The State of Texas 04-13-18: A former Texas congressman is convicted of fraud

What Texas is talking about today No Images? [Click here]( [Buy tickets to Texas Monthly Live! May 4, 2018]( [Texas Monthly]( April 13, 2018 QUOTE OF THE DAY "We note that Representative Farenthold publicly promised to reimburse the U.S. Treasury for $84,000 in funds to settle the lawsuit brought against him for claims of sexual harassment, gender discrimination and retaliation. We encourage him in the strongest possible terms to uphold that promise." —A [statement]( by the House Ethics Committee announcing that it will no longer investigate Corpus Christi Republican Blake Farenthold after his sudden resignation earlier last week. In December, Farenthold announced his intention to retire from Congress at the end of his term after revelations surfaced that he used taxpayer money to settle claims against him from a former staffer. After his sudden resignation, the Ethics Committee no longer had jurisdiction. THE LATEST [A Jury of His Peers—and Karma—Convict Steve Stockman]( R.G. RATCLIFFE Former congressman Steve Stockman was convicted of 23 counts of fraud in federal trial. [Read Story]( [Buy tickets to Texas Monthly Live! May 4, 2018]( OUR TOP STORIES [Will Johnny Manziel’s #ComebackSZN Work?]( The former Texas A&M star tries to move beyond his past in a scrappy Austin development league. [Read Story]( [Timothy Morton is Houston’s Own Catastrophe Guru]( Morton, renowned eco-philosopher and co-curator of a new art exhibit at Ballroom Marfa, sees global warming as a new beginning, not an end. [Read Story]( [First Look: Luxury Camping in the Hill Country]( With its upscale tents along the Pedernales River, Walden Retreats opens next week outside of Johnson City. [Read Story]( MEANWHILE, IN TEXAS... Trump Coming to Texas President Donald Trump is scheduled [to visit Houston]( next month ahead of the state's May 22 runoff election to raise money for senate races nationwide, including a fundraising luncheon on May 14. There is no indication whether Texas Senator Ted Cruz, a former foe of Trump's, will be part of the fundraiser, where attending will cost up to $100,000 per couple. The money raised will go to the National Republican Senatorial Committee to help fend off a Democratic takeover of the chamber. (Currently, Republicans have a 51-to-49 majority.) [Ted Cruz is (still) running for president ](. Hurricane Harvey Retires (In Name, At Least) The names used for four deadly hurricanes last year [are being retired]( by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the federal agency that names storms. Along with Harvey, the names Irma, Maria, and Nate, all of which were used to describe hurricanes that resulted in death, will no longer be used. Instead, the names Harold, Idalia, Margot, and Nigel will make their debut in 2023, the federal agency said. Since 1954, 86 names have now been retired from Atlantic basin storms. In our oral history, twenty-eight Texans tell the[story of Harvey](. Abbott Visits Troops on Border On Thursday, Governor Greg Abbott [went to the Rio Grande Valley](, the epicenter of the national immigration debate, to visit Texas National Guard troops and endorse President Donald Trump's decision to deploy the military to the border. "The cross-border activity is posing serious threats and dangers not only to people in the border region but to people across Texas and the United States," said Abbott, flanked by troops located at an armory. Abbott has promised to increase guard numbers by 300 troops a week until there are 1,400 troops altogether. Remember when Governor Rick Perry [sent his own contingent]( of troops to the border? LONGFORM [Congressman Clueless]( MIMI SWARTZ A year after East Texas voters elected political novice Steve Stockman to fight in Newt Gingrich’s Republican revolution, Stockman’s harebrained ideas and headline—making gaffes have made him the laughingstock of his own party. [Read Story]( [Guiltless Pleasures]( [Guiltless Pleasures]( [Sponsored by Laura's Lean Beef]( Everybody loves a good burger, including Texas chef Claire Smith, who owns Alice Blue, in Houston. Claire shows us how she makes simple, yet delicious patty melt sliders. Watch the video for the full recipe. [Watch Now]( [Buy tickets to Texas Monthly Live! May 4, 2018]( MORE FROM TEXAS MONTHLY [American Troops and Mexican Politics: Are We Underestimating Our Neighbor?]( RAÚL A. RAMOS [Why Do Dogs In Houston Attack More Post Office Carriers Than In Any Other City?]( DAN SOLOMON [Five Finds: Stylish Cafe, Hamilton Shirts for Women]( LAUREN SMITH FORD [Through the Looking Glass at Sonic Ranch]( KATY VINE [Subscribe to Texas Monthly and Save!]( Get Texas Monthly for $1 an issue. 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