Group calls on Texas Republican Party to endorse ex-gay therapy in 2014 platform

The Texas GOP platform already contains plenty of anti-gay planks, including statements that “the practice of homosexuality tears at the fabric of society and contributes to the breakdown of the family unit,” and that “homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable ‘alternative’ lifestyle, in public policy, nor should ‘family’ be redefined to include homosexual couples.”

Now, the anti-gay Texas Eagle Forum wants to take things a step further. Right Wing Watch reports that the group has proposed the following resolution in the 2014 state GOP platform endorsing the discredited practice of ex-gay therapy:

Major West Texas lake could become multi-million-dollar mud hole

Texas' downward spiral into the latest drought is threatening to wipe out a precious resource in West Texas.

Man-made reservoirs, essential to providing water for that region of the state, have suffered the most from severe droughts in the past. And now Lake Alan Henry, which provides drinking water to Lubbock, may face the same fate as Lake Meredith.

The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reports the lake lost about 4 billion gallons of water to evaporation in 2011. Annually, the city only takes in roughly 2 million.

It's a problem that has city officials worried about how much a solution could cost, and how it would bear those costs on top of already high expenses. It means the $245 million spent creating Lake Alan Henry could go down the drain if the reservoir turns into another mud hole, according to the A-J.

More at http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/houston-texas/article/Major-West-Texas-lake-could-become-5403899.php .

UT decides Longhorns have been pranked, will rip out maroon bluebonnets genetically engineered @ A&M

Former Hidalgo County Sheriff Treviño: 'I plead guilty, your honor'

McALLEN — Five words sealed the fate of the man who used to be the highest law enforcement official in Hidalgo County.

“I plead guilty, your honor,” former Sheriff Lupe Treviño said Monday morning when asked for his plea on the charge of money laundering.

Wearing a black suit with a white shirt and red tie, Treviño spoke loudly and clearly when responding to the questions made by U.S. District Court Judge Micaela Alvarez.

With a hand in his pocket and a slight tilt to his head, Treviño agreed to the facts of the case that were read by Assistant U.S. Attorney James Sturgis, who said that from June 1, 2011, to December 2012, Treviño conspired to conduct financial transactions involving the proceeds of illegal activity.

More at http://www.themonitor.com/news/local/former-sheriff-trevi-o-i-plead-guilty-your-honor/article_cb34135e-c3db-11e3-a6ad-0017a43b2370.html .

Beaumont ISD will appeal Texas Education Agency's decision to replace board, remove superintendent

The Beaumont school district intends to appeal Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams' decision to replace the school board with a board of managers and remove Superintendent Timothy Chargois, a decision at least one trustee has called a waste of time.

The board will discuss whether to appeal Williams' decision in closed session at its regularly scheduled Thursday night meeting.

The meeting starts at 5 p.m. in the BISD administration building, 3395 Harrison Ave.

District 5 trustee Mike Neil said he would ask his fellow board members what purpose an appeal would serve.

"An appeal would be a complete waste of time," he said.

More at http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/BISD-will-appeal-TEA-s-decision-to-replace-board-5403649.php .

GOP officials to visit Dallas in late April to take closer look at 2016 RNC bid

GOP officials will soon get their first boots-on-the-ground look at Dallas’ bid for the 2016 Republican National Convention.

A small delegation of Republican National Committee staff and advisers will travel to Dallas on April 24 for a so-called “technical site visit.” The team will conduct similar visits with Dallas’ competition — Denver, Las Vegas, Kansas City, Cincinnati and Cleveland — over the next couple weeks.

The trips will allow the GOP take a closer, in-person look at each city’s financing, venues, workspace and hotels. And the preliminary inspection will determine which cities will receive an official visit this summer from the full GOP convention site selection team.

“There are no favorites. There are no underdogs,” said Enid Mickelsen, who chairs the GOP’s site selection committee. “The technical visits will help aid the committee in their decision making process as we narrow the field.”

More at http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2014/04/gop-officials-to-visit-dallas-in-late-april-to-take-closer-look-at-2016-rnc-bid.html/ .

Fort Worth Homeless Man Gets Seven Years For Firebombing Wendy Davis' Senate Office

On March 20, 2012, a year before her filibuster against abortion restrictions catapulted her to national stardom and a gubernatorial bid, state Senator Wendy Davis had the singular distinction of having her Fort Worth office firebombed.

Davis wasn't in her office, and no one was injured, but the bag that was thrown at her door, filled with a half dozen Molotov cocktails, did cause a small fire that was quickly extinguished by an employee. It also landed 42-year-old Cedric Carmond Steele in jail.

Steele pleaded guilty to an arson charge today and agreed to a seven-year prison term, according to Tarrant County prosecutors.

Deputy Chief District Attorney Jack Strickland said he spoke with Davis before accepting Steele's plea and that she was in agreement with the punishment.

Steele does not seem to have had a political motive. The district attorney's office describes him as a "homeless man with a history of mental illness."

More at http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2014/04/wendy_davis_firebomb_office.php .

Dallas Executive's Neighbors Say City Hall Broke Federal Rules in Airport-Expansion Push

If there was one thing Dallas City Hall would have been wise to take away from the fracking debate, it's that you shouldn't mess with Raymond Crawford. He's the slight, balding, professional needlepointing David to your Goliath.

City Hall, however, isn't so good with lessons, which is why Crawford has another stone in his sling.

The issue this time around is Dallas Executive Airport, the small, city-owned airfield in the Red Bird area of Southwest Dallas. For the past three years, the city has been drawing up a new master plan for the airport and is set to begin a runway renovation and expansion.

Crawford, who lives a few blocks away, first became aware of the project when The Dallas Morning News reported on the runway expansion in February. He grew concerned, then angry, that neighbors hadn't been consulted and began doing what he does best: obsessively researching the issue and pelting city aviation officials and City Council members with questions.

More at http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2014/04/dallas_executive_airport_neighbors.php .

Gun Barrel City's Lone Gay Bar Was Targeted By Police, But Maybe Not Because it Was Gay

Former chiropractor, co-defendant sentenced in multi-million insurance fraud scheme

A former Bryan chiropractor and a co-defendant were sentenced Monday to federal prison for their roles in a multimillion-dollar auto insurance fraud scheme.

Chase Lindsey, 36, and Brittany Jessie, 25, both of Bryan, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kenneth Hoyt in Houston after admitting their guilt to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Lindsey received a 24-month term and Jessie was sentenced to 30 months in prison. Each will also have to pay about $1 million in restitution and remain on probation for two years after their release.

Lindsey and Jessie are among five people convicted of conspiring to submit $3 million worth of false billing claims -- which insurance companies paid at least $1.2 million of, according to federal officials.

Marion Young, 43, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of wire fraud in April 2013. Edward Graham, 37, and Earlie Dickerson, 41, were convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and 30 counts of mail fraud following an eight-day trial.

More at http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/former-chiropractor-co-defendant-sentenced-in-insurance-fraud-scheme/article_581e53a5-9b0c-51ba-919e-a4b4f491d01c.html .