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☆ Texas college students say 'censorship of TikTok over guns' says a lot about how officials prioritize safety
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

UT Austin and Texas A&M announced a ban on TikTok from school WiFi and devices this week. Since the ban, students are sharing their frustration with Texas officials. Students told Insider there are more pressing safety matters that university officials should be looking into. In the December press release, Abbott cited data harvesting and potential surveillance of its users as the reason, but students told Insider they aren't convinced there's a big threat. "A&M is a big school, and it's easy to get overwhelmed," the student told Insider.

☆ Texas spent nearly $9 million busing migrants over the holidays, according to records obtained by Insider
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Texas spent just under $9 million busing migrants across the country over the holidays. In total, Texas has now spent roughly $29 million on the program since April 2022. According to public records obtained by Insider, Abbott's migrant bus program cost the Texas Division of Emergency Management $8.97 million over the November and December holidays. Many of those on these Texas buses are people seeking asylum — a legal right — fleeing poverty and political persecution in countries such as Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela. In November, Domingo Garcia, president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, argued that the millions spent busing migrants would have been better spent elsewhere, according to WFAA.

☆ The biggest universities in Texas are blocking students from accessing TikTok on campus WiFi
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin have blocked TikTok from campus WiFi. Texas A&M University — thought to be the state's biggest university with close to 70,000 students — is blocking TikTok from its IT network under a directive by Governor Greg Abbott, local news outlets reported on Tuesday. Lamar University and the University of Texas at Dallas told students that TikTok would continue to work at its residence halls. Even then, access would only be granted on devices connected to cellular services, not to the university's WiFi or wired network. Do you study or work at a US university that has banned the use of TikTok on campus WiFi?

Bills to block the app on state devices in California, Massachusetts, New York and Vermont have also been proposed. University of IdahoSchool’s policy: TikTok must be removed from university equipment "regardless of funding source," according to the school's help page. South Dakota University SystemSchool’s policy: The South Dakota Board of Regents, which governs six universities including Black Hills State University, University of South Dakota, Northern State University, Dakota State University, South Dakota State University and South Dakota Mines, told employees they could not use, download or access TikTok on university devices. University of Texas — AustinSchool’s policy: On Dec. 16, university officials announced that TikTok would be banned on state-issued devices. Texas Tech UniversitySchool’s policy: University employees are prohibited from using TikTok on school-issued devices and official university TikTok accounts must be deactivated.

☆ University of Texas at Austin blocks TikTok from its IT network
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Washington CNN —The University of Texas at Austin blocked TikTok from its IT network on Wednesday under an earlier order by Gov. The university had already begun removing TikTok from official cell phones, tablets and other devices as part of complying with the directive, the message continued. The university is not the first to restrict TikTok from its network. The University of Oklahoma and Auburn University in Alabama have each taken steps to clamp down on TikTok in response to governors’ orders in their respective states. In all, more than half of states have banned TikTok from government devices, according to a recent CNN analysis.

☆ With over 100 anti-LGBTQ bills before state legislatures in 2023 so far, activists say they're 'fired up'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( Jo Yurcaba | Jo Yurcaba Is A Reporter For Nbc Out. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +10 min

So far, Texas has taken the lead with 36 such bills, according to Equality Texas, a statewide LGBTQ advocacy group. Four states — Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee and Arizona — have enacted restrictions on gender-affirming medical care for minors, though federal judges have blocked them from taking effect in Arkansas and Alabama. State Sen. David Bullard, the Republican sponsoring the bill, told The Oklahoman that gender-affirming medical care is a “permanent change in your body that cannot be reversed. Accredited medical associations — including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association — have supported gender-affirming care for minors. Advocates and doctors who treat trans youth have said many of the health care restrictions proposed by state legislators mischaracterize what gender-affirming care is.

☆ Biden Visits Southern Border While Facing Criticism From Both Parties
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Michelle Hackman | Catherine Lucey | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

President Biden was greeted in El Paso on Sunday by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who handed him a letter outlining issues on the border. WASHINGTON—President Biden made his first visit to the U.S.-Mexico border since taking office, amid criticism from both parties of his immigration policy and as the administration begins a new push to drive down illegal crossings. Mr. Biden arrived Sunday afternoon in El Paso, Texas, which in December saw a surge of mostly Nicaraguan migrants. He is stopping there on his way to Mexico City, where he will meet Monday and Tuesday with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the North American Leaders’ Summit.

