‘Curiosity Cruisers’: Mobile libraries bring the power of reading, STEM programming to underserved children
The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation (Foundation) and its Ladies for Literacy Guild announced on Wednesday the donation of a fourth Curiosity Cruiser to Harris County Public Library, which will hit the streets in October.
Letters: Take a stand
Let us take a stand this time! How many lives are we willing to sacrifice upon the alter of an absolute right to own a gun? Baldomero GarzaKatyTo sella tacoTo sell a taco in Texas you need to:(1) Obtain a permit from the Department of State Health Services. The state of Texas requires this for the safety and protection of its residents. Also, many places in the world are experiencing immigration problems, whether they be from Ukraine, Africa, Syria, Lebanon or other Middle Eastern countries.
myrgv.com‘Disability Book Week’ opens world of literary contributions to better understand, empower disabled community
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner joins Texas Governor Abbott and officials from other states to proclaim April 23 – 29 as “Disability Book Week,” which will highlight authors worldwide with disabilities. It also includes books that have a leading character with a disability shown in a positive way.
Starbucks strikes deal with EEOC over alleged racial bias in promoting employees
Starbucks bags with free items, in recognition of the Starbucks coffee shot that is slated to go in at the CollegeTowne location, Reading, Pennsylvania, January 12, 2021. Starbucks said on Wednesday that it has resolved allegations from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission about alleged racial bias in its employee promotions, based on data from 2007 through 2011. The agreement with the federal agency was disclosed in Starbucks' third annual Civil Rights Assessment from the law firm Covington & Burling. A Starbucks spokesperson said that the company was engaged in on-and-off dialogue with the EEOC before reaching the agreement earlier this year. Earlier in March, Starbucks promoted Dennis Brockman to the role of global chief inclusion and diversity officer.
cnbc.com17 picture books you’ve never heard of, but that your kids will love
Who doesn’t love “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” (And the polar bear version. And the panda edition!) Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle definitely have that formula down to a science. And well, the classics are the classics for a reason, and most parents can probably agree there will be room for those books on any shelf.
Libyan man sentenced to life for deadly UK park stabbings
A Libyan man who stabbed three friends to death as they sat in an English city park on a summer evening has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole. Judge Nigel Sweeney said on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 that Khairi Saadallah should be given a rare whole-life prison term for the ruthless and brutal attack. (Facebook via AP)LONDON – A Libyan man who stabbed three friends to death as they sat in an English city park on a summer evening was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole. Judge Nigel Sweeney said Khairi Saadallah should be given a rare whole-life prison term for the “ruthless and brutal” attack. Saadallah, who had convictions for offenses including theft and assault, had been released from prison just two weeks before his deadly attack.
October pending home sales fall unexpectedly, as high prices take their toll on buyers
Pending home sales fell 1.1% month-to-month in October but were 20.2% higher compared with October 2019. This reading is a measure of signed contracts on existing homes, so it is a future indicator of closed sales. In the Midwest, sales fell 0.7% monthly but rose 19.6% annually. With the supply of existing homes so low, sales of newly built homes benefited. Builders, however, are now having the same issue as the existing market.
cnbc.comNew FIFA rules to protect female players' maternity rights
(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)GENEVA – (asterisk)(asterisk)EMBARGO UNTIL FIFA RELEASE ABOUT 10:00GMT(asterisk)(asterisk)Female soccer players should soon get their maternity rights protected under new employment rules announced Thursday by FIFA. “The idea is to protect female players before, during and after childbirth,” FIFA chief legal officer Emilio Garcia said on a conference call. The rules are expected to be approved by the FIFA Council next month and would take effect on Jan. 1. “We think these rules are part of common sense,” he said of the move, which follow International Labor Organization standards on compensating maternity leave. At least eight weeks of the 14-week minimum maternity leave must be after the player gives birth.
Libyan man admits stabbing murders of 3 friends in UK park
LONDON – A 26-year-old Libyan man pleaded guilty to murder Wednesday for stabbing three friends to death as they sat in an English city park. Khairi Saadallah admitted to three counts of murder and three of attempted murder for the June 20 attack in Reading, 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of London. James Furlong, 36, David Wails, 49, and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39, were enjoying a warm Saturday evening in the city's Forbury Gardens park when they were stabbed. Each died from a single stab wound. The judge set a sentencing hearing for the week of Dec. 7.
Morgan makes English soccer debut for 1st match in 15 months
Tottenham Hotspur's Alex Morgan gestures to her teammates during the English Women's Super League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Reading at the Hive stadium in London Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. Morgan came on as a 69th minute substitute, the game ended in a 1-1 draw. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)LONDON – Supported by her baby daughter in the stands, American superstar Alex Morgan made her debut in English soccer on Saturday. Morgan came on as a substitute in the 69th minute for Tottenham in a 1-1 draw against Reading in the Women’s Super League. She didn't manage to score in her first match in around 15 months, having given birth to Charlie in May.
