KUHF News

Layoffs Hit Eight-Month High In May

news@kuhf.org (KUHF Radio) — Thu, 31 May 2012 16:34:00 +0000

Job cuts surged to an eight-month high in May, according to a report by global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

The nation’s employers announced plans to lay off nearly 62,000 workers this month. That’s the most monthly job cuts since last September, when layoffs totaled nearly a 116,000. Texas lost nearly 2,500 jobs. Only three other states lost more.

John Challenger is CEO of Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

“The layoffs were heaviest in the computer sector, but also in transportation and finance. The computer sector was driven by the cuts at Hewlett-Packard. It was a big, mega-layoff that they announced, over 27,000 people. That’s the biggest layoff we’ve seen in some time, in fact, one of the biggest job cuts in the tech industry in history.”

HP employs roughly 9,000 workers in the Houston area as the result of its 2002 merger with Compaq. The Palo Alto, California-based company declined to comment on layoffs at any individual site.

chart created by Challenger, Gray & Christmas

Cornyn's Bill Wants To Eliminate Rape Kit Backlog

news@kuhf.org (KUHF Radio) — Thu, 31 May 2012 15:12:00 +0000

It's a nationwide problem. Hundreds of thousands of rape-kits sit in limbo because local police don't have the proper resources to process them. It's been a problem here in Houston too, with thousands of the kits sitting on shelves in police evidence storage rooms. Legislation introduced by Texas Senator John Cornyn is designed to dramatically reduce that backlog.

The bill is called the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Registry (SAFER) Act.

Texas Senator John Cornyn introduced the measure to help eliminate the massive national backlog of an estimated 400,000 untested rape kits.

Senator Cornyn says each kit represents a victim denied closure, and a rapist who might go unpunished.

"What I want to do is make sure that more of the money that the federal government spends — it'll be roughly $117 million this next year alone — goes to testing these untested kits. In a nutshell, what this legislation would do, it would commit up to 7 percent of the funds in this $117 million to inventory these untested rape kits, so we know what we have. And then it would demand that, at least 75 percent of those funds to be used to actually test these kits."

Houston has a backlog of over 6,600 untested rape kits. Mayor Annise Parker says its a matter of utilizing resources and making critical decisions about how resources are prioritized.

"Some of it was caused by, literally by a lack of resources. Some of it was the result of strategic decisions that we may now decide were not the best, as to which rape kits should be tested appropriately, and which ones not. But what we do know today is that we have a problem, and we are about solutions, and this Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Act is a potential solution."

Diane Savage is with the Bay Area Turning Point, a local service agency that provides among other things, sexual assault prevention education to Houston area youth. She hopes the measure passes because it will help in the healing process.

"Since January of this year, we have assisted 163 victims of sexual assault. We call them survivors, because they live to tell someone, and to reach out for help. The scars will remain a lifetime, but we know that they can heal. Let's get busy; implement the SAFER Act, dust those rape kits off, and let's get it done."

The measure could help end the rape kit backlog with no new spending and better target existing funds.

To view a PDF of the STAR Act, click here.

KUHF Conversations: Harris Co. Judge Ed Emmett On Hurricane Season Preparedness

news@kuhf.org (KUHF Radio) — Thu, 31 May 2012 11:30:00 +0000

Every year when hurricane season rolls around on June 1st, we hear the same thing — make a plan and be prepared. We all know about how we should stock up on food, water, medication, ice, and — after the harsh lessons of Hurricane Ike in 2008 — find a way to get backup power, in case you're one of the unlucky ones who goes for up to two weeks without electricity. So what's new in hurricane preparedness this year? KUHF's David Pitman recently stopped by the office of Harris County Judge Ed Emmett to find out.

Six Houston Companies Rank Among Top US Exporters

news@kuhf.org (KUHF Radio) — Thu, 31 May 2012 10:19:00 +0000

The Journal of Commerce has released its latest rankings of the hundred top exporters and importers among U.S. companies.

Six Houston companies tallied among the country’s top exporters by volume in 2011. Five of those were chemical companies, including Shintech, which earned the highest ranking for a Houston company at #9. Shintech is a U.S. subsidiary of Japan’s Shin-Etsu Chemical.

The sole non-chemical Houston firm to make the list was #31 WM Recycle America, a subsidiary of Waste Management.

Overall, Journal of Commerce economist Mario Moreno expects slower growth in exports this year.

“Exports, in the last year, we grew by about 6.5% to 7%. And exports this year, I’m expecting growth to be lower than that, about 3% to 3.5%. And that is because of the problems that we’re seeing in Europe.”

Only one Houston company made the list of the top hundred importers. Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Hon Hai Precision Industries, better known by its trade name Foxconn, ranked 68^th for imports to its Houston operations.

