If you’re new here, welcome. The last time I ran a Black Monday Briefi, this list went out to about half as many people as it’s going to today. Since then, the audience has quietly doubled, which means a lot more eyes on the stories the big outlets treat like background noise. So let me say what this is: Black Monday Briefing is a weekly sweep of the Friday news dump and the weekend undercoverage, focused on what materially hits Black communities, Black LGBTQ folks, and the wider Black diaspora.
You’ll notice the tone inside the briefing is almost clinical: timestamps, agencies, dollar amounts, rulings. That’s on purpose. But it wasn’t how it felt writing it. Underneath the monotone, there was grief at the names that only show up in local crime blotters, a low hum of anxiety about what happens if we stop paying attention, and, honestly, a lot of gratitude that there are now enough of you here to make this work feel less like yelling into the void.
One more thing before we dive in: the volume can look overwhelming at first glance. It’s meant to be skimmable, not “homework.” Scan the headlines, pick the two or three that tug at you today, and let the rest be a reference you can come back to later in the week. Think of this less as a single read and more as a small archive of “stuff they hoped you’d miss” that’s here when you have the bandwidth.
BLACK MONDAY BRIEFING — Friday Dump (official sources, late Friday)
1️⃣ DOJ, Ed, HHS Settle with Northwestern University – Washington, D.C. (Fri, Nov. 28, 2025, 5:00 pm ET) – The Justice Department, joined by the Departments of Education and Health & Human Services, reached a $75 million civil rights settlement with Northwestern University . The deal closes federal probes into alleged race-based admissions and campus antisemitism. Northwestern agreed to end race-conscious preferences in admissions and hiring, implement mandatory antisemitism training, and certify compliance quarterly under penalty of perjury .
Why It Matters: Critics say the Trump administration’s crackdown on affirmative action will reduce Black student enrollment and curtail diversity programs at major universities. (Ignored) — DOJ Press Release
2️⃣ EPA Withdraws Coal Plant Waste Delay – Washington, D.C. (nationwide — Fri, Nov. 28, 2025, 4:45 pm ET) – The Environmental Protection Agency abruptly withdrew an October rule extension that would have given steam-electric power plants more time to meet wastewater limits . Facing public objections, EPA rescinded the extension before it took effect, leaving in place the earlier compliance deadline. The effluent guidelines in question limit toxic coal ash metals discharged to waterways .
Why It Matters: Many Black communities live near aging coal plants and coal ash ponds. By nixing a delay in pollution controls, EPA’s reversal may speed up water quality improvements in long-neglected environmental justice areas. (Ignored) — Federal Register
3️⃣ Consumer Bureau Enforcement Collapses – Washington, D.C. (Fri, Nov. 21, 2025, 12:00 am ET) – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau notified DOJ that it will transfer all remaining enforcement cases due to its budget crisis . The White House’s refusal to fund CFPB has exhausted the agency’s funds after Dec. 31 . The once-vigorous consumer watchdog dropped most investigations earlier this year and now plans to furlough staff and let DOJ handle any open lawsuits .
Why It Matters: The near-shutdown of CFPB leaves Black consumers more exposed to predatory lending, credit abuses, and scams. Community advocates warn the loss of this Obama-era agency “protecting consumers” will hurt Black households disproportionately . (Downplayed) — Reuters
4️⃣ FDA Scraps New Talc-Asbestos Testing Rule – Silver Spring, MD (Fri, Nov. 28, 2025, 8:30 am ET) – Citing technical complexities, the Food and Drug Administration withdrew a proposed rule that would have mandated standardized tests for asbestos in talc-based cosmetics . The proposal—required by a 2022 cosmetics law—drew only 49 public comments but raised questions about scope and legal authority . FDA says it will rethink how best to detect any asbestos in talc products .
Why It Matters: Talc powders have been marketed heavily to Black women, and undetected asbestos contamination has been linked to cancer. Delaying strict testing standards could leave Black consumers at risk from hazardous cosmetic products longer. (Ignored) — FDA Notice
5️⃣ USDA Expands Crop Insurance Access – Kansas City, MO (Fri, Nov. 28, 2025, 3:00 pm ET) – The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation issued a sweeping final rule “Expanding Access to Risk Protection” (EARP) effective with the 2026 crop year . The rule implements the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s directives to update and simplify federal crop insurance programs . Changes include clarifying how harvest prices are set and adjusting insurance options to better serve small and underserved farmers .
