AltWeeklies Wire
Despite Tough Times, Energy Conservation Bills Gain Traction in Legislaturenew
"Going green" used to be considered a luxury, especially in a faltering economy. But as the Texas Legislature convened last week amid a budget squeeze, a determined coalition of lawmakers and lobbyists acted on the premise that conserving energy is nothing less than an absolute necessity.
Dallas Observer |
Megan Feldman |
01-26-2009 |
Environment
Ike Was Bad for Galveston's Poor, but it Might Get Worsenew
The hurricane devastated the city's North Side, an historic African-American community. Four of the area's six housing projects have been condemned and many residents have lost everything. Will the community be rebuilt or will it suffer the same fate as New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward after Katrina?
The Texas Observer |
Forrest Wilder |
12-17-2008 |
Disasters
In Texas, Restitution for Victims is Nothing but a State-Sanctioned Scamnew
More than 90 percent of Texas parolees walk away without paying off what the state ordered them to.
Houston Press |
Chris Vogel |
12-09-2008 |
Crime & Justice
The Texas Criminal Justice System is Embracing 'The Life Penalty'new
In the execution capital of the free world, death sentences have declined dramatically, thanks in part to the institution of life-without-parole sentences in 2005.
The Texas Observer |
John Moritz |
12-03-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Green Cement Plants Could Mean Cleaner Air and Lower Costsnew
A growing number of local governments are turning to "green cement" resolutions to rectify North Texas' status as a shameless failure when it comes to complying with clean air standards.
Dallas Observer |
Megan Feldman |
11-10-2008 |
Environment
Asarco's Dirty Moneynew
For more than a century, American Smelting and Refining Co. raked in profits while poisoning poor communities in nearly two dozen states. In 2005, the company filed for bankruptcy, initiating a sprawling case that left many Texas residents wondering who will pay to clean up toxic waste at Asarco's dirtiest plant.
The Texas Observer |
Melissa del Bosque |
11-05-2008 |
Business & Labor
Is there Natural Gas Beneath Dallas County?new
Drillers -- and cities -- are betting Barnett Shale riches are headed Dallas' way.
Dallas Observer |
Pablo Lastra |
10-14-2008 |
Environment
Friend and Foes of Illegal Immigrants Deal with the Delugenew
As the number of undocumented immigrants in this country continues to grow, so does the volume of the debate over how to fix the problem. The controversy has no clear end in view, or even likely to come into view for a long time.
Fort Worth Weekly |
Eric Griffey |
10-10-2008 |
Immigration
Ink-Stained Kvetches: Where Are All the Editorial Cartoonists Going?new
As newspapers cut back on staff, editorial cartoonists are losing their positions at newspapers across the nation. In Texas, only the San Antonio Express-News, the Houston Chronicle, and the Austin American-Statesman still employ staff cartoonists.
The Texas Observer |
Brad Tyer |
10-08-2008 |
Media
After the Flood: Letter From Galvestonnew
As the cleanup continues, Galveston, like Tennessee Williams' Blanche DuBois, must rely on the kindness of strangers. As for those who do come back intending to stay, medical experts say a plague of pestilences, from tetanus to toxic mold, may await them. So does a state of emergency and a dawn-to-dusk curfew with a $2,000 fine for violators.
The Texas Observer |
Tom Curtis |
10-08-2008 |
Disasters
We Don't Like Ikenew
We run down the greatest hits of the hurricane that keeps on giving.
Houston Press |
Staff |
09-23-2008 |
Disasters
Gangsters Thriving in Bacliff, Texasnew
The unincorporated town is up to its elbows in youth gangs, poverty and crime.
Houston Press |
John Nova Lomax |
09-16-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Texas' Booming Exotic Animal Trade Has Grim Consequencesnew
With little regulation, animal experts say tigers are increasingly being bred in the state, and that shelters and zoos are running out of resources to care for abandoned animals.
The Texas Observer |
Melissa del Bosque |
09-10-2008 |
Animal Issues
The Fight is On Over Teaching 'Intelligent Design' in Texas Schoolsnew
The basic fight is expected to be over what kids are taught about evolution -- which takes up only about three days of teaching in a 180-day school year. But scientists and teachers argue there are much bigger things at stake: the intimidation of teachers and the possible beginning of biblical beliefs being taught as science in Texas public schools.
Fort Worth Weekly |
Laurie Barker James |
09-05-2008 |
Education
Gone to Hell: Mental Illness and Harris County Jailnew
Even though Alexander Hatcher is bipolar and schizophrenic, he wasn't given his meds for his first three months in jail. He got in fights with the guards. Now he's sentenced to prison for a long, long time.
Houston Press |
Paul Knight |
08-26-2008 |
Crime & Justice
