By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX – Former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay returned to court today on a mission to get his money laundering trial moved out of Austin, which DeLay calls the "last bastion of liberalism in Texas."
But before the change of venue arguments took center stage, Senior Judge Pat Priest held more closed-door hearings. That was a day after former District Attorney Ronnie Earle testified in secret, purportedly about grand jury proceedings.
DeLay's attorney wanted to question Earle in his attempt to get DeLay's charges thrown out. No details of Earle's testimony were released to the public.
DeLay has been pressing for a trial for five years and says it will clear him of wrongdoing. He wants to have his trial moved to his conservative home county -- Fort Bend.
Yum! 8 fried food finalists in State Fair contest
Fans of some deep-fried food at this year's State Fair of Texas must flash an ID to prove they're legally old enough to eat the alcohol-laced goodies.
Fair officials in Dallas on Wednesday announced the eight finalists for the Big Tex Choice Awards, as vendors seek honors for best taste and most creative new offerings.
Fair spokeswoman Sue Gooding says the fried beer and the deep-fried frozen margarita will require purchasers to show ID proving they are at least 21, since both items have alcohol in the ingredients.
The other six finalists, to be judged Sept. 6 by members of the media, are deep fried s'mores Pop-Tart, fried club salad, fried chocolate, fried lemonade, fried caviar, featuring black-eyed peas, and a fried Frito pie.
The fair runs Sept. 24 through Oct. 17.
Financial adviser in Texas mishandled worker funds
A financial adviser from the Dallas area has pleaded guilty to 59 felony counts related to mishandling of retirement funds of dozens of workers at community colleges.
Sentencing is next week for 42-year-old Brian Troy of Keller.
Troy on Tuesday pleaded guilty, in Bowie County, to mishandling funds belonging to about 50 workers at Texarkana College and the Dallas County Community College system.
Investigators say Troy manipulated the retirement plans in an effort to pocket commissions.
The Texarkana Gazette reports prosecutors have recommended five-year prison sentences on each count, to be served concurrently. Troy has agreed to cooperate with authorities.