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SALADO, Texas (AP) —
An interstate in Central Texas has fully reopened after a deadly accident involving a tractor-trailer that slammed into a bridge beam in a construction zone.
The Texas Department of Transportation says all lanes of Interstate 35 at Salado (suh-LAY'-doh), about 40 miles north of Austin, were open Friday.
TxDOT spokesman David Glessner says engineers are inspecting damage to the highway bridge, which had been under construction.
The driver of pickup truck was killed and three other people were hurt when the oversized 18-wheeler hit and brought down a construction beam.
Glessner says three signs were posted leading up to the bridge indicating clearance of 13 feet, 6 inches. Investigators believe the truck or its cargo was too tall to pass under the bridge.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) —
Texas unemployment fell to 4.3 percent during February for the sixth straight month of declines, the Texas Workforce Commission reported Friday.
The February statewide jobless rate compares to 4.4 percent unemployment in January, according to the commission. The nationwide unemployment rate last month was 5.5 percent.
Texas had a net gain of 7,100 nonagricultural jobs in February, with 357,300 positions added during the year, commission figures show.
"Texas continues to be a model for economic growth and prosperity across the nation," Gov. Greg Abbott said. "I am working with the Legislature to ensure we pass legislation that lowers the tax burden on businesses, guarantees long-term funding for transportation, and provides economic development opportunities — including in higher education — to further diversify our economy."
The Midland area had the lowest unemployment rate statewide in February at 2.8 percent. The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area recorded the highest jobless rate at 7.7 percent, according to the commission's monthly figures.
Private-sector employers added 9,700 jobs in Texas last month.
"We appreciate the investment that these companies have made in their local communities and we look forward to being a resource for them as they continue to grow in the Lone Star State," Commissioner Hope Andrade said.
EVA RUTH MORAVEC, Associated Press
The Texas Capitol will be abuzz with talk of gay marriage as three groups hold competing events both for and against same-sex rights.
Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore will headline a Monday afternoon rally sponsored by Conservative Republicans of Texas.
Staunchly opposed to gay marriage, Moore instructed Alabama's state probate judges to refuse to issue same-sex marriage licenses despite a federal court ruling that Alabama's same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional.
The group claims backing from 100-plus elected Texas officials. Also against gay marriage is the Coalition of African American Pastors, which will hold a Capitol news conference Monday.
Inside the Capitol, meanwhile, Equality Texas will mark Family Advocacy Day by lobbying lawmakers to support gay rights. Families also will share personal stories during an ice cream social.