http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/texas/ en-us Mon, 4 Jan 2010 16:29:16 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2420616/posts ...In interviews late Thursday night with the NY Times and ESPN and Friday with the AP, Leach denied mistreatment of sophmore receiver Adam James... Multiple statements from Tech athletic staff members - which came to light Thursday and were obtained by the Dallas Morning News from a Leach representative Friday - have surfaced that contradict James' version of events. ... Leach told the Times he only ordered James to be taken "out of the light" and said "he was never locked anywhere." ... Leach said Craig James called Lincoln Riley, Adam's position coach often to lobby playing time & also... Dallas News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2420616/posts#comment Mon, 4 Jan 2010 16:29:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2420359/posts They huddled over Christmas cookies in a cozy conference room on a dreary December afternoon, a few Houston environmentalists chatting about policy with the Environmental Protection Agency's new regional chief. While the two-hour meet-and-greet with Al Armendariz didn't amount to headlines, it says a great deal about the change in power at the EPA, particularly in Texas. After nearly a decade of feeling unheard by federal regulators, the activists say they now have one of their own as the top environmental official in the nation's oil, gas and chemical capital. And they wasted no time telling Armendariz, who was appointed... HOUSTON CHRONICLE http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2420359/posts#comment Mon, 4 Jan 2010 03:45:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2420128/posts More than half of state’s students disadvantaged, report finds Almost six out of 10 Texas public schoolchildren hail from low-income families, marking a troubling spike in poverty over the last decade, a new state report finds. The increase coincides with a significant jump in the number of Hispanic students, while fewer Anglo students were enrolled last year than 10 years ago, according to the study by the Texas Education Agency. Schools also are educating many more children whose primary language is not English. The rapidly changing makeup of the Texas public school classroom poses growing challenges for the state. Impoverished... Houston Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2420128/posts#comment Sun, 3 Jan 2010 19:37:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2420098/posts <p>Police in a small Texan town north-west of Fort Worth have raided an illegal cockfight, arresting 169 viewers and cock owners and seizing more than 100 roosters who were being pitted against each other to the death.</p> <p>As a police helicopter swooped on the fighting pit that had been erected near Poolville in northern Texas, many more spectators scattered and managed to get away. Among those arrested were up to 15 children, some as young as seven, who had been watching with their parents.</p> UK Guardian http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2420098/posts#comment Sun, 3 Jan 2010 19:02:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2420012/posts ..... In 58 days GOP voters will select either Kay Bailey Hutchison or Rick Perry, two political veterans, popular with their party, undefeated in decades of elections. In all probability, the price of admission is too steep for political newcomer Debra Medina as the two leaders stage an air-war of political ads likely to tally a combined $30 million over two months. "It is politics at full-throttle," said Bill Miller, who advises corporate and political clients. "This will be a race where there will be a lot of gut shots, low blows. They'll be punches thrown meant to incapacitate... Dallas Morning News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2420012/posts#comment Sun, 3 Jan 2010 16:21:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419508/posts AUSTIN — Tanning, tobacco and taxes are three of the areas that will fall under new state laws or new enforcement today. • • Teen tanning: Tanning salons are a popular teen stopping point before spring break or the prom, but a new law will limit their access to tanning beds. The legislation became law in September, but enforcement begins today. The new law bars anyone under 16½ from using a tanning device. Those between 16½ and 18 must have a parent or guardian's permission in writing at the salon before they can use a tanning bed. • •... Houston Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419508/posts#comment Sat, 2 Jan 2010 15:29:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419085/posts SAN ANGELO, Texas — The political paths of three former student leaders from Texas’ two main public universities have crisscrossed for years. All three have been on the political radar since all were on the same statewide ballot in 1990. Now, two face off March 2 for the Republican nomination for governor: U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison is trying to unseat Gov. Rick Perry. The third, Democratic former state Comptroller John Sharp, wants Hutchison’s Senate seat — whenever it might be up for election. Her seat is scheduled election in 2012, but she could resign sooner, which would cause... Go San Angelo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419085/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 19:30:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2419041/posts Charles Krauthammer’s joining the ranks of Daily Times columnists pleased readers on the right who like his generally — though not invariably — conservative views. Those on the left are less than thrilled. I have my own reason for welcoming the doctor (he practiced and taught psychiatry