Today the DISD turned in its internal investigation regarding testing irregularities at Lang Middle School to the Texas Education Agency. Bottom line, the tests were left unlocked in an unsecure location.  The people responsible for securing those locations are the principal, the test coordinator and the janitor(s), according to DISD.   Superintendent Michael Hinojosa says there is no clear evidence that's points to one responsible party, only that over night someone erased and changed answers on the TAKS test documents.

Former Principal Robert Peters and the test coordinator both stepped down earlier this year. DISD says "they have not responded to OPR's (Office of Professional Responsibility) email and telephone requests for assistance with the investigation.

If you have any information on who is responsible for the breach in test security call 972-925-8850.

You only have to listen to Lavinia Masters a few minutes to realize what an inspiration she is. At 13, she was raped by a man who broke into her West Dallas home. Decades later she finally learned the identity of the man who took her innocence, but it was too late to prosecute.

But, finally Masters and other survivors will get their justice with a new law. The law requires that suspected rapists -- tagged by DNA -- get a permanent mark on their records, that will be seen by prosecutors and parole officials. The mark could impact jail terms and parole release.

So what do you think about this first of it's kind law? ... Does it go too far in denying due process, as some ACLU critics claim? Let me know what you think.  

 (in the picture from left to right: Pelpina & Jennifer Shrum- top web producer and best office party planner ever, Scottie Fralicks -the head editor & first in line for cake, Candice Crawford celebrating from her desk)  

So, police now have more power to take blood from suspected drunk, without permission or a warrant. There are several new categories -- including repeat offenders and those driving with children in the car. This concept has come under fire from critics, who challenge the way the blood is collected, transported and stored -- along with privacy issues.

But so far, the courts have sided with police and prosecutors. Opponents have not found a way to poke holes in the law. What do you think?

I spoke with a woman yesterday who accidentally ran over one of her own children with a car this weekend. It's a kind of grief, a depth of grief none of us should presume to be able to understand. Period.

Sandra and family...you are in my thoughts. I wish you peace.

Here is the list of potentially dangerous light pole locations in North Texas: Let me know if you are upset with the actions your city or district is taking. 

Argyle

•9119 Highway 377

Arlington

•NE Fielder and Park Row

•1100 Maverick

Cedar Hill

•1401 S Clark Road

Colleyville

•1100 Bogart Drive

Coppell

•555 Dividend

Dallas

•300 Reunion Boulevard

•Interstate 20 and Bonnie View Road

•6950 Beltline Road

•2914 Cummings Street

•10011 Log Cabin Road

•2700 E 11th Street

Farmers Branch

•3939 Valley View

Frisco

•2495 Parkwood

Grand Prairie

•3504 Corn Valley Road

•1204 Marshall Drive

Grapevine

•3000 Ira E Woods Ave

Fort Worth

•3801 E. First Street

Garland

•510 Stadium Drive

Heath

•801 Lawrence

Hurst

•1732 Precinct Line Road

Irving

•8401 Valley Ranch Parkway

Lewisville

•1096 Main St

Little Elm

•104 Hardwick

•1900 Walker Lane

McKinney

•1307 E Greenville

Princeton

•Highway 380 East

Red Oak

•156 Louise Ritter

Sachse

•3901 Miles Road

Sanger

•Highway 455

Southlake

•1085 Kimball

Sunnyvale

•405 Long Creek Road

The Colony

•7801 Main Street

Waxahachie

•1051 Solon Road

Finally -- after years in prison for crimes they didn't commit, Texas exonerees are getting their due. Many of the wrongly-convicted will receive million, under a new state compensation law that gives exonerees $80,000 for every year spent behind bars.

Johnnie Lindsey is in line to receive more than 2 million -- after spending 26 years in prison for a rape he didn't do. He says he is satisfied, but no completly happy that he won't get his day in court -- to tell his story. Lindsey says he will spend the money wisely. But, he quickly adds that if he had to choose the money or not going to prison -- he would chose never to go to prison.

I think that is probably a given -- who would spend years behind bars in exchange for millions -- not many. There is not enough money to compensate these men for what they went through, but at least this is a start. 

You know it's seroius when you have to sign a contract. These days, so many people are getting hooked on prescription painkillers that doctors are making patients sign a painkiller contract. The contract stipulates that the patient will only take the medication as prescribed, not give it to anyone else and not shop around for other pills. There has been a lot of talk about electronic health records. It may help streamline and make doctors and hospitals keep track of things better, but I'm told they won't help prescription medication abuse. Here's the deal: The only way doctors can track a patients prescription history, is if every doctor or hospital or clinic or practice is on the same system. That way a doctor could log on and say, Mr. Carpenter, it says here you got a prescription filled two days ago at so-and-so pharmacy. Whoops, I'm busted. But guess what? Most hosptials, clinics and practices are on different systems. Which brings us back to the painkiller contract. It's a nice try and may help, but it's also not legally binding, which makes it worth the paper it's printed on.  

