KRLD 1080

DALLAS (KRLD) - The US Attorney's office in the Western District of Texas says it is redoubling its effort to combat sexual harassment in housing during the Covid-19 pandemic. US Attorney for the Western District, John Bash says this has been a Department of Justice priority since 2017. Prosecutors Issue Warning to Landlords He says the concern is that "either landlords or even maintenance people could sexually harass tenants. All sexual harassment is bad but it's really bad when you can't even go home at night without facing sexual harassment. From a landlord's perspective, the concern is that somebody falls back on their rent or wants something fixed and they have to put up with this."He says the problem may be exacerbated by the pandemic, with so many out of work, people will fall behind on rent. He says there are concerns landlords "will demand sexual favors or otherwise engage in harassment, so people can stay in their homes. That's not only illegal, a violation of fundamental decency."He says they have had a lot of litigation over the last three years and millions of dollars in settlements in the past three years. "During the pandemic, and this is similar to domestic violence and child abuse cases, we've seen reporting go down. I think part of that is because people are concerned about being kicked out of their homes if they complain about mistreatment, given what's going on with the economy and the pandemic."He says while landlords need their income "in the time of crisis you would hope that landlords exercise some degree of judgment and compassion if they can financially, and know that people are in a crisis right now and need to figure out a way to work things out until we can get through this."People who have been victimized are encouraged to call 844-380-6178. You can also email fairhousing@usdoj.gov

May 30, 2020

New State Report Urges Flexibility By Texas School Districts

TEXAS (1080 KRLD) - The COVID-19 pandemic has left school districts across Texas navigating uncharted waters.When the coronavirus forced schools to close with little notice in March, districts had to cobble together ways to complete the 2019-20 class year. Now, the challenge is putting together a school calendar for 2020-21. A new report from the Texas Education Agency gives local districts guidelines on forming their plans, but the TEA is also encouraging flexibility and creativity at the lower level.Plans will vary from one district to another, but recommended options include more frequent breaks built into the next school year in case of a second wave of COVID-19. Also, virtual learning could remain a vital of of the education equation moving into the fall.Teach for America DFW's Martha Bogdon discussed the TEA recommendations with KRLD's Chris Sommer.

May 29, 2020

How You Can Help Researchers In Fight Against COVID-19

Got a smartphone, laptop or PC? You have the ability to help the planet's most brilliant scientists as they work on treatments and a vaccine for COVID-19.World Community Grid is a project led by IBM. It enables anyone with a computer to "donate" their unused processing power to scientific research through crowdsourcing. Volunteers anywhere in the world can download the World Community Grid onto their desktop, laptop or Android phone. The app uses the IBM cloud to automatically distribute and collect the computational assignments on volunteers' computers without impacting any unrelated files.IBM's Juan Hindo explained why this crowdsourcing effort is much more efficient and a lot less expensive as she talked with KRLD's Chris Sommer.More info on the App here.

May 29, 2020

CVS Health Expands COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing In DFW

CVS Health has announced 20 new COVID-19 testing sites across North Texas.The drive-thru sites are by appointment, by signing up at CVS.com. The tests are no cost whether or not a patient has insurance. The 20 new sites are in addition to the 17 previously announced sites across DFW. CVS Health has set up a total of 86 testing sites in Texas, and more than 1,000 across the nation. The 20 additional new testing sites in North Texas include:CVS Pharmacy, 815 East Abrams Street, Arlington, TX 76010CVS Pharmacy, 9390 Forest Lane, Dallas, TX 75234CVS Pharmacy, 13033 Coit Road, Dallas, TX 75240CVS Pharmacy, 7102 Campbell Road, Dallas, TX 75248CVS Pharmacy, 7203 Skillman Street, Dallas, TX 75231CVS Pharmacy, 10014 Garland Road, Dallas, TX 75218CVS Pharmacy, 17410 Marsh Lane, Dallas, TX 75287CVS Pharmacy, 3030 Sylvan Avenue, Dallas, TX 75212CVS Pharmacy, 150 East Illinois Avenue, Dallas, TX 75216CVS Pharmacy, 7979 Beltline Road, Dallas, TX 75254CVS Pharmacy, 6431 McCart Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76133CVS Pharmacy, 3401 Atla Mere Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76116CVS Pharmacy, 2706 Jacksboro Highway, Fort Worth, TX 76114CVS Pharmacy, 4333 Western Center Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137CVS Pharmacy, 700 W. Seminary Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76115CVS Pharmacy, 9620 White Settlement Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76108CVS Pharmacy, 3401 West Walnut Hill Lane, Irving, TX 75038CVS Pharmacy, 1333 Story Road, Irving, TX 75060CVS Pharmacy, 8953 Virginia Parkway, McKinney, TX 75071CVS Pharmacy, 6301 West El Dorado Parkway, McKinney, TX 75070 The 17 previously-announced testing sites in North Texas include:CVS Pharmacy, 4100 State Highway 121, Carrollton, TX 75010CVS Pharmacy, 6915 West Avenue, Castle Hills, TX 78213CVS Pharmacy, 825 South Crowley Road, Crowley, TX 76036CVS Pharmacy, 3133 East Lemmon Avenue, Dallas, TX 75204CVS Pharmacy, 3614 Camp Bowie, Fort Worth, TX 76107CVS Pharmacy, 5401 Lebanon Road, Frisco, TX 75034CVS Pharmacy, 5702 Lavon Drive, Garland, TX 75040CVS Pharmacy, 4203 South Carrier Parkway, Grand Prairie, TX 75052CVS Pharmacy, 3701 Ira E. Woods Avenue, Grapevine, TX 76092CVS Pharmacy, 801 North Tarrant Parkway, Keller, TX 76248CVS Pharmacy, 2200 Matlock Road, Mansfield, TX 76063CVS Pharmacy, 1413 Oates Drive, Mesquite, TX 75043CVS Pharmacy, 8995 Stacy Road, McKinney, TX 75070CVS Pharmacy, 2100 Eldorado Parkway, McKinney, TX 75070CVS Pharmacy, 2101 West Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, TX 75023CVS Pharmacy, 605 West Campbell Road, Richardson, TX 75080CVS Pharmacy, 1301 North Saginaw, Saginaw, TX 76179

