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U.S. Supreme Court Rolls Back Historic Civil Rights Protections in Comcast Ruling
The Court’s Decision Weakens 19th-Century Civil Rights Law, Imposing a Burdensome Pleading Standard on Victims of Discrimination
Today the United States Supreme Court instructed a lower court to reconsider its ruling in a discrimination case involving National Association of African American Owned Media (NAAAOM) and Comcast. The decision issued by the Court weakens the reach of Section 1981, a core provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 – a historic statute that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color and ethnicity when making and enforcing contracts – imposing a burdensome pleading standard on victims of discrimination.
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Kroger Family of Companies Announces Appreciation Bonus for Associates and Expands 14-Day COVID-19 Emergency Leave Guidelines
Frontline grocery, supply chain, manufacturing and customer service associates to receive one-time bonus; $300 for full time and $150 for part time
The Kroger Family of Companies (NYSE: KR) today announced that it will provide a one-time bonus to every hourly frontline grocery, supply chain, manufacturing and customer service associate, amounting to $300 for every full-time associate and $150 for every part-time associate.
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NFL running back Adrian Peterson donates $50,000 to support HISD’s food distribution sites
NFL running back Adrian Peterson and his wife Ashley have donated $50,000 through their foundation to pay for meals for students and families in the Houston Independent School District during closures required due to COVID-19.
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Classkick Announces Free Real-time Virtual Home School Learning App for Coronavirus Affected U.S. Schools -- Provides One-on-One Teacher Attention
Classkick, www.classkick.com, the leading virtual learning app that shows teachers in real-time exactly what students are thinking and learning, announced today that they are immediately offering the Classkick Pro School Membership for free for Coronavirus COVID-19 affected schools (a $1499 value). Because of the widespread U.S. school closures, in one weekend alone in March 2020, over 3,000 new schools signed up for Classkick’s remote learning app, with over 1,000 schools unable to pay immediately. With many more schools expected to close soon and children’s education at stake, Classkick is offering Classkick Pro School for free for all schools in need. To sign up, go to: https://classkick.com/coronavirus.
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HISD @ H.O.M.E. distance learning plan provides essential resources for students online
The Houston Independent School District is launching HISD @ H.O.M.E. (Home-based Online Mobile Education), a distance learning plan to ensure students’ academic and non-academic needs are met as the district remains closed due to COVID-19 precautions.
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Domino’s® Stores Across Greater Houston Looking to Hire 1,000 Team Members
Locally-owned stores looking to hire for part-time and full-time positions
Domino’s locations are looking to hire about 1,000 new team members across more than 150 stores throughout Greater Houston. The positions include delivery drivers, customer service representatives, assistant managers and managers.
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19/20 Season Updates: Performances and Events Postponed or Cancelled
Following recommendations from Harris County and the CDC to limit large gatherings and slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), SPA performances through May 15, 2020 are postponed or cancelled, affecting the programs listed below.
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Houston Native Earns Advanced Historian Qualification Aboard Oldest Commissioned Warship Afloat: USS Constitution
Aviation Machinist's Mate Airman Jacob Gehret, a native of Houston, earned his advanced interpretive historian qualification aboard USS Constitution, Mar. 18.
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Congressman Al Green Applauds Senate Passage of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Relief Measure
On Wednesday, March 18, 2020, Congressman Al Green released the following statement regarding the Senate’s passage of the second coronavirus relief package:
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Community Resources: Area Resources, Phone Numbers and Websites To Help Our Readers Navigate our Coronavirus Pandemic
As always, our 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE is here answering the call from our neighbors in need. 211 provides information about community resources and connects people to basic needs assistance and other social services, for which demand is likely to increase. You can also search the 211 database online here. 211 is not the number to call for emergencies or if someone suspects they have COVID-19. Those concerned about or affected by COVID-19 should follow the Center for Disease Control guidelines.
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Rep. Garnet Coleman Calls For Emergency Limited Health Coverage Hwith 1135 Medicaid Waver
Today, Representative Garnet F. Coleman (D-Houston) is calling for limited health coverage for testing, care, and treatment of the coronavirus during this time of disaster to be included in Texas’ 1135 Medicaid Waiver request to the Federal government.
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Mayor Turner Announces Changes to Operating Procedures for City of Houston Bars, Nightclubs and Restaurants Houston Health Department Broadens COVID-19 Social Distancing Guidance for All Houstonians
Mayor Sylvester Turner joined Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and local health officials Monday afternoon to announce new measures to help contain and mitigate COVID-19.
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School Districts Extends District-Wide Closures Through, April 10, 2020
As districts around the state and across the country continue to grapple with how to proceed in this unprecedented challenge to public health and education, Houston ISD, Fort Bend ISD, Alief ISD, and Stafford MSD will extend the suspension of normal district operations through Friday, April 10 in an effort to support the nation’s need to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Houston Area Jobs: H-E-B and Joe V’s Smart Shop are Hiring
H-E-B and Joe V’s Smart shop are hiring immediately: H-E-B is hiring for the following positions: Overnight stocker, day- time stocker, checker and bagger.
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Houston City Council Votes to Extend the Emergency Health Declaration Related to COVID-19 Indefinitely
In a special called meeting Tuesday morning, Mayor Sylvester Turner and Houston City Council members voted to indefinitely extend the proclamation of a local state of disaster due to a public health disaster for the City of Houston.
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Houston Drive Up Coronavirus Testing Sites
If you are coughing, have a fever, or are experiencing flu-like and you think it could possibly be the coronavirus? Then you are in luck because there is finally a drive-thru testing center in Houston.
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Rodeo Ticket Refund
Everyone who purchased Half-Price Carnival Ticket Packs will have the option to roll their remaining tickets to be used at the 2021 Carnival or get a refund for unused ride and game tickets. Regardless if they choose rollover or refund, everyone must upload their ticket packs to the Rodeo Carnival App.
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Rice's OpenStax helps nation's colleges and universities provide free online instruction during coronavirus outbreak
The Rice University-based nonprofit OpenStax is responding to COVID-19 by helping students nationwide navigate their online courses and supporting faculty as they quickly transition to online course delivery.
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General Motors to Temporarily Suspend Production
Today, General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) confirmed it will begin a systematic orderly suspension of manufacturing operations in North America due to market conditions, to deep clean facilities and continue to protect people. The suspension will last until at least March 30. Production status will be reevaluated week-to-week after that.
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Miller Outdoor Theatre Postpones Performances Through End of May
Miller Outdoor Theatre, located in Hermann Park, has postponed all scheduled performances through the end of May.

