Cars

The Warning Signs Were There… Boyfriend Sentenced to 40 Years for Murder of Local Singer and Domestic

HOUSTON FORWARD TIMES — Rena was a local singer in the Houston area.

Published

8 years ago

February 7, 2019

By Ebony C. Fleming

She was prepared to leave him. She had taken all she could bear, and was ready to take charge of her life again, not just for her sake, but for her three daughters as well. However, on the morning that she decided to pack up and move out of the apartment she shared with her daughters and with her abusive live-in boyfriend, Rena Hodges, 35, was shot and killed by that very same man.

Rena was a local singer in the Houston area. Her life’s ambition was to use her talent to find a way to stardom and wealth to support her family. When she met Jerald Watt through a mutual friend, the fact that he, too, was a local artist seemed to be an added bonus to their quickly budding relationship. But it was clear very early on that the relationship was not an ideal situation.

“The warning signs were there,” said Alix Nelson, Rena’s best friend of 27 years. “He was jealous, he was a drunk, he alienated her from her family and friends…we just knew from the beginning he was no good.”

However, Rena stayed.

While she never admitted to her best friend or family members that she was in a physically abusive relationship, Rena would talk about some of the ups and downs she experienced with Watt.

“They always argued. He would go off in public – yelling and screaming,” said Nelson. “But she would let a lot of stuff go. He manipulated her, used her, refused to work…but she never told me he put his hands on her.”

But it wasn’t entirely surprising that on Valentine’s Day 2017, Rena decided she was going to move out the following day.

“We had a plan,” said Nelson. “We were going to pack up whatever she and the girls needed and leave. They were going to come stay with me until she figured out her next move.”

On February 16, 2017, after dropping her three daughters off at school, and her niece off at an appointment, Rena called her best friend.

They were on the phone when she got back to her apartment and confronted Watt.

“She told him she was tired of it all and she was leaving,” Nelson recalls. “They were yelling back and forth. I could hear it in her voice that she’d had enough. But then she said he had a gun.”

Seconds later the call somehow dropped. That was the last time Nelson spoke to her best friend.

“So often, victims of domestic violence suffer in silence,” said Harris County District Attorney’s Office (HCDAO) Family Criminal Law Division Chief Carvana Cloud. “The reasons are countless as to why they don’t leave abusive relationships, but the outcomes are often the same.”

Harris County leads the state of Texas with domestic violence related crimes. In 2018, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office filed more than 12,000 charges. That’s more than 3,000 more than the 8,699 charges filed in 2017.

“This is an epidemic plaguing our communities,” added Cloud. “That is why we’ve made it our mission to expand our reach into the community by offering protective orders and education to underserved minority groups who in many cases underreport domestic violence.”

The HCDAO Cultural Outreach Program’s main goal is to meet victims where they are, specifically in communities of color where reporting is consistently lower.

“Evidence shows that many women, just like Rena, never come forward. This is why this program exists,” said Cloud. “By working with our community partners we are able to intervene and support a safety plan with the goal of preventing the next homicide.”

Watt pled guilty for the murder of Rena Hodges and was sentenced to 40 years in prison in January – just weeks shy of their two-year anniversary.

“There is no amount of time that would bring her back to her family, to her daughters,” said Darrell Hodges, Rena’s brother.

Hodges now has custody of two of Rena’s three daughters, ages 16, 12, and 10.

“These are three girls who will never have their mother there when they graduate, when they date, get married, and have their own children,” Hodges continued. “Yeah, he’s in prison for a long time, but the damage is done.”

Hodges did his best to encourage his sister to leave, but by the time she made up her mind to do so, it was too late.

“She didn’t make the best choices, but no one deserves this,” said Hodges. “Children don’t deserve this…it didn’t have to happen.”

Anyone in a domestic abuse situation can find help or more information about the Cultural Outreach Program by calling the HCDAO Family Criminal Law Division at 713-274-0212.

This article originally appeared in the Houston Forward Times.

Ebony C. Fleming

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More and More, Black Californians Are Worried About Rising Costs of Housing, Energy, Food and Gas

According to an April 2024 report by the Greenlining Institute, low-income Black Californians are struggling with affordability due to a combination of historical systemic barriers and modern economic pressures. The Greenlining Institute is a California-based policy, research, and advocacy nonprofit founded in 1993 to fight systemic racism and economic injustice.

Published

3 months ago

May 17, 2026

Oakland Post

iStock.

By Antonio‌ ‌Ray‌ ‌Harvey‌, California‌ ‌Black‌ ‌Media‌

Housing, energy, food and gas are four essential household expenses, and their rising costs are forcing residents—especially lower-income households—to make difficult trade-offs, Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton) said at a conference on affordability last week in Sacramento.

Ransom, a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), noted a shift in consumer behavior, stating, “Before people used to choose between things that they wanted and things that they needed.”

“Now, what we’re hearing from constituents is they are prioritizing their needs differently,” she said. “Because of the affordability crisis, it’s no longer about choosing between other needs. Our constituents are now saying ‘what needs to be prioritized?’ Gas and food are at the top of the list.”

Ransom made the comments about affordability at Capitol Weekly’s informational conference titled “Affordability: The Cost of Living in California,” which was held on April 30 at the University of California’s Student and Policy Center.

