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2023 Election Results Are In

Forward Times is providing you with the results of the November 2023 election Drumroll please……. the November 2023 election concluded last week, and the Forward Times is here with the results of the 2023 City of Houston races and surrounding areas, as well as the outcome of the local propositions and State of Texas Constitutional […]
The post 2023 Election Results Are In first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 years ago

November 15, 2023

Forward Times Staff

Forward Times is providing you with the results of the November 2023 election

Drumroll please……. the November 2023 election concluded last week, and the Forward Times is here with the results of the 2023 City of Houston races and surrounding areas, as well as the outcome of the local propositions and State of Texas Constitutional amendments.

HOUSTON MAYOR RACE

As Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner’s second and final term concludes at the end of the year due to term-limits: U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (36%) and John Whitmire (43%) were the top two vote getters and will face off against each other in the December runoff election for the open seat to become Houston’s next mayor.

HOUSTON CITY CONTROLLER RACE

As Houston City Controller Chris Brown’s second and final term ends at the end of the year due to term-limits: Chris Hollins (45%) and Orlando Sanchez (27%) were the top two vote getters and will face off against each other in the December runoff election for the open seat to become Houston’s next city controller.

HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL AT-LARGE RACES

Here are the results of the Houston City Council At-Large races:

At-Large, Position 1: Melanie Miles (25%) and Julian Ramirez (25%) were the top two vote getters and will face off against each other in the December runoff election for the open seat to serve on Houston City Council.
At-Large, Position 2: Willie Davis (32%) and Nick Hellyar (23%) were the top two vote getters and will face off against each other in the December runoff election for the open seat to serve on Houston City Council.
At-Large, Position 3: Richard Cantu (22%) and Twila Carter (21%) were the top two vote getters and will face off against each other in the December runoff election for the open seat to serve on Houston City Council.
At-Large, Position 4: Incumbent Council Member Leticia Plummer (48%) and Roy Morales (33%) were the top two vote getters and will face off against each other in the December runoff election to serve on Houston City Council.
At-Large, Position 5: Incumbent Council Member Sallie Alcorn (60%) wins a second term and retains her seat to serve on Houston City Council.

HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT RACES

The results of the City Council District races are:

District A: Incumbent Council Member Amy Peck (100%) was unopposed and wins second term and retains her seat to serve on Houston City Council.
District B: Incumbent Council Member Tarsha Jackson (63%) wins second term and retains her seat to serve on Houston City Council.
District C: Incumbent Council Member Abbie Kamin (73%) wins second term and retains her seat to serve on Houston City Council.
District D: Incumbent Council Member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz (49%) and Travis McGee (17%) were the top two vote getters and will face off against each other in the December runoff election to serve on Houston City Council.
District E: Fred Flickinger (57%) wins open seat to serve on Houston City Council.
District F: Incumbent Council Member Tiffany Thomas (100%) was unopposed and wins second term and retains her seat to serve on Houston City Council.
District G: Incumbent Council Member Mary Nan Huffman (49%) and Tony Buzbee (41%) were the top two vote getters and will face off against each other in the December runoff election to serve on Houston City Council.
District H: Mario Castillo (46%) and Cynthia Reyes Revilla (25%) were the top two vote getters and will face off against each other in the December runoff election for the open seat to serve on Houston City Council.
District I: Joaquin Martinez (59%) wins open seat to serve on Houston City Council.
District J: Incumbent Council Member Edward Pollard (63%) wins second term and retains his seat to serve on Houston City Council.
District K: Incumbent Council Member Martha Castex-Tatum (100%) was unopposed and wins second term and retains her seat to serve on Houston City Council.

