July 2, 2015

5th Circuit to courts in Texas: Allow gay marriage because Supreme Court says so

Source: AP

JACKSON, Miss. — A federal appeals court Wednesday instructed judges in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas to wrap up gay marriage cases in their states in line with last week’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

The order Wednesday from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals clears one of the final procedural roadblocks in the three cases, which had been pending before the New Orleans-based court. The 5th Circuit had heard arguments in the appeals but hadn’t ruled.

Circuit Judge Jerry Smith, writing for the three-judge panel that had heard arguments in the case, told federal district judges to issue final rulings by July 17 at the latest. The appeals court told U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman in New Orleans that he, in particular, needed to hurry because of the declining health of one of the Louisiana plaintiffs, Robert Welles. Feldman’s attorney, Scott Spivey, declined to comment.

Smith wrote in three separate opinions that the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that marriage is a constitutional right equally held by all Americans “is the law of the land and, consequently, the law of this circuit, and should not be taken lightly by actors within jurisdiction of this court,” Smith wrote.

Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/local-news/20150701-5th-circuit-to-texas-allow-gay-marriage-because-supreme-court-says-so.ece

July 2, 2015

Try a little tenderness, the Dalai Lama urges a sellout crowd at SMU

Photo: Grant Miller/The Bush Center
The Dalai Lama visited the Bush Center with former President George W. Bush on Wednesday afternoon before speaking about his philosophy of compassion and love.


UNIVERSITY PARK — The Dalai Lama discussed the importance of compassion in achieving peace — and whether he should be the last Dalai Lama — during a celebration of his upcoming 80th birthday.

“I am just one human being, one out of 7 billion human beings, no differences,” the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people said Wednesday at SMU. “{All} 7 billion human beings, emotionally, mentally, physically, we are the same. We all have the same right to achieve happy life.”

A sold-out crowd of more than 5,000 people packed Moody Coliseum at Southern Methodist University for the event, which ended with the crowd singing “Happy Birthday” to the Nobel laureate, who was proudly wearing an SMU baseball hat.

The event, which was moderated by ABC News political correspondent Cokie Roberts, was hosted by the George W. Bush Presidential Center and SMU in conjunction with the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth.

Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro/20150701-try-a-little-tenderness-the-dalai-lama-urges-a-sellout-crowd-at-smu.ece

July 2, 2015

Former Cowboy C.J. Spillman booked on Grapevine rape charge

Former Dallas Cowboy C.J. Spillman was booked on a sexual assault charge Wednesday, two days after he was indicted on allegations that he raped a woman while on the team’s roster last fall.

Grapevine police said the alleged attack occurred at the Gaylord Texan resort the morning of Sept. 20. Spillman accompanied the Cowboys to St. Louis a few hours later and played in the team’s game the next day.

Police investigated the allegations of sexual assault for several months before presenting their findings to a grand jury Monday.

A district judge issued a warrant for Spillman’s arrest after he was indicted. He was booked into the Tarrant County Jail on Wednesday morning and was later released after posting a $15,000 bond.

The woman who accused Spillman of rape is being represented by Gloria Allred, a prominent attorney based in Los Angeles.

Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/headlines/20150701-former-cowboy-c.j.-spillman-booked-on-grapevine-rape-charge.ece

July 2, 2015

Emmitt Smith cites Donald Trump’s statements in decision to not judge in 2015 Miss USA pageant

Add Pro Football Hall of Famer and ex-Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith to the list of personalities and entities distancing themselves from presidential candidate Donald Trump’s empire.



Smith joins NBC, Macy’s and others who have severed ties with Trump after his initial remarks declaring his candidacy for president of the United States.

During his presidential kickoff speech, Trump said Mexican immigrants are “bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists and some, I assume, are good people.” He called for building a wall along the southern border of the United States. Trump later said that his remarks were directed at U.S. policymakers, not the Mexican government or its people.

Read more: http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/2015/07/emmitt-smith-cites-donald-trumps-statements-in-decision-to-not-judge-in-2015-miss-usa-pageant.html/

July 1, 2015

Tom DeLay: Justice Department Wants To Legalize Sex With Animals and ‘Little Boys’

Just when you thought these people couldn’t get any more offensive – or ridiculous, Tom DeLay has announced that there is a “secret memo” from the Justice Department that aims to legalize “12 new perversions” including sex with animals and “having sex with little boys,” reports Right Wing Watch.

For good measure, DeLay added that gays are out for some Christian blood.

