Bill Zeeble

Reporter

Bill Zeeble has been a full-time reporter at KERA since 1992, covering everything from medicine to the Mavericks and education to environmental issues. He’s won numerous awards over the years, with top honors from the Dallas Press Club, Texas Medical Association, the Dallas and Texas Bar Associations, the American Diabetes Association and a national health reporting grant from the Kaiser Family Foundation. Zeeble was born in Philadelphia, Pa. and grew up in the nearby suburb of Cherry Hill, NJ, where he became an accomplished timpanist and drummer. Heading to college near Chicago on a scholarship, he fell in love with public radio, working at the college classical/NPR station, and he has pursued public radio ever since.

His first real radio gig was with a classical station in Corpus Christi, where the new Texan was dubbed “Billy Ted”; he was also a manager at WWNO-FM in New Orleans. Several stories he covered on television for KERA 13 helped homeowners avoid losing their homes. Zeeble remains dedicated to radio, however, and spends time working with NPR to teach students how to do radio journalism. His radio pieces have aired on nearly every national news show carried on KERA, from NPR and American Public Media to the BBC. He and his wife have 2 dogs and 2 cats, adopted and rescued. His home desk is messy with vintage fountain pens and parts to aid his passion to make them work again.

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Arts
7:35 am
Wed May 22, 2013

14th Cliburn International Piano Competition Set To Start After "Draw" Party

For the first time since its inception more than fifty years ago, the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition will take place without its namesake. Cliburn died in February from cancer. There are additional changes to one of the world’s most prestigious music contests that brings the classical music focus to Fort Worth. The once-every-four-year competition is about to begin again with tonight’s traditional “draw” party.

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Education
5:00 am
Tue May 21, 2013

DISD Superintendent's "Leadership Academy" Graduates First Class

Members of the Dallas School District’s first-ever “Fellows Academy” just graduated. The Academy was created by Superintendent Mike Miles to custom- train future principals. It is focused on helping principals become better leaders.

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Texas News
4:58 pm
Thu May 16, 2013

Cause Of Fire And Explosion In West 'Undetermined'

Credit State Farm / Flickr.com
Destruction in West, Tx, the result of the deadly fertilizer plant fire and explosion April 17

4:46: Chris Connealy , Texas State Fire Marshal, says after one of the most intense explosion investigations ever undertaken by the ATF, the cause of the fire and explosion in West on April 17,  is officially undetermined, and the investigation continues. 

Officials are still looking at possible causes that could have started the fire and  the explosion, including the 120 volt plant, a nearby golf cart, and the possibility the blast might have been caused intentionally. The investigation is being treated as a criminal investigation, and again, it is ongoing. 

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Texas News
3:02 pm
Tue May 14, 2013

Heritage Foundation Says No To Boy Scouts' Proposed Gay Ban Compromise

Credit Bill Zeeble / KERA News
The Boy Scouts of America museum (shown), adjacent to the National Headquarters, in Irving, Texas.

The conservative Heritage Foundation says national Boy Scout leaders are pulling a  bait and switch with a proposal that would change the current gay ban policy.  

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Vote 2013
2:44 am
Sun May 12, 2013

Most Fort Worth Council Members Keep Seats: Moss In Runoff

Credit Bill Zeeble / KERA News
Kelly Allen Gray, in green, the happy, victorious Fort Worth Councilwoman, amidst supporters in her home.

Three out of four Fort Worth City Council incumbents are keeping their jobs. Another is in a runoff. So the council’s direction is unlikely to change.

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Texas News
1:03 pm
Fri May 10, 2013

ATF Arrested Volunteer EMS Worker From West

Credit Joe Berti

McLennan County officials are providing additional details about the arrest of a volunteer EMS worker from West who has been  charged with possessing a destructive device.

Heidi White, an employee at the McLennan County Jail, says

thirty-one year old Bryce Reed was arrested by federal ATF officers Thursday following a complaint from the U.S. Marshals Service.

Reed was held at the county jail until this morning then released to ATF.

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Vote 2013
5:00 am
Thu May 9, 2013

Irving ISD Election Could Change Direction Of School District

Credit Bill Zeeble / KERA News
The last day of early voting in Irving before Saturday's election

Current leadership on Irving’s School Board may shift after this Saturday’s election. As a result, the new leaders could change the district’s direction.

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Education
6:02 pm
Fri May 3, 2013

What's Behind The Big Donations To Dallas School Board Candidates?

Credit Bill Zeeble / KERA News
Members of Dallas Kids First PAC, Daniel Muzquiz, Melissa Higginbotham, James Ray

School board elections rarely attract much attention. That means wealthy donors and political action committees - PACs - can sway outcomes. Here's how the three biggest contributors are  trying to do that in the May 11  DISD elections.

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Government
3:43 pm
Tue April 30, 2013

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins Believes County's Same-Sex Benefits Plan Legal

Credit Bill Zeeble / KERA News
Former Commissioner Maurine Dickey, in blue, and Commissioner Mike Cantrell, to her right, voted against the same-sex benefit package last October. But the majority, led by Democratic Judge Clay Jenkins, to Cantrell's right, approved it.

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins believes the county's same-sex benefits plan approved last fall is legal, despite Monday's opinion from the Texas Attorney General that said local governments and school districts offering marriage benefits to same sex partners violate the state constitution. 

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Texas News
6:29 pm
Thu April 25, 2013

Memorial For West Victims Filled With Uniformed Tribute

Thousands in Waco yesterday mourned the first responders who perished in last week’s fire and explosion in the town of West.  Family, friends and supporters were quietly moved by the speakers, but loudly embraced President Obama, there with the First Lady.  

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