Latest News
‘I am doing much better’: Thierry updates constituents on her health following emergency room visit
By Benjamin Kibbey | May 26, 2021
A recent hospital stay for state Rep. Shawn Thierry (D-Houston) came in light of health concerns for the representative, but tests came back negative for anything serious, and may have been related to muscle cramps.
'Faith is essential in many Texans' lives': Texas lawmakers push effort to exempt religious organizations from future shutdowns
By Benjamin Kibbey | May 26, 2021
In response to concerns raised during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic regarding restrictions that extended to churches, a piece of legislation currently being considered by the Texas House of Representatives would deem all houses of worship as “essential.”
Bonnen supports end to federal unemployment additions: ‘Texas is fully open’
By Benjamin Kibbey | May 26, 2021
After June 26, Texans will no longer be able to participate in either the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Program or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, which supplemented normal unemployment benefits during the pandemic.
Morales calls Vanessa Guillén Memorial Highway an ‘important step to take’ in preserving her memory
By Benjamin Kibbey | May 26, 2021
A piece of legislation that would rename a portion of Highway 3 in Harris County to the Vanessa Guillén Memorial Highway, after U.S. Army Spc. Vanessa Guillén, recently passed both chambers of the Texas Legislature.
Thierry 'glad to be out of hospital' following health scare
By Timothy Stuckey | May 26, 2021
Rep. Shawn Thierry (D-Houston) recently announced she has been released from the hospital after experiencing severe health issues.
COVID-19 hospitalizations at Texas Medical Center down 5% over past week
By Houston Daily reports | May 25, 2021
A total of 460 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized at Texas Medical Center facilities over the past week, a 5 percent decrease from the previous week, according to TMC affiliates in the nine-county Houston area.
Houston department offers residents help with home repair program
By T.H. Lawrence | May 25, 2021
Every year 100 Houston homeowners are assisted by the city's Housing and Community Development Department’s single-family home repair program.
Jetton on National EMS Week: 'We are grateful to these first responders for serving our community'
By Benjamin Kibbey | May 25, 2021
State Rep. Jacey Jetton (R-Sugar) recently offered his gratitude and recognition for the work done by first responders in the local community as part of National EMS Week, which is in its 46th year.
Hernandez’s bill to ‘fund critical assistance programs’ for human trafficking victims passes Texas Legislature
By Benjamin Kibbey | May 25, 2021
Both chambers of the Texas Legislature recently approved a piece of legislation that is intended to help combat the impact of human trafficking by funding assistance to its victims.
Texas Senate bill would limit HOA’s ability to ban religious displays and ‘ensure Texans own their front yard again’
By Benjamin Kibbey | May 25, 2021
Texas Senate Bill 581, entitled “The Homeowners Religious Freedom Act,” takes aim at homeowners associations (HOA) by making it illegal for such organizations to prohibit homeowners from displaying religious symbols and imagery in their yards.
'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.
'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.
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.