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☆ A family of taekwondo athletes heard a woman’s screams and jumped into action
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-22 | by ( Paradise Afshar | Zoe Sottile | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —When Simon An and his family heard screaming from a store next door to their family taekwondo studio on Wednesday outside Houston, Texas, they knew they had to find out what was happening. An told CNN Friday the family was returning from their lunch break and were parking at the Yong-In studio in Katy when his father heard a “loud scream” as he exited his car. Then the whole family heard “a second scream, and it was loud. Very loud.” “I would describe it as a horror scream.”His father led the family into a nearby Cricket Wireless store. “I’m very proud of my family.”The Harris County Sheriff lauded the An family as “good samaritans” and thanked them for their “quick action in protecting others.”

Persons: Simon An, –, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, “, ”, Alex Robinson, Robinson, KHOU, Hannah, Han Organizations: CNN, Harris County Sheriff, Cricket Wireless, KHOU, Sheriff Locations: Houston , Texas, Harris County, Katy, Harris

☆ The incredible oblivion of Judge Marvin Isgur
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Dakin Campbell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +45 min

On a mild Houston day in March 2021, Judge Marvin Isgur prepared to oversee the only case on his docket that morning. In October 2023, the Fifth Circuit Court rebuked Judge David Jones but said that his longtime colleague, Judge Marvin Isgur, had been "unaware" of Jones' inappropriate relationship. "But only Judge Isgur knows what he knew or didn't know about the relationship." Much of this work was in cases before either Judge Isgur or Judge Jones. Isgur can continue to hear the case, he ruled, writing in the December 2023 opinion that lawyers for the creditor "failed to demonstrate much other than that former Judge Jones and Judge Isgur are close friends."

Persons: Marvin Isgur, David Jones, Jones, Elizabeth Freeman, Jackson Walker, Isgur, Michael Van Deelen, he'd, Freeman, Matthew Cavenaugh, Cavenaugh, Michael Van Deelen Van, Judge Jones, who'd, Steve Smith, Smith, Michael Lewis, Van Deelen, I'm, Van Deelen's, Tom Kirkendall, Gary Cruciani, Judge David Jones, Nancy Rapoport, University of Nevada Las Vegas William S, Kirkendall, " Jones, Trump, she's, Sarah, Porter Hedges, —, — Elizabeth Freeman, John Higgins, Whitney Ables, Josh Wolfshohl, Amy Lucas, Porter, Wesley Steen, Fifth Circuit —, that's, Liz, Bruce Markell, it's, Judge William Greendyke, Lynn LoPucki's, Patricia Tomasco, Christopher Lopez, Manges, Greendyke, Albert Alonzo, Alonzo, Jones Isgur, Susan Tran Adams, Matt Cavenaugh, Veronica Polnick, Genevieve Graham, cookout, Graham, Tran, Christina Morrison, David, I, Neiman Marcus, J.C, Penney, Freeman hadn't, hadn't, Jim Wilkinson, Ellis, Kirkland, Ellis —, Veronica Polnick —, Polnick —, Elizabeth, COVID, Jackson, Kirkland Ellis, they'd, — Greendyke, Wilkinson, Judge Isgur, Mike Warner, Eduardo Rodriguez, Rodriguez, Isgur's, Judge Lopez —, Lopez, Alfredo Perez, Weil, Perez, Richard Schmidt, Jack Newsham Organizations: Business, Southern District of, McDermott International, Southern, Houston, Fifth Circuit, Appeals, Department of Justice, Fifth, University of Nevada, Boyd School of Law, Circuit, University of Houston, American Bankruptcy Institute, Emory Law School, Emory, Facebook, Big Law, Reuters, Bloomberg, Northwestern's Pritzker School of Law, Enron, LinkedIn, Southern District of Texas, Judicial Conference, Texas, Chesapeake Energy, Big, Kirkland, Cavenaugh, UPS, Technologies, Candy Club, Omni, Norton Rose, GWG Holdings Inc, Brands, Southern District's, Southern District, US, Former Locations: Texas, Southern District, Southern District of Texas, Houston, New Orleans, United States, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Kirkendall, Galveston, Carolina, Porter, Harris, Nevada, Southern District of Texas , Delaware, New York, Delaware, Weil, Southern, disgorge, Sorrento, Corpus Christi, prefacing

