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My condolences go out to the families that lost a loved one during yesterday’s severe weather event,” Gonzalez said. Over 531,000 customers in Harris County remain without power early Saturday following the line of storms, according to PowerOutage.us. “Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms appear possible across portions of the Southeast and Carolinas on Saturday, and parts of the Upper Midwest,” the center said. The greatest chances for severe weather are across parts of Nebraska and Kansas, with a slight level 2 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms issued by the Storm Prediction Center. By the end of the weekend, thunderstorm chances will diminish for most of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, the weather service said.

Persons: Samuel Peña, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, Gonzalez, ” Gonzalez, David J, Phillip, –, Houston Mayor John Whitmire, ” Whitmire, Logan Riely Organizations: CNN, Houston Fire, Harris County Sheriff, Authorities, CenterPoint Energy, National Weather Service, Houston Mayor, Carolinas, Storm Prediction Locations: Houston, Southeast, Gulf, Harris County, Cypress , Texas, City, Texas, Louisiana, Houston , Texas, Mexico, Carolinas, Midwest, Plains, Nebraska, Kansas

The storm also battered New Orleans overnight, with severe thunderstorms and flooding possible again Friday, according to the local branch of the National Weather Service. A home is severely damaged by a fallen tree after heavy winds and rains ripped through the region on May 17, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Across Houston, photos and videos on social media showed intense flooding and downed trees, as well as toppled electrical towers and power lines. Another video showed baseball fans leaving the stadium amid the bad weather. Strong winds appeared to have blown off roof panels at a Hyatt Regency Hotel in Houston, a video posted to X showed.

Persons: Melissa Phillips, Ike, Houston Mayor John Whitmire, Logan Riely, Harris, Lina Hidalgo, Hidalgo, Samuel Peña, Whitmire, Greg Abbott, Abbott, Brett Coomer, Jon Shapley Organizations: Hearst Newspapers, Getty, Houston Mayor, National Weather Service, Houston Independent School District, Houston Fire, Texas Gov, Texans, Facebook, Houston Astros, Hyatt Regency Locations: Parkway, West, Cypress, Texas, Houston, Romayor, New Orleans, Houston , Texas, Southeast Texas, Sowden, Houston's Harris County, Fargo Plaza

Soaking storms will shift east on Friday and target more of the Gulf Coast after rumbling to life Thursday afternoon in parts of Texas. Floods deluge roads: Several roads closing in northern and eastern Bosque County, Texas due to water over crossings or bridges. More than a dozen school districts closed: The Houston Independent School District has announced campuses will be closed on Friday and will reopen next week. Schools will reopen on Monday, May 20,” the school district said in a message on Facebook. A handful of Houston-area school districts announced they would close Friday as well, including Aldine Independent School District, Channelview Independent School District and Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District.

Persons: Mary Benton, Samuel Peña, Houston Mayor John Whitmire, Houstonians, Seth Waller, Bell County . Organizations: CNN, Houston Fire Department, Texas -, Florida Panhandle, National Weather Service, Hyatt, CenterPoint Energy, Houston Mayor, Houston, College Station, Houston Independent School, HISD, City of, Facebook, Aldine Independent School District, Channelview Independent School District, Fairbanks Independent School District Locations: Texas, Louisiana, Houston, Gulf, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas - Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, New Orleans, Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Hyatt Regency, Bryan, College, Bosque County , Texas, Bell County, Bell County . McLennan, Falls, City of Houston, Cypress

☆ At least 4 deaths in Houston, official says, as storms bring ‘life-threatening’ flood risk to Texas and Louisiana
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Joe Sutton | Elizabeth Wolfe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

More than 100,000 are also in the dark in Louisiana as storms batter the state, as well. Parts of Texas and western Louisiana are under a rare Level 4 of 4 high risk of excessive rainfall Thursday, the Weather Prediction Center said. Major flooding has prompted water rescues in at least one Texas city. Texas and Louisiana have been in the bull’s-eye of seemingly unrelenting rounds of torrential, flooding downpours since the start of April. A tornado warning had been issued earlier Thursday evening in Harris County, including downtown Houston, according to the National Weather Service.

