WEATHER ALERT
What to know about the House push to expand some Social Security benefits
Read full article: What to know about the House push to expand some Social Security benefitsThe House is expected to try next week to pass a Social Security-related bill to ensure benefits for workers who are also eligible for other pensions.
The wave of mass shootings over the Fourth of July highlights the challenges police face
Read full article: The wave of mass shootings over the Fourth of July highlights the challenges police faceA rash of shootings as the U.S. celebrated the Fourth of July is spiking fears in communities across the U.S. and highlighting the challenges police face at preventing such violence as temperatures warm and festivities move outside.
Nearly a dozen Texas deaths blamed on heat, which is expected to ease by the weekend
Read full article: Nearly a dozen Texas deaths blamed on heat, which is expected to ease by the weekendScorching heat blamed for at least 13 deaths in Texas and another in Louisiana is blanketing more of the Southeast.
CAPTURED: Boyfriend accused of murdering Alief ISD teacher in domestic violence incident arrested in Louisiana, police say
Read full article: CAPTURED: Boyfriend accused of murdering Alief ISD teacher in domestic violence incident arrested in Louisiana, police sayA man accused of murdering a beloved Alief ISD teacher in Sugar Land during a domestic violence incident was arrested in Louisiana Wednesday, according to the Sugar Land Police Department.
Deep freeze breaks pipes, creates water crisis across South
Read full article: Deep freeze breaks pipes, creates water crisis across SouthDays of freezing temperatures in Deep South areas that usually freeze for only hours are threatening dozens of water systems as burst pipes leak millions of gallons of water.
UH Coogs head to Independence Bowl to face Ragin’ Cajuns
Read full article: UH Coogs head to Independence Bowl to face Ragin’ CajunsUniversity of Houston Football makes its 30th bowl appearance all-time when the Cougars face off against the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl at 2 p.m., CT on Friday, Dec. 23, from Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Louisiana abortion ban reinstated, clinics halt procedures
Read full article: Louisiana abortion ban reinstated, clinics halt proceduresFor weeks, access to abortion in Louisiana has been flickering — with the state’s three clinics relying on rulings and temporary restraining orders that allowed them to continue operations.
Who killed Shamia Little? $50K reward offered in death of Louisiana teen
Read full article: Who killed Shamia Little? $50K reward offered in death of Louisiana teenThe FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the homicide of Shamia Little.
Hopkins, UAB beat No. 12 BYU 31-28 in Independence Bowl
Read full article: Hopkins, UAB beat No. 12 BYU 31-28 in Independence BowlDylan Hopkins broke the Independence Bowl record for completion percentage in wind and driving rain, connecting on 19 of 23 passes for 189 yards and three touchdowns in UAB’s 31-28 victory over No. 12 BYU on Saturday.
COVID-19 surge in the US: The summer of hope ends in gloom
Read full article: COVID-19 surge in the US: The summer of hope ends in gloomThe summer that was supposed to mark America’s independence from COVID-19 is instead drawing to a close with the U.S. more firmly under the tyranny of the virus, with deaths per day back up to where they were in March.
Southern exposure: Cold wreaks havoc on aging waterworks
Read full article: Southern exposure: Cold wreaks havoc on aging waterworksA 2018 survey by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated $473 billion was needed over 20 years to maintain and improve water infrastructure. In Texas, more than 2 million remained under boil water notices Wednesday and 40 public water systems are “nonoperational,” affecting 25,000 people, state officials said. At the height of the problems last week, at least 7 million Texans were told to boil their water. Ad“The wealthy taxpayers left, so they left Jackson to suffer,” the retired public works department employee said. The persistent freezing temperatures exposed problems at pumping stations and other parts of the system, some of which dates to the 1930s.
Students write inaugural poems for poetry academy contest
Read full article: Students write inaugural poems for poetry academy contestThe official inaugural poem will be read during Wednesday's ceremony by Amanda Gorman, the countrys first Youth Poet Laureate. The 17-year-old has won a contest organized by the Academy of American Poets for which students under 18 wrote their own inaugural poems in anticipation of Wednesday's swearing in of President-elect Joe Biden. Applicants for the Inaugural Poem Project were urged to submit work that reflects “on the country’s challenges, strengths, and hope for its future," according to the guidelines. Knight will receive $1,000, and her work — along with the poems of two runners-up — will be featured on Poets.org and in American Poets magazine. The official inaugural poem will be read during Wednesday's ceremony by Amanda Gorman, the country’s first Youth Poet Laureate.
Louisiana adviser sentenced in fraud with megachurch pastor
Read full article: Louisiana adviser sentenced in fraud with megachurch pastor– A Louisiana investment adviser was sentenced Tuesday to six years in prison for his part in a $3.5 million fraud in which customers invested money with a Texas megachurch minister who had counseled two presidents. Smith "persuaded multiple victims to invest approximately $3.5 million with his co-defendant, Kirbyjon H. Caldwell," the statement said. Caldwell, like Smith, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and agreed to a sentence of five to seven years. When Caldwell pleaded guilty, prosecutors said he used about $900,000 to maintain his lifestyle and pay down personal loans and mortgages. That earlier news release said Caldwell had made partial restitution to the victims and agreed to pay the remaining $1.95 million before sentencing.
4 Louisiana police officers charged in Black man’s death
Read full article: 4 Louisiana police officers charged in Black man’s death(AP) – Four police officers in northwest Louisiana have been charged with negligent homicide and malfeasance in connection with the death last April of a 44-year-old Black man following a video-recorded altercation, a prosecutor's office announced Friday. The statement said there was evidence of excessive force used on McGlothen, and that officers failed to summon medical help for him. The district attorney's statement said officers used unnecessary physical force and violated department policy regarding use of Tasers. Friday's announcement of charges marks the second time in recent months that a group of Shreveport officers has faced indictment over use of force. In June, eight officers were charged with malfeasance for the use of force against two men following a traffic chase.