October 22, 2015

Fighting Charges, Paxton Recuses Self from Some Duties

The office of Attorney General Ken Paxton says he is recusing himself from some of his professional responsibilities as he fights an indictment on securities fraud charges.

Calling it a common procedure, a Paxton spokeswoman said Wednesday the office is working to remove him from "active participation in matters in which a conflict may exist." Those areas specifically relate to the State Securities Board and the Texas Ethics Commission, according to the spokeswoman, Cynthia Meyer.

Paxton was indicted earlier this year on charges of misleading investors in a technology company before he was attorney general. Paxton, who has pleaded not guilty to three felony charges, recently scored a victory in the case, winning access to information his lawyers had subpoenaed related to the makeup of the Collin County grand jury that indicted him in July.

Paxton has insisted the charges would not interfere with his ability to do his job. In an email to supporters the day after he was indicted, he said he refused "to be distracted or deterred from my commitment to the people of Texas to fight for the rule of law."

Read more: http://www.texastribune.org/2015/10/21/fighting-charges-paxton-recuses-self-some-duties/

[font color=330099]Perhaps Paxton should recuse himself from some of his salary also?[/font]

October 21, 2015

Baker Hughes sheds another 3,000 jobs in the third quarter

Baker Hughes trimmed another 3,000 jobs from its payroll in the third quarter amid ongoing tough times in the U.S. oil patch that caused the Houston-based oil field services company to swing to a $159 million loss.

The most recent round of job cuts means the Houston-based oil field services company, which is preparing to fuse with rival firm Halliburton, has slashed 16,000 jobs across the world since the start of the year, according to the company’s quarterly filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. That’s about one in every four Baker Hughes employees worldwide.

The job cuts forced Baker Hughes to record a $70 million charge, the company said in its quarterly release on Wednesday.

“We remain focused on proactively managing our cost structure, efficiently reducing our working capital, and strategically targeting revenue opportunities to continue to increase profitability, generate positive cash flow, and maintain a strong balance sheet,” CEO Martin Craighead said in a statement Wednesday.

Read more: http://fuelfix.com/blog/2015/10/21/baker-hughes-swings-to-a-loss-amid-tough-times-in-the-u-s-oil-patch/#36089101=0

October 21, 2015

Body found hanging from bridge in Mexico City

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The body of a man wrapped from ankles to neck in white bandages was found Monday hanging from a bridge in Mexico City.

The city prosecutor's office said in a statement that the man was approximately 25 years old and had had two bullet wounds to the head.

The body was found hanging from the Concordia bridge in the Acatitla neighborhood around 5 a.m. A black cloth appeared to cover his head like a hood, but his face was exposed and the rope was tied around his chest. He was not wearing shoes.

A sign with a warning was found below the bridge, about 100 yards away. Officials did not reveal what the warning was.

Story continued and graphic warning at the link:
http://www.chron.com/news/us-world/border-mexico/article/Body-found-hanging-from-bridge-in-Mexico-City-6579126.php

October 21, 2015

Some Texas Republicans resist Paul Ryan for House speaker

WASHINGTON – Rep. Paul Ryan has given fellow House Republicans until Friday to rally behind him for speaker and meet several conditions. So far, Texans aren’t all on board.

“We’re looking for a new speaker because we were concerned we had a speaker with too much power, and Paul Ryan basically says ‘Give me more power and I’ll be your new speaker,’” said Rep. Louie Gohmert, a Tyler tea partier.

Gohmert has been backing Rep. Daniel Webster, R-Fla., who challenged the heir-apparent to Speaker John Boehner, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy. Republicans have been scrambling to fill the leadership void since McCarthy abruptly backed out.

Gohmert said he likes Ryan, but his widespread appeal doesn’t make up for strong differences on “critical issues.”

Read more: http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2015/10/some-texas-republicans-resist-paul-ryan-for-speaker.html/

October 21, 2015

Greg Abbott’s campaign: For a $25 contribution, the chance to win Texas-made shotgun

In an email today, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s campaign is launching a contest to give away a Texas-made shotgun.

In the email, Abbott, who has taken to Twitter recently to lambaste Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s suggestion of mandatory gun buybacks, said the contest will “rub Washington’s nose in Texas’ brand of Freedom.”

“What’s not to love?” asks the email, signed by Michael Burley, of Texans for Greg Abbott.

The email doesn’t say whether the gun is one of the three Abbott owns: a Sig Sauer P238 pistol, a Ruger .380 pistol and a Remington 100 12-gauge shotgun.

