Challenger Community News - Weekly Newspaper

0:00Verse one, for I considered all this in my heart so that I could declare it all that the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God, people know neither love nor hatred nor anything they see before them. All things come alike to all. One event happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good, the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice, as is the good, so is the sinner. He who takes an oath as he who fears an oath, will conclude our reading at this point, the book of Ecclesiastes 9.2. You've been listening to a serialized reading of the Bible, the new King James Version with episodes presented each morning at 8.15 on the Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service. Your reader has been Barbara. Thank you for listening. The following program is intended for listeners who are blind, have low vision,

1:02or have another print disability, which makes reading holding a book or turning a page difficult or impossible. The content is copyrighted by the respective publishers. For more information, please visit us on the web at nfradioreading.org. Hello, this is Margaret Mack. And for the next half hour, I'll be reading from the September 9th issue of the Challenger Community News on the Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service. And our first front page article, impact of the Trump Administration agenda. Black women face disproportionate job losses. Washington, DC. Today, the Institute for Women's Policy Research, IWPR, the nation's leading think tank for women's economic equity, released a new analysis

2:02revealing the harmful impact of the second Trump Administration's racist and sexist economic policy agenda on black women in just the first year. Despite a worsening labor market for all workers, black women face job losses that are rate far exceeding their representation in the workforce, driven by mass federal layoffs, the dismantling of diversity initiatives, and volatile trade policies. According to the report, black women lost a net total of 130, 13,000 jobs between January and December 2025. At the height of the summer volatility, black women accounted for 54.7% of all female job losses, despite making up only 14.1% of the female workforce. The numbers don't lie. In addition to

3:10navigating systematic and structural barriers on the road to economic security, black women are being forced to endure the consequences of an administration that willfully ignores the benefits of knowledgeable and diverse workforce. This was said by Dr. Jamelia Taylor, president and CEO of IWPR. We know that black women are often the primary breadwinners for their families, so when we are disproportionately pushed out of the workforce, the stability of entire communities is at stake. These numbers are a direct reflection of policy choices that undervalue the labor of black women. Key findings. Disproportionate impacts, regardless of job sector, black women lost more than three times as many jobs as all women in professional and service occupation

4:11sectors that include healthcare, education and social work. Targeted federal impact. While only 5.1% of black women work in federal roles, the administration's mass layoff hit them hardest. Black women saw over a 30% decrease in their federal employment, compared to an 11.6% drop for all women and just 8.1% for men. DEI and discrimination. The dismantling of federal DEI programs and erratic tariff schedules created in an environment where black women, often the first fired, were more susceptible to layoffs in shrinking sectors. Black women experiences are the carney canary in the coal mine for the American economy, said Dr. Jennifer Turner, report co-author.

5:12The data shows that even when sectors shrink across the board, the exit door is pushed open widest for black women. This is an just an economic trends. It is a systematic value to protect the workers who keep the service and care industries that support our families running. This information was released by the Institute for Women's Policy Research, IWPR. The next article is written by Mark Talley, founder of Agents for Advocacy. The biggest truth we don't want to hear about the crisis in our schools. Being a teacher in America today sucks and buffalos one of the clearest examples of why. The job is built on disrespect, unrealistic expectations, and salibus that don't match the

6:16way to the work. The average BPS, Buffalo Public School, school teacher earns about $69,208. Nearly 23% below the New York State average, and only in the 27th percentile statewide. Even when you look at broader educator pay, the medium salary in BPS is 81,395, with most teachers stuck in the middle of that range despite doing front line work every single day. Meanwhile, the district serves a population where 87% of students are economically disadvantaged. 23% are chronically absent, and 11% drop out. Meaning teachers aren't just teaching.

7:16They're running triage. Only 25% of Buffalo students are proficient in math, and 25% in reading, compared to 53.5% and 45.8% statewide. So teachers are routinely handed students performing two or three grade levels behind and told to fix it in one school year. While people love to blame teachers for low performance, they ignore the socio-economic reality. Buffalo's pure pupil spending is $13,545. Almost half the New York State average of $25,790. Leaving classrooms under resourced before the school year even starts. Add in the fact that Buffalo's high school teachers

8:20earn a medium of $54,852, which is 13% below the national medium. And take home only about 43,790 after taxes, barely above the city's medium household income. And you see why burnout isn't a buzzword, but a job description. But the biggest truth people avoid is that parenting has fallen apart. You can't send a child to school with no structure, no discipline, no reading habits, no accountability, and no respect for authority. Then act shocked when the child behaves exactly how they were raised. Teachers aren't miracle workers. They can't undo 15 years of inconsistent parenting in a 42-minute class period. Student behavior has hit a level that would have been unimaginable 20 years ago.

