Two North Texas boys, ages 5 and 7, had to fend for themselves for nearly a week, after their adoptive mother collapsed and died at home.

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According to the local CBS-affiliate KTVT, teachers in the Forney Independent School District asked police to check on the two boys, who hadn’t been in class since Sept. 21, and whose mother couldn’t be reached.

“They knew something was not right,” Kristen Zastoupil, a spokesperson for the district said about the teachers, according to FOX 4. “They are used to communicating with this parent. And so when they didn’t get a response, they knew something was off,” Zastoupil added.

On Sunday, when officers arrived at their home in Talty, a small town 28 miles west of Dallas, they found the two brothers. They also found their mother, 71-year-old Connie Taylor, dead inside the house.

Police said

Why shoppers are obsessed with this $79 white trolley from Kmart that’s perfect ANY kitchen

• A white kitchen trolley from Kmart is being praised by customers online 
• The $79 product is ideal for those who have limited kitchen space 
• It’s built with a drawer, side hooks, basket, wine rack and wheels at the bottom
• Many use it to store kitchen gadgets including air fryers and milkshake machines

By Carina Stathis For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 19:05 EDT, 30 September 2020 | Updated: 19:06 EDT, 30 September 2020

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WRBL) – The Alabama Attorney General’s Office and Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board are warning consumers to be on the lookout for scams and price gouging during home repair or storm damage cleanup in the wake of Hurricane Sally.

State officials joined Baldwin County District Attorney Robert Wilters and State Representative Matt Simpson in Fairhope, Ala. on Sept. 28 to warn coastal Alabamians about the possibility of fraud as they hire workers to repair storm damage.

As consumers begin the process of home repair, the HBLB recommends using licensed home builders and roofers, as required by law. On Sept, 23, HBLB Executive Director J.R. “Chip” Carden waived some requirements for issuance of a roofer license, allowing emergency roofers licenses to be issued in Baldwin and Mobile counties.

“Based on the Governor’s disaster declaration, the Home Builders Licensure Board has activated its emergency roofer license for Mobile and Baldwin

PHOENIX – Phoenix homeowner Mary Chavez thought a day like today would never come.

After a gas water heater fire nearly destroyed her home last year, Mary’s been without power or a ceiling over her kitchen for eight months. 

Chavez says she was relieved when total strangers stepped up to rebuild her broken home.

“I’m very thankful,” she said. “I never thought it would be this much.”

Local home repair companies teamed up with the City of Phoenix for “Building Safety Month,” coming together to give back to those in need.

“We’re rebuilding the roof structure that weak[sic] before we put the new roof down,” said Don Councilor. “We’ve got the engineering and repairs done and we had it inspected. Now, we’re just replacing bad parts

The Nest Audio smart speaker, widely leaked and even spotted last week in stores, was announced Wednesday at the company’s Launch Night In event. It’s the successor to the Google Home smart speaker, the very first speaker the search giant launched in 2016.

Here’s a quick rundown of what we learned today:

• Priced at $100 (£90, AU$149)
• Five colors: Chalk, charcoal, sand, sky and sage
• Designed with 70% sustainable materials
• 19mm tweeter for high frequency coverage and clear vocals
• 75mm midwoofer for better bass

Google says the Nest Audio is 75% louder with a 50% stronger bass than the original Google Home. 

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Nest Audio is Google’s new smart speaker

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When it comes to features, the Nest Audio keeps up with all the latest Google updates like real-time, multiroom audio, voice calling with Google Duo and

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The renovation to the Fort Kid playground area got a financial boost Wednesday from the Downtown Knoxville Alliance.

The organization is contributing $250,000 for an entryway path to the beloved playground.

Hedstrom Landscape Architecture has developed a concept for the slope and path to connect World’s Fair Park Drive with Fort Kid. The terminus of the sloped path at the top of the hill would be at a newly created accessible entrance to the play structure and a new accessible parking area. 

“The City is very appreciative of the supplemental funding approved by the Downtown Alliance, as well as the slope concept developed by Hedstrom Landscape Architecture,” Knoxville Deputy Chief Operating Officer Chip Barry said. “We look forward to activating the space and creating an accessible path with interactive features.” 

In May and June, the decaying retaining wall made of railroad ties and the 30-year-old timber

The Louisiana Housing Corporation announced on Wednesday improvements to the state’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (LERAP) that aim to improve access for renters and landlords impacted by COVID-19.

LHC has reduced the application length and divided it into components for renters and landlords. E-signatures are now allowed for faster receipt of documentation required by the federal government. In addition to hosting in-person outreach events in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, LHC is scheduling events around the state to serve those with limited access to the internet, or who otherwise may need help in submitting their application.

“We know COVID-19 has impacted thousands of Louisianans, and emergency rental assistance is needed by many. LHC’s goal is to provide that assistance as soon as possible and after receiving feedback on how to improve the process, we have made several adjustments,” said LHC Executive Director Keith Cunningham, Jr. “Although there are federal requirements

Nearly two years ago, Ocwen acquired PHH Corporation, and Glen Messina became the president and CEO of the newly combined companies. Today, Ocwen Financial Corporation is a leading non-bank mortgage servicer and originator providing solutions through its primary brands, PHH Mortgage and Liberty Reverse Mortgage. HousingWire spoke with Messina on the progress that’s been made in reshaping the mortgage servicer and originator, its evolving business model and its progress in turning around the company.

HousingWire: How does the Ocwen of today compare to the companies that merged two years ago?

Glen Messina: The Ocwen of today is a different organization, and I believe we are stronger, more efficient and more diversified. We’ve transformed the business to be both a lender and servicer, and our originations business is growing at a very fast clip to keep up with demand.

In servicing, we are one of the largest and most experienced special