- Legislative Budget Board adopts growth rate of just over 7 percent, the lowest ever chosen for spending limit – good, needs to be even lower.
- Comptroller Glenn Hegar tells lawmakers Texas is in better fiscal health than expected
- Texas Republicans will hold all the cards when redistricting Houston. It’ll still be messy.
- Dade Phelan, Texas’ next House speaker, known for working hard, making allies and keeping promises – continues to receive praise in the Democrat press.
- Presumptive Speaker Phelan asks members to start collecting and assessing ideas for changes to Texas House rules
- Hegar: Texas could face up to $4.6B budget shortfall
- Marijuana advocates look to ‘move the ball forward’ in Texas legislative session
- Treviño: 2nd causeway for South Padre Island is a top legislative priority
- Republican Legislator Wants Health Sharing Ministries to Register With the State – No!, No!, No!
- Rep. White files bill to prevent a governor from limiting sale of firearms and alcohol
- Rep. Ramos wants more gov’t regulation of women’s “pelvic exams”
- Texas Democrats have failed to pass voter access legislation for years. The pandemic may change that. – voter “access?” This is the wording used to describe removing election integrity protections in Texas. Note this is paid activism from a group claiming to be non-partisan. It is a Leftist group.
- Dallas lawmaker wants to keep telemedicine growing in Texas after COVID-19 with ‘pay parity’ bill
- City of Austin defends taxpayer-funded lobbying ahead of contentious legislative session
- Hunting hogs from a hot air balloon has not taken off in Texas
- Thanks to a loophole, Houston ambulance trips leave door open for high, unexpected bills
- Texas auto dealer allegedly engaged in complex real estate scheme, more – this relates to the Nate Paul issue A.G. Paxton was trying to investigate
- Declared innocent, ex-death row inmate fights Texas for money
- Blistering government report blasts poor training, oversight of Texas law enforcement
- Governor Abbott Appoints Three To Texas Radiation Advisory Board
- Texas Comptroller’s Office Announces Prepaid Debit Card for Texas ABLE® Program
- TxDOT’s new $300 million HQ starts to take shape
- NM Pumping Aims to Boost Pecos River Amid Drought Losses
- Texas AG Ken Paxton claims Harris County’s elections office, administrator were created illegally
- Harris County GOP chair Keith Nielsen resigns in wake of racist social media post
- Republicans plan to set up local party in Zapata County
- To Court Latinos, Democrats Have to Expand Strategy in 2022
- SD30: Lydia’s Story – Drew Springer for Senate VIDEO
- SD30: Conservatives Can’t Trust Shelley Luther VIDEO
- ———————————————
- Federal/DC related to Texas
- Supreme Court Justices Grill Trump Lawyer in Illegal Immigrant Census Case
- Supreme Court relieves religious organizations from some covid-related restrictions
- U.S. Appeals Ruling That Barred Postal Service Changes Before Election
- Trump pardons Michael Flynn, taking direct aim at Russia probe
- Congressman Mike Conaway gives farewell interview
- Former Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Trump’s NATO ambassador, pledges ‘smooth’ transition to Biden administration
- Sen. Cornyn nixes Biden’s nominee for OMB
- Cornyn blasts Biden budget director pick, echoes spokesman who said she has ‘zero chance’ of confirmation
- ———————————————
- Presidential race / national politics
- Georgia County Recount Delayed After Dominion Server Crash
- Trump Urges Kemp to Strengthen Recount Using Emergency Powers
- Penn. Lt. Gov. John Fetterman: Trump Campaign Will Get ‘Clock Cleaned’ if It Appeals Ruling to U.S. Supreme Court
- Arizona Lawmakers Hold Election Integrity Hearing with Trump Campaign
- Arizona certifies Biden’s victory
- FNC’s Eric Shawn: Trump ‘Can’t Wrap His Brain’ Around the Fact He Lost the Election – Shawn can’t wrap his head around Democrat vote fraud.
- Sidney Powell filing in Georgia election (pdf)
- Summary of mass voter fraud in Georgia
- Sidney Powell election suit filing in Michigan (pdf)
- Biden Breaks Foot Playing with Dog
- Congressman Gonzalez asks Biden to appoint more Latinos to cabinet
- Kamala Blasted for Supporting Small Businesses Despite Promoting Bailing Out Protesters
- WSJ: Joe Biden to Restore ‘Civil Rights’ by Reversing Trump Education Policies – they mean reinstate pro-homosexuality policies in our schools.
- Trump’s story is still not over: He is the first president since Reagan who did anything for underprivileged Americans.
- Gingrich: America’s Future Depends on Outcome of Georgia’s Senate Races
- Do Penguin Random House staff know that their employer publishes Mein Kampf?
