News for North Texas
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Gov. Rick Perry Will Make His First Court Appearance Today

Gov. Rick Perry's office
Gov. Rick Perry was indicted last month on two felony counts of abuse of power for threatening to veto state funding for a public corruption investigative unit.

Five stories that have North Texas talking: Gov. Rick Perry will attend a pre-trial hearing in his abuse-of-power case, Dallas nurse Amber Vinson defends herself against critics, Dallas Morning News restaurant critic Leslie Brenner will be on ‘Think,’ and more.

Governor Rick Perry will make his first appearance in court after being indicted on Aug. 15 on two felony charges of abuse of power. The Texas Tribune reports Perry’s lawyers initially wanted him excused from all pre-trial hearings, but he must be present if evidence is introduced.

Perry’s defense team is expected to present evidence they believe shows that the special prosecutor on the case, Michael McCrum, did not take a proper oath of office. McCrum says he was sworn in properly. Perry’s lawyers are also asking for a transcript of grand jury testimony to be provided to Visiting Judge Bert Richardson.

Perry is charged with abusing his power by threatening to veto state funds for the public integrity unit in Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg’s office unless she stepped down. Lehmberg was convicted in 2013 on an incident of drunken driving but refused to resign.

  • Dallas nurse Amber Vinson is defending herself amid criticisms of her decision to fly to-and-from Cleveland, Ohio before being diagnosed with Ebola. The Associated Press reports Vinson says she wasn’t careless or reckless. She told NBC’s “Today” show she checked with health officials before flying to Cleveland Oct. 10. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also say she wasn’t stopped from flying. The agency later acknowledged that was a mistake on its part. Vinson also says she wore protective gear while she cared for patient Thomas Eric Duncan. Watch the video here.

  • Dallas Morning News restaurant critic Leslie Brenner has remained anonymous for years. Last week, she decided to stop hiding her appearance. Today, she’ll be on Think to discuss why she choose to give up anonymity and address criticisms from local restaurant owners. Tune in to 90.1 FM at 1 p.m. or listen online.

  • Interstellar is the latest film from director Christopher Nolan. It will be released in most theaters tomorrow, but some theaters have already been showing the film – those that still have movie projectors. That’s because Nolan released Interstellar in several different formats, including 35mm film. Our Big Screen team explores the reason behind the decision and the difference between digital and 35mm film.

  • Shake off that election fatigue for a different kind of election: choosing the name for the Dallas Zoo’s baby giraffe. The person who bought the male calf’s naming rights is letting the public pick the name. Take your pick of three African names: Kopano, Usawa or Shingo. Cast your vote here before the Sunday night deadline. 
Former KERA staffer Krystina Martinez was an assistant producer. She produced local content for Morning Edition and KERANews.org. She also produced The Friday Conversation, a weekly series of conversations with North Texas newsmakers. Krystina was also the backup newscaster for the Texas Standard.