NEW ORDER – MAY 21, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydn0vMUiG-Y
Escrita y dirigida por Michel Franco.
Con Diego Boneta, Naian González Norvind, Samantha Yazareth Anaya, Darío Yazbek Bernal y Patricia Bernal.
Producida por Michel Franco, Cristina Velasco L. y Eréndira Núñez Larios.
Concebida seis años atrás, la distopía sobre un futuro cercano de Michel Franco parece tomada de los titulares que aún no han sido escritos. Mientras las protestas tienen lugar en las calles, la familia de la alta sociedad de Marianne se prepara para su boda. Inicialmente solo unas manchas de pintura verde y la aparición de Rolando, un ex empleado que llega buscando ayuda financiera para una emergencia médica, perturban las festividades. Pero muy pronto la fiesta no puede mantenerse ajena a la revuelta, y lo que sigue es una rápida desintegración de la ley y el orden tal como lo definen primero las diferencias de clase y luego por una desastrosa transformación del gobierno.
LIGHTS OUT TEXAS: HOW IT ALL STARTED
Did you know that 1 out of every 3 birds migrating through the U.S. in spring passes through Texas? That means approximately one billion birds travel through the Lone Star State during spring migration! Because most migratory birds fly at night, bright lights of commercial and residential buildings can attract and disorient birds, causing collisions with highly reflective and clear glass windows and leaving birds vulnerable to threats on the ground. Read more about how Houston Audubon banded together to launch their Lights Out Birds program in 2017 and how it turned into a statewide initiative – Lights Out Texas.
TxN: How and why did Houston Audubon’s Lights Out for Birds program begin?
Houston Audubon: Houston Audubon manages a long-running suite of programs that address urban threats to birds, including collisions and lighting. Early grassroots data collection efforts began approximately ten years ago in Houston, but it was not until a major bird collision event involving 400 birds in Galveston in 2017 that partnership efforts began in earnest and created the momentum for significant change. Houston Audubon and American National agreed that a science-based response to the event in spring 2017 would be well-received, and a Lights Out workshop was conducted in Galveston involving community leaders and conservationists, with ornithologist Daniel Klem providing the keynote address. Right around this time, Cornell Lab of Ornithology developed their BirdCast migration forecast maps using historical radar data. By looking at these maps and tracking weather for the region, Houston Audubon staff was able to make science-based determinations of when birds have the greatest risk of collision. During these periods of high risk, Houston Audubon would release Lights Out Action Alerts on social media, tagging government officials and encouraging residents to share the alerts and participate in Lights Out at work and at home. Houston Audubon continued to grow the program and started taking pledges from community members interested in participating in Lights Out for Birds, providing Action Alerts directly to the community members’ email inboxes.
TxN: What organizations and companies were initially involved in the initiative?
Houston Audubon: American National Insurance Company was the building that inspired the program, and was thus the first participant. The company has been great at participating in Lights Out Texas each Spring and Fall. Additionally, without the help of BirdCast Technology, the initiative could not have been as successful as it is today. We were always so excited to get a BirdCast or Cornell Lab of Ornithology retweet or share!
TxN: What is BirdCast and why is it important?
Houston Audubon: The BirdCast program is not only what makes Houston Audubon’s Lights Out for Birds program so great, but is really the driving factor behind the success of the program, and of the larger Lights Out Texas initiative that is in place today. By using Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Colorado State University’s BirdCast program, Houston Audubon staff are able to track predicated migration levels and weather forecasts to make science-based determinations of when birds are at the greatest risk of collision. The accessibility of this information, thanks to the BirdCast migration maps, made it possible to make these recommendations based on actual data, not just wild guesses of when birds may be moving through a region. Finally, the visually appealing and easy-to-understand maps that BirdCast produces allow for interesting visuals, appealing to the public and inspiring them to participate in the program, protecting birds with one simple action.
TxN: What was the communities’ response to Hoston Audubon’s Lights Out for Birds program when it began?
Houston Audubon: The community support for our Lights Out for Birds program has been phenomenal. We are always blown away by how many people comment and share our Lights Out Action Alerts! We believe that knowing there is a simple action that people can take to help birds migrating through our region really appeals to many. It is such a simple action that can potentially save birds. The next hurdle is getting more companies and building managers on board as well. This is well underway thanks to the statewide Lights Out Texas Initiative made possible by a partnership with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Texan by Nature, and many others.