before switching to speechwriting and then to commentary): He’s one of the endangered species called wordsmiths. Like master artisans working precious metals, wordsmiths shape and polish lumps of words until they gleam. Krauthammer on America’s limited activity in space: “We’ve done it with the most beautiful, intricate, complicated — and ultimately hopelessly impractical... The Kerrville Daily Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2419041/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 18:11:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2419007/posts Medina has made state sovereignty a key component of her campaign and says often, "Not one more inch Washington D.C., not one more inch in Texas." She champions the use of nullification and interposition by the state as the proper remedy for halting unconstitutional federal mandates and has issued a call to action encouraging a special legislative session in Texas specifically to nullify nationalized healthcare. TheCypressTimes.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2419007/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 16:57:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418480/posts Readers may remember mention here, and in the work of some of my other Gun Rights Examiner colleagues (links beneath the photo), of California's AB 962. This law is designed to make purchase of ammunition that can be used in handguns (and there are very few calibers for which someone hasn't made a handgun) as difficult as possible, short of an outright ban. This, of course, was touted as a major "victory" by the Brady Campaign (and I suppose I can't argue--a defeat for liberty is a victory for the Brady Campaign). In a more recent development, though, blogger Thirdpower... St. Louis Gun Right Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418480/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:05:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418796/posts NORTH RICHLAND HILLS – Authorities tell News 8 a suspicious device found in a North Texas neighborhood did contain explosives. It was found near a copy of the Koran. Investigators don’t know whether they were left by the same person. A resident found what appeared to be a coke can on the street just before noon Thursday. What he saw inside, however, caused him to call 9-1-1. “It’s some type of metal in a coke can,” said Sean Hughes, Northeast Explosives Response Team. Firefighters at the scene called in the Northeast Explosives Response Team. “They zip tied the can in... WFAA - DFW http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418796/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 04:31:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2418707/posts 31 December 2009 “LIKE DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN” SNIPPET: “There is overlap in space if not in time between NW 253 bomber Abdulmutallab and various unsavory characters and websites. Perhaps it’s just a case of like-minded people moving through similar places at similar times in their lives, but then again, maybe Abdulmutallab came into contact with some of these people, particularly in what appears to be his critical period of radicalization in London circa 2005-2007. At this point all I have are suspicions and some interesting data points to share.” INTERNET HAGANAH.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2418707/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 00:35:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418014/posts DENTON, Texas — A Denton County man accused of fatally shooting his 10-year-old daughter while recklessly handling a revolver has been investigated repeatedly by Child Protective Services. Authorities believe he had been drinking when he fired the shot, but a state investigator tells the Denton Record-Chronicle there's no indication it was intentional homicide. chron.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418014/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:14:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416782/posts FORT WORTH — An 18-year-old Fort Worth man has been sentenced to 10 years’ probation in the death of a woman who got caught in the crossfire of a gang-related shootout in March in which a gang member was also killed, authorities said. Salomon Vallejo was sentenced last week by 432nd District Judge Ruben Gonzalez after he pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault. Vallejo had agreed to be a backup for Jose Martinez and others during the March 27 confrontation that resulted in the deaths of Michelle Chavez and Luciano Hernandez, prosecutors said. If Vallejo... STAR-TELEGRAM http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416782/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 05:44:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416029/posts New population figures give a boost to the GOP By: Chris StirewaltPolitical EditorDecember 28, 2009 The 2010 census is sure to be controversial.Republicans will thunder about the community organizers who get hired to do the counting, and Democrats will wail that the homeless and migrant workers are undercounted.But in the final pre-count estimate just released by the Census Bureau, we already have a broad idea of where the results are headed and what they will mean politically.The numbers are cause for alarm for Democrats.Of the states gaining House seats -- Texas (three) and Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah... Washington Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416029/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:44:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2416398/posts Governor Perry offers little, late. WHARTON, TX – While Texans prepared to celebrate the birth of Christ, the U.S. Senate moved us one step closer to nationalized healthcare. As Washington D.C. continues to force this unwanted medicine, Texans have remained steadfast in our resistance mounting increasing calls for legislative and executive action here at home. Unfortunately, as has become his pattern, Governor Perry does little more than posture for the media spotlight. TheCypressTimes.