Texas

13 - 12:42am

Texas & Region DALLAS A rare $10 bill from 1929 marked with the name of the Texas town of West is set to be auctioned off to benefit the families of victims of the deadly fertilizer plant explosion there. Dallas-based Heritage Auctions Heritage says that, beginning in 1865, banks could place bonds and other securities on deposit with the U.S. Treasury. Those banks receive notes bearing their names for circulation in their areas. Such banks were known as national banks, and West had three between 1900 and 1934. BRIEFLY ...

Error kills new district for struggling schools 05/22/13 - 12:41am

AUSTIN — A technicality on the House floor has killed a bill that would have created special districts operated by turnaround experts to improve struggling schools. The proposal by Dallas Democratic Sen. Royce West cleared the Senate May 1 but went down Tuesday night on a House parliamentary error raised by Houston Democratic Rep. Armando Walle. The measure was carried in the House by another Houston Democrat, Rep. Harold Dutton.

Unemployment drug testing passes House 05/22/13 - 12:41am

AUSTIN — A bill that would allow the state to drug screen unemployment applicants passed the Texas House late Tuesday. The proposal sponsored by Rep. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, would require applicants to answer a questionnaire to see whether they are at risk of abusing drugs, and only if there is reasonable suspicion, would the Texas Workforce Commission require a drug test.

Ban on soda in elementary, middle schools advances 05/22/13 - 12:31am

AUSTIN — Seeking to help the state’s youngest students develop nutritious habits, Texas lawmakers Tuesday approved banning the sale of sugary drinks in public elementary and middle schools. In a 24-6 vote, the Senate advanced a bill that would limit beverage choices to water, low-fat milk and pure juice. Its advocates emphasized the potential savings in health care costs.

Texas lawmakers pushing for review of UIL 05/22/13 - 12:31am

AUSTIN — One of the chief critics of the University Interscholastic League is pushing lawmakers to conduct a thorough review of the governing body for public Texas high school sports. The Texas Senate on Tuesday followed the lead of Sen. Dan Patrick of Houston, voting to place the agency under a process known as a sunset review in 2015. Lawmakers use the sunset review process to examine an agency to determine if changes need to be made.

Lawmakers resurrects radioactive waste bill 05/22/13 - 12:30am

AUSTIN — A Republican lawmaker resurrected a radioactive waste bill Tuesday that once signed into law would allow an Andrews storage site to accept more hazardous materials from out of state. The measure allows the Waste Control Specialists’ nuclear waste facility to import materials with greater radioactivity from other states. The proposed law also encourages Texas companies to export lower-level waste. Originally, the facility was only intended to accept materials from Texas and Vermont, but lawmakers have expanded what materials it can accept.

Man convicted of killing sons to testify 05/22/13 - 12:30am

DALLAS (AP) — A North Texas man convicted of capital murder for drowning his two young sons is scheduled to take the stand in the penalty phase of his trial. The Dallas Morning News reported Naim Rasool Muhammad insisted Tuesday on taking the stand against the advice of his attorney. Muhammad could get the death penalty for drowning 5-year-old Naim and 3-year-old Elijah in a creek in August 2011. The jury took less than 10 minutes last week to convict Muhammad. It now must choose between death and life in prison without parole.

Mom talks about missing cheerleader found dead 05/22/13 - 12:40am

The mother of a 13-year-old West Texas cheerleader found dead in March said Tuesday that since her daughter went missing more than two years ago she had feared the worst, including that the girl was chained and tortured or had fallen victim to human traffickers.

Texas search team, Xcel crews to help after Okla. twister 05/22/13 - 12:55am

Texas search team, Xcel crews to help after Okla. twister

AUSTIN — Members of an elite search-and-rescue team from Texas along with Xcel Energy crews have been dispatched to Oklahoma to help with recovery following a deadly tornado. Gov. Rick Perry on Monday night announced activation of Texas Task Force 1. The emergency response came after a massive twister Monday afternoon in the Moore, Okla., area left at least two dozen people dead.

Safety board: ATF blocking Texas plant blast investigation 05/22/13 - 12:39am

WACO (AP) — Federal agents and the state fire marshal have effectively barred a federal safety panel from the site of a Texas fertilizer plant blast that killed 15 people and injured about 200, hampering its investigation, the panel’s chairman said.

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