The top local stories this evening from KERA News:
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Lupe Valdez owes $12,000-plus in overdue property taxes on seven properties, a previously unreported shortfall that could prove embarrassing as she tries to unseat Republican Greg Abbott in November.
The Houston Chronicle reports that Valdez’s campaign acknowledges that she owes back property taxes, but is paying them back in installments. The full amount isn’t due until January. In a statement Thursday, Valdez campaign spokesman Juan Bautista Dominguez said it was an example of property taxes being “unpredictable and burdensome for Texans everywhere,” and blamed Abbott’s lack of leadership on the issue.
Valdez, a former Dallas County sheriff, won a primary runoff Tuesday to become Texas’ first openly gay and Hispanic gubernatorial candidate.
Other stories this evening:
- Governor Abbott met today at the state Capitol with survivors of the mass shooting at Santa Fe High School and a similar attack in November at a church in Sutherland Springs. The first two meetings focused on school security, and tracking student mental health. Dallas-based Momentous Institute Executive Director Michelle Kinder attended yesterday's roundtable. She talked about the roundtable with Texas Standard host David Brown.
- Parenthood is rewarding, but also pretty difficult. And in rare cases, it can be dangerous for both parent and child. In this week's spotlight, Art&Seek's Hady Mawajdeh meets an actress whose son has severe autism. She's written a play that explores her experience, and it's being workshopped at Theatre Three.
You can listen to North Texas stories weekdays at 8:22 a.m. and 6:20 p.m. on KERA 90.1 FM.