By The Associated Press – 11 hours ago
DALLAS (AP) — James A. Baker. a former Texas Supreme Court Justice known as a devoted scholar of appellate law, died Sunday. He was 77.
He died in his sleep, the Texas Supreme Court said. Baker was diagnosed last year with cancer, which spread through his lungs, legs and spine.
Before serving on the Supreme Court, Baker served from 1986 to 1995 on the Fifth District Court of Appeals in Dallas. Then-Gov. George W. Bush appointed Baker to the Texas Supreme Court in 1995. Baker was elected to a full six-year term the next year.
He retired in August 2002, partly because he would have reached mandatory retirement age midway through an additional term.
Baker then became a partner at Hughes & Luce LLP, now called K&L Gates. He worked on appellate matters, arbitration and mediation at the Dallas law firm.
Baker continued to work despite his illness. His last day in the office was Friday, the high court said.
Baker earned his bachelor’s degree and his law degree from Southern Methodist University.
LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — Bryan Baptiste, the mayor of Kauai who championed affordable housing and opposed gated communities, died Sunday. He was 52.
Baptiste suffered cardiac arrest at home, the mayor’s office said in a statement. Paramedics tried to revive him, but he was pronounced dead at a hospital.
A former county councilman, Baptiste was first elected mayor in 2002 when he edged rival Ron Kouchi in a runoff. The Republican was elected to a second four-year term in 2006.
Baptiste’s father served as Kauai’s mayor about 50 years ago.
As mayor, the younger Baptiste championed the building of more affordable housing, put together programs to fight drug abuse and supported legislation to protect public beach access.

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