Dallas Express

The wife of a Carrollton restaurant owner accused of carrying out two deadly shootings earlier this month has been arrested in Minnesota and charged with murder.

Carrollton police said 67-year-old Ae Son Han was taken into custody on Monday with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. Investigators allege she was present during the May 5 shootings and helped her husband, 69-year-old Seung Ho Han, carry out the second killing.

Authorities said they are working to extradite Ae Son Han to Texas.

Her arrest comes weeks after Seung Ho Han was charged in connection with a pair of shootings in Carrollton’s Koreatown area that left two people dead and three others injured, The Dallas Express reported.

Police said the violence unfolded between about 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on May 5.

The first shooting happened shortly before 10 a.m. at K Towne Plaza near State Highway 121 and West Hebron Parkway, an area known for Korean-owned businesses. Officers responding to multiple 911 calls found four victims suffering from gunshot wounds.

One adult male died at the scene. Two adult men and one adult woman were taken to hospitals in stable condition, police said.

During the investigation, officers learned of a second shooting around 11:10 a.m. in the 2700 block of Old Denton Road. Responding officers found another deceased adult male inside an apartment.

Investigators later determined the same suspect was responsible for both shootings.

Seung Ho Han was arrested about an hour later following a brief foot chase near Old Denton Road and the President George Bush Turnpike, police said. He is charged with two counts of capital murder and three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

According to police, Han later confessed to shooting all five victims and told investigators he was angry over financial disputes tied to business dealings.

Han told detectives the shootings were connected to a failed $75,000 business arrangement and a rent dispute involving his sushi restaurant and a Georgia property investment. Investigators said Han told police he was tired of business associates “taking his money.”

Police also said Han told investigators he went to the H-Mart fish market after the shootings to say goodbye to friends and intended to take his own life before officers arrested him.

Detectives said continued investigative work, including follow-up interviews and digital evidence, led them to conclude Ae Son Han was involved in the second homicide.

Members of the local Korean community previously described the shootings as deeply unsettling in what many consider a close-knit business district.

The investigation remains ongoing.

The post Wife Of Carrollton Shooting Suspect Arrested In Minnesota On Murder Charge appeared first on Dallas Express.

A 56-year-old woman died Monday night after falling into an open manhole in Midtown Manhattan, according to authorities.

The woman, who was from Briarcliff, had parked her Mercedes-Benz SUV near West 52nd Street and Fifth Avenue shortly before 11:20 p.m. Police said she stepped out of the vehicle and fell directly into an uncovered manhole that was about 10 feet deep.

Emergency crews responded and pulled her from the opening before transporting her to New York-Presbyterian Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Authorities said the manhole was steaming at the time of the incident.

The woman’s identity and official cause of death had not been released pending confirmation from the medical examiner’s office.

Family members told Eyewitness News they were devastated and shocked by the accident and were seeking answers about how the manhole had been left uncovered.

Officials said there was no construction activity underway in the area at the time. The manhole cover was later found about 15 feet from the opening.

Energy delivery company Con Edison said it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“We are deeply saddened to confirm that a member of the public has died after falling into an open manhole,” the utility company said in a statement. “We are actively investigating how this occurred. Our thoughts are with the individual’s family, and safety remains our top priority.”

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Dallas Mavericks legend Derek Harper told Dallas Express Sports Network that Victor Wembanyama’s rare skill set could put him among the NBA’s best.

Dallas Mavericks legend Derek Harper believes Victor Wembanyama has the tools to become one of the best players basketball has ever seen.

In a new Dallas Express Sports Network interview with Mark Elfenbein, Harper discussed Wembanyama’s size, skill, effort, and rapid growth early in his NBA career.

Harper said Wembanyama is “different” and praised the San Antonio Spurs star’s ability to impact the game on offense and defense.

Watch the full interview below to hear Harper’s complete thoughts on Wembanyama’s ceiling and why the Mavericks legend says he would pay to watch him play every chance he gets.

Watch the full Dallas Express Sports Network interview below.

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Southwest Airlines has updated its baggage policy to prohibit human-like and animal-like robots from its flights after a humanoid robot boarded a Dallas-bound flight earlier this month.

The policy change followed a May 7 flight from Las Vegas to Dallas Love Field on which an employee of The Robot Studio, a Dallas-based company, traveled with a robotic companion named Stewie.

