Shirley Weber is California’s secretary of state. Her grandparents died before the Voting Rights Act, and never got to cast a ballot. And her message to you, thirteen days out, is that her vote counts exactly as much as yours. One each.

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.

ONE THING THIS WEEK
Not registered? It’s not too late. The regular deadline was Oct. 19, but you
can still register and vote the same day, in person, through Election Day,
Nov. 3 (you’ll cast a provisional ballot that counts once the county confirms
your eligibility). A past felony conviction does not stop you from voting in
California unless you’re currently serving a prison sentence for a felony.
Worried about safety at the polls? Use an official drop box.
State voter hotline: 800-345-VOTE (8683). Kern County Elections: 661-868-3590.

CHAPTERS
0:00 Cold open
0:44 Elections: Before You Vote: 6 Things California Voters Need to Know
3:24 Governor’s Race: Becerra Outlines Housing, Homelessness and Health Care Priorities in Governor’s Race
5:22 Sacramento: California Political Legends Reunite in Sacramento
7:34 Health: Cash for Moms: A New Approach to Improving Black Maternal Health
10:18 Inglewood: Inglewood Study Finds Nearly 7 in 10 Seniors Wearing Ill-Fitting Shoes
12:16 What to do this week

THE FULL STORIES
Before You Vote: 6 Things California Voters Need to Know

Fact check: 6 things to know before you vote, from California’s secretary of state

2. Becerra Outlines Housing, Homelessness and Health Care Priorities in Governor’s Race

Becerra Outlines Housing, Homelessness and Health Care Priorities in Governor’s Race

3. California Political Legends Reunite in Sacramento

Sacramento: Golden State Legislative Reunion Brings Together Lawmakers and Officials Who Served Between 1964 and 1995

4. Cash for Moms: A New Approach to Improving Black Maternal Health

Cash for Moms: As Medicaid Cuts Loom, Cities Test a New Approach to Black Maternal Health

5. Inglewood Study Finds Nearly 7 in 10 Seniors Wearing Ill-Fitting Shoes

Falls Are a Leading Cause of Injury Among Seniors; Inglewood Study Finds Nearly 7 in 10 Wear Ill-Fitting Shoes

Read everything at ognsc.com
Subscribe for the top five, every week.

#BlackPress #Bakersfield #LosAngeles #SanFernandoValley #AntelopeValley #BlackNews

Leadership isn’t about constant doing—it is about intentional being. When you neglect your mental and physical state, your business suffers. True sustainability requires filling your own cup first so you can give from the overflow, not your essence. #LeadershipMindset #PersonalGrowth #BusinessSustainability #SelfCare

🔗 Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/JjNiyzGQjnA
In 1904, Nashville’s Black business leaders founded the One Cent Savings Bank. The name was a statement: every customer mattered, regardless of their balance. A legacy proving that every deposit counts toward building a community. #AutoNetwork

🔗 Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/JjNiyzGQjnA

#BlackHistory #Nashville #FinancialLiteracy #BankingHistory

Sports offer more than just game-day excitement. From agents to medical staff, the professional sports ecosystem provides endless career pathways. Teaching the next generation that success lives far beyond the lines. #SportsBusiness #CareerPathways #FutureLeaders #SportsIndustry

🔗 Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/M5DLaJ1QTYs
The Subaru WRX delivers a genuine sports car experience thanks to its 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer engine and precise 6-speed manual transmission. When paired with symmetrical all-wheel drive, it turns every gear shift into an engaging, responsive performance. #AutoNetwork

🔗 Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/M5DLaJ1QTYs

#SubaruWRX #ManualTransmission #CarReview #DrivingExperience #Turbocharged

Who’s earning the endorsement of Black women’s political organizations, and what issues are shaping their decisions this election cycle?

On Wednesday, October 21, Glynda Carr of Higher Heights joins Black Press USA’s Morning Show to discuss the organization’s midterm endorsements, the priorities driving its decisions, and the issues impacting Black women voters across the country.

From political representation to the policies shaping our communities, we’re getting into what matters as Election Day approaches.

Watch LIVE on Wednesday, October 21, from 8–9 AM ET.

Tune in to Black Press USA’s Morning Show on YouTube at Black Press USA TV.

#BlackPressUSA #MorningShow #GlyndaCarr #HigherHeights #Midterms2026 #BlackWomenInPolitics #BlackWomenVoters