In the past year, demand for concealed handgun licenses has risen nearly 40 percent in Texas. The increase is attributed to many factors, even presidential politics.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has agreed to mediate talks between the Federal Government of Nigeria and militant rebels, who are blowing-up oil pipelines in the Niger Delta. However, he will only hold talks with the terrorists if the Nigerian Federal Government gives its approval.

This week Rev. Jesse Jackson is in Houston, hosting his second annual energy symposium downtown, while the massive Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) continues a few miles away.

Jackson is calling attention to the lack of women and minorities on the corporate boards of the oil and gas industry. Meanwhile, the OTC is focused on the latest drilling trends.

Drag out all of the old cliches.  Stick a fork in  her, she's done.  The party's over...etc., etc.  Barack Obama virtually sealed the nomination last night with a big win in North Carolina and a near-miss in Indiana.  Yes, Hillary Clinton ended up winning in Indiana but split with Obama in number of delegates won.  It was not the resounding victory she needed to continue making the case that Obama's questionable ties and inexperience make him unelectable. Obama is now within 200 delegates of clinching the nomination and there are only 217 left in the remaining contests.  The showing also is expected to dissuade super delegates from declaring for Hillary. 

   Is it true? Are successful coaches working in Dallas under Mark Cuban doomed to a uniquely too-short shelf life?

While the rest of the nation may be on the verge of a recession, the Texas economy is doing well enough for state Comptroller Susan Combs to predict Tuesday that the Legislature will have a $10.7 billion surplus when it convenes in January.

On Tuesday, Chile’s Chaiten volcano spewed clouds of gray smoke, hot rocks and toxic gas, forcing authorities to issue an evacuation order for more than 200 people who remained in the town of Chaiten, according to emergency officials.

On Monday, the El Paso County Commissioners’ Court voted 3 to 1 in favor of a resolution that calls for the Department of Homeland Security to stop building the border fence and say that local law enforcement officials should not enforce federal immigration laws.