57As Part of iVoterGuide’s 30,000 Hours of Research into 7,500+ Candidates Seeking Office This Fall, Data Reveal Dramatic Choice in Texas’s 7th Congressional District Contest
Comprehensive Research on Behalf of All Americans Shows Stark Differences in Candidates’ Beliefs and Backgrounds
Millions of Americans have already voted by mail or at local polling sites—while many others remain on the fence about their choices at national and local levels. But in Texas’s 7th Congressional District, there is a dramatic difference between the two candidates seeking the support of constituents.
ICYMI: Joe Biden Speaks With Dallas-Fort Worth NBC5
Yesterday, NBC 5 interviewed Vice President Joe Biden on the campaign’s efforts in the Lone Star State and the rise of COVID-19 cases in Texas.
Congressman Al Green - in conjunction with the Houston Food Bank, Texas Division of Emergency Management, and Pastor A.J. Jones of Cullen MBC - Presents Free Drive-Thru COVID Testing & Food Distributi
On Saturday, October 31, 2020, Congressman Al Green will host a free, drive-thru coronavirus testing and food distribution at Cullen Missionary Baptist Church, located at 13233 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX 77047.
Biden for President Releases National Ad Series Featuring LGBTQ+ Leaders
Today, Biden for President released a series of ads featuring LGBTQ+ leaders from Wisconsin and Georgia. The leaders share their personal experience about being LGBTQ+, and why they will finally feel seen and have a seat at the table under a Biden-Harris Administration, which would usher in the most pro-equality government in history.
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Releases Titles from HBO in November 2020
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment brings consumers the opportunity to own two exceptional programs from HBO’s distinguished content library. Both titles will be released on Digital in November 2020. Offerings include a compelling documentary about one of Hollywood’s greatest actresses and a new drama series about teenagers living on a U.S. military base in Italy. Now viewers have the chance to purchase more exceptional programs from the premium cable network to add to their own home entertainment library.
Tarka Celebrates Military Personnel with Free Entree on Nov. 11
To celebrate our nation’s heroes, Tarka Indian Kitchen is offering a free entrée to military service members on Veterans Day, Nov. 11 when they show their US Military ID.
Amazon Prime Video Enjoys "Great Success" with Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
During its opening weekend, tens of millions of customers around the world streamed Sacha Baron Cohen’s Provocative Satire Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, resulting in huge engagement on the service
More Than 100 School Districts Enroll in Khan Academy, NWEA Personalized Learning Offerings
Across the Districts, Nearly 70% of Students Qualify for Free and Reduced-Price Lunch
Khan Academy is supporting more than 100 public school districts across the country as the nonprofit educational organization responds to the unprecedented demands of the pandemic. Khan Academy will serve nearly half a million students in partner districts this school year through two unique offerings: Khan Academy Districts and MAP Accelerator, in partnership with NWEA.
Dying To Be Famous: The Ryan Singleton Mystery - Bounce's First-Ever True-Crime Docuseries - World Premieres Sunday, Nov. 1 at 9:00 p.m. (ET) With Two Episodes Back-to-Back
Bounce, the only multi-platform entertainment network for African Americans, world premieres its first-ever original true-crime docuseries, Dying To Be Famous: The Ryan Singleton Mystery on Sunday, November 1st at 9:00 p.m. (ET) with the first two episodes airing back-to-back.
New SPLC Analysis: 30 Million Americans Have Not Mailed Their Ballots Yet
Outstanding ballots in Florida 1.7M; Pennsylvania 1.1M; Michigan 860K; Wisconsin 338K; Georgia 505K; Arizona 1.3M
A new analysis released today by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) finds that with just eight days to go before the 2020 General Election, at least 34 million Americans have not yet mailed in their ballots.
Texas Opera Alliance launches the Teen Opera Club of Texas
Opera organizations from across the Lone Star State join forces to make opera more accessible and provide teens an exclusive experience with access to artists and creatives
A Third of Latino Voters Have Already Voted
With seven days until Election Day, COVID-19 remains the top issue for Latino voters as 40 percent say they know someone who has died from the virus
As Judge Amy Coney Barrett is to be seated on the Supreme Court, 65 percent of Latino voters believed the next president should have made the nomination
Houston Arboretum presents Sip & Stroll outdoor event on Nov. 19 with peek at the newly renovated Nature Center
Enjoy a quiet evening out on the Houston Arboretum trails and get a behind-the-scenes look at the newly renovated Nature Center with the Arboretum’s Sip & Stroll outdoor event. The dimly lit walk will include two glasses of wine or Saint Arnold beer, delicious cheese offerings from GRAZE HTX and a limited-edition Echinacea etched wine glass to take home. All pairs and pods of people must maintain a distance of at least six feet on the trails and masks must be worn while inside the Nature Center.
