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Articles by James Gutierrez
Tory Lanez sentenced to 10 years for Megan Thee Stallion shooting | Houston Public Media
Updated August 8, 2023 at 8:03 PM ET Rapper Tory Lanez was sentenced to 10 years in prison Tuesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court for assaulting fellow artist Megan Thee Stallion. Last December, Tory Lanez was found guilty of shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the foot in July 2020 as they left a party at the home of celebrity Kylie Jenner.
Examining the Racial Disparities in Maternal Health | Houston Public Media
Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, questions@townsquaretalk.org or @townsquaretalk. The state of Texas is among the worst states when it comes to maternal mortality, with an overwhelming majority of these deaths being preventable.
Black farmers open grocery store in food-insecure neighborhood Sunnyside | Houston Public Media
Two Black farmers are addressing food insecurity in Sunnyside, an area that has limited access to fresh food. The pair opened a grocery to provide healthy food options to tackle the food disparities in low-income food desert communities. The Fresh Houwse Grocery Store is located on 5039 Reed Road, and was founded by Ivy Walls and Jeremy Peaches to provide fresh food, produce, and everyday essentials to residents in Sunnyside.
Katy ISD temporarily stops library book purchases, plans content review for ‘explicit’ materials | Houston Public Media
Katy ISD is pausing the purchases of new school library books. On Monday the district’s Board of Trustees voted to place new books already coming in to storage at most of their schools, so a committee can evaluate them before they’re placed on shelves. This comes as the district has made headlines over book restrictions in the past year. Students must now have parental permission to check out books from classroom libraries.
Malaria cases in Texas and Florida are the first U.S. spread since 2003, the CDC says | Houston Public Media
Five cases of the mosquito-borne infection malaria have been detected in the United States in the past two months, marking the first local spread in the country in 20 years. Four of the cases were found in Florida, while the fifth was logged in Texas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Moral Outrage in America | Houston Public Media
Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, questions@townsquaretalk.org or @townsquaretalk. Throughout history, Americans have been upset over moral issues. In the 1980's, we saw the rise of the Moral Majority, while the 90's brought outrage over violence in the Mortal Kombat video game and boycotts against the raunchiness seen in the TV show Married... with Children.
Katy ISD conducts mock mass shooter response drill to increase school security | Houston Public Media
On Wednesday morning, Katy ISD conducted a mock, full-scale mass shooter response drill, in conjunction with Fort Bend County Homeland Security, local EMS, and local law enforcement. It is the first of several steps the district is taking to increase school safety and security. The exercise began at 9 a.m. at Tompkins High School, where several actors played the roles of students, parents and staff as the sound of fake gunfire filled the halls.
Ask the Doctor: Ozempic & Wegovy for Weight Loss, the Latest on COVID, a Possible Summer Mpox Resurgence, and More | Houston Public Media
Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, questions@townsquaretalk.org or @townsquaretalk.
As Harris County has one of the highest rates, Congresswoman Fletcher announces funding to address Black maternal mortality | Houston Public Media
Houston Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher announced Tuesday morning an additional $1.4 million in federal funding to be allocated to combatting Black maternal mortality in Harris County. The U.S. itself has the highest rate of maternal mortality in the developed world, with Black women being disproportionately impacted. According to released by the CDC in March, the national maternal mortality rate rose for the fourth consecutive year in 2021, leaping up by 40 percent from 2020.
Harris County launches program to provide vulnerable residents with specialized services | Houston Public Media
A new program aiming to connect vulnerable Harris County residents with specialized services launched this week. The ACCESS Harris County program, operated by Harris County Public Health, will provide services to targeted groups in Harris County that’ve been identified as having critical needs.
As WHO ends COVID-19 global emergency, Houston expert says virus is still around but numbers ‘dramatically’ down | Houston Public Media
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency. With less cases each day, pretty much everyone has returned to normalcy. Chief of Infectious Disease with UTHealth Houston and Memorial Herman Dr. Luis Ostrosky said that positive cases do still show up, though the number of daily COVID-19 patients have dwindled down for awhile now. "It has been down dramatically.
