By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX – Federal regulators are changing course on a law aimed at keeping swimmers, especially children, from getting trapped in pool drains.
The new guidance requires public pools with a single main drain to have a back-up system that could shut the suction of the drain. Previously, operators of those pools were told they could fit their drains with a special cover designed to prevent entrapments.
The move means thousands of public pools in cities and towns will have to take another look at their drains, and probably have to buy costly back-up systems. Some may close if they don't have the new equipment by next May.
The 2008 law was passed after several horrific child entrapment deaths, including the 7-year-old granddaughter of former Secretary of State James A. Baker.
ICE Arrests 126 In North Texas
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, has wrapped up a seven day roundup called "Cross Check".
Nearly three thousand convicted criminal aliens were arrested nationwide. 126 were arrested in North Texas. Dallas had the most, followed by Fort Worth and Tyler.
ICE officials say the roundup of convicted criminals in the U.S. illegally included a 40 year old Mexican national living in Glenn Heights. He had seven convictions on his record: including indecency with a child, drunk driving, and arson. Others from Dallas, Kaufman, Corsicana and Wylie also had multiple convictions for serious crimes.
ICE says "Cross Check" was the largest operation of its kind.
Emirates Airlines to Launch DFW to Dubai Service
Emirates Airlines will launch nonstop daily service between DFW and Dubai (DXB) International Airport starting February 2nd , 2012. Emirates, the largest air carrier in the Middle East, will serve the route with Boeing Triple-7 aircraft equipped with 266 seats. The announcement marks DFW's first nonstop flight to the Middle East, a key strategic goal for the Airport.
CEO of DFW International Airport. Jeffrey P. Fegan, says "Emirates daily nonstop service between DFW and Dubai connects two global super-hub portals for U.S. travelers to the Far and Middle East, the Indian sub-continent and Africa."
In March, Emirates starts daily nonstop flights between Seattle-Tacoma and Dubai. Port of Seattle spokesman Perry Cooper says it will be the first direct connection between Seattle and the Mideast, increasing opportunities for trade and tourism.
The only other U.S. cities served by the international carrier are Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York (out of JFK), and Houston.
Texas Criminals Appeals Court To Release Rustler
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals says a convicted cattle rustler Roddy Dean Pippin, who insisted he's been wrongly kept in prison beyond his sentence, has served his time and should be released next month.
The court's date for discharge is Oct. 22nd.
Pippin received four consecutive two-year sentences from Hardeman County for being part of a gang that stole cattle and ranch gear. He argued his prison time ended almost two years ago. Texas prison officials said their calculations showed he should remain locked up until 2013.
The 27-year-old Pippin has said his health is deteriorating because of diabetes.
He had gained notoriety in 2009 for riding his horse into Quanah near the Texas-Oklahoma border and turning himself in at the Hardeman County Jail.