Why It Matters: Black farmers, who have long faced barriers in crop insurance, could benefit from more inclusive and affordable coverage. The rule’s streamlining aims to help historically disadvantaged producers safeguard their crops and livelihoods in the face of climate risks. (Ignored) — Federal Register
Here’s where I pause and ask for something. That anger I talked about up top, the feeling of watching our stories get shuffled to the bottom of the homepage while nonsense trends is exactly why this Briefing exists, and why it takes so much time to do right. If you’ve felt that same mix of rage, dread, and weird relief reading through these first five items, and you’re in a position to do it, I’m asking you to step over the line and become a paid subscriber.
Every paid slot is a few more hours I can spend pulling receipts like this instead of chasing something safer or more lucrative, and it keeps these rundowns free for the folks who can’t afford it but still need to know what’s being done in their name.
6️⃣ DHS Ends TPS for Haitians – (nationwide — Fri, Nov. 28, 2025, 6:00 pm ET) – The Department of Homeland Security quietly announced the termination of Haiti’s Temporary Protected Status effective Feb. 3, 2026 . DHS Secretary Kristi Noem determined Haiti “no longer meets the conditions” for TPS despite ongoing gang violence and instability . After that date, an estimated 330,000 Haitian nationals in the U.S. will lose protection from deportation .
Why It Matters: Advocates decry the move as premature and “dangerous” , warning it will uproot Black Haitian families and send them back to a humanitarian crisis. The decision fuels fear in Haitian-American communities already reeling from immigration crackdowns. (Downplayed) — Federal Register
7️⃣ Medicare Cuts Home Health Funds – Baltimore, MD (Fri, Nov. 28, 2025, 5:15 pm ET) – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services finalized its 2026 payment rule for home health agencies, reducing Medicare reimbursements by 1.3% overall . The rule implements a $220 million net cut next year by adjusting complex payment formulas and phase-outs of temporary add-ons . CMS says the changes follow statutory requirements and updated utilization data .
Why It Matters: Black seniors and people with disabilities rely heavily on home health services to age in place. Advocates fear lower payments could lead agencies to limit visits or close in underserved Black neighborhoods, worsening health inequities for homebound patients. (Ignored) — CMS Fact Sheet
8️⃣ Patent Office Nixes AI Inventor Guidance – Alexandria, VA (Fri, Nov. 28, 2025, 9:00 am ET) – The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office rescinded a Trump-era guidance on patenting inventions made with artificial intelligence . The USPTO’s new policy makes clear that only “natural persons” can be named as inventors, aligning with court rulings that AI systems cannot hold inventorship . It withdraws a February guidance that had tried to adapt joint-inventor tests for AI-assisted inventions .
Why It Matters: The reversal removes ambiguity around patent rights on AI-driven innovations. While meant to uphold the law, some Black tech entrepreneurs worry this could undervalue contributions of algorithmic tools often created by diverse teams—and complicate patent strategies for minority-led startups using AI. (Ignored) — USPTO Bulletin
9️⃣ Trump Halts Asylum Decisions Nationwide – Washington, D.C. (Fri, Nov. 29, 2025, 2:00 pm ET) – The Trump administration abruptly paused all asylum case adjudications in the wake of a deadly shooting by an Afghan parolee in D.C. . The White House ordered immigration courts and USCIS to suspend new asylum approvals “until further notice” pending enhanced vetting measures . The directive came via an evening memo on Black Friday with immediate effect.
Why It Matters: The blanket asylum freeze has stranded thousands of Black migrants from Africa and the Caribbean who are seeking refuge. Advocacy groups say using one incident to shut down asylum “punishes persecuted people of color” and undermines U.S. commitments to humanitarian protection. (Downplayed) — ABC News
🔟 FDIC Delays Digital Deposit Insurance Signs – (nationwide — Fri, Nov. 28, 2025, 4:00 pm ET) – The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. extended the deadline for banks to deploy new FDIC signage in online and mobile channels . A final rule published on Black Friday postpones the compliance date for displaying FDIC’s official digital insurance logo on websites and ATMs from May 2025 to March 1, 2026 . The agency cited industry feedback about implementation challenges .
