Delays in David Leonard Wood Hearings and New Dental Degree Approved in El Paso

The hearings for David Leonard Wood, a death row inmate convicted of capital murder in 1992, have been postponed until at least September 2023. This delay follows a recent ruling by Judge Dick Alcalá, who granted a defense motion for 14 witness depositions over the next 90 days. Meanwhile, Texas Tech University Regents approved a new Master of Science in Dentistry program and an Orthodontics certificate at the El Paso campus, set to launch in summer 2027. This initiative aims to address the shortage of dental professionals in the region, with a projected budget of over $5.8 million and expected self-sustainability by the third year.

Key Details: • Wood's hearings delayed until at least September 2023 due to witness depositions. • Texas Tech's new dental program to begin in summer 2027 with an annual admission of three students. • The dental program aims to address a critical shortage of orthodontic specialists in El Paso. • Community meetings for Sun Metro route changes scheduled through May 22, with changes effective June 14.