Houston is offering an exclusive preview of the 2024 floats for the 75th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade, featuring iconic floats like Tom Turkey and Santa, as well as new designs.

The cost to gather around the Thanksgiving table is costlier this year, although estimates suggest record inflation may be on the decline.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and the city council approved the food insecurity board last week.

HOUSTON – Some of the major pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreens and HEB in Houston plan to have vaccines available to the general public by springtime. Families could be making their way to their local pharmacy for a COVID-19 vaccine by March or early April. HEB has been working on plans for COVID-19 vaccine distributions for months. CVS stated that they plan to have COVID-19 vaccines available to the public by March, as well, at every one of their locations. Once it’s available to the public at CVS, Walgreens or HEB, it will be at no cost to customers.

Wendell Champion is a West Point graduate who says his leadership is what’s needed now in the 18th Congressional District after 25 years of representation by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. She says her time as a drug court judge opened her eyes. “I mean I literally saw miracles happen in that courtroom every day.”Anderson says 70% of drug court graduates have never been re-arrested. Brighter Bites fight against food insecurityLisa Helfman is a co-founder of Brighter Bites, founded in Houston to help provide healthy food to students. More informationWendell Champion, (R) Candidate, 18th Congressional DistrictLisa Helfman, Founder, Board Chair, Brighter BitesDevon Anderson, President & CEO Justice Forward

HOUSTON Texas-based retailer H-E-B announced that starting Wednesday, it will implement a mandatory mask policy in all stores, including those where a local ordinance is not in place, according to Lisa Helfman, H-E-B spokesperson. The mandatory mask police was implemented to help slow the spread of the COVID-19. As an essential service provider during the pandemic, H-E-B is focused on the health and safety of our Partners, customers and continuous service to our communities. Over 85% of H-E-B stores are already operating under a mandatory mask ordinance. Effective July 1, H-E-B will implement a mandatory mask policy in all stores, including those where a local ordinance is not in place.Until now, the store only required masks in Texas counties and cities where a mask mandate was in place.

HOUSTON – As concerns over the coronavirus rise in the country, a Texas-based grocery store chain on Monday announced limits on purchases of hand sanitizer and hand soap. Lisa Helfman, public affairs director for H-E-B, said customers will be restricted to four bottles of hand sanitizer and four bottles of hand soap per transaction in one shopping trip. Helfman said the move is meant to ensure that all H-E-B customers have access to the products. Q&A: H-E-B’s limit on hand sanitizer and hand soapH-E-B released the following questions and answers Monday about the store’s move to limit purchases of hand sanitizer and hand soap:Why is there a limit on hand sanitizer and soap? Occasionally we will limit product purchases to make sure our customers can find the items they need.

HOUSTON – The voter websites maintained by Texas counties are not in great shape when it comes to security. Hicks is a guest on this week’s Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall and says there is an obvious need for everyone to know their county website is secure. “The Med Center -- they need a grocery store,” Helfman said. “The Museum District and all the new high rises need a grocery store. Hear much more about what it took to get this new magnet of the community on this week’s Houston Newsmakers.