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Press-Freedom, Social-Justice Groups Call on Congress to Fund Journalism and Treat Local News as Essential Service during Pandemic
A coalition of more than 45 organizations and scholars has called on Congress to include vital funding for local news in the next coronavirus stimulus package. In a letter sent today, Free Press Action, PEN America, Common Cause, and other organizations urged the House and Senate leadership to consider local press an “essential service” vital to the nation’s health, prosperity, and recovery.
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Hardship presents opportunity for creativity, Rice Business experts say
Disruption and flexibility can lead to increased resourcefulness
The massive disruption of our social and work lives is unnerving, but there are benefits to shaking up our routines and feeling uncomfortable, according to experts at Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business.
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Feeding the Need: Greater Houston Domino’s® Stores to Donate 31,000 Pizzas
Every Domino’s store will give away 200 pizzas within their local communities
Domino’s and its nationwide system of franchisees are banding together during this unprecedented crisis to do something they already do well every day: feed people pizza. Domino’s franchised and corporate stores throughout Greater Houston will donate 31,000 pizzas within their local communities, starting this week.
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#MillionMaskChallenge Launched By Sew It Online
Sew It Online, a family-owned and operated sewing & craft shop, is the epitome of the American spirit and even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rewind to early March, hospital administration at University Hospital in Cleveland reached out to the local company that provides education, supplies and machines to the sewing community about filling in the gap with their lack of masks.
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Gov. Abbott Unlawfully Exceeded Authority With Executive Order Limiting Jail Releases, Argues New Lawsuit
Governor Abbott unlawfully exceeded his constitutional authority by issuing an executive order that suspends the rights that individuals, who are presumed innocent, have while facing criminal prosecution, according to a new lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Texas, Texas Fair Defense Project, the ACLU’s Criminal Law Reform Project and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
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Rice chemist wins grant to simplify drug design
Fed award to László Kürti will support sophisticated, simplified drug precursors
Rice University chemist László Kürti and his lab have received a prestigious Maximizing Investigators' Research grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to speed up drug design by simplifying the synthesis of essential precursors.
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Construction Layoffs Spread Rapidly As Coronavirus Shuts Down Projects, In Contrast To Job Gains Through February In Most Metros
Association Officials Urge Quick Enactment of Infrastructure Investment, Relief for Hard-Hit Firms and Pensions in Order to Save Jobs in Construction and Supplier Industries
More than a quarter of construction firms responding to an online survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America last week reported they had furloughed or terminated jobsite workers because of the coronavirus pandemic. The finding contrasts starkly with the association’s analysis of government data released today that showed a majority of the nation’s metro areas added construction jobs through February.
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Core Dance Performs in National Water Dance on April 18, 4pm EST
Core Dance, Golden Isles Arts & Humanities Association and Glynn Environmental Coalition are excited to join NWD Projects in assembling a movement choir of more than 2,000 dancers for the 4th Annual National Water Dance on Saturday, April 18 at 4pm EST.
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Large Animal Expert Joins Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine to Pursue Dream Career
László Hunyadi spent a decade benefitting human health before seeing his sights on a successful career in veterinary medicine.
László Hunyadi was destined for a career involving large animals, even if it took a little while to realize it.
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National Civil Rights Group and Hundreds of Medical Professionals Call on the Trump Administration and States to Release Racial Data for COVID-19 Tests, Cases and Outcomes
Today, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and nearly 400 medical professionals issued a demand letter to the United States Department of Health and Human Services and its relevant sub-agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calling for the release of daily racial and ethnic demographic data related to COVID-19 testing, cases, and patient outcomes. The Lawyers’ Committee also filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the CDC seeking race and ethnicity data for COVID-19 tests, cases and outcomes.
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Navy Office of Community Outreach
Gas Turbine System Technician (Electrical) 2nd Class Carina Valle, from Houston, operates an integrated computer assessment system during maintenance aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98).
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Statement from Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul about COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments for Beneficiaries
“I want to provide an update to people who receive benefits from the Social Security Administration.
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Texas A&M System starts TV Series on COVID-19 Fight
Chancellor John Sharp will host, conduct interviews with experts
Scientists and other experts from throughout The Texas A&M University System will speak with Chancellor John Sharp about their roles in the fight against COVID-19 on a new television series beginning 7 p.m. Thursday.
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Fueled Fashion & Art Gala Showcases Houston’s Energy Industry
Fueled Fashion & Art Gala Tentatively Rescheduled to December 1, 2020
To limit exposure to the COVID-19 virus, The Fueled Fashion & Art Gala is tentatively rescheduled to December 1, 2020. We will continue to monitor the situation and will communicate further information as it develops.
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Houston Ballet Cancels the Remainder of Its 2019-2020 Season
Houston Ballet announces its cancellation of the rest of its 2019-2020 season due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Performances effected include the rescheduled dates for Forged in Houston (May 21-31), Romeo & Juliet (June 4-14) and From Houston to the World, which was in the works to be rescheduled later in the season. Additionally, its community performances at Miller Outdoor Theater and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and much-anticipated tour to Spain this summer have also been canceled.
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New Emergency Boarding Grants Help Pet Owners Affected by COVID-19
During times of crisis, it’s more important than ever to preserve the bonds that matter most, such as those that bind pets and their humans. As the number of people affected by COVID-19 continues to rise, RedRover is providing needed resources to ensure that people can still care for the animals they love during this crisis.
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Allstate Providing $600 Million to Auto Customers, Free ID Protection for U.S. Residents
U.S. residents can also receive free Allstate Identity Protection for the year
Allstate (NYSE: ALL) is providing a Shelter-in-Place Payback to help its personal auto insurance customers in these challenging times. Allstate is also offering free identity protection to all Americans.
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Rice Business Launches Deferred Enrollment Program
Program to benefit graduating seniors seeking an MBA
Rice Business has launched a deferred enrollment program that enables undergraduates to gain admission to Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business’ MBA program and obtain career experience before they attend.
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SBA Clarifies Eligibility of Faith-Based Organizations to Participate in Paycheck Protection and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Programs
SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza today announced that SBA issued guidance clarifying that all faith-based organizations impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19) are eligible to participate in the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, without restrictions based on their religious identity or activities, to the extent they meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the CARES Act that was passed by Congress, signed into law by President Trump, and implemented by the Paycheck Protection Act Interim Final Rule.
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How To Take Fear Out Of The Workplace
Fear. Uncertainty. A growing sense of panic every time the president delivers a national address about the far-reaching effects of the coronavirus.

