The top local stories this morning from KERA News:
Since 1993, fourth and fifth graders across Dallas have written and performed speeches inspired by civil rights leader Dr. King at the Gardere Martin Luther King Junior Oratory Competition.
This year, students answered the question: “What is your dream for today’s world?”
Wesley Stoker, a fourth grader at Harry C. Withers Elementary, won the competition with his vision of a world, where everyone feels included and admired for their deeds and differences.
“My dream is that everyone lives in safe environment, loving and not hating each other.”
Stoker ended his speech by encouraging the audience: “Like me, you don’t look like Dr. King. But like me, you have the choice to believe like Dr. King. We can believe in equality, love for our neighbor, world peace among all nations and races – but it takes you and me to work together.”
Dallas and Fort Worth are among North Texas cities celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today.
The MLK parade in Dallas begins at 10 a.m. at Holmes Street and MLK Boulevard. With more than 250,000 parade spectators and participants, the MLK parade is considered one of the largest commemorative events held in the United States.
At 11 a.m., Fort Worth begins its MLK parade at 9th and Commerce Streets – and ends with a rally in Sundance Square.
Other stories this evening:
- The American Heart Association has lowered the definition for high blood pressure, which increases the number of people identified as having it. KERA’s Sam Baker talked about the change with Dr. Carl Horton, a cardiologist with Texas Health Physicians Group.
- A winter weather advisory has been issued for several North Texas counties – including Dallas, Tarrant, Collin and Rockwall. The advisory begins at 6 p.m. and ends at noon Tuesday. A cold front will move into the area around 3 or 4 p.m., bringing with it a 30 percent of light rain. That will likely turn into a wintry mix around 6 p.m., as temperatures continue to drop. The National Weather Service says the Dallas-Fort Worth area could get about half an inch of snow.
You can listen to North Texas stories weekdays at 8:22 a.m. and 6:20 p.m. on KERA 90.1 FM.
