President Donald Trump seems to be standing by Labor Secretary Alex Acosta and praises his job performance but says he’ll give a close look at the way Acosta handled an old criminal case involving billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.
Some Democratic lawmakers and presidential candidates have called for Acosta’s resignation or firing over his role in a secret 2008 plea deal that let Epstein avoid federal prosecution.
Epstein is now charged with child sex trafficking and has pleaded not guilty.
==============================
A judge who earlier this year ruled against adding a citizenship question to the 2020 census has put the brakes on the government’s plan to replace nine lawyers in the case.
U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman in New York said Tuesday the Justice Department can’t replace the lawyers so late in the dispute over whether to add the question without explaining why it’s doing so.
President Donald Trump says he wants the census to include the question: “Are you a Citizen of the United States?”
==============================
UT’s J-B Bird says this is a great day for the flagship campus.
“The median income in Texas is $59,200, so, we’re talking about the fact that more than half the families in the state — if they can get into UT Austin — will now be given no cost for tuition in fees,” Bird says.
To take part, a prospective student has to be a Texas resident, sign up for financial aid, and ultimately make the cut.
After that, they’ll need to be a full-time student, hold onto at least a 2.0 GPA, and be in good standing.
The fund starts in 2020.
==============================
Steiner Ranch officially has a new emergency evacuation route after Travis County has opted for the less-expensive option.
County leaders have settled on Route B, a $980,000 gated road accessible only during emergencies.
The road will also run through the Montview Subdivision. It’s estimated that the route will be able carry 750 vehicles per hour.
Construction should end in 2021.
==============================
Following the arrest of a man this week for allegedly opening a tub of Blue Bell ice cream, licking it, poking it, and putting it back in the freezer at a store, the Brenham-based creamery has released a statement saying it is exploring all options for increasing protection of its products.
Blue Bell has been criticized for not including a seal or plastic wrapping on the lids to prevent them from being opened.
