By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX –
Tarrant County has recorded its first HUMAN case of West Nile Virus this season.
Officials say it's a Bedford man, in his 60's. So far this year, three mosquito pool samples have tested positive for West Nile. All were in the city of Hurst.
In Dallas, officials are sprayed a North Dallas neighborhood Thursday night where the first "positive" West Nile pool has been identified. It's in an area bounded by LBJ Freeway, Inwood Road, Forest Lane, and Crestline.
Health officials urge people to take precautions: use an repellant that contains DEET, and stay indoors at dusk and dawn - when mosquitoes are most active.
Gov. Perry issues disaster declaration
The threat of wildfires has prompted Gov. Rick Perry to issue a disaster declaration for 167 Texas counties.
The proclamation allows the heat-scorched state to activate firefighting resources and quickly respond to wildfires. It also clears the way for Texas to request federal assistance. Perry noted that the state has been hit by triple-digit temperatures, a lack of rain and extremely dry conditions.
Since June 25, some 10,000 acres have been burned by wildfires and nearly 150 homes have been threatened, Perry's office said. Harris, Dallas, Bexar, Tarrant and Travis counties were included in the declaration.
Southwest plans to announce early-out results
Southwest Airlines expects to disclose next week how many of its 35,000 employees accepted an early-out offer. Dallas-based Southwest has lost money the past three quarters, and first-quarter revenue fell below the same period last year.
The deadline for Southwest employees who expressed interest to revoke their application for severance benefits, including cash and travel benefits, was this week.
Southwest spokeswoman Beth Harbin says the carrier expects to announce the results of the offer when it releases second-quarter earnings on Tuesday.
Bell Helicopter Strike
Bell Helicopter and the union representing 2,500 manufacturing workers remain at an impasse during the fifth week of the strike in Texas.
Both sides ended a long day of negotiations late Wednesday without reaching an agreement.
United Auto Workers Local 218 went on strike in mid-June at several Dallas-Fort Worth area plants. Members had rejected a three-year contract because of proposed increases in medical costs and plans to outsource janitors' work.
Union officials said Thursday that the company has repeatedly shown its unwillingness to hear their members' concerns. But Bell says it's committed to reaching a mutually agreeable solution that will get everyone back to work and will meet the company's and employees' needs.
Texas gas prices fall
Retail gasoline prices continue to fall across Texas.
The weekly AAA Texas survey of 11 Texas cities released Thursday finds that regular self-serve gasoline was selling for an average of $2.34 per gallon. That's eight cents less than last week and $1.64 less than the record price a year ago.
Nationally, regular self-serve averages $2.49 per gallon, nine cents less than last week and $1.62 less than the record set July 17, 2008.
Fort Worth featured the cheapest gas at $2.28, 10 cents less than last week. The most expensive gas is selling in El Paso, where it's selling for $2.49 per gallon, 5 cents less than last week.
Auto club spokesman Dan Ronan says falling crude oil prices and demand for petroleum products lie behind the price drop.