A new affordable housing complex, The Lawndale, has officially opened in Houston’s East End, marking a significant milestone in the city’s efforts to support its essential workforce. This mixed-income community is strategically designed to provide accessible, affordable housing for those who are vital to keeping Houston running smoothly.
“We are proud to introduce The Lawndale as a crucial addition to Houston’s affordable housing landscape,” said David A. Northern, Sr., President and CEO of HHA. “It is one of the two affordable housing complexes available on this side of the city with easy access to key transportation routes and major job hubs like the Port of Houston, Hobby Airport, and Texas Medical Center, ensuring that our residents can live close to where they work.”
To commemorate the occasion, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held with the Houston Housing Authority (HHA), U.S. Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, U.S. Senator Carol Alvarado, and Councilmembers Tiffany Thomas and Joaquin Martinez.
Over half of the 106 residences at The Lawndale are designated for any HHA-qualifying families and residents. Due to its proximity to key urban locations, property is primed to service essential workers, offering affordable housing in locations close to their places of employment. This new community not only addresses the immediate housing needs of Houston’s essential workers but also strengthens the city’s commitment to providing long-term support and stability for those who play a crucial role in the city’s day-to-day operations.
Team USA gymnast Jordan Chiles has made her first public statement since learning she must return her bronze medal from the individual floor exercise at the Paris Olympics.
In an Instagram post on August 15, Chiles expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support she has received during the controversy. “I am overwhelmed by the love I have received,” she wrote, thanking fans and supporters as the ordeal continues.
The controversy began after Chiles initially earned a score of 13.666 in the floor finals on August 5. However, Team USA immediately filed an inquiry, contending that the judges failed to credit Chiles for a particular skill. This led to her score being adjusted to 13.766, allowing her to claim the bronze medal, ahead of Romanian gymnasts Ana Bărbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea.
In response, Romanian officials filed a complaint with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), arguing that Team USA’s inquiry was submitted too late, outside of the required one-minute window. On August 11, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that it would reallocate the bronze medal to Romania’s Bărbosu.
While USA Gymnastics (USAG) filed an appeal on Chiles’ behalf, presenting video evidence to prove the inquiry was submitted within 47 seconds, CAS rejected the appeal. CAS cited rules that prevent reconsideration even when new evidence is introduced.
Chiles, visibly disheartened, shared in her August 15 post that she had been “shocked” by the court’s decision. “This decision feels unjust and comes as a significant blow, not just to me, but to everyone who has championed my journey,” she wrote. She also condemned racially charged attacks she has faced online since the ruling. “These unprompted racially driven attacks on social media have been extremely hurtful.”
Chiles emphasized her commitment to sportsmanship and vowed to face the challenge head-on. “I will approach this challenge as I have others — and will make every effort to ensure that justice is done,” she concluded.
On August 12, USA Gymnastics released a statement confirming that it would continue to explore all possible avenues of appeal to have Chiles’ bronze medal reinstated. USAG maintains that it submitted the initial inquiry on time and argues that critical errors occurred both in the original scoring and in the appeal process.
CAS noted that both Team USA and Romania had ample opportunities to present their cases during the arbitration process, but the court left open the possibility of revisiting the case if new evidence surfaces.
Prominent figures have also voiced support for Chiles. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) wrote a letter to CAS, criticizing the decision to strip Chiles of her medal over what he described as a procedural technicality. Meanwhile, Chiles’ teammates, including Simone Biles and Sunisa Lee, have publicly expressed solidarity with her.
As the saga continues, Chiles remains steadfast, hoping that the right decision will ultimately be made.
Vice President Kamala Harris is set to outline her vision for the economy during a speech today in Raleigh, North Carolina. This marks her first major policy proposal since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee. Harris is expected to introduce a federal ban on “price gouging” for food and groceries, a plan to offer up to $25,000 in down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, and tax incentives to boost the construction of 3 million new housing units, all aimed at easing financial burdens for middle-class families.
Harris’ economic agenda also includes a promise to cut taxes on tips, a proposal previously made by former President Trump but met with skepticism. In addition, she has vowed to raise the federal minimum wage, continuing her focus on supporting working families.
Harris’ economic policy is expected to align closely with President Biden’s, though she plans to emphasize issues such as paid family leave and tackling price gouging, signaling a potentially more aggressive stance on inflation — a top concern for many voters despite recent easing. However, some critics expect Harris to offer limited specifics on these proposals, a point the media has previously highlighted.
Whether these economic plans will resonate with voters remains to be seen. A recent CBS News poll found that 45% of registered voters believe they would be better off financially with Trump as president, compared to just 25% who feel the same about Harris.
