In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention delivered news that rocked the Black gay community. It estimated that half of all Black gay men in the U.S. would contract HIV in their lifetimes — despite the availability of breakthrough drugs that all but block transmission of the virus.
That grim prognosis, based in part on healthcare disparities and access to treatment, didn’t sit well with DaShawn Usher.
“At that particular time, I [had] done direct service]” providing social services to those in need, Usher says. “So, knowing there was a 50% chance, if nothing changes, for Black gay men and queer folks to [be] exposed to HIV wasn’t necessarily an option when I knew that there were resources like PrEP” and other medications to manage HIV infection and control its spread.
The missing link for Black gay men, he concluded, had to be lack of awareness: “If we have all of this education and all of these tools, it was just that no one was aware” of current treatments.
The year after the CDC’s 2016 announcement, Usher co-founded Mobilizing Our Brothers Initiative, or MOBI, a grassroots LGBTQ collective focused on the health and well-being of the Black LGBTQ community. On Wednesday, MOBI is sponsoring an event in New York City to mark the 37th annual World AIDS Day, themed “Centering Black & Marginalized Voices Together.”
“We’re an organization that focuses on holistic wellness and care” based in New York City, says Usher. “So, we [serve] Black gay men and queer people of color to see their holistic self. We do this through our signature programming called MOBI Talks, which is a personal and professional development series that has been supported by ViiV Healthcare,” a pharmaceutical company that develops HIV medications exclusively.
The MOBI Talks series “teaches participants the importance of being tested and knowing their HIV status, taking care of all aspects of their health, and maintaining community support systems,” Usher says.
The data is disturbing: roughly 1.2 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV, and Black Americans account for nearly 38% of new HIV diagnoses despite being only around 12% of the population. Globally, in 2024, approximately 630,000 people worldwide died due to AIDS-related illnesses.
Compared to the estimated 2.8 million AIDS-related deaths in 2005, the reduction is a great improvement. Still, millions of people continue to lose loved ones to the disease.
And the theme of this year’s World AIDS Day, “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response,” bluntly sums up the current issues confronting AIDS patients and advocates alike.
Funding Cuts Threaten Global HIV Progress and Endanger Programs
When the Trump administration essentially dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development earlier this year, it ended the financial support that had funded a large part of the global HIV response. As a result, many HIV programs were interrupted and several have not recovered.
The new political realities underscore the importance of MOBI in filling those gaps, Usher says, pointing out it also helps participants find employment and mentor opportunities.
“The MOBI Talk series is important, because it is showing people that there are so many different careers that people have,” he says. “It may feel like it, but you are not the only one or the first one to do this.”
Partnering with ViiV has enabled MOBI to expand by offering programs in Los Angeles, Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta. Programming includes support for Black queer artists through its annual art show, concert, and wellness activations.
“We have a long history of supporting people in industries where we’re not always visible,” Usher says. “And so now it’s the time to just connect those dots so that people are better connected to care.”
Work-study students often still have unmet financial needs, even after their 15- to 20-hour-per-week jobs fill in some of the gaps. Credit: Getty/Wong Yu Liang
Work-study students often still have unmet financial needs, even after their 15- to 20-hour-per-week jobs fill in some of the gaps. Credit: Getty/Wong Yu Liang
Federal work study is a government program that gives colleges and universities approximately US$1 billion in subsidies each year to help pay students who work part-time jobs on and off campus. This program supports nearly 700,000 college students per year and is often an essential way students pay their expenses and remain in school.
Now, the Trump administration is proposing to cut $980 million from work-study programs. The government appropriated $1.2 billion to work study from October 2023 through September 2024.
The government typically subsidizes as much as 75% of a student’s work-study earnings, though that amount can vary. Colleges and universities make up the rest.
With no federal budget passed for fiscal year 2026 – meaning Oct. 1, 2025, through September 2026 – the future of work-study funding remains uncertain.
In May 2025, Russell Vought, director of the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, called work study a “poorly targeted program” that is a “handout to woke universities.”
As college enrollment experts with over 40 years of combined financial aid and admissions experience, we have seen how work study creates opportunities for both students and universities. We have also seen the need to change some parts of work study in order to maintain the program’s value in a shifting higher education landscape.
Work study was one way to help colleges and universities create part-time jobs for poor students to work their way through college.
Today, part-time and full-time undergraduate students who have applied for federal financial aid and have unmet financial needs can apply for work-study jobs. Students in these positions typically work as research assistants, campus tour guides, tutors and more.
Students earn at least federal minimum wage – currently $7.25 an hour – in these part-time jobs, which typically take up 10 to 15 hours per week.
In 2022, the National Center for Education Statistics reported that 40% of full-time and 74% of part-time undergraduate students were also employed in both work-study and non-work-study jobs.
How work study helps students
Financial aid plays a critical role in a student’s ability to enroll in college, stay in school and graduate.
When students drop out of college because of cost, the consequences are significant both for the students and for the institutions they leave behind.
