Houston Press | Paul Knight

American Grocersnew

Samir Itani got rich sending expired food overseas to U.S. troops in the Middle East.

Houston Press | Paul Knight | 12-17-2010 | War

Tags: Iraq, Afghanistan, Samir Itani, Thw Way We Wage War Now

Over the Linenew

As Mexican drug cartels increasingly recruit American teens as runners, a Houston area teen goes across the border and ends up dead.

Houston Press | Paul Knight | 07-27-2010 | Crime & Justice

Tags: Elisabeth Mandala

One-of-a-Kind Short List of the 30 Most Troubled Mentally Ill in Houstonnew

Jimmy Bailey is one of Houston's 30 craziest people, according to the Houston Police Department; in February, the department's mental health unit put together a list of mentally ill people based on how many times the cops have responded to a call concerning a person and how many times a person has been hospitalized.

Houston Press | Paul Knight | 01-05-2010 | Commentary

Tags: Houston, police, mental illness

Superthief: Joshua Paul Calhoun Likes to Take Things ... BIG Thingsnew

Calhoun was already known to law enforcement in rural counties all over East Texas for stealing trucks, horse trailers, tractors and cattle, but the local cops never could keep Calhoun behind bars for long. But now, after stealing a plane in March, he's in federal custody.

Houston Press | Paul Knight | 09-29-2009 | Crime & Justice

Tags: Joshua Paul Calhoun, crime, theft

How Identity Thieves Get Away Free and Clearnew

Police and prosecutors can't seem to catch up to the growing number of identity theft crimes each year. The Houston Police Department alone receives about 1,400 identity theft complaints each month, and usually, those result in about 25 arrests. Not 25 percent. Twenty-five arrests. Meanwhile, the victims are often forgotten, left to deal with cleaning up the mess on their own.

Houston Press | Paul Knight | 06-30-2009 | Crime & Justice

Tags: credit bureaus, fake IDs, financial-crime investigations, stolen personal information, crime, identity theft, economic issues

As a 24-Year-Old with Down Syndrome, Trevor Falk is a Hot Commoditynew

The population of disabled residents in private group homes in Texas has grown to about 14,000, and the industry generates about $896 million in revenue from state funds alone, according to the state's figures from 2008. It does so by targeted people like Falk.

Houston Press | Paul Knight | 06-16-2009 | Business & Labor

Tags: heath, mentally challenged adults, private group homes, Texas state schools, business

The Toyota Prius Isn't the Angel Everyone Thinks It Isnew

The Prius is one of the great success stories of the last decade, becoming the one car synonymous with "hybrid." But between serious safety and environmental concerns, some critics think it helped kill the electric car.

Houston Press | Paul Knight | 04-28-2009 | Transportation

Tags: Environment, cars, Toyota Prius, consumer safety

Gone to Hell: Mental Illness and Harris County Jailnew

Even though Alexander Hatcher is bipolar and schizophrenic, he wasn't given his meds for his first three months in jail. He got in fights with the guards. Now he's sentenced to prison for a long, long time.

Houston Press | Paul Knight | 08-26-2008 | Crime & Justice

Tags: Texas, mental illness, mental health care, crime & justice, Alexander Hatcher, Harris County Jail, prison sentences

What Happens When Chronically Ill Kids Grow Upnew

Physically disabled young adults who weren't supposed to live this long find themselves hemmed in by an unprepared heath care system.

Houston Press | Paul Knight | 07-01-2008 | Science

Tags: health care, health insurance, Medicaid, Health & Science, Baylor College of Medicine, chronically ill adults, physical disabilities

Foreclosure Pets: Household Animals Get Left Behind When Owners Are Pushed Outnew

"Generally, the people that leave the pets don't care enough to call us," says the public relations director for the Houston Humane Society. "Oftentimes we'll see a bag of dog food ripped open. They'll leave a bag of dog food and say a prayer and good luck. It's really upsetting."

Houston Press | Paul Knight | 04-29-2008 | Animal Issues

Tags: animal issues, Houston, foreclosures, animals, pets, abandoned pets, animal welfare agencies, subprime crisis