austin story is still news. it is incumbent on all of us to keep it in the news until the day he comes home. that is why i am grateful to be here. i am so grateful to the national press club. to reporters without borders, and especially to deborah and mark tice. for putting on this exhibition and making it possible in a small but real way for austin to tell his own story. thank you and thank you for being there. now i would like to introduce the president of georgetown university. [applause] much, tim.u very thank you all for gathering this evening to mark this day and is important exhibit. mark and deborah, on behalf of our community and the many people privileged to work alongside you in your efforts to bring austin home, i wish to express georgetown's deep and ongoing support to you both, to your family, and to this work. austin is an exceptional young man. we are privileged to have played a role in his formation at georgetown. at our school foreign service, and that our law center. he exemplifies the best of

austin story is still news. we are to austin and his family to keep telling his story. we are to the journalists who put themselves at risk every day to do their jobs overseas and right here at home. we are to the people who rely on our work. they need to know that it comes at a cost and sometimes had an almost unbearable costs. we told his story again this i believe we did that in the newspapers and we've been telling the stories in each of the 30 communities all week from the sacramento bee to the miami herald, everyone is flying a flag with a simple message, free austin tice. many people haven't heard of him in communities across the country are hearing his name and understanding. austin story is still news. it's incumbent upon us to keep it in the news until the day he comes home. that's why i'm grateful to be here. i'm grateful for the national press club and to deborah and mark tice for putting on this exhibition for making this possible in a small but real way. thank you for being here. [applause] >> than

home austin tice. dvocating for those in detention, like austin tice, to be brought home. we could never do this alone. that is why i would like to thank the national press club for hosting the reception. also, extending honorary membership to austin and his parents. as well as hosting the digital exhibit of his beautiful photos, which will be here throughout the month of august. i would like to thank the president for being the original host of this show, which we hope you continue to travel around the country so his work will be visible to the greatest number of people. i would like to thank fred ryan and the washington post. he atlantic. detention, like austin tice, to lindsay hamilton. so many others on a long list of people who have supported the tice family. i would like to think all of you for showing up tonight, showing your solidarity, just for being here this evening. there is one more way you can help austin. you can make a donation to our fund for families for american journalists held hostage. it enables us to support the family and their endeavor to bring aus

austin is an exceptional young man. we are privileged to have played a role in his formation at georgetown. at our school of foreign service. he exemplifies the best of our community, seeking to engage the world. serve the most marginalized, provide a voice to those forgotten and left behind. those whose lives are shaped by war and violence. we have heard about the many important contributions austin has made it his work as a reporter. his reporting and his photography sought to capture. his work in this exhibit, which we shared with our community this past spring, enables us to recognize our common humanity. in livens our understanding of the universal condition. inspires us to work for the common good throughout our world. we all share in that hope one day we will be able to welcome home austin tice. a tireless partner in this effort has been the team at reporters without borders. it is my privilege to introduce the north american director of reporters without borders, margo ewing. [applause] you are not her. >> i am

there is one more way you can help austin. you can make a donation to our fund for families for american journalists held hostage. it enables us to support the family and their endeavor to bring austin home. if you would like to make a donation, you will find more information on the cards in the check-in desk. thank you so much for all of your time tonight. without further ado, i am honored to introduce austin's parents. please welcome back. -- join me in welcoming them. [applause] >> we drew straws. >> these are all of our notes. argot did an excellent job saying thanks. for this and so many were to start sharing the list, it would go on for hours. i don't think that is the program tonight. thank all of the speakers we have had. bill for hosting this event. the breathtaking offer of honorary membership for austin especially and for ourselves. clearly,oking forward, to the day when he can come and collect on that. thank you for that. again, margo. she got a big hug. there are so many peoples here that we have a special relatio

of course, his family doesn't know austin as a journalist primarily. they don't know him as a marine corps veteran, a houston native and a second generation texan either, all of which he is. they of course know him as their friend, their brother, their son. austin tice has a family that's waiting for him, missing him, and laboring to find any piece of information that will lead to his whereabouts and to return him home safely. today on the sixth anniversary, i'm here to say that the entire nation stands behind the tice family in solidarity with them, we all for austin's immediate release by his captors and urge the administration to use all possible means to secure austin's safe return home. i'm thankful to the trump administration, as i am to the obama administration, and i have met with them, of course, about both -- met with them both about austin's case. i know the former administration of president obama and the current administration of president trump share my desire to see austin come home as soon as possible. but we need to take a step back an

