HIGHER ED: FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND THOUGHT This article is the first part of a series exploring the changes in higher education in Texas over the last several years. The war over free classroom discussion in Texas has reached its first major battle: a challenge by the American Association of University Professors. The suit claims AAUP members employed throughout the Texas Tech University System have been the victims of an unconstitutional overreach by the board of regents, specifically through the memoranda of Chancellor Brandon Creighton, through the implementation of a controversial course and curriculum review by the system, which began…
Author: Will McDaniel
Custom laser cut creations of all kinds are available for order at Angelo Laser Works, a new business that just opened on 14th Street, across from City Lumber.
BIG SPRING – In Howard County, elected officials and candidates for office this fall have been on the front lines of preventing the closure of the federal prison there, which the Bureau of Prisons announced earlier this month would be shutdown along with several others throughout the country.
Texas’ Democratic Party has its first full statewide ticket in decades, and data centers are in their sights as they argue for more local control.
Between the failed campaign to hold a recall vote for Mayor Tom Thompson, the successful campaign to do the same for Councilman Harry Thomas; data centers, flock cameras, homeless care, and zoning complaints, it seems that pretty much no one was pleased with anybody else during Tuesday evening’s city council meeting.
Mike Burnett has been giving the same pitch for a few years now: the solution to homelessness is easy, he says, just give them homes. Speaking to community meetings more than a few times, Burnett emphasizes the reality of life on the street.
“You can’t get a job without an ID, cant get an ID without mail. And you can’t get mail without an address,” he says. When that need is met, providing people with immediate housing relief however humble, and few or no conditions, it’s called “Housing First.”
Housing First is not a new concept; it’s worked in big cities like Austin (pop. 961,000), and in smaller, regional cities like Little Rock, Arkansas (pop. 202,000). Studies have found that among a survey of 22 housing first projects across the U.S. that were studied, the results were clear. An 88 percent increase in housing retention when compared to previous methods.
Burnett wrote in an opinion published last year: “The Housing First model reverses the traditional approach. Instead of demanding sobriety or employment before offering housing, it provides stable shelter first—and then offers holistic care: services from social service agencies, faith-based organizations, and other entities working to meet each individual’s unique needs.”
They call their project the “Rock Rose Community Campus” – originally it would house facilities to hold events, and many micro homes that would house the homeless, along with facilities.
People would be referred to Rock Rose from other agencies, and congregant shelters, as a first step out of homelessness.
“When it comes to covering news, there are a few cardinal sins that you need to avoid, or so I’ve been told.”