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News from 2021
'And so it begins': Tropical Storm Ana offers early warning of coming hurricane season
By Benjamin Kibbey | May 24, 2021
The Atlantic hurricane season is getting ready for an early start, with the National Hurricane Center naming the first tropical storm of the year, Tropical Storm Ana.
Kolkhorst authors Senate Bill 1776: 'Let's pass on the amazing American story to our children, grandchildren'
By Benjamin Kibbey | May 24, 2021
A bill recently passed unanimously in the Texas Senate that would require public schools to offer an elective course in the nation’s founding principles, and may have inspired a similar bill in the state House of Representatives related to Texas itself.
Abbott signs fetal heartbeat law, Dems vow to ‘see the Texas GOP in federal court’
By Benjamin Kibbey | May 24, 2021
Gov. Greg Abbott has signed into law a state Senate bill that makes it illegal to get an abortion if there is a fetal heart beat present, and opponents have warned that the law could face legal challenges in federal court.
Schuster seeks to inspire passion for history and government in students, 'really get them involved'
By Benjamin Kibbey | May 24, 2021
William Schuster – a history teacher, volleyball coach and baseball coach at Ball High School in Galveston – also serves as a member of the Galveston City Council, and is one of the youngest council members to recently serve.
Masks to 'become optional' in Humble ISD buildings beginning May 29
By Christin Nielsen | May 24, 2021
Humble Independent School District (ISD) will no longer require the use of masks or face coverings in school facilities beginning Saturday, May 29.
'We're very excited': City of Houston launches new program to eliminate homelessness
By Andy Nghiem | May 24, 2021
The City of Houston has partnered with SEARCH and the Houston Coalition for the Homeless to solve the problem of homelessness through a new program called Community COVID Housing Program, which will offer permanent solutions to get the homeless off of living on the streets.
Will the Texas Legislature take on renewable energy?
By Bill Peacock | May 24, 2021
Despite years of increasing reliance on intermittent generation sources like wind and solar, Texas policymakers seem to have been caught by surprise by the blackouts experienced by millions of Texans this winter.
'Victory': Tomball sweeps Bridgeland, rides five-game winning streak in postseason
By John Suayan | May 23, 2021
The Tomball Cougars swept the Cypress Bridgeland Bears in the Class 6A baseball regional quarterfinals with a 2-1 Game 2 victory.
Fort Bend high school senior 'extremely surprised' to sell painting for $155,000 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo School Art Competition
By April Bamburg | May 23, 2021
Artist and Fort Bend ISD senior Jaydan Kisinger sold a painting titled “Through the Years” for $155,000 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo school art competition on May 16.
Hidalgo deems Harris County’s lowered COVID-19 threat level ‘a huge step toward normalcy’
By Kasey Schefflin-Emrich | May 23, 2021
The COVID-19 threat level in Harris County has been lowered from red to orange after a year, signifying a major step forward for the area in the fight against the pandemic.
Cruz: 'Just six months ago, peace was flowering throughout the Middle East'
By April Bamburg | May 23, 2021
In a May 19 press conference, Sen. Ted Cruz said that “mistaken and disastrous political decisions" by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are the cause of the current conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Fletcher: 'Proud to stand with my House colleagues to pass the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act'
By April Bamburg | May 23, 2021
On May 20, President Joe Biden signed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act (also known as S.937), which creates a new position at the Department of Justice to review hate crimes and reports of hate crimes.
Babin backs GOP budget proposal to counter Biden spending plans 'for the sake of America's future'
By Karen Kidd | May 23, 2021
Rep. Brian Babin (R-Woodville) wants everyone to get on board with a newly proposed, GOP-backed budget proposal to help trim the national debt.
Abbott ends federal COVID unemployment assistance for Texans, but says 'thank you' to billions in new USDA pandemic-driven food aid
By Karen Kidd | May 23, 2021
While Gov. Greg Abbott has decided that Texas will opt out of all federal unemployment assistance programs, making it more difficult for unemployed Texans to make ends meet, he will help keep families fed.
Abbott bans mask mandates: ‘Texans, not government, should decide their best health practices’
By Benjamin Kibbey | May 23, 2021
With approximately a third of the state’s population currently vaccinated, Gov. Greg Abbott has issued an executive order that prohibits all state and local government entities from requiring individuals to wear masks, though the order does not affect some facilities.
'This is not just one and done': Turner says federal funding for Houston needs to be spread out over the next three years to meet budget shortfalls
By Benjamin Kibbey | May 23, 2021
Houston’s $607 million share of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is expected to help stave off an anticipated budget shortfall that had been attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Campos honored with University of Houston doctorate: ‘I was a daughter, a wife, a mother and a student’
By Benjamin Kibbey | May 23, 2021
The University of Houston recently recognized the significant contributions of 90-year-old educator Maria Esther Campos by granting her an honorary doctorate, the third degree she has received from the university during her life-long pursuit of education.
Harris County seeks support from federal government to ensure residents are 'protected from flooding'
By Benjamin Kibbey | May 23, 2021
With multiple flood mitigation projects underway and the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane season – which is expected to run from June 1 through Nov. 30 – approaching, the focus for Harris County government on protecting the lives and livelihoods of residents continues through multiple channels.
'Finally had enough': COVID-19 has caused the health care industry to lose female workers in droves
By Andy Nghiem | May 23, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a mass exodus of women from the health care industry to leave because of lack of support from the system.
Houston firefighters to get 'an average 18% pay increase'
By Christina Heath | May 23, 2021
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has announced that the city's firefighters will be receiving a pay increase over the next three fiscal years.