By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX –
The Fort Hood shooting suspect's attorney wants to challenge the Army's plan to have three military health professionals determine whether his client is competent to stand trial.
Attorney John Galligan said Monday he has requested a delay in Maj. Nidal Hasan's mental evaluation set to start next week.
Galligan said the board should be made up of civilian doctors because recent government reviews of the shooting have cited numerous problems in the military health care system.
The board also will determine the Army psychiatrist's mental status the day of the November shooting that left 13 dead on the Texas Army post.
Fort Hood officials did not immediately return calls Monday.
Perry won't meet with newspaper boards
Republican Gov. Rick Perry has decided not to spend time seeking endorsements from Texas newspapers before the March 2 primary. Perry spokesman Mark Miner said Monday that Perry will not be attending editorial board meetings at newspapers. Miner says there are better uses of the governor's time.
U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's campaign hasn't said whether she will seek newspaper endorsements. Perry, Hutchison and Debra Medina are vying for the GOP gubernatorial nomination.
The Austin American-Statesman first reported Perry's decision, noting that many Republicans believe GOP voters are distrustful of newspaper editorial boards.
Some newspapers may endorse Perry anyway, even though he doesn't spend time meeting with them.
220,000 gallons evaporated, dispersed in Texas oil spill
The Coast Guard says about 220,000 gallons of oil have been recovered, evaporated or dispersed after a tanker and another vessel collided at Port Arthur. Emergency personnel today report about nine miles of shoreline have been impacted.
Two oiled birds have been reported -- one has been captured and is being cleaned.
About 462,000 gallons of oil spilled when an 800-foot tanker headed for an Exxon Mobil refinery in Beaumont collided Saturday with a vessel pushing two barges.
Nobody was hurt.
Nearly 60,000 feet of boom have been put out since the accident along the Port of Port Arthur.
The Coast Guard says more than two dozen skimming vessels were on the scene today.
San Antonio homes evacuated as ground shifts
Dozens of San Antonio homes have been evacuated after the ground began shifting, creating crevices up to 15 feet deep and nearly splitting a retaining wall. Engineers at the scene today tried to determine why the dirt is moving and how much damage it could cause.
About 80 homes were evacuated yesterday after residents reported that the ground was caving behind several houses. No one was injured.
The large crack in the retaining wall sent soil tumbling out below. Fences were tossed and crumpled. Aerial photos show land gave way near some foundations.
Fire Department District Chief Nim Kidd said at least seven streets had to be closed since the ground started shifting Friday. Kidd estimates the ground slipped at a rate of about 4 inches an hour.
Pulte Homes is providing lodging and meals for the evacuated residents.