New York (CNN Business) Black Friday doesn't carry the significance it once did for many US shoppers — blame the rise of online shopping holiday "Cyber Monday" and then Covid-19's impact on retail. But customers are still dishing out more money for clothing, electronics and other items this Black Friday as they return to visit stores in person and keep up their spending online. Sales on Black Friday increased 29.8% from a year ago, according to estimates through 3 p.m. ET from Mastercard, which tracks payment data in stores and online, excluding car sales. E-commerce sales grew 10.6% from last year, while in-store sales increased 42.9%. Going to the store may be your smartest bet to navigate the supply chain crisis this holiday "Retail spending has been on the rise throughout the day and it speaks to the strength of the consumer," said Steve Sadove, senior advisor for Mastercard. "We anticipate a positive holiday season well beyond … [Read more...]

Texas had a whole fleet of performers representing the Lone Star State during the 95th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Parade on Thursday, November 25. The high school marching band from the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders in Austin was included in the New York City holiday celebration. The Marching Stars' bid was selected from over 100 applications from competitive marching bands across the county. According to KXAN-Austin, they are the only competitive all-female marching band in the nation and the first all-female band to be selected in the parade's history. ICYMI— Austin’s own Ann Richards Marching Stars performed in the #MacysParade ! This is the first all-female marching band to be invited in the parades history. @nbc / Macy’s Parade and Entertainment Group. @armarchingstars pic.twitter.com/AMMoozugUU — Ricky (@RickyG_TV) November 25, 2021 Each year, only 10 marching bands are selected to be included in the festivities, with no two teams … [Read more...]

The Kerr County Sheriff's Office is asking the public for photos or video of the drag racing incident that killed two children and injured eight people on Saturday, October 23, in Kerrville. A 6-year-old boy and an 8-year-old boy were killed after a driver lost control and crashed into a crowd during an event called "Airport Race Wars 2" at the Kerrville-Kerr County Airport, police said in a news release . Thousands of visitors attended the event that involves drivers speeding down a runway for cash. In a Facebook post on Monday, October 25, Kerr County Sheriff's Office urged anyone with relevant pictures or video to call Sergeant James Machetta at 830-258-1310 or email him at [email protected] Four people were transported to hospitals by air ambulances, including a 46-year-old woman in critical condition, police said. Two people were treated and released at the scene, and two children, a 4-year-old boy and a 3-month-old girl, were taken by ambulance to … [Read more...]

There will be no instruction of any kind for Spring Branch Independent School District students on Wednesday, Aug. 26 or Thursday, Aug. 27. The announcement came from the district at around one in the afternoon on Tuesday. Laura had been upgraded from a tropical strom to a hurricane on Tuesday morning as winds reached 75 miles per hour. Spring Branch ISD began school on Aug. 24 with all students doing virtual learning. About 20 other school districts from across the Greater Houston Area have canceled school in some way. Hurricane Preparation: Hurricane Laura: Prepare your home for high winds in Houston as Laura strengthens [email protected] … [Read more...]

3 The Spring Branch ISD will provide free meals to all students until Dec. 31 through a program supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These meals will be available to all SBISD students whether they are taking classes at home or in-person. MORE FROM RYAN NICKERSON: Virtual college tours become reality For students who have opted for in-person learning, they will no longer be required to present a district ID badge when receiving breakfast or lunch. The free meals will also allow students to quickly return to their eating areas and eliminate the need for the exchange of cash. For distanced-learning students, the district’s “Grab & Go Meal Service” will continue as planned, although parents who are picking up meals without their student present will be required to present proof of enrollment for each child, according to the district website. Meals will be distributed Monday through Friday, from 4:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m at 10 … [Read more...]

5 Pedestrians and cyclists will soon have improved access to the Terry Hershey Trail. A construction project to add enhanced sidewalks and a two-way bike lane is being built on the north side of Deerwood Drive between Riverview and the southbound Beltway 8 frontage road. On HoustonChronicle.com: Westchase wants to put bayou bike trail connection, a first in Houston, on the map Once the pathway is complete, cyclists and pedestrians will have a route to connect with the Westchase District Trail System via Terry Hershey Trail and Buffalo Bayou and eventually to Brays Bayou at Arthur Storey Park. Terry Hershey Park is a 500-acre park located between Beltway 8 and State Highway 6 parallel to I-10 in the Energy Corridor in Harris County Precinct 3 that features 12.5 miles of hike and bike trails. Per Chester Jacinto, Communications Director for Westchase District, the construction project will last about five months. … [Read more...]