austin's mom said it's time to let austin walk free. >> martha: thank you.x news exclusive. mark and debra tice, welcome back at this time "story." good to see both of you. i am inspired by your drive and commitment. any parent can understand there is no way could stop ever doing what you are doing until your son comes home. debra, talk to me about the anniversary and this new video and the resurgent effort to bring him home. >> martha, we believe that 6 years is too long for austin on it be separated from his own life, right? we are doing everything we can. we admire this administration's commitment to bringing americans home. they have a good track record so far. we look forward to the day when we see austin be another one of their wins. >> martha: we do too. mark, talk about your relationship with the current administration on this and robert o'neal who was mentioned in trace's piece who is overseeing these hostage situations. what is the feedback from the administration on this? >> well, martha, from the beginning we had a strong relationship with this a

and in the case of austin texas governor. on the way from austin to interstate thirty five the route that cuts the united states into from texas to minnesota we see several immigrant detention centers. there are twenty two in texas and plans for the number to increase. the city. there's no place in the world with more live music shows. it has the dynamics and strengths of a university city and its the state capital. it's also a sanctuary city for undocumented immigrants. seek alternatives who. was here just after somebody. was born in mexico she's twenty one years old and can't remember any. of an undocumented immigrant. and i want to say what all. i think. she. said another night about. somebody who. was you know. nobody drives as carefully as undocumented immigrants. the slightest infraction could mean they'd risk being deported. is a dream that's what they call. the border. they cannot legally be accused of any infringement. i am i am thinking you know. obama issued an executive order in twenty twelve the dame's to normali

other words they stand up to donald trump and in the case of austin texas governor . on the way from boston to interstate thirty five the route that cuts the united states into from texas to minnesota we see several immigrant detention centers. there are twenty two in texas and. number two increase. the city. in the world with more live music shows. it has the dynamics and strength of a university city and its the state capital. it's also a sanctuary city for undocumented immigrants. seek alternatives. to sample somebody. has to find it was born in mexico she's twenty one years old and cannot remember any. of an undocumented immigrant. and i want to say what all. of us are. not about. somebody who. nobody drives as carefully as undocumented immigrants. infraction could mean they'd risk being deported. that. is a dream that's what they call. the border as minors they cannot legally be accused of any infringement. gentlemen. thank you neal. obama issued an executive order in twenty twelve the dame's to normalize this situation though it's never actually became law. soon

and in the case of austin texas governor. on the way from austin to interstate thirty five the route that cuts the united states into from texas to minnesota we see several immigrant detention centers. there are twenty two in texas and. number two increase. city. in the world with more live music shows. a university city and it's the state capital. it's also a sanctuary city for undocumented immigrants. as it was born in mexico she's twenty. one years old and cannot remember any. of an undocumented immigrant. somebody. just started. and i want to say what all. of us. has just been asking. is it that. she. let me go through sure enough it is not about. somebody. but i am proud as separate. bank. was you know. that. they had. nobody drives as carefully as undocumented immigrants. the slightest infraction could mean they'd risk being deported. is a dream that's what they call my dreams who cross the border as mine as they can legally be accused of any infringement. gentlemen and most of all and i'm thinking you know. obama issue

arthel: and austin was attending georgetown law school. then he decided to work in freelance journalism in syria. did you -- how is he feeling terms of going over there? was he looking forward to it, apprehensive? >> no, he was looking forward to it. he felt like he was well-equipped and had the tools to go to syria and provide the rest of the world, provide the american public information about what was actually happening there. because at the time he was there, there was very little reporting going on. it was the early days. arthel: and he wanted to show, i understand, austin wanted to show how everyday people were living through that hell on earth there. i want to talk to you about if you have an idea, mr. tice, who is holding your son? >> we don't. we don't know exactly who is holding him. we know he was detained at a checkpoint. we don't know who manned the checkpoint, who was there. frankly, if we knew exactly who was holding him now, it would make things much easier. arthel: right. you have been getting a lot of cooperation from the

