By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX –
Dallas County residents will be able to get their H1N1 shots at local pharmacies. Public health officials said today that they will distribute the vaccine to several pharmacies, including Walgreens, Kroger, Tom Thumb, Wal-Mart, and Dougherty's.
The pharmacies will charge up to $18, but have been asked by the county not to turn anyone away. Some will offer the vaccine on a walk-in basis; others will take appointments. Call the pharmacy for details.
The H1N1 vaccine continues to be in short supply and is restricted to those in high-risk groups. That includes pregnant women, children, and people with chronic health problems.
Dallas County will also offer the vaccine for free at two large events at area churches. The first is scheduled for this Saturday.
Detailed information about where to find the vaccines in North Texas and how to prevent H1N1 is available on the blog at KERA.org/economy.
Final demolition work on Reunion Arena in Dallas
Controlled demolition has begun to bring down what's left of Reunion Arena in Dallas.
Demolition crews finally brought the roof down about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday after morning-long work to prepare its support columns to come down.
The arena is the former home to the NBA's Dallas Mavericks and the NHL's Dallas Stars. The Mavericks and the Stars now play at the American Airlines Center.
The Dallas City Council in February approved a more than $2 million contract with A&R Demolition to level the outdated sports and entertainment venue, which opened in 1980. Reunion Arena in June 2008 hosted its last event, a Spanish-language religious service.
Texas lottery proposes rules for adding Powerball
The Texas Lottery Commission has taken a step toward adding Powerball to its roster of games.
The commission voted 3-0 today to publish a Powerball game rule to solicit public comment. The deadline for comments is 30 days after publication in the Texas Register.
Like the Mega Millions game the Lottery Commission already offers, Powerball is a multi-state game known for its lush jackpots. Lottery Deputy Executive Director Gary Grief estimates the addition of Powerball would bring in an extra $35 million annually for the state Foundation School Fund.
The panel has been discussing adding Powerball to Mega Millions and the Texas lottery's other offerings since 2003. The largest advertised Powerball jackpot ever was $365 million in 2006. The largest Mega Million jackpot was $370 million in March 2007.
Bill would give shooting victims more benefits
A Texas lawmaker is proposing to treat the 13 people wounded or killed this month at Fort Hood by a gunman as casualties of combat. Republican Rep. John Carter says treating the victims as if they were killed in a battle zone provides a number of benefits to surviovors and allows military personnel to receive the Purple Heart. Civilans would receive the Secretary of Defense Medal of Freedom.
Family of military personnel who died or were wounded in the shooting would get survivor payments, tax breaks, funeral travel expenses and other benefits with the designation.
Army psychiatrist Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan is accused of killing 13 people in a Nov. 5 shooting rampage at the sprawling central Texas Army post. Another 43 were injured, 34 of them with gunshot wounds.
Airlines boost peak-day surcharges
It could cost you even more to travel next spring and summer.
US Airways said Tuesday it will add a 5 percent surcharge to all U.S. flights on or after May 8.
Spokeswoman Valerie Wunder says the surcharge will protect the airline in case fuel prices rise or other costs increase. Separately, Delta, Northwest and United have bumped the surcharge on some busy days next March to $30 each way from $20 - and to $50 on the day after the Super Bowl - according to air fare expert Tom Parsons. The airlines did not return calls immediately.
Most major U.S. airlines have been losing money this year, and they're scrambling to add revenue with bag-handling fees and surcharges on heavy travel days.