INSIDER
How social media became a storefront for deadly fake pills
Read full article: How social media became a storefront for deadly fake pillsFentanyl overdoses have become a leading cause of death for minors in the last 5 years or so — and social media, where tainted, fake prescription drugs can be obtained with just a few clicks, is part of the problem.
Gov. Abbott extends SNAP Hot Foods, adds 7 additional counties impacted by Hurricane Beryl to eligibility list
Read full article: Gov. Abbott extends SNAP Hot Foods, adds 7 additional counties impacted by Hurricane Beryl to eligibility listGovernor Greg Abbott announced Thursday that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission received federal approval extending the time that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients impacted by Hurricane Beryl can purchase hot foods and ready-to-eat meals with their benefits until Sept. 15.
Louisiana Supreme Court reopens window for lawsuits by adult victims of childhood sex abuse
Read full article: Louisiana Supreme Court reopens window for lawsuits by adult victims of childhood sex abuseLouisiana's highest court is giving childhood victims of sexual abuse a renewed opportunity to file damage lawsuits.
Governor Abbott announces federal SNAP benefits following storms
Read full article: Governor Abbott announces federal SNAP benefits following stormsTexas Governor Greg Abbott announced that residents across multiple counties in Texas have been approved for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
One-fourth of people dropped from Medicaid still aren't insured, survey shows
Read full article: One-fourth of people dropped from Medicaid still aren't insured, survey showsA new survey shows that almost a quarter of people who have been dropped from Medicaid during post-pandemic eligibility reviews are still uninsured.
Louisiana Legislature opened window for sex abuse survivors to sue, but state's high court shut it
Read full article: Louisiana Legislature opened window for sex abuse survivors to sue, but state's high court shut itAdvocates for adult victims of childhood sexual abuse say they will ask Louisiana’s Supreme Court to reconsider a ruling that wiped out 2021 legislation giving them a renewed opportunity to file damage lawsuits.
US applications for unemployment benefits fall again despite recent layoff announcements
Read full article: US applications for unemployment benefits fall again despite recent layoff announcementsThe number of Americans filing for jobless claims fell last week despite more layoff announcements from high-profile companies recently.
Senate panel subpoenas CEOs of Discord, Snap and X to testify about children's safety online
Read full article: Senate panel subpoenas CEOs of Discord, Snap and X to testify about children's safety onlineA Senate committee has issued bipartisan subpoenas to the CEOs of Discord, Snap and X, demanding that the heads of the three companies testify at a December hearing on protecting children online.
Child poverty in the US jumped and income declined in 2022 as coronavirus pandemic benefits ended
Read full article: Child poverty in the US jumped and income declined in 2022 as coronavirus pandemic benefits endedChild poverty in the United States more than doubled and median household income declined last year when coronavirus pandemic-era government benefits expired and inflation kept rising.
Victims of Lone Star Card theft may be eligible to have benefits replaced
Read full article: Victims of Lone Star Card theft may be eligible to have benefits replacedPeople who’ve had money stolen from their Lone Star Card accounts may now get it back, but you need to act now. Stolen funds are something the KPRC 2 news team has been tracking for a while now. If you think you had your SNAP benefits stolen due to fraud, such as card skimming, cloning or other methods, you may be eligible to have your benefits replaced.
College students struggling with hunger face potential loss of food stamp benefits
Read full article: College students struggling with hunger face potential loss of food stamp benefitsMany college students who are struggling with hunger are facing the potential loss of food stamp benefits that were boosted in the pandemic.
As public health emergency ends, pandemic-era support programs have already been fading away
Read full article: As public health emergency ends, pandemic-era support programs have already been fading awayThe formal end of the national Public Health Emergency on Thursday is largely a symbolic and psychological step, representing the country’s formal emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Oakland 2nd California diocese to seek bankruptcy over abuse
Read full article: Oakland 2nd California diocese to seek bankruptcy over abuseThe Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland has filed for bankruptcy due to hundreds of new child sex abuse claims, becoming the second diocese in California to do so.
Diabetic woman says SNAP benefits were stolen on the same day she received them
Read full article: Diabetic woman says SNAP benefits were stolen on the same day she received themFrustration continues to grow for many victims who are fighting for answers and trying to get their money back after their SNAP benefits were stolen.
‘It’s not fair’: Several families say their SNAP benefits are being electronically stolen from cards
Read full article: ‘It’s not fair’: Several families say their SNAP benefits are being electronically stolen from cardsMore victims are speaking out claiming their SNAP benefits were electronically stolen, leaving them struggling to provide for their families.
SNAP recipients whose food was lost, destroyed by Hurricane Nicholas can apply for replacement benefits
Read full article: SNAP recipients whose food was lost, destroyed by Hurricane Nicholas can apply for replacement benefitsLost food during Hurricane Nicholas? SNAP recipients can now apply for replacement benefits.
