Happy Friday! Wrap up your week with a quick rundown of the top news, updates, and exciting developments from this week.
In Today’s Newsletter:
- An intense exchange of words between Kansas officials
- Wyandotte Co. senior residents tax programs
- How Trump’s agenda may impact Black America
- Nominee list for the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame
- The DOJ sues major landlords for rent scheme
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WICHITA NEWS
1. Wichita Elected Officials Get in Fight in Topeka
Differences between Wichita Council member Brandon Johnson and KS Rep. Ford Carr escalated to a heated altercation Wednesday night at a reception in the state’s capitol.
Watch video of the altercation
A MESSAGE FROM MASTERS AND MENTORS, WICHITA
Attention moms, dads, mentors, and volunteers: Come learn about a new program, “Masters & Mentors MLK Day of Service” for youth 12-17. The focus is on transforming young lives with chess instruction, CBI skills, mentoring, and family therapy. Come out and enjoy speakers, food and get a free t-shirt. Open to at-risk and justice involved youth.
KANSAS CITY NEWS
2. WyCo, KCK Seniors And Disabled Encouraged to Apply for Tax Rebate Programs
Many Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas seniors or persons living with a disability may qualify for property tax refund, utility and sales tax rebate programs. The tax rebate application process began on Thursday, January 2, and will run through April 15.
We’ve been enjoying and learning from our Black Trivia events so much that we decided to let our newsletter members in on the fun with a regular Black Trivia question in our Monday and Friday newsletters.
Question: Who was the first Black billionaire in the U.S.?
A. Robert L. Johnson
B. Sean ‘Jay-Z’ Carter
C. Oprah Winfrey
D. Tyler Perry
*See the answer after “In Other News”*
NATIONAL NEWS
3. Trump Outlines America First Agenda: What It Means for Black Americans
The priorities, which include ending federal DEI, have citizens and activists concerned about the future of marginalized communities. The moves follow an executive order Trump signed on his first day ordering a sweeping dismantling of the federal government’s diversity and inclusion programs that could touch on everything from anti-bias training to funding for minority farmers and homeowners.
A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMUNITY VOICE
Nominate a Love Couple
You can be one of the featured couples in our 2025 Valentine’s Issue! Or recommend a couple whose relationship you admire. Learn more about the details and nominate somebody. Just click the photo or button below.
ENTERTAINMENT
4. George Clinton and Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins Among Six Selected for Songwriters Hall of Fame Class
Is there funk without George Clinton? Is there groove? George Clinton – a long overdue inductee heard on timeless hits and groundbreaking producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins are among six new members selected as inductees in the 2025 class of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
See who else made the list and listen to some of their iconic hits
HOUSING
5. DOJ Sues Major Landlords Over Alleged Algorithmic Pricing Scheme
The U.S. Department of Justice, joined by state attorneys general, has filed an amended complaint against RealPage and six of the nation’s largest landlords, accusing them of engaging in an anticompetitive scheme that drove up rental prices for millions of Americans.
Hundreds of “illegal immigrant criminals” arrested, hundreds more flown out of U.S. by military, White House says. Trump’s promised mass deportation operation is underway (CBS News)
SZA will join Kendrick Lamar as a guest during Super Bowl halftime performance. The halftime festivities are set for the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Feb. 9 (NBC News)
Civil rights leaders ‘demand diversity’ in wake of Trump executive orders. This week leaders characterized President Donald Trump’s executive orders as “an attack on people.” (Philadelphia Tribune)
*Trivia Answer*: A. Robert L. Johnson: Robert Johnson, who co-founded BET, became the first African-American billionaire in 2000 after he sold the network to Viacom for $3 billion.
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