Saturday, March 21, 2009
THIRD WARD STORES BUSTED FOR ALLEGEDLY SELLING ALCOHOL TO MINORS: RESIDENTS SAY CORRUPT YOUR OWN COMMUNITY NOT THE BLACK ONE!
Friday, March 20, 2009
DRUG SUSPECT ATTACKS HPD COP WITH HIS CAR!
THE LATEST ON THE DRUG INVESTIGATION!Houston police are investigating the aggravated assault of an on-duty Houston police officer at 15615 Eastex Freeway (U.S. Highway 59) service road about 9:45 p.m. on Thursday (Mar. 19).
Officer C. A. Curts, who discharged his duty weapon, is assigned to the Kingwood Patrol Division and was sworn in as an officer in June 2000. Officer Curtis was not injured in this incident.
HPD Homicide Division Sergeants C. M. Cegielski and A. Semmelrock reported:
The HPD Narcotics Division received information about possible suspects and vehicles involved in a narcotics transaction that was to take place at a truck stop at 15615 Eastex Freeway service road. Narcotics officer conducted surveillance at the location and saw the vehicles, with several suspects inside, parked in the back of the business. Marked patrol vehicles were then called to approach the vehicles. As patrol officers arrived and approached the vehicles, a suspect in one of the vehicles, a tan Chevrolet truck, began ramming the patrol car parked behind him. The suspect rammed the patrol car several times, pushed the patrol vehicle back and then turned his truck towards Officer Curtis, who was standing outside his vehicle. Fearing for his life, Officer Curtis discharged his duty weapon twice at the suspect. The suspect then struck a second patrol vehicle and fled the scene. It is unknown if the suspect was struck.
As is customary in officer-involved shootings occurring within the city limits, this case is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions.
BOBBY IS RECONSIDERING, NOW WILL RICK PERRY RECONSIDER TAKING THE STIMULUS MONEY?
IF PERRY SAYS HE WILL NOW RECONSIDER WILL THAT MAKE HIM A JINDAL COPYCAT? Gov. Bobby Jindal's workforce commissioner said Thursday that the U.S. Labor Department's latest clarification of the federal stimulus act has opened the possibility that the administration could consider accepting a previously rejected $98.4 million package of extra jobless benefits, although important questions remain in what has become a high-profile issue.
Tim Barfield, the governor's appointee as head of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, said the federal agency has made "real progress" in allaying concerns about strings attached to the program.
State agency officials are seeking more answers and continuing to examine the consequences of accepting the money, Barfield said. He said it was not out of the question that he could recommend that the governor accept the package "if we can show it does not increase taxes on business and industry."
Jindal helped turn the stimulus act's jobless benefits program into a national debate last month when he announced his refusal to take the money just before his appearance at a national governors' conference and his nationally televised Republican Party response to the Democratic president's address to Congress.
MARC CAMPOS UNLOADS ON BORDERWATCH FOLK!
DO YOU AGREE WITH HIS VIEWS OR NOT?A right wing anti paperless folk group called U.S. Borderwatch bring their hate mongering arses to H-Town City Hall next Tuesday to try to get HPD into the immigration enforcement business. My old friend Bill King was asked a few months ago if he supported HPD going into the immigration enforcement business. His response: let’s talk about that after we catch all the local car thieves, burglars, murderers, and child molesters – you get the picture. Commentary would like to see the H-Town Mayoral candidates put out a strong and clear statement on this issue.
Commentary goofed yesterday when I said that Balls of Holly was the only H-Town city council incumbent with an opponent. District E’s Michael Sullivan has an opponent – don’t know his name though.
Commentary checked out the Greater Heights Dem District H candidate’s forum last night. Let’s see parking issues on Washington, crime in 77008, not enough police visibility, not enough parks, too many SROs, floodplains, no garbage pick-up in the East End, Chapter 42 revisions, a senior housing facility that needs a lot of repairs – heck, sounds like we got a lot of issues that need addressing in my ‘hood!
Commentary will be heading to the flicks again first chance I get because Julia Roberts has a new movie out. You really can’t go wrong with a Julia Roberts flick. Even a not so good Julia Roberts flick is good enough for me.