  In 1985 BJ Lacasse was new to Ft. Worth.  She was a green photographer who wanted to take shots of her new city at dusk.  So, when she could, BJ would shoot around Ft. Worth between 4pm and 7pm, shooting buildings, The Stockyards, sunsets and people.  But, it was one person, Johnny, who touched her heart.  Johnny was a homeless man.  BJ and Johnny became friends and BJ would run into him from time to time.  One day Johnny asked BJ to make a promise to him.  He asked her to document with dignity the lives of the homeless people in Ft. Worth.  He gave her a pen and said when you make it big and you have the influence to change lives, tell our story.  Now, as a successful published photographer, BJ said to herself, its time.  Twenty four years later, BJ Lacasse is making good on her promise to Johnny.  She spent three days on the streets of Ft. Worth in the swealtering Texas heat documenting the lives of the homeless.  Her photo exhibit opens Saturday, September 12th from 4 to 8 p.m. at Museum Place, 3100 Seventh St.  All proceeds from prints and donations will benefit the Presbyterian Night Shelter in Ft. Worth. 

I think I could have listed to Chief Rick Lasky talk all day. The Lewisville fire chief lost 11 close friends during the attacks of 9/11 -- all of them firefighters who rushed into the burning towers, while people went screaming the other way.

He talks about the many lasting contributions these outstanding men left behind -- the tools and techniques that are still being used/taught today. It is inspiring to hear Lasky describe his friends who loved the fire service. He told me that he couldn't watch the documentary, "9/11" because he could see the faces of many of his friends, who did not return. Imagine seeing the last moments of a friend's life captured on videotape. 

The lesson that I take away form Lasky is to remember and never forget. Let these heroes be part of your thoughts here and there -- remember their sacrifices. 

The ALDS is scheduled from October 7th-14th and the Rangers could host as many as three games in the series

Lexus Club Infield; Lower Infield; Lexus Club Box.......................$100.00

Lower Box; Corner Box........................................................$  75.00

Lexus Club Terrace; Lower Reserved...................... ...............$  60.00

All You Can Eat Porch.........................................................$   45.00

Upper Box; Upper Reserved; Bleachers; Grandstand Reserved... $   30.00

Standing Room..................................................................$  25.00

True Forgiveness

I have never experienced the forgiveness that I received from the church at Wedgwood.  How could I have known that one day on my way to work I would hear on the radio that there had been a shooting at Wedgwood and my brother was involved?  How could I have known that the families involved in this devastating act would be so loving and forgiving?

Although I know Wedgwood was hurting within their church body, they reached out to us and surrounded us with love and forgiveness.  Because of their love and ultimate forgiveness to us, we were able to heal in time.  As I sat in the church on the first anniversary and listened to those who forgave my brother for his act and violence, I was surrounded with love and kindness.  We did not know what lay ahead of us but we did know that we had been forgiven from any wrong.

As the years have gone by, I think of my brother and what he did and that ultimately changed so many lives.  No one's life would ever be the same.  We have all faced many hardships because of Larry's act but as time goes by the hurt and pain lessen.  The memory, the pain, the hurt will never go away, but the power of love arises to the surface to carry through even today.

I think of Christ as he hung on the cross over 2000 years ago saying forgive them for they know not what they do.  That is what you did for Larry on that day in September of 1999.  You forgave him and you forgave us and for that we will ever be grateful.

Aaron Ashbrook.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to come down with the swine flu this winter, but is there a stigma attached to the virus? At least one North Texas mother who recently had the swine flu, along with her two toddlers, thinks so. The woman, who does not want to be identified, says her husband is very concerned about perceptions surrounding the swine flu.

He didn't want their kids' schools to know the children had H1N1. The couple was concerned about what teachers might think and whether parents might think the children were still contagious long after they recovered.

Doctors seem to agree that their is some shame or embarassment associated with the swine flu ... probably because of the name many people think it's associated with eating pork or not keeping a tidy house.

What do you think? ... is there a stigma with the swine flu and should there be? Let me know.

It is hard to believe that a man the state considers a violent sexual predator is now living in a Lake Worth nursing home. The Lake Worth Nursing facility isn't commenting about it's newest resident, Boyd Mullens, but neighbors are.

Many of them are outraged that Mullens, a convicted child molester, was moved to the facility after becoming ill. Even experts agree that sex offenders under civil committment are to be considered very dangerous, despite age or health. Mullens is 60-years old.

What is most disturbing is the idea that residents and their families may not have any idea about Mullens and his background. A social worker told us "they do not divulge that information to families". Really, there is a dangerous sex criminal living near the elderly and they aren't told? Does that strike you as something that should be remedied by regulation or law? It sure smacks of something that needs changed to me. 

I love this weather, it gives me the perfect excuse to ditch my workout, get into some comfy clothes and snuggle up to watch a movie.  Yesterday I interviewed Drew Barrymore, that interview is coming soon.  But tonight I'll be reviewing the movies that are new this weekend.  Check out 'Roni Recommends' tonight at 9pm and starting next week on our new 5:30 newscast!  Have a great weekend everyone,

Image courtesy www.reel.biz

Cheers!

