Disparities, Debates, and Deadly Missteps
- Johnette Cruz
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Behind The Filter: Unfiltered Weekly 12-11-25
🎧 Behind The Filter: Unfiltered Weekly Podcast
Disparities, Debates, and Deadly Missteps
Welcome back to "Behind The Filter," the weekly podcast where we look past the headlines and dive deep into the stories that truly matter—from critical health disparities to political flashpoints and accountability in our communities.
Black Women in the South Face Alarming HIV Disparities
We begin with a deeply concerning health crisis that continues to be overlooked: HIV diagnoses among Black women in the Southern U.S.
While HIV diagnoses are relatively rare nationwide, the statistics reveal an escalating racial disparity. Black women represent only 13% of the total female population in the U.S., yet they account for more than half of all women newly diagnosed with the virus. This isn’t just a health issue; it’s a severe public health crisis rooted in systemic obstacles.
The South is the epicenter of this trend, where women face compounding issues:
Decreased Access to Care: The post-Roe landscape has limited opportunities for routine reproductive health visits, which are crucial for prevention counseling and HIV testing.
Financial Barriers: The cost and distance of clinics often prevent women from seeking essential care, and even when they see a provider, HIV testing is not always standard procedure.
Threats to Outreach: Federal cuts to HIV prevention programs and DEI-related restrictions are directly undermining the very research and outreach designed to protect these vulnerable communities.
Advocates stress that dismantling this crisis requires open and accurate conversations about HIV to break the stigma that prevents people from seeking the care they need and deserve.
Halle Berry vs. Newsom: Menopause Care Becomes a Political Flashpoint
Next, we move from health disparities to political debates, as the issue of menopause care enters the national spotlight.
Oscar-winner Halle Berry has emerged as a fierce advocate, recently criticizing California Governor Gavin Newsom for twice vetoing the Menopause Equity Act. The vetoed legislation aimed to expand insurance coverage for essential treatments and provide incentives for doctors to specialize in menopause care.\
Berry accused Newsom of "overlooked women—half the population—by devaluing us in midlife," while the Governor defended his veto, claiming the bill would unintentionally raise health care costs for millions of working families.
This legislative gap is becoming a concern just as tech and wellness companies are rushing in to brand menopause as the newest trend. Doctors warn that while the attention is needed, consumers must cut through the noise of "snake oil and fearmongering" to find genuinely evidence-based health solutions. This debate highlights the ongoing challenge of getting lawmakers to recognize menopause as a serious health care issue, not just a "side project."
Whitestown Shooting Affidavit: Wrong Address, Deadly Shot
Finally, we turn to a tragic event in our local community, where an affidavit released this week shed light on the fatal shooting in Whitestown, Indiana.
On November 5, 2025, Maria Florinda Rios Perez de Velasquez was shot and killed while attempting to enter a residence she believed was a model home she was scheduled to clean. Her husband, Mauricio, confirmed their GPS had mistakenly directed them to the wrong address.
The homeowner, Curt Andersen, who was sleeping upstairs, retrieved his Glock 9mm handgun after hearing what he described as an aggressive commotion at his locked front door. Key facts revealed in the affidavit include:
No Forced Entry: Investigators confirmed the door was locked, with no evidence of scratching or forced contact.
The Shot: Andersen fired one shot through the closed, locked door from the top of his stairs, approximately 10 to 15 seconds after retrieving his weapon.
No Warning: Andersen confirmed he did not announce himself or say anything to the individuals outside before firing.
Aftermath: Mauricio stated he heard no yelling from inside the house, only his wife being struck and his own weeping.
Curt Andersen, who became immediately distraught upon learning the outcome, is currently charged with Voluntary Manslaughter. His trial is set to begin next March. This devastating case underscores the necessity of clear communication and the profound consequences of perceived threats.
That’s it for this week’s Behind The Filter. Join us next week as we continue to bring you the unfiltered stories.
Watch or listen to the full episode below!
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~J