BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — “Our work has never been more urgent,” said NAEYC CEO Michelle Kang. “We need systems that truly value children and the people who care for and educate them. Early childhood educators are the workforce behind the workforce—skilled, dedicated professionals whose impact reaches children, families, businesses, and communities nationwide. By recognizing these educators’ expertise, investing in their compensation, and elevating their contributions, we invest in our collectiv ByBlackPressUSA Newswire The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) commemorates its 100th anniversary this year, marking a century of advocacy, innovation, and leadership in early childhood education (ECE). Founded in...

by CHINEDU ASADU Associated Press and CONSTANT SAME BAGALWA October 29, 2026 center for Ebola patients in Beni, North Kivu province, eastern Congo, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Sebastien Kitsa Musayi) BUNIA, Congo (AP) — The fast-moving Ebola outbreak in Congo has reached 10,000 confirmed cases, government data showed Tuesday, as health authorities race to slow the spread of the disease in multiple African countries. This is the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history and nearly half of the 10,060 confirmed to have the virus have died, according to data from Congo’s Ministry of Health. That also makes it the deadliest outbreak of...

The winners. Credit: Lisa Reisman photo Pure joy.  That was how Nickia McAuley-Hines, president and founder of Steppin’ N-2 Time Line Dancers, described the experience of dancing along Dixwell Avenue as part of the 61st annual Elm City Freddy Fixer Parade. This June marked her group’s first time marching in the parade. Last week, McAuley-Hines and the 13 members of her group, which offers high-energy entertainment for special occasions, accepted a plaque for best dance team during the parade awards ceremony at Stetson Branch Library. The team joined the Freddy Fixer Mass Choir, awarded the Grand Marshal’s award; Hillhouse High School, which took home...

by Lisa Reisman On a recent Sunday, Olivia Brantley was having her hair styled at Trachouse Beauty Salon. Brantley was a police officer for 42 years in Bridgeport. She retired, then took another job in Garner Correctional Institution in Newtown as a therapist. “Yeah, I’ve seen it all, but it’s not about that for me,” she told stylist Nakima Reece at the salon’s day of beauty as part of its annual Pink Project. “You see people at their lowest and you want to help them.” She paused. “You all are doing that for me today in a different way.”  Brantley was starting...