☆ Texas weather: 1 million customers are without power in the tornado-ravaged state as storms slam Dallas and Houston
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Elizabeth Wolfe | Mary Gilbert | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Storms unloaded hurricane-force wind gusts across the Dallas area, with Dallas Fort Worth International Airport recording a wind gust of 77 mph early Tuesday as power outages in the area started to skyrocket. KTVTThe power outages started to ramp up early Tuesday morning in the Dallas area, then extended south with the storms as they roared across the state, according to PowerOutage.us. Large hail, lightning and wind gusts as strong as 80 mph are the main threats with any storm. Dallas is the second major Texas city to have critical power infrastructure damaged by severe weather in less than two weeks. Storm damage is seen in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, area on May 28, 2024.

Persons: Houston’s George, Storms, Clay Jenkins, Grant Cruise, Oncor, “, ” Cruise, it’s, Jenkins, Andy Rose Organizations: CNN, Dallas Fort Worth International, Dallas, Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental, White House, National Weather Service, Sunday, Houston, “, Dallas County, Texans Locations: Texas, Dallas, Houston, Terrell , Texas, PowerOutage.us, Dallas County, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Fort Worth, Harris County, Fort Worth , Texas

☆ Over 100 basic-income pilots have run in US cities. Now states are getting creative to fund no-strings-attached cash payments.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Allie Kelly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Basic income has become a trending strategy to combat poverty in cities nationwide. ARPA funds have been used to partially or fully fund most US basic-income pilots so far, but funds are set to expire. While philanthropy and nonprofit work have been central to basic-income pilots, they are not always a long-term or large-scale funding solution. More GBI programs are electing to focus on specific groups of participants, like low-income parents with children and foster youth. The program is funded through the Temporary Aid to Needy Families Program (TANF), an existing federal cash assistance program for low-income families.

Persons: —, Michael Tubbs, Tubbs, It's, Tubbs —, GBI —, Marcela Díaz, let's, Díaz, Teri Olle, Olle, John Gillette, Ken Paxton, Dustin Palmer, GiveDirectly, Palmer, Shafeka Hashash, Hashash, Hashah, GBI Organizations: Service, Business, SNAP, Medicaid, Somos Un, Somos Un Pueblo Unido, Economic Security, New, New Mexico House, California Senate, Republican, South Dakota Republicans, ARPA, Pew Charitable Locations: Stockton , California, Durham , North Carolina, Birmingham, Chicago, Antonio, San Antonio, Denver, Seattle, California, New Mexico, State, Mexico, Somos, Somos Un Pueblo, Economic Security California, Arizona, Iowa, Harris County , Texas, Flint , Michigan

☆ Millions are at risk for severe weather as storms could bring tennis ball-sized hail today
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Dalia Faheid | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Millions across parts of the Central Plains are at risk for severe weather Sunday that could bring tornadoes, tennis ball-sized hail and damaging winds to the area. “Destructive wind swaths of 80-100 mph may occur, with localized extreme gusts exceeding 100 mph possible,” the Storm Prediction Center warned. The severe weather in Houston Thursday included a derecho with 100 mph winds. “Scattered severe storms are expected to affect the region Sunday afternoon and evening,” the National Weather Service in Wichita said. Through early next week, the Central US faces an increasing threat of severe weather and excessive rainfall, according to the National Weather Service.

Persons: “ We’re, Matt Elliott, “, Storms Organizations: CNN, Storm, Storm Prediction Center, Storm Prediction, National Weather Service Locations: Central, Gulf Coast, Plains, United States, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Central Plains, Houston, Kansas, Dodge City, Salina, Hutchinson, Garden City, Hays, Wichita, Michigan , Wisconsin, Illinois, Chicago, Detroit, Mississippi, Lower Michigan, Harris County

Read previewLegal challenges by conservative lawmakers and activists against guaranteed basic income programs are heating up nationwide. Guaranteed basic income programs differ from their idealistic cousin — a universal basic income. AdvertisementWhile localized guaranteed basic income programs are tiny compared to a nationwide universal basic income, they are the subject of no less conservative opposition. Local politicians in places like South Dakota and Arizona have moved to block basic income programs for this reason alone. AdvertisementWhile these arguments appear to support giving basic income payments to a broader group of people, it's unlikely many conservatives would actually support a universal basic income.

Persons: —, Andrew Yang, Sam Altman, Republican Sen, John Wiik, Kathryn Blankenberg, Ken Paxton, Paxton, It's Organizations: Service, Business, Republican, Judicial Watch, American Civil Rights, Texas Locations: South Dakota, Arizona, Dakota, San Francisco, Texas, Houston, Harris County

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

☆ Houston could be without power for weeks after hurricane-force storms smash through
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Paul Squire | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

At least 4 people are dead and almost 1 million are without power. AdvertisementA series of powerful thunderstorms packing hurricane-force winds smashed through Houston on Thursday, leaving at least 4 people dead and nearly 1 million without power. And damage to the grid could leave some parts of Texas's largest city without electricity for weeks, one county executive said. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said on Friday that the storm flipped an 18-wheeler and toppled power transmission towers. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Houston, —, Lina Hidalgo Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Houston, Texas's, Harris

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

☆ 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

☆ This college town is experimenting with giving low-income entrepreneurs and gig workers $12,672, no strings attached
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Allie Kelly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Ann Arbor's program, called Guaranteed Income to Grow Ann Arbor, is giving low- and moderate-income residents $528 a month, no strings attached. Over 50 municipalities have tried the GBI model since 2019, offering low-income participants between $100 and $1,000 a month, no strings attached for one to five years. "This pilot will help us learn whether guaranteed income payments can be an effective way to help some entrepreneurs with their business efforts." Chicago announced in April that it restarted its previous GBI program that offered low-income residents $500 a month. A GBI program in Harris County, Texas is being challenged by Attorney General Ken Paxton, who called the program "unconstitutional."

Persons: —, Ann, Ann Arbor's, Monique Gonzalez, Ann Arbor, GBI, Ken Paxton Organizations: Service, Business, Local, Services, Denver, Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, University of Michigan, Chicago, Republican Locations: Ann Arbor , Michigan, Ann Arbor, San Antonio, Antonio's, Ann, Michigan, Atlanta, Denver, Flint, Harris County , Texas, Iowa , Arizona, South Dakota

No deaths or serious injuries have been reported, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo told CNN, adding 153 pets have also been rescued during the deluge. Forecast calls for rain Sunday into MondayMost of the weekend’s rain fell over western and central Texas, but there’s a significant chance of heavier rain in the greater Houston area Sunday. An additional 1 to 3 inches of rainfall possible by Monday morning, according to the Houston National Weather Service office. Rainfall today will continue to exacerbate existing river flooding,” warned the Houston weather service office. The weather service listed some of the rainfall totals it collected:Groveton, TX- 23.56”Huntsville, TX- 21.76”Splendora, TX- 21.01”Willis, TX- 20.75”Livingston, TX- 18.42”There is relief on the horizon, however.

Persons: Lina Hidalgo, It’s, ” Hidalgo, “ We’re, Brent Taylor, CNN’s Amara Walker, “, ” Taylor, “ There’s, ‘, I’m, ”, Willis, Hurricane Harvey, Jason Fochtman, ” Emmitt Eldridge, ” Sherri Pegoda, Walker, Greg Abbott Organizations: CNN, Houston Office, Emergency Management, Houston Police, Houston Fire, Houston Public Works Department, Houston National Weather Service, Houston, Panhandle, West Lake Houston, Houston Chronicle, Texas, Gov Locations: South Texas, Harris County , Texas, Houston, Harris, City, Texas, , TX, Huntsville , TX, TX, Willis , TX, Livingston , TX, Gulf, East Texas, Hurricane, Lake Houston, West Lake, Kingwood, Atascocita, Kingwood , Texas, San Jacinto, Walker County, Polk County, Montgomery counties

