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Commissioner Rodney Ellis Supports Harris County’s Decision to Close Parks on Easter Weekend
Decision Necessary to Stop Spread of COVID-19 During One of Busiest Weekends for Parks
To stop the spread of the Coronavirus COVID-19, Harris County has taken a precautionary measure to close its parks during the Easter weekend.
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HISD to Launch HISD @ H.O.M.E. Hotline to Support Distance Learning
The Houston Independent School District will be launching the HISD @ H.O.M.E. Hotline starting Monday, April 13, to provide timely answers to questions from students and parents about distance learning.
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Lockdown A-list Fitness: Celebs make a fortune on TikTok from their dance and workout videos
While self-isolating it is important to keep our spirits up and our bodies moving. Celebrities know this too and they have found a new way of entertaining their fans – via TikTok, generating the A-listers thousands of views.
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Houston Community College Creates Community Partnership to Address Protective Gear Shortages in Houston
Houston Community College (HCC) announced that San Jacinto College, University of Houston at Sugar Land, Fort Bend County Judge’s Office, TX/RX Labs, Alief ISD and Houston ISD have joined efforts to help address personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages for local area medical professionals and first responders in the fight against COVID-19.
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An Update from Council Member Davis
Reminder that the deadline for the 2020 census has been extended! Please fill it out here! It is important to fill it out for the City of Houston to receive the proper funding in the coming years! If you are unable to fill it out online, call 844-330-2020 for English or call 844-468-2020 for Spanish!
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Lawsuit Against ICE to Release Medically Vulnerable People from Texas Detention Facility
The ACLU of Texas, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, and the national ACLU today sued U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and DHS officials on behalf of four immigrants detained in Conroe, Texas at the Montgomery Processing Center (MPC). The lawsuit demands that ICE comply with the Fifth Amendment and release the plaintiffs, all of whom are highly vulnerable to serious illness and death from the COVID-19 global pandemic. The suit follows news of an employee at the center who tested positive for the virus on March 23.
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Houston Symphony extends performance cancellations
The Houston Symphony announced that it is extending its concert cancellations, canceling all previously scheduled concerts and community activities through the months of May and June 2020 in order to protect the health of audiences, musicians, and staff.
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Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi Joins NAACP and BET Virtual Town Hall on the Impact of COVID-19 on African Americans
The NAACP in partnership with BET is hosting a four-part virtual town hall series, “Unmasked: A COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall Series”. The first part of the series kicks-off on Wednesday, April 8, at 8 PM ET/ 5 PM PT, and will focus on the health, emotional, economic toll, congressional response and how activists can apply pressure to ensure legislation is equitable.
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Lifetime Greenlights New Series - Married at First Sight: Couples' Cam
Lifetime greenlights new Married at First Sight spin-off series, Married at First Sight: Couples' Cam, a self-shot series following the highs, lows, humor, drama and domestic life of fan favorite Married at First Sight couples from ten seasons on the air. Following the couples ongoing stories in real time, in the completely raw and self-shot show, the couples invite viewers into their homes via mounted cameras, diary cams and virtual group chats.
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TWC Cautions Claimants Regarding Fraudulent Calls
Houston’s sports and civic venues will join forces Thursday evening to turn the city blue as part of the global #LightItBlue movement to support the men and women on the front lines of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
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Human Rights Campaign President on Senator Bernie Sanders’ Tremendous Advocacy
After a strong campaign that expanded the national debate on many important topics, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders withdrew from the 2020 Democratic Presidential Primary. In response, Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David issued the following statement:
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Congressman Al Green Joined HISD Superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan and Unsung Heroes at Sterling HS Food Distribution
On Tuesday, April 7, 2020, Congressman Al Green joined Houston Independent School District (HISD) Interim Superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan and the unsung heroes in distributing free curbside meals to students and families.
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Mayor Turner Appoints New Director of Communications
Mayor Sylvester Turner has appointed Mary Benton as the new Director of Communications effective immediately. Benton brings valuable years of experience in media relations, strategic communications, crisis communications, and social media strategy.
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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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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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Sayonne Brings the Heat With the Edgy "Hot Sauce"
It's "HOT SAUCE-PALOOZA" with SAYONNE as she comes to Facebook Live and Instagram Live on Friday, (4/10) at 3 pm EST.
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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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Joint Center President Spencer Overton Calls for the CDC to Disclose Data on COVID-19 Deaths By Race in Washington Post Op-Ed
Even though early data suggests the COVID-19 pandemic is hitting Black communities particularly hard, the federal government is not providing nationwide data about COVID-19's impact by race.
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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.

