AP Texas News

Fewer traffic fatalities reported in Texas
AUSTIN — Traffic deaths in Texas dropped in 2007 for the fifth consecutive year, despite an increase in the number of cars and drivers on state roadways, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
July 4, 2008

Chinese trader convicted in fake drug scheme
HOUSTON — A federal jury convicted a Chinese trader on Thursday of trying to send fake versions of prescription drugs to the United States.
July 4, 2008

Jury says Pharr church must pay $550,000
EDINBURG, Texas — A Hidalgo County jury awarded $500,000 Thursday to the parents of a teenager who was sexually assaulted by a Pharr church pastor.
July 4, 2008

Waxahachie man worried about bee health
WAXAHACHIE, Texas — Mark Brady has 320 million reasons to be concerned about colony collapse disorder.
July 4, 2008

Nutrient in watermelon yields Viagra-like results
LUBBOCK, Texas — A slice of cool, fresh watermelon is a juicy way to top off a Fourth of July cookout and one that researchers say has effects similar to Viagra _ but don't necessarily expect it to keep fireworks going long into the night.
July 3, 2008

5 at rag factory charged in immigration raid
HOUSTON — The owner and four supervisors of a rag factory raided last week by immigration officials have been charged with knowingly hiring and employing undocumented workers.
July 3, 2008

Dallas sheriff says Discovery Channel won't film
DALLAS — Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez says the Discovery Channel has changed plans and will not do a documentary about the jail after a judge blocked their filming.
July 3, 2008

Former TEA science director sues agency
AUSTIN — A former science curriculum director for the Texas Education Agency has filed a federal lawsuit alleging she was illegally fired for forwarding an e-mail about a speaker who was critical of teaching a controversial alternative to evolution.
July 3, 2008

Texas PUC OKs passing costs along for Ark. plant
AUSTIN — The Texas Public Utility Commission agreed Thursday to allow Southwestern Electric Power Co. to pass along some of the costs of a power plant in southwestern Arkansas to Texas customers.
July 3, 2008

State auditor: $863M collaboration behind
AUSTIN — Challenges such as the difficulty in obtaining seasoned state workers and high turnover among IBM employees are slowing an $863 million state of Texas-IBM project, the state auditor said in a report released Wednesday.
July 3, 2008