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EPA opens civil rights investigation into state’s role over Jackson water system

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EPA opens civil rights investigation into state's role over Jackson water system

The Environmental Protection Agency wrote in a letter Thursday that it is opening a investigation into the of Mississippi's role in the breakdown of Jackson's system.

The letter is in response to a complaint the NAACP filed on Sept. 27 under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The complaint alleges Mississippi has discriminated against the city on the basis of race, and that the state has “deprived” Jackson of federal funds intended for maintaining safe drinking water .

Mississippi, which has no Black statewide elected , is 38% Black and 59% white. Jackson is 83% Black and 16% white.

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The EPA specified in the letter that it will investigate whether the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and the Mississippi State Department of Health discriminated against Jackson in their funding of water programs. It will also investigate whether the two state agencies have safeguards and policies to protect against discrimination as required by Title VI.

“The Mississippi State Department of Health is a regulatory agency that ensures compliance, offers education and guidance, and protects the public health safety of all Mississippians,” Liz Sharlot, a spokeswoman for the state health department, said in a statement. “The Agency also works with all eligible public water systems needing funds to improve their plants through the State Revolving Loan Fund. Extensive information can be found on our website.”

MDEQ didn't respond to requests for comment by the time this story published.

READ MORE: Lumumba, Reeves continue to point fingers as Congress calls for probe of Jackson water spending

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The Health Department oversees Mississippi's drinking water revolving loan fund, a program that lends municipalities federal money to make water upgrades. But the agency, NAACP argued in its complaint, has limited the of those loans by capping loan forgiveness at $500,000 and enforcing a stricter repayment period than what allows for.

The letter says that the EPA's Office of External Civil Rights Compliance (OECRC) will contact MSDH and MDEQ in the next 10 days to explain the investigation and potential resolutions.

The NAACP also requested that the EPA include the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration in the investigation, but the federal agency declined.

Today's letter days after U.S. Reps. Bennie Thompson and Carolyn Maloney announced their own investigation into the state's spending, in which they've asked Gov. Tate Reeves to provide information on the state's allotment of recent historic federal infrastructure funding.

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Reeves' office did not yet have a comment on the EPA's letter when this story published.

Earlier on Thursday, Jackson announced it released its own request for proposals (RFP) for a contractor to operate the city's water plants, tanks, and well system. On Monday, Reeves accused Chokwe Antar Lumumba of withdrawing from the state's unified effort to fix the Jackson water system because the mayor wouldn't participate in the state's contract procurement. Lumumba responded that city should have the final say on the RFP before it's published.

While the state's request “accurately reflects the scope of work,” the city said in a statement, Jackson's request includes “specific terms” from the EPA that weren't in the state's request.

READ MORE: Mayor Lumumba says ‘paternalistic, racist' Legislature failed to help Jackson despite having extra billions

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This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Mississippi News

Oktibbeha County deputies continue search for escaped inmate

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www.wcbi.com – Kealy Shields – 2023-12-04 19:14:50

SUMMARY: The Oktibbeha County Sheriff's Department is searching for 47-year-old William Strohm after he escaped from the jail by climbing onto the roof and then over the fence. Strohm, who was a trustee at the jail, was last seen Sunday night and is still on the . His escape surprised some members of the community, while others are not very concerned. The sheriff advised community members to lock their cars as a precaution. Strohm was last seen wearing light-colored pants, a white t-shirt, and a dark-colored coat with an orange interior. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Oktibbeha County Sheriff's Department or Golden Triangle Stoppers.

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New Lowndes Recreation Director has hopes of expanding Parks and Rec

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www.wcbi.com – Kaitlyn Yeatman – 2023-12-04 19:07:26

SUMMARY: Jennifer Claybrook is the new Lowndes Recreation Director, hoping to expand the Parks and Rec department. She has experience as a college softball coach and recently served as the director of athletics and campus recreation at MUW. Claybrook wants to evaluate and expand the recreation department to better serve the community. She has been meeting with the Board of Supervisors and conducting an economic impact survey to determine the community's wants and needs. Her goal is to figure out how best to serve the community and offerings that people are interested in. Overall, she aims to reach more people and make recreation centers more enjoyable for everyone.

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Mississippi News

Local leasing office provides safety tips for students before going home

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www.wcbi.com – Khamari Haymer – 2023-12-04 19:03:23

SUMMARY: College are leaving for the holidays, leaving their apartments empty. Audreana Higgins, the marketing and leasing at Helix, advises students to unplug anything not in use, turn off heaters, and set the thermostat to save on utility bills. She also warns about the dangers of leaving valuables out and not locking doors, as it could to or potential fire hazards. A tenant, Dorian , advises new neighbors to lock their doors. these precautions can ensure the safety and security of the empty apartments during the season.

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