TxN: How did the role of collaboration fuel the success of Lights Out for Birds and for Lights Out Texas?
Houston Audubon: At its inception in Houston, Lights Out for Birds was an entirely grassroots effort to protect migrating birds flying through the region. We relied heavily on public participation and interest to drive our efforts, while also starting to lay the foundation for getting more buildings and the City government on board. When the Cornell Lab of Ornithology approached us about partnering to expand the project, it was a no-brainer! The additional partners Cornell included in this effort, from Texan by Nature to all the other city organizations gave this program the reach that it needed to start making a bigger difference not only in Houston but across the entire state. The collaboration between all of these organizations has been integral in getting governmental support, coordinating a statewide collision monitoring program, and in amplifying all of our voices to achieve great things for migratory birds!
TxN: What are the lessons learned and best practices that you would take away from starting a Lights Out program?
Houston Audubon: Our personal takeaway from being involved with this program since its very early stages is that it is OK to start small with a conservation/advocacy effort like this. By using the tools at hand and responding to conservation needs, organizations can end up making a big difference for the species they are working to protect. Another important lesson learned was the recognition that most people want to find practical solutions. In the aftermath of a terrible event, businesses, experts, and residents worked together to reduce the risk of bird collisions.
TxN: What is one thing you wish every Texan knew about bird migration and turning out Lights?
Houston Audubon: We want every Texan to know how cool it is that we have so many diverse birds coming through our state every year! I think many Texans don’t realize how biologically diverse their state is, so we would love to expose more Texans to the wildlife that rely on their home state. Texas is massively important for North America’s migratory birds, and we have a Texas-sized responsibility to protect our shared natural heritage. Keeping the stars at night, big and bright would not only help migratory wildlife find their way home, but it would help all Texans connect with nature.
TxN: What is your hope for Light Out Texas’ future?
Houston Audubon: The partnership and efforts that have come from the Lights Out Texas program this year have far exceeded what we thought was possible in such a short period of time! We are so excited to welcome the City of Houston as a participant and supporter of the Lights Out Texas initiative! We also hope that our current statewide collision monitoring efforts can inform our conservation and advocacy efforts going forward, making the program even more effective at helping migratory birds make it through our state safely each spring and fall. Overall, the goal for Lights Out Texas is to develop practical solutions that reduce wildlife mortality and inspire us to celebrate nature.
Learn More About Lights Out Texas and How You Can Get Involved:
Today, Lights Out Texas has become a statewide initiative, led by a coalition of partners that includes conservation non-profits, universities, governmental organizations, and Texans dedicated to the conservation of birds. The initiative is asking all Texans to turn off their non-essential lights at night from 11 PM – 6 AM through the full spring migration of March 1 – June 15. Where conflicts apply, it is suggested to prioritize the peak migration period between April 19 – May 7, when half of the total spring bird migration traffic passes through Texas.
Source: texanbynature.org
Early voting has started: What you need to know
HOUSTON – Early voting for the May 1 uniform election is now underway. Before you head out to the polls there are some things you may need to know.
What is the election for?
The election will cover various propositions along with city positions including mayors, council members, and school district trustees for different Harris County areas.
Which jurisdictions will be covered in the election?
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Pasadena
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Humble
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Missouri City
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Nassau Bay
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South Houston
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Southside Place
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Webster
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West University Place
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Cy-Champ PUD
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East Lake Houston Management District
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Goose Creek CISD dist. 1, dist. 2 and dist. 5
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HC FWSD 001A
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HC MUD 170 and 217
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HC WCID 001 and 070
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Humble ISD
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Lee College District
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NW HC MUD 005
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Pasadena ISD
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Sunbelt FWSD defined area
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Timber Lane UD
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Trail of the Lakes MUD
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HC MUD 081 and 082
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HC UD 006
How long is early voting?
Early voting will go from April 19 through April 27, according to a news release.
What are the hours?
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Monday, April 19 – Saturday, April 24: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
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Sunday, April 25: 12 p.m.-7 p.m.
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Monday, April 26: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Extended Hours)
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Tuesday, April 27: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
What about mail-in ballots?
According to the release, 70,000 applications have been sent to voters 65 and older that reside in the jurisdictions participating in the election. The deadline to return an application to vote by mail is April 20.
Where can I find an early voting location?
