Gates Forum talks reform
Jimmieka Mills and Marialuisa Rincon
October 21, 2015
SEATTLE — “Both the Gates and French Families instilled the values of volunteerism and civic engagement. Our families believed that if life happens to bless you, you should use those gifts as wisely as you can.” Wherever you go in Seattle, you’ll find someone welcoming you to the Pacific...
White House threatens to veto ‘sanctuary cities’ bill
MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press
October 20, 2015
WASHINGTON — The White House is threatening to veto Senate legislation cracking down on "sanctuary cities" that shield residents from federal immigration authorities. The Senate is holding a procedural vote on the legislation Tuesday. The bill by Louisiana Sen. David Vitter would punish jurisdictions...
Texas cuts off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood
WILL WEISSERT, Associated Press
October 20, 2015
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas announced Monday it was cutting off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood clinics following undercover videos that featured discussions about fetal tissue, potentially triggering a court fight like one unfolding in neighboring Louisiana. Texas health officials sent a letter...
Student arrested for homemade clock visits White House
KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press
October 20, 2015
WASHINGTON — Ahmed Mohamed, the Texas teenager arrested after a homemade clock he brought to school was mistaken for a bomb, capped a whirlwind month with a visit to the White House on Monday. Ahmed got a personal invitation from President Barack Obama for "Astronomy Night." The two met and chatted...
Moms Demand Action on gun control
Michael Garcia, Staff Writer
October 14, 2015
On Jan. 1, 2016, new gun laws in Texas go into effect. This allows is for concealed handgun license owners to carry openly. The Bill has been getting a lot of attention lately. An organization by the name Moms Demand Action has been building a reputation for challenging lawmakers. Moms Demand Action...
The big oil problem
Marialuisa Rincon, Staff Writer
October 9, 2015
The oil industry has long been characterized by a never-ending boom and bust cycle. Most memorably for Houstonians, the oil slump of the 1980s and the end of the embargo saw one in seven of us lose our jobs and simply go elsewhere for work – turning the city into a sort of bust-town. The present...
Texas prepares for refugees
Michael Garcia, Staff Writer
October 2, 2015
Vandalism becomes civil war; pro-Democracy protesters, an authoritarian government, chemical warfare, up to 200 thousand deaths. After a group of teenagers were tortured for vandalism in March 2011, many protesters from the southern city of Deraa were furious with President Bashar Al-Assad. Years of...
Houston Black Lives Matter talks issues
Michael Garcia, Writer
September 30, 2015
The panel discussed the Black Lives Matters movement, as well as key issues. The BLM movement fights for social structure to prevent any social injustices towards the black community. It's not just a movement for specific issues. The movement does not fight for just black male lives, but also black women's lives, black trans lives and black queer lives.
After years of low rates, customers can expect to pay more
JOHN SEEWER, The Associated Press
September 26, 2015
With all the questions surrounding the nation's water supplies and systems, one thing seems certain: Customers will be paying more to keep their taps flowing. Rates have been shooting up nationwide in drought-stricken states and in cities trying to upgrade their aging infrastructure. Experts say the...
US criticizes China ahead of UN women’s equality session
EDITH M. LEDERER, The Associated Press
September 26, 2015
UNITED NATIONS — The United States and human rights organizations sharply criticized China's repression and imprisonment of women's rights activists ahead of a high-level U.N. meeting Sunday to promote women's equality. The session will be co-chaired by China's President Xi Jinping. China hosted...
Race for Mayor: Marty McVey
Marialuisa Rincon, Staff Writer
September 16, 2015
“The city is a business: it’s a service business. Without getting out financial house in order, we can’t provide services,” he says. McVey believes the city’s main concerns should be getting its financial health back, organizing its management and prioritizing the economy. “We cannot put more police officers on the street, we cannot fix the potholes and the infrastructure, and fix other problems without revenue.”
Race for Mayor: Ben Hall
Marialuisa Rincon, Staff Writer
September 15, 2015
Regarding infrastructure Hall says, “I think my solutions are the best of the table.” He proposes consolidating the “behemoth” 23- department system currently in place and cutting out services he thinks are unnecessary to the city — like the city crime lab or the public IT department. Hall says the city already has excess revenue and it’s just being misallocated — traditionally, the city has used the single-highest-pay-period method to calculate pensions for city employees. The money saved from his departmental consolidation would provide funding to cushion pension shortfalls and stop the cycle of issuing more debt to pay pension obligations.