Local Organizations Mobilize To Keep Kids Safe On Final Days Of The School Year

news@kuhf.org (KUHF Radio) — Wed, 30 May 2012 21:50:00 +0000

The end of the school year is fast approaching and some kids use that time to settle scores with other students, thinking they won't get punished. So some local organizations are stepping up to keep students safe on the last days of school.

Project Safe Start is a collaborative effort between Houston area ministers, the Houston Police Department and school officials. Ministers and police officers will walk school grounds to dissolve any conflict that may arise between the kids. Some students feel the last day has a different set of rules for behavior says HPD’s Lt. Mattie Provost.

"Well number one, they feel like there’s not going to be any consequences because it’s the last day of school and so they can’t get expelled from school. So if they’re believing that there are no consequences, they’re more than likely to do some things that they wouldn’t do during a normal school year."

However Provost says that punishment will be carried out at the beginning of the next school year. Project Safe Start is in its 22nd year, and Provost believes having both police and ministers taking part is what really makes the difference.

"We have the police officers there in case they have to make any type of arrest, but we really use the ministers up front so that they can go in and talk to the students if they’re doing something and let them know what the consequences are and alternatives."

Ministers and officers will be at 90 schools in the Houston, Spring Branch, North Forest, Alief and Fort Bend Independent School Districts this week.

SpaceX Capsule Cleared To Leave Space Station and Head Back To Earth

news@kuhf.org (KUHF Radio) — Wed, 30 May 2012 21:24:00 +0000

The first private spaceship to visit the International Space Station will attempt to return to earth tomorrow. Astronauts have loaded the Dragon capsule with cargo to bring back to Earth, and are preparing to release the unmanned vehicle about 4:30 tomorrow morning.

So far, the Dragon capsule has performed as expected.

But when it plunges back into Earth’s atmosphere, it will experience temperatures as high as 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

That’s why NASA hasn’t put anything really important onboard.

Holly Ridings is Flight Director for NASA:

“Because this is the test flight, specifically the program made sure there’s not anything coming home that we couldn’t afford to not get back.”

If all goes well, the Dragon capsule will splash down in the Pacific about 550 miles southwest of Los Angeles.

It will then be transported to a SpaceX facility in McGregor, near Waco, and the cargo sent on to Johnson Space Center here in Houston.

SpaceX Mission Manager John Couluris says the Dragon’s journey from space station to splash-down should take about five and a half hours.

“It’s important to note we have a lot ahead of us on the SpaceX side. Once we leave integrated space with NASA, we still have the entire re-entry to perform. We’re really looking forward to it, we’ve done it once, but it’s still a very challenging phase of flight. And only a few countries have done this before, so we’re not taking this lightly at all.”

Couluris says even if re-entry fails, the mission should count as a major success in the ongoing cargo contract with NASA.

“The ability to get to space station on our first time, to not only rendezvous but then to berth, transfer cargo, and depart safely are major mission objectives. We would call that mission alone a success.”

The splashdown is expected at 10:44 a.m. Central Time.

From the KUHF Health and Science Desk, I’m Carrie Feibel.

Houston Gets Second International Airport

news@kuhf.org (KUHF Radio) — Wed, 30 May 2012 20:17:00 +0000

Southwest Airlines will soon be able to build an international terminal at Hobby Airport. Houston Councilmembers approved the deal today which allows Southwest to Spend $100 million to add the new terminal. City officials say Houston is ready for two international airports.

The resounding refrain from Houston councilmembers was "this is the right thing to do."

Southwest and United Airlines have been lobbying and arguing over the deal for months now. Southwest's request to build an international terminal at Hobby was approved in a 16-1 vote.

Southwest CEO Gary Kelly, surrounded by dozens of employees, says if enough passengers choose Southwest, the airline could add thousands of jobs to the Houston market.

"If the projections of the passenger traffic are correct, which are between 1.5 and 2 million passengers a year, then absolutely you'll see tens of thousands of jobs. If those traffic numbers don't materialize, well then you won't have as many jobs. But in any event, it's all about competition, it's all about lowering fares and making travel more affordable and for the first time now, two international markets to the south."

Southwest still has to work out a final lease agreement with the City of Houston. The understanding is the airline will hold its lease on the Hobby terminal for at least 25 years.

Councilmember Jerry Davis, who represents District B, where Bush Intercontinental Airport is located, voted against the deal, although he says he hopes it works out for Houston.

"As a businessman, I'm looking at hey this might be the best thing since sliced bread, bringing in more jobs and opportunity to the City of Houston. But on the other hand, there's a period of time where we will have to go through some growing pains and it will affect a lot of people in my district."

