Five stories that have North Texas talking: A federal judge has blocked the state’s voter ID law, its Homecoming weekend for many North Texas schools, a traveling exhibit of Peruvian artifacts lands in Irving, and more.
Less than two weeks before early voting begins, Texas’ voter ID law has been blocked by a federal judge. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos compared the law to a poll tax, the Dallas Morning News reports. The ruling will prevent the state from enforcing the law, which requires voters to present an eligible ID when they cast their ballot.
State Attorney General Greg Abbott plans to appeal the ruling. His office released the following statement:
"The State of Texas will immediately appeal and will urge the Fifth Circuit to resolve this matter quickly to avoid voter confusion in the upcoming election. The U.S. Supreme Court has already ruled that voter ID laws are constitutional so we are confident the Texas law will be upheld on appeal."
Early voting begins on Oct. 20.
- KERA is teaming up with The Dallas Morning News and KXAS-TV (NBC 5) to bring a series of reports called Five Days In October. It focuses on where the gubernatorial candidates stand on particular issues. Today, Shelley Kofler reports on education, and how the candidates would use standardized tests.
- For the next two weekends, many high schools across Texas will be celebrating Homecoming with football, dances, and oversized mums. Reporter Dianna Douglas explores mum culture and talks to one North Texas woman who has built a business out of it.
- A traveling exhibit of Peruvian pre-Inca artifacts has landed at the Irving Arts Center. “Peruvian Gold: Ancient Treasures Unearthed” was organized by the National Geographic Museum and showcases artifacts excavated from royal tombs, including masks, ceramics, pottery and jewelry. The exhibit will run through Dec. 31.
- Clint Eastwood has released the trailer for his upcoming movie, “American Sniper,” a biopic of Dallas Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle. Kyle is the most successful sniper in American history with 160 confirmed kills. The sniper was killed last year at a gun range before he finished his second book. “American Sniper” will be out in theaters on Dec. 25. Watch the trailer:
