Sha’Carri Richardson : simplebooklet.com

WWW.SAOBSERVER.COM - JUNE 26, 20242Sha’Carri Richardson secures a spot on the U.S. Olympic team with a stunning 100m victory, clocking in at 10.71 seconds.By: Observer StaffSha’Carri Richardson now holds the title of the fastest woman in the world. She recently ran past some of the fastest sprinters in the world for the women’s 100m race at the World Athletics Championship in Budapest. Her nal time was 10.65 seconds, a new record.“I would say never give up,” Richardson said to NPR. “Never allow media, never allow outsiders, never allow anything but yourself and your fate to dene who you are. I would say always ght. No matter what. Fight.”Richardson has gone through a tumultuous past few years. Her comeback is the best way of proving her haters wrong after being counted out.Just two steps from the nish line, Sha’Carri Richardson began pounding her chest, condent in her victory. Anyone who doubts she’s the sprinter to beat at this summer’s Paris Olympics should reconsider.Sha’Carri Richardson continued her “I’m Not Back, I’m Better” tour with a 10.71-second win in the 100 meters at the U.S. track trials, making her the fastest woman in the world this year. This victory secured her a spot at the Paris Olympics, where the women’s races begin on August 2. Despite not having stellar starts, Richardson nished clearly ahead in all three races at the meet, winning the nal by 0.09 seconds over training partner Melissa Jefferson. Twanisha Terry, also from coach Dennis Mitchell’s camp, nished third, earning a spot on the team.Richardson, overcome with emotion after her victory, reected on her journey. She credited her life experiences for preparing her for this moment and emphasized her mental and emotional growth. Richardson’s 2021 win was stripped due to a positive marijuana test, revealing her struggles with depression and outdated anti-doping rules. Since then, she has worked hard to become a better person and athlete, winning the national championship in 2023 and a world title a month later.Richardson’s message remains one of self-belief and hard work. Despite the tough competition she’ll face in Paris from sprinters like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson, and Elaine Thompson-Herah, Richardson is determined and ready for the challenge.Back in the U.S., the American sprinters are thriving by motivating each other. Dennis Mitchell, a prominent sprinter from the 1990s, achieved the rare feat of getting all three of his top athletes into the Olympics. “The odds of getting all SHA’CARRI RICHARDSON’S COMEBACK PROVES MISTAKES DON’T MAKE THE PERSONP.O. Box 200226San Antonio, Texas 78220(210) 212-NEWSFax (210) 271-0441www.saobserver.comPublished by Observer Newspaper Group, Inc. A wholly-owned subsidiary of No. 9 News, LLC. Charlestown, Nevis.Doug Heath, Managing EditorLayout / Design by Farah HasnieThe San Antonio Observer assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. Publishing an article is the sole discretion of the Editor. The views and opinions expressed by writers are not necessarily those of the publishers.The names of characters used in the San Antonio Observer, ction and non-ction, are ctitious and are parody and are not to be taken seriously. Any use or reproduction in part or whole is forbidden without the expressed written permission of the publisher.Entire contents. © Copyright 2008 - 2022 by Observer Newspaper Group Inc.continued on page 03

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WWW.SAOBSERVER.COM - JUNE 26, 20244 YOU MAY SIGN THE ELECTRONIC GUESTBOOK AT: www.bellandbellfuneralhome.com 210-657-2273 6867 Montgomery Dr. San Antonio, Texas 78239 DR. AMADI BELL AND DR. UZZIELITA BELL OWNERS/FUNERAL DIRECTORS/MORTICIANS FUNERAL PRE-ARRANGEMENTS AVAILABLE JOYANGEL M. FREDERICKS "If I were a flower, I would be a sunflower. To always follow the sun, turn my back to darkness, stand proud, tall, and straight even with my head full of seeds." DONALD HUNT Graveside Service Monday, July 1, 2024 11:30 AM Gonzales City Cemetery Gonzales, Texas MELVIN PAUL WILLIAMS Services are Pending KENNETH STEEN Services are Pending The Future of Our Democracy: The Crucial Role of Voter Participation in Preventing AuthoritarianismBy: Gordon BenjaminAs we approach this month’s end, additional questions continue to appear about what inuences are in play, regarding our voting processes, the impact of judicial decisions and what the future holds for our democracy. The country we have come to know appears to be in the throes of change, division and uncertainty, while appearing to be headed towards a country some haven’t had any idea it would ever become. We’re referring to our democracy possibly becoming an authoritarian state, where democratic principles could be wiped away and replaced by a dictatorship. Inaction and procrastination, on the part of misinformed or uninterested voters, could lead to fewer voters casting their ballots, making their voices heard, thus