☆ Evacuations ordered, homes damaged in Texas as rivers surge to Hurricane Harvey levels. And more rain is on the way
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Mary Gilbert | Joe Sutton | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

A total of 1,000 homes are in a mandatory evacuation zone in the county, Polk County Judge Sydney Murphy told CNN. “Due to continuous rainfall across East Texas and rising levels in creeks and rivers, flood levels may increase. Please remain aware of changing flood levels along the Trinity River and ALL low-lying levels. Greg Abbott expanded the storm-related declarations in response to the flooding, according to a news release. The repeated bouts of heavy rainfall soaked soils, making many areas extremely prone to both flash and river flooding.

Persons: Hurricane Harvey, ” Emmitt Eldridge, Eldridge, ”, •, ” Sherri Pegoda, Walker, Pegoda, ” Pegoda, “, Sydney Murphy, Harvey, ” Harris, Lina Hidalgo, Greg Abbott, Hawley –, Bret Hendrickson, Brad Wilson, Hawley, CNN’s Allison Chinchar, Sara Tonks, Ray Sanchez, Andy Rose, Joe Sutton, Paradise Afshar Organizations: CNN, Panhandle, The Coast Guard, Texas Emergency Hospital, Coast Guard, Texas Children’s Hospital, Texas, Gov, San, Harvey, Storm Prediction, Hawley Police, Hawley Independent School, LSM, National Weather Service Locations: Texas, Houston, Gulf, East Texas, Hurricane, South Texas, San Jacinto County, Dallas, • Walker County, Walker County, • Polk County, Polk County, • Harris, San Jacinto, Hidalgo, Harris County, Crosby, Liberty County, Cleveland , Texas, Montgomery County, Livingston , Texas, Trinity, –, Abilene, Hodges, Hawley, Hawley , Texas, Hodges , Texas, Louisiana, Groveton , Texas, Paradise

☆ How 2 participants in Houston's basic-income program plan to spend the $500 a month: 'When you live paycheck to paycheck, it's horrible'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Allie Kelly | Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

He knows the GBI money will help him breathe a little easier. Uplift Harris' program will begin payments in the meantime, according to the office of Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis. Uplift Harris participants hope the program will make them more financially stableGuaranteed basic income is an increasingly popular solution to combat poverty in US cities. GBI participants have previously told BI that they used the funds to secure housing and food, pay off debt, and afford school supplies for their children. Have you benefited from a guaranteed basic income program?

Persons: —, Delwin Sutton, doesn't, Sutton, Ken Paxton, Harris, Paxton, Rodney Ellis, Sutton doesn't, Dustin Palmer, We've, Palmer, Jay Carter, isn't, Carter, Still, Harris County Attorney Christian D, Menefee Organizations: Service, Business, Harvard, Yale, Texas Attorney, Services, American, Republican, Harris County Attorney, Austin, South Dakota Republicans, doesn't Locations: Houston, Harris, Harris County, GBI, Texas, Austin, San Antonio, El Paso County, The Arizona, South Dakota, Iowa

☆ AI is threatening Americans’ jobs. Could guaranteed income provide a safety net?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Catherine Thorbecke | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

That idea of guaranteed income is receiving renewed interest as AI becomes an increasing threat to Americans’ livelihoods. As more Americans’ jobs are increasingly at risk due to the threat of AI, Tubbs and other proponents of guaranteed income say this could be one solution to help provide a safety net and cushion the expected blow AI will have on the labor market. “Then, when we have to deal with that job displacement, we’re better positioned to do so.”Silicon Valley’s infatuation with guaranteed incomeThe idea of a guaranteed income is not new. AFP/Getty ImagesDecades after King’s death, the idea of guaranteed income went on to see a resurgence of support emanating out of Silicon Valley. Other tech industry tycoons, including Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, have also thrown immense financial support behind guaranteed income programs.