Persons: Samuel Peña, John Whitmire, Houston Mayor John Whitmire, Houstonians, what’s, Hurricane Harvey Organizations: CNN, Houston Fire, Hyatt, Weather Prediction, WPC, National Weather Service, Houston, KPRC, Houston Astros, Oakland Athletics, Houston Mayor, Centerpoint, METRO, Training, Florida Panhandle, Regional Climate Center ., Hurricane Locations: Houston, Hyatt Regency, Texas, Louisiana, Bryan, United States, Georgia, Waco, Mississippi, Lake Charles , Louisiana, Harris County, Harris, city’s, Gulf, Alabama, Florida, Shreveport , Louisiana

☆ Houston Police Chief Departs Amid Inquiry Into Suspended Cases
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( J. David Goodman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The chief of the Houston Police Department retired abruptly amid an investigation into more than 260,000 incident reports since 2016 that were not investigated, including sexual assaults and other felonies, because of a “lack of personnel.”The departure of the chief, Troy Finner, was announced by Mayor John Whitmire during a City Council meeting on Wednesday. He praised the chief and called him a “friend" but said that “new information” related to the suspended cases was distracting the Police Department. After the council meeting, Mr. Whitmire told reporters that the retirement had come after he had discussions with Mr. Finner on Tuesday. “I dealt with it because it was a distraction to the mission of the men and women in H.P.D.,” the mayor said.

Persons: Troy Finner, John Whitmire, Whitmire, Finner, “ Organizations: Houston Police Department, Police Department Locations: H.P.D

☆ Many large U.S. cities are in deep financial trouble. Here's why
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Carlos Waters | In Carloswaters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Municipal governments across the United States are looking to rein in spending as pandemic-era stimulus dries up and inflation lingers for longer than expected. The group issued a AA investment grade general obligation bond rating for New York City in March 2024. The financial challenges within cities appear to be mounting despite high municipal credit ratings and robust demand for urban commodities like housing. "I think we can all agree that we're broke," said Houston Mayor John Whitmire in a March 2024 City Council budget hearing. Meanwhile, in the case of New York City, leaders remain optimistic about future returns.

Persons: Michael Rinaldi, Brad Lander, Sheila Weinberg, we're, Houston Mayor John Whitmire, Weinberg, We've, Lander, Eric Adams, Rinaldi, Adams Organizations: Fitch, AA, New, Truth, University of Denver, New York, Apple, Houston Mayor, Accounting, CNBC, Lander Locations: United States, U.S, New York City, Chicago, Houston, Portland , Oregon, New York

OHIO ABORTION RIGHTSOhioans voted to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, Edison Research projected, which will render moot a six-week abortion limit signed into law by Republican Governor Mike DeWine. The ban is currently on hold pending litigation at the conservative state Supreme Court. The success of Ohio's ballot measure initiative, which put the question of abortion rights to voters directly, adds to a string of ballot measure victories for abortion rights supporters since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. PENNSYLVANIA SUPREME COURTThe race for a new state Supreme Court justice will not alter the liberal tilt of Pennsylvania's highest court but could have future implications for abortion rights and election laws in the state. Democrats have a 4-2 majority in the partisan state court, with one vacant seat to be filled in this election.

Persons: Andy Beshear, Jon Cherry, Daniel Cameron, Republican Donald Trump, Beshear, Tate Reeves, Democrat Brandon Presley, Reeves, Presley, Elvis Presley, Roe, Wade, Glenn Youngkin, Mike DeWine, Cherelle Parker, Republican David Oh, Jim Kenney, Sheila Jackson Lee, John Whitmire, Sylvester Turner, Daniel McCaffery, Carolyn Carluccio, Gabriella Borter, Colleen Jenkins, Lincoln Organizations: Democratic, Capitol, REUTERS, Republicans, KENTUCKY, Edison Research, Republican, MISSISSIPPI GOVERNOR Republican, Democrat, Democratic Governors Association, NEW, General, U.S, PENNSYLVANIA, New York Times, Democrats, Thomson Locations: Frankfort , Kentucky, U.S, Kentucky, Mississippi, Virginia, New Jersey, Ohio, COVID, MISSISSIPPI, Northern Mississippi, Southern, VIRGINIA, Virginia's Senate, U.S ., NEW JERSEY, Democratic New Jersey, OHIO, Philadelphia, Houston