and in the case of austin texas governor. but. on the way from boston to interstate thirty five the route that cuts the united states into from texas to minnesota we see several immigrant detention centers. there are twenty two in texas and. number two increase. the city. in the world with more live music shows. and strength of a university city and it's the state capital. it's also a sanctuary city for undocumented immigrants. as it was born in mexico she's twenty. but he is old and cannot remember any. of an undocumented immigrant. is somebody. was going on i want to say what all that. has just been asked about the. message that. she brought up from global. let me go to another not about. somebody. but i have got a. separate. bank. once you know you know i've ended up. where. they had. nobody drives as carefully as undocumented immigrants. the slightest infraction could mean they'd risk being deported. and most of them that. is a dream that's what they call. the border is mine as they cannot legally be accused of any infringemen

in that respect austin would not be a sanctuary city. the serenity and dignity shown by austin's democratic mayor paid off it remains one of the few centuries cities that were left off the government blacklist i president donald trump who feels challenged by almost two hundred centuries cities our nature to become a sanctuary. yes new york chicago miami and the entire state of california on that list. adler is sure about the possibility that the county sheriff will be dismissed. and tried to remove an elected official. challenge in our in our in our courts. at the testimonies of leading republicans. no one from governor to senators or representatives has wanted all been able to talk in the end but hispanic congressman's legislative director did agree to talk i don't think it criminalizes immigration any more than it already has been it's just simply. unfortunately. i c.e. can still access prisoners if they're detained. they can have access to their immigration documents and. join me every first week on the alex i'm i'm sure and i'll be s

the state capitol of texas may have to rethink its name a report by the equity office in austin suggest taking a closer look because the city's named after a supporter of slavery it has long been a sensitive issue in a city that's considered to be among the most liberal in the united states. well austin's equity office reviewed all public property to see whether it has any ties to the confederacy's most controversial period and they came up with a list of street names on monuments stop should perhaps be changed to remove all the renaming the city is not likely to happen any time soon the issue has been assigned media priority now the controversy lies with the city's namesake steven austin the father of texas well secretary of state of the new republic in the nineteenth century but he was a prominent slavery advocate even infamously said that a month's a painted slaves would turn into a menace he had slaves domestic servants as well but today though naming the city after the state fund is common sense a media relations consultant austin resident john griffin. we've got this push in texas

intolerance on twitter and on the sest the extent to which people engage with different viewpoints austin peterson though he's of the view that platform despite what it say is actually making a concerted effort to censor certain ideas on talking points. we don't have free speech in the united states in order to be able to discuss the whether we have free speech in united states that we can discuss very controversial things i don't mind if a social media network has a bias i assume a bias but what i prefer is transparency about that bias twitter suppresses conservative and libertarian voices from being able to get their message out because they have a bias and it's deeply disturbing and a threat to american democracy. the u.s. is to slap sanctions on two turkish government ministers over the detention of an american pastor in turkey untrue brunson is accused of being involved in the attempted coup there two years ago with more details from washington d.c. here some a recount. well washington sanctions target two turkish officials number one the justice minister of bill hamid gul and the in

texas state capitol austin is named for stephen f. austin, the state's founding father. himself. now report by austin's cheek so my cheap equity officer, the city should consider renaming itself in an effort to blot out it's memory. john daniel davidson is a senior contributor at the federalist and joins us right now. do you think this should happen? get rid of austin? >> let's get rid of austin, houston, washington, d.c. let's get rid of them all. if we are going to go down this road, there's no stopping it. >> madison, wisconsin, how about that? >> there you go. jackson, mississippi. this is the problem. when this whole thing started where we had to remove confederate statues and we had to rename schools that were named after confederate generals and jefferson davis. it was really obvious from the beginning that there was no limiting principle to the renaming, that once we start renaming schools and streets in cities and tearing down statues, eventually we are going to have to go after the founding fathers, we are going to have to go after abraham lincoln, we will have

