But if you look closer, with an eye for semantics, you can zero in one specific phrase, as many did after the news broke: ” … continue to fund existing grants.” The key word, of course, is existing. In the Dallas Morning News story, it says the statement goes on to say that Planned Parenthood would be eligible under the revised criteria to apply for future grants.

But holdonacottonpickinminute. Didn’t just today Komen officials say that Planned Parenthood wasn’t disqualified because of a congressional investigation after all, but because it didn’t offer mammograms in house?

Wouldn’t that mean that Planned Parenthood should still be DQ’d? Or at the very least be ineligible for future grants?

According to Kathleen Parker, who called Nancy Brinker today, Komen is holding fast to its new soon-to-be rule that they fund facilities that offer mammograms on site.  Says Parker:

“The news on Komen is that they are only tweaking their new rule about not funding organizations under investigation to mean ‘criminal’ investigation. Otherwise their position is the same. Yes, Planned Parenthood can now apply for funding, but this doesn’t mean they will get it. Those grants already in place will play out on schedule. I spoke to Nancy Brinker this afternoon and her goal remains as announced – to adjust her grant-funding system so that monies go directly to facilities that provide mammograms rather than through third parties, such as Planned Parenthood. Essentially nothing is changed, and certainly this does not constitute a reversal as so many media outlets have so hastily reported.”

The historic drought has killed as many as half a billion trees, not including those that died in wildfires that scorched some 4 million acres in 2011, the Texas Forest Service has reported.

Half a billion is a lot, yeah? Now the Morning News is reporting that donkeys are being abandoned across the state (paywalled piece), leaving taxpayers to pay for the care of the animals. The drought is largely to blame:

Most farmers and ranchers are importing their hay from other states with transportation costs totaling more than the cost of hay itself.

The average price for hay before 2011 was about $90 a ton. Mark Meyers, executive director of Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, said he most recently paid $310 per ton.

For similar reasons, we learned last year, farmers had to slaughter half a million more beef cows than normal last year, because they couldn’t afford to feed them. Sure, according to this University of Nebraska drought monitor, most of our little pocket of North Texas appears to be merely “abnormally dry,” rather than in a severe drought. It’s hard not to get scared that all of Texas is headed towards becoming a desert though, looking at that.

Still, all of this unfortunate news I kind of knew already. Know what really got my attention?

Last night, weatherman Pete Delkus of WFAA tweeted out this map image of area lake levels.  Note that Lake Lavon in Collin County is 12 feet below normal.

You know what level Lake Lavon was at when D Magazine published its September 2006 story, “Parched,” which was accompanied by Elizabeth Lavin’s photograph on an award-winning cover (seen at right).

A mere 10 feet below normal.

This morning, I find that I probably owe my dog an apology, because there was an earthquake pretty much where I live-ish. Geologists say the epicenter of the 2.0 quake was around Northwest Highway and Inwood Road.

But you know what? The dog also gassed up the joint pretty bad last night, so I’m going to call this even. So where were you during the Great Quake of 2012*? I was Febreezing dog farts.

* unless, you know, we have another. Can that happen? Is this a thing now?

Today he spoke of a recent conversation with a European Central Bank official, who pointed out that the U.S. debt burden is even bigger than Europe’s:

“We don’t want to be in a situation like Greece. We are headed that way, if we are not careful,” Fisher said. ”We are headed in the wrong direction, and if we don’t bring it under control, we are going to have social unrest.”

Translation? Despite those slightly-maybe improving unemployment numbers today, hold on to your effin’ hat?

Is AMR Going Bankrupt? American Airlines’ parent company has only posted two profitable years in the last decade, its stock is at a one-year low, and Moody’s has just downgraded AMR’s stock outlook to “negative,” according to this report in the Star-Telegram. Some industry watchers believe the company is running out of cash, and when the “b-word” was raised during an investor conference, AMR’s treasurer “didn’t completely dismiss the possibility.”

Finally It’s Official: A&M Joins S.E.C: Yesterday, Texas A&M University announced that it will join NCAA’s Southeastern Conference beginning on July 1, 2012. Teams like Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Arkansas and others will begin massacring the Aggies on the football field beginning in the 2012-2013 season.

The Climate Prediction Center at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration put together this map showing just how much rain we need to alleviate the drought conditions. Much of Texas needs more than 15 inches.

And the next 6-8 months don’t look promising.

I need a drink.

The release follows the jump.

HONG KONG, June 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — Hong Kong-based New World Hospitality hotel management company has signed a purchase and sale agreement to acquire Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, L.L.C., a privately held ultra-luxury hotel management company based in Dallas, Texas, USA, from current owners Rosewood Corp. and Maritz, Wolff & Co.  The closing date for the USD229.5 million purchase is 29 July 2011.  Rosewood Hotels & Resorts will operate as the premium luxury brand in New World Hospitality’s portfolio.

With New World Hospitality’s support, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, a recognised leader in luxury hospitality, is now poised to elevate its properties to even higher acclaim and expand its reach into new international markets. This development heralds the latest stage in the evolution of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, from the 1979 opening of its flagship property, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas, to a collection of 19 properties in eight countries that includes some of the most legendary hotels and resorts in the world.

“We will be thrilled to welcome Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, one of the industry’s most illustrious hotel groups, into our family,” says Sonia Cheng, chairman of New World Hospitality.  ”This acquisition represents a strategic direction for our company to establish a robust presence in the international luxury hospitality arena and, particularly with our strong Asia base, Rosewood will be positioned for substantially accelerated global growth.”