allowing the establishment of a dictatorship in these United States of America. The main hindrance to that occurring is for The People to get registered and Go Vote, in the general election, come November. In our country’s history, We, the People, were able to rely on one of the three branches of government, that being the Judiciary, apart from the Executive and the Legislative branches. This branch generally was called upon to “protect the Constitution”, as well as the rights of the people, in it’s duty as the Supreme Court.The court has now come under closer scrutiny, for decision established policy, vacating other policies and deciding what was previously precedent was now unconstitutional. We’re going to examine two issues where these past decisions are having a negative impact on elections and the voting populace. In 2010, the Court ruled in the case of Citizen’s United vs. FEC, that “the freedom of speech clause, of the First Amendment, prohibits the government from restricting independent expenditures for political campaigns, by corporations, non-prot organizations, labor unions and other organizations.” This has since, ushered in an inux of “dark money”, reportedly as long as donations are not tied to a specic campaign. Briey, we are all aware of the June 2013 ruling, in Shelby County (Alabama) vs.Holder, which declared Section 5 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, as unconstitutional and which had required certain states with a history of voting violations, to obtain “pre-clearance” from the Department of Justice, before any changes could be made to voting processes. We are also very aware of the 2021 decision, by the SCOTUS decision, to overturn Roe vs.Wade, which was in effect for fty years. More questions arise over the approval of State redistricting maps, which were challenged, voting rights advocates, on the grounds that those maps were gerrymandered, to dilute the voting power of black voters, thereby denying them of the opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice.All of the foregoing must remind voters that we must be diligent, make plans and be organized, increase the scrutiny of candidates seeking to represent us and increase voter turnout, in ALL elections!If We Want To Change Policies, We Must Change Policymakers! If We Want To Change Laws, We Must Change Lawmakers!PREVENTING AUTHORITARIANISM, THE QUESTIONS ABOUT ELECTION INFLUENCESTHE PROPERTY TAX VOTE GET OUTScan MeBECOME A VOLUNTEER DEPUTY REGISTRAR!Our challenge and strategy now, is to enlist more citizens, to become Volunteer Deputy Registrars, to spread the message of how important it is toget registered and to Vote! In this fashion, we will not be "trying to catch up", once 2024 arrives. For more information please visit: https://www.bexar.org/2184/Volunteer-as-a-Deputy-Registrar or scan the QR code shown above. As multiple efforts are ongoingy, in analarming number of states, to reduce voteraccess to the ballot, we must recognize theimportance of getting more groups ofpotential voters to get registered, to becomeaware of what's on the ballot, what thefunctions are, of the contested offices and toset specific agendas and to securecommitments from candidates.Let us be reminded of the historicalperspective of the late Supreme CourtJustice, the Honorable Thurgood Marshall: "Without the ballot, you have nocitizenship, no status, no power in thiscountry. "FIGHTING FOR ACCESSTO THE BALLOT On November 7th, We, the People, willhave an opportunity to vote on fourteenConstitutional Amendments to the stateConstitution. Some of the amendments will addressproperty tax cuts, which needs voters'approval before taking effect. There arefive components of the tax-cuts package,which will be addressed in continuation,prior to the election. Please stay advisedand ensure are up to date each week, here,every Wednesday. COMMUNITY VOTINGORGANIZATIONS The roots of very successful politicalinitiatives, particularly voter turnout,rests with Precinct Chairs, who arenominated and elected within partystructures and who have the responsibilityof keeping voters informed regardingissues that will impact their respectivecommunities and neighborhoods. Community based and faith basedorganizations are also very essential incarrying their messages to voters. We have previously noted twoorganizations (The Power of One andBIVA) that will continue to be involved inthe efforts to increase voter turnout andto secure commitments, from prospectivecandidates, who seek our votes, ourfinancial support and our manpower inorder to become an elected representativeof our communities. If we want to Change Laws, we must Change Lawmakers! If we want to Change Policies, we must Change Policymakers!By: Gordon BenjaminVolunteer TodayTHE VOTEData: Texas Secretary of StateBexar County Voter Registration Figures

