BARRY MICHAEL COOPER, ‘NEW JACK CITY’ SCREENWRITER, DIES AT 66

Barry Michael Cooper, who was one of the first journalists to explore the crack epidemic of the 1980s before turning to Hollywood, where he made his mark with screenplays for gritty films like “New Jack City,” died on Jan. 21 in Baltimore. He was 66. His death, in a hospital, was confirmed by his son, Matthew Cooper, who did not cite a cause.