Texas: State Voter ID Law Does Not Discriminate

Lawyers are framing their final arguments about Texas' controversial voter ID law around the federal Voting Rights Act.

The Texas lawyers argue they have proved the 2011 state law, which requires voters to show a government-issued photo ID, won't discriminate against minority voters.

Justice Department lawyers say the Texas voter ID law is exactly the type of statute the Voting Rights Act, passed in 1965 to protect minorities' right to vote, is designed to prevent.

Both sides gave closing arguments Friday after a weeklong trial to determine the fate of the law. The Justice Department blocked the law in March, citing the Act. Texas, in turn, sued sending the case to federal court where a three judge panel is deciding the case.

AP

Parkland Hospital Announces Leadership Changes 

In an abrupt move, Dallas County’s Parkland Memorial Hospital says Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Jay Shannon has resigned. 

Parkland Board Chair Debbie Branson wrote that Shannon’s departure is part of a senior leadership reorganization designed to focus on a rapid and sustainable turnaround.

Dallas County’s only public hospital is under federal oversight ordered after authorities found serious faults that endangered patients. Parkland could lose millions of dollars if the problems are not fixed. 

The board named a new Interim Chief Operating Officer for Hospital Operations, another for Ambulatory Care & Behavioral Health Services, a different CFO, Chief of Nursing, and Chief Medical Officer. 

Branson said change at Parkland is not an option, it’s a necessity. The board unanimously approved the appointments. 

Bill Zeeble, KERA News

Police: Naked man crashes truck in Dallas mall

Police say a naked man crashed a pickup truck into a southwest Dallas mall, got out and started putting on clothes and shoes.

Police were called to the Southwest Center Mall at about 7:30 a.m. They say the man allegedly entered a pickup truck covered only in a blanket and started driving toward the mall. He appears to have crashed the truck through the glass entrance doors, driven over several kiosks and into a Champs Sporting Goods store inside.

There, police say he left his blanket in the truck and started putting on clothes and a pair of Air Jordan shoes.

Police have taken the man into custody.

He was not identified.

AP

DISD: Immunize Now 

Immunizations are required for all Texas public school students. District leaders say now’s the time to get the required shots, or your child could be turned away from class.

Dallas, Fort Worth and other school officials want parents to avoid the last-minute immunization rush before school starts August 27th. Pre-k through 12th grade students must have the appropriate shots in time or risk missing class.

Updates to required immunizations for youngsters include Mumps, Measles and Rubella as well as Hepatitis-A and Varicella shots. A Meningococcal dose is also required for grades 7 through 10. Affordable shots are offered by the county.

But after recent State policy changes, a person with health insurance who previously got vaccines from the county may be told to get the shots from their own doctor if the clinic lacks private stock vaccines.

Bill Zeeble, KERA News

For more information, parents are encouraged to contact their insurance provider or visit www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/school.

For Tarrant County, visit http://www.ictchome.org/uploads/2012_Event_Flyer_ENG.pdf