AUSTIN
House Republicans have defeated a bill to require schools to get parental permission before applying corporal punishment.
The proposed law by Democratic state Rep. Alma Allen would have required schools to contact parents before using any kind of physical punishment. She said parents should have the right to determine how their children are punished.
Under current law, school districts can each set their own rules and procedures for corporal punishment. Allen said her bill would set statewide standards.
DALLAS
Savage thunderstorms unleashed hail and damaging straight-line wind gusts that damaged roofs, downed tree limbs and power lines, smashed sheds and toppled trailers across North Texas on Wednesday.
Wise County Fire Marshal Marc Dodd said lightning struck and ignited an oil tank battery, which was quickly extinguished. He said winds were reported as high as 70 mph. No injuries were reported.
Similar storms raked the Panhandle early Wednesday morning, causing minor damage.
DALLAS
A man who has spent 27 years in prison for aggravated sexual assault is due to become the latest person exonerated as a result of DNA testing in Dallas County, District Attorney Craig Watkins announced Wednesday.
Watkins said his office will ask for a ruling of innocence at a writ hearing today for Johnny Pinchback, 55, who was sentenced to 99 years in prison in October 1984.
Pinchback would become the 22nd person cleared through DNA testing in the county since 2001.
Compiled from wire reports