next the city of austin love the skyline may have to rethink its name austin texas of course the report from the city's equity office raised the issue that the texas state capitol was named after a supporter of slavery that is a sensitive issue for a city that's concealed is considered to be one of the most liberal in the whole country. so it seems leaving no stone unturned austin's equity office reviewed all the city's property on whether it had any connections or not to confederacy and they came up with a whole list of street names of monuments that they said should be changed all removed although you'll see that changing the city name is not let it happen any time soon as it would be given medium priority so if you live the don't panic yet anyway what's the controversy about let's go back to the history books a little bit so about this guy stephen f. austin the father of texas he was secretary of state of the new republic in the nineteenth century but he was a prominent slavery have occurred and even infamously said if slaves were emancipated they would turn into a menace he had slav

debate over censorship the latest controversy comes after it imposed a twelve hour suspension on austin peterson a republican candidate in the u.s. state of missouri senate race for what it describes as abusive behavior his suspension came after a writer for the left leaning sure blue website drew a link between peterson's acceptance of bitcoin for campaign financing on the alleged russian hacking of a democratic senator peterson responded to that with a gift featuring joseph stalin some users of its post as offensive and it was subsequently deemed to have violated twitter's rules but the image was actually from the platform's own collection and can be found on its database or twitter ses they tweets amounted to targeted harassment which is often used to silence voices on the platform but often peterson claims there was more to the suspension. three different emails were sent to me about this saying that i had not done anything wrong mysteriously two days later the band was issued it almost seems as though something had gone on behind the scenes and that this was this was an attempt to

you just heard austin old speed talk about the economy. what do you say to that democrats and how is that going to effect the 2018 election? do you think the americans are going to believe them? >> they should. if the democrats take over congress the head of the financial services committee will be maxine waters. letting maxine waters anywhere near the economy is about as dumb as putting hillary clinton in in charge of your i.t. department at your small business. right now we have gdp growth that's doubling in the fastest wage growth in ten years. we have home values that are rising at twice that rate and we have had the longest consecutive streak of job growth in american history. just saying, judge, it's so exhausting that it almost takess me tired of winning. >> janine: one of the things the president was talking about yesterday or last night in wilkes-barre pennsylvania, and he talked about the fact that he got nato to step up and he said to melanie as he related to the crowd, he said tomorrow morning, $200 billion, they will love it.

, to talk about things in austin. it is not local news. you are watching something broadcast about what is happening at the white house or what the president tweeted in the morning but as michael mentioned the thing that impact them most is what is the council will vote on at 3:00 pm that day, you don't have a full agenda and have no idea what they are talking about. >> talking about needing to the vet because we have a lot of people in the campaign in washington, it makes you wonder that conservatives have fallen into a trap that we need people who aren't career politicians to go to washington but those are people less likely to have a track record as opposed to using a scorecard and finding the guy who has been in the state legislature for 5 years standing up to leadership voting. you know he will be buckled by the leadership in washington. >> his father-in-law had it right, you push structured judges and i think you are right. we have begun to lose sight of that. we went to look for the maverick outsider but what h

you just heard austin old speed talk about the economy. that democrats and how is that going to effect the 2018 election? do you think the americans are going to believe them? >> they should. if the democrats take over congress the head of the financial services committee will be maxine waters. letting maxine waters anywhere near the economy is about as dumb as putting hillary clinton in in charge of your i.t. department at your small business. right now we have gdp growth that's doubling in the fastest wage growth in ten years. we have home values that are rising at twice that rate and we have had the longest consecutive streak of job growth in american history. just saying, judge, it's so exhausting that it almost takess me tired of winning. >> janine: one of the things the president was talking about yesterday or last night in wilkes-barre pennsylvania, and he talked about the fact that he got nato to step up and he said to melanie as he related to the crowd, he said tomorrow morning, $200 billion, they will love it. and they responded

for her behaviour, which was seen as austin for her behaviour, which was seen as inappropriate —— anple of days ago he thought it should be dropped and the anti—semitism definition should be taken on as the definition of anti—semitism for labour, at which pointan anti—semitism for labour, at which point an appalling campaign, resign watson, was launched on twitter, and it has been revolting in its level of anti—semitism and abuse and is disgraceful in any democracy. now we hear today that the action against margaret hodge but not ian austin has been dropped, but labour claim ina has been dropped, but labour claim in a spectacular own goal that margaret hodge has apologised, she has claimed she has not apologised. in trying to close down the row, a new one has opened. it seems there's no way to put this to bed and i think it is really time forjeremy corbyn to take the wise advice of tom watson in this and both of the investigation is without qualification against ian austin and margaret hodge and two accept the standard definition of anti—semitism. standard definition of anti-semitism

