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HISD’s Contentious Superintendent Search Comes to a Screeching Halt

NNPA NEWSWIRE — In a letter, state-appointed conservator, Doris Delaney stated that she was using the legal authority bestowed upon her to suspend the search “until the agency has completed its special accreditation investigation” into HISD, specifically related to the serious allegations that five of the trustees – Diana Davila, Elizabeth Santos, Sergio Lira, Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca and Anne Sung – violated the Texas Open Meetings Act.

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By Jeffrey L. Boney, Associate Editor, Houston Forward Times

Last October, allegations swirled about whether the majority of the members of the Houston Independent School District (HISD) Board of Trustees were allowing race to be a determining factor as to who they wanted to be their next HISD superintendent were presented.

Just a few weeks after that, the HISD Board surprisingly voted, 5 to 4, to remove Dr. Grenita Lathan as its interim superintendent and replace her with troubled former HISD superintendent Dr. Abelardo ‘Abe’ Saavedra.

Since that time, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has recently been investigating the troubled school district for a myriad of issues, including the handling of the superintendent search and the seemingly blatant violation of the Open Meetings Act regarding the handling of the superintendent position.  The TEA has also been having discussions about whether or not to take over the school district and replace HISD trustees.

Well, just as the HISD Board of Trustees was days away from seeking to name a lone finalist for the superintendent position, the state-appointed conservator, Doris Delaney, sent a letter to the HISD Board of Trustees, informing them that she was ordering them to suspend their search for a permanent superintendent, effective immediately.

“I am directing the Houston ISD Board of Trustees to take no further action regarding the selection of a new Superintendent until the Board receives written authorization from the Conservator to resume the search activities,” wrote Delaney.

In the letter, Delaney also stated that she was using the legal authority bestowed upon her to suspend the search “until the agency has completed its special accreditation investigation” into HISD, specifically related to the serious allegations that five of the trustees – Diana Davila, Elizabeth Santos, Sergio Lira, Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca and Anne Sung – violated the Texas Open Meetings Act.

The primary focus of the investigation involves the actions taken by those five trustees back on October 11, when out of nowhere, as the HISD Board was preparing to vote on an extension of HISD interim superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan’s employment contract, trustee Diana Davila took out her cell phone and began to propose a motion to dismiss Dr. Lathan as HISD’s interim superintendent and replace her with Saavedra, effective the following Monday morning. That pre-drafted written motion was seconded by another in what appeared to be a planned and coordinated action. It is obvious that previous communication had taken place in order for this action to have occurred.

Many people believe the actions taken by Delaney could be the handwriting on the wall that TEA could be seeking to replace the HISD Board of Trustees sometime soon because of the potential outcome of the investigations, coupled with the handling of low-performing schools in the district.  If in fact the TEA decides to replace the HISD Board of Trustees, it would be up to TEA Commissioner Mike Morath to choose whoever he wants to serve as HISD’s superintendent, without having to consider the wishes of the current HISD school board.

State Senator Borris Miles (D-Houston), whose district (13) includes many schools in HISD, applauded the decision by the TEA to step in and stop the superintendent search.

“I commend the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for stepping in to take drastic, but necessary measures regarding Houston Independent School District’s (HISD) superintendent search and for putting the students’ interests first,” said Senator Miles. “I look forward to continue working with the governor, the TEA and HISD as we move forward to achieve the best outcome for our students.”

Delaney has been involved with HISD since the 2016-17 school year, when Morath appointed her to monitor the turnaround efforts at Kashmere High School, which had failed to meet the state standards for seven straight years at the time of her involvement.  Delaney later had her role expanded to take on the additional responsibility of monitoring matters related to HISD governance and dealing with the turnaround schools.

With over 213,000 students enrolled in the HISD, many community leaders and activists are concerned about the current process of confirming a Superintendent and the future of HISD – a district that is extremely critical to the entire Greater Houston area.

Currently, HISD is being led by Dr. Lathan, who was named interim superintendent last March after former HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza abruptly quit to take a job as chancellor of the New York City Public School system. Dr. Lathan took over a challenged district that was faced with a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall and significant operational and administrative cuts across the district, and yet, despite her efforts to turn things around in a successful manner, the majority of HISD trustees have not been supportive of her.

The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) will continue to monitor this ongoing situation involving HISD, as it is sure to have an impact on other major school districts across the United States.

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Remembering George Floyd

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OP-ED: Oregon Bill Threatens the Future of Black Owned Newspapers and Community Journalism

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Nearly half of Oregon’s media outlets are now owned by national conglomerates with no lasting investment in local communities. According to an OPB analysis, Oregon has lost more than 90 news jobs (and counting) in the past five years. These were reporters, editors and photographers covering school boards, investigating corruption and telling community stories, until their jobs were cut by out-of-state corporations.

