EPA Today Online

Scammers are using the Iran conflict to try to steal your money and information

2026-03-24T17:00:00.000-07:00

Graphic AI generated

With global attention now focused on the conflict in Iran, it’s no surprise that scammers have already added the war situation to their story lines. Some recent complaints to the FTC about imposter, romance and fake charity scams now include an Iran twist.

The details of the scams change, but the scammer’s goal is always to trick you into paying or sharing your personal information. Here are some examples of these scams — and how you can protect yourself. For example, scammers might call you unexpectedly about a fraudulent charge...

Read more about the scammer's call on the East Palo Alto Today website here.

Are you doing what you can do to protect yourself?

Doug McConnell remembered: A personal reflection

2026-01-18T20:30:00.000-08:00

Photo by Shelly Lewis, MROSD

Henrietta J. Burroughs stands with Doug McConnell at Cooley Landing Park on April 19, 2013

It's easy to be reflective when one hears about the death of a public personality, whom one knew. The announcement on Thursday, January 15, 2026, of Doug McConnell's death brought back personal memories. I first heard of McConnell in the 1990s when I had a video production company.

At the time, my company reproduced copies of news shows, with the permission of local news stations, and sold them to the public. Bay Area Backroads was a popular local show that McConnell hosted. The show referred their viewers, who were interested in buying segments or copies of the show, to my company for their purchases.

Twenty years later in 2013, I had a chance to meet and appear with McConnell in a video produced by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District at Cooley Landing Park, a public park and nature preserve in East Palo Alto. You can see several photos from our meeting here.

It was an honor to appear in two Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District videos that were both narrated by McConnell. The first was called Room to Breathe, in which he interviews me and I appear in several places and the second video was called Midpen-A Bird's Eye View, where I appear briefly at the 00:50 sec. mark.

During our meeting at Cooley Landing Park, McConnell accepted a personal invitation to be on my television show, Talking with Henrietta. The show was widely viewed and became one of my most popular shows, with nearly 6,000 views. You can see an excerpt from the show called Traveling Many Roads.

McConnell was a very pleasant and personable person. It was easy to see why he was popular and well-liked. It's always a moving experience to hear about the death of someone with whom one has crossed paths—someone who left such an indelible mark.

Looking back at the videos brings back memories. Life moves on, yet the memories it leaves are captured and enhanced through photos and film. I am grateful, as I travel on my own personal journey, to have crossed paths with Doug McConnell, whose work will live on through the many videos that reflect his creativity and his remarkable legacy.

#RememberingDougMcConnell
#PersonalReflection
#Storytelling
#LocalMedia
#Legacy
#BayAreaStories
#PublicTelevision

Human Rights day should be everyday

2025-12-10T14:07:00.000-08:00

Photo AI generated

Today, December 10, 2025, is Human Rights Day - a day that is observed across the world annually.

Human Rights Day marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the UN General Assembly in 1948.

The UDHR declares that every person deserves fundamental rights like equality, freedom and justice. It is a foundational document for international law, outlining rights for all people, regardless of race, national origin, ethnicity, history or other descriptive characteristics.

The UN's Human Rights Declaration promotes world gatherings, cultural events and campaigns to raise awareness about human rights issues. It has been translated into more than 500 languages and, according to it preamble, it recognizes that "the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world."

You can read the Universal Declaration of Human Rights here.

It is clearly ironic that in a time when immigrant crackdowns in the U.S. escalate, we have a day, which celebrates the human dignity of all people, along with their right to experience and enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Shouldn't this be a goal that we celebrate and strive for 365 days a year?

CA Sec. of State Shirley Webber stresses to voters: "Don't give up your power"

2025-10-26T20:50:00.000-07:00

CA Secretary Of State Shirley Weber

Usually during off year elections, there are fewer eligible voters who vote compared to the numbers who vote during presidential elections. However, current statistics show that in this year’s November 4, 2025 Special Election in California, 2.52 million ballots have already been cast as of October 20, 2025.