Chick-fil-a has given out over $700,000 in scholarships to 380 greater Houston employees. | Houston Public Media
Chick-Fil-A is celebrating 50 years of giving out scholarships to its employees. The company as a whole has donated millions of dollars to help 93,000 team members further their education. The program is called "Chick-fil-A's Futures Initiative," which offers two classes of scholarships to part-time and full-time employees at locations in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada.
Sunnyside Park to receive $1.5 million for renovations to community center | Houston Public Media
Congressman Al Green secured and will present a $1.55 million check to the Sunnyside Park Community Center to upgrade their facilities. The funding will cover and replace the gymnasium roof and floor, basketball goals and wall padding. The money will also help with upgrading all four bathrooms. The center has proposed the "Sunnyside Solar Farm" which upon completion will be the largest urban solar farm in the Southeast United States.
Houston Equity Fund offering $8 million in grant funding for minority-owned small businesses | Houston Public Media
Minority-owned small businesses and nonprofits in the Houston area can apply for up to $100,000 in grant funding later this month. A total of $8 million is available this year during the second phase of the "Open for Business" grant program, which is funded by Wells Fargo and administered by the Houston Fund for Social Justice and Economic Equity.
The new Rockets coach and his baggage (April 27, 2023) | Houston Public Media
Houston Matters begins at 9 a.m. CT on 88.7FM or listen online. Join the discussion at 713-440-8870, talk@houstonmatters.org or @HoustonMatters. On Thursday’s show: The Houston Rockets have hired Ime Udoka as the team’s new head coach. But is he worth the baggage? Udoka was suspended by his former team, the Boston Celtics, during the 2022-2023 season because of a relationship with a female subordinate. We discuss with Kelly Iko of The Athletic.
Ime Udoka ‘excited to get started’ as new Houston Rockets coach | Houston Public Media
The Houston Rockets have picked Ime Udoka to be their new head coach after the team declined Stephen Silas's extension after being hired in 2020. After three years of hardship, the team’s management trusts Udoka to be the next face of the franchise and believe he has the potential to return Houston to a championship. He signed a four-year, $28.5 million contract. Udoka was only available after a promising start to his head coaching career in Boston went south.
Residents told to lock doors amid search for jail escapees | Houston Public Media
Related Posted on · Episode: 2574 Houston’s herons — especially the lovely snowy egret. Today, herons and egrets. Posted on · Some Swifties lined up as early as 5 a.m. to purchase merchandise from a pop-up merch truck ahead of her three sold-out shows. Posted on · The City of Houston kicked off day one of Earth Day HTX on Monday, and the event highlighted the city’s recycling efforts, water conservation programs, solar technology and more.
‘Intimidation tactic’ — special ed parents see school attorneys in routine meetings | Houston Public Media
Leah Kelly's daughter, Harper, has autism, treatment-resistant depression and extreme social anxiety. "I used to say that she had alphabet soup," Kelly said. The family sold their home when Harper was in elementary school and relocated to Austin ISD in search of better services. For a while, things were mostly good. But when Harper was in middle school, an attorney representing Austin ISD began showing up to meetings about her special education services and goals.
Special Hour: Houston Public Media Spring Pledge Drive, Where Does Your Money Go? | Houston Public Media
Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, questions@townsquaretalk.org or @townsquaretalk. Today, April 21, 2023, is the last day of the Houston Public Media Spring Radio Drive. We discuss where the support and donations go in order to produce the content listeners enjoy every single day.
Engines of Our Ingenuity 2574: Herons and Egrets | Houston Public Media
Episode: 2574 Houston’s herons — especially the lovely snowy egret. Today, herons and egrets. Related Posted on · Some Swifties lined up as early as 5 a.m. to purchase merchandise from a pop-up merch truck ahead of her three sold-out shows. Posted on · The City of Houston kicked off day one of Earth Day HTX on Monday, and the event highlighted the city’s recycling efforts, water conservation programs, solar technology and more.