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By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.
President and CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association

For decades, The Skanner newspaper in Portland, the Portland Observer, and the Portland Medium have served Portland, Oregon’s Black community and others with a vital purpose: to inform, uplift and empower. But legislation now moving through the Oregon Legislature threatens these community news institutions—and others like them.

As President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), which represents more than 255 Black-owned media outlets across the United States—including historic publications like The Skanner, Portland Observer, and the Portland Medium—l believe that some Oregon lawmakers would do more harm than good for local journalism and community-owned publications they are hoping to protect.

Oregon Senate Bill 686 would require large digital platforms such as Google and Meta to pay for linking to news content. The goal is to bring desperately needed support to local newsrooms. However, the approach, while well-intentioned, puts smaller, community-based publications at a future severe financial risk.

We need to ask – will these payments paid by tech companies benefit the journalists and outlets that need them most? Nearly half of Oregon’s media outlets are now owned by national conglomerates with no lasting investment in local communities. According to an OPB analysis, Oregon has lost more than 90 news jobs (and counting) in the past five years. These were reporters, editors, and photographers covering school boards, investigating corruption, and telling community stories, until their jobs were cut by out-of-state corporations.

Legislation that sends money to these national conglomerate owners—without the right safeguards to protect independent and community-based outlets—rewards the forces that caused this inequitable crisis in the first place. A just and inclusive policy must guarantee that support flows to the front lines of local journalism and not to the boardrooms of large national media corporations.

The Black Press exists to fill in the gaps left by larger newsrooms. Our reporters are trusted messengers. Our outlets serve as forums for civic engagement, accountability and cultural pride. We also increasingly rely on our digital platforms to reach our audiences, especially younger generations—where they are.

We are fervently asking Oregon lawmakers to take a step back and engage in meaningful dialogue with those most affected: community publishers, small and independent outlets and the readers we serve. The Skanner, The Portland Observer, and The Portland Medium do not have national corporate parents or large investors. And they, like many smaller, community-trusted outlets, rely on traffic from search engines and social media to boost advertising revenue, drive subscriptions, and raise awareness.

Let’s work together to build a better future for Black-owned newspapers and community journalism that is fair, local,l and representative of all Oregonians.

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., President & CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association

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Hate and Chaos Rise in Trump’s America

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Tactics ranged from local policy manipulation to threats of violence. The SPLC documented bomb threats at 60 polling places in Georgia, traced to Russian email domains.

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By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The Southern Poverty Law Center has identified 1,371 hate and antigovernment extremist groups operating across the United States in 2024. In its latest Year in Hate & Extremism report, the SPLC reveals how these groups are embedding themselves in politics and policymaking while targeting marginalized communities through intimidation, disinformation, and violence. “Extremists at all levels of government are using cruelty, chaos, and constant attacks on communities and our democracy to make us feel powerless,” said SPLC President Margaret Huang. The report outlines how hard-right groups aggressively targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives throughout 2024. Figures on the far right falsely framed DEI as a threat to white Americans, with some branding it a form of “white genocide.” After the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, a former Utah legislator blamed the incident on DEI, posting “DEI = DIE.”

Tactics ranged from local policy manipulation to threats of violence. The SPLC documented bomb threats at 60 polling places in Georgia, traced to Russian email domains. Similar threats hit Jewish institutions and Planet Fitness locations after far-right social media accounts attacked them for trans-inclusive policies. Telegram, which SPLC describes as a hub for hate groups, helped extremists cross-recruit between neo-Nazi, QAnon, and white nationalist spaces. The platform’s lax moderation allowed groups like the Terrorgram Collective—designated terrorists by the U.S. State Department—to thrive. Militia movements were also reorganized, with 50 groups documented in 2024. Many, calling themselves “minutemen,” trained in paramilitary tactics while lobbying local governments for official recognition. These groups shared personnel and ideology with white nationalist organizations.

The manosphere continued to radicalize boys and young men. The Fresh & Fit podcast, now listed as a hate group, promoted misogyny while mocking and attacking Black women. Manosphere influencers used social media algorithms to drive youth toward male-supremacy content. Turning Point USA played a key role in pushing white nationalist rhetoric into mainstream politics. Its leader Charlie Kirk claimed native-born Americans are being replaced by immigrants, while the group advised on Project 2025 and organized Trump campaign events. “We know that these groups build their power by threatening violence, capturing political parties and government, and infesting the mainstream discourse with conspiracy theories,” said Rachel Carroll Rivas, interim director of the SPLC’s Intelligence Project. “By exposing the players, tactics, and code words of the hard right, we hope to dismantle their mythology and inspire people to fight back.”

Click here for the full report or visit http://www.splcenter.org/resources/guides/year-hate-extremism-2024.

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