OBAMA’S ‘MYTH-BUSTING’ MISSION Obama goes to Elkhart, Indiana, to undermine Republican arguments about the economy, 78˚/64˚ working to persuade Democrats to embrace his policies ahead of the election. NATIONAL, 4 Thunderstorm Southwest Journalist THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN n DOW JONES NEWS FUND CENTER FOR EDITING EXCELLENCE n SOUTHWESTJOURNALIST.COM n THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016 Health policy rate hikes loom

A recent analysis of nine states gible for the income-based subsi- ciples, science and data. Rural Texans could bear by the consulting firm Avalere dies and get no such protection. “It’s also important to under- Health found that average pre- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas stand the magnitude of the losses mium increases for the most has about 603,000 individual poli- (that was) experienced in the indi- brunt with 60% jump popular kind of plan ranged from cyholders and, unlike other insur- vidual retail market over the past 5 percent in Wash- ers in the state, two years,” the statement said. ington state to 44 RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR enrollment, sicker-than-expected “Regulators can request offers coverage in The company says it lost $592 mil- percent in Ver- Associated Press customers and problems with the every county. In a lion last year and $416 million in mont. more information . . . but WASHINGTON — The largest government’s financial backstop recent filing with 2014. Millions of cus- health insurer in Texas wants to for insurance markets. the federal government federal regula- Texas is the health care law’s tomers will be raise its rates on individual poli- The national picture will take tors, a summary third-largest market, after Florida shielded from can’t order Blue Cross cies by an average of nearly 60 weeks to fill in. With data available of which is avail- and California. Texas Department price hikes by percent, a new sign that Presi- for about half the states, premium Blue Shield to roll back the able on Health- of Insurance government dent Barack Obama’s overhaul increases appear to be sharper, Care.gov, the spokesman Ben Gonzalez subsidies,typically increases.” hasn’t solved the problem of price but there are also huge differences company said it is said the Texas can withdraw ap- more than 70 per- LARRY LEVVITT spikes. between states and among insur- seeking increases proval if the request doesn’t meet cent of the pre- Texas isn’t alone. Citing finan- ers because health insurance is averaging from 57.3 percent to requirements and standards in mium. People who don’t have ac- cial losses under the health care priced locally. 59.4 percent across its individual Texas law. cess to a workplace plan can buy a law, many insurers around the Earlier this week, North Caro- market plans. Wichita Falls insurance bro- policy directly on the health law’s country are requesting bigger pre- lina’s largest insurer said it will In a statement, Blue Cross Blue ker Kelly Fristoe said the burden marketplaces. mium increases for 2017. That’s seek an average increase of 18.8 Shield of Texas said its request is of premium increases will fall But many consumers aren’t eli- to account for lower-than-hoped percent. based on strong financial prin- hardest on rural communities, n HEALTH, Page 2 2 dead in UCLA murder-suicide Ken Starr resigns ‘I willingly do accept responsibility’

ASSOCIATED PRESS ity,” said Starr, who was hired as president in WACO — ­Ken Starr 2010. resigned as Baylor The school hired University’s chancel- Philadelphia law firm lor on Wednesday, a Pepper Hamilton to week after the former investigate the mat- prosecutor who led ter last year. It released the investiga- its findings last tion of the Bill week, determin- Clinton-Mon- ing that under ica Lewinsky Starr’s leader- scandal was ship, Baylor did removed as little to respond NICK UT / ASSOCIATED PRESS the school’s to accusations L.A. police work at the scene of a murder-suicide at an engineering lockdown for about two hours, the police found two men dead in an president over of sexual assault building on the UCLA campus Wednesday. After the campus was under office, along with a gun and what might have been a suicide note. its handling of involving foot- sexual assault Starr ball players over complaints several years. against football play- School regents came Police swarm campus to search for shooter ers. under fire for allow- CHRISTOPHER WEBER cleared hallways as police helicopters Starr, who will con- ing Starr to stay on as Associated Press MORE ONLINE hovered overhead. tinue to teach at the chancellor for external LOS ANGELES — A murder-suicide at a n Check out swjournalist.com for more Advised by university text alerts to law school, told ESPN’s fundraising. Starr told UCLA engineering building Wednes- turn out the lights and lock the doors “Outside the Lines” in ESPN that he resigned day drew hundreds of heavily armed coverage of the UCLA murder-suicide, where they were, many students let an interview broadcast the position Wednes- officers who swarmed the campus, including a Storify and timeline of events friends and family know they were Wednesday that he day morning, effective where students barricaded themselves safe in social media posts. Some de- didn’t know about the immediately, “with sor- in classrooms as best they could be- and a motive was not immediately scribed frantic evacuation scenes sexual assualt allega- row” and “as a matter of fore being evacuated with their hands clear. while others wrote that their doors tions involving mem- conscience.” up. The response to the shooting was weren’t locking and posted photos of bers of Baylor’s vaunt- “We need to heal About two hours after the first 911 overwhelming: Teams of officers in photocopiers and foosball tables they ed football program Baylor,” Starr said. “We call came in around 10 a.m., with the helmets and bulletproof vests, who used as barricades. until media reports need to put this horrible center of campus still saturated with were looking for victims and suspects, Those locked down inside class- first surfaced in 2015 situation behind us.” officers, LA Police Chief Charlie Beck ran across the normally tranquil cam- rooms described a nervous calm. during a player’s trial. Baylor officials didn’t declared the threat over. Two men pus tucked in the city’s bustling west Some said they had to rig the doors “I didn’t know about immediately respond to were dead in an office, and authorities side. Some with high-powered rifles closed with whatever was at hand be- what was happen- requests for comment. found a gun and what might be a sui- yelled for bystanders to evacuate. cause they would not lock. ing, but I have to, and I The scandal has cide note, he said. Groups of officers stormed into build- Umar Rehman, 21, was in a hall ad- willingly do accept re- resulted in major Authorities did not identify the men, ings that had been locked down and sponsibil- n CAMPUS, Page 2 n CAMPUS, Page 2 It’s all about location when kids seek asylum

Texas applicants country in a process that involves an interview with an asylum of- less likely to get ficer from one of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ eight approval at hearing regional offices. To win their cases, they must show that they have AMY TAXIN been persecuted or are in danger Associated Press of persecution. LOS ANGELES — For unaccompa- As of January, asylum officers nied immigrant children seeking had rendered decisions in the asylum in the U.S., where they ap- cases of nearly 5,800 such children ply seems to make a world of dif- who arrived since May 2014, ac- ference. cording to the figures obtained by Youngsters whose applications the AP. are handled by the U.S. govern- PHOTOS BY CHARLIE NEIBERGALL / ASSOCIATED PRESS Overall, 37 percent were granted ment’s regional offices in San asylum. The rate varied dramati- Francisco and Los Angeles are far Jonathan Lopez of Des Moines, Iowa, gathered paperwork needed for his asylum application, but his efforts were not cally, however, from 86 percent more likely to win approval from strong enough. Jonathan’s dad, Alejandro Lopez, right photo, a gardener, said he knew it would be an uphill battle for at the San Francisco office, which asylum officers than those apply- his teenage son to gain asylum after coming to the U.S. in 2014. Lopez, 18, will make a final plea to remain in February. handles applications for a swath ing in Chicago or Houston, ac- how the government is handling companied by adults. Tens of ters and further clogged the na- of the Pacific Northwest, to 15 per- cording to data obtained by The the huge surge over the past two thousands of youngsters — many tion’s overwhelmed immigration cent in Chicago, which covers 15 Associated Press under a Freedom years in the number of Central of them fleeing gang violence in El courts. states from Ohio to Idaho. of Information Act request. American children arriving at Salvador, Guatemala and Hondu- Under federal law, these chil- Los Angeles, which covers The figures offer a snapshot of the U.S.-Mexico border unac- ras — have overflowed U.S. shel- dren can apply to remain in the parts of California and Nevada, THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016 n CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 n Southwest Journalist n PAGE 2 ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL Health policy rates to rise n Continued from Page 1