There are 30 different locations for people to cast their ballot. Voters can find the closest location to them at HarrisVotes.com/locations.
To learn more about the election visit HarrisVotes.com. You can also click here to see sample ballots.
Source: www.click2houston.com
Bush criticizes GOP isolationism, anti-immigration rhetoric
George W. Bush says the Republican Party he served as president has become “isolationist, protectionist and, to a certain extent, nativist” and says he’s especially concerned about anti-immigration rhetoric.
“It’s a beautiful country we have and yet it’s not beautiful when we condemn, call people names and scare people about immigration,” Bush told NBC’s “Today” show on Tuesday.
Bush, who was in New York to preside over a naturalization ceremony, said his new book, “Out of Many, One: Portraits of America’s Immigrants,” aims to ”elevate the discourse.”
The former president did not mention Donald Trump, who aggressively curbed both legal and illegal immigration during his tenure and sought to build a “big, beautiful wall” at the southwest border with Mexico to keep out migrants. Trump, a fellow Republican, disparaged the migrants as invaders and “illegal aliens” and, as a candidate, referred to Mexicans as “rapists.”
But Trump has dominated the Republican Party, even out of office. Hard-right House Republicans last week discussed forming an America First Caucus, which one document described as championing “Anglo-Saxon political traditions” and warning that mass immigration was putting the “unique identity” of the U.S. at risk.
Bush, asked to describe the state of the party, replied, “I would describe it as isolationist, protectionist, and, to a certain extent, nativist.” He added, “It’s not exactly my vision as an old guy, but I’m just an old guy that’s put out to pasture.”
Source: www.click2houston.com
Governor Abbott Announces 24 Participating Counties In Eighth Week Of Save Our Seniors COVID-19 Vaccine Initiative
Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), and the Texas Military Department (TMD) have announced 24 counties participating in the eighth week of the Save Our Seniors COVID-19 vaccine initiative. The Governor announced the Save Our Seniors program in Corpus Christi in March to provide vaccines to seniors throughout the state.
To date, over 62,000 Texans have been vaccinated through this initiative. According to DSHS, 74% of seniors (65+) in Texas have been vaccinated with at least one dose of vaccine, and 59% of seniors are fully vaccinated.
“Since the launch of the Save Our Seniors initiative, our partners at TDEM and TMD have worked diligently to vaccinate seniors across our state, and I thank them for their exceptional leadership and hard work on behalf of Texans,” said Governor Abbott. “Vaccines are the most effective tool in our arsenal against COVID-19, and we will continue to invest in this program to ensure that every Texan who wants a vaccine receives one.”
As part of the Save Our Seniors program, TDEM and TMD work alongside local jurisdictions to set up central drive-through vaccine clinics in each community or administer directly to homebound seniors — these decisions are driven by local officials as they identify vulnerable residents in their communities to participate in this program.
Counties participating in the eighth round of the program are Angelina, Atascosa, Caldwell, Cherokee, Culberson, Eastland, El Paso, Hale, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hopkins, Houston, Jim Hogg, Kimble, Leon, Llano, Maverick, Milam, Nueces, Rusk, Taylor, Tyler, Val Verde, and Webb.
Many of these counties are participating for a second time in order to administer second doses to eligible residents. In coordination with local and state partners, counties and cities have been selected based on recent data provided from DSHS related to the following factors:
- The state looked at the number of approved providers serving the area;
- The state took into account total allocations over the previous 12 weeks
- The state utilized data showing the least vaccinated counties for both 65+ and 75+ administered doses;
- The state focused on allocating vaccines equitably across the state.
Last month, Governor Abbott announced a new outreach partnership between the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and several partners to enhance the state’s Save Our Seniors program. The partnership includes the Texas Employee Retirement System, the Texas Teachers Retirement System, AARP, and Medicare health plans.
Participating Medicare health plans include UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. HHSC works with these partners on direct outreach efforts through email, phone calls, and direct mail to encourage seniors to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and to provide them with the tools and information they need to receive a vaccine.
Source: gov.texas.gov
Catfish Stocking Heading Back to Neighborhood Fishin’ Lakes in Texas
Spring is in the air and with that comes one of Texas’ best spring traditions, angling for catfish. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Neighborhood Fishin’ program enables friends and families to stay close to home, enjoy time in the outdoors, and have the chance to reel in a catfish.
