IN MEMORIAM: Founding CBC Member and Missouri Trailblazer Bill Clay Sr. Dies at 94 – BlackPressUSA

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — William Lacy Clay Sr., a civil rights leader, legislative powerhouse, and one of the 13 founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus, has died. He was 94.
Published
on
By
By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
William Lacy Clay Sr., a civil rights leader, legislative powerhouse, and one of the 13 founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus, has died. He was 94. “The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) extends heartfelt condolences to the family of Congressman William Clay Sr.,” NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. stated. The NNPA is the trade association of the more than 200 African American-owned newspapers and media companies that comprise the 198-year-old Black Press of America. “He was a freedom fighting member of the Congressional Black Caucus and a staunch supporter of the Black Press of America.”
Clay made history in 1968 when he became Missouri’s first Black congressman, representing St. Louis in the U.S. House of Representatives. His election marked a turning point for Black political representation in Missouri and nationally, as he joined the House alongside former Reps. Shirley Chisholm (D-N.Y.) and Louis Stokes (D-Ohio) laid the groundwork for the Congressional Black Caucus, which was formally established in 1971. “Congressman Clay helped build the CBC into a force for equity and accountability in American Democracy,” CBC Chair Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) said Thursday. “As a member of Congress, he was a fierce defender of labor rights, education, and social justice.”
Clay served for 32 years in the House, where he spent his entire tenure on the Education and Labor Committee. He pushed landmark legislation, including reforming the Hatch Act, which restricts political activities of federal employees, and helped usher in the Family and Medical Leave Act, which President Bill Clinton signed into law in 1993. In his final term, Clay was also a cosponsor of H.R. 40, the federal bill that calls for a commission to study reparations for slavery and racial discrimination. After his retirement in 2001, his son, William Lacy Clay Jr., succeeded him and continued representing Missouri’s 1st District until 2021.
“William Lacy Clay Sr. was a giant—not just for St. Louis, not just for Missouri, but for the entirety of our country,” said Missouri Rep. Wesley Bell. “I counted Mr. Clay as a grand mentor, as a trailblazer, and as a dear friend. But more than that, I carry his example with me every time I walk onto the House Floor. My heart is with his family, with Lacy, and with every person whose life was better because Bill Clay chose to serve.”
Roy Temple, a former chair of the Missouri Democratic Party, recalled working closely with Clay during Mel Carnahan’s 1992 campaign. “He was probably one of the three most influential people in Mel’s primary win,” Temple said. “Learned a ton in every single interaction. He was an icon.” “His work laid the foundation for future generations of Black leadership in public service,” Clarke wrote. “May he rest in power and everlasting peace.”
GOP Lawmaker Faces Eviction over Unpaid Rent
Trump’s Department of Justice Asks for a 1-Day Sentence for Ex-Cop Convicted in Killing of Breonna Taylor
A Little About Me: I’m the co-author of Blind Faith: The Miraculous Journey of Lula Hardaway and her son, Stevie Wonder (Simon & Schuster) and Michael Jackson: The Man Behind The Mask, An Insider’s Account of the King of Pop (Select Books Publishing, Inc.) My work can often be found in the Washington Informer, Baltimore Times, Philadelphia Tribune, Pocono Record, the New York Post, and Black Press USA.
GOP Lawmaker Faces Eviction over Unpaid Rent
Trump’s Department of Justice Asks for a 1-Day Sentence for Ex-Cop Convicted in Killing of Breonna Taylor
Black Americans Hit Hard as Medical Debt Rule Tossed
Obesity Tied to Diet More Than Declining Activity
National Urban League Declares’ State of Emergency’ for Black America in 2025 Report
WATCH: April Albright of Black Voters Matter on the John Lewis National Day of Action 7/17
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — A landlord has filed an eviction complaint against U.S. Rep. Cory Mills, who represents Florida’s 7th Congressional District, alleging that Mills failed to pay tens of thousands of dollars in rent on a luxury apartment in Washington, D.C.