Ivan Rodriguez reported to camp yesterday and should be wearing the Spring Brick Red sometime this weekend. The ‘Stros face the Blue Jays tomorrow who by the way have former ‘Stro Jason Lane trying to make the team and having a pretty good spring as we now move to 17 days before Opening Day.
Marc Campos
HPD INVESTIGATORS HAVE EGG ON THEIR FACES!
IF I WERE THE INVESTIGATOR WHO BLEW OFF THIS CASE I WOULD ASK THE CHIEF TO FIRE ME!It was two weeks ago when the family of Mohammed Marfani pleaded with HPD to search for the missing University of Houston student. He apparently disappeared after leaving a downtown nightclub. Video surveillance showed him going to the club but not leaving. The family went to HPD investigators who wrote off the disappearance as a suspect in hiding. Why? HPD said Marfani had a warrant and likely skipped town. So the department called off their search and treated the man as a wanted suspect. This was done despite the family saying Mohammed would never leave them in such pain searching for him. The police department blew the family off. Two weeks later Mohammed is found dead in his vehicle in Houston. He apparently was burned alive. His car sat on a local street for a week while HPD apparently ignored the family's plea to search for the college student. If I were the investigator who blew off this case I would feel really bad right now. In fact, I would ask the chief to fire me. What do you think?
RAPPER BUN B CELEBRATES HIS BIRTHDAY!
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE SHOWED UP TO CELEBRATE!
It's a funny thing, rappers always have big birthday bashes but you never quite know how old they are. That left me guessing just how old legendary Houston rapper Bun B is. I know he's younger than the Insite but I have no where else to go after that. In the meantime, he celebrated his birthday in Houston Thursday red carpet style. Hundreds of people packed into a midtown nightspot called Zeppelin. It was hosted by my favorite marketing Queen Candy Girl. Lots of fans of Bun B were in attendance including none other than the Party King!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
IT'S NOT TRUE SO KEEP SHOPPING AT WALMART!
BATON ROUGE ATTORNEY FOUND MURDERED IN HER OFFICE: HUSBAND ARRESTED!
CHIQUITA TATE'S HUSBAND IS BEHIND BARS!
The husband of slain Baton Rouge attorney Chiquita Tate has been charged with her murder after detectives say they found a mixture of his and her blood on at least two different items.
An arrest warrant in the case alludes to a pending divorce as a possible motive in the murder.
Detectives say the slain attorney was stabbed 38 times.
Greg Harris, 37, was charged with 2nd Degree Murder and Illegal Use of a Dangerous Weapon.
According to an arrest warrant in the case, police say they found a mixture of Tate's blood and her husband's blood on two different items including a pair of safety glasses found under the seat of her car and on a bottle of Clorox found inside Harris's home.
The warrant says detectives sent the safety glasses to the State Police Crime Lab and the blood "tested positive for a mixture of the victim's blood and defendant's blood."
During a search of Harris's home "a Clorox botttle was found with blood stains on it," the warrant says. The warrant says the bottle was also sent to the crime lab and "tested positive for a mixture of the victim's blood and defendant's blood."
According to the arrest warrant, Tate was "planning on divorcing the defendant due to marital problems." Tate had leased her own apartment, police said.
Judge Tony Marabella initially jailed Harris on February 22nd, two days after Tate was found dead. Harris was jailed for contempt of court for failing to appear in court on an outstanding traffic charge.
During a hearing on that case Monday morning, Harris was ordered to pay a $10 fine and was going to be released from jail later in the day. At that point, detectives filed the murder charges against him.
The arrest warrant say when police first interviewed Harris, just after his wife's body was found, they allegedly noticed "injuries to his hands and left arm which appeared to be cuts and scratches."
Chiquita Tate, 34, was found dead in her office on Third Street at 6am on February 20th.
HOW TO SAVE MONEY IN TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES!
BUSINESSES ARE BARTERING IN BATON ROUGE!Some Baton Rouge businesses have found a way to make ends meet in these hard economic times. Some are joining Partners One - an organized bartering association. Area businesses can trade goods and services with each other. Everything from dentists and bakers to massage therapists and lawn care.
