Author: Brandon Moeller

Astros discuss ‘difficult decision’ before the game even starts

The Houston Astros made national news yesterday, and not just for their 3-2 loss to the Dodgers last night and George Springer’s thumb injury.

The big news came before the game, when Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow released a statement about the club’s quote “difficult decision” to add closer Roberto Osuna to its roster last week – even though he was still under a 75-game suspension for violating the league’s domestic violence policy.

Osuna is facing criminal charges in Canada for allegedly assaulting his domestic partner; but the Candadian court system hasn’t fully released details of the charges.

His court date has been reset to early September – yesterday, he joined the Astros’ active roster.

In his statement to the press, Astros GM Luhnow wrote, “We welcome being held accountable for all of our personnel decisions. Time will tell which ones were right and wrong. We believe that Roberto will not let us down.”

According to a column in The Toronto Sun published over the weekend, The Astros had been interested in Osuna for more than a year; last year, The Blue Jays rejected their offer for the star closing pitcher.

This year’s offer from the Houston Astros for the 23-year-old facing criminal charges was for about half of last year’s offer, according to the Toronto Sun.

Supreme Court rules most district maps in question are not racial gerrymandering

On Monday, in a 5-4 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed a lower court’s finding that eight state house districts and two congressional districts in Texas were the products of racial gerrymandering.

The ruling was mostly a win for Republicans and Governor Greg Abbott, whose lawyers argued that Republicans who drew the maps were not acting with the intent to limit the political impact of minority voters.

Written by Brandon Moeller. Read and produced by Steve Gallington. Aired on 90.1 FM KPFT’s The People’s News on June 29, 2018.

Texas military bases may be used for immigrant and child detention

As reported earlier this week on Democracy Now, the U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis announced that two military bases in Texas will be used to imprison immigrants, including children.

Written by Brandon Moeller. Read and produced by Steve Gallington. Aired on 90.1 FM KPFT’s The People’s News on June 29, 2018.

Valdez, Abbott, Cruz, O’Rourke all against family separations – though each propose different solutions

Candidates in Texas’ most contentious races in November speak out about separating families.

Written by Brandon Moeller. Read and produced by Steve Gallington. Aired on 90.1 FM KPFT’s The People’s News on June 22, 2018.

Deputy arrested for sexual assault of immigrant child; he told mother if she spoke out he would deport her

Bexar County sheriff’s deputy Jose S. Nunez was arrested this week on a first-degree felony charge of super aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Written and produced by Brandon Moeller. Aired on 90.1 FM KPFT’s The People’s News on June 22, 2018.

Eleven cooling centers around Houston will be open all summer

For the 13th year, thanks to a partnership with the City of Houston and Reliant, 11 cooling centers will be open and offer a place for residents to go to stay cool – free of charge.

Written by Brandon Moeller. Read and produced by Richard Hanna. Aired on 90.1 FM KPFT’s The People’s News on June 22, 2018.