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Duncanville Teacher Resigns, Then School Board Fires Her, Over Controversial Tweet

Shelley Kofler
/
KERA News
A Duncanville High School teacher has resigned over a controversial tweet.

Five stories that have North Texas talking: A Duncanville teacher resigns over a racially-charged tweet; relive the online craze that is #alexfromtarget; Art Conspiracy turns 10 this weekend; and more.

A Duncanville High School teacher resigned Thursday, less than a week after sending out a controversial, racially-charged tweet. On Friday, the Duncanville school board fired her. Vinita Hegwood, an English teacher, sent a tweet laced with profanities about the killing of a black 18-year-old by a white police officer in Ferguson, Mo. The tweet also said that if people didn't agree with her opinions, they could "kill yourselves." Administrators called the tweet “reprehensible.” Hegwood released a statement Thursday, saying she’s “deeply sorry for the offensive and unprofessional comments that I made on my personal Twitter account.” She said she was reacting to “threatening and racist attacks made against me by strangers” and that she responded “impulsively.” The Dallas Morning News has more. [Associated Press]

  • Several Dallas city workers saved a colleague after his pickup truck plunged into a cold creek and stranded him in water up to his neck. A bystander videotaped Tuesday's rescue as the workers broke a window of the water-filled cab to reach the driver. Authorities are trying to determine if a medical issue caused him to lose control and drive into White Rock Creek on a morning when temperatures were in the 40s, The Associated Press reports. Read more here. Here’s video of the rescue:

  • Have you heard the online craze about Alex from Target? He’s from North Texas. He’s had a wild November. Alex Lee is a 16-year-old cashier at Target. Life for the Frisco teenager changed Nov. 2 when this photo was shared on social media. Here’s a recap of the main events.

  • When it comes to airport food and drinks, Dallas/Fort Worth International is No. 1. That’s according to Thrillist, which ranked 72 airports across the country. Credit the variety of restaurants, from barbecue to Mexican. “Four BBQ spots (including Ft. Worth legend Cousin’s); eight Mexican spots (Urban Taco, Pappasitos’ Cantina); eight bars (Belgian Beer Cafe), plus Sky Canyon from Dallas legend Stephan Pyles, and even a … cereal restaurant.” Read more about the ranking here.

  • Art Conspiracy turns 10 this weekend. It’s the annual art auction that raises money for local arts charities. Artists have created works on small boards, which will be auctioned off Saturday at 500 Singleton Blvd. in Dallas. As the Dallas Observer explains: “It's become one of those Dallas events you have to attend, although once you've been, you'll probably go back. Centered on a series of three high-octane auctions, Art Con is the most dynamic fundraiser you'll attend in Dallas. Bidding starts at just $20, which means that an art newbie can afford to get in on the action.” Learn more on Art&Seek.
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.