Republicans in the Texas House forced returning Democrats to around-the-clock surveillance by state Department of Public Safety officers to leave the floor.

A Democratic state lawmaker who fled Texas in protest of a GOP redistricting effort is asking a court to let her exit the Capitol, after she was told she needs a police escort to leave the building.

"He lost me on the trail, got angry about it, and made a scene in front of my constituents on the trail," Cole said about the DPS officer assigned to escort her upon her return to Texas.

Texas Republicans forced Democrats to sign a slip authorizing a police officer to surveil them until Wednesday, when the House is scheduled to reconvene.

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority worker struck and killed on I-44 yesterday will receive a hero's escort home tomorrow.

Police were on hand to ensure a family of swans crossing a major road completed their journey safely. Essex Police received reports about a pair of adults with four cygnets swanning around on the A131 Regiment Way, Chelmsford.