Read more: http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2015/10/greg-abbotts-campaign-for-a-25-contribution-the-chance-to-win-texas-made-shotgun.html/

Abbott also sent out this Tweet:

October 21, 2015

Texas reaches 15-year deal to stay with Nike

University of Texas officials have reached a 15-year agreement with Nike in what is expected to be the richest shoe and apparel deal in college sports, the American-Statesman has learned.

Two sources familiar with the negotiations said the talks are complete. However, the contract must be forwarded to the UT System Board of Regents for final approval.

The annual, agreed-upon total is unknown, but one source said it’s “higher than Michigan.” The Wolverines signed a 15-year deal with Nike this summer worth an estimated $169 million. At the time, it was widely hailed as the biggest deal in college sports.

Texas’ deal will likely blow past Michigan’s. The Longhorns have been the No. 1 seller of T-shirts, hats and other merchandise for nine straight years, according to the Collegiate Licensing Company rankings.

Read more: http://www.hookem.com/story/sources-texas-reaches-15-year-deal-to-stay-with-nike/

October 21, 2015

Extra Security Added in Oak Lawn Area in Dallas After Attacks

Dallas City Councilman Adam Medrano says Dallas police have added patrols in the Oak Lawn community after a series of attacks.

“In recent weeks we have increased police patrols and there are undercover officers in the area,” Medrano told NBC 5.

According to Dallas police reports, another man was attacked Friday night, this time in the 4500 block of Hartford Street.

Officers said the victim was hit in the back of the head with a gun, then robbed at gunpoint.

Read more: http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Extra-Security-Added-in-Oak-Lawn-Area-After-Attacks-334808951.html

[font color=330099]The Annual Pride Festival is being held in the Cedar Springs district this weekend and several blocks will be closed which means that parking will be diverted to the side streets in the area.[/font]

October 21, 2015

New Federal Lawsuit Is Potentially Bigger Than Obergefell For Gay Rights

Ex-FAA Worker Seeks Court Ruling Saying Anti-Gay Job Bias Prohibited Under Existing Civil Rights Laws

The U.S. Supreme Court's June ruling in favor of nationwide marriage equality was among the most significant legal victories in the history of the LGBT civil rights movement.

But another lawsuit filed last week has the potential to eclipse Obergefell v. Hodges in terms of overall impact because it would affect more people, according to an attorney for the plaintiff.

In the face of Congress' longtime failure to pass explicit LGBT job protections, former Federal Aviation Administration employee David Baldwin's lawsuit is aimed at obtaining a federal decision — and eventually from the high court itself — saying anti-gay job bias is already illegal under existing civil rights laws.

“Mr. Baldwin’s case has the ability to affect more people than the {Supreme} Court’s Obergefell {marriage} case because there are more gay men and women who have jobs than same sex couples who want to get married,” Baldwin’s lawyer, Lowell Kuvin, told BuzzFeed News.

Read more: http://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/johnwright/new_federal_lawsuit_billed_as_potentially_more_important_than_obergefell_for_gay_rights?recruiter_id=838695

October 21, 2015

Jury finds Corpus Christi employee wrongfully terminated; awards more than $700K

A former municipal court employee's right to free speech was violated when she was fired, a federal court jury decided Tuesday.

Jurors awarded Nora Rodriguez more than $700,000 after deciding the city terminated her because of a statement she wrote for an investigation into another employee.

Rodriguez whispered "thank you" to the jury after its verdict. Outside the courtroom, Rodriguez and her husband hugged attorney Jon Brooks.

"Obviously we're very pleased with the jury's verdict," Brooks said. "Total vindication for Nora."

Read more: http://www.caller.com/news/local/jury-finds-city-employee-wrongfully-terminated-228a74ae-8bc7-6a89-e053-0100007f4d1a-334849351.html

October 21, 2015

Hearne City Council votes to rehire recently indicted former city manager

HEARNE -- About a week after Pee Wee Drake was indicted by a Robertson County grand jury, the Hearne City Council voted 3-2 Tuesday to rehire him as city manager.

Councilwoman Shirley Harris and Councilman Emmett Aguirre voted against Drake's reinstatement.

Last week, Drake was indicted after the Robertson County District Attorney’s office presented a case to a grand jury Oct. 13 regarding the payment of a city employee who is in a substance abuse punishment facility. In September, the Hearne City Council voted 3-2 to “ratify the action taken by the city manager” to pay Natividad Alex Rodriguez Jr., who was indicted on a felony charge of driving while intoxicated in 2012. He was arrested again in January after his probation was revoked.

Robertson County District Attorney Coty Siegert told The Eagle last week that the case regarding Drake presented to the grand jury is part of an ongoing investigation into misapplication of city funds in Hearne.

http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/hearne-city-council-votes-to-rehire-recently-indicted-former-city/article_49521a0c-778f-11e5-90c4-5fbda12827cf.html