☆ Gov. Greg Abbott said Texas 'desperately needs more money' to address the border after spending millions on busing migrants to other parts of the country
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Abbott renewed his calls for the federal government to send funds to Texas to address the border. Since April, Texas has spent millions of dollars busing migrants to places like DC and Chicago. Greg Abbott said Sunday during President Joe Biden's visit to the border that the state "desperately needs more money" to address the issue. Texas desperately needs more money," Abbott said. Texas had spent $12 million on the efforts as of August, the Texas Tribune reported at the time.

[1/18] U.S. President Joe Biden speaks with border patrol officers as he walks along the border fence during his visit to the U.S.-Mexico border to assess border enforcement operations, in El Paso, Texas, U.S., January 8, 2023. Biden on Thursday said his administration would tighten immigration enforcement by blocking Cuban, Haitian and Nicaraguan migrants at the border, expanding the nationalities of those who can be expelled back to Mexico. But that has not impressed Republicans like Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who accused him of failing to enforce immigration laws. Biden told reporters he had not yet read the letter. On the ground in El Paso, migrants greeted the new policy with trepidation.

☆ Biden makes first trip as president to U.S.-Mexico border as administration imposes restrictions
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-08 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Summer-Concepcion-Byline-Jm.Jpg | Summer Concepcion | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

President Joe Biden traveled to El Paso, Texas, on Sunday to assess enforcement operations at the U.S.-Mexico border — his first trip to the border since taking office — just days after his administration announced new restrictions on asylum seekers amid record numbers of migrants attempting to cross into the U.S. President Joe Biden speaks with Customs and Border Protection police on the Bridge of the Americas border crossing with Mexico in El Paso, Texas, on Sunday. Jim Watson / AFP - Getty ImagesDuring his visit to El Paso, Biden assessed enforcement operations at the Bridge of the Americas Port of Entry — the busiest port in El Paso, which recently received $600 million through the bipartisan infrastructure law. Greg Abbott, who handed the president a letter demanding he take further enforcement actions at the border. After his visit, Biden will travel to Mexico City later on Sunday to attend the North American Leaders' Summit.

☆ Biden inspects busy port of entry along US-Mexico border
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-08 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks about U.S.-Mexico border security and enforcement, in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 5, 2023. President Joe Biden inspected a busy port of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border on Sunday, his first trip to the region after two years in office as Republicans hammer him for being soft on border security while the number of migrants crossing spirals. Biden watched as border officers in El Paso demonstrated how they search vehicles for drugs, money and other contraband. The numbers of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border has risen dramatically during Biden's first two years in office. For all of his international travel over his 50 years in public service, Biden has not spent much time at the U.S.-Mexico border.

A group of mostly Venezuelan families who migrated to the U.S. seeking asylum were welcomed with a Three Kings celebration in New York City organized by a national Latino nonprofit. "Many families are seeking refuge in New York after fleeing civil strife, natural disasters, violence, and so much more." Newly arrived asylum-seekers celebrated their first Three Kings Day in the United States at a dinner Thursday hosted by Hispanic Federation. Three Kings Day this year is an opportunity that allows families to connect and celebrate while keeping with the traditions of home." Greg Abbott following the busing of thousands of migrant families to New York City, with Abbott responding that it's up to the federal government to deal with border issues.

☆ Biden signs TikTok ban for government devices amid security concerns
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( David Ingram | David Ingram Covers Tech For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

President Joe Biden approved a limited TikTok ban Thursday when he signed the 4,126-page spending bill into law. The ban prohibits the use of TikTok by the federal government’s nearly 4 million employees on devices owned by its agencies, with limited exceptions for law enforcement, national security and security research purposes. Since 2020, a bubbling movement led largely by conservatives has maintained a minor interest in a TikTok ban. “We’re disappointed that Congress has moved to ban TikTok on government devices — a political gesture that will do nothing to advance national security interests — rather than encouraging the Administration to conclude its national security review,” the company said in a statement. It added that the proposed security agreement with the Biden administration would address the security concerns of lawmakers and regulators.