Co-hosted with the University of California Student and Policy Center, the political conversations focused on identifying policy solutions to the state’s extremely high prices for energy, food, and essentials.

The keynote speakers at the conference were former Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez, president of the California Federation of Labor Unions, and Mike Madrid, a political strategist, author, and senior fellow at UC Irvine.

Conversations about affordability are taking on greater urgency as the election season kicks in, speakers said.

According to an April 2024 report by the Greenlining Institute, low-income Black Californians are struggling with affordability due to a combination of historical systemic barriers and modern economic pressures. The Greenlining Institute is a California-based policy, research, and advocacy nonprofit founded in 1993 to fight systemic racism and economic injustice.

Black households in California experience the highest levels of rent burden; approximately 65% of Black renters, according to the Greenlining report. Historical “redlining” and ongoing discrimination have restricted homeownership. Black families also pay 43% more for energy than White households, partly because they are more likely to live in older, less energy-efficient rentals.

In addition, roughly 1 in 3 Black adults (36.5%) reported household food insecurity in late 2025, more than double the rate for White adults. This is often exacerbated by “food deserts” in predominantly Black neighborhoods.

In March, Assembly Minority Leader Heath Flora (R-Ripon) expressed concerns about affordability in California, describing it as a crisis where families are being “pushed to the edge.”

“Californians should not have to choose between putting food on the table or filling up their car,” Flora stated. “We need to cut costs now. Not tomorrow, not next week, not next month. Now.”

Cuts to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding are being driven by the Trump Administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), which is reducing federal spending by approximately $187 billion through 2034.

Those reductions are putting more pressure on the state to help, Ransom said. According to the AAA Gas Prices website, as of May 8, California’s gasoline prices averaged over $6 per gallon in some areas, with various locations experiencing spikes of $7 to $8 per gallon. In California, fuel prices are driven by refinery maintenance and market volatility, while high food prices are linked to rising transportation costs, experts say.

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New Car Reviews and Important Auto News

Get reviews of the latest new press cars driven and we update you on the most recent auto news of interest. Join our panel of auto influencers.
The post New Car Reviews and Important Auto News first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 years ago

June 1, 2024

Oakland Post

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Why the 2024 Subaru Solterra Touring EV Deserves a Spot on Your Test Drive List

Why the 2024 Subaru Solterra Touring EV Deserves a Spot on Your Test Drive List… Let’s dive into something different today. Forget about the usual dry specs and let’s talk about what makes the 2024 Subaru Solterra Touring EV not just a vehicle, but a companion for your daily adventures and beyond. Power and Poise […]
The post Why the 2024 Subaru Solterra Touring EV Deserves a Spot on Your Test Drive List first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 years ago

June 1, 2024

Oakland Post

Power and Poise on Four Wheels
First things first: the Solterra isn’t just any electric vehicle. With 215 horsepower and 249 lb-ft of torque, this car combines the environmental benefits of an EV with the performance you’d expect from a traditional engine. And because it’s all funneled through Subaru’s symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, you get a responsive, stable ride whether you’re on rain-soaked streets or a snowy pass.

Safety First, But Make It Seamless
The Solterra comes packed with features that not only keep you safe but do so without a fuss. Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control are just starters. Ever worried about the car behind you when you’re stopping at lights? The Emergency Driver Stop System has got you covered. Plus, the array of airbags and Vehicle Stability Control ensure that you’re cocooned in safety, making every journey worry-free.

Tech That Gets You
Inside, the Solterra is a tech haven. The 12.3” Subaru Multimedia Audio System is where the magic happens—navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and even SiriusXM for your road trip soundtracks. Not to mention, “Hey, Subaru!”, the voice-activated virtual assistant, is ready to help with your commands.

But it’s not just about convenience; it’s about enhancing your driving experience. The panoramic view monitor with a 360-degree camera and Parking Assist turns maneuvering in tight spots from a chore into a breeze.

Comfort That Keeps Up
Now, onto the interiors. Subaru has gone all out with comfort. Heated seats front and back, a heated steering wheel, and even a power sunshade for the panoramic moonroof—it’s all designed to make your ride as comfortable as possible, regardless of the weather outside. And with StarTex trimmed upholstery, the cabin isn’t just comfortable; it’s stylish and durable too.

Why Test Drive the Solterra?
Performance: It’s quick, agile, and backed by dual electric motors. Perfect for both city driving and off-road adventures.
Tech Features: From safety to entertainment, the technology packed into the Solterra is cutting-edge, user-friendly, and genuinely enhances the driving experience.
Comfort and Style: It’s designed to be a space where you want to spend time. Whether you’re commuting or heading out on a road trip, this car has the amenities to make every trip enjoyable.

Wrapping Up
The 2024 Subaru Solterra Touring EV might not just be your next car; it could be your reason to hit the road more often. With a blend of tech, comfort, and robust safety features, this car checks all the boxes for a modern driver’s needs. Sure, the EV range might make you pause, but with all its perks, it’s a contender that deserves consideration.

So, why not take it for a spin? Experience firsthand what the Solterra has to offer. Who knows, it might just surprise you.
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The post Why the 2024 Subaru Solterra Touring EV Deserves a Spot on Your Test Drive List first appeared on BlackPressUSA.