KUHF 88.7 FM

March 16, 2001: Texans can now watch state government as it happens via the internet. If you are interested in watching your state officials in action click on http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/. Scroll to the bottom of the page where you have a choice between the Senate and the House. Each site contains a schedule of broadcasts.

February 23, 2001: In a story about the 2001 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the significant drop in attendance because of parking problems, KUHF's Jack Williams explored how vendors are dealing with less business. For more information about the Livestock Show and Rodeo, go to www.rodeohouston.com.

February 21, 2001: Jim Bell reports on a national study that shows -- while more young and less educated women are having babies out of wedlock -- more are getting prenatal care and are having generally healthier babies. However, the growing number of single parent families does not bode well for the nation's large cities -- especially Houston. You can read this study from the Annie E. Casey Foundation for yourself at http://www.childtrends.org

Compaq chairman and CEO Michael Capellas introduced a new internet safety initiative at the National Press Club in Washington--a new DVD that teaches kids, parents and educators about the risks online. The NetSmartz Workshop program was designed in partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and uses the latest 3-D and web technologies to make it a fun experience. KUHF reporter Ed Mayberry reported that in June of last year, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children issued a report to Congress about online victimization, and how youth and families are reacting to online sexual solicitations and sexually-explicit images. Compaq donated $1.5 million to enable access to the program in a video stream on the web at http://www.netsmartz.org.

February 7, 2001: "KUHF's Jack Williams reported on a grassroots project by Bellaire High School students to donate unused cell phones to victims of domestic violence for use in emergency situations. For more information about the project, go to www.donateaphone.com.

February 1, 2001: The business reporter for Angola National Radio has been touring the United States, stopping here in Houston for a visit with Chevron executives. KUHF reporter Ed Mayberry reported that Samuel Chissingui was here to study the role of the media in a democracy, and to learn about economic policy in the United States. He mentions his surprise that few Americans know much about Angola, although most Angolans have extensive knowledge about the U. S. from listening to shortwave broadcasts from the Voice of America. Angolan National Radio has a livestream of its broadcasts available on the internet by clicking on http://www.rna.ao.

January 30, 2001: KUHF recently reported on Houston Independent School District's Magnet Schools which offer students the opportuity to learn about various career fields while studying the basic core curriculum. More information including applications to the program, are available at the HISD Website, www.houstonisd.org.

January 29, 2001: Jim Bell reports the Harris County Tax Office has opened its biggest and busiest branch office -- in cyberspace. The county tax office is now on the internet, and taxpayers are now paying property taxes and registering motor vehicles with a credit card online, 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Check it out at http://www.tax.co.harris.tx.us.

January 26, 2001: The Houston chapter of the Better Business Bureau monitors advertising in print and broadcast media for false or misleading information. KUHF news intern Gracie Carmona recently covered the release of the BBB's updated list of local businesses who repeatedly failed to folow advertising guidelines. To view the list of violators and the guidelines they are expected to follow, visit www.bbbhou.org and call up the BBB publication, "The Monitor."

January 26, 2001: Jim Bell reports that a grant from the state's most famous ice cream maker is helping the Texas Historical Commision preserve and study one of the most important archeological discoveries in the history of North America. For more information on the French explorer La Salle's flagship "La Belle", go to the Texas Historical Commission's website at http://www.thc.state.tx.us/.

January 22, 2001: M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is teaming up with area Community Colleges to launch a new tobacco cessation study. Paul Pendergraft recently reported on the effort that is designed to help smokers identify their level of nicotine addiction along with identifying ways to stop smoking for good. More information about this and other cancer prevention efforts is available at www.mdanderson.org

January 18, 2001: Jim Bell reports that a new exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science is shedding light on one of the western hemisphere's most ancient civilizations: the Inca Indians of South America. A world famous archaeologist whose work helped make the display possible visited the museum this week. Check out what's happening at the Museum at http://www.hmns.org.

