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Texas Schools Preparing For Loan Changes & Midday Roundup

By KERA News & Wire Services

Dallas, TX – Texas schools are prepping for what could be the biggest change in college assistance programs since Congress created them in the 1960s. Changes proposed in Washington would mean federally guaranteed student loans only offered by the government, ending a role for banks and other for-profit lenders who charge fees.

The Austin American-Statesman reported Friday that Texas universities are joining thousands across the country abandoning the bank-based system.

The University of Texas this week announced it is cutting the program under which students borrow from private lenders.

UT is opting for the U.S. Department of Education's William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. Students, starting this summer, will borrow directly from the government.

Texas A&M also is making the switch. Texas State University has offered the direct loan program since 1994.

Woman's body recovered from Lewisville Lake crash

Authorities have identified the woman killed in the crash of a small plane into Lewisville Lake.

The Web site of the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office identifies the woman as 41-year-old Kristin Kolby of Dallas. The medical examiner's report says she drowned after the float plane crashed into the lake near Dallas.

The Federal Aviation Administration Web site shows the single-engine Maule float plane is registered to 54-year-old Kenneth Gedney of Dallas. A spokeswoman at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas says Gedney is in good condition Friday.

The Colony Fire Department Capt. Kenny Adamcik on Friday said crews around 8:30 p.m. Thursday located the woman's body in the float plane.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.

Ex-Army secretary Geren returning to Fort Worth

Former congressman and ex-Army Secretary Pete Geren will return to his native Fort Worth to lead the Sid W. Richardson Foundation.

The foundation on Thursday announced the 58-year-old attorney will become the group's senior adviser and president-elect. Wildcatter Richardson used his fortune to create the foundation to do good works in Texas.

Geren will follow Valleau Wilkie Jr., who retires in 2011 after heading the foundation since 1973. Wilkie is 86.

Geren's stint as Army secretary ended last year. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Friday that Geren will earn about $350,000 as foundation president, nearly twice as much as his salary at the Pentagon.

Families question 2 jail-related deaths in Dallas

The family of an Iraq war veteran wants to know why he ended up dead after being subdued with pepper spray by guards in a Dallas County jail complex.

Autopsy results are pending on 32-year-old Gregory Kitchen, who died in January.

The Dallas Morning News reported Friday that relatives of another man, who died in June 2008, are also questioning guard restraint methods and have sued. Corey Bailey was 31.

A report indicates Bailey, held on a drunken-driving charge, died while guards were moving him for a mental health evaluation. The autopsy report says Bailey died of toxic effects of the drug PCP, including excited delirium, in combination with "restraint by police officers."

Army Sgt. Denise Kitchen awaits results of her husband's autopsy. He was jailed on a felony burglary charge.

A sheriff's department spokeswoman declined comment.