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Advocacy Organizations Urge Texas Counties to Implement Secure Voting Machines

The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, Protect Democracy, the ACLU Voting Rights Project, and Public Citizen today sent letters to 29 Texas counties urging the adoption of secure, paper-based voting machines ahead of the 2020 elections. The identified counties currently use paperless machines, which the groups argue present significant risk to election security.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Looks Forward to Celebrating the Houston Astros’ 2019 World Series Title with Washington’s own Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Budget, issued this statement ahead of Game 1 of the World Series between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals:

Animal Defenders International urges public to avoid elephant rides at Texas Renaissance Festival

Elephants supplied for rides at this year’s Texas Renaissance Festival in Todd Mission have been filmed by Animal Defenders International (ADI) being beaten by their handler, Mike Swain of Trunks & Humps, during training. ADI is asking the public not to pay for the elephant rides at the festival, which continues every weekend through December 1, as well as on Black Friday (November 29).

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Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner proclaimed himself proud today to receive endorsements from Fort Bend County elected officials

At a news conference in Chasewood, part of Fort Bend County in the City of Houston, elected officials lined up to praise the Mayor for his work in their community. Endorsers included County Judge K.P. George, Commissioner Ken DeMerchant, Precinct 4, District Attorney Brian Middleton, Constable Daryl L. Smith Sr., Precinct 2, State Representative Ron Reynolds and Fort Bend County Democratic Party Chair Cynthia Ginyard. Commissioner Grady Prestage, Precinct 2, District Clerk Beverly Walker and Senator Borris Miles are also endorsing Mayor Turner but were unable to attend the news conference.

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Judge Maria T. Jackson kicks off campaign for Harris County Commissioner Precinct 1

Standing on the steps of the Harris County Courthouse and surrounded by more than 60 friends, family and supporters, Judge Maria T. Jackson today kicked off her campaign to be the next commissioner for Harris County Precinct 1.

Beto Describes How His Work on Veterans Affairs and Arms Services Committees Shaped His Foreign Policy View, on 1A

Today, Beto was interviewed on NPR’s “1A.” Beto discussed a variety of topics over the nearly 30 minute interview, including the President’s recent actions in Syria. Beto detailed how his time on the House Veterans Affairs and House Arms Services Committees shaped his foreign policy view:

Astros to Host World Series Games 1 and 2

Ticketed fans encouraged to arrive early for Postseason Street Fests, special pregame ceremonies and gate giveaways on Tuesday and Wednesday October 22-23

Governor Abbott Issues Disaster Declaration Following Severe Weather Across Texas

Governor Greg Abbott today issued a disaster declaration for 16 Texas counties as a result of severe weather sustained across Texas last night. In addition to providing any and all state resources to local officials, this declaration will waive certain regulations, allowing utility companies to bring in out-of-state resources to assist in restoring power as quickly as possible.

Songwriting with Soldiers Concert Premiers Nationally October 25 On PBS

PBS will present SONGWRITING WITH SOLDIERS, a powerful one-hour concert special featuring veterans, service members and award-winning songwriters coming together for a night of music illustrating military veterans' experiences. The program, airing Friday, October 25, 2019 at 10:00 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings), was filmed in August at Nashville’s War Memorial Auditorium with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).

Calling all Gingerbread House Builders!

Deadline for Registration – Nov. 15

The aroma of holiday spices, candy canes, sugar gumdrops, and gingerbread will soon swirl through the air. The Visit Lake Charles annual Gingerbread House Contest is a wonderful way for visitors to feel the community’s Christmas spirit when they see the houses on display at the Welcome Center throughout December.

Houston Mayor Turner Endorsed by Fort Bend Elected Officials

Fort Bend County Judge K.P. George, Fort Bend Democratic Party Chair Cynthia Ginyard and other elected officials from the county will be announcing their endorsement of Houston Mayor Turner for re-election on November 5th.

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A Matter of Life and Death

All oppressed people know this feeling. Tevye expressed it best in “Fiddler on the Roof” when he said there are times “when our hearts lie panting on the floor.”

FEMA Offers Free Rebuilding Tips at Lowe’s in Houston

Disaster survivors impacted by Tropical Storm Imelda who are rebuilding and repairing their homes can visit Lowe’s in Houston, Monday, Oct. 21 through Saturday, Oct. 27 to get free hazard mitigation consultations from FEMA representatives.

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The Need for Prison and Criminal Justice Reform Is Great

On my birthday this year, I continued my tradition of going to the Cook County Jail to have lunch with some of the 5,552 people who are inmates there. These visits remind me of the humanity of those who are in trouble -- and of the inhumanity, even idiocy, of our criminal justice system.

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Hearing Examines Video That Wasn’t Disclosed In Terror Case

Surveillance video taken on the day that two Phoenix men left for suburban Dallas to attack a 2015 Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest shows them in religious clothing, one of the men with a handgun on his hip and both carrying unspecified objects out of their apartment, an FBI agent has testified.

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Old Growth Ventures Announces Victor Street Historic Shotgun Row House Rehabilitation Project in Freedmen’s Town Historic District

Old Growth Ventures LLC announces the Victor Street Historic Shotgun Row House Rehabilitation Project to save and rehab the last iconic shotgun house row in Houston’s Freedmen’s Town National Register Historic District. The Victor Street shotguns were recently acquired by Old Growth Ventures’ Historic Preservation Fund I, L.P. The historic rehab is expected to be completed by June, saving the last remaining iconic shotgun house row in Houston’s original African American community.

Lil’ Keke, Cure for Paronoia, and NuFolk Rebel Alliance to Perform at Rally Against Fear Thursday Night

Free rally will bring musicians, elected and community leaders, advocates, and candidates together to show our strength and diversity the same evening the President tries to spread his hatred and further divide this country

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'New Amsterdam' may be a drama, but it's looking at this real-life heart issue

The New Amsterdam Medical Center is an active place. At any second, the ER might have to revive a man whose heart stopped after a basketball game with the friendly but convention-defying hospital director, while at the same time its staff is sleuthing out the cause of a child's illness, grappling with the ethics of treating a terminally ill patient and sneaking away for the occasional tryst.

East Baton Rouge Parish/City of Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome Proclaims Registered Technology Apprenticeship Week

NexusLA and Louisiana Technology Park announce an event to honor the first cohort of apprentices in the Apprenti™ program on Friday, November 8, 2019 at 10:30 AM. East Baton Rouge Parish/City of Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome will attend to declare the week of November 11-17 Registered Technology Apprenticeship Week. November 11-17, 2019 is also the 5th Annual National Apprenticeship Week, declared by the U.S. Department of Labor.

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Tyler Perry to Build Compound for Displaced Women, Children and LGBTQ Youth at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta

Filmmaker and entrepreneur Tyler Perry told Gayle King on CBS This Morning this week that his eponymous film studio in Atlanta will soon provide a safe haven for homeless women, displaced LGBTQ youth, and sex trafficking victims.