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Houston Conman Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Real-Estate Scams
A Houston conman who made more than $1 million pretending to sell distressed properties for cash to dozens of people was sentenced to 20 years in prison Monday, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.
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In an Historic Vote, CWA Elects Claude Cummings Jr. President, and Ameenah Salaam Secretary-Treasurer
In an historic election, Claude Cummings Jr. was elected as president of the Communications Workers of America by delegates to the union’s 79th convention and Ameenah Salaam was elected Secretary-Treasurer. Cummings is the first Black man elected as CWA President. Salaam, who was elected by acclamation, is the first Black woman to serve as Secretary-Treasurer.
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Wells Fargo to host free “Advancing Homeownership” fair in Houston
Rising rents have people questioning whether now is a good time to buy a home. Wells Fargo will host a free “Advancing Homeownership Fair” to help Houston residents learn more about the homebuying process, local resources available for down payment and closing costs and opportunities that may help them achieve the goal of becoming a homeowner. The fair will take place on Saturday, July 15, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Houston Community College, 6815 Rustic Street, Houston TX 77087. Complimentary Breakfast will be served.
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Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee Supports EPA’s “Good Neighbor Plan” in Amicus Brief Filing
Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee together with a coalition of states, filed an amicus brief in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals supporting the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “Good Neighbor Plan.” The EPA’s “Good Neighbor Plan” is a rule that expands on an existing multistate framework for limiting interstate ozone pollution under the Clean Air Act. This plan includes requirements for twenty-three states to reduce their smog-forming emissions that travel into fourteen downwind states.
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Houston native reads an original poem aboard USS Ronald Reagan during an open-mic night
Aviation Structural Mechanic Airman Elijah Crowder, from Houston, reads an original poem on the aft mess decks aboard the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), during an open-mic night hosted by the Morale, Welfare and Recreation committee in the South China Sea, July 7, 2023
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National Endorsement Signals Congressional Candidate Amanda Edwards is Primed to Succeed Jackson Lee to Become the Next Congresswoman from the 18th Congressional District
Higher Heights PAC Endorses Edwards in the 18th Congressional District Race
Higher Heights for America PAC has endorsed Congressional candidate Amanda Edwards in the 18th congressional district race, while also endorsing current Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee in her 2023 bid for Houston Mayor. This early dual endorsement by the preeminent national African American women’s PAC, Higher Heights, signals their support ensuring two African American women will lead the region.
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Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner to Address PVAMU's Summer Graduating Class
Prairie View A&M University is thrilled to announce Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will be addressing its summer 2023 graduating class as the distinguished speaker. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, Aug. 12 in the University’s William “Billy” J. Nicks, Sr. Building.
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The Mission of Yahweh to Host Inaugural Leaders & Legends – Families on a Mission Gala
Save the date: Wednesday, September 20, 2023
The Mission of Yahweh, a faith-based shelter that empowers, enriches, and restores the lives of homeless women and children, will host the inaugural Leaders & Legends Gala on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at the River Oaks Country Club.
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Celebrity Hairstylist Johnny Wright Makes Houston His Next Stop on the Naturally You Tour
Inspired by his book “Natural & Curly Hair for Dummies,” Johnny Wright will be in a city near you!
Emmy-nominated celebrity hairstylist, motivational speaker, Johnny Wright is thrilled to announce his upcoming 11-city Naturally You Tour, inspired by his bestselling book "Natural and Curly Hair for Dummies." Johnny will make the official announcement during the Essence Festival in New Orleans on Saturday, July 1st, alongside his premiere partner MYAVANA at their Hair Lab in the Ernest Morial Convention Center. The tour will officially kick-off on Friday July 7th, 2023, in Chicago, Il, Johnny Wright's beloved hometown. For the complete tour schedule and updates, please visit our website at https://www.naturallyyoutour.com
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Margaret Patton Joins HCDE to Enhance Special Education Compliance and Curriculum Services
Veteran educator Margaret Patton, Ph.D., has been selected by Harris County Department of Education as its new director of curriculum and compliance services. In her new role, Patton will oversee the Schools division’s special education compliance efforts and professional development.
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HCDE Leaders Set the Bar for Exceptional Leadership at Annual HAABSE Conference
Educators from the Houston region area got lessons on exceptional leadership this week with nine presentations offered by Harris County Department of Education trailblazers at the Houston Area Alliance of Black School Educators’ (HAABSE) “Connect to Excellence: Equipping, Empowering, and Engaging Today’s Educators” summer conference.
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Extreme Heat Kills: Record Temps Leave Us All Vulnerable
If you clicked on any major news site this week, there was one consistent headline that would be difficult to miss, let alone ignore: “Hottest Day Ever Recorded on Earth.”
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Staying Cool in Extreme Heat When the Power Fails
Electrical grid failures, or blackouts, have significantly increased in frequency in recent years, placing millions of Americans at risk for health-related illness and death. This is especially true during the summer months, when extreme weather events (including heat waves, hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires) intersect to maximize demand for electricity. Over the past decade, failures have more than doubled nationwide, increasing a whopping 151% between 2015-2016 and 2020-2021, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
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Houston Selected as Finalist for Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge
Bloomberg Philanthropies recently announced that Houston has been chosen as one of the 17 finalist cities to receive grants of up to $1 million each as part of the prestigious Public Art Challenge. This program, launched in 2014, supports temporary public art projects that address urgent civic issues.
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Wild Wonderland mosaic mural on display at Midtown Park in Midtown Houston
Published on July 11, 2023
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The legal drinking age in 21 popular destinations
International travelers must keep up with all kinds of sobering rules as they cross borders: Entry regulations, currency exchanges, customs reporting and such.
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Cyclospora cases on the rise in Harris County
The Houston Health Department, Harris County Public Health (HCPH), and the Fort Bend Health & Human Services (FBCHHS) have received reports of an increased number of Cyclospora infections within their jurisdictions and urge people to use caution this summer while cooking and spending time outdoors.
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Driver in 2018 Drive-By Shooting Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison
A Houston man who drove past a group of people gathered in front of a home in 2018, allowing a gunman in the car to fatally shoot a 19-year-old, was sentenced to 30 years in prison this week, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.
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Winner Announced: 2023 Hot Wheels Legends Tour - July 8 Houston Event
The winner of today’s Hot Wheels Legends Tour Houston stop was just announced!
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Sugar Land's Fish City Grill to Undergo Transformation
Fish City Grill and Half Shells are restaurants known and loved for their fresh seafood and welcoming atmosphere. The Sugar Land location, located in Sugar Land Town Square at 15980 City Walk, originally opened in 2006. Now, the popular seafood destination will undergo a dramatic facelift. The restaurant will be closed for renovations at 3pm on July 9, reopening for dinner on Friday, July 21.

