Here are the links to the stories mentioned in today’s podcast. Can’t read them? Subscribe to ExpressNews.com today. CLICK HERE
Chinese tariffs take aim at Texas farmers and ranchers
The latest list of products that China could slap with tariffs would hit rural Texas and America hard, as it includes beef, cotton, wheat, and sorghum as well as corn and soybeans. "It's still wait and see but again we can see it is escalating," Texas A&M agricultural economist Luis Ribera said Wednesday. "I wouldn’t call it a trade war just yet, but it is escalating."
https://www.expressnews.com/business/local/article/China-Ag-tariffs-12806430.php
Alamo Heights repeals law blocking open carry of long guns
Less than a week after the Olmos Park City Council repealed an ordinance that prohibited anyone other than an authorized police officer from carrying a loaded rifle or shotgun on public streets, two other municipalities are following suit.
https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Alamo-Heights-repeals-law-that-blocked-open-carry-12805003.php
Federal judge says Texas violated Motor Voter Law
Voter rights activists say a ruling by a federal judge will make it easier for Texans to register to cast a ballot. The Texas Civil Rights Project sued the state over the process used when people obtain or renew their driver licenses online. It said the online process is confusing and violates the federal law that requires people to be given the opportunity to register to vote during the driver license application process. A federal judge in San Antonio agreed, but hasn't yet said what steps he'll require the state to take.
https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/politics/article/Federal-judge-says-Texas-violated-Motor-Voter-law-12806437.php
Spurs’ playoff bid in jeopardy after disastrous L.A. trip
https://www.expressnews.com/spurs-nation/article/Spurs-playoff-bid-in-jeopardy-after-disastrous-12807175.php
Trump sends troops to the border
A day after saying he would send the military to the U.S.-Mexican border, President Trump ordered the immediate deployment of the National Guard, but few details were available about the plan. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said Wednesday that Trump deploy the guard “in support of” the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency. The president signed a proclamation Wednesday night ordering the mission. Administration officials declined to say when that would happen, how many troops would be sent, where they would be posted or what they would do.
https://www.expressnews.com/news/texas/article/Trump-wants-US-military-to-secure-border-until-12803834.php
Stories we’re working on:
In a double dose of troubling news, the fungus blamed for killing millions of East Coast bats since its discovery there in 2007 has been found in Central Texas and on a Mexican free-tailed bat — both firsts. However, the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife announcement of those discoveries Wednesday noted that no Texas bats have been found exhibiting signs of the malady known as “white nose syndrome.” In the San Antonio region, the fungus was detected on bats at two sites in Kendall County and two sites in Blanco County.
Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff and Commissioner Paul Elizondo face re-election in 2018, and they have a huge fundraising advantage over their opponents. Though it's no secret commissioners (and politicians in general) have a strong incumbency advantage, the phenomenon is particularly extreme on the Bexar County court: Since 1974, as far back as Bexar Elections maintains records, sitting commissioners have lost just five re-election challenges. No county judge has lost re-election during that span, and Wolff's 8-point win in 2014 was the first time a judge won re-election by less than 22 points.
The San Antonio Housing Authority's board will meet Thursday to consider the development of two affordable housing sites on the West Side. One is for the Artisan at Ruiz development at Ruiz and Elmendorf streets, which is proposed to contain 102 apartments that will be rented only to families earning between 30 and 60 percent of the area median income. The other will be known as Alazan Lofts, which will contain 85 housing units on scattered sites surrounding the intersection of El Paso and Colorado streets; these also will be rented only to families earning 30 to 60 percent of the area median income.