One other key factor in student retention is the sense of belonging. Research shows that students who feel connected to their campus communities are more likely to succeed in staying in school. We have found that work study also helps foster a student’s sense of belonging.
Work-study programs can also help students stay in school by offering them valuable career experience, often aligned with their academic interests.
Points of contention
Financial aid and enrollment professionals agree that work study helps students who need financial aid.
Still, some researchers have criticized the program for not meeting its intended purpose. For example, some nonpartisan research groups and think tanks have noted that the average amount a student earns from work study each year – approximately $2,300 – only covers a fraction of rising tuition costs.
Another issue is which students get to do work study. The government gives work-study money directly to institutions, not students. As universities and colleges have broad flexibility over the program, research has suggested that in some cases, lower-income students are actually less likely than higher-income students to receive a work-study job.
Other researchers criticize the lack of evidence showing work study is effective at helping students stay in school, graduate or pay their daily costs.
A final factor that prompts criticism is that full-time students who hold jobs often struggle to balance juggling work, school and other important parts of their lives.
Areas for possible change
Many students who are eligible for work study don’t know that they are eligible – or don’t know how to get campus jobs. There is no standard practice of how institutions award work study to students.
At some schools, the number of work-study jobs may be limited. If a student does not get a job, the school can reallocate the federal money to a different student.
Another option is for schools to carry over any unused money to students in the next academic year – though that doesn’t mean the same students will automatically get the money.
We think that schools can clear up this confusion about who receives federal work-study opportunities.
We also think that schools should explore how they are ensuring that eligible students receive work-study jobs.
Universities and colleges could also benefit from more proactively promoting work-study opportunities. For example, the University of Miami’s First Hires program educates students about work study, provides personalized outreach, and supports career readiness through resume development and interview preparation.
Finally, colleges and universities could evaluate how work-study jobs align with students’ academic and career goals.
By creating clerical and professional roles within academic departments, schools can offer students relevant work experience that makes it easier for them to find work after graduation.
In an era of heightened scrutiny on student outcomes, reduced public funding, and growing skepticism about the value of a four-year degree, we believe that universities could benefit from reimagining their financial aid strategies – especially work study.
Winter break is a magical time when children of all ages eagerly anticipate the holiday season. It’s a perfect opportunity for families to spend quality time together, but keeping kids engaged can be challenging. The solution? Fun, educational, winter-themed crafts!
Engage kids of all ages in activities that keep them busy and promote learning, creativity, and holiday cheer. These creative craft ideas bring everyone together to build wonderful holiday memories.
Snowflake Science
Exploring the science behind snowflakes can be educational and entertaining. Start with a short lesson on how snowflakes form and the concept of symmetry. Then, bring out the supplies so they can create unique snowflakes made from fun materials such as coffee filters, sticks, Q-tips, or toilet paper rolls. Watch their designs unfold while children discover symmetry and practice fine motor skills.
Gingerbread House Decorating
Gingerbread house decorating is a classic holiday activity that kids of all ages can enjoy. Younger children can use pre-made gingerbread house kits, while older kids can attempt to bake and build their gingerbread structures from scratch. Building the houses and decorating them with icing, candy, and various edible decorations inspires creativity and learning about the art of architecture and design.
Add engineering and math concepts such as planning, measurement, and budgeting. Bring in literacy components with themed books like The Gingerbread Man.
Salt Dough Ornaments
Salt dough ornaments are an ideal project for kids of all ages. The younger children can enjoy shaping and painting their ornaments, while older kids can experiment with more complex designs. Salt dough ornaments also offer a fantastic opportunity to introduce chemistry lessons (discussing the reaction between salt and flour) and history (exploring the origins of holiday ornaments).
Photo: 13smile via 123RF
Family History Projects
The holiday season is bound to remind us of our childhoods and is often when multiple generations come together. Try making a family history project, such as a recipe book, family tree, or decorative piece with vintage jewelry. While crafting, discuss geography, culture, food, and historical events that have been meaningful parts of your family’s history.
Nature-Inspired Art
Take the kids outside for a nature-inspired art project. Collect leaves, pinecones, twigs, and other natural elements, and use them to create beautiful seasonal artwork. Younger kids may enjoy simple pinecone painting, while older kids can experiment with more complex designs or projects. This activity fosters an appreciation for the environment while developing observational skills. Plus, they can make beautiful gifts for teachers and family members.
Websites for Kids’ Crafts
Numerous websites and online resources offer a wide range of winter and holiday-themed kids’ craft ideas. Here are some popular websites and sources that you can explore for craft inspiration or to find educational supplements to your project:
Pinterest is a treasure trove of craft ideas. You can search for specific keywords like “winter crafts for kids” or “holiday crafts for children” to find creative projects and tutorials.
YouTube is an excellent platform for finding video tutorials on various crafts. Search for channels dedicated to kids’ crafts, such as “Art for Kids Hub” or “Easy Kids Craft.”
The Spruce Crafts has an extensive section on kids’ crafts. You can explore their holiday and seasonal craft ideas with step-by-step instructions.
Education.com provides educational resources and craft ideas for kids. You can find themed crafts that align with educational concepts.
