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DA Won’t File Charges In Death Of Handcuffed Man Shot In Cop Car

For the past two year, the way in which Victor White III died has been heavily debated. In the midst of police investigating a fight in Iberia, Louisiana, White was found in possession of illegal drugs. He was then arrested and taken to the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office for processing. Upon arrival, White was allegedly uncooperative and refused to exit the squad car. The arresting officer stepped away to get help and White, while handcuffed supposedly pulled out a gun and shot himself in the back. White’s father says the autopsy report found that his son was shot in the chest but the death has been ruled a suicide. First Assistant District Attorney Robert Vines said his office, along with the FBI and state police, looked at “the results of analysis by various crime labs, the coroner, forensic pathologist [and] witness statements.” White’s family attorney, Carol Powell Lexing, is pursuing the case in civil court. “Even though they declined prosecution…we’re confident we can put sufficient facts forward to show there was an injustice perpetrated on this family.” Huffington Post

Naked Teenager Fatally Shot By Police

An African American police officer, Geoffrey Freeman responded to a call that an Austin, TX teen was “acting erratically” and “chasing” another male throughout an apartment complex. Upon arrival, Freeman encountered 17-year-old David Joseph. The teen was naked but Freeman said he was in fear for his life as Joseph allegedly charged towards him. Within seconds, Freeman shot Joseph who later died at the hospital. Despite the shooter and the victim being black, Jim Harrington, Director of the Texas Civil Rights Project does not excuse the way in which Freeman handled the situation as an officer. “There have been way too many police killings over the years simply because police do not know how to deescalate situations and end up resorting to violence. This has to stop.” The officer has been placed on leave. An internal and criminal investigation is ongoing. FOX 7 Austin

Obama Requests $11 Billion To End Homelessness

As apart of his 2017 budget which will be presented within the next week, President Obama is proposing spending $11 billion over the next 10 years to fight family homelessness. On making this issue a priority during his presidency, Obama previously said, “Stable housing is the foundation upon which people build their lives — absent a safe, decent, affordable place to live, it is next to impossible to achieve good health, positive educational outcomes or reach one’s economic potential.” Within the allocation of the $11 billion, $8.8 billion would go to housing vouchers and $2.2 billion to more short-term assistance. Nationwide, approximately 64,000 families, including roughly 123,000 children, are homeless. The President is proposing discretionary spending on 10,000 new housing vouchers; 8,000 new units for rapid rehousing; and 25,500 new units of housing that is coupled with social services. That additional spending would have to be approved through an appropriations bill.  New York Times

Flint Mayor: $55M Needed To Repair Corroded Pipes

Over the past decade,the Lansing Board of Water and Light has spearheaded the removal of nearly 15,000 lead pipes throughout Michigan. The engineering experts have concluded $55 million is needed to replace the pipes in Flint, Michigan which have been irreversibly damaged by the excessive lead and bacteria within the water. Flint’s Mayor Karen Weaver wants to partner with Governor Rick Snyder to secure the funds. Snyder spokesman Dave Murray said the governor’s office was reviewing Weaver’s proposal. “We’re working with staff from the city, University of Michigan-Flint and FEMA to study old maps and handwritten city records to create digital maps to determine the location of pipes, and then compare with water testing results to target priority areas and best protect Flint residents,” he said. The embattled governor who’s come under fire for his lack of urgency in containing the water crisis wants to continue to research ways in which to strategically go about reconstruction. “Let’s do it in an organized thoughtful, scientific and engineering correct fashion” he said. While Snyder’s office says the Legislator has already approved $37 million in funding for the crisis, extensive resources also have to be applied to health care and research surrounding how children of Flint have been affected by the contaminated water. CNN

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For 2024’s iteration of MadameNoire and HelloBeautiful’s annual series Women to Know, we knew we wanted to celebrate the people who help make the joys of film and television possible. To create art is to create magic. This year, we spotlight Hollywood Executive’s changing the face of cinema.