FARAI CHIDEYA, host:
From NPR News, this is NEWS & NOTES. I'm Farai Chideya. Happy Juneteenth.
Coming up, we have Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe and a new installment of StoryCorp Griot. But first, let's kick things off with headlines.
Today, we start in the Ivory Coast. Last fall we brought you the story of a tragic dumping case in the West African nation. The Dutch-based oil trading company, Trafigura, had allegedly tried to sidestep environmental regulations, dumping tons of toxic sludge near the nation's commercial capital.
We caught up with The New York Times' Lydia Polgreen soon after.
Ms. LYDIA POLGREEN (Correspondent, The New York Times): What appears to have happened is that this company had an opportunity to dispose of the waste in a legal and safe manner in Europe and chose not to do so, apparently, for reasons of costs. It would have cost them about 250,000 euros, which is about $300,000 to dispose of it safely in Europe. But, apparently, they balked at the price.
CHIDEYA: Sixteen people died from the dumping and thousands more were made six - sick. Since then, Trafigura has agreed to pay $198 million in victim compensation, though it admits no wrongdoing. Now, the government of Ivory Coast says it's going to seek more money from the oil giant. It wants to cover additional medical and clean up cost. The price tag could top half a billion dollars.
Our next headline takes us to Houston, Texas - an Emancipation Park. In honor of Juneteenth, residents want the park restored to its former glory. A hundred thirty five years ago, freed slaves bought the land. That's where they went every year to celebrate June 19, 1865, also known as Juneteenth. It's the day Texas slaves finally learned that they had been emancipated two years earlier.
For years, Emancipation Park was the only park in Houston where black folks could go. Today, it's a hub for drug users and the homeless, but the city of Houston is stepping up. It's setting aside $100,000 for new lighting and painting. And officials say they're on the look out for more funds and helping hands.
And our last headline takes us to Chicago, where the thermometer isn't the only thing that's rising.
(Soundbite of radio broadcast)
Unidentified Man: 6:01 our top story this morning. On the day Chicago police announced a new plan to fight violence. Eight people are shot in just six hours. CBS 2's Holly Gregory joins us live from Chicago Police headquarters with more. Good morning, Holly. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.