in that respect austin would not be a sanctuary city because we don't violate any federal law perhaps the serenity and dignity shown by austin's democratic may have paid off it remains one of the few centuries cities that were left off the government blacklist i president donald trump who feels challenged by almost two hundred centuries cities our nature to become a sanctuary. yes new york chicago miami and the entire state of california are on that list. adler is sure about the possibility that the county sheriff will be dismissed. if the legislature does pass such a lot and tried to remove an elected official i would anticipate a challenge in our in our in our courts. sought the testimonies of leading republicans. no one from gov to senators or representatives has wanted or been able to talk in the end but hispanic congressman's legislative director did agree to talk i don't think it criminalizes immigration any more than it already has been it's just simply an enforcement mechanism. i.c.e. can still access prisoners if they're the taint. they can have access to their immigration do

austin's equity office reviewed all public property to see whether it has any ties to the confederacy and they came up with a list of street names and monuments that should be perhaps changed or removed although renaming the city is not likely to happen anytime soon as the issue has been assigned medium priority now the controversy here lies with the city's name sic steven austin the father of texas was secretary of state of the new republic in the one nine hundred century but he was a prominent slavery advocate and even infamously said that the man who emancipated emancipated excuse me slaves would turn into a menace he had slaves as domestic servants as well back to today though naming the city after the state founder is common sense says media relations consultant and austin resident john griffin. we've got this push in texas to try to you know be careful not to withstand anybody but texas is offensive because liberty's offensive but the fact that texas is named that its capital city is named for the person that started the colony in texas that became the state that's common sense

the state capitol of texas may have to rethink its name a report by the equity office in austin suggests taking a closer look because the city's named after a supporter of slavery now it has long been a sensitive issue in a city that's considered to be among the most liberal in the united states. so austin's equity office refute all public property to see whether it has any ties to the confederacy's most controversial period they came up with a list of street names and monuments that should perhaps be changed to removed although renaming the city is not likely to happen anytime soon the issue's been assigned medium priority well the controversy lies with the city's namesake steven austin the father of texas with secretary of state all of the new republican in one thousand century but he was a prominent slavery advocate and even infamously said that a month's a paid slaves would turn into a menace he had slaves as domestic servants as well. today though naming the city after the state funder is common sense media relations consultant and austin resident john griffin. we've got this push i

the state capital of texas may have to rethink its name a report by the equity office in austin suggest taking a closer look because the city's named after a supporter of slavery now it is long been a sensitive issue in a city that's considered to be the most liberal among those in the united states. well austin's equity office reviewed all public property to see whether it has any ties to the confederacy's most controversial period they came up with a list of street names on monuments that should perhaps be changed or removed although renaming the city is not likely to happen anytime soon the issues being assigned medium priority well the controversy lies with the city's namesake steven austin the father of texas was secretary of state of the new republic in the nineteenth century but he was a prominent slavery advocate and even in first said that months it paid to slaves would turn into a menace he had slaves domestic servants as well but back to today naming the city after the state founder is common sense so save media relations consultant and often resident john griffin. we've got

we believe it means a lot to austin now.understand, you were able to meet with president trump, who was aware of austin's situation. >> for us, thisio administr is really gung-ho, so to speak. they have such a commitment. we've seen them bring so manyom people already. we know that our president is americans itted that will not be held against their will. >> are you able to speak to -- the fbi put out million dollar reward. that's new since we last saw you. >> that's right. >> that's a big deal. >> it is a big deal.an hing that helps generateio info infoation, again, awareness is something we welcome. we're very happy about that. >> every time you're here, i'm ju struck by a mother and father's devotion and love. you have turned your lives over to this. i know it can't be easy. thank u for beinghere. >> thank you, savannah. thank you. >> thank you for having us, really appreciate it. >> absolutely. on ae back with much more tuesday morning. but first this is "today" on nbc. (announcer) there's a freedom about asheville. an u

