Daily News Recap (3-10-15)

Compiled by Holly Henrichsen
Assistant Web Content Manager

The CIA has allegedly been trying to hack iPhones for nearly a decade. According to The Intercept, U.S. documents obtained from Edward Snowden suggest that U.S. government researchers had created a version of X-Code, Apple’s software application development tool, to create surveillance back doors into programs distributed on Apple’s App Store. According to the site, the efforts to break into Apple products started as early as 2006 and continued through the launch of the iPad in 2010 and beyond. The documents stop short of proving whether U.S. intelligence researchers had succeeded in breaking Apple’s encryption coding, which secures user data and communications. In a statement, Apple’s Chief Executive, Tim Cook, stated that they have never worked with any government agency to create a backdoor in any of their products.
-Brittany Green

The University of Oklahoma has expelled two students today in regards to the video posted of  racist chants from their Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity members. University President David Boren decided to expel the two students after they took a leadership role in the incident. According to CNN, one of the expelled students has been identified as Parker Rice who has declined to comment on the situation. Tensions however were sparked again after a new video surfaced earlier today of Sigma Alpha Epsilon house mother, Beauton Giblow, singing a racist word. University of Oklahoma football players cancelled practice today to protest the incidents and offensive lineman recruit Jean Delance decommitted from the Sooners to pursue other teams. The SAE fraternity’s national president, Brad Cohen, continues to apologize for the incident and states these are not the same values reflected throughout their organization.
-Jacquelyn Carter

A statewide ban on texting while driving bill is moving through the Texas House. According to Dallas Morning News, members of a transportation panel of Texas voted in favor of the bill earlier this morning, making it the third time it has been approved. Representative Tom Craddick says that we need to give law enforcement officers the tools to keep our roadways safe. The bill will be sent to the Texas House Calendars Committee to be considered for floor debate.
-Jacquelyn Carter

If migration into Texas continues at the same pace that it has been within the past decade, then Texas population can be expected to double by the year 2050. The Office of the State Demographer is predicting the state’s population will be about 54.4 According to the study Texans age 14 and under will increase to 10.2 million, ages 15 to 65 will increase to 34.7 and the population over 65 will increase to 9.4 million.
-Reynaldo Leanos Jr.

The city of San Marcos will have over $517,000 to give to non-profit organizations that would like to receive Community Development Block Grant funding for a program or project. To be eligible for the grant, the project must satisfy national CDBG program objectives and address one or more of the established priority needs of housing, transportation, infrastructure improvements, public facilities, clearance, or public services. Applications can be downloaded from the city’s website and will be accepted through April 13th.
-Brittany Green