☆ Here are 22 of the top LGBTQ news stories of 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Jo Yurcaba | Jo Yurcaba Is A Reporter For Nbc Out. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +12 min

Here are 22 of our top LGBTQ news stories of the year. Ron DeSantis signed the controversial Parental Rights in Education law — or what critics have dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill — on March 28. 'It’s already having an impact': LGBTQ people fear abortion rights reversalA supporter of gay marriage waves a flag in front of the Supreme Court on June 25, 2015. Nicola Goode / Prime VideoAmazon’s “A League of Their Own” series, which debuted Aug. 12 and was inspired by the 1992 cult classic by director Penny Marshall, brought much-needed representation to the screen for lesbians and other queer women, who celebrated how “gay, gay, gay” it was. Biden signs same-sex marriage bill at White House ceremonyPresident Joe Biden signs the Respect for Marriage Act on the South Lawn of the White House on Dec. 13.

☆ Fact Check-Fabricated Greg Abbott tweet about migrants bussed to DC on Christmas Eve circulates online
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A screenshot purporting to show a tweet about migrants published on Christmas Eve by Governor of Texas Greg Abbott has misled some online. The fabricated tweet purportedly published via Abbott’s official Twitter account (@GregAbbott_TX) features a photograph of Abbott and his family and reads: “We celebrated Christmas Eve by putting migrants on a bus and kicking them out into the freezing cold. Merry Christmas from the Abbott family.”The screenshot circulated after busloads of migrants from the Texas border were dropped near Vice President Kamala Harris’ home in Washington, D.C., on Christmas Eve, and The White House accused Abbott of endangering lives (here). A spokesperson for Abbott did not respond to a request for comment about the fabricated screenshot or whether the governor was behind the incident in Washington D.C. Abbott did tweet the same photograph of his family on Dec. 25, although with a different comment that reads: “From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!” (here)VERDICTFalse.

Last year, the nation’s largest LGBTQ advocacy organization, the Human Rights Campaign, labeled 2021 the “worst year” for LGBTQ rights in modern U.S. history, citing a record number of anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in state legislatures across the country. “The LGBTQ+ community is really under siege right now,” said Ricardo Martinez, CEO of LGBTQ advocacy group Equality Texas. One bill that was successfully implemented, and gained national headlines for months, was Florida’s Parental Rights in Education law, or what critics have dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The word “grooming” has long been associated with mischaracterizing LGBTQ people, particularly gay men and transgender women, as child sex abusers. Those losses came after some conservative groups ramped up misleading or inflammatory campaign ads targeting transgender rights.

☆ Republicans went after BlackRock and sustainable investing in 2022. Meet 12 officials crusading against 'woke capitalism.'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( Rebecca Ungarino | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

A group of vocal conservative officials are criticizing aspects of ESG investing. Players in the ESG ecosystem, like S&P Global and BlackRock, the world's largest money manager and an influential proponent of ESG investing, are often the subject of their critiques. Instead, officials often paint large financial firms' ESG strategies as functions of left-leaning agendas. Here are key GOP players who are taking aim at ESG investing. Abbott, who is seeking reelection in November, was early to denouncing ESG investing.

☆ Texas Governor Abbott endangered lives with Christmas Eve migrant drop -White House
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( Nandita Bose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 26 (Reuters) - The White House on Monday accused Texas Governor Greg Abbott of endangering lives after busloads of migrants from the southwest border in Texas were dropped near Vice President Kamala Harris' home in Washington, D.C., on a cold Christmas Eve. "Governor Abbott abandoned children on the side of the road in below freezing temperatures on Christmas Eve without coordinating with any Federal or local authorities," White House spokesman Abdullah Hasan said in a statement. The Republican Abbott, a vocal critic of Biden administration immigration policies, has not acknowledged the Christmas Eve drop and his office has not claimed responsibility. Abbott has said previously his state was purposefully busing migrants to sanctuary cities, where law enforcement is discouraged from deporting immigrants. Hasan said the Biden administration was willing to work with Democrats and Republicans on solutions to the migrant issue.