CNN —Abortion rights are on the ballot Tuesday as Americans head to the polls for state and local races that will set the stage for next year’s presidential election. (Both oppose abortion rights.) Abortion (literally) on the ballot in OhioThe 2022 midterm elections showed that when abortion rights are on the ballot, voters overwhelmingly favored protecting or expanding access. This is the only abortion rights ballot initiative before voters this year. Though not explicitly on the ballot, abortion has featured prominently in the campaign, with Beshear arguing that Cameron will double down on the commonwealth’s already harsh restrictions.

Persons: Roe, Wade, Tate Reeves, Democrat Brandon Presley, Reeves ’ foibles, Elvis Presley, –, Former City Councilmember Cherelle Parker, Sheila Jackson Lee, Sen, John Whitmire, Gabe Amo, Republican Gerry Leonard, David Cicilline, Glenn Youngkin, Youngkin, He’s, he’s, what’s, don’t, hasn’t, Court’s Dobbs, Mike DeWine, —, Andy Beshear, Daniel Cameron, Beshear, Cameron, John Fetterman, Mehmet Oz, Daniel McCaffery, Max Baer, Carolyn Carluccio, Brett Favre, Brandon Presley, Presley, Reeves Organizations: CNN, Democrats, Republicans, Court, Democrat, Republican Gov, Former City, Republican, Democratic, Rep, House, Virginia Gov, Senate, Delegates, PAC, Kentucky, Kentucky Kentucky Gov, GOP, Trump, Beshear, Black Republican, Pennsylvania Democrats, NFL, Mississippi Public, Black, Southern Democrats, Southern Democrat, NJ Democrats, New York GOP, New Jersey Legislature, New York City Council Locations: Kentucky , Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, Ohio –, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, Houston, Rhode Island, state’s, Richmond, Kentucky Kentucky, Kentucky, Southern, Presley . Mississippi, NY, Gotham

WASHINGTON (AP) — The most-watched races in Tuesday’s off-year general election have all been dominated by the ongoing debate over abortion rights. Here's a look at three major races and how abortion has shaped each contest. Andy Beshear seeks a second term in a heavily Republican state Donald Trump carried twice. Ohio constitutional amendment on abortionOhio voters will decide whether to amend the state Constitution to protect access to abortion services. The date for the new primary has not been set but will take place after Tuesday’s general election.

Persons: Wade, Here's, Andy Beshear, Donald Trump, Daniel Cameron, Beshear, Cameron, Steve Beshear, Matt Bevin, Mitch McConnell, ”, Tate Reeves, Democrat Brandon Presley, Elvis Presley, Presley outraised Reeves, Reeves, Carolyn Carluccio, Daniel McCaffery, Gabe Amo, Republican Gerry Leonard, David Cicilline, Cicilline, Democrat Patrick Kennedy, Sylvester Turner, Sheila Jackson Lee, Sen, John Whitmire, Kimberly Mata, Rubio, Cody Smith, Veronica Martinez, Joe Ganim, Tuesday’s, Richard Dziekan, Gino DiGiovanni, Yusef Salaam Organizations: WASHINGTON, Supreme, Roe, Kentucky, Democratic Gov, GOP, U.S, Trump, Black Republican, Reconstruction, Associated Press, Republican Gov, Democrat, Republicans, Pennsylvania, Court, Rhode, Rhode Island U.S . House, Republican, Democratic U.S . Rep, Mayors, U.S . Rep, Robb Elementary School, Democratic, Capitol Locations: Tuesday’s, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, U.S, Kentucky , Ohio, Mississippi, Rhode Island, Houston, Uvalde , Texas, Bridgeport , Connecticut, Derby , Connecticut, New York

I recognize that in my zeal to do everything possible to deliver for my constituents I have in the past fallen short of my own standards and there is no excuse for that,” said Jackson Lee, who has been in Congress since 1995. “To anyone who has listened to this recording with concern, I am regretful and hope you will judge me not by something trotted out by a political opponent, that worked to exploit this,” Jackson Lee said. Sue Davis, a spokesperson for Whitmire, said the state senator’s campaign had nothing to do with the recording. Jackson Lee is one of 18 candidates vying to lead the nation’s fourth-largest city. They are seeking to replace Mayor Sylvester Turner, who has served eight years and can’t run again because of term limits.