9:26Teachers get cursed out, mocked, filmed, and posted online for entertainment. And when they tried to enforce rules, they're told they're too harsh, or my favorite, not trauma-informed. Respect used to be a baseline. Now it's optional. And when teachers look to administration for support, they're met with buzzwords instead of backup. Student administrators love talking about restorative practices and social, emotional learning. But when a teacher needs real help with a disruptive student, they often left alone to manage chaos. A kid can refuse work, disrespect the teacher, and derail an entire classroom.

10:26And the consequence is usually nothing more than a conversation. Ain't nobody got time for that. Meanwhile, society expects teachers to perform miracles, like getting a 17-year-old reading at a third grade level to suddenly catch up in one school year. Parents expect miracles, administrators expect data, politicians expect results, but nobody expects themselves to contribute. And here's another uncomfortable truth people tiptoe around. Not every child needs an IEP. That's an individualized education programmer plan. Some parents push for an IEP not because their child has a legitimate learning issue, but because they're looking for the school to compensate for what isn't happening at home.

11:28Did you ever stop and think your child might not need an IEP? Maybe you're just a lazy parent who isn't assisting with them at home. So now you want teachers and staff to work extra hard to make up for your laziness and your child's laziness. An IEP is supposed to be for students with clear, documented needs. Not a shortcut for parents who don't want to enforce homework, structure, or discipline. As a good friend of mine said, life doesn't have an IEP. If your child can't follow directions, stay focused, complete assignments, or manage basic responsibilities, that's not always a disability. Sometimes it's a reflection of the environment they're being raised in. Teachers already have overloaded caseloads, and every unnecessary IEP adds more paperwork,

12:32more meetings, and more individualized planning for a student who may not actually need it. That's not fair to teachers. It's not fair to the students who genuinely rely on those services. If people truly want better schools, then they need to start at home. Be in constant communication with your child's teachers and know who they are. Don't just take your teenagers' word for anything. In case you haven't figured it out yet, teenagers lie, and they're damn good at it. Make sure your kids are actually doing their homework, not just telling that they finished it at school. Limit their social media, gaming, and device time. A child should not be able to get out of school at 3, get home at 3.30, and sit on a phone or play video games until 11 p.m. That's not parenting. That's neglect disguised as freedom.

13:35Teachers can guide, support, and teach, but they cannot replace the structure that must come from home. If you want better schools, start with better households. This article was written by Mark Talley, founder of Agents for Advocacy. You are listening to a reading of articles and features from the Challenger Community News on the Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service. And next, we're moving on to an article about health. Understanding Vidaligo, a serious disease with real consequences. This article is written by Katrina Martin-Birdow. As a registered nurse and chair of the National Action Network Health Committee,

14:37I work every day to promote equality and health care, and to ensure that everyone has access to the treatments they need, regardless of their color of their skin or zip code. That commitment extends to patients living with conditions that have too often been overlooked by our health care system, including diseases like Vidaligo. Vidaligo is a chronic audio immune disease impacting roughly 200,000 New Yorkers, in which the body's own immune system destroys the pigment-producing cells responsible for skin color. It leaves patients with spreading white patches that can cover the face, hands, and body. Moreover, because Vidaligo is driven by immune system dysfunction, patients face a significantly elevated risk of developing other serious conditions, among the most concerning

15:41as thyroid disease, which can become life-threatening without proper treatment. Beyond its physical toll, Vidaligo carries a profound social burden. Patients routinely face discrimination and stigma because of the visual nature of their condition. Unfortunately, that prejudice follows them in every corner of their lives, from personal relationships to professional opportunities. Studies have shown that a significant number of employers are unwilling to hire individuals with Vidaligo out of fear of losing out on potential clients, effectively shutting patients out of career advancement and economic opportunity. The weight of this discrimination takes a devastating psychological toll.

