January 8, 2024
NEW YEAR SALE: Only 99¢ for Access! |
|
 | Cat DeLaura, Audience producer |
Best of the Bayou
Today we're talking about vaping in Houston-area schools...
If you read one thing: Hundreds of students in Houston-area school districts were sent to disciplinary alternative education programs in the first three months of a new Texas law meant to curb youth vaping, a move that some school administrators and advocates say is too punitive.
What is the new law?
House Bill 114, requires public schools to remove any student from class who is caught with an e-cigarette and send them to a separate center designated for students in serious trouble. The law went into effect Sept. 1.
By the numbers:
In the largest five school districts in the Houston region, more than 1,300 students were disciplined for using, possessing or selling an e-cigarette from September through early December, according to data collected by the Chronicle.
In Houston ISD, the largest district in the state, nearly 370 students were placed in a DAEP for vaping through early December, according to the district, representing a small fraction of the district's roughly 183,000 students.
What is HISD doing?
However, HISD is now exempt from the law under its newly adopted District of Innovation plan, with the district saying it opposes the zero-tolerance policy because it provided no flexibility, even for first-time offenders.
More than 50 other districts have similar innovation plans seeking exemption from the e-cigarette statute, according to the Texas Education Agency.
Why was the bill created?
Rep. Ed Thompson, R-Pearland, said he introduced the vaping measure after learning that some Brazoria County schools and law enforcement agencies were overwhelmed by the problem. Many students in the area were referred to the criminal justice system for using or selling e-cigarettes containing nicotine or marijuana, he said.
Thompson said he hoped the bill would give schools the ability to deal with those students internally — with a punishment severe enough to "put the fear of God into these kids" — rather than stretching thin county resources. He also hoped to keep kids from getting a criminal record for "making a really dumb decision one time."
- Read Anna Bauman's full story here.
Stay in the Loop
Photo by: Susan Barber
๐ฐ Need to Know
- Abbott's school voucher setback highlights broader dealmaking stumbles. The governor also struggled to negotiate last year on easier measures like property tax cuts and bail reform proposals that are personally important to him.
- Fact check: Did Obama deport more people than Trump? "Trump promised the largest deportations in history," Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said. "He deported less, believe it or not, than Barack Obama even did."
- Applications for Harris County guaranteed income program open Monday. Starting Monday, low-income families in Harris County can apply for a chance to receive $500 monthly payments – no strings attached – for a period of 18 months.
- Former Galleria employee arrested, accused of sexually assaulting 2 toddlers. The children were related to women who also worked at the Galleria Mall, according to a federal complaint.
๐ผ Business
- If you thought 2023 was tumultuous for tech, here comes 2024. Make no mistake, this year will be a standout for tech as the ground shifts beneath many different feet. Here's what's coming in three major categories, and how tech columnist Dwight Silverman plans to approach it.
- Alfa Romeo's suave Tonale Veloce SUV is long on style. This SUV's main selling points are style and brand presentation, beginning with its V-shaped Scudetto front grille, writes auto columnist Jesus R. Garcia.
๐ Outside the Loop
- New Caney barbecue destroyed in Thanksgiving fire moves on with food truck. In December, owner Allen Rhoden received $80,000 in grants and loans from the East Montgomery County Improvement District to retain his eight employees and start to rebuild.
- Small businesses love the 'cool factor' of these 1970s homes on Spring's Oak Ridge Drive. Oak Ridge Drive is a maze of homes repurposed for surprising commercial uses. A block away from The Woodlands and Interstate 45, the street has become a haven for small business owners.
Point of View
Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer
Mayor Whitmire must keep Turner's parks legacy going.
Mayor Sylvester Turner began the 50/50 Park Partners program that has brought much-needed upgrades to neighborhood parks, writes a reader in a letter to the Editor.
- I-45 project is set to break ground — but it's not set in concrete. After a pause and hard-won compromises, TxDOT's I45 project is ready to begin. But citizens still need to keep a close eye, writes the Editorial Board.
Houston vs. All Y'all
Photo by: Jon Shapley, Staff Photographer
'Damn, I'm happy for you': J.J. Watt hyped about Texans' playoffs.
On CBS' NFL pregame show Sunday, J.J. Watt was just as stoked as any Texans fan about his former team's return to the postseason after a three-season absence.
- Texans-Browns playoff tickets: How to buy them and how much they'll cost. As AFC South champs, the Texans will host a playoff game against the Cleveland Browns and tickets are on sale now.
- Warren Moon on Texans' C.J. Stroud: 'Pretty remarkable for a young player.': The former QB for the Oilers had a glowing review of the Texans rookie quarterback.
- Rockets insider: Houston emerges victorious from defensive duel. With the game on the line, Rockets' Alperen ลengรผn solved the Bucks' defense and made a play that helped seal the victory on Saturday night.
Get Out
Photo by: Jamaal Ellis, Contributor
Jack Harlow shouts out Houston rappers during CFP show.
"I love this city," Harlow said before shouting out Maxo Kream, who was at the show, and Trae Tha Truth, who "always shows love." Harlow told the crowd he had dinner with Paul Wall earlier that day at Grace's on Kirby.
- Top 21 anticipated restaurants opening this year, from Bar Bludorn to Phat Eatery. It's worth noting that restaurant opening dates are a moving target.
Thank you for your readership and support over the past two years of writing The 713. I've loved receiving every email about your lives and the places and things you love in Houston. None of this would be possible without y'all.
Puzzle of the Day: Cross|word
๐พ Print Preview — By Alex Eaton-Salners — Edited by brooke — Edited for Puzzmo by brooke
Play now
|
Unsubscribe | Manage Preferences | Privacy Notice
Houston Chronicle
4747 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77027
© 2024 Hearst Communications
No comments:
Post a Comment