Past Contributions

• TribBlog: Life's a Beach in Texas

  By Sarah Acosta July 28, 2010

  Texas beaches aren't awash in oil like the sands are in some other Gulf Coast states, but they could be cleaner, a group of environmental advocates said today as it released an annual review of the nation's beaches. Full Story 

• Hunger Pains

  By Sarah Acosta July 26, 2010

  Advocates accuse the state of fudging the number of processed food stamp applications to show greater success than is occurring. Full Story 

• Baby Bump

  By Sarah Acosta July 16, 2010

  At a hearing today, the Department of Family and Protective Services will consider stricter caregiver-to-child ratios for child care centers — but improved care for Texas toddlers could also mean less income for child care providers and higher tuition for families. Full Story 

• TribBlog: Another Roll of the Dice

  By Sarah Acosta July 8, 2010

  It was more like a bidding auction today than a meeting of the Texas House Committee on Licensing and Regulation. Gambling advocates packed into three Capitol hearing rooms, and threw out number after number as they asked legislators — yet again — to consider the benefits of more gaming in Texas. Full Story 

• Marketing Murderabilia

  By Sarah Acosta June 29, 2010

  Ted Bundy’s fried hair. Sperm from college campus shooter Wayne Lo. Dirt from the crawl space where John Wayne Gacy stored 26 bodies. All are collectors’ items in the macabre world of murderabilia. The more infamous the killer, the bigger the price tag — at least for now. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and a Houston city official are working to exterminate the industry they say allows murderers and rapists to make money from their crimes. Murderabilia peddlers insist they operate in good taste. “We don't push this into anyone's face,” says the owner of murderauction.com. Full Story 

• TribBlog: Berman's Cup of Tea

  By Sarah Acosta June 24, 2010

  State Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, said he's counting on Tea Party supporters to call their state representatives and urge them to vote for him for Speaker instead of incumbent Joe Straus, R-San Antonio. Full Story 

• TribBlog: Leo Berman For Speaker?

  By Sarah Acosta June 21, 2010

  Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, is expected to challenge House Speaker Joe Straus for his job, according to Capitol sources. Asked Monday whether he would seek Straus' post, Berman told the Tribune: "I can't say anything until tomorrow." Full Story 

• TribBlog: Cornyn Attempts to Murder "Murderabilia"

  By Sarah Acosta June 10, 2010

  U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, announced today that he filed legislation to outlaw profiting from the sale of items related to killers or killings. Full Story