where Blue Cross Blue Shield is in many cases is the only option. The insurer cautioned that the average premiums filed with regulators don’t represent the true bottom line for individual consumers. Some people may find that even with a higher pre- mium, the coverage remains a good value. “Regulators can request more information from the company, but the federal government can’t order Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas to roll back the increases,” JULIO CORTEZ / ASSOCIATED PRESS TED S. WARREN / ASSOCIATED PRESS said Larry Levitt, an expert on Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton laughs with Sen. Cory Booker, Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks during a the health care law at the non- D-N.J., at Omar’s Cafe while campaigning Wednesday in Newark, N.J. campaign rally in Spokane, Wash., on May 7. partisan Kaiser Family Founda- tion. The Obama administration said concerns about 2017 pre- Clinton counts on Trump University miums are premature and over- blown. In a statement, the Health and Human Services Department California volunteers documents disclosed said the Texas rate request is just the beginning of a process. MICHAEL R. BLOOD alded volunteers like LaVaccare JULIE PACE businessman of fleecing stu- Consumers in Texas and other Associated Press to rouse their supporters. Associated Press dents with unfulfilled promises states will have lower-premium BURBANK, California — Sue La- Underscoring the stakes, Clin- WASHINGTON — The strategies to provide secrets of real estate options when sign-up season Vaccare is fighting “the California ton has had LaVaccare and other that Donald Trump’s now-de- success. Plaintiffs contend the begins Nov. 1. complacency”, a well-document- volunteers at work in the district funct educational company used organization gave seminars and If they don’t like what their ed tendency of voters to skip on for months. Hollywood for Hill- to woo customers have plenty classes across the country that current insurer is charging for election days. ary, as it’s known, has grown into of echoes of the presumptive constantly pressured customers 2017, they can switch. And Southern California, a a small army of up to 400 people, Republican nominee’s current to buy more and more but failed Big premium hikes from a base of support for Hillary Clin- whose members have gathered pitch to voters, based on newly to deliver on promises of finan- single insurance company have ton, has a notoriously uneven at least 15 times to make phone disclosed court documents about cial success. had an impact on the health care record when it comes to voter calls and are knocking on doors Trump University. Trump vigorously maintains debate before. turnout. in places like Los Angeles’ Silver Hillary Clinton leapt on the that customers were overwhelm- Back in early 2010, when “What I think is our biggest Lake neighborhood. parallels Wednesday, using them ingly pleased with the offerings, Obama’s health care legislation challenge,” LaVaccare, 47, a Campaigns employ a host of to cast Trump as a “fraud” who and the documents do include appeared stalled in Congress, Well- health care consultant and po- ways to reach voters — ads can peddles false promises to Ameri- testimony from several satisfied Point’s planned 39 percent increase litical fundraiser who is organiz- be sent to Facebook pages, for cans but cares only about his per- customers. His campaign re- for some California customers gal- ing volunteers for Clinton in the example. They typically stockpile sonal gain. leased a video Wednesday featur- vanized the White House and its fiercely contested 28th Congres- data to suss out voter preferences “He is trying to scam America ing several people speaking posi- supporters to action. sional District in Los Angeles that can range from registration the way he scammed all those tively about their experiences. Obama signed the landmark County, says, “is getting her sup- information to details on their people at Trump U,” Clinton said As Trump steamrolled through legislation a few weeks later. porters to actually vote.” last shopping trip, which can be during a campaign stop in New- the GOP primary, some of those WellPoint is now Anthem, the While Clinton needs a mere 71 clues to political leanings. ark, New Jersey. “It’s important rivals raised Trump University as nation’s second-largest insurer. delegates from several states vot- “It becomes very critical to not that we recognize what he has a liability for the businessman, In its home state of Indiana, it ing on June 7 to claim the Dem- only convince voters to be for done because that’s usually a and at least five different outside is currently seeking premium ocratic nomination, the fight you, but also to do everything pretty good indicator of what he groups mentioned the business hikes from nearly 20 percent to against rival Bernie Sanders in you can to get them to got to the will do.” in attack ads. 41 percent for coverage under California has grown increasingly polls,” says veteran Democratic The new details about Trump A case against Trump Universi- the health care law. contentious as the Vermont sena- consultant Bill Carrick, who is University were revealed in docu- ty in San Diego is scheduled to go tor gains in polling. Both cam- not aligned with either Clinton or ments released Tuesday as part to trial shortly after the Novem- paigns are counting on unher- Sanders. “That’s a big deal.” of a trio of lawsuits accusing the ber presidential election.

of the National Immigrant Justice The data obtained by the AP In Southern California, Jhona- Center in Chicago. shows that more than 10,000 un- than Rivas said he was nervous Migrant children: West Coast Immigration lawyers in liberal accompanied children who ar- heading for his interview, but San Francisco said asylum of- rived in the U.S. since May 2014 the officer seemed relaxed as she courts are more lenient ficers there take their time and have applied asked him open- By the numbers n Continued from Page 1 use child-friendly language dur- for asylum. ended questions ing interviews to draw details out More than through an in- Arizona and Hawaii, granted said most of those children are 37 percent of about 5,800 migrant of traumatized youngsters who 90 percent children have been granted asylum by terpreter.Over 90 asylum in 53 percent of its cas- still awaiting decisions on their often are reluctant to share their were Central minutes, Rivas es while only 16 percent were applications because it can take U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services pasts with strangers. Where un- American. since May 2014. recounted how approved by Houston which months or years for their cases accompanied children apply for Ann Naffier, gang members handles Texas, Colorado, New to be heard in court . Asylum of- asylum is dictated by where they an immigra- 16 percent of asylum cases that the harassed him on Mexico and other states. U.S. ficers are expected to make de- live, and most of them have little tion attorney Houston office granted. his way home Citizenship and Immigration cisions in line with federal court or no control over that. They are at Justice for from church Services had no explanation for rulings on immigration, and the placed by the U.S. government Our Neigh- 43 percent of girls’ and 33 percent in El Salvador, the disparities. Children who appeals courts on the West Coast with relatives already living in bors in Des of boys’ applications have been approved pressed him to are turned down get a second are more liberal. Also, California this country. Moines, Iowa, join the gang chance to plead their cases be- has funded immigration attor- Refugee and Immigrant Center said she was surprised by the re- and killed his cousin and uncle. fore an immigration judge. If neys for children since the surge. for Education and Legal Services, gional disparity and to see that Two weeks later, Rivas learned they fail at that stage, they can be “For us, it is a puzzle, and we a nonprofit organization in San similar asylum cases could have he can remain in the U.S. deported. Immigration lawyers do find it baffling,” said Lisa Koop Antonio. such dramatically different results.

