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Fort Worth-Based American Airlines ‘Eager To Meet’ With NAACP After Travel Warning

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Five stories that have North Texas talking: The NAACP cautions African-Americans against flying American; Joe Straus isn’t running next year; the controversy behind wet wipes; and more.

The NAACP is warning African-Americans that they could be subject to “disrespectful, discriminatory or unsafe conditions” if they fly on American Airlines.

The civil rights organization issued a travel advisory Tuesday, saying it has been following for several months “a pattern of disturbing incidents” reported by African-American travelers patronizing the Fort Worth-based airline. It highlighted four incidents in particular that “suggest a corporate culture of racial insensitivity and possible racial bias on the part of American Airlines.”

American Airlines CEO Doug Parker responded Wednesday, saying the company was “disappointed” by the travel advisory. “We do not and will not tolerate discrimination of any kind,” Parker said. American Airlines says it has reached out to the NAACP about the matter.

In an interview with The Associated Press, NAACP President Derrick Johnson said they are not boycotting American Airlines, but the number of reported events made them feel like they had to issue a warning.

"We're not telling people not to fly on American," he said. "We're just saying to individuals that here is an advisory note. We have picked up a pattern of a certain behavior of this corporation and until further notice be on alert."

The warning is in effect until further notice. The NAACP is also encouraging African-Americans to report travel issues.  

The NAACP issued a travel advisory for the state of Missouri this summer, NPR reported. It was the first such alert the NAACP had ever issued for a single state. [The Associated Press, NPR]

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  • Straus out: Texas House Speaker Joe Straus announced Wednesday that he won’t run for re-election next year. He was first elected speaker of the House in 2009. The San Antonio Republican served five terms, ousting former Speaker Tom Craddick of Midland. [KUT]

  • Before the (next) storm: Hurricane Harvey caused an estimated $180 billion in damage, forced more than a million people from their homes and killed dozens. A environmental lawyer and engineer discusses how Texas might prepare for the next mega-storm. [Think]

  • To flush or not to flush: Wet wipes are convenient in a lot of life’s situations until they’re flushed down the toilet. That’s when they get controversial. Wet wipes clog drains and entire sewer systems. The issue has landed the common cloth in federal court. [KERA News]

  • The prodigal pizzeria: Zoli’s returns to North Texas on Nov. 3. [Dallas Observer]

The High Five is KERA’s daily roundup of stories from Dallas-Fort Worth and across the state. Explore our archives here. And sign up for our weekly email for the North Texas news you need to know.