AUSTIN — The fungus that causes white-nose syndrome (WNS) in bats has continued to spread into parts of Central, South, and East Texas, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The fungus was detected for the first time in Texas in early 2017 in six Panhandle counties. This year it was detected at 22 sites […]

by Eric Galatas AUSTIN, Texas – Texas teachers earned more than 22 percent less in weekly wages than similar college graduates in 2018, after accounting for education, experience and other factors, according to a new Economic Policy Institute report. Report co-author Sylvia Allegretto, an economist at the University of California, says that’s a problem because more teachers […]

by Eric Galatas AUSTIN, Texas – As more Texans have turned to renting in the decade following the housing crisis, rising rents are pushing low-income families away from safe neighborhoods and good schools, according to a new report from Apartment List. To afford a median-cost two-bedroom apartment in Houston, said Christina Rosales, communications director for Texas Housers, you’d […]

by Mary Schuermann Kuhlman AUSTIN, Texas – Texas has reduced the misuse of antipsychotics in nursing homes in recent years, but some advocacy groups say much more can be done. Amanda Fredriksen, associate state director at AARP Texas, explained about 12,000 nursing home residents are being given antipsychotic drugs for no legitimate reason, perhaps other than […]

by Mark Richardson HOUSTON – An overwhelming majority of Texans believe that state government needs to take a major role in making the health-care system work well. According to recent polling by the Episcopal Health Foundation, at least eight of 10 Texans want the government to play a significant role in a functioning health-care system. Brian Sasser, […]

by Eric Galatas DENTON, Texas – Thousands of community health-center advocates, doctors, nurses, professionals and patients are headed to the nation’s capital this week to urge their representatives to ensure long-term, stable funding. Doreen Rue, chief executive of the nonprofit Health Services of North Texas, said bipartisan Congressional investments in past years have helped centers […]

by Eric Galatas SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Mothers from 15 states including Texas traveled to the nation’s capital this week to testify against moves by the Environmental Protection Agency to roll back the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, which set limits on mercury and other toxic pollution from coal-fired power plants. Dee Dee Balmares, a San Antonio mom […]

by Tony Vindell/LFN George Strait, the legendary country music star, closed out the Houston Rodeo with a concert on Sunday, March 17. Performing before a record crowd of more than 80,000 people, the 66 year old Strait played some of his best known tunes like Amarillo by Morning, The Chair and All My Ex’s Live […]