We just got robots banned from Southwest Airlines. You’re welcome 🫡

Yesterday we flew our humanoid robot Stewie from Las Vegas to Dallas on Southwest — something we (and others) have tried and failed multiple times because batteries are always the issue.
This time we cracked… pic.twitter.com/FqJjk1vSfQ

— Aaron Mehdizadeh (@rentbotsTX) May 12, 2026

 

The company purchased a separate plane ticket for Stewie and verified that the robot’s battery met Federal Aviation Administration requirements before the trip. Videos shared on social media showed Stewie walking through the terminal, boarding the aircraft, and interacting with passengers as flight attendants looked on.

Two days after the flight, Southwest revised its baggage rules to address robotic devices.

“To ensure compliance with our guidelines for traveling safely with lithium-ion batteries, Southwest clarified its baggage policy to include robotic devices,” the airline said in a statement to FOX 4 KDFW.

The carrier’s website now states: “Southwest Airlines does not allow human-like or animal-like robots to be transported in the cabin or as checked baggage, regardless of size or purpose. A ‘human‑like robot’ is a robot designed to resemble or imitate a human in its appearance, movement, or behavior. An ‘animal-like robot’ is a robot designed to resemble or imitate an animal in its appearance, movement, or behavior. All other robots, including toys, must be able to fit within a carry-on size bag and comply with existing battery restrictions.”

Aaron Mehdizadeh, who owns The Robot Studio and rents out robots such as Stewie, said the company followed every precaution before the trip. He pushed back on online criticism over the lithium battery used to power the robot.

“The battery that we used was not a safety hazard, and a lot of people online were like how can you bring a lithium battery, you’re endangering people,” Mehdizadeh said. “This battery was totally under the FAA limit.”

“It’s a total conspiracy,” robot Stewie told CBS News Texas through his programmed voice. “I swear they don’t want us robots peeking at the clouds, seeing what’s really up there. My dreams got clipped faster than a bad haircut.”

Mehdizadeh said he anticipates sweeping changes in artificial intelligence and robotics.

“I understand why people have the fear,” he said. “But if you are aligned towards the future and position yourself to be always learning, every new AI feature that comes out, and being ahead of the curve, this could be one of the greatest things that’s ever happened in human history.”

Stewie’s trip was the second reported instance of a humanoid robot boarding an airplane as a passenger. On April 30, a Southwest Airlines flight from Oakland to San Diego was delayed for nearly an hour while the flight crew addressed safety concerns after Eily Ben-Abraham, of Dallas-based Elite Event Robotics, brought his robot, Bebop, on board.

In this instance, the crew determined that Bebop could not sit in an aisle seat because that would violate the company’s policy on large carry-on items. Bebop was moved to a window seat, but Ben-Abraham was required to remove the robot’s battery, which the airline said exceeded the maximum allowable size.

Pushkar Shinde, chief technology officer at The Robot Company, likened current attitudes toward robots to early public reactions to automobiles in the 1920s.

“So from my perspective, this is like a very early industry,” Shinde said, Fox 4 reported. “It’s still predominantly entertainment.”

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The cruise industry is facing mounting pressure from rising fuel prices and renewed concerns over onboard virus outbreaks, but demand for ocean vacations continues to climb as travelers seek value-focused alternatives to traditional trips.

Industry forecasts released by the Cruise Lines International Association estimate 38.3 million passengers will take cruises this year, a 4% increase from the record 37.2 million travelers reported last year. Cruise operators and analysts say bookings remain strong even as companies navigate higher operating costs and health concerns tied to recent outbreaks aboard several ships.

Recent headlines have focused on multiple virus outbreaks connected to cruise travel. Earlier this month, three passengers aboard the Antarctic cruise ship MV Hondius died following a hantavirus outbreak, with another 11 confirmed or probable cases reported, according to accounts citing the World Health Organization. Days later, more than 100 passengers and crew members aboard the Caribbean Princess were affected by a norovirus outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Despite the attention surrounding the outbreaks, travel analysts say the incidents have not significantly weakened consumer interest.

“The cruise consumer seems to be somewhat Teflon when it comes to stories like this,” said Rob Kwortnik, an associate professor at Cornell University’s Nolan School of Hotel Administration who studies the cruise industry, the Associated Press reported.

Kwortnik said cruise vacations are often booked months or even a year in advance, making short-term reactions less likely.

“People who are booking cruises tomorrow are thinking about the holidays,” he said.

CruiseCompete.com CEO Bob Levinstein said bookings through his company rose 31.7% during the first half of May compared with the same period last year.

“I can categorically say that we have not seen any drop in demand,” Levinstein said, per AP.