Biden for President Debuts Closing Message Ads Nationwide Inbox
Ads Highlight Urgency Around Winning the Battle for the Soul of the Nation and Unifying the Country
Biden for President is debuting closing message ads that will air nationwide throughout the final week of the election, underscoring the key themes that have defined Joe Biden’s campaign and showcasing to Americans his unwavering commitment to restoring the soul of the nation and unifying the country. In two separate minute-long spots, Jill and Joe Biden each speak directly to viewers and make a closing argument to voters about the stakes of the election and why Vice President Biden will rise to the moment.
Harris County Animal Shelter Unveils New Shelter Facility
Several years after passing Proposition 3, Harris County Public Health (HCPH) is finally opening the new pet saving resource center (formally known as Harris County Animal Shelter) to the public. There will be a ribbon-cutting event to commemorate the new facility and expansion of programs offered to Harris County Residents.
HISD Statement On Safety Protocols
Implementation of strong safety protocols for students and staff during face-to-face instruction remains the top priority in the Houston Independent School District. After continued review and guidance from health and education officials, HISD is updating its process for moving between COVID-19 Gauge levels to ensure multiple metrics are considered, including from both the Harris County Public Health Department and the Houston Health Department, as well as an ongoing assessment of reported cases and data trends in our district.
The Power of Protest and the Power of Our Ballots
In a year defined by distress and tragedy, no one has felt that chaos more painfully than the Black community, We’ve seen the coronavirus pandemic tear through our neighborhoods at a devastating rate. Job losses have surged, evictions are looming, and economic damage has mounted. And the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake have brought the crisis of police violence into stark, horrifying relief for the broad American public.
Women: Transform A Dismal Year Into A Happier Personal Journey
COVID-19 has played havoc with many people’s careers, but it may have been especially detrimental to women.
A Gift to the City of Houston - A Free Virtual A Christmas Carol
With cases of COVID-19 rising in Harris County, we are erring on the side of caution to protect our patrons, artists, and staff. It is with heavy hearts that we must announce the cancellation of this year’s in-person production of A Christmas Carol. We understand this is disappointing news as we were looking forward to reuniting with you this holiday season.
New App Looks to Help Event Industry Recover From COVID-19
No industry has been unaffected by the economic downturn COVID-19 has caused within the United States. During the last ten months, the event industry has seen an unprecedented decline in business as more people have elected to stay indoors and away from large social gatherings.
Harris County Department of Education 2020 Awards
"Harris County is fortunate enough to have a Department of Education," says Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) Board Chairman Eric Dick. "Though the various businesses HCDE owns, we are able to take a nominal tax rate and turn it into serious money. We turn $1 of tax revenues into $5 of governmental services. We love education and use the profits to support our local school districts."
The Greater Houston Black Chamber Announces Winners of Coveted Pinnacle and Upstart Awards at the 26th Annual Celebration of Black Business Excellence
The Greater Houston Black Chamber (GHBC) held its 26th Annual Pinnacle Awards, Saturday, October 24, 2020, where several of Houston’s best and most promising Black-owned businesses received high honors. The program will be rebroadcast on Quest Channel 55 in Houston on Thursday, Oct. 29 and Saturday, Oct. 31, at 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Tessa Thompson, Yara Shahidi, Debbie Allen, Lil' Yachty & More to Re-Imagine "A Different World" for Series Finale of "Zoom Where It Happens"
Tessa Thompson, Yara Shahidi, Storm Reid, Kelly McCreary, Oswin Benjamin and Lil’ Yachty will appear in the series finale of “Zoom Where It Happens,” directed by multiple Emmy, Tony and Golden Globe winner Debbie Allen.
The Coronavirus is Out of Control in Texas and the United States
US records daily high in new cases, Texas closes in on 18,000 deaths
Republican leadership in this state and in this country has failed. The coronavirus is still out of control, with the United States under Donald Trump setting a new daily high in cases and Texas under Trump and Abbott closing in on 18,000 deaths.
Texas Southern University to Host “Wintermester,” Opens Registration for Spring Semester
Texas Southern University (TSU) will hold a five-week “Wintermester” beginning November 30 to give students an opportunity to take online courses during Winter Break. The cost of each course is $750, and students can take a maximum of seven credit hours. Wintermester registration opens on Monday, October 26.
Houston Municipal Courts Department Creates a New Safe Harbor Court to Assist Houstonians with Inability to Pay Court Fines and Fees
In alignment with Mayor Turner’s Complete Communities Plan to create a more equitable and prosperous city for all Houstonians, the Houston Municipal Courts Department (MCD) will unveil its new Safe Harbor Court to assist citizens who are having financial hardships and medical issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pandemic hasn't broken the employer health insurance system
Over 55 million Americans have filed for unemployment since COVID-19 struck. But for the most part, they haven't lost their health insurance. An astounding 98 percent of workers who had employer-sponsored health benefits before the pandemic are still enrolled in workplace plans, according to a July report.
Bar 5015 Presents the ‘I am My Own Boss’ KIDpreneur’s Expo to the Houston Community in Hopes of Building Future CEOs
Bar 5015 is a black-owned business located at 5015 Almeda that is committed to providing opportunities to the community. The premier lounge and bar is widely known for their food, chill and relaxed ambiance, and stellar brunch.
'Defend the Black Vote' Campaign Passes Five-Million Text Milestone
People For the American Way Foundation announced today that its nonpartisan “Defend the Black Vote” campaign has passed the milestone of five million text messages sent to more than two million eligible voters, and is continuing to expand its reach in the final runup to Election Day. The campaign is designed to mobilize Black voters, especially Black male voters between 18 and 35, and to combat voter suppression and misinformation in the 2020 elections. In recent days it has expanded to encompass 23 states: Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Houston Arboretum presents virtual event Holiday Crafts, Recipes and Wines on Nov. 18
To get in the spirit of the December holidays, the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center presents a new virtual event called Holiday Crafts, Recipes and Wines. Explore a tasty variety of wines, perfectly paired for holiday celebrations. Interact directly with a Sonoma County winemaker while creating delicious herbed butter and homemade cranberry sauce. During this experience, participants will learn the importance of using local ingredients and discuss the wildfires impacting wineries on the West Coast. These appealing wines are difficult to find at local retailers, but during the class participants can get the inside scoop on where to purchase them to enjoy over the holiday season.
Child Science Expert to Share Tips on How to Celebrate Halloween This Year
Dr. Colleen Russo Johnson – Chief Scientist and co-founder of The OK Company, makers of the OK Play app share tips for parents to safely celebrate Halloween this year.
HIATUS SPA + RETREAT DEBUTS HIATUS EVERYDAY PRODUCT LINE
Hiatus Everyday launches with The Weekend Collection and The Spa Day Collection, featuring aroma oil, body wash, body butter, charcoal scrub, and more.
Legacy Community Health Available for Comment on Revised Social Work Code of Conduct
The newly revised code removes the LGBTQ+ and disabled communities from its list of non-discrimination protections.
Legacy Community Health, the largest community health center system in Texas, announced today its opposition to the State Board of Social Work Examiners’ revised code of conduct. For years, the State Board of Social Work Examiners has upheld an anti-discrimination policy inclusive of LGBTQ and disabled clients.
AMNH Announces Online Halloween Costume Contest; Virtual Programming for Halloween and Day of the Dead
To celebrate Halloween on October 31, the American Museum of Natural History is offering a range of family-friendly online programming in the run-up to the holiday, on topics including “spooky” insects like scorpions, spiders, and roaches; bat ecology and biodiversity; and fossilized mammal skeletons. The Museum is also launching a costume contest asking viewers who tune in to online programs next week to share their pictures of natural history-themed costumes on Instagram and Twitter, with the winner awarded four tickets to the Museum.
Local Artist David Maldondo 60'x20' Houston-Themed Mural Installed On Midway's East River Site in East Downtown
Artist’s largest mural to-date represents a blending of vibrant east side communities
Houston-based Midway, the privately owned, fully integrated real estate investment and development firm, today announced a new public mural installation on the site of its 150-acre East River development in east downtown. Midway tapped local multidisciplinary artist David Maldonado to create the Houston-themed piece. At 60’x20’, the East River mural marks the artist’s largest work to-date.
IVP Air and NBA’s Chris Wilcox celebrate Galveston School District unveiling of more than 200 IVP Air coronavirus-killing air filters
IVP Air and Galveston ISD host press event and reception to unveil IVP’s Biodefense Indoor Protection SystemTM and honor Dr. Slobodan Paessler, UTMB Galveston National Labs
Mayor Sylvester Turner Addresses COVID-19 Response and Resiliency in 2020 State of the City
Mayor Sylvester Turner Addresses COVID-19 Response and Resiliency in 2020 State of the City
Mayor Sylvester Turner delivered his fifth State of the City address, his first on virtual platform, on Oct. 22, hosted by the Greater Houston Partnership.