This figure was given to a group of journalists on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, by Secretary of State Shirley Weber when she spoke during a press briefing hosted by American Community Media. Secretary Weber emphasized how important it is for each one of us to make sure that our voices are heard. “Having your voice, having the ability to vote, having it accessible, making it available to so many is really, really important, and that's what we've been trying to do here in California with every election, to make it accessible to California with its very diverse population. She added that the aim of the state’s voting process is to make sure that eligible voters can vote comfortably and can vote in a timely manner that really counts your ballot, makes sure your voice is heard, and gives every voter” a voice to be able to influence California politics, as well as the national politics.”

For those who missed the October 20, deadline in the state to register to vote, Weber said that California’s laws allow those eligible to vote to both register and vote on Election Day at the polls. However, the process will take longer since the new voter will be given a provisional ballot and will be considered a provisional voter until the person information submitted in verified. Then their ballot will be counted.

Weber urged everyone to vote early, because in certain rural counties where there is limited service, ballots might not be counted if they are put in ballot boxes on the day of the election. in some rural areas of California, ballots dropped in the U.S. mail on Election Day might not be picked up and postmarked until the following day. Because of new U.S. Postal Service (USPS) changes, mail from communities more than 50 miles away from a regional processing facility might not be collected and postmarked until the next day. So, voters in these areas who vote on the day of the election are urged to go to the U.S Post Office and have their ballot stamped, so that it can be counted rather than put it into a mailbox.

California offers multiple ways that people can vote: by mail, in person at a polling place, and by using a ballot box. If voters have questions, they are urged to call 1800-345-VOTE

Since there are current challenges to the Voting Rights Act, Weber said that California has its own voting rights act, known at the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (CVRA), which is stronger than the Federal Voting Rights Act.

The main challenge to voting is misinformation and according to Weber, to avoid undue influence, employers and union representatives are not allowed to help employees with their ballots.

Weber said, We want to make sure that the decision you make to vote is not influenced by where you work and those kinds of things, because often, those things can be very intimidating, and people can try to collect ballots at the polling, at their employment site, and do things to make sure that you vote the way they want you to vote. So, by law, you can let them know that they as an employer,… cannot influence you, and neither can a union rep.”

In addition to English, election ballots are printed in nine other languages. If there are questions about election procedures, Weber said that, if people have time, they have the right to go to their polling place, to their registrar of voters and ask to watch the elections and the ballots that are counted. All of the registrar of voter’s offices have windowed areas where the ballots are brought in and counted. One will be able to see election workers looking at the Language Act and the signatures. But they will not be in a position where they can read those signatures and they cannot touch or count the ballots.

Again, Weber stressed, “You have to show up in every election in order to have a voice and to influence your life and the life of your children. So it is extremely important that those who are in ethnic communities … who have limited resources [and who] may not have the money, …[do] have the same power of the President [and] the governor. They only get one vote. There is no discounted vote. And so make sure that you are have your voice heard, just like everyone else, whether you have a little money, a whole bunch of money, they can't buy your vote. And you hold it, you own it, and it's you. So I tell people all the time, don't give up your power. Don't give up your vote, [your] voice. Make sure you're heard.”

More information can be found at the CA Secretary of State’s website at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections

The role of the media in a democracy

2025-10-05T16:26:00.000-07:00

Declining public trust - AI

A recent Gallup poll shows that the public’s trust in the media is at an all-time low. The results of the poll are dismaying and ironic, since the role of the media is more important now than ever.

Just as the U.S. arena is polarized, the poll shows that the levels of trust in the media vary according to one’s political party. Fifty one percent of Democrats say they trust mass media, 27% of Independents ascribe to the media’s accuracy, while only 8% of Republicans trust the media. So, 43% more Democrats than Republicans believe in the news they get from this country’s mass media outlets.

The Gallup poll also showed that there is a generational divide in the public’s trust in the media, since 43% of older adults aged 65 and older trust the media compared to 28% of those under 65.

These figures are dismaying since the role of the media has not changed from what its role has always been: to inform, to hold leaders accountable and to provide a forum for public dialogue.

