Poor and mostly Black communities across the U.S. face serious health risks from failing sewer and wastewater systems, but federal aid meant to address these long-standing problems has been cut or eliminated under the 47th president. Advocates warn that slashing environmental justice and infrastructure funding leaves vulnerable residents exposed to sewage, flooding and disease, with few resources to fix systems they cannot afford on their own.
Category: NEWS
Posted inPrince George's County News
Prince George’s County Council selects Wala Blegay to fill vacancy
Prince George’s County Council member Wala Blegay (D) will fill the recently vacated at-large seat, bringing her experience with various countywide initiatives. The seat will be up for election in November 2026.
Posted inMaryland News
A second chance after rent debt: Why shielding matters
By Shyia Clark An eviction filing – even one that never leads to eviction – can follow a tenant for years. In Maryland, Failure-to-Pay-Rent cases often remain publicly accessible long after rent is paid or a case is dismissed, creating lasting barriers to housing, employment and financial stability. That’s where shielding comes in. Shielding is […]
Posted inWord In Black
A year after the Eaton Fire, Black Altadena is fighting to stay
By Anissa DurhamWord in Black For decades, Altadena functioned as a rare constant in the Los Angeles area: a place where Black families owned homes and passed something on to their descendants. That all changed with the Eaton Fire. One year after the fire tore through Altadena and neighboring communities, destroying thousands of homes and […]
Posted inMaryland Government
New Maryland laws to take effect on Jan. 1
As 2026 begins, several Maryland laws take effect, including new rideshare reporting requirements, domestic violence training for barbers and cosmetologists and expanded coverage for heart disease testing, aiming to improve safety, transparency, and health access statewide.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Doing the work: How the Black men of 100 Fathers Inc. are leading the next generation to greatness
For the second year in a row, the men of 100 Fathers Inc. are doing the work of positively influencing young Black boys at Friendship Collegiate Academy. Community mentors emphasize fatherhood, trust and accountability as tools to help Black boys navigate social pressures and avoid risky behaviors, such as vaping and smoking.
Posted inHealth
Dr. Janell Green Smith, Black maternal health advocate, dies in childbirthÂ
Dr. Janell Green Smith, a respected midwife and maternal health expert, tragically died in childbirth at the age of 31, highlighting the issue of America’s maternal mortality crisis and the need for accountability in the healthcare system.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Kenyan McDuffie leaves D.C. Council after 13 years, says ‘the work is not finished’
Kenyan R. McDuffie resigned from the D.C. Council after 13 years of service, during which he championed policies that enhanced economic security, public safety, and affordable housing, and expressed interest in running for mayor in the future.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
D.C. reports decline in violent crime amid data disagreements
As 2025 ended, the District of Columbia saw a second consecutive year of significant declines in violent crime. While reported numbers show progress, federal and local officials remain at odds over the accuracy of the data and what it means for public safety.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
D.C., 34 states reach settlement with Kia, Hyundai over anti-theft failures
D.C., along with 34 other states, has reached a settlement with Hyundai and Kia after the automakers sold millions of vehicles without industry-standard anti-theft technology. Under the agreement, nearly 8,200 vehicles in the District are now eligible for free anti-theft hardware, and affected drivers may receive restitution for theft-related damages.
Posted inOPINION
Opinion: What the NICU in Colombia taught me about Black fatherhood, preeclampsia and survival
In this deeply personal commentary, Jarvis Houston reflects on becoming a father under crisis when his son was born prematurely due to preeclampsia while the family was in Colombia. Through the experience of navigating a foreign health system, witnessing the fragility of life in the NICU, and advocating for his partner’s survival, Houston examines the realities of Black fatherhood, the dangers of maternal health inequities facing Black women, and the collective nature of survival, care and love.
Posted inNational News
ICE officer kills a Minneapolis driver in a deadly start to White House’s latest immigration operation
An ICE officer fatally shot a 37-year-old woman in Minneapolis during a federal immigration enforcement operation, an incident federal officials described as self-defense but city and state leaders condemned as reckless and avoidable. The shooting, captured on video, sparked protests and vigils, intensified criticism of large-scale ICE deployments in the Twin Cities, and prompted state and federal investigations amid growing tension over immigration crackdowns.