Published: 10/19/2012 11:04 AM
Last Modified: 10/19/2012 2:42 PM
DALLAS — Big Tex, (click here) the metal cowboy whose slow drawl of "Howdy, folks!" made him an icon of the State Fair of Texas for 60 years, was destroyed Friday when flames engulfed his 52-foot-tall frame.
Some material that made up Big Tex's hands and sleeves could still be seen as firefighters gathered around the scorched area. This year's fair, which closes Sunday and had been celebrating the towering structure's birthday, went on despite the fire — just as Big Tex would want it. "Big Tex is a symbol of everything the state fair stands for," fair spokeswoman Sue Gooding said. "Big Tex is where my parents told me, 'If you get lost, meet at Big Tex.'"...
Just another day in the life in Texas. I wonder if Big Tex perished from spontaneous combustion and sunlight. You know the metal getting hot, etc.
By Associated Press
Published: 10/19/2012 12:19 PM
Last Modified: 10/19/2012 12:19 PM
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Texas A&M University (click here) officials said they have received a campus-wide bomb threat and are evacuating all students, faculty and staff.
The evacuation order was posted on the university's website Friday as a "Code Maroon" warning. It directs those on campus to evacuate by foot immediately and to not use a vehicle.
Texas A&M spokesman Lane Stephenson said the the school received a call about the bomb threat at about 11:30 a.m. He didn't immediately have any other information about the threat.
The school said all classes were canceled and the evacuation will remain in effect until further notice....
Probation? Does he know this judge? Hee-haw cowboy. The upside is there can be recognition of corruption in Texas. Whether it makes a lasting impression on the accused is anyone's guess.
By Associated Press
Published: 10/19/2012 3:22 PM
Last Modified: 10/19/2012 3:22 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY — The former leader of the Oklahoma Senate (click here) wants a federal judge to sentence him to probation on a bribery conviction.
Former Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan made the request Friday in a pre-sentence memorandum filed in U.S. District Court in Oklahoma City.
Morgan was convicted of bribery by a 12-member jury in March. Federal prosecutors alleged payments — disguised as legal fees — were made to Morgan by a business that owned assisted-living centers in exchange for favorable treatment in the Legislature...
If I were the Democratic competition I'd make the most out of this one. It is almost as though Big Texas is a real omen. Drought, fire, combustible Big Tex. Sounds like the state needs a change to me, prayer alone ain't working.
There are 12 seats up for grabs (click here) in the Senate and 34 in the House of Representatives. Oklahoman Republicans hope to maintain their position and even gain a few seats.
By MEGAN ROLLAND NewsOK.com
Published: 10/19/2012 2:54 PM
Last Modified: 10/19/2012 2:54 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY - Two weeks out from the general election, Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman Matt Pinnell says the GOP should maintain a majority in the Republican-controlled Legislature.
He said it's possible Republicans could pick up a few historically Democratic seats.
“We can't take anything for granted,” Pinnell said. “Just because (President Barack) Obama is very unpopular does not mean we're going to win all these races. Because of that we need to work hard and finish strong.”...
What choice to farmers have? It isn't as though they can do anything else but plant and how enough moisture exists in the morning dew to make it through the heat of the day. It is why the FARM BILL is so important. First there are no crops, then there are no farmers. I hate to clue everyone in, but, farmers are simply pulled out of thin air.
By KEN MILLER Associated Press
Published: 10/19/2012 2:58 PM
Last Modified: 10/19/2012 2:58 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY — Despite ongoing drought conditions (click here) — Oklahoma wheat farmers are busy planting their winter crop with what one agreed is cautious optimism.
Oklahoma Wheat Commission Executive Director Mike Schulte said Friday that 75 percent of the 2012 crop is estimated to have been planted.
Farmer Joe Kelly in Altus said the moisture level of the topsoil remains low — but with wheat priced currently at about $8.50 per bushel he's decided to plant 1,500 acres this year in hopes that rains will come....
This was last year. Democrats need to change this paradigm. That ain't no joke.
Bloomberg reports:
Texas, the biggest U.S. cattle producer and second-largest winter-wheat grower, (click here) got just 4.7 inches (12 centimeters) of rain on average in the five months through February, the least for the period since 1967, State Climatologist John Nielsen- Gammon said. More than half the wheat fields and pastures were rated in poor or very poor condition on March 20....
Wishing and hoping isn't going to make it happen. Winter Wheat is often a cover crop to protect the soil and it is an additional cash crop to the farm. However, if the wheat fails due to drought, it does little to nothing to protect the soil because the root structure is not mature enough to do the work.
Again, I have to emphasis there needs to be a change in states having these issues to convert to perennial rather than annual crops with mature root systems all year long. Root systems that are longer and stronger and produce beyond what annuals can do in a profound drought. Irrigating perennials is far easier and prevents soil erosion all year long. Over time perennials will help create their own climate and will require less irrigation to maintain. It isn't business as usual these days.
Also, small trials at Ag Research Centers should be conducted to establish whether or not grazing on perennials after harvest will return a livestock benefit.
Do American farmers want guarantees or diving rods?
Winter Wheat:
Planting: Winter wheat is planted from mid-August through October.
Harvest: Winter wheat is harvested from mid-May to mid-July.
Planting: Winter wheat is planted from mid-August through October.
Harvest: Winter wheat is harvested from mid-May to mid-July.
Spring Wheat:
Planting: Spring wheat is planted from April through May.
Harvest: Spring wheat is harvested from mid-August to mid-September.
Planting: Spring wheat is planted from April through May.
Harvest: Spring wheat is harvested from mid-August to mid-September.