FamilyEducation.com offers a variety of holiday and seasonal craft ideas for kids, along with other educational resources for parents.
Crayola’s website has a dedicated section for craft ideas, including seasonal and holiday-themed projects that often incorporate their products.
Winter break offers a fantastic opportunity to engage children of all ages in educational and fun activities celebrating the season. From exploring the science of snowflakes to collaborating on a family history craft, there are numerous ideas to keep kids occupied and enhance their learning experiences. Engaging in these creative projects cultivates their artistic talents and promotes fine motor skills, critical thinking, STEM concepts, and creative problem-solving. So, make the most of the winter break by keeping your kids busy with these delightful and educational winter and holiday-themed crafts.
A 'Now Hiring' sign sits in the window of a Denny's restaurant on November 19 in Miami. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images via CNN Newsource)
A ‘Now Hiring’ sign sits in the window of a Denny’s restaurant on November 19 in Miami. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images via CNN Newsource)
By Alicia Wallace, CNN
(CNN) — Small businesses are starting to crack amid a weakening economy, rising costs and fickle consumers; and they drove job losses in the US private sector in November, payroll giant ADP reported Wednesday.
ADP’s latest monthly look at private-sector employment showed that about 32,000 jobs were lost last month, marking a drop-off from the upwardly revised 47,000 jobs gained in October.
The November jobs report, originally slated for release on Friday, is delayed until December 16. It also will include partial data from October, a month where a full jobs report was nixed.
As such, Wednesday ADP data is likely the next-best estimate on the labor market Federal Reserve officials will get before their policymaking meeting next week.
Still, while ADP’s tabulations don’t often correlate with the official jobs numbers, they’re looked to as an indicator of hiring and wage growth activity.
And in recent months, that trajectory hasn’t been great.
Private employers have shed jobs in four of the past six months, ADP data shows. The net loss of 32,000 reported for November is the largest monthly drop in two and a half years.
“The (ADP) report shows the job market is losing more momentum at year-end and skews risks toward modestly higher unemployment early next year,” Oren Klachkin, Nationwide’s financial markets economist, wrote in a note Wednesday. “There’s a high level of disagreement among Fed policymakers right now, but we maintain our call the doves will prevail over the hawks and the FOMC to vote for another [quarter-point] interest rate reduction at next week’s meeting.”
Canaries in the coal mines
The estimated job losses reported for November were overwhelmingly at small establishments (classified as having between one and 49 employees), which shed an estimated 120,000 jobs last month. Medium and large businesses added 51,000 jobs and 39,000 jobs, respectively.
“When you look historically, the labor market is not weak, but it is weakening — and the first to crack are small establishments,” Nela Richardson, ADP’s chief economist, said Wednesday in a call with reporters. “I see them as a canary in the coal mine. Things could shift, but small firms are the leading indicator.”
It’s possible that the steep losses at small businesses could be tied to spillover effects from the US government shutdown, which lasted from October 1 to November 12, she said.
However, the estimated labor force cutbacks are likely more a reflection of small businesses trying to weather an uncertain economic environment and an increasingly cautious consumer, she said.
“You can see that there are a lot of different angles of concern for the smallest firms: It’s about supply, it’s about high price levels,” she said Wednesday. “Even if you think that inflation is declining or moderate or any tariff impact is transitory, if you look at cumulative price increases over the last five years, it’s up around 25%.”
In uncertain times, businesses stay lean
And when small businesses don’t have the wiggle room to navigate higher prices – notably the ability to absorb cost increases from frequently shifting tariffs – they often shift their hiring patterns to help offset rising costs, she added.
Businesses are likely staying lean – delaying hiring, not replacing workers – versus making outright layoffs, so that they can weather an uncertain economic environment, she said.
“And all of that is adding up to job losses on a national level,” she said.
That low-hire, low-fire activity has been heavily supported by other economic data, specifically claims for unemployment benefits. First-time claims have remained fairly stable while continuing claims (those filed by people who have received a week or more in jobless benefits) have been butting up against four-year highs.
By industry, the losses were more broad-based, with some of the deeper drops in industries such as professional and business services, information and manufacturing.
Economists were expecting that 40,000 jobs would be added, according to FactSet.
ADP’s estimates are drawn from anonymized and aggregated payroll data from its clients.
(CNN) — Prepare for automotive sticker shock next year – again.
Average new car prices briefly topped $50,000 in September for the first time, before slipping back under that level in October.
But now, automotive experts say, car prices are headed back over that level. And this time, they might stay there.
Ivan Drury, director of insights at Edmunds, and Erin Keating, executive analyst at Cox Automotive, say cars are nearing that mark.
“It’ll edge up, even as much as the consumer doesn’t want to pay that amount,” said Drury. “It’s just the cost of everything on a car is going up, and $50,000 is just not that far away.”
The higher prices for cars – a necessity in many transit-starved cities and towns – are part of a larger affordability crisis that’s squeezed Americans, leaving many living paycheck to paycheck just to get by.
