AltWeeklies Wire
Life in Texas, One Year After Hurricane Ikenew
Back in December, we spoke with a number of people in Galveston, Bolivar and along the bay about how they were coping with the storm. For the one-year anniversary, we tracked most of those same people down and talked to a few more. Here are their stories.
Houston Press |
John Nova Lomax |
09-15-2009 |
Disasters
The Burmese Come to Houstonnew
Get in, get out. Refugees have a shrinking window of support until it's time to fend for themselves.
Houston Press |
Mike Giglio |
09-08-2009 |
Immigration
Health Care Consumer, Beware: They're Called 'Limited Insurance Plans' for a Reasonnew
The real problem with limited insurance plans appears to be the way they're marketed. Like the rent-to-own or payday-loan industries, these types of insurance agencies seem to make their money off the most vulnerable segments of the population.
Houston Press |
Craig Malisow |
07-21-2009 |
Science
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
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
Panic, FEMA, Empty Shelves: The Only Hurricane Guide You'll Need This Yearnew
The experts say 2009 will be a "normal" hurricane season, meaning not so bad, really. Which, given the track record most of these experts have demonstrated, is even more cause for worry.
Houston Press |
Richard Connelly |
06-09-2009 |
Disasters
Episcopal Church of Texas Turned a Blind Eye to a Priest Who Was Molesting Studentsnew
Although the Episcopal Diocese of Texas states that Jim Tucker abused boys at St. Stephen's school in Austin, and possibly St. James in Houston, he has never been charged criminally.
Houston Press |
Craig Malisow |
05-26-2009 |
Crime & Justice
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
It's Easy for a Homeowner's Payments to Fall Through the Cracksnew
Nancy Perez discovered that the worst thing to happen to her home was not a fire, but mismanagement among the mortgage servicers -- the companies charged with collecting monthly payments -- on her $76,000 loan.
Houston Press |
Craig Malisow |
04-08-2009 |
Economy
Houston's Working Class Gets Bumped into Homelessness and Poverty by the Crashing Economynew
An already strained system struggles to accommodate a new breed of homeless.
Houston Press |
Mike Giglio |
03-24-2009 |
Economy
Is Casino Gambling in the Cards for Galveston?new
Backers say casinos can save the water-logged city, while opponents say they will bring nothing but ruin.
Houston Press |
John Nova Lomax |
03-10-2009 |
Business & Labor
Houston's Animal Shelter Just Can't Get Its Act Togethernew
Houston's Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care doesn't seem to be anyone's problem, except for the animals who live the last weeks, days and hours of their lives there. Right now, the best we can do is hope for change.
Houston Press |
Craig Malisow |
02-03-2009 |
Animal Issues
Cancer Doctor Sees Himself as a Crusading Research, Not a Quacknew
Stanislaw Burzynski has treated thousands of people from all over the world, so why can't he get FDA approval?
Houston Press |
Craig Malisow |
01-06-2009 |
Science
Drive-Thru Prayer Proves Jesus is a Convenient Guynew
Houston's Succeed in Life Center has been offering drive-through prayer service to members and nonmembers alike a couple of Saturdays a month since October, and pastor Damien Jackson tells Hair Balls the event has garnered praise from participants.
Houston Press |
Richard Connelly |
12-23-2008 |
Religion
Hispanics Delivered by Border Midwives Are Having Trouble Getting U.S. Passportsnew
David Hernandez just wants his passport, but the State Department won't give it to him. There is a history of midwife deception along the border, so the U.S. government has to be sure applicants are not using fraudulently filed birth certificates. Thus far, Hernandez has not convinced them that his is the real McCoy.
Houston Press |
Chris Vogel |
12-23-2008 |
Sex