Persons: Sheila Jackson Lee, Jackson Lee, ”, Sen, John Whitmire, ” Jackson Lee, Sue Davis, “, ” Davis, Sylvester Turner, can’t, Juan, Lozano Organizations: HOUSTON, — U.S . Rep, Democratic Locations: Houston

HOUSTON (AP) — The challenges facing Houston’s next mayor are familiar to many big cities: crime, crumbling infrastructure, budget shortfalls and a lack of affordable housing. “This (new) mayor comes along at a time when the city is doing well, though the city faces issues,” said Bob Harvey, president and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership, a local business group. They highlight what they see as Houston’s failings while touting it as an international city teeming with diversity. Others in contention are former head of Houston’s public transit system Gilbert Garcia, attorney Lee Kaplan, Houston City Councilman Robert Gallegos and former council members Jack Christie and M.J. Khan. The city’s challenges are due in part to its explosive growth over the past decade.

Persons: Houston’s, Sheila Jackson Lee, Sen, John Whitmire, ”, Bob Harvey, Houston, Sylvester Turner, Gilbert Garcia, Lee Kaplan, Robert Gallegos, Jack Christie, M.J, Khan, ” Garcia, Garcia, Greg Abbott, Troy Finner, Patrick Jankowski, Bill King, Brandon Rottinghaus, Jackson Lee, Johnny Mata, “, ” Mata, Jankowski, Harvey, ” Harvey, Juan, Lozano Organizations: HOUSTON, U.S . Rep, Texas Legislature, Texas Democrats, Greater Houston Partnership, Houston, Republican Gov, Houston Police, pothole, University, Greater Houston Coalition for Justice Locations: November’s, U.S, Houston, Texas, Houston City, Harris County, America

☆ 'Stoneman Willie' Beloved Pennsylvania Mummy Gets Burial, Real Name
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Julio-Cesar Chavez and Rich McKayREADING, Pennsylvania (Reuters) - A leather-skinned mummified man - a longtime curiosity lying in an open coffin in Reading, Pennsylvania and known only as "Stoneman Willie", got two things Saturday he went without for 128 years - a burial and his real name. A group of funeral home employees and well-wishers, said in unison, "Rest in peace, James," as they unveiled his tombstone, with his real name in small letters below large type reading, "Stoneman Willie." Because Murphy gave a fake name when arrested, local officials were unable to locate relatives, said local historian George Meiser. "Weeks passed, months passed, years passed and no one claimed the remains," Meiser said at the service. (Reporting by Julio-Cesar Chavez in Reading, Pennsylvania, writing and additional reporting by Rich McKay in Atlanta; editing by Diane Craft)

Persons: Julio, Cesar Chavez, Rich McKay, Stoneman Willie, James Murphy, James, Murphy, Kyle Blankenbiller, Theo C, George Meiser, Weeks, Meiser, Stoneman, Pastor Robert Whitmire, Diane Craft Organizations: Reading, Auman Inc Locations: Pennsylvania, Reading , Pennsylvania, New York, Reading, Atlanta