Trump set to change mileage rules
President Donald Trump, alongside top auto executives, will announce a “reset” of federal fuel-economy standards for vehicles during a White House event on Wednesday, a White House official told CNN.
Trump is likely to suggest that the action will lead to lower car prices by reducing the costs automakersaccrue to meet tougher emission rules.
The CEOs of Ford and Stellantis, the European automaker that produces the Jeep, Ram and Dodge brands in the US, issued statements in advance of the event that praised the administration’s actions. Butthe change will do little to lower the cost of building cars.
All automakers plan their models and features years in advance, and many buyers look for improved fuel economy when shopping for cars.
Automakers also have to meet tougher mileage rules in other countries, and even some individual US states. Despite facing legal challenges from the Trump administration, many states follow strict emission rules set California.
Lastly, Wednesday’s expected change will not provide additional savings since mileage rules were essentially gutted earlier this year when legislation ended financial penalties for automakers for exceeding emission standards.
General Motors CEO Mary Barra, who was not expected to be at the White House event, said earlier Wednesday that GM would continue improving fuel efficiency even if the mileage rules are rolled back. Speaking from the New York Times’ Dealbook conference in New York, Barra added that GMwould also continue to invest in electric vehicles.
No matter what changes are made to fuel-efficient rules, here’s why Americans will likely shell out more for a new car next year.
Falling interest rates
Car buyers often shop based on their anticipated monthly payment, with 80% of car sales financed, according to Experian.
Nearly a fifth of new cars now have monthly payments of $1,000 or more, Experian said, a result of a 30% increase in car prices and sharply higher interest rates since October 2019.
If the Federal Reserve keeps cutting interest rates, buys could face less in interest costs. But, perversely, that could give dealers room to increase their prices, keeping total monthly payments the same or even higher. (Anyone who’s ever bought a car likely knows the negotiating process at the dealership that ultimately determines how much a car costs.)
“Most consumers do shop by a monthly payment,” said Keating. “So I think that the monthly payment is far more impactful than anyone is giving it credit for. While affordability will still be an issue, they may feel a lot better about that monthly payment as rates go down.”
Wealthier households have also prospered in the K-shaped economy, in which higher- and lower-income households see diverging fortunes.
Stock market gains, fatter paychecks, rising home prices and anticipated tax refunds from Trump’s massive domestic policy bill could all fuel demand from richer buyers, driving sales of costlier models and pushing up average prices overall.
“This is why we believe the spring selling season is likely to be better than it’s been in typical years,” said Keating.
Different cars, different prices
The end of the electric vehicle buyer tax credit in Trump’s tax and spending bill in July got a lot of attention. But the bill also quietly removed financial penalties for automakers that exceed emission regulations.
That means automakers now have greater freedom to concentrate on sales of larger, more profitable pickup trucks and SUVs – which also happen to be more expensive, again lifting average car prices in general.
Automakers have so far been reluctant to raise car prices too much and risk angering Trump, as well as potentially losing buyers to rivals.
But the average sticker price, after rising less than 3% compared to a year earlier in all but one month through August, rose about 4% in September and October, according to Edmunds. That’s because the model-year 2026 vehicles are hitting the lots, typically with higher sticker prices. Those newer models will make up an increasing share of sales going into next year as the remaining 2025 model-year vehicles are cleared out.
Could prices drop?
But there’s at least one scenario in which prices could fall – although it might be worse than higher price tags.
If the job market softens further and people increasingly lose their jobs, the bottom can fall out of the demand. Sales plunged thanks to the job losses of the Great Recession, with General Motors and Chrysler ending up with bankruptcies and federal bailouts.
No one is predicting anything that catastrophic this time. But job losses and a recession would be one very painful way to keep prices in check.
“I don’t think the headwinds predict that much of a fall,” said Keating. “I don’t think it’s waving warning flags just yet that say, ‘Hey, we’re in for a big dip.’”
– CNN’s Alayna Treene and Alejandra Jaramillo contributed to this report.
This week, Washington lawmakers will gather in Olympia for their annual “committee days,” a crucial precursor to the 2026 legislative session set to commence on January 12. The state faces a significant budget shortfall that is expected to be a central topic of discussion during the upcoming 60-day session. Additional pressing issues on the agenda include the impact of data centers, vaccine safety, bridge damages from truck collisions, and the state’s increasing legal payouts.
Both chambers of the legislature will convene simultaneously, providing a glimpse into the dynamics of policy debates that will unfold next year. The session begins with seven joint committee meetings on Wednesday, December 3, followed by individual committee sessions in both the House and Senate starting at 8 a.m. on Thursday and Friday.
A key focus on Wednesday will be the rising prominence of data centers, with the Joint Committee on Energy Supply, Energy Conservation, and Energy Resilience set to convene at 1:30 p.m. Here, lawmakers will review recommendations from a data center work group established by Governor Bob Ferguson. The group’s report, which addresses the substantial electricity consumption of data centers—especially as artificial intelligence technology proliferates—was due to the governor by December 1.