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2416398/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:23:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416163/posts Every year around Christmastime, the Census Bureau releases its population estimates for each state for the 12 months ending on July 1. The numbers look dry on a sheet of paper (or on an Excel spreadsheet on your computer), but they tell some vivid stories. The more so when they reflect, as the numbers for 2008-09 do, the effects of a sharp downward shift in the nation’s economy. Given the recession, it’s not a surprise that percentage growth, at 0.86 percent, was the lowest in this decade, just a tad below the rate in 2002-03, and well below the peak... NY Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416163/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:48:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2416234/posts Campaign Manager: Move Shows Daiell Knows How to Run Statewide The Jeff Daiell for Governor Campaign is proud to announce the appointment of Bob Phipps, Sr., as Campaign Coordinator for Jasper County. Mr. Phipps is currently an insurance fraud investigator in Brookeland. TheCypressTimes.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2416234/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:27:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416096/posts Dallas Morning News: The state received millions of federal dollars from the economic-stimulus package to help poor Texans cut their energy bills, but by the end of last month, just seven homes had been weather-treated under the program. The state has spent $1.8 million of $163 million available over the past four months, with most of it going to administrative costs, such as the salaries of state workers. breitbart.tv/ http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416096/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 05:36:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416035/posts As some Houston leaders called on Sunday for measures to help guard against future terrorist attacks, others questioned why the Nigerian man charged with trying to destroy a Northwest Airlines flight to Detroit spent time last year in Houston. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab is believed to have traveled to Houston in 2008, but no details of the trip were available Sunday. U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston declined to discuss any connection Abdulmutallab might have to the city, saying details of the investigation remain classified. U.S. government officials did confirm that they are looking into his travel itinerary, but the FBI... chron.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416035/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:53:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415622/posts PIEDRAS NEGRAS, Mexico — Gunmen sprayed bullets at a restaurant Tuesday where the mayor of a Texas border town was eating with a Mexican state attorney general and other officials, police said. A woman leaving the building was killed. Coahuila state Attorney General Jesus Torres and Chad Foster, mayor of Eagle Pass across the border from Piedras Negras, were unharmed, according to police officers at the scene. The Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415622/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 05:33:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2415573/posts Just a quick question, that I am pretty sure I already know the answer to, but have a nagging doubt about: Was cotton ever a cash crop in Texas? I keep thinking 'No', but as I said, I'm getting a little voice in my head saying:"it might'a been...". Anyone know the answer? TV program prop anomaly http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2415573/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 02:33:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2415537/posts This has probably been posted before, but I just saw it for the first time as a former resident of Texas YouTube http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2415537/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 00:45:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415216/posts Note: The following text is a quote: Ringleader of International Truck Theft Conspiracy Sentenced to Prison HOUSTON—A Houston man who recruited others to steal and transport millions of dollars of truck tractors, trailers and other heavy equipment to Central America has been sentenced to prison, United States Attorney Tim Johnson announced today. United States District Judge David Hittner sentenced Yuri David Melendez, 43, to a total of nine years in federal prison for his leadership role in the truck theft scheme and in an unrelated narcotics charge during a hearing today. Melendez, who was convicted of conspiracy to export and... Houston.FBI.gov - DOJ Press Release http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415216/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 07:07:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414256/posts "Governor Rick Perry is back out front of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison with an 11-point lead in the 2010 Republican Primary gubernatorial race in Texas." Rasmussen Reports http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414256/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:01:04 GMT