the case of austin also to the texas governor ultraconservative. on the way for almost into interstate thirty five the routes of cups to united states and to from texas to minnesota we see several immigrant detention centers. there are twenty two in texas and. number two increase. city there's no place in the world with more live music shows. a university city and it's the state capital. it's also a sanctuary city for undocumented immigrants. somebody who. was born in mexico she's twenty one years old and. documented immigrant. they want all. thank you. see what i'm. going to go through said another not about. somebody. but i have got to. separate. bank. was you know. i've ended up. on the. head of. nobody drives as carefully as undocumented immigrants. the slightest infraction could mean they'd risk being deported. is a dream that's what they call to get my dreams who cross the border as mine as they cannot legally be accused of any infringement. gentlemen and most of all and i'm thinking you know. obama issued an executive order in twenty twelve

to operate in austin, texas. we said texas is not going to tolerate that brand of regulation and so the state legislation overrode it. the same thing will happen in this coming session with some other things. i might add also, and that is, you mentioned sanctuary cities, and i'm guessing everybody here knows, this last session, texas also passed a law that assigned banning sanctuary city policies in texas. [applause] erick: i was going to wind down here but you mentioned something, i'm just going to ask you one last question. is it time to change the name of texas railroad commission since it deals with oil and gas? gov. abbott: count me in, i'm in favor of it. erick: i have never understood that one. listen, texas really is, i think it's a phenomenal state. a friend of mine in alaska points out that everybody says texas is big but you could cut alaska in four pieces and it would still be pittsburgh than everything. but that's all they have got. texas seems to have everything else. it's been remarkable in the las

to join him behind the camera and i needed to get a feeling for his heart of why keypress why did austin go there he just wanted to tell the story that was so young when he arrived. the f.b.i. has posted a one billion dollar reward for information leading to the safe location recovery and return of austin tice renewing hopes that he's still alive it's believed that more than thirty abducted journalists are being held in syria but the exact figure is impossible to ascertain in many cases the abduction is not publicized pending the go see a sions for release what is known is that the kidnapped journalist come from a number of countries among them france spain lebanon mauritania jordan and the united states. when the most dangerous countries for journalists in the world and so at the fence like these that reason we have this situation in that country in the journalistic western lives to cover that conflict for the american public for the international community is well that's really of vital importance and in this room be aware as to there are many other fathers and mothers in syria and bey

seems the city of austin in the u.s. may have to rethink its name a report from the city's equity office raise the issue that that texas state capital was named after a supporter of slavery and i suppose sensitive issue for a city that is considered one of the most liberal in the whole country. so a bit more about what's going on here austin's equity office for a view to fight all the city's property on whether or not it had any ties to the confederacy and they came up with a whole list apparently of street names or monuments that should be changed all removed all virgo that being said as you can see it's got medium priority to change the city's name so it's not likely to happen anytime soon and more about this controversy what's happening here well it's all down to this guy steven austin he was the father of texas he was secretary of state for the republic of the nineteenth century but he was a prominent slavery and even infamously once said if slaves were emancipated they turned into a menace he had slaves apparently d

journalist kidnapped in syria six years ago is calling for his safe release austin tice is believed to be one of at least thirty journalists covering the conflict are being held in the country against their will by khanna reports from washington and so you see this this aliment of hope in his early photos right and then. he begins to come across things like this a mother talks about the work of her son these pictures were taken by freelance journalist austin tice shortly before he was abducted by men at a road block near damascus six years ago and it was austin's deepest desire that they could have reform without any of these photos are being taken and so i just want you to join him behind the camera and i want you to to get a feeling for his heart of why computer why did austin go there he wanted to tell the story that was so young when he arrived. the f.b.i. has posted a one billion dollar reward for information leading to the safe location recovery and return of austin tice renewing hopes that he's still alive it's believed that more than thirty abducted journalists are being held i

