American Airlines is sending layoff warning notices to more than 11,000 employees although it expects job losses to be closer to 4,400.
The airline said Tuesday that notices went out to mechanics and ground workers whose jobs will be affected as the company goes through a bankruptcy restructuring.
American Airlines spokesman Bruce Hicks says that fewer than 40 percent of those getting notices will lose their jobs. He says federal law requires the company to notify anyone whose position could change if they are "bumped" by a more-senior employee whose job is eliminated.
AP
With Miles Aware of Challenges, Dallas ISD Forges Ahead
Dallas School Superintendent Mike Miles says DISD is better financially, in achievement scores and high school graduation rates, but there’s a long road to improvement ahead. Miles told the Dallas Regional Chamber DISD faces real challenges because its students rank below state and national averages in college readiness, reading, and algebra.
" If we’re not transparent around what some of those challenges are in a real way then we will not be able to work with the sense of urgency that’s required," Miles said. "And while I’m going to be mindful of the hard work that’s gone before me and this administrative team, we’ve got to be mindful of the distance we have to travel."
Miles outlined and 8-point system he’s implementing to improve teacher and principal accountability and performance, strategic talent planning, expanded leadership and decision making, and professional development.
Alexis Yancey, KERA News
Panda To Build Natural Gas-Powered Plant In North Texas
A Dallas company plans to build a 758-megawatt natural gas-fueled electric generating plant in North Texas.
Panda Power Funds on Tuesday announced financing has been secured by its Panda Sherman Power LLC for a plant in Sherman, about 60 miles north of Dallas.
Construction will start immediately on the Sherman plant, which should be operating by late 2014.
Officials expect as many as 800 construction jobs will be created. More than two dozen workers will operate the facility.
Panda Power Funds is part of a consortium with Bechtel and Siemens Energy Inc. to build the unit. The plant is expected to supply electricity to about 750,000 homes in North Texas.
Panda Power Funds plans to build and operate a similar plant in Temple, where ground was broken Sept. 6.
AP
Arizona man tried in friend's 1984 murder in Texas
Prosecutors have told a Texas jury that a man in a drug treatment program in 1986 confessed to killing a former high school acquaintance.
Ryland Shane Absalon was 17 when Ginger Hayden was stabbed more than 50 times in 1984 before her first day of college.
Absalon was arrested in 2010 in Sierra Vista, Ariz. Testing revealed that items in Hayden's apartment matched his DNA.
He faces up to life in prison if convicted.
Defense attorneys told a Tarrant County jury Tuesday that Absalon falsely confessed to killing Hayden because he was sleep-deprived and pressured in the treatment program.
They say Absalon's DNA was present because Hayden was his friend. Defense attorneys also say DNA from an unknown man was found under the victim's fingernails and on a quilt.
AP
All Houston-area sextuplets born in April now home
The last of the Houston-area sextuplets still hospitalized after being born premature April 23 has gone home.
Officials with Texas Children's Pavilion for Women in Houston say Leah Perkins was discharged Monday.
Lauren and David Perkins of Pearland now have all three sons and three daughters home. The other children are Andrew, Levi, Benjamin, Allison and Caroline. They were born about 10 weeks premature.
Meanwhile, hospital officials Monday also announced a Louisiana woman has had quintuplets.
Sarah and Bruce Plauche of Lake Charles, La., are the parents of three boys and two girls delivered Sept. 7. The children ranged in weight from 2 pounds, 4 ounces, to 2 pounds, 9 ounces.
Owen Parker, Reece William, Miles Shepherd, Tessa Quinn and Corrine Elise were born premature and remained hospitalized Tuesday.
AP
Romney: Big Donors in Big D
Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney was in Dallas Tuesday for a couple of big-dollar fundraisers.
Romney held a ‘photo reception’ at the Hilton Anatole -- $25,000 a couple.
Afterwards, he presided over a reception and private dinner for donations of $50,000 to $70,000.
BJ Austin, KERA News
Former Dallas Firefighter Admits Robbing Bank
A former Dallas firefighter has pleaded guilty to bank robbery. 37 year old Jesus Ventura entered the plea in federal court Tuesday, and will be sentenced in January. He faces up to 20 years in prison.
Prosecutors say Ventura robbed the Chase Bank on Sylvan last April – apologizing to the teller before he said, “Give me all the money.”
Court documents say Ventura gave the teller $20 before leaving the bank with a backpack full of cash saying, “Here’s a tip for you.”
In an earlier court appearance, Ventura said he is bipolar.
BJ Austin, KERA News
Man Visits Wife at Work, Stabs Her Multiple Times
A 54-year-old man from Irving is in jail after repeatedly stabbing his wife while she was at work.
Thomas Parker was arrested about 1:30 Tuesday morning as officers arrived on a call to a business on Airport Freeway near Esters Road.
Detectives say the suspect came to see his wife, talked to her for a short time, then pulled a knife and stabbed her several times.
Police don’t have a motive yet. The victim is expected to recover.
BJ Austin, KERA News