- ——————————————–
- Border / immigration
- 156 Migrants Apprehended in Smuggling Attempts near Border in Texas
- Border Patrol agent assaulted while catching group in West Texas
- Border Patrol Agents Deliver Migrant’s Baby near Banks of Rio Grande
- Supreme Court Justices Grill Trump Lawyer in Illegal Immigrant Census Case
- US Will Appeal Order Barring Expulsions of Migrant Children
- US Temporarily Closes Detention Facility at Texas Border
- Mexico Deports U.S. Citizen Accused of Stalking TV Anchor
- Cartel Gunmen Kill Local Police Chief in Mexican Border State
- Armored Trucks Deploy Against Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion in Turf War
- Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion Gunmen Caught Buying Guns in Mexican Border State
- ——————————————–
- Coronavirus a.k.a. WuFlu related – See this link for archive of essential WuFlu-related stories
- Texas COVID-19 situation report for 11/30/2020 (pdf) – 21,357* deaths & “active cases” of 184,035 (out of over 29,000,000,000 people, about half of 1% of the population.) * Texas COVID numbers appear no longer trustworthy
- Amarillo’s contemptuous mayor gets the WuFlu
- Abbott: Texas officials ready to distribute Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine ‘in the coming days’
- Vaccine Maker Moderna Applies for Emergency Approval from FDA
- Hundreds Gather to Protest Oregon Gym’s $90,000 Virus Fine 84
- France: Macron’s COVID war goes from bad to worse
- Percentage of COVID patients remains an issue in Midland region
- El Paso was still grieving when the coronavirus arrived. Now, death has overwhelmed it.
- Supreme Court relieves religious organizations from some covid-related restrictions
- Study: Absolutely NO excess deaths from COVID-19 – Read the description of why the article was pulled, it seems they don’t like how the data “trivializes” the “pandemic.”
- County Judges Disregard Their Own COVID Guidance
- COVID & masks – See this link for a group of essential mask-related stories
- Sheriffs Across Texas Say Governor Abbott’s Mask Order is Unenforceable
- Masks are neither effective nor safe: Summary of the science – ignore who the author is, it does not matter, simply check the sources/footnotes.
- COVID & schools – See this link for more.
- CDC director says closed schools pose larger public health risk for kids than reopening, U.S. Pediatricians Call For In-Person School This Fall
- Study: Children are so immune to COVID-19 that even after extensive exposure they test negative
- Vernon ISD switches to remote learning – a remote chance of much learning
- ——————————————–
- Business/Economy
- Texas Manufacturing Expansion Moderates
- Friday’s Baker Hughes oil & gas rig count up 3 in Texas, 10 U.S.
- The Infinite Bling of Neiman Marcus, a Dallas Tradition for 113 Years
- How Bonton Farms Fed Its South Dallas Community During COVID-19
- As Home Decor Sales Boom, Metal Signs Move Beyond the Ranch Gate
- Midlander’s company creates 2 new ranch water flavors
- Fed Reserve banks examine energy and the overall economy
- Midland oilman to auction off part of his Ansel Adams collection
- Times Record News names Kowalick as next editor
- Texas Railroad Commission to hear complaints about oil and gas waste facility proposed for San Augustine
- Texas auto dealer allegedly engaged in complex real estate scheme, more – this relates to the Nate Paul issue A.G. Paxton was trying to investigate
- American Airlines facing flight attendant shortage
- Reintroducing the 737 MAX to passengers is critical for American Airlines next month
- Job Cuts Possible at Southwest – thanks to politicians and those who cave to the fear they sow.
- SpaceX sets numerous launch records in placing 60 more Starlink satellites in orbit
- Starship 50,000 ft hop now scheduled for Nov 30th
- Dallas meatpacking plant which lost 2 workers to COVID-19 outbreak faces more than $25,000 in fines
- Checking in on Tesla’s Austin-area factory
- ———————————————
- Crime & general news of Texas
- Tornado Caused Damage, Injuries in Arlington last week
- EF2 tornado left widespread damage in Dallas-Fort Worth area
- Arlington residents say they had no warning before a tornado ripped the roofs off their apartments – I was in Lubbock and was getting the warnings!
- San Antonio Police Kill Man in Trailer Park Fire, Shootout
- Suspect in Fatal Shooting of Detroit Girl Arrested in Dallas
- John Getty, Grandson of Tycoon J. Paul Getty, Dies at Age 52 in San Antonio
- Schertz releases officers’ body, dash camera footage of Black teen’s arrest – again, when you know the whole story the perception changes.
- An earthquake was reported near Coyanosa
- Odessa man is dead following a fatal crash
- Three-way fight ends in shooting in Iowa Park
- Fire displaces Wichita Falls family
- WFFD firefighters battle two-alarm apartment fire
- Assault reported near Midwestern State U.
