POLICY & JUSTICE — A federal appeals court ruled that the U.S. Constitution does not guarantee Americans the right to clean and safe drinking water in a decision involving Jackson, Mississippi, even after city residents alleged officials knew the water was contaminated and assured the public it was safe. The court also ruled that the Constitution does not offer citizens the "right to truthful information from officials during a public health crisis." Jackson's population is 82% Black, and the city's water system was contaminated with lead, resulting in federal government oversight and funding assistance to fix the pipes and equipment. The Justice Department under the Biden administration accused state and local officials of not acting to "protect public health."
CRIMINAL JUSTICE — Police in Jackson, Mississippi arrested a man in the case of Tasia Fortune, the 29-year-old Black woman found hanging from a tree outside an abandoned house last month, following the state medical examiner ruling her death a homicide. Jarques Ratliff, 51, has been charged with murder in connection with Fortune's death. The medical examiner's office officially classified Fortune's death as a homicide on Thursday evening, and with that determination, investigators moved quickly. Jackson police interviewed nearly 15 people, collected forensic evidence and followed leads in the case, and the investigation remains active. Police said "this is not closure. This is just one step as we continue to investigate this case."
BUSINESS & ENTERPRISE — A Los Angeles grand jury found Grammy Award-winning rapper Lil Durk not guilty of all charges related to an alleged murder-for-hire plot of rival Quando Rondo in 2022. The rapper faced five different charges including conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and interstate stalking; had he been convicted, he faced a possible life sentence. The jury deliberated for two days before returning its verdict. Durk's co-defendants in the case, Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey, were found guilty of stalking and stalking conspiracy but found not guilty of murder-for-hire. The not-guilty verdict concludes a legal battle that lasted more than a year.
LAND & LEGACY — The FBI is warning property owners about a fraud scheme in which criminals impersonate homeowners and use forged documents to sell real estate they do not own, putting mortgage-free properties and vacant land at particular risk. The scheme, commonly known as deed fraud or quitclaim deed fraud, can begin when scammers search public records for vacant properties or mortgage-free real estate, and criminals then pose as the legitimate owners and attempt to sell the properties without their knowledge. The FBI's Boston field office warned that scammers may use information obtained through public records to impersonate property owners, creating fake identification documents and using email accounts and phone numbers that make them appear legitimate to real estate professionals and prospective buyers.
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Located in Houston's River Oaks, Cocody is a Black-owned restaurant featuring playful French-inspired dishes and elevated dining experiences. The restaurant participates in Houston Restaurant Weeks, directing portion of proceeds to the Houston Food Bank, and welcomes diners to discover innovative cuisine while supporting a local Black entrepreneur.
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