LOCAL BALLOT INITIATIVES

Harris County Hospital District, Proposition A: (PASSED | 72%)
City of Houston, Proposition A: (PASSED | 83%)
City of Houston, Proposition B: (PASSED | 65%)

STATEWIDE BALLOT MEASURES

Proposition 1: Voters decided whether Texans will have the right to farm, ranch, and garden on property they own. (PASSED | 79%)
Proposition 2: Voters decided whether cities and counties will be allowed to give property tax breaks to child-care businesses. (PASSED | 65%)
Proposition 3: Voters decided whether to prevent any future lawmakers from imposing a “wealth tax” on Texas residents without voter consent. (PASSED | 68%)
Proposition 4: Voters decided whether to raise the school homestead exemption in Texas and reduce the amount that Texas homeowners will take off the taxable value of their primary residence for school property taxes from $40,000 to $100,000. The proposition will also put a temporary cap on the appraisal growth on residential properties and small businesses that do not have homestead exemptions, such as second homes and rental properties, from year-to-year. Lastly, it will create new elected positions on appraisal boards in Texas counties with a population of 75,000 or more. (PASSED | 83%)
Proposition 5: Voters decided whether to send up to $100 million in interest, dividends, and other investment earnings every year from the state’s rainy-day fund to the Texas University Fund to help support research at state universities. (PASSED | 66%)
Proposition 6: Voters decided whether to approve the creation of the Texas Water Fund, which will receive $1 billion to begin updating pipe systems and developing new water sources. (PASSED | 78%)
Proposition 7: Voters decided whether to authorize the creation of a Texas Energy Fund, which will receive $5 billion to help officials to distribute loans and grants to companies with the aim of building new natural gas-fueled power plants. (PASSED | 65%)
Proposition 8: Voters decided whether to create the Broadband Infrastructure Fund to expand Internet and broadband access across Texas. (PASSED | 69%)
Proposition 9: Voters decided whether to allow $3.3 billion from the general revenue fund to be moved to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas to provide some retired Texas teachers with cost-of-living raises to their monthly pension checks. (PASSED | 84%)
Proposition 10: Voters decided whether to give a property tax break to biomedical companies by exempting the value of any equipment used to manufacture personal protective equipment, pharmaceuticals, or other medical devices. (PASSED | 55%)
Proposition 11: Although it didn’t affect Houston-area voters directly, this proposition asked Texas voters to decide whether to give conservation and reclamation districts in El Paso County the power to issue bonds to fund the development and maintenance of parks and recreational facilities. (PASSED | 63%)
Proposition 12: Although it didn’t affect Houston-area voters directly, this proposition asked Texas voters (in Galveston County only) to decide whether to abolish the office of Galveston County treasurer and instead authorize the Commissioners Court to hire or contract with someone to do the job. (PASSED | 53%)
Proposition 13: Voters decided whether to raise the mandatory retirement age for Texas state judges from 75 years of age to 79. (REJECTED | 63%)
Proposition 14: Voters decided whether to establish a Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, which will receive $1 billion to purchase land for new state parks and improve existing state parks. (PASSED | 77%)

Other items on the November ballot that may impact some of you include:

ALDINE ISD BOND ELECTION

Proposition A: New School Buildings and Sites (PASSED | 68%)
Proposition B: District Technology Equipment (PASSED | 65%)
Proposition C: Arts and Events Center (PASSED | 55%)

CITY OF JERSEY VILLAGE BOND ELECTION

Proposition A: $19 million for a pool and parks improvements (REJECTED | 59%)
Proposition B: $15.86 million for water, sewer, and drainage (PASSED | 55%)
Proposition C: $18 million for streets, roads, and bridges (PASSED | 51%)

CLEAR CREEK ISD BOND ELECTION AND TAX RATE RAISE

Propositon A: Tax rate raise to 0.9746 per $100 in property value (PASSED | 59%)
Proposition B: $265 million for school infrastructure and safety (PASSED | 55%)
Proposition C: $37 million for technology equipment and instructional tech (PASSED | 54%)

CONROE ISD BOND ELECTION

Proposition A: $1.82 billion for eight new schools (PASSED | 61%)
Proposition B: $40 million for technology devices (PASSED | 58%)
Proposition C: $112.9 million for PE and ag barn improvements (PASSED | 59%)
Proposition D: $22.9 million for pool revamp/natatorium (REJECTED | 51%)

