The Battalion: July 20, 2010

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thebattalion

news for you texas Race for governor heats up

july 20, 2010

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texas a&m since 1893

● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2010 student media

campus

Science college receives award

architecture

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On Monday, Republican Gov. Rick Perry, class of 1972, and Democratic opponent Bill White accused each other of lying about or trying to hide their profits in the oil and gas industry. Perry said White has lied about profiting from his investment in an oil exploration company he founded. White said Perry’s trying to distract Texans from important issues, including the $18 billion revenue shortfall.

● tuesday,

Police target gang members Federal authorities said they made 105 arrests in the Dallas area during a five-day operation that targeted suspected foreign-born gang members and their associates. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said Monday that 72 of the arrests were on criminal warrants or charges. The other 33 were arrested on immigration violations.

Students design train station for campus

ven with the intermittent rumble and temporary halt in traffic that accompany the occasional train passing through town, it is easy to forget College Station’s humble beginnings as a railroad stop. Yet, a group of sophomore architecture students recently found themselves consulting the city’s history, while planning for the future. The Aggies used innovative design software to plan a hypothetical train station complete with modern conveniences, environmentally friendly features and contemporary aesthetics.

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Gayle Gabriel | The Battalion

see story on page 2

lowest gas price

$2.59

Kate Hill, special to The Battalion

Chevron at 300 George Bush Drive and Highlands St. www.texasgasprices.com Osazuwa Okundaye — THE BATTALION

nation &world Study links AIDS virus to poverty Poverty is perhaps the most important factor in whether inner-city heterosexuals are infected with the AIDS virus, according to a government study released on Monday. Poor heterosexuals in those neighborhoods were twice as likely to be infected as heterosexuals who lived in the same community but had more money.

Oosthuizen wins British Open One week after beaming in pride at its historic hosting of soccer’s World Cup, South Africa had another reason to stick out its chest: Louis Oosthuizen won the British Open in a dominating romp. The victory occured on Nelson Mandela’s 92nd birthday, no less. Staff and wire reports

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Nancy Magnussen, director of Educational Outreach and Women’s Programs in the Texas A&M University college of science, was honored with the Science Olympiad Heart of Gold Award. “I was surprised, shocked, thrilled,” Magnussen said. “I had no idea that I had been selected to receive this award. There are so many people at the national level that Nancy Magnussen, have condirector tributed so of Educational much. It Outreach was humand Women’s bling to Programs in the know that I college of science was selected from such a deserving group. Following the announcement of the award, I have received dozens of e-mails and calls from not only campus, but also across the country from other state Olympiad directors.” The award recognizes what the foundation considers the key stakeholders in the program. “It is wonderful that the outreach efforts of the college of science have been recognized,” Magnussen said. “We could not begin to run this program without the faculty, staff and students that help run the 56 events that are offered. It is a huge undertaking, and I appreciate the enthusiasm from all the people that make it possible.”

community

animals

Spay Day helps low-income pet owners The yearly Bryan-College Station Spay Day is a time for participating veterinarians to spay and neuter cats for owners who might not otherwise be able to afford it. This year, Spay Day will take place in early August. Cat owners on public assistance with the Children’s Health Insurance Plan, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Nutrition for Women, Infants and Children, Social Security Disability or Medicaid are eligible. Anyone needing treatment for a feral cat is also eligible, regardless of income. Proof of public assistance is required, as well as a request form. A voucher is received by the participant, to use as payment. The vouchers will have the time and place for participants to take their cat. Cats eligible for surgery will also receive, if needed, a rabies vaccine, collar and microchip free of charge. Request forms can be picked up at the Brazos Valley Animal Shelter.

Spaying and neutering pets helps prevent overpopulation, which frequently results in a number of animals in shelters.

have to deal with that.” There’s now a frenzy for folks to get trained and licensed to carry a firearm, especially before the legislative session begins in January. It’s not required that people have a gun to enter the Capitol through the express lane. Merely holding a valid permit, and presenting it at the entrance, will get them expedited entry. “Everybody is doing it or is planning to do it,” said lobbyist Bill Miller, who has taken the required training and is waiting for his license to arrive in the mail.

Free events will take place until August at the Bryan-College Station Public Library as a part of the Adult Summer Reading Program for 2010. Guest lectures, ice cream socials, game nights and book clubs are a few of the events planned for the remainder of July and August. Door prizes will be offered at some of the events, including dinner for two donated by Christopher’s World Grille. The first 50 people to register at the Carnegie Center of Brazos Valley History and the first 100 people to register at the Clara B. Mounce Public Library and the Larry J. Ringer Public Library will receive pens. After registering, participants will receive an entry in the weekly drawing. An entry form can be filled or called in for each book read during the program. Entries can be turned in at each library’s reference desk. There is a maximum of five entries per person, per week. There will be a final drawing at the end of the summer for unclaimed prizes.

Associated Press

Megan Ryan, staff writer

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Overpopulation, health and other benefits are the main reasons for getting a cat spayed or neutered. The chance of a long and healthy life increases by one to five years, on average. Megan Ryan, staff writer

To make a donation ◗ Mail a check made out to “Brazos Feral Cat Allies” with “BCS Spay Day” on memo line to: Brazos Feral Cat Allies, P.O. Box 10738, College Station, Texas 77842.

texas

Gun permits allow quick access to state capitol AUSTIN — Everyone from lobbyists to lawyers and journalists is rushing to get permits to carry guns inside the Texas Capitol, where legislators already often tote pistols in boots and purses. A unique loophole in a security procedure means a gun permit is like a special-access pass into the domed building, allowing people who are certified to carry a gun to bypass lines at the metal detectors that were set up after a shooting incident earlier this year. “Nobody wants to be the one standing in line behind 300 kids wearing the same colored T-shirt,” said University of Texas political scientist Jim Henson. “If you’re trying to get in and out really quick and there’s going to be choke points, well, people don’t want to

Library offers summer program

7/19/10 5:19 PM


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