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Texas appears to be paying a secretive Republican political operative $120,000 annually to work behind the scenes on redistricting

A Republican redistricting operative whose clandestine work helped drag Wisconsin into a legal morass last decade appears to now be on the payroll of the Texas Legislature as lawmakers work to redraw maps that will determine the distribution of political power for years to come.

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Republicans Offer Posturing, Not Policy

America pays its debts. It is a basic pledge. Millions of Americans who hold savings bonds or put their hard-earned money into federal treasury bonds need not worry. The bonds are good; the interest will be paid. The reason the dollar is the currency used by countries across the world is that America pays its debts.

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Who gets the gold and who gets the shaft?

Over the next few weeks, the manufactured crisis over the “debt ceiling” will reach its boiling point. But this is pure melodrama, badly overacted with the outcome already known. The real question is about our priorities – and about who gets the gold and who gets the shaft.

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In First One Hundred Days, Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones is Moving Precinct 4 Forward

Innovative policies and community-based engagement are building the foundation to advance opportunity and justice for all residents

In the first 100 days, Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones led the passage of a holistic justice and safety package, positioned the Precinct to significantly increase infrastructure investments, and traveled across the Precinct engaging with residents and building community partnerships.

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America must not descend into a new feudalism where money rules, and people suffer

The pomp and circumstance of the crowning of King Charles III filled TV sets over the past days.

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Historically Black Colleges Deserve Better

At Howard University, one of the leading historically black colleges and universities in America, dozens of students are sleeping outdoors in a tent encampment to protest conditions in dormitories that they describe as "unlivable." and dangerous to their health. The students complain of mold, rodent and roach infestations, leaky ceilings, and flooding - all things that could put their health at risk.

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PVAMU Class of 2027: First-Year Student Dominates Toni Morrison Writing Contest

English was not Madi Gentles’ first language. Adopted from Ghana at the age of 3, Gentles, or Queenstar Maa Adjoa at birth, first spoke Twi, a dialect native to the West African country.

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Republicans Once More Defending Extremism in Defense of Their Views

The inmates have taken over the asylum in the Republican Party. In the party that once prided itself on being pro-military, one wingnut senator is blocking the confirmation of hundreds of senior military officials, including the secretaries of the Navy, Army and Air Force.

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Republican Chaos Fuels Threat of Government Shutdown

Unless warring factions of Republicans in the House of Representatives can come to their senses, the United States government will shut down next Sunday. Some may not notice – we tend to rely on government only when we are in need. But the impact – and the hurt – will be immediate – and will grow over time. Nearly a million federal employees will be furloughed and sent home without pay until there is a resolution.

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Hobby School Survey Gauges Public Support for School Vouchers

A Majority of Texans Back Some Form of Taxpayer Support for Private Schools

A majority of Texans say they support some form of taxpayer-funded assistance for parents who want to send their children to religious or other private schools.

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We cannot accept mass murder

Once more the horror. Three mass shootings in California – 11 killed at a ballroom dance hall in Monterey Park, seven killed at Half Moon Bay, and a week earlier, a 16-year-old mother and four others shot in a California farming community – are tragic and grotesquely routine. The savage beating and murder of Tyre Nichols by five Memphis police officers was criminal, and one more incidence of police brutality that too often is unleashed on African American men.

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Houston Ballet Continues the 2022-2023 Season with "Romeo & Juliet" and "Summer & Smoke"

Continuing its blockbuster 2022-2023 season, Houston Ballet returns on February 23, 2023, with Stanton Welch’s Romeo & Juliet, a lavish production of the Shakespearean star-crossed lovers and their tragic fate. This is only the second time Welch’s ornate production has come to the Wortham stage, returning after its lauded premiere in 2015 and a trip to The Australian Ballet worldwide. Following Romeo & Juliet, Houston Ballet presents Summer & Smoke from March 9-19.

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Houston Tax Expert Reveals 5 Essential Prep Tips for Tax Season

Tax season officially opens today, January 29, 2024, and while most may not be prepared to file returns yet, early preparation can save money and alleviate stress before the filing deadline in April.

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The Sensible, the Mad and the Missing

The 2024 presidential race is taking shape. It looks like a choice between the sensible, the mad and the missing. Joe Biden seems intent on running on his record, a sensible route for the incumbent. His major challenger, the inescapable Donald Trump, is replaying his madcap candidacy – his program a mixture of resentment, racism, bluster and victimization. What’s missing are the big challenges that America can’t avoid and can’t seem to face.

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History Cannot Be Unlived

Last Saturday, three African Americans were murdered by a 21-year-old white gunman at the Dollar General Store in Jacksonville, Florida, who then shot himself. The murderer was motivated, Jacksonville Sheriff T K Waters reported, by an “ideology of hate.” The shooting took place 15 months after 10 African Americans were murdered in another racially motivated shooting at a grocery store in Buffalo. Racial violence against Blacks has scarred America since the first slaves were forcibly shipped to America.

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Skincare for All Skin Types: Tailoring Your Routine To Your Specific Needs

Skincare for all skin types has become popular in the last few years. Nowadays, you see hundreds of products marketed toward you. TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and more push ads your way to make you shop with a specific brand.

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How We See the Past Reflects How We Live In the Present

Our history involves both hard facts and interpretation – the context in which the hard facts are presented. Interpretation inevitably is political and contested. How we see the past reflects how we live in the present and what we hope for in the future.

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Kingwood Diversion Ditch Flood Risk Reduction Project: Enhancing Flood Resilience in Northeast Harris County

Empowering Community Engagement for a Safer Tomorrow

The Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) is committed to prioritizing flood risk reduction efforts to protect communities against the devastating impact of flooding. As part of this ongoing initiative, HCFCD is pleased to announce a virtual community engagement meeting for the Kingwood Diversion Ditch Flood Risk Reduction Project. This critical project aims to enhance flood resilience through channel conveyance improvements in the Kingwood Diversion Ditch and Bens Branch areas in Northeast Harris County.

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Sheila Jackson Lee: Championing Houston's Voice in Congress

ELECTION SPECIAL: Sheila -VS- Amanda - Who Gets Your Vote?

Esteemed Tenure: Sheila Jackson Lee's over two decades of service as a congresswoman is a testament to her enduring commitment and seasoned expertise in representing Houston's diverse voices.

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Elevate Your Spring Break: Fort Bend County Libraries Offer Exclusive Teen Activities

Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) are your go-to destination for an unforgettable Spring Break experience tailored exclusively for high school teens (grades 9-12). From engaging gaming sessions to creative craft circles and everything in between, these specially curated programs offer a perfect blend of fun, learning, and socializing.