☆ White House condemns Texas governor after migrants were dropped off outside Kamala Harris' house: 'Abbott abandoned children on the side of the road in below freezing temperatures'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( Oma Seddiq | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Greg Abbott after busloads of migrants arrived in Washington, DC. Busloads of migrants arrived on Christmas Eve outside of Vice President Kamala Harris' home. The move comes as the future of an immigration policy known as Title 42 remains uncertain. "Governor Abbott abandoned children on the side of the road in below freezing temperatures on Christmas Eve without coordinating with any Federal or local authorities," White House spokesperson Abdullah Hasan said in a statement. Abbott previously sent migrants to Harris' home in September to pressure the administration to take further action.

Three buses coming from Texas dropped off about 140 recent migrants — including babies and young children — near Vice President Kamala Harris’ residence in Washington, D.C. in historically frigid temperatures on Saturday evening. But immigration activists said Saturday’s incident was particularly cruel because of the freezing temperatures in Washington, D.C., and because of the fact that it occurred on Christmas Eve. Madhvi Bahl, an organizer with the Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network, confirmed the arrival of the migrants on Saturday to NBC News. The buses dropped the migrants near Harris’ residence at the Naval Observatory. There have been several instances of migrants being dropped off outside, or near, Harris’ residence.

☆ Migrants dropped outside VP Harris's home on blustery Christmas Eve
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 25 (Reuters) - Busloads of migrants were dropped over Christmas weekend near Vice President Kamala Harris' residence in Washington amid freezing temperatures, having traveled from the southwest border in Texas, immigrant aid groups said on Sunday. Aides to Texas Governor Greg Abbott were not available to comment on whether the state coordinated their transportation. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris participates in a working lunch on multilateral cooperation during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, in Washington, U.S., December 15, 2022. REUTERS/Evelyn HocksteinThe Republican governor, a vocal critic of the Biden administration's immigration policies, and some other Republican governors have been transporting migrants to Democratic-controlled cities in the northern United States. Laborde said that in the past week, nine busloads of migrants have been dropped off in Washington.

☆ Migrants dropped near home of Vice President Kamala Harris on frigid Christmas Eve
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Local organizers in Washington say three buses of recent migrant families arrived from Texas near the home in record-setting cold on Christmas Eve. Three buses of recent migrant families arrived from Texas near the home of Vice President Kamala Harris in the record-setting cold on Christmas Eve. Local organizers had expected the buses to arrive Sunday but found out Saturday that the group would get to Washington early, Laborde said. It was the coldest Christmas Eve on record for Washington, according to the Washington Post. Laborde said employees had blankets ready for the people who arrived on Christmas Eve and moved them quickly onto waiting buses for a ride to an area church.

☆ Buses of migrants dropped outside Kamala Harris' home in freezing temperatures on Christmas Eve, reports say
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-25 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Republican governors previously sent migrants to Democratic cities to protest Biden's immigration policy. A video shared by 7News D.C. reporter Christian Flores on Twitter showed a group of people entering a bus. "This is a welcome effort that we've been doing since the first bus arrived," Amy Fischer, an organizer with the network, told 7News. In September, Abbott said that his state had sent two buses of migrants to the vice president's home in Washington. Fischer told 7News that she believed the Christmas Eve drop-off was a political stunt by Abbott.

David Ryder / Bloomberg via Getty ImagesCities throughout the country are opening warming centers this week, including Chicago, Houston, San Antonio, Atlanta and Albuquerque, New Mexico. The city’s Office of Emergency Management will transform the Denver Coliseum into a 24-hour warming center starting Wednesday. Recreation centers and libraries will remain open during regular operating hours and function as warming centers Thursday and Friday. The Seattle region is also opening warming centers across King County, including overnight shelters for families experiencing homelessness. San Antonio will also open warming centers.

☆ Inspector posing as intruder slips into Uvalde school during safety audit, superintendent says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Mirna-Alsharif-Byline-Jm.Jpg | Mirna Alsharif | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

An inspector posing as an intruder was able to access a school cafeteria during a campus safety audit in Uvalde, Texas, this month, an unnerving revelation in a community still reeling after a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school in May. Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District interim Superintendent Gary Patterson shared the findings of the "intruder selection audit" during a school board meeting held Monday. The auditor tugged at the door and it opened, allowing them to gain access to the cafeteria. Greg Abbott to randomly assess schools' security protocols in the wake of the Robb Elementary massacre. Patterson also detailed other security measures the district wishes to implement, including installing new doors and security gates.

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