Persons: CNN — Michael Tubbs, Tubbs, ”, “, ” Michael Tubbs, Nick Otto, ” Tubbs, Nathan Frandino, Let’s, Martin Luther King, Jr, I’m, ” King, King, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Altman —, Musk, Rishi Sunak, Zuckerberg, ” Altman, Altman, Sam Altman, Justin Sullivan, Elizabeth Rhodes, Jack Dorsey, Dorsey, Ken Paxton, ” Paxton, overreach, ‘ It’s, ’ Tomas Vargas Jr, Vargas, I’ve, that’s, ” Tomas Vargas Jr, Tomas Vargas Jr, ” Vargas Organizations: CNN, Getty, Global, Monetary Fund, Reuters, Stockton, Civil Rights, Washington DC, Elon, “, UK, Harvard, Facebook, YCombinator, Twitter, UPS Locations: Stockton , California, Silicon Valley, Big, America, Stockton, AFP, San Joaquin, U.S, Washington, Alaska, YCombinator, San Francisco , California, United States, Texas, Harris, Harris County

☆ Texas AG sues county over Houston-area guaranteed income program giving participants $500 a month no strings attached
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewThe Texas Attorney General's office sued Harris County, which contains Houston, over its new guaranteed income pilot that would give nearly 2,000 residents $500 a month for 18 months with no strings attached. The state is seeking to block Harris County from giving its first payments to participants, which are slated to start in April. In response, Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee said that the lawsuit is "nothing more than another attack" on the county government. The Austin Guaranteed Income Pilot has distributed $1,000 a month to 135 low-income families, who reported using their money for housing, food, and other daily costs. Republican lawmakers are trying to ban guaranteed income programs in states such as Arizona, Iowa, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Persons: —, Ken Paxton, Harris, Harris County Attorney Christian D, Menefee, Dustin Palmer, Paxton, Sen, Paul Bettencourt Organizations: Service, Texas, Business, American, Harris County Attorney, Republican, Austin Locations: Harris, Houston, Texas, Harris County, Austin, Arizona , Iowa, South Dakota, Wisconsin

☆ Here's how guaranteed basic-income programs get their funding
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Allie Kelly | Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Cities like San Antonio, Austin, Denver, Boston, and Minneapolis have turned to basic-income pilot programs to explore ways to reduce those poverty levels. Republicans in Texas, Arizona, Iowa, and South Dakota are making efforts to ban GBI programs at the municipal and state level. AdvertisementStates and cities sometimes fund basic-income programsMany basic-income programs receive funding directly from state and local governments. Nonprofits and philanthropy play a key role in basic-income fundingOther basic-income programs are organized through a nonprofit, or receive funding from foundations and private donors. Along with funding cash payments, the Economic Security Project said that philanthropic donations can help a GBI programs pay for income policy research.

Persons: —, Monique Gonzalez, John Gillette, Flint, Joe Biden, Jack Dorsey, UpTogether Organizations: Service, Economic Security, Business, SNAP, Republicans, BI, American, ARPA, Chicago's Department of Family, Support Services, Mayors, Georgia Resilience, GRO Fund, Colorado Trust Locations: Cities, San Antonio, Austin, Denver, Boston, Minneapolis, Texas , Arizona , Iowa, South Dakota, Arizona, California, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, Michigan, Massachusetts, Texas, Chicago, Somerville , Massachusetts, GBI, Harris, Houston, Georgia, Atlanta, Colorado

☆ Over 82,000 Houston-area residents applied to a Texas guaranteed income program giving $500 a month. Fewer than 2,000 made it in.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Just over 2% of applicants to a Houston-area guaranteed income program were accepted — a lower acceptance rate than Harvard or Yale. Starting this month, 1,928 families will receive $500 a month, no strings attached, through Uplift Harris, a guaranteed income program in the Texas county that includes Houston. A majority of participants selected live in high-poverty ZIP codes and have a household income below 200% of the federal poverty line. Some participants were selected through the county's Accessing Coordinated Care and Empowering Self Sufficiency program which helps vulnerable residents improve outcomes. The pilot has been met with opposition from politicians including Texas State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, who in January sent a letter to the state attorney general concerning whether counties can legally enact guaranteed income programs.

