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The Red Cross said the outpouring of support is a step in the right direction, but it needs more donations to overcome the crisis.

As of January 1, 2022, federal law bans many types of surprise medical bills — except for ground ambulance charges.

A rules analyst and an NFL Network broadcaster also thought this was a particularly bad call

Only Colorado has passed legislation allowing residents to name individual officers in lawsuits — but even there, police wouldn’t have to pay the judgment.

Florida's Everglades National Park, the largest wetland in the United States, is under threat from climate change and has become a battleground for one of the most sweeping ecological conservation efforts on Earth.

Amid at least one report that the Houston Texans are inquiring with other teams about a potential trade for a quarterback, we look at five options for this rebuilding team.

The Buffalos Bills were too much for the Houston Texas as the Bills pitched a shutout, continuing Houston's early season woes.

The US carmaker vows to "lead America's shift to electric vehicles" with largest ever factory.

President Joe Biden receives his Covid-19 booster shot in line with US government health authorities' guidelines at the White House in Washington, DC.

Get ready for higher natural gas bills in 2022.

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Austin, Texas – Governor Gregg Abbott recently signed Senate Bills 2 and 3 which aim to reform ERCOT and improve the Texas power grid’s ability to hold up against extreme weather. “Under Senate Bills 2 and 3, Texas will now require the weatherization of power generation facilities, natural gas facilities, and transmission facilities to handle extreme weather,” the governor’s office said in a press release. Weatherization refers to the practice of improving a facility’s protection from the elements to ensure their safety and stability during extreme weather events. The bills will reform the leadership board of ERCOT, requiring that board members be residents of Texas and that 8 of the 11 members be independent of ERCOT. The bills will also implement an extreme weather notification system that will send alerts to every Texan’s cell phone.

Two Bills passed unanimously by Holyrood could give Scottish courts “unparalleled” powers to strike down legislation from Westminster, the UK Supreme Court has heard. Lawyers acting for the UK Government said the legislation risked Acts of Parliament being amended or repealed because of clashes with Scots law. They argued this would be a “subversion” of devolution, under which Westminster remains sovereign, with both Bills having “manifold and obvious competence problems”. They were passed by MS

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The bills will go into effect Sept. 1 and aim to reform ERCOT leadership and increase accountability and communication among power agencies.

Have you looked at your natural gas bill this month? KPRC2 Investigates looks into why some natural gas customers are suddenly being hit with higher bills. What's going on and how you can fight back.

From overreaching homeowner’s association boards that try to control what you can do with your property to corrupt directors, KPRC 2 News has shown you the stories right here in Houston and across Texas that are frustrating hardworking homeowners.

There is now more help available if you need assistance paying your utility bills.

“Several state legislatures have introduced bills that would prohibit gender-affirming care for gender-diverse and transgender youth and forbid transgender youth from participating on sports teams according to their gender identity,” reads the statement, written by AAP President Lee Savio Beers. “These bills are dangerous. If left unchallenged, there will be transgender teens in certain zip codes who will be unable to access basic medical care, and pediatricians in certain zip codes who would be criminalized for providing medical care. And, transgender youth would be denied the ability to participate in sports according to their gender identity.”

Glossary for key terms electric customers should knowRetail Electric Provider (REP): This is the company you pay for your electric service. The Provider of Last Resort (POLR): This company becomes your provider when your REP exits the market for any reason. AdVolunteer Retail Electric Providers (VREP): A REP that has volunteered to provide POLR service. Entrust Energy customers will not need to seek a POLR. Entrust Energy customers will not have an interruption in service.

SUGAR LAND, Texas – The Sugar Land City Council recently approved steps to help residents impacted by last week’s winter storm. “Residents of Sugar Land have endured conditions no one should have to experience during the past week,” said Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman in a release. AdCalculations for 2021 winter averages will be based on last year’s average to ensure excessive water usage related to the recent winter storm doesn’t create higher than normal winter averages, according to the city. AdThis will include the following items through May 1:Permit fees for repairs needed as a result of the winter storm will be temporarily waived. Contractors registering with the city to perform repairs related to the winter storm will have their annual registration fee waived.

