INSIDER
British writer Samantha Harvey’s space-station novel 'Orbital' wins the Booker Prize for fiction
Read full article: British writer Samantha Harvey’s space-station novel 'Orbital' wins the Booker Prize for fictionBritish writer Samantha Harvey has won the Booker Prize for fiction with “Orbital,” a short, wonder-filled novel set aboard the International Space Station.
Hurricane Francine expected to cause coastal erosion in Texas, Louisiana, experts say
Read full article: Hurricane Francine expected to cause coastal erosion in Texas, Louisiana, experts sayAccording to the National Hurricane Center, there is also the possibility of a life-threatening storm surge in portions of coastlines in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Woman who says she's the real Martha from 'Baby Reindeer' sues Netflix for defamation
Read full article: Woman who says she's the real Martha from 'Baby Reindeer' sues Netflix for defamationA woman who says she is the inspiration for the relentless stalker at the center of Netflix’s “Baby Reindeer” is suing the streaming giant for defamation and is seeking at least $170 million in damages.
‘I just fell to the floor in tears’: AJ Armstrong’s family reacts to guilty verdict
Read full article: ‘I just fell to the floor in tears’: AJ Armstrong’s family reacts to guilty verdictAntonio ‘A.J.’ Armstrong is scheduled to appear in front of a judge Friday morning. It comes after he filed a notice to appeal in his capital murder conviction.
Biden's broadband plan aims to connect every home and business in U.S. by 2030. What's next?
Read full article: Biden's broadband plan aims to connect every home and business in U.S. by 2030. What's next?The Biden administration's plans to bring affordable, reliable broadband to every home and business in the U.S. could transform underserved communities.
Dancer in Weinstein film testifies he sexually assaulted her
Read full article: Dancer in Weinstein film testifies he sexually assaulted herA dancer on a film produced by Harvey Weinstein says she went with the movie mogul to a hotel in 2003 because she felt reassured by the presence of his female assistant.
Five years after Hurricane Harvey, Aransas County showing strong signs of resilience
Read full article: Five years after Hurricane Harvey, Aransas County showing strong signs of resilienceHarvey delivered more than $800 million in damage to Aransas County, but five years later, many communities have become the picture of resilience.
TxDOT planning to raise Katy Freeway near White Oak Bayou
Read full article: TxDOT planning to raise Katy Freeway near White Oak BayouTens of thousands of drivers use the Katy Freeway everyday, and during major weather events like Harvey, we saw water from White Oak Bayou spill into the main lanes and flood I-10.
National Spelling Bee win could be footnote to hoops career
Read full article: National Spelling Bee win could be footnote to hoops careerOne eighth-grader competing in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling bee has earned more recognition for her athletic prowess than for her mastery of the dictionary.
‘Climate change is real’: Mayor Turner, advocacy groups talk city’s climate plan on 1-year anniversary
Read full article: ‘Climate change is real’: Mayor Turner, advocacy groups talk city’s climate plan on 1-year anniversaryIn recent years, the city Houston has garnered the unofficial title of disaster capital of the United States.
Harris County $1.4 billion short on flood control projects that are part of bond voter’s approved after Harvey
Read full article: Harris County $1.4 billion short on flood control projects that are part of bond voter’s approved after HarveyMore than two years after Harris County voters overwhelmingly approved a $2.5 billion flood control bond, the county announced Tuesday that it is $1.4 billion short. Many of the hundreds of original projects remain unfinished, including in some of the most economically disadvantaged communities. “Halls and Greens, the two poorest watersheds in the county -- they’re basically left out of the process,” said Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia in Commissioner’s Court. “It doesn’t add up at all,” said former Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. “The commissioner’s court needs to fix it,” said State Rep. Ron Reynolds (D-Dist.
What to know about spring floods
Read full article: What to know about spring floodsThe cover picture above isn’t a throwback to Imelda or Harvey or Beta, nor is it a pic of the Memorial Day floods or Tax Day floods. TxDOT is quick to remind us: Flash floods are the leading cause of weather-related deaths in Texas, and about 60% of flood-related deaths in our state involve motor vehicles. But the National Weather Service can at least look at parameters regarding river flooding and soil moisture to determine what we are up against for major, widespread floods. Put simply, we’re at a pretty equal chance for river flooding either way. You can read the full 2021 Spring Flood Outlook report at the top of the NWS home page.
Tribes try to shield elders and their knowledge from virus
Read full article: Tribes try to shield elders and their knowledge from virusThat means losing elders to the virus could wipe out irreplaceable pieces of culture. Concern for elders is also apparent in the tribe's COVID-19 vaccine-distribution plans. Roy Boney Jr., who manages a Cherokee language program, said the vast majority of Cherokee speakers are elders. Pequot elders play an important role in the effort to revive the tribe's language, which is no longer widely spoken. Karen Ketcher was among 28 Cherokee Nation elders who have died from the coronavirus.
