News

The unemployment rate for Black women has been on the rise this year. They are the only demographic to see an increase this year, according to data published Thursday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some experts say these statistics may indicate similar challenges to come for other groups.

Black women’s employment has been on the rise

They are the only demographic whose unemployment rate has been rising in recent months. It was at 5.1%, 6.2% in May and 5.8% in June, according to 19th News. To compare, the unemployment rate for white women and Asian women has been plateauing at around 3% over the same period, while Latinx women have been at 5%.

Black women face challenges unique to them in the labor market. Remaining unemployed for longer than other workers is one of them. On average, Black women spend over six months unemployed before finding a job, according to June statistics by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

A potential sign that the economy is on the decline

Some experts say this trend is a worrying one because Black women tend to be the first ones to be affected by the overall economy. Other demographics may experience a similar rise in unemployment in the future.

“Black workers, and particularly Black women, show up as a canary in the coal mine, giving a picture of what may happen to everyone else later,” Jessica Fulton, a senior fellow at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, told the news outlet.

Jasmine Tucker, the vice president for research at the National Women’s Law Center, added that Black women are an essential demographic to the economy and the overall labor market.

“Are we heading into a recession? Is some action the current administration is going to take going to keep moving us in that direction? Prices remain high, people can’t afford child care—there are a whole host of things people are really nervous about,” she said. “For me, Black women’s unemployment going up—this is the backbone of our economy, of our labor force.  We have cause to be concerned.”

Why is the unemployment rate of Black women on the rise?

Although no formal study has yet been conducted into this trend, some experts have emitted a possibility that may explain this rise in unemployment over the past few months. Several federal departments have experienced severe budget cuts and have laid off a significant portion of their workforce under the Trump administration.

About half of the jobs at the Department of Education, as well as a quarter of the jobs in the Department of Health and Human Services, have been cut, according to The New York Times. Most of the positions related to DEI have also been removed since Donald Trump became president.

Black women represented a significant portion of the workforce in these departments. For instance, they made up 28% of the education department, according to ProPublica. 

“Black women are overrepresented among those jobs,” Kate Bahn, the chief economist and senior vice president of research at the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, said. “But somehow, that’s still not enough to overcome the bigger structural barriers.”

Over 10 years after a water crisis began in Flint, Michigan, the city has hit a milestone. Its lead pipe remediation efforts have been completed, with a goal to ensure that citizens have access to safe drinking water going forward. The initiative to replace lead pipes in Flint comes after cost-cutting measures exposed the city’s residents to lead and other health risks. The crisis helped lead to a nationwide effort to remove lead pipes from residences.

11,000 pipes replaced as part of a settlement over water contamination

A progress report submitted by Michigan officials to a court Tuesday affirmed that the city had completed its process of removing and replacing lead pipes in the city. In total, the report details that 11,000 lead pipes had been replaced and 28,000 properties had been assessed for lead throughout the city. The lead remediation came after a 2017 lawsuit was filed on behalf of city residents who had been exposed to contaminated water as part of a cost-cutting measure. The lawsuit was settled in 2021 for $626 million, as well as an agreement for the city to replace lead pipes for free. Although the replacement program has been completed, an estimated 4,000 homes still contain lead pipes that were not removed because the properties were vacant or because homeowners opted out of the voluntary replacement offer.

Water crisis over a decade old

The Flint water crisis began in 2014 when government officials switched the source of the city’s water supply from Lake Huron to the Flint River in a cost-cutting measure. It was later confirmed that the city’s drinking water was contaminated with lead as a result of the change. Members of the city’s majority-Black and predominantly lower-income population, especially the community’s children, were put at risk of suffering neurological damage as a result of lead exposure. Additionally, the switch led to an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease, which killed 12 people and caused dozens more to fall ill.

After Flint, national attention focused on water contamination

The Flint case brought national attention to the Michigan city and to the larger issue of lead contamination and other threats to clean drinking water that often impact minority and financially challenged communities. The Biden administration allocated $15 billion for lead pipe replacement as part of its bipartisan infrastructure bill that was passed by Congress and signed into law, and Biden later allocated an additional $3 billion for efforts to lower lead exposure in drinking water. Last October, the Environmental Protection Agency required that all lead pipes across the country be removed over the next decade, which the agency estimated would cost $45 billion or more. The Trump administration is currently considering whether or not it will continue to enforce Biden’s regulations concerning lead and copper.

