PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY

Following a demand letter calling on Gov. Greg Abbott to address the disparity in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) funding, Texas State Democratic leaders and legal advocates are addressing the historical inequalities in these institutions of higher learning.

KPRC 2 reached out to several Houston-area colleges and universities to find out the resources they provide to students who are experiencing domestic violence and abuse in their relationships.

An employee at Prairie View A&M University who was shot and killed by a former co-worker at the university’s farm Monday has been identified.

An employee at Prairie View A&M University was shot and killed by a former co-worker at the university’s farm in an isolated incident on campus Monday, officials said.

The organizers for a trail ride in Hempstead, Texas, where seven bystanders were injured in a shooting spoke out Tuesday.

Waller County Judge Trey Duhon said organizers for a trail ride in Hempstead, Texas, where seven bystanders were injured in a shooting near Prairie View A&M University Sunday didn’t meet permit conditions for the event.

Multiple bystanders were shot Sunday night after a gunman opened fire following an argument at a trail ride event near Praire View A&M University.

This week, Prairie View A&M University is celebrating educational excellence amongst alumni and current students, but the university is also receiving a big gift to address a critical need amongst institutions of higher learning across the nation.

Simmons talked with The Texas Tribune about “Up Home: One Girl’s Journey,” which depicts an era long gone but whose legacies of inequality still persist.

According to Candace Johnson, Executive Director of Marketing Communications at Prairie View A&M, the illnesses came at the end of Panther Camp activities.

Houston is rich in Black culture and one local influencer is making sure its historic sites built by influential African Americans are not forgotten.

A Prairie View A&M University student is dead after police said she was shot while trying to help her friend through a fight with her boyfriend early Thursday morning.

Prairie View A&M University could separate from the Texas A&M University System if the national alumni association president has his way.

The Texas A&M University System will supercharge the development of Prairie View A&M University’s new National Center for Infrastructure Transformation with a $500,000 boost for the next five years.

Dr. Ruth J. Simmons, who formerly served as president at Prairie View A&M University, is slated to speak at this year’s commencement, despite resigning from the university last month.

Dr. Ruth Simmons will join Rice University as a President’s Distinguished Fellow, the university announced Tuesday.

The president of Prairie View A&M University announced her early resignation last week, prompting several organizations from within the university system to respond.

Simmons was expected to step down June 1. The abrupt resignation appears to be over a difference with Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp over hiring during the rest of Simmons’ term as president.

Several Houston area universities are joining the growing list of higher education institutes who are either limiting or fully restricting students, staff, and visitors from using Tik-Tok through its campus WiFi network.

ConocoPhillips announced on Thursday a nearly $1.2 million multi-year donation, consisting of both in-kind equipment and monetary contributions, to Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) to support student development of skills in engineering and business analytics for undergraduates.

The Baker Hughes Foundation has announced $1 million in grants to four Historically Black Colleges and Universities for the 2022-23 academic year, according to a release.

The announcement kicks off a required 21-day period before she can be formally appointed. If approved, LeGrande will take over at the end of the current academic year.

Federal monitors will be on the ground in Harris, Dallas and Waller counties on Election Day as part of the department’s regular deployment for major elections.

It’s homecoming season for most historically Black colleges and universities across the nation, and many are making plans to travel to their beloved alma maters to celebrate culture, tradition, and educational excellence (if they haven’t already).

The Texas Department of Transportation Houston District is proposing to widen FM 1488 from BU 290 to Joseph Road in Waller and Harris counties.

Jaden Stewart, Ahmad Antoine and Trazon Connley all rushed for more than 100 yards and Prairie View A&M defeated Texas Southern 40-23 in the 37th Labor Day Classic.

Prairie View A&M University’s iconic Marching Storm Band wowed the crowd with their performance at the 2022 Pepsi National Battle of the Bands competition this past weekend and also got the attention of Grammy-nominated singer Tems.

The changing legal landscape is raising questions for public colleges about how to talk to students about reproductive health care options and creating hesitancy among students about whether they can trust their universities’ health centers.

Many Texas public universities have committed to accepting students who do not submit SAT or ACT standardized test scores, signaling that test-optional policies could be here to stay.

President Joe Biden is appointing actor Taraji P.

Simmons will teach, help maintain new fundraising partnerships and launch a college and university leadership training academy.

A group of students at Prairie View A&M University sued the county, claiming it set up an election schedule in 2018 that offered students — most of them Black — fewer opportunities to vote early than the county’s white residents.

Simmons also served as president of Smith College in Massachusetts and Brown University, where she was the first Black woman to preside over an Ivy League school.

Ruth J. Simmons, president of Prairie View A&M University has announced on Friday that she will step down from her role.

All trails lead to Houston for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, but surrounding areas are also joining the fun.