Local organization, Katy Responds, restores 100 homes since Hurricane Harvey
Read full article: Local organization, Katy Responds, restores 100 homes since Hurricane HarveyDuring Hurricane Harvey, flooding from Barker and Addicks Reservoirs inundated homes, including Holcomb’s, who evacuated her home in the middle of the night. Holcomb’s home repair was completed by Katy Responds, a nonprofit organization founded after Hurricane Harvey with one goal: Rebuild the homes of those who can’t afford to get the job done themselves. “We were put together by several churches in the Katy community,” said Ron Peters, executive director of Katy Responds. Katy Responds is working to secure financing through donations to fund repairs for an additional seven homes. Katy Responds is looking for volunteers and others to help raise money.
Feds order the state to take over Hurricane Harvey rebuilding funds from the city of Houston
Read full article: Feds order the state to take over Hurricane Harvey rebuilding funds from the city of HoustonActing Assistant Secretary John Gibbs writes, “The amendment also eliminates direct allocation funding to the city of Houston. The state said the city has only been able to address 163 homes since January of 2019. The General Land Office said the funds for Houstonians are not going anywhere, simply they are going to manage it moving forward. The state sent Mayor Turner a termination letter Monday evening informing them the contract shall terminate on Nov. 6, 2020. In the final sentence, the Deputy Land Commissioner for the GLO writes, “It is our hope that the City of Houston will engage with the GLO in future discussion concerning these matters.”
WATCH: Floating fire ant pile spotted in League City flood waters caused by Beta
Read full article: WATCH: Floating fire ant pile spotted in League City flood waters caused by BetaThe City of League City shared a video on Twitter showing two fire ant colonies floating in Beta flood waters at Countryside Park. In the post, the city warns people that those piles are one of the many reasons walking through flood water can be dangerous. FLOATING ANT PILESThis is one of the reasons why you should avoid walking through flood water. Floating ant piles-like this one found at Countryside Park-can form and be very dangerous. Have you ever encountered one of these ant colonies on the move?
How Houstonians are helping hurricane survivors in Louisiana
Read full article: How Houstonians are helping hurricane survivors in LouisianaHOUSTON – The food made at six Houston restaurants will soon be headed to Louisiana and areas hit hard by Hurricane Laura. “We just feel like they helped us during Harvey so how do we return what they did for us,” said Ben McPherson, owner of BOH Pasta. “For every $5 donated, we’re going to create one meal that we’re going to take over to Louisiana to feed everybody,” he said. “Just having a nice meal while you have a lot of other things to worry about is just a nice, comforting thing,” said Steve Sharma, owner of El Big Bad. “Many years ago during Harvey, we had some of our neighbors from Louisiana come down here and help us out so we wanted to return the favor,” Sharma said.
Still recovering from Harvey, Texans in Beaumont and Port Arthur are now preparing for a new hurricane during the pandemic
Read full article: Still recovering from Harvey, Texans in Beaumont and Port Arthur are now preparing for a new hurricane during the pandemicPort Arthur residents board buses to evacuate the area before Hurricane Laura strikes the Gulf Coast in Southeast Texas. Almost three years after hurricane Harvey damaged their homes and their belongings, masked volunteers in bright colored t-shirts brought new beds, chests and nightstands to their doorsteps. According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Laura continues to strengthen and is expected to become an extremely dangerous category 4 hurricane. At a noon press conference Wednesday, Gov. The report from the National Hurricane Center forecasts a storm surge of between 10 and 15 feet around the Jefferson County area. On Friday, I went to a house that we had fixed [after Hurricane Harvey]," he said.
Storm Marco closes in on Louisiana as Laura buffets Cuba
Read full article: Storm Marco closes in on Louisiana as Laura buffets CubaWorkers for the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority - West, close floodgates in Harvey, La., just outside New Orleans, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in advance of Tropical Storm Marco, expected to come near the Southern Louisiana coast. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)PORT-AU-PRINCE Tropical Storm Marco was falling apart Monday but setting a messy stage for the arrival of Laura as a potentially supercharged Category 3 hurricane along the U.S. Gulf Coast. August Creppel, Chief of the United Houma Nation, was concerned about the groups 17,000 members, spread out over six parishes along the Louisiana Gulf Coast. McNoldy said he expects the storm to reach major hurricane status of at least 111 mph. For the residents of the Louisiana coast, theyre certainly lucky that Marco is not worse than it is, McNoldy said.
As 2 storms menace Gulf Coast, residents brace for deluge
Read full article: As 2 storms menace Gulf Coast, residents brace for delugeForecasters raised the ominous possibility that warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico could super-charge Laura into a powerful hurricane. Laura's center was remaining just off Cuba's shore, and was not expected to weaken over land before entering the gulf. That's a recipe for damaging, hurricane-force winds of more than 110 mph (177 kph) as Laura approaches the U.S. coast, forecasters said. Rain bands from both storms could bring a combined total of 2 feet (0.6 meters) of rain to parts of Louisiana and several feet of potentially deadly storm surge, forecasters said. Basically that would be 10-feet plus along the southwest Louisiana coast line in a reasonable worst-case scenario, Schott said.
