Serena Williams emcee’s the ESPY awards on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LOS ANGELES — Hosted by Serena Williams, the 2024 ESPYS held Thursday in Hollywood celebrated and recognized the best players, teams and moments in sports.
It was a night of high style inside the Dolby Theater as several stars had memorable red-carpet appearances before heading inside for the ceremony.
The night celebrated a landmark year for women in sports, with basketball players Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, JuJu Watkins and gymnast Simone Biles winning awards. The final award of the night went to South Carolina women’s basketball for best team.
Prince Harry was awarded the Pat Tillman Award for Service, and South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.
Here is a list of notable winners from the night.
Best MLB Player: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers
Best NFL Player: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Best Driver: Max Verstappen, F1
Best NBA Player: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Best Athlete with a Disability: Brenna Huckaby, Snowboarding
Best College Athlete, Women’s Sports: Caitlin Clark, Iowa Basketball
Best WNBA Player: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Best Breakthrough Athlete: JuJu Watkins, USC Basketball
Best Championship Performance: Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Pat Tillman Award for Service: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
Best Athlete, Women’s Sports: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Jimmy V Award for Perseverance: Dawn Staley
Best Play: Lamar Jackson catches his own pass
Arthur Ashe Award for Courage: Steve Gleason
Best Athlete, Men’s Sports: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Best Record-Breaking Performance: Caitlin Clark crowned as the NCAA’s all-time scoring leader
Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award: Maui Surfing Community
Best Comeback Athlete: Simone Biles, Gymnastics
Best Team: South Carolina Women’s Basketball
Disney is the parent company of this station and ESPN.
In today’s digital age, financial literacy is becoming an essential skill for children and teenagers. Among the various aspects of financial education, understanding credit cards holds a pivotal place. Parents are increasingly faced with the decision of whether or not to introduce their kids to credit cards, and if so, the best approach to do so. Here’s a comprehensive look at how to navigate this important financial step.
Why Introduce Credit Cards Early?
Introducing children to credit cards early can have several benefits. It can help them understand the concept of credit, build a strong credit history from a young age, and develop responsible spending habits. However, the approach must be carefully managed to ensure these benefits are realized without leading to potential pitfalls.
The Best Age to Start
Experts suggest that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the right age for introducing credit cards. Generally, high school students, particularly those 16 and older, are at an appropriate age to start learning about credit. This is an age when many teens are already handling money from part-time jobs or allowances and are preparing for greater financial independence as they approach college years.
The Authorized User Approach
One popular method for introducing credit cards to kids is by adding them as authorized users on a parent’s account. This allows the child to have a card in their name, but the primary account holder (the parent) remains responsible for the bill. This method can help build the child’s credit history while allowing parents to monitor spending and guide their child’s financial habits.
Secured Credit Cards for Teens
For older teens, typically those heading to college, a secured credit card can be a viable option. A secured credit card requires a cash deposit that serves as the credit limit, minimizing risk while providing a practical tool for learning about credit. This type of card can help teens build credit without the danger of accruing significant debt.
Prepaid Cards as a Learning Tool
For younger children, a prepaid card can be an excellent starting point. Prepaid cards limit spending to the amount loaded onto the card, which can help children learn budgeting and responsible spending without the risk of debt. These cards often come with parental controls and monitoring features, making them a safe introduction to financial management.
Educational Conversations are Key
Regardless of the method chosen, the most critical aspect of introducing kids to credit cards is education. Parents should have ongoing discussions about how credit works, the importance of paying bills on time, and the long-term consequences of credit decisions. Real-life examples and practical advice can make these lessons more relatable and impactful.
Monitoring and Guidance
Monitoring your child’s credit card usage is crucial. Regularly review statements together, discuss any issues, and provide guidance on managing credit responsibly. Tools and apps that track spending and provide alerts can be beneficial in this learning phase.
Building a Strong Financial Foundation
Ultimately, the goal of introducing kids to credit cards is to build a strong financial foundation. Teaching children about credit early on can empower them to make informed financial decisions, avoid common credit pitfalls, and set them on a path to financial independence and success.
By carefully choosing the right approach and maintaining open lines of communication, parents can help their children navigate the complex world of credit with confidence and responsibility.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Over 800,000 CenterPoint Energy customers are still without power four days after Hurricane Beryl ripped through southeast Texas.
CenterPoint, the largest energy provider for the area, says crews are working 16-hour shifts — and apparently getting threats.
In a post on social media, the company asked the public to keep distance from the crews and allow them to keep working.
“Safety is our number one priority. We have received numerous reports of threats being made to our employees and crews,” CenterPoint wrote.
According to CenterPoint’s Outage Tracker, over 870,000 customers were still in the dark on Friday morning, and 1.3 million customers had been restored since the storm. CenterPoint declared that, with 2.26 million customers impacted, this is the largest outage in the company’s history.
