Style Magazine Newswire

Visa Launches She’s Next to Support Female Entrepreneurs

Black women are the fastest growing segment of entrepreneurs and it appears that Visa wants to help. The financial institution recently announced a new global initiative to support female entrepreneurs. She’s Next, empowered by Visa, is an initiative created to assist women in growing their small businesses.

Black-ish Star Marsai Martin Set to Become Youngest Executive Producer in Hollywood History

When the comedy Little hits theaters this spring, aside from featuring some of the industry’s biggest stars, the film will also make history. For at least a few months, 14-year-old Marsai Martin will hold the title as the youngest executive producer of a major Hollywood motion picture in history.

Trump Administration Opposes a Return to Federal Oversight for Texas Redistricting, Reversing Obama-era stance

In the latest about-face on voting rights under President Donald Trump, the U.S. Department of Justice no longer supports efforts to force Texas back under federal oversight of its electoral map drawing.

Texas Hispanic Activist Muniz Free After 24 Years in Prison

Hispanic rights activist and political pioneer Ramsey Muniz, who was sentenced to life without parole in 1994 on a drug conviction, has been released from prison after years of intense efforts by family and supporters to free him.

Unions Support Bill That Would Provide $5,000 Raise to Texas Teachers

The presidents of two teacher unions in Texas are supporting a bill introduced this week in the Legislature that would give a $5,000 raise to teachers and also criticized merit based pay in public education.

H-E-B Ranks as No. 4 Favorite Grocery Store In U.S.

The Texas-based grocery store H-E-B received national love after it was ranked as the No. 4 favorite grocery store in the U.S. in a retail survey released recently.

Houston Food Bank Encourages Federal Workers to Visit Pantries for Assistance

The Houston Food Bank is hoping unpaid federal workers visit one of 600 pantry locations across the area if they need help feeding their families.

An Increasing Number Of Families In Houston Suburbs Aren’t Vaccinating Their Kids

While most Texas school children do get the required vaccines needed to enter school, an increasing number of parents are choosing not to vaccinate their children. In some areas, that trend is threatening the vaccination rates needed to keep diseases from spreading.

Why the 2020 Census Matters

A federal judge in New York has blocked the Trump administration from adding a question about citizenship to the 2020 Census.

Young Students Showcase Passion and Wisdom at 23rd Annual Foley Gardere MLK Jr. Oratory Competition

Lockhart Elementary Nyla Johnson has won the 23rd Annual Foley Gardere MLK Jr. Oratory Competition.

Senator Borris Miles Receives Senate Committee Assignments

Criminal Justice, Health and Human Services, Natural Resources and Economic Development and Nominations

Today, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick announced his list of Senate Committee assignments for the 86th Legislative Session, appointing Senator Borris L. Miles to the following committees: Criminal Justice, Health and Human Services, Natural Resources and Economic Development and Nominations.

Power Line Work Prompts Bus Shuttles Along Green and Purple Lines Tuesday

On Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, METRORail service will be modified along the Green and Purple lines beginning at 9 p.m. until the end of service due to high-voltage power line work by Centerpoint Energy at Texas and Emancipation Avenues.

MyRegistry Revolutionizing the Wedding Registry Process

Creating a wedding registry is probably (okay, definitely), one of the most fun aspects of wedding planning. But, with so many registry options out there and amid a diversity of needs and wants, it can be hard to narrow it down to just one.

Pro Athletes to Tackle Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon

A tantalizing mix of veterans, newcomers, speed and savvy will be on display at the Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon on Sunday, as top international fields of professional athletes join 25,733 other runners in tackling the streets of the city, cheered by an estimated 250,000 spectators for the city’s largest one-day sporting event.

Mississippi Blues Trail unveils 203rd marker in Pensacola, Fla.

The Mississippi Blues Commission recognized the blues contributions of Pensacola, Fla., with the unveiling today of a Mississippi Blues Trail marker.

What Shaped King’s Prophetic Vision?

The name Martin Luther King Jr. is iconic in the United States. President Barack Obama spoke of King in both his Democratic National Convention nomination acceptance and victory speeches in 2008:

Researchers Publish Findings on Study of How Living Conditions Affect Black Kidney Patients

Kidney Patients Team examines 10 years of data on about 6,000 patients that suggests inequalities play a role

A team of five researchers published a new study in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases(AJKD) that suggests kidney health for black patients may depend on where they live.