against the alleged victims. In one pus and Engineering IV is right Starr now just case, the actions of administrators Campus under here! So, I said it out loud,” she “constituted retaliation against a said. complainant for reporting sexual The teacher’s assistant told law professor assault,” the report said. lockdown students to shut their laptops, n Continued from Page 1 University leaders were also n Continued from Page 1 turned out all the lights and slow to enact federally-required switched off the projector. They upheaval at the university, which student conduct processes, and jacent to the building where the were ordered to be quiet and got emerged to become one of the they failed to identify and elimi- shooting took place, called En- under their desks. Sitting on the top football programs nationally. nate the hostile environment to- gineering IV. The buildings are ground, Alam cried. The same day Baylor released ward victims, the report found. connected by walkway bridges Students were told to put their its report, the regents fired head Starr told ESPN that he didn’t near the center of the 419-acre phones away, too, but, in the dark- coach Art Briles think the school campus. ened room, the glow of screens and sanctioned “It’s not happening on had a problem “We kept our eye on the door. illuminated many faces, she said. athletic direc- until the August We knew that somebody eventu- “On one hand, yes, this is an tor Ian McCaw, campus, to the best of my 2015 conviction ally could come to the door,” he emergency. But on the other who resigned knowledge. ... (Off-campus of football play- said, acknowledging the terror hand when your mother is call- on Monday af- er Sam Ukwua- he felt. ing from miles away ...” Alam ter the school parties) are (the) venues chu, who sexu- Those in the room devised said, trailing off. hired Jim ally assaulted a plan to hold the door closed Their entire classroom was fi- Grobe to coach where those bad things another student. using a belt and crowbar and nally allowed to leave. Students the 2016 sea- have happened.” But Tevin Elliott, demand ID from anyone who were greeted by a phalanx of tried to get in. When they even- son. KEN STARR another football SWAT team members but were Starr called player, was con- tually got word that the build- not searched. Briles “a very powerful father victed of sexual assault in 2014, ing had been cleared, they SWAT officers cleared occu- figure” who “wants the best for and multiple women have said walked out. pants one by one at the math- these young men.” Starr said he they notified school officials. Tanya Alam, 19, also was in a ematical sciences building. wasn’t consulted before Briles Starr said he considered cam- classroom in the math sciences One man walked out with his was fired. pus to be a safe place for students. building with 20 other students. hands up and was told to get The report said school admin- “It’s not happening on campus, She said she saw an alert on her on his knees. An armed officer istrators discouraged students to the best of my knowledge,” phone that warned of police ac- searched him and his backpack from reporting or participating in Starr said. “They are off-campus tivity near Engineering IV. Then, and then sent him on his way DAMIAN DOVARGANES / ASSOCIATED PRESS student conduct reviews of sexual parties. These are (the) venues several minutes later, an alert with his hands still in the air. Students walk near Los Angeles Metro assault complaints, and that they where those bad things have hap- said there was an active shooter. Classes were canceled Wednes- Police officers who were securing the even contributed to or accom- pened.” “I let that sink in. Then, I real- day but would resume Thursday. UCLA campus near the scene of a mur- modated a “hostile” environment ized there was a shooter on cam- der-suicide on Wednesday.

Southwest Journalist 2016 DOW JONES NEWS FUND INTERNS Volume 19 n May 25-June 3, 2016 GREGORY BOYD DANI MALAKOFF ANDREA PLATTEN [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Center for Editing Excellence GateHouse Media Houston Chronicle Corpus Christi Caller-Times School of Journalism n The University of Texas at Austin University of Oklahoma University of Kansas University of California — Berkeley MEIRA MEGAN GEBEL ZOE McDONALD PAOLA RUANO BETH BUTLER MARK GRABOWSKI LOURDES JONES [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Co-Director Workshop Faculty Senior Administrative Associate Beaumont Enterprise The Denver Post Los Angeles Times Kent State University Adelphi University UT Austin School of Journalism San Francisco State University University of Mississippi University of Pennsylvania BRADLEY WILSON SHANE GRABER LINDA SHOCKLEY, Co-Director Workshop Faculty EDWARD GRAHAM DANIELLE PARENTEAU JARED SERVANTEZ DIANE COHN & [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Midwestern State University UT Austin School of Journalism HEATHER TAYLOR The Denver Post Sacramento Bee Bay Area News Group S. GRIFFIN SINGER Dow Jones News Fund American University University of California — Berkeley University of Southern California Workshop Director Emeritus UT Austin School of Journalism JACK HEFFERNAN KATHERINE SHEA [email protected] [email protected] Grand Forks Herald Corpus Christi Caller-Times The Southwest Journalist is a teaching publication of the Dow Jones News Fund and the Center for Editing Excellence University of Oregon University of Montana at The University of Texas at Austin. The Southwest Journalist is edited and designed by students attending the 2016 pre-internship training program funded by a grant from the News Fund and news organizations hosting the interns. THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016 n INTERNATIONAL n Southwest Journalist n PAGE 3 Rallies for education in Forced labor in India lingers Croatia persist Country contains 40 percent of world’s modern slaves, according to global index ZAGREB, Croatia – More than 20,000 BISWAJEET BANERJEE “These poor and deprived peo- “I mean, seriously, do they have published draft legislation to curb people rallied in Croatia to call for reform of the Associated Press education system. ple are forced to leave their homes just zero prosecution abilities, human trafficking without pun- because of poverty. This is clear zero law enforcement? I mean, ishing victims. Still, some activists Rallies under the slogan “Croatia Can Do LUCKNOW, India — Every day as Kamla dug through the mud and reflection of the failure of the wel- how could this happen? It’s on said the situation was improving Better” were held Wednesday in the capital, molded bricks for north Indian fare state,” said Lenin Rghuvanshi that scale, it’s pretty incredible,” in India thanks to public aware- Zagreb and around a dozen other towns. kiln, her two hungry children of the People’s Vigilance Commit- Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee ness, legal reforms and police- Croatia has long planned an overhaul of its would cry out for food. The 200 tee on Human Rights. said. backed raids on factories em- education system to bring it into line with the rupees ($3) she made for produc- “Bonded labor is a contem- But child labor, the traffick- ploying workers illegally. Corker standards of other EU countries but has made ing 1,000 bricks at a time wasn’t porary type of slavery,” he said. ing of sex workers, and bonded noted that India’s carpet industry little progress, although the country joined the nearly enough to feed her family, “The govern- labor remains used to employ 300,000 trafficked European Union in 2013. The head of an expert and daughter, who died of malnu- ment, which is widespread, de- children just a decade ago, but team in charge of the overhaul recently resigned, trition before she turned 4. supposed to pro- These poor and deprived spite India’s rapid that the number has come down complaining of pressure from the conservative Kamla’s story, told to one of the vide them basic people are forced to leave economic growth to an estimated 5,000-10,000. In- government. many charities fighting forced la- necessities, has over the past de- dia’s garment industry hub in the Protesters in Zagreb said that education bor in India, is common enough failed them.” their homes because of cade. Laws meant Indian capital has also eliminat- is crucial for the country’s future. A student to explain how slavery persists Officials with poverty. to keep children ed child labor, but for those still the Indian Labor mired in forced labor, the scourge representative said students “don’t want to be in the country despite rapid de- LENIN RGHUVANSHI in school and out hostages of an incompetent and irresponsible velopment that has helped make Ministry declined of the workplace can’t be ended soon enough. And political elite.” India the world’s fastest-growing to comment on are routinely with little recourse against abu- economy. the slavery index flouted, as mil- sive employers, they can only On Tuesday, the South Asian report. lions are nevertheless forced into hope to be rescued by a charity Mexican teachers have democracy topped a global slav- North Korea was found to have toxic jobs including rolling ciga- intervening. heads forcibly shaved ery index counting some 18.35 the highest per capita rate of rettes, blowing glass, mining or Radha, kidnapped from her million modern slaves — or 40 modern slavery, with 4.37 percent dyeing leather. family by a woman from her vil- MEXICO CITY — A dissident faction of percent of a global total of 45.8 of its population. Some activists blamed the lage and forced into bonded la- Mexico’s teachers’ union is under fire for publicly million. The problem of slavery in India government for maintaining a bor, told the People’s Vigilance humiliating teachers and administrators who The report, released by The has long been a cause for shame. top-down economy where illegal Committee on Human Rights she defied its strike of radical reforms. Walk Free Foundation, included Just last week, the chairman of labor can still flourish because of was raped daily by the factory’s Several school workers were seized in the children and adults forced into la- the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations high unemployment and abject owner, and then was beaten when southern town of Comitan on Tuesday. They