CROSBY ISD BOND ELECTION

Proposition A: School Facilities (REJECTED | 65%)

FORT BEND COUNTY BOND ELECTION

Proposition A: $712.6 million for mobility (PASSED | 64%)
Proposition B: $153 million for parks (PASSED | 52%)

FORT BEND ISD TAX RATE ELECTION

Proposition A: Raise tax rate to 98.92 cents per $100 in property value (PASSED | 57%)

KATY ISD BOND ELECTION

Proposition A: $723 million for new schools, renovations, security upgrades (PASSED | 59%)
Proposition B: $83.6 million for technology (PASSED | 57%)
Proposition C: $4 million for natatoriums (REJECTED | 54%)
Proposition D: $30 million for athletic facilities (REJECTED | 56%)

LAMAR CISD BOND ELECTION

Proposition A: $15M Traylor Stadium bonds (REJECTED | 55%)

PEARLAND ISD TAX RATE ELECTION

Proposition A: Change tax rate to $1.1373 per $100 in property value (PASSED | 57%)

STAFFORD MSD TAX RATE ELECTION

Proposition A: Change tax rate (PASSED | 56%)

So Forward Times readers, here is a simple, but necessary recap:

Runoff Election Day is Saturday, December 9
Early voting for the runoff will be from Monday, November 27 through Tuesday, December 5
The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. except on Sundays, when they’ll be open from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Sample ballots for the December runoff election will not be available until November 22
If you didn’t get a chance to vote in the November 7^th general election, you can still vote in the December runoff election.
The last day to receive a ballot by-mail application is November 28.
IMPORTANT: Election Day polling locations may change up until Election Day.
Current Election Day polling location information is available at:
Harris County: harrisvotes.com
Montgomery County: https://elections.mctx.org
Fort Bend County: https://www.fortbendvotes.org

These are the races that will be on the ballot for the December runoff election ballot for the City of Houston:

Mayor
City Controller
Council Member, District D
Council Member, District G
Council Member, District H
Council Member, At-Large Position 1
Council Member, At-Large Position 2
Council Member, At-Large Position 3
Council Member, At-Large Position 4

For any information, such as finding your nearest polling location, sample ballot, and much more, please visit HarrisVotes.com.

The post 2023 Election Results Are In appeared first on Forward Times.

The post 2023 Election Results Are In first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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Study: Waiting Lists for Child Care Assistance Nearly Doubled

BLACKPRESS USA NEWSWIRE — “Since the expiration of tens of billions of dollars in federal child care funding in 2023 and 2024, an already fragile child care system has been pushed even closer to the brink.”
The post Study: Waiting Lists for Child Care Assistance Nearly Doubled appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

24 hours ago

June 8, 2026

Oakland Post

By National Women’s Law Center

The National Women’s Law Center released its annual State Child Care Assistance Policies report, finding that the number of children placed on waiting lists for federally funded child care assistance nearly doubled between 2024 and 2025 — and that number has only continued to grow.

The report serves as a key resource for state lawmakers, advocates, and policymakers by tracking state child care assistance policies and identifying where states are strengthening support for families and early educators — or falling behind.

“This deeply troubling increase in the number of children on child care waiting lists is the result of a failure to invest in this crucial sector,” said Karen Schulman, senior director of state child care policy and author of the report. “Since the expiration of tens of billions of dollars in federal child care funding in 2023 and 2024, an already fragile child care system has been pushed even closer to the brink.”

Key findings in the report related to waiting lists for child care assistance include:

• 17 states had waiting lists or a freeze on intake for child care assistance in February 2025, up from 13 states in February 2024.

• Approximately 106,700 children nationwide were added to waiting lists between February 2024 and February 2025, bringing the total to 225,500 children in February 2025 — a 90 percent increase compared to February 2024.

