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Last week, the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in Veasey v. Perry, a challenge to the Texas voter ID law. In a federal district court ruling, Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos ruled there was "compelling evidence" that Senate Bill 14, enacted in 2013, was passed with the intent to discriminate against minority voters in Texas by requiring what opponents characterize as the nation's strictest voter ID law.
On this edition of Houston Matters, we talk about how the 5th Circuit is likely to rule, the history of voter ID laws and why a recent decision by the Supreme Court not to hear a similar case out of Wisconsin may signal that this Texas case is likely to find its way to the High Court, no matter what the 5th Circuit rules.
Also this hour: many high schools and middle schools in Houston have a shortage of counselors to help students prepare for college. Counselors at some area schools are responsible for more than 500 students. We learn more about efforts to hire more school counselors at HISD.
Then: We ask our gaggle of foodies to turn their attention to European cuisine and share their thoughts on the best places in Greater Houston to find good French, British, Greek and Spanish food. This month’s installment of The Full Menu features Katharine Shilcutt of Houstonia Magazine, David Leftwich of Sugar and Rice Magazine, and Eric Sandler of CultureMap Houston.
Plus: While Star Wars fans have months to wait before The Force Awakens hits theaters, a new book called Ultimate Star Wars may be enough to satisfy fans’ appetites until December. The illustrated guide to the Star Wars galaxy debuts at Houston’s Blue Willow Bookshop this Saturday. With the book the upcoming film from J.J. Abrams and other awakenings in The Force in mind, we sought out Star Wars fans here in Greater Houston, to learn more about their love of the movie saga. Maggie Martin talks with Kristen Lee Ohanyan, who heads up Star Wars Enthusiasts of Houston, and her fellow Star Wars fans Marcus Schaefer and Matthew Shields.
(Image Courtesy: DallasNews.com)