Published
on
By
By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
While President Donald Trump and MAGA lawmakers’ controversial policies continue to make it difficult for everyday citizens to afford basic needs, perhaps one Republican congressman can relate. A landlord has filed an eviction complaint against U.S. Rep. Cory Mills, who represents Florida’s 7th Congressional District, alleging that Mills failed to pay tens of thousands of dollars in rent on a luxury apartment in Washington, D.C.
According to the verified complaint filed in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Parcel 47F LLC, the owner of 1331 Maryland Avenue SW, claims Mills accrued an unpaid balance of $18,229.05 as of January 22, 2025. The lawsuit targets Penthouse 07, where monthly rent exceeded $17,000 in addition to pet fees, utility charges, and late fees calculated at 5% of the rent amount. The landlord’s notice, issued on January 22, warned that Mills must pay the overdue balance or vacate the apartment by February 26. An affidavit of service included in the filing states the notice was posted on the unit’s door and mailed after multiple attempts to deliver it in person.
Attached rent records span several months and show frequent payments, many exceeding $17,000, alongside a pattern of recurring charges that ultimately resulted in a significant unpaid balance. The property is exempt from D.C.’s rent control laws as newly constructed housing, according to filings. Parcel 47F LLC is seeking a judgment for possession of the property and a money judgment for the rent, fees, and late charges. Under D.C. law, tenants cannot be removed without a court order, and Mills has the right to contest the claims in court.
Mills, 44, is a U.S. Army combat veteran who later worked as a defense contractor before launching his first campaign for Congress in 2022. A strong supporter of former President Donald Trump, he has been an outspoken critic of what he describes as wasteful federal spending and the culture of Washington. Mills currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. A spokesperson for Rep. Mills did not respond to multiple requests for comment regarding the lawsuit.
The Superior Court has not yet set a final hearing date.
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Taylor, 26, was shot dead during a “no knock” warrant search conducted by seven Louisville police officers who entered her apartment. They killed Taylor as part of a raid in search of a drug dealer.
Published
on
By
By Lauren Burke
Harmeet Dhillon, President Trump’s assistant attorney general for civil rights, has asked a judge who will be sentencing a former Louisville, Kentucky Metro Police Department Officer who was a part of the wrongful shooting death of Breonna Taylor, to impose only a one-day sentence as punishment. Taylor, 26, was shot dead during a “no knock” warrant search conducted by seven Louisville police officers who entered her apartment. They killed Taylor as part of a raid in search of a drug dealer. The March 13, 2020, killing of Taylor would go down as one of the most memorable and often mentioned incidents referenced by the Black Lives Matter movement.
The police mistakenly killed Taylor, who was unarmed, in a barrage of gunfire and left many to question the details of police policy in Louisville. The young Taylor worked as a non-call emergency room technician and a first responder in the local Louisville area at the time she was killed by the police. In 2024, a federal jury in Kentucky convicted Brett Hankison of violating Taylor’s civil rights. Hankison fired several shots through the window of Taylor’s apartment. A July 16, 2025, sentencing memorandum by Assistant Attorney General Dhillon and senior counsel Robert Keenan stated that Hankison did not shoot anyone during the raid on Taylor’s home and had a clean record before the incident.
Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings, who was appointed by President Trump in April 2018, is to consider the sentence of former police officer Brett Hankison on Monday, July 21. The Trump Justice Department is now pushing for time served in addition to one day in prison, along with three years of supervised release. The Trump Administration continues to focus on reversing many decisions made during the Biden Administration, particularly around questions of race, police brutality, and justice reform. The police killings of George Floyd, who was killed by a Minneapolis Police Officer on May 25, 2020, and Breonna Taylor are connected to the activism behind the Black Lives Matter movement. If Hankison serves only one day, the time served moment will represent the continuance of a familiar trend that features white or Latino cops who served no punishment after the wrongful death of Black individuals they either killed or had a hand in killing.
