News
News Observer Weekly — September 23, 2026 | Top 5 Stories of the Week
Mayor Butts denies baseless accusations. This week’s top 5 stories covered on News Observer Weekly.
The mayor of Inglewood stood at city hall on Monday, surrounded by his family and community leaders, and called the accusations made against him by four Inglewood political figures baseless, unsourced, and completely false. And the city attorney spoke after him and said there is no complaint in front of his office to review. No referral. No charges.
This week on News Observer Weekly, Marcus and Nia break down the five stories that mattered most to our readers — from Observer Group Newspapers, publishers of the Bakersfield News Observer, the Los Angeles News Observer and Valley’s News Observer, serving Kern County, Los Angeles, and the San Fernando and Antelope valleys.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Cold open
0:43 Inglewood: Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. Responds to Allegations at Press Conference
4:13 Sports: Lisa Leslie Honored Where She Should Be
6:38 Washington: At CBC Week, California Leaders Center Economic Power and Investment in Black Institutions
8:43 Health: CalAIM Helped Alfred Flores Rebuild His Life. Why Can’t More Californians Access Its Benefits?
11:32 Health: Doulas Are Helping Black California Moms Navigate Pregnancy – Even as High Mortality Rates Persist
13:55 What to do this week
THE FULL STORIES
Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. Responds to Allegations at Press Conference
Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. Responds to Allegations at Press Conference
2. Lisa Leslie Honored Where She Should Be
3. At CBC Week, California Leaders Center Economic Power and Investment in Black Institutions
4. CalAIM Helped Alfred Flores Rebuild His Life. Why Can’t More Californians Access Its Benefits?
CalAIM Helped Alfred Flores Rebuild His Life. Why Can’t More Californians Access Its Benefits?
5. Doulas Are Helping Black California Moms Navigate Pregnancy – Even as High Mortality Rates Persist
https://ognsc.com/doulas-are-helping-black-california-moms-navigate-pregnancy/
Read everything at ognsc.com
Subscribe for the top five, every week.
#BlackPress #Bakersfield #LosAngeles #SanFernandoValley #AntelopeValley #BlackNews
Featured
What happens when purpose, leadership and resilience come together?
See what happens when purpose, leadership, and resilience unite! Join us Friday for powerful conversations on community, culture, and cancer awareness.
🎙️ THIS FRIDAY ON LET’S TALK!
Join us Friday, October 2nd, from noon to 1 p.m. on WIN-TV for another powerful hour of Community. Culture. Conversation. Connection.
Host Denise Rolark Barnes, Publisher of The Washington Informer, sits down with Dr. Kimberly Moffitt, Dean and Professor of the Cathy Hughes School of Communications at Howard University. Dr. Moffitt is one of 10 distinguished honorees who will be recognized by The Washington Informer and The Afro during a special tea on October 24.
Then, we kick off Cancer Awareness Month with Content Editor Jada Ingleton, who talks with Rev. Anthony Evans about the important work of the National Black Breast Cancer Fund.
And there’s more! Jada also sits down with three-time cancer survivor Desiree Waters, who shares her journey and introduces her new podcast, “Cancer Unmasked 360.”
Three compelling conversations. Important stories. Voices making a difference.
📺 Tune in Friday, October 2nd at NOON on WIN-TV!
Watch us on Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn — and be sure to share the broadcast!
Let’s Talk — where the conversations that matter take center stage!
car reviews
Car Dealer Add-Ons: What Protections Still STAND? #shorts
Car dealer add-ons are back on the table, but core protections still stand. Learn what you need to know before you buy. #shorts
Dealers can now require add-ons as the CARS Rule is lifted. Core protections for optional add-ons from CFPB guidance and TILA remain, but an extra layer of protection is gone.
🔗 Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/dgZnv0Bnu-0
#AutoNetwork
Featured
Defender Athlete Interview – John Rangel
Hear from John Rangel, a Defender athlete, in this exclusive interview. Learn more about his journey and support our work at defendernetwork.com.
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Read more stories by our team
https://defendernetwork.com/category/news/opinion/
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Featured
Defender Athlete Interview – Elijah Eche
Meet Elijah Eche, a Defender Athlete. Learn more about his journey and how you can support our work.
Visit Our Website
Read more stories by our team
https://defendernetwork.com/category/news/opinion/
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Donate/ Support Our Work
Featured
Inside a Century of Black Press Archives
Explore a century of Black press archives, tracing civil rights struggles and economic advocacy. Discover historical activism alongside modern community support.
The provided materials present an opinion piece by National Urban League CEO Marc H. Morial, who proposes a policy blueprint focused on improving economic affordability for working families. Additionally, the pages feature historical archives from the New Journal and Guide that chronicle decades of civil rights activism, including school desegregation protests, church bombings, and the regional establishment of the Urban League. Alongside these historical accounts, the publication highlights modern advertisements and organizational details for the Hampton Roads Community Foundation. Ultimately, the texts weave together contemporary economic advocacy with historical reflections on racial justice and community support.
Featured
The Defender Goes One on One with Congressman Christian Menefee
The Defender sits down with Congressman Christian Menefee to discuss critical issues impacting our communities. Don’t miss this important conversation.
Visit Our Website
Read more stories by our team
https://defendernetwork.com/category/news/opinion/
Sign-up for the Top 5 newsletter
Donate/ Support Our Work
Angel Reese Wins 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year
What happens when purpose, leadership and resilience come together?
Car Dealer Add-Ons: What Protections Still STAND? #shorts
Defender Athlete Interview – John Rangel
Defender Athlete Interview – Elijah Eche
Inside a Century of Black Press Archives
The Defender Goes One on One with Congressman Christian Menefee
Demystifying the Retail Installment Sale Contract: Your Guide #shorts
CalAIM Helped Alfred Flores Rebuild His Life. Why Can’t More Californians Access Its Benefits?
Kia Seltos: Advanced Safety & Tech Features Explained #shorts
Latest Massacre in Haiti Reveals Cruelty U.S. Deportations
Black Americans Have Doubts About the U.S. Food System
When Praises Go Up: SUGC Nominated for Prestigious Stellar Award.
Booked and Unbound: The Legacy of Black Women’s Literary Circles
U.S. Sole Nation to Oppose U.N. Resolution Correcting Africa’s Size on World Maps
Prostate Cancer is Twice as Likely to Kill Black Men. Talking to Your Doctor Could Help Save Your Life
COMMENTARY: Big Mama Said ‘Don’t Let Grief Break the Bank’
Outnumbered: Elbert Cox’s Equation for Greatness
U.S. Open Influencers Spark Backlash over Ring Lights, Filming as Gauff and Osaka Speak Out
Passing for White, Fighting for Black America: The Courage of Walter White
What happens when purpose, leadership and resilience come together?
Car Dealer Add-Ons: What Protections Still STAND? #shorts
Defender Athlete Interview – John Rangel
Defender Athlete Interview – Elijah Eche
Inside a Century of Black Press Archives
The Defender Goes One on One with Congressman Christian Menefee
Demystifying the Retail Installment Sale Contract: Your Guide #shorts
Kia Seltos: Advanced Safety & Tech Features Explained #shorts
Carmen Meeks Turns Teachers’ Lessons Into a Legacy | 2026 Education Salute
2 Crucial Bolt EV Interior Details You MUST Inspect! #shorts
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