COVID-19: Protecting the Right to Vote
There is a long history of voting rights inequality and blatant voter suppression in Texas. From the number of polling locations available in low-income communities to poll taxes to voter intimidation tactics focused on communities of color, we have had to fight to perform our constitutional duty to cast ballots.
Four HISD students receive National Merit scholarship awards
Four Houston Independent School District graduating seniors have received $2,500 each from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which selected them from a pool of more than 15,000 outstanding students nationwide.
PVAMU secures $110K emergency grant for graduating seniors amid COVID-19 crisis
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has awarded Prairie View A&M University a $110,000 emergency grant to provide relief for seniors on the verge of graduating who have suffered economic hardships due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The Energy Industry Was Ready For COVID-19
The COVID-19 outbreak has made a lot of things uncertain. Americans don't know the next time they'll see toilet paper in a grocery store, let alone whether or not they'll stay healthy or have a job in a week.
Westbury HS among winners in Michelle Obama, MTV voting challenge
Westbury High School graduating seniors learned during a video call with Michelle Obama that they are one of only 20 campuses in the nation and the only one in Texas to be named winners in a voter registration challenge co-chaired by the former first lady.
Congressman Al Green Commends House Passage of HEROES Act
On Friday, May 15, 2020, Congressman Al Green voted in support of the most recent coronavirus relief legislation – H.R. 6800, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act. He released the following statement:
Increased SNAP Funding in House “Heroes Act” Would Give Struggling Texas Families More Than $900 Million for Groceries
Even Before Crisis, More Than 1.4 Million Texas Kids – Nearly 1 in 5 – Lived in Food Insecure Homes
The newest COVID-19 relief bill (the “Heroes Act”) that passed the U.S. House of Representatives last night would – if passed by the U.S. Senate and signed into law by President Trump – provide low-income Texas families and individuals with more than $900 million extra over the next 16 months to purchase groceries or food at farmers markets, thereby both reducing hunger and stimulating the state’s economy.
COVID Testing Sites
As of Friday, May 15, the City of Houston reported 5,340 COVID-19 cases and 114 deaths. Statewide, there are 45,466 confirmed cases, and over 1.4 million cases across the country.
Governor Abbott Releases Statement, Provides Details On Increased Cases In Amarillo
Rise In Cases Comes As State Employs Targeted Testing Strategy
Governor Greg Abbott today released a statement and detailed the ongoing containment plan for the COVID-19 outbreak in Amarillo that is reporting over 700 positive cases today. On Monday, May 4th, Governor Abbott deployed a Surge Response Team (SRT) to Amarillo consisting of Medical Incident Support Team personnel from the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force (EMTF) and 70 members of the Texas National Guard.
We Shouldn't Try to Hold Biden Hostage on This One
Seven prominent Black women activists have made a strong case, and a bit of stir, in a Washington Post Op-Ed, "Biden Still Needs Black Women. Here are 3 Things He Needs to Do." Tiffany Cross, Lotosha Cross, and Sunny Hostin were among the writers who strongly suggested Biden's running mate be a Black woman. Their argument is quite clear: Black women are first in the voting booth to elect Democratic presidents, and now first in line risking their lives as essential workers, therefore, we should be rewarded for that. In addition, a Black woman could electrify the base in a way that others may not.
Harmony School of Innovation - Houston named prestigious National School of Character
Harmony School of Innovation - Houston has been named a National School of Character by Character.org, a nationwide education advocacy organization.
AboutThatCar.com: 2020 Mazda3 Hatchback
While test driving the 2020 Mazda3 Hatchback, we pulled into a parking spot at the grocery store and before we could get out of the car a young lady pulled in beside us. As we exited our test vehicle, she said, “I like the color of this car. I need to go get mine washed.”
Many Questions Unanswered About School Calendar Proposals Driven by COVID-19, says Association for Texas Professional Educators
State’s largest educator association shares member concerns about potential changes
The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE), the largest educator association in Texas, is actively monitoring discussions surrounding proposed recommendations for school calendars from the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
MAGLITE® Joins National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum as Partner for Honoring American Law Enforcement
Mag Instrument, Inc., the leading flashlight company in the world for 40 years, has committed to a partnership engagement with the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum in Washington, DC. The new partnership represents a financial commitment in support of the organization’s national programs and operations, and is the first such commitment from the manufacturing sector.
Economic benefits of illegal immigration outweigh the costs, Baker Institute study shows
New research paper focuses on impact in Texas
The economic benefits of illegal immigration are greater than the costs of the public services utilized, according to an expert at Rice University’s Baker Institute of Public Policy.
A Survivor's Story: Rapper is earning master’s degree after being declared dead 3 times and taking GED 5 times
After rap artist Kirk Williams received his master’s degree recently from JSU it marked another Cinderella story for a man who at age 14 had been a drug dealer, homeless and was once declared dead three times by medical personnel after being shot while protecting his sister in an assault.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston and Houston Texans partner for virtual graduation ceremony for senior Club members
The annual Houston Texans graduation ceremony for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston (BGCGH) high school seniors went virtual this year to ensure the health and safety of all participants. The event takes place each May at the Houston Texans Teen Club in the Heights area, but the celebration on May 15 was all done via Zoom with 38 graduates and several Club directors joining in the video conference from their homes. Additionally, representatives from corporate partner Chevron and the Texans public relations staff joined in the conference, along with mascot TORO and members of the cheer team.
AFL-CIO Sues OSHA for Emergency Temporary Standard to Protect Workers
This morning, the AFL-CIO filed a petition for a writ of mandamus in the U.S. Court of Appeals to compel the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue an emergency temporary standard (ETS) protecting U.S. workers against the coronavirus.
Master Herbalist and Herbal Tea Connoisseur Launches the ZabicoLife Brand and Transforms the Luxury Herbal Tea Experience
Gladstone St. Auburn Etienne said his lifelong love and knowledge of herbs, herbalism, natural eating, and healthy living inspired him to launch his tea company ZABICOLife, a curious brand identity that stems from the French Creole word for apricot. He said the premier brand of luxury tisanes (herbal teas) is taking off nationally and fulfilling its mission to provide sublime enjoyment and foster vibrant health.
First Presbyterian Church of Houston to Host “Feeding Houston’s Heroes” Event
First responders will line up for the drive thru event on Tuesday, May 20, 11am until noon
First Presbyterian Church of Houston is expecting a parade of vehicles Tuesday morning as it hosts one of the biggest Feeding Houston’s Heroes (FHH) events yet. FHH Volunteers will turn the FPC parking lot into a drive-thru, distributing hundreds of meals to Houston’s EMS crews, firefighters, police officers and other first responders.
