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On Wednesday afternoon 45 year old Ashley Dias died when he put himself between a child and an SUV in front of Stanley Middle School. While parents were heartened to see many police officers and even school administrators present in the crosswalks around Stanley Middle School on Thursday, they questioned where they were before that and pointed out gaping holes on intersections surrounding the middle school. Parents and students say they are desperate not to let Dias's life end in vain and are calling on the city and the school district for change. 

News for Sunday, August 29, 2021

On June 28, 2021 Gangstagrass stunned the world when they appeared on America's Got Talent and got unanimous yeses from all of the judges including Simon Cowell. By chance, I saw the group perform in Stevens Point, Wisconsin during the town's Independence Day celebration. I watched and felt a kind of magic unravel as folks as different in appearance as the group themselves got up and danced while taking in songs addressing everything from mass incarceration to struggle to the ongoing quest for freedom to the backdrop of fiddles, beats and rapping. The band spent an hour with me describing their musical journeys and their aspirations for bringing about unity in the country and beyond. Listen and be inspired. 

As Juneteenth is declared a national holiday just before Father's Day, what does it mean when many fathers are still not free? Listen in for this and other stories from this weekend's newscast. 

President Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday just hours before June 19th, the day it is commemorated. While this is a milestone of progress, there is an irony of this celebration of freedom happening on Father's Day weekend--as so many fathers are incarcerated and away from their children.

Pastor Kenny reflects on his own experience being away from his children for fourteen years while he was incarcerated and how his journey in founding TOPS (The Ordinary People Society) with his children at his side when he was released. His daughter also shares her experience of being away from her dad and then working with him to empower other disenfranchised people.

As we know, there are many sides to every story. I spoke with a 35 year old Israeli who spent 23 years in Israel before moving to the East Bay and with Palestinian American Dr. Haten Bazian, to gain perspective and analysis with what is at play in the region. 

Join Professor Loan Dao, Professor Robin Dunn, Calvin Monroe and Sharon Sobotta in a discussion about the complexities of the modern day age gap and the nuances that don't show up in basic data or report summaries. 

This program is brought to you in collaboration with Community Engagement Students working with the Center for Women & Gender Equity. 

The children in this segment reside in California, Texas and Canada and they've never met in person? What brings them together and how have they become such good friends?

Each of them struggle with body focused repetitive behaviors. They come together virtually with Jen Patterson, the founder of the Origami Story club, with for the three-fold purpose (pun intended) *folding to cope *connecting *and honing their crafts.