bor, often to pay off a debt, as well Committee lambasted India’s re- poverty in the countryside. she tried to object. were marched barefoot through town with signs as child brides, child soldiers and cord on human rights, asking how Amid rising criticism, the In- “I was so scared,” she said. “I’m hanging around their necks saying they were migrant workers in 167 countries. India could have so many slaves. dian government on Monday still in pain from the rapes.” “traitors to the country.” The hair was of several wasforcibly cut while a crowd watched. Education Secretary Aurelio Nuno says he’ll Longest work with prosecutors to punish those responsible. The leader of the faction appeared to defend the shaming on Tuesday, but as criticism mounted tunnel in on Wednesday, he blamed it on government- planted infiltrators. world opens US says North Korea is JAMEY KEATEN ‘money laundering concern’ Associated Press WASHINGTON — The United States GENEVA – European dignitaries proposed new restrictions to close off North on Wednesday opened the 35.4- mile Gotthard Railway Tunnel, Korea’s access to the international financial system a major engineering achieve- and to prevent the country from using banks to ment deep under the Alps’ launder money that could be used for its nuclear snow-capped peaks to improve weapons program. trade and travel. It took 17 years The Treasury Department declared North Korea to build at a cost of 12.2 billion a “primary money laundering concern.” U.S. Swiss francs ($12 billion). banks are generally prohibited now from dealing The Gotthard base tunnel is with North Korea.The U.S. and South Korean a record-setter eclipsing Japan’s militaries reported that North Korea conducted the 33.4-mile Seikan Tunnel as the latest in a series of failed ballistic missile launches world’s longest. It also runs on Tuesday. JASON FRANSON / ASSOCIATED PRESS deeper than any other tunnel — China, however, remains North Korea’s biggest Resident Kenny Gibbons looks through his demolished backyard in Fort McMurray, Canada, on Wednesday. Gibbons’ house about 1.4 miles underground at source of diplomatic support and economic help, was just one of 2,400 structures destroyed by a wildfire in the city. Residents started to return to the city in northern its maximum depth. but Beijing this year agreed to the new U.N. Alberta on Wednesday, but officials have warned that they should not expect everything to be running normally right away. The tube bores through the sanctions, and observers say trade exchanges Gotthard massif that includes between the two have declined dramatically. the 8,200-foot Piz Vatgira on the way to Italy. It is part of a broad- No food in first aid convoy er, multi-tunnel project to shift Weeks after wildfire, residents the haulage of goods from roads for Syrian town since 2012 to rails amid concerns that heavy trucks are destroying Switzer- BEIRUT — A humanitarian convoy reached land’s pristine Alpine landscape. a starved suburb of Syria’s capital for the first of Canadian city return home The thoroughfare aims to cut time since 2012 on Wednesday, but did not bring travel times, ease roadway traf- any food. ASSOCIATED PRESS tasks was to mow the messy lawn ladders of two fire trucks parked fic and reduce the air pollution The joint U.N., International Committee of the in front of his home while his wife on a bridge over the road. spewed from trucks. Set to open Red Cross and Syrian Arab Red Crescent convoy FORT MCMURRAY, Alberta — Resi- and three kids cleaned inside. Bob Couture, director of emer- for commercial service in De- that reached Daraya Wednesday contained dents who fled a massive wildfire “It’s sad to see what did burn,” gency management for the re- cember, the two-way tunnel can medicines, vaccines, baby formula the ICRC said, at the start of May returned to he said. “It’s tragic for those peo- gional emergency operations handle up to 260 freight trains but no food. their homes and property in this ple. But I think, all in all, every- center, said everything has gone and 65 passenger trains per day. It was not clear why the shipment contained Canadian oil sands city Wednes- body will survive.” according to plan. The Red Cross The tunnel runs between the no food. The suburb last received aid in February, day to begin cleaning up and see- Pilar Ramirez spent the night was prepared to bus in as many Swiss town of Erstfeld in the residents said. ing what’s left. sleeping in the back of a truck in as 2,000 residents who don’t own north to the Italian-speaking The U.N. Security Council is set to meet Friday The fire destroyed 2,400 struc- Anzac, Alberta about 40 minutes cars. town of Bodio in the south, cut- to discuss the possibility of starting humanitarian tures, or about 10 percent of the southeast of Fort McMurray. Returning residents were ting through Switzerland. The air drops to besieged areas. city, when it ripped through last People driving in on the only warned that it won’t be business tunnel journey takes about 20 month, forcing more than 80,000 highway into the area found the as usual and to bring with them minutes for passenger trains. residents to flee. forest on both sides blackened two weeks worth of food, water Chancellor Angela Merkel of Rain overflows Seine River Officials expected thousands about half an hour out of town. and prescription medication as Germany, President Francois banks in Paris of evacuees to return to the city The devastation is apparent from crews continue to work to restore Hollande of France and Italian Wednesday, the first day of a the road just inside city limits and basic services. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi all PARIS — Floods devastated regions across staged re-entry. Residents in ar- a strong smell of smoke hangs in Workers have been laboring came for the celebration. France on Wednesday. The Seine River overflowed eas that were not damaged were the air. to get critical businesses such as Swiss forces took no chances its banks, one French town was evacuated, and asked to come first. Alberta Pre- Billboards that read “Safe Resil- banks, grocery stores and phar- with security for the inaugura- travelers trapped on a submerged highway were mier Rachel Notley said about ient Together” and “We Are Here. macies running again. Supplies of tion. Almost 2,000 additional rescued by soldiers. 7,500 arrived in the city Wednes- We Are Strong” greeted people as some items may be limited in the Swiss troops were called, and air Meteorologists said waters are expected to day. they drove in. A huge Canadian beginning,the government said, space restrictions were put over keep rising for days. One of Mike Maloney’s first flag hung between the extended and some things may need to be the tunnel area. The French government pressed to rescue thousands of people trapped in homes or cars in provincial towns. City authorities warned residents and visitors to be vigilant around river banks and said high river levels were expected to peak Friday. Human rights question prompts China scolding OTTAWA, Ontario — China’s visiting foreign minister publicly berated a Canadian journalist on Wednesday for asking a question about his country’s human rights record. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said it was “irresponsible” of a journalist from the web outlet IPolitics to ask about human rights and the jailing of a Canadian, Kevin Garratt, who is charged with Farah Abdi Warsameh / ASSOCIATED PRESS Farah Abdi Warsameh / ASSOCIATED PRESS espionage. Men remove the body of a civilian killed in a bomb attack on a hotel in Mogadishu, Vehicles burn at the scene of a bomb attack in Mogadishu, Somalia on Wednesday. Wang appeared visibly angry as he delivered Somalia on Wednesday. The rebel group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility. The attack took place on a hotel often frequented by government officials. the scolding in the lobby of Global Affairs headquarters at a joint news conference with Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion. “Your question is full of prejudice and against Somalian terrorists bomb hotel, kill 6 China. ... I don’t know where that comes from. This is totally unacceptable,” Wang said through ABDI GULED police Capt. Mohamed Hussein A body of a suspected extremist by al-Shabab. a translator. Associated Press said. lay outside the hotel. Witness Yas- An attack on another Mogadi- “Other people don’t know better than the MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s Two members of parliament in Abdi said he saw security forces shu hotel and public garden in Chinese people about the human rights condition Islamic extremist rebels, al-Sha- were among the dead, he said, escorting people from the hotel. February killed at least nine civil- in China and it is the Chinese people who are in bab, stormed a hotel in the capi- and part of the hotel burned. Somalia’s elite forces used ians. A car bomb exploded out- the best situation, in the best position to have tal Wednesday evening, killing at The attack began when a sui- rocket-propelled grenades and side a restaurant in the capital in a say about China’s human rights situation,” he least six people and taking a num- cide bomber detonated an explo- machine guns to fight assailants April, killing at least five. continued. ber of hostages, police said. sives-laden vehicle at the hotel’s who took positions on the hotel’s Also on Wednesday, the Pen- “So I would like to suggest to you that please The scene at the Ambassador gates. Fighters on foot then forced second floor. tagon said a U.S. drone strike on don’t ask questions in such an irresponsible Hotel, frequented by govern- their way into the hotel. The attack underlines challeng- Friday targeted a senior military manner. We welcome goodwill suggestions but ment officials, appeared to be at a The attack comes on the eve es facing the Somali government commander of al-Shabab in So- we reject groundless or unwarranted accusations.” standoff overnight. of the Muslim holy month of Ra- and African Union forces that are malia, Abdullahi Haji Da’ud. U.S. ASSOCIATED PRESS “At least two gunmen are still madan, during which extremists struggling to secure the capital, officials said they couldn’t con- holed up inside the building now,” often step up attacks. which has seen a series of attacks