Latest news with #HarrisCounty
Washington Post
3 days ago
- Health
- Washington Post
Trump administration blocked from cutting local health funding for four municipalities
A federal court has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from clawing back millions in public health funding from four Democrat-led municipalities in GOP-governed states. It's the second such federal ruling to reinstate public health funding for several states. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper in Washington, D.C., issued a preliminary injunction Tuesday sought by district attorneys in Harris County, Texas, home to Houston, and three cities: Columbus, Ohio, Nashville, Tennessee, and Kansas City, Missouri. The decision means the federal government must reinstate funding to the four municipalities until the case is fully litigated.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Trump administration blocked from cutting local health funding for four municipalities
A federal court has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from clawing back millions in public health funding from four Democrat-led municipalities in GOP-governed states. It's the second such federal ruling to reinstate public health funding for several states. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper in Washington, D.C., issued a preliminary injunction Tuesday sought by district attorneys in Harris County, Texas, home to Houston, and three cities: Columbus, Ohio, Nashville, Tennessee, and Kansas City, Missouri. The decision means the federal government must reinstate funding to the four municipalities until the case is fully litigated. Their lawsuit, filed in late April, alleged $11 billion in cuts to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention programs had already been approved by Congress and are being unconstitutionally withheld. They also argued that the administration's actions violate Department of Health and Human Services regulations. The cities and counties argued the cuts were 'a massive blow to U.S. public health at a time where state and local public health departments need to address burgeoning infectious diseases and chronic illnesses, like the measles, bird flu, and mpox.' The cuts would lead to thousands of state and local public health employees being fired, the lawsuit argued. The local governments, alongside the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union, wanted the court to reinstate the grants nationwide. But Cooper said in his preliminary injunction that the funds can only be blocked to the four municipalities and in a May 21 hearing expressed skepticism about whether it could apply more widely. The funding in question was granted during the COVID-19 pandemic but aimed at building up public health infrastructure overall, Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee said in a statement in April. The four local governments were owed about $32.7 million in future grant payments, Cooper's opinion notes. The federal government's lawyers said the grants were legally cut because, "Now that the pandemic is over, the grants and cooperative agreements are no longer necessary as their limited purpose has run out.' They used the same argument in the case brought by 23 states and the District of Columbia over the HHS funding clawback. Menefee said the cuts defunded programs in Harris County for wastewater disease surveillance, community health workers and clinics and call centers that helped people get vaccinated. Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein said the cuts forced the city to fire 11 of its 22 infectious disease staffers. Nashville used some of its grant money to support programs, including a 'strike team' that after the pandemic addressed gaps in health services that kept kids from being able to enroll in school, according to the lawsuit. Kansas City used one of its grants to build out capabilities to test locally for COVID-19, influenza and measles rather than waiting for results from the county lab. The suit details that after four years of work to certify facilities and train staff, the city 'was at the final step" of buying lab equipment when the grant was canceled. Representatives for HHS, the CDC, the cities and Harris County did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Trump administration blocked from cutting local health funding for four municipalities
A federal court has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from clawing back millions in public health funding from four Democrat-led municipalities in GOP-governed states. It's the second such federal ruling to reinstate public health funding for several states. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper in Washington, D.C., issued a preliminary injunction Tuesday sought by district attorneys in Harris County, Texas, home to Houston, and three cities: Columbus, Ohio, Nashville, Tennessee, and Kansas City, Missouri. The decision means the federal government must reinstate funding to the four municipalities until the case is fully litigated. Their lawsuit, filed in late April, alleged $11 billion in cuts to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention programs had already been approved by Congress and are being unconstitutionally withheld. They also argued that the administration's actions violate Department of Health and Human Services regulations. The cities and counties argued the cuts were 'a massive blow to U.S. public health at a time where state and local public health departments need to address burgeoning infectious diseases and chronic illnesses, like the measles, bird flu, and mpox.' The cuts would lead to thousands of state and local public health employees being fired, the lawsuit argued. The local governments, alongside the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union, wanted the court to reinstate the grants nationwide. But Cooper said in his preliminary injunction that the funds can only be blocked to the four municipalities and in a May 21 hearing expressed skepticism about whether it could apply more widely. The funding in question was granted during the COVID-19 pandemic but aimed at building up public health infrastructure overall, Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee said in a statement in April. The four local governments were owed about $32.7 million in future grant payments, Cooper's opinion notes. The federal government's lawyers said the grants were legally cut because, 'Now that the pandemic is over, the grants and cooperative agreements are no longer necessary as their limited purpose has run out.' They used the same argument in the case brought by 23 states and the District of Columbia over the HHS funding clawback. Menefee said the cuts defunded programs in Harris County for wastewater disease surveillance, community health workers and clinics and call centers that helped people get vaccinated. Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein said the cuts forced the city to fire 11 of its 22 infectious disease staffers. Nashville used some of its grant money to support programs, including a 'strike team' that after the pandemic addressed gaps in health services that kept kids from being able to enroll in school, according to the lawsuit. Kansas City used one of its grants to build out capabilities to test locally for COVID-19, influenza and measles rather than waiting for results from the county lab. The suit details that after four years of work to certify facilities and train staff, the city 'was at the final step' of buying lab equipment when the grant was canceled. Representatives for HHS, the CDC, the cities and Harris County did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Harris County: Man accused of striking his mother on Holly Way, authorities investigating
The Brief A mother was airlifted to the hospital after being allegedly beaten by her own son, officials said. Officials stated the incident occurred in the 18700 block of Holly Way after deputies responded to a call for service. The man was located and detained, officials stated. HARRIS COUNTY, Texas - Harris County authorities are investigating after a man is accused of striking his mother, authorities said. What we know Officials stated the incident occurred in the 18700 block of Holly Way after deputies responded to a call for service. When authorities arrived, officials said the woman was barely breathing with serious bodily injuries. The man was located and detained, officials stated. The woman was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition. The investigation is ongoing. What we don't know Authorities did not say what the motive was behind the incident. The suspect's name has not been released. The Source Information from Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Harris County crash: 12-year-old child struck, killed by vehicle, authorities searching for suspect vehicle
The Brief An investigation is underway following an auto-pedestrian crash in Harris County on Tuesday evening. According to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, the crash occurred in the 11900 block of Suburban. Gonzalez said the crash involved a child on a bicycle. HARRIS COUNTY, Texas - A search is underway for a vehicle involved in a deadly auto-pedestrian crash in Harris County on Tuesday evening, officials said. According to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, the crash occurred in the 11900 block of Suburban. During a news briefing late Tuesday night, officials said a 12-year-old was riding a vehicle down the sidewalk. Officials said they have surveillance video showing the child was being chased by a dog. At some point, officials said the child lost control of the bike in some loose sand that was on the sidewalk. That's when, officials said, the child fell into a lane of traffic where a black sedan struck the child and left the scene. Officials stated some citizens nearby saw the speeding black sedan that failed to stop at a stop sign. They said they saw bicycle parts and car parts, and then they saw the child. Authorities said the citizens got out, tended to the child, and performed CPR until paramedics arrived in an attempt to save the child. However, authorities said, there was no sign of life and the child was pronounced dead on the scene. Harris County officials said based on the car parts that are at the scene, they are looking for a Black Chrysler 300 that will have damage to the front end. Officials are asking anyone who may have seen what happened to contact them at (713) 221-6000. What we don't know Officials did not provide the name of the child who died. The Source Information from Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
