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Coalition will deliver a petition calling on Ted Cruz to resign, claiming involvement in Capitol insurrection

A coalition of over 90 organizations plans to deliver a petition calling for the immediate resignation of Sen. Ted Cruz to his offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston and Washington D.C. at noon tomorrow.
The petition, which has over 25,000 signatures and is supported by organizations like Voto Latino, MoveOn and Indivisible Texas Lege, calls on Cruz, along with several Texas representatives and Attorney General Ken Paxton, to resign due to what the petitioners believe is complicity in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
The Austin copy of the petition will be delivered to Cruz's Central Austin office at 300 East 8th St. in a socially distanced fashion.
The petition is also asking the following 16 U.S. House Republicans, all of whom represent Texas, to resign alongside Cruz and Paxton:
- Rep. Jody Arrington
- Rep. Brian Babin
- Rep. Michael C. Burgess
- Rep. John R. Carter
- Rep. Michael Cloud
- Rep. Pat Fallon
- Rep. Louie Gohmert
- Rep. Lance Gooden
- Rep. Ronny Jackson
- Rep. Troy Nehls
- Rep. August Pfluger
- Rep. Pete Sessions
- Rep. Beth Van Duyne
- Rep. Randy Weber
- Rep. Roger Williams
- Rep. Ron Wright
"In order for the country to unify after the events at the Capitol, those responsible–including Sen. Ted Cruz–must be held accountable," President and CEO of Voto Latino María Teresa Kumar said in a press release. "We cannot allow those who betrayed their oath to the Constitution to move on from their attempts to question a free and fair election, in which voters of color were the deciding bloc."
Cruz has come under fire over his role in the incident and his fierce loyalty to former President Donald Trump. The petition cites that Cruz was "among the loudest voices in the Senate" trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election, for which there was no evidence of fraud.
Although Cruz condemned the insurrection, which resulted in the deaths of five people, he was one of only six Republican senators who voted to reject the electoral college results. Each of the House representatives listed in the petition also voted not to certify election results.
Additionally, Cruz has found himself feuding with a number of fellow senators and even Republicans. U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told Cruz via Twitter that she wouldn't work with GOP officials who are "trying to get me killed," while billboards calling for Cruz's resignation, paid for by the Republican Accountability Project, were recently erected in Central Texas.
I am happy to work with Republicans on this issue where there’s common ground, but you almost had me murdered 3 wee… https://t.co/R0WLAMg723— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1611855970.0
The petition is still active and you can view it here. Each petition delivery will be livestreamed.
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(Pexels)
Austin Nicholson was ahead of the curve when he got his vasectomy in September 2021, saving himself a long line as Austin-area doctors say the demand for sterilization has seen a “significant” spike since Roe v. Wade was overturned on Friday.
Nicholson, 25, said he would prefer to adopt children, had felt the Supreme Court decision coming for a while, and, wary of the consequences, he decided to pull the trigger and make an appointment.
“A big part of it was the political climate. We could both potentially face consequences and she would definitely face more consequences, which I also personally would not want,” Nicholson said. “I didn't want to be stuck in Texas and have a potential abortion on the mind when it's illegal.”
(Austin Nicholson)
According to vasectomy specialist Dr. Luke Machen of Austin Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, the clinic received over 150 vasectomy appointment requests combined on Friday and Monday following the ruling. Typically, the clinic performs 45-50 vasectomies per month.
The Austin Urology Institute reported that they received about 70 calls in the first hour after the ruling was released. OBYN at Women’s Health Domain reported receiving over 100 requests from women interested in getting their tubes tied.
“I would say a significant number of patients who scheduled recently have mentioned the Supreme Court case,” Machen said. “A lot of guys have said they were thinking about having a vasectomy over the last year or so, and the ruling was the final push to get it done.”
The average patient at Austin Fertility who receives a vasectomy is about 37, though Machen said he has started to see an increased number of patients with zero children choosing to get a vasectomy. While they put together a study, Machen expects demand for the procedure to plateau but stay higher than before the ruling.
Machen said vasectomy is the most effective form of permanent birth control, requires only about a week of recovery time, is reversible with success rates of up to 95% and has no effects on sexual function or testosterone.
Nicholson said the procedure was less than $700, he was never in any pain, had very little recovery time and has never regretted the decision—in fact, he has happily recommended the procedure to friends.
“It helps me feel better knowing that I won't put a woman in that situation where she'd have to be faced with a potentially life-altering decision, or consequence even,” Nicholson said. “I actually have had three of my friends ask me questions about it and tell me that they were considering it.”
(Valencia Hotel Group)
Live music and beer? Say no more. With a location in Austin, and others throughout Texas, the court hotels by the Valencia Hotel Group have a new offering for weekend stays: Live Music & Longnecks.
Enjoy live music all weekend long and check out the hotels’ state-of-the-art amenities between sets. Make a splash in the pool, enjoy outdoor fire pits, or challenge your friends in a yard game while enjoying a weekend full of live music! Did we mention the package includes deluxe accommodations and a bucket of beer? Oh, and if you needed more convincing, this pet-friendly hotel means the whole family can join in on the fun.
The hotels
Explore any of the Court Hotels by Valencia Hotel Group for a memorable escape. Each property offers a unique experience remnant of yesteryear but with all of the modern amenities that make for a fun and comfortable stay. With acres of landscaped courtyards, relax and unwind in an outdoor environment perfect for doing everything or absolutely nothing at all. With locations in Austin, College Station, Irving, and Lubbock your urban retreat has never been so close.
The music
Locals and travelers alike are invited to enjoy the deep roots of Texas music all summer long with a robust lineup of live performances. From the banks of the San Antonio Riverwalk to Irving’s manicured streets, Valencia’s hotels are a place to gather and reconnect, offering uniquely Texan settings for the weekly performances.
“We’re proud of the community we’ve fostered among Texas musicians and the many rising stars who perform at our properties,” says Amy Trench, corporate director of brand marketing & PR for Valencia Hotel Group.
In Austin, you can catch good ol’ fashioned Texas country by Drew Moreland and Clayton Gardner, bluegrass by Reagan Quinn, and much, much more.
With unique programming at each of Valencia’s properties, there’s something for everyone to enjoy all summer long.
The perks
If you’re a Valencia Hotel Group Rewards member, the perks are plentiful. Enjoy up to 10% off the Best Available Rate, and for a limited time, members can save up to 15% off a stay of 2 nights or more, for select stays in 2022.
But that’s really just the beginning. At select locations, you can enjoy discounts on weeknight stays, a complimentary third night, or curated packages for a romantic getaway or a night of watching the Verde at Q2 Stadium. You’ll also find special rates for AAA and AARP Members, educators, and front-line heroes including military, law enforcement, fire, and rescue workers.