Later in the day, the Joint Select Committee on Health Care and Behavioral Health Oversight will address health insurance costs and vaccine safety at 3 p.m. The discussions on Thursday will be primarily budget-focused, particularly concerning a projected $16 billion shortfall over the next four years. This year, Democratic lawmakers implemented billions in new taxes and spending cuts to tackle this deficit.
A significant topic of debate will be the new business tax enacted on October 1, discussed during the House Finance Committee meeting at 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Senate Bill 5814 introduces sales taxes on various services, expected to generate $1.1 billion for the two-year budget that began on July 1. Rep. April Berg, the committee chair, has indicated that the law requires adjustments to clarify tax collection responsibilities.
Thursday’s meetings will also see discussions on operating and transportation expenditures in four different budget committees at 4 p.m. The Senate Ways and Means Committee will focus on future tax collections, increasing lawsuit payouts, and state pension issues. Concurrently, the House Appropriations Committee will evaluate the state’s budget outlook and updates on federal funding and Washington’s juvenile rehabilitation system.
Transportation issues will also be front and center, with both the Senate and House transportation committees examining highway maintenance and preservation. The Senate Transportation Committee will dedicate an hour to this topic, while the House Transportation Committee will receive briefings on how the Washington State Department of Transportation is addressing bridges damaged by truck accidents, along with updates on the multi-billion-dollar electrification program for Washington State Ferries. For more details on the full schedule and agendas, visit the Legislature’s website where all meetings will be livestreamed on TVW.
(Trice Edney Wire) – Consumers love a sale. We love the little red tag, the “limited time only,” the breathless “50% OFF!” that promises we’re getting over on somebody. At this time of year, the sales signs practically scream at us, and we rush to stores convinced we’ve won a battle against high prices. But here’s the truth retailers hope you never pause long enough to consider: If a store can slash a price by half and still make money, were you ever getting a real deal?
That’s the mystery of the markdown. And once you pull back the curtain, the mystery dissolves into a simple equation: the retailer is not losing money—far from it.
Let’s start with the math. Most consumers imagine that when they buy a $100 sweater, somewhere in Bangladesh a worker made it for $60 or $70, and the retailer added a modest markup. Not! That $100 item cost the retailer between $20 and $40, or even less if it’s fast fashion.
What happens when the store announces “50% off”? That $100 sweater becomes $50 at the register. Sounds like a steal, right? But if the retailer paid $30 for it, they’re still pocketing $20 in profit. That’s a 40% margin, even after the dramatic price “cut”. No pain. No loss. Just business.
The “deal” is not on the clothes. The “deal” is on your behavior.
Retailers understand psychology even better than economics. They know the dopamine hit of thinking we beat the system. They know the urgency of a ticking clock. They know we walk in for “one thing” and walk out with a cart. Savings is the bait; profit is the switch.
We’ve all nipped at the bait. I’ve driven dozens of miles to a mall for a sale. I’ve stood in line for a half-off of designer clothing. I’ve bought junque that I did not need because it was “on sale”. That was a lifetime ago. These days I shop in my overflowing closet. I tell myself I will never need a new item of clothing again. Kind of. I can’t tell you when I last bought “new stuff”. But I confess that when faced with the possibility of a high visibility event, I called my favorite “Black girl” store (Katula in LA) to ask them to send me pics of something fabulous. Regaining good sense, I called hours later to say, “never mind”, I got this
Bait and switch. Even the so-called “regular price” is a fiction. In many states, a retailer can raise a price for a few weeks, then proclaim a markdown that feels massive but is meaningless. Those “compare at $149!” stickers? Often invented numbers. Those “before and after” tags? Carefully engineered illusions.
The real misery behind the markdown isn’t felt by the retailer or the bargain-seeker. It’s borne by the workers whose low wages make the whole system possible. By the warehouse crews who don’t see their families during the holidays. By the delivery drivers forced into sixteen-hour shifts. By the sales associates who smile through exhaustion for $15 an hour—if that.
This entire ecosystem of discount culture is built on someone else being discounted.
Retailers have gotten more sophisticated, not less. Today’s “sales” are algorithmically timed, psychologically targeted, and strategically priced. Businesses know exactly how much inventory they can move at each price point, and they build markdowns into their annual plan. The sale is not a surprise—it’s the strategy.
A retailer might lose money on one “doorbuster” TV, but that’s a deliberate sacrifice to lure you into a store filled with 200% markups. You came for the deal; you stay for the illusion. And you leave thinking you’ve triumphed, not realizing you’ve played the part retailers wrote for you.
So as the holiday season barrels toward us, and as communities—especially Black communities—are bombarded with pressure to buy, buy, buy, it’s worth asking: What do we really gain from chasing sales that were never sales in the first place?
For many of us, the cost isn’t just financial; it’s emotional. We feel guilty when we don’t spend. We feel inadequate when we can’t gift lavishly. And too often, we sacrifice long-term financial well-being for short-term “joy” engineered by an industry built on extraction. It’s called predatory capitalism.
The markdown is not serving you or your family, not serving the workers whose bodies absorb the true cost of America’s bargain culture.
