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Department of Neighborhoods Welcomes Complete Communities University Class of Spring 2023

28 emerging leaders will explore strategies for community empowerment

The Department of Neighborhoods (DON) is pleased to announce the Complete Communities University (CCU) Class of Spring 2023. Twenty-eight aspiring leaders from communities across Houston will participate in the eight-week leadership training course. Selected through a competitive application process, the participants represent City Council districts A through K and At-Large districts 1-4, including all 10 historically underserved communities receiving neighborhood revitalization services under Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Complete Communities initiative.

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Congressman Al Green Secures $1,500,000 in Federal Funding for The Alliance

On Monday, March 13, 2023, Congressman Al Green was joined by Mayor Sylvester Turner and presented a symbolic check in the amount of $1,500,000 to The Alliance for their Project R.A.I.S.E.: Rebuilding Alliance to Inspire Sustainability in our Environment. This is the largest grant of this kind The Alliance has received. The Alliance is located in the most diverse neighborhood in the most diverse city in our nation. Project R.A.I.S.E. improvements will allow The Alliance to better serve the needs of the constituents in the Ninth Congressional District of Texas and beyond in an accessible, safe, and friendly environment with a small carbon footprint.

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Mayor Turner Celebrates Improvements to Forum Park as Part of City's 50/50 Park Partners Initiative

Mayor Sylvester Turner joined with local elected officials, the 50/50 Park Partners, Houston Parks and Recreation Department (H.P.A.R.D.), Houston Parks Board (HPB), Greater Houston Partnership and other community partners today to hold a ribbon cutting ceremony at Forum Park.

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Democratic leaders want the party to stop its Kamala Harris pile-on ahead of 2024

Elizabeth Warren has called twice to apologize. Over a month later, Kamala Harris hasn't called back. In a local Boston radio interview in late January, Warren was enthusiastic about President Joe Biden running for reelection but, asked if Biden should keep Harris as his running mate, she said, "I really want to defer to what makes Biden comfortable on his team."

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STATEMENT: MOVE Texas Responds to Texas Republicans’ Atrocious Border Policing Proposal

Today, the Texas Republican Party filed House Bill 20, a bill to allow private citizens to be deputized by the state in an effort to further militarize and harass border communities, immigrants, and people of color. The proposal is nothing short of state-sanctioned violence, following the second anniversary of Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s failed “Operation Lone Star,” his expensive and deadly border operation.

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Books about Black Women's Body Image by various authors

The last two apps you downloaded were for diets. Ugh. Friends say that you're perfect but you'd like to lose your flabby arms, your thick thighs, and a few inches from your belly. You imagine what you'd be like if you were a size 6. You wonder if you could wear skinny boots again. But before you download another app, read these books about Black women's health and body image...

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ICYMI: Third Ward on Tap Held an Event Today to Reclaim Outdoor Space Through the Revitalization of the Columbia Tap Trail

An HHA project aimed at providing safe, sustainable and positive space for families and community members, while preserving the integrity and longevity of the historic Third Ward

Third Ward on Tap-Trill Edition, the Houston Housing Authority (HHA), the City of Houston, Friends of Columbia Tap, and the Rotary Houston Skyline came together today to celebrate the neighborhoods revitalization project and to reclaim outdoor space within the Third Ward Community.

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A Historic Vote and the Tools It Gave Us

Vice President Kamala Harris is sure to be remembered every March in Women’s History Month as the first woman and the first person of color to serve our nation in that position. As notable as those two facts are, she may grow to be known just as much for a single vote in the Senate that helped save the planet.

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John Whitmire Endorsed for Houston Mayor By St. Rep Ana Hernandez

John Whitmire announced today that State Representative Ana Hernandez of District 143 has endorsed him in his campaign for mayor of the City of Houston.

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Houston Man Sentenced to 30 years for Fatal Crash During Police Chase on Eldridge Parkway at Katy Freeway

A Houston man who ran a red light while fleeing police and caused a crash that killed his passenger was sentenced Friday to 30 years in prison, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.

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Cyclone Freddy kills at least 99 in Malawi

At least 99 people were confirmed dead on Monday after Cyclone Freddy slammed into southern Malawi, the country's Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs, Charles Kalemba, told CNN.

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Ruth E. Carter becomes the first Black woman to win multiple Oscars

Costume designer Ruth E. Carter just became the first Black woman to win two Oscars.

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Michelle Yeoh's mom reacts to 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' star's historic Oscar win

Michelle Yeoh's mom may not have been present in the Dolby Theater on Sunday to see her daughter win an Oscar but cameras were rolling as she watched the historic moment live in Malaysia.

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Verdict reached in penalty phase of trial of NYC bike path terrorist

The jury in the penalty phase of the trial of a terrorist convicted of committing a 2017 attack for ISIS that killed eight on a New York City bike path has told the judge it was unable to reach a unanimous decision.

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Baytown Man Sentenced to 28 Years in Prison for Rape After Kidnapping Woman

A 35-year-old Baytown man was sentenced by a judge to 28 years in prison for kidnapping a woman, holding her at gunpoint and raping her in 2021, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.

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Depository & Recycling Centers’ Change Hours Of Operations In Beginning Of Daylight Savings Time

Effective Tuesday, March 14, 2023, the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department Neighborhood Depositories hours of operations will change at its six (6) Neighborhood Depositories & Recycling Centers to adjust with Daylight Savings Time. The locations listed below will be open Tuesday through Sunday, except city-approved holidays; from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Citizens are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing to allow adequate time to unload.

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40 Students in Commissioner Ellis’ Internship Program Get Experience Working as Aides in Austin, Houston and NY

Since grade school, Jesha Magee, 27, a law student at Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law, practiced a strong need to help others on a small or large scale.

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Reported hate crimes in the US increased in 2021, according to new FBI data

Reported hate crimes in the US increased 11.6% in 2021, according to new data from the FBI, though reporting among agencies remains incomplete.

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Media outlets urge judge to announce his plans for a hearing in blockbuster medication abortion case

Several media organizations asked a federal judge on Monday to publicly announce his plans to hold a hearing Wednesday in a blockbuster medication abortion case after the judge reportedly moved to keep the hearing under wraps.

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DeSantis moves his presidential ambitions into the open with Iowa visit

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made his first appearance in Iowa on Friday, an unmistakable flirtation for a top-tier Republican presidential contender that brings his expected bid for the White House a step closer to reality.