It's not Wall Street but this is how trading is done in Baton Rouge. "How big of a job is it?" A broker on the phone searching the computer connecting businesses together. "They agree to trade by bartering their goods and services with one another." Paul Melancon is the executive director for Partners One. The organization oversees 500 businesses - based on their needs. "Need someone to cut grass or cut a tree. Or I need a dentist- or where can I go to buy cakes and pies." The Cake Palace on Essen Lane has partnered several times. In exchange for cakes owner Randy Roshto has had "all my flooring in here put down by partners, done some painting - done some work at my house on partners." Roshto says this trading has boosted his business "During king cake season - did king cakes everyday on trade - lunches here on trade."
Those who trade pay retail price, plus ten percent. "They have their own separate accounts and money. Trade dollars flow through their accounts that afford them possibility of saving their cash." explained Melancon. Roshto says those "trade dollars" are then spent when you call to in find a service.
They say this new bartering system works. Trade partners generate regular paying customers, which adds to his bottom dollar. By the way - depending on how much a business trades, it could get part of that extra ten-percent back in real cash at the end of the year.
Right now, Partners One, the company that oversees everything has a waiting list for businesses trying to get in.
PAT LYKOS UNDER ATTACK OR FACING FAIR CRITICISM?
IS SHE SPENDING HER TIME SMOKING IN THE PARKING GARAGE AND USING AN INVESTIGATOR AS A CHAUFFEUR?I was emailed a link to a local blog by a Houston attorney who wanted to turn me on to what's allegedly going on at the Harris County District Attorney's office since Pat Lykos took over. Obviously, Lykos doesn't have a lot of fans on this particular blog. Those who write and read it have unloaded a lot of alleged dirt on the new elected Harris County Prosecutor. Here are some of the allegations publicly published on the blog about Lykos:
-the A.D.A.'s are being told that the budget has already been expended. -the morale within the Office continues to plummet.
-Lykos is spending a large amount of time in the basement parking garage smoking like a chimney while forcing her staff to come with her to talk business. -the Office is hemorrhaging money having to pay for special prosecutors to handle every case where Jim Leitner or Clint Greenwood acted as defense attorneys.
-the investigator that Lykos brought in to act as her personal chauffeur for her
county vehicle has apparently already wrecked said county ride.
If these allegations are true would you be concerned about the person you elected to the Harris County District Attorney's office? Let the Insite hear your opinion!
Link: http://harriscountycriminaljustice.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
MAYOR BILL WHITE IS THE FACEBOOK KING OF HOUSTON!
ARE YOU IN HIS NOW EXCLUSIVE LIST OF FRIENDS?
If you were lucky enough to become a Facebook friend of Mayor Bill White, you're now in an exclusive club. Apparently, Mayor White is so popular on the social networking website that he can't accept any new friends. He's reportedly at the 5,000 friends limit. White says he answers all of his Facebook messages personally and the only one other person has access to his account is his son Will. Are you a friend of Bill? The Insite would like to know!
JAMIE YOU'RE WRONG FOR THAT!
IMAGINE IF YOU FOUND THIS IN YOUR OVEN - IT WAS GROWING A SHORT GRAY AFRO!
Jamie Jones, my niece, frequently cooks at Insite headquarters. Since I've been watching what I eat I haven't enjoyed all of her meals. But I was shocked Sunday at what I found in my oven. It was cornbread she must've made several weeks ago. The thing was growing hair in my oven. It was disgusting. Actually, she discovered it as we were cleaning up and she hid her face when I told her it was going on front street. Obviously, I should check the oven more often but so should she. I can't believe the bacteria the cornbread developed. It was like it had a short gray afro. Nasty discovery of the week for the Insite!