Emergency SNAP benefits extended for Texans through June
Read full article: Emergency SNAP benefits extended for Texans through JuneThe Texas Health and Human Services Commission is extending emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits for the month of June in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Wednesday.
Federal pandemic food benefit enters 2nd round in Texas: What families of kids with free, reduced school meals need to know
Read full article: Federal pandemic food benefit enters 2nd round in Texas: What families of kids with free, reduced school meals need to knowTexas Families Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a second round of federal Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) food benefits for families with children who have temporarily lost access to free or reduced-price school meals due to COVID-19 during the 2020-2021 school year.
SNAP recipients can use food benefits to purchase hot foods, ready-to-eat meals in Texas
Read full article: SNAP recipients can use food benefits to purchase hot foods, ready-to-eat meals in TexasGreg Abbott announced Sunday that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission has received federal approval for SNAP recipients to use their food benefits to purchase hot foods and ready-to-eat meals due to the severe weather in Texas. “As we continue to recover from this winter storm, the state is ensuring that Texans in need have access to hot food to feed their families,” said Governor Abbott. “I thank our federal partners at the U.S. Department of Agriculture for approving this waiver.”SNAP recipients can purchase these foods at grocery stores that accept SNAP benefits all throughout Texas, according to a press release. Foods like rotisserie chickens and deli foods can be used by SNAP recipients. “These added federal flexibilities will go a long way in helping SNAP clients feed their families.”AdSNAP recipients can buy these foods until the end of March, according to officials.
SNAP recipients can use food benefits to purchase hot foods, ready-to-eat meals
Read full article: SNAP recipients can use food benefits to purchase hot foods, ready-to-eat mealsFood like rotisserie chickens can be bought with SNAP benefits. Greg Abbott announced Sunday that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission has received federal approval for SNAP recipients to use their food benefits to purchase hot foods and ready-to-eat meals due to the severe weather in Texas. “As we continue to recover from this winter storm, the state is ensuring that Texans in need have access to hot food to feed their families,” said Governor Abbott. Foods like rotisserie chickens and deli foods can be used by SNAP recipients. “These added federal flexibilities will go a long way in helping SNAP clients feed their families.”AdSNAP recipients can buy these foods until the end of March, according to officials.
Emergency SNAP benefits: $204M additional funds going out to Texans
Read full article: Emergency SNAP benefits: $204M additional funds going out to TexansHOUSTON – The Texas Health and Human Services Commission will provide approximately $204 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, food benefits for the month of December as the state continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergency December allotments are in addition to the almost $1.7 billion in benefits previously provided to Texans between April and November. HHSC received federal approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to extend the maximum, allowable amount of SNAP benefits to recipients based on family size. Texans in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP and Medicaid, at YourTexasBenefits.com or use the Your Texas Benefits mobile app to manage their benefits. “The extension of these emergency SNAP benefits ensures that Texans can continue to provide nutritious food for their families during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Texas Gov.
Abbott extends emergency SNAP benefits for November 2020
Read full article: Abbott extends emergency SNAP benefits for November 2020Gov. Greg Abbott announced the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will provide approximately $202 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits for the month of November as the state continues its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Asian stocks follow Wall Street lower on lack of US aid plan
Read full article: Asian stocks follow Wall Street lower on lack of US aid planStocks are mostly lower in Asia after pandemic concerns snapped a four-day winning streak on Wall Street. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)TOKYO – Asian stocks followed Wall Street lower on Thursday as investors watched Washington for signs of whether political leaders can agree on an economic aid plan in the two weeks before the Nov. 3 presidential election. On Wall Street, the benchmark S&P 500 index lost 0.2% on Wednesday as U.S. political leaders wrangled over economic aid following the expiration of extra unemployment benefits that propped up consumer spending. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 declined to 3,435.56. Industrial and health care stocks declined.
Gov. Abbott extends emergency SNAP food benefits for month of September
Read full article: Gov. Abbott extends emergency SNAP food benefits for month of SeptemberGeg Abbott announced the extension of emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits for the month of September on Monday. Abbott said the Texas Health and Human Services Commission will provide approximately $188 million in emergency SNAP food benefits as the state continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal funding was approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to extend the maximum, allowable amount of SNAP benefits to recipients based on family size. “Texas will continue to ensure access to nutritious meals as we mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” Abbott said. Texans in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP and Medicaid, at YourTexasBenefits.com or use the Your Texas Benefits mobile app to manage their benefits.
