Texas’ Voter ID Law in Legal Limbo
Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Justice ruled that if Texas does not hand over requested documentation by Wednesday, the trial on Texas’ Voter ID Law will most likely be delayed. A delay in the trial means that Texas will not see the law implemented in time for the November election, according to the Texas Tribune.
The trial was scheduled to start July 9, until yesterday’s decision. The DOJ is specifically requesting information on voters and state databases; the state has until Wednesday to comply, says the Tribune.
KUT News previously reported that the DOJ had previously used demographic and census data to argue the law would have a disproportionate impact on minority citizens.
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has sued the DOJ, stating the department is employing delay tactics with their request for documentation that appear to have “nothing to do” with the trial, reports the Tribune. Meanwhile, the DOJ insists that Abbott’s office have used their own measures to delay by not providing the documents in a timely manner.
Supporters of the voter ID law say it will prevent voter fraud but opponents say it will discriminate against minorities and the elderly.
Three Longhorns and One Former Player Arrested
Early Monday morning, three University of Texas football players and one former football player were arrested after causing a disturbance, says the Austin Police Department.
Senior starter Kenny Vaccaro, senior tight end Barrett Matthews, former player Eryon Barnett and senior defensive end Alex Okafor were arrested at 1:29 a. m. in the 300 block of East Sixth Street.
The men were charged with failure to obey a lawful order; Eryon Barnett was also charged with failure to identify.
Austin police were called to the scene after reports of a male causing a disturbance. The Austin American-Statesman reports the players were refused entry into a bar. After they ignored requests by the officers to leave, both Okafor and Barnett were arrested. Seniors Vaccaro and Matthews began yelling at the officers and were subsequently arrested as well.
Paul Qui Wins James Beard Award
The James Beard Foundation awarded Austin chef Paul Qui honors for “Best Chef: Southwest” last night.
Qui beat out five other nominees for the award. He may be getting used to winning by now. In February, Qui won Bravo’s “Top Chef: Texas.”
Qui is the executive chef at Uchiko and the founder of East Side King, a collection of food trailers. On Twitter, Qui tweeted his thanks to The James Beard Foundation and his co-workers, family and friends.
Last year, the same award went to Tyson Cole, the executive chef at Austin’s Uchi. Qui trained under Cole at Uchi before working his way up to executive chef at Uchiko.
Food Network host Alton Brown hosted the awards in New York City.