Trump has pardoned several police officers involved in the killing of individuals in only six months. Examples include Trump granting clemency to District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department Officer Terence Sutton, who was sentenced to five years, and Andrew Zabavsky, a DC Metropolitan Police Lieutenant who was sentenced to four years. In other police brutality-related deaths of Black individuals, such as Eric Garner, Michael Brown, and Philando Castile, no officer involved served any time in jail. Taylor’s family would later be awarded $12 million in compensation for her wrongful death on September 15, 2020.
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — A Trump-appointed federal judge has blocked a key rule that would have removed medical debt from the credit reports of roughly 15 million Americans, dealing a harsh blow to struggling families already burdened by the high cost of health care, particularly Black Americans who carry a disproportionate share of that debt.
Published
on
By
By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
A Trump-appointed federal judge has blocked a key rule that would have removed medical debt from the credit reports of roughly 15 million Americans, dealing a harsh blow to struggling families already burdened by the high cost of health care, particularly Black Americans who carry a disproportionate share of that debt. The ruling by Judge Sean Jordan of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas vacated the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) rule issued in January under the Biden administration. The judge sided with credit reporting industry groups, who argued that the CFPB had exceeded its authority under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The decision halts a rule that had not yet taken effect and was designed to prevent medical debt, which is often the result of billing errors, insurance disputes, or unavoidable emergencies—from dragging down a person’s credit score. Julie Margetta Morgan, former CFPB official and now president of The Century Foundation, told CBS MoneyWatch that medical debt “doesn’t show whether [someone is] likely to pay their mortgage or other debts.” The court decision effectively slams the door to that reform.
According to the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker, nearly 20 million adults in the U.S. owe medical debt, with a total estimated at $220 billion. Among them, 3 million people owe more than $10,000. That burden is not shared equally: 13% of Black Americans report having medical debt, compared to 8% of white Americans and 3% of Asian Americans. Medical debt also disproportionately affects women, people with disabilities, and those living in the South and rural areas. In addition, more than half of all collection items on credit reports are for medical bills, according to the CFPB. While private credit bureaus like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion have taken limited steps—such as removing medical collections under $500—consumer advocates note these changes fall short of true relief, especially for low-income households and communities of color.
Medical debt has lasting effects: KFF polling shows people with such debt often cut back on food, clothing, and other essentials, drain savings, borrow from friends and family, or skip needed care entirely. For many, even those with health insurance, a serious illness or emergency can trigger financial ruin. The Biden administration’s now-blocked rule aimed to address this by recognizing that medical debt is not a reliable indicator of financial behavior and should not influence credit scores. But that rule was effectively frozen after Trump reinstalled Russ Vought—a fierce critic of the CFPB—as acting director in February. Vought promptly issued a directive halting new rules and investigations, leaving the agency in a state of paralysis. With 20% of Americans having at least one medical debt collection on their credit report, and with Black communities most likely to carry that debt, the ruling stands as a glaring example of policy decisions with racial and economic consequences. States like Colorado and New York have taken steps to protect consumers, but without federal backing, millions remain exposed. “There are a lot of flaws in our medical billing and reporting system, and it lands in the consumer’s lap,” Margetta Morgan stated.
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Among African American adults, nearly 48 percent are clinically obese, including 37.1 percent of men and 56.6 percent of women, according to the American Psychological Association. The association has noted that disparities in stable housing, income, education, and access to healthy food and safe places for physical activity all contribute to these disproportionate rates of obesity and related health risks.
Published
on
By
By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
An extensive study spanning 34 populations worldwide has found that increased calorie intake—not decreased energy expenditure—is the primary factor fueling rising obesity rates in economically developed societies. Researchers analyzed data from 4,213 adults in communities ranging from hunter-gatherers and pastoralists to industrialized nations. The study reported that while body mass, body fat percentage, and BMI were higher in more developed populations, total daily energy expenditures were also higher, reflecting larger body size. Among African American adults, nearly 48 percent are clinically obese, including 37.1 percent of men and 56.6 percent of women, according to the American Psychological Association. The association has noted that disparities in stable housing, income, education, and access to healthy food and safe places for physical activity all contribute to these disproportionate rates of obesity and related health risks. “Obesity is a leading cause of global mortality and morbidity, accounting for more than 4 million deaths and 140 million disability-adjusted life years worldwide each year,” the authors wrote. “Fundamentally, weight gain results from consuming and absorbing more calories than are expended,” the paper stated.
