Politics
Obama visit delights, disappoints Central Texans
By Mike Ward, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 9 August 2010
In all, several thousand people lined Austin streets to watch the presidential motorcade speed by and hope that Obama saw their signs and waves and heard their cheers — and a few boos. Young and old. Homemakers and the homeless. Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians. Businessmen and the unemployed. They stood side by side with the same goal: seeing the president.
Obama slams GOP, talks up education at UT speech
By Peggy Fikac and R.G. Ratcliffe, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 9 August 2010
President Obama mocked Republicans at a fund-raiser for the Democratic National Committee, calling them devoid of new ideas to fix the economy, then pounded his message that education “is the economic issue of our time” before a cheering crowd at the University of Texas.
Obama stumps in Texas: President touts education goals in UT Austin speech
By Zahira Torres, EL PASO TIMES, 10 August 2010
Wooing Texas is not an easy feat for Democratic President Barack Obama, but on Monday an audience in the state's capital roared with applause when he proclaimed that "education is the economic issue of our time."
Slater: Obama's popularity lags, but Austin event provides perfect photos
By Wayne Slater, THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 10 August 2010
The president is not particularly popular in the state, but he’s always been a hit in Austin. In February 2007, he’d barely announced his candidacy when 20,000 Austinites showed up on the banks of Lady Bird Lake to see him, a prelude to huge crowds to come in his bid for the White House.
Protesters try to put heat on president and 'save our country'
By Lori Stahl, THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 10 August 2010
Hundreds of North Texas Republicans rallied for hours Monday in blazing heat to show their disdain for President Barack Obama on the day he made a swing through the state.
Obama raises $1 million at Austin event
By Dave Montgomery, FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 9 August 2010
Defying harsh criticism from Texas Republicans, President Barack Obama said Monday that his 19-month-old presidency has put America "on the right track" and warned against returning to GOP policies that he blamed for the country's economic "mess."
Obama hauls in checks during short visit to Dallas and Austin
By Todd J. Gillman, THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 10 August 2010
Over the course of six hours Monday in Dallas and Austin, President Barack Obama managed to rake in $1.6 million for Democrats , kick up some dust in the governor’s race, and issue a stern warning to voters: Beware the ideas of Texas-style Republicans.
At UT, Obama calls for more college graduates
By Holly K. Hacker, THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 9 August 2010
President Barack Obama visited the University of Texas at Austin Monday to deliver a common-sense message: Higher education is important, and this country needs more of it.
Gubernatorial hopeful White makes Abilene visit
By Sarah Kleiner Varble, ABILENE REPORTER NEWS, 9 August 2010
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White visited Abilene on Monday as President Barack Obama, the most prominent member of his party, was fundraising in Austin and Dallas.
Rep. Edwards announces endorsements from Texas Farm Bureau, NRA
By Michael W. Shapiro, WACO TRIBUNE-HERALD, 10 August 2010
U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, announced Monday endorsements from the Texas Farm Bureau and the National Rifle Association.
Government
Texas files suit against BP over plant’s toxic emissions
By Monica Hatcher, HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10 August 2010
BP illegally emitted 500,000 pounds of air contaminants at its Texas City refinery over a recent 40-day period, and poor operating practices have caused “egregious” pollution at the plant over the much of the past decade, the state of Texas alleged in a lawsuit Monday.
No opinion on gender issue in marriage
By Adriana M. Chávez, EL PASO TIMES, 10 August 2010
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has said he will refrain from issuing an opinion on whether a Hudspeth County woman should be legally considered a man.
Dish mayor questions results of state's air-quality monitoring
By Aman Batheja, FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 9 August 2010
Dish Mayor Calvin Tillman says he believes that the air quality in his tiny Denton County town is far worse than a state-installed air monitor is letting on.
Austin, Travis County, U.S. Fish and Wildlife face litigation over endangered species protection
By Asher Price, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 9 August 2010
Two environmental groups said Monday that they would sue the City of Austin, Travis County and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for what they claim is a failure to fully protect endangered songbirds.
Dallas City Council hasn't ruled out tax increase
By Rudolph Bush, THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 10 August 2010
A property tax increase is still very much on the table for Dallas residents, despite a recommendation from City Manager Mary Suhm that City Hall hold the line on its tax rate in the coming fiscal year.
Red-light camera foes may be too late for referendum
By Bradley Olson, HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 9 August 2010
Activists for and against the city of Houston's red-light camera program crossed swords Monday as opponents of the devices turned in more than 30,000 signatures backing a proposed charter amendment to have the cameras banned.
News
Oiled Pelicans Find Sanctuary on Texas Coast
By Elizabeth Titus, THE TEXAS TRIBUNE, 10 August 2010
At Goose Island, near Rockport, some of the nearly 200 pelicans rescued from the Gulf oil spill and sent to Texas seem to be thriving. But officials are holding their breath to see whether the rescued birds stick around or fly back to habitats that may still be contaminated. "Wildlife do crazy things," says the manager of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. "That's why they're called 'wild.'" But the ones that stay could face survival struggles, too, from coastal litter and competition with other species for food.
Mexico to investigate federal officers
By Daniel Borunda, EL PASO TIMES, 10 August 2010
Mexico's Attorney General's Office has opened an investigation into allegations of corruption within the federal police in Juárez.
First oral arguments slated in former Texas Tech football coach Mike Leach's case
By Matthew McGowan, LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL, 10 August 2010
An Amarillo appellate court has scheduled the first face-to-face hearing in the next phase of the Mike Leach’s ongoing lawsuit against Texas Tech.