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Local News
Controversial execution nears for Texas man who didn't kill
TEXAS NEWS
His lawyers don't dispute that convicted killer Jeffery Wood deserves punishment for his involvement in a robbery more than a dozen years ago, when a clerk at a Texas Hill Country gas station convenience store was gunned down. But Wood's attorneys and supporters argue that he doesn't deserve to die for a murder that occurred while he was waiting in a car outside the store in Kerrville. They also point out that Daniel Reneau, the gunman who killed clerk Kriss Keeran with a shot to the face, already has been executed. "Someone answered for this in terms of the death penalty," attorney Scott Sullivan said. "A non-triggerman shouldn't get the death penalty." Wood, who turns 35 today, is to be executed Thursday in a case that again put under scrutiny a unique Texas law that makes accomplices as culpable as the killer in a capital murder case. He would be the ninth condemned prisoner put to death this year and the fifth this month in the nation's busiest capital punishment state. At least a dozen other Texas inmates have execution dates in the coming months. Lawyers were in the courts seeking permission to hire mental health experts to pursue arguments that Wood is incompetent to be executed. They also were unsuccessful convincing the trial judge in the case to withdraw Thursday's execution date. Sullivan said he would take the arguments to the appeals courts. Attorneys also went to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, seeking clemency for Wood.
Plan to build 700 homes for homeless headed to Dallas council
TEXAS NEWS
Dallas' homeless czar outlined a plan on Monday to build 700 homes for chronically homeless people throughout the city within five years - at an estimated cost to taxpayers of $7.2 million to $18 million. An additional $16.8 million would be needed from city and other sources to provide social services for people living in those homes. The housing's actual cost would depend on the type of financing available, Mike Rawlings, who oversees solutions to homelessness for the city, told the City Council's Housing Committee. The committee voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council consider the plan at a Sept. 10 meeting. Some council members expressed concerns about potential neighborhood opposition to such projects and said community education would be needed. The goal is to build provide permanent supportive housing, which is housing that comes with social services to help disabled, long-term homeless people remain stable. Mr. Rawlings said the housing is needed to end chronic homelessness and alleviate overcrowding at the city's new downtown shelter, The Bridge. "We're making huge progress. But the real answer is permanent supportive housing," he said. "The biggest myth is that homeless people don't want a home." The housing is part of a national "housing first" movement to combat homelessness by providing people with homes rather than the traditional system in which many homeless cycle through shelters, hospitals or jails. Studies have shown that it's less expensive to provide housing than to have people live on the streets. Increased permanent supportive programs in recent years have been credited with helping reduce chronic homelessness nationwide. Under the proposal, the city would pay for the housing with a portion of the proceeds from bonds issued for all city housing initiatives. That could generate potentially $10 million, although an exact amount has not yet been determined, city Housing Director Jerry Killingsworth said. Some Housing Committee members expressed concern about their constituents' reactions to such projects. Council member Carolyn Davis said Fair Park residents in her district strongly opposed a recent proposal to build 150 units of permanent supportive housing in their neighborhood.
Dozens rescued from flooded homes in south Texas
TEXAS NEWS
Emergency workers rescued dozens of trapped residents after torrential rains deluged more than 400 homes in southern Texas and forced the closure of the main road through the Rio Grande Valley. Officials used any available boat to pluck about 60 people from their flooded homes after more than 13 inches of rain fell on parts of Starr County. The Department of Public Safety had recommended that U.S. Highway 83 be closed near Rosita, about midway between Roma and Rio Grande City, because a creek was more than a foot above the guardrails, said Starr County Judge Eloy Vera. Not even emergency vehicles were permitted to pass.
National News
Costs soar for overhaul of National Guard training
USA TODAY - TOP HEADLINES
Revamping the U.S. Army National Guard training program so soldiers can spend more time at home will cost at least $128 million ...
Florida in for big soaking
USA TODAY - TOP HEADLINES
Tropical Storm Fay rolled ashore in Florida on Tuesday short of hurricane strength, but mysteriously gained speed as it headed ...
Governments' building projects shore up economy
USA TODAY - TOP HEADLINES
Construction spending by federal, state and local governments has reached record levels, lifting the economy and employing some ...
International News
Taliban Escalate Afghan Fighting
NEW YORK TIMES
Insurgents have taken advantage of a wavering NATO commitment, a flailing Afghan government and disarray in Pakistan.
Survivors in Georgia Tell of Ethnic Killings
NEW YORK TIMES
Now that the fighting between Georgia and Russia has subsided, killings will be grist for competing claims of ethnic cleansing.
Pakistani Parties Clash Over Reinstating Judge
NEW YORK TIMES
A day after President Pervez Musharraf resigned from office, the strains between the ruling coalition parties became apparent in a dispute over fired judges.
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