- Police: Fear of prison lands man in jail
- Police: Cabbage pot used in domestic assault
- Abilene duo arrested after police chase, shots fired at witness’ vehicle
- City of Coleman offering cash reward for info on multiple arson fires
- 2 Austin residents killed, 9-year-old injured in Haskell County crash
- Man shot, killed after pulling knife on San Angelo police during domestic disturbance
- Levelland calls for help from other fire departments for overnight fires
- YouTuber Jumps From Austin Bridge In Viral Video, Fractures Skull VIDEO
- 2 Lubbock police chases lead to 2 crashes early Monday morning
- Lubbock PD investigating stolen vehicle crash early Monday; driver arrested
- Suspect in deadly stabbing at Lubbock Square Apartments turns himself in
- DPS Releases Name of Suspect Killed in Lubbock Co. Domestic Violence Call
- Lubbock Home Owner Shot During Home Invasion
- Sgt. Marty Gonzalez, who received Purple Hearts for combat and kudos for journey back to help other veterans, dies suddenly
- 2 pedestrians die after being struck by vehicle in Wills Point
- 2 Van Zandt County homes destroyed in Thanksgiving morning fires
- El Paso County sheriff deputies arrest 2 women from New Mexico in mail theft case
- Affidavit: El Paso police officer sent sex video with fellow department employee to man
- Man killed at Harrison County ‘party event;’ officer injured making arrest
- Police: Donna police officer shot on way to work
- Police find 2 bodies at North Austin apartment, investigating as suspicious deaths
- Arrest made in deadly hit-and-run, 70 year old man killed, police said
- Man dead in Terrell shooting, police say
- Man whom boater found dead along Brazos River identified
- ———————————————
- Local government
- Odessa mayor’s tax issues should concern community
- City of Austin defends taxpayer-funded lobbying ahead of contentious legislative session
- Wichita Falls bidding construction for Lake Wichita trail
- Clay Co. Sherriff Kenny Lemons submits letter of retirement, Sherriff-Elect Jeff Lyde to be sworn in Nov. 30
- Bowie city administrative offices move
- City of Edinburg revamps its approach to economic development
- Brownwood council OKs action related to sports, personnel
- Abilene City Councilman Jack Rentz will not seek second term – he ran to defeat a pro-taxpayer conservative and not it’s adios after doing that damage.
- Abilene city council looks at zoning, economic proposals
- 1 injured, multiple residents displaced after apartment complex fire in Nacogdoches
- One killed in Longview shooting at party
- Kilgore ISD could recoup money from lawsuit payment
- Jefferson County along with two Texas school districts join opioid litigation fray
- City of Dallas creates task force to solidify Dallas as an entrepreneurial hub in the U.S.
- Westwood High adopts gender-neutral homecoming court – more Leftism
- Texas AG Ken Paxton claims Harris County’s elections office, administrator were created illegally
- El Paso gearing up to collect $570K debt from Trump campaign for 2019 rally
- ———————————————
- Colleges & universities
- Webinar on Texas Prepaid College Tuition Plan and Scholarship Opportunities
- UST Explores Partnership Paradigms
- UT students allowed 3 pass/fail courses without penalty due to coronavirus pandemic – dumb it down and charge more.
- 2021-2022 Student Regent search begins
- Provost Carol Fierke to leave Texas A&M at end of December
- A&M team working on all-terrain military robot
- Texas A&M plans to become world’s top animal science department
- WBU: McConic Named Distinguished Alumn
- St. John’s cancels basketball game at Texas Tech, deemed ‘too risky’ – typical B.S.
- Kilgore College nursing program receives $90,000 grant
- Kilgore College extends contract with Aramark
- UT Austin honors Julius Whittier, first Black Longhorn football letterman, with statue
- Fighting space junk: UT, IBM project aims to bring order to orbital chaos
Pratt’s post for 11/30/2020
November 30, 2020 by 1 Comment
According to COVID Tracking Project data compiled from health departments, as of 11/30/2020 (most current numbers):
In US, total pcr tests =192,769,788
Positives= 13,337,969
That’s a positive rate of 6.9%
Positive test specimens do not equal sick patients. Specimens don’t represent people at all. Worse, it’s well known that most pcr results are false positives and aren’t testing for infections or equate to infectious people. Yet the media continues to falsely report positive specimens as “cases.” They also keep reporting cumulative totals, which always go up, and never seem to subtract the people who get better and don’t have a fever or symptoms after a few days. I was trained that it is ethically wrong for professionals to report misleading and false information.
Why on earth are people running to get tested? Did they all get tested for viruses during last year’s cold and flu season? Of course not. Stop running to get tested and magically, the “pandemic” will be harder to hype.
Just because they now have a test (claimed to find traces of the virus’ genetic material by amplifying it a zillion times) does not mean that there is any credible reason to get tested. If you have symptoms and are sick, stay home, drink warm fluids and get better. This is a virus, and not an especially more lethal one than the seasonal flu. Nor is it magically more infectious than other coronaviruses. If you’re not sick, get back to your life and work. Turn off the media and those hourly Covid number reports. Positive specimen numbers don’t mean that the virus is running out of control; it’s a tactic to keep everyone scared. It’s heartbreaking to see the fear in people’s eyes behind those masks. A lot of innocent people are being hurt by all of this. And the reasons behind the scaremongering make it even more unethical in my book. IMHO.