Former Police Chief Rodney Pearson has become a reluctant symbol for many in Jasper’s black community of how little has changed in race relations since James Byrd Jr.’s dragging death.
East Texas
Posted inState Government
In Jasper, Black Leaders Say Tensions Escalating After Chief’s Dismissal
Jasper continues to deal with fallout from the dismissal of its first black police chief. Black community leaders in the East Texas town say racial tensions are at “an all-time high.”
Posted inState Government
Jasper Police Chief Firing Exposes Rift in City Politics
The short-lived tenure of Jasper’s first black police chief — and the public feuding it has provoked — threatens to wrench open still healing wounds from the town’s troubled past.
Posted inState Government
Familiar Foes Simpson, Merritt Square Off Again
GOP leaders from East Texas see a tight race in the HD-7 primary rematch between state Rep. David Simpson and Tommy Merritt, a former seven-term House member.
Posted in
Health care
First Minority Cancer Month Highlights Disparities
Lawmakers and health care advocates gathered today to kick off the state’s first annual Minority Cancer Awareness Month, designated in the last legislative session to bring awareness to racial disparities in cancer survival.
Posted in
Health care
Senate Committee Tackles Rural Child Welfare
Child Protective Services officials got an earful on Wednesday at a Senate hearing on improving the caseworker retention rates in rural communities. And they got a minor scolding from Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas Gets a D+ in Public Integrity Study
Texas has scored a 68 out of 100, placing 27th in a national state integrity study. The state got high marks for auditing and for monitoring pension funds, but not as high for accountability of the governor and legislators.
Posted in
Energy
Urban Water Use Climbs Despite Restrictions
In 2011, residents of some large Texas cities increased their water usage — despite the widespread adoption of restrictions on lawn-watering.
Posted in
Health care
Planned Parenthood Laments Expected Demise of Women’s Health Program
A crowd gathered Friday at the Planned Parenthood Health Center in Austin to express concerns over the expected demise of the Women’s Health Program.
Posted in
State Government
Billionaire’s PAC Admits Contribution Error, Seeks Refunds
The political action committee of Dallas billionaire waste magnate Harold Simmons is asking 18 lawmakers to return about $65,000 in contributions after admitting that an oversight led to illegal campaign contributions.