The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, measured total energy expenditure using the doubly labeled water method and examined the relationship between expenditure and measures of body composition. After adjusting for body size, total and basal energy expenditures were approximately 6% to 11% lower in more developed economies; however, the differences were highly variable and did not consistently correspond with lifestyle. “Comparisons of energy expenditure across populations strongly suggest that increased energy intake (i.e., caloric consumption and absorption) is the primary factor promoting overweight and obesity with economic development,” the authors wrote. Among the 25 populations for which dietary data were available, the proportion of ultra-processed foods in the diet was positively associated with body fat percentage. “We found some support for an obesogenic role of ultra-processed foods in the current dataset,” the study stated.
Researchers reported that the estimated effect of decreased energy expenditure accounted for only about one-tenth of the increase in BMI and body fat percentage associated with economic development. “Increased energy intake has been roughly 10 times more important than declining total energy expenditure in driving the modern obesity crisis,” the authors concluded. The study also emphasized that while diet plays a central role, physical activity should not be overlooked. “Daily physical activity has a broad range of well-documented health benefits, from reducing all-cause and cardiovascular mortality to improving mental health, and is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle,” the paper noted. The authors observed that rising economic development has introduced widespread access to ultra-processed foods, which may disrupt satiety signals and encourage higher calorie absorption. “Regulating food environments to maximize the benefits of increased calorie availability without promoting a nutrient-poor, obesogenic diet remains a crucial challenge in public health that will only become more acute as economic development continues globally,” the researchers wrote.
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Mosby, who served two terms as Baltimore’s top prosecutor, has repeatedly insisted the case was politically motivated. She had also argued that seizing nearly all her Florida condo was excessive given the nature of her offenses.
Published
on
By
By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
A federal appeals court delivered a split decision in the high-profile case against Marilyn Mosby, the former Baltimore State’s Attorney who rose to national prominence before facing criminal charges tied to her finances. In a 2-1 ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit vacated Mosby’s mortgage fraud conviction, finding that the venue for prosecuting that charge in Maryland was improper. The reversal also lifts the government’s forfeiture of her Longboat Key, Florida, condominium, which had been valued at over $900,000.
However, the court upheld Mosby’s perjury convictions stemming from her withdrawal of funds from her city retirement account during the COVID-19 pandemic. A federal jury previously determined Mosby falsely claimed to have suffered financial hardship to access the money under the CARES Act. Prosecutors said she later used those funds to help purchase two vacation properties in Florida. Judge Stephanie Thacker, writing for the majority, concluded that evidence about how Mosby spent the withdrawn funds was admitted correctly because it helped establish whether she faced economic harm.
In a partial dissent, Judge Paul Niemeyer argued that the mortgage fraud charge should have remained intact, contending Mosby’s actions—generating and transmitting false documents while living in Maryland—meant the trial venue was appropriate. Mosby, who served two terms as Baltimore’s top prosecutor, has repeatedly insisted the case was politically motivated. She had also argued that seizing nearly all her Florida condo was excessive given the nature of her offenses.
She was sentenced in May to one year of home detention, three years of supervised release, and the forfeiture of 90 percent of her condominium. Her home confinement concluded last month, and a judge has since ordered the return of her passport and waived additional monitoring fees. Mosby, who once sought presidential pardon, has been allowed to keep her law license during her appeal. Representatives for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maryland declined to comment on the appeals ruling, and Mosby’s attorneys did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — It’s so bad in America that a foreign news organization dug into the pricey details. The Times of London reported that inflation, which began accelerating in 2021, has left American consumers grappling with the most persistent cost increases in decades.
Published
on
By
By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
Prices across the United States are about 26% higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic, pushing everything from a weekend hotel stay to a simple cup of coffee out of reach for many families. A budget hotel room in Nashville can now cost $500 for the weekend—without breakfast—and a single cup of coffee can cost $7. Rental cars are also commanding premium rates, with four days in a midsize Toyota Camry easily topping $670.