(AP Photo/Eric Gay)AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called an emergency meeting with lawmakers Saturday aimed at addressing the high energy bills being sent to some Texans after this week’s winter storm. “It is unacceptable for Texans who suffered through days in the freezing cold without electricity or heat to now be hit with skyrocketing energy costs,” Abbott said in a written statement. AdAbbott said he wants to “develop solutions to ensure that Texans are not on the hook for unreasonable spikes in their energy bills.”After the meeting, Abbott called it productive and bipartisan. According to Abbott, lawmakers will now begin the task of calculating the total cost of these energy bills and determine how the state can reduce the burden on customers.

As Congress irons out the details of the next coronavirus relief package, a new report from Morning Consult finds that the much-anticipated $1,400 stimulus payments would help keep tens of millions of Americans up-to-date on their bills for the next few months. Using its household survey data, Morning Consult estimates that over 30 million adults were unable to pay their bills in January. Among the adults who could not pay all of their bills in January, three-fourths fell short by less than $300. With that in mind, Morning Consult estimates that an additional $1,400 stimulus payment — coupled with income from a job or unemployment benefits — would enable 22.6 million adults to pay their expenses completely for four and a half months. Wading into the debate on potentially changing the income thresholds for the stimulus payments, Morning Consult notes that low-income households and parents reported spending more of their stimulus checks than higher earners, as of Feb. 4.

Not because it will get anyone’s lights on faster, but because residents and business owners could be out a lot of money if some electricity providers start to fold in the days ahead. CenterPoint said customers without power should be prepared to have no power for several more days. - These conditions in the electric industry mean we will likely start to see some retail electric providers (These are the companies you pay for electricity.) That is what the retail electric providers pay to get it. Some electric providers are telling customers to please leave... even offering $100 off their last electric bills to encourage customers to go somewhere else.

It was an enormous mistake in the opening minutes of the AFC championship game on Sunday, and Chiefs coach Andy Reid could have easily given his young wide receiver the cold shoulder. They're going to keep me up, keep me motivated — make sure I don't have my head down,” Hardman said. They have been without Sammy Watkins since Week 16 because of a calf injury, and the veteran wide receiver was a surprise scratch on Sunday, putting pressure on Hardman and fellow wide receiver Byron Pringle to continue to pick up the slack. “We are a group of guys that want to be perfect and strive for that perfection, no matter what we do. I think we're going to take that same mentality into the Super Bowl.”___More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

They do have a sack in an NFL-record 71 straight games and have sacked Philip Rivers 15 times during seven games while he played for the Chargers. Rivers has had two or more TD passes in five straight games. He had career bests of 10 catches for 163 yards last week, and Ridley's seven 100-yard games lead the NFL. The 19 straight seasons without losing both games to a divisional opponent is an NFL record. The Jaguars have allowed at least 24 points in each of those 13 games, an NFL record.

A salad with a dash of cognac? That's just lunch for one of New York's biggest names.

One million COVID vaccines to be distributed in December Governor Abbott projects Texas will hit the milestone by the end of 2020. How fans can be part of the limited attendance at Rockets games A limited number of fans will be able to attend home games early in the season.

Here's what potential GM Louis Riddick has said about the Texans Louis Riddick had questions about the Houston Texans' culture a couple weeks ago on ESPN.

5 bills to watch in Texas in 2021 Legislators have set the tone for what will cause the biggest debates. So are we just calling doctors ‘kiddo’ now? A WSJ opinion piece argued that Dr. Jill Biden should drop her professional title.

The Texans used to be light years ahead of the Buffalo Bills, and now Josh Allen has led the charge right past the Texans. The common theme among these teams — the Bills, Raiders, and Dolphins — these were all AFC teams that were CLEARLY behind the Texans in the AFC pecking order before Bill O'Brien started to get his meathooks into the roster. First, prior to Sunday's loss to the Browns, the Texans had beaten ALL five of them the last time they met. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS2020 RECORD: 6-32018-2019 RECORD: 11-212015-2019 RECORD: 36-44PLAYOFF APPERANCES 2015-2019: 2016LAST OUTCOME vs TEXANS: Texans 27, Raiders 24 (Week 8, 2019)ADDED INSULT TO INJURY: The Raiders are 6-3 with a CARR at quarterback. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS2020 RECORD: 6-32018-2019 RECORD: 17-152015-2019 RECORD: 37-43PLAYOFF APPERANCES 2015-2019: 2018LAST OUTCOME vs TEXANS: Texans 20, Colts 17 (Week 12, 2019)ADDED INSULT TO INJURY: Isn't having these guys good again while in the same division as the Texans insult enough?