Why It Matters: The move gives banks extra time, but consumer advocates note that clear FDIC insurance signage is crucial to prevent scams. The delay means Black depositors—many of whom are first-time online banking users—must wait longer for consistent cues that their money is safe, potentially leaving them more vulnerable to misrepresentation . (Ignored) — Federal Register
Section A — Sources (plain-text links, numbered 1–10)
1. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/united-states-announces-agreement-northwestern-university
2. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/11/28/2025-21426
3. https://www.reuters.com/world/us-consumer-watchdog-seeks-transfer-cases-doj-citing-funding-sources-say-2025-11-20/
4. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-11-28/pdf/2025-21407.pdf
5. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/11/28/2025-21482
6. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/11/28/2025-21379
7. https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/calendar-year-cy-2026-home-health-prospective-payment-system-final-rule-cms-1828-f
8. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/11/28/2025-21457
9. https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-admin-announces-pause-asylum-decisions-after-national/story?id=127799340
10. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/03/11/2025-03790/fdic-official-signs-and-advertising-requirements-false-advertising-misrepresentation-of-insured
WEEKEND UNDERCOVERED (Black impact) — 25 items
1️⃣ Hundreds of Books Purged in Florida Schools – Tallahassee, FL (nationwide — Sun, Nov. 30, 2025, 8:00 am ET) – Florida’s education department released data showing roughly 400 books “removed or discontinued” from school libraries statewide in the last school year . Beloved classics by Toni Morrison and popular titles on race or LGBTQ themes were among those pulled . Florida leads the nation in school book bans, fueled by new laws allowing parental challenges .
Why It Matters: These book purges hit Black students hard by stripping shelves of African-American history and literature . Advocates say Florida’s censorship drive, now normalized under Trump, is erasing voices of color and depriving Black youth of mirrors in their education. (Downplayed) — Associated Press
2️⃣ Iowa Families Sue Over ‘Sex Act’ Book Ban – Des Moines, IA (Fri, Nov. 29, 2025, 6:13 am ET) – Seven Iowa students and their families filed a federal lawsuit challenging Iowa’s new law that bans any school library book depicting a sex act . Backed by the ACLU, the plaintiffs argue the law’s sweeping ban – which even forced removal of the Bible’s Song of Solomon – violates their First Amendment rights . Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds defends the ban as protecting kids from “pornography” .
Why It Matters: The banned books disproportionately include stories by Black and LGBTQ authors. Iowa’s ban, part of a wave of Trump-era school censorship, is silencing diverse perspectives and leaving Black students with less access to culturally relevant reading . (Local-only) — KTVZ (AP)
3️⃣ Mass Firings After Charlie Kirk’s Assassination – (nationwide — Sun, Nov. 30, 2025, 4:00 pm ET) – Two months after right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk was assassinated, more than 600 Americans have been fired, suspended, or disciplined for social media comments about his death . A Reuters investigation found public employees – including dozens of Black educators – lost jobs for posts deemed celebratory or critical of Kirk . Republican officials publicly pressured schools and agencies to purge staff over “hateful” remarks .
Why It Matters: Civil rights groups call this crackdown an unprecedented attack on free speech that is chilling Black public employees from speaking on social issues . The mass firings, largely ignored by national media, highlight the Trump administration’s willingness to silence dissent, disproportionately impacting outspoken Black teachers and professionals. (Downplayed) — Reuters
4️⃣ Iowa Attorney Fired for Kirk Post Fights Back – Des Moines, IA (Tue, Nov. 25, 2025, 5:10 pm ET) – A former Iowa public defender sued the state, alleging she was fired for a private Facebook comment after Charlie Kirk’s death . Maria Ruhtenberg’s lawsuit says she was terminated within hours of posting “Live by the sword, die by the sword” about Kirk’s shooting . An administrative judge later ordered her reinstated, finding the firing unjustified . The state, however, has not rehired her and moved to quash free-speech protections for employees commenting on Kirk .