that is a controversial motion in option -- in austin. in the rest of the state, people go, you made that is not how it is already? isi am learning that freedom a controversial notion in austin as well. traus itve not banned s but we are trying. this conversation on accountability, one of the are -- there are scorecards to show that some republicans do not vote like they say they will. >> i think that is a great point. michael mentioned one of the core functions of what empower texans is able to do that inspires and educates citizens to hold their legislators accountable is showing the delta do.een what they -- they people often do not know how that level of government is actively constantly affecting their lives because they are watching what is happening in inghington, d.c. and wishcast about how they can change things there. --i do not want to say erosion of the principles of self-government but our focus on d.c. for generations has eroded the course ends of self-governance we have, how do we hold our local and state level officials ac

for the conference in austin. the plastic bag ban. i've seen several restaurants around here that have had to give up straws. how do you balance the local tensions with liberal cities like boston and the greater whole of texas? governor abbot: it is it's easy. we don't tolerate it. you mentioned the bag ban, and because you're not from here, you wouldn't know. but in june, we challenged that in court. in june, the texas supreme court came out with an opinion saying that all of these attempts by local authorities to ban bags was preempted by state law that already had a regulation with regard to the use of bags. hence, by law, in the state of texas, there is no longer a bag ban. we've seen other efforts by certain local entities. for those who are not familiar with texas, there is a town north of dallas-fort worth, the name is denton, and a few years ago denton decided, by golly, they were going to impose a ban on fracking. here's the deal. and we have multiple regulatory agencies already that govern fracking. in t

it seems the city of austin and the u.s. may have to rethink its neighbor report from the city's equity office raised the issue that the texas state capitol was named after a supporter of slavery and that's a sensitive issue for a city that's considered one of the most liberal in the whole country. we're fact austin's equity office reviewed all of the city's property whether or not had any ties to the confederacy and they came up with a whole list of street names and monuments that they thought should be changed or removed although it has to be said the cavite to all this changing the city name is not likely to happen any time soon as in the beginning medium priority anyway what's the controversy here a bit more detail well the guy in question is called stephen austin he's the father of texas there is he was secretary of state of the new republic in the nineteenth century but he was a prominent slavery advocate and even from some infamously once said if slaves were emancipated they turned into a menace he had slaves as domes

the city of austin in the u.s. may have to rethink its name because a report from the city's equity office has raised the issue that the texas state capitol was named after a supporter of slavery and that's a sensitive issue for a city that's considered one of the most liberal in the whole country. so than austin the office has reviewed all the city's property and whether or not it's got any ties to the confederacy and they came up with a whole list of street names of money once that they say should be changed or removed or the cabinet to this is must be said the city name change is not likely that anytime soon and the only begin a medium priority list look a bit deeper into this why is this so controversial here well we think of the name steven austin he was the father of texas he was secretary of state there is fine looking chap in the new republic of the nineteenth century but he was a prominent slavery advocate at the time and even him for infamously said if slaves were emancipated they'd turn into a menace but

. >> reporter: a little more than a year ago, jay austin and lauren geoghegan gave up their comfortablen washington, d.c.-- he with the federal government, she with georgetown university-- for the adventure of a lifetime-- traveling the world by bicycle. on their website, simply cycling, they chronicled their adventures as they pedaled thousands of miles through africa, europe, and central asia. austin wrote of bumpy roads, strong headwinds and tough challenges, but also of the freedom to see some amazing places, meet some wonderful people and spend lots and lots of time with a really lovely girl. the dream for the 29-year-old couple ended suddenly sunday in tajikistan, near the border with afghanistan, when they and two european cyclists were killed by suspected terrorists, who ran into them with a car, then attacked them with knives. three other europeans in the group were injured. isis, whose membership has been growing in recent years in predominantly muslim tajikistan, claimed responsibility for the attack. tajik authorities say police tracked down the five suspects and killed four

the city of austin in the u.s. may have to rethink its name a report from the city's equity office raised the issue that the texas state capitol was named after a supporter of slavery and that's a sensitive issue for a city that's considered one of the most liberal in the whole country. austin's equity office reviewed in fact all of the city's property and whether it has any ties to the confederacy and they came up with a whole list of street names and monuments that should be changed or removed although changing the city name is not likely to happen any time soon as it seems to have been given only a medium priority now the controversy here lies with the city's namesake stephen austin the father of texas was secretary of state of the new republic in the nineteenth century but he was a prominent slavery advocate and even infamously said if slaves were emancipated they were turned into a menace he had slaves as well but back to the day naming the city after the state founder is common sense says media research relat