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WWW.SAOBSERVER.COM - JUNE 26, 2024 5The Horrible Side of ReconstructionBy: Mario Marcel SalasMost of us know about the good things that happened during Reconstruction, a time period that stretches roughly 10 years after the Civil War. What we don’t know, and what the educational system often refuses to discuss, is the opposition to Reconstruction by the former slave owners as they attempted to derail the human dignity and citizenship of black people. The Freedman’s Bureau did not begin to function in helping Black folk until the end of 1865 and was removed by white supremacist politicians by 1870. Racialized whites feared that allowing blacks to be educated implied equality with whites and competitors for jobs with white people. This would create a backlash even after several blacks were elected to the Texas legislature. Black progress is always seen as a threat to the racial caste system and the proponents of white supremacy. The Freedmen Bureau was set up by Congress to help former enslaved people to survive after the Civil War in 1865. The black folk of Texas celebrated the news of emancipation but were in for the horror that followed. They shouted for joy and were heard to say, “No more whippings,” but just like with the election of Obama the racist forces organized and refused the policies of the progress. The freedmen’s Bureau records show that the southern states refused to accept the freedom of black people and in the years 1865 to 1866 over 500 blacks were killed for leaving the plantations or just murdered by crazed white vigilantes. Despite the announcement that slaves were free at Galveston, plantation owners refused to tell blacks about it until Union troops arrived or the next crop was picked. Blacks that did nd out about being free were shot if they attempted to leave the plantation. No slaves owned by Alex Simpson were freed until three years after the Civil War. Attack dogs were still used years after blacks were freed in Texas and hunted them down when they ran away from a plantation. Near Houston and other places blacks were convinced to board ships with the promise of freedom and jobs only to be chained and set back into slavery in Brazil. Black schools set up by the Freedmen’s Bureau were all burned down and the new schools had to be sponsored by wealthy whites and taught by white teachers for a time. This was the case in San Antonio as the Republican authorities wanted the Lincoln School to ourish with white teachers. Black people wanted black teachers and the democrats of that time sought to create a black educational system that serviced the needs of whites. The Lincoln School in San Antonio was sabotaged by the anti-Lincoln forces and named their school the Rincon School that may have been an attempt to confuse blacks with word play. In fact, if any pictures of Abraham Lincoln were found hanging in the classroom, or any abolitionist picture, the teacher would be red and the picture ripped down. Freedmen Bureau agents were ran out of towns, beaten, and shot and one report stated that several white gangs offered to kill blacks for seventy-ve cents in Harrison County. In Bowie County, racist gangs could be hired to kill blacks for a few dollars. Whites killed blacks during Reconstruction for any display of their freedom; refusing to look down when passing a white person or the shouting of joy for freedom resulted in death. According to Smallwood, the sheriff of DeWitt County shot a black man for whistling “Yankee Doodle.” It gets worse as the crimes of this guilty land are being exposed. Black Lives never mattered and the struggle to make Black Lives Matter continues unabated.‘WHITE GANGS OFFERED TO KILL BLACKS FOR .75 CENTS’FUGITIVES WANTED$$ REWARD FOR INFORMATION $$If found or have information please call 1) 210-878-8926 2) 210-336-2353CHRISHANDA JOHNSONSID: 541912 AGG ASSLT W DEADLY WPN CHARGESNATHAN BEASLEYSID: 1149410DOB 1-11-84AGG ASSLT W/ DEADLY WPN

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WWW.SAOBSERVER.COM - JUNE 26, 20246MILITARY CITY USA- MAKING VETS AWARE OF MEMBERSHIPSFred Brock Post 828 Joint Installations of Ofcers CeremonyBy: Fred Brock Post 828 Public AffairsSAN ANTONIO – (June 18, 2024) – On the eve of Juneteenth, the Fred Brock American Legion Post No. 828 Family consisting of Legionnaires, Auxiliary, and Sons of the American Legion (S.A.L.) held their Joint Installations of Ofcers Ceremony at the Post located at 3415 Martin Luther King Drive on the East Side.District 20 Commander Danny Muth installed Post Commander Burrell Parmer (third term) and his elected ofcers while District 20 Auxiliary President Sandy Vinson installed Auxiliary President Pamela Money (second term) and her elected ofcers.Parmer installed the Post’s Board of Trustees and Squadron Commander Thomas Tyler and his elected S.A.L. members, respectfully.Prior to the installations, the membership and guests had the opportunity to hear from Highlands High School Senior Carlos Islas, one of eight high school students sponsored by the Post and H-E-B, who attended Texas Boy State, June 10 – 14.Parmer thanked all those who worked with him to make the Post better.