Hearst Foundations Donate $2 Million to The Alamo Plan
July 29, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Alamo is excited to announce a generous $2 million donation from the Hearst Foundations, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing redevelopment efforts under the Alamo Plan. As part of this transformative contribution, the Alamo’s 4D Theater Lobby will now be named the Hearst Foundations Lobby.
“The Hearst Foundations’ support is invaluable to us as we continue to enhance the Alamo experience for millions of visitors,” said Dr. Kate Rogers, Executive Director of the Alamo Trust, Inc. “We are deeply grateful to the Hearst Foundations, Mr. Frank Bennack Jr., Executive Vice Chairman & Former CEO of the Hearst Corporation, and Paul “Dino” Dinovitz, Executive Director of the Hearst Foundations for their visionary leadership and commitment to preserving our shared history.”
Mr. Bennack has a profound connection to San Antonio, having started his esteemed media career in the Alamo City. His personal and professional ties to the region underscore the Hearst Foundations’ dedication to expanding cultural and educational opportunities across the United States.
“We are honored to support the Alamo on this important community project,” said Mr. Dinovitz. “The Hearst Foundations are committed to funding initiatives that promote and enrich educational experiences. We look forward to seeing how the Hearst Foundations Lobby will impact visitors’ understanding and appreciation of the Alamo’s profound legacy to our nation.”
The Hearst Foundations Lobby, within the new Alamo Visitor Center and Museum, will serve as a gateway to the Alamo’s immersive 4D Theater experience. This state-of-the-art facility, designed to accommodate an estimated 800,000 annual visitors, features the iconic Texas sky as it fades from day to night. The film played at the 4D Theater covers the entire saga of the Alamo’s complete story and sets the historical context for the battle itself. It will play a pivotal role in educating and inspiring audiences from around the world.
About Alamo Trust, Inc. | Alamo Trust, Inc. (ATI) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that oversees the daily operations at the Alamo and implementation of the Alamo Plan. Located in the heart of San Antonio, the Alamo stands as a Shrine to Texas Liberty. The Alamo tells the story of Texas Independence as part of its rich and diverse 300-year history to over 1.6 million visitors every year and is the #1 most visited destination in the State of Texas. In 1960, the Alamo was designated a United States National Historic Landmark, and in 2015, it became part of the Lone Star State’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site. Witness living history, experience authentic artifacts, and explore an iconic landmark that shaped the country. Visit theAlamo.org.
About Remember the Alamo Foundation | The mission of Remember the Alamo Foundation is to provide support exclusively for the Alamo and its preservation, educational outreach, and public programs. We welcome your gift to support these programs and ensure that future generations will Remember the Alamo.
CONTACT
Jonathan Huhn, Alamo Trust, Inc.
JHuhn@thealamo.org
Mobile (210) 867-7717
Attorney General Ken Paxton Secures $1.4 Billion Settlement with Meta Over Its Unauthorized Capture of Personal Biometric Data In Largest Settlement Ever Obtained From An Action Brought By A Single State
News Release -July 30, 2024
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has secured a $1.4 billion settlement with Meta (formerly known as Facebook) to stop the company’s practice of capturing and using the personal biometric data of millions of Texans without the authorization required by law.
This settlement is the largest ever obtained from an action brought by a single State. Further, this is the largest privacy settlement an Attorney General has ever obtained, dwarfing the $390 million settlement a group of 40 states obtained in late 2022 from Google. This is the first lawsuit brought and first settlement obtained under Texas’s “Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier” Act and serves as a warning to any companies engaged in practices that violate Texans’ privacy rights.
“After vigorously pursuing justice for our citizens whose privacy rights were violated by Meta’s use of facial recognition software, I’m proud to announce that we have reached the largest settlement ever obtained from an action brought by a single State,” said Attorney General Paxton. “This historic settlement demonstrates our commitment to standing up to the world’s biggest technology companies and holding them accountable for breaking the law and violating Texans’ privacy rights. Any abuse of Texans’ sensitive data will be met with the full force of the law.”
In February 2022, Attorney General Paxton sued Meta for unlawfully capturing the biometric data of millions of Texans without obtaining their informed consent as required by Texas law. Specifically, Meta’s data collection violated Texas’s “Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier” Act(“CUBI”) and the Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Attorney General Paxton has prioritized holding major technology companies accountable, launching several historic initiatives including antitrust lawsuits and aggressive enforcement of privacy laws.
