Public News Service

The Texas Diversity Council works with various groups to foster environments where people from marginalized groups feel seen and heard. (Ana Baraulia/Adobe Stock)

Texas Diversity Council remains steadfast in face of adversity

Since 2004, April has been designated "Celebrate Diversity Month," a time to recognize, understand and honor the differences between people. One …

Texas ranks as the fifth-highest state for senior food insecurity, according to Feeding Texas. (texasimpact.org)

TX Lawmakers Urged to Remove Barriers for Vulnerable SNAP Recipients

AUSTIN, Texas -- Hunger relief organizations say the pandemic combined with February's unexpected winter storm in Texas has highlighted the state's …

Early voting for the Nov. 3 general election is scheduled to start on Oct. 13 in Texas, but a lawsuit is pending. (paulbr75/Pixabay)

Outrage, Lawsuits Follow Governor's Ballot-Dropbox Ban

AUSTIN, Texas -- The head of the Texas League of Women Voters does not think a last-minute directive to limit ballot dropboxes will stop residents …

AARP says any attempt to put Social Security in jeopardy will be met with fierce opposition from its 38 million members. (Ellen26/Pixabay)

AARP: Social Security Must Be Protected for 3.3M Texans

AUSTIN, Texas -- More than 3 million Texans rely on Social Security during retirement, and AARP is calling on people running for office to defend and …

Texas prometi� evaluar a m�s de 230 mil residentes y personal en los 1,224 hogares de ancianos autorizados en el estado, para fines de mayo. (sabinevanerp/Pixabay)

COVID-19: Defensores de Adultos Mayores en Texas se enfocan en Centros de Atención a Largo Plazo

AUSTIN, Texas -- Los adultos mayores han sido los más vulnerables a enfermedades y decesos por la pandemia Coronavirus, y la AARP Texas trabaja …

Los datos muestran que en el largo plazo, el impacto del aislamiento social causa tanto da�o como el que sufre una persona que fume 15 cigarrillos por d�a. (gerald/Pixabay)

Distancia Social no debería significar Aislamiento Social

AUSTIN, Texas -- La Encuesta Comunidad Estadunidense 2018 ("2018 American Community Survey") encontró que casi el 18% de los tejanos de 50 añ…

Trabajadores del �Antelope Valley Community College� ganaron recientemente una batalla de cinco a�os con su distrito escolar, sobre horarios de trabajo y el pago de tiempos extra.(Bob Riha)

Brindar cuidados en Texas: Un ‘Gracias’ por su papel a veces no bien agradecido

AUSTIN, Texas – Tres punto cuatro millones de texanos son cuidadores, un papel en el que se involucran ya sea por decisión suya o no…

El Comit� Financiero del Senado de los EE.UU. se reunir� el jueves para discutir la reducci�n de precios a los medicamentos demasiado altos, sobre todo para los adultos mayores. Ley sobre la Reducci�n del Precio de Medicamentos 2019.

Grupo de Texas hace llamado para la pronta aprobación de las Reformas de Precios de Medicamentos

Mientras se intensifican los esfuerzos para reducir el costo de los medicamentos de receta en Capitol Hill, algunos grupos de Texas dicen que no …

Los medicamentos antipsic�ticos pueden ser peligrosos para personas con Alzheimer y demencia. (David Pereias/Adobe Stock)

Llaman a detener la “Bárbara” administración de drogas a residentes de asilos

AUSTIN, Texas – Los legisladores estatales están considerando una legislación que ayudaría a mejorar la calidad de cuidados …

Antipsychotic medications can be dangerous for people with Alzheimer's and dementia. (David Pereias/Adobe Stock)

Calls to Stop "Barbaric" Drugging of Texas Nursing Home Residents

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas has reduced the misuse of antipsychotics in nursing homes in recent years, but some advocacy groups say much more can be …

Los cuidadores sin paga a menudo ponen en pausa sus propias necesidades para cuidar a un pariente, a su pareja o a una amistad. (truthseeker08/Flickr)

Los Cuidadores de Texas También Necesitan Algo de Cuidados

AUSTIN, Texas – Casi 3.5 millones de Texanos y 40 millones de personas en todo el país cuidan de sus seres amados en edad avanzada…

Casos de explotaci�n financier a las personas mayores, frecuentemente no son reportados. (Pixabay)

Los Texanos mayores necesitan más protección contra el abuso financiero, afirma un Grupo

AUSTIN, Texas – Los adultos mayores son particularmente vulnerables a la explotación financiera, y se teme que los investigadores de …

