The Midday Brief: April 19, 2010

Your afternoon reading.

“The decision does not change a ruling earlier this year from a Texas appeals court that ordered a new punishment trial for Hood on a legal point unrelated to the affair.” — Court denies Texan's appeal over DA-judge affair — The Associated Press

“Berkley recently filed a writ asking that his death sentence be thrown out because it violated double jeopardy laws. Berkley stated he could have been sentenced to either death or prison time. He argued that since he is serving prison time while awaiting execution, he is essentially serving two sentences.” — William Josef Berkley begins his last week on death row — El Paso Times

“The Houston oil services company reported earnings of $206 million, or 23 cents a share, in the first three months of the year. That compares with $378 million, or 42 cents a share, in the prior-year period.” — Halliburton profits drop nearly 46 percent — Houston Chronicle

“In a rare move, Obama used his weekly internet and radio address to single out McConnell and Sen. John Cornyn, who leads the GOP's effort to elect Republicans to the Senate in November.” — McConnell explains Wall Street meeting with Cornyn — CNN

“Americans are taking in their Mexican relatives, and the local schools have swelled with traumatized children, many of whom have witnessed gangland violence, school officials say.” — Fleeing Drug Violence, Mexicans Pour Into U.S. — The New York Times

“’The Census Bureau did not get out the right message for South Texas colonia populations and did not properly coordinate with local organizations,” Groves said.’” — Groves: Census Bureau Did Not Get Right Message Out to Colonia Residents — Rio Grande Guardian