a lawsuit gets brought in texas by a utility district in austin called the north austin invisible. north austin municipal to his district number one. this little utility district which conducted elections in one precinct wanted to be freed from oversight of the justice department. they had asked it to be mailed out from coverage. there were counties in the virginia that a damaso they presented evidence in federal court in the attorney general's office saying we don't need the act anymore. the federal law for supervisors of elections. texas, this little texas utility district in travis county are denied by the attorney general's office. they bring a lawsuit and they go to federal court. the supreme court says you know what you are right. you should have been allowed to bail out. you have met the standards. attorney general's office is not acting in good faith toward you. you need to be allowed to bail out. but in writing the opinion that chief justice also articulated his belief that congress created a flawed law and did not update the coverage formula. here's what happens. shelby c

lauren geoghegan and jay austin have ties to georgetown. and together they set out to see the world. and then sunday the dream trip came to an early end in what the state department is cal ng a senseless attack. the couple was tracking their journey withheir online blog both quitting their jobs to travel the world onke lauren was a georgetown grad but also worked here in the georgetown admissions office. jay earned his masters at georgetown and went on to work at hud., on sundoth were killed of what is being called a car and knife attack in tajikistan alongside twother tourists. and lauren's family released a statement, as did colleagues at the d.c. tiny house building company, saying the year-long bicycle adventure lauren and harer jay austin were enjoying was typical of her enthusiastic embrace of life's opportities, for openness to new people and places and her quest for a di better underst of the world. jay's colleagues writing, jay, of the former studios, left the world doing what he loved. nnecting with people a cycling the world with

. >> reporter: a little more than a year ago jay austin and lauren geoghegan gave up their comfortableffice jobs in washington, d.c., he with the federal government, she with georgetown university, for the adventure of a lifetime. traveling the world by bicycle. on their website, simply cycling, they chronicled their adventures as they pedaled thousands of miles through africa, europe, and central asia. austin wrote of bumpy roads, strong headwinds and tough challenges, but also of the freedom to see some amazing places, meet some wonderful people, and spend lots and lots of time with a really lovely girl. the dream for the 29-year-old couple ended suddenly sunday in tajikistan, near the border wit eupe suspected terrorists, who ran into them with a car, then attacked them with knives. three other europeans in the group were injured. isis, whose membership has been growing in recent years in predominantly muslim tajikistan, claimed responsibility for the attack. tajik authorities say police tracked down the five suspects and killed four of them. >> devastation is the word i've been usi

it was only doubles austin sings thing. for the only on how. the business is not on the only on it when it converts from islam much was right. this week to protest has uses a texas as a seamless night playing lame cools down stressed recipes was a monumental that's right. wait wait times and it says it has had. a system as honestly next next week [inaudidible] rating well [inaudible] once again. one idea i town our in my mind the meal you. know really a visitors. thousands is now [inaudible] here's your well the elderly people waiting with young children. austin. man man is in a union. maybe there is a state. and the right right. implemented did allow that was it. so there's a tightly ticket. the i i sound a little. is was one of those movies it in my mind in the world last last year more than with a six six million. four is when i went up three hundred forty forty two meter. mark. fights has the latest business onsite date retweeted canadian getting any kay you'll stop. old street. continues his right right. yeah yeah today i cross from over t

austin halewood, bbc news.yer above justin thomas in the world rankings, and the world number one was among those who got an early look at the course at bellerive on monday. they haven't had much rain there, you know. johnson will be looking to win his major in this week's pga championship, and to make up for missing the cut at the open championship at carnoustie last month. jordan speith's not been in form but he's one major away from having completed a career grand slam and he'd be only the sixth and the youngest were he to win this weekend. the last time we had an asian winner was 2009, could this man, anirban lahiri, do it for india? yeah, i mean, it's been a while since i won so it's a great time to win, especially when you come out to a big event. major's obviously something all of us want to win, all of the pros, this is what we work towards, playing good in the majors and i'm excited because my game's is probably the best it's been for a while coming into this week. so, yeah, the confidence is up there,