By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX – A state judge, ruling in favor of the Texas Democratic Party, is blocking liberal Green Party candidates from the November ballot.
Democrats argued in court Thursday that the Green Party benefited from a cloak-and-dagger political scheme hatched by Republicans connected to Gov. Rick Perry. State District Judge John Dietz in Austin issued an injunction against the Green Party Thursday afternoon, citing funding irregularities as the party gathered signatures to get on the ballot.
The ruling is expected to be appealed.
Gas Prices Up After Steady Decline
After two months of weekly declines, gasoline prices are UP three cents statewide. The average price is $2.61 a gallon.
In Dallas-Fort Worth, prices rose more than a nickel.
But Dan Ronan, with Triple-A Texas, says it could be worse.
Ronan: Gas prices now are in a pretty good position in terms of stability and in terms of actual price. Let's go back to 2007, gas prices on the state were three-dollars six-cents. And in 2008, we were over four bucks a gallon.
The average price for a gallon of gasoline in Dallas is $2.60, up six cents. Triple-A reports a seven cent increase in Fort Worth, to $2.59.
Two Killed At Lewisville Construction Site
Two workers are dead, and two injured after an accident at the Lewisville "park and ride" rail station under construction.
Dee Leggett, with the Denton County Transportation Authority, says the boom on a concrete truck fell, trapping the four workers below.
Leggett: OSHA's currently on site. The construction site will probably be closed for about a week while we cooperate with investigators.
The two surviving workers' injuries are not life threatening. The 400-space "park and ride" station off Hebron Parkway is to open in December.
Dallas Plans Rx Roundup
Dallas is staging its first "Medication Cleanout" this Saturday.
Sanitation Director Mary Nix says from 10 until 2 at the North Central Police Division on McCallum, officials will accept outdated or unused medications for safe disposal.
Nix: Any old medications, any over-the-counter, as well as prescription, even things from your veterinarian for your dog. This is an opportunity to responsibly dispose of those things.
Nix says it is NOT a good idea to flush drugs down the toilet. She says that contaminates the water supply and increases the cost of cleaning and processing drinking water.
They cannot accept oxygen tanks, inhalers, thermometers - as the drugs will be incinerated.
Long Prison Term For Wichita Falls Gang Leader
A Wichita Falls gang leader is going to prison for 27 years.
Michael Gene Williams was sentenced yesterday for federal firearms and drug convictions.
Police say Williams is a founding member of the Kemp Edition Posse, a violent street gang in Wichita Falls. Almost a year ago, police raided a suspected drug house, and arrested Williams. They found drugs, cash and guns, including an assault rifle.
Williams has two prior aggravated assault convictions. In one case, he shot the victim in the head.
Williams is NOT eligible for parole.
Arch On Dallas' Calatrava Bridge Going Into Place
The first "designer" bridge in Dallas will be topped off Monday. The top of the 400 foot arch on the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge will be put into place.
The bridge is designed by noted Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. It's what's called a "cable stayed" bridge. 58 steel cables will be strung from the center of the arch to the bridge deck. The 120 million dollar bridge connecting Woodall Rodgers freeway and Westmoreland will open for traffic late next year.