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Houston First Corp. Rallies With Resources And Events To Support Hospitality Community

To support local businesses during COVID-19, Houston First Corporation has launched several initiatives and programs including a comprehensive landing page called, A New Way To HOU, dedicated to sharing information, opportunities and collaboration. The organization is also rolling out a #MissingHOU campaign, encouraging community engagement.

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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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CAHS Mourns The Loss Of Mr. Benny Lockett

Prairie View A&M University, notably the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, has suffered a tremendous loss. On Wednesday, April 8, 2020, PVAMU alumnus, Mr. Benny Lockett, passed away. Lockett most recently served the university as a Board of Trustee member after serving for years as the former Associate Administrator for the CAHS Cooperative Extension Program. Following active duty in the United States Army and brief employment with an Information Technology Company in Dallas, Benny Lockett joined the Cooperative Extension Program administration in 1977.

U.S. Carbon Emissions Are Actually Dropping

Increased natural gas consumption helped bring down U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2019, according to a recent report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

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Understanding the risky combination of diabetes and the coronavirus

While most people are anxious about the coronavirus, people with underlying conditions such as diabetes may be especially so.

Texans' Whitney Mercilus takes school shopping for groceries

Smartie Pants Academy receives foo

Houston Texans' Outside Linebacker Whitney Mercilus partnered with his foundation WithMerci for a grocery shopping spree for Smartie Pants Academy. Mercilus and his foundation focus on helping families of children with disabilities, and Smartie Pants Academy is a long-time partner of the WithMerci Foundation.

Harris, 22 Senators Reintroduce Resolution Designating April 11-17 as Black Maternal Health Week

On Monday, U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) led 22 of her colleagues in reintroducing a resolution to designate April 11-17, 2020 as Black Maternal Health Week to raise awareness about the Black maternal health crisis. The resolution was led in the House of Representatives by Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC).

Governor Abbott, Goldman Sachs, LiftFund Announce $50 Million in Loans For Texas Small Businesses

Governor Greg Abbott today announced that Goldman Sachs and the LiftFund, along with other community development financial institutions (CDFIs), are partnering to provide $50 million in loans to small businesses in Texas that have been affected by COVID-19 as part of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. These loans, made through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), will primarily be used for payroll so that employees can continue to receive paychecks and small businesses can retain their employees and will be partially or wholly forgiven.

Prosecutors agree that death row inmate is not eligible to be executed because of intellectual disability

Prosecutors said Monday that a man who has been on death row for almost 20 years cannot be executed because he is intellectually disabled,

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Loni Love Welcomes #ClubQuarantine's D-Nice and Star of The Clark Sisters Biopic Kierra Sheard to #QuarantineWithLoni

In light of COVID-19, Emmy and 2x NAACP Image Award winner Loni Love has been providing fans an opportunity to escape for an hour a day. #QuarantineWithLoni is an Instagram Live series (via @ComicLoniLove) in which Love brings on fans to chat about how they are dealing with the 'stay at home' order. Many fans have checked in with her from around the world giving various perspectives of regulations within their country. To add some fun, fans look forward to playing the popular 'Shoutragous!' game as seen on "The Real" that requires blurting out things related to a specific topic before time runs out!

Tru by Hilton™ Lake Charles donating rooms

Lake Charles hotel participating in Hilton and American Express front-line medical professionals room donation program.

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) and American Express (NYSE: AXP), recently announced in partnership with Hilton’s ownership community, will donate up to 1 million hotel room nights across the United States to front-line medical professionals leading the fight against COVID-19.

New Guidance about COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Beneficiaries from Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul

“The Treasury Department launched a new web tool allowing quick registration for Economic Impact Payments for eligible individuals who do not normally file a tax return, and also announced that it would begin making automatic payments. However, for some people receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration--specifically those who have dependent children under the age of 17--it is to their advantage to go to this portal to ensure they also get the $500 per dependent Economic Impact Payment. I encourage them to do this as soon as possible, and want to provide the following details:

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Quarantine And Winning Highlight: Certified Life Coach Jasmine Jackson Is Bringing A New Meaning To Being Savage

Atlanta-based Consulting firm founded by Jasmine Jackson is committed to assisting in finding their lane in quarantine and beyond.

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Astros Foundation Makes $100,000 Donation to Alex Bregman's FeedHou Campaign

Houston Astros All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman received a $100,000 donation from the Astros Foundation to go towards his FEEDHOU fundraising campaign which benefits the Houston Food Bank.

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XFL Has No Plans For 2021 Season After Suspending Operations and Laying Off Employees

And just like that. It’s gone. Even with all the fanfare and major television backing, the XFL is no more. According to Field Yates from ESPN, the XFL is suspending all day-to-day operations and all league employees have been laid off. He spoke with XFL CEO Jeff Pollack who informed him of the decision.

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Kroger Houston Announces Partnership with Local Restaurants

Kroger Houston Division today announced their partnership with several local restaurants in an effort to support local businesses.

UNCF Update

We hope this finds you and your family well and staying safe. We write today to share a few updates and ask for your pledge to support it. To those of you who have already pledged your support, thank you. The COVID-19 crisis has certainly impacted all our lives and plans in unprecedented ways.

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Space Center Houston Provides Free Interactive Virtual Learning Experiences for the Everyday Explorer

The nonprofit Space Center Houston is adding to its wide range of virtual learning experiences for the everyday explorer to be a part of what’s happening now in space exploration. The center will take you beyond the museum walls and bring science learning to you – making science and space exploration accessible for everyone.

T.D. Jakes Presents: 'The Light,' An Easter Production

Special Production Retells Resurrection Story Through Various Music Genres

In the midst of worldwide hardship, The Potter's House will host its first digital-only Easter celebration to bring encouragement to millions around the world. A special Easter production titled The Light will be streamed online, broadcast on BET and distributed audibly through the iHeart Radio app.

Economic Assistance Available for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) is offering two loan programs to provide small businesses immediate relief so they can keep their operations running. Both programs are being managed by the Houston-Galveston Area Local Development Corporation (H-GALDC).