @EvanSvobodaQB17 & TE @jmikegyllenborg + @wyo_swimdive captain Jack O'Neil who will swim for @USParalympics in Paris.
🎙️ listen via @ApplePodcasts, @spotifypodcasts or here: https://t.co/OXwl1hjcBZ #OneWyoming 🏈 🏊‍♂️ #GoWyo pic.twitter.com/4O9cfHjMqW
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— Ryan Thorburn (@By_RyanThorburn) August 16, 2024

“All the people that have helped me along the way, my University of Wyoming teammates and coaches, the entire university, I’m so proud to represent them and everything that they’ve put into me,” O’Neil said. “I’m really just a product of the amazing community behind me.”

How Many Medals Have Wyoming-Born Athletes Won at the Olympics?

Wyoming isn’t represented on Team USA for the 2020 (in 2021) Olympics in Tokyo. But, athletes born in Wyoming have competed for the gold a handful of times over the last century.

According to the folks at BeenVerified.com, seven Wyoming-born Olympians have competed on the world’s largest stage.

Since the 1932 LA games, these competitors earned four Olympic medals; one gold, two silver, and a bronze. Wrestling, Track and Field, and Rowing are the evens where Wyoming-natives have shined.

– How Many Medals Have Wyoming-Born Athletes Won at the Olympics?

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