Thomas Jefferson said “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press and that cannot be limited without being lost.”

So, from the beginning of our country’s founding, local media has been the foundation of our democracy.

What happens when local media is lost? We can see that happening today with widespread newsroom closures and “news deserts” where communities lack credible local coverage. Protecting and maintaining local news matters because without local news outlets, communities lose oversight of power, civic participation declines and residents are left less informed about decisions shaping their daily lives.

If we fight for anything in this country, shouldn’t it be for our freedom of speech and the freedom of the press, considering that these freedoms are at the bedrock of our democratic way of life? What do you think?

You can get information about a recent panel discussion on the media’s role in our local community by viewing the East Palo Alto Today Facebook page

The coming of fall

2025-09-23T22:10:00.000-07:00

What did you do on September 22, 2025, to observe the first day of fall?

That first day is also called the Autumn or September Equinox and it, traditionally, represents a time of balance, clarity, reflection, collection and release. It is a time to harvest.

In the astrological zodiac, September is Libra, which is identified by the symbol of the scales, which represent a striving for fairness and balance. This is traditionally thought of as a time when daylight and darkness are of equal length.

We often think of January as a time of new beginnings, but the fall is also a time to plan for the days ahead and the actions and goals set now chart the course for the rest of the year.

So, it’s obviously a time to plan wisely, to discard all of the things that no longer serve us, to set goals that bring more meaning to our lives.

Again, what did you do yesterday? It is a time to reflect upon the past, to be in the present and to prepare for the longer nights ahead.

Are sanctions really necessary?

2025-09-10T16:51:00.000-07:00

East Palo Alto City Council members during their contentious Sept. 2, 2025 meeting

When three East Palo Alto City Council candidates were running for a seat on the East Palo Alto City Council in the 2024 election, they promised that, despite their differences, they were not only capable of working together, if elected, but they said they could work together harmoniously.

Well, the three of them were elected to the council. You can see what they said at the time in their video interview that is posted on the EPA Today website and on Youtube.

As events have taken shape since the election, that harmonious interaction has not happened. Instead, things have reached such a nadir on the council that one long-term council member, Carlos Romero, who ran and won in the 2024 election, is now in danger of being censured or worse by his council colleagues.

A decision will be made this evening at a special East Palo Alto City Council meeting whether Romero will be sanctioned.

You can read what happened to bring all of this about in the article discussing the contentious council exchanges in the EPA Today news article titled, Are proposed city council sanctions in East Palo Alto justified?

So, where should East Palo Alto's council members be putting their energies and focus - fighting each other or in addressing the critical issues facing their city?

What do you think?

Mass deportations are not the answer

2025-06-19T16:30:00.000-07:00

In 2024, the U.S. deported approximately 142,00 people, an increase over previous years. This year so far, according to the Transaction Records Access Clearinghouse (tracreports.org), there have been 157,948 people removed from the U.S. under the Trump administration.

Photo by Jason Leung on unsplash.com

While many in this country might applaud these deportations, others will deplore them on the grounds that they cause needless trauma, fear, anxiety and displacements. These mass deportations break up families, interrupt the lives of hardworking residents, disrupt businesses and send ripple effects of distrust through communities.

The current disturbances in L.A. and San Francisco vividly demonstrate the harm these deportations are causing – negating individual dreams and destroying the normal rhythms of entire communities.

There are an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. with an estimated 1.8 million in California.

Census data taken in 2023 shows that 41% of East Palo Alto residents were born outside of the U.S. So, East Palo Alto is particularly vulnerable with its large immigrant community, where families often pool resources and support each other. Since 6.1 million children in the U.S. live with at least one undocumented immigrant, it’s easy to see how deporting a breadwinner can destabilize entire households.

Yes, Trump did say that he would launch “the largest deportation program in American history,” and it seems that he is intent on keeping his promise. Weren’t there initially promises to deport criminals and illegal gang members? The answer is yes. But, now, even those with green cards and those appearing for legitimate court cases are being swept up in immigration raids and deportations.

