Five stories that have North Texas talking: today is Texas Independence Day; Ebola survivor Nina Pham is suing Texas Health Resources; Fort Worth's superintendent candidate drops out of consideration; and more.
Happy Texas Independence Day, y’all! We’ll let the experts at the Texas State Historical Association explain: “On this day in 1836, Texas became a republic. On March 1, delegates from the 17 Mexican municipalities of Texas and the settlement of Pecan Point met at Washington-on-the-Brazos to consider independence from Mexico. George C. Childress presented a resolution calling for independence, and the chairman of the convention appointed Childress to head a committee of five to draft a declaration of independence. In the early morning hours of March 2, the convention voted unanimously to accept the resolution. After 58 members signed the document, Texas became the Republic of Texas.” Brush up on all things Texas at the Texas State Historical Association here. And here's a Texas history timeline from the Bullock Texas State History Museum.
- In honor of Texas Independence Day, here’s a Texas bucket list we produced last year – a list of 39 things you should do in Texas before you die. (Actually, the list has become longer thanks to ideas from our readers.) Canoe through the cypress trees of East Texas. Head to Gruene Hall. Visit Scenic Drive at night and get sweeping views of El Paso. Visit the Texas Prison Museum. And much much more. Check out the list here.
- In honor of Texas Independence Day, we’re launching a new program Monday on KERA 90.1 FM – it’s a daily radio newsmagazine with a Texas accent. It’s called Texas Standard. It’s a statewide program that covers all things Texas – from breaking news to politics, from business to the arts. The show is based at KUT in Austin, and co-produced by public radio stations across the state, including KERA. We’ll be airing Texas Standard live at 10 a.m. every weekday on KERA 90.1. This means the second hour of The Diane Rehm Show will move to the evenings. Starting Monday, you can hear it at 8 weeknights on KERA 90.1. Learn more here.
- A North Texas nurse who contracted Ebola last fall says the Dallas hospital where she worked and its parent company failed her. Nina Pham told The Dallas Morning News she plans on filing a lawsuit Monday against Texas Health Resources, the parent company of Texas Health Presbyterian. That’s the hospital where Thomas Eric Duncan was treated for Ebola. Pham and another nurse who cared for Duncan contracted the deadly disease. Duncan died in October. Pham and a second nurse, Amber Vinson, recovered. Pham says since she contracted Ebola, she has had nightmares, body aches and insomnia. She says some of her hair has fallen out. Texas Health Resources spokesman Wendell Watson says the hospital continues to support Pham, but wouldn’t address the allegations.
- The Fort Worth school district’s top pick for superintendent no longer wants the job. Joel Boyd’s decision to withdraw Saturday came at the end of a 21-day waiting period mandated by Texas law. Fort Worth school board members were told about Boyd’s decision Saturday night. Boyd is superintendent of Santa Fe Public Schools in New Mexico. In a statement, Boyd said he has been honored by an outpouring of support from Santa Fe – and he wants to finish the efforts he’s started there. Support seems to have fallen apart for Boyd over the past few weeks. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported late Friday that four trustees were having second thoughts. Fort Worth trustee Ann Sutherland posted a statement online, expressing concerns about Boyd. She says there are reports of tension between teachers and Boyd in Santa Fe. Patricia Linares will continue to serve as interim superintendent in Fort Worth.