Roni

Cities are struggling with finding the dollars to pay for the resources to house and adopt out stray animals. In Keller, you will find a very cramped, crowded, tiny shelter. Officials admit it is outdated, but coming up with the money to remedy the situation is a problem.

City authorities are fairly certain that in these rough, economic times taypayers do not want to foot the bill for a new shelter -- that could stretch into the millions. Some estimate that it will cost $2 million to partner with North Richland Hills on a new shelter.

But, advocates say staying put in the small, outdated facility should also not be an option. Some say it is the animals that are getting the short end of the stick. 

No doubt there are strong feelings on both sides of question that I posed in the headline. Soon, a 3-judge panel in Tarrant County will offer up a legal opinion.

Arguments are set for Tuesday in the case of a Bedford woman, who challenged the blood evidence in her DWI arrest because it was drawn by two Dalworthington Gardens police officers. The sample was taken in a tiny room at the department called, the "Clean Room".

Her attorney argues that it is unconstitutional for cops to draw blood because it is unreasonable. But the police chief says his officers go through intense training and are always professional. Bill Waybourn says in 500 blood draws they haven't had a problem.

So, we'll see where the appeals court comes down on this. You can bet police departments across the country will be watching to see if the syringe will continue to be allowed as part of their arsenal. 

As a reporter, sometimes you make the most unlikely connections. It was like that today for me while doing a story on a security alert issued for stadiums. I was outside Cowboys Stadium trying to talk with folks about the threat and I happened upon a woman who survived the 9/11 attack on the pentagon. What are the chances that a woman from Washington, D.C. would be touring Cowboys Stadium?

She was very interesting and offered advice about terror attacks. She says that no one should feel that it can never happen to them, because she says she is proof that it can happen to anyone. She urges sports fans to be on alert for anything suspicious, while enjoying the game.

There are no specific threats against Cowboys Stadium or any other arenas in North Texas, but security experts say crowded, public places are attractive targets for terrorists. 

Just don't put it on Twitter or Facebook. A new study finds that way too many medical students are putting private patient information on the internet. 60% of the medical school officials who took part in the study added that they were aware of students putting lewd pictures of themselves out there for just about anyone to see. Medical students learn early about the do's and don'ts regarding patient information. The few who don't listen in class may soon graduate from the school of hard knocks. Take two asprin and read my other blogs in the morning.  

It isn't everyday that you stand just a few feet from someone accused of wanting to kill dozens of people and shatter a community. 19-year old Hosam Maher Smadi appeared calm and quiet in federal court. It's hard to imagine he is the man who federal agents say was happy to plant a bomb and blow up a building. The teenager whispered so softly that the judge had to tell him to speak up. He seemed courteous and well-groomed.

But, that is not the picture the FBI paints of Smadi. Court documents describe Smadi has someone hell bent on violent jihad, who was willing to take lives no matter what. We will have to wait and see how this plays out in court. Will he pled not guilty or guilty? How much evidence do the feds really have against him? Is there any credability to the family's claims that Smadi was set up? Just as like most stories. Time will tell and you can bet we will be watching. 

Redding, California to be exact. A little bigger than Italy, Texas, but still small. I can't imagine what it's like to live in a town of 2,000 and learn that one of your neighbors is accused of trying to blow up a 60 story office tower in downtown Dallas. That's what Hosam Haher Hussein Smadi is accused of. We went to the homecoming football game on Friday night and some fans were not pleased we were there. I don't blame them, but the follow story is obvious: How do you feel when there is an accused terrorist lived in your tight-knit community? Right under your very eyes? I'll throw a few words out and then close. Stunned. Amazed. Shocked. One man told us it had nothing to do with the football game and didn't want to talk about it. I don't blame him, but not talking about it won't make it go away. Good night.

It isn't often that police whip out the taser inside a Walmart store, but it happened in Fort Worth. A 30-year old father of two says he was hit with the stun gun, while waiting at customer service to retrieve a lost wallet.

Antwone Freeman says he got upset and talked back to an off-duty officer working security, when he says the officer told him to "shut up". Freeman says he didn't deserve to be arrested for disorderly conduct and when he protested, he got tased 3 times. 

But, police tell a different story. They say Freeman was causing some problems and tried to use his 1-year old nephew as a human shield during the arrest. They also say an officer was head butted during the arrest.

All of this was caught on store security tape. You can check it out. Just watch my story and tell me what you think. Excessive force or proper procedure?

So what would you expect to find on the MySpace page of a 19-year old Jordanian national, accused of plotting to blow up a Dallas skyscraper. Hosam Smadi's site uses the word "mobster". That is his web name. It also features a lot of references to pot and partying. 

It isn't exactly what you would expect to find on a terror suspect's social networking site. But it seems that Smadi isn't like others accused of similar crimes. According to friends, he partied hard and loved american movies. He reportedly visited Dallas clubs and wore black clothing, with a large belt buckle that had a gun on it. 

We should learn more about the terror suspect next week when he is back in court. So stay tuned.