The outcome of the Trump administration’s review could have a significant impact on whether or not lead pipes and other sources of water contamination are addressed across the nation or ignored. For Flint, at least, officials appear to have finally addressed the situation that endangered the health of tens of thousands of residents throughout the city.

“Mama” Mosie Burks, the legendary gospel singer who was a member of the Mississippi Mass Choir, has died at age 92, according to WAPT. The Mississippi Mass Choir confirmed the singer’s death via Facebook, saying, “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of one of our beloved and legendary members, Mama Mosie Burks.”

The Mississippi Mass Choir remembers their beloved member as “a true Gospel pioneer” and “the unmistakable voice behind some of the Mississippi Mass Choir’s most cherished songs.” Those songs include “They Got the Word,” “I’m Not Tired Yet” and “This Morning When I Rose.”

“Her daughter confirmed her passing via Facebook, and we will keep everyone informed as memorial details are finalized,” the group stated. “Mama Mosie’s powerful voice, unshakable faith, and joyful spirit touched hearts around the world and helped define the sound and soul of the Mississippi Mass Choir. Please keep her family, friends, and the entire Mississippi Mass Choir family in your prayers during this difficult time. Her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.”

‘Mama’ Mosie Burks fell in love with music at an early age

According to the MALACO Music Group, Burks found her passion when she learned guitar at age 12 and played at her local church in Forest, Mississippi. She grew up picking cotton with her parents to earn a living.

When she later moved to Jackson, Mississippi, Burks cleaned houses to raise money for college. However, Burks’ plans took a turn when her mother died at age 40. At that time, Burks’ father put her in charge of taking care of the younger children. That’s when she worked as a maid to help raise her siblings. 

After getting married in her twenties, Burks started attending Tougaloo College to study voice. However, she faced another tragedy when her husband became seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident and died in 1984 after experiencing health issues for years. Burks started working with the South Central Bell Telephone Company after the tragedy and spent part of her time singing in churches.

When did ‘Mama’ Mosie Burks join the Mississippi Mass Choir?

The Mississippi native married in 1992 and planned to spend some time traveling with her husband. Around the same time, she received an offer from Frank Williams, who asked her to join his Mississippi Mass Choir. Burks initially turned down the offer.

When Williams died a short time later, his widow Katrina once again offered Burks a chance to join the choir. Burks accepted the offer this time and went on to become a legendary singer.

Sade Perkins, a former Houston mayoral appointee and food insecurity board member, is under fire for referring to a Texan all-girls camp as “white-only” just hours after the facility was hit by a deadly flood, killing young campers and leaving others missing.

According to the New York Post, Perkins shared her controversial take on the tragedy in a TikTok video.

Perkins accused the camp of racism amid the rising death toll

In a since-deleted TikTok video shared on Sunday, Perkins, who former Mayor Sylvester Turner appointed to Houston’s Food Insecurity Board in 2023, spoke about the Camp Mystic flood crisis and described the institution as a “white-only girls Christian camp,” Click 2 Houston reported.

“I know I’m going to get canceled for this, but Camp Mystic is a white-only girls’ Christian camp. They don’t even have a token Asian. They don’t have a token Black person. It’s an all-white, white-only conservative Christian camp,” she said in the video.

“If you ain’t white, you ain’t right, you ain’t gettin’ in, you ain’t goin’. Period,” Perkins continued, adding, “If this were a group of Hispanic girls out there, this would not be getting this type of coverage that they’re getting, no one would give a f**k, and all these white people, the parents of these little girls, would be saying things like ‘they need to be deported, they shouldn’t have been here in the first place’ and yada yada yada.”

Do you want to hear the voice of evil?Houston Food Insecurity Board Member Blasts People Helping Find the ‘White’ Girls Missing in Texas Flood Disaster.Lies about Camp Mystic being “Whites Only.”Does @houmayor support this? pic.twitter.com/2BjfNtA12Z— Carmine Sabia (@CarmineSabia) July 6, 2025

The Houston Mayor’s Office confirms Perkins will be ‘permanently’ removed from the board

Perkins’ clip quickly went viral, with many condemning her comments on the tragedy. After journalist Carmine Sabia called on the Houston Mayor’s Office to respond on X, formerly Twitter, it denounced the former mayoral appointee’s claims.