HOLLYWOOD – APRIL 21: Actor Matthew Perry arrives at the Project A.L.S. LA Benefit hosted by Ben Stiller & Friends at Lucky Strike Bowling Alley on April 21, 2010 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/FilmMagic)
New information has surfaced regarding those allegedly connected to supplying ketamine to Matthew Perry prior to his death in October last year. Authorities have charged five individuals, including the Friends actor’s personal assistant, two doctors, an alleged supplier known as the “Ketamine Queen,” and one other person.
According to the charges, Perry’s assistant is accused of administering at least 27 ketamine shots to the actor in the days leading up to his death. The doctors and suppliers are accused of exploiting Perry’s struggles with substance abuse, profiting tens of thousands of dollars by providing him with ketamine, despite being aware of his addiction.
The high-profile case has reportedly helped investigators uncover an underground network of drug suppliers and sellers. US Attorney Martin Estrada emphasized the broader implications of the case, stating, “If you are in the business of selling dangerous drugs, we will hold you accountable for the deaths that you cause.”
This case has also highlighted the growing use of ketamine, a drug with psychedelic properties that has gained popularity as an alternative treatment for depression and anxiety. While it is used in therapy, its recreational use raises concerns. Authorities confirmed that Perry was undergoing ketamine infusion therapy at the time of his death, but the levels of the drug found in his system exceeded what would have come from that treatment alone.
Perry had struggled with addiction for most of his life and openly discussed his battles in his memoir.
NEW YORK (AP) — Does signing up for Disney’s popular streaming service mean you have agreed to never sue the entertainment giant over anything forever?
That is what Disney argues in a wrongful death lawsuit involving a 42-year-old New York doctor whose family claims had a fatal allergic reaction after eating at an Irish pub in Disney Springs in October.
Disney is asking a Florida court to dismiss a lawsuit brought against it by Jeffrey Piccolo, the husband of Kanokporn Tangsuan, a family medicine specialist with NYU Langone’s office in Carle Place, on Long Island.
The company argues Piccolo had agreed to settle any lawsuits against Disney out of court through the arbitration process when he signed up for a one-month trial of Disney+ in 2019 and acknowledged that he had reviewed the fine print.
“The Terms of Use, which were provided with the Subscriber Agreement, include a binding arbitration clause,” the company wrote in its motion. “The first page of the Subscriber Agreement states, in all capital letters, that ‘any dispute between You and Us, Except for Small Claims, is subject to a class action waiver and must be resolved by individual binding arbitration’.”
Disney also notes in its response that Piccolo agreed to a similar arbitration provision when he created an account on Disney’s website and app ahead of the ill-fated theme park visit.
But Piccolo’s lawyer, in a response filed earlier this month, argued that it was “absurd” to believe that the more than 150 million subscribers to Disney+ have waived all rights to sue the company and its affiliates in perpetuity — even if their case has nothing to do with the popular streaming service.
“The notion that terms agreed to by a consumer when creating a Disney+ free trial account would forever bar that consumer’s right to a jury trial in any dispute with any Disney affiliate or subsidiary, is so outrageously unreasonable and unfair as to shock the judicial conscience, and this court should not enforce such an agreement,” Brian Denney, Piccolo’s attorney, wrote in the Aug. 2 filing.
Disney, in its May 31 filing, argued that whether Piccolo actually reviewed the service terms is “immaterial.” It also noted the arbitration provision “covers ‘all disputes’ including ‘disputes involving The Walt Disney Company or its affiliates’.”
Arbitration allows people to settle disputes without going to court and generally involves a neutral arbitrator who reviews arguments and evidence before making a binding decision, or award.
Disney said late Wednesday that it is “deeply saddened” by the family’s loss but stressed the Irish pub is neither owned nor operated by the company. The company’s stance in the litigation doesn’t affect the plaintiff’s claims against the eatery, it added.
“We are merely defending ourselves against the plaintiff’s attorney’s attempt to include us in their lawsuit against the restaurant,” the company wrote in an emailed statement.
Raglan Road, the Irish pub in Disney Springs where Tangsuan dined, didn’t respond to an email seeking comment Wednesday. Disney Springs is owned by Disney, which leases some of the spaces in the outdoor dining, shopping and entertainment complex to other companies.
Piccolo’s lawsuit, which was filed in February, claims that he, his wife and his mother decided to eat at Raglan Road on Oct. 5, 2023 because it was billed on Disney’s website as having “allergen free food.”
After informing their server numerous times that she had a severe allergy to nuts and dairy products, Tangsuan ordered the vegan fritter, scallops, onion rings and a vegan shepherd’s pie.
The waiter then “guaranteed” that the food was allergen-free even though some of the items were not served with “allergen free flags,” the lawsuit states.