Considering the negative effects that ICE raids are having on communities throughout this country and the traumatic aftereffects that result, many might rightly conclude that the mass deportations we are seeing need to be condemned not lauded. After all, they fall disproportionately on Black and Brown immigrants and communities, particularly people from Africa and the Caribbean. One has only to look at Trump’s proclamation on June 5, 2025, banning nationals of 12 countries from entering the United States to see those who are being targeted, detained and denied entry.

If mass deportation is not the answer, then what is the answer? There are three approaches that offer solutions. First, it is widely recognized that our immigration system is broken.

What has seldom been mentioned, and certainly not much lately, is immigration reform. If the U.S. is to act fairly and enact and enforce just immigration policies, then it must reform the current immigration system, so that there are legal pathways for those who seek to enter this country.

Second, deportation should focus on those who commit crimes and pose a threat to public safety and not focus on parents, caregivers and longtime community members. Yet, even criminals deserve their day in court before being deported. So, with everyone, there are laws of “due process” that need to be respected.

Third, countries need to work together to positively address the conditions that force people to seek asylum in this country. Foreign aid programs that address violence, poverty and climate displacement are one step in this direction.

Surely, mass deportations only hurt not help and we need to find another way of dealing with this country’s immigrant communities. The future of East Palo Alto and of other communities, like it, depend on our finding and enacting solutions that are just and humane.

Reparations - An Idea Whose Time Has Come

2024-02-19T00:03:00.000-08:00

Reparations - An Idea Whose Time Has Come - Talking with Henrietta

The topic of reparations has become an issue for discussion in a number of cities, counties and states throughout the U. S.

In fact, at least 10 states -- including California, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Tennessee – have cities which have established commissions to research the feasibility of adopting a reparations program.

Not only are Los Angeles and San Francisco included in this category, but the California State Legislature, itself, has a set of bills before it that resulted from the recommendations of a state appointed reparations task force.

Given the momentum that this issue is having, it became the focus of my latest show with five guests who are advocating for the payment of reparations in California.

See the show and hear the arguments that they give to justify the payment of reparations to Black Americans living in California.

Certainly, reparations is an idea whose time has come!

So, what do you think? Feel free to share your ideas below.

The Truth about the Model Minority Myth: Talking with Henrietta

2023-06-26T14:25:00.000-07:00

Have you heard the term, Model Minority? Do you know to which group it refers? On this show, we discuss the term and the repercussions it brings with it.

Make sure you see this show!

Combating Racial Hatred and Violence:Talking with Henrietta

2023-03-14T19:26:00.003-07:00

Combating Racial Hatred and Violence -

Racial hatred and violence permeates our society. It always has existed in our society and it's time that, working together, we do everything thing that we can to end it! The time is now!

Stopping Anti-Asian Hate:Talking with Henrietta

2023-03-10T20:41:00.001-08:00

https://youtu.be/IzK_EG6bkr8

The East Palo Alto Center for Community Media (EPACCM), the 501c3 East Palo Alto nonprofit, which runs the East Palo Alto Today newspaper and supports the Talking with Henrietta television show, has launched a Stop the Hate Media Campaign.

The campaign is designed to address the surge in anti-Asian hatred and violence. The grant that supports the campaign is funded by the State of California and administered by the California State Library. In the above video, we discuss some of the activities that we have incorporated into the EPACCM's media campaign.

Since the campaign is a public campaign, we would like to get your ideas as to what you think the campaign should cover. What would you like for us to incorporate into our campaign that will assist in reducing the incidents of violence committed against Asians and other communities of color. In other words, what elements and activities would you like to see in the campaign that you think would bring us together - regardless of our race, religion, cultural background, sexual orientation and all of the other individual characteristics we have that might serve to divide us.

Let me know what you would like to see in the East Palo Alto Center for Community Media's Stop the Hate Media Campaign. What you think is important. So, I look forward to hearing from you.

