By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX – A judge has ordered the release of a Dallas man after declaring that DNA evidence showed he should not have been convicted of sexual assault 25 years ago.
State District Judge Gracie Lewis on Thursday ordered 61-year-old Larry Sims freed on a personal recognizance bond while his case is processed. Lewis apologized to Sims on behalf of the state of Texas for his imprisonment.
Dallas County prosecutors did not oppose Sims' release.
The victim who accused Sims of rape testified that she didn't have sex with another man in a group at a party. But a recent test found DNA from the other man and not Sims.
RR Commissioner Michael Williams makes Senate bid
Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams formally announced his bid to replace retiring U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison on Thursday, promising to be a consistent conservative.
Williams joins a crowded field in the race for the Republican Party's nomination in 2012. Another railroad commissioner, Elizabeth Ames Jones, entered the race earlier this week and a former Texas solicitor general, Ted Cruz, announced his candidacy last week. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has said he is exploring the possibility of running.
Williams, the first African American to hold an executive, elected statewide post, made the announcement during a public interview with the Texas Tribune. He vowed to cut the size of government and minimize regulations. He also said he rejects government affirmative action programs and the science behind human-caused climate change.
2 TxDOT execs leaving after criticism in review
The head of the Texas Department of Transportation is retiring in an announcement just weeks after a review criticized the agency's leadership. Executive director Amadeo Saenz Jr. on Wednesday advised his staff that he will retire at the end of August.
The 55-year-old Saenz informed the TxDOT commission Monday that he's retiring after 33 years with the department.
A report from a three-member review council, released Jan. 5, said the 12,000-employee department needed new leadership, consolidated financial operations and better communication with the public.
Transportation Commission chairwoman Deirdre Delisi praised Saenz, who has been executive director since 2007, as someone who has served Texas "with honor and integrity."
TxDOT deputy executive director Steve Simmons also has given his notice to retire, effective Aug. 31.
Gas prices in Texas declined by 1 cent
Gasoline prices slipped by a penny this week in the AAA Texas survey of the cost at the pump.
The association on Thursday reported the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas declined 1 cent, to reach $2.95.
The national average also is down a penny, to $3.10.
San Antonio and Fort Worth had the cheapest gasoline this week, at an average $2.92 a gallon.
AAA Texas says the most expensive gasoline is in Texarkana at $2.97 per gallon.
Brief evacuation of downtown Dallas building ends
The evacuation of a downtown Dallas office building has ended after a suspicious overnight mail package was deemed safe.
Dallas police released a statement saying the brief evacuation of the 33-story One Main Place building ended Thursday morning after an X-ray indicated there was nothing harmful in the package.
Authorities had been alerted to the package in the basement by a bomb-sniffing dog from a private security company working at the building.