January 15, 2001: The Armand Bayou Nature Center consists of 2,500 acres and is a rare ecosystem that was once common along the Gulf Coast. Included in this natural treasure are wetlands, riparian hardwood forests and coastal tall grass prairies. KUHF'S Paul Pendergraft recently reported on how this piece of untouched wilderness is thriving despite being surrounded by one of the most dense urban settings in the country.

January 4, 2001: Mardi Gras! Galveston 2001 is just around the corner. Revelers will party to the theme "Space and Beyond. For a detailed list of events and parades, visit www.mardigrasgalveston.com

January 3, 2001: Digital cameras are becoming more popular and electronic images seem to be as common as traditional photographs. KUHF's Paul Pendergraft reported recently that there seems to be little effort into preserving these high-tech pictures for future generations. In his report, Reporter Pendergraft discussed the issue with Peter Hite, President of Media Management services, a consulting firm that helps corporations preserve their historical and digital archives. More information about this is available at www.peterhite.com.

January 2, 2001: Capella Tucker reports the Houston Hispanic Forum is getting ready for the 15th annual Career and Education Day 2001. As many as 15-thousand students and parents are expected to take part. To find out more or to volunteer call 713-522-8077 or visit www.hispanicforum.org.

January 1, 2001: The Houston Maritime Museum opened its doors a couple months ago, featuring historical ship models dating back to the late 1400's. As heard in a recent feature by KUHF reporter Ed Mayberry, the museum is the creation of former marine engineer James Manzolillo, who owned a shipyard in Mexico before moving to Houston. Besides items collected from more than 95 cruises Manzolillo made around the world, there are ships created by Renaldo Berre, who crafts the models in the museum's "shipyard." The Houston Maritime Museum is located at 2204 Dorrington, off Holcombe between Greenbriar and South Main. Their number is 281-379-4363.

December 29, 2000: Margaret O'Brien-Molina of the Greater Houston Area Chapter of the American Red Cross reports that their Disaster Action Team has been kept busy helping displaced Houstonians after a string of Christmas holiday fires. As KUHF's Ed Mayberry recently reported, the recent cold snap is blamed for an unusually high number of fire-related needs. And the cold weather may not be over for this area. O'Brien-Molina says most fires start with people trying to stay warm using space heaters, hot plates and open flames. Houstonians can contribute to the Local Disaster Relief Fund at P. O. Box 397, Houston, TX 77001-0397. You can get more information by visiting their web page at www.houstonredcross.org or by calling 713-529-8300.

December 19, 2000: Diane Neahr of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service says the average family is spending around $1700 for gifts this holiday season, as KUHF's Ed Mayberry recently reported. And "hidden" items like decorations, entertainment, travel and food are often major causes of overspending. The CCCS has prepared an online "Surviving the Holidays" spending guide at www.mmintl.org to help you get control of holiday expenses.

December 18, 2000: Graduation is a major step for anyone pursuing a formal education and as KUHF's Paul Pendergraft recently reported, students who complete the curriculum at The Art Institute of Houston believe their graduation is the last step before full-time employment. More information about The Art Institute of Houston can be found at www.aih.artinstitutes.edu.

December 14, 2000: Capella Tucker reports on Soul Patrol which helps a number of students both in Houston and nationwide achieve their highest potential in school. For more information about programs offered, visit www.soulpatrol.com.

November 29, 2000: The idea of cutting your own Christmas Tree is an increasingly popular one for many and southeast Texas is blessed with dozens of Live Christmas Tree Farms. KUHF's Paul Pendergraft recently reported on this holiday tradition and discovered a helpful website with all kinds of information about Christmas Tree Farms close to Houston. It's www.texaschristmastrees.com.

November 27, 2000: A national organization called "Join Together" concludes that three-quarters of all people with a serious drug or alcohol problem *do not* seek treatment. KUHF's Paul Pendergraft reported on the group's effort to make substance abuse more accessible here in Houston and across the country. More information on the group can be found at www.jointogether.org

November 14, 2000: KUHF's Jack Williams reported on ground-breaking for the new Depelchin Children's Center headquarters and the continuation of a capital campaign to raise 15-million dollars to build the 75,000 square ft. facility. Find out more about the Depelchin Outreach at: www.depelchin.org

November 7, 2000: Today is Election Day -- and the Harris County Clerk's Office will have a late night counting the ballots. For the latest election returns, log on to www.co.harris.tx.us/cclerk. You can also hear election coverage from National Public Radio and the KUHF News Team this evening beginning at 7:00 p.m.

