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ACoM News Briefing Recap | The Native Vote in 2026: Sovereignty, Representation and Political Power See More: americancommunitymedia.org/m… Native voters are an important part of America’s changing electorate, yet their priorities can be overlooked in polling, campaign outreach and national political coverage. Ahead of the 2026 midterms, tribal sovereignty, representation and access to the ballot are central to understanding what is at stake for Native communities. Native voters are not a monolith. Experiences differ across reservations, rural communities and cities, while barriers including long travel distances, limited mail access and registration challenges can make political participation more difficult. Younger Native voters are also becoming increasingly engaged in organizing, policy and elections. This ACoM briefing brings together Native leaders and researchers to help journalists look beyond party affiliation and better understand how sovereignty, voting access, representation and youth engagement are shaping Native political participation in 2026. Thank you to our guest speakers: Michael Roberts, President and CEO, First Nations Development Institute Melissa Rogers, Professor of Politics & Policy, Claremont Graduate University Judith LeBlanc, Executive Director, Native Organizers Alliance Sage Phillips, Co-Coordinator, Wabanaki Policy Youth Initiative #NativeVote #NativeAmerican #TribalSovereignty #VotingRights #2026Midterms

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ACoM News Briefing Recap | Vote Early! Statewide Briefing with CA Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber Ph.D See More: americancommunitymedia.org/m… California’s November 3 statewide general election is approaching, and voters are navigating when and how to cast their ballots. Clear, reliable information about registration, early voting and ballot access is essential as communities prepare for the election. For communities across California, understanding available voting options and where to find accurate election information can help reduce confusion and make the process easier to navigate. This ACoM briefing with California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. helps journalists understand the key information voters need ahead of Election Day, including registration, voting options, early voting and other important election guidance. Thank you to our guest speakers: Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., California Secretary of State #California #Elections2026 #Voting #CivicEngagement #ACoMNewsBriefing

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ACoM News Briefing Recap | The Black Vote in 2026: Turnout, Resistance and the Fight for Representation See More: americancommunitymedia.org/m… Black voters remain one of the most consequential constituencies heading into the 2026 midterms, but enduring Democratic loyalty does not automatically translate into turnout or political power. Economic pressures and political disillusionment, especially among younger Black voters and Black men, are shaping whether voters feel motivated to participate. At the same time, voting rights and representation are under pressure as redistricting battles and legal changes affect the ability of Black communities to translate votes into representation. The briefing also underscored the importance of sustained engagement that listens to Black voters’ priorities rather than treating them as a last-minute campaign constituency. This ACoM briefing helps journalists and communities understand how turnout, economic concerns, redistricting and outreach may interact in 2026—and why the Black electorate cannot be reduced to a single partisan narrative. The discussion highlights both the durability of Black political participation and the uncertainty surrounding who will show up, what will motivate them and whether their votes will translate into representation. Thank you to our guest speakers: Dr. Andra Gillespie, Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the James Weldon Johnson Institute, Emory University Michael Bland, Executive Director, Black Men Vote Evan Milligan, Voting Rights Advocate; Lead Plaintiff, Allen v. Milligan; Founder and Former Executive Director, Alabama Forward #BlackVoters #2026Midterms #VotingRights #PoliticalRepresentation #ACoM

Our 2026 Impact Report is here. ACoM’s network of 1,282 media partners reached more than 65 million people across 42 communities and over 40 languages. The report highlights a year of news briefings, reporting fellowships, syndicated stories, and more than $1 million in direct revenue invested in the sector, alongside advocacy to strengthen ethnic and community journalism nationwide. Explore the highlights and access the full report here: americancommunitymedia.org/p… #EthnicMedia #CommunityMedia #Journalism #LocalJournalism #ImpactReport #AmericanCommunityMedia

ACoM News Briefing Recap | Barriers to Voting in the Midterms: Impact on Ethnic Voters See More: americancommunitymedia.org/m… As the 2026 midterms approach, voters across the country are navigating changing rules and practical challenges that can shape access to the ballot. For ethnic and historically marginalized communities, those barriers can include voter ID requirements, redistricting, language access and limited polling options. The impact varies across communities and regions. Native voters may face long distances and address-related challenges, while language, registration and identification requirements can create additional hurdles for other voters. Concerns about intimidation and uncertainty around election rules can further complicate participation. This ACoM briefing brings together voting rights and community advocates to explain how these barriers affect voters, what protections and assistance are available, and how organizations are helping communities prepare for the November elections. Thank you to our guest speakers: John C. Yang, President and Executive Director, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC Jacqueline De León, Senior Staff Attorney, Native American Rights Fund Monica Spencer, Georgia State Director, VoteRiders Jesus Zamora, Field Director, Mi Familia Vota #VotingRights #2026Midterms #EthnicMedia #CivicEngagement #VoterAccess