Creating a stronger Houston through the power of literacy
HOUSTON – Houston is facing a literacy crisis. According to research from the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, one in three Houston-area adults can’t read or write beyond a fourth-grade level. Illiteracy has become a multi-generational issue impacting all areas of the economy, but there is a strategic plan in place to change Houston’s literacy landscape. Nearly 30% of Houston-area third-graders fail to meet the minimum reading standards. The goal is to enrich the lives of more and more Houstonians through the power of literacy.
Huawei says Qualcomm applied for a license to sell it chips and the Chinese giant will use them if allowed
The logo of Chinese company Huawei at their main U.K. offices in Reading, west of London, on January 28, 2020. Huawei said that Qualcomm has applied for a license to sell it chips and the Chinese technology giant will use them in smartphones if permission is granted by the U.S. government. China's Huawei was put on a U.S. blacklist last year that restricted American businesses from selling products to the Chinese phonemaker. U.S. companies, including Qualcomm, were required to get a license from the government to export goods to companies on that list. Huawei designs its own smartphones chips called Kirin, via its HiSilicon subsidiary.
cnbc.comDeshawn Watsons new book Pass It On is out now
HOUSTON Deshaun Watson is now an author. The Houston Texans quarterback released his new book, Pass It On: Work Hard, Serve Others ... Repeat," on Tuesday. It talks about succeeding as a leader in seven elements. A statement from the team about the book said Watson writes about everything from his experience as a Texans QB, to nursing his mom through cancer to his journey as a leader while attending Clemson. You can catch Watson and the rest of the Houston Texans play against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday night on KPRC 2.
Chick-fil-A's first UK location will close after pressure from LGBTQ rights group
Chick-fil-A opened its first location in the United Kingdom in early October. A little more than a week later, the British shopping center leasing the location has already said it will not extend the restaurant's six-month lease, BBC reported Friday. The Oracle shopping center in Reading faced pressure from a local LGBTQ rights group, Reading Pride, according to the BBC. This six month pilot licensed location in Reading, UK is part of our exploration in international markets." Read more about the shopping center's decision not to extend Chick-fil-A's lease here.
cnbc.comSisters take story time to Facebook Live so no child has to miss out
Five nights a week, the girls, who are two of five siblings, read to whomever would like to listen on Facebook Live. We thought it may be beneficial for children who dont get this luxury, a post on the girls Facebook page reads. When they presented their mom with the idea to read on Facebook Live, even though she doesnt want them to be on social media, she agreed it would be a great, positive way to help light the world. The girls Facebook page Zaria X Hailey has quickly grown to more than 10,000 followers. For parents who don't want their kids on Facebook or Instagram, the girls also post their stories on their YouTube page.
Maxo Kream and Reading With A Rapper Deliver a Session at Worthing High
The lights in the auditorium at Worthing High School in the historic Sunnyside area of south Houston dimmed and the room was quiet. The group is the brainchild of Jarren Small and Douglas Johnson who came up with the idea while working in schools. I saw the Migos reading Dr. Seuss books and thought about how we could make this a tangible thing. Reading With A Rapper provides an added bonus by bringing lyricists to the schools to speak with the students about their work. Maxo Kream, whose new album Brandon Banks debuted Friday, spoke on why it was so important that he work with the literacy group.
houstonpress.com"World's ugliest Christmas tree" lives on
It's the time of year when Christmas trees are normally being tossed to the curb, but in Reading, Pennsylvania, one tree has become immortal. It's not for the tree's beauty though. Steve Hartman goes "On the Road" for another look at the "World's ugliest Christmas tree."
cbsnews.comA small Pennsylvania town demands their Christmas tree be taken down
A small Pennsylvania town demands their Christmas tree be taken down In Reading, Penn., residents say Charlie Brown had a better Christmas tree than they do. The city decided to take it down, but some residents disagree. Steve Hartman is On the Road with the story.
cbsnews.com"Ugly" Christmas tree in Pennsylvania won't come down after all
"Ugly" Christmas tree in Pennsylvania won't come down after all A much-criticized Christmas tree in downtown Reading, Pennsylvania, is still standing. Many community members complained that it looked ugly and local officials started to take it down Monday, but as Vicente Arenas reports, the tree got a last-minute reprieve.
cbsnews.comSignage outside of school causing 15 feet of confusion
Signage outside of school causing 15 feet of confusion Reading parking signs to avoid getting a ticket can be frustrating, but one particular sign in Culver City, California really takes the cake. It's a whopping 15 feet of rules and regulations, and it's caused so much confusion city officials have already had pieces of it removed. KCAL-TV's Juan Fernandez reports.
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