Akemi Tamanaha

Sacramento

Associate Editor at ASAM News

Associate Editor @AsAmNews // Light the Beam

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Articles

Delegate Adele McClure is making history and taking a stand – AsAmNews

1 week ago | asamnews.com | Akemi Tamanaha

by Akemi Tamanaha, Associate EditorNearly two years ago, Virginia State Delegate Adele McClure made history as the first-ever Asian person elected to represent Arlington County. She has spent the past year in office trying to protect the rights of her constituents. Del. McClure, who is Filipina American, was recently named the winner of the 12th annual Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star Award by EMILY’s List, an organization dedicated to electing Democratic pro-choice women to office.
San Francisco's Chinatown hosts Pride celebration – AsAmNews

1 week ago | asamnews.com | Akemi Tamanaha

San Francisco’s Chinatown hosted its first-ever in-person Pride event on Saturday. According to ABC 7 San Francisco, hundreds gathered in the city’s Chinatown neighborhood to celebrate Pride. The event took place on a block of Grant street. There were vendors, food, music, traditional lion dancers and a parade. “I think every neighborhood is starting to have a little Pride celebration, and I think there’s enough Pride to go around,” Estee Longah told KTVU.
4 Asian Americans among those deported to South Sudan – AsAmNews

2 weeks ago | asamnews.com | Akemi Tamanaha

Four Asian Americans were among the eight people deported to South Sudan. According to ABC News, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that eight immigrants were placed on a flight in Texas that left for South Sudan on Monday. Among those eight men were four Asian Americans: Thongxay Nilakout, Laos; Nyo Myint, Burma; Tuan Thanh Phan, Vietnam; and Kyaw Mya, Burma. The other four men were from Cuba, Mexico and South Sudan.
California passes resolution supporting birthright citizenship – AsAmNews

2 weeks ago | asamnews.com | Akemi Tamanaha

By Akemi TamanahaOn Monday, the California State Assembly passed a resolution to support birthright citizenship. The Assembly also honored the descendants of the man whose Supreme Court case established birthright citizenship: Wong Kim Ark. The Trump administration has repeatedly threatened to revoke birthright citizenship, which gives anyone born in the United States a legal right to U.S. citizenship. In January, he issued an executive order to restrict it.
Kolten Wong retires from professional baseball – AsAmNews

2 weeks ago | asamnews.com | Akemi Tamanaha

Two-time Gold Glove winner Kolten Wong has announced his retirement from professional baseball. According to ESPN, Wong, 34, announced the news when he was inducted into University of Hawaii’s Circle of Honor on Friday. “Pretty much right now, I’m done,” Wong said. “I’ve kind of come to the conclusion that I’m probably going to be hanging them up. It’s just one of those things where, the game how it’s going now, there’s no sense of chasing (it). … I’m a dad now, yes, I’m enjoying that.
Majority of Americans say Asian people face discrimination in the U.S. – AsAmNews

2 weeks ago | asamnews.com | Akemi Tamanaha

A new report from Pew Research Center found that large majorities of Americans believe that many minority groups in the U.S., like Asian Americans, face at least some discrimination. But, among some groups of Americans, that belief is declining. The report, released on May 20, found specifically that about two-thirds of Americans surveyed (66%) said Asian people face a lot of or some discrimination.
Reconstructed Hindu temple in Concord holds ceremony – AsAmNews

2 weeks ago | asamnews.com | Akemi Tamanaha

The reconstructed Concord Shiva Murugan Temple in Concord, California, recently held a consecration ceremony to celebrate the rebuilding. According to the East Bay Times, the temple was rebuilt at 1803 2nd St. It has been a space of worship in the area for nearly six decades. The rebuild is the first Panchavarna (five-color) Chola-style temple in North America, according to The Pioneer. “This isn’t just a temple,” says Concord City Councilmember Pablo Benavente, per The Pioneer.
Natalie Nakase coaches first WNBA game – AsAmNews

2 weeks ago | asamnews.com | Akemi Tamanaha

Japanese American women’s basketball coach Natalie Nakase made history on Friday. Nakase is the first Asian American female head coach in the WNBA. On Friday, she coached the Golden State Valkyries in their first regular season game against the Los Angeles Sparks. The 45-year-old told KCRA Sacramento that growing up she did not think she would be a role model.
San Francisco's Chinatown night market claims no. 1 spot – AsAmNews

3 weeks ago | asamnews.com | Akemi Tamanaha

San Francisco’s Chinatown Night Market was just named the number one night market in the country. According to SFist, a USA Today listicle named the market as the best night market in the country. The Sunset Night Market in San Francisco was also listed at number 5. The San Francisco Chinatown Night Market takes place every second Friday of the month. KTVU reports that organizers say it draws crowds of anywhere between 15,000 and 20,000 people.
Filipino American wins Pulitzer Prize for music – AsAmNews

4 weeks ago | asamnews.com | Akemi Tamanaha

Filipino American composer and percussionist Susie Ibarra has won a Pulitzer Prize. Symphony, the signature publication of the League of American Orchestras, reported that Ibarra’s composition “Sky Islands” was awarded the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Music. According to The Violin Channel, the piece celebrates the Earth’s biodiversity and calls attention to climate change. Ibarra wrote “Sky Islands” for her 8-piece music ensemble. It was first performed in New York on July 18, 2024 at the Asia Society.