A group of funeral home employees and well-wishers, said in unison, "Rest in peace, James," as they unveiled his tombstone, with his real name in small letters below large type reading, "Stoneman Willie." Because Murphy gave a fake name when arrested, local officials were unable to locate relatives, said local historian George Meiser. "Weeks passed, months passed, years passed and no one claimed the remains," Meiser said at the service. Pastor Robert Whitmire told the gatherers that to those who may have known him, "Stoneman Willie...at one time may have been a beloved friend and family member." Reporting by Julio-Cesar Chavez in Reading, Pennsylvania, writing and additional reporting by Rich McKay in Atlanta; editing by Diane CraftOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: James Murphy, Stoneman Willie, James, Murphy, Kyle Blankenbiller, Theo C, George Meiser, Weeks, Meiser, Stoneman, Pastor Robert Whitmire, Julio, Cesar Chavez, Rich McKay, Diane Craft Organizations: Reading, Auman Inc, Thomson Locations: Reading , Pennsylvania, U.S, Pennsylvania, New York, Reading, Atlanta

Blankenbiller said at the funeral that Murphy’s real name was known to the original Theo Auman, director of the funeral home in 1895. The once unidentified man was in jail accused of being a thief, and he was accidentally mummified by a mortician experimenting with new embalming techniques. "Weeks passed, months passed, years passed and no one claimed the remains," Meiser said at the service. Pastor Robert Whitmire told the gatherers that to those who may have known him, "Stoneman Willie...at one time may have been a beloved friend and family member." Reporting by Julio-Cesar Chavez in Reading, Pennsylvania, writing and additional reporting by Rich McKay in Atlanta; editing by Diane Craft私たちの行動規範：トムソン・ロイター「信頼の原則」

Persons: James Murphy, Stoneman Willie, Stoneman Willie ”, James, Murphy, Kyle Blankenbiller, Theo C, Blankenbiller, Theo Auman, George Meiser, Weeks, Meiser, Stoneman, Pastor Robert Whitmire, Julio, Cesar Chavez, Rich McKay, Diane Craft 私 Organizations: Reading, Auman Inc Locations: Reading , Pennsylvania, U.S, Pennsylvania, New York, Reading, Atlanta

☆ Texas is about to shut down an election office in a heavily Democratic county that includes Houston less than two months before the city's mayoral election
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Katie Hawkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Harris County, which includes Houston, must close its election administration office by Friday. Losing Republican candidates blamed the Harris County election office for their losses in 2022. But that election will no longer happen under the authority of Harris County elections officers. Harris County election office shut downLegislators passed the bill abolishing the Harris County elections office after so far unproven claims by losing Republican candidates that administrative issues at the office swayed the results of the November 2022 general election, the Texas Tribune reported. The Texas Office of the Attorney General did not respond to a request for comment ahead of publication.

Persons: Sylvester Turner, Greg Abbott, Christian Menefee, Menefee, Turner, Sheila Jackson Lee, State Sen, John Whitmire Organizations: Houston, Service, Democrat, Republicans, Democratic, Texas Gov, Republican, Texas Tribune, Houston Public Media, Texas Office, State Locations: Harris, Houston, Wall, Silicon, Harris County, Texas, Democratic Harris County

☆ Father-Son Duo in Alabama Wins Pulitzer, Bucking Headwinds in Local News
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Benjamin Mullin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

One of the best moments in John Archibald’s life came in 2018, when he won a Pulitzer Prize for columns published by Alabama Media Group, the largest news publisher in the state. He topped that on Monday. Mr. Archibald won a second prize, for local reporting, as part of a team of journalists that included his son, Ramsey Archibald, investigating a municipal police force. “I feel stunned,” Mr. Archibald, 60, said in an interview as the win was announced. The organization also won the commentary prize for columns by Kyle Whitmire, a political columnist who examined how Alabama’s Confederate history still affects the state today.

☆ I work for a nude cruise. It's liberating — but there are rules. Passengers can't get too excited, and clothes must be worn to dinner.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Brooke Morton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

I'm a cruise organizer for Bare Necessities Tour and Travel, a nudist cruise company. I spend all year as part of a team planning our two sailings: a February trip aboard a big cruise ship called our Big Nude Boat, which has 3,000 passengers, and a smaller cruise in summer. Now I'm vice president of sales for the two Bare Necessities cruises. Entertainers and staffers on a Bare Necessities cruise wear clothes. On our Big Nude Boat with a little more than 2,100 passengers, about 70% of guests on board are repeat guests.

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