Five stories that have North Texas talking: TCU off-campus parties are getting rowdier; a Texas Congress member plans to run for House speaker; the governor supports the “In God We Trust” police stickers; and more.
Fort Worth police say they're going to start arresting rowdy intoxicated off-campus partygoers from Texas Christian University because warnings from officers aren't working. Police are responding to complaints from residents of the neighborhoods near the school who have endured weeks of loud noise, littering and traffic problems that began with the start of school in August and that are worse than previous years. Authorities tell the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that on one weekend night last month, all 15 patrol cars from a division of the police department were devoted to party complaints near TCU. Some of the parties draw more than 100 people and the traffic clogs neighborhood streets. Police also say they'll be writing more parking tickets. School officials say they're working with the police. [Associated Press/Fort Worth Star-Telegram]
- Gov. Greg Abbott is supporting the Childress Police Department, which has generated controversy for placing “In God We Trust” stickers on patrol vehicles. The Texas Tribune reports: “In a letter to Attorney General Ken Paxton on Monday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott lent his full support to the Childress Police Department. … The move by the department drew criticism from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a national secular and church-state watchdog group that called the use of the phrase exclusionary. Last week, two state lawmakers who represent the community asked Paxton for a formal opinion on whether displaying the motto is legal. State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, and state Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, support the police department. Abbott, the state's former attorney general, cited case law in his letter, saying the motto has survived previous legal challenges for more than 40 years.”
- There’s more filming happening in downtown Dallas. WFAA-TV reports: “Another mini-series could lead to more traffic headaches in downtown Dallas this week. Filming for the USA Network show ‘Queen of the South’ starts on Tuesday in the Reunion Park area. Reunion Boulevard, Market, Houston, Record, Jackson, Wood and Young Streets will all be impacted.” Filming lasts through Wednesday. Those who drive through downtown Dallas may recall all of the parking frustration last week in Dealey Plaza as the mini-series 11/22/63 was being filmed.
- A Texas Congress member plans to run for U.S. House speaker.The Texas Tribune reports: "U.S. Rep. Bill Flores, R-Bryan, said Monday he intends to seek the gavel of the United States House of Representatives if his colleague, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, doesn't. Though GOP lawmakers have been urging Ryan to run as a consensus candidate, Flores said in an interview with The Texas Tribune that he spoke to Ryan on Sunday. ... If Flores is to succeed, he will need the 25-member Texas House delegation behind him. That's no certainty yet, given possible home state competition. U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Midland, has said he will consider running for speaker if Ryan opts against a run. U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul is also mulling a run, a source close to him confirmed."
- KERA’s Think is in Austin all week, broadcasting special shows. Today at noon on KERA 90.1, Krys Boyd talks with Cristina Tzintzún with the Workers Defense Project, which educates low-wage workers about employment rights. At 1 p.m.: a discussion of the latest Texas Lyceum poll.Here’s a look at what else is coming up this week on Think from Austin.