Why It Matters: Ruhtenberg is among several public employees in Republican-led states purged over Kirk-related speech. Her case underscores how Trump-aligned officials are retaliating against Black civil servants for online opinions, raising “repugnant” echoes of McCarthy-era political repression . (Local-only) — Iowa Capital Dispatch
5️⃣ Haitian TPS Repeal Spurs Outrage – (nationwide — Sat, Nov. 29, 2025, 1:00 pm ET) – The Haitian Bridge Alliance condemned the Trump administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status for Haiti as “dangerous [and] premature” . The nonprofit warns that forcing 300,000 Haitians to return to a country crippled by gang violence will put lives at risk . South Florida elected officials and diaspora groups spent the weekend scrambling to advise families on legal options ahead of the Feb. 2026 termination date.
Why It Matters: TPS has been a lifeline for Black Haitian immigrants after disasters. Advocates say ending it now—despite Haiti’s chaos—reflects the Trump administration’s hard line on Black migrants, tearing apart families and destabilizing Haitian-American communities. (Downplayed) — Haitian Bridge Alliance
6️⃣ Green Card Clampdown Targets Africans – (nationwide — Sun, Nov. 30, 2025, 10:00 am ET) – African immigrants face new uncertainty after President Trump ordered a “rigorous re-examination” of all green cards issued to nationals of 19 “countries of concern,” 10 of which are African . The immediate review, triggered by a security incident, gives immigration officers broad discretion to delay or revoke permanent residencies for immigrants from countries like Chad, Eritrea, Nigeria, and Sudan . African governments called the move a diplomatic setback, as skilled workers now fear losing status.
Why It Matters: The policy is sowing panic across African diaspora communities. Black African professionals who have built lives in the U.S. worry Trump’s sweeping vetting mandate will strand families and reinforce stereotypes that African nations are hotbeds of fraud or terror . (Ignored) — Vanguard (Nigeria)
7️⃣ Trump Bans Travel from 7 African Nations – Lomé, Togo (Mon, Jun. 9, 2025, 7:00 am ET) – The Trump administration’s new Africa Travel Ban took effect, prohibiting entry of most nationals from Chad, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea and Republic of Congo . Three more countries – Burundi, Sierra Leone, and Togo – face partial visa restrictions under the order . The White House claims the listed countries lack “proper vetting” and pose security risks , but African leaders blast the policy as discriminatory.
Why It Matters: The ban is derailing educational and job opportunities for countless Black Africans . Alumni of U.S. exchange programs and young professionals in nations like Togo see their “El Dorado” hopes dashed . Advocates note the ban perpetuates racist tropes and could isolate Africa’s talent from the U.S., harming development and diplomacy. (Ignored) — The Guardian
8️⃣ Planned 3.5% Tax on Remittances Alarms Diaspora – Nairobi, Kenya (Sat, Jun. 7, 2025, 8:00 am EAT) – Buried in the Trump administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a 3.5% tax on remittances sent abroad . African economists warn the levy – if passed – would siphon billions from developing countries. Remittances comprise over 5% of GDP for nations like Somalia and Liberia. “This could severely dent our economy,” said a Nigerian official, noting diaspora funds are lifelines for many families . The proposal has gotten little U.S. press attention.
Why It Matters: Such a tax squarely targets immigrant workers (many Black and brown) supporting loved ones back home. For African diaspora communities in the U.S., a remittance fee is seen as a punitive “wealth grab” that will deepen poverty in Africa and strain Black immigrant households trying to build generational wealth via transnational support networks. (Ignored) — The Guardian
9️⃣ Black Gullah Families Fight for Ancestral Land – Harris Neck, GA (Sat, Nov. 29, 2025, 12:00 pm ET) – Descendants of a Gullah Geechee community uprooted from coastal Georgia in 1942 are renewing their push for the federal government to return their homeland . The Harris Neck families, evicted for a WWII airfield, have spent nearly 50 years petitioning for 500 acres to rebuild a self-sustaining Black community . A new advocacy group is educating the public with tours and demanding Congress grant the land instead of leaving it as a wildlife refuge.