On Feb. 22, 1922, Congress authorized the Grant Memorial $1 coin, London issued a unilateral declaration of Egyptian independence and a baby girl, Ida Mae, was born to Elton and Lorene Porter in Gonzalez, Texas. Still as beautiful as the day she was born, a century later, this amazing woman is celebrating her 100th birthday!

The historic Prairie View A&M University marching band, The Marching Storm, is the focus of a new docuseries that debuts Jan. 24.

It was another historic, news-filled year. As you get ready for 2022, check out these memorable articles The Texas Tribune published in 2021.

Jawon Pass ran for two touchdowns, including a 59-yarder, Lyndemian Brooks scored on an 83-yard run and Prairie View A&M beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff 27-17.

Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has funded organizations that received the most money for racial equity in 27 different states following the police killing of George Floyd.

Jawon Pass completed 25 of 37 passes for 354 yards and three touchdowns and Prairie View A&M opened the season with a 40-17 victory over Texas Southern in Southwestern Athletic Conference play.

Google grants 10 historically black colleges and universities, including Prairie View A&M University, $5M to increase diverse representation in the STEM industry

Rep. Jim Murphy said lawmakers selected projects that would address the state’s nursing and medical professional shortages as the COVID-19 pandemic reiterated additional need for skilled workers.

HOUSTON – Spring 2021 graduates at Prairie View A&M University will be able to participate in an in-person graduation ceremony, the university announced Friday. The commencement is scheduled for May 15 in Panther Stadium at 8:30 a.m.PVAMU also announced an additional in-person celebration for 2020 graduates, who had virtual ceremonies because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ceremony is set for May 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the stadium. The university will require masks and social distancing at both outdoor events. For those who are unable to join, both events will be livestreamed and can be viewed at www.pvamu.edu/commencement.

To help alleviate some of that expense for diverse communities, rising PGA Tour star Cameron Champ donated $40,000 to the Prairie View A&M University golf program. Champ played college golf at Texas A&M and is one of the few black golfers on the PGA Tour. He was tasked with bringing the Prairie View A&M golf team back to prominence after a near 40-year conference championship drought. “I want to be the first myself.”COVID-19 holdJennings has a young team, and many of his golfers have yet to see college competition due to COVID-19 cancellations. Jennings said there’s a lot of work to do with his young team, while Latham believes the Panthers have the talent to place well in the SWAC.

Out in a rural stretch of Texas northwest of Houston, Waller County was born of plantations, cotton fields and slavery. More than a century ago, state lawmakers planted there the state's first public college where Black students could pursue higher education. When her grandfather was a student in the 1970s, Waller County systematically prevented Black students from registering to vote. That year, the Justice Department sued Waller County over its rejection of voter registration applications — most from Prairie View A&M students. Barnett, the Precinct 3 commissioner who represented the university and opposed expanded early voting on campus, lost his seat.

HOUSTON – The Houston Endowment awarded Prairie View A&M University with a $1.5 million grant to help increase the hiring of qualified teachers of color, according to a release. The foundation invested the grant into PVAMU’s Whitlowe R. Green College of Education to support the university’s educator preparation program. Its goal is not only to increase more qualified teachers of color but also to help prepare those educators for long-term success. The grant is part of the $20 million in funds Houston Endowment awarded to several Houston-area organizations that are committed to making racial equity and social justice in Houston a reality. “The grant will help enhance the quality and distinctiveness of programs and services to best prepare students for careers as accomplished educational professionals.”

HOUSTON – A major cyberattack against Prairie View A&M University on Feb. 4 forced the university to close its campus, cancel cases and shut down online classes. The event immobilized the university’s major network systems, which impacted its ability to access day-to-day operational systems. The Cyber Response Team from The Texas A&M University System is helping the school’s IT staff to restore systems as soon as possible, the university said. Those who are still experiencing issues with the reset are asked to call the Help Desk at 936-261-2525 or 877-241-1752. AdClasses were able to resume on Thursday because course rigor and meeting course learning outcomes are fundamental to instruction, degree and professional success, course contact hours must be made up, according to a news release.

HOUSTON – Daisy Stiner has spent her career trying to bring support and relief to underserved communities. Established in 1943, the Hester House is one of the oldest community outreach centers in Houston. “It started out as a hub, a meeting place for community residents,” Stiner said. Ad“To family members who are unemployed, we have our referral services where they can get the services they need to provide stability to their families,” Stiner said. “We are proud to be a part of that and to be a beacon to the community,” Stiner said.

