October 22 | Volume 40 No. 32

Zimbabwe’s Ruling Party Backs Mnangagwa for 2030

Thursday, October 22, 2026

As the Number of California Aging Workers Rise, Black Participation Holds Steady

As the Number of California Aging Workers Rise, Black Participation Holds Steady

Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF scrapped direct presidential elechas unanimously chosen President tions, meaning parliament will

Emmerson Mnangagwa, 84, as its now choose the head of state.

candidate for the 2030 national elections. The elections were previously scheduled for 2028. How ever, Mnangagwa recently signed

Mnangagwa has led the southern African country since 2017, when a coup ousted longtime leader Robert Mugabe, under whom he

California’s older workforce is expected to grow significantly over the next 15 years, reshap ing the state’s labor market as See "As the Numbe..." page 8 constitutional amendments that pushed his current term to 2030 had served as vice president. By 2030, he will have been in power

Continued from page 3 and lengthened presidential and parliamentary terms from five for 13 years. If Mnangagwa wins another term, he could remain in Raising a Child Shouldn’t Break years to seven. The changes also office well into his 90s.

Continued from page 3 the Bank state has also expanded beforeannually can receive up to 90%

Edward-Dean Museum & and after-school care and summer programs for students in transi tional kindergarten through sixth

Gardens Grand Reopening grade, offering activities such as homework assistance, arts, music, of their regular wages while on leave. California has also provided free meals to public school students and established the CalKIDS savmunity celebrations. The adjacent Kay Building has been expanded to include larger restrooms and a modernized kitchen, supporting events of all sizes. Additional improvements include upgraded parking, extensive

ADA compliant accessibility fea tures, refreshed landscaping, and advanced water quality drainage systems. Together, these upgrades create a more welcoming, accessible, and picturesque destination for visitors and museum patrons.

and science enrichment. Universal transitional kindergarten is another major component of the state's strategy. The free program is available to all 4-yearolds in California, providing early education while helping families avoid some childcare expenses. California enrolled 213,313 chil dren in transitional kindergarten during the 2025-26 school year. The Newsom administration says the state has invested $12.5 billion since 2019 to implement the program statewide. Other initiatives include expand ing paid family leave from six weeks to eight weeks and increasing wage replacement for eligible workers. Those earning less than $65,000 ings program, which provides eligible children with accounts to help cover future college and ca reer training expenses. The state has further supported childcare providers through collective bargaining, committing more than $800 million to health, retirement, and training benefits for members of Child Care Pro viders United. While these initiatives have ex panded support for families, the PPIC figures specifically illustrate changes in subsidized childcare fees, not the full cost of care for every household. Ensuring that affordable, accessible childcare is available to families across in come levels remains an ongoing challenge for California.