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Gas Prices Fall By Nickel This Week Across Texas

Retail gasoline prices across Texas continue their slide and are down another nickel a gallon this week to average $3.51.

AAA Texas reports Wednesday that's 17 cents a gallon below the nationwide average of $3.68, down from $3.72 a week ago.

The travel association survey finds Amarillo has the least expensive unleaded fuel in Texas, at $3.41 per gallon. El Paso is the highest at $3.65.

A year ago, the state average was $3.75 and national average $3.84.

The record high average for Texas is $3.98 in July 2008.

AP

Mom of deported teen runaway files federal lawsuit

The mother of a teenage Dallas runaway who immigration authorities shipped to South America after she provided a false name has filed a civil rights suit against top federal officials claiming her daughter was illegally detained and deported.

Johnisa Turner seeks unspecified damages in the federal lawsuit filed Tuesday in Houston.

In April last year, Turner's then-14-year-old daughter was arrested for shoplifting and identified herself to authorities as a 21-year-old Colombian national. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deported the teen. She returned to the U.S. in January after her grandmother and Dallas police tracked her down.

Among defendants in the lawsuit are Attorney General Eric Holder and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

Federal officials have said they followed procedures and that the girl did nothing to indicate she is U.S. citizen.

AP

ERCOT: Potential power shortages ahead for Texas

The operator of the electric distribution grid for most of Texas foresees potential electric power shortages over the next decade as record demand continues to grow.

That is the conclusion of a long-term study released Tuesday by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. ERCOT Chief Executive Trip Doggett says immediate steps must be taken on both the supply side and the demand side of the power equation to ensure reliable electric service for the future.

The report shows a reserve margin of just 9.8 percent of electric generating capacity as soon as 2014, well below ERCOT's 13.75 percent target, and a further drop to 6.9 percent by 2015.

The study counts on coal-fired generating capacity expected to shut down under a proposed federal clean-air rule stayed by a federal court.

AP

Dewhurst loans his senate bid another nearly $1.2M

Federal election records show Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst lent his campaign for U.S. Senate nearly $1.2 million the day early voting began.

The May 14 personal contribution increases Dewhurst's spending from his own pocket to about $13.2 million, though his campaign has paid back about $4 million of that.

Dewhurst is one of four major candidates seeking the GOP nomination for the seat of retiring Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.

Also running are former Texas solicitor general Ted Cruz, ex-Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert and Craig James, an ESPN personality and onetime football star.

Leppert has loaned his campaign about $3.6 million and Cruz has spent $70,000 of his own money. James gave his campaign $750,000 but reimbursed himself for all but about $300,000 of that.

AP

Dallas police promote 2 to deputy, assistant chief

Dallas Police Chief David Brown is promoting two officers to deputy chief and assistant chief.

Lt. David Pughes, the current commander of the homicide unit, has been named deputy chief. Pughes has been a Dallas police officer since 1990.

Current deputy chief Michael Genovesi will become assistant chief. Genovesi will be made commander over the department's patrol bureau.

Brown announced the promotions at a ceremony Wednesday.

AP

Detective: Gun store buys led police to soldier

A soldier accused of planning to bomb a Texas restaurant frequented by troops was detained by police who were tracking a person based on suspicious gun store purchases but didn't know his name.

A Killeen police detective testified Wednesday at the federal trial of Pfc. Naser Jason Abdo, detained at a Fort Hood-area motel last July.

Police Sgt. Eric Bradley told jurors officers went to the motel after receiving tips about a man's suspicious activities the previous day - including buying an Army uniform with a "Smith" name patch.

But during cross examination, Bradley said police chose not to do surveillance on the motel after receiving the initial tips.

Abdo faces up to life in prison if convicted of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and other charges.

AP