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ACoM News Briefing Recap | CA Attorney General Bonta & CalHHS Secretary Johnson Discuss Litigation to Block Public Charge Rule and Its Impact on Californians See More: americancommunitymedia.org/m… California and a multistate coalition are challenging the federal public charge rule that took effect Sept. 18. The rule changes how certain public benefits may be considered in some immigration decisions, making it important for immigrant and mixed-status families to understand who may be affected and what the rule does — and does not — mean. During the briefing, California officials discussed concerns that confusion around the rule could lead eligible families to avoid health care, food assistance and other services. They emphasized that public charge does not apply to everyone and is separate from eligibility for programs such as Medi-Cal and CalFresh, while pointing Californians toward trusted legal and state resources for case-specific guidance. This ACoM briefing helps journalists and communities understand the legal challenge, the rule’s real-world implications and the resources available to Californians navigating questions about public charge. Thank you to our guest speakers: Rob Bonta, California Attorney General, California Department of Justice Kim Johnson, Secretary, California Health & Human Services Agency (CalHHS) #PublicCharge #Immigration #California #CommunityHealth #ACoMNewsBriefing

ACoM News Briefing Recap | Supreme Court Ruling on Mail-in Votes: Multiracial Coalition of Advocates Discuss How They Won, What It Means for the Future See More: americancommunitymedia.org/m… The Supreme Court has left in place a lower-court injunction blocking new U.S. Postal Service requirements for federal mail ballots ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms. The Sept. 14 order denied the federal government's request to lift that injunction while the underlying litigation continues. The blocked rule would have imposed new envelope, voter-data and barcode requirements on election jurisdictions. Panelists discussed why they argued those changes could disrupt ballot delivery and create particular challenges for voters who rely on mail voting, including people with disabilities, rural residents, military and overseas voters, students and many Asian American voters. This ACoM briefing brings together attorneys involved in the case to explain the coalition's legal strategy, the Supreme Court order's immediate effect and the questions that remain as litigation continues. The discussion also examines what the case could mean for future efforts to regulate mail voting and for communities navigating an election season shaped by rapid legal changes. Thank you to our guest speakers: Niyati Shah, Senior Director, Litigation, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC John Cusick, Assistant Counsel, Legal Defense Fund (LDF) Justin Lam, Counsel, Democracy, Brennan Center for Justice Ethan Herenstein, Staff Attorney, Voting Rights Project, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) #VotingRights #MailInVoting #SupremeCourt #Elections #ACoM

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ACoM News Briefing Recap | Rural Health Care at a Breaking Point: Who Can Afford to Stay Healthy? See More: americancommunitymedia.org/m… Rural communities across the United States are facing mounting pressure as health coverage becomes less affordable, hospitals struggle to remain financially stable and patients must travel farther to receive care. For millions of rural residents, staying healthy increasingly depends on whether essential services remain available close to home and whether families can afford to use them. These challenges extend beyond insurance coverage alone. Hospital finances, workforce shortages and geographic distance can affect access to primary, emergency, maternity and specialty care, while changes affecting Medicaid and ACA coverage can add financial pressure for patients and providers. This ACoM briefing brings together perspectives from health policy, economics and primary care to examine what is driving the rural health care crisis, the limits and possibilities of current federal funding efforts, and what more sustainable and inclusive models of care could look like. Thank you to our guest speakers: Dr. Katherine Hempstead, Senior Policy Adviser, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Dr. Neale Mahoney, Professor of Economics, Stanford University; George P. Shultz Fellow, Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research Dr. Amy Gordon Bono, Primary Care Physician, Heritage Medical Associates, Tennessee #RuralHealth #HealthCareAccess #HealthCoverage #RuralCommunities #HealthEquity

ACoM News Briefing Recap | The Next Chapter in The Stealth War Against Immigrants – The Expanding Surveillance Dragnet See More: americancommunitymedia.org/m… Surveillance technology and large-scale data sharing are playing a growing role in U.S. immigration enforcement, raising questions about how information is collected, connected and used—and what privacy protections apply. For immigrant communities, tools such as automated license plate readers, social-media monitoring and linked government or commercial databases can shape where and how enforcement occurs. The discussion also explored broader privacy and civil-liberties implications beyond immigration cases. Across two panels, this ACoM briefing brought together legal, research, policy and community perspectives on how surveillance systems work, how data is being used in immigration enforcement, and what legal, legislative and grassroots responses are emerging around oversight, transparency and privacy. Thank you to our guest speakers: Stephen Manning, Executive Director, Innovation Law Lab Denise Bell, Human Rights Researcher and Co-Author, Agents of Chaos and Cruelty Steven Hubbard, Senior Data Scientist, American Immigration Council Saira Hussain, Senior Staff Attorney, Electronic Frontier Foundation Jonathan Paz, Former Government Affairs Manager, Flock Safety Brian Hofer, Chair and Executive Director, Secure Justice Kimberly Woo, Community Organizer, SIREN Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network Lena Graber, Senior Staff Attorney, Immigrant Legal Resource Center Abdi Soltani, Executive Director, ACLU of Northern California Moderator: Jaya Padmanabhan, Executive Director, American Community Media Opening Remarks: Ed Kissam, Researcher and ACoM Collaborator #Immigration #Surveillance #DataPrivacy #CivilLiberties #ACoM

