Shami camp fights gaffes, image issues [1]
By R.G. RATCLIFFE, Houston Chronicle, 17 February 2010
Businessmen Clayton Williams and Tony Sanchez bought instant credibility in their runs for governor through large investments of their personal fortunes, but hair-care millionaire Farouk Shami isn't finding it so easy.
Similar on issues, House candidates stress their connection to district [2]
Corrie MacLaggan, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 17 February 2010
Say you're one of the three Republicans fighting to represent southwestern Travis County in the Texas House.
Discipline sought against Keller [3]
By Peggy Fikac, San Antonio Express-News, 18 February 2010
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge Sharon Keller should suffer consequences for her conduct in a death row inmate's failed effort to file a last-minute appeal, special prosecutors in the case against her contended Wednesday.
A Matter of Principle: Why Conservatives Should Oppose the Death Penalty [4]
By Jon Roberts, 17 February 2010
The State of Texas executed Charlie Brooks for the crime of murder on Dec. 7, 1982. The method used in Huntsville that day was the first ever of its kind: a lethal injection. Brooks' execution was also the first in Texas following the reinstatement of the death penalty by the Supreme Court in 1976, breaking a 16-year hiatus.
Rick Perry won't say if 14 years would be enough [5]
By Robert T. Garrett, The Dallas Morning News, 17 February 2010
Gov. Rick Perry said after casting an early ballot today that it's out of bounds to ask him if another four year term as governor would be his last.
Democrats critical of Cornyn, Hutchison on stimulus [6]
By R.G. Ratcliffe, Houston Chronicle, 17 February, 2010
Democrats are targeting as hypocrits Republicans who voted against stimulus funding and then sought money for their state's or districts.
Shami campaign aides call it quits [7]
By R.G. Ratcliffe, Houston Chronicle, 17 February, 2010
Houston businessman Farouk Shami has lost his professional campaign staff in a dispute over who is running the show.
GOP voters weigh issues: Proposition results may guide lawmakers [8]
By Zahira Torres. El Paso Times, 18 February 2010
Their answers only reflect Republican sentiment and would serve as a barometer for elected state and federal lawmakers.
Study says climate law could cost Texas lots of jobs [9]
By Tom Fowler, Houston Chronicle, 18 February 2010
Proposed U.S. climate change laws could cut Texas' manufacturing output by more than 5 percent and increase electric prices by as much as 52 percent by 2030, according to a study to be unveiled today by a conservative Texas think tank.
Council urged to pass renewable energy plan [10]
Marty Toohey, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 17 February 2010
The Austin City Council should swiftly adopt a plan to significantly increase the amount of renewable energy the city uses and decrease the use of traditional sources, such as coal, by 2020, a coalition of environmental activists, nonprofits and businesses said at a Wednesday news conference.
Scalia: States have "no right to secede" [11]
PoliTex, 17 February 2010
Think Texas can secede from the union?Gov. Rick Perry has said yes. Various critics insist it's not possible. A poll last year showed Texans split.
No federal funding for Fort Worth streetcars? [12]
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 February 2010
The proposal to bring back streetcars to central Fort Worth may have been snubbed in its effort to win federal stimulus funds, Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley said.
Some Fed officials favor reeling in stimulus soon [13]
By JEANNINE AVERSA, Associated Press, 17 February 2010
With the economy healing, Federal Reserve officials debated last month when to reel in the extraordinary stimulus aid they injected into the economy. Some officials wanted to start selling assets on the Fed's books "in the near future," documents released Wednesday show.
Obama says stimulus bill saved troubled economy [14]
Associated Press, 17 February 2010
President Barack Obama hailed Wednesday's one-year-old economic stimulus law as an accomplishment that staved off another Great Depression and kept up to 2 million people on the job.
Nueces needs a county-wide plan to combat flooding, engineering firm says [15]
By Jessica Savage, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, 17 February 2010
A local engineering firm has recommended that Nueces County adopt a county-wide drainage district or face limits on growth and development.
