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Celebrate 40 Years Of Monty Python On KERA Saturday

Five stories that have North Texas talking: A Wal-Mart family member is Texas’ richest person; Texas' population could double by 2050; celebrate 40 years of Monty Python; and more.

"It's just a flesh wound!" This weekend, celebrate the 40th anniversary of Monty Python’s debut on American television. Did you know KERA-TV was the first station in the U.S. to introduce Monty Python to an American audience? Watch KERA, Channel 13, starting at 7 p.m. Saturday for the 40th anniversary "Monty Python-A-Thon." At 7 p.m., it’s Monty Python Live (Mostly): One Down, Five to Go. At 9 p.m., it’s Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl. And at 11 p.m,, it’s Monty Python: Beyond the Flying Circus.

Here’s a preview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U-yAalaLbM

And here’s a blast from the past – Monty Python members talking in the KERA studios in 1975.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mhcsm6CNqI

  • Alice Walton remains the richest person in Texas. The Wal-Mart heiress has a net worth of $38.6 billion. That’s according to Forbes, which has released its annual list of the world’s richest people. She ranks No. 11 on the overall list. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports: “Walton moved to a ranch near Fort Worth because of her love of cutting horses. ... Walton was one of 197 women on the Forbes billionaires list.” Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is ranked No. 393 – he’s worth $4.2 billion. Several Fort Worth Bass brothers are on the list. Bill Gates is the world’s richest person – he has a net worth of $76 billion. The Associated Press reports: “Forbes said there were 1,826 billionaires on its list this year, up from 1,645 in 2014. Added together, they were worth a combined $7.05 trillion, up from $6.4 trillion last year.” D Magazine rattles off the other Texans on the list. [Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Associated Press]

  • Texas' population is expected to double by 2050. The Texas Tribune reports the population could reach 54.4 million people. That’s according to the state demographer, who produced some projections Thursday. “That increase will largely be due to more people moving to the state, rather than just by Texans having more children, according to the report by State Demographer Lloyd Potter and his staff. Migration patterns are expected to ‘substantially alter the future age structure of Texas,’ the report found.” Potter talked about the projections with Texas Standard, the new statewide radio news magazine – check out that interview here. [Texas Tribune/Texas Standard] 


  • North Texas survived yet another winter blast Thursday morning. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport got 3.5 inches of snow. Most areas across Dallas-Fort Worth saw at least 3 inches, although some areas unofficially saw 6 or even 7 inches. It's the most snow we've seen in five years. The National Weather Service says this is the fourth heaviest snowfall for March in Dallas-Fort Worth. Relive the snow on the KERA Weather Blog. And we compiled a list of pictures of fun snowmen built across North Texas – check out those pictures here. And, for your Friday morning entertainment, Dallas police produced this rap/dance video: “Ice, Ice Safety.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8U4oIVR8eA

  • Buying fresh food in Dallas’ Jubilee Park is an ongoing challenge. KERA’s Courtney Collins reports that Jubilee residents have to cross under a major highway to get to the nearest grocery store. Some hop on a bus to go shopping – a process that can take hours. In KERA’s series One Crisis Away: Inside a Neighborhood, we look at the high price of being poor in a place called Jubilee Park. The Dallas neighborhood is sandwiched between Interstate 30 and Fair Park. Visit the series here.
Eric Aasen is KERA’s managing editor. He helps lead the station's news department, including radio and digital reporters, producers and newscasters. He also oversees keranews.org, the station’s news website, and manages the station's digital news projects. He reports and writes stories for the website and contributes pieces to KERA radio. He's discussed breaking news live on various public radio programs, including The Takeaway, Here & Now and Texas Standard, as well as radio and TV programs in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.