Investor Wants Dollar Tree to Sell Stuff for More Than $1

A dollar doesn’t buy as much as it did 30 years ago. That’s why one activist investor thinks it’s time for Dollar Tree to raise its prices. Jeffrey Smith, CEO of Starboard Value, a hedge fund, wrote to Dollar Tree CEO Gary Philbin Monday to disclose that his fund had taken a 1.7% stake in the bargain retailer. Starboard said it wants Dollar Tree to make some big changes.

New Ride Sharing Service Debuts Between Houston and Austin

High-tech hitchhiking has arrived in Texas. Austin startup Hitch offers a ride-sharing service connecting people driving between Houston and Austin with people needing rides. Here's how it works: Someone with a 2003-or-newer vehicle who is planning to drive between Houston and Austin downloads the "Hitch - Regional Ridesharing" app and registers as a driver.

Neiman Marcus Pays $1.5 Million to Texas, 42 Other Texas Over 2013 Data Breach

Dallas-based Neiman Marcus will pay $1.5 million to 43 states over a 2013 data breach that exposed the credit card information of 370,000 customers.

Houston Real Estate Market Breaks Records

Houston’s housing market shattered records in 2018, despite lingering effects from Hurricane Harvey and concerns that began late in the year over rising interest rates.

Texas Teen’s Wing Sauce Business Is Hot Stuff

Tyla-Simone Crayton isn't your typical 15-year-old. She may be in tenth grade, but when she isn't at school, she runs her own company. After her favorite chicken wing spot closed, the Ridge Point High School student tried to replicate the recipe for the wing sauce at home.

TurboTax Launches Comprehensive Spanish Language Tax Resources Available to Hispanics

TurboTax, from Intuit Inc. – the leader in online tax prep, processing over 30 million returns last year alone in the U.S. – announced that its award-winning TurboTax Blog will now be available in both Spanish and English, making it one of the most comprehensive free tax information resources available to U.S

The Truth About Dietary Supplements

Turn on the TV and flip channels for a while or go on social media. Eventually, you’re going to come across some “breaking news” about a new formula or supplement “clinically proven” to normalize your blood sugar and reverse diabetes. Think about this for a moment—a cure for diabetes in a bottle? If it were only that simple. Yet, that’s what the companies that market such products want you to believe. The pitch is so great, you think to yourself, “It should work. It was clinically proven, right?” Wrong! The claims are nothing more than great marketing techniques used to gain your trust.

Houston Health Department Recommends Flu Shot as Influenza Activity Expected to Increase

As local flu activity increases, the Houston Health Department (HHD) encourages people to get a flu shot if they haven’t gotten one this flu season.

Harris County Commissioners Court Requests Plan for Equitable Distribution of Flood Bond Funds and a Study for a Minimum Wage Increase for County Employees at First Meeting This Year

A number of issues — including flood bond equity, a proposal to consider Election Day vote centers and minimum wage increase to $15 an hour for county employees — was discussed at the first Commissioners Court meeting of 2019, which lasted until nearly 5 p.m.

Forced Resignation Hits National Hispanic Cultural Center

The National Hispanic Cultural Center of New Mexico is among the state agencies hit with forced resignations as Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham begins her term. Rebecca Avitia, the center’s executive director who is credited with turning around the long-struggling center, was told to resign after Thanksgiving.

Cyntoia Brown Is Granted Clemency After 15 Years in Prison

Gov. Bill Haslam of Tennessee granted clemency on Monday to Cyntoia Brown, commuting her life sentence for killing a man who had picked her up for sex when she was a teenage trafficking victim. Ms. Brown, 30, will be released to supervised parole on Aug. 7, said Mr. Haslam, who will leave office later this month.

Expert Says Census Citizenship Question Would Hurt Latino Count

Asking people whether they are U.S. citizens on the 2020 census would worsen the undercount of Latinos and non-citizens compared with other groups, an expert in surveys said Monday at the start of a trial over the Trump administration’s decision to include the question for the first time in 70 years.

Turner Proclaims One MLK Jr. Day Parade for Houston in 2019

Ever since Sylvester Turner has been mayor of the city of Houston he has strived to have one official Martin Luther King, Jr. Day parade. Mayor Turner has announced that the city will officially throw its support in partnership with the Black Heritage Society to hold one parade in honor of King.

Government Shutdown Closes National Black Museum Indefinitely

The popular National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) closed Wednesday, January 2, the latest attraction to close due to the partial government shutdown.

Houston Rapper Travis Scott Donates $100,000 to Workshop Houston

Following the biggest year in his career, Travis Scott just donated $100,000 to Workshop Houston, a nonprofit and after-school program in the Third Ward.