“Rosewood’s dedication to the highest calibre of luxury hotel operations and commitment to providing authentic and distinctive guest experiences is a perfect fit with our own culture and vision.  We will treasure and protect Rosewood’s legacy, people and reputation.”

“We are very excited to be on the cusp of joining hands with a partner that has a deep appreciation for our history, culture and unique brand,” says John Scott, president and CEO of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts.  ”We are both dedicated to ensuring that Rosewood guests continue to receive a seamlessly superlative experience at Rosewood properties.”

Caroline Rose Hunt, honorary chairperson of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts says: “It is a source of satisfaction to know that Rosewood Hotels & Resorts will be joining a company that appreciates the heritage of Rosewood and the values on which it was built. We see a bright future for Rosewood and all the people who contributed to its great success.”

New World Hospitality management will share more information upon completion of the acquisition transaction.

About New World Hospitality:

Hong Kong-based New World Hospitality manages the New World Hotels brand of deluxe properties in China and Southeast Asia, as well as the select service pentahotels brand currently represented in Shanghai and Beijing.  The group is aggressively expanding its portfolio with more than 20 properties under development.  The company is a member of New World Group, a Hong Kong-based leading conglomerate and principal investor in many New World Hospitality properties, which has owned and developed world class, luxury hotel properties for 20 years.  For further information, please visit www.newworldhospitality.com.

About Rosewood Hotels & Resorts:

Founded in 1979, and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, USA, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts manages one-of-a-kind luxury properties in the world’s most desired destinations.  Rosewood properties embrace the company’s A Sense of Place® philosophy, reflecting the history, architecture, scale and sensibilities of the destination.  With 19 properties in eight countries, the Rosewood collection includes some of the most legendary hotels and resorts in the world including Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek® in Dallas, The Carlyle in New York, Rosewood Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda, as well as contemporary classics such as Rosewood Sand Hill® in California, and Rosewood San Miguel de Allende® and Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort in Mexico.  Rosewood also offers Sense® spa — featuring treatments reflective of the location’s culture and natural environment — available exclusively at select properties. For more information on Rosewood Hotels & Resorts or Sense, A Rosewood Spa®, please call +1 888 ROSEWOOD or visit www.rosewoodhotels.com.

The Dallas Independent School District today notified hundreds of central staff employees that their positions have been eliminated effective immediately.

Employees who signed a settlement and release will receive pay and benefits through June 30, the end of the fiscal year.

“This is a very sad day for the Dallas Independent School District,” said Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa. “While many of these individuals may not have worked face to face on a day-to-day basis with children, their contributions to the overall life of the school district were nonetheless very important. There will be a decrease in services provided to campuses as a result.”

Approximately 450 central staff positions were eliminated, saving the district roughly $25 million.  That figure includes today’s layoffs, reassignments, vacancies that have been eliminated and the number of central staff employees who opted to take the early resignation offer.

Because of a record state budget shortfall, Dallas ISD is facing a massive budget deficit that currently ranges from $88 million to $126 million less than the current school year’s budget. Even under a best-case scenario, the district will be forced to slash millions of dollars, most of which come in the form of employee salaries.

“Eighty-five percent of the district’s budget goes toward paying salaries,” said Hinojosa.  “School districts are labor-intensive organizations so the only place to reduce the budget is in releasing employees.”

The employees notified today work in all areas of the district including: Teaching and Learning, School Leadership and Administrative Services, Human Resources, Business Services, Purchasing, Evaluation and Accountability, Professional Development, Communications, Health Services, Special Education and many more. All of the employees are considered at-will, meaning that they can be released at any time by the district for any reason, within law, or for no reason.

“The individuals who received notices today are very good, hard-working people who gave their time, talent and energy to helping improve opportunities for students in the Dallas Independent School District,” said Hinojosa. “I am sincerely thankful for their service and disappointed that this action had to be taken.”

This is the third time in four years that Dallas ISD’s central administration staff has been downsized.  During 2007, 169 central staff positions were eliminated during a reorganization, with 30 central staff members reassigned to campuses.  During the fall of 2008, another 160 central staff positions were eliminated because of the district shortfall at the time.

“Dallas ISD is losing a wealth of experience and dedication today,” said Hinojosa. “Our thoughts are with our former colleagues and their families. Those employees who remain will likely be taking on additional responsibilities, and we continue to thank them for the important work they do on behalf of students, parents and other district staff.”

Steve Kemble

Once again Steve “Mr. Sassiest Lifestyle Guru” Kemble stole the show at the Dallas Arboretum’s Mad Hatter’s Tea Party today. Last year he scored points sporting a Super Bowl XLV stadium complex on his head.

This year with the upcoming royal nuptials of Kate and William, he opted for a more regal look with a “Kate in Wonderland” chapeau.

Evidently Steve’s fashion dictionary does not have the word “subtle” in it.

Retail price for the hat is $3,000.

Paul Stewart

Bill Lively has not officially joined the Dallas Symphony Orchestra full time as the main man and already change is in the air. Friday a last-minute meeting was canceled leading many to speculate that it had to do with DSO COO Paul Stewart.

This morning Paul turned in his resignation.

DSO Director of Communications Christy Crytzer Pierce just emailed that, “At this time, we will not be seeking someone to fill the COO position.”