By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX – Southwest Airlines is revamping its frequent-flier program with changes designed to nudge customers into buying higher-priced tickets by letting them earn bonus flights faster.
Southwest says passengers will be able to redeem points for any flight without blackout dates, even international flights on other airlines.
CEO Gary Kelly says the overhaul will bring in "several hundred" millions of dollars in extra annual revenue within three or four years. Southwest plans to announce the changes Thursday and launch the new program March 1.
Panel advises leadership, tech changes for TxDOT
An advisory panel says the Texas Department of Transportation needs new leadership, consolidated financial operations and better communication with the public.
The recommendations came Wednesday in Austin from a three-member review council appointed last year by the Texas Transportation Commission.
The restructuring report cites an "acute erosion of public confidence in TxDOT." Specifics on proposed leadership changes were not included.
Another recommendation includes hiring a chief information officer to oversee technology for TxDOT, with about 12,000 employees and a two-year budget topping $16 billion.
The recommendations come as the Texas Legislature prepares to convene on Tuesday.
TxDOT is overseen by the five-member Texas Transportation Commission. Commissioners are appointed by the governor.
Chairwoman Deirdre Delisi says the panel is "going to do things that make sense" for TxDOT.
Ex-CFL QB Ledbetter gets 12 years in Texas prison
A Texas judge has ordered 12 years in prison for former high school football star and ex-CFL quarterback Cody Ledbetter for probation violation.
The 37-year-old Ledbetter was sentenced Wednesday in Fort Worth. He was extradited from Canada.
Ledbetter two decades ago drew fame playing for the Stephenville Yellowjackets. He played in college before spending time in the Canadian Football League.
Ledbetter in 2005 pleaded guilty to having an improper relationship with a female student at Alvarado High School, where he was an assistant coach.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports Ledbetter received 10 years of deferred-adjudication probation.
Ledbetter has admitted drinking alcohol and missing probation appointments. He was arrested in Canada over a July 2009 domestic assault case. A Texas warrant was issued two months later.
Teen suspect in Pearland bank robbery arrested
A third suspect in a botched New Year's Eve bank robbery in Pearland in which about a dozen people were taken hostage has been arrested.
The 17-year-old, who is the police say was the getaway driver and the nephew of one of the men accused of leading the holdup, is charged with one count of aggravated robbery.
The Houston Chronicle reports that the suspect was booked into jail Tuesday on $1 million bond. A jail official did not have any attorney information.
Police investigators are searching for a fourth suspect. Two others were arrested after the failed robbery. Each was charged with 13 counts of aggravated robbery.
A standoff with police ended peacefully after a negotiation of more than four hours Dec. 31. No money was taken.