In San Antonio, officials want to make Alamo Plaza appealing to both tourists and residents, but there isn’t a consensus on the best way to do that. Some want vendors on the premises, but others say that would be disrespectful.
Hollie O'Connor
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Lubbock Judge: Obama Re-election Could Spark U.N. Takeover, Civil War
A Lubbock County judge is making headlines after suggesting that President Obama might hand over sovereignty of the United States to the United Nations, possibly igniting in a civil war.
Posted in
Public Education
ACT Report: 24 Percent of Texas High School Grads Are College Ready
Only about a quarter of the state’s Class of 2012 students are college ready, according to a new report by the ACT. Texas Education Agency officials attribute the numbers to an increase in students taking the test.
Posted in
Energy
“Pocket Prairies” Preserve Houston’s Native Plants
“Pocket prairies” have been popping up all over Houston, helping beautify the city while preserving the native plants that are now harder to find in Harris County.
Posted in
Economy
Additional Tax for Small Tobacco Companies Debated
The state House Ways and Means Committee heard discussion Tuesday on a possible extra tax on small tobacco companies to equalize what the big tobacco companies call a competitive advantage because of pricing.
Posted in
Energy
Court Faults EPA’s Rejection of Flexible Permits Program
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency unfairly disapproved of a Texas permitting program for air emissions. The opinion says the EPA must further consider the program.
Posted in
Public Education
Fewer Than Half of Texas Schools Meet Federal Requirements
Only 44 percent of Texas schools met No Child Left Behind requirements for 2012. That’s a drop from 66 percent last year, meaning many of them will be subject to federal sanctions.
Posted in
State Government
Houston Janitors in Their Fifth Week of Protests
Janitors in Houston are in their fifth week of protests amid unsettled negotiations with employers over a wage increase. Their employers say the janitors’ proposal is unrealistic given current economic conditions.
Posted in
Health care
Medical Groups Oppose Women’s Health Program Rule
A proposed state rule that would prohibit doctors in Texas’ Women’s Health Program from discussing the option of abortion with their patients — even if the patient asks about it — has drawn the opposition of Texas medical groups.
Posted inState Government
Dewhurst Pollster Cites Issue With Internal Survey
Mike Baselice, CEO of the polling firm used by David Dewhurst’s campaign, said his firm should have screened out probable voters in survey results and that data drawn only from those who would “definitely” vote was more indicative of the final results.