Why It Matters: The Harris Neck struggle highlights enduring Black land dispossession. The Gullah descendants’ fight to reclaim property stolen generations ago mirrors larger movements for reparations and Black land restoration – a story largely missing from mainstream coverage of public lands . (Ignored) — The Guardian
1️⃣0️⃣ New York’s ‘Little Africa’ History Project – Jamestown, NY (Sat, Nov. 29, 2025, 9:00 am ET) – A grassroots initiative in western New York launched the Chadakoin Valley Projectto preserve the rich but under-documented history of Jamestown’s Black community . Led by local Black residents with support from a history center, the project is digitizing old photos, church records, and oral histories from the 19th-century “Little Africa” neighborhood . Organizers aim to create an online archive and eventually museum exhibits celebrating Black contributions that have been left out of city narratives .
Why It Matters: Amid a national backlash against teaching Black history, this local effort is ensuring Black Jamestowners’ stories are preserved on their terms. By reclaiming their narrative, the community is fighting erasure and inspiring similar Black history documentation projects in small towns nationwide. (Local-only) — The Post-Journal
1️⃣1️⃣ ‘National Blackout’ Boycott Shutters Wallets – Jackson, MS (nationwide — Sun, Nov. 30, 2025, 2:00 pm ET) – A coalition of Black-led grassroots groups organized a National Economic Blackout for the week spanning Black Friday through Dec. 2 . They urged Americans to skip work and halt spending at major retailers and banks to protest the Trump administration’s “damage to Black communities” . The boycott call, spread on social media with hashtags like #Blackout2025, coincided with one of the busiest shopping periods. Organizers report strong participation in cities like Chicago, Atlanta, and Houston.
Why It Matters: Echoing past freedom boycotts, this modern “Blackout” flexes Black economic power to demand change. The under-the-radar protest highlights Black consumers’ $1+ trillion market clout and signals growing, if largely unreported, economic resistance to systemic injustices under Trump policies. (Local-only) — Clarion Ledger / BlackAmericaWeb
1️⃣2️⃣ Black Queer Summit Centers Joy in Alabama – Birmingham, AL (Sun, Nov. 30, 2025, 11:00 am ET) – In the deep South, Black LGBTQ+ activists hosted the inaugural Black Queer Visionaries Summit – a three-day gathering of over 50 organizers from Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi . Far from a protest, the October summit (spotlighted in a new report) focused on community healing, strategy, and “reveling in Black queer joy” despite hostile laws . Sessions trained Black trans Alabamians in storytelling and advocacy skills to combat anti-trans legislation .
Why It Matters: With anti-LGBTQ attacks rising, Black queer Southerners are finding strength in community. This underpublicized summit showed Black LGBTQ people defiantly creating safe space and shaping their narrative – an act of resistance and love rarely seen in mainstream media but vital for an often marginalized subset of the Black community. (Ignored) — LGBTQ Nation
1️⃣3️⃣ NAACP Blasts Indiana Diversity ‘Takeover’ – Bloomington, IN (Mon, Nov. 3, 2025, 5:30 pm ET) – The Monroe County NAACP issued a fiery statement condemning Indiana University’s new conservative trustees for dismantling diversity, equity & inclusion programs . NAACP Branch 3062 called Governor Mike Braun’s installation of anti-DEI board members a “dangerous, regressive” takeover that chills free speech and threatens students of color . The NAACP warned that erasing DEI initiatives makes marginalized Black and brown students feel unsafe and unwelcome on campus .
Why It Matters: As DEI rollbacks spread under Trump-aligned state leaders, Black students and faculty are sounding alarms. This local NAACP’s outcry – largely ignored beyond Bloomington – frames Indiana’s moves as part of a broader assault on Black inclusion in higher education, and it demands leaders reinstate diversity efforts for everyone’s benefit . (Local-only) — The Bloomingtonian (Press Release)
1️⃣4️⃣ NYC Recognizes Black Solidarity Day – New York, NY (Wed, Nov. 27, 2025, 10:00 am ET) – The New York City Council passed a resolution declaring the first Monday of every November as Black Solidarity Day citywide . Timed the day before Election Day, the observance – founded in 1969 – encourages African Americans to reflect on political and economic unity. Council Member Nantasha Williams, who sponsored the measure, said institutionalizing Black Solidarity Day honors the tradition of collective action and brings awareness to ongoing racial inequities.
