September 1, 2019

Odessa gunman had criminal history in Central Texas, DPS records show

The 36-year-old Odessa man accused of killing seven people and injuring 22 others in West Texas on Saturday has a criminal record in Central Texas, according to Texas Department of Public Safety online records.

A DPS criminal history search shows that Seth Aaron Ator was arrested in August 2001 for an evading arrest charge and a criminal trespass charge in McLennan County when he was 18. Ator pleaded guilty to both Class B misdemeanor charges, according to DPS records. Sentences in both cases were deferred in 2002.

Online records for Ator also showed previous addresses in Lorena and Waco.

Odessa police had identified Ator on its Facebook page as the shooter in a series of apparently random attacks in the Midland-Odessa area. In a news conference on Sunday, Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke refused to say the name the gunman, explaining that he did not want give the shooter any publicity, according to the Associated Press.

Read more: https://www.statesman.com/news/20190901/odessa-gunman-had-criminal-history-in-central-texas-dps-records-show

September 1, 2019

Kansas Democrat would be first Hindu in U.S. Senate if she wins 2020 race

WASHINGTON -- A Manhattan city official would be the first Hindu to serve in the U.S. Senate if she succeeds in 2020.

Manhattan Mayor Pro Tem Usha Reddi officially kicked off her campaign Thursday for the seat that will be vacated when Republican Sen. Pat Roberts retires at the end of the current term.

A Democrat has not won a Senate race in Kansas since 1932, but Reddi is hopeful that last year’s election provides a guide on how a Democrat can win in the GOP-leaning state. Reddi joins former U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom and former Rep. Nancy Boyda in seeking the Democratic nomination.

“I think there is a path forward. I think Laura Kelly winning the governorship, as well as Sharice Davids winning in her district I think there’s a strong momentum for something different,” Reddi said.

Read more: https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/congress/article234491367.html

September 1, 2019

LGBTQ High School Club Harassed by Students Holding Hands and MAGA Flags While Yelling 'This Is What

LGBTQ High School Club Harassed by Students Holding Hands and MAGA Flags While Yelling ‘This Is What’s Right’

Students at the first meeting of a Bakersfield, California high school’s Gay-Straight Alliance were allegedly harassed and bullied by students from another group who were holding “Make America Great Again” flags. A verbal confrontation broke out at Frontier High School, and parents are now demanding answers and accountability. “Make America Great Again” is the campaign slogan of President Donald Trump.

One of the student’s parent’s posted a description of what allegedly happened, as 23ABC News reports. In that Facebook post the parent says the GSA students were met by students from the Future Farmers of America, a group that is supposedly not political, but President Donald Trump addressed its attendees at their annual meeting last year.

The FFA students, described as the “straight kids,” were holding hands and shouting, “this is what’s right.” They also had “Make America Great Again,” or MAGA, flags, the Facebook post says. The parent adds their son says there’s “tension” between the members of the FFA group and “any kids they’ve determined as liberal.”

“I want these kids punished,” the parent adds, referring to the FFA group’s members.

Read more: https://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/2019/08/lgbtq-high-school-club-harassed-by-students-holding-hands-and-maga-flags-while-yelling-this-is-whats-right/