The top local stories this afternoon from KERA News:
The Dallas Police and Fire Pension system board has voted to suspend withdrawals and payments coming out of deferred retirement funds. The DROP program allowed first responders eligible for retirement -- but who wanted to keep working -- to maintain a separate savings account.
Today’s vote stops more than $150 million dollars in requested withdrawals from being distributed tomorrow. More than $500 million has been withdrawn since August.
The decision is a victory for Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, who filed a lawsuit earlier this week as a private citizen to stop the lump-sum withdrawals. The mayor has been concerned the withdrawals were worsening the pension fund’s finances. The fund could run out of money in about 10 years if changes are not made.
Other stories this afternoon:
- A typical American works eight hours a day, five days a week. Today on Think, Krys Boyd talked with Alex Pang, founder of The Restful Company, about why it might be time to change this standard.
- Four generations of photographers, all named Byrd Williams, have their works and personal papers, more than 100 years of history, housed at the University of North Texas. There may be no archive in the U.S. quite like it. Each week in the Art&Seek Spotlight, we explore the personal journey of North Texas creatives. Today, Byrd Williams IV tells Jerome Weeks about inheriting the family profession.
- Expect frigid temperatures tonight and through the morning. The National Weather Service says it will be the coldest it’s been in nearly two years. Lows will dip into the low-20s and wind chills will be in the teens. Make sure to wrap exposed pipes and cover outdoor faucets and sensitive plants. The Weather Service also suggests opening cabinets to avoid burst pipes. Bring your pets inside, and shut off your sprinklers.
You can listen to North Texas stories weekdays at 8:22 a.m. and 6:20 p.m. on KERA 90.1 FM.