Persons: Dustin Palmer, AidKit, Palmer, GiveDirectly, We've, Texas State Sen, Paul Bettencourt, Bettencourt, I've, it's Organizations: Service, Harvard, Yale, Business, American, SNAP, Texas State, Houston Public Media, Austin Locations: Houston, Uplift Harris, Texas, Harris, Harris County, West Harris County

☆ A San Antonio grandmother used guaranteed basic income to afford groceries and rent a house: 'It's changed my station in life'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Allie Kelly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

With basic income, Sullivan said she has been able to pay for food, buy gas for her car, and achieve her goal of renting a house. The GBI money was the help she needed to afford a deposit and first and last month's rent. She added that the element of choice is what made basic income more helpful for her than other support programs. Some lawmakers have called basic income socialist and raised concerns that it makes people too reliant on the government. Going forward, Sullivan said she is committed to helping other families like San Antonio basic income helped her.

Persons: —, Ingrid Sullivan, Sullivan, they've, GBI, It's, UpTogether Organizations: Service, Business, BI, UpTogether Locations: San, Antonio, Denver, Houston, Boston, Minneapolis, Austin, Harris County , Texas, Durham , North Carolina, San Antonio's, San Antonio, Arizona , South Dakota , Iowa, Texas

☆ She’s the boss: The ‘she-conomy’ boom continues with new business growth
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

In 2019, that picture looked quite different: 29% of new business owners were women, according to Gusto. The US Census does not break out new business formation by gender, and the most recent available data on women-owned businesses is from 2021. The business growth and the community impact garnered her a Young Entrepreneur Award from the US Small Business Administration. Filling the (skilled trades) gapYelp also found that in 2023, women opened more new home services businesses than beauty businesses. “There has absolutely been an uptick in interest over the last few years in this [skilled trades] work” by women, Perez said.

Persons: Bernadette Corbeil, “, ”, Corbeil, she’s, ” Tara Lewis, Bernadette Corbeil Yelp, Yelp, Abby Vandenberg, Ventureneer, Geri Stengel, Wells, Marie, Cyr, Marie Saint, leapfrogged, Saint, ” Lewis, workforces, Allie Perez, Perez, didn’t, Blythe Zemel, Ginny Stogner McDavid, Bernadette Corbeil’s, I’ve, ’ ” Organizations: CNN, Artemis Construction, Wells, Marie Saint, Cyr, New York City Public Schools, US Small Business Administration, NYC, of Labor Statistics, National Association of Women, Construction, Alamo City, George Plumbing Company, Texas Women, AFL Locations: Wildwood , Missouri, hyperdrive, ”, New York, SIBSPlace, Rockville Centre , New York, New, Saint, San Antonio, Alamo, happenstance, Harris, In Missouri

☆ San Antonio experimented with giving people $5,108 no-strings-attached. They spent it on housing and school supplies for their kids.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Allie Kelly | Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Read previewWhen Monique Gonzalez received her money from the San Antonio guaranteed basic income pilot, she bought school supplies, shoes, and Christmas gifts for her children. San Antonio is one of several cities nationwide piloting guaranteed basic income programs. Ingrid Sullivan, a participant with four children and three grandchildren, told UpTogether that basic income allowed her to secure housing and reliable transportation. San Antonio participants also told UpTogether that the GBI payments significantly improved their mental health. Have you benefited from a guaranteed basic income program in San Antonio or elsewhere?

Persons: —, Monique Gonzalez, Gonzalez, UpTogether —, UpTogether, Ingrid Sullivan, Sullivan, GBI, Austin, Stephanie Hendon, she's, Jessica Nairns, Texas State Sen, Paul Bettencourt, John Gillette Organizations: Service, San Antonio, Business, Houston, Austin, Urban Institute, Texas State, Republican, House, Republicans Locations: San Antonio, Denver, Austin, Boston, Minneapolis, Durham, City, Antonio, Texas, Harris, City of Austin, Washington ,, Harris County, Dakota, Iowa, In Arizona, Arizona, Flint , Michigan

OAK RIDGE NORTH, Texas (AP) — A man suspected of several robberies in southeastern Texas was fatally shot Monday night by officers with a joint task force after they saw him rob a liquor store, authorities said. The man, whose name was not immediately released, fled officers who had been monitoring him before seeing him rob the liquor store in Oak Ridge North at gunpoint, according to Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon. The officers then tried to arrest the man, but he fled on foot in the strip mall where the liquor store is located. “The officers, fearing for their safety, discharged their weapons, the suspect dies.”Ligon said a report on the shooting will be submitted to a grand jury to determine whether the officers acted appropriately. None of the officers were injured and all are on paid leave pending investigations into the shooting.