Why It Matters: Amid a national climate of racial division, NYC’s formal recognition of Black Solidarity Day (with minimal press fanfare) is a rare government acknowledgment of the need for Black unity. It provides an organizing tool for Black New Yorkers to mobilize politically and economically each year without fear of reprisal. (Local-only) — NYC Council Resolution
1️⃣5️⃣ ‘Economic Blackout’ Echoes on Black Radio – Houston, TX (Fri, Nov. 28, 2025, 6:00 pm CT) – Houston’s historic Defender newspaper highlighted how local Black families are celebrating the holidays while supporting the ongoing Economic Blackout protest . Many Black Houstonians chose to patronize only Black-owned businesses or abstain from non-essential spending between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday . Appearances by organizers on Black radio stations urged listeners to “be deliberate with your dollars” and frame shopping less as an act of resistance .
Why It Matters: This kind of economic self-determination – largely unreported in mainstream outlets – illustrates Black communities’ resilience and creativity under political stress. By redirecting their holiday spending to Black businesses (or not at all), Black Houstonians are protecting community wealth and sending a message about the value of their consumer power. (Local-only) — Defender Network / BlackAmericaWeb
1️⃣6️⃣ Study: Health Gaps to Widen Under Trump Cuts – Washington, D.C. (Sat, Nov. 30, 2025, 9:00 am ET) – A Stateline analysis warns that racial health disparities may worsen as states grapple with Trump administration funding cuts . Dozens of health programs – from maternal health to community clinics – lost federal support this year. States like Mississippi and Alabama, already facing some of the nation’s worst Black maternal mortality rates, have scaled back services. Experts say pulling back resources that were closing gaps in preventive care will likely reverse progress for Black Americans.
Why It Matters: Black women and men have benefited from targeted health equity initiatives (e.g., screening, nutrition, prenatal care). As these programs shrink due to Trump budget priorities, more Black lives could be lost to preventable conditions – a crisis that is unfolding quietly without national headlines . (Downplayed) — Stateline/Pew
1️⃣7️⃣ EPA Pulls Plug on Environmental Justice Tool – (nationwide — Sun, Nov. 30, 2025, 5:00 pm ET) – Environmental watchdogs note that the EPA quietly removed its EJScreenmapping tool – which showed pollution and demographic data – from public view earlier this year . The Environmental Data & Governance Initiative reports that key datasets on air quality, toxins, and climate risks affecting Black and brown neighborhoods have disappeared from EPA’s website . The Trump administration claims the tool’s methodology was flawed.
Why It Matters: Without EJScreen, community advocates lose an accessible way to prove how Black communities bear disproportionate pollution burdens. This data darkness hampers local fights against toxic facilities. Activists say scrubbing the tool is an attempt to hide evidence of environmental racism, leaving Black residents “in the dark” about threats to their health. (Ignored) — The Fulcrum
1️⃣8️⃣ Federal Court Ends Newark Police Oversight – Newark, NJ (Thu, Nov. 21, 2025, 2:30 pm ET) – A judge terminated the Newark Police consent decree after nine years of federally monitored reforms . The DOJ and city jointly moved to end the decree, asserting that Newark’s force overhauled policies on stops, searches, and use of force to meet constitutional standards . Trump DOJ officials hailed the end of “federal micromanagement” and return of local control .
Why It Matters: While Newark made real progress, civil rights advocates worry the exit of independent oversight may stall continued improvement. Across the country, Trump’s DOJ has dropped police pattern-or-practice cases and resisted new consent decrees. The under-the-radar lifting of Newark’s decree reflects a broader retreat from accountability measures that had aimed to protect Black residents from abusive policing. (Downplayed) — DOJ Press Release / WBEZ
1️⃣9️⃣ Miss. Free Press: ‘Project 2025’ Censors Ahead – Jackson, MS (Fri, Nov. 29, 2025, 8:00 am ET) – The Mississippi Free Press published a deep-dive on the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 agenda and its implications for Black education . The report notes that Project 2025 – a blueprint for a second Trump term – calls for aggressively expanding book bans in schools and criminalizing teachers who discuss race or LGBTQ topics . It would also slash federal funding for diversity programs. Local Black educators told the paper they fear a return to “overtly whitewashed” curricula and punitive laws resembling those in the Jim Crow era.
