The Austin Times

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Philonise Floyd to Congress on police reforms: ‘Stop the pain’

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Philonise Floyd told House lawmakers Wednesday that it's their responsibility to ensure the death of his brother last month results in meaningful reforms to policing in the United States. George Floyd's brother, one of 12 witnesses who appeared before the House judiciary committee for an oversight hearing on "policing practices and law enforcement accountability," pleaded with lawmakers to end police brutality. "I couldn't take care of George the day he was killed, but maybe by speaking … [Read more...]

U.S. consumer prices down for 3rd month in a row

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The U.S. Consumer Price Index, the gauge that measures change in the costs of goods and services, fell for the third month in a row in May. The Labor Department said in its monthly report the index declined by 0.1 percent, after an 0.8 percent drop in April. The figure added up to an overall 0.1 percent index increase over the past 12 months, it noted. The department said it's the first time ever the non-food and energy index has declined for three months in a row. All items not including … [Read more...]

Pointer Sisters singer Bonnie Pointer dies

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Singer Bonnie Pointer died Monday, her family said. She was 69 years old. Pointer's family notified Variety and People of her passing but no cause of death was released. Pointer was a member of the Pointer Sisters and released four solo albums after leaving the group. "It is with great sadness that I have to announce to the fans of the Pointer Sisters that my sister Bonnie died this morning," sister Anita Pointer said a the statement. "Our family is devastated. On behalf of my siblings … [Read more...]

New Hampshire rapper’s poetry book sets world record for alliteration

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A New Hampshire rapper set a record for the world's longest alliteration when he published a book of poetry that features 340 alliterative words. Chris Elliot, formerly known as FriiStyle Gahspol and currently recording as The Real Frii, published a poetry book in May titled The Epic Poem: Mastermind. The book has now been recognized as the world's longest alliteration by Record Holders Republic -- Registry of Official World Records. The organization said Frii's 724-word book contains … [Read more...]

Most Americans now spending less amid COVID-19 crisis

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More Americans are now spending less each month than at any time since the Great Recession, a new Gallup survey showed Wednesday. When asked about money habits compared to previous months, 51 percent said they're now spending less -- an increase from 32 percent last year. It's the highest figure since 2010, when 57 percent said they were spending less. More Americans are being careful with money as the coronavirus crisis has taken a toll on the global economy. More than 30 million adults … [Read more...]

Tiger Woods says running 30 miles a week ‘destroyed’ body

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Tiger Woods said running more than 30 miles a week early on in his golf career "destroyed" his body. Woods, 44, made the comment during an interview with Golf TV. Fans asked the 15-time major championship winner questions about his career and about what advice he would give his younger self. "Not to run so much," Woods said. "Running over 30 miles a week for probably my first five or six years on the PGA Tour pretty much destroyed my body and my knees." Woods detailed his routine at a … [Read more...]

Trump announces delivery of stimulus funding for Native Americans

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President Donald Trump said the federal government on Tuesday began distributing funds allocated to Native American tribes as part of the $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief bill signed in March. He made the announcement during his most extensive trip since the COVID-19 crisis began in mid-March -- to Arizona. "This is the largest investment in Indian country in our history. You deserve it, you've been through a lot," Trump said during a roundtable. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and … [Read more...]

USDA announces another $470 million in purchases for food banks

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a plan to purchase more food from struggling farmers and distribute it to food banks -- some $470 million this time. The purchases, announced this week, will come in addition to the $3 billion the USDA pledged to buy farm products as part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program that was announced April 17. While across the country farmers welcomed the news, they were quick to warn that even when combined with the other aid programs, this … [Read more...]

Trump announces $850B coronavirus stimulus package

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The proposal includes stimulus payments to Americans the administration called "business interruption" compensation. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he's confident the United States will rebound quickly from the coronavirus outbreak, as his administration outlined an $850 billion economic stimulus program. Trump, speaking at a White House briefing with his Coronavirus Task Force, said the United States will rebound "stronger than ever" after beating the virus. "If we do this … [Read more...]

Amazon to hire 100,000 workers to help deliver ‘critical’ supplies

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U.S. retail giant Amazon says it will hire 100,000 full- and part-time workers at fulfillment centers to keep up with demand and help Americans who are isolating during the coronavirus outbreak. The company said it decided to hire additional workers to help Americans who "rely on Amazon's service in this stressful time." Amazon also said it will hike pay for some workers in the United States and Britain through April. "Amazon and our network of partners are helping communities around the … [Read more...]

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