“This year has been rewarding and I want to truly thank all those who worked with me,” said Parmer. “There is no other Post that I would want to call my home other than Post 828.”Parmer was proud to announce that the Post had exceeded its membership goal of 397 and that the Post, for the second consecutive year, reached an all-time high in membership.“This is Military City USA, and there are many veterans who need to be aware of The American Legion and Fred Brock Post 828,” said Parmer. “Please assist me in increasing and retaining our membership.”Fred Brock Post, which received a Temporary Charter as Post 420-A on Jan. 1, 1946, is named in honor of San Antonio native, U.S. Army Sgt. Fred Brock of the 598th Field Artillery Battalion, 92nd Infantry Division, who died in the line of duty at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., on Aug. 18, 1943. On Aug. 23, 1950, Fred Brock Post No. 420-A was granted a full charter and was redesignated as Post No. 828.The mission of Post 828 is to enhance the well-being of San Antonio’s veterans, their families, the military, and the community by its devotion to mutual helpfulness.Hours of operation are Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 4 pm – midnight.For more information about Fred Brock Post 828 visit www.fredbrockpost828.org and follow on Facebook: American Legion Fred Brock 828.Photos by: Historian Barry Andrews/Post 828NATIONAL HEADLINES 4 drowned in 48 hours: Panama City rip currents deadliest in the US. Four tourists died in the past two days in Panama City Beach, Florida, putting the area on pace to be the deadliest in the nation for the second year. USA TODAYSotomayor knocks Supreme Court decision, says it could burden same-sex couples. Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned on Friday that her colleagues gravely undervalued the right to marriage for immigrants in a decision she said will have the biggest impact on same-sex couples. VOXFourth victim has died in Arkansas grocery store mass shooting. A total of 11 civilians were shot as well as two police ofcers who sustained non-life-threatening injuries during an exchange with the suspect. CNN‘Only by God’s mercy that I survived’: Hajj became death march for 1,300. Hajj drew almost 2 million pilgrims in blazing desert heat. US couple who perished ‘saved their whole lives for this.’ MSNBC‘Deadliest weather we have’: Heat bakes cities in East; oods swamp Midwest. AccuWeather said a change in the weather pattern will cause temperatures across the Northeast to retreat from record territory within days. AP‘Inside Out 2’ scores $100M in its second weekend, setting records. The Pixar sequel collected $100 million in ticket sales in its second weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday, setting a new record for an animated movie in its follow-up frame in theaters. AP

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WWW.SAOBSERVER.COM - JUNE 26, 2024 7The Enduring Legacy of Willie MaysBy: Fernando Rover Jr.Baseball playing legend Willie Mays passed away on June 18th, 2024 at the age of 93. The Alabama native began his career in the Negro leagues with the Birmingham Black Barons in 1948 and embarked on an illustrious 25 year career that featured various record breaking catches and home runs.Writer Richard Goldstein, in hi 2024 article for The New York Times, “Willie Mays, Baseball’s Electrifying Player of Power and Grace, Is Dead at 93”, writes, “Mays compiled extraordinary statistics in 22 National League seasons with the Giants in New York and San Francisco and a brief return to New York with the Mets, preceded by a time in the Negro leagues, from 1948-50. He hit 660 career home runs and had 3,293 hits and a .301 career batting average.”In the same vein of fellow Baseball playing legends such as Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Satchel Paige, and Jackie Robinson, Mays helped transform the game of baseball into the cornerstone of American popular culture it is today, especially that of African American athletes. His agility and powerful arm caught the attention of various team managers, starting with the San Francisco Giants, winning Rookie of The Year in 1950.Writer Christian Isidore, in his 2024 article for CNN, “Why Willie Mays, not Babe Ruth, Was Baseball’s Greatest Player”, writes, “There is a term in baseball to describe Mays’ rare kind of greatness — “a ve-tool player,” one who can hit for average, hit for power, eld, throw and run… Mays is also the only player with more than 300 home runs, 300 stolen bases, 3,000 hits and a lifetime .300 batting average — all milestone marks in the sport.”Let it not be forgotten during the 1954 World Series, Mays introduced what has become known as “The Catch”, an over the shoulder catch that has become synonymous with a touchdown and a slam dunk.Writer Kevin Blackistone, in his 2024 article for The Washington Post, writes, “69 years, eight months and counting since Mays made the Catch, it remains a part of our collective sports psyche. It is not just etched in the memories of those who may have witnessed it at the time but has become embedded in the minds of fans who didn’t — and transcended the game’s lines as well.”The legacy of WIllie Mays can be looked at in a myriad of ways. He blazed a trail that has inuenced players such as Derek Jeter, Carl Crawford, and Barry Bonds. But his legacy is more than just throwing and catching a ball. The representation he helped usher in redened the work ethic and possibilities for an African American baseball player.THE ENDURING LEGACY OF WILLIE MAYSPhoto: AP

