Politics
Austin millionaire's donation to Republican Rick Perry may actually be meant to help Democrat Bill White
By Wayne Slater, The Dallas Morning News, 21 January 2010
Like one of those preschool picture books, Rick Perry's latest list of big-money donors invites a question: Which one doesn't belong?
Bush 41 to endorse Hutchison
By Wayne Slater, The Dallas Morning News, 20 January 2010
A source close to the campaign confirms that Bush 41 himself will soon publicly endorse Hutchison.
Farouk Shami pictured in pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel scarf
By Christy Hoppe, The Dallas Morning News, 20 January 2010
Farouk Shami, Democratic candidate for governor, acknowledges wearing a scarf around his neck that was embroidered with "Palestine" on one end and "Jerusalem is Ours" on the other.
Contributions from Shami to Gilbert raise eyebrows
By Asher Price, AUSTIN AMERICAN STATESMAN, 21 January 2010
Political contributions totaling $150,000 last month from a Democratic gubernatorial candidate to a Democratic candidate for agriculture commissioner have left a third candidate raising questions of a bribe.
Cornyn joins gloat over GOP win in Massachusetts
By Todd J. Gillman, The Dallas Morning News, 20 January 2010
Texas Sen. John Cornyn reveled Wednesday in his party's stunning capture of the Senate seat held for nearly a half-century by liberal Edward Kennedy, contending the GOP will gain even more ground in the chamber this fall as a result.
MASSACHUSETTS EFFECT: Political activists look to capitalize on GOP win
By Stewart M. Powell, Houston Chronicle, 20 January 2010
Grass-roots political activists claiming ties with the conservative Tea Party movement are challenging 11 of Texas' 32 members of Congress this year in contests that will gauge the backlash against incumbents.
For Pelosi, the magic number is 40
By Carolyn Lochhead, San Francisco Chronicle, 20 January 2010
If the late Ted Kennedy's Massachusetts Senate seat isn't safe for Democrats, how safe is Nancy Pelosi's Speakership of the House?
Massachusetts vote could impact Texas
By R.G. Ratcliffe, Houston Chronicle, 20 January 2010
The ripple effect of Republican Scott Brownís victory in the Massachusetts race to replace the late U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy could have a dramatic impact on Senate and gubernatorial politics in Texas.
Palin and McCain: Together again?
Associated Press, 20 January 2010
Sarah Palin and Sen. John McCain plan to campaign together again. The Arizona Republican announced Wednesday that the former Alaska governor and 2008 vice presidential candidate will join McCain in Phoenix on March 26 to help campaign for his re-election to the U.S. Senate.
GOP victor: 'Let's get to work.'
Associated Press, 20 January 2010
Republican Scott Brown, fresh from a stunning Massachusetts Senate victory that shook the power balance on Capitol Hill, declared Wednesday that his election had sent a "very powerful message" that voters are weary of backroom deals and Washington business-as-usual.
Candidate questions county lawyer hiring
By Diana Washington Valdez, El Paso Times, 21 January 2010
County judge candidate Rick Ledesma says the Ethics Commission ought to look into why the county attorney's office hired the former treasurer of one of his challengers during a government hiring freeze.
District 83 candidate calls in IOUs
By Enrique Rangel, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Friends and relatives of Zach Brady - who is challenging state Rep. Delwin Jones in the March 2 Republican primary - are probably not surprised that the Lubbock attorney raised $115,000 last year to run in House District 83.
Government
Gun show owner, police at odds over recomendations
by Tony Plohetski, AUSTIN AMERICAN STATESMAN
An Austin police effort to curtail the illegal sales of firearms at a weekend gun show sparked an angry response from the event's organizer and raised concerns about whether the department overstepped its authority.
Dallas council told to expect another budget shortfall
By Rudolph Bush, The dallas Morning News, 20 January 2010
It will be eight months before the Dallas City Council has to pass another budget, but in an economy like this, it's never too early to get a taste of the bad news to come.
Report says Judge Keller shouldnít be ousted
By Peggy Fikac, The San Antonio Express-News, 20 January 2010
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Sharon Keller shouldn't lose her job or be punished ìbeyond the public humiliation she has surely sufferedî for refusing to accept a last-minute appeal from a death row inmate, a special master presiding over her ethics trial concluded Wednesday.
