57Texas Among States that Must Do More to Prepare for Elections During Coronavirus Pandemic, CAP Analysis Shows
After the chaos and confusion surrounding the Wisconsin primary, an analysis from the Center for American Progress finds that 40 states plus the District of Columbia have election systems that are not much better or are even worse positioned than Wisconsin when it comes to responding to a pandemic.
Study finds no overall survival benefit, but improved quality of life with talazoparib in advanced BRCA-mutated breast cancer
Phase III EMBRACA trial survival benefit results may be affected by subsequent treatments
New data from the Phase III EMBRACA trial led by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found the PARP inhibitor talazoparib did not demonstrate a statistically significant overall survival (OS) benefit for patients with metastatic HER2-negative breast cancer and mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes. Most patients included in the study went on to receive subsequent systemic therapies, which may have affected the survival outcome analysis. The research confirmed previous results showing talazoparib improved patient reported quality-of-life measures over available chemotherapies and had a tolerable safety profile.
Supplemental Security Income Recipients, Act Now
Go to IRS.gov – A Message from Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul
“Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients who don’t file tax returns will start receiving their automatic Economic Impact Payments directly from the Treasury Department in early May.
Rice to offer new master's degree in applied chemical sciences
Degree combines technical, management classes with hands-on training
Rice University's Faculty Senate has approved a new professional master's degree in applied chemical sciences that combines advanced coursework in science and management with business training and hands-on experience.
CURBING THE "QUARANTINE 15" Expert Tips to Avoid Weight Gain, Stay Fit, and Body-Image Positive
COVID-19 has forced us into month 2 of isolation. For many, this means another month of binging, boozing, and stress-baking - a perfect recipe for weight gain. All the couch-sitting, TV-watching, and quarantine-snacking are taking a toll on our health. But so are the fat jokes and memes that fill social media.
Dickey's Hosts Mother's Day Social Media Giveaway for Free Barbecue for a Year
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is hosting a social media giveaway in honor of Mother’s Day. From May 1-31, guests are invited to post on their social media tagging Dickey’s and using the hashtag #motherlyadvice to share the best advice their mom ever gave them. A random winner will be chosen to win Free Barbecue for a Year!
Congressman Al Green Joined State Rep. Ron Reynolds and Bishop Destry Bell for Church Food Distribution
On Saturday, April 25, 2020, Congressman Al Green joined State Representative Ron Reynolds and Bishop Destry C. Bell, Sr. of the Christ Temple of Deliverance to distribute food to 500 families. Congressman Green released the following statement:
H-E-B is Extending Temporary Hours of Operation On Monday – Across All Stores in Texas
Starting on Monday, April 27, 2020, all H-E-B stores in Texas will open at 7 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. until further notice.
Zoom in Style with T. Marie Designs Ear Jewels!
As folks are adjusting to the new normal of virtual meetings and Zoom birthdays, tastemaker Tiffany Custard of T. Marie Designs wants gals to feel pretty and confident while doing so.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs launches 'Our Fair Share' – New Platform Dedicated to Helping Minority-Owned Small Businesses Access Second Round of PPP Funding
Launched in Partnership with The National Bankers Association, 'Our Fair Share' Will Work to Help Simplify the Application Process Surrounding the latest PPP Rollout
Entrepreneur and Media Mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs today launched OURFAIRSHARE.com, a platform built to help minority entrepreneurs and small businesses access much-needed capital amid the economic devastation brought by COVID-19.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston’s Family Wellness Check-In Program provides valuable information about Club families during COVID-19 health crisis
The Family Wellness Check-In Program, implemented by Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston (BGCGH) in mid-March, has yielded valuable information for the nonprofit to better assist Club families during the COVID-19 health crisis. BGCGH staff began checking in with Club families via phone calls the week of March 16, focusing on immediate needs related to shelter, food and medical care. To date, 5,241 families have been contacted, with more than 1,000 families to be called in the coming week.
Historic First Ward Leader Cleola Williams Honored With Photographic Mural
A mural commissioned by Arts District Houston honoring longtime First Ward resident Cleola Williams is on display at Brock Park (1701 Bingham Street) in . The project, named “The Lady of First Ward,” was conceived and created by Houston photographer, artist and muralist Colby Deal.
Houston/Gulf Coast Area Nonprofits And Foundations Partner To Launch COVID-1 Impact Survey
Evaluating the Needs of Vulnerable and Underserved Communities
A coalition of Houston-Galveston area nonprofits and foundations have launched a community impact survey to assess and respond to the social and economic impacts of COVID-19.
Gov. Abbott, Chancellor Sharp, Chief Kidd announce COVID-19 federal assistance training for local leaders
AgriLife Extension to offer online trainings, outreach to help local leaders navigate federal funding process
Texas Conservation Volunteers Honored During National Volunteer Week
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is celebrating National Volunteer Week April 19-25, 2025 by thanking and honoring its Earth Team volunteers for their service to conservation.
Mayor Sylvester Turner, City of Houston, Councilman Robert Gallegos with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and UMMC Officially Announces the Opening of a Sixth Coronavirus Testing Site
Mayor Sylvester Turner, City of Houston, Councilman Robert Gallegos with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Senior Member of the Homeland Security Committee and UMMC will officially announce the launch of the sixth UMMC COVID-19 drive through testing site.
North Houston Pastors Offer Community Warnings: Stay Home! Get Tested! Too Early to Reopen
A group of North Houston Pastors will make a statement regarding the State of Texas’ ‘Open for Business’ announcement in the midst of a Coronavirus pandemic. They will be joined by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Chair of the Congressional Coronavirus Task Force and other elected officials.
Harris County MANDATORY Mask Order EFFECTIVE MONDAY: Judge Orders Residents To Wear Mask in Public For Next 30 Days
10 Years or Older Should Wear A Face Covering
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo on Wednesday issued an order requiring residents to wear masks when in public for the next 30 days, beginning on Monday, April 27, 2020. The order requires individuals over the age of 10 to wear a face covering, which can be a homemade mask, scarf, bandana, or handkerchief, when outside the home.
Mayor Turner Launches Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign
Mayor Sylvester Turner and Council Member Abbie Kamin announced a city-wide domestic violence awareness violence awareness initiative to reach vulnerable populations and provide resources for victims. Local law enforcement and the Houston Area Women’s Center are tracking a rise in domestic violence incidents linked to the crisis.
HCDE Head Start Families Benefit from Second Distribution of Food Boxes
“Because We Care” food boxes given out to HCDE Head Start families in Baytown via drive-through event
Kroger to Accept SNAP/EBT for Pickup Orders and Expand Store Hours
Kroger Houston to accept SNAP/EBT card payment for Pickup, a fee-free, low-contact grocery service, and extend store hours starting Monday, April 27
Kroger Houston today announced the acceptance of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for Pickup. The low-contact, convenient service allows customers to shop online for groceries on Kroger.com or the Kroger app and pick up their order curbside at a nearby Kroger store. The announcement also shares the updated store hours of 7am – 11pm in Houston area stores starting Monday, April 27.
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference Urges Governors to Avoid the “Tuskegee Experiment” Mistake on the Poor
“No One Should Be Sacrificed to Test If It is Safe for America to Return to Business as Usual,” Says SCLC President Dr. Charles Steele, Jr.
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) issued a strong warning to the governors of Georgia, Texas and other states who are contemplating reopening their states to commerce as early as this week.
Impactful Community Efforts Prove YMCA of Greater Houston Is More Than A Gym
Local YMCAs respond and reinvent to address the needs for Houston’s most vulnerable communities
For more than 130 years, the YMCA of Greater Houston has served communities large and small, working tirelessly in order to provide for more people each day, and responding to the needs of the community that need it most. While the doors to locations may have been closed due to COVID-19, the YMCA of Greater Houston continues serving and strengthening its communities, demonstrating the Y always has been and continues being more than just a gym. The nonprofit is offering child care for essential workers; operating more than 20 food distributions sites; providing virtual exercise and education classes, teen programs, senior programs, international services and more.
Remote teaching makes us more human, Rice U. expert says
In March, thousands of universities around the world said goodbye to spring break and hello to a world of online instruction.
Cross-Genre Talent Shea Diamond Highlight's Reasons To Unite In New Single 'I Am America'
The New Single And Theme Song to HBO's new unscripted series We're Here Is Available Now
Uncertainty often breeds tension and division, but singer-songwriter and trans woman Shea Diamond, reminds listeners of the undeniable truths with new single 'I Am America,' - available today on all platforms here. The tour de force's new Justin Tranter co-written and Eren Cannata produced-party track is featured as the theme to prolific new HBO unscripted series, We're Here starring Bob the Drag Queen, Eureka O'Hara and Shangela Laquifa Wadley. The up-tempo song drags you to the dancefloor, while pointing out to listeners that our very differences are what make us the same.
Governor Abbott, Judge Sydney Murphy Provide Update On Polk County Recovery Efforts
Governor Greg Abbott and Polk County Judge Sydney Murphy today issued a joint statement in response to the severe weather, including a tornado, that touched down in Polk County last night — killing at least 3 people and injuring at least 20. In the joint statement, Governor Abbott and Judge Murphy stated that Texas and Polk County officials are working collaboratively on recovery efforts and providing resources for residents of Onalaska, Livingston, and other communities that suffered severe damage:
Houston Sauce Pit Vegan BBQ Food Truck Offers Discount for First Responders, Introduces New Daily Lunch Specials
Houston Sauce Pit Vegan BBQ Food Truck Offering First Responders a 20% Discount and Introducing New Daily Lunch Specials and Specialty Items
COVID-19 Will Change Job Recruiting; Here’s How Companies Need To Adapt
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the business world and put tens of millions out of work in the U.S. At the same time, it’s caused a seismic shift in the way many companies operate, the biggest change being that more business functions are done while working remotely.
METRO Urging Everyone to Stay Safe with Face Coverings
METRO is urging everyone to stay safe as we work together to fight the spread of COVID-19. Signs are posted across the transit system, encouraging riders to wear face coverings as recommended by public health officials, and in line with Harris County's mandatory face covering order for everyone over the age of 10 for the next 30 days beginning Monday, April 27. METRO will also have available on buses and trains brochures with Centers for Disease Control instructions on how to make your own face covering.
UH Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic Offering Virtual Therapy
Transition Serves Clients and Speech-Language Pathology Students
The University-Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic: A United Way agency has expanded the way it treats patients as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. All sessions are now being conducted remotely to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Texas CRNAs: Often the Only Access to Critical Care for Rural Texans During The COVID-19 Pandemic
Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists Highlights Work of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists in Rural Texas as They Ready the Facilities They Serve
Positive cases of COVID-19 in some of the state’s urban centers are now spilling over into Texas’ rural communities. These are communities where resources and health care services are scarce.
Two-thirds of America’s Teens are Concerned About the Financial Impact of COVID-19
Research Shows Financial Wellbeing as Big a Concern among Teens as Health
The financial impact and pressure brought by COVID-19 are weighing heavily on American teenagers, with more than two-thirds of teens (69%) saying they are either somewhat or very concerned about the impact of the pandemic on their families and day-to-day lives, according to a new survey by Junior Achievement USA (JA) and Citizens Bank.
Virginia 30 Day Fund & Fairfax County NAACP Team Up To Fund Minority-Owned Small Businesses
Partnership Aims to Provide a Lifeline to Businesses in Northern Virginia
The Virginia 30 Day Fund and the Fairfax County NAACP announced today that they have launched a partnership to provide direct financial assistance to minority-owned small businesses in Northern Virginia that are struggling to meet payroll, preserve health coverage and save jobs as they await recently approved federal funding in light of the COVID-19 crisis.
YMCA of Greater Houston’s Comfort Cards for Active Seniors
The YMCA of Greater Houston locations of Trotter Family YMCA and the Weekley Family YMCA have provided more than 1,000 carefully crafted comfort cards to local, active senior adult members with a goal of delivering 5,000. With a growing concern for isolated senior citizens, many students and families are at home looking for creative ways to lend a helping hand in ‘being alone together.’
Digital Pioneer Roland Martin and Grammy Award Winning Artist Jay King Support Small Black Businesses During Coronavirus Pandemic
As the newly elected CEO and president of the California Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCC), Grammy Award winning artist/entertainer and veteran music industry executive, Jay King, recently joined award winning journalist and talk show host Roland Martin, on his daily show, "Roland Martin Unfiltered" to raise financial support for struggling Black owned enterprises. King's interview with Martin boosted the CBCC's "Everybody Pitch In" GoFundMe campaign close to the $10,000 mark for funds raised to support California-based small Black businesses.
HISD announces new food distribution sites for week of April 27
The Houston Independent School District will operate another 25 food distribution sites throughout the district during the week of April 27.
Red Bull Records Announces Virtual Festival - Streaming Live on 5/1
Showcasing its expanding roster of innovative artists, independent label Red Bull Records has announced its first-ever Virtual Festival, airing Friday, May 1 exclusively on Facebook, YouTube and Twitch.
Self-Diving Shuttles Are Making Special Deliveries to Medical Staff On The Frontlines of COVID-19
Beep Teams Up with Park Pizza & Brewing to Deliver Pizzas to Orlando VA Medical Center in Lake Nona
Beep, an Orlando-based autonomous shuttle service provider, today announced it is using its autonomous shuttles to deliver pizzas to the Orlando VA Medical Center located in Lake Nona, an innovation hub where the company is headquartered.
Celebrating CINCO DE MAYO
The typical Cinco de Mayo is a day of eating tacos and drinking margaritas. The Federal American Grill’s Matt Brice is planning to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Fajita and Margarita menu to go on Tuesday, May 5th. The typical Cinco de Mayo is a day of eating tacos and drinking margaritas. The Federal American Grill’s Matt Brice is planning to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Fajita and Margarita menu to go on Tuesday, May 5th.
Harris County Attorney Ryan Prevails In Fight to Maintain Local Government Authority
Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan has prevailed in yet another attempt by the Texas Attorney General to limit local government authority.
