Chris Langer
Haiku poems for this week: Library card my passport to faraway lands Dust blankets the well-worn book cover chance for rediscovery .
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National park tourism in Texas creates $578 million in economic benefit
LAKEWOOD, Colo. – A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 5,887,579 visitors to national parks in Texas spent $370,500,000 in the state in 2021. That spending resulted in 5,412 jobs and had a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $578,500,000.
Data privacy concerns emerge after Roe decision
With abortion now or soon to be illegal in over a dozen states and severely restricted in many more, Big Tech companies that collect personal details of their users are facing new calls to limit that tracking and surveillance.
U.S. abortion ruling ‘a setback,’ will cost lives
GENEVA (AP) — The head of the World Health Organization on Wednesday criticized the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. calling the decision to no longer recognize a constitutional right to abortion “a setback” that would ultimately cost lives.
Dino Valley SP strongly advises against swimming in low rivers
GLEN ROSE — Officials at Dinosaur Valley State Park are adamantly discouraging individuals from swimming in non-flowing rivers due to the expected presence of Amoeba in the water until water conditions improve.
AG Paxton files Amicus brief in support of race-neutral, meriocratic admissions criteria
AUSTIN – Attorney General Paxton filed a Virginia-led amicus brief with the Richmond, VA-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in support of race-neutral, meritocratic public-school admissions criteria. One Virginia school district, however, sought to “redefine merit” in order to reduce Asian-American enrollment and increase other favored racial minorities. The district’s goal was to move away from “equality” and toward racial “equity.” The district was sued and, fortunately, lost. It is now appealing, and Texas and other states argue that the lower court’s ruling should be affirmed.
Rep. Slaton condemns compromise Cornyn for betraying Texas voters
GREENVILLE, TEXAS - Following U.S. Senator John Cornyn’s vote to betray Texas Republicans and instead join with Democrats to advance gun control in Congress, conservative Republican State Rep. Bryan Slaton condemned the lawmaker for his cowardly betrayal and pledged to fight against attempts to enact gun control legislation in Texas.
AG Paxton files Amicus brief defending privacy and safety of boys, girls using sex-segregated restrooms in public schools
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton filed an Indiana-led amicus brief with the Chicago-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit defending the privacy and safety of boys and girls using sex-segregated restrooms in public schools. In this case, a federal district court barred a school district from requiring school restrooms separated by sex, concluding that the separation violated federal statutes and the U.S. Constitution. The school district appealed, and Attorney General Paxton filed his brief in support of the district, urging the Court of Appeals to reverse the lower court’s decision.
Governor Abbott appoints Robnett of Ft. Worth to Texas Mutual Insurance Company Board
AUSTIN - Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Kevin Robnett to the Texas Mutual Insurance Company Board of Directors for a term set to expire on July 1, 2027. The company provides a stable, competitive source of workers’ compensation insurance for Texas employers, acts as an insurer of last resort, and helps to prevent on-the-job injuries and illnesses and minimize their consequences.
Somervell County bans fireworks
GLEN ROSE — On the same day as voting in a county-wide burn ban, the Somervell County commissioners passed a ban on fireworks. Working on the counsel handed down from the Texas Forest Service, which determined drought conditions existed in the county, in its regularly scheduled meeting on June 13, the commissioners unanimously adopted the order “prohibiting or restricting the sale or use of restricted fireworks in the unincorporated areas of Somervell County.