We have the potential to transform lives and communities together through the Obama Foundation–and the Obama Presidential Center is at the heart of this work.

Right now, you can make a donation to bring our vision to life and help us create a cultural institution that will share President and Mrs. Obama’s story, inspire visitors to create positive change of their own, and provide a place for our neighbors on the South Side of Chicago to gather.

The opening of the Obama Presidential Center may seem far off, but my team and I are in a sprint to make sure we’re ready to welcome visitors and provide them with a meaningful experience upon opening our doors.

Your support will help us stay on track. So please, if you’d like to help us empower our community and inspire the next generation of leaders, make a donation now.

DONATE NOW

–Mike

Michael Strautmanis
Executive Vice President, Civic Engagement

SAN FRANCISCO — Last year, with pandemic lockdowns in the rearview mirror, Whole Foods Market made a bet on a gritty San Francisco neighborhood. The high-end supermarket chain opened a giant flagship store in a part of the city that is home to both tech companies like Twitter and open-air drug dealing.

But the store was soon confronted head-on with many of the problems plaguing the area. People threatened employees with guns, knives and sticks. They flung food, screamed, fought and tried to defecate on the floor, according to records of 568 emergency calls over 13 months, many depicting scenes of mayhem.

“Male w/machete is back,” the report on one 911 call states. “Another security guard was just assaulted,” another says. A man with a four-inch knife attacked several security guards, then sprayed store employees with foam from a fire extinguisher, according to a third.

In September, a 30-year-old man died in the bathroom from an overdose of fentanyl, a highly potent opioid, and methamphetamine.

E. Jean Carroll, who has accused Donald Trump of raping her in the mid-1990s, testified on cross-examination Monday in her lawsuit about why she did not file a police report about the alleged assault. Carroll, 79, who wrote an advice column for many years, said: “I am a member of the silent generation. … Women like me were taught and trained to keep our chins up and to not complain.” Carroll testified last week that Trump’s attack caused decades-long trauma in her life. Trump has denied her allegations and called her a liar. Trump attorney Joe Tacopina has repeatedly questioned Carroll about her conduct during and since that alleged assault.

Gov. Jay Inslee will not run for a fourth term, he announced Monday.

Inslee, a Democrat elected in 2012, previously said he was unsure whether he’d seek an unprecedented fourth term as Washington governor.

“Serving the people as governor of Washington state has been my greatest honor. During a decade of dynamic change, we’ve made Washington a beacon for progress for the nation. I’m ready to pass the torch,” Inslee said in a statement.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina is nearly ready to reveal his decision on entering the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, saying Sunday that he would make an announcement on May 22.

Scott didn’t definitively say that he’ll be announcing his official campaign, but he told those gathered at a downtown Charleston school during a town hall that he would be coming out with his decision at an event in about three weeks in North Charleston, which he calls home.

“It is time to make the final step,” Scott said to a room packed with cheering supporters, as well as a film crew, which a longtime Scott adviser said was gathering “content” for future use, a flick at a potential launch or campaign ad video.

“We will have a major announcement,” Scott added.