New leadership for child welfare agency.
Governor Abbott has appointed former chief of the Texas Rangers, Hank Whitman, as the new Commissioner of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). Kristene Blackstone, a former caseworker, will serve as Assistant Commissioner of Child Protective Services (CPS). Both begin on May 1st. To read more…
ETS on academic probation.
Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath told the State Board of Education that if Educational Testing Services (ETS) cannot fix a glitch in its administration of the STAAR exam by May, that the contract may be ended. More than 14,000 students lost their exam answers, including 8,800 special education students, because of technical issues. To read more…
A different kind of border security tactic.
$500,000 from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is going to fund a pilot project to eradicate Carrizo cane along the Texas/Mexico border. The invasive plant can offer natural cover for drug smugglers and mules. The method that will be used is undecided as there are concerns about aerial spraying and possible water pollution. To read more…
Only in Austin…
The Stinson’s banner is beginning to give the El Arroyo sign some competition in the humor department. Pop in for a drink with an election season twist—The Drumpf, The Bern (or Proletariat), a Whitewater Sour, or a Faustus Cubano aka The HP-12C. To read more…
