"T" Bus Rolls With Atheist Ad & Nightly Roundup

By Bill Zeeble, KERA News & Wire Services

Dallas, TX – Four buses in Fort Worth's transit system, called the "T" will roll out next week with large atheistic ads on their sides.

Against a blue and red background of 238 different faces are the words in white reading "Millions of Americans Are Good Without God." The DFW Coalition for Reason is paying for the ads, and says they're to let non- believers know they're not alone.

"T" spokesperson Joan Hunter says some callers have complained about putting up ads from non-believers.

Hunter: Our response is that 341 we appreciate the first amendment and we try to provide equal access to parties that wish to advertise on the buses as long as they meet community standards criteria standards we have in place

Hunter says these ads do meet the standards. She says the T has run religious ads on buses before, and will soon carry one in praise of Jesus and Christmas.

EPA demands Texas reissue 80 water permits

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has asked Texas to immediately begin reissuing Clean Water Act discharge permits to some 80 facilities operating without the necessary paperwork.

Many lack the documentation due to issues regarding the toxic nature of their waste.

The EPA disclosed its demand in a statement issued Thursday. It's the latest round in an ongoing battle between the federal agency and Texas, a fight that Gov. Rick Perry has cited as an example of federal meddling in state affairs.

The EPA says the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has a "significant number" permits which haven't been issued because it has failed to address concerns raised by the federal agency.

The commission didn't immediately comment.

"Walker, Texas Ranger" now Norris, Texas Ranger

Who's the only man tough enough to take down "Walker, Texas Ranger"?

Chuck Norris, Texas Ranger.

The actor and martial-arts expert became a real-life honorary Texas Ranger on Thursday after playing one on television for years.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry presented the 70-year-old star and executive director of "Walker, Texas Ranger" with a designation as an honorary member of the famed law enforcement group.

Norris' younger brother, 59-year-old stunt coordinator and producer Aaron Norris, also became an honorary Ranger.