In 2011, Meta rolled out a new feature, initially called Tag Suggestions, that it claimed would improve the user experience by making it easier for users to “tag” photographs with the names of people in the photo. Meta automatically turned this feature on for all Texans without explaining how the feature worked. Unbeknownst to most Texans, for more than a decade Meta ran facial recognition software on virtually every face contained in the photographs uploaded to Facebook, capturing records of the facial geometry of the people depicted. Meta did this despite knowing that CUBI forbids companies from capturing biometric identifiers of Texans, including records of face geometry, unless the business first informs the person and receives their consent to capture the biometric identifier. After only approximately two years since filing the petition, Texas reached a settlement agreement with Meta. The company will pay the state of Texas $1.4 billion over five years.
Attorney General Paxton thanks Keller Postman and McKool Smith who served as co-counsel to the OAG. Zina Bash served as Lead Counsel for Keller Postman, and Sam Baxter and Jennifer Truelove served as Lead Counsel for McKool Smith, alongside many excellent lawyers at each firm. The aggressive litigation posture and action taken by both firms laid the foundation for this historic settlement.
To read the final order, click here.
CodeRED: The Future of Emergency Notifications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Are you registered?
CodeRED is an advanced emergency notification service provided in DeWitt County. Registration is required to receive alerts. CodeRED enables state and local agencies to send geo-targeted, time-sensitive information to those who are registered. Notifications may be issued through email, SMS, voice calls, mobile app push notifications, IPAWS, and other methods, based on the urgency of the event.
OnSolve has developed CodeRED, a state-of-the-art emergency notification service designed specifically for local public safety personnel. The system is capable of alerting residents and businesses about time-sensitive information, emergencies, and urgent notifications through various channels.
CodeRED can reach millions of individuals in minutes, ensuring rapid dissemination of information such as evacuation notices, missing persons alerts, inclement weather advisories, and more. The system is precise enough to geotarget residents within an exact area of impact, ensuring only those affected by the situation are notified.
Residents should not assume that their information is already in the system or up-to-date. To register online, visit their website and look for the link for the CodeRED Community Notification Enrollment page.
Alerts that can be received through CodeRED include chemical spills, HAZMAT incidents, viral outbreaks, evacuation notices, missing persons alerts, boil water notices, power outages, severe weather advisories, and police activity updates.
If a CodeRED phone call is received, residents are advised to listen carefully to the entire message. They can repeat the message by pressing any key. Do not call 911 for further information unless directed to do so, or if immediate aid from the police or fire department is needed.
If a CodeRED phone call is missed, the system will leave a message on your answering machine or voicemail. If you do not have an answering machine, the system will attempt to call again after several minutes have passed. If your phone line is busy, CodeRED will try two more times to connect.
A CodeRED message will have the caller ID # 866-419-5000 for emergencies and caller ID # 855-969-4636 for non-emergencies. Your city/county also has the option of customizing their phone number to be local.
For those who have forgotten their login information, please reach out to client support at (866) 939-0911 (Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.) or email crsupport@onsolve.com.
Creating an account will allow you to log back in and update your contact information if it changes. Using a single sign-on account makes it even easier by connecting your Google, Facebook, or Twitter account credentials.
To customize the types of alerts you want to receive within the mobile app, open the mobile app and hit “settings” in the top-right corner. From this page, click “select alert types,” and from here you can review each category of alerts and de-select any types you don’t want to receive.
The CodeRED Mobile Alert App is available on Google Play or the Apple Store. This app allows you to customize the types of alerts you would like to receive, alert radius, sounds, and more.
For a Demo: CodeRED Overview on Vimeo
To sign up for the DeWitt County CodeRED click on the link below:
Dear Zorro, Should I vote for or against school vouchers?
Cuero Online News Introduces New Columnist – The Voice of Cuero,Texas
Dear Zorro,
I read the article posted on Cuero Online News, “After decades of lobbying by Christian conservative donors, school voucher legislation may finally have the votes”. I’ll be honest with you. I don’t know nearly enough about it, but I know it’s an important issue especially since reading that Governor Greg Abbott campaigned against Republican candidates who defied him on the school voucher.
