By KERA News Staff
Dallas, Texas –
Brewer Faces Lethal Injection For 1998 Murder
A purported white supremacist faces execution Wednesday in Huntsville for chaining an African American man to the back of a pickup truck and dragging him to his death in 1998.
Lawrence Brewer is one of two men sentenced to die for killing James Byrd Jr. The other's case remains under appeal. A third man is serving life in prison.
Brewer's punishment puts the spotlight back on Jasper. The perception of racism has resurfaced in the East Texas city because of an attempt to oust three black city council members who helped confirm a black man as police chief. Many say the label's unfair.
Texas Soldier Killed In Iraq
An Army soldier from Texas has died during his fourth tour of duty in Iraq.
A news release from Fort Hood Wednesday said 30-year-old Staff Sgt. Estevan Altamirano of Edcouch died in Tikrit Sunday of injuries sustained in a noncombat incident. The incident is under investigation.
Officials said Altamirano had received numerous service and commendation medals.
Flu Shot Mandate For Children's Medical Center
This fall, for the first time, Children's Medical Center has required all its workers, volunteers and vendors to get flu vaccinations.
The hospital issued the mandate to protect workers and patients, and to reduce absences at work.
The decision will affect some eight thousand people.
UT President Open To Sharing More Media Revenue
University of Texas President William Powers has suggested the school is open to a new revenue-sharing model for the Big 12.
A day after the Pac-12 said no to adding any members from the Big 12, Powers on Wednesday said restructuring media contracts would be one way to build stability in the league - and Texas will work toward that.
Texas gets a larger share of the league's media revenue from television contracts than some of the other members. The university also has its own Longhorn Network in a deal with ESPN.