HOUSTON – Prairie View A&M University will host the first COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Waller County. The site is open for those with appointments on Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.“I think we are averaging 90 to 100 folks coming through an hour right now,” said Waller County Judge Trey Duhon. He said the drive-thru operation was planned in about a week and is a result of a collaboration between the county and university. “The university is really vested in making sure that we can do what we can to stop the spread of the virus,” said Tondra Moore, the executive director of health services for Prairie View University. So it’s awesome that we get to come here and put our skills into practice,” said PVU nursing student Keara Avie.

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – Vice President Kamala Harris has made history as the first woman, first Black and first South Asian to hold the position. She credits her time at a historically Black college, Howard University, with preparing for a life of public service. Students at Prairie View A&M University proudly watched Wednesday’s ceremony at the Memorial Student Center. Some students were emotional and felt inspired by President Joe Biden and VP Harris. LaShonda Williams is a graduate of Prairie View A&M and she’s also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, just like Harris.

HOUSTON – The counting process had barely started when protesters stormed the U.S. Capitol, a scene that played out on screens around the country and around the world. Two professors from Prairie View A&M University weighed in on the day’s events. “This is not what is supposed to happen in the United States,” said Michael Marshall, an assistant professor of political science. The process will not be deterred,” said Eddy Carder, an assistant professor who will be teaching constitutional law. “The republic and the democracy have been amazingly resilient,” he said.

Prairie View A&M University has received a $50 million donation, the largest in the university’s history, from writer and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. The historically Black university can use the money for whatever it likes. School leaders have chosen to allocate $10 million to juniors and seniors who had dealt with financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last month, Prairie View received a $10 million donation from an anonymous donor to help students impacted by the pandemic. Scott, who is the former wife of Amazon CEO and billionaire Jeff Bezos, also donated $50 million to Morgan State University, a historically Black college in Maryland.

No matter the school district, failure rates for the first grading period, among those learning virtually, are much higher than failure rates during the same period last year, according to an analysis of data conducted by KPRC 2. After reporting 42% of students enrolled in Houston Independent School District failed at least one course during the first six weeks of the school year, KPRC 2 sent requests to 10 Houston-area school districts for failure rates among virtual students vs in-person students. As more requests are fulfilled, KPRC 2 will continue to update the data provided:Houston Independent School DistrictWhile the Houston Independent School District is Texas’ largest school district, it’s far from alone in documenting problems associated with virtual learning. Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School DistrictForty-four percent of high school students enrolled in virtual learning failed at least one course during the first grading period, data released by Cy-Fair ISD confirmed. Thirty-eight percent of middle school students learning virtually failed at least one course, according to the data.

HOUSTON – Prairie View A&M University board of regents has approved a new center for race and justice, the university said Thursday. The university announced its creation in June following the death of George Floyd and the civil unrest that followed. The new Ruth J. Simmons Center, named after the school’s president, will research, publish and train students to develop ways to stop systemic biases that impact minorities across the country. Creating a research fellowship program that will bring scholars from across the nation to PVAMU’s campus annually. An activist-in-residence position, which would bring advocates, activists, and those who have worked on behalf of justice to the campus to build on PVAMU students' long history of political engagement.

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – The Prairie View A&M University received $10 million from an anonymous donor on Wednesday. “It will really help my family. The school says they will continue to strive for excellence and help students as much as they can. We all know how expensive college can be for people and their families, but one person stepped up to help student at Prairie View A&M University in big way. An anonymous donor gave $10 million to the university so juniors and seniors can stay enrolled in school and graduate on time.

We have everything you need to know about cyber trackers, how they get into your devices, and what you can do about it. Cyber tracking is when companies (websites, apps) track certain things about you so they can target advertisements for you. We went to the experts to find out more about cyber tracking and your phones and computers. “Of course I think it’s a problem,” said student Lacy Tempest, “No one’s information should be taken, especially if it’s personal information.”“It’s really, really scary stuff,” said Joshua Thomas. Busy mom of two teenagers, Renita Douglas, has mixed feelings about cyber tracking but admits it has made shopping easier.

HOUSTON – This season of The Voice features not just one but two Houstonians, and the latest superstar got all four judges to turn in her blind audition while singing Un-Break My Heart by Toni Braxton. Desz’s mom suffered an aneurysm just months later and she performed for the first time during her funeral. The 30-year-old musician went on to perform all throughout college at Prairie View A&M University with the university’s choir, the Houston Ebony Opera and the Houston Symphony. She eventually made her way to Los Angeles, where she became a part of Kanye West’s Sunday Service Choir. To keep up with Desz’s musical journey, follow her on Instagram @deszmusicofficial or Facebook at DeSz Music.