THE LATEST RADIO RATINGS IN HOUSTON, TEXAS!
| | Station |  | Group Owner | | Format | | 08 P8 | | 08 P9 | | 08 P10 | | 08 P11 | | 08 P12 | | 09 P1 | ||||||||
| | KMJQ-FM | | | Radio One | | | Urban AC | | | 6.2 | | | 6.8 | | | 6.5 | | | 7.0 | | | 7.2 | | | 6.8 |
| | KODA-FM | | | Clear Channel | | | AC | | | 6.0 | | | 6.4 | | | 6.6 | | | 6.9 | | | 9.2 | | | 5.9 |
| | KTBZ-FM | | | Clear Channel | | | Alternative | | | 5.3 | | | 5.4 | | | 5.2 | | | 5.8 | | | 5.1 | | | 5.4 |
| | KBXX-FM | | | Radio One | | | Urban | | | 4.5 | | | 6.5 | | | 6.3 | | | 6.0 | | | 5.7 | | | 5.3 |
| | KTRH-AM | | | Clear Channel | | | News/Talk | | | 5.1 | | | 4.7 | | | 5.5 | | | 4.5 | | | 3.8 | | | 5.1 |
| | KSBJ-FM | | | KSBJ Educational Foundation | | | Christian AC | | | 3.3 | | | 3.2 | | | 3.9 | | | 4.6 | | | 5.1 | | | 4.7 |
| | KLTN-FM | | | Univision | | | Regional Mexican | | | 4.1 | | | 3.5 | | | 3.9 | | | 4.0 | | | 4.0 | | | 4.6 |
| | KTJM-FM/KJOJ-FM | | | Liberman | | | Regional Mexican | | | 3.5 | | | 3.4 | | | 3.6 | | | 3.7 | | | 4.5 | | | 4.5 |
| | KRBE-FM | | | Cumulus | | | CHR/Top 40 | | | 3.9 | | | 3.9 | | | 3.5 | | | 3.7 | | | 3.4 | | | 4.3 |
| | KKRW-FM | | | Clear Channel | | | Classic Rock | | | 3.3 | | | 3.5 | | | 3.6 | | | 3.9 | | | 3.5 | | | 3.5 |
| | KKBQ-FM | | | Cox | | | Country | | | 4.4 | | | 4.8 | | | 4.3 | | | 4.0 | | | 3.3 | | | 3.3 |
| | KLOL-FM | | | Clear Channel | | | Latin Pop | | | 4.3 | | | 3.8 | | | 3.9 | | | 4.4 | | | 3.9 | | | 3.2 |
| | KROI-FM | | | Radio One | | | Gospel | | | 2.8 | | | 3.2 | | | 3.4 | | | 3.0 | | | 2.3 | | | 3.2 |
| | KTHT-FM | | | Cox | | | Classic Country | | | 2.2 | | | 2.4 | | | 2.1 | | | 2.0 | | | 2.3 | | | 3.2 |
| | KHTC-FM | | | Cox | | | Classic Hits | | | 3.7 | | | 3.1 | | | 2.8 | | | 2.7 | | | 2.5 | | | 3.1 |
| | KHMX-FM | | | Clear Channel | | | Hot AC | | | 4.1 | | | 3.5 | | | 3.4 | | | 2.8 | | | 2.9 | | | 2.9 |
| | KKHH-FM | | | CBS Radio | | | CHR/Top 40 | | | 2.6 | | | 2.7 | | | 3.0 | | | 3.3 | | | 3.8 | | | 2.9 |
| | KOVE-FM | | | Univision | | | Latin Pop | | | 2.3 | | | 2.6 | | | 2.7 | | | 2.5 | | | 2.7 | | | 2.8 |
| | KILT-FM | | | CBS Radio | | | Country | | | 4.3 | | | 3.2 | | | 2.9 | | | 2.9 | | | 2.6 | | | 2.7 |
| | KAMA-FM | | | Univision | | | | | | 2.0 | | | 2.0 | | | 2.3 | | | 2.1 | | | 2.3 | | | 2.4 |
| | KHPT-FM | | | Cox | | | 80s | | | 2.5 | | | 2.7 | | | 2.2 | | | 1.8 | | | 1.7 | | | 2.1 |
| | KUHF-FM | | | University of Houston | | | Classical | | | 1.8 | | | 2.4 | | | 2.1 | | | 2.0 | | | 1.8 | | | 2.0 |
| | KPTY-FM | | | Univision | | | Rhythmic | | | 2.1 | | | 2.2 | | | 2.7 | | | 2.1 | | | 2.0 | | | 1.9 |
| | KPRC-AM | | | Clear Channel | | | News/Talk | | | 1.6 | | | 1.6 | | | 1.4 | | | 1.2 | | | 1.0 | | | 1.4 |
| | KQQK-FM/KIOX-FM | | | Liberman | | | Latin Pop | | | 1.0 | | | 1.0 | | | 1.1 | | | 0.9 | | | 0.8 | | | 1.2 |
| | KSEV-AM | | | Liberman | | | News/Talk | | | 1.5 | | | 1.5 | | | 1.3 | | | 1.1 | | | 1.0 | | | 1.2 |
| | KHCB-FM | | | Houston Christian | | | Religious | | | 1.0 | | | 0.9 | | | 0.9 | | | 1.1 | | | 1.2 | | | 1.0 |
| | KILT-AM | | | CBS Radio | | | Sports | | | 0.9 | | | 1.5 | | | 1.4 | | | 1.2 | | | 1.1 | | | 1.0 |
| | KHJK-FM | | | Cumulus | | | Adult Hits | | | 1.2 | | | 0.7 | | | 0.6 | | | 0.8 | | | 0.7 | | | 0.9 |
| | KBME-AM | | | Clear Channel | | | Sports | | | 0.6 | | | 0.7 | | | 0.7 | | | 0.7 | | | 0.7 | | | 0.7 |
| | KTSU-FM | | | Texas Southern University | | | Jazz | | | 0.8 | | | 0.8 | | | 0.9 | | | 0.6 | | | 0.9 | | | 0.7 |
| | KCOH-AM | | | KCOH | | | Urban | | | 0.8 | | | 0.7 | | | 0.3 | | | 0.5 | | | 0.6 | | | 0.6 |
ANOTHER PONZI SCHEME ARTIST IN TEXAS - OUR NECK OF THE WOODS!
THIS TIME IT WAS $70 MILLION DOLLARS IN THE NACOGDOCHES AREA!
U.S. Attorney Rebecca A. Gregory announced today that a 57-year-old Nacogdoches man has been sentenced for perpetrating a commodities Ponzi scheme in the Eastern District of Texas.
GEORGE D. HUDGINS pleaded guilty on Sept. 9, 2008, to wire fraud, embezzlement and money laundering and was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield. Hudgins was also ordered to pay restitution of $70,864,679.00 to his victims. Approximately 40% of that amount has already been collected through the efforts of the court appointed received and the investigative team, and will be repatriated to the victim investors.
According to information presented in court, from 2004 through April 2008, Hudgins solicited and accepted funds from numerous investors for the purpose of investing in commodities futures and stock index futures. To encourage investment, Hudgins provided investors with false and misleading information concerning the pool's historic returns. Instead of operating at the significant profit levels stated by Hudgins, the pool lost large amounts of money. Hudgins actually used monies provided to him by investors to pay "profits" to other investors, thus executing what prosecutors describe as a Ponzi scheme. Hudgins also lived a luxurious lifestyle, purchasing among many items, several classic sports cars, parcels of real estate, two airplanes, and numerous pieces of expensive jewelry.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Texas Rangers, the Internal Revenue Service- Criminal Investigations Division, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Malcolm Bales.
NOW JEFF ZUCKER GOES AFTER JON STEWART FOR GOING AFTER CNBC'S JIM CRAMER!
IT'S ONE VICIOUS CYCLE IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY LEADING BACK TO WALL STREET! 
Stewart has had strong words for CNBC, making the point that reporters who cover Wall Street should have done more to warn of the financial meltdown through critical reporting, instead of acting like market cheerleaders.SWITCHING FOCUS FROM ILLEGAL HIRING TO BORDER VIOLENCE!
$30 MILLION TO COMBAT THE DRUG CARTELS!The Obama administration may shift tens of millions of dollars for enforcing workplace immigration laws to fighting Mexican drug cartels.
An official familiar with the plan said the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency is considering asking Congress for approval to take more than $30 million from a program to
investigate employers complicit in hiring illegal immigrants.
If Congress agreed, the money would be used to fight cartel-related violence. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the request has not yet been made to Congress.
ICE is also considering send more than 90 more officers to the border, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is hiring 37 people to target gunrunners.
GUEST BLOGGER: IS THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION SQUEEZING OUT CIVILIANS WHEN IT COMES TO AMMUNITION?
IS THIS LOGICAL OR PARANOIA TAKING OVER WITH GUN LOVERS?
Be prepared. That day is coming. Mark my words.
CONGRATULATIONS: SKIP VALET GETS A MAJOR PROMOTION!
FROM NEWS DIRECTOR TO GENERAL MANAGER IN FLORIDA!Skip Valet, news director at NBC affiliate KPRC (Channel 2) since the summer of 2006, said today he will return to Florida as general manager of CBS affiliate WKMG in Orlando.
Both stations are owned by Post-Newsweek, and Valet came to Houston after a stint as news director at the Orlando station. He has been with Post-Newsweek since 1982 and began his career at the company’s station in Jacksonville, Fla.
Channel 2 general manager Larry Blackerby had no immediate comment on plans to name Valet’s successor.
While describing the Orlando station GM job as an exciting opportunity, Valet said he will miss his association with Channel 2 and Houston viewers.
“We laid the groundwork and put a credible newscast on the air that gives people a real sense of what happens in Houston,” he said. “I was proud of our efforts during Hurricane Ike and the election season, and we were able to get much more involved in the community.”
Valet’s stated goal when he arrived in Houston was to improve Channel 2’s third-place standing in the local Nielsen news race. The station has improved in the morning news block, pulling into second place in some demos behind KTRK (Channel 13), and narrowed the gap with KHOU (Channel 11) for runner-up honors at 5 p.m.
However, it remains third at 6 p.m. and, thanks in part to weak lead-ins from NBC, at 10 p.m., where it slips to fourth in some demos behind 13, 11 and KRIV’s (Channel 26) 9 p.m. newscast.
Valet’s effort to improve Channel 2’s on-air performance also had peaks and valleys. He came to Houston in the wake of directing an operation in Orlando that one critic described as an “unwatchable whiz-bang, shoot-‘em-up, crime-infested, incessantly promoted tabloid mess” and inherited an operation that, in the minds of some Houston viewers, had fallen victim to similar excesses.
Under his leadership, though, the station last month won first place in the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters contest in spot coverage for its reports on Hurricane Ike.
Valet also was at the helm when Channel 2 signed one of its most visible anchors, Dominique Sachse, to a contract extension, and presided over the transition of the station’s broadcasts to HDTV and the growth of its Web site, click2houston.com.
Those successes, however, were occasionally compromised by the adoption of on on-air storytelling style that too frequently called on reporters to wave money, cellphones and, during a February report on a shooting in Bellaire, a hamburger and French fries, on camera in an effort to illustrate stories.
Valet, though, said, “I think it’s onward and upward for KPRC. We turned the newscast around in style and substance and presentation. I don’t expect them to stray from that.”
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
HOUSTON BABY FOUND IN CLOTHES DRYER!
WHAT A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY!Detectives are searching for the mother of a newborn girl found in a trash bag inside an abandoned dryer at a southwest Houston apartment complex.
The African American girl, who's been nicknamed Baby Mia by the Texas Children's Hospital staff, is expected to be OK, a Child Protective Services spokesperson said.
Baby Mia was found Tuesday afternoon at an apartment complex in the 6000 block of Winsome after resident Rachid Benamir was placing garbage in the trash bins and heard sounds of a whimpering baby coming from a nearby abandoned dryer.
When the Benamir opened the dryer, he found Baby Mia inside a black garbage bag.
Benamir said he found the baby "just wrapped inside the bag and totally can't breathe."
"We just open and then we can make the baby breathe and that's it-- that's what happened," he said.
Baby Mia still had an umbilical cord attached to her body, police said.
Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office blood hounds were used to help find the mother, but the search was unsuccessful, police said. Detectives need to find her mother to determine whether she needs medical attention and to find out why the child was abandoned.
Meanwhile, Baby Mia is at Texas Children's Hospital for treatment, police said. CPS officials said Baby Mia weighs 6 pounds, 12 ounces and is about 20 inches long.
CPS has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday morning to take custody of Baby Mia.
Parents thinking about abandoning their children are encouraged to contact the Baby Abandonment hot line at 877-904-7283, the CPS spokesperson said.
10 PEOPLE SPLITTING $42 MILLION DOLLARS IN BONUSES AT AIG!
THE LATEST ON WHO'S GETTING WHAT AT THE BAILOUT BENEFACTOR!
New York Attorney General
In a letter to House Financial Services Committee Chairman
Cuomo has blamed the unit for the insurer's near collapse last year. The attorney general said 11 people who have left the company received retention bonuses of
"Again, these payments were all made to individuals in the subsidiary whose performance led to crushing losses and the near failure of AIG," Cuomo said in the letter. "Thus, last week, AIG made more than 73 millionaires in the unit which lost so much money that it brought the firm to its knees, forcing taxpayer bailout. Something is deeply wrong with this outcome."
On Monday, Cuomo subpoenaed AIG seeking details on who received retention bonuses in the financial products unit and copies of the contracts underlying the bonuses. In his letter, Cuomo said AIG has refused to provide the names of those who received bonuses.
Over the weekend, news surfaced that AIG had paid
The
The bonuses have sparked outrage on Capitol Hill and among taxpayers.
On Tuesday, the White House said it is looking into "all remedies" to recoup the bonuses after President Barack Obama denounced the payouts on Monday.
"This is a corporation that finds itself in financial distress due to recklessness and greed," Obama said Monday. "Under these circumstances, it's hard to understand how derivative traders at AIG warranted any bonuses, much less
Frank, D-Mass., told reporters in
Frank's committee is expected to hold a hearing on the AIG bonuses on Wednesday.
WALLE: GOVERNOR PERRY TAKE THE MONEY!
IS RICK PERRY DOING THE RIGHT THING?Today State Representative Armando Walle (D-Houston) called on Governor Rick Perry to stand up for working families and accept the $555 million in federal stimulus funds available to Texas for unemployment benefits. Gov. Perry announced on Thursday, March 12 that he would attempt to unilaterally reject the funds. Rep. Walle co-authored legislation that will allow the Legislature to claim the unemployment stimulus dollars, with or without the Governor's approval.
"Gov. Perry is playing politics with everyday folks' pocketbooks," said Rep. Walle. "Fortunately, we can get these reforms passed and claim the $555 million for Texas families, even if Gov. Perry objects."
Rep. Walle co-authored House Bill 2623, which will enact the reforms needed for Texas to draw down the $555 million in federal unemployment benefits, as required by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. House Bill 2623 would extend eligibility for unemployment benefits to part-time workers and to persons undergoing Texas Workforce Commission Training. House Bill 2623 would also use the four most recent quarters of workers' earnings to calculate their unemployment benefits, as opposed to the current system which uses earnings going back 18 months.
"For every $1 we receive in federal unemployment stimulus funding, Texans will see a $2.66 benefit to our local economies," said Rep. Walle. "This $555 million will actually have the effect of nearly $1.5 billion in stimulating our economy long term."
Rep. Walle has also joint-authored House Bill 1024 and House Bill 1197, which make part-time workers and trailing spouses eligible for unemployment benefits, respectively, and House Bill 162, which would use the four most recent quarters of workers' earnings to calculate their benefits.
THE CALL IS OUT FOR CHRISTIAN RAPPERS IN HOUSTON!
SENDING A DIFFERENT KIND OF HIP HOP MESSAGE!South by Southwest (SXSW), the premier Austin-based company dedicated to building and delivering conference and festival events for entertainment and related media industry professionals, has invited several Houstonians to organize the first ever Christian hip hop showcase at this year’s affair.
Taking place Saturday, March 21 at Austin’s George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, DaSouth.com presents The Life in Hip Hop will showcase performances from some of gospel hip hop’s most polished performers.
Houston’s Bobby “Tre9” Herring, Jimmie McDowell, and Jason “Sketch the Journalist” Bellini were personally offered the opportunity by Matt Sonzala, a respected independent rap promoter who is the official hip hop booker for SXSW, and asked to help organize this unique platform.
“We are extremely honored to be invited to such a widely known and well attended event,” Tre9 said. “We are very thankful for the chance to expose our music to a broader audience and look forward to what we can add to the overall SXSW experience.”
DaSouth.com Presents The Life in Hip Hop
1:00 p.m. - 1:20 p.m. - B.L.U.E. (Houston, TX)
1:25 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. - Dooney Da Priest (Dallas, TX)
1:50 p.m. - 2:10 p.m. - The Warriors ATX (Austin, TX)
2:15 p.m. - 2:35 p.m. - Kaboose (Houston, TX)
2:40 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - RedCloud (Houston, TX)
3:05 p.m. - 3:25 p.m. - Braille (Portland, OR)
3:30 p.m. - 4:25 p.m. - The Much Luvv Fam
Tre9, S..O.M., Cy, Von Won, & Gifted (Houston, TX)
4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Lecrae (Memphis, TN)
Hosted by DJ D-Lite
DJ Promote in between sets
Admission to all parts of this distinctive stage will be free of charge and open to the community.
“This is a huge opportunity for gospel rap as a whole and we plan to represent our genre, and most of all, our Lord, to the fullest,” Sketch the Journalist said.
For more information visit: http://www.sxsw.com/carver or
http://www.dasouth.com/news/
ROZZY SHORTER SETS HER SIGHTS ON ANOTHER POLITICAL SEAT!
THE BATTLE LINES ARE IN THE SAND FOR A POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE CITY COUNCIL RACE!The Insite had a brief conversation with Houstonian Rozzy 'Roz' Shorter. She's not quite given up on her political career. You may remember Shorter as the local woman chosen by the Barack Obama camp to get the Houston audience hyped when then Seantor Obama made a campaign stop in the Bayou City. Shorter now says she's already to take on sitting Houston City Council Member Sue Lovell. Shorter says At-Large Position 2 is perfect for what she wants to do and she's willing to do serious battle with Lovell to take the spot. Shorter says she will make an official announcement in the weeks to come. What do you think of this political battle shaping up in H-Town? The Insite would like to hear your opinion!
PARKER: IT'S TIME TO HIRE HOUSTONIANS FIRST!
IS THIS THE PLAN OUR CITY NEEDS?City Controller Annise Parker proposed a “Hire Houston First” program today that would encourage the hiring of Houston residents for taxpayer-funded projects and give a preference to Houston firms seeking city contracts.
“In these tough times, our leaders should be doing everything we can to create new jobs and keep Houstonians working,” said Parker. “Our starting point should be making sure that jobs funded by our tax dollars go first to Houston families.”
Parker’s proposal would give a preference to locally owned companies seeking to do business with the City of Houston, and offer a variety of incentives to encourage city contractors to hire Houston residents to perform the taxpayer-funded services.
“Even in this tough economy, Houston will spend billions of dollars providing essential services and building and maintaining everything from streets and bridges to water lines and sidewalks. When these services are provided by local businesses that hire local residents, our economy benefits,” said Parker. “And in the long run, we make money for taxpayers as increased economic activity generates more tax revenue for the city.”
“Leadership is about priorities – and my priority as Mayor will be to lead this city through a strong economic recovery. But we also have an opportunity to create local jobs today, with hundreds of millions of dollars headed to Houston under the federal economic stimulus program. I am ready to work with the Mayor and Councilmembers to make sure that the paychecks created by these jobs go to Houston families,” said Parker.
Parker’s plan can be found on her website at www.anniseparker.com/issues.
COUNCILMAN RONALD GREEN EMBARKS UPON HIS RUN FOR CITY CONTROLLER!
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY AND GUESS WHO'S RUNNING FOR OFFICE?
Dozens of people poured into the midtown spot Benjy's Tuesday afternoon for one politician. That's Ronald Green. The current At-Large Councilman kicked off his campaign for City Controller on a very appropriate holiday - St. Patrick's Day. Not because Green is Irish but because his last name is Green. A long list of supporters were on hand for the event including Judge Levi Benton and his wife Janis, Gene Locke, Chris Brown, Rob Wright, Julie Griffith, Nautara Brown, Rozzy Shorter, and a host of others. Here are some of the pics snapped. If you want more about Green's campaign click the link provided: http://www.ronaldgreen.com/