firm yet if he was killed. PAGE 4 n NATIONAL n Southwest Journalist n THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016 NATIONAL Baby born in Airport concerns persist US with defects JUSTIN PRITCHARD The report’s authors were not Associated Press confident in drawing conclusions tied to Zika While intruders routinely breach about trends in the nature or sever- the security fences protecting run- ity of the incidents because of how A Honduran woman infected with Zika gave ways and planes at U.S. airports, TSA keeps its data. birth in New Jersey to a baby girl with birth the federal Transportation Security Airports are supposed to report defects caused by the virus, her doctor said Administration is not keeping up any security incident to the TSA, Wednesday. with the threat or doing enough to but the database where the TSA logs Dr. Abdulla Al-Khan, the director of maternal- help airports identify their vulner- incidents is not set up for analysis. fetal medicine and surgery at Hackensack abilities, according to a government TSA cannot say, for example, University Medical Center, said the 31-year-old report. whether high-profile breaches at mother was diagnosed with Zika in her native Congress asked the U.S. Gov- larger airports—such as a teenager Central American country, where the virus has ernment Accountability Office to who jumped a fence at the airport spread. Al-Khan said the mother had an ultrasound investigate how often people get in San Jose, California, in 2014 and last week that showed birth defects, including past airport perimeter security, and stowed away in the wheel well of a microcephaly, in which the baby’s head is smaller Hawaii-bound plane—might be a whether the TSA could do more to than expected because the brain hasn’t developed help prevent incidents. bigger security threat than breaches properly. Using TSA data, the accountabil- at regional airports. Al-Khan said the prognosis for babies born with ity office identified over 2,500 se- That makes no sense to Rep. curity incidents in each of the past William Keating, D-Mass., one of microcephaly, which also can signal underlying three years at the nation’s roughly the lawmakers who requested the brain damage, is “generally very poor.” 440 commercial airports. study. Ten countries have reported cases of Those incidents ranged from “That information should all be microcephaly linked to Zika, which is spread people jumping fences to reach jets system wide and available,” he said. primarily through mosquito bites and can also be and passenger terminals to work- “But it’s not there. And if it is there, transmitted through sex. The infant is the second ers who forgot their security badg- it’s not in a form that’s useful to me born in the United States with birth defects from es piggy-backing with a colleague as a congressman or to any official the mosquito-borne virus. The first was born in through checkpoints. dealing with this.” Hawaii to a woman who had lived in Brazil, The new federal report focused The TSA said it was addressing where the Zika epidemic began in the Americas. on October 2008 through October the report’s data analysis recom- 2015. The accountability office did mendation, as well as five others the not give specific numbers, but a authors made. No charges for officers in chart summarizing security inci- TSA spokeswoman Lucy P. Marti- shooting of black man dents showed they have ranged be- nez said in a written statement that — Minnesota’s U.S. tween about 2,200 and about 2,800 the agency was working “to mitigate MINNEAPOLIS attorney on Wednesday declined to file criminal JOHN LOCHER/ASSOCIATED PRESS annually, with the past three federal risks by identifying enhanced meth- civil rights charges against two white Minneapolis Sign at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada warns fiscal years being higher than the ods of increasing security” for the previous four. nation’s airports. police officers in the November shooting death of against trespassing. a black man that sparked weeks of protests, citing insufficient evidence to support charges. The two officers attempted to arrest Jamar Clark, 24, following a report that he was Black Missouri drivers interfering with paramedics treating an assault victim. Clark was shot once in the head November 15 and died a day later. pulled over at high rates A key issue was whether or not Clark was handcuffed when he was shot. The state’s attorney, Andrew Luger, said at a news conference SUMMER BALLENTINE er than white drivers, even could be skewed if a major that evidence indicated Clark was not restrained Associated Press though white drivers are highway runs through a at the time and added that his office “could not JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri — more frequently found to city or town, meaning po- pursue this case based on a prosecution theory” Black drivers in Missouri have contraband,” accord- lice would likely pull over that Clark was handcuffed. were nearly 70 percent ing to Koster’s analysis. drivers from other cities or DARRELL SAPP / ASSOCIATED PRESS The Justice Department is also reviewing how The treatment of blacks more likely than whites to states. Plum High School teacher Jason Cooperleaves a preliminary the city responded to the protests that followed by the police has gotten a get stopped by the police Koster called on the Leg- court hearing in a Pittsburgh suburb in 2015. Clark’s death. One demonstration outside the last year, marking a slight lot of attention in Missouri islature to gather input 4th Precinct after the shooting included some improvement from the year and elsewhere since the from law enforcement, cit- skirmishes between officers and protesters. before but showing there August 2014 fatal shooting ies and others on how to still are significant racial of an unarmed black teen- improve the report and the disparities in such stops. ager, Michael Brown, by a data collected. Louisiana repeals century- State Attorney General white police officer in the He said revisions could Sex allegations old voter registration law Chris Koster’s office re- St. Louis suburb of Fergu- include strengthening pen- leased a report Wednesday son. alties for departments that BATON ROUGE, Louisiana — Louisiana showing that black motor- Koster cautioned that fail to report. has repealed a century-old state law that required rock high school naturalized citizens to provide proof of their ists were 69 percent more there are holes in the data Fifteen agencies failed to likely than whites to be and said in a statement that meet the March 1 reporting citizenship when they registered to vote. pulled over, based on their the “statistical dispropor- deadline. The Associated Press Civil rights groups that sued last month proportionate share of the tion does not prove that law In Ferguson last year, PLUM, Pennsylvania — Two high school teachers in a to block the 142-year-old law’s enforcement driving-age population. enforcement officers are blacks were again pulled Pittsburgh suburb have pleaded guilty to having sex announced Wednesday that they will withdraw That rate was 75 percent making vehicle stops based over at a lower rate than with students, a third is awaiting trial and a fourth is their federal lawsuit now that state lawmakers in 2014, which was the on the perceived race or the statewide average, but charged with trying to intimidate one student vic- have removed it from the books. highest since data collec- ethnicity of the driver.” they were still more than tim by pointing her out in class. Their suit claimed the old law discriminated tion began in 2000. For example, the data four times as likely to be Now, the atmosphere is so poisoned in the Plum against foreign-born, naturalized U.S. citizens by Furthermore, police con- only deals with the driving- stopped as white drivers, Borough School District that the senior class presi- arbitrarily subjecting them to “heightened” voter tinue to arrest and search age population and not the according to the new data dent told the superintendent to stay away from the registration requirements that didn’t apply to black and Hispanic drivers population that actually released by the attorney commencement ceremonies on Thursday. native-born citizens. at rates “significantly high- drives. The disparities also general’s office. “You don’t deserve to be at my graduation,” Plum The groups claimed many Louisiana residents High School senior Sylvia Ankrom told Superinten- wouldn’t be able to vote in November’s dent Timothy Glasspool at a school board meeting presidential and congressional elections if state last week. and local officials continued to enforce the law. The school board has placed Glasspool and Ryan Obama touts economy The law’s repeal was tucked into a broader Kociela, principal of the 4,100-student district’s only JOSH LEDERMAN high school, on paid leave. elections bill that Gov. John Bel Edwards signed Associated Press The new internal investigation is fueled by a last Friday. ELKHART, Indiana — President Barack scathing grand jury report released May 19 by the Obama went on a “myth-busting” mission Allegheny County district attorney’s office. Teacher suspended for Wednesday aimed at undermining Repub- The grand jury determined employees were more lican arguments about the economy. concerned about upholding the district’s image dubious test questions Obama came to this hardscrabble town than investigating misconduct. MOBILE, Alabama — An Alabama in northern Indiana to illustrate how poli- When two employees came to Glasspool in 2014 teacher is on leave after giving middle school cies from the first days of his presidency to report an obscene Twitter comment that claimed students a test with math questions about helped to turn around the economy. teacher Joseph Ruggieri was having sex with a stu- prostitutes, drugs and guns, a school official said Yet his rally at a high school in Elkhart dent, the superintendent asked them if the report Wednesday. blurred the lines between governing and was a case of “CYA,” or “cover your ass,” the report campaigning, marking the president’s Rena Philips, a spokeswoman for Mobile said. County’s public schools, said the educator from most aggressive and direct foray to date The county prosecutor convened the grand jury Burns Middle School was placed on