In some areas, customers can now zoom in on their neighborhood, click the color that highlights their area, and see an estimated restoration date. Some areas have estimations, while many others do not.
In an update on Wednesday evening, CenterPoint said approximately 400,000 customers will be in the dark past Sunday. See the latest restoration data here.
The company said it will continue to update the map with estimated restoration dates throughout the day.
In an update on Thursday evening, CenterPoint said it expects to restore power to 80% of impacted customers by the end of the day on Sunday, July 14.
However, that still leaves roughly 400,000 customers who may be in the dark past Sunday.
In an interview with 13 Investigates, CenterPoint Energy admits not enough resiliency work was done heading into Hurricane Beryl.
CenterPoint said in areas with significant structural damage, customers could experience prolonged outages while crews work to install new distribution poles, overhead conductors, and other critical electrical equiment.
He defended the company’s response to the massive power outage, highlighting they managed to restore 1.1 million customers within 48 hours, claiming that’s faster than what other companies have done in the past 10 named storms.
Wells did take ownership of doing better with communicating expectations with customers.
His comments come after Acting Gov. Dan Patrick demanded an investigation be done into CenterPoint and whether or not it was prepared for the storm.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A manhunt is underway for the man who shot and killed a 28-year-old deputy overnight in northeast Harris County, officials said.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez identified him as Deputy Fernando Esqueda — a five-year veteran with the department in the Violent Person Task Force.
“He was dedicated to protecting and serving the residents of Harris County,” Gonzalez wrote in a post on social media. “We pray with Deputy Esqueda’s family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time. Deputy Esqueda’s commitment to duty and his sacrifice will always be remembered.”
According to Chief Deputy Mike Lee, deputies heard a call at about 10:10 p.m. Wednesday regarding an aggravated assault at a Little Caesars Pizza on Wallisville Road.
A suspect came in to pick up a pizza, but became upset because the order was incorrect.
That’s when he verbally assaulted the clerk, pulled out a gun, and pistol-whipped the employee before taking off, Lee said.
The employee described the suspect’s vehicle to detectives, including the license plate.
The plate was tracked to the 13200 block of Italian Cypress Trail, near Tidwell Road and Highway 90, after deputies entered the number into the county’s Flock camera system.
Officials said Esqueda, who was one of the many detectives working overtime to keep everyone safe after Hurricane Beryl, responded and notified his team members over the phone that he spotted what he thought was the vehicle.
“During that phone conversation, our deputy apparently was ambushed,” Lee said. “The other detectives in the area went to his location, and at that time, saw his undercover vehicle with multiple gun strikes in it.”
Esqueda was shot multiple times, Lee said.
Lee added that rather than wait for EMS, due to the severity of his injuries, Esqueda was placed in a patrol vehicle and rushed to the hospital, where he died.
Gonzalez shared a photo of the suspect on social media and identified him as 44-year-old Ronnie Palmer. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is encouraged to call the sheriff’s office at 713-221-6000 or Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).
“Palmer is wanted for an aggravated assault that occurred on July 10, 2024, at 15634 Wallisville in east Harris County,” Gonzalez wrote on social media. “He is also a person of interest in the capital murder of a Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy.”
“We have no doubt that suspect will be in custody in no time,” Lee said.
The Violent Person Task Force, which Esqueda was a part of, is a group that hunts down child rapists, homicide suspects, and “some of the most egregious criminals out there,” Lee told ABC13.
A number of toxic metals including arsenic and lead have been detected in widely used tampons that could increase the risk of adverse health effects among users, a new study by the University of California, Berkeley has found.
Researchers purchased tampons from September 2022 to March 2023 from stores in New York City, Athens, and London and from two popular online retailers. They tested 30 tampons—made from cotton, rayon, viscose, or a mix of these materials—across 14 brands and 18 product lines, and found all 16 types of metal they were testing for in every product.
“To our knowledge, our study is the first to assess concentrations of metals in tampons, despite the potential for substantial vaginal absorption of metals and the widespread and frequent use of tampons among menstruators,” the study’s authors wrote.
An estimated 52 to 86% of Americans who menstruate use tampons. There is no “safe” level for any of the metals researchers tested for, the study said.
Toxic metals are particularly dangerous if they come into direct contact with the vagina, where they are more easily absorbed. Chronic metal absorption has been linked to increased risk of dementia, cancer, infertility, and other health issues.
The level of metal detected in each tampon varied according to whether they were sold in the U.S., U.K., or E.U. There was also variance in metal levels depending on whether the tampons were organic or non-organic.
The authors wrote that some metals may be more “more abundant” in organic cotton tampons due to the use of fertilizers prevalent in the soil of organic cotton fields.
Tampons are regulated for product safety across the U.S., U.K., and the E.U., but existing rules do not require chemical testing in these jurisdictions.
The study notes that further research is needed to replicate its findings. The researchers also acknowledged some limitations of the study, including that absorption of metals was not tested and “thus we cannot estimate health risks (if any) from tampon use.”
“I really hope that manufacturers are required to test their products for metals, especially for toxic metals,” Jenni Shearston, the study’s lead author told Sky News.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — As millions remain without power in Houston and Southeast Texas, the Heat Advisory has been extended through at least Thursday evening with the hot, humid conditions continuing. Thankfully, cooling showers and storms will occur more frequently Thursday through Saturday.
We are starting off this morning with lows in the mid to upper 70s. After the sun comes out, temperatures will quickly warm into the low 90s by the early afternoon. Heat indices should get up close to 106 degrees. We also have an Ozone Pollution Watch in effect. The good news is there will be more tropical moisture in the air, which should lead to scattered showers and thunderstorms bubbling up from the late morning to the early afternoon. Any downpour could drop a quick inch of rain, produce cloud-to-ground lightning, and drop the temperatures into the upper 70s. Stronger storms could also bring gusty winds and small hail so make sure you head indoors if you hear thunder.
What does the rest of the week look like?
Storm chances will continue to climb Friday and Saturday as more tropical moisture piles in. This will cap highs in the upper 80s both days for most. Even if you don’t get rain, you’ll likely enjoy the benefits of the extra clouds and rain-cooled air pushing through.
Anything else in the tropics to be concerned about?
At this point, nope! There is a small disturbance off the east coast of Georgia and Florida but it has a very low chance of development and should move into the southeastern US by this weekend. Head to our daily Tropical Update page for the latest on what’s happening in the tropics.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Over a million Houston-area CenterPoint Energy customers are still without power, three long and hot days since Hurricane Beryl slammed the area.
Many southeast Texas residents say they have lost their faith in CenterPoint, the primary energy provider for the region. On Wednesday, a mural popped up on the side of I-10 at Sawyer that says “CenterPointless.” That pretty much sums up how many people feel, not about the linemen working out in the elements to get the power back on, but about the system leading to the massive outage.
According to CenterPoint’s Outage Tracker, 1.1 million customers were still in the dark on Thursay morning, and over 1.1 million customers had been restored since the storm. CenterPoint declared that, with 2.26 million customers impacted, this is the largest outage in the company’s history.
In an interview with 13 Investigates, CenterPoint Energy admits not enough resiliency work was done heading into Hurricane Beryl.
The company’s executive vice president, Jason Ryan, sat down with 13 Investigates’ Kevin Ozebek — sharing details about their “resiliency” plan, which is aimed at making badly-needed upgrades.
From 2025 to 2027, CenterPoint wants to spend a whopping $376 million to harden its transmission system.
Much of that money would be used to replace old wooden power poles with stronger poles made out of materials like concrete, which are more likely to withstand hurricanes.
Another $268 million would be used to upgrade larger power towers to sturdier models.
Then, $31 million would move some above ground lines to under our highways.
“Will this truly prepare our electric infrastructure for the storms of the future?” Kevin asked. “Yes. We’re confident it will,” Ryan said.
“How can you say with confidence this is enough?” Kevin asked. “We’ve seen those poles stand up in these extreme events, both the strong category 2 equivalent hurricane of the derecho and this strong category 1 storm that just hit 48 hours ago. We’ve seen those poles perform,” Ryan said.
In total, the plan adds up to $1.45 billion. Ryan said CenterPoint is applying for federal grants to help pay for it.
While CenterPoint supplies most of the energy to the Houston area, there are also a few other providers.
Entergy is giving specifics on its own restorations efforts. It released a detailed timelineshowing when people living in certain areas should expect to get their power back.
For example, people in New Caney and Conroe should get their power back by Sunday. People in Bolivar Peninsula and Huntsville should get their power back by Friday.
Entergy says it has restored power to more than half of the 252,000 customers who lost power during Beryl.
The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) continues to support and coordinate recovery efforts following Beryl.
Cooling Centers
The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Harris County until 8 PM on Thursday, July 11th. Due to the extreme heat and extended power outages, several cooling centers have been opened around the county.
All programming at Precinct 3 Community Centers are cancelled until further notice; however, they will begin distributing water and food while supplies last.
Due to power issues, the following Community Centers will close after supplies run out:
• Barrett Station Community Center • May Community Center • San Jacinto Community Center • George H.W. Bush Community Center
The following Community Centers will also distribute food and water supplies, but will remain open during normal hours (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.) for the public to charge devices and enjoy free Wi-Fi in an air-conditioned facility:
• Crosby Community Center • Big Stone Lodge • Trini Mendenhall Community Center • Juergen’s Hall Community Center
The National Weather Service offers the following tips for Cleaning Up After the Storm:
• Don’t push yourself. Straining the body can lead to heart attacks and other serious issues. Perform clean-ups slowly, taking lots of breaks. • Be careful with chainsaws. Wear protective gear. Keep a safe distance from bystanders. Avoid contact with fallen power lines to prevent electric shock. If you aren’t trained to use them, leave power tools to the experts. • Stay safe in the heat. Stay hydrated wear light loose fitting clothing. Take breaks in shaded areas. Clean up during cooler hours if possible.