October 27, 2000: KUHF's Jack Williams reported on the new "Children at Risk" study, which brings both good and bad news about the quality of life for Harris County youngsters. For more information about the study's findings, visit www.childrenatrisk.org.

October 24, 2000: KUHF's Jack Williams explained a new web-based system enabling Harris County residents to make property tax payments online . For more information -- or to pay your taxes online -- visit www.tax.co.harris.tx.us.

October 5, 2000: The Mental Health Association of Greater Houston reports that clinical depression is the most commonly misunderstood illness, while at the same time being the most prominent brain disorder. KUHF's Paul Pendergraft reported on this complicated condition, hoping to dispel the myths and stigmas associated with the chemical imbalance. An on-line Depression Risk Assessment can be accessed at www.depressionscreening.org.

October 3, 2000: This weekend is the 10th Annual Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Race for the Cure. As Capella Tucker reports, 1,500 breast cancer survivors will join the nearly 20,000 people expected to take part in Saturday's events. For more information, log on to www.komen-houston.org.

August 10, 2000: Regarding a comprehensive plan to bring Houston into compliance with the Federal Clean Air Act by 2007: Jim Bell reports that the federal deadline is only months away, and the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission will hold public hearings in Houston next month. The agency says the plan is the toughest air quality measure ever considered in Texas. For a look at the plan, and a schedule of the public hearings, go to http://www.tnrcc.state.tx.us.

August 7, 2000: Unless you're a lawyer, or work in some aspect of the legal profession, you may not even be aware of the Daily Court Review, or the fact that it is Houston's oldest daily newspaper. KUHF's Jim Bell reports that after more than a century of providing access to legal public records, the Daily Court Review is going on-line. Check it out at www.courth.com.

August 2, 2000: Texas Insurance Commissioner Jose Montemayor recently came to Houston to discuss changes that are underway in the industry. KUHF News Reporter Paul Pendergraft spoke with the Commissioner during his visit and prepared a report that aired during "All Things Considered" and "Morning Edition". More information about the Texas Department of Insurance can be found at www.tdi.state.tx.us/.

July 31-Aug 4: In a week long series, KUHF news reporter Capella Tucker explores the role that art plays in our community by talking with some of Houston's individual artists who received grants from the Cultural Arts Council of Houston-Harris County. CACHH provides financial support to established and emerging artists. For more information about CACHH, visit www.cachh.org.

You can view some of Reginald Adams' murals at www.art-workz.com.

The "Poetry and Music" workshop by Evangelina Vigil-Pinon and Houston Tranquillity Base was done in conjunction with Nuestra Palabra which is at www.nuestrapalabra.org.

For more information about Michea Carter's one-woman show "Choices," you can e-mail her at solsistah@africana.com, or you can contact the Houston Area Women's Center at 713-528-6798 x256.

For more information about the storytelling community in Houston, visit www.jfordetc.com.

For more information about Rathna Kumar, call the Anjali Center for Indian Performing Arts at 713-772-2787.

July 19,2000: The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center has a critical shortage of the most needed blood types. KUHF's Paul Pendergraft reports that it's a common problem in the summer months, but the unusually hot weather is keeping donors away, making a desperate situation worse. If you would like more information on the problem, or places and times where you can make a donation, click on www.giveblood.org.

July 12, 2000: Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are threats that everyone should take seriously during Houston's summers. Capella Tucker reports that these deadly conditions can be prevented. For more information, check out these websites: www.web100.com/~sib/heatindex.html, www.cco.caltech.edu/~safety/hs.html, and www.umr.edu/~umrshs/heat.html.

July 10, 2000: Jim Bell reported that the Better Business Bureau is warning the public about a familiar old "con game" that's turning up in the Houston area in a new guise. The "gifting" or "giving" clubs are just the newest variation on the old "pyramid" scheme. For more information, go to the BBB's web site at www.bbbhou.org.