May 29, 2020

Task Force Trying To Test All Nursing Homes For Coronavirus

DALLAS (1080 KRLD) - A north Texas task force will be at it again today in an effort to test everyone are nursing homes for coronavirus, which also includes all of the staff. When Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered that all staff and residents at Texas nursing homes be tested, the Collin, Dallas, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro and Rockwall counties called on their fire departments to provide the testing.Yesterday, the task force visited 7 nursing homes in Dallas and Collin counties, with over 1,200 tests taken.Since the task force began, they have taken close to 5,000 tests.Visits have been scheduled well into the month of June, with only 2 more north Texas facilities left to test.

May 29, 2020

Austin Bar Tells People With Masks On To "Stay Home Until You Feel Safe"

We've been hearing a lot about businesses that won't let people in without a mask.A bar owner in Austin has decided the exact opposite, and will ban anyone who is wearing one from coming in.Kevin Smith, owner of the Liberty Tree Tavern, posted a sign at his bar this week reading, “Sorry, no mask allowed. Please bare with us thru the ridiculous fearful times.”"Due to concern for our customers, if they feel they need to wear a mask, they should stay at home until they feel it's safe to be in public without one" said Smith. "Being scared all the time isn’t good for your health. It suppresses your immune system."Smith says he's still following state guidelines for social distancing and reduced occupancy, but he's drawing the line against masks calling it a "pushback against snitches."

May 29, 2020

Texas Governor Says Outdoor Stadiums Can Host Fans At 25% Capacity

DALLAS (KRLD) - Texas Governor Greg Abbott says outdoor stadiums can hold fans at no more than 25% capacity. Eddie Gossage on KRLD Abbott issued the proclamation on Thursday. It says as follows: "Each professional sports league that desires to reopen must first submit a plan to the Texas Department of State Health Services (“DSHS”). Spectators are allowed for outdoor events, provided that outdoor venues limit the number of spectators to no more than 25% of the normal operating limits of the venue as determined by the facility owner. Spectators are not permitted for indoor events. Each plan must incorporate these minimum health protocols to the greatest extent possible."The biggest winners under this order are FC Dallas, the Houston Dynamo, Texas Motor Speedway, and the PGA Tour courses. According to Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News, The Colonial will not have enough time to prepare to host fans safely at the Charles Schwab Challenge, which is set to run from June 11-14.As for the other professional teams who have retractable roof stadiums, it's unknown if they will be permitted to have fans under this order.It's unknown if the order includes teams with retractable roofs such as the Cowboys' AT&T Stadium, the Rangers' brand new Globe Life Field, the Astros' Minute Maid Park, and the Texans' NRG Stadium. The order won't have any effect on the Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs, who all play indoors. The order also left out an important organization - the NCAA. Because Abbott's order only specified "professional sports teams" can have fans, it's unknown how this announcement will affect Texas, TCU, Baylor, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and others who may have a fall football season.