16:44Research published in clinical epidemiology and global health found that as many as one in four people living with Vidaligo experienced suicidal thoughts, a stark reminder of the real human cost of dismissing this disease. There are several Vidaligo treatments available that look to help patients manage their condition. However, lotions, creams, light treatments, and even surgeries have only limited the impact of Vidaligo. Now medical professionals have recently welcomed the arrival of an FDA-approved treatment, which has display significant pigmentation, regeneration, and could be a game-changer in the lives of Vidaligo patients. Yet, despite the availability of new treatments, Vidaligo patients

17:44continue to face significant barriers to accessing the care that could transform their lives. Some private and public health care coverage plans have spurred the idea of covering proven Vidaligo treatments, stemming from the long-held belief that this is a cosmetic condition. This could not be further from the truth. The National Institutes of Health, the American Academy of Dermatology and other medical organizations have explicitly stated that Vidaligo is a real disease that requires treatment. Every day, we allow this outdated perception to persist. Is another day patients are denied the treatments they need and deserve. New York State must recognize Vidaligo for what it truly is. A serious autoimmune disease with real and lasting consequences for patients and communities across our state.

18:46That means supporting healthcare providers, educating policymakers, and ensuring that patients are never denied access to the treatments they need because of now dated and uninform perception of this disease. And next up, we have an upcoming event. Build a buffalo to host the 20th Issues Convention, September 12th. Build a buffalo incorporated will host its 20th Issues Convention Saturday, September 12th, from 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. at the Frank E. Mary Weather Library, 13.24 Jefferson Avenue. The Honorable Adrian Adams candidate for New York State Lieutenant Governor will be special guest. The focus of the conference is the Strategic Investment Plan for Jefferson Avenue. This plan is a direct correlation to builds 2025 survey and will set forth

19:49vision for blight reduction, job creation, economic development, and access to various resources. The Strategic Investment Plan will focus on Jefferson Avenue between best and main streets and include residential neighborhoods on the south and north sides. There will also be an onsite shop till you drop black business fare. Food will be available during the morning break. Individuals and organizations interested in participating are asked to RSVP to Charlie Fisher the third at 716-650-8889 or Avery Bates at 716-903-0842. Build memberships are currently available. Individuals, $20, business, faith, community base, fraternal, sorority, $100, corporate membership, $1,000. Please make checks of it payable to

20:58build a Buffalo Incorporated and most credit cards are accepted. And the next article is also a health article and it's written by Richard Davis. Gearing up for the 15th annual Cruisinford Cure Buffalo and Niagara. Richard Davis has been behind the steering wheel for men allied for the need to understand prostate cancer. In short, man up for several years now, fueled by a determination to help as many men get screened for cancer as possible. He first got involved in the organization officially Man Up Buffalo when working as a wellness coordinator in a previous job. Davis was looking to provide health-related content for a lunch and learn session and through a contact at Roswell Park Comprehensive Care Center began laying the groundwork that would become foundational to the annual Cruisinford Cure Buffalo and Niagara event.

22:06Using a car show scheduled this year for Saturday, September 26th, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on the Roswell Park campus in downtown Buffalo, as an entry point for men to get screened, is a way to get the whole family involved and out for a fun day together. Cruisinford Cure is our flagship event, Davis says. We want to get as many people screened as the event as possible. Men age 45 through 75 or starting at age 40 for those with a family history of cancer can register in advance for the screening at www.RoswellPAR.org forward slash Cruisinford Cure. This includes a prostate-specific antigen PSA test in the form of a blood draw conducted by Roswell Park

23:07phlebotomist inside the Scott-Beele Clinical Science Center. The PSA test is followed by a digital rectal exam provided by experts from Roswell Park's Eurology team. Prostate Cancer Awareness is a very important topic that we should discuss more Davis says. Screening is so important because it helps you establish baselines and helps you track your health over time. If you have a primary doctor, they can monitor your PSA test every year and tell you if things have progressed. The mission of Man of Buffalo has never changed. To spread awareness about importance of prostate cancer screening for men, particularly black men, and those with a family history of prostate cancer. And to encourage them to get tested every year. Davis also acknowledges that women are a key component of a successful event.

