Atlanta Mayor to Run for Georgia Governor
Keisha Lance Bottoms has won the Democratic primary nomination to run for the governor of Georgia this November. The former Atlanta mayor earned 57.7% of the vote in the Georgia Democratic gubernatorial primary on May 18, which means she will not have to participate in a runoff. said her platform will support Georgians across the political spectrum.
Speaking after her win, Bottoms promised to be a governor for all Georgians if elected. “We are going to fight for every single vote in every county, in every corner of this state,” she stated. “We are going to knock on doors and have conversations with people across the communities of the state, and we are going to build a Georgia that works for all of us.” The 2026 Georgia gubernatorial election will take place on November 3.
Alabama Family Seeks Answers After Teen Found Shot, Dismembered And Set On Fire
Police in Eufaula, Alabama, are investigating the death of 18-year-old MarKavious “Mark” Rumph after his family said they discovered his dismembered and burned remains following a five-day search. Rumph was reported missing after he was last seen on May 6 at a gas station, according to police and local reports. Rumph’s mother, Yolanda Wynn, said relatives searched wooded areas through rain on Mother’s Day before finding remains authorities later connected to the case. Investigators are awaiting DNA confirmation because of the condition of the body. Officials also said they have identified suspects but have not announced arrests. Rumph had recently earned his GED and planned to attend welding school, according to family members.
The Bigger Picture: The case has renewed criticism from some community members who say Black families in the South are too often left feeling unheard when violence occurs. Advocates and residents have argued that the lack of urgency shown in some missing persons and homicide cases involving Black victims reflects deeper inequalities in policing and public attention. Rumph’s family publicly questioned why they felt forced to lead the search for their loved one themselves.
Three Killed In Mass Shooting At San Diego Mosque
Three people were killed Monday when two teenage gunmen opened fire outside the Islamic Center of San Diego, the city’s largest mosque, in an attack authorities are investigating as a hate crime. Police said the suspects, ages 17 and 18, later died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds nearby after the May 18 shooting, which occurred shortly before midday prayers. A mosque security guard was among those killed and is being credited with helping prevent additional deaths. Authorities have not publicly confirmed a clear motive, but investigators are reviewing evidence of possible anti-Muslim bias.
The Catholic Diocese of San Diego said it is “united in solidarity” with the Muslim community following the shooting, expressing grief for the victims and support for local families affected. Church leaders emphasized that places of worship should remain safe spaces free from fear or violence. The statement added that the diocese stands with interfaith partners in condemning hatred and promoting peace across religious communities.
The Catholic Diocese of San Diego said it is “united in solidarity” with the Muslim community following the shooting, expressing grief for the victims and support for local families affected. Church leaders emphasized that places of worship should remain safe spaces free from fear or violence. The statement added that the diocese stands with interfaith partners in condemning hatred and promoting peace across religious communities.
The Word ‘Black’ Disappears From Bills That Address Black Maternal Health
Federal legislation aimed at addressing the nation’s maternal health crisis has drawn criticism after the word “Black” was largely removed from the latest version of the Momnibus Act, a package of bills originally created to combat disproportionately high maternal death rates among Black women. The legislation was previously introduced as the “Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act” in 2020, 2021 and 2023. However, advocates noted that references to Black women and Black pregnant people have steadily disappeared from the bill text in recent versions.
Why It Matters: Black women in the United States continue to face maternal mortality rates significantly higher than those of white women. Advocates said removing the word “Black” from legislation specifically created to address Black maternal mortality amounts to erasure of the crisis itself. Several organizations argued that failing to directly name Black women weakens accountability and obscures the racial disparities driving the legislation. Supporters of the legislation, including Rep. Lauren Underwood, said the measure still focuses on maternal health disparities and investments in community-based care. Critics argue the language changes come amid political backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Waffle House Workers In Atlanta Rally For Better Pay Ahead Of FIFA World Cup
Waffle House workers in Atlanta rallied this week to demand a $25 hourly wage and safer working conditions ahead of the FIFA World Cup events expected to bring thousands of visitors to the city in June, according to local reports. Workers gathered with the Union of Southern Service Workers outside a downtown restaurant Friday, calling for higher pay, free employee meals and 24-hour security at locations they say have become increasingly unsafe.
Deep Dive: Employees and labor advocates said workers regularly face harassment, violence and late-night safety concerns while earning low wages. Organizers also criticized mandatory meal deductions and tipping practices, saying they reduce workers’ take-home pay. Supporters argued that Atlanta businesses, including Waffle House, are preparing to profit from increased tourism tied to the World Cup, while many service workers continue to struggle to afford basic living expenses. Waffle House had not publicly responded to the workers’ demands as of Friday, May 15.
Tennessee School District Removes Alex Haley’s ‘Roots’ From Shelves Under State Law
A Tennessee school district has removed Alex Haley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Roots from school library shelves, citing compliance with the state’s 2022 Age-Appropriate Materials Act, according to district officials. Knox County Schools said it pulled the 1976 book after a review committee flagged a passage in the novel’s 84th chapter as not “age appropriate” under state guidelines. The district emphasized that the decision followed state law requirements that direct schools to evaluate specific passages rather than the overall literary or historical significance of a work. Roots, which chronicles multiple generations of an African American family from enslavement through emancipation, has been widely taught for its depiction of slavery and its impact on American history.
The Bigger Picture: Black literature scholars and civil rights advocates have long warned that repeated removals of Black-authored texts from curricula and libraries can function as a form of cultural erasure. They argue this pattern reduces visibility of Black experiences in education systems and weakens students’ understanding of racial history in the United States. Advocates for free expression argue that removing widely studied works like Roots limits students’ access to foundational narratives about American slavery and Black history. Critics say such bans disproportionately affect books by Black authors and narrow the range of historical perspectives in schools.
Black Census Project Aims To Record Black American Population Amid Political Unjust
A national survey initiative focused on gathering data about the experiences and priorities of Black Americans, known as the Black Census Project, is expanding its outreach efforts with a goal of collecting 300,000 responses in 2026. Organizers said the initiative aims to shape public policy, strengthen community organizing and amplify the voices of Black communities often excluded from political decision-making. The project first launched in 2018 with more than 30,000 participants and later expanded to include more than 200,000 responses nationwide.
The Impact: Programs like the Black Census Project can give Black communities a stronger role in shaping policies that directly affect their lives. Supporters argue that data collected directly from Black residents helps counter historic underrepresentation in political polling and public policy discussions. Black Futures Lab said the census examines issues including health care, economic opportunity, housing, public safety and voting rights. The organization plans to share findings with lawmakers, advocacy groups and community leaders to help guide legislation and political priorities.
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