WATER WARNING DELAYED

dallas» A chemical leak from an asphalt plant that led Corpus Christi officials to warn residents this week not to drink the water was apparently reported a week earlier, according to an email from a state environmental official that was obtained Friday.

The internal e-mail sent Wednesday by Susan Clewis, a regional director for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, contained an incident report that described the leak as a “backflow incident from a chemical tank impacting the public water system.” It was reported Dec. 7 at Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions.

The e-mail doesn’t indicate who filed the report or who received it, but it indicates that the state agency learned of the leak on Wednesday, when city officials warned the public.

Germany threatens to fine Facebook B

berlin» German officials are stepping up their criticism of Facebook, saying the social network is doing too little to stop hate speech and could face stiff fines unless it deletes illegal content faster.

Justice Minister Heiko Maas said his ministry was checking whether it would be possible to make social networking sites legally liable for illegal posts.

Germany has laws against speech deemed to be racist, defamatory or inciting violence — a response to Germany’s Nazi legacy. But authorities have struggled with the deluge of often anonymous postings on foreign-owned websites.

Public says goodbye to Glenn B

columbus, ohio» John Glenn’s home state and the nation began saying goodbye to the beloved astronaut Friday starting with a public viewing of his flag-draped casket inside Ohio’s Statehouse rotunda.

Politicians, including Secretary of State John Kerry, and ordinary citizens paid their respects to the first American to orbit Earth.

Glenn died last week at 95. He grew up in eastern Ohio before becoming a national hero when he orbited Earth in 1962. Before that he was a fighter pilot in World War II and Korea.

Lawmaker backs off antiabortion bathroom signs

B oklahoma city» The sponsor of an Oklahoma law requiring signs in public restrooms directing pregnant women where to receive services to avoid abortions now wants to limit the signs only to abortion providers.

Republican Sen. A.J. Griffin filed a bill Friday that dramatically narrows the requirement.

The State Board of Health on Tuesday approved regulations requiring hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants and