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A Message About the 2020-2021 Houston ISD School Year
We have officially reached the end of the 2019-2020 school year! Each of you played an es- sential role in the education of our children this year. As educators, we often say, “It takes a village.” This mindset has never been more critical than now.
Harris County D.A. – Kim Ogg Dismisses Nearly 800 Cases Against George Floyd Peaceful Protesters In Houston
The Harris County District Attorney dismissed nearly 800 cases against protesters who were arrested during marches against police brutality in the past three weeks.
Houston City Council Approves Mayor Turners Proposed 2021 Budget
Budget Avoids Furloughs and Funds Police & Fire Cadet Classes
After six hours of discussion and consideration of several proposed amendments, the Houston City Council today approved Mayor Syl- vester Turner’s proposed $5.1 billion operating budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
No Active COVID-19 Cases in New Zealand
Almost all coronavirus restrictions in New Zealand will be lifted tomorrow, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced, after the country reported no active cases. Schools and workplaces will be able to open under the new “level 1” rules, with no limitations on gatherings or domestic travel.
Senate Confirms Charles Brown, Jr. to Lead Air Force in Historic Vote
Senators confirmed Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. as the first black military service chief in American history in a 98-0 vote June 9.
A Tearful Lizzo Speaks Out About Protests and The Fight Against Racism
Lizzo broke down into floods of tears as she vented about “the real story not being told fully” amid the protests against racism.
Mayor Turner Asks Cities Across the Country to Join in Tribute to George Floyd and Commit to Policing System Reforms
Mayor Sylvester Turner has proven to be a man action and not just talk. During the public memorial for George Floyd, whose death has sparked protests around the world demanding for justice for his wrongful death, Mayor Turner declared that things would change in Houston with a new executive order.
HISD Celebrated Second Annual Academics College Signing Day
The HISD UIL Academics Department hosted its second annual Academic College Signing Day for the district’s top University Interscholastic League (UIL) Academics, Music, One Act Play, or Houston Urban Debate League (HUDL) students
Charles Butt, H-E-B Chairman, Announced Today a $1,000,000 Personal Contribution to Prairie View A&M University in Honor of University President Ruth J. Simmons
President Simmons joined Prairie View in 2017 after retiring as President of Brown University where she served as President from 2001 to 2012. She had previously served as President of Smith College from 1995 to 2001. Born in Grapeland, Texas, she grew up in Houston’s Fifth Ward where she graduated from Phyllis Wheatley High School. She holds both a Master of Arts and Ph.D. degree in Romance Languages and Literatures from Harvard University. Simmons chairs the Board of Directors of the Holdsworth Center for Excellence in Education Leadership.
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.
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.
Say Sí to San Antonio This Summer
Starting June 15 and all summer long, it’s time to see and say si to San Antonio. The renowned Texas escape destination is making it easier and safer to enjoy much-deserved time to relax and have fun together. The Si San Antonio campaign provides travelers more than 150 individual offers from hotels, restaurants and attractions. Plus, to ensure the comfort and make the city safer, hotels, restaurants, attractions and other businesses are enhancing their health and safety protocols.
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.
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.
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.
2 Alternatives For Struggling Retirees Who Don’t Want To Drain Their Savings
Financial professionals often have this word of advice when the market takes a tumble and your 401(k) and other retirement accounts lose value:
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.
“Tyler Perry's Palace of Versailles Mansion Sells To Steve Harvey”
Inventive, creative powerhouse Tyler Perry has charmed his film fans with his acting, writing and production skills generating massive wealth over $600 million well before the age of 50. He has homes in the Bahamas, Wyoming, Texas, Mulholland Estates in Los Angeles (currently on loan to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle), but chooses to live and work in Georgia on his 1,100-acre property where his film studios are located. Partial to the Atlanta area, his longtime home was a palatial mansion in the Paces Ferry community of Buckeye, which he built in 2007 on 17acres of prime land overlooking the Chattahoochee River. When he sold it for $17.5 million in 2016, it was the highest-priced home in the history of the city. That buyer has sold it once again for $15 million - still the highest-priced home in Atlanta.