UH English adjuncts say they haven’t received salary increase in decades, demand more pay | Houston Public Media
Members of the University of Houston’s Department of English are demanding better pay after they say it has been 30 years since pay increases for some instructors. The UH English Advocacy is a group of English adjuncts and graduate student instructors that have been advocating for better pay and working conditions. On Monday, they expressed their frustration at a protest.
City of Houston kicks off Earth Day HTX with outdoor festivals, speaker series | Houston Public Media
Earth Day Houston takes place this week, highlighting the city’s efforts for a clean Houston. The City of Houston kicked off day one of Earth Day HTX on Monday, and the event highlighted the city's recycling efforts, water conservation programs, solar technology and more. An environmental speaker series with 20 panel discussions involving local leaders and experts will take place on both Monday and Tuesday.
Pappas Restaurants sues City of Houston after losing Hobby Airport contract, asks judge to void competitor’s contract | Houston Public Media
Pappas Restaurants, which lost a bid to continue operating concessions at Hobby Airport, is suing the City of Houston over an allegedly faulty procurement process and asking a judge to void a lucrative contract awarded to a competitor. Houston-based Pappas leads a concessions management group called 4 Families of Hobby, which started operating at the South Houston airport in 2003.
Harris County to host conference that addresses high maternal and infant mortality rates | Houston Public Media
Harris County Public Health wants to combat high maternal and infant mortality rates in the Black community. HCPH held a press conference on Monday announcing their Maternal and Child Health Conference. The two-day event, on April 11-12th, will focus on the health disparities that come with giving birth, post-partum and two years after birth. It will be hosted at NRG Stadium. HCPH Executive Director Barbie Robinson said pregnancy and birth could carry serious risks.
Harris County to host conference that addresses high maternal and infant mortality rates | Houston Public Media
Harris County Public Health wants to combat high maternal and infant mortality rates in the Black community. HCPH held a press conference on Monday announcing their Maternal and Child Health conference. The two-day event, on April 11-12th, will focus on the health disparities that come with giving birth, post-partum and two years after birth. It will be hosted at NRG Stadium. HCPH Executive Director Barbara Robinson said pregnancy and birth could carry serious risks.
Aurora aims to roll out self-driving trucking service between Houston & Dallas by end of 2024 | Houston Public Media
The race to commercialize self-driving semitrucks in Texas is heating up. Aurora Innovation, Inc., which for the last 18 months has been making pilot freight hauls with autonomous trucks overseen by human operators, announced this week that it plans to launch a fully autonomous commercial freight-hauling service between Houston and Dallas by the end of 2024.
Yellowstone Schools’ newly renovated campus brings more benefits to students, Third Ward residents | Houston Public Media
A unique private and charter school is reinforcing its commitment to the Third Ward by unveiling its newly renovated and expanded campus. The Yellowstone schools held a ribbon cutting for its new basketball courts, which is part of a bigger expanded project. A partnership with the city is allowing the school to expand the $30 million campus. The 52,000 square foot campus features classrooms, learning spaces, playgrounds, two gymnasiums, a library, art and music studios and an innovation hub.
Houston barber accused of impersonating police officer to see Megan Thee Stallion at March Madness concert | Houston Public Media
A Houston man was arrested and charged with a felony for allegedly impersonating a police officer so he could attend an outdoor concert last week featuring rapper Megan Thee Stallion. Trayvone Lil Darius Stevenson, 29, is accused of identifying himself as a police officer while wearing a vest that said "Police K-9" at Friday's March Madness Music Festival event at Discovery Green, according to Harris County court documents.
2023 Men’s Final Four: UConn heavy favorite over San Diego State in national championship | Houston Public Media
Houston welcomes the eyes of the nation Monday night with UConn and San Diego State battling it out in the men’s college basketball national championship game. A win by UConn, who is favored, would be the fifth national title in program history. That would tie the Huskies with Duke for the fourth-most titles in men’s college hoops. The Huskies won the men's titles in 1999, 2004, 2011 and 2014. San Diego State is in its first-ever national title game.
Construction to start soon on Inwood Forest flood-mitigation project in Northwest Houston | Houston Public Media
City of Houston officials have long wanted to use a former golf course property to help mitigate flooding in a part of town often inundated by stormwater. More than a decade after the city purchased that land, its vision is finally coming to fruition.