East Palo Alto City Council Candidates - 2022 : Talking with Henrietta

2022-10-23T11:33:00.002-07:00

East Palo Alto City Council Candidates - 2022

Talking with Henrietta

Assisting Distressed Small Landlords and Renters:Talking with Henrietta

2021-07-08T22:24:00.001-07:00

There is a concerted attempt to get back to some of the things we did pre-COVID, before the shelter-in-place orders were made in the beginning of 2020. Now that many routines are being normalized, what is being done and can be done to repair some of the negative effects the pandemic brought to small landlords and many of those, who are renters who've faced eviction?

The participants on this edition of Talking with Henrietta address this question and others that involve landlords and tenants. You can see the show on Youtube above and also get more information about the show on the East Palo Alto Today website at www.epatoday.org/tv.html#landlordsandrenters

Addressing Concerns about the COVID Vaccine Rollout - Talking with Henri...

2021-03-23T13:23:00.000-07:00

Our Comeback Depends on All of Us

2021-03-03T22:25:00.001-08:00

Did you know that yesterday, March 2, 2021, marked one year to the day that we had our first case of COVID-19? At his press briefing today, San Mateo County Manager Mike Callagy said that there were 38,800 cases of COVID-19 in the San Mateo County during the year, with 521 deaths from the virus.

But, he said, "The good news is that we are seeing a turn for the better here with only 39 people that are hospitalized with COVID." Still he continued, "Even if you've been vaccinated, this is the critical time - the time that we know that we can save lives with people getting vaccinated and people socially distancing, wearing their masks..., washing their hands and not letting their guard down."

It's so important, as this video shows, that we continue to take important basic steps - and not let our guard down! Our Comeback Depends on All of Us. https://youtu.be/n8eeyQ9hLdU

What are you doing to reduce the spread of the virus? Help us distribute this video to get the message out about the basic things that we all can do!

Increasing Access to COVID-19 Testing Is About Equity: Talking with Henr...

2020-12-15T23:43:00.001-08:00

Exploring Critical Issues with the East Palo Alto City Council Candidate...

2020-10-16T16:01:00.001-07:00

Taking Another Look at the 2020 Census: Talking with Henrietta

2020-08-04T21:48:00.001-07:00

What Color is Justice?

2020-07-01T12:00:00.002-07:00

Screen shot from the Palo Alto Online Virtual Town Hall Forum on

Race, Policing and the Color of Justice, June 25, 2020.

The murder of George Floyd by Minnesota police officers on May 25, 2020 led to massive protests in our country and around the world. It has also led to multiple discussions about the social injustices that exist today, which started centuries ago.

I had the opportunity to participate in the Palo Alto Online Virtual Town Hall Forum on Race, Policing and the Color of Justice, which took place over Zoom on Thursday, June 25, 2020.

If you missed it you can see it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6ddHFLbxO4&feature=youtu.be

At least 500 people registered to see it. Three hundred of them participated online and others saw it when it was live streamed over the Palo Alto Week’s Facebook page.

All credit goes to the Embarcadero Publishing Company, the publishers of the Palo Alto Weekly, The Almanac and the Mountain View Voice for putting this forum together. Much credit also goes to the panelists and the audience members who participated.

No doubt, there will be many discussions like this one that will take place all across our country and in other countries as well, as people tackle some of the hard issues that involve power, social equity, justice, the social determinants of health and related concerns.

All of the talk will be meaningful if it leads to solutions that can be enacted to improve lives. This doesn’t mean making improvements for some, but making improvements for everyone across the board.

Improving the structural systems on which our country is based and applying the principles on which our country was founded to cover everyone is a laudable goal. But, let there be no misunderstanding the fact that it is a goal that will take all of the best ideas and actions, which we can muster to fulfill.

Getting a Seat at the Table

2020-04-27T16:46:00.001-07:00

For years, members of minority groups in America were given the crumbs that fell from the table and they rightly complained that they were underrepresented in the halls of power and excluded from having a seat at the table.

Census 2020 supporters are urging everyone to participate in the census and let their voices count.