Congressman Al Green Distributes Masks to Two Local Nursing Homes
On Wednesday, June 10, 2020, Congressman Al Green released the following statement:
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.
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.
New $2.9M grant to fund science and religion research
A new subfield of sociological research examining how identities and beliefs are related to attitudes about science and religion will be advanced by a $2.9 million grant to sociologists at Rice University and the University of California, San Diego (UCSD).
Report: Nursing Homes Facing Financial Crisis
Medicaid covers more than 60 percent of all nursing home residents and roughly 50 percent of costs for long-term care services and support. (The Center On Budget And Policy Priorities, 4/14/20) “Nursing homes predominantly care for two groups: short-term post-acute care patients with Medicare coverage and long-term residents with Medicaid coverage. Medicare is a relatively generous payer, whereas Medicaid often pays below the cost of caring for these frail and medically complex individuals.” David C. Grabowski, PhD, Harvard Medical School & Vincent Mor, PhD, Brown University (Journal Of American Medical Association, 5/22/20)
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.
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.
Sun Belt cities comprise nearly half of US population growth
The Sun Belt's large metro areas are growing much faster than those elsewhere in the United States, and they are adding more young and old residents than the rest of the nation, according to a new white paper from Rice University's Kinder Institute for Urban Research. But most American urban policy is still crafted -- and research is still conducted -- with traditional Northeastern and Midwestern cities in mind, the paper says.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Statement by Vice President Joe Biden on President Trump’s Visit to Dallas
More than 1,800 Texans have died as a result of COVID-19, more than 2.9 million have filed for unemployment, and people around the world are marching against systemic racism in our country. For months, we’ve seen Donald Trump botch the response to COVID-19 and the economic crisis that has followed. Texas is now facing a massive surge in positive COVID-19 cases, with the number of hospitalizations hitting an all-time high. The country, and Texas, are facing multiple crises — yet President Trump continues to demonstrate that he’s not the right leader to address any of them.
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.
Congressman Al Green Distributes Masks to Two Local Nursing Homes
On Wednesday, June 10, 2020, Congressman Al Green released the following statement:
Weekend Repairs Prompt Bus Shuttles Along Red Line
METRORail service will be interrupted along a section of the Red Line for maintenance work on Saturday, June 13, 2020 and Sunday, June 14, 2020.
Office Of The Governor, Nolan Ryan Release New COVID-19 PSA: "Don't Be A Knucklehead"
The Office of the Governor and Baseball Hall-Of-Famer, Nolan Ryan today released a new public service announcement (PSA) entitled, "Don't Be A Knucklehead." In the PSA, Ryan encourages all Texans to follow effective health and safety protocols like washing their hands, social distancing, and wearing a mask.
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.
Frosted Animal Cookie Blizzard and Oreo Cheesecake Blizzards Bring Cold Front to Texas in June
The temperatures may have heated things up in Texas, but a cold front is sweeping across the state with the sweet cool taste of two treats from Texas Dairy Queen. Oreo Cheesecake and Frosted Animal Cookie are two great Blizzard flavors that have arrived in June for a limited time.
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Responds to Minneapolis Police Chief’s Plans to Cease Union Contract Negotiations
Police Unions Have Historically Been Obstacles to Reform
Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo announced his decision to postpone contract negotiations with the police union representing the city’s officers in order to conduct a more thorough review of the proposed contract and its provisions. Chief Arradondo intends to restructure the contract to provide more transparency and flexibility for reform. The following is a statement from Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
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!