The retailer isn’t slashing their profits. They’re slashing your perception.
Why do we keep celebrating the privilege of being played?
This year let’s refuse the hustle. Let’s stop applauding fake generosity. Let’s protect our wallets, our dignity, and our sanity.
The markdown isn’t a gift. It’s a business model. It only works if we keep falling for it.
Dr. Julianne Malveaux is a DC based economist and author. Reach her at juliannemalveux.com or subscribe to her newsletter at malveauxnewsletter@gmail.com
Pictured (L-R): Nimco Bulale, Cherryl Jackson-Williams, and Rhonda Lewis.
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay has transmitted the names of three nominees to fill the vacant District 2 seat on the King County Council, a position he vacated on Nov. 25 when he was sworn in as Executive.
The nominees are District 2 residents Nimco Bulale, Cherryl Jackson-Williams and Rhonda Lewis. Each brings a long-standing record of service to families, youth, small businesses and neighborhoods throughout the district. Zahilay said their experience reflects the deep community roots he prioritized in selecting candidates.
All three nominees are Black women. The person selected will become the first Black woman ever to serve on the King County Council. The appointment will also result in the first majority-woman Council in the county’s history.
This marks Zahilay’s first official transmittal to the Council in his new role as Executive. He is scheduled to transmit his appointments to the Sound Transit Board tomorrow.
From the outset, Zahilay promised to nominate only candidates who committed to serving in an interim, or caretaker, capacity and would not run for the seat in the 2026 election. All three nominees have agreed not to seek the full term, allowing District 2 voters to choose their next councilmember in an open race.
“Nominating possible replacements for my King County Council seat is one of the most important actions I will take in my first month in office, and I am proud to nominate Cherryl Jackson-Williams, Nimco Bulale and Rhonda Lewis,” said Zahilay. “I know that any of the three will continue the important work of representing and fighting for District 2 residents on the King County Council. While any of these three nominees will make history if they are appointed, the most important qualification they bring is their deep experience as community leaders in our region. I look forward to welcoming whomever the King County Council chooses as our newest colleague for 2026, and look forward to a true open seat race next year where voters will choose the permanent office holder.”
“I am grateful to work in partnership with Executive Zahilay to fill the vacancy in Council District 2, ensuring a peaceful transition of power and representation for District 2 residents until they elect their new councilmember in the fall,” said King County Council Chair Sarah Perry. “I look forward to interviewing these excellent candidates, and making an appointment, during our Council Meeting on December 9th. With the selection of our new colleague, I will be honored to be a participant on the first ever majority woman King County Council.”
Zahilay was first elected to the District 2 seat in 2019 and reelected in 2023. This term is shortened to three years under the county’s shift to even-year election cycles. The appointment will last until certification of the 2026 election results, when the elected councilmember will begin a full four-year term.
Here is a closer look at the nominees:
Nimco Bulale brings more than 15 years of experience in policy advocacy, community engagement and coalition building. Born in Somalia and raised in Seattle and South King County, she currently serves as Senior Program Officer at Seattle Foundation for Community Programs and the Neighbor to Neighbor Grant Program, supporting grassroots organizing across South Seattle and South King County. She previously founded South Sound Strategies, a consulting firm assisting grassroots organizations. Bulale holds a bachelor’s degree in international studies from the University of Washington and a master’s in public administration from Seattle University.
Cherryl Jackson-Williams is a longtime community leader focused on unincorporated areas of the county, with more than 30 years of experience in behavioral health, social and human services, and family and community engagement. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from the University of Tulsa and a master’s in counseling psychology from the New College of California. Her career has emphasized building partnerships among youth, families, government, nonprofits and private-sector partners to support community-driven change.
Rhonda Lewis has held senior roles in both city and county government. As City Administrator of Tukwila, she expanded services for children, families and seniors and established the city’s Office of Human Services. At King County, she served as Chief of Operations under former Executive Dow Constantine and later as Equity and Social Justice Director for Public Health Seattle-King County. Most recently, she served as Chief of Staff to Zahilay in the District 2 office. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business education and an MBA from the University of Central Oklahoma and completed the Harvard Kennedy School’s Women in Power Intensive program.
The King County Council will make the appointment at its meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9.
A morning view of the downtown skyline in December 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images via CNN Newsource)
A morning view of the downtown skyline in December 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images via CNN Newsource)
By Holmes Lybrand, Chris Boyette, CNN
(CNN) — A new Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, will target undocumented Somali immigrants, a federal official told CNN on Tuesday, as the president has ramped up attacks against the community in recent days.
The New York Times, which cited documents and an official who spoke anonymously, was first to report the operation in Minneapolis.
The latest federal immigration effort comes as President Donald Trump ended his Cabinet meeting on Tuesday by asserting he does not want Somali immigrants in the United States. He referred to the community and Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Somali immigrant, as “garbage” who should “go back to where they came from.”
“I don’t want them in our country,” he said. “Their country is no good for a reason. Their country stinks, and we don’t want them in our country.”
The president’s remarks represent an escalation of his attacks against Somalis, particularly in Minneapolis. He has repeatedly singled out Somalis since last week’s shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, DC, even though the alleged shooter is an Afghan who had nothing to do with Somalia.
Somalia is one of 19 countries included in Trump’s sweeping travel ban, which imposes full or partial restrictions. Many of the countries on the list are either failed states or under repressive rule, and some are governed by groups that took control after years of US involvement, CNN has reported. Trump has described Somalia as a country that has “no laws, no water, no military, no nothing.”
The president’s hostile rhetoric toward Somali refugees and Rep. Omar stretches back years. Since his first term, he has zeroed in on the Minnesota’s Somali population to tout his agenda to crack down on immigration.
In a statement, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the agency does “not discuss future or potential operations.”
Leaders of the Twin Cities called a news conference Tuesday to respond to reports of the new ICE operation in the area, saying they were not given advance notice or information about the plan.
“To our Somali community, we love you and we stand with you,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said. “Minneapolis is proud to be home to the largest Somali community in the entire country.” Frey confirmed Minneapolis police would not participate in immigration enforcement operations.
Similarly, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said “The last thing we need is federal agents coming in town to create chaos and challenge for us.” Both mayors reiterated their citizens have rights and touted immigration legal resources available to the community.
Minneapolis City Council member Jamal Osman, a Somali immigrant who represents many migrants in his district, said his community “has lived through fear in the past, and we are not going to let that divide us.”
“I know many families are fearful tonight, but I want you to know that city, Minneapolis stands behind you,” Osman said at the news conference.
In response to the Times’ report, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, called the proposed operation a “PR stunt.”
“We welcome support in investigating and prosecuting crime,” Walz posted on X. “But pulling a PR stunt and indiscriminately targeting immigrants is not a real solution to a problem.”
This story has been updated with new developments.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum is among the top athletes recently plagued by Achilles injuries. Here, he's assisted off the court in May during the NBA playoffs. (Elsa/Getty Images via CNN Newsource)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum is among the top athletes recently plagued by Achilles injuries. Here, he’s assisted off the court in May during the NBA playoffs. (Elsa/Getty Images via CNN Newsource)
By Matt Villano,CNN
(CNN) — In the middle of an intense workout, Kristina Lazzaro stepped back and heard a sound like a cork coming out of a bottle of champagne.
The 35-year-old Buffalo, New York, resident was doing a partner workout at her local gym, pushing herself to finish strong on a shuttle run in which runners sprint from one line to another and back.
Lazzaro exploded off the first line. Arms pumping, she dashed 10 yards across the gym to the other line. As she put her foot down to pivot, she heard a popping sound and crumpled to the floor — unable to move her foot at all.
“I ended up on the ground, and I didn’t know how I got there,” she said. “There was no warning, no symptoms, and nothing that suggested something like this could happen.”
Lazzaro later learned she had ruptured her Achilles tendon — a part of the body named after a famous character of Greek legend. It’s a brutal injury with recovery time that can last up to a year. She sustained the injury on February 6, and she’s still undergoing physical therapy.
It seems Achilles injuries are plaguing ordinary fitness buffs and some of the world’s best athletes these days. Actor Sterling K. Brown showed up to this year’s Emmy Awards on a knee scooter after shredding one of his. Achilles ruptures also decimated the 2025 NBA playoffs, befalling stars such as Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and then-Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard, who now plays for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Recent data suggests the injury is rare — about two cases for every 100,000 people who checked into US emergency departments between 2001 and 2020, according to an August study — but podiatrists and orthopedists said they’ve seen a significant uptick in the number of cases in the last few years, especially among people 40 and older.
This increase troubles Dr. Priya Parthasarathy, a podiatrist in Silver Spring, Maryland.
“We’re seeing more and more of these because greater numbers of older people are demanding explosive-style workouts,” she said. “With the Achilles, it’s all about gradual load. Anything else could be dangerous.”
The tendon that’s the stuff of myths
The calcaneal tendon was named the Achilles in 1693 by Flemish anatomist Philip Verheyen as a reference to the mythological Greek hero, whose only vulnerable spot was his heel. It is the longest and strongest tendon in the body. From a physiological perspective, it connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. Biomechanically, the tendon can withstand forces up to four times a person’s body weight.
The Mayo Clinic notesthat the tendon is critical because it allows for plantar flexion of our feet, the ability to point toes downward. Plantar flexionmakes it an essential part of our ability to walk, run and jump, according to Dr. Michael Alaia, a professor in the department of orthopedic surgery at New York University Grossman School of Medicine.
“You can’t really move around without engaging your Achilles,” he said. “Anything where you start and stop rapidly, or even when you’re coming down from a jump, the Achilles will feel some stress.”
As a result, the tendon is in constant use, which, according to the Cleveland Clinic, means it can naturally weaken over time.
Recent research indicates such degeneration can be a huge factor in Achilles ruptures. As people age, their tendons lose elasticity and become brittle, creating a situation in which the wrong move at the wrong time can lead to catastrophe.
