AUBURN, Ala., Nov. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Auburn University’s The Laurel Hotel & Spa has been awarded a Five Diamond designation by AAA Travels, recognizing it as offering world-class luxury, amenities and indulgence for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Laurel Hotel & Spa is operated by Auburn-based Ithaka Hospitality Partners in collaboration with Auburn University’s College of Human Sciences. The Laurel Hotel & Spa is a one-of-a-kind teaching hotel adjacent to the Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center (RCSC), the home to Auburn University’s esteemed Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management, which opened its doors in August 2022. Only 89 hotels across the United States carry this prestigious recognition, and the property is the first in the state…
Author: SBE Staff
By David G. Savage | Los Angeles Times WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court justices sounded divided Tuesday over whether the 1st Amendment forbids public officials who refer to government business on their personal Facebook pages from blocking members of the public who criticize them. At issue is whether government employees — whether city managers, school board members or even former President Trump — have a free-speech right to refer to government business on their personal social media accounts without giving critics a right to reply. The justices heard an appeal from two San Diego-area school board members who were sued for…
By Megan Cassidy | San Francisco Chronicle Five months after local and national law enforcement officials launched crackdowns on San Francisco’s open-air drug markets, one longtime dealer said he won’t risk venturing into the Tenderloin much anymore. “I’m scared,” he said in a recent interview, noting that he’s lately preferred to work construction shifts. The source, who has dealt drugs in San Francisco on and off for nearly two decades, said what was once a full-time job has been pared down to about an hour a week, and most of the other dealers he knows are avoiding the area as well. “You go to the city, and…
Urban One Inc. announced today it is teaming up with TelevisaUnivision Inc. to raise awareness and empower African American and Hispanic voters in the 2024 election cycle. The media giants will co-host a groundbreaking breakfast event titled, Wake Up & Power Up with Diversity: An In-Depth Look at How to Engage Black and Hispanic Voters” on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at The Willard Intercontinental Hotel in Washington DC. This historic breakfast event will feature keynote speakers and engaging conversations with renowned thought leaders and influencers from both the African American and Hispanic communities, who will share their insights and experiences on engaging voters…
Reimagining “the Gelson’s experience” for its 28th full-service store, Southern California’s premier grocery brand has officially launched its first location in West Los Angeles. Located at 12121 West Olympic Boulevard on the corner of Bundy Drive, it serves as the anchor of West Edge, a mixed-use residential/office/retail development currently under construction. Designed by the award-winning firm Shook Kelley, which has brought its imagination to other new and renovated Gelson’s stores, the West L.A. property is a spacious 33,000 square feet of modern design and community-tailored amenities. From its polished concrete floors to hanging pendant lights throughout, the store is accented with…
Michelson Center for Public Policy applauds Governor Gavin Newsom and California State Legislature for enacting legislation to improve the lives of Californians and their pets SACRAMENTO – The Michelson Center for Public Policy (MCPP) celebrates the progress made this year towards eliminating barriers to higher education, advancing equity efforts for Californians, and improving the lives of pets. This year, MCPP and its many partners helped support the passage of new laws that will move the state closer towards bridging the digital divide, providing college students with better access and cost transparency, and helping Californians with their pets’ health care by…
By Ishani Desai | Sacramento Bee A Sacramento County supervisor and his dog will stay overnight at the county’s tiny homes shelter community this week. Supervisor Patrick Kennedy — who represents south Sacramento, parts of Elk Grove and Vineyard — will stay at the Safe Stay site at the corner of Power Inn and Florin roads for 24 hours on Wednesday. His chihuahua, Fergus, will stay with him, according to a county news release. “This is a place where people can come and get off the street in a dignified safe setting,” Kennedy said as he and his dog toured…
By Mathew Miranda | Sacramento Bee Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed legislation late Sunday night that would have made undocumented seniors eligible for California’s cash assistance program. The bill, authored by Assemblyman Juan Carrillo, D-Palmdale, would have provided $1,100 to $1,900 per month to undocumented individuals who are blind, disabled or older than 65. Currently, California’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) is limited to people with eligible immigration status. The measure overwhelmingly passed the Legislature last month. In his veto message, Newsom cited the proposed expansion’s $180 million annual cost, as estimated by the California Department of Social Services. “While…
By Tyrone Beason | Los Angeles Times Democrat Laphonza Butler was heralded as the nation’s third Black female senator when she was sworn in Tuesday to replace California Sen. Dianne Feinstein. She’s also the first out gay person of color to serve in the U.S. Senate. Black Angelenos, many of whom feel a disconnect between themselves and elected leaders regardless of party, are torn about what it means for them. Related: Mark Ridley-Thomas continues to involve himself in LA politics While they celebrate Butler’s history-making appointment by Gov. Gavin Newsom, some wonder how Butler will succeed at helping Black Californians…
BY Mesfin Fekadu | Hollywood Reporter Nipsey Hussle’s marathon continues: The late rapper’s Neighborhood Nip Foundation will join the 2024 Los Angeles Marathon as an official charity partner. Neighborhood Nip Foundation is located on Slauson Ave. in the property owned by Hussle’s family. (Photo: 2UrbanGirls) Hussle, who died in 2019 at age 33, was known as a skilled lyricist and activist who worked to build and unite his South Los Angeles community. The 39th running of the L.A. Marathon takes place March 17, 2024. Hussle’s “The Marathon Clothing” brand will enter a team into the L.A. Marathon and all the money raised by each runner will go…