Nation in brief: Ex-Gov. Bush won’t get degree

Former Gov. Jeb Bush was snubbed for an honorary degree at the University of Florida – but he can still call himself an honorary alumnus.

The university’s Alumni Association’s Board of Directors passed a resolution Saturday to make Bush an honorary alumnus. The move came on the heels of a 38-28 Faculty Senate vote on Thursday to deny Bush an honorary degree.

In deciding not to give Bush an honorary degree, some faculty members cited concerns about Bush’s educational record in respect to the university. Some said his approval of three new medical schools has diluted resources. He also has been criticized for his “One Florida” proposal, an initiative that ended race-based admissions programs at state universities.

But Leonard Spearman, president of the University of Florida Alumni Association, said the group selected Bush because he supported research at the University of Florida, and because of his efforts to provide funding for more faculty and create a statewide scholarship program. He said the association’s selection had nothing to do with the faculty’s vote.

Dalton, Ga.

Woman guilty in boyfriend’s death

A former 911 operator was convicted Saturday of murdering her boyfriend by poisoning him with antifreeze.

Lynn Turner could be sentenced to death for the 2001 killing of Randy Thompson, a firefighter and the father of her two children. The same jury that convicted her will return to court Monday to decide whether to impose that sentence.

Turner, 38, is already serving a life sentence for the 1995 death of her husband, Glenn Turner, a Cobb County police officer. The murder charge in Thompson’s death was filed after that 2004 conviction.

The trial went to the jury Saturday morning after closing arguments Friday.

Dallas

Doctors plan to separate twins

Doctors are planning an attempt this spring to gradually separate 3-year-old twin girls who were born connected at the head.

For the past 2 1/2 years, Anastasia and Tatiana Dogaru, who are from Italy but are of Romanian descent, have been in Dallas, brought here by the World Craniofacial Foundation about nine months after their birth to be evaluated for separation surgery.

The top of Tatiana’s head is attached to the back of Anastasia’s. Twins born joined at the head – called craniopagus twins – are extremely rare, occurring in about 1 in 2.5 million births.

The separation carries many risks – including the possibility of brain damage, stroke or a deadly amount of blood loss – but doctors say the twins cannot continue to live as they are. Not only is it awkward, but their conjoined condition would lead to a variety of medical problems.

The twins and their parents will travel in April to Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, where a team of doctors will separate the girls in stages.