administrative into the presidential campaign. after teachers Ruggieri, 41, and Jason Cooper, 39, leave after a parent complained. The teacher’s “The primary story that Republicans were charged last year with having sexual relation- have been telling about the economy is ships with students. Both have since pleaded guilty, name isn’t being made public, Phillips said. not supported by the facts. It’s just not,” with Ruggieri serving two to five years in prison and The 10-question quiz included questions about Obama said. Cooper 1 1/2 to three. prostitution, drugs, drive-by shootings and spray When Obama came to Elkhart seven The grand jury also uncovered alleged wrong- paint graffiti. According to WALA-TV, one of the years ago on his first major presidential doing by Michael Cinefra, 30, a former part-time questions was: Leroy has 2 ounces of cocaine. trip, the unemployment rate was soaring. teacher and coach, who is awaiting trial on charges If he sells an eight ball to Antonio for $320 and Though the economy has improved he had sexual contact with a student under 16 and 2 grams to Juan for $85 per gram, what is the measurably, Republicans have been reluc- provided her with alcohol, among other allega- street value of the rest of his hold?” tant to give Obama credit. tions. He has denied wrongdoing, along with Drew Philips said the principal and a school police As Obama returned to Indiana, GOP Gov. Zoldak, 41, the teacher awaiting trial on charges he officer investigated after officials learned of the Mike Pence said the state had recovered “in PABLO MARTINEZ MONSIVAIS / ASSOCIATED PRESS pointed out Ruggieri’s victim in class. test Tuesday. spite of Obama’s policies.” President Barack gestures while speaking at Zoldak is accused of telling his class he missed And the Republican National Commit- Concord Community High School in Elkhart, Ind. work “because two men in suits from the district Redistricting forces GOP tee dismissed his visit as a “campaign trip” Wednesday, June 1, 2016. attorney’s office were asking me hundreds of ques- designed to help presidential candidate tions,” then pointing to the girl as the reason. incumbents into primary Hillary Clinton. The grand jury investigated whether Glasspool, Obama and his aides have long sig- HOLLY SPRINGS, North Carolina trajectory. Kociela or any other district employees broke state naled frustration that as the economy has —North Carolina’s hastily redrawn congressional Obama said he had returned to Elkhart law by not calling police or a child welfare hotline improved, the public’s perception of his districts have set up an unusual battle in the only “precisely because this county votes Re- if they had “reasonable cause to suspect” teachers decision-making hasn’t tracked the same U.S. House race nationwide pitting incumbents publican.” were having sex with students. against each other. Republicans Renee Ellmers and George Holding are vying to win over what’s likely to be a small Election Day crowd after court-ordered redistricting Muslim girl to attend hijab-friendly school upended their territories, along with the primary calendar. WILSON RING form policy to accommodate her and be an officer, a naval officer. of Northfield, has a total on-cam- Ellmers and Holding have each already spent Associated Press headscarf. The 17-year-old from It doesn’t change anything,” she pus student body of about 2,250. more than $1 million on the upcomming primary. MONTPELIER, Vermont — A Muslim Sunrise, Florida, said she chose said. About two-thirds of students are The state’s General Assembly was forced high school student from Florida Norwich, which touts itself as Sana’s father, Nezar Hamze, in the Corps of Cadets, its military to quickly redraw the state’s congressional who hopes to become a Navy of- the nation’s oldest private mili- said his daughter never sought program, while the rest are civil- districts after a federal court ruled that two were ficer is going to attend Norwich tary college and the birthplace of publicity, but he felt she should ians who don’t participate in mili- unconstitutionally race-based. Ellmers’ 2nd District University after the Vermont mili- ROTC, after the school agreed to publicly thank Norwich school for tary training. shifted north and east, while Holding’s 13th tary school said it would allow her her request. its decision. Norwich officials said privacy District moved to a different part of the state. to wear her headscarf beneath her Sana said Wednesday she was “As a father I can’t tell you the rules prevented them from con- The last time incumbents faced each other in uniform. caught off guard by media atten- pressure that’s off my shoulders firming that Sana had agreed to congressional primaries was 2012, when there tion that followed her efforts to at- that she’s actually being accepted Sana Hamze had initially attend, though she showed The were seven such races nationwide between tend a military college while stay- and they’re letting her practice Associated Press some correspon- hoped to attend The Citadel, but Democrats and four between Republicans. ing true to her Muslim faith. her faith,” said Nezar Hamze. dence from Norwich that con- the Charleston, South Carolina, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS school would not change its uni- “My goal is still to go to Norwich Norwich, located in the town firmed her plans. THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016 n TEXAS AND SOUTHWEST n Southwest Journalist n PAGE 5 TEXAS AND SOUTHWEST Severance Appeals court pay from upholds Paxton’s state halted indictment PAUL J. WEBER Associated Press AUSTIN — A special prosecutor handling State agencies must stop offer- the criminal case against Texas Attorney General ing severance pay, Gov. Greg Ab- Ken Paxton says an appeals court has upheld the bott ordered Wednesday in light indictment on securities fraud charges. of reports that Attorney General Special prosecutor Brian Wice said Wednesday Ken Paxton and Land Commis- night that the Dallas-based 5th Court of Appeals sioner George P. Bush have qui- allowed the case against the state’s top prosecutor etly kept former employees on to move forward. Paxton was indicted nearly the payroll at a cost of hundreds a year ago on charges of defrauding wealthy of thousands of dollars to tax- investors in a tech startup. payers. His next and final chance of having the case Bush and Paxton, who have dismissed rests with the Texas Court of Criminal defended the Appeals. The Republican-dominated court threw arrangements out criminal charges against GOP former Texas as practical Gov. Rick Perry earlier this year. and legal, said Paxton attorney Bill Mateja says the defense MICHAEL CIAGLO / ASSOCIATED PRESS they would will decide soon whether to go to the state’s Jason Lucas; his wife, Eloise; and their daughter, Ava, paddle down Farm-to-Market 2759 to get to their home Wednesday comply even highest criminal court. in Booth, Texas. Residents are preparing for the effects of more rain expected to fall in the coming days. though the governor can’t Paxton has pleaded not guilty. enforce such

rules on other Abbott Ex-border cop’s wife flees, elected offi- facing smuggling charges cials. Abbott did not single out Pax- EL PASO — Federal authorities are seeking To stay or to leave? ton or Bush in a memo to agency a border officer’s wife who failed to show up to leaders. But the directive essen- trial in El Paso, where she and her husband faced tially takes aim at how the two charges related to a human smuggling scheme. prominent Republicans contin- Odet Corchado was arrested last July with her After floods, ued paying former staffers long 54-year-old husband, Lawrence, a former U.S. after they stopped coming to Customs and Border Protection officer, and was work, a fact that was revealed scheduled to go on trial last week with him. residents following investigations by The A jury convicted him of smuggling and Dallas Morning News and Hous- bribery charges. A federal judge has revoked her ton Chronicle. The staffers included a former $10,000 bond and a warrant has been issued for face decision Paxton aide who left to help Re- her arrest for failing to appear in court, reported publican Ted Cruz’s presidential the El Paso Times. JUAN A. LOZANO run and more than two dozen She is accused of taking payments of about Associated Press General Land Office employees $2,000 each to direct people into a line at border SIMONTON — In 18 years, Art whom Bush didn’t retain after bridges where her husband worked so they could Myrick says he’s been ordered or he took over in 2015. Bush’s of- get into the U.S. without immigration paperwork. asked to evacuate his home near fice has defended the settlement the Brazos River about 20 times, agreements, which amounted Second ex-Tech player but he didn’t always do so and the to at least $383,000, as a way of house never flooded — until now. sparing the state from potential charged with burglary Flooding comes with living in BRANDON WADE / ASSOCIATED PRESS lawsuits from fired employees. Simonton, a small town west of LUBBOCK — Jail records show that a Homes along the Brazos River remained flooded Wednesday. Residents braced Severance pay is not allowed Houston. But since retiring four second Texas Tech football player who was kicked for more flooding as the river is expected to crest at record levels. in Texas government, but Pax- years ago, the 66-year-old has ton’s office has said payments to off the team last month has been charged with thought about moving to San An- burglary. weather over the last year was while North Texas is forecast to former top aides were permis- tonio, where he has land. exacerbated by El Niño, which is receive 3 to 5 inches. sible under administrative leave Records show that 18-year-old Trace Keaton “We’re gone. Getting too old to the natural warming of parts of While Myrick said he’s relocat- policies. Abbott, however, made Ellison was arrested Wednesday on a charge of live with this,” Myrick said while the Pacific Ocean that changes ing, Barbara Leach, who lives in clear that such interpretations burglary of a habitation, a second-degree felony sitting on a cot Wednesday inside weather worldwide. Rosenberg, said she’s not going or workarounds going forward punishable by up to 20 years in prison. a Red Cross shelter in Brookshire. The El Niño period is dissipat- anywhere. The Brazos flooded the would not be allowed. Jail records don’t list attorney information Hundreds of residents re- ing, but Nielsen-Gammon said mobile home where she and her “The use of emergency leave, for Ellison, who was released on $5,000 bond. mained evacuated from their the frequency of heavy rains likely husband have lived for 41 years, administrative leave or other Details weren’t immediately released. homes as the Brazos River will continue. but Leach, 78, said she enjoys it mechanisms to continue pay- Twenty -year-old Robert James Castaneda reached 54.7 feet in Fort Bend Elevated water levels could too much to leave. ing state employees who have was arrested Friday on the same charge. He was County, where Simonton is lo- continue through the weekend as “This is Mother Nature, and I ceased to work will be prohib- released after paying $5,000 bond. cated, before finally beginning forecasts call for more rain. The don’t think they could have pre- ited,” Abbott wrote. Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury kicked to slowly fall. But additional rain National Weather Service has is- pared for this. I don’t care how Abbott said his order will re- Castaneda and Ellison off the team May 5 for this week could mean it might sued a flash flood watch for the many dams or dikes or whatever main in place until the issue is “failure to uphold student-athlete expectations.” take days or even weeks before greater Houston region, where they have,” she said. “I’m not taken up next year by the Texas the Brazos and other waterways 8 to 10 inches could fall through blaming anybody for it. That’s Legislature, which has already drop to normal levels. Friday in some isolated locations. the way the world is. People have signaled a coming crackdown. Teacher impregnated by State climatologist John The Austin area is expected to re- been hit harder than we have. So Republican House Speaker Joe student, 13, turns self in Nielsen-Gammon said the severe ceive 3 to 6 inches through Friday, we’ll come out OK.” Straus told one of his commit- tees Wednesday to delve into the HOUSTON — A Houston-area teacher issue before lawmakers return in accused of having a sexual relationship with Big 12 2017. a 13-year-old boy who impregnated her has Big 12 head pushes for decisions Schools “The public should have con- surrendered at a Montgomery County jail. fidence that state agencies are • Baylor Authorities in adjacent Harris County had STEPHEN HAWKINS That group, which includes three interim being cautious with taxpayer issued an arrest warrant for 24-year-old Alexandria AP Sports Writer presidents, will join the conference meet- • Iowa State dollars,” Straus wrote in a letter Vera, an English teacher in the Aldine School IRVING — Big 12 Commissioner Bob ings today and Friday and will have a sig- • Kansas to the chair of the House General District. She met the boy last summer. Bowlsby said he’s going to push confer- nificant amount of data to consider this Investigating and Ethics Com- Sheriff’s spokesman Brady Fitzgerald said Vera ence leaders to make decisions one way or week and into the summer. • Oklahoma mittee. posted a $100,000 bond and was released. the other on the lingering issues of expan- Faculty athletic representatives dead- • Kansas State Bush spokeswoman Brit- Court documents show the boy’s parents tany Eck said their agency will sion, a football championship game and a locked 5-5 regarding a change in a league • Oklahoma didn’t object to the relationship. Vera told a school league network by the end of the summer. rule that would have given former Texas suspend the use of separation district investigator they were “very supportive and Athletic directors spent about 90 min- Tech walk-on quarterback Baker Mayfield State agreements until the Legisla- excited” when she disclosed her pregnancy. The utes during the league’s spring meetings an extra season of eligibility at Oklahoma. • Texas ture provides clarification. On Tuesday, a left-leaning political court document said she aborted the pregnancy Wednesday in what were termed “philo- The conference also announced its tele- • TCU after a child welfare investigator questioned her. sophical discussions” about those topics. vision selections for the first three weeks of group asked state investigators School officials said Vera has been removed The final decisions will be made by the the season. Baylor’s opening game, against • Texas Tech to look into whether the sever- ance packages across state gov- from her job. 10-team league’s board of directors made Northwestern State, will be the first tele- • West Virginia up of school presidents and chancellors. vised Big 12 game, airing Sept. 2 on FSN. ernment were proper. Teenage boy charged with brutal slaying of girlfriend HOUSTON — A teenage boy has been Mascot animals, handlers make spirited teams charged with killing his 15-year-old girlfriend whose body was found stuffed in a cabinet under ERIC OLSON a sink at an abandoned Houston-area apartment AP College Football Writer complex, said Harris County prosecutors. The Houston Chronicle reported records read in University of Texas announced that it has selected a new Bevo. Mascots like Bevo have long been part of col- court Wednesday show the boy used his cellphone lege football’s pageantry. Here’s a look behind the scenes at four popular mascots: Bevo, Ralphie at University to record the sounds of Karen Perez resisting of Colorado, Cam the Ram at Colorado State University and Uga at University of Georgia. as she was being raped and fatally choked. Searchers found her body Monday. She was reported missing when she failed to return home from school Friday. Prosecutors said the boy’s father was accompanying him in a search for Perez in their Houston neighborhood when the teen told him she was not alive. The father then notified police. Mexican doctors convicted in insurance fraud scheme MCALLEN — Two physicians from a family Bevo Ralphie Cam the Ram Uga medicine clinic in Mexico have been convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a nearly The new Bevo, known as Bevo XV, was selected The 49-year tradition of a running Ralphie the Cam lives outside Fort Collins on a small farm Uga X, who is about to start the second year $2.6 million insurance claim scheme, said federal from among 400-500 longhorn steers from across buffalo leading the team onto the field is no small owned by Kraig Peel, an associate professor in of his reign, comes from the same bloodline as the prosecutors. Texas and will make his home debut Sept. 4. Like undertaking. She — yes, Ralphie is female — animal sciences who is in charge of about a dozen nine white English bulldogs that previously served. U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson said 59-year- his predecessors, Bevo XV is privately owned. He has 15 student handlers who train two hours a day, student handlers. Cam and his handlers run across Charles Seiler took over as primary handler old Dr. Mayolo Melchor and 61-year-old Dr. lives on a ranch near Austin, roams among his herd twice a week, lifting weights and doing speed work the end zone after Rams touchdowns. about nine years ago from his father, Sonny, who Bertha Hernandez-Melchor, of Reynosa, Mexico, and dines on hay, grass and occasional “sweet in addition to practice runs on other days. This Cam, No. 25, has been on the job for eight helped start the tradition when he was a student in pleaded guilty Wednesday in McAllen to conspiring feed” treats made of oats and molasses. There’s a need for speed, considering Ralphie months. He’s a manageable 230-240 pounds and the 1950s. Charles said he plans to have his 8-year- with policyholders of the American Family Life He’ll be transported to games in a $70,000 air- can cover 125 yards in 14 seconds. 36-37 inches tall at the shoulder. old son, Cecil, eventually assume Uga duties. Assurance Co. to prepare and submit fraudulent conditioned custom trailer and arrive at the stadium Five “runners” hold lead ropes: the smallest, Peel is discriminating when he picks a ram to Uga hangs out in or around his air-conditioned claim forms and accident reports. well before gates open. Four student handlers fastest in front; stronger runners in charge of be Cam. “Structurally he’s well-made, muscular doghouse at the 5-yard line, rides in a new fire-red Prosecutors said forms listing fake accidents keep Bevo in place on the sidelines — a tough steering in the middle; and a brakeman in back (with) an attitude of pride, uprightness and just a SUV provided by a Chevrolet dealership, sits on and injuries were delivered to the doctors’ clinic in task considering Bevo XIV, who died of cancer in (not easy with a 1,200-pound buffalo). The other boldness,” he said. the team plane, and has a two-bedroom suite at Mexico, then faxed to AFLAC headquarters. October, weighed 2,100 pounds and had a horn 10 handlers clear a path out front. Cam lives indoors in a deluxe horse stall and a campus hotel. He dons team jerseys and has a They face up to 20 years in prison and a span of 80 inches from tip to tip. Ralphie V, entering her ninth year as eats high-quality alfalfa and grain. Peel said Cam black tuxedo for formal events. $250,000 fine at their August sentencing. In addition to home games, Bevo attends charity mascot,lives on a ranch in the Denver area with lives better than any sheep on the planet.“ I tell “Comparing a bulldog to other mascots, we’re events, weddings and funerals. He also was on her predecessor, Ralphie IV. Both buffaloes were people all the time that if I believed in reincarnation, kind of lucky in that when he’s not at a ballgame, ASSOCIATED PRESS hand for President George W. Bush’s inaugurations. donated by former media mogul Ted Turner. I would want to come back as Cam,” he said. he’s just a family pet,” Seiler said. PAGE 6 n FEATURES n Southwest Journalist n THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

“Until now I didn’t see anything good here. Everything is difficult, they want papers here, papers there; tell us to go here and go there — the treatment is bad, it’s not the life we used to live in Syria.” | Dania Rasheed MARKUS SCHREIBER / ASSOCIATED PRESS Syrian refugees Abdullah Hamwi, wife Dania Rasheed and son Yazan Hamwi pose in Berlin, Germany.

