Government eases student loan rules for Harvey victims

WASHINGTON — The Education Department is easing financial aid rules and procedures for those affected by Harvey.The department is encouraging students whose financial needs have been altered by the storm to contact their school's financial aid office.

Harvey latest: All Houston students to get 3 free meals per day

All students in the largest district in Texas will be eligible to receive three free meals per day at school as the state recovers from Harvey.The Houston Independent School District on Wednesday announced the plan promising free meals on campus to 216,000 students during the 2017-2018 school year.An HISD statement says federal and state agriculture departments have waived the usual required application process, part of the National School Lunch/Breakfast Program, to help with Harvey recovery.Superintendent Richard Carranza says the waiver will give families one less concern as they begin the process of restoring their lives.Thousands of people have been forced from their homes in Houston since Harvey struck, submerging the city with torrential rain.

Pick 'n Save now a donation destination for Harvey victims

MILWAUKEE – Pick 'n Save has launched an in-store monetary donation service to support hurricane Harvey flood victims in Texas, according to a recent release.Across the state, customers can visit Pick ‘n Save and Metro Market locations to make a cash donation that will benefit the American Red Cross.

Milwaukee Brewers help support Harvey relief efforts

MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Brewers are encouraging fans to support Hurricane Harvey relief efforts during the weekend series against the Washington Nationals at Miller Park from August 31st through September 3rd, according to a recent release.There are numerous ways in which fans can help contribute, including a Mystery Baseball event, the 50/50 raffle and an online auction.The release say the Brewers Wives will host a Mystery Bag event on Sunday, September 2nd, with all profits going towards the relief efforts.

Tropical Storm Irma forms over Atlantic

MIAMI —The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Irma has formed over the far eastern Atlantic Ocean but poses no immediate threat to land.At 11 a.m. EDT Wednesday, the storm was about 420 miles (676 km) west of the Cabo Verde Islands.

Houston's 'Mattress Mack' opens furniture-filled stores to flood victims

HOUSTON – A Houston furniture store owner is being praised after he decided to open his doors to those displaced by Tropical Storm Harvey.Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale opened up two of his showrooms to shelter some of the tens of thousands of people whose homes are now under water.

National Weather Service: Rainfall is new continental US record for 1 spot

HOUSTON — As the human toll and the strain on flood defenses mounted, the city of Houston moved Tuesday to open two and possibly three more mega-shelters, and the rain from Harvey officially became the heaviest tropical downpour in U.S. history.Louisiana's governor offered to take in Harvey victims from Texas, and televangelist Joel Osteen opened his Houston megachurch, a 16,000-seat former arena, after critics blasted him on social media for not acting to help families displaced by the storm.The city's largest shelter, the George R.

Facebook, Google matching donations to Hurricane Harvey Recovery Fund

HOUSTON, Texas -- Facebook and Google are matching donations to people affected by Hurricane Harvey, the tech giants announced on Tuesday, August 29th.Facebook says it will match every dollar raised through its platform, up to $1 million, for the Center for Disaster Philanthropy's Hurricane Harvey Recovery Fund.The money will support local recovery and rebuilding efforts.

Pentagon: Military response in Texas could soon expand

WASHINGTON — The military's role in Harvey rescue and recovery efforts has been limited by weather and flooding but could soon expand by tenfold or more, a senior National Guard officer said Tuesday.Air Force Maj.

Pres. Trump offers Texans in-person reassurances: "We are going to get you back and operating immediately"

WASHINGTON — Eager to show he's on the job and taking action, President Donald Trump offered up in-person reassurances Tuesday to Texans who felt the wrath of Harvey, promising local residents: "We are going to get you back and operating immediately."Starting his visit to Texas in wind-whipped but sunny Corpus Christi, President Trump's motorcade passed broken trees, knocked down signs and fences askew as it made its way to a firehouse for a briefing with local officials."This was of epic proportion," the president declared as he pledged to provide model recovery assistance. "We want to do it better than ever before.