Representatives from United Airlines told the council they're disappointed but will respect the city's decision.

United's Vice President of the Houston hub Stephanie Buchanan says they plan to cut 1,300 Houston jobs as a result of the vote.

"We've got several markets that aren't going to make sense any more. We've said that we're going to cut six percent of our flight schedule and future growth that we had planned we're not going to have any more. So the jobs are associated with the flight schedule."

Buchanan says those flights and jobs could be cut as soon as this Fall.

Several councilmembers said they voted for the Hobby expansion after hearing from thousands of constituents who supported the deal. Councilmember Melissa Noriega said her office received more than 16,000 emails asking her to side with Southwest.

As to United's claim that they'll cut jobs, Gary Kelly says he's skeptical.

"All airlines are made up of people, United has great people. I'm a little biased and happen to think that Southwest has the best people. But in any event, it's all about competition, it's all about lowering fares and more traffic means more jobs."

Even so, some councilmembers expressed cautious support for the deal as they questioned what kinds of hidden costs might hit the city down the road, such as the need for additional parking lots at Hobby.

The expansion still requires approval by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Houston Second in Nation for Job Creation in April

news@kuhf.org (KUHF Radio) — Wed, 30 May 2012 17:29:00 +0000

The Labor Department has released the April numbers on metropolitan job growth and unemployment.

Greater Houston added just over 81,000 jobs between April 2011 and last month. That put the region second in the nation for year-over-year metro job creation, behind New York and ahead of Dallas-Fort Worth.

The Houston area also came in second in terms of percentage increases in employment. Houston employment rose about 3% from April of last year, a tad slower than California’s Silicon Valley.

Houston’s unemployment rate fell to 6.5% in April, down from 7% in March and nearly 8% a year earlier.

The national unemployment rate in April was just under 8%, down from nearly 9% in April of last year. Unemployment rates were lower in April than a year earlier in 90% of the nation’s metro areas.

The City Council Vote: United Vs. Southwest Airlines

news@kuhf.org (KUHF Radio) — Wed, 30 May 2012 16:16:00 +0000

Supporters of both Southwest and United airlines at Houston City Council this morning. Council is expected to vote on an international terminal expansion at Hobby airport today. We take you there live.

Primary Night At The Cruz Campaign Headquarters In Houston

news@kuhf.org (KUHF Radio) — Wed, 30 May 2012 15:33:00 +0000

Houston attorney and former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz will face Texas Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst in a runoff for the Republican race to replace retiring U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.

The first word out of Ted Cruz's mouth after it was determined that he'll be in a runoff with David Dewhurst:

"WOW!"

He told supporters at the JW Marriott last night that it was a testament to them that nobody in the state thought they could do it and they did, despite being outspent 5 to 1:

"In 2010 a tidal wave swept the country. All over the country, people said they were fed up with the same tired establishment incumbents, and from Florida with Marco Rubio, To Mike Lee to Rand Paul to Pat Toomey to Ron Johnson, the American people said We want new leaders!"

He said during the first round, Dewhurst skipped 35-debates with him:

"So I'm going to invite my opponent, between now and July 31st, to a series of five debates (applause), where each of us can stand in front of the people, we can answer your questions and we can defend our own records."

Cruz issued a warning that the attack ads will get more intense and more money will be spent by what he called the establishment, to stay in power. The runoff is set for July 31st.

Primary Night At The Dewhurst Campaign Headquarters In Houston

news@kuhf.org (KUHF Radio) — Wed, 30 May 2012 15:15:00 +0000

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst was short of the majority needed to earn the nomination outright, so he and Cruz will now face off in a runoff election on July 31 to advance to the November general election.

"You know, this evening we've seen a clear message from the voters, to the Washington insider special interest — 'don't mess with Texas.'"

Calling himself a Washington "outsider" Dewhurst says he wants to bring what he calls the "Texas conservative success story" to the nation's capital.

Before a cheering election night crowd here in Houston, Dewhurst said he would get rid of President Obama's health care plan. He said he also wants to curb spending and balance the federal budget without raising taxes.

"I'll put my real-life experience as a lifelong businessman to work in Washington to make sure that we repeal President Obama's job-killing regulations that are killing small businesses."

Dewhurst touted strong job creation in Texas, saying the state has gained over a million new jobs in the past decade.

KUHF Conversations: Simon Johnson

news@kuhf.org (KUHF Radio) — Wed, 30 May 2012 11:22:00 +0000

Estimates of JPMorgan Chase's trading loss are now more than $6 billion. Andrew Schneider spoke with former IMF chief economist Simon Johnson on the debacle. Johnson has launched a petition on Change.org to have CEO Jamie Dimon removed from the board of New York's Federal Reserve Bank.