It’s so bad in America that a foreign news organization dug into the pricey details. The Times of London reported that inflation, which began accelerating in 2021, has left American consumers grappling with the most persistent cost increases in decades. According to NerdWallet data cited in the report, the impact has been felt across every income bracket, fueling a growing sense that even basic experiences are becoming unaffordable.
Travel and Lodging: Soaring Costs
Hotel rates have climbed 24% over the past decade, The Times reported. In Manhattan, the average nightly rate hit a record $417 in September 2024, according to real estate analytics firm CoStar. Miami Beach hotels averaged $283 a night last year, up from $230 in 2019, while Las Vegas rooms rose to $198, up nearly 41% over the same period. Rental car prices surged early in the pandemic and remain high. While rates stabilized over the past year, costs have increased 29% since 2015.
Airfares are technically down 18.5% compared to 2015, but The Times noted that this decline reflects airlines’ “unbundling” services to show lower headline fares while tacking on fees. Southwest Airlines, for example, ended its “bags fly free” policy and now charges $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second.
Dining and Groceries: Everyday Pain Points
Eating out has become markedly more expensive, with restaurant prices up 49.3% in the last ten years. Fast food chains have been forced to raise prices due to wage increases, higher energy costs, and supply chain problems. A dozen large Grade A eggs averaged $6.23 in March before dipping to $4.55 by May, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Waffle House restaurant chain temporarily imposed a 50-cent surcharge per egg. Grocery essentials have spiked in price, The Times reported. Baby wipes that cost $4.99 four years ago now average $6.63, while a unit of dog food jumped from $5.78 to $8.42, according to NielsenIQ.
Lindsay Owens, executive director of the Groundwork Collaborative, said some companies have exploited the situation for profit. “They decided to see if they could pass along all of their rising costs so that their margins wouldn’t be eaten into,” Owens told The Times. “And when they realized that they could, they decided to go for more.”
Entertainment and Theme Parks: A Luxury for the Wealthy
The price of live entertainment has soared. NerdWallet figures show concert and theater tickets are up 39% since 2015. The most recent Broadway season was the priciest on record, averaging $129 per ticket, and top shows often exceed $1,000 a seat. Dolly Parton’s December Las Vegas shows sold out in minutes, with resale prices climbing to $1,600. At Disney parks, costs have risen steeply. A four-day Walt Disney World trip for a family of four, including a Disney hotel, cost $4,266 last year, more than $1,000 from five years earlier, The Wall Street Journal reported.
What Comes Next
While inflation has retreated from its 9% peak in 2022, The Times cautioned that Americans shouldn’t expect relief anytime soon. New tariffs introduced by the Trump administration are expected to drive prices even higher in the months ahead. With costs still climbing, many households are left with tough decisions about which necessities—and experiences—they can continue to afford. “We’re often seeing the highest demand in the luxury space,” Sally French, a NerdWallet finance expert, said. “People want the hotel that’s going to make for an amazing photo… People are spending more on higher-end things they wouldn’t have done in the past.”

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Location Last Seen: Ashley was last seen in the 20900 blk of Pinehurst St on January 2,…
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Last Seen Wearing: A black Nike hoodie, black jeans, and multicolored shoes.
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Location Last Seen: Dahe’lyn was last seen at his residence in the 8000 block of Greenridge Street…
EXCLUSIVE OP-ED: President Joe Biden Commemorating Juneteenth
Target’s Partnership with National Baptist Convention Backfires
In Virginia Six Candidates Make Up the Most DEI Statewide Ticket Ever
Rep. Al Green’s Impeachment Resolution on Trump Blocked in House as 128 House Democrats Vote Against It
Trump is Pissed Off…
Congressman Al Green Introduces Article of Impeachment to Protect American Democracy from an Authoritarian President’s Abuse of Power
Copyright © 2025 National Newspaper Publishers Association. All rights reserved.

source