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An analysis of Texas DPS data on traffic stops from 2003 to 2014 show black drivers in the Lone Star State are more likely to be searched than white drivers, and less likely to be let go with a warning. The Austin American-Statesman reported late last month (Nov. 22, 2015) researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Texas scoured the law enforcement agency's annual reports and concluded DPS treats motorists unfairly based on race, contrary to agency claims. And researchers say the data DPS uses to show how it treats different demographics fairly is flawed. On this edition of Houston Matters, we take a closer look at the report, with the help of reporters Eric Dexheimer and Jeremy Schwartz from The Austin American-Statesman.
Also this hour: St. Joseph Medical Center downtown staved off possible closure last week (Nov. 24, 2015), after receiving an extension on a deadline from the federal government. St. Joseph has until Jan. 15 to come up with a plan to correct some issues raised by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which the federal agency says put patients in jeopardy. CMS originally said it would stop reimbursing the hospital for elderly (Medicare) and poor (Medicaid) patients, as early as tomorrow (Dec. 3, 2015), after six months of violations at the facility. The loss of such funds would be enough to force Houston’s oldest hospital to close. But the extension gives new hope that the hospital can remain open. We learn more from Markian Hawryluk, health reporter for the Houston Chronicle.
Then: Houston’s culinary scene has been celebrated a great deal in recent years, and rightly so. But most of our celebrated restaurants close at some point each night. What if you’re feeling peckish in the middle of the night? Where are the great late-night eateries in the region? We ask our gaggle of foodies (Katharine Shilcutt of Houstonia Magazine, David Leftwich of Sugar and Rice Magazine, and Eric Sandler of CultureMap Houston) to share their restaurant suggestions for night owls to visit in the latest installment of The Full Menu.
Plus: With Star Wars: Episode VII due out this month, and a lot of attention paid to the 30th anniversary of Back to the Future this year, Gen Xers may be feeling some pop cultural déjà vu these days. Recent concerts in Houston may also be fueling the 80’s nostalgia: Earlier this year, The Psychedelic Furs and Depeche Mode played here. In the coming weeks New Order will perform at Day for Night, and in May, The Cure will visit Toyota Center. Houston Matters’ Edel Howlin asks Cactus Music owner Quinn Bishop why bands of generations past are still succeeding on the touring circuit.
