Michelle Obama Surprises Worthing High School Students and More
Students at Worthing High School had a surprise meeting with Michelle Obama. The former first lady was in Houston Saturday as part of her book tour.
Democrat Christina Morales wins Texas House seat formerly held by Alvarado
Democrat Christina Morales has handily won the special election runoff to fill the former Texas House seat of state Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston.
The Trump Tax Return Fight Is Coming Back In a Major Way
One day after announcing a broad inquiry into President Trump's political and personal life, House Democrats began to offer some hints as to how they plan to pry Trump's most closely held secret from him.
Selma, the Birthplace of Modern Democracy in America
This weekend, political leaders from across the country gathered in Selma, Alabama, to commemorate "Bloody Sunday," the 1965 march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge where peaceful demonstrators, attempting to cross the bridge, were violently driven back by Alabama State Troopers, Dallas County Sheriff's deputies and a horse-mounted posse wielding billy clubs and water hoses to savage the crowd. The horrors played on TV sets across the country generated a national outrage that provided the final impetus for passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
Houston Ranked No. 2 As Most Stressed City In Texas
It's not hard to fathom that Houston was ranked No. 2 as one of the most stressed cities in Texas if you ever drove through its traffic. BabylonHealth released its list after analyzing Twitter content to find out where people are most likely tweet about stress, anxiety and frustration.
2 in 5,000: Pasadena ISD’s Sam Rayburn High School Artists Earn American Visions Nominations
It is an incredible honor to be named an American Visions nominee, especially with over 5,000 Harris County Department of Education Scholastic Art entries this year. However, Sam Rayburn High School in Pasadena Independent School District is honored to have two students who were nominated for this prestigious art award.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Introduces Legislation to fight the Illicit Tobacco Trade
Jackson Lee—“The illicit trade in tobacco underpins some of the gravest transnational threats to the United States and our allies. Illicit tobacco trafficking is not a victimless offense; it facilitates other, more heinous crimes including money laundering and trafficking in weapons, drugs, antiquities, diamonds, counterfeit goods, and—worst of all—human beings. The Combatting the Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products Act (CITTPA) would improve the U.S. Government’s ability to identify and deter those engaging in the trade of illicit tobacco.”Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee released this statement on the introduction of the Combating the Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products Act (CITTPA) in the House of Representatives: “The illicit trade in tobacco underpins some of the gravest transnational threats to the United States and our allies. Illicit tobacco trafficking is not a victimless offense; it facilitates other, more heinous crimes including money laundering and trafficking in weapons, drugs, antiquities, diamonds, counterfeit goods, and—worst of all—human beings. “More than one out of every ten cigarettes smoked worldwide—11.6 percent of global consumption—is illicit. This is big business, and without intervention, it shows no signs of stopping. The Combatting the Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products Act will give the United States better information and tools to combat this dangerous activity. “The Combatting the Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products Act (CITTPA) would improve the U.S. Government’s ability to identify and deter those engaging in the trade of illicit tobacco. The bill would provide better information on countries involved with the illicit tobacco trade by requiring the U.S. Secretary of State to report annually on which countries are determined to be a major source of illicit tobacco products or their components and identify which foreign governments are actively engaged and knowingly profiting from this illicit trade. “CITTPA enables the United States to deter countries involved in the illicit tobacco trade and better assist U.S. allies by granting the U.S. Secretary of State the ability to withhold U.S. foreign assistance from those countries knowingly profiting from the illicit trade in tobacco or its activities. In countries where the government is working to stop illicit tobacco trafficking efforts, the Secretary of State would be able to provide assistance for law enforcement training and investigation. I am also pleased that this bill is bipartisan as it enjoys the support of Representative Richard Hudson, who joins this bill as an original co-sponsor. “Additionally, CITTPA helps the United States target individuals assisting in the illicit tobacco trade by authorizing the President of the United States to impose economic sanctions and travel restrictions on any foreign individual found to be engaged in the illicit tobacco trade and requires the president to submit a list of those individuals to Congress.”
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Statement on the Introduction of the Violence Against Women Act of 2019
Jackson Lee: “The effort to pass VAWA represents a commitment to saving lives and recognizing how long we have been suffering and how far we have come. This iteration of VAWA also speaks to the indignities and harms suffered by Native American women who, either through tribal custom, legal strictures or station in life, were not contemplated by past efforts to pass VAWA. And, we cannot forget the victims of domestic violence like Brittany Smith, who was 23 years old and was gunned down last year in Houston, by her boyfriend and San Diego-based Marine; nor can we forget Charlene Caldwell, a mother and grandmother beaten to death last year by a baseball bat at the hands of her boyfriend in Houston. Sadly, their story is representative is too many others.”