Persons: Brett Ligon, “ Let's, Ligon, ” Ligon, “, — Organizations: Houston, Harris County sheriff's Locations: NORTH, Texas, Oak Ridge, Montgomery County, Houston, Harris County

☆ Kim Ogg: Super Tuesday voting mix-up throws spotlight on Texas’ most populous county
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Fredreka Schouten | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Ogg and her partner – Olivia Jordan – do not share a last name, and each had to present identification to vote. The incident comes as the county – a Democratic stronghold that includes Houston – remains under scrutiny from Republican state officials. Just last year, the county’s election office was dismantled and its responsibilities shifted to the county clerk and county tax assessor-collector under a law approved by the GOP-controlled state Legislature. Ogg, who faces a competitive primary Tuesday, said it’s the job of election officials to protect the integrity of voting. “I was shocked when they pushed it back on the voter.”“My partner wasn’t trying to commit fraud,” Ogg added.

Persons: Kim Ogg, Teneshia Hudspeth, –, Ogg, – Olivia Jordan –, “, ” Ogg, ”, Jordan “, wasn’t Organizations: CNN, Democratic, Republican, GOP Locations: Harris County , Texas, Harris County, Ogg’s, Harris, Houston

☆ Why Republicans are fighting the basic-income programs many cities and states are adopting: 'Is money a birthright now?'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | Allie Kelly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Read previewAs guaranteed basic-income programs get more popular, opposition is also on the rise. Several lawmakers, like Arizona's Gillette, believe that income programs would discourage work and could raise taxes. A recently introduced bill in South Dakota would ban basic-income programs at the state level and prevent municipal governments from creating local programs. AdvertisementDespite opposition, basic-income program participants have seen benefitsPilot income programs have remained divisive with policymakers, but several major cities have seen positive results. In 2020, former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey pledged $15 million to Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, which helped 25 cities and towns nationwide begin basic-income programs.

Persons: —, Dia Broncucia, Justin Searls, John Gillette, Gillette, Arizona's Gillette, Lupe Diaz, Steve Holt, Skyler Wheeler, Sen, John Wiik, Paul Bettencourt, Bettencourt, Harris, I've, Ivanna Neri, Neri, UpTogether, Tony Evers, Austin, Stephanie Hendon, Louis, Jack Dorsey, Mark, Anthony Middleton Organizations: Service, Business, Income, Austin, BI, Republican, Republicans, GOP, Social Security, Iowa GOP, Houston Public Media, Gov, Madison Forward Fund, Madison Locations: Denver, Arizona, Arizona , Iowa, South Dakota , Texas, Wisconsin, Phoenix, Iowa, South Dakota, Texas, Houston, UpTogether, Harris, Madison, Minneapolis , Northern Virginia, Boston, St, Oregon, Durham

☆ Republicans vote unanimously to ban basic income programs in a state with one of the highest homelessness rates
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Katie Balevic | Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Arizona House Republicans unanimously voted to ban basic income programs in the state. They say guaranteed basic income programs are like socialism. In Iowa, Republican state Rep. Steve Holt introduced a bill to ban basic income programs last month, calling them "socialism on steroids." AdvertisementThe bill's sponsor, Sen. John Wiik, said basic income programs are a "socialist idea" during a committee meeting on February 5. "Guaranteed income programs, also known as basic income, undercut the dignity in earning a dollar, and they're a one-way ticket to government dependency," Wiik said in the hearing.

Persons: —, Lupe Diaz, Diaz, Steve Holt, Sen, John Wiik, Wiik Organizations: Arizona, Service, Republican, Business, — Locations: Arizona, United States, Baltimore, Oregon, Austin, Harris County , Texas, Houston, In Iowa, South Dakota

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