If any county needs a veterans court, it's Bexar
By Veronica Flores-Paniagua, San Antonio Express-News, 20 January 2010
Here's an idea that should be a no-brainer: Establish a pre-trial veterans court program in Bexar County. The state Legislature made it possible last year, and Harris County has a six-month experimental program under way.
Northside considers $525 million bond issue
By Jenny LaCoste-Caputo, SAn Antonio Express-News, 20 January 2010
San Antonio's largest school district considered on Tuesday a May bond referendum with a price tag of $535 million.
Sides confident in Boerne voting
By Zeke MacCormack, San Antonio Express-News, 21 January 2010
Boerne is proceeding with plans to begin electing City Council members by district in May despite a new resident's court challenge to that format as an illegal deviation from City Charter provisions.
El Paso Electric board paid $2.2 million
By Gustavo Reveles Acosta, El Paso Times, 21 January 2010
The board of directors for El Paso Electric -- which is seeking a 9.6 percent rate increase this summer -- was paid a combined $2.2 million in cash and stocks in one year, documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission show.
City says finances better than a year ago
By David Burge, El Paso Times, 20 January 2010
The city government says it is in better financial shape than last year.Through the first quarter of the fiscal year, sales tax revenue continues to be down, but property tax revenue is up slightly, Deputy City Manager Bill Studer told the City Council on Tuesday.
Stimulus dollars help residents weatherize their homes
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, 21 January 2010
City and county agencies will receive more than $8 million to buttress low-income housing against the elements and improve heating and cooling.
News
Texas cancer institute awards first reserach grants
by Corrie MacLaggan. AUSTIN AMERICAN STATESMAN, 21 January 2010
Texas' new cancer institute on Wednesday awarded its first round of research grants totaling $61 million to 15 institutions including the University of Texas at Austin.
Judge sentences 10 in imigrant smuggling case
By Steven Kreytak, AUSTIN AMERICAN STATESMAN, 21 January 2010
Members of one of the largest human smuggling operations busted in Central Texas in recent years were sentenced Wednesday in federal court in Austin
IRS auditing UT, other schools
By ralph K.M. Haurwitz, AUSTIN American STATESMAN, 21 January 2010
The Internal Revenue Service is auditing the University of Texas, Texas A&M University, Lamar University in Beaumont and a number of other universities across the nation.
Capital murder charge filed in Bellville massacre
By PEGGY O'HARE, Houston Chronicle, 20 January 2010
A family dispute pushed Maron Thomas to go on a rampage marked by a fury so intense that he decapitated his 2-year-old niece with a machete after killing her and four other family members, Austin County investigators said Wednesday.
Houston fire probe in hands of FBI
By BRADLEY OLSON and TERRI LANGFORD, Houston Chronicle, 20 January 2010
The Houston Police Department investigation into a July incident in which racist and sexist graffiti was scrawled all over the womenís dormitory in a northwest Houston fire station is under review by the FBI, Mayor Annise Parker said Wednesday.
Report says Judge Keller shouldn't be ousted
By Peggy Fikac, San Antonio Express-News
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Sharon Keller shouldn't lose her job or be punished ìbeyond the public humiliation she has surely sufferedî for refusing to accept a last-minute appeal from a death row inmate, a special master presiding over her ethics trial concluded Wednesday.
A & M mau unveil a new president soon
By Jeannie Kever, Houston Chronicle 20 January 2010
After seven months without a permanent leader, Texas A&M University could name a new president as soon as Thursday.
Judge Barraza on Trial: Taped conversations forced, defense says
By Ramon Bracamontes, El Paso Times, 21 January 2010
Jurors in state judge Manuel Barraza's trial on Wednesday heard five tape recordings that prosecutors say prove he was seeking sex from women in exchange for judicial favors.
Kidnapper testifies Texan was killed in Mexico
By Christopher Sherman, Associated Press, 20 January 2010
A man who worked as a kidnapper for the Mexican Gulf cartel testified Wednesday that a kidnapping team was ordered in the summer of 2008 to convince drug dealers in south Texas to work with the cartel and to sniff out potential competitors.
People
Activist says equality still a dream
By Vianna Davila, San Antonio Express-News, 20 January 2010
On the first anniversary of the inauguration of America's first black president and two days after the holiday marking the birthday of its most storied civil rights leader, social activist Angela Davis challenged a packed house at Trinity University on Wednesday night to remember that the fight for equality rages on.