The 1,200-mile border it shares with Mexico makes Texas one the most vulnerable states when it comes to imported infectious diseases. In a majority of cases, Customs and Border Protection officers are unable to detect these public health threats at ports of entry, according to a new Centers for Disease Control study.
Forrest Burnson
Posted in
Health care
Pols in Purgatory
State Rep. Tara Rios Ybarra, D-South Padre Island, who is awaiting prosecution on corruption charges, is the latest Texas elected official under indictment but not yet convicted to languish in career-crippling limbo.
Posted inState Government
TribBlog: Rep. Smith Accuses DOJ of Reverse Discrimination
In an op-ed published on Fox News’ website today, U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, accused the Department of Justice of reverse discrimination against whites in its handling of a case against the New Black Panther Party.
Posted inState Government
TribBlog: White’s D.C. Dollars
Gubernatorial candidate Bill White may have more campaign cash on hand than Republican incumbent Gov. Rick Perry — but where it came from could hurt the former Houston mayor’s campaign. That’s because nearly 25 percent of the donations since Feb. 20 — about $1.8 million — came from contributors in Washington, D.C.
Posted in
Public Education
TribBlog: Not Cool With School
Texans overwhelmingly reject the way the State Board of Education sets requirements for textbooks and curriculum, which ignited a nationwide controversy earlier this year, according to a statewide survey the Texas Freedom Network released today.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
TribBlog: Getting Drunks Off the Road
The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice met today to talk about ways to stop Texans from getting behind the wheel after imbibing. Judges, police and even a third-time DWI offender told lawmakers some Texas drunken driving laws could use some stiffening, while other measures take punishment too far.
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Health care
TribBlog: Failing at Fitness
Less than a third of the state’s 3rd-to-12th-grade students can pass a physical fitness test — and that’s an improvement.
Posted in
Health care
Signs of the Times
A quiet ideological battle is being waged yard to yard in affluent neighborhoods of San Antonio. It began with one side declaring “No socialism” in white letters on a black background. Some didn’t like that message, so they changed it to read “No selfishness.”
Posted in
State Government
TribBlog: Remote Vote
Texas could face legal action if it doesn’t comply with new federal regulations for voters overseas.