About 45 minutes after finishing their dinner, Tangsuan had difficulty breathing while out shopping, collapsed and eventually died at the hospital, despite self-administering an EpiPen during the allergic reaction, according to the lawsuit.
A medical examiner’s investigation determined later she died as a result of “anaphylaxis due to elevated levels of dairy and nut in her system,” the lawsuit said.
An Oct. 2 hearing has been scheduled on Disney’s motion in county court in Orlando. Piccolo seeks more than $50,000 in his lawsuit.
The Biden administration is taking a victory lap after federal officials inked deals with drug companies to lower the prices of 10 of Medicare’s most popular and costliest drugs. However, they shared few immediate details about the new prices older Americans will pay when they fill those prescriptions.
White House officials said Wednesday night that they expect U.S. taxpayers to save $6 billion with the new prices, while older Americans could save roughly $1.5 billion on their medications. These projections, however, were based on dated estimates, and the administration shared no details on how they arrived at the figures.
Nonetheless, the newly negotiated prices—still elusive to the public as of early Thursday morning—will impact the cost of drugs used by millions of older Americans to manage diabetes, blood cancers, and prevent heart failure or blood clots. The drugs include the blood thinners Xarelto and Eliquis, as well as diabetes medications Jardiance and Januvia. Last year, Medicare spent $50 billion covering these drugs.
This is a landmark deal for the Medicare program, which provides healthcare coverage for more than 67 million older and disabled Americans. For decades, the federal government had been barred from negotiating with pharmaceutical companies over drug prices, even though private insurers routinely do so.
“This meant that drug companies could basically charge whatever they want for life-saving treatments people rely on, and all Americans paid the price,” White House adviser Neera Tanden told reporters during a Wednesday night call.
The drug deals will become a focal point for Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, especially since she cast the tie-breaking vote to pass the law. She will join President Joe Biden on Thursday to announce the drug prices in their first joint speaking appearance since she replaced him at the top of the Democratic ticket. Both are striving to convince voters that costs will trend downward after years of above-normal inflation.
The pair last appeared publicly together when they welcomed back to the U.S. Americans detained in Russia who were freed as part of a massive prisoner swap earlier this month.
Powerful pharmaceutical companies unsuccessfully tried to file lawsuits to stop the negotiations, which became law in 2022 when a Democratic-controlled Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act, overhauling several Medicare prescription drug regulations. However, executives of those companies have hinted in recent weeks during earnings calls that they don’t expect the negotiations to impact their bottom line.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which oversaw the dealmaking, is expected to release the final drug prices later on Thursday. The new prices won’t go into effect until 2026. Next year, the Department of Health and Human Services can select another 15 drugs for price negotiations.
Before the drug prices were finalized, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the negotiations could save the federal government $25 billion by 2031.
The official event comes a day before Harris is set to unveil part of her economic agenda on Friday in North Carolina, where she plans to roll out additional measures aimed at cutting costs and boosting incomes for the middle class.
The Biden administration is taking a victory lap after federal officials inked deals with drug companies to lower the prices of 10 of Medicare’s most popular and costliest drugs. However, few immediate details were shared about the new prices older Americans will pay when filling those prescriptions.
White House officials announced Wednesday night that they expect U.S. taxpayers to save $6 billion on the new prices, while older Americans could save roughly $1.5 billion on their medications. These projections were based on dated estimates, and the administration shared no details on how they arrived at these figures.
Despite the lack of transparency, the newly negotiated prices—still undisclosed to the public as of early Thursday—will impact drugs used by millions of older Americans to manage conditions like diabetes, blood cancers, and to prevent heart failure or blood clots. These drugs include blood thinners like Xarelto and Eliquis, and diabetes medications like Jardiance and Januvia. Last year, Medicare spent $50 billion covering these drugs.
This deal marks a significant milestone for Medicare, which provides healthcare coverage to more than 67 million older and disabled Americans. For decades, the federal government was barred from negotiating drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, even though this is a routine practice for private insurers.
“This meant that drug companies could basically charge whatever they wanted for life-saving treatments people rely on, and all Americans paid the price,” said White House adviser Neera Tanden during a Wednesday night call with reporters.
These drug deals are set to become a focal point for Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, particularly since she cast the tie-breaking vote to pass the law. Harris will join President Joe Biden on Thursday to announce the drug prices, marking their first joint speaking appearance since she replaced him at the top of the Democratic ticket. Both are striving to convince voters that costs will decrease after years of above-normal inflation.
The pair last appeared publicly together to welcome back Americans detained in Russia, who were freed as part of a massive prisoner swap earlier this month.