Week of July 3, 2000: News intern Emily Dunn reported on depression in the elderly. Health professionals and family often don't diagnose depression because of the stereotype that older people are depressed in general. However, depression is not a normal part of aging. For more information on the symptoms of depression, go to www.bcm.tmc.edu/pa/depression.htm.

June 14, 2000: For the next several weeks, high school students from across Texas will spend time at the Johnson Space Center working on the same task some NASA engineers are trying to accomplish ... that is sending humans to Mars. Capella Tucker talked to the students who are using information from NASA researchers to develop their plans. If you would like to see some of the work being done by these young engineers, click onto the Texas Aerospace Scholars Program site at www.heits.com/aerospace/index.htm.

June 14, 2000: Jim Bell reports that the City of Houston will hold another special collection day for household hazardous wastes this Saturday. This program has been so successful that city officials have expanded it and set up a permanent collection site. The City of Houston also periodically holds one day collections at other locations around the city. Saturday's special collection event will be at the City of Houston Pollution Control building on Park Place at Telephone Road. You can get more information on this program at www.ci.houston.tx.us/departme/solid and click on "Recycling Services".

May 31, 2000: Jim Bell reports that sculptures and sculptors from all over the world are in Houston this week for the International Sculpture Conference. It’s the first time the event has been held in Houston. It’s sponsored by the International Sculpture Center, a New Jersey Group devoted to advancing sculpture and its contributions to society. The five-day citywide event features sculptures of all kinds, in sizes from small to monumental, in galleries and other indoor spaces, as well as outdoors in parks and vacant lots. Complete information and a schedule are available online at www.sculpture.org.

May 30, 2000. The deadline to protest your appraised residential or commercial property values in Harris County is Wednesday, May 31, 2000. KUHF's Paul Pendergraft interviewed Harris County Tax-Assessor Collector Paul Bettencourt about the process. More information about your property value and how to file a protest is available at the Harris County Appraisal District's website: www.hcad.org.

May 30, 2000: Hurricane season begins this week and many new homes meet Texas' new Windstorm Inspection program. The code is designed to reduce property damage caused by hurricanes. For more information about the Windstorm Inspection program, visit the Texas Department of Insurance site at www.tdi.state.tx.us/company/rswscode.html.

May 29, 2000: Crimes committed over the internet including fraud, child pornography and identity theft are on the rise, and Paul Pendergraft did a feature on this growing trend. The Houston Police Department's "Computer Crimes Forensic Division" started three years ago with about 20 cases a year, and now is up to 300 cases a year. Recent viruses passed via e-mail which caused widespread shutdowns are the latest concern. Security experts suggest using common sense and specifically designed software that screens unwanted information. The Houston Area League of PC Users is sponsoring a seminar on how to further protect yourself on Saturday, June 3. More information about this is available at virusinfo.hal-pc.org.

May 25, 2000: The Clear Lake area has one of the highest concentrations of pleasure boats in the country, and regattas take place nearly every weekend through the spring, summer and fall. Capella Tucker talked with those taking part in the Regata de Amigos. Anyone interested in more information about future regattas can visit the website of the Galveston Bay Cruising Association at www.GBCA.org.

May 23, 2000: A story by Jim Bell explains how German archives are being recovered with information about assets stolen from Holocaust survivors. A Houston company, Risk International Services, has been working on the project for several years. It is adding records from European survivors to the archive list that is available on-line at livingheirs.com. The records include stolen assets of all kinds, including life insurance policies, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, real estate, art and jewelry.

May 19, 2000: A story by Paul Pendergraft discusses asthma, a condition which can occur at any age but is more common in children than adults. An estimated 17 million Americans have asthma and many are unaware they have the disease or how to control it. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology is launching a nationwide "Asthma Screening Program." More information and an on-line screening test are available at allergy.mcg.edu.

For information on other KUHF news stories, please e-mail News Director Debra Fraser.

For information on National Public Radio news stories, visit the NPR website at www.npr.org.