By KERA News Room
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-987189.mp3
Dallas/Fort Worth, TX –
Dallas County is reporting two cases of Listeria connected with the recall of cantaloupes from Colorado. Cantu: The two Dallas County residents, an 81 year-old and a 75 year-old, had been sick, and also they were hospitalized. But they have since recovered. Blanca Cantu, with Dallas County Health and Human Services says 17 states are investigating Listeria-tainted cantaloupes from Jensen Farms in Colorado. Dallas-area retailers received shipments from the farm last month, but those melons have been recalled and should be off the shelf. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever and muscle ache. Cantu says, in some cases, it can be fatal.
Texas Lawmakers Hope for F-16 Sale
The United States announced Wednesday a $5.85 billion arms sales package that will upgrade Taiwan's fleet of 145 F-16 fighter jets and said it remained committed to the self-governing island. A top U.S. diplomat for East Asia said the upgrades will help ensure Taiwan's ability to defend itself and contribute to the stability of the self-governing island's relations with mainland China, which regards Taiwan as part of its territory. He said Taiwan's additional request for 66 new F-16s was still under consideration. Taiwan first sought the new planes in 2006. Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have called for the sales of new planes as well as the upgrades, and have introduced legislation seeking to mandate that. They have criticized the Obama administration of trying to mollify mainland China by denying Taiwan the new planes. Building new F-16s would mean continued work for thousands of Fort Worth employees at Lockheed.
Dallas Episcopal School Found Negligent
A six-woman Dallas County jury has found Episcopal School of Dallas grossly negligent in its handling of a relationship between a teacher and a teenage female student. The verdict included $8.6 million in compensatory damages, and another $700,000 in punitive damages. The parents sued the school saying officials failed to protect their daughter from a sexual relationship with a teacher and then victimized her a second time by forcing her to leave the institution, her long-time school. The girl was 16 years-old when the relationship began in 2009, and the teacher, Nathan Campbell, was 34. An appeal is expected, which could prolong a final outcome of this case.