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Top Stories: Day 1 Of Special Session In The Books; Breakthrough In Cancer Treatment

Gabriel Cristóver Pérez
/
KUT News
The Texas State Capitol.

The top local stories this morning from KERA News:

It’s Day 2 of the Texas Legislature’s 30-day special session.

Republicans are vowing to pass conservative priorities in record time as they consider a laundry list of topics, including abortion restrictions and a bill blocking transgender bathroom access.

Democrats are opposed to those additional items and began an effort to slow down work by using Senate rules to stall deliberation on a sunset bill. But, Republicans pushed back – suspending the rule and speeding up the process.

Other stories this morning:  

  • A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel opened a new era in cancer treatment last week. The panel unanimously recommended the approval of the first treatment to fight leukemia with a patient’s own genetically altered immune cells. As part of KERA's Breakthroughs series, exploring the leading edge of health, science and technology, Stephanie Kuo talked with Dr. Theodore Laetsch, a pediatric oncologist at Children's Health and UT Southwestern Medical Center — one of 13 project research sites in the U.S.

You can listen to North Texas stories weekdays at 8:22 a.m. and 6:20 p.m. on KERA 90.1 FM. 

Justin Martin is KERA’s local host of All Things Considered, anchoring afternoon newscasts for KERA 90.1. Justin grew up in Mannheim, Germany, and avidly listened to the Voice of America and National Public Radio whenever stateside. He graduated from the American Broadcasting School, and further polished his skills with radio veteran Kris Anderson of the Mighty 690 fame, a 50,000 watt border-blaster operating out of Tijuana, Mexico. Justin has worked as holiday anchor for the USA Radio Network, serving the U.S. Armed Forces Network. He’s also hosted, produced, and engineered several shows, including the Southern Gospel Jubilee on 660 KSKY.