Officer saves others in prison uprisingSMYRNA, Del. — Forced into a closet by inmates at Delaware’s largest prison, Sgt. Steven Floyd called out to officers coming to his aid, warning them that inmates had set a trap — saving their lives with his final actions, the head of the state corrections officers’ union said.“Even in his last moments as the inmates attempted to take over the building, Sgt. Floyd told a couple of lieutenants to get out of the building and that it was a trap,” union President Geoffrey Klopp said.Floyd was found dead early Thursday after authorities used a backhoe to smash through a barricade of footlockers and end a nearly 20-hour hostage standoff at the prison. A second hostage, a female counselor, was safely rescued minutes after tactical teams forced their way into a building at the all-male, 2,500-inmate prison.

Texas panel OKs sanctuary cities billAUSTIN, Texas — A Texas Senate panel has approved a so-called sanctuary cities bill that would withhold state money from local jurisdictions that don’t hand over immigrants already in custody for possible deportation.The Senate’s state affairs committee voted for the bill early today after more than 16 hours of often emotional testimony marked by outbursts by spectators.The measure moves to the full Senate for a vote expected next week.Hundreds of people registered to testify on the bill Thursday before the panel.Gov. Greg Abbott has pushed the legislation as he moves to crackdown on criminal suspects who are in the country illegally.Opponents say local jurisdictions don’t have the resources to handle what’s a federal responsibility.

Education nominee heads to final voteWASHINGTON — Betsy DeVos has cleared a major hurdle in the Senate to become the next education secretary, despite vigorous opposition from Democrats.Senators voted 52-48 to cut off debate before dawn this morning, setting the stage for a final confirmation vote next week.DeVos is a billionaire Republican donor and school choice activist. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York calls her “one of the worst nominees.”Schumer says, “Ms. Devos does not deserve to be secretary of education.”President Donald Trump’s nominee has spent more than two decades promoting charter schools across the country. Her nomination has come under fierce criticism from labor unions, who accuse her of seeking to dismantle public education.