THURSDAY TOP NEWS LINKS:
Pat Hernandez, KUHF Public Radio
A very special graduation was held at the Harris County Jail. Fourteen inmates earned and received the equivalent of a high school diploma, better known as GED. The achievement was possible through a partnership between the Harris County Sheriff’s office and Houston Community College.
Applause is not something you hear inside the Harris County Jail. But for some inmates wearing a royal blue cap and gown over their orange prison issued pajamas, it was recognition for finishing high school.
Daniel Castellon says it was a great feeling to be able to overcome a big obstacle. “Yeah, I was pretty happy when I passed my GED test.”
Hernandez: “Was it hard?”
Castellon: “It was alright. I didn’t try my hardest, but I know I could’ve done better.”
Ella Duncan is the director of Inmate Education with the HCSO. She says not every inmate takes advantage of their “free time” to complete their high school education. “What I found with most of my students is once they’re given the opportunity, and they realize that instructor is genuinely cares about whether or not they achieve that GED, they are more susceptible to listening and learning.”
Sheriff Adrian Garcia helped hand out diplomas. He says the new graduates know it’s a big step.
(Read and listen to the full story at KUHF Public Radio)
LOCAL AREA HEADLINES:
- Amber Alert Cancelled after kidnapped boys are found safe (KHOU 11 News)
- Opposing sides of Trayvon Martin case plan protests in River Oaks (Chron.com)
- Mayor Annise Parker wants to improve the lack of CPR training in low-income areas (KHOU 11 News)
- Veterans In Need at Camp Hope (KRIV 26 News)
- Local Nonprofit To Offer Walk-In Psychotherapy Sessions (KUHF Public Radio)
- Galveston’s Rosenberg Library first floor re-opens for first time since Hurricane Ike (KPRC 2 News)
- Fire Inspections Added To Possible Boarding Home Regulations (KUHF Public Radio)
- Benefit concert to be held for injured firefighters (KTRK 13 News)
STATE HEADLINES:
- For Veterans, a Fight for College Credit (Texas Tribune)
- PolitiFact: How Well Do Food Stamps Work in Texas? (KUT Austin)
- CSCOPE Changes Focus of Confusion at SBOE Meeting (Texas Tribune)
NATION & WORLD:
- Americans Own Nearly Half of the Privately Owned Guns on Earth (National Journal)
- Senators reach deal on student loan interest rates (USA Today)
- House votes to delay parts of health care law (USA Today)
- MERS Virus Not Global Emergency, Health Officials Say (New York Times)
- Mandela makes ‘dramatic’ progress, says daughter (AP)