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WWW.SAOBSERVER.COM - JUNE 26, 2024 9Another Jim’s Restaurant location in San Antonio is set to close its doors for good. The company previously announced the closure of its Broadway location earlier this year.By: Observer StaffFollowing the closure of one Jim’s Restaurant three months ago, the company has now announced that a second San Antonio location will also shut down early next week. The Jim’s Restaurant at the intersection of San Pedro Avenue and Hildebrand Avenue will ofcially close on Tuesday, as stated in a Facebook post by the restaurant.“Due to the challenges posed by our current economy and rising operational costs at this location, we nd ourselves at a critical juncture. After much deliberation, we have made the difcult decision to cease operations of Jim’s Restaurant at San Pedro and Hildebrand,” the post read. “This decision is not taken lightly, but it is necessary for us to enhance our company’s ability to serve our patrons and the communities who’ve made us their own throughout the city.”The San Pedro/Hildebrand location has served San Antonians for 54 years. Despite the closure, all employees at this location will be offered positions at other Jim’s Restaurant locations in San Antonio, the company assured.In March, the company closed its Broadway location near Brackenridge Park after 53 years of service.Many community residents believe the city should have intervened sooner, as ongoing development and heavy construction have impacted numerous businesses in the area, including local favorites like Jim’s Restaurant, Earl Abel’s, and LuLu’s. These businesses were rst hit by COVID-19 and then by signicant construction projects right after reopening. This combination has made it difcult for them to survive, as consumers have many alternatives and are eager to move on, especially after the pandemic. San Antonio did not make it easy for these businesses to stay aoat.‘NOT SUSTAINABLE’- ANOTHER JIM’S RESTAURANT CLOSES AFTER 54 YEARSSTARTTODAY !ARE YOU LOOKING TO EXPAND YOUR DIGITAL REACH?The City of San Antonio is supporting small businesses in San Antonio to reach more customers online. Take the short survey and start today! You might be eligible for free digital services!Visit https://SanAntonio.Digital to take the survey and receive a helpful report.DIGITAL PRESENCE PROGRAM

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WWW.SAOBSERVER.COM - JUNE 26, 202410“Silver Dollar Road” Tells the Story of a Family’s Battle to Keep Their Land Now Showing on Amazon Prime and in Select Theaters By: Connor WileyFilmmaker Raoul Peck recently released a documentary called “Silver Dollar Road,” inspired by a ProPublica article written by Lizzie Presser in 2019, which focuses on the Reels family’s struggle to hold on to the land that rightfully belongs to them amid discrepant laws and invading property developers. In 2011 brothers Melvin Davis and Licurtis Reels were sent to jail when they refused to leave the land that they lived on, where they had grown up and spent their entire lives. They hadn’t actually been convicted of any crime, but had been informed by a court order that they would be arrested if they did not stay off the land. When their court-appointed hearing came, they had hoped to argue their case to the judge, but instead were sent to jail, where they spent the next eight years. Legal loopholes and land developers’ interest in their family’s waterfront property led to a portion of the land being sold, unknowingly to and without the consent of the Reels family members actively living there. Members of the Reels family have lived on and owned their 65-acre property in North Carolina for generations. Melvin and Licurtis’ great-grandfather, Elijah Reels, took up ofcial ownership of the land in 1911, and when he died without a will it became heirs’ property, with possession rights being distributed among a large group of descendants. One of those descendants, an elusive relative named Shedrick, acquired and sold the rights to a portion of the land equal to about 13 acres through a legal statute known as adverse possession. Both Melvin and Licurtis had homes on the portion of land that ended up being sold to developers, and were unaware that they no longer had legal rights to the property until they started receiving eviction notices.Peck’s lm pinpoints the specic struggle of the Reels family, but ultimately speaks to a larger systemic issue. Between 1910 and 1997, land ownership by Black farmers declined by an estimated 90 percent, largely as a result of the heirs’ property inheritance system and the encroachment of white land developers. These legal loopholes continue to be taken advantage of by developers, robbing Black farmers of the rightful ownership of their land. “Silver Dollar Road” seeks to highlight this ongoing injustice by calling attention to the discriminatory and unjustiable circumstances that plague the Reels family. Peck’s lm is streaming on Prime Video, check it out.INVESTOR’S PLOT TWIST: SWIPES LAND LEAVING THE OWNERS BEHIND BARS