Simon Johnson is a former chief economist for the IMF. He’s now a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and a professor at MIT’s Sloan School of Management. His most recent book is White House Burning: The Founding Fathers, Our National Debt, and Why It Matters to You.

Enterprise Agrees To Pay $1 Million Over Natural Gas Pipeline Spills

news@kuhf.org (KUHF Radio) — Wed, 30 May 2012 09:59:00 +0000

Houston-based Enterprise Products has agreed to pay a $1 million fine to resolve concerns over natural gas pipeline spills in three states.

The fine helps to settle a case against Enterprise for violations of the federal Clean Water Act related to spills in Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska.

In addition to the civil penalty, Enterprise has agreed to take measures aimed at preventing future threats to the pipeline. Karl Brooks is Region 7 Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency.

“So the effect of what we’ve agreed to with the pipeline operators here is to have a better safety and inspection program so they get out on the ground more, they can tell when their pipeline might be vulnerable, and they can warn companies that work around pipelines to take better precautions.”

Enterprise says all three spills were caused by factors outside the company’s control. Those in Nebraska and Kansas were both caused by landowners puncturing the pipeline with heavy equipment. Severe flooding along the Missouri River last year caused the Iowa spill by washing away support for the pipeline.

Enterprise has an asset base of over $30 billion and operates over 50,000 miles of pipelines.

Busy Summer For Houston Food Bank

news@kuhf.org (KUHF Radio) — Tue, 29 May 2012 22:38:00 +0000

Social service agencies say unfortunately, now that school is out, children will be looking for something to eat. The Houston Food Bank is gearing up for the demand.

Ann Svendsen Sanchez is one of the directors at the Houston Food Bank.

They produce some 60,000 meals a month for local programs.

"Right now we’re in the production kitchen; we’re running a meal. We’ve got half the kitchen is actually preparing a meal for tomorrow. This side of the kitchen, on the right-hand side, is where we’re actually packing it out."

The food being prepared today will be packaged and leave the warehouse next week for its destination.

"We have a large rotisserie oven that we use to cook whole muscle meats. We cook a lot from scratch. We don’t use a lot of convenience foods. So our meats are cooked fresh and unseasoned, so that we can control the amount of sodium and additives that’s being added to our food."

This time of year Svendsen Sanchez says the needs of the food bank go up. Children who normally participate in the free breakfast and lunch programs at school are now at home causing a strain on family resources.

"This period of time is when kids don’t have school meals to depend on and it’s really hard on families to keep food in the house. These kids want three meals a day and there’s just no food for them to eat, so this is one opportunity to feed them a nutritious, hot meal once a day."

The food bank depends not just on food donations, but donations of labor as well. On this day, there were at least four volunteers in the kitchen helping package food. Vanessa Cruz was one of them.

"Where we live, we have to do community service. We have to do like hours, so we come here and volunteer."

"It’s very important that people understand the school lunch is a very important part of kids’ lives and when we don’t have it in the summer, they’re living on ramen noodles and soda and things that just have no nutritional value at all."

Svendsen Sanchez says most of the food used to prepare hot meals is donated from big companies. But they still need cash donations from the public. She says even with the volunteers, it takes a lot of money to run an operation this size.

Gas Can Shortage Could Develop During Hurricane Season

news@kuhf.org (KUHF Radio) — Tue, 29 May 2012 20:59:00 +0000

As hurricane season approaches, there could be a shortage of gasoline cans nationwide. The country's largest gas can manufacturer is struggling to reorganize after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year.

Blitz USA is an Oklahoma based company that started making gas cans for the U.S. military in 1966.

They later went commercial and made portable red gas cans famous.

Spokeswoman Amanda Emerson says they had to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last November, after a number of people filed lawsuits against them.

"That were characterized by individuals, typically adults, pouring gasoline on a fire or using gasoline to start a fire. And then, in turn, they hold the gas can manufacturer responsible for injuries sustained after that practice, which is an inherently dangerous practice. We warn on every gas can never to pour gas on a fire."

Blitz USA makes about 75 percent of gas cans sold in America.

As the company goes through reorganization, Emerson says they're alerting state officials in hurricane zones about a potential shortage of gas cans this summer.

"Our industry records show that in a hurricane year, that is when a hurricane makes landfall or when landfall is threatened, our sales as an industry increase by about 30 percent. And in an average year we sell between 12-15 million gas cans."

Emerson says the company may not be able to keep up with demand this summer. She says during the evacuation for Hurricane Rita, drivers were storing gasoline in coolers, gallon jugs and even open buckets when stores sold out of gas cans.