Yellowstone Schools’ newly renovated campus brings more benefits to students, Third Ward residents | Houston Public Media
A unique private and charter school is reinforcing its commitment to the Third Ward area by unveiling its newly renovated and expanded campus. The Yellowstone schools held a ribbon cutting for its new basketball courts, which is part of a bigger expanded project. A partnership with the city is allowing the school to expand the $30 million campus. The 52,000 square foot campus features classrooms, learning spaces, playgrounds, two gymnasiums, a library, art and music studios and an innovation hub.
Control of Harris County elections (April 3, 2023) | Houston Public Media
Houston Matters begins at 9 a.m. CT on 88.7FM or listen online. Join the discussion at 713-440-8870, talk@houstonmatters.org or @HoustonMatters. On Monday’s show: We learn about a pair of bills in the legislature that could change who’s in charge of elections in Harris County. News 88.7 reporter Andrew Schneider explains. Also this hour: It’s time for another round of pet peeves where listeners share any nitpicky frustrations about life in Greater Houston.
Time to play: 2023 Men’s Final Four underway at NRG Stadium | Houston Public Media
The buildup is over and its time to play, finally. NRG Stadium is the host for the 2023 Final Four and it’s not a group of teams anyone would have predicted would be in Houston when the season started.
Final Four kicks off in Houston with Fan Fest, concerts at Discovery Green | Houston Public Media
Fan Fest has officially lifted off to start the Final Four weekend, and many fans have come far and wide to come to see their team potentially win it all. Fan Fest, which is held at the George R. Brown Convention Center, will also have a music festival that will be at Discovery Green. The concerts include performances by Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Nas X, Tim McGraw and Keith Urban.
One Clean Houston initiative to combat illegal dumping in the city | Houston Public Media
The City of Houston has a new initiative to help combat illegal dumping that has taken place throughout the city. The "One Clean Houston" initiative brings 11 new trash trucks that can handle larger dumped items, and 25 new security cameras to help catch illegal dumpers. The city will use over $11 million in extra funding for equipment such as the security cameras and to hire extra officers. The city has gotten 5,000 complaints about illegal dumping over the past year.
One Clean Houston Initiative to combat illegal dumping in the city | Houston Public Media
The City of Houston has a new initiative to help combat illegal dumping that has taken place throughout the city. The "One Clean Houston" initiative brings 11 new trash trucks that can handle larger dumped items, and 25 new security cameras to help catch illegal dumpers. The city will use over $11 million in extra funding for equipment such as the security cameras and to hire extra officers. The city has gotten 5,000 complaints about illegal dumping over the past year.
Ada Edwards, community activist and former Houston City Council member, dies at 80 | Houston Public Media
Ada Edwards, a former Houston City Council member and longtime social and community activist, has died. She was 80 years old. Edwards, who represented District D in South Houston during her time on the council from 2002-08, chaired committees that addressed affordable housing, flooding issues and the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Alvin ISD adds book vending machine to elementary school, making reading more “rewarding” for students | Houston Public Media
An elementary school in Alvin ISD has received a new machine that dispenses books instead of snacks. Nelson Elementary is one of the first schools in Alvin ISD to receive one of these machines and has proven to be a success with parents and students said Librarian Kate Herbert. "We've actually had lots of parents who are coming back from having lunch with their students, who ask about the vending machine and how they can earn tokens,” Herbert said.
The Bigger Picture: ‘Creed III’ and life after incarceration | Houston Public Media
Michael B. Jordan returns as the star and takes up a new mantle as director in the third film of the Creed franchise, itself a part of the larger franchise of Rocky films first created by actor Sylvester Stallone. This time around, Adonis Creed must contend with a friend from his past, Damien Anderson, who has just returned to society after a long sentence in prison. And given the nature of this franchise, it inevitably leads to a ferocious boxing match between the two.
