Five stories that have North Texas talking: Gov. Perry heads to Asia to bolster his foreign policy chops; Wendy Davis appears on ABC to talk about terminating two pregnancies; Texas cities are banning billboards; and more.
Gov. Rick Perry is leading an economic mission to Japan and China this week as he continues to bolster his foreign policy chops for a possible second presidential run. The Associated Press reports: “Perry's office announced Friday that he will be in Tokyo on Monday to address the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan. He then will lead a state delegation to Beijing before attending the World Economic Forum in Tianjin, China. Perry is scheduled to return home Sept. 13.” The Texas Tribune reports Perry “will meet with the president of a bullet train operator involved in an effort to develop a high-speed rail line between Dallas and Houston.” [AP via KVUE]
- Wendy Davis appeared on ABC Monday morning to discuss her decision to terminate two pregnancies more than 15 years ago. “We knew that the most loving thing that we could do for our daughter was to say goodbye,” Davis told ABC’s Robin Roberts on “Good Morning America.” Davis’ new book, Forgetting to be Afraid, goes on sale on Tuesday. Details of the book were first reported by The Associated Press and the San Antonio Express-News Friday. Read more about Davis’ book reveals, as well as reaction to the news here. The Texas Tribune reports: “The book reveals that Davis terminated a pregnancy in 1997 during the second trimester due to the fetus having an acute brain abnormality after Davis received multiple medical opinions suggesting that the baby would not survive.” KERA’s Shelley Kofler has more.
Watch the ABC video here:
- Across Texas, cities are banning billboards. NPR’s John Burnett reports: “The outdoor advertising industry says its signs are informational, and helpful to local businesses. Open-space advocates call them "sky trash" and "litter on a stick." … More than 350 [Texas] towns and cities have banned new billboards — but billboard companies continue to push for taller and more technologically advanced signs.” Dallas has banned new billboards, but allows one new digital billboard for every three old ones taken down. Dallas will have 50 digital billboards, more than any other city in the U.S. except for Los Angeles, NPR reports.
- The Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas is marking its 25th anniversary. KERA has launched a special Art & Seek series called The Secrets of the Meyerson. It explores the concert hall’s history – and what creates the hall’s unique sound. What does the future hold for the Meyerson and for classical music? See what the public rarely does on our interactive Secrets of the Meyerson website.
- Learn more about the implications of a broken hip on Tuesday. Join KERA at 6 p.m. Tuesday for a live panel discussion on The Broken Hip series. The event is at Baylor’s Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center. Learn about the latest research, ask questions and share your story. RSVPs are required. Learn more here. And register here. Falls are the leading cause of death for older Americans. One of every five people who breaks a hip after age 50 dies within a year. For those who survive, it means a big life change. Explore the stories of North Texans and their families who have experienced this dramatic life change. Learn more about the research. And find out how to make your bedroom fall-proof in an interactive graphic.
