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Greg Flakus

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February 23, 2015
University Class Examines Hip Hop and Religion

The modern cultural phenomenon called 'Hip Hop' might not seem to have much in common with religion. But two professors at Rice University see a lot of similarities. In fact, they have structured a popular class around the idea and have now produced some videos of their lectures so that people around the world can take the class online. VOA’s Greg Flakus has more on the story from Houston.
February 19, 2015
Oil Company Cutbacks Could Have Long-term Impact

The drop in world oil prices over the past several months has led to thousands of layoffs and curtailed investment in the US oil and gas industry, even as industry leaders speak optimistically of a turnaround later this year. But, as VOA’s Greg Flakus reports from Houston, it may take far longer for the industry to overcome the effects of this slump.
February 03, 2015
Oil Price Drop Has Mixed Effects on Texas

There have been layoffs, suspension of projects - yet low oil prices have benefited chemical producers, some smaller service companies
February 03, 2015
Oil Price Drop Has Mixed Effects on Texas

The dramatic drop in world oil prices over the past six months has prompted petroleum companies in the U.S. to lay off thousands of workers and to suspend new drilling and exploration projects. There has also been a wider ripple effect on small service companies and even retail outlets that do business with oil companies in big producer states like Texas. But countervailing economic activities are minimizing the impact for now. VOA’s Greg Flakus reports.
January 26, 2015
Oil Price Drop Troubles Texas Producers

As oil prices have fallen over the past several months, drilling operations have slowed in some parts of the United States - including Texas, the state that surpasses all others in energy production. The Lone Star State’s energy output has been boosted in recent years by development of resources trapped deep below ground in the Eagle Ford shale deposit, which stretches across south central Texas. As VOA’s Greg Flakus reports from Karnes City, Texas, the drop in oil prices has created concerns,
January 13, 2015
Both US, France Face Immigration Challenges

The terrorist attacks in France have focused new attention on that nation’s Muslim immigrant communities, from which the alleged killers emerged. French leaders have called for unity, noting that the radicals represent a small minority within the Muslim population. But French conservatives say the influx of immigrants from Africa and the Middle East has provided violent extremists a base on French soil. A different sort of divide over immigration exists in the U.S. VOA’s Greg Flakus reports.
December 29, 2014
US Immigration Reform Appears Unlikely in 2015

Over the span of several U.S. election cycles, there have been calls for comprehensive immigration reform to fix a system that people on both sides of the political spectrum agree is broken. But some observers say President Barack Obama’s recent executive action aimed at temporarily shielding some undocumented foreigners from being deported may have doomed his longer-term goal of forging a comprehensive agreement with Congress. VOA’s Greg Flakus has more in this report from Houston, Texas.
December 29, 2014
US Immigration Reform Appears Unlikely in 2015

Obama’s recent executive action allows some four million undocumented residents in the US to seek temporary legal status, but he needs Congressional approval for comprehensive reform
December 17, 2014
Veteran Blues Singer Trudy Lynn Loves to Collaborate

Since the 1960s, Trudy Lynn has been singing the blues, sometimes with well-known performers like Ike and Tina Turner. A couple of months ago, she hit the top of the Billboard Blues Chart with the CD “Royal Oaks Blues Café,” which she recorded with harmonica player Steve Krase in her hometown of Houston, Texas. They also went on the road, performing around the U.S. in Switzerland. VOA’s Greg Flakus recently spoke to them in Houston about their musical collaboration.
December 09, 2014
Americans' Support for Death Penalty Drops, Remains Strong

Surveys show younger respondents tend to favor life imprisonment for murderers over execution
December 09, 2014
Americans' Support for Death Penalty Drops but Remains Strong

Although most industrialized countries have abolished the death penalty, it is still carried out in many parts of the United States. Opinion polls show that while public support for the death penalty in the U.S. has declined, it stll remains strong, at around 60 percent. But the same polls show that even those who favor the death penalty have some reservations. VOA’s Greg Flakus reports.
November 17, 2014
Ghanaian Oil Project Developer Funds Health Care Projects

George Yaw Owusu, who assisted Kosmos Energy in obtaining permission to drill exploratory oil well off the coast, is funding number of projects in Ghana, including a new hospital
November 11, 2014
Texas Architecture Students Design Ebola Clinics

A project taken on by 11 graduate students at Texas A&M University's School of Architecture — to design light, durable and quickly deployable Ebola clinics — recently drew interest from around the world. The students came up with a variety of creative and practical solutions. VOA’s Greg Flakus has more from College Station, Texas.
November 08, 2014
Descendants of Slave, Owners Meet in Louisiana

Descendants of '12 Years a Slave' author promote racial reconciliation on the ground where he himself once lived as a slave
October 29, 2014
Texas Voter ID Law Discourages Some Voters

Critics of the law say it puts an undue burden on poor people, minorities, the elderly and the disabled
October 27, 2014
Comanche Chief Quanah Parker’s Century-Old House Falling Apart

One of the most fascinating people in U.S. history was Quanah Parker, the last chief of the American Indian tribe, the Comanche. He was the son of a Comanche warrior and a white woman who had been captured by the Indians. Parker was a fierce warrior until 1875 when he led his people to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and took on a new, peaceful life. As VOA’s Greg Flakus reports from Cache, Oklahoma, Quanah’s image remains strong among his people, but part of his heritage is in danger of disappearing.
October 24, 2014
Comanche Chief Quanah Parker’s Century-Old House Falling Apart

Most remarkable physical reminder of legendary American Indian is slowly falling into ruin on a lot behind a trading post in Cache, Oklahoma
October 20, 2014
Health Care Workers Demand Better Preparedness for Ebola

National Nurses United criticizes sloppy procedures at the Dallas hospital that treated the first Ebola patient after two nurses who treated him became infected
October 17, 2014
Comanche People Maintain Pride in Their Heritage

The Comanche (Indian nation) once were called the “Lords of the Plains,” with an empire that included half the land area of current day Texas, large parts of Oklahoma, New Mexico, Kansas and Colorado.The fierceness and battle prowess of these warriors on horseback delayed the settlement of most of West Texas for four decades. VOA’s Greg Flakus reports from Lawton, Oklahoma, that while their warrior days are over, the 15,000 members of the Comanche Nation remain a proud people.
October 15, 2014
National Nurses Group says US Hospitals Unprepared for Ebola

Organization sends letter to President Barack Obama, asking him to invoke his executive authority to make hospitals nationwide ready for Ebola

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