News You Ought to Know
Police: Officer shoots son after mistaking him for intruder
DESOTO, Texas (AP) — Authorities in the Dallas area say an off-duty officer shot and wounded his adult son after mistaking him for an intruder.
The incident happened Saturday evening in DeSoto, about 10 miles south of Dallas. DeSoto police say the caller told officers that he accidentally shot his adult son in their home. The caller also identified himself as a Dallas police officer.
Police say the son was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The circumstances of the shooting remain under investigation and no arrests have been made. Authorities did not release the identity of the officer and his son.
AT&T: 3Q Earnings Snapshot
DALLAS (AP) — AT&T Inc. (T) on Monday reported third-quarter net income of $3.7 billion.
The Dallas-based company said it had net income of 50 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs and amortization costs, were 94 cents per share.
The results topped Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 15 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 93 cents per share.
The telecommunications company posted revenue of $44.59 billion in the period, falling short of Street forecasts. Thirteen analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $44.98 billion.
AT&T shares have risen 29% since the beginning of the year, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 index has increased 21%. The stock has increased 27% in the last 12 months.
Branch Out Dallas Tree Giveaway on Nov. 2
Dallas, TX – The City of Dallas sponsored Branch Out Dallas tree giveaway program is set to give out 2,500 free 5-gallon hardwood trees to Dallas residents who reserved a tree on Saturday, November 2, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at six different locations. This brings the total number of free trees distributed to more than 5,000 since the program was first introduced in March 2019.
City staff and volunteers will be distributing the trees at six locations:
- Tatum, Jr. Elementary School, 3002 N. St. Augustine Dr., 75227
- Hector P. Garcia Middle School, 700 E. 8thStreet, 75203
- June Shelton School, 15720 Hillcrest Rd., 75248
- Justin F. Kimball High School, 3606 S. Westmoreland Rd., 75233
- The Village Church – Dallas Northway, 3877 Walnut Hill Ln., 75229
- White Rock Church of Christ, 9220 Ferguson Rd., 75228
Branch Out Dallas is limited to Dallas residents. A Dallas Water Utilities bill or government-issued identification will be required on Tree Pick-up Day. Residents will also receive instructions on how to plant their free tree provided through Branch Out Dallas.
Residents seeking more information may visit https://dallascityhall.com/branchoutdallas check with any Dallas Public Library location or send questions to branchoutdallas@dallascityhall.com.
Colonel testifies he raised concerns about Ukraine, Trump
By LISA MASCARO, MARY CLARE JALONICK and COLLEEN LONG
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defying White House orders, an Army officer serving with President Donald Trump’s National Security Council testified to impeachment investigators Tuesday that he twice raised concerns over the administration’s push to have Ukraine investigate Democrats and Joe Biden.
Alexander Vindman, a lieutenant colonel who served in Iraq and later as a diplomat, is the first official to testify who actually heard Trump’s July 25 call with new Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. He reported his concerns to the NSC’s lead counsel.
Vindman also told investigators he tried to change the White House’s rough transcript of the call by filling in at least one of the omitted words, “Burisma,” a reference to the company linked to Biden and his son, according to people familiar with his testimony. But Vindman was unsuccessful.
His concerns, though, were far bigger than the transcript. And lawmakers said his failed effort to edit it didn’t significantly change their understanding of what transpired during Trump’s call that sparked the impeachment inquiry.
Vindman’s arrival in military blue, with medals, created a striking image at the Capitol as the impeachment inquiry reached deeper into the White House. He testified for more than 10 hours.
“I was concerned by the call,” Vindman said, according to prepared remarks obtained by The Associated Press. “I did not think it was proper to demand that a foreign government investigate a U.S. citizen, and I was worried about the implications for the U.S. government’s support of Ukraine.”
Vindman, a 20-year military officer, added to the mounting evidence from other witnesses — diplomats, defense and former administration officials — who are corroborating the initial whistleblower’s complaint against Trump and providing new details ahead of a House vote in the impeachment inquiry.
“I am a patriot, and it is my sacred duty and honor to advance and defend OUR country, irrespective of party or politics,” wrote Vindman, who was wounded in Iraq and awarded a Purple Heart.
“For over twenty years as an active duty United States military officer and diplomat, I have served this country in a nonpartisan manner, and have done so with the utmost respect and professionalism for both Republican and Democratic administrations,” he wrote.
Home Improvement and Preservation Program opens on Nov. 4
Dallas, TX – The Department of Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization’s popular Home Improvement and Preservation Program (HIPP) is scheduled to open on Nov. 4, 2019.
City staff is hosting a series of orientation workshops to educate potential applicants about changes to the program. The workshop will discuss how the retooled HIPP works and will provide information about the application process.
The application process will be completed online this year, marking a major change in the program. Applicants can login to check on the status of their application 24 hours a day, seven days a week. City staff will be available during normal business hours to answer questions as well.
Upcoming orientation dates and locations as follows:
Churchill Recreation Center Oct. 31 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
6906 Churchill Way
Salvation Army Oct. 31 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
8341 Elam Rd.
Dallas City Hall Nov. 1 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
1500 Marilla St.,
L1 auditorium