Pharmaceutical companies attempted to block the negotiations through lawsuits, but failed. The law was enacted in 2022 when a Democratic-controlled Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which overhauled several Medicare prescription drug regulations. Despite their legal challenges, pharmaceutical executives have suggested in recent earnings calls that they don’t expect the negotiations to significantly impact their bottom line.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which led the dealmaking process, is expected to release the final drug prices later on Thursday. However, the new prices won’t take effect until 2026. Next year, the Department of Health and Human Services will have the authority to select another 15 drugs for price negotiations.
Before the drug prices were finalized, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that these negotiations could save the federal government $25 billion by 2031.
The official announcement comes a day before Harris is set to unveil part of her economic agenda on Friday in North Carolina, where she plans to highlight other initiatives aimed at cutting costs and boosting incomes for the middle class.
On Wednesday, Eyewitness News learned that GPD terminated Officer Jared Rivas, and the families involved are seeking legal action against more than the ousted officer.
Mothers who said Rivas hit their children told ABC13 the ordeal broke their trust.
“It’s terrifying. It really is. I’ve lost a lot of trust in thinking we were safe,” Lori Lozano, whose two sons were beaten, said.
In the June footage, Rivas came to break up a children’s pool party before it descended into chaos. Multiple videos surfaced of Rivas pinning and beating people.
“An officer of the law who the kids are supposed to trust and have faith in and look up to are now harming them and their siblings and friends,” Heidi Williams, who was at the children’s birthday party, said.
The families and the Ruiz Law Firm are now bringing legal action against multiple parties. The group wants Rivas charged and stripped of his ability to be a law enforcement officer.
“It wouldn’t be surprising if he was picked up by another law enforcement agency, and that’s a concern that we have,” the families’ lawyer, Adalberto Ruiz, said.
The families are also seeking legal action against Galveston police, who the families say made no effort to stop Rivas’ tirade after they arrived.
“Despite numerous uniformed officers being able to take control of the situation, they didn’t. They just added to the chaos and confusion,” Ruiz said.
The group also notified the Island Bay Resort apartment complex, where the incident occurred. The families’ lawyer said Rivas was there as a security officer, and it wasn’t made clear if visiting families were not welcome.
Finally, they are seeking action against UTMB Hospital, where, Williams claims, staffers refused her children treatment when it came to light they were the family involved in the incident.
“They should have been nurtured. That’s a hospital. They’re children. They were assaulted by an adult,” Williams said.
ABC13 contacted all the parties the families are seeking legal action against and only heard back from UTMB and Galveston police, who said they won’t comment on pending legal action.
The Galveston County district attorney will determine if charges are brought against Rivas.
In a statement, the district attorney’s office said: “The investigation of this incident involves many witnesses and several allegations. As with all investigations, our Office will take the time necessary to ensure that the investigation is thorough and conducted properly.”
The families said all agencies need to take a serious look at their training in handling this kind of situation.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Residents of a northwest Harris County subdivision are shaken up after a newborn baby boy was found dead in the back of a garbage truck.
The discovery was made at about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in the 13200 block of Fountaincrest Court in the Chimney Hill subdivision.
According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the baby was anywhere from one day old to 30 days old.
“They got to a point where they had started to repack trash,” Sgt. Sidney Miller said of the sanitation workers who found the baby’s body. “That’s when they discovered the infant in the bottom of the trash can.”
Cheryl Boen lives nearby and said she was watching ABC13 when she realized the footage she saw was being taken outside of her home.
“It came up on the screen, and my jaw dropped,” Boen said. “I came out here to see what was going on.”
A newborn boy was rescued after being left in a dumpster behind an apartment complex on Dashwood Drive in southwest Houston, police say.
Miller acknowledged that the sheriff’s office has a large investigation on its hands. He said they’ll be talking to people in hundreds of homes in the area.
Miller said the neighborhood consists of anywhere from 400 to 500 residences.
He added that they’ll also be inspecting the other contents of the truck to see if any trash is capable of offering additional clues.
They are also not ruling out the possibility that someone from outside Chimney Hill entered the neighborhood only to abandon the body.
Germany Scott, who has lived in Chimney Hill for six months, said she couldn’t believe what happened.
“I kind of sat quiet for a minute,” she said.
Scott is pregnant with her third child.
“There are multiple things you can do if you don’t want a baby,” Scott said. “An innocent baby doesn’t deserve to be in the trash can.”
Texas has the Baby Moses Law, which allows parents to legally drop off a newborn they cannot raise.
According to CPS, five babies have been found abandoned while three were turned in through the Baby Moses Law in the last 11 months across Houston.
The baby can be left at any hospital, fire, or emergency medical services station in the state.
The baby has to be 60 days old or younger, as well as safe and unharmed.
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services states anyone leaving a baby at one of these places must tell the employee they want to leave it at a “safe haven.”
If you know anything about Wednesday morning’s discovery, you’re urged to call the homicide division of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at 713-274-9100. You can also leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS.
