The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - December 5, 2024

Episode Date: December 5, 2024

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Howdy folks, today is Thursday, December 5th, and you're listening to the Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans Assistant Editor Rob Lausches, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, although Texas law requires certain sexual offenders on probation to register with the state and avoid schools, daycares, or other settings with potential victims, several Harris County judges have been awarding noncompliant defendants with early termination of their probations, sometimes only months after sentencing. According to records obtained by the Texan, at least 12 defendants charged with sexual offenses were given early terminations in Harris County last year. Judge Melissa Morris of the 263rd District Criminal Court awarded four of the early terminations, including one for Denise Javier Eraso-Sanchez, who was charged with attempted

sexual assault in December 2022. While details of the charges are not available, prosecutors charged him with a Level 3 felony, which may be used in certain circumstances such as if the intended victim is under the age of 17 or if the charges were related to an aggravated assault. Morris gave Araso Sanchez deferred adjudication on April 3, 2024, with a five-year probation and dismissed charges against him of attempting to tamper with a government record. But just two months later, Morris granted him an unsatisfactory termination of that probation. Next, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said during his annual State of the City address at Dallas City Hall on December 5th, as required by the city's charter, quote, Dallas must be safe, first and foremost, and thanks to our police department, Dallas is safe. Johnson, who has been mayor of

Dallas since 2019, focused the majority of his speech around his four priorities, public safety, potholes, parks, and property tax relief. Public safety was a key component of the mayor's speech, in which he said that it is the foundation of the thriving of Dallas. He pointed out that Dallas is one of the safest cities in America, with violent crime decreasing for the fourth year in a row, which Johnson attributed to the city's data-driven violent crime reduction plan. The murder rate is down nearly 30% since last year, he noted. In other news, a ban on products containing consumable tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, could be coming to Texas after Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick made it a top priority ahead of the upcoming 89th legislative session. In a press release, Patrick made the announcement that 2025's Senate Bill 3 will, quote,

ban all forms of THC and keep these unsafe products off of our streets. The Texan clarified that SB3 would not eliminate the Compassionate Use Program in the state, which allows qualified physicians to prescribe low-THC cannabis to patients with certain conditions, including epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder, or an incurable neurodegenerative disease. Cannabidiol, or CBD, as well as industrial hemp and low THC cannabis derivatives such as Delta-8 and Delta-9 are permitted for sale in Texas. In response to a question on social media about the proposed ban, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said, quote, Not everyone is on the same page as this. The GOP needs to find some consensus instead of constantly running in opposite directions. We know what the polls say. It's time to support the will of the people of Texas.

Last but not least, United Airlines fired a flight attendant allegedly over comments made about the LGBT movement. Ruben Sanchez Jr., a flight attendant with a 28-year career at United, says that he was fired after a conversation with another flight attendant on a 28-year career at United, says that he was fired after a conversation with another flight attendant on a red-eye flight from Los Angeles to Cleveland in May 2023. In an attempt to stay awake, Sanchez had a private conversation discussing his and the other flight attendants' shared Catholic faith and the imminent start of LGBT Pride Month in June. Sanchez was apparently overheard by an unidentified individual who complained to United on social media. Sanchez was later suspended without pay by United and was told

by the airline that his social media feed would be examined by the company. The Association of Flight Attendants Union, which represents airline employees, did initially represent Sanchez in the investigative process, but later canceled his arbitration and withdrew his grievance, resulting in his termination with cause. Thanks for listening. To support The Texan, please be sure to visit thetexan.news and subscribe to get full access to all of our articles, newsletters, and podcasts.