24:10We target women specifically because the women are the ones who get the guys to come in a lot of the time. Over the years, I've seen so many women with men on their arms, not dragging, but leading them inside. He says, they're the catalyst to get them to take it seriously. When we do public engagement, we point out how much women go through on a yearly basis for their screenings and how minimal our prostate screening is by comparison, even if it's uncomfortable. Hence our name, Man Up. This year's event like those before it will feature classic and modern cars brought by several clubs, including the Southern Tier Auto Buffs and the Old Cranks, the Drifters, East Side Classics, and the OG Cruisers from Niagara Falls, and the Rock Hard Corvette Club from Rochester. More than 20 awards will be given out for individual

25:12cars, motorcycles and trucks, and clubs as part of the car show. There will be food trucks and entertainment in addition to a meet and greet opportunity with Hall of Famer and Buffalo football legend, Thurmond Thomas. Davis is hoping to draw a big crowd this year for a day of cool cars and improving men's health. If you've never been to the event before, please comment, check it out. If you've been before, we'd love to have you back. It's a car show to save lives. We do our best to provide entertainment around such a serious topic. If you know of someone who could be in need of a screening, if you like cars, if you just want to come out and check out the campus at Roswell Park, please come and join us. And our last article is a Labor Day salute to A. Philip Randolph. Recognized in 1882, Labor Day was created to honor the struggles and victories

26:15of American workers who fought for fair wages, safe conditions, and dignity on the job. For Black workers, the holiday carries even deeper meaning. From enslaved labor, they built a foundation of this country, to the Pullman porters, domestic workers, and agricultural laborers who organized against exploitation. Black workers have long been at the forefront of the fight for economic justice. Though many early unions excluded them, Black workers created their own organizations and coalitions, connecting the struggle for labor rights to the broader fight for civil rights. One Black figure leading the way was A. Sa Philip Randolph, who in 1925 began a decade-long crusade leading the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, B.S.C.P., one of the nation's

27:17first Black labor unions. The organization brought labor union ideals to thousands of Black households, and in 1935 became the first Black-led labor organization certified by the American Federation of Labor as an exclusive collective bargaining agent. The B.S.C.P. had a membership of upwards of 18,000 Black railway workers of the Pullman Company, and fought against labor inequalities, unfair wages, and poor working conditions carried out by the Pullman Company, which had exploited the situation of newly-fraid Black people in search of employment opportunities. Randolph's work also included leading mass protests against the segregation of the nation's military following the passage of the Selective Service Act of 1947. His leadership and influence

28:22made its way to the White House a year later on July 26, 1948, as President Harry Truman, who was up for re-election at the time, and needed the votes of young Black men, signed an executive order to end racial discrimination in the armed forces. Randolph on to organize the 1941 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, in a nod of reference the next generation of civil rights leaders, made Randolph the chair of the 1963 March on Washington, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made his famous, I Have a Dream speech. Randolph continued his life's work throughout the 60s becoming a founder of the Negro American Labor Council, and serving as his presidents from 1960 to 1966. In 1968, Randolph retired as the BSCP President

29:24and continued working to bring fair labor practices to Black Americans at the A. Philip Randolph Institute. Randolph passed away at the age of 90 on May 16, 1979. You've been listening to a reading of articles and features from the September 9th issue of the Challenger Community News. We read from the Challenger Community News every Saturday at 8.30am. Your reader has been Margaret Mack. Thank you for listening. Coming up next in the Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service, we have a reading of the Batavia Daily News. Following that at 10 o'clock is the Easter hour advertiser and 11 we have the Niagara Gazette. Stay with us for these readings and more throughout the day. Dearly listening to the Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service. Our volunteer radio readers broadcast daily readings of printed matter to our listeners who are blind or have a print disability throughout Western New York and Southern Ontario's Niagara Peninsula.

30:28The Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service has brought nearly 40 years and more than 300,000 hours of radio readings to those without sight. Our broadcast signal is provided at No Charge by WMED. For more information call us at 716-821-5555. The following program is intended for listeners who are blind, have low vision, or have another print disability which makes reading holding a book or turning a page difficult or impossible. The content is copyrighted by the respective publishers. For more information please visit us on the web at nfradioreading.org. Hello, this is Will Evans and for the next hour I'll be reading from the Thursday, September 10th, 2026 issue of the Batavia Daily News on the Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service.

31:33Leading off, road work creates sticky situation. Route 262 closes and Byron after surface treatment goes bad. Drivers, school officials, and highway crews were quite literally presented with a sticky situation Wednesday after a road project went awry in Route 6 on Route 62, 262. Crews from Midland asphalt of Tanowanda had applied a chip sealed