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Top Stories: Texas Muslim Capitol Day Expected To Draw More Interest

Jen Rice/Texas Station Collaborative
Supporters link arms outside the capitol to block protestors on Texas Muslim Capitol Day.

The top local stories this morning from KERA News: Hundreds of North Texans are heading to Austin for Texas Muslim Capitol Day. The lobbying effort gives Muslims an opportunity to meet with elected officials and learn about the political process and civic advocacy. 

“We have a responsibility to engage in our civic duties, and absolutely, that includes politics and understanding the political process,” said Alia Salem, executive director of the local chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). “Because otherwise, we’re going to be here for a while if we don’t start getting savvy on voting and if we don’t get savvy advocating for issues.”

Salem expects turnout in the thousands because of President Trump’s travel ban on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim nations - and the weekend protests against it across Texas.

CAIR’s North Texas chapter expects to take at least five buses to the Capitol.

Other stories this morning:

  • The Governor will give his State of the State address later this morning in Austin. Reporters and editors from public radio stations across the state will annotate the governor’s remarks.
  • Nationwide, teacher attrition is about 8 percent a year. Two-thirds of those who leave do so because of dissatisfaction. Krys Boyd recently spoke with a panel of experts on the topic on Think.

You can listen to North Texas stories weekdays at 8:22 a.m. and 6:20 p.m. on KERA 90.1 FM. 

Former KERA staffer Krystina Martinez was an assistant producer. She produced local content for Morning Edition and KERANews.org. She also produced The Friday Conversation, a weekly series of conversations with North Texas newsmakers. Krystina was also the backup newscaster for the Texas Standard.