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Houston homeowners hard-hit from Hurricane Harvey flooding may now have an alternative to participate in a buyout program. Harris County Ed Emmett said that the county has approved the application for a FEMA grant to buy out certain homes that have repeatedly flooded. The Harris County Flood Control District sponsor the FEMA voluntary buyout program. Decisions on key Houston-area neighborhoods are made through state and local leaders. Grant funded buyouts of property must have a current flood insurance policy. Harris County property considerations include: 1. Source of flooding2. Location and depth within the floodplain 3. Cost effectiveness as a solution to the property's flooding problem4. Potential for...

Qatar is giving $30 million to the people of Texas in the largest donation yet by a foreign government to help the victims of Harvey. According to Al Jazeera, the money will be channeled through the Qatar Harvey Fund, a newly created charity. It will work in conjunction with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, and other local charity organizations, according to Ambassador Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani’s announcement Thursday, Sept. 7. “Texans are stronger than any storm and will come back bigger and better, and Qatar stands ready to help our friends at every turn,” a line from Al Thani’s...

Houston-area rapper Lil' Flip thinks President Trump is getting a raw deal for his Hurricane Harvey response. “I'm feeling good that Donald Trump came to Texas,” he said. “I feel like it's the president's duty to get out there with the people on the front lines sometimes, and see what's going on.”   “So I feel like it's good he came. Kind of wish he would have came to Houston as well,” he added in an exclusive video for TMZ.   On Saturday, President Trump did go to Houston, where he converted some doubters into fans.   "I just met my President!" Said lady...

Houston billionaire Tillman Fertitta has reached agreement to purchase the Houston Rockets from Leslie Alexander. The $2.2 billion sale price to break the NBA record sale of $2 billion from when the Clippers were sold to Steve Ballmer, according to the person familiar with the terms of the deal. "I am truly honored to have been chosen as the next owner of the Houston Rockets," Fertitta said in a statement. "This is a life-long dream come true." "Leslie Alexander has been one of the best owners in all of sports, and I thank him immensely for this opportunity. He has...

 A change.org petition to make Aug. 26 “Mattress Mack Day” in Houston already has more than 100,000 signatures. “It's time, Houston it's time, that Mattress Mack deserves his own Houston's day/ key to the city,” William Philips posted on the petition. “During Hurricane Harvey he turned the key to his locations and opened them up as Shelters. This man is a Houston icon that deserves to be remembered forever. Signing this petition will help us get what he deserves August 26 is to be declared as Mattress Mack Day in Houston.” After reaching its goal of 150,000 signatures the petition will...