HOUSTON – Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced Monday a partnership with Prairie View A&M University aimed at addressing health disparities in various communities across Houston. Turner said the partnership will benefit Houston’s underserved and under-resourced communities by investing in programs and services that will address challenges impacting the state’s diverse socioeconomic communities. PVAMU’s Healthy Houston Initiatives will focus on neighborhoods such as Third Ward, Sunnyside, Denver Harbor, Acres Home, Kashmere Gardens, Cuney Homes, Haverstock and other specific Houston-area communities and neighborhoods, Turner said. The goal is to improve the selected underserved communities' health, nutrition and wellness, according to the mayor. The initiative will expand awareness of healthy living programs, health services and educate residents on how to live a healthy lifestyle through its resources.

Megan Thee Stallion, whose real name is Megan Jovon Ruth Pete, is a 25-year-old rapper from the South Park neighborhood. In 2020, she has dropped two chart-topping hits “Savage” Remix with fellow Houston native Beyoncé and “WAP” with rapper Cardi B. In September 2019, the Houston rapper signed a management deal with Roc Nation, which is founded by Jay Z.Pete is also a senior majoring in healthcare administration at Texas Southern University. Here are 14 reasons why the world and especially loves Megan Thee Stallion:1. She goes to Texas Southern University.

HOUSTON – Houston Rapper Megan Thee Stallion announced Thursday on social media that she plans to give away two $10,000 scholarships. Hold on y’all crashed the website lol one sec 🙏🏾 — HOT GIRL MEG (@theestallion) October 8, 2020The site will be back up in a few minutes and it is a GLOBAL SCHOLARSHIP so hot girls from all over the world can apply 🔥🔥🔥 — HOT GIRL MEG (@theestallion) October 8, 2020The Don’t Stop scholarship fund was named after her recent song featuring rapper Young Thug. READ: Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion named one of the most influential people of 2020Megan isn’t the only Houston native in the hip-hop world feeling generous, Houston rapper Travis Scott also recently announced that he is offering to pay tuition of five students who currently attend historically black colleges. READ: Houston rapper Travis Scott offers to pay tuition for 5 HBCU students on TwitterScott said he plans to cover tuition for the students' first semesters. After making the announcement, he revealed that his mother attended Grambling State University and his father attended Prairie View A&M University, which are both historically black colleges and universities.

HOUSTON – Rapper Travis Scott was in a charitable mood Wednesday night as he offered to pay the tuition of five students that currently attend historically black colleges and universities. THAT ATTENDS AN HBCU https://t.co/5eQ6YXQMc5 — TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) October 7, 2020Scott said he plans to cover tuition for the students' first semesters. Wild — TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) October 7, 2020The rapper even announced two of the five selectees on the social media platform. https://t.co/t2Hrvqz5Cw — TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) October 7, 2020My mom always wanted me to go here.!!!! https://t.co/VwWwr0SswO — TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) October 7, 2020This is sure to be a gift they’ll never forget because, after all, a college education can be expensive.

HOUSTON – Inspired by Pharrell Williams featuring Jay-Z song “Entrepreneur,” a new video highlights Black entrepreneurs and businesses in the Houston area. Most impactfully, the video draws attention to the many success stories of local entrepreneurs and business owners. “There are way too many dope, Black entrepreneurs in Houston to fit them all into one video,” said Williams, the founder of Twice Media Productions, a Houston-based marketing company that produced the video. Other local businesses and entrepreneurs featured:Darryl King owns five companies with officers across the world and he and his companies have given nearly a half-million dollars in donations and scholarships. Here is the full video of Houston-area, Black-owned businesses:

HOUSTON – The president of Prairie View A&M University, Dr. Ruth Simmons, has gifted the Fifth Ward community with a major boost in an effort to help a non-profit founded 77 years ago. Simmons presented the Julia C. Hester House, a long-standing community center in the Fifth Ward area, a donation in the amount of $100,000 on Saturday. Simmons said the gift will help the organization continue to serve residents with a variety of programs, including child development, education, community swim classes, senior services and meal distributions. “My siblings and I owe a great deal to Julia C. Hester House," Simmons said. “We were both surprised and elated with gratitude when we received the news of this thoughtful donation.

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas Prairie View A&M University President Ruth Simmons has announced the university is launching a Center for Race and Justice and will require a mandatory class on the history of race for incoming students as a response to the death of Houston native George Floyd and other similar murders that have taken place across the United States. Now we must call upon that identity to give us guidance and succor in the coming period.Simmons said as soon as it is approved, incoming students will be required to take a course on the History of Race and Class in the United States. Led by Professor Melanye Price, the center will serve as a resource to encourage teaching and scholarship that contributes positively to overturning systematic biases that impede the ability of minorities and other groups to be accorded their full rights under the U.S. Constitution, Simmons said. Simmons believes the death of Floyd is a catalyst to implement actions that can have a lasting impact on the historically black college, the students and surrounding communities. Click here to read Simmons entire letter.