A growing number of Syrian refugees find themselves stuck in Europe while their families wait in Syria. For many, legal travel back to Syria is out of the question.

KIRSTEN GRIESHABER Many Syrians say the long separation from their Associated Press children and wives is unbearable. Others can’t cope BERLIN — Nine months ago, after the Syrian army with life in cramped shelters. And yet others say they razed his neighborhood, Mohammed was desperate are simply too homesick. to make his way to Germany. “They are more or less trapped in Germany,” said Now he is desperate to go back to Syria, where his Silvia Kostner, the spokeswoman for Berlin’s Lageso wife and eight children are. But he fears the only way office, which organizes voluntary returns for mi- he can return is the same way he came — illegally. grants. “Of course, they can try to get out through Mohammed, a farm worker from the outskirts of different ways — and some are doing exactly this “They are more or less Damascus, is one of at least hundreds of Syrian refu- because they’re missing their families so badly — gees who want to go home, but cannot. but we can’t take on the responsibility to help these trapped in Germany. Of While Afghan and Iraqi asylum seekers get state people travel back to a war zone.” course, they can try to assistance to go home, the German government Syrian refugee Abdullah Hamwi, a textile mer- and the International Organization for Migration chant who sold caftans at the old market in the city get out through different say they can’t send Syrians back to a war zone. There of Aleppo before it was destroyed, said he initially ways — and some are aren’t even flights from Germany to Syria, and neigh- settled in Istanbul. But he moved to Germany in boring countries that initially took in the bulk of the 2014 with his wife and baby son, hoping for a good doing exactly this because Syrian refugees have all but closed their doors. education and better future. they’re missing their That leaves little hope for the dozens of Syrians After half a year in a shelter with 400 other mi- per week who have requested departures since the grants, no asylum, families so badly — but beginning of this year, according to travel agents and no work and the we can’t take on the case workers at migrants’ return programs. same three pieces “I came here only for the future of my children,” of bread, butter responsibility to help these said Mohammed, who did not want to give his last and jam for break- people travel back to a name because he is afraid the Syrian regime will fast every morning, harm his family. “If they’re not here, it makes no they say they’ve war zone.” sense for me to be here.” had enough. They SILVIA KOSTNER Mohammed, 45, got asylum in March. But his wife complain that they calls him every day, crying and begging him to come stand in line for back home. She doesn’t have any money to feed days to pick up their seven daughters, and their only son, 12-year- pocket money. old Marwan, quit school to sell vegetables. “Until now I He bought a plane ticket to Beirut in April, but Ger- didn’t see any- man security didn’t let him on the plane. Two weeks thing good here,” ago, he tried to go to Athens, but was again stopped. said Hamwi’s wife, He pulled two crumpled tickets slowly from the Dania Rasheed, pocket of his oversized coat, a worthless reminder of embracing her his futile efforts. Covering his face with his hands, he pregnant belly. “Ev- MARKUS SCHREIBER / ASSOCIATED PRESS said he will try until he finally finds a way out. erything is difficult, Abdullah Hamwi talks to the Associated Press in Berlin, Germany on Tuesday, While nobody has exact figures, interviews with they want papers May 24, 2016. Abdullah Hamwi and his wife Dania Rasheed no longer believe government officials, case workers, travel agents and here, papers there; they can build up a bright future for themselves in Germany. dozens of refugees themselves show that the num- tell us to go here ber of Syrians leaving Germany is growing steadily. and go there — the treatment is bad, it’s not the life Alaa Hadroos, who runs the Golf Reisen travel we used to live in Syria.” agency in Berlin, said between five and 10 people The young couple goes days without heat in the come by his office every day asking him for ways out middle of winter. They get by on 330 euros ($368) of Germany. At the beginning of the year, it was more per month and said security staff enter their room like 20, but many have realized he can’t help them. day and night. Hamwi, a pale, skinny man with dark “We are getting here a lot of Syrian refugees who circles under his eyes, takes his wife to the bathroom want to go home, but it is very, very hard for them to because he fears the strangers around. actually get there in any way,” he said. Such grievances are not likely to be resolved Hadroos said most Syrians now try to hire traffick- quickly in any big German city where thousands ers to eventually make it back home. suffer from a housing shortage. Hamwi has already Several migrants told the AP they had plane tick- looked into the smuggler’s rate to get to Istanbul: 300 MARKUS SCHREIBER / ASSOCIATED PRESS ets to Athens from traffickers in Berlin, even though euros ($335) per person for Berlin to Athens and an- they had no valid travel documents because German other 1,500 euros ($1,678) to get them all into Turkey. authorities hadn’t yet returned their passports. While “As soon as our daughter is born, we will find a “We are getting here a lot Berlin and Athens are part of Europe’s passport-free way to get out of here and back to Istanbul,” Hamwi zone, the airlines still need valid documents. said. “At least there we can live in dignity and work — of Syrian refugees who More than 420,000 Syrian refugees came to Ger- here we are not getting any respect.” want to go home, but it is many last year, and the majority will eventually re- Spiro Hadad, a journalist, is one of those who have ceive asylum. But the country is so overwhelmed successfully made it home to Syria. After losing his very, very hard for them that it is taking months, if not years, to process the house, he left Syria in June last year for Austria. But to actually get there in any requests, let alone the hundreds of thousands of ap- he soon became frustrated, among other things, that plications for family reunions. he could not bring his mother in, so he asked the hu- way” A spokesman for the German Foreign Office said man rights office in Austria to allow him back home. ALAA HADROOS, TRAVEL AGENCY OWNER the government has increased the staff at embas- They eventually gave him a ticket to Lebanon, sies in the Middle East to speed up the visa process whichlet him in even though he had left illegally for Syrian family members. The capacity of the Ger- through Turkey, because he showed his press card. man embassy in the Lebanese capital of Beirut to is- Then he drove to Damascus. sue visas has gone up from 5,000 a year in 2012 to “I lost everything in Syria and I tried to improve 30,000. But because of war, Germany no longer has my conditions. Unfortunately, I lost much more,” an embassy in Damascus, which makes it difficult he said. “Most people prefer to return because they for many Syrian families to even apply for visas. can’t stand it.”

SEVERAL MIGRANTS CONFIRMED TO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS THE FOLLOWING PLAN TO RETURN TO SYRIA:

Buy plane tickets from Hire traffickers to illegally traffickers in Berlin and walk them across the fly to Athens. A number Greece - Turkey border, of migrants still do not have then continue the trek through their passports or valid travel Syria. documents, the latter of which are required for airline travel in both Berlin and Athens.

MAPS FROM CIA WORLD FACTBOOK