Meet the Houston moms on a mission to promote literacy, learning and inclusion through braille
Cheri Hutcherson, Lauren Thurman and their families are participants in this year's Braille Across America, the annual event that supports National Braille Press and their efforts to promote braille literacy. Watch the video to learn more about their mission and how braille is empowering blind and visually impaired adults and children -- including Cheri's 13 year old son Will, who is blind.
Your child can become a published author with the help of iWRITE
It's National Reading Month and, while reading is essential for young minds, writing gives students a voice. Melissa Williams Murphy with iWRITE joined us with more on its mission to give students a chance to be published authors while building their confidence and communication skills.
Katy ISD is adjusting its book ban policy: Hereโs why
Katy Independent School Districtโs school board voted to unanimously update and adjust the districtโs current book removal policy after several childrenโs classics, including Dr. Seussโ โWacky Wednesdayโ and โNo, David!โ by David Shannon were put on the districtโs removal list because of nudity.
Houston area students invited to โslide into summer readingโ with the Houston Astros
The Houston Astros Foundation and Reliant Energy have partnered for the second year in a row to stop the โsummer slideโ that happens too often for elementary students. Thatโs why they are excited to kick off the โSlide into Summer Readingโ program, which encourage students to become โReliant Readersโ during their school break.
โCuriosity Cruisersโ: 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.
โDisability Book Weekโ 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 โ 29 as โDisability Book Week,โ which will highlight authors worldwide with disabilities. It also includes books that have a leading character with a disability shown in a positive way.
17 picture books youโve never heard of, but that your kids will love
Who doesnโt love โBrown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?โ (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 โ 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 โruthless and brutalโ attack. Saadallah, who had convictions for offenses including theft and assault, had been released from prison just two weeks before his deadly attack.
New FIFA rules to protect female players' maternity rights
(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)GENEVA โ (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. โThe idea is to protect female players before, during and after childbirth,โ 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. โWe think these rules are part of common sense,โ 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 โ 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 โ 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 Womenโs 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 โ Houston is facing a literacy crisis. According to research from the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, one in three Houston-area adults canโt 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 Houstonโs 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.
Deshawn 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.