“The comments shared on social media are deeply inappropriate and have no place in a decent society, especially as families grieve the confirmed deaths and the ongoing search for the missing,” the Houston Mayor’s Office wrote. “The individual who made these statements is not a City of Houston employee. She was appointed to the City’s Food Insecurity Board by former Mayor Sylvester Turner in 2023, and her term expired in January 2025. Mayor John Whitmire has no plans to reappoint her, and the City is taking immediate steps to remove her permanently from the board.”

The comments shared on social media are deeply inappropriate and have no place in a decent society, especially as families grieve the confirmed deaths and the ongoing search for the missing.The individual who made these statements is not a City of Houston employee.— Houston Mayor’s Office (@houmayor) July 6, 2025

She was appointed to the City’s Food Insecurity Board by former Mayor Sylvester Turner in 2023, and her term expired in January 2025.Mayor John Whitmire has no plans to reappoint her, and the City is taking immediate steps to remove her permanently from the board.— Houston Mayor’s Office (@houmayor) July 6, 2025

Camp Mystic death toll rises to 48 adults and 27 children

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed on Monday morning that 75 bodies have been recovered from the flood, which hit the facility on July 4. CNN reported that the death toll includes 48 adults and 27 children.

“Of this 48 adults and 27 children, 15 adults and nine children are pending identification,” Leitha said during a news conference, adding, “At present there are 10 campers from Camp Mystic unaccounted for and one counselor.”

As of Monday, the death toll from the Texas floods is 89.

Harlem’s iconic and historic Apollo Theater is set to close for a year.

Why? It’s undergoing its first large-scale renovation in its 91-year history. history. The New York City landmark closed officially on July 1 as the $65 million, year-long process began.

“It is the first large-scale renovation of the historic theater in our 91-year history,” said Joy Profet, the Apollo’s chief growth officer to Spectrum News NY1. “In a lot of the ways the renovations have already started in certain aspects of the venue. So the lobby area of the venue is already undergoing renovation, but July 1 is really the full-scale.”

According to Time Out, the “1,500-seat landmark is undergoing a comprehensive facelift, featuring a restored façade, upgraded LED marquee, expanded lobby, new seating and modern AV systems,” and “historic elements, such as the performer-signed ‘signature wall,’ will be preserved.”

Where will Apollo Theater performances take place in the meantime?

During the renovations, Apollo Theater performances will take place at the Apollo stages at the Victoria Theater, also on 125th Street in Harlem. The two theaters there are also a part of the Apollo’s expansion, as reported by Time Out.

Per Beyer Blinder Belle, as reported by Time Out, “the renovation aims to make the Apollo feel more open and community-connected. A café and new street-facing windows will anchor the expanded lobby and the Wall of Fame is going digital.”

When will the Apollo Theater renovations conclude?

The renovations are expected to end in mid-2026. The last show at the Apollo before renovations was its iconic Amateur Night, which will now be on pause undle renovations are complete.

Costco has issued a recall on air conditioners, dumbbells, tires and several other products sold at the store. According to Newsweek, Costco has already sent notices to customers, telling them to stop using the recalled products as soon as possible. As USA Today reports, for many of the products, the company says to stop using them immediately.

What is the brand of recalled air conditioner at Costco?

Costco has announced that its supplier Midea America Corp. is recalling the Danby U-shaped window air conditioners sold between June 10, 2021, and Feb. 2, 2022. Per Newsweek, the appliance is failing to drain quickly because of pooled water. As a result, the air conditioner is causing a risk of mold growth, which can lead to respiratory issues or other health problems.

Midea America Corp. has informed customers that they may be able to get free repair kits. Some people may also get a full or partial refund depending on the model of air conditioner they purchased. Costco members can get a full refund when they return the item to a Costco warehouse.

What is the brand of recalled dumbbells at Costco?

Costco is advising customers to stop using any BowFlex 552 adjustable dumbbells they purchased at the store. Johnson Health Tech Trading issued a voluntary recall on the BowFlex 552, saying the weight plates can dislodge unexpectedly from the handle. Customers can return the item to Costco for a full refund.

What are some of the other recalled items at Costco?

Costco’s recalled items include Anker power banks, made for charging electronic devices. Per People, the power banks are recalled because they may overheat and cause fire. Costco sold the items between June 1, 2016, and Dec. 31, 2022.

Other recalled products include Bridgestone Blizzak 6 tires and Michelin Agilis CrossClimate C-Metric tires. The Bridgestone tires don’t comply with tire marking requirements because they’re not labeled with the DOT certification symbol on the sidewalls. The Michelin tires are recalled because “chunks of tread rubber may detach from the shoulder block.”