Fight Intensifies Over Future Of Struggling Houston Schools, District

As lawmakers head into the Texas legislative session this week, tensions have intensified over the future of Houston schools and the threat of a state takeover of the Houston Independent School District due to chronically low-performing schools.

NFL's Final Eight Take Center Stage in Divisional Playoffs

And then there were eight. On Saturday, January 12, the Kansas City Chiefs (12-4), who won the AFC West and secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC, will host the Indianapolis Colts (11-6) at Arrowhead Stadium to kick off the Divisional Playoffs (NBC, 4:35 PM ET). That night in primetime (FOX, 8:15 PM ET), the Los Angeles Rams (13-3), who won the NFC West and own the No. 2 seed in the NFC, will host the Dallas Cowboys (11-6) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Governor Abbott Appoints Ten to Texas Industrialized Building Code Council

Governor Greg Abbott yesterday appointed Stephen Shang and Roberto Lay-Su and reappointed Roland Brown, Scott McDonald, and Douglas Robinson to the Industrialized Building Code Council for terms set to expire on February 1, 2019. Additionally, he appointed Marcela Rhoads, Suzanne Arnold, and Brian Bailey and reappointed Randall Childers and W.F. “Dubb” Smith for terms set to expire on February 1, 2020. The council oversees the state program regulating industrialized housing and buildings.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Statement on the Death of Dr. John Mendelsohn of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Jackson Lee—“From Harvard to Fulbright and into the world of research and medicine, Dr. Mendelsohn made a lasting impact on this world, helping lead and inspire many under his command. A born leader, his impact on the medical field is profound and he will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.”

Portion of Edible Arbor Trail Closed Due to High Water; Flood Warning for Brazos River at Richmond Continues

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for the Brazos River in Richmond until Thursday, Jan. 10 with water level at 45.45 feet at 11:15 a.m. today (Jan. 8). This has caused minor flooding in some areas including portions of the Edible Arbor Trail on Oyster Creek in Missouri City.

Houston Musician Gives Third Ward After-School Program A Significant Donation

Jaime Herrero, Executive Director of Workshop Houston, announced this week that the non-profit organization has been awarded a $100,000 donation from rapper and native Houstonian Travis Scott. Workshop Houston was one of several non-profit organizations that participated in Scott’s Astroworld festival last November through its on-going relationship with Live Nation.

Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Mourns Passing of Executive Director Larry Temple

With deep sadness, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) announces the passing of its Executive Director Larry Temple, who died Saturday morning at the age of 66. Mr. Temple faithfully served the state of Texas for over two decades, from 1997 until 2019.

Executive Producer Dream Hampton Talks “Surviving R. Kelly”

For Dream Hampton, who served as executive producer of the much-talked about “Surviving R. Kelly” documentary, the explosive revelations in the film were just the tip of the iceberg.

Hattie's Big Night to Make World Premiere In Houston

Vincent Victoria Presents will be producing the World Premiere of the musical play Hattie's Big Night February 1-10 2019, at Midtown Art Center 3414 La Branch.

Hidden Figure: African-American Mathematician Inducted Into Air Force Hall of Fame

"Hidden Figure" and mathematician Dr. Gladys West has accepted the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers award. West joined the elite list of professionals recognized by the Air Force Space Command just before 2018 came to an end.

Oldest American World War II Veteran Dies At 112

The United States has lost its oldest World War II veteran. Richard Overton, who fought overseas in a segregated unit, died Thursday at age 112. He was hospitalized recently after a bout with pneumonia and took his last antibiotic on Dec. 21 — "a true soldier in fighting this infection battle with all that he has," his cousin, Volma Overton, said on Facebook. Richard Overton was born in 1906, near Austin, Texas.

Search Continues For Suspect in 7-Year-Old Houston Girl's Shooting

Police and family members have asked for the public's help as a search continues for a man suspected of shooting a 7-year-old girl to death in Houston.

Dallas County's First Black Sheriff Takes Reins for Good After a Year in Interim Role

New Year’s Day was déjà vu for Marian Brown, who was sworn in as interim Dallas County sheriff a year ago after Lupe Valdez stepped down to run for Texas governor. County commissioners picked Brown to replace Valdez, and voters made the job official in November. Longtime County Commissioner John Wiley Price swore in Brown, the county's first black sheriff, in a ceremony Tuesday at the Frank Crowley Courts Building.