The average age for people going through their first divorce is 30 years old, and 40% of women older than 65 are widows. In fact, women are 80% more likely to be impoverished in retirement. She dedicates her life to helping women create a life plan, not just a financial plan. “Know what you have and know where the money is,” Bajalia told Ivanhoe. She tells other women to always be involved in all aspects of their financial life.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws a pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)The AFC doesn’t lack for drama or star power even though Tom Brady has taken his talents to Davis Beach. WEST: The Chiefs (8-1) are still the class of the conference despite a hiccup against the resurgent Raiders (5-3), who won 40-32 at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 11. Mahomes became the fastest quarterback in NFL history to reach 100 TD passes, doing it in 40 games, four fewer than Dan Marino. The Broncos (3-5) have been waylaid by injuries and COVID-19 opt-outs, exposures and infections and Drew Lock went 45 drives without a TD pass.

That means that going into tonight’s Saints-Buccaneers showdown, home teams are 65-65-1 so far this season. That homefield advantage has largely been erased with sparse crowds or no fans at games because of the coronavirus pandemic. Las Vegas though has taken control on its first two drives of the second half. Neither had started an NFL game, but both have been in the league much longer than DiNucci. The Tennessee Titans already lost left tackle Taylor Lewan for the season, and now they are without left guard Rodger Saffold.

(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – All New York Jets players and coaches have tested negative for COVID-19, and Sunday's game against Arizona will be played on time. We look forward to our game this Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.”During the summer, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford had a similar false positive. By sending everyone home from the facility Friday morning, the Jets took the appropriate steps under the NFL/NFLPA COVID-19 protocols. The league already postponed, then rescheduled the Titans’ game with Pittsburgh from Oct. 4 to Oct. 25 during the outbreak. That would be the sixth NFL game to be rescheduled — all this month.

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MortgagesHomeowners struggling to pay their mortgage should contact their loan servicer to discuss payment options. Some states are offering rent assistance, like Delaware, which offers up to $1,500 to residents struggling to pay rent or electric bills because of coronavirus. Student loansThose with federal student loans may not have to make payments through September 30, as the government is suspending payments and waiving interest on federal student loans for six months. The six-month suspension and interest waiver applies only to federally held loans, roughly 85% of federal student loans. That includes Direct federal loans, as well as PLUS loans that parents may have taken out on behalf of their children.

KPRC 2consumer expert Amy Davis spoke with financial educator Tiffany Aliche to help guide you through which bills to pay and which ones to delay. I don’t have enough money to pay rent. Sugar Land real estate attorney Himesh Ghandi talked with Davis about what your rights are in case you can’t make rent. Worried about making your mortgage or rent payment during the coronavirus outbreak? Click here to read more about how you can get help if you are struggling with mortgage or rent payments.

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HOUSTON – When was the last time you called your cable company to get your bill lowered? You have to do a little comparison shopping before you call up your cable company. When negotiating your cable bill, “cutting the cord” and “streaming” are things you should mention that you are considering to trim your expenses. Your cable company doesn’t want to lose you as a customer. Kyle has created this article that tells you exactly how to negotiate with Dish Network, DirecTV, AT&T, Verizon and Comcast.

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They call it the wild card round - well the Texans and Bills matchup lived up to the wild part of that. But several hours later and after nearly five quarters of football, the Texans emerged with an unforgettable 22-19 overtime win over the Bills. Here’s what the players and head coach Bill O’Brien were saying after their come-from-behind wild card win over the Bills. The Houston fans, they’re great because they’re going to let you know when you’re not playing well, and they’re going to let you know when you are playing well. It was a huge play.

HOUSTON, Texas -- Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt was added to the active roster on Tuesday and will play in Saturday's wild-card game against the Buffalo Bills.Watt has been out since tearing a pectoral muscle Oct. "When I got hurt I just assumed I was done (for the season)," Watt said after returning to practice on Dec. 24. "I didn't even know there was a possibility. And then literally a couple days after the surgery, I was feeling so good that ... And from there, it was just literally, day by day, just ... doing whatever I can do.

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