Newly released Census 2020 data shows that as of April 24, 2020, San Mateo County, with a self-response rate of 62.9%, ranks as the number one county in California, in having the most residents who have submitted their Census 2020 questionnaire. Even California’s statewide response rate is 54.2%

Two San Mateo County cities, Hillsborough and San Carlos, both with a response rate of 72.1%, rank among the top 10 cities with the highest response rates.

Guess which cities in the state have the lowest response rates. If you guessed that East Palo Alto is among them, then you’re right. East Palo Alto has a response rate of 47.1%

The city ranks just under Compton at 47.6% under Watsonville at 49.3 and under Bell, which has a response rate of 45%.

East Palo Alto also ranks under southern states like Alabama (51.1%) Georgia (49.6), Mississippi (49.4) and Florida (50.8%), which all fall under the national response rate that is 52.8%. See more rankings at https://2020census.gov/en/response-rates.html

If the residents of East Palo Alto want to have a seat at the table, then they will have to participate where their voices can be heard, whenever the opportunity arises. Participating in Census 2020 is one of those opportunities. If people feel that as a group they are pushed aside by the system and treated as if they don’t count, then it is critical that they step up, present themselves, demand their seat and pull back the chair at the table. Census 2020 allows everyone to present themselves and demand a seat

Doesn’t it make sense, then, for all of us to respond to the census as quickly as possible? In being counted and in allowing ourselves to be seen and heard, we can demand our fair representation in the halls of power and get the seats to which we are entitled. In being counted, our communities will get the money that they deserve.

So, submit your Census 2020 response now, if you haven’t already done so. East Palo Alto can be among the cities with the highest Census 2020 response rates and you can help make that happen.

Explaining the 2020 Census: Talking with Henrietta

2020-02-19T16:49:00.001-08:00

Big Changes in the News Industry: Talking with Henrietta

2020-01-13T10:54:00.001-08:00

Climate Change: What Can You Do About It - Talking with Henrietta

2019-12-19T23:33:00.001-08:00

In Honor of the East Palo Alto Center for Community Media's Former Public Allies

2019-11-26T13:02:00.000-08:00

Henrietta J. Burroughs is shown delivering the keynote speech at the Public Allies graduation ceremony, which was held on June 29, 2019 at the Redwood Shores Sobrato Center in Redwood City CA.

The months have passed, but the memories linger. Working with the Public Allies, who interned from January to June of this year at the East Palo Alto Center for Community Media was just such a satisfying experience. Those 6 months marked a very special time.

Emily Hess, above top left with Alamoni Afungia, Edgar Tenorio,

Lea Bolosan and Shristi Prabha

It was truly an honor to be asked to be the keynote speaker at their graduation, which was held at the Redwood Shores Sobrato Center last June.

The graduation, marking their completion of the Public Allies program, was truly an inspiring affair.

At this time of Thanksgiving, much thanks and best wishes go to EPACCM’s five Public Allies for the contribution they made to the Center and to the East Palo Alto Today newspaper.

The five Allies called themselves the Tiny Gang. But there was nothing tiny about them, even when one member of the group dropped out of the program.

From left, Lea Bolosan, Edgar Tenorio, Srishti Prabha and Alamoni Afungia

The remaining four Allies launched Media Day in East Palo Alto to celebrate East Palo Alto Today's 13th birthday.

Media Day, which brought together nearly 25 of the community’s nonprofits, will become an annual event.

You can see their engaging video interview on the Talking with Henrietta television show here.

You can even see an article about the Allies and the Media Day event on the midpenmedia.org website.


The Public Allies had fun posing with the EPACCM's founder Henrietta J. Burroughs during Media Day in East Palo Alto on May 4, 2019

During the time the Allies and I spent together, I had a chance to witness their commitment, their focus, their collaboration with each other and their interest in positively addressing the challenges that our communities face.

Even more appreciation is given to them for the lasting memories that they left, which will be ongoing.

So, we give thanks this Thanksgiving to our former Public Allies, to all who participated in our Media Day celebration, to our readers and our viewers, to the East Palo Alto Today's advertisers and to the East Palo Alto Center for Community Media's donors. Many thanks to all of you!