Latest news with #HoustonPublicMedia
11-08-2025
- Politics
Texas legislature to vote in redistricting fight
Houston Public Media politics and government reporter Andrew Schneider discusses the latest in Republican lawmakers' efforts to pick up more congressional seats.
Axios
05-08-2025
- Health
- Axios
Planned Parenthood shuts down in Louisiana over "political warfare"
Planned Parenthood will close its two Louisiana clinics and shut down all services by Sept. 30, the organization announced Monday. Why it matters: The nonprofit sexual health provider has for 40 years provided low- and no-cost primary care, preventative screenings and tests, and treatment and counseling for sexually transmitted infections. The big picture: Planned Parenthood's national organization warned in July that, with its Medicaid funding on the chopping block in President Trump's Big Beautiful Bill, about 60% of its subsidiaries were likely to close. Trump's efforts to "defund Planned Parenthood" have hit a snag in the courts, but the Gulf Coast branch of the organization announced two weeks ago that it would shut down two of its Houston clinics and transfer its remaining four to Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, Houston Public Media reports. The closure of the organization's remaining facilities — one in New Orleans and another in Baton Rouge — are "a direct result of relentless political assaults," according to a statement from Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast CEO Melaney Linton. What they're saying: "This is not a decision we wanted to make; it is one we were forced into by political warfare," Linton continued. "We are not the first Planned Parenthood affiliate to face this reality, and we will not be the last," she said. "Every health center closure, every patient who goes without care, every undetected cancer and untreated infection is on those lawmakers' hands." By the numbers: While the organization has become a conservative political target for the access it provides to abortion services, Planned Parenthood has long provided additional sexual health care. The organization, for example, provided more than 10,600 visits for nearly 18,000 patients in Louisiana last year, a spokeswoman tells Axios New Orleans. They accounted for nearly 30,000 STI tests, 655 ultrasounds and 1,795 cancer screenings and prevention services, which identified 76 diagnoses of precancerous conditions, according to the spokeswoman. The Louisiana clinics also provided more than 14,000 birth control visits, including nearly 4,200 vasectomies. Go deeper
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Drag stars are set to attend, then protest, Trump's appearance at Les Misérables
A group of drag stars is expected to be at Wednesday night's performance of Les Misérables at the John F. Kennedy Center where they plan to protest President Trump and Vice President Vance's scheduled attendance. It will be the president's first show at the historic Washington, D.C. venue since he canned the board and took control, firing previous leadership and installing himself as chairman. Trump, 78, ignited fury over his decision to take the reigns of the Kennedy Center, as he pledged to scrap 'woke' programming aligned with what he called leftist ideology. On social media, the president wrote there would be 'NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA.' So when some of the ticket holders for Wednesday night's show found out that Trump, Vance and their wives, Melania and Usha, would be in attendance, they donated their tickets, according to Qommittee, a network of drag performers, fans and allies, as reported by Houston Public Media. Vagenesis, one of the four to six performers planning to attend, told NPR she is protesting in response to the president's pledge to put a stop to drag shows at the center. 'Theater is supposed to be a place of community, a place of storytelling, a place of celebration, joy, catharsis and it should be open and available to all,' Vagenesis said. As a result of Trump's actions, several members of the company are expected to boycott the president's attendance by not performing. Cast members have remained silent on social media regarding the Kennedy Center run, but multiple reports indicate up to a dozen performers will sit out Wednesday's show. 'The cast was given the option to not perform the night Trump will be in the audience, and both major cast members and members of the ensemble are among those sitting out,' CNN reported last month. A representative from the Les Miserables company told The Independent: 'The National Tour of Les Misérables is looking forward to performing for D.C. audiences beginning tonight and throughout the engagement at the Kennedy Center, where the U.S. first saw the original production in 1986.' Historically, the Kennedy Center has hosted a variety of productions, ranging from operas to contemporary musicals and symphonies. The institution opened in 1971 and has since served as a showcase for theater, music and dramatic performances, with artists ranging from the Paul Taylor Dance Company to a joint concert by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. Weeks after Trump's return to the Oval Office, he fired the Kennedy Center's leadership, putting MAGA loyalist Richard Grenell in charge of the famed performing arts institution. Trump also appointed Usha Vance to the center's board along with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Attorney General Pam Bondi and several Fox News channel hosts and other supporters. In response, several high-profile performers and members, including Insecure star Issa Rae, Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes and singer-songwriter Ben Folds, resigned from their positions and canceled shows. The center, which has seen a staggering 50 percent drop in ticket sales, has since canceled performances by the touring children's musical Finn and a planned concert featuring the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, D.C. 'The Kennedy Center is coming back,' the president added, claiming: 'It was not properly taken care of and we are taking it back and we are going to turn it back into something great.' Trump has previously proclaimed his love for Les Misérables, telling Fox News: 'I love the songs; I love the play. I think it's great.' He has played the musical's rebellion anthem, 'Do You Here the People Sing?' at past events and rallies. The story revolves around revolution in France, and has been a massive smash for decades. Trump also suggested that 'we may extend' the show's run. Currently, Les Misérables is slated to run at the Kennedy Center through July 13. Vagenesis added that she and the other drag performers show up for opening night, they are doing so peacefully. 'I hope it delivers the message that we're not backing down,' she said. 'We're not allowing this kind of bigotry and erasure to stop us from doing what we want to do, or from existing.'