Speaking with Newsmax host Steve Malzberg yesterday, the former GOP House leader and Dancing With the Stars contestant said:



Malzberg bizarrely concluded the interview by saying “nothing would surprise me.”

Read more: http://www.towleroad.com/2015/07/tom-delay-justice-department-wants-legalize-sex-animals-little-boys-video/

July 1, 2015

Former FLDS compound may go up for sale

SAN ANGELO, Texas - A well-recognized 1,700-acre ranch in Schleicher County could be looking for buyers soon.

Note: This is Warren Jeff's compound. The article is behind a paywall at
http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/local-news/former-flds-compound-may-go-up-for-sale_22259386

July 1, 2015

Ex-Gulf Cartel leader captured in Edinburg gets 30 years in prison, $100M fine

BEAUMONT, Texas — A former leader of Mexico's notorious Gulf drug cartel captured last year in Edinburg was sentenced Tuesday to 30 years in a U.S. prison and fined $100 million.

Juan Francisco Saenz-Tamez was sentenced Tuesday by a judge in Beaumont, Texas, on drug and money laundering convictions.

Saenz , whose cartel nickname is a vulgar Spanish term for the female anatomy, is a 23-year-old native of Camargo, across the U.S.-Mexico border from Rio Grande City. He was arrested in October during a shopping trip to Texas.

Saenz pleaded guilty in January to distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine; conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute marijuana; and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Prosecutors say Saenz was responsible for shipping at least half a ton of cocaine and 90 tons of marijuana into the U.S. Investigators believe the drug cartel laundered $100 million.

Read more: http://www.themonitor.com/news/local/ex-gulf-cartel-leader-captured-in-edinburg-gets-years-in/article_b1bbac66-1f65-11e5-99ac-233901f98098.html

July 1, 2015

Legionnaires disease scare at Galveston prison hospital

GALVESTON, Texas - KPRC 2 was sent a memo that was issued to UTMB employees that reveals a high level of bacteria in the water at the TDCJ {Texas Department of Criminal Justice} hospital, which is the prisoners' hospital and not the public facility.

Routine testing of the water supply reveals elevated levels of Legionella bacteria.

"The Legionella bacterium occurs naturally in water but typically not at levels that can cause illness. The bacteria must be aspirated into the lungs to cause illness. Infections that may occur can be effectively treated with antibiotics, UTMB said.

They want people to know that no one has ever been infected while at UTMB or TDCJ, and to prevent such a possibility, they are installing medical grade bacterial filters on numerous locations including ice machines and showers.

Read more: http://www.click2houston.com/news/legionnaires-disease-scare-at-galveston-prison-hospital/33883624

July 1, 2015

Texas A&M University System to extend benefits to spouses of same-sex employees

The Texas A&M University System's decision to extend benefits spouses of same-sex couples gave local advocates a chance to not only celebrate, but let go of almost a decade of frustration built up during a fight for those benefits.

Some in the local LGBT community thought A&M, given its conservative history, would delay offering enrollment to spouses of employees and retirees after the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide Friday. So it was a pleasant surprise to Stephen Balfour, director of information technology for A&M and treasurer for the A&M GLBT Professional Network, when he heard of the Monday memo stating employees of all walks of life would have the opportunity to enroll spouses in benefits programs starting Wednesday.

"Personally, over the course of the last two days, my outlook was improved, and I was already happy," Balfour said. "I feel like there has been a weight lifted off their shoulders for a more-inclusive environment. I had a little bit more joy in coming into work today."

Judy LeUnes, president of the Pride Community Center for Bryan-College Station's board of directors, said doubts of same-sex employee benefits being offered at A&M and other area employers was the only damper on an otherwise festive day following the Supreme Court's morning announcement.

Read more: http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/texas-a-m-university-system-to-extend-benefits-to-spouses/article_6b0da676-62af-5c1d-868c-6f2b1c998235.html

July 1, 2015

Female ocelot hit by vehicle, dies

Courtesy: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

RAYMONDVILLE — In recent years, the ocelot has struggled to maintain its population.

It’s number one killer, the car.

The dwindling spotted species took another hit, on June 8, when a female ocelot died after it was struck by a vehicle on State Highway 186 between Raymondville and Port Mansfield.

A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service veterinarian who performed the necropsy confirmed the ocelot was a mature female that had bred in the past, but did not appear to be raising a litter at the time of her death.

Of the remaining estimated 80 ocelots in Texas, this female was one of approximately 30 identified ocelots in the Willacy County population, all found on private lands, officials said.

Read more: http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/valley/article_ef40858e-1ed4-11e5-a8e3-63f64b8e94e0.html