• The numbers climbed even further between February 2025 and summer/fall 2025, with more than 175,000 additional children added to state waiting lists in just a few months — a 78 percent increase.

• At least seven states newly began placing families on waiting lists or freezing intake, while at least 10 additional states saw their waiting lists grow, after February 2025.

The report also includes state-by-state data on key child care assistance policies, including income eligibility limits, parent copayments, provider payment rates, and eligibility policies for parents searching for work.

Click the link to learn more: Warning Signs: State Child Care Assistance Policies 2025.

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Venus Williams Calls a Sabalenka Exit a Tragedy

ROLLING OUT — Crucially, Williams did not read the comment as a real farewell. She said she did not believe Sabalenka truly wanted to leave, calling such an outcome a loss for both the player and the sport.
The post Venus Williams Calls a Sabalenka Exit a Tragedy appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 days ago

June 7, 2026

Oakland Post

The seven-time major champion read frustration, not a real goodbye, in the world No. 1’s words

By David Kesiena | Rolling Out

When the world’s top-ranked player said she wanted to walk away from the sport, Venus Williams chose empathy over alarm.

Aryna Sabalenka’s blunt remark after her French Open quarterfinal collapse rattled plenty of fans, but Williams heard something different in it. The seven-time Grand Slam champion treated the comment as the raw reaction of a hurting athlete rather than a serious signal about her future.

The collapse that triggered the comment

Sabalenka looked headed for a routine win over Diana Shnaider. She took the opening set 6-3 and built a commanding lead in the second, climbing to 4-1 and later serving for the match at 5-4 while sitting just two points from victory.

Then everything unraveled. Shnaider stormed back to steal the second set 7-5 and bageled the world No. 1 in the third, with Sabalenka dropping 12 of the final 13 games in gusty conditions that reached around 26 mph. The 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 result sent Shnaider into her first Grand Slam semifinal and extended Sabalenka’s long wait for a maiden Roland Garros title.

In the aftermath, Sabalenka did not soften her feelings. She told reporters she had no thoughts and no emotions left and felt like quitting on the spot. She described being stuck in a deep, dark mental hole during the match, unable to find her way back.

What Venus Williams said about Sabalenka

Williams reacted with understanding. She admitted the moment made her sad and said she had been swept up in Sabalenka’s emotions, feeling a surge of empathy for her. She praised the Belarusian for laying everything bare on court, where every feeling shows.

Crucially, Williams did not read the comment as a real farewell. She said she did not believe Sabalenka truly wanted to leave, calling such an outcome a loss for both the player and the sport. Rather than scold her, Williams offered a gentle observation about the rhythm of professional tennis. She suggested players might benefit from a little more time to gather themselves before stepping in front of the cameras, a quiet acknowledgment that athletes are routinely asked to dissect painful defeats before the sting has faded.

Sabalenka walks it back

The story did not end on that bleak note. Within days, Sabalenka signaled she was not actually quitting, framing the press-conference outburst as heat-of-the-moment honesty rather than a plan. At the time of the loss she had also left the door open, saying she would see how she felt in a few days and hoped to get back on track mentally. The walk-back lined up with how Williams had read the situation from the start.

It is not the first time a Paris quarterfinal has pushed Sabalenka to her limit. In 2024 she exited at the same stage and skipped her press conference entirely because of illness, with the tour later releasing her quotes on her behalf. The pattern underscores how heavily this particular tournament has weighed on her despite deep runs in recent years.

For now, attention shifts to the grass. Wimbledon offers Sabalenka a quick chance to reset, and a strong showing there would turn this French Open meltdown into a footnote rather than a turning point.

Originally published by Rolling Out — https://rollingout.com.