Men between the ages of 35 and 50 are particularly susceptible, Alaia noted.
Other conditions make the Achilles more prone to rupture as well.
A 2024 studyin the Journal of Sport and Health Science suggested that the certain antibiotics in the fluoroquinolone class — such as ciprofloxacin — carry a “black box” warning from the US Food and Drug Administration for tendon problems, including Achilles tendon rupture, especially in older patients or those who take steroid medications.
Add to the mix other factors such as obesity, poor conditioning and exercise overload on the part of “weekend warriors” who work out hard on Saturdays and Sundays, and the risks of rupture multiply exponentially.
How to minimize risk
Unfortunately, especially if you’re in the 35- to 50-year-old demographic, there’s nothing you can do to prevent an Achilles tear.
Still, the best way to avoid one is to minimize the risk. According to Alaia, you should stretch before activity, listen to your body, allow for time to rest between workouts, keep yourself hydrated, get good sleep and abstain from smoking cigarettes.
Parthasarathy added it’s also important to invest in good shoes, gradually increase the intensity of workouts and strengthen the muscles around the Achilles to relieve some of the load that the tendon typically carries. To strengthen those muscles,she recommends using a balance board, or participating in regular yoga classes.
“Anything you can do to slow down is going to put you at less of a risk,” Parthasarathy said. “The very last thing you want to hear in a workout is that pop.”
The dreaded step back
Perhaps the most common trigger for an Achilles tear is the so-called explosive movement. On the basketball court, it could be as simple as a sudden change in direction. On pickleball or tennis courts, it could arise from moving suddenly to return a smash.
Doctors agree that the most dangerous motion for an Achilles is the step back.
Often, according to Parthasarathy, this move puts incredible pressure on the Achilles in the leg that’s dropping back — pressure that could snap the tendon if it is compromised in any way.
This movement is precisely what spelled doom for professional hoopsters Lillard, Tatum and Haliburton this year. NFL fans might remember that the step back is what felled quarterback Aaron Rodgers four snaps into his debut for the New York Jets in 2023.
It’s also what left Lazzaro collapsed on her gym floor.
Sometimes, however, other seemingly innocuous motions can trigger a serious Achilles rupture.
In the spring, Kevin Mullins, 40, of Boston played in an alumni lacrosse game in Maine. No more than 10 minutes into the action, the former Bowdoin College athlete was running down the field at about 50% speed, and his Achilles gave out. One second, he was fine. A second later, he felt like someone had shot a ball at his calf and he couldn’t move.
“It was the craziest thing because there was absolutely no pain,” Mullins said. “I was aware that more people have been getting this injury. I just never thought it would happen to me.”
It’s a long road to recovery
Doctors diagnose a torn Achilles with the help of something called the Thompson Test. Patients lie face down with their feet dangling over the edge of the examination table. Doctors then squeeze the calf muscle of the injured leg.
In healthy legs — those with an intact Achilles — a squeeze of the calf will trigger plantar flexion, and the toes will point downward. In legs with a ruptured Achilles, a squeeze of the calf will do nothing.
“The Thompson Test makes it pretty obvious” that someone has ruptured their Achilles, Alaia said, noting that some doctors will use an ultrasound machine or get an MRI before an official diagnosis.
There are two main treatments once a rupture has been confirmed: surgical and nonsurgical intervention. To determine which option to recommend, doctors typically will consider whether the tear is full or partial, and what sort of fitness level the patient seeks to regain once the injury has healed.
Frequently, surgery is offered to repair full tears in patients who wish to return to competitive sports. A 2024 meta-analysis in the journal Frontiers in Surgery indicated that the benefits of surgery are simple: Repaired tendons are stronger, they reruptureless frequently, and they allow for a quicker return to sports. However, a 2023 study in the Canadian Journal of Surgery suggested that nonsurgical options can have encouraging results, too, despite a longer road to recovery and a slightly higher rerupture rate.
Months of rehab
However a patient decides to treat an Achilles rupture, two things are certain: no driving for at least a month after the injury (additional time if it’s the right Achilles) and lots of rehab.
Most patients start their recovery in a cast to immobilize the tendon and give it time to heal. Past protocols required immobilization for months; research suggests that the introduction of light weight-bearing activity around the third week after injury can slow the development of scar tissue and accelerate the healing process.
Rehab philosophies differ widely from there.
Most doctors prescribe several weeks in a walking boot, followed by slow and steady physical therapy that starts with gentle stretches and eventually moves into restriction-free, weight-bearing exercise.
Others, such as Dr. Chris Smith, a doctor of physical therapy in West Islip, New York, take a more aggressive approach.
Frustrated by the methods of most rehab programs, Smith launched the Achilles Rebuild, a program that aims to get people comfortable and confident with getting back to exercise as soon as possible. Smith works with clients virtually; he has weekly consultations with them and sends them lists of exercises to do.
“The traditional approach to rehab is protocol-based — they’re making decisions based on a timeline they have for everyone,” he said. “The truth is that every person recovers differently. Building a program around performance metrics is much more sensible.”