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas pastor says county's superintendent candidate isn't fit because of her ‘ungodly and immoral' lifestyle
A Texas pastor thinks a county superintendent candidate should 'repent' over her 'immoral' lifestyle, despite admitting she is perfectly qualified for the job. Central Baptist Church Pastor Doug Harris made the controversial comments during a Sunday sermon on March 16 in Harris County. According to Houston Public Media, Dr Tiffany Regan has been named as the only candidate for the superintendent position at Deer Park Independent School District, in the Houston metropolitan area. Despite her 30 years of experience with the district, most recently as an assistant superintendent, Harris said Regan 'lives a lifestyle that is ungodly and immoral.' 'Truth be told, she has a lot of great experience and she is well-educated. The difficulty is in her morality,' he said, adding she would be a 'phenomenal superintendent' if she repents. Harris didn't offer examples of what he considered 'immoral' and what exactly Regan should repent for. A petition calling on the pastor to apologize states he targeted her based on her sexual orientation. The petition has over 1,800 signatures. The board nominated Regan on March 14, but she can't assume the position until the end of a public comment period, which expires on April 4. Jason Cable, Deer Park ISD school board president, told the outlet the board's decision to name Regan the lone finalist was based on her proven leadership, experience in education and dedication to student success. "I recognize that there are differing perspectives within our community, and the engagement and passion of those invested in our schools is appreciated. However, the Board will remain steadfast in our commitment to making decisions rooted in qualifications, integrity, and what is best for our students and district,' Cable said.
The Independent
28-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Texas pastor says county's superintendent candidate isn't fit because of her ‘ungodly and immoral' lifestyle
A Texas pastor thinks a county superintendent candidate should 'repent' over her 'immoral' lifestyle, despite admitting she is perfectly qualified for the job. Central Baptist Church Pastor Doug Harris made the controversial comments during a Sunday sermon on March 16 in Harris County. According to Houston Public Media, Dr Tiffany Regan has been named as the only candidate for the superintendent position at Deer Park Independent School District, in the Houston metropolitan area. Despite her 30 years of experience with the district, most recently as an assistant superintendent, Harris said Regan 'lives a lifestyle that is ungodly and immoral.' 'Truth be told, she has a lot of great experience and she is well-educated. The difficulty is in her morality,' he said, adding she would be a 'phenomenal superintendent' if she repents. Harris didn't offer examples of what he considered 'immoral' and what exactly Regan should repent for. A petition calling on the pastor to apologize states he targeted her based on her sexual orientation. The petition has over 1,800 signatures. The board nominated Regan on March 14, but she can't assume the position until the end of a public comment period, which expires on April 4. Jason Cable, Deer Park ISD school board president, told the outlet the board's decision to name Regan the lone finalist was based on her proven leadership, experience in education and dedication to student success. "I recognize that there are differing perspectives within our community, and the engagement and passion of those invested in our schools is appreciated. However, the Board will remain steadfast in our commitment to making decisions rooted in qualifications, integrity, and what is best for our students and district,' Cable said.
