Abbott fed up with HHS errors, TWU student murder trial verdict, acrimony in Sutherland Springs: Your Monday evening roundup

April 16,  2018 By Wayne Carter Good evening! Here is a look at the top headlines of the day. 🔎 Prefer the online view? It's [here](. (2007 File Photo/Al Dia) Texas 'Unacceptable' errors spur Abbott to send aide to ride herd on Texas Health and Human Services Gov. Greg Abbott says he is alarmed by contracting mistakes at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and [is sending a top aide, former state Sen. Tommy Williams, to correct the problems.]( Abbott said through a spokesman that Williams will ride herd on contract-management problems at the mega agency until they are fixed. No end date for his special assignment was set. A recent string of flubs in evaluating bids has raised the possibility that the commission, which grants hundreds of billions worth of Medicaid and other contracts each year, may have to cancel and rebid other contracts that were incorrectly handled, costing taxpayers more money. And it comes as lawmakers, especially in the Texas House, have spoken scornfully of the agency's ability to police vendors and make sure they provide the services to vulnerable Texans the state is paying them for. Meanwhile: Teens in foster care are [more likely to become pregnant than other Texas youths](, a new report finds. Commentary: Texas is more concerned with [counting maternal mortality deaths than saving lives](, writes James Lozada. Charles Dean Bryant (right) was convicted Monday of murdering Jacqueline Vandagriff (left), whose charred, dismembered remains were found in a child's wading pool in Septemer 2016 at a Grapevine park. murder trial Haslet man sentenced to life in prison for killing and dismembering TWU student Jurors have [sentenced a Haslet man to life in prison for murdering a Texas Woman's University student]( whose body was found charred and dismembered in a kiddie pool at a Grapevine park. Tarrant County prosecutors had asked for a life sentence for Charles Dean Bryant, telling jurors that he created a "horror movie" when he killed and mutilated Jacqueline Vandagriff in 2016. Defense attorneys said Bryant deserved 20 years and that he could be rehabilitated. Vandagriff's family and friends squeezed hands after the verdict. Earlier on Monday, the jury took less than three hours to convict Bryant of murder and tampering with evidence after a week of testimony. The 31-year-old did not appear to show any emotion as the forewoman read the verdicts in Judge Mollee Westfall's 371st District Court. Also: A man was sentenced Monday to life in prison [for murdering a woman over an iPhone]( outside Dallas' Medieval Times restaurant. Meanwhile: A Houston-area man [is accused of making threats against the University of Texas at Austin]( in 911 calls. Houston: An off-duty police officer [shot a man who was trying to break into his home.]( Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas (29) told Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett to "come get me" following the Seahawks' 21-12 Christmas Eve win over the Cowboys. (2014 File Photo/Getty Images) Sports Cutting Dez cleared up money, so what's keeping the Cowboys from going after Earl Thomas now? SportsDay columnist Tim Cowlishaw weighs the likelihood that the Seattle Seahawks star will see a Christmas Eve wish he shared with Cowboys coach Jason Garrett come true. It took about five minutes Friday to make the connection. The release of wide receiver Dez Bryant saved the Cowboys $8.5 million in salary cap space. Seattle safety Earl Thomas’ salary cap number for 2018 is $8.5 million. You all remember the scene in the Cowboys locker room in December, Thomas telling head coach Jason Garrett to “come get me.” The six-time Pro Bowl safety from the University of Texas was practically begging to leave the “Legion of Boom” and come home to play the remainder of his career. While I think it would be a sensational move for the Cowboys, there are two considerable prices to consider, which is why [I’m reluctant to think this has any real chance of happening.]( At The Star: Dak Prescott [says there's 'a lot of excitement']( as the Cowboys officially start offseason workouts. Almost perfect: Let's list the reasons why Bartolo Colon -- and the Rangers' win over Astros Sunday night -- [were magical.]( [Sign up for breaking news alerts]( (1968 File Photo/Staff) Photo of the Day Despite not being dressed quite appropriately for the occasion, Dr. Kenneth Cooper demonstrates jogging for news photographers in October 1968 on the Dallas Love Field tarmac. Cooper, who was at the time a U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, had just landed before a news conference where he would discuss his new book, Aerobics. Fifty years after publishing the book that would revolutionize exercise, [Cooper is still running -- and walking, and lifting weights -- and still at the same trim weight.]( Around The Site - Traffic fatality: A driver who speeding on U.S. 75 [died after crashing into a wall]( late Sunday in dallas. - Economic snapshot: [Here's how much North Texans make and spend]( compared to other places. - Threatening calls: A Houston-area man is accused of [calling 911 to make threats against UT Austin.]( - Commentary: U.S. airstrikes on Syria were handled perfectly, [but they changed nothing.]( - Remembering Selena on her birthday: How big is your Selena collection? [Here's the latest in must-have memorabilia.]( Finally ... What the heck is going on in Sutherland Springs? Since the shooting that left 26 dead at the First Baptist Church, at least $3 million has flowed into the tiny central Texas community. The church controls much of the money and says it's helping victims and their families based on demonstrated need. But some, unsatisfied with the church's assurances, want a public accounting of how the money is being spent. Feuds over funds like this aren't new, so we asked tax experts, lawyers and law enforcement officials [what's happened before, what's likely to happen and how the situation in Sutherland Springs is different.]( Advertisement [Subscribe to our Real Estate newsletter]( 👋 That's all for this evening! For up-to-the-minute news and analysis, check out [DallasNews.com](. 💖 Share the love! If you like this newsletter, please [check out our other newsletters here](. 📧 Do you have feedback? 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