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ACoM News Briefing Recap | Public Charge Takes Effect Sept. 18 — Who’s Targeted, How, What to Do? See More: americancommunitymedia.org/m… A new federal public charge rule is scheduled to take effect Sept. 18, changing how immigration officials evaluate certain people seeking admission to the U.S. or permanent resident status and broadening the role that means-tested public benefits may play in those decisions. Public charge does not apply to every immigrant or every public benefit. For immigrant and mixed-status families, understanding who is subject to the rule, which benefits may be considered and which categories are exempt is especially important as families navigate decisions about immigration status and essential services. This ACoM briefing brings together legal, health policy and community experts to explain the rule’s scope, its implications for green card applicants and families, and how trusted community and legal resources can help people navigate the changes. Thank you to our guest speakers: Adriana Cadena, Executive Director, Protecting Immigrant Families Coalition Ariel Brown, Senior Staff Attorney, Immigrant Legal Resource Center Sarah Dar, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, The Children’s Partnership Daniel Torres, Chief Equity Officer & Special Counsel, California Health & Human Services Agency Cheryl Branch, Executive Director, Los Angeles Metropolitan Churches #PublicCharge #Immigration #ImmigrantFamilies #California #ACoM

ACoM News Briefing Recap | The Latino Vote: Profiling America’s Changing Electorate – 2026 Midterms See More: americancommunitymedia.org/m… As the 2026 midterms approach, Latino voters are drawing renewed attention after notable shifts in the 2024 presidential election. Rather than treating the electorate as a single partisan bloc, this briefing examines how voter attitudes continue to change and why neither major party can assume lasting support. Panelists highlighted economic pressures, immigration enforcement, political independence and trust in political institutions as important factors shaping voter decisions. The discussion also underscored the diversity within Latino communities and the distinction between support for particular policies, candidates and parties. This ACoM briefing helps journalists and audiences understand the forces shaping Latino political participation ahead of the midterms, including the role of turnout, candidate engagement and voters’ day-to-day economic concerns. Thank you to our guest speakers: Mike Madrid, Republican political strategist, author of The Latino Century and Co-Founder of The Lincoln Project María Isabel Di Franco Quiñonez, Senior Research Director, Equis Research Eli Valentin, Assistant Dean of Graduate and Leadership Studies at the W. Frankly Richardson Graduate Center, Virginia Union University, and author of Politicking in the Barrio Clarissa Martínez De Castro, Vice President of the Latino Vote Initiative, UnidosUS #LatinoVote #2026Midterms #LatinoVoters #Elections #ACoMBriefing

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ACoM News Briefing Recap | Protecting California Communities from Invasive Fruit Flies: Why It Takes Collective Action by Everyone See More: americancommunitymedia.org/m… Invasive fruit flies can threaten California farms, backyard gardens and the food supply, making prevention a shared responsibility. As state and local officials continue responding to detections and quarantines, stopping new pests before they spread remains critical. For communities, everyday choices matter. Fruit flies can travel in luggage, packages, fresh produce and plants, while quarantine rules can temporarily limit how homegrown fruits and vegetables are moved or shared. Buying plants from trusted nurseries and following local guidance can help reduce the risk. This ACoM briefing helps journalists and audiences understand how California detects, contains and eradicates invasive fruit flies, how state and county agencies work together, and what residents can do to protect agriculture and home gardens. Thank you to our guest speakers: Victoria Hornbaker, Director, Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services Division, California Department of Food and Agriculture Abraham Lopez-Zuniga, Emergency Response Team Lead, California Department of Food and Agriculture Jordan Petersen, Deputy Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer, Los Angeles County Department of Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures Huong Dang, Administrative Support Specialist, Orange County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office #California #Agriculture #InvasiveSpecies #PlantHealth #CommunityAction

ACoM News Briefing Recap | Super El Niño and its Impact on Our Weather – In California and Across the U.S. See More: americancommunitymedia.org/m… A rapidly strengthening El Niño could reshape weather patterns across California and the U.S. this winter, increasing the likelihood of a wetter season in much of California while raising concerns about flooding, coastal impacts and other weather extremes. For communities, the key issue is that El Niño does not guarantee any single outcome. Its effects can vary widely by region, and this event is unfolding in a warmer climate that can influence heat, heavy rainfall and how precipitation falls. This ACoM briefing helps journalists and audiences understand what El Niño is, what scientists can and cannot predict, how impacts may differ across the country, and why communities have time to prepare for flood, coastal and other weather-related risks without overstating the threat. Thank you to our guest speakers: Daniel Swain, Climate Scientist, California Institute for Water Resources, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources; Research Partner, NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research; Author, Weather West #ElNino #CaliforniaWeather #ClimateScience #ExtremeWeather #CommunityMedia