The time is now: 7:00 a.m.You’re listening to Red River Radio News.
Good morning, I’m Jeff Ferrell.
A group of more than 100 OB-GYNs across Texas have urged lawmakers to change abortion laws - following a new report that found two pregnant Texas Women died after being denied emergency care. Marian Navarro - with Texas Public Radio - has the details:
Marian Navarro/TPR Reporter: “An investigation released by ProPublica last week found a Houston medical team did not intervene in the miscarriage of a woman who was 17 weeks pregnant. The 28-year-old died from an infection three days after her delivery. Pro-Publica also reported on a pregnant 18-year-old who's death was also related to delayed care due to Texas abortion bans. Physicians interviewed by ProPublica say both deaths were preventable. The OBGYNs argue the strict nature of the Texas abortion ban threatens doctors ... and prevents women from obtaining necessary healthcare. Texas doctors who violate the state's abortion law can face the loss of their license and life in prison. I'm Marian Navarro, in San Antonio."
Governor Jeff Landry’s tax reform special session got underway on Wednesday at the state capitol. The governor wants to establish a flat state income tax of three percent, which will result in lower state income taxes for most Louisiana residents. Critics of the plan are concerned the governor’s tax plan will lead to higher taxes for low-income residents and a big tax cut for the wealthy. The special session must end on Monday, November 25th.
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The South elected its first openly LGBTQ member of congress on Tuesday. And she’s from Texas. The Texas Newsroom’s Lauren McGaughy reports that Julie Johnson’s time in elected office has already been marked by many firsts. Now, the Democrat adds yet another one to the list:
Lauren McGaughy/The Texas Newsroom: “Johnson has served in the Texas Legislature since 2019. During her tenure, she was a founding member of the LGBTQ caucus and her wife became the first same-sex spouse of a state legislator. Now … Johnson becomes the first openly LGBTQ person… elected to Congress from a southern state. In a victory party speech posted on Instagram, Johnson said her win shows “hate does not play in Texas.” JOHNSON: “And we’re going to take it to DC and we’re going to do everything we can to make this state better for all of us, and I mean all of us.” The district Johnson will represent … includes parts of Collin, Dallas and Denton Counties. She’ll replace Colin Allred, who stepped down to challenge U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. Also on Tuesday, Sarah McBride of Delaware became the first openly transgender person elected to Congress. I’m Lauren McGaughy in Austin, Texas.
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Arkansas voters have approved both constitutional amendments on the ballot this election cycle. Nathan Treece – with Little Rock Public Radio has details:
Nathan Treece/LRPR: “Issue one passed with flying colors with about 90% of voters casting their ballots in favor of it. This expands the state’s lottery scholarship to be used at vocational and technical schools. Issue two also passed, with the final tally just under 56%. The amendment vacates a casino license in Pope County and requires local approval of any new casino licenses in the state.”
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the National Weather Service in Shreveport is calling for:
TODAY: A chance of showers, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy w/ a high near 78.
TONIGHT: A 20% chance of showers after 3:00 a.m., with a low around 65.
FRIDAY: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 3:00 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 77.
WEEKEND: showers and thunderstorms likely before noon both days, with the high near 76 Saturday and rising slightly to 78 on Sunday.
