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DA Kim Ogg announces results of protest case review
While George Floyd was being eulogized Tuesday, prosecutors wrapped up their week-long review of protest-related charges, dismissing 796 criminal cases as a result.
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Fifth Ward Nonprofit Helps Provide 21,000 Meals for the Elderly
On April 13, Julia C. Hester House became a food sorting site for the Houston Food Bank and Harris County Precinct One serving seniors living in a food desert.
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A Longer School Day and Maybe Classes on Saturdays: Top Officials Discusses Pandemic Impact on Fall Semester
Texas A&M’s Study Abroad Program Put on Hold
School days will run longer, and some students might have classes on Saturdays, but all of the universities in The Texas A&M University System will open in the fall with face-to-face instruction.
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Houston Used Car Prices Have Dropped 4.69% During the Pandemic
The uncertainty precipitated by COVID-19 has affected every sector of the economy, including the automotive industry. Car dealerships are experiencing sharp declines in used car sales, as much of the country still remains under lockdown. While used car sales have always been prone to fluctuations, data from the U.S. Census Bureau found that retail used car sales plummeted more than 20 percent year-over-year in March even before the full effects of stay-at-home orders were realized. The last time that used car sales fell so precipitously was at the onset of the Great Recession in 2008.
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Texas Used Car Prices Have Dropped 10th Most During the Pandemic
The uncertainty precipitated by COVID-19 has affected every sector of the economy, including the automotive industry. Car dealerships are experiencing sharp declines in used car sales, as much of the country still remains under lockdown. While used car sales have always been prone to fluctuations, data from the U.S. Census Bureau found that retail used car sales plummeted more than 20 percent year-over-year in March even before the full effects of stay-at-home orders were realized. The last time that used car sales fell so precipitously was at the onset of the Great Recession in 2008.
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Nonprofits Hit by 6% Decline in Giving Due to COVID-19
If Trend Continues for the Rest of 2020, Nonprofits Will Lose More than $25 Billion
Giving to charitable organizations is down by 6% in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same time last year, according to the Fundraising Effectiveness Project’s 2020 First Quarter Report.
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Congressman Al Green Distributes Masks to Two Local Nursing Homes
On Wednesday, June 10, 2020, Congressman Al Green released the following statement:
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First West Nile Virus Mosquito Sample found in Northwest Harris County
Mosquito Season is back – prevent the bite!
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) has confirmed its first mosquito sample of West Nile virus (WNV) for the 2020 season. The WNV mosquito sample was identified in the northwest quadrant of Harris County. HCPH Mosquito and Vector Control Division (MVCD) began treatment to the area where the disease mosquitoes found on June 9, 2020 to reduce the risk of human infection. For an interactive map of cases and to check areas being treated for mosquito borne disease, please visit: https://publichealth.harriscountytx.gov/Services-Programs/All-Services/Mosquito-Control-Services.
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Uncle Nearest And Jack Daniel's Join Forces To Launch The Nearest & Jack Advancement Initiative To Increase Diversity In American Whiskey Industry
Together the Two Tennessee Distilleries Have Pledged $5 Million to Advance African American Leadership in Whiskey
The Jack Daniel Distillery and the Nearest Green Distillery announced today the Nearest & Jack Advancement Initiative to further diversity within the American whiskey industry. Both companies are supporting it equally with an initial combined pledge of $5 million to help create the Nearest Green School of Distilling, develop the Leadership Acceleration Program (LAP) for apprenticeships and establish the Business Incubation Program (BIP), focused on providing expertise and resources to African Americans entering the spirits industry as entrepreneurs.
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Fort Bend Count Has the Highest Census Response Rate in Texas
Fort Bend County has the highest response rate for the 2020 Census among all counties in Texas.