Un nuevo reporte sugiere mejorar, en las instalaciones de vida asistida de Texas, los protocolos de respuesta ante desastres.<br />(SC National Guard/Flickr)

Informe revisa fallas en la protección de Texanos vulnerables durante Harvey

AUSTIN, Texas – A casi un año de que el Huracán Harvey devastara gran parte de la Costa del Golfo de Texas, un informe reciente …

Many people with disabilities turn to the Americans with Disabilities Act to provide access when they face barriers in their daily lives, but a bill pending in Congress could make that a longer and more difficult process. (Pixabay)

Opponents Say Bill Pending in Congress Weakens ADA Protections

AUSTIN, Texas - A bill aimed at strengthening the Americans with Disabilities Act may not be what it seems. The U.S. House of Representatives could …

Many Texas children with disabilities and developmental delays have lost access to critical therapy due to budget cuts in the state's Early Childhood Intervention program. (KidStock/GettyImages)

Budget Cuts Keep Texas Kids with Disabilities from Getting Therapy

TYLER, Texas – Funding cuts are forcing thousands of Texas children with disabilities and developmental delays to lose access to critical …

Los legisladores de Texas est�n considerando imponer penas m�s severas a los asilos de ancianos que violen las normas estatales de salud y seguridad. (TerryVine/GettyImages)

Ley busca mejorar las condiciones “vergonzosamente pobres” en los asilos de Texas

AUSTIN, Texas – Una iniciativa de ley que espera la aprobación final de la Legislatura de Texas repercutiría en penalizaciones m&…

Healthcare advocates say a second version of the American Health Care Act would put even more Texans at risk of losing coverage. (SamEdwards/GettyImages)

Texas Groups Oppose Congress’ Second Try at Health Care Bill

AUSTIN, Texas – Congress could vote on a new version of the GOP's American Health Care Act as early as this weekend, but a group of Texas …

Hay ayuda en l�nea para los tejanos que asisten en asuntos financieros a miembros mayores de su familia o a otras personas.

“Herramienta" disponible para evitar abuso financiero a Tejanos mayores

AUSTIN, Texas - Esta es la Semana Nacional de Protección al Consumidor (“National Consumer Protection Week”), y un grupo de …

Un nuevo reporte de la AARP Texas encuentra que uno de cada cuatro asilos de Texas tiene serios problemas que amenazan la salud de los residentes. (jacoblund/iStockphoto)

La AARP Texas busca regulación más rígida para asilos

AUSTIN, Texas – Uno de cada cuatro de los 1,200 asilos que hay en Texas tiene severos problemas que ponen en peligro a los residentes y …

A federal survey shows that Texas has reduced the number of homeless people needing shelter by 42 percent since 2007. (bodnarchuk/iStockphoto)

Survey: Texas Reduces Homelessness by 42 Percent Since 2007

AUSTIN, Texas – Advocates for Texas' homeless population are celebrating a federal report showing a significant reduction in the number of …

La AARP Texas est� apoyando a la gente mayor para evitar ser v�ctimas de abuso financiero por parte de sus familiares u otras personas cercanas a ellos. (Wikimedia Commons)

La AARP de Texas busca detener abusos financieros a gente mayor

AUSTIN, Texas – La AARP de Texas trabaja en varios frentes para detener el abuso financiero a los adultos mayores, delito que en los …

Analysts say surprise medical bills from out-of-network doctors can sometimes turn a medical emergency into a financial catastrophe. (MinervaStudio/iStockphoto)

Texas Lawmakers Study Regulations on Surprise Medical Bills

AUSTIN, Texas - Even though they may have health insurance, growing numbers of Texas consumers are getting unexpected bills from doctors not in the …

The number of uninsured Hispanic children dropped significantly, in Texas and across the country, during the first year of the Affordable Care Act. (iStock)

Rate of Uninsured Hispanic Children Falls Significantly Under ACA

AUSTIN, Texas - The rate of uninsured Hispanic children has fallen to an historic low during the first year of the Affordable Care Act, according to …

Texas is one of the last remaining states in the nation to allow indefinite solitary confinement as punishment. (AlexRaths/iStockphoto)

Report Shows Texas Isolation Policies Dangerous for Children

AUSTIN, Texas - Texas is one of only 10 states that allows juvenile justice centers to use solitary confinement indefinitely to punish children…