Hurricane Harvey: The long road to recovery still hasnt ended for many in Houston
Read full article: Hurricane Harvey: The long road to recovery still hasnt ended for many in HoustonHOUSTON Its been nearly three years since Harvey hammered the Houston area and yet, there are still those who havent fully recovered. The City of Houston and the State of Texas have been locked in a battle over how to manage the rebuilding effort. In March, the Texas General Land Office came to an agreement with Harris County to take over the rebuilding efforts. The City of Houston had a different opinion when approached by the state. Both are now working with and seeing progress through the GLO, as the temporary restraining order does not impact their rebuilding efforts.
Weinstein reaches tentative $19M deal with accusers
Read full article: Weinstein reaches tentative $19M deal with accusersNEW YORK Harvey Weinstein and his former studios board have reached a nearly $19 million settlement with dozens of his sexual misconduct accusers, New York state's attorney general and lawyers in a class-action lawsuit said Tuesday. The agreement was announced by New York Attorney General Letitia James and Chicago attorney Elizabeth A. Fegan. The deal, if approved by judges in federal courts, would permit accusers to claim from $7,500 to $750,000 from the $18.8 million settlement. The former Hollywood producer was convicted earlier this year of rape and sexual assault against two women. Attorneys Douglas H. Wigdor and Kevin Mintzer, who represent some of Weinstein's accusers in lawsuits, said in a statement that the proposed settlement was a complete sellout of the Weinstein survivors."
Harvey Weinstein in Tentative $19 Million Settlement With Many Accusers
Read full article: Harvey Weinstein in Tentative $19 Million Settlement With Many AccusersHarvey Weinstein and his former studio's board have reached a nearly $19 million settlement with dozens of his sexual misconduct accusers, New York state's attorney general and lawyers in a class-action lawsuit said Tuesday. The agreement was announced by New York Attorney General Letitia James and Chicago attorney Elizabeth A. Fegan. The deal, if approved by judges in federal courts, would permit accusers to claim from $7,500 to $750,000 from the $18.8 million settlement. Attorneys Douglas H. Wigdor and Kevin Mintzer, who represent some of Weinstein's accusers in lawsuits, said in a statement that the proposed settlement was "a complete sellout of the Weinstein survivors." RELATED CONTENT:Harvey Weinstein Tests Positive for CoronavirusHarvey Weinstein Sentenced: Mira Sorvino, Ronan Farrow and More ReactHarvey Weinstein, 1 Year Later
Harvey, others officially retired as names of hurricanes
Read full article: Harvey, others officially retired as names of hurricanesHOUSTON – The World Meteorological Organization announced Thursday that the name Harvey has been officially retired for use as a hurricane. The center also retired the names Irma, Maria and Nate. Harvey was the second costliest storm behind Katrina. Sixty-eight people were killed in Harvey.
Still rebuilding, still strong, the Houston area rebuilds 6 months after Harvey
Read full article: Still rebuilding, still strong, the Houston area rebuilds 6 months after HarveyLEAGUE CITY, Texas – Six months after Harvey, newlyweds Joey and Sonia Kukuch, of League City, along with daughter, Bella are still working on repairing their flood damaged home. Just down the street, the push is on at Darin and Donna Jordan's home. “We've got a mattress,” said Donna Bergstrom Jordon of League City. “We need all new ceiling fans,” said Darin Jordan, of League City. With the help of family, friends and colleagues, the Jordans -- like so many other families -- are not giving up.
What the future of Houston's flood-prone neighborhoods will look like
Read full article: What the future of Houston's flood-prone neighborhoods will look likeThree floods. Less than three years. Meyerland is one Houston neighborhood that has never fully recovered from devastating floods dating back to Memorial Day 2015.
NAACP opens disaster support command center to help Harvey flood survivors
Read full article: NAACP opens disaster support command center to help Harvey flood survivorsHOUSTON – The NAACP is doing its part to help survivors of Harvey's floods. On Saturday, the organization announced the opening of a disaster support command center to help those in need. "We have people who have short-term relief, but a lot of people have long-term problems and so there's a gap after the short-term relief has left, people have nowhere to go. Douglas was joined by Texas State Conference President Gary Bledsoe and other community leaders to announce the opening of the disaster command center. But short-term aid gives way to long-term help, and that's what organizers said the command center will help steer people through.
Meet the mystery guitarist who rocked 'Star-Spangled Banner' after Harvey devastation
Read full article: Meet the mystery guitarist who rocked 'Star-Spangled Banner' after Harvey devastationHOUSTON – Loren Jay Gough said he knew it was time to take it to 11 – and a half. Guitarist rocks Cypress area neighborhood with patriotism after Harvey devastationThe guitarist, with the local band Engineered Society Project, was in his house as the Houston floodwaters finally receded after inching halfway up his driveway. “We were watching the news, (watching the storm) break up and dissipate. (Water) had receded almost to the curb at that point, so I thought, ‘We’re good,’” Gough said. Strangers helping strangers.