Why It Matters: National outlets have largely ignored these far-reaching plans. If enacted, Project 2025 would severely restrict honest Black history teaching and culturally responsive education. Black students could face a more hostile learning environment, making this warning from Black media a crucial early alert. (Ignored) — Mississippi Free Press
2️⃣0️⃣ NYC Tackles Black Maternal Deaths – New York, NY (Wed, Nov. 27, 2025, 3:45 pm ET) – The New York City Council passed a landmark package of bills to combat the city’s maternal mortality crisis and its stark racial gap . Measures include expanding Medicaid coverage for doulas, requiring implicit bias training for obstetric providers, and creating a public education campaign on Black maternal health. Black women in NYC are still over 9 times more likely to die from childbirth-related causes than white women.
Why It Matters: At a time when few national stories focus on solutions, this local legislation directly addresses a Black health disparity often called a public health emergency. The initiatives – largely uncovered outside the region – could save Black mothers’ lives and serve as a model for other cities, countering the rollback of equity efforts at the federal level. (Local-only) — NYC Council Press Release
2️⃣1️⃣ Planned Parenthood Marks Black Maternal Health Week – (nationwide — Sun, Nov. 30, 2025, 11:00 am ET) – In a blog overlooked by mainstream media, Planned Parenthood highlighted the urgency of Black Maternal Health Week 2025 and soaring mortality rates among Black birthing people . The post amplified Black women’s stories of near-misses and advocated support for community organizations tackling social determinants of health during pregnancy . It notes that the U.S. maternal death rate has risen sharply under recent health policy changes, with Black women most at risk.
Why It Matters: This observance – and the dire statistics behind it – received scant attention outside Black women’s health circles. Black maternal mortality is a crisis often overshadowed by political noise. Elevating these personal narratives and solutions, even through a quiet blog, is critical to mobilizing resources and reforms that can save Black lives in childbirth. (Ignored) — Planned Parenthood
2️⃣2️⃣ LA Man Exonerated After 19 Years – Los Angeles, CA (Mon, Nov. 24, 2025, 5:00 pm PT) – Stephen Patterson, a Black man wrongfully convicted of murder in 2006, was officially exonerated by a California judge and freed after 19 years in prison . Patterson is the 13th person in Los Angeles County to have a murder conviction overturned since a special innocence unit was formed in 2015. Prosecutors acknowledged new evidence and witness recantations proved he did not commit the crime.
Why It Matters: Patterson’s case, which merited only brief local mention, represents many untold stories of Black individuals unjustly imprisoned. It highlights both the value of conviction review units and the vast racial inequities in the justice system, where Black defendants have historically been more likely to be wrongfully convicted and less likely to have their cases revisited without sustained advocacy. (Local-only) — LAist
2️⃣3️⃣ Civil Rights Orgs Warn of Protest Crackdowns – Los Angeles, CA (Fri, Nov. 29, 2025, 4:20 pm ET) – Eight legacy civil rights organizations, including the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and National Urban League, issued a joint statement blasting heavy-handed police and National Guard responses to peaceful protests in cities like L.A. and D.C. this past week . They cite instances of officers using force and “military-style deployments” against demonstrators calling for Palestinian and Black liberation. The groups urged state and local officials to protect First Amendment rights and condemned “state violence against Black and brown protesters.”
Why It Matters: This coordinated rebuke, which got little media play, underscores growing concern that law enforcement is treating protests by people of color as riots. With Trump praising crackdowns, Black activists fear escalating repression of free speech reminiscent of the 1960s – a pattern civil rights leaders are trying to nip in the bud before it becomes normalized. (Ignored) — NAACP LDF Press Release
2️⃣4️⃣ Trenton Police Reforms Abruptly Dropped – Trenton, NJ (Fri, Nov. 21, 2025, 5:00 pm ET) – The Justice Department quietly closed its investigation into the Trenton Police Department and retracted findings of excessive force and discrimination . Trenton had been under scrutiny for alleged unconstitutional policing, but Trump’s DOJ – led by Civil Rights Division chief Harmeet Dhillon – announced it is dismissing the case as part of ending “Biden-era overreach” in police oversight . The move coincided with DOJ dropping similar probes in Memphis, Phoenix, and other cities.