May 28, 2020

At Least 220 COVID-19 Cases Confirmed at Sherman Meat Plant

SHERMAN (1080 KRLD) - At least 220 workers at the Tyson Foods plant in Sherman have tested positive for COVID-19. "You're seeing this happen in meatpacking plants throughout the country," says Grayson County Judge Bill Magers. Magers says 99 of the infected workers live in Grayson County, the rest live in communities across North Texas, in DFW and up into southern Oklahoma. Some employees had already been tested positive for the virus when a second round of testing began nearly two weeks ago. The state tested more than 1,600 people. Of those, 220 tests came back positive and 3 were inconclusive. As of today, 49 workers in Grayson County have been cleared to return to work. Magers says ... that's a good thing:"Tyson is Grayson County's number one industrial employer," Magers says. "A lot of people need their jobs. What I'm pleased with is Tyson's being responsible. Not only can people be safe, they can also earn a living."Magers says new safety protocols have been put in place at the plant and the company is doing everything it can to keep employees safe while remaining open.Tyson released the following statement:"The health and safety of our team members, their families and communities is our top priority...we have put in place a host of protective measures that meet or exceed CDC and OSHA guidance."Two people in Grayson County have died from COVID-19. One of them was a 55-year-old man who worked at the Tyson Plant and had underlying health conditions. Magers says the nature of the production cycle could be to blame for the breakout of COVID-19 cases in meatpacking plants."It's cold, people work close together, it's an essential business," Magers says. "It's just the nature of the beast, and it's going to continue to be the nature of the beast as we get through this."

May 28, 2020

Fort Worth to Host City-Wide "Salute to the Class of 2020"

DALLAS (KRLD) - Fort Worth is urging a city-wide celebration in honor of graduating high school senior Thursday evening. The "Salute to the Class of 2020" is scheduled to start at 8:20 p.m. Fort Worth to Host City-Wide "Salute to the Class of 2020" "That hour and minute were chosen very deliberately," says Superintendent Kent Scribner. "In military time, that's 20:20. It's also ten minutes before sunset. We want our folks to stand out on their porch, stand out in their front yard and yell and scream and celebrate our students."Scribner says the time near sunset will allow people to see changes to the Fort Worth skyline. The West 7th Street bridge and several buildings will be lit the district's colors of "New Day Blue" and "Gold Seal Gold."The district is urging people to go outside their homes to cheer and make signs and banners. People are encouraged to post pictures online with #FWISDClassof2020."We want to show our appreciation for the significant milestone they have achieved," Scribner says. "This has been a historic year, a difficult year. We want to send them out with a shout-out."Scribner and Mayor Betsy Price will celebrate at Price's alma mater, Arlington Heights High School. They will be joined by three cheerleaders and three drummers who are graduating, but that event will not be open to the public. Price graduated from Arlington Heights."Our focus for [the graduating class] is summarized in three words: they're accomplished, they're determined, and they're resilient," Scribner says. "This is a historic class who've overcome tremendous obstacles."Fort Worth has 4,928 seniors graduating high school this year. The district will hold a "virtual graduation ceremony" June 20 and will host voluntary in-person ceremonies at Farrington Field and Clark Stadium June 23-26.

May 28, 2020

Texas Supreme Court Rules Against Vote By Mail Over COVID-19 Fears

The Texas Supreme Court concluded that a voter’s lack of immunity to COVID-19, without more, is not a “disability” as defined by the Election Code.The decision means that election officials in Dallas, Cameron, El Paso, Harris and Travis Counties are incorrect to include fear of contracting COVID-19 as a “disability” on mail-in ballot applications.Attorney General Ken Paxton celebrated the decision saying in a statement, “I applaud the Texas Supreme Court for ruling that certain election officials’ definition of ‘disability’ does not trump that of the Legislature, which has determined that widespread mail-in balloting carries unacceptable risks of corruption and fraud. Election officials have a duty to reject mail-in ballot applications from voters who are not entitled to vote by mail. In-person voting is the surest way to maintain the integrity of our elections, prevent voter fraud and guarantee that every voter is who they claim to be.” Election law established by the Texas Legislature generally requires in-person voting, and allows mail balloting only for those over 65, injured or disabled or out of the country.The decision is considered a loss for the Texas Democratic Party who had received positive decisions on the measure from two lower courts and most recently in federal court. Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa issued the following statement:“Leave it to the all-Republican Texas Supreme Court to put out 45 pages of opinion and give no guidance to voters about who can vote by mail during a pandemic -- even after one of the Supreme Court justices under the age of 65 contracted coronavirus last week. This is reflective of Texas Republican leadership that long ago failed to serve Texans’ needs and interests.Just last week Texas Supreme Court Justice Debra Lehrmann announced that she and her husband has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, becoming the first high-ranking state official with COVID-19.The Democrats will now turn their attention to their Federal lawsuit that has been appealed by the State of Texas. After the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals rules on that case, it can then be appealed to the US Supreme Court. About that option, Chairman Hinojosa said, “Now, it is up to the federal court to ensure basic constitutional rights still exist in Texas and ensure that Texans have a right to vote safely and not put their health at-risk.”Read a copy of the order here.

May 28, 2020