Gov. Abbott extends emergency SNAP food benefits for month of August
Read full article: Gov. Abbott extends emergency SNAP food benefits for month of AugustGeg Abbott announced the extension of emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits for the month of August on Thursday. Abbott said the Texas Health and Human Services Commission will provide approximately $185 million in emergency SNAP food benefits as the state continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal funding was approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to extend the maximum, allowable amount of SNAP benefits to recipients based on family size. “By extending this emergency SNAP funding, the State of Texas is helping to ensure families can continue to put food on the table,” Abbott said. Texans in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP and Medicaid, at YourTexasBenefits.com or use the Your Texas Benefits mobile app to manage their benefits.
Texas announces extension of emergency SNAP benefits amid COVID-19 pandemic
Read full article: Texas announces extension of emergency SNAP benefits amid COVID-19 pandemicGreg Abbott announced Thursday the state will provide $182 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits for the month of July, as the state continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) received federal approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to extend the maximum, allowable amount of SNAP benefits to recipients based on family size. “The extension of these emergency SNAP benefits helps ensure that Texans can provide nutritious food for their families as the state continues to combat COVID-19,” said Abbott. The emergency July allotments are in addition to the $628 million in benefits previously provided to Texans in April, May and June. “We’ll continue to make sure Texans can access the services they need as this situation evolves.”Texans in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP and Medicaid, at YourTexasBenefits.com or use the Your Texas Benefits mobile app to manage their benefits.
SNAP benefits now available for families whose children qualify for free and reduced-cost school meals
Read full article: SNAP benefits now available for families whose children qualify for free and reduced-cost school mealsThe U.S. Department of Agriculture gave Texas the go-ahead Monday to distribute emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to families with children eligible for free and reduced-cost school meals, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, announced in a statement. The program — known as Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer — is meant to replace the meals children would normally get at school. About two-thirds of Texas schoolchildren are eligible for free and reduced-cost meals at school, Cornyn said. Families who already receive SNAP should see that amount show up on their account automatically. Those who don’t have SNAP benefits should get a Pandemic-EBT card, which works like a debit card, in the mail after submitting their application, Cooper said.
HERE 2 HELP: How to qualify and apply for food stamps in Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic
Read full article: HERE 2 HELP: How to qualify and apply for food stamps in Texas during the COVID-19 pandemicMany Texans are struggling to make ends meet to pay rent, bills and especially groceries during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Texas Supplemental Nutrition Assiatance Program (SNAP) provides monetary benefits to needy families to buy the food they need. Greg Abbott announced on April 8 that he will provide $168 million in emergency SNAP benefits to help Texans during the viral outbreak. More than 230,000 Texans applied for SNAP benefits since March, as many laid-off workers are quickly turning to government assistance. “The additional SNAP food benefits will give families who are facing economic uncertainty security in knowing that they will continue to have access to food,” said Health and Human Services’ Access and Eligibility Deputy Executive Commissioner Wayne Salter.
Texas Health and Human Services to provide more than $168M in emergency SNAP food benefits
Read full article: Texas Health and Human Services to provide more than $168M in emergency SNAP food benefitsAUSTIN, Texas – Texas Health and Human Services will provide more than $168 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits to help people in the state during the COVID-19 response, Gov. HHS got federal approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide the maximum allowable number of SNAP benefits to recipients based on family size, according to a news release. Anyone receiving SNAP benefits is included. “SNAP, commonly referred to as the food stamp program, supplements the budget of the working poor. "The additional food subsidy announced today by Governor Abbott, although still supplemental, will help fill a portion of the financial gap created by the economic crisis resulting from this pandemic.
Where are the credibly accused priests?
Read full article: Where are the credibly accused priests?But one year later, what has come of these revelations that accused over 40 priests from the Archdiocese of an unthinkable act? Houston retirement homeLopez de Casas questioned the rationale for places like the Fiorenza Priests Retirement Residence at St. Dominic Village that houses priests with the Archdiocese funds. A few credibly accused priests, such as Charles Schoppe, Denis Lynch, Anthony Stredny and Dennis Peterson, were at one time or another connected to the address. The Archdiocese said none of the priests on the credibly accused list live there now. Response from the ArchdioceseOfficials with the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese agreed to speak with KPRC 2 late Friday to explain why the church continues to support priests, who have been credibly accused.
Why new rules for food stamps aren’t expected to have major impact in Texas
Read full article: Why new rules for food stamps aren’t expected to have major impact in TexasEven though the change, which takes effect April 1, is not expected to have a major impact on Houston or Harris County, the Houston Food Bank has some concerns about the new rules. In Houston and Harris County, where nearly 600,000 people are using food stamps, there isn’t expected to be an immediate impact. It’s all about battling perception, at least in the short run, according to the Houston Food Bank. The last time Harris County had to utilize that waiver was in 2012. Those with questions about SNAP benefits or who need help navigating the application process are encouraged to call the Houston Food Bank’s helpline at 832-369-9390.