Common symptoms of heat-related sickness include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and loss of consciousness. Seek medical care or call 911immediately if you suspect someone is suffering from a heat-related illness.
Power Restoration
CenterPoint is working to bring back power throughout the region. The company has provided a website and map that overview its restoration activities.
Generator Safety
The following are safety tips from the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office:
• Apartments: avoid using portable generators in apartment buildings or on apartment balconies. • Portable generators should only be used outdoors in well-ventilated areas at least 15 to 20 feet from all doors windows and vent openings to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. • Carbon monoxide poisoning may happen if a fuel burning device like a generator is not functioning or vented correctly inhaling high levels of CO can be deadly.
Generator Safety Proper Usage: • Use portable generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas at least 15 to 20 feet away from all doors windows and vent openings to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. • Measure the 15-to-20-foot distance from the generator exhaust system to the building. • Never use a generator in an attached garage even with the door open.
Resources Flyer
The Harris County Recovery Resource and Information Flyer includes information on how to report damages and Crisis Cleanup for Harris County residents. Versions of this flyer are available in English and Spanish at www.ReadyHarris.org.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The cost of Hurricane Beryl’s damage, extended power outages, and travel and business disruptions are adding up fast.
ABC13’s partners at AccuWeather issued a preliminary estimate for the damage and economic losses from the storm in Texas and along its path through the United States.
AccuWeather estimates the storm will cost a staggering $28-32 billion in total damage and economic losses.
Their estimate looked at both direct and indirect impacts of the storm, long-term effects on transportation and tourism, and even what’s still expected as Beryl moves into New England.
Houston, being the fourth largest city in the country, also plays a big part in costs.
“(Houston) is a major port, and it’s a major hub of economic activity – not only in the state of Texas but as far as the United States overall,” AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter said.
So far, Beryl has exceeded the cost of Idalia, which last year caused $18-20 billion in damages and economic loss. It’s still below Harvey, which caused $230 billion.
The state is asking anyone who has suffered damage to report it to the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, as this plays a significant role in receiving additional federal money for storm victims.
Under “Active Incidents,” you can look for Beryl and fill out the survey that helps officials assess the need.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Open businesses in the Houston area are seeing long lines of people looking for essentials, like groceries, gas, and hot meals.
Cars lined up in the streets outside businesses serving customers on Tuesday.
Susan Balderas waited in line at a gas station at Buffalo Speedway and the Southwest Freeway feeder road. It was the second place she went to fill up her tank.
“I’ve taken my lunchtime today to find gas because in the area I live, a lot of power is still out,” Balderas said. “Gas stations are out. Long lines everywhere.”
James Puckett also waited in line, but he said he had seen worse lines down the street.
Others pulled into parking lots of closed gas stations, looking to fill their tanks and gas cans.
While some turned to restaurants for a hot meal, others looked for open grocery stores.
H-E-B said all of its stores are open during normal business hours. Some may have limited availability on curbside and delivery.
A Kroger spokesperson said all of their stores are open except the following:
9703 Barker Cypress Road, Cypress, TX 77433
360 FM 1960 West, Houston, Texas 77090
8000 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77380
6767 Spencer Highway, Pasadena, TX 77505
2619 Red Bluff Road, Pasadena, TX 77506
According to manager Jeff Bailey, the Kroger location on North Shepherd in The Heights remained open throughout the storm.
He said they lost power during the storm and moved to their backup generator, which partially powers the facility.
Because their power remains out, Bailey said they had to throw out all their frozen and refrigerated foods for safety reasons.
“I’m so proud of our team,” Bailey said. “We’re getting it all put back together, and we’re here to benefit the neighborhood. We’ve got plenty of water, plenty of bread, still plenty of batteries, ice chests, all the essential needs you can think of. Canned goods, ice.”
Lisa New visited the North Shepherd Kroger on Tuesday afternoon. She said she and her family still did not have power and were stressed and thirsty. She had a shopping cart full of juice.
“(Monday) was the most terrifying day of my life,” New said emotionally. “We had huge trees fall down everywhere.”
She hugged Bailey as she shopped and expressed her gratitude for the open store.
“I feel like they have done a fabulous job restocking, and it’s not like COVID where everything is just cleaned out,” New noticed. “I think people are just getting what they need, hoping the power will only be out for a few days and not trying to deplete the store.”