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COMMENTARY: Using Art, Healing, And Community to Transform Mental Health Dialogue

THE CAROLINIAN — Operating at the intersection of the arts and mental health, Darkness RISING uses music, storytelling, wellness programming, and community engagement to inspire healing while addressing barriers that have historically prevented many Black Americans from accessing mental health support.
The post COMMENTARY: Using Art, Healing, And Community to Transform Mental Health Dialogue appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 days ago

June 7, 2026

Oakland Post

By Judaea Ingram | Special to The Carolinian

RALEIGH, N.C. – Music filled the air as families danced through the crowd, children gathered around activity stations, and community members explored wellness resources from local organizations. Black-owned businesses lined the streets while people stopped for chair massages, conversations, and moments of connection inside the wellness suite.

At the center of the event stood a simple but powerful reminder:

“You Matter.”

For Darkness RISING, those words represent far more than a slogan. They reflect the organization’s mission to break the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community while creating spaces centered on healing, honesty, and hope.

Operating at the intersection of the arts and mental health, Darkness RISING uses music, storytelling, wellness programming, and community engagement to inspire healing while addressing barriers that have historically prevented many Black Americans from accessing mental health support.

The organization hosts a variety of programs and events throughout the year, including block parties, wellness workshops, mixers, kickoff events, community classes, and Darkness RISING: Live — a free annual arts and wellness festival now celebrating its ninth year.

The festival combines entertainment with healing-centered resources, featuring live music, dancing, singing, food trucks, Black vendors, children’s activities, mental health resources, wellness spaces, and opportunities for open conversations about mental health.

While the events may feel celebratory on the surface, organizers say the deeper purpose is creating safe spaces where people can feel comfortable discussing mental health without fear of judgment.

Darkness RISING also provides free nationwide resources, including a Black Mental Health Resource Packet, a Black Mental Health Provider Database, and its “Find Me a Therapist” initiative, which helps connect individuals with culturally competent care.

The organization’s work is rooted in addressing longstanding inequities that continue impacting mental health access within Black communities.

Historically, segregation, redlining, racial discrimination, incarceration, poverty, and unequal healthcare access have contributed to higher rates of behavioral health challenges while simultaneously limiting access to proper treatment and support. Darkness RISING approaches those issues through what organizers describe as a transformative justice lens, focusing on healing rather than punishment and creating equitable wellness opportunities for marginalized communities.

Its REBUILD program specifically supports justice-involved and formerly incarcerated people of color through free therapy and wellness support, while the REBUILD Youth program focuses on young people impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences, also known as ACEs.

For Rudolph, therapy became life-changing after decades of incarceration and years of rejection after returning home.

“Came home in 2015, started my own computer company, investing in real estate, did the normal thing and got some jobs here and there and was met with rejection after rejection and people telling me I am not a good person,” Rudolph shared. “Even had a rejection in church.”

He said one of the hardest battles became overcoming the mental barriers created during incarceration.

“I got in touch with a couple of friends, and they explained to me how I had to get over the mental hurdles and get rid of the way my prison mindset was in order to survive and become successful,” he said.

Rudolph later moved to North Carolina hoping for a fresh start, but the struggle continued.

“Things were looking bad,” he said. “Could not get a job. The struggle was real.”

Eventually, therapy and support through organizations like Darkness RISING helped begin his healing process. He said working alongside other justice-involved men through therapy gave him the ability to rebuild mentally while finding community with people who understood his experiences.

Stories like Rudolph’s reflect the foundation behind Darkness RISING’s mission: ensuring people feel seen, supported, and worthy of healing regardless of their background or circumstances.

Community members who attend the organization’s events often describe them as emotionally transformative.

Some participants say Darkness RISING encouraged them to seek therapy for the first time, while others say the organization gave them a safe space to openly discuss struggles they previously kept hidden.

“I have been encouraged by the beautiful, generous, brave and open individuals who come together and use their talents to create art, share personal experiences and provide hope to those who may be struggling with mental health,” one participant shared.

By combining art, wellness, education, and community outreach, Darkness RISING continues changing how mental health conversations happen within the Black community.

Not through silence.

But through healing, honesty, connection, and joy.

Originally published by The Carolinian — https://caro.news.

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