By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX – Two suburban Dallas elementary schools were briefly evacuated after employees received envelopes containing white powder. School district spokesman Reavis Wortham said Tuesday that the powder at both sites was nontoxic and not dangerous.
Students at Ethridge Elementary School in Garland were taken to a high school next door as a precaution. Parents were notified that they could pick up their children. Wortham says the remaining students returned to class.
A second envelope was then found at Armstrong Elementary. Students were evacuated to the surrounding grounds. Wortham says they will be allowed back into the building once crime scene investigators are finished.
Students at the schools were taking standardized tests Tuesday.
New Destinations At DFW Airport
Five new destinations are being launched today at DFW Airport.
American Eagle begins non-stop, daily service to Ashville, North Carolina; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Sioux Falls and Rapid City, South Dakota.
AirTran Airways begins flights to Milwaukee.
The new service adds to the airport's 175 destinations. DFW is the third busiest airport in the U.S.
Perry campaign to sponsor NASCAR driver at TMS
Gov. Rick Perry's re-election campaign announced Tuesday that he's sponsoring Bobby Labonte's car for the April 18 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at the Texas Motor Speedway. The sponsorship cost Perry's campaign $225,000.
Both Perry and Labonte were on hand to unveil the car. About half the hood says "Governor Perry." The doors each have decals saying "RickPerry.org" and the back of the car has a sign that reads "Perry Governor 2010."
Perry praised Labonte - who's originally from Corpus Christi - and said his powerful driving reminds him of the strong Texas economy. Perry is running against Democrat Bill White in November's election.
Labonte is currently 33rd on the NASCAR money leaders list.
Texas school districts can get vanity plates
Bumper stickers on whose kid is smarter could go one better with vehicle license plates proudly touting Texas school districts. The Carroll Independent School District could be the first in the state to sponsor personalized Texas license plates with its mascot logo.
School board members in Southlake on Monday approved a five-year marketing agreement for Carroll Dragon license plates. The state-issued license plate would include Carroll's fire-breathing logo.
The school district would get a 10 percent commission on each plate sold.
The idea was proposed by Austin-based My Plates, authorized by Texas to design and market full-color specialty license plates. My Plates spokeswoman Kim Miller Drummond says the company has sought to partner with Texas school districts with active athletic programs and Carroll is the first to proceed.