Local News - KERA North Texas

Jenny the Elephant is staying in Dallas instead of moving to Mexico. Zoo officials say they are getting a companion for Jenny and putting a new elephant habitat on the fast track. KERA's BJ Austin says that surprise announcement is the latest development on an emotional controversy over Jenny's future.

Fort Worth's Trinity River project is going to cost a lot more than originally put on paper. KERA's BJ Austin says lawmakers, today, got an update on the project that will take 11 years, and cost $576 million.

Arlington schools could see cutbacks in campus supplies, teacher training and field trips when school begins next week. District officials, on Thursday, could approve $9 million in cutbacks to help erase an $18 million dollar shortfall. KERA's BJ Austin reports.

Dallas plans to borrow $6 million dollars from a city fund to tear down Reunion Arena, with no deadline to pay it back. KERA's BJ Austin reports.

Was it scary moving from your normal-sized middle school into that huge high school? What about your most dreaded subject that was about to get harder? Fort Worth ISD has done something about both. It's offered a short summer program to help incoming freshmen navigate both tough topics and confusing hallways. KERA's Bill Zeeble prepared this report on the district's transition program.

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison says she'll introduce legislation that allows Texas to opt-out of the National Highway Trust Fund. KERA's Shelley Kofler has more on what she told transportation professionals gathered in Irving.

The economy's certainly a major issue this year for the presidential candidates, but commentator Merrie Spaeth suggests another money matter also deserves attention.

The economy has placed the construction of State Highway 161 in limbo. The North Texas Tollway Authority says it may reevaluate whether to build the road in Grand Prairie which is essential for getting traffic to the Dallas Cowboys new stadium. KERA's Shelley Kofler has details.

In Texas today, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison said she stands behind the Bush administration's demand that Russia withdraw its troops from Georgian territory.

Texas Seven prison escapee Michael Rodriguez was put to death last night in Huntsville for the Christmas Eve, 2000 murder of Irving Police Officer Aubrey Hawkins. Dozens of Police Officers stood vigil in support of the fallen officer's family. KERA's BJ Austin reports.

Gasoline prices across Texas continue to fall. Triple-A's latest survey shows a gallon of regular unleaded in Texas dropped by nearly 10 cents last week. KERA's BJ Austin reports.

There are new allegations against some defendants in the Dallas City Hall corruption case. These are not new charges in the case of bribes and city contracts. But prosecutors intend to introduce the accusations at trial. KERA's BJ Austin reports.