Houston nonprofit The Alliance receives $1.5 million in federal funds to upgrade facilities, services | Houston Public Media
The Alliance, a Houston nonprofit organization that offers multicultural education and career training services, will receive $1.5 million in federal funds to help upgrade its facilities and reduce its building’s carbon footprint. The 37-year-old organization, which is headquartered at 6420 Hillcroft Ave., has helped more than 200,000 individuals reach their personal goals.
Upcoming program will help Katy ISD students obtain commercial driver’s licenses | Houston Public Media
Katy ISD will start a program in August to help high school students obtain a commercial driver’s license, or CDL, in an attempt to help them get jobs after graduation while also combatting a shortage of drivers in the trucking industry.
Houston psychiatrists return from visits to Syria and Turkey where they provided mental health relief | Houston Public Media
Two Houston psychiatrists went on a two-week trip to help with relief efforts in Syria and Turkey after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit in February. More than 50,000 people have died from the earthquake and more than 100,000 were injured from the natural disaster. United Nation officials estimate relief efforts will cost more than $100 billion. Doctor Sophia Banu is a Baylor College of Medicine psychiatrist who visited the area to provide mental health relief to residents affected.
University of Houston will no longer consider DEI statements, factors in hiring process | Houston Public Media
The University of Houston on Friday announced that it will discontinue using diversity, equity and inclusion statements or factors in hiring and promoting employees. In a statement from UH Chancellor Renu Khator sent to the campus community via email, she said there had been reports of other state educational institutions’ hiring committees asking for DEI statements for consideration in hiring and promotion decisions.
Megan Thee Stallion, Tim McGraw, Lil Nas X among headliners for March Madness Music Festival in Downtown Houston | Houston Public Media
Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion, along with Tim McGraw, Keith Urban and Lil Nas X, are among the musicians slated to perform a series of free outdoor concerts in Downtown Houston during the NCAA Men's Final Four, the college basketball championship tournament the city is hosting early next month.
As Houston prepares to host 2023 Final Four, Cougars ready to make run at national title | Houston Public Media
As March begins, so does the Madness. With the NCAA Men's College Basketball Tournament being held this year in Houston, all eyes are on the top-ranked University of Houston Cougars. Throughout the season, Houston has been in the top five of the Associated Press basketball poll and has been number one four times. With a 27-2 record the pressure has built, as the championship will be hosted just a few miles from campus at NRG Stadium in early April.
University of Houston approves program to save students up to 60% on textbooks | Houston Public Media
The University of Houston System Board of Regents has approved a new program to make textbooks and course materials available for undergraduate students at a fraction of its current cost. The "Cougar Textbook Access Program" or CTAP is a program that allows students to access their course materials ahead of time and gives students 40-60% off textbook materials. The program is projected to save semester-paying students $6.4 million per semester.
Houston-area organization accepting supplies for Turkey, Syria earthquake relief | Houston Public Media
After a series of earthquakes hit Turkey last week, the National Association of Christian Churches, or NACC, in Houston stepped up and is now sending supplies to the affected areas. After hearing about the events, Warehouse Manager Isaiah Alonzo Chirip and his team quickly went to work to send supplies over to Turkey and Syria. They have donated 26 pallets worth of food and beverages already. Chirip is in charge of the Houston location which acts as the Hub for the whole organization.
With capital, communities of color can lead our economic revival
COVID-19 has dealt a devastating blow to the U.S. economy and workers, and as recent unemployment data show, the crisis is hitting the Latinx and other minority communities hardest. Small business owners and nonprofits are the backbone of these communities — whether it’s a dressmaker in California’s central valley, a grocery store in Tucson, or a community organization in Chicago.
Letters: America's nuclear weapons deter bad actors in the world
North Korea is by far the greatest threat to world peace; it has nuclear weapons and is developing rockets to deliver them. However, it is contained. American’s Seventh Fleet keeps them in check. It is the deterrent threat of annihilation which keeps North Korea from attacking its neighbors. Iran is contained. America’s Fifth fleet in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea keep it from using the crude nuclear weapons that nation is developing to attack its neighbors.
States must step forward as CFPB retreats on predatory lending
Targeting the worst abuses that led to the foreclosure crisis, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in 2016 required payday and other lenders to determine whether potential borrowers can afford to pay back their loans.
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