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WWW.SAOBSERVER.COM - JUNE 26, 2024 11Welcome Charley Gallegos: Our New Lifestyle/Food Editor Ready to Uncover San Antonio’s Culinary GemsBy: Observer StaffWe are thrilled to welcome Charley Gallegos as our new Lifestyle/Food Editor at the San Antonio Observer Newspaper. Charley, a Texas A&M University-San Antonio alumna and Jourdanton native, brings her passion for writing and love for all things culinary to our community, ready to explore hidden gems and budget-friendly dining options with you. Meet Charley:“Howdy! I’m Charley Gallegos, your new go-to guide here at San Antonio Observer Newspaper, where we’re diving headrst into the delightful world of food, drink, and all things budget-friendly. So, who am I? Well here goes… I am from Jourdanton, Texas but I am thrilled to meet new people in the San Antonio community. I attended Texas A&M University-San Antonio and majored in Communications. Me and my husband share 3 beautiful children so when I am not writing about these delicious restaurants, I am either at a softball eld or golf course with my children. I have a huge passion for writing, so I am excited to write about one of my favorite things to do, EAT!Join me as we uncover hidden restaurants tucked away in our friendly neighborhoods, discover mouthwatering recipes that won’t break the bank, and uncover the hottest deals on happy hours and dining specials. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or just looking for a tasty bargain, this column is your passport to delicious experiences without the guilt of overspending.Expect juicy insights, behind-the-scenes peeks at local favorites, and interviews with chefs and bartenders who are shaking up the scene.So, buckle up and get ready to indulge in a bit of culinary exploration and money-saving mastery. Let’s eat, drink, and thrive together in style, right here in the Lifestyle section!Email me your favorite food to eat at: cgallegos@saobserver.com and I will nd where to get that meal at the best price! Maybe it’s Italian, Mexican, or even a good homemade hamburger! Whatever the dish is trust me I will nd it for you and it will be the BEST in town.Meet me here in the Lifestyle section to see where you want to go have that delicious lunch!”Be back soon! Gotta run to my next restaurant!”Charley will be here next Wednesday in these pages to guide you to the best of the best, see you then!OBSERVER WELCOMES NEW LIFESTYLE/FOOD EDITOR, CHARLEY GALLEGOS!Your Weekly Break from News Overload: Trusted Community Updates Every Wednesday for almost 30 YearsBy: Observer StaffFor 30 years, our community newspaper has been your trusted source of information, publishing every Wednesday without fail. In an era where news is constantly buzzing in our ears and headlines bombard us every second, it can be exhausting and overwhelming to keep up. The challenge of discerning whom to trust amidst this constant ow of information makes it even more crucial to nd reliable sources. That’s where we come in. Our team is dedicated to deep research, ensuring that every piece of news we publish is accurate and relevant. Unlike the eeting stories that often clutter our lives with useless information, our newspaper focuses on the essential resources and news that truly matter. From your rights as a person and voter to upcoming community health fairs and free resources, we cover the information you need to navigate your daily life.In the hustle and bustle of 24/7 news, important local information can get lost. Our weekly newspaper bridges that gap by delivering comprehensive community news every Wednesday. We’ve never missed a Wednesday because we understand the importance of consistency and reliability for our readers.As we celebrate our 30th anniversary this upcoming March, we remain committed to growing with you and keeping you informed. We invite you to engage with us, not just through our weekly print edition but also through email updates. Simply scan the QR code shown here to receive a free subscription to our ‘Wednesday Weekly’s’. We keep it short. We keep it weekly. Trust us to deliver the news you need, every Wednesday. Join us as we continue to serve our community, providing free, reliable news that you can depend on. Together, we can navigate the overwhelming landscape of information and focus on what truly matters.A WEEKLY BREAK FROM NEWS

