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.
Houston Arts Alliance Builds New Disaster Resilience Resources for Artists and Nonprofits in the Wake of Hurricane Harvey
Nearing the two year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey, Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) has launched a new Disaster Resilience website for local artists and nonprofits. The website features a comprehensive, self-guided curriculum about everything an artist or arts nonprofit needs to know before the next disaster hits.
Sugar Land Native Selects U.S. Navy Ship
Navy Midshipman Samuel Quach, from Sugar Land, Texas, participated in the 2019 spring Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) ship selection draft as a future member of the Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) community.
Small Business Owners, Stop Overpaying on Taxes! Nine Often-Overlooked Ways to Legally Keep More Revenue for Yourself
Eric Tyson, MBA, author of the new book Small Business Taxes for Dummies®, Second Edition, shares some great tax breaks you may not be using to your advantage.
If you're a small business owner, you know: The quest for revenue is never-ending. That means, besides chasing new customers, you're also scouring your expenses to see where you might make cuts. Eric Tyson's suggestion? Focus on minimizing one of the biggest (and sneakiest) expenses you face. Taxes.
Rep. Reynolds files Sugarland 95 Legislation
In 2018, the discovery of an unmarked burial ground at the former Imperial State Prison Farm site in Sugar Land drew national attention to an abhorrent chapter in history. Archaeologists at the site found the skeletal remains of 95 victims of the convict leasing system, which was used after the Civil War to replicate the oppression that existed under slavery. Although the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibited involuntary servitude, it created an exemption for people convicted of crimes. Southern states, including Texas, took advantage by enacting "Black Codes," laws that applied only to African Americans, who could be prosecuted criminally for such offenses as loitering, breaking curfew, or not carrying proof of employment.
Daycare Workers Accused of Ripping Toddler’s Braid From Her Head
The parents of Ariana Reddick, a 3-year old girl from Illinois, are outraged after a daycare worker allegedly pulled a braid from their daughter, ripping it from her head. They have since filed a police report against the center and talked to the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services.
AT&T and Brotherhood Crusade Launch BELIEVE Los Angeles to Increase Number of Diverse Filmmakers
AT&T recently announced it is deepening its commitment to Brotherhood Crusade in Los Angeles – a 50-year old grassroots organization with a vision of improving quality of life and meeting the unmet needs of low-income, underserved, under-represented and disenfranchised individuals in South LA – through a $150,000 contribution to the organization’s new Media Collective.
24-Year Old Entrepreneur Who Launched $5 Million Tech Startup Opens Office in Downtown Montgomery, Alabama
There’s a new mobile service in town and they call Alabama home. Tesix Wireless, which launched just December 2018, hopes to attract millennial customers nationwide who are looking for a transparent and simpler mobile service. With plans for personal use and solo-entrepreneurs, plans will start at just $40 a month and the service is counting on low priced, uncapped and fee-less monthly options to attract new customers.