American Family Insurance Supports YouTube HBCU Homecoming 2020 and Promotes Career Opportunities for HBCU Students
On a mission to acquire and support the best talent, American Family Insurance promotes career opportunities to HBCU students
– American Family Insurance announced today it is joining Target to co-sponsor YouTube Originals’ 'HBCU Homecoming 2020: Meet Me On The Yard,’ a star-studded, global livestream celebrating the traditional fall homecoming weekend at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) around the country. The livestream will raise funds for the United Negro College Fund who plan to split 50% with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, which will also receive donations from Target and American Family Insurance.
MJ FOR TEXAS: Releases New Radio AD Featuring Former President Barack Obama
MJ Hegar, decorated combat veteran and working mom running for U.S. Senate, is out with a new radio ad featuring former President Barack Obama sharing what is at stake in this election and encouraging Texans to support MJ.
Cadence Bank Contributes to the Houston Area Urban League to Help Start the Center for Social Justice and Education
Cadence Bank, a subsidiary of Cadence Bancorporation (NYSE: CADE), has made a significant contribution to the Houston Area Urban League (HAUL) to help fund the development of its Center for Social Justice and Education.
OPINION: Don’t Leave Hispanic Businesses Out Of COVID-19 Recovery, For Houston’s Sake
“Hispanics Represent More Than $53 billion In Annual Spending Power, Which Is Just Short Of A Quarter Of Total Consumer Spending In The Region.” – Dr. Laura G. Murillo
The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has created an economic challenge unlike any other in our lifetime.
Joe Biden's Last Newsletter - Written Monday, October 19, 2020
Democratic Presidential Candidate - Joe Biden Says Thank You!
It feels surreal to write, but this is the final newsletter I’ll send you during this campaign.
GOP Begins to Fall in Line for Quick Confirmation Vote on Trump's Supreme Court Nominee
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is moving closer to locking down enough support to pave the way for confirmation of a new Supreme Court nominee in the midst of a hugely consequential election year,ratcheting up calls for a quick vote that could fundamentally alter the court in a sharply more conservative direction for decades to come.
The City of Houston Announces Recommendations for Reopening Sanctuaries and Faith-Based Organizations During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Mayor's Health Equity Response (H.E.R.) Task Force announced guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 as sanctuaries and faith-based organizations reopen their doors for religious services.
Mayor Sylvester Turner Announces New Initiative To Combat Crime
Overall, Violent Crime Is Up 11% In Houston, Texas
Mayor Sylvester Turner announced a COVID-19 Related Crime Reduction Program to increase overtime for the Houston Police Department through the end of December 2020. The City will use $4.1 millions of CARES Act funding for the overtime program.
New On Netflix
We still get to enjoy the stellar work of the late actor Chadwick Boseman who tragically died this year after a fight with colon cancer. In his final role he stars with Viola Davis in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. The film directed by directed by George C. Wolfe and written by Ruben Santiago-Hudson is based on the play by August Wilson from 1982. Denzel Washington, p.g.a, Todd Black, p.g.a, and Danny Wolf produced the play set in Chicago.
Houston Health Department Encourages Alternatives to Traditional Trick-or-Treating and Halloween Gatherings During COVID-19 Pandemic
The Houston Health Department encourages people to forgo traditional trick-or-treating and Halloween gatherings this year in favor of safer alternatives. Going door-to-door and attending traditional Halloween events are high-risk activities for spreading COVID-19 during the pandemic.
Pandemic hasn't broken the employer health insurance system
Over 55 million Americans have filed for unemployment since COVID-19 struck. But for the most part, they haven't lost their health insurance. An astounding 98 percent of workers who had employer-sponsored health benefits before the pandemic are still enrolled in workplace plans, according to a July report.
Texas African American Leaders Endorse Democratic Judicial Candidates
Justice is On the Ballot as African American Democrats Call for Fair Courts
Prominent African American leaders from Texas' two largest counties today announce their endorsement of Democrats running for statewide courts, and also emphasize the need to vote down ballot in regional and local court races. Democrats have fielded a full slate of statewide judicial candidates for the first time in more than a decade.
Global rapper Pitbull to headline inaugural youth leaders YOUNGA 2020 Forum in celebration of UN's 75th anniversary - 24 Oct
Grammy award-winning rapper, songwriter, and record producer, Pitbull will headline the first-of-its-kind virtual reality performance at the inaugural 2020 YOUNGA Forum, an initiative launched by BridgingtheGap Ventures in line with the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations.