57Judge Rules That Lawsuit Challenging Boston Police Department’s Consistent Failure To Comply With Public Records Law May Proceed
In a case of first impression, a Suffolk Superior Court judge has ruled that a lawsuit challenging the Boston Police Department’s (BPD) pattern and practice of violating the Massachusetts Public Records Law may proceed. The lawsuit, brought by Lawyers for Civil Rights (“LCR”) and David Godkin from Birnbaum & Godkin LLP, alleges that BPD routinely fails to respond to public records requests in the timeframes required by law, and asks for a Court order mandating that BPD comply with the law in the future.
Trump's new drug pricing plan isn't "the best deal" for patients
Within days, President Trump will unveil a new plan to reduce drug prices.
Animal Rights Groups Choose Coronavirus over Your Safety
Top U.S. health officials recently delivered a sobering message: Americans must prepare for the inevitable spread of the coronavirus within the United States. So far in the U.S., 11 people have died. The virus has claimed the lives of more than 3,200 people and infected over 95,000 worldwide.
Governor Abbott Releases 2020 Report To The People Of Texas
Governor Greg Abbott today released his “2020 Report to the People of Texas,” looking back at all that was accomplished by and for the people of Texas over the previous year and sharing his vision for the year ahead. This is his third Report to the People since taking office in 2015. It is released in interim years when the Legislature does not meet and no formal State of the State address is given.
Black Leaders Call Out Big Insurance Over Surprise Medical Billing
Prominent figures in the African-American community are calling on Congress to rein in large insurance companies as lawmakers look to address an increasingly urgent problem in the health care market that falls especially hard on working families, including African-Americans.
Unity National Bank of Houston NA Partners with Citi in U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Agent Mentor-Protégé Program
Black-Owned Houston Area Bank to Engage in Knowledge Transfer with Leading Global Bank
Unity National Bank of Houston NA (“Unity”), the only African American owned bank in Texas and one of only two African American owned banking institutions with a National Chartered Banking License, announced an on-going knowledge exchange partnership with Citi under the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Agent Mentor Protégé Program. Through this program, Unity will engage in collaboration and enterprise training sessions led by Citi, the third largest U.S. bank by assets with approximately 200 million customer accounts, serving clients in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions.
Mobile Mondays w/T-Mobile: Protect Yourself from Tax Season Scam Calls
Tax season has become a prime time for phone scams. Of the almost 9.6 billion robocalls that have already been placed nationwide this year, more than 40 percent have been scams. These phone scams are run by fraudsters armed with robocalling technology that enables them to make tens of thousands of calls per minute with the sole purpose of deceiving people and stealing their money.
3rd Annual Mayor's History Makers Awards to Recognize Houstonians Making A Difference in the Community
Comcast Partners with City of Houston Mayor Turner to Celebrate Black History Month
In celebration of Black History Month, Comcast announced it partnered once again with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner to honor community volunteers at the third annual Mayor’s History Makers Awards. Held at the Post Oak Hotel, the honorees will be recognized for their commitment to making a difference in the community through volunteerism, mentorship, advocacy and civic engagement.
HISD Foundation’s State of the Schools event focuses on achieving excellence with ‘One Voice, One Vision’
A packed house of public education supporters from the business, academic, advocacy, and faith communities attended the HISD Foundation’s Public Education Matters fundraising luncheon on Friday.
Preparation Tips for the Arts
The arts and other businesses that organize social gatherings are responding across the globe. See below for ways in which other arts institutions are responding.
METRO Steps Up Public Service Efforts, Cleaning to Prevent Spread of COVID-19
METRO is stepping up its public service efforts to help safeguard against the spread of the new coronavirus also known as COVID-19. While METRO has not been instructed to take any specific protective action, the Authority is:
Free Breakfast at McDonald's for Students and Teachers during STAAR Testing April 7
3rd to 8th grade students and teachers to receive free breakfast to start the STAAR testing period
On Tuesday, April 7, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., Houston area McDonald’s restaurants will provide free breakfast to students taking the STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) test and their teachers.
R.I.P. Jazz Piano Legend McCoy Tyner, 81
McCoy Tyner, a cornerstone of John Coltrane’s groundbreaking 1960s quartet and one of the most influential pianists in jazz history, died on Friday at his home in New Jersey at age 81, according to the New York Times.
Coronavirus: A Texas Medical Center Continuing Update
Health officials globally, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are closely monitoring the swiftly evolving outbreak of a novel coronavirus. The virus, SARS-CoV-2, causes coronavirus disease 2019—which is abbreviated as COVID-19.
Houston Mayor Turner Endorses Joe Biden
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner today announced his endorsement of Joe Biden in the U.S. presidential race.
Megan Thee Stallion Is Suing Her Label, Files Restraining Order
It’s only been one day since Megan Thee Stallion let her fans know she had an ongoing issue with her record label, 1501 Certified Entertainment, and she’s already filed a lawsuit against the company and its CEO, Carl Crawford.
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Magazine Committee
For as long as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has been active there has always been a method of getting information out about the activities and ongoing events of this world-renowned show. Whether it has been through word of mouth, print, or online, the mission of the Rodeo continues to appeal to many Houstonians and non-Houstonians all over the world.
Union Pacific to Provide Kashmere Gardens Cleanup Plan By Summer
The company that owns a contaminated Kashmere Gardens railyard will submit a cleanup plan to the city this summer, after higher rates of cancer were found in the community last year, officials announced Monday. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is asking for the cleanup plan along with a revised permit application from Union Pacific, which owns the yard formerly known as the Houston Woods Preserving Works site, by Aug. 31.
Black and Hispanic Homeownership Rates in Texas Still Lag Behind White Families, Study Finds
Black families in Texas own homes at a rate far below that of white families, a new study from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) finds.
Kappa Alpha Psi Member Fired for Embezzling More Than $1 Million
According to Philadelphia Magazine, Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity member and former finance director, Curtis Anderson has been caught in a financial scandal after admitting that he embezzled over $1 million funds. Anderson, who served as a finance director at the fraternity’s international headquarters in Philadelphia for 20 years, was fired three days after admitting to his fraudulent activities.
Chamillionaire Promotes Investment in Teen’s Texas-Based Condiments Company, Sienna Sauce
Grammy winning recording artist, turned startup angel investor, Chamillionaire believes in an emerging condiments company, run by a 16-year old from Texas, so much he is actively promoting a crowd-investment on Republic.co for the brand, Sienna Sauce.
A Promise From America Ferrera to the Latino Community
During the National Hispanic Media Coalition's 2020 Impact Awards night on Friday in Beverly Hills, America Ferrera gave a fiery speech as she received the award as the Outstanding Series Producer of Gentefied and Superstore.
Congressman Al Green Supports House and Senate Passage of $8.3B Emergency Coronavirus Spending Package
On Thursday, March 5, 2020, Congressman Al Green released the following statement regarding the House and Senate’s passage of emergency supplemental funding that will help protect Americans against the spread of coronavirus:
Rockets Mike D’Antoni Named Western Conference Coach of the Month for February
Today, the NBA announced that Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni was named Western Conference Coach of the Month for February. He has won the award 10 times in his career, including five times since joining Houston in 2016-17.
Rice Says Group Under “Self-Quarantine” Amid COVID-19 Concerns
A group of people at Rice University have been advised to self-quarantine after a staff member may have been inadvertently exposed to the novel coronavirus overseas, the university said Sunday. In what the school called an “abundance of caution,” 17 people were asked to self-quarantine after coming into direct contact with tbe research staffer, who while traveling abroad may have been exposed to the virus also known as COVID-19.
Joe Biden Wins Texas, Demonstrating Strength in the South
Joe Biden won the Democratic primary in Texas, notching a surprising first-place finish in a contest that Bernie Sanders was expected to take and adding the delegate-rich state to the former vice president's streak of victories in the South on Super Tuesday.
Black Haircare Vendors Sat Their Business Is Being Affected By the Coronavirus Outbreak
As the coronavirus continues to spread, black hair care businesses have started to feel the effects of the virus on the wholesale side of their business.
The Honey Pot Founder On Racist Trolls After Target Ad: ‘It’s all good’
A black business owner whose company was flooded with racist reviews after being featured in a Target ad said she's grateful for the controversy and the growth it offered her company. Beatrice Dixon, who started The Honey Pot Company in 2012,told Essence on Tuesday that she's not upset after dozens of racist reviews were posted about her feminine hygiene products.
Michael Bloomberg Ends His Presidential Bid
ABCNews.com is reporting that Michael Bloomberg is ending his bid for President of United States after poor showing in primaries. Former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg, a centrist billionaire who launched a White House bid after years of flirting with a run, and pledged to use his vast resources to unite Democrats and moderate Republicans against President Donald Trump has suspended his campaign and is endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden.
Texas Primary Election Results
President Candidate J. Biden (D) 34% B. Sanders (D) 30% M. Bloomberg (D) 15% D. Trump (R) 94%
Healthcare Professionals Create A ‘Hub For All Things Women’ With “Your Essential Healthcare & DaySpa”
Healthcare and medical professionals Dr. Teriya Richmond and Nurse Practitioner Letrice Mason are celebrating the grand opening of YOUR ESSENTIAL HEALTHCARE & DAYSPA - A Hub For All Things Women - on Saturday, March 14, 2020 from 1PM-4PM at their new facility in the historical Third Ward Area (5751 Blythewood St, Suite 200, Houston, TX).
Houston Contractor Pays Back Wages After U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Finds Overtime Violations
After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), D & V Painting Services – based in Houston, Texas – has paid $67,363 in back wages for violating the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Supreme Court Will Decide The Fate Of Obama Health Care Law
The Supreme Court agreed on Monday to decide a lawsuit that threatens the Obama-era health care law, a case that will keep health care squarely in front of voters even though a decision won’t come until after the 2020 election.
Alabama Pastor Shoots Wife, Kills Himself In Attempted Murder-Suicide
Parishioners at the True Cornerstone Church on Halls Mill Road in Mobile, Alabama are shocked and saddened after the news that a local pastor, Elder Ulysses Woodward is dead in an attempted murder-suicide at their church last week.
“Someone wanted to get in the other lane, they get too close, someone blows their horn and then it escalates from there,” Lt. Michael Cunningham said. “Then the other driver doesn’t want to let somebo
Visit Lake Charles recently held a community-wide Mardi Gras Shoebox Float Contest. Those entering ranged from school groups, clubs and organizations to professional divisions and residents of all ages.
Woman Charged With Murder And Feticide After Deadly Dui Crash
A 45-year-old woman has been arrested following a DUI road rage incident in New Orleans that left a 22-year-old and her unborn child dead in January.
Alabama Set To Execute 44-Year-Old Nathan Woods For Murder Of Three Cops He Didn’t Shoot
44-year-old Nathaniel Woods is set to be executed in Alabama next week for the shooting deaths of three police officers in 2004. The case is raising alarm for activists and citizens because Woods didn’t actually pull the trigger on the cops, and the case against him is reportedly full of inconsistencies.
Protesters Say LA DA’s Husband Pointed Gun At Them
Black Lives Matter protesters say the husband of the Los Angeles County district attorney pointed a gun at them before sunrise Monday as they demanded a meeting with her at her home.
WatchHerWork Hosts Inaugural Texas Female Founders Day and Ford Female Founders Lab at SXSW 2020
Texas female founders participate in transformative workshops designed specifically for them.
Denise Hamilton, founder and CEO of WatchHerWork.com, a digital learning platform for professional women, and Reda Hicks, founder and CEO of GotSpot Inc., announced the WatchHerWork Texas Female Founders Day to take place as a kickoff event during South by Southwest (SXSW) 2020, one of the world’s largest conferences focused on technology, music, film and culture. Female Founders Day is an interactive experience geared toward women business owners in the state of Texas who are looking for more resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities. The free event takes place on March 12, 2020, at Austin Community College Eastview Campus (3401 Webberville Rd., Austin, TX) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center Youth Leaders Join Members of Congress for March 6-8 Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Alabama Created by Rep. John Lewis
Seven high school youth leaders from Oakland's Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center will participate in the 2020 Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Alabama March 6-8 with Congresswoman Barbara Lee. The annual Pilgrimage was originated in 1998 by Congressman John Lewis and is a program of the Faith in Politics Institute.
Public Health Experts Issue Guidelines for U.S. Response to ‘Inevitable’ Widespread Coronavirus Transmission
Over 450 Public Health and Legal Experts and Organizations Sign Open Letter to Government Officials on Achieving a Fair and Effective COVID-19 Response
Widespread transmission of the COVID-19 coronavirus within the United States is “inevitable” and a successful response to the epidemic must protect the health and human rights of everyone in the country, over 450 public health, human rights, and legal experts and organizations warned today in an open letter to Vice President Mike Pence and other government officials.
Local Houston-Based Company Launches Into 20 Walmart Locations in Texas
FIREDISC® Cookers Celebrating a Decade of Delicious Innovation
Ten years ago, Griff and Hunter Jaggard began a journey to bring high tech and portability to the gas-cooker market. With a ton of passion and a decade of perseverance, FIREDISC® has become famous for a line of mobile, bullet-proof and high-quality cookers that is taking the industry by storm.
It's Time to Turn the Prescription Drug Debate on its Head
Politicians typically blame drug companies for soaring pharmacy prices. But insurers, pharmacies, and other middlemen are the real driving force behind rising drug spending.
Tom Steyer to Appear at Town Hall in Houston this Monday
Presidential Candidate Tom Steyer will host a Town Hall in Houston this Monday, March 2, 2020 at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum featuring introductions from local leaders and activists and catered by locally owned business, The Breakfast Klub.
Dekalb County CEO Mike Thurmond Endorses Mike Bloomberg
Thurmond will formally announce Friday at a “Mike for Black America” Economic Empowerment and GOTV Rally
Tomorrow, DeKalb County CEO Mike Thurmond will formally endorse Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg for president. He will join supporters of Mike Bloomberg 2020’s Georgia campaign to make his announcement at a “Mike for Black America” Economic Empowerment rally in DeKalb County with special guest Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Mike Bloomberg National Co-Chair and former Mayor of Baltimore, Maryland.
Texas State Representative Jessica González Endorses Joe Biden
Today, Texas State Representative Jessica González released the following statement endorsing Joe Biden for the President of the United States:
Houston Mom Partners with Rapper to Create Teddy Bears that Help Special Needs Kids Communicate
Dr. Tameka Maiden, a single mom, pharmacist and former teacher from Houston, Texas, has formed a special partnership with Houston Rapper Trae Tha Truth to create a unique Teddy Bear that helps children on the autism nonverbal spectrum and kids with language barriers better communicate their needs and feelings.
Today at Apple Kicks Off New Music Lab: Remix with Alicia Keys at Apple Stores Around the World
Learn how to create your own remix of "Underdog" using only your iPhone or iPad and GarageBand
Alicia Keys and Apple today officially announced Music Lab: Remix Alicia Keys, where fans around the world are invited to visit their local Apple Store and learn how to create their own unique remix of "Underdog" featured on her forthcoming album, 'ALICIA."
Texas Congresswoman Veronica Escobar Endorses Joe Biden
Escobar 8th Congressional Hispanic Caucus Member to Back Biden
Today, Texas Congresswoman Veronica Escobar released the following statement endorsing Joe Biden for President of the United States:
Black History Month is a Celebration of Perseverance
Celebrating the history of Black Americans is a celebration of perseverance, persistence, resiliency and creativity…the same characteristics of successful entrepreneurs.