Starting the week of April 23, TPWD will begin stocking thousands of catfish at 18 Neighborhood Fishin’ lakes, including five in Dallas-Fort Worth, four in the Houston area, two each in the Austin and San Antonio areas, and one each in Amarillo, College Station, San Angelo, Waco, and Wichita Falls.
“Neighborhood Fishin’ lakes are conveniently located in urban and suburban areas so that Texans don’t have to travel to have a great experience,” said Craig Bonds, Director of Inland Fisheries. “Catfish are fun and easy to catch for anglers of all ages and experience levels. If you’ve never fished before, these are the perfect places to get started. If you are an experienced angler, these are the perfect places to introduce fishing to a friend or family member.”
Each of the lakes will receive channel catfish every two weeks through the end of October – with a brief pause during the heat of August.
Neighborhood Fishin’ lakes are located in city and county parks with ample parking, restrooms, lighting, and other recreational amenities, in addition to fishing.
All anglers can keep up to five catfish of any size per day without a minimum length limit. At some locations, cleaning tables are available nearby to make it easy for families to clean their catch. Children under 17 fish for free, but a fishing license is required for all adults who fish. Fishing licenses can be purchased for as little as $11 for “one-day, all-water” access. All proceeds go toward the management and conservation of the fish and their habitats.
To find the Neighborhood Fishin’ lake near you or to sign up for email updates, visit www.neighborhoodfishing.org. Stocking location information and dates can also be found on the Neighborhood Fishin’ website.
Anglers are encouraged to use common sense to stay safe and help protect themselves and others. Masks are encouraged in crowded areas where it is difficult to maintain a safe physical distance.
Neighborhood Fishin’ is supported by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation through a donation from the 2020 Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest and many local partners across the state.
Source: tpwd.texas.gov
Who killed Dante Green?
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Commissioner Rodney Ellis Issues Statement on Derek Chauvin Verdict
Following today’s verdict in Derek Chauvin’s trial for the murder of George Floyd, Commissioner Rodney Ellis issued the following statement:
“For decades, our criminal legal system has failed to acknowledge the killings of Black and Brown people as crimes, declaring those responsible innocents of any wrongdoing. Today, that changed.
“Derek Chauvin, the man whose knee stayed on George Floyd’s neck for over 9 minutes, who took George Floyd’s life, has been declared guilty on all charges.
“This verdict is important because Derek Chauvin ended George Floyd’s life, and it is about time that we recognized the murders of Black people at the hands of the police as the crimes that they are. Make no mistake – real justice looks like George Floyd being able to go home to his daughter, but I hope that this verdict brings George Floyd’s family and loved ones, who have been fighting for justice in the courts, some peace.
“At the same time, I will not pretend that this fixes everything that is wrong with our criminal legal system. Since we lost George Floyd a year ago, we have also lost Daunte Wright, aged 20. Adam Toledo, aged 13. We will continue to lose young Black and Brown lives to the criminal legal system unless we radically reimagine public safety.
“Today’s guilty verdict may resolve George Floyd’s case, but true justice will only come when we are no longer adding names to the list of victims of police violence. We must end the practice of incarcerating people for poverty, mental health, and substance use and invest in our community’s health and safety. We will truly provide justice for George Floyd and honor his memory when we create a system that truly respects Black lives, makes our communities safer and serves justice.”
Fort Bend County Judge KP George on Derek Chauvin Verdict
On May 25, 2020, the world watched in sadness, anger, and disbelief at the heinous murder of George Floyd at the knee of Derek Chauvin. As family, friends, and loved ones grieved, his death sparked a global movement as millions of people spoke out against systemic racism and leading the call for social justice.
Today, a jury of George Floyd’s peers, following weeks of viewing disturbing video footage, listening to witness and expert testimony presented by both the defense and prosecutors, took less than 24 hours to find Derek Chauvin guilty on all counts for the murder of George Floyd.
While no verdict can bring George Floyd back or heal our nation, this verdict is a necessary step on the road to progress, addressing racial inequity and racial bias in our criminal justice system.
We respect and support our men and women in uniform who put themselves in harm’s way to protect us every day. However, we cannot support those who operate in bias and without regard to human dignity.
George Floyd was laid to rest in Fort Bend County, the most diverse county in America. In our efforts to make our community the shining example of inclusion and belonging, let us continue to work together against discrimination or bias of any form.