At the Gate. Tribes, tracks, and casinos lead the next push to widen gambling in Texas. [16]
By DAN MCGRAW, Fort Worth Weekly, 17 FEBRUARY 2010
Yes, Billy Bob's has slots - 15 of them near the men's bathroom entrance. They're legal because there is no cash reward when the three reels match up
Seminars help those affected by Ingleside's base closure [17]
By Fanny S. Chirinos, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, 17 February 2010
Those seeking opportunities to rebound from the closure of Naval Station Ingleside will have local and federal help. The U.S. Small Business Administration and City of Ingleside will host seminars to provide information on opportunities and resources to make the transition smoother.
Voting for higher voter turnout [18]
By Leanne Libby, Corpus Christi Caller-Times. 17 February 2010
So I drove to early voting, and when I got there the line was so long?
YISD bond proposal criticized [19]
By Darren Meritz, El Paso Times, 17 February 2010
Construction records show that costs ballooned for various projects in the Ysleta school district's $250 million bond issue in 2004, but administrators say they are completing all 88 promised projects.
City Council: Utility board's meetings to be open [20]
By Gustavo Reveles Acosta, El Paso Times, 17 February 2010
The City Council on Tuesday ordered the Public Utilities Regulation Board to hold open deliberations on gas and electric rates.
Bexar ranks low in urban health report [21]
By Don Finley, San Antonio Express-News, 18 February 2010
A new report comparing the health and well-being of Texas counties ranks Bexar 78th in the overall health of its residents ó the lowest among major urban counties.
Dallas man sentenced to 80 years in beating death of girlfriend's 6-year-old son [22]
By JENNIFER EMILY, The Dallas Morning News, 17 February 2010
A Dallas County jury sentenced a Dallas man to 80 years for killing the 6-year-old son of his girlfriend.
2nd suspect sentenced in McKinney quadruple murder case [23]
The Dallas Morning News, 17 February 2010
A second suspect in the bloodiest crime in McKinneyís history was sentenced to 20 years in prison today after pleading guilty to the quadruple murder.
Texas City woman strangled [24]
By HARVEY RICE,HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 17 February 2010
A Texas City woman whose body was discovered in the foyer of her home was strangled to death, a police spokesman said today.
Mayor: Firehouse graffiti case may never be solved [25]
By JAMES PINKERTON and TERRI LANGFORD, Houston Chronicle, 17 February 2010
Whoever scrawled sexist and racist graffiti in the sleeping quarters of two female firefighters last summer may never be brought to justice, Mayor Annise Parker said Wednesday, expressing frustration over how the fire department and Houston police responded to the incident.
Three sisters testify man molested them.Defendant dated girlsí mother [26]
By Mary Ann Cavazos. Corpus Christi Caller-Times, 17 February 2010
Three sisters cried on Wednesday as they told jurors that their motherís former boyfriend repeatedly sexually abused them.
Calderon to revise strategy against crime in return visit to Juarez [27]
By Adriana Gomez Licon, El Paso Times, 17 February 2010
Mexico's President Felipe Calderon visits Juarez today as he revises the strategy to fight organized crime in the country's deadliest city.
Bataille tells employees that resignation as president was in UNT's best interest [28]
By CANDACE CARLISLE,Denton Record-Chronicle, 17 February 2010
Gretchen Bataille said today that her health is fine and she doesn't have another job lined up, but she still could not say why she resigned suddenly as University of North Texas president last week.
Few who eulogized Grapevine's 'Toy Man' knew of his dark past [29]
By AVI SELK, The Dallas Morning News, 17 February 2010
If the Toy Man was a curiosity in life, he became a legend after his death.
Fiery women's organization is about more than guns and ammo [30]
By Joanna Cattanach, 17 February 2010
Dressed in leopard-print jeans and matching fur vest, Judy Rhodes is the color in an otherwise bland setting.