A Better Bail Bond & Local Bondsmen File Lawsuit Against Harris County Democratic Judges! It’s More Than Business, It’s About Our Community!
One of Houston’s leading bail bond companies, A Better Bail Bond has partnered with several local bail bond companies to fight to restore bail for misdemeanors. In January 2019, Harris County Criminal Court at Law judges voted to adopt a new bond rule granting most misdemeanor arrestees a personal recognizance bond, or “PR bond, releasing them on the spot without posting bail. This rule will not benefit the community as it will increase crime, become a safety issue, and will not hold criminals accountable for their actions.
House Chair Waters leads charge to return consumer protection to CFPB
Payday loan regulation supported by lawmakers and more than 50 advocates
On March 7, the House Financial Services Committee, chaired by Congresswoman Maxine Waters marked the first time that the new Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) appeared for a hearing in this capacity. Entitled, Putting Consumers First? A Semi-Annual Review of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau,” the session is the first of two mandated by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Financial Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Twice a year, CFPB’s Director must report to each chamber of Congress.
Houston Grand Opera announces contract extension with Local 51 union members
The company and International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees reach agreement through fiscal year 2022
Houston Grand Opera (HGO) is proud to announce an agreement with the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (IATSE), Local 51, extending the union’s contract through July 31, 2022. This new multiyear collective bargaining agreement (CBA) covers fiscal years 2019 through fiscal year 2022.
Midtown Houston Commits to Mobility by Expanding Houston BCycle’s Network
New Bike Share Station at Midtown Park is Eighth in the District and 89th Across Houston
Midtown Houston has just added a 13-dock Houston BCycle station to the Northeast corner of Midtown Park. Already the most walkable neighborhood in Houston according to Walk Score, Midtown’s addition of an eighth Houston BCycle station represents its continued commitment to mobility for residents and visitors alike. (See full map of stations here).
Harris County Now Largest in the Country to Implement Countywide Polling Place Program
Today, Texas Secretary of State David Whitley approved Harris County as one of six Texas counties with a population of more than 100,000 to participate in the Countywide Polling Place Program. With over 2 million registered voters, this makes Harris County the largest county in the country to implement this program. The state program allows eligible counties to establish non-precinct based Election Day Voting Centers.
Mayor Sylvester Turner Launches Re-Election Campaign
Mayor Sylvester Turner launched his re-election campaign today by unveiling a new website, opening a campaign headquarters and inviting supporters to join him at the Union Station lobby in Minute Maid Park on March 30 for a kickoff.
Michael Jackson's music dropped by radio stations in New Zealand, Canada following HBO documentary
Radio stations in New Zealand and Canada have dropped Michael Jackson from their playlists, following new accusations of abuse by the late pop star in the documentary "Leaving Neverland."
What we learned from the R. Kelly interview Part 1
The first portion of Gayle King's exclusive interview with singer R. Kelly aired on "CBS This Morning" Wednesday and it was explosive.
Democrat Christina Morales Wins Texas House Seat Formerly Held by Alvarado
Democrat Christina Morales has handily won the special election runoff to fill the former Texas House seat of state Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston.
NAACP Calls for Justice in Stephon Clark Case
Joins Sacramento Branch in Condemning DA’s Failure to Charge Police Officers in Murder of Stephon Clark
The nation’s foremost civil rights organization joins its NAACP Sacramento Branch in condemning Sacramento District Attorney Marie Schubert's decision to not charge Sacramento Police officers Terrence Mercadel and Jared Robinet with murder for the killing of 22 year old Stephon Clark –an unarmed father and husband.
T.J.Maxx to Open in Houston
T.J.Maxx, one of the nation’s leading off-price retailers with more than 1,200 stores currently operating in 49 states and Puerto Rico, will be relocating to Champion Forest on March 14, 2019. From fashion and accessories to jewelry, home, beauty, pet products, toys and more, shoppers can expect to find something for the entire family at the latest T.J.Maxx store
Media Arts Center San Diego’s 26th Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival
Celebrating 26 Years of the Latino Experience Through Film
March 14 - 24, 2019 marks the 26th Annual of Media Arts Center San Diego’s San Diego Latino Film Festival (SDLFF). The festival will take place once again at the AMC 18 Fashion Valley theaters and Digital Gym CINEMA in North Park.
