Nevada governor on school choice: 'Let’s start trusting parents'
By Karen Kidd | May 1, 2023
Gov. Joe Lombardo (R-NV) took to social media last week to push for his legislation that he says would open up greater choice for which schools parents choose to send their children.
Abbott in letter to Biden: 'This chaos is the direct result of your failure to enforce the immigration laws that Congress enacted'
By Karen Kidd | Jan 20, 2023
The widely reported letter that Gov. Greg Abbott handed President Joe Biden during the latter's visit to Texas earlier this month told the president not to believe a sanitized version of what his immigration policies are doing to the southern border.
Gov. Abbott on death of 51 migrants: 'These deaths are on Biden'
By Karen Kidd | Jul 5, 2022
Gov. Greg Abbott expanded border security last week after dozens of migrants were left to die in an abandoned semi-truck on a country road almost 150 miles north of the US-Mexico border, a tragedy the governor said was "on" President Joe Biden
Do you know what you're allergic to?
By Karen Kidd | Mar 18, 2022
Many people suspect they have allergies and other sinus conditions, but they don't realize the ramifications of waiting too long to seek treatment.
Conservative analysts defend Texas' proposed voting changes
By Karen Kidd | Jun 5, 2021
Many observers can be forgiven for thinking that Texas Republicans want to disenfranchise as many voters as possible and their legislation to accomplish that failed after the dramatic Democratic walkout in the state Senate last week.
Kolkhorst's bill to tackle foster care crisis passes Texas Senate, heads to House committee
By Karen Kidd | May 8, 2021
The Texas Senate’s top child-welfare policy writer says the state has waited long enough to resolve its foster care overcapacity crisis and that she and other top state leaders are backing community-based care.
Current community-based model 'is the future of foster care in Texas,' Austin-based policy expert says
By Karen Kidd | Mar 17, 2021
A report is critical of the program's implementation, but a child and family expert with an Austin-based public policy foundation is supportive of an expansion of the state's current community-based foster care model.
News reports: COVID-19 could lead to uptick in Texas human trafficking
By Karen Kidd | Feb 24, 2021
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is making homelessness worse in greater Austin and, in turn, is increasing human trafficking in Texas, according to news reports.
CDC director: 'We can't let our guard down' as COVID-19 cases plummet in Texas, nation
By Karen Kidd | Feb 19, 2021
The number of new COVID-19 cases in Texas and the U.S. are falling precipitously, although a leading health official cautioned last weekend that the pandemic remains far from under control, according to various news reports.
Keller mayor foresees legal fight over violent arrest of father, son 'coming to a close'
By Karen Kidd | Feb 16, 2021
A suburban Dallas community is still pondering the arrest and assault by two of its police officers against a North Texas man and his son last summer that led to a now-settled federal lawsuit and a promise by city leaders to make sure such encounters will not happen again.
News reports: China building 'insane' number of new coal plants this decade
By Karen Kidd | Feb 5, 2021
Despite being "a dismal year for coal power" in much of Asia, China is moving ahead with plans to build "an insane number of new coal plants," despite being the No. 1 producer of renewable energy materials, Reuters and other international news outlets have reported.
Paxton whistleblower previously mentioned in unrelated February discrimination charge
By Karen Kidd | Nov 25, 2020
David Maxwell, one of four whistleblowers suing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton following complaints that Paxton used his office to break the law, is himself subject of a complaint filed by an assistant district attorney.
Texas restaurants brace for new COVID-19 restrictions; half may close before spring
By Karen Kidd | Nov 23, 2020
Restaurants across Texas are waiting for the other shoe to drop in the form of more restrictions as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
SXSW planning virtual event in March 2021, no word on in-person events
By Karen Kidd | Nov 17, 2020
South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin is putting on a brave face as it moves ahead with a 2021 virtual event following the city's unilateral decision to cancel this year's event due to COVID-19.
Plano councilman Williams urges pressure on candidates to oppose taxpayer-funded lobbying
By Karen Kidd | Oct 27, 2020
In an Oct. 8 tweet, Plano City Councilman Shelby Williams urged voters to pressure candidates for public office to pledge their opposition to taxpayer-funded lobbying.
Publicly disgraced former UT regent gets vindication, if not apology from school
By Karen Kidd | Aug 23, 2020
Former University of Texas Regent Wallace L. Hall Jr. is living proof of the maxim that no good deed goes unpunished.
DOE announces millions in college and K-12 grants following Trump administration push for reopening
By Karen Kidd | Aug 12, 2020
The U.S. Department of Education has announced tens of millions of dollars in grants following insistence last month by Secretary Betsy DeVos, the Trump administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that schools reopen this fall.
Energy Alliance: Eliminate billions in subsidies to Texas renewable energy generators
By Karen Kidd | Jul 28, 2020
The tens of billions of dollars in subsidies going to Texas wind and solar projects needs to stop, said the head of a business energy watchdog in a recent news release.
Pediatric group: Benefits of in-person education outweigh COVID-19 risks
By Karen Kidd | Jul 27, 2020
The physical, academic and mental benefits of going back to school during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic outweigh health risks to students, the American Academy of Pediatrics said in an announcement issued earlier this summer.
Texas GOP U.S. House reps ask EPA to approve renewable fuel standard waivers
By Karen Kidd | May 21, 2020
The majority of Texas' Republican representatives in the U.S. House recently joined other Republican lawmakers to ask the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to approve the renewable fuel standard waiver requests from governors of in oil-producing states.