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Clinical Trial Evaluating RLF-100 in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients with Respiratory Failure to Houston Methodist Hospital
RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding AG (SIX:RLF) “Relief” and its U.S. partner, NeuroRx, Inc. today announced that Houston Methodist Hospital is participating in their Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating RLF-100 as a research intervention for critically ill patients with COVID-19 and respiratory failure. RLF-100 is a patented formulation of Aviptadil, (synthetic human vasoactive intestinal polypeptide or VIP), which targets alveolar type 2 cells in the lungs that are a major target of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. VIP is known from numerous animal models of lung injury and lung disease to inhibit inflammatory cytokines and to protect pulmonary epithelial cells that line the air sacs (alveolae) of the lungs.
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Pastors Joel Osteen, John Gray Discuss Racism, Social Justice and the Role of the Church in the Wake of George Floyd Protests
Discussion follows ‘A Necessary Conversation’ with Pastors John Gray, Steven Furtick
Pastor John Gray, Senior Pastor of Relentless Church, continued the series A Necessary Conversation this week with Lakewood Church Pastor Joel Osteen. Held in response to the tragic killing of George Floyd and global civil unrest, the discussion on racism, social injustice and the role of the church follows last week’s discussion on race with Pastor John Gray and Elevation Church's Pastor Steven Furtick.
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HISD Board to consider $2 billion budget, pay increases for teachers and stipends for all employees
Budget calls for no increase in property tax rate
The Houston Independent School District will consider passage today of a $2 billion budget for the 2020-2021 academic year which includes a $34.4 million salary and benefits package as well as an increase in employer contribution to health insurance premiums for employees.
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2U, Inc. Announces $3 Million Scholarship Fund to Expand Access to Tech Boot Camps at 30 Top Universities Nationwide
Scholarships will increase affordability of training programs for historically underrepresented communities in the tech economy experiencing recent job loss or financial hardship
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Houston Launches Staycation Campaign
Houston First Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the Do Something New, #Explore HOU staycation campaign, inviting locals to unwind, relax, and enjoy the perks of vacation without the concern of travel.
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Sam’s Club Launches Curbside Pickup Nationwide
Warehouse club expedites launch of contact-free pickup experience chainwide
Sam’s Club today announced the nationwide launch of curbside pickup. The service, which provides a contact-free, order online and delivery to car shopping experience, will be free for Plus-level members and is expected to be available in all clubs by the end of June. Curbside pickup is part of a list of Plus membership benefits, which also includes early shopping hours, free shipping on most online items, 2% cash back on qualifying in-club and pickup purchases, and more.
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UT Austin Student Riders Launch Virtual Ride to Engage More People and Communities in the Fight Against Cancer
The Texas 4000 for Cancer 2020 summer ride has gone virtual due to risks related to Covid-19. Rather than embark on the annual 70-day ride from Austin to Alaska, the team of University of Texas at Austin students are putting on a virtual ride from May 29 through June 26, 2020, to raise awareness of cancer. Texas 4000 will broadcast live daily and invite the public to make ride dedications and join the riders cycling indoors as we share ride dedications, cancer awareness and prevention information, and feature stories of riders, individuals, families and other organizations engaged in the fight against cancer.
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Congressman Al Green Distributes Masks to Two Local Nursing Homes
On Wednesday, June 10, 2020, Congressman Al Green released the following statement:
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Wrongful Conviction Podcasts Presents: Power to the People
Thursday, June 11th at 5 p.m. EST
In the wake of the recent protests, justice advocate and philanthropist Jason Flom has been flooded with questions from people who are looking for advice on how to use their time, energy and money to make the biggest impact in the fight for equality in our criminal legal system.
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Chevron Maker Annex Virtual Workshops
Children’s Museum Houston continues to offer free virtual 3-D design TinkerCAD interactives
Imagination, curiosity, creativity, and inspiration are not cancelled. Discovery happens at Children’s Museum Houston – A Playground for Your Mind™! The Museum (CMH) will continue to offer its popular Chevron Maker Annex Virtual Workshops. These workshops are free, streamed live, and teach children how to use TinkerCAD software to produce 3-D models of animal cells, DNA, coral reefs, buildings and more. Led by maker Education Manager, Jacob Breier, the workshops began during the stay-at-home order in March and have now become one of the Museum’s most popular virtual attractions!

