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Greg Flakus

Produced by Greg Flakus

July 30, 2015
Statistics: Suicides in US Jails All Too Common

Suicides are more than twice as likely to happen in local jails as in prisons or general population
July 21, 2015
Video Shows Arrest of Black Woman Who Died in Texas Jail

Incident escalated into a shouting match; district attorney says it 'was not a model traffic stop'
July 21, 2015
Texas Officials Release Video in Jailhouse Death Case

Relatives, friends and civil rights activists are demanding more information about the death of an African-American woman who was stopped for a traffic violation in Waller County, Texas, and was found dead in her jail cell three days later in what was initially called a suicide. The sheriff's office has released video from a jail camera that shows the area outside the cell where Sandra Bland died. VOA’s Greg Flakus reports.
July 15, 2015
Louisiana Using BP Settlement Funds to Restore Coast

$18.7B will be available to coastal states, but full recovery of area and its economy from huge oil spill could take a lot more work, many more years
July 15, 2015
Louisiana Using BP Settlement Funds to Restore Coast

Five years ago, technicians capped a well in the Gulf of Mexico that had been spilling oil for 87 days. Earlier this month, the British company judged responsible for the disaster, BP, agreed to pay $18.7 billion to coastal states. That money will help fund restoration projects, but full recovery could still take many more years. VOA's Greg Flakus reports.
June 19, 2015
1 Year After Border Surge, Many Central American Refugees Remain in Limbo

Many thousands of Central Americans seeking refugee status have either been deported or are facing deportation
June 18, 2015
Refugees Come Together to Celebrate in Houston

At recent World Refugee Day celebration, people who left everything behind to find new home in US enjoyed music, dancing, food, play
June 18, 2015
Refugees Come Together to Celebrate in Houston

Texas has become a favored place for refugee resettlement in the United States; 10 percent of the refugees in the U.S. live in the Lone Star State. At a recent World Refugee Day celebration in Houston, visitors enjoyed music, dancing, food and play. VOA's Greg Flakus reports.
June 15, 2015
Motorcycle Enthusiasts Deny Being Violent Criminals

Motorcyclists reject broad portrayals of their clubs as criminal organizations
June 15, 2015
Motorcycle Enthusiasts Deny Being Violent Criminals

After the shooting at a motorcycle clubs gathering in the southwestern U.S. city of Waco, Texas last month that left nine people dead and 18 wounded, law enforcement officials described the clubs as criminal gangs. But questions remain about what transpired in Waco, especially in regard to actions taken by police on the scene. As VOA’s Greg Flakus reports from Houston, motorcyclists reject broad portrayals of their clubs as criminal organizations.
June 10, 2015
Birth of Rock n’ Roll Revealed by Musician Who Was ‘Out There’

Saxophone player Grady Gaines helped define the style of Rock n' Roll and toured with such stars as Little Richard, Sam Cooke and Fats Domino
May 30, 2015
Legends of the Blues

As blues legend BB King is laid to rest in his hometown, Indianola, Mississippi, fans around the world are keeping his legacy and his music alive. Some of the musicians who played with King and other notable performers put out a recording under the name Original Legends of the Blues. Meet them and hear their music in this report written, narrated and directed by VOA Houston correspondent Greg Flakus.
May 29, 2015
Texas Town Residents Told to 'Just Leave' Ahead of Flood Threat

Water from heavy rain in eastern and central Texas is now swelling rivers that flow into the Gulf of Mexico, threatening towns along their banks. VOA’s Greg Flakus visited the town of Wharton, southwest of Houston, where the Colorado River is close to cresting.
May 29, 2015
Texas Town's Residents Warned to Leave as River Rises

City of Wharton is on Colorado River, which is already above flood stage — and more rain is on the way
May 27, 2015
Floodwaters Recede in Houston, but Rain Continues

Heavy rains on Monday and early Tuesday caused rivers to swell in eastern and central Texas, washing away homes and killing at least 13 people
May 26, 2015
Continuing Rain Torments Flooded Areas in Texas

Though most parts of Houston held up well through recent storms, critical roadways were cut off by floodwaters
May 18, 2015
Broad Societal Issues Cloud Police, Community Relations in Texas City

Police in some parts of major Texas city have worked to build trust with residents, however, social conditions that can lead to unrest are still present
May 18, 2015
Broad Societal Issues Cloud Police, Community Relations in Texas City

Tension between police and residents has led to unrest in some U.S. cities, mostly recently in Baltimore, Maryland. But in the diverse city of Houston, calm has prevailed. Police in some parts of the major Texas city have worked to build trust with residents. However, as VOA's Greg Flakus reports, the social conditions that can lead to unrest are still present.
May 18, 2015
Broad Societal Issues Cloud Police, Community Relations in Houston, Texas

Tension between police and residents has led to unrest in some U.S. cities, most recently in Baltimore, Maryland. But in the diverse city of Houston, calm has prevailed. Police in some parts of the major Texas city have worked to build trust with residents. However, as VOA's Greg Flakus reports, the social conditions that can lead to unrest are still present.
May 18, 2015
Report: Texas Officials Were Aware of Growing Gang Tensions

Police spokesman says officials knew gangs were assembling in Waco and tracked their movements closely, and had officers on hand at restaurant to take action in case fight broke out

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