And yes, I did Goggle it but there is so much information it’s confusing and with the General election right around the corner I am determined to educate myself on the issues, and I know that school vouchers is one of them. I want to make sure that I do not vote for an issue or a candidate that is against my own self-interest.
Signed,
Dazed and Confused
Dear Dazed and Confused,
Signed,
El Zorro
Disclaimer: El Zorro is a fictional character created for entertainment and social commentary purposes. Any resemblance to real events or individuals is coincidental, unless specifically identified by name?
The Four Gems of Cuero: A Cultural and Historical Experience
Often, we overlook the treasures in our own backyard because we see them every day. But in Cuero, Texas, we are blessed with four remarkable museums, each offering a unique glimpse into our rich past and vibrant culture. These are the four gems of Cuero.
1. The Cuero Heritage Museum: The museum serves as a testament to the rich history and legacy of Cuero, showcasing the people, places, and events that have shaped the town’s story. Nestled within the historic Cuero Federal Building, which has been the town’s Post Office since 1915, the Cuero Heritage Museum dedicates itself to preserving and celebrating the unique heritage of Cuero’s residents. Visitors are welcomed to explore both the permanent and rotating exhibits that animate the narrative of this captivating and storied town. Additionally, the museum features a comprehensive genealogy database that includes 480 volumes for research. Located at 124 E Church Street
The Descendants of Joel Clark The Butterys of Texas
2. The Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum: This museum offers a fascinating look at the historic Chisholm Trail and the rugged cowboys who drove cattle along this famous route. It’s like stepping back in time and experiencing the life of the early cattle drivers.
Authentic Artifacts: The museum showcases lassoes, saddles, and even a chuck wagon, providing a vivid glimpse into the era of the Great Cattle Drives. These artifacts tell the story of the epic 1866 cattle drive from Cuero to St. Joseph, Missouri, led by Thornton Chisholm and Crockett Cardwell. The museum is located at 302 N Esplanade St.
3. The Pharmacy and Medical Museum of Texas: This unique museum provides a glimpse into the evolution of healthcare and pharmacy practices in Texas. With a collection of antique medical equipment and pharmaceutical artifacts, it offers a fascinating look at the history of medicine in our state. The address is 114 E Main St.
4. The DeWitt County Historical Museum:
The Bates-Sheppard Home, now the DeWitt County Historical Museum, is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places and as a Texas Historical Landmark. F. W. Bates constructed the house in the fall of 1886.
In August of that year, a devastating hurricane destroyed the Indianola residence of Mr. Bates’s wife, Elizabeth Sheppard, claiming the lives of several Sheppard family members. The storm left Old Indianola, once a bustling Gulf Coast port, in ruins. After the disaster, Mr. Bates, along with Joseph and Henry Sheppard, salvaged lumber from the wreckage of the Sheppard home and used it to build a new residence on property acquired earlier that year. This building now serves as a “house” museum.
The museum grounds also feature a historic two-room log cabin with a dog run. Both the Bates home and the cabin have rich histories linked to Old Indianola and the founding of DeWitt County. Visitors are invited to wander the quaint garden and delve into the past, experiencing the heritage of DeWitt County.
Moreover, these museums should be considered a valuable resource for educational field trips, especially for history classes in DeWitt County. If this isn’t already being done, it’s high time we start. There’s no better way to learn history than to experience it firsthand. These field trips could provide students with a deeper understanding of their local history and heritage, fostering a sense of pride and belonging.
Cuero ISD Issues Immunization Requirements for 7TH Graders
Cuero, TX – Cuero Independent School District (ISD) is issuing a notice to parents and guardians of students entering 7th grade in August 2024. This notice is to inform you of the immunizations needed to ensure your student can attend the first day of school.
Texas law requires students attending school to be immunized against certain vaccine-preventable diseases. Students without proof of required immunizations will not be given their schedule for the 2024-2025 school year until this proof (shot record showing receipt of these shots) is received.
The immunization requirements for incoming 7th graders consist of:
- One Tdap booster
- Two doses of varicella (if not already received)
- One dose of quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate (MCV4 or MenACWY) vaccine
- Two doses of hepatitis A
Cuero ISD encourages you to get your child vaccinated early to avoid the end-of-summer vaccination rush. Schedule an appointment now with your child’s physician.
The DeWitt County Health Department also administers immunizations to Medicaid and no insurance patients on Monday from 1pm-5pm, Wednesday from 3pm-5pm, and Friday from 9am-11am for $20.
Immunization Requirements for the 2024-2025 School Year: A Guide for Parents
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Essential Vaccinations for School-Age Children
As we approach the new school year in August 2024, it’s crucial for parents and guardians to ensure their children have received all necessary vaccinations. Texas law mandates that students attending school must be immunized against certain vaccine-preventable diseases. Without proof of these required immunizations, students will not be given their schedule for the 2024-2025 school year.
Vaccination Requirements by Age Group
Here are the vaccines your children ages 4 to 6 should receive and may need before starting kindergarten:
Flu — needed every year
COVID-19
Measles, mumps and rubella — or MMR, for short
Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) — known as DTaP
Varicella (chickenpox)
Polio (IPV)
Additional vaccinations that your elementary school–age children ages 7 to 10 should receive include:
Flu — needed every year
COVID-19
Human papilloma virus (HPV) — recommended starting at age 9
Heading into middle school (ages 11 and 12), your preteen may need the following vaccines:
Flu — needed every year
COVID-19
Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) — known as Tdap (this vaccine is different from DTaP)
Meningitis (Meningococcal conjugate, called MenACWY)
Human papilloma virus (HPV)
In junior high and high school (ages 13 to 18), your children should receive the following immunizations:
Flu — needed every year
COVID-19
Meningitis Meningococcal conjugate, called MenACWY — 2nd dose at age 16
Serogroup B meningococcal, called MenB — preferably between ages 16 and 18
Human papilloma virus (HPV) — if they have not previously received it Vaccines for college-age teenagers
College is an exciting time when your teenagers gain a whole new level of independence. Before their first semester begins, make sure your teenager is up to date on all their vaccinations and that they have the following vaccines:
Flu — needed every year
COVID-19
Serogroup B meningococcal, called MenB — if they have not previously received it
Human papilloma virus (HPV) — if they have not previously received it
In most states, you’ll need immunization records to enroll your child in school. You can get them from your healthcare provider. DeWitt County Health Department can also give you immunization records; however, this will only include vaccines your child has received at the DeWitt County Health Department (If your child also received immunizations at the doctor’s office, make sure to get the verifying documents from your healthcare provider.) For more information about school immunization requirements in your state, reach out to your state’s health department, your child’s school or your child’s healthcare provider.
Importance of Vaccinations
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in more children delaying or missing routine immunizations. This puts them at higher risk of catching serious, preventable diseases, such as measles, meningitis, or whooping cough. Vaccines are safe, effective, and our best defense against the spread of these life-threatening, preventable diseases.
Please do your due diligence in verifying requirements with your child’s school.
SOURCES:
1. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/by-age/years-4-6.htm
2. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/by-age/years-7-10.html
3. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/by-age/years-11-12.html
4. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/by-age/years-13-18.html
5. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/vac-admin.html
6. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/awardee-imz-websites.html
7. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/visit/less-stressful.html
8. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/visit/vaccination-during-COVID-19.html
9. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/records/find-records.html
City of Yoakum to Hold Public Meeting on Abandoned Vehicles
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Yoakum, TX – The City of Yoakum has scheduled a public meeting for Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at 6:00 PM at City Hall, located at 808 Hwy 77A South. The meeting will address the issue of abandoned vehicles as per Chapter 683 of the Texas Transportation Code. The goal is to inform and involve the community in the city’s initiatives to handle and resolve the problem of abandoned vehicles.
Chapter 683 of the Texas Transportation Code provides a legal framework for dealing with abandoned vehicles. It outlines the responsibilities of vehicle owners, law enforcement agencies, and other parties in handling these vehicles. The code also stipulates the procedures for reporting, removing, and disposing of abandoned vehicles.
The City of Yoakum is committed to enforcing this code to ensure the safety and cleanliness of our community. Abandoned vehicles not only pose potential safety hazards but also contribute to neighborhood blight. By addressing this issue, we aim to improve the quality of life for all residents.
The public meeting will include a discussion on specific vehicles that have been identified as abandoned. The following is a list of vehicles that have been identified as being abandoned:
