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Kings no match for Westbrook and OKC

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Sacramento, CA – If the Kings want to grab the eighth spot in the Western Conference standings, they’ll have to finish the first half strong. Sitting two games behind the Portland Trailblazers, Sacramento doesn’t want to dig a hole to deep.

 

 

But they did that anyway. After a rally in the fourth, the Kings couldn’t contain a “hot” Russell Westbrook who recorded his 20th triple-double of the season. Westbrook’s 36 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists helped the Thunder rout Sacramento 122-118.

 

“I didn’t think we had a lot of momentum,” Kings coach Dave Joerger said. “At the end of day, I can yell about referees and this and that, but we had 15 turnovers at halftime. It doesn’t have to do with anything else.”

 

OKC took control in the second half with 2:07 left in the third capped off by a 10-2 run to take an 88-71 lead. Sacramento responded, ending the quarter on an 8-0 run then made three to start the fourth quarter to get within six points at 91-82 on an Arron Afflalo three-point shot with 11:44 left to go.

 

Late in the fourth, the Kings went on 13-4 run to get within 3. DeMarcus Cousins’ three-point foul shot got the Kings within 2 at 118-116 with 18.5 seconds left. But two back-to-back fouls and a technical by Matt Barns kept the Thunder ahead. Westbrook hit a jump shot and followed with a 3-pointer to seal their win.

 

“Russell’s second half was phenomenal. He was really efficient scoring and passing,” said OKC head coach Billy Donovan.

 

Sacramento scored 39 points in the fourth quarter to close the game. The 39 points were the most the Kings have scored in the fourth quarter this season. Sacramento shot 35-40 from the charity stripe while the Thunder made 33-of-41. It is the second highest free-throw output game of the season as they made 36-of-43 vs. Portland on 12/20.

 

“Just picking my spots – finishing the game, figuring out how to close games even though we didn’t close the particular way we wanted to [tonight],” Westbrook said. “But I think we had the game in hand, we did a good job.”

 

Cousins had 31 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. He collected his 20th double-double of the season. Rudy Gay added 22 points and 10 rebounds while Darren Collison had 21 points. Despite a solid effort from the starters, Sacramento’s turnovers were costly.

 

The Kings committed 15 turnovers by halftime. They had 22 turnovers that led to 23 easy points for the Thunder. Sacramento has now lost 5-of-6 on the current home stand and 7 of their last 10 games overall.

 

“Tough night, tough game to watch,” said Joerger. “41 turnovers, 81 free throws and 31 offensive rebounds. Those are tough things to overcome and try to make a comeback at the end.”

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Oakland Post: Week of May 7 – 13, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May 7 – 13, 2025

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Mother and Son, United in Purpose: How Regina and Judah Are Changing the Future of Early Childhood Education—Together

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — This Mother’s Day, we honor not just the love between a mother and her child, but the shared dreams, grit, and determination that can make those dreams a reality.

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By Stacey Finkel

This Mother’s Day, we honor not just the love between a mother and her child, but the shared dreams, grit, and determination that can make those dreams a reality. Regina, 44, and her son Judah, 18, are proof that purpose has no age limit—and that it’s never too late or too early to answer a calling. Regina knows what perseverance looks like. It took her ten years to earn her first college degree, an Associate Degree in Early Childhood from Ashworth College. Life, as it so often does, had other plans—plans that called her away from school and into the real world. But she never let go of her goals or her belief in the power of education. That steadfast commitment planted a seed not only for herself but for her son. Now, Regina and Judah are both enrolled in a scholarship program at the Early Childhood Innovation Center (ECIC), housed at Delaware State University (DSU) in Wilmington, Delaware’s only Historically Black College and University. This program allows them to study in any early childhood education-related degree program across the entire state of Delaware.  Regina attends Wilmington University, where she is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Education Studies with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. Judah attends DSU and is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. They are shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart—committed to equity, access, and the transformational power of teaching.

There’s something uniquely beautiful about a mother and son learning at the same time, not just in life, but in the classroom. They study together, encourage each other, and even bring their academic lessons to life while working at Chosen Children’s Child Care in Wilmington, where they support the development of the next generation of learners. Their shared experiences, both as students and as educators, deepen their bond and strengthen their shared commitment to the children they serve. But what truly sets their story apart is the community surrounding them. The Early Childhood Innovation Center is more than a scholarship program. It’s a lifeline, a launchpad, and a promise: You can do this. The faculty and staff meet students where they are—whether they’re returning to school after a decade or stepping into college for the first time. Regina and Judah both credit ECIC with giving them the resources, mentorship, and belief they need to succeed. For Black families, and especially Black mothers, the road to higher education can be long and often filled with obstacles. But what Regina and Judah show us is that when one person refuses to give up, they can inspire an entire legacy. Education becomes not just a goal, but a family value passed down. “I used to feel like I was falling behind because it took me so long to finish,” Regina says. “But now I see that every step was preparing me for this moment—alongside my son, showing him and others that no matter how long it takes, you can finish. You just can’t give up.” This Mother’s Day, let’s celebrate mothers like Regina, who never stop striving, and sons like Judah, who walk beside them with pride. Let’s celebrate the power of Black institutions like DSU and innovative spaces like the Early Childhood Innovation Center that don’t just educate—they uplift.

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Trump Abruptly Fires First Carla Hayden: The First Black Woman to Serve as Librarian of Congress

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Hayden made history in 2016 as the first woman and first African American to run the Library of Congress. Her firing arrived in the form of an abrupt email in the evening hours.

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By Lauren Burke

President Donald Trump abruptly fired the Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden on May 8. Hayden made history in 2016 as the first woman and first African American to run the Library of Congress. Her firing arrived in the form of an abrupt email in the evening hours. There are fears that President Trump may also target a second prominent Black federal official, Smithsonian Chief Lonnie Bunch, for no other reason than the perceived political bias in a position not known for partisan activity. “Carla, on behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as the Librarian of Congress is terminated effective immediately. Thank you for your service,” the terse communication to Hayden read. The Library of Congress confirmed that Hayden had been informed she was fired by The White House. According to the Associated Press, Hayden “recently faced criticism from a conservative advocacy group aligned with Trump’s political allies. The group, the American Accountability Foundation, accused her and other library officials of promoting children’s books with what it called “radical” themes.”

Since his return to office Trump’s Administration has been focused on removing anyone who may disagree with their policy agenda. Many of the removals have introduced a sense of partisanship that Washington hasn’t seen in certain sectors such as the Library of Congress. “This is yet another example in the disturbing pattern of the President removing dedicated public servants without cause—likely to fill the position with one of his ‘friends’ who is not qualified and does not care about protecting America’s legacy,” wrote House Democrat Rosa DeLauro in a statement on Hayden’s firing. “President Trump’s unjustified decision to fire Dr. Carla Hayden as the Librarian of Congress is deeply troubling and just the latest example of Trump’s assault on the legislative branch of government. It’s also the latest demonstration of his blatant disregard for public servants who dedicate their lives to serving the American people,” wrote U.S. Senator Alex Padilla of California in a statement late on May 8.

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