All things not considered?

Shake up at Houston Public Media: Beloved radio personality given notice after 25 years of service

Employees at Houston Public Media were surprised to learn that a restructuring plan that began more than 18 months ago resulted in the termination of two employees Monday.

Director of operations and stations manager Debra Fraser, who joined KUHF in 1988, had risen through the ranks since first coming on board as a news reporter. She was promoted to news director and served as local host of All Things Considered. Fraser is credited with leading initiatives that helped the media conglomerate double the size of its staff while increasing local news coverage, establishing the emergency alert system and executing on-air fundraising campaigns, according to her biography on Houston Public Radio's website.

Her position, along with director of communication Emily Binetti's, was eliminated at the suggestion of a consultant, sources close to CultureMap say.

"Houston Public Media began a major restructuring of its personnel and operations in October 2011. Today's action, in which the positions of two employees were eliminated, is a continuation of that restructuring initiative to position Houston Public Media for the future," Richard Bonnin, University of Houston's marketing and communications interim associate vice president, wrote in an email.

That reorganization plan was set in motion when another company veteran, KUHF CEO John Proffitt, and Channel 8 general manager John Hesse were given the pink slip in October 2011, one day before Lisa Trapani Shumate took over as executive director and general manager of the entity that oversees KUHF 88.7, KUHA Classical 91.7 and PBS affiliate KUHT Channel 8.

In an effort to marry the three stations under one roof, in February of last year Shumate promoted Fraser to her most recent post and dismissed 12 employees who worked in production, programming, technology and administration, including Patricia Gras, host of Living Smart with Patricia Smart.

At the time, Shumate told CultureMap that she didn't anticipate further cuts, stating that "this is a one-time move we're going to make to align expenses and revenues."

But it appears as if Fraser worked herself out of job — even after 25 years of faithful service.

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no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat

Photo courtesy of Texas Original

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Texas Rep. Jessica González (D-Dallas) has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana