Story
Fifth Ward Nonprofit Helps Provide 21,000 Meals for the Elderly
On April 13, Julia C. Hester House became a food sorting site for the Houston Food Bank and Harris County Precinct One serving seniors living in a food desert.
Story
First West Nile Virus Mosquito Sample found in Northwest Harris County
Mosquito Season is back – prevent the bite!
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) has confirmed its first mosquito sample of West Nile virus (WNV) for the 2020 season. The WNV mosquito sample was identified in the northwest quadrant of Harris County. HCPH Mosquito and Vector Control Division (MVCD) began treatment to the area where the disease mosquitoes found on June 9, 2020 to reduce the risk of human infection. For an interactive map of cases and to check areas being treated for mosquito borne disease, please visit: https://publichealth.harriscountytx.gov/Services-Programs/All-Services/Mosquito-Control-Services.
Story
Report: Nursing Homes Facing Financial Crisis
Medicaid covers more than 60 percent of all nursing home residents and roughly 50 percent of costs for long-term care services and support. (The Center On Budget And Policy Priorities, 4/14/20) “Nursing homes predominantly care for two groups: short-term post-acute care patients with Medicare coverage and long-term residents with Medicaid coverage. Medicare is a relatively generous payer, whereas Medicaid often pays below the cost of caring for these frail and medically complex individuals.” David C. Grabowski, PhD, Harvard Medical School & Vincent Mor, PhD, Brown University (Journal Of American Medical Association, 5/22/20)
Story
Fort Bend Count Has the Highest Census Response Rate in Texas
Fort Bend County has the highest response rate for the 2020 Census among all counties in Texas.
Story
Chevron Maker Annex Virtual Workshops
Children’s Museum Houston continues to offer free virtual 3-D design TinkerCAD interactives
Imagination, curiosity, creativity, and inspiration are not cancelled. Discovery happens at Children’s Museum Houston – A Playground for Your Mind™! The Museum (CMH) will continue to offer its popular Chevron Maker Annex Virtual Workshops. These workshops are free, streamed live, and teach children how to use TinkerCAD software to produce 3-D models of animal cells, DNA, coral reefs, buildings and more. Led by maker Education Manager, Jacob Breier, the workshops began during the stay-at-home order in March and have now become one of the Museum’s most popular virtual attractions!
Story
Harris County Commissioner Court Approves Commissioner Rodney Ellis’ Eight Criminal Justice Reform Measures
Items Include Three Budget Reallocation Measures, Independent Oversight Board and Expansion of Public Defender Office to Help End the Mass Incarceration of Communities of Color
Story
Congressmen Gomez and Ruiz Lead Effort for Additional Community Health Centers Funding
Today, Congressmen Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) and Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) called on House and Senate Leadership to protect and expand funding for Community Health Centers (CHCs), which play a vital role in treating patients, working with local health departments, and fighting the spread of the coronavirus. In a letter led by Congressmen Gomez and Ruiz, 40 California members of Congress urged House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Leader Mitch McConnell to protect the $7.6 billion in funding set aside for CHCs in the Heroes Act and to include an additional $1 billion for telehealth infrastructure projects and $1 billion in emergency workforce funding.
Story
Juneteenth Celebration: Emancipation Park Conservancy Hosting Two Weeks of Virtual Programming to Mark 148th Anniversary
Global community invited to participate in online programming that celebrates the legacy of African-Americans and history of the park
Emancipation Park Conservancy will host virtual programming and interactive activities beginning on June 8, 2020, and culminating on June 19, 2020, the Juneteenth Holiday. A blending of the words June and nineteenth, Juneteenth is the oldest known US celebration of the end of slavery and commemorates June 19, 1865, the day that slaves were emancipated in Texas.
Story
Black America Is Burning With Pain
Before any fire can start, there must first be a stimulant. A fire is the result of a chemical reaction after carbon dioxide, water vapor, oxygen and nitrogen come together in a process called combustion. When a fire roars our bodies feel an intense burn from the heat it gives off. Our eyes are mesmerized by the orange and yellow colors that are reflected by a fire’s sparks and flames.
Story
Hidalgo And Turner Urge Local Judges To Halt Evictions Until August 24th, Postponing All Evictions Filed After March 27
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner are asking Harris County’s Justices of the Peace to postpone eviction proceedings until August 24, according to a letter shared with Houston Public Media.
Story
The Three Charged In Slaying Of Ahmaud Arbery Face Court Hearing
William Bryan told investigators he heard Travis McMichael use a racial epithet after fatally shooting Ahmaud Arbery in Glynn County, a Geor- gia Bureau of Investigation agent testified Thursday during preliminary hearings.
Story
“We Got All Four”
“We got all four. We got all four,” was the rally cry that rang out around the world by protestors in Minneapolis, Minnesota as the four former officers involved in the death of George Floyd were finally arrested and charged with his murder. Derek Chauvin, Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane are all in custody awaiting trial.
Story
Vote by Mail Applications Sent to All Registered Voters in Harris County Age 65 and Up
Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins has sent vote by mail applications to 376,840 registered voters who are 65 years of age and older. Those voters should expect to start receiving the applications in their mailboxes this week. To receive a mail ballot for the July 14 Primary Runoff Elections, voters must complete their applications and return them promptly by July 2 (received, not postmarked).
Story
Urban One, Inc. Hosts We Are One: More Than A Hashtag Virtual Town Hall For Injustices Around The Country On Thursday, June 4 At 8 p.m. ET
Veteran Media Personality Sybil Wilkes to Moderate with Featured Panelists NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson, National Urban League President Marc Morial, Political Commentator Bakari Sellers, CURLS Founder and CEO Mahisha Dellinger, Reach Media Syndicated Radio Hosts Russ Parr, Erica Campbell, Angie Ange, Rickey Smiley, Willie Moore, Jr., and Rev. Gayle Fisher-Stewart
Story
Ninth Circuit says states, counties can sue VW in Dieselgate cases
Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan today praised a federal court ruling that affirmed the right of state and local governments to sue Volkswagen over tampering with emissions devices on their vehicles after they were sold.
Story
Board & Brush Creative Studio is Coming to League City Plaza in League City, Texas
Weingarten Realty (NYSE: WRI) announced that Board & Brush Creative Studio is leasing 1,613 SF at League City Plaza in League City, Texas.
Story
Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce releases statement in light of current events
President and CEO Tam Hawkins shares personal statement in support of the Austin black business community
Today, President and CEO of the Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce (GABC), Tam Hawkins, shares a personal statement in response to the current climate of social injustice in the United States of America and in support of the Austin black business community.
Story
Ben Jealous Selected as President of People For the American Way and People For the American Way Foundation
The boards of directors of People For the American Way and People For the American Way Foundation are honored to announce that Benjamin Todd Jealous has been selected as the next president of both organizations. Jealous will take office on June 15. He succeeds Michael Keegan, who has served as president of the organizations for 11 years and will continue to serve as a member of both boards.
Story
Protest Options: A List of Links to Petitions, Donations, Resources and Education
education/">Good Black News Protest is powerful – so much so, it is listed as a right in the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment. But when marching is not an option, there are other ways to keep fighting for justice.
Story
With School Year Interrupted, HCPL Summer Reading Program More Important Than Ever
With summer beginning and students exiting their virtual schools, there will be an increased gap in the learning process. The Harris County Public Library's virtual Summer Reading Program fills that gap by helping students and parents combat the summer slide. HCPL will present online programs for all ages from community partners like Books Alive! Da Camera, Ensemble Theater and more.