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WWW.SAOBSERVER.COM - JUNE 26, 202412Will Smith to Debut New Song at BET Awards; Ice Spice, Sexyy Red Among Other PerformersBy: Observer Staff Ahead of the BET Awards on Sunday, organizers revealed the roster of artists confirmed to perform at the ceremony. Perhaps the biggest name of the bunch is Will Smith, who will debut a new original song. Other artists scheduled to perform include GloRilla, Ice Spice, Latto, Ms. Lauryn Hill & YG Marley, Muni Long, Sexyy Red, Shaboozey, Tyla, and Victoria Monét.WILL SMITH PERFORMING AT BET AWARDSWhat’s at stake for Biden and Trump in this week’s presidential debate?By: Steven PeoplesRarely, if ever, has one candidate in a presidential debate had so much material to use against the other.Republican Donald Trump has been convicted of 34 felony counts with serious charges in three other indictments still pending. As president, Trump nominated three of the justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade and erode abortion access in America, creating a backlash even in conservative-led states. And his sweeping second-term plans include promises of retribution against political enemies in both major political parties.Yet the big question for President Joe Biden, fairly or not, is whether he can press the case against Trump. Perhaps nothing matters more than the level of energy and strength the Democratic incumbent projects on stage.Both men have glaring aws that present their opponent with tremendous opportunity and risk. They will face a huge national audience that will include many people tuning into their 2020 rematch for the rst time and who won’t see another debate until September, magnifying each success or mistake.Biden and Trump will face off Thursday at 9 p.m. ET for 90 minutes inside a CNN studio in Atlanta.DON’T MISS THIS PRESIDENTIAL DEBATEPhoto: VarietyPhoto: Boardroom

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WWW.SAOBSERVER.COM - JUNE 26, 2024 13SAT yers could see $18M in refunds under new DOT rule but will you actually get it?By: Observer StaffA new study (see full study at saobserver.com) from Upgraded Points looking at the U.S. airlines and airports most impacted by the new Department of Transportation (DOT) rule, which requires prompt and automatic ight refunds for canceled or signicantly changed ights. The study explores what the nancial fallout would look like using 2023 ight data.For San Antonio? The study shows that “affected SAT passengers would have been entitled to an estimated $18 million in refunds had the new rule been in effect last year.”The new rule:The new rule mandates airlines to issue refunds in the original payment method for canceled or signicantly changed ights (diverted or delayed for more than 3 hours), delayed baggage delivery, and undelivered services. Unless passengers explicitly opt for alternative compensation, airlines will no longer be allowed to issue refunds in the form of travel vouchers or credits—both of which often have expiration dates. Airlines have until October 28, 2024 to implement these changes. The fallout:While the new regulation provides some peace of mind for air travelers on the surface, the rule’s overall nancial impact on airlines and customers is unclear. Airlines might respond by adjusting their operations, pricing strategies, or a combination of both. Airlines for America, for example, says the new regulations could reduce competition and ultimately drive up prices for consumers.To identify the airports that are most impacted, researchers analyzed domestic ight data for 2023 to calculate refund estimates under the new DOT rule. The complete analysis includes a breakdown of refund estimates for each major U.S. airline and over 350 U.S. airports.These are the main takeaways from the report, highlighting some key stats for San Antonio International (SAT):- Looking at 2023 ight data, 3% of domestic ights—a total of 214,875—would have been affected by the DOT regulation change.- Approximately $5 billion in domestic airfares could have qualied for automatic refunds in 2023 had the new rule been in effect.- Major carriers like United, American, and Delta would have each been on the hook for over $1 billion in automatic refunds last year due to domestic ight cancellations and delays.- Even low-cost carriers with lower estimated refund amounts—such as Spirit ($160 million) or Allegiant ($50 million)—would still experience a substantial nancial burden.- The new DOT regulation would have impacted 2.3% of the domestic ights at San Antonio International (SAT).As a result, affected SAT passengers would have been entitled to an estimated $18 million in refunds had the new rule been in effect last year. We will continue to keep you updated.SAT FLYERS MAY SEE $18M IN REFUNDS- ARE YOU ONE OF THEM?

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