February 2005 - Page 4 of 15

Tax-free holiday may be extended to two weeks

February 23, 2005 Anne Linehan

Here’s a great idea: extend the tax-free holiday from three days to two weeks: Texans who cram in as much shopping as possible during the annual sales tax holiday each August may be able to

Why can't the ideal state be filled with copy editors?

February 23, 2005 Anne Linehan

I thought about dissecting today’s Chronicle editorial on the U.N.’s oil-for-food scandal, but it would be more work than it’s worth. The editorial is, well, classic Chronicle, written in the editors’ “ideal state,” I suppose.

Businesses not repaying Houston development loans

February 23, 2005 Anne Linehan

It seems the city of Houston has loaned millions of dollars for private development projects that’s not being repaid: It starts with the Magnolia Hotel, downtown’s self-proclaimed new standard for luxury complete with a lavish

Anti-Semitic crimes strike Houston

February 23, 2005 Kevin Whited

Various media outlets are reporting that Houston experienced a rash of anti-Semitic vandalism towards the end of last year, including the painting of swastikas on the large red balls along the artsy bridges that cross

Chron eye for the homeless (alleged) arsonist guy

February 23, 2005 Kevin Whited

Today, thousands of firefighters and citizens paid tribute to fallen firefighter Captain Grady Burke (KTRK-13, KHOU-11, KPRC-2). Burke died while battling a blaze in a structure that has been characterized as an abandoned crack house.

Scooped by the Abilene Reporter-News

February 23, 2005 Anne Linehan

Banjo Jones points out that the Chronicle fell down on some important local political coverage last night.

HPD's "productivity policy" begins

February 23, 2005 Anne Linehan

HPD’s new “productivity policy” (wink, wink) is now a pilot program, according to KHOU-11: 11 News obtained a memo Tuesday that read, “The minimum average of tickets written by an officer must be one per

Does downtown's growth need to slow down?

February 22, 2005 Anne Linehan

Last week we learned the Hyatt Regency was in foreclosure, and now KHOU-11 has a bit more on the problems facing downtown hotels: Experts point to the downtown Hyatt as a casualty of a saturated

Activists, councilmembers want tougher smoking ban

February 22, 2005 Anne Linehan

KHOU-11 is reporting that anti-smoking activists and some city councilmembers are lobbying for a tougher smoking ban than the one Mayor White is proposing: Anti-smoking activists are showing their strength at Houston’s City Hall. They’re

The "privatizing schools" meme

February 22, 2005 Anne Linehan

Chronicle headline: Privatization is put on hold There was no plan to privatize three HISD schools, except in the Chronicle‘s sloppy reporting from last week. But once a story gets started — even one that’s