Why It Matters: This swift about-face on police reform in a predominantly Black city like Trenton was hardly reported beyond local news. It signifies the Trump administration’s retreat from police accountability in Black communities. Activists worry that without federal pressure, promised reforms in use of force and biased policing in Trenton will stall, leaving Black residents vulnerable and eroding trust built during the now-aborted reform process. (Local-only) — DOJ Press Release
Section B — Sources (plain-text links, numbered 1–25)
1. https://abcnews.go.com/US/florida-schools-remove-400-books-year-report/story?id=127840848
2. https://ktvz.com/news/ap-national-news/2023/11/29/lgbtq-rights-group-sues-over-iowa-law-banning-school-library-books-gender-identity-discussion/
3. https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/charlie-kirk-purge-2025-11-19/
4. https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/11/25/public-defender-sues-state-claiming-she-was-fired-for-kirk-related-comments/
5. https://www.haitianbridgealliance.org/press-release/hba-calls-dhs-decision-end-tps-haiti-dangerous-premature
6. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/11/10-african-countries-affected-as-trump-orders-green-card-review-full-list/
7. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/07/the-us-was-our-el-dorado-africans-on-trumps-travel-bans-and-taxes
8. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/07/the-us-was-our-el-dorado-africans-on-trumps-travel-bans-and-taxes
9. https://www.theguardian.com/news/2025/nov/29/georgia-harris-neck-gullah-geechee
10. https://www.post-journal.com/news/top-stories/2025/11/chadakoin-valley-project-seeks-to-preserve-share-stories-of-jamestowns-black-community/
11. https://clarionledger.com/story/news/2025/11/21/new-economic-blackout-wants-people-to-skip-work-black-friday-shopping-trump-protest-mississippi/87352666007/
12. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/11/lord-have-mercy-they-wont-stop-us-from-dancing-the-black-queer-activists-uniting-joy-change/
13. https://bloomingtonian.com/2025/11/03/naacp-branch-3062-condemns-iu-trustee-actions-dei-rollback-and-threats-to-civil-liberties/
14. https://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6470996&GUID=EB95F3CB-DC35-4364-9829-042D7B6A4BCC
15. https://defendernetwork.com/black-women/holidays-2025-celebrations-project-2025-upheaval/
16. https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2025/11/17/racial-health-disparities-could-widen-as-states-grapple-with-trump-cuts
17. https://thefulcrum.us/big-picture/state-of-democracy/data-disappears
18. https://www.wbez.org/stories/chicago-city-council-resolution-apology-for-slavery/3537c4bf-2a3e-466c-ad66-6ed4e7f9b78a
19. https://www.mississippifreepress.org/39040/project-2025-proposes-expanding-book-banning-efforts-in-schools-making-it-a-federal-priority-and-criminalizing-librarians-who-allow-students-to
20. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/blog/black-maternal-health-week-is-more-important-than-ever-in-2025
21. https://nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/886-23/mayor-adams-signs-legislation-address-maternal-health-crisis
22. https://laist.com/news/criminal-justice/la-man-13th-murder-exoneration-la-county
23. https://www.naacpldf.org/press-release/civil-rights-leaders-condemn-excessive-force-against-protesters/
24. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/us-department-justices-civil-rights-division-dismisses-biden-era-police-investigations-and
X. Xplisset, your diligence never ceases to amaze - congratulations, sir, and thanks for all you do. I don't see how you manage to research, analyze and write about so much which is so important! One thing that I noticed that was posted on Substack by a retired lawyer, who obviously has a kind heart as well as a brilliant brain, is the little bit I want to add to all this information you have so generously provided. This is something that was a reply to a comment made on renown economist Paul Krugman's Substack site this morning 12-1-25. It concerns deadly acts perpetrated by the egotist-in-chief who resides in our White House. A quick preview of Mr. H. Cohen's expert legal analysis of the Dick-tater-Wanna-Be's offense is: "His impoundment of USAID appropriations, which has killed more than 6000,000 people so far (400,000 of them children), is illegal, but..." - This lawyer had said above that reply to S. Burgess that no one should criticize this criminal president without also ,"...adding that the real VILLAINS (I added the all-caps) are the Republicans...who allow him to commit his crimes." (These comments & replies were apparently made around 9am - 10 am this morning...FTJ)
Once again a brilliant rendition of terrible news. Thank you for what you do.