Texas Mutual and Univision Austin Launch Spanish-language Safety Campaign for Hispanic Business Owners
Texas Mutual Insurance Company, the state’s leading provider of workers’ compensation insurance, today announced the launch of a Spanish- language safety campaign in partnership with Univision Austin, part of Univision Communications Inc., the leading Hispanic media company in the U.S. In recognition of June as National Safety Month, this campaign aims to provide workplace safety resources to Hispanic business communities across the state.
WNBA Statement on Racial Injustice
Remembering George Floyd today on the day of his memorial service. Throughout this unprecedented time, we must address the recent killings and acts of racial injustice. The WNBA opposes racism in all its forms and will work to bring measurable and meaningful societal change.
Harris County Commissioner Court Approves Commissioner Rodney Ellis’ Eight Criminal Justice Reform Measures
Items Include Three Budget Reallocation Measures, Independent Oversight Board and Expansion of Public Defender Office to Help End the Mass Incarceration of Communities of Color
Azzad commends Alphabet stockholders for anti-censorship vote
Shareholder proposal asks Google parent to report on government requests to remove content
Azzad Asset Management, a leading socially responsible investment firm, today praised Alphabet shareholders following a strong vote in favor of greater transparency at subsidiary Google. A shareholder resolution sponsored by Azzad and the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate--and supported by transparency advocate Open MIC--called on the company to disclose the search terms and content removed at the request of foreign governments. It was presented at the company's annual general meeting held on June 3.
Call to Action for Thursday - Stop Work and Reflect
8 Minutes, 46 Seconds —Stop Work THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020 - 12 NOON - Black Lives Matter
As trade unionists and as Americans, we were all outraged by the vicious murder of George Floyd. We are heartened by the uprising of hundreds of thousands of Americans, Black, Brown and white, demanding an end to racism and declaring: “Black Lives Matter.” Because of Covid-19, it has been difficult for many of us to show our solidarity with this movement.
Open Invitation for a Conversation
To all who have expressed outrage, disgust, anxiety, empathy, or bewilderment at how this crisis in social justice can be our reality in 2020, I ask you to take some time and call a friend, colleague, a mixed race relative-someone who is Black or looks Black-and have a real conversation with them.
Urban South - HTX Joins More Than 300 Breweries In “Black is Beautiful” Beer Initiative
Houston brewery participates in global beer collaboration to bring awareness to injustices faced by people of color
Urban South - HTX, Urban South Brewery’s new Houston location, is honored to participate in the “Black is Beautiful” initiative, a global beer collaboration created to bring awareness to the injustices that many people of color face daily. Urban South’s “Black is Beautiful” creation will be released to the public in early July, and the brewery will donate 100% of the proceeds from beer sales to Black Lives Matter: Houston.
Coronavirus Shines Spotlight on Healthcare Disparities
The emergence of the devastating Covid-19 crisis has forced every nation and people everywhere to recognize our interconnectedness. This Coronavirus pandemic has shifted the way we live, communicate and do business. It has cost many people their livelihoods and, as of May 28, 2020, infected almost 6 million people globally. Still growing, the heart-breaking number of deaths is more than 350,000, to date. Indeed, all of us are left with an indelible mark and forced to actively adjust financially, psychologically, and emotionally.
Congressmen Gomez and Ruiz Lead Effort for Additional Community Health Centers Funding
Today, Congressmen Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) and Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) called on House and Senate Leadership to protect and expand funding for Community Health Centers (CHCs), which play a vital role in treating patients, working with local health departments, and fighting the spread of the coronavirus. In a letter led by Congressmen Gomez and Ruiz, 40 California members of Congress urged House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Leader Mitch McConnell to protect the $7.6 billion in funding set aside for CHCs in the Heroes Act and to include an additional $1 billion for telehealth infrastructure projects and $1 billion in emergency workforce funding.
Six Simple Ways to Bring Calm into Your Home
(When the World Is Full of Chaos)
When we get intentional about creating a calm home environment, we can better cope with the upheaval going on in the world. Karen McGregor says it requires only a few simple changes.