Monthly Archives: September 2016

We now have data about police shootings of civilians

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron reviews the first year’s worth of data. Texas police reported shooting 159 people in the first year that the state tracked such cases under a groundbreaking new law. Officers in Houston shot 31 of them – compared to … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Amazon PrimeNow restaurant delivery debuts in Houston

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

More good news for people who like having other people bring them their food. Announced via release, Amazon PrimeNow will offer one-hour delivery for Prime members from dozens of restaurants across the city. Which means that you’ll not actually have … Continue reading →

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What the Harris County Clerk is saying about voter ID requirements

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart reminds Texas voters who cannot obtain one of the seven forms of approved photo ID that they now have additional options when voting in person. “My office is working to make sure all voters … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

“Unholstered”

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Some really good work by the Trib here. The Texas Tribune spent almost a year attempting to collect information on police shootings from departments in the state’s 36 largest cities, which have a population of 100,000 or more, and was … Continue reading →

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Google enters the rideshare market

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

This will be worth watching. Google is moving onto Uber Technologies Inc.’s turf with a ride-sharing service to help San Francisco commuters join carpools, a person familiar with the matter said, jumping into a booming but fiercely competitive market. Google, … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Time for a change

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron gives a ringing endorsement to Kim Ogg for District Attorney, but not before delivering a stern rebuke to incumbent DA Devon Anderson. Harris County cannot take four more years of a prosecutor’s office that pursues convictions at any … Continue reading →

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Three updates on county-related lawsuits

Posted on September 5, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Update #1: Judges sued as part of Harris County federal court bail challenge. Attorneys challenging the constitutionality of Harris County’s pretrial bail policies have added all 16 of Harris County’s misdemeanor court judges as defendants in a federal civil rights … Continue reading →

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Ostriching

Posted on September 5, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Hey, remember when ostrich farms were the next big thing? Over the last few years, there’s been renewed interest in ostrich farming in the United States, particularly in Texas. The industry peaked in the 1990s, before inflated prices for birds … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for September 4

Posted on September 4, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

“I get a lot of emails these days, (a good thing!) and a lot of them involve people sending me links to houses (or pictures of their own) asking me whether or not the house in question is or is … Continue reading →

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State appeals dismissal of anti-refugee lawsuit

Posted on September 4, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Because of course it does. Texas is appealing the dismissal of its lawsuit against the federal government and a refugee resettlement agency over the placement of Syrian refugees in the state. In a notice dated Aug. 12, Texas alerted the … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: The one man term limits debate

Posted on September 4, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s one of the more interesting endorsements so far. Steve Radack is at once an argument for and against term limits. The Precinct 3 county commissioner and former Precinct 5 constable, who will turn 67 before Election Day, has been … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Saturday video break: The Man In Me

Posted on September 3, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Yet another Bob Dylan song to be covered: Pretty good song, but that’s just like, my opinion, man. Now here are The Persuasions: It’s not just my opinion but solid, objective fact that Jerry Lawson has an excellent voice.

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A good day in court for Paxton

Posted on September 3, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

He may well get those SEC charges dismissed. Lawyers for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission received skeptical treatment Friday from a federal judge who is considering whether to dismiss the civil fraud case against Attorney General Ken Paxton. From … Continue reading →

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Stuck in the MUD

Posted on September 3, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Tricky things, these municipal utility districts. MUD 187 came to be when a Houston developer arranged for two people to move their trailer onto a 519-acre site on the edge of Richmond in Fort Bend County, which at the time … Continue reading →

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Harris County to fix some Houston roads

Posted on September 3, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Some good news from the inbox: As part of an agreement approved by Houston City Council today, Harris County Precinct 1 will pay for additional street improvements worth millions of dollars within the Houston city limits by year’s end. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Friday random ten: Ladies’ night, part 11

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Some lesser known names this week, plus a song with “Thou” in the title 1. Be Thou My Vision – David Arkenstone & Kathleen Fisher 2. Sleep – Debi Smith 3. Faded Red Car – Deborah Holland 4. Mashed Potato … Continue reading →

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Paxton’s day in SEC court

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

That’s a slightly misleading headline, but you get the point. Lawyers for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will argue Friday morning in a Sherman courtroom that the federal civil fraud case against him should be dismissed, their latest effort to … Continue reading →

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The recapture blues

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

What are you gonna do? At least once a year, an official from a property-wealthy Texas school calls Christy Rome and tells her they’re just not going to do it. They don’t want to send a big chunk of their … Continue reading →

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How do other states regulate ridesharing?

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Legislature would like to know. As Texas lawmakers consider filing legislation next year related to ride-hailing companies, they learned Tuesday that more than 30 states have passed laws calling for some level of regulation of companies like Uber … Continue reading →

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You are now free to visually blight Texas highways

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

WTF? Opponents of billboards and other signs along Texas roadways reacted on Monday with dismay to an appeals court decision striking down significant portions of the Texas Highway Beautification Act, saying the ruling could lead to a litany of signs … Continue reading →

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Texas begins its voter ID education outreach

Posted on September 1, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

For what it’s worth. Texas on Wednesday kicked off a voter education campaign ahead of the November elections amid heightened scrutiny of the state’s voter ID law. Under an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice and minority rights groups, … Continue reading →

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Paxton rejects settlement talks with SEC

Posted on September 1, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Not a surprise. Attorney General Ken Paxton, facing charges he duped investors in a North Texas startup, is refusing to engage in settlement talks with the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission – and could be the last holdout in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment, Scandalized! | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Rick Perry will join “Dancing With The Stars”

Posted on September 1, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Make your own Tom DeLay joke. Mine is in the embedded image. Former Gov. Rick Perry is joining the new season of “Dancing With the Stars.” Texas’ longest-serving governor will be a contestant in the 23rd season of the dance … Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Texas blog roundup for the week of August 29

Posted on September 1, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance urges support for Louisiana flood victims as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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