Los tejanos que reciban cuentas m�dicas inesperadas luego de una visita al hospital, ya pueden reclamar esos cargos gracias a una nueva ley aprobada por el Senado. Cr�dito: AARP Texas

Los tejanos ya pueden impugnar “cuentas médicas sorpresa”, gracias a una nueva ley

AUSTIN, Texas – Los pacientes texanos que reciben “cuentas médicas sorpresa” luego de estar en el hospital ahora cuentan con …

Texans who get unexpected medical bills after a visit to the hospital can now challenge those charges thanks to a new law on the books. Credit: AARP Texas

Texans Can Beat Surprise Medical Bills Thanks to New Law

AUSTIN, Texas - Patients who get "surprise medical bills" after a trip to the hospital now have recourse, thanks to a new Texas law passed in the …

Reproductive health physicians say increases in exposure to toxic chemicals over the last four decades is threatening human reproduction and health. Credit: Tomas Sereda/iStockphoto

Doctors Urge Greater Efforts to Prevent Toxic Chemical Exposure

AUSTIN, Texas - Dramatic increases in exposure to toxic chemicals over the last four decades is threatening human reproduction and health. That's …

Texans urged to be prepared for hurricane season. Credit: NASA.

Texans Urged to Prepare for Hurricane Season

AUSTIN, Texas - With more than four months left in this year's hurricane season, the state Department of Public Safety is reminding Texans that now …

PHOTO: The consumption of alcohol during pregnancy is one of the leading preventable causes of birth defects and childhood disabilities. Photo credit: Janine/Flickr.

Maternal Alcohol Use to Impact Thousands of Texas Babies This Year

AUSTIN, Texas - It is completely preventable, but there will be some 40,000 babies born in the United States this year, including around 4,000 in …

PHOTO: The preterm birth rate in Texas continues to trend down, with seven straight years of declines to reach 12.3 percent as of 2013. Photo credit: C�sar Rinc�n/Flickr.<br />

Texas Key in Nationwide Effort to Reduce Premature Births

HOUSTON - The latest figures show the preterm birth rate in Texas continues to fall, but the progress is slow and that could hamper goals nationwide …

PHOTO: Attorneys across Texas are being recognized for providing about $500 million worth of legal services to low-income residents each year. Photo credit: Stuart Seeger/Flickr.

Retaining Texas Justice: $500 Million in Free Legal Help

AUSTIN, Texas - This is National Pro Bono Week, and while it will soon come to a close, the dramatic need for affordable legal services in Texas is a …

PHOTO: James Brady became a leading figure in efforts to reduce gun violence after he was shot in the head in the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan. Photo credit: Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

Texans Remember Gun Violence Prevention Icon James Brady

AUSTIN, Texas - Texans are remembering James Brady, the former White House press secretary who became a key figure in the fight for gun violence …

PHOTO: It couldn't get much worse for long-term care in Texas, according to areport that ranks the state 49th in the nation for quality of care and quality of life. Photo credit: Xavi Talleda/Flickr<br />

Texas Among Nation's Worst for Quality of Long-Term Care

AUSTIN, Texas – It's a finding that's being called dismal, as a scorecard on long-term care ranks Texas 49th in the nation for quality of care …

PHOTO: Houston is ranked as the seventh most dangerous metro area in the country for pedestrians. Photo credit: Azara123/Flickr

Four Texas Metro Areas Among Nation's Deadliest for Pedestrians

AUSTIN, Texas – A dubious distinction for Texas. A new report shows the state has four of the most dangerous large metro areas in the nation …

PHOTO: Researcher Laurie Jeans says there are a number of behavioral and developmental deficits present in children at age two, that are predictive of an autism spectrum diagnosis by age four. Photo credit: M. Kuhlman.

Researchers: Autism Diagnosis Possible as Early as Age 2

AUSTIN, Texas - New research suggests that autism can be identified earlier than previously thought, in children as young as age two. The study was …

PHOTO: Wed., Mar. 5 is National �Spread the Word to End the Word� Day, an effort to get people to stop using the word

The R-Word: As Cruel and Offensive as Any Slur

AUSTIN, Texas - Across Texas and the nation today, people are being asked to take time to stop and think about how their words may affect others…

FOTO: Diciendo que es inconstitucional y que se est� volviendo un peligro para los internos y para el personal, varios grupos unidos piden al Departamento de Justicia Criminal de Texas que reconsidere sus pol�ticas en torno al confinamiento solitario. Cr�dito de la foto: Jody Wilson.

Prisiones de Texas, urgidas a reconsiderar su postura sobre el confinamiento solitario

AUSTIN, Texas – Argumentando que es inconstitucional y que las cosas se están poniendo peligrosas para los reclusos y el personal…

PHOTO: Texas residents are being reminded that a photo ID is required to cast a ballot as early voting for the March primaries begins today. Photo credit: Nicole Klauss

Early Voting Begins Today for Upcoming Texas Primaries

AUSTIN, Texas - Early voting for the state's upcoming primaries begins today. Voters are reminded that a current photo ID is needed to cast a ballot…

PHOTO: The Texas men and women who have served in the military are being honored on this Veterans Day, but some folks are making sure vets in the state have the support they need every week of the year. Photo credit: Paul Long

Honoring 1.7-Million TX Veterans, Today and Year-Round

AUSTIN, Texas - For many veterans who have returned home from Afghanistan and Iraq, the move back into civilian life can present a variety of …

PHOTO: A stimulus program that provided more funding for food stamps has now ended. Courtesy HSM

November Arrives in Texas, Along with Cuts to SNAP

AUSTIN, Texas - The month of November has arrived in Texas, and along with it, an automatic reduction in funding for many families in the state who …

PHOTO: The ACLU of Texas has filed a lawsuit claiming that a Customs and Border Protection agent used unwarranted force and physically abused a U.S. citizen during questioning last fall. Photo credit: Bill Morrow.

Lawsuit Against Border Patrol Claims Excessive Force, False Arrest

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency is facing a new lawsuit over an alleged false arrest and excessive use of force …

La ACLU de Texas presento una demanda acusando a un agente de Border Protection por usar fuerza excesiva y abusar fisicamente de una ciudadana norteamericana durante un interrogatorio, el otonyo pasado. Credito de la foto: Bill Morrow. (acentos y tildes omitidos intencionalmente)

Demanda contra Patrulla Fronteriza por fuerza excesiva y detención ilegal

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – La American Civil Liberties Union (Unión Americana de Libertades Civiles) de Texas presentó una demanda …

PHOTO: The Affordable Care Act is expected to help more women in the fight against breast cancer. CREDIT: Army Medicine

Affordable Care Act Provides New Tools in Fight Against Breast Cancer

AUSTIN, Texas – October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this year's event marks a major shift in women being able to access the …

PHOTO: More than five-billion pounds of pesticides are applied to land across the U-S each year and today (Monday) and tomorrow, farmworkers from across the country are in Washington D.C. demanding greater protections. CREDIT: Andy Powell

Farm Workers in DC Demanding Protections from Pesticides

AUSTIN, Texas - Farm workers from across the nation are meeting with members of Congress today and Tuesday, asking for stronger protections from …

PHOTO: Drivers are being reminded of the dangers of distractions behind the wheel as the long holiday weekend continues. Texting is a major distraction, but officials say hands-free phones also take your attention away and can be just as dangerous. CREDIT: Robert Provost

Road Safety Urged as Long Holiday Weekend Continues

AUSTIN, Texas – As the long holiday weekend continues, a reminder for drivers in Texas – keep your hands on the wheel and your focus on …

PHOTO: The American Heart Association says the Caruth Grant Initiative through the Communities Foundation of Texas helped fill equipment gaps for Dallas County EMS agencies and streamlined the protocol for heart attack care. L to R: Brent Christopher, Dr. Clyde Yancy, Nancy Brown, Midge LaPorte Epstein and Dr. John Warner. CREDIT: AHA

Saving Lives: Improvements in Dallas Heart Attack Care

DALLAS - In a heart attack, minutes can make the difference between life and death - and in Dallas County, more people are surviving thanks to a …

PHOTO: This is National CPR and AED Awareness Week. They are skills that are easy to learn and can save lives, but currently only about 1 in 3 people who have a sudden cardiac arrest receive CPR from a bystander. CREDIT: NASA

Texans Urged to Take Life Saving Measures into Own Hands

AUSTIN, Texas - When it comes to suffering from sudden cardiac arrest, bystander CPR can double or even triple survival rates, but in the majority of …

IMAGE: Time is vital when it comes to treating stroke, as brain damage mounts with each passing minutes and there is just a small window of time where clot busting drugs can be administered. CREDIT: AHA

FAST Action is Vital Upon the Onset of Stroke Symptoms

AUSTIN, Texas - May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and one of the key points in the event of a stroke is FAST action. Dr. Ziad Darkhabani said …

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PNS Daily Newscast - April 16, 2024

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TX: Disabilities