El Paso (AP) – A congressional watchdog says the Border Patrol needlessly spent millions on a little-used immigration detention center in Texas. The adult detention center in Tornillo has been closed since January. A Government Accountability Office report says immigration officials paid $5.3 million for meals that were not needed as part of a fixed…… MORE
New york (AP) – Hospitals are starting to line up survivors of the new coronavirus to donate some blood, so doctors can use it to treat the sick. Blood plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients carries immune system antibodies that fight the virus, and early donors are happy to try to help. It’s experimental, but the…… MORE
Houston (AP) – The U.S. Department of Justice says a Texas-based organization that runs facilities to hold immigrant children has settled a retaliation claim from an ex-employee. The Justice Department said in a news release that Southwest Key Programs will pay $68,000 to the employee. The department hasn’t named the former employee. DOJ alleges he…… MORE
Corpus Christi (AP) – Officials in Corpus Christi say they’re looking at ways to discourage vacationers from visiting the popular South Texas city amid the coronavirus outbreak. The Corpus Christi Caller-Times reports Mayor Joe McComb is looking at possibly restricting residential vacation rentals during the upcoming weeks. McComb says he is concerned people might decide…… MORE
Mercedes, Texas (AP) – Authorities seized animals including a white Bengal tiger, bobcat, kinkajou, porcupines, llamas, emus and deer after finding them at a South Texas residence while executing a search warrant. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Sammy Parks says the search warrant served on March 25 at the home on 5 acres in Mercedes,…… MORE
Oklahoma City (AP) – Hobby Lobby says the ongoing threat of the coronavirus has forced it to close its stores until further notice. The Oklahoma City-based arts and crafts chain says it is furloughing all of its store employees, and many of its corporate and distribution workers. Many state and local governments have issued orders…… MORE
Undated (WBAP/KLIF) – Dallas County now reports 90 new cases of coronavirus, bringing its total to 921. The county’s death toll remains at 17. Tarrant County has 31 new cases, bringing its total to 383. Collin County added 29 new COVID-19 cases, making 256 in all, and listed its second death. Denton County reported 19…… MORE
Austin (AP) – Governor Greg Abbott says Texas has doubled the number of hospital beds in the past two weeks. But hospital officials are saying there’s not enough protective gear available for doctors and nurses, and Texas officials acknowledge they haven’t received all the supplies they have requested from the federal government. A coronavirus outbreak…… MORE
UNDATED (AP) – The coronavirus pandemic is defining for the globe what’s essential and what things we really can’t do without, even though we might not need them for survival. Attempting to slow the spread of the virus, authorities in many places are determining what shops and services can remain open. They’re also restricting citizens…… MORE
Undated (AP) – Increasing numbers of police officers and civilian law enforcement staff are getting sick as the number of coronavirus cases explodes across the U.S. The growing tally raises questions about how laws can and should be enforced during the pandemic, and about how departments will hold up as the virus spreads among the…… MORE