Governor Abbott Provides Update On Job Openings In Texas, Resources For Texans Seeking Employment
Governor Greg Abbott today provided an update on job openings in the Lone Star State and outlined resources for Texans seeking employment due to the economic effects of COVID-19. The Governor also announced that nearly 500,000 job openings are currently listed on WorkInTexas.com, a powerful online job matching and workforce solution system developed by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). This system provides fast access to a complete set of employment tools in one website where job seekers can browse job postings, find education and training, and complete resumes and state applications.
Kroger and the Houston Food Bank Prepare to Distribute Groceries in Partnership with James Harden’s Non-Profit, 3 The Harden Way
Last week, James Harden and his non-profit 3 The Harden Way, the Kroger Company (NYSE: KR) and the Houston Food Bank announced their partnership to provide groceries to thousands of local families in need.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Harry C. Alford & Kay DeBow Affirmative Action Remains MIA in Trump Administration – Where is the Outcry?
There seems to be a very strange quiet regarding all organizations that claim to be defenders of Civil Rights and protectors of our hard-fought liberties won through the results of institutions that fought against segregation, lynchings and bloody demonstrations. Dr. Martin Luther King, Medgar Evers and others are “rolling in their graves” as the current White House has just disassembled the hard-fought victories of the 1990’s.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Press Release - Interim Emergency Coronavirus Relief
Jackson Lee: “I continue to fight to ensure small businesses receive appropriate access to the funding in the Interim Emergency Coronavirus Relief Package. This stimulus package is not a corporate bailout, but a concerted effort to replenish the small business loan program created to support our very small businesses. It also provides $100 billion to keep hospitals open and operational which includes $25 billion for an expanded Coronavirus testing program. The key to reopening our economy is testing, testing, testing! We cannot wait. We must pass this bill now.”
Tristan Helm brings focus to what beauty really is — a state of mind — and how all should present their attitudes and character
‘After Midnight: Finding Your Inner Beauty’ released
Tristan Helm dealt with low self-esteem for a great number of years and was trying to identify with who he was and who he wanted to be. He was raised in a variety of different cultures and backgrounds and always looked up to many other people while struggling to care about himself. However, he was able to learn more about himself and became satisfied with where he is and who he was as he tries to improve himself. His passion to help people see their true worth and overcome their obstacles inspired him to write “After Midnight: Finding Your Inner Beauty” (published by WestBow Press).
Book shares the diary of a woman struggling from mental health issues and how she is finding positive ways to restore her sanity
Emiria Walker releases ‘Journal of Emiria Walker: Mind, Body, Soul’
The WHO stress that mental health is “more than just the absence of mental disorders or disabilities.” Peak mental health is about not only avoiding active conditions but also looking after ongoing wellness and happiness. They also emphasize that preserving and restoring mental health is crucial on an individual basis, as well as throughout different communities and societies the world over.
Texans' Whitney Mercilus deliver pizza to nurses
Houston Texans' Outside Linebacker Whitney Mercilus partnered with Papa John's Houston to deliver pizza to nurses at Texas Children's Hospital earlier today. Mercilus, works with his foundation, WithMerci, which focuses on helping families with children with disabilities; each year Mercilus and the foundation serves Thanksgiving dinner to nearly 50 families at Texas Children's Hospital. Mercilus brought along DJ and Producer Rican McGusty (AKA DJ Big Reeks) from the Waxaholics, also his partner in this giving back mission, Keith Sullins, President of Papa John's Houston, to help deliver 125 pizzas.
New book provides exercises for cancer patients to do in order to gain strength back
Emilee Garfield announces publication of ‘Reclaim Your Strength and Hope’
Designed as a step-by-step guide and source of inspiration, “Reclaim Your Strength and Hope: Exercises for Cancer Core Recovery” (published by Balboa Press) by Emilee Garfield intends to help women who have cancer so that they don’t have to walk through the journey alone.
Abortion Industry Still Operating Despite New COVID-19 Order in Texas
A new executive order (GA-15) issued by Governor Greg Abbott took effect at midnight, extending the ban on elective medical procedures, including abortions, to May 8. The order begins in the middle of an ongoing legal battle launched by the abortion industry over the March 22 order. Most recently, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that Texas may enforce the first order to stop up to 98.5% of elective abortions in the state. However, the abortion industry is now asserting that they are exempt from the new order and may continue with business as usual despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Theatre Under the Stars to Present the Annual Tommy Tune Awards As An Online Show
The annual celebration of high school musical theatre in the Greater Houston area, the Tommy Tune Awards, is going online. In response to Harris County’s active stay-at-home order due to the coronavirus crisis, event organizer Theatre Under The Stars will live-stream the awards show on Tuesday, April 28 at 7:30PM CST on the Theatre Under The Stars Facebook page and YouTube Channel. The event was originally scheduled to take place at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.