Analysts say cruising continues to attract travelers because of its perceived value compared with land-based vacations. Royal Caribbean Group Chief Financial Officer Naftali Holtz recently told The Wall Street Journal that value consistently ranks among the top reasons travelers choose cruises.

For families weighing vacation options, cruises can provide lodging, meals, and entertainment in one upfront cost. By comparison, standalone airfare, hotels, and theme park admissions can quickly drive up the cost of traditional trips.

Cruising may also offer some insulation from rising aviation costs tied to instability in the Middle East and disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz, which have driven up jet fuel prices and prompted airlines to cut some routes and raise fares.

Cruise ships still face fuel-related pressures, however.

“The most notable financial impact from the Middle East conflict has been on fuel costs,” Royal Caribbean CEO Jason Liberty said during the company’s first-quarter earnings call, according to AOL. “While we are approximately 60% hedged for 2026, fuel prices at current spot levels are expected to increase costs by roughly $0.62 per share this year.”

Fuel hedging allows cruise companies to lock in future fuel prices and reduce exposure to sudden spikes in oil markets. Analysts say cruise lines are generally better protected than airlines because many ships operate using marine gas oil, which has a broader supply network.

“Cruise lines have been planning for fuel volatility for years, so what we’re seeing now isn’t coming as a shock to the industry in the same way it has for aviation,” said Patrick Hill, head of Paramount Cruises, Forbes reported.

Still, some companies remain more vulnerable than others. Carnival Corp., which carries a smaller hedge position than Royal Caribbean, warned investors that a 10% increase in fuel cost per metric ton could reduce 2026 net income by roughly $145 million.

Carnival Chief Financial Officer David Bernstein said the company expects some easing in fuel prices but acknowledged the financial impact remains significant.

“A 10% change in our fuel cost per metric ton, excluding emission allowances, for the remainder of the year impacts our bottom line by $160 million or $0.11 per share,” Bernstein said, per AOL.

So far, none of the major cruise lines has announced fuel surcharges for passengers, though cruise contracts generally allow companies to impose them if fuel costs surge dramatically.

Travel experts say the industry’s continued growth reflects changing vacation habits and broad consumer appeal across generations and income levels. Bank of America survey data found millennials and Generation Z travelers were among the most likely groups to plan a cruise within the next year.

Shorter itineraries and domestic departure ports are also helping to attract travelers looking to avoid high airfares. Major cruise hubs in the United States include Miami, Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, and New Orleans.

“For those looking to take a cruise this summer, choose one departing from a domestic port,” said Chris Pitchford, CEO of World of Cruising, per Forbes. “Somewhere you can drive to or take a train to, ideally.”

Industry analysts say lingering memories of the COVID-19 pandemic and the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship in 2020 continue to shape public perception during outbreaks, but they do not appear to be slowing the industry’s long-term momentum.

“There are new ships on order out to 2037,” said Andrew Coggins, a cruise industry analyst and professor at Pace University’s Lubin School of Business, AP reported. “The cruise lines are bullish. They see demand growing and they want to offer new bells and whistles, new ports, new destinations.”

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Two teenage suspects and three adult victims were killed on Monday in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego that authorities are investigating as a hate crime, according to law enforcement officials.

San Diego police responded shortly before noon to reports of an active shooter at the mosque in the Clairemont neighborhood, near the 7000 block of Eckstrom Avenue. Callers reported multiple shots fired at the Islamic Center of San Diego, located about nine miles north of downtown.

Police Chief Scott Wahl said the suspects, identified as Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Vazquez, 18, were later found dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds inside a vehicle a few blocks away.

“This is every community’s worst nightmare,” Wahl said during a news conference, The Guardian reported.

Authorities said three adults were fatally shot during the attack. One of those killed was a security guard at the mosque whose actions officials said likely prevented additional deaths.

“I think it’s fair to say [the guard’s] actions were heroic, and undoubtedly he saved lives today,” Wahl said.

Officials said the security guard helped minimize the threat while officers responded. The Islamic Center identified the guard as Amin Abdullah, who was reportedly the father of eight children.

Before the shooting, police had already been searching for one of the suspects after his mother contacted authorities and reported that her son was suicidal, missing, and believed to have taken several firearms and her vehicle. Wahl said the mother also told police another teen accompanied her son and that both were dressed in camouflage.

Investigators used automated license plate readers and other technology while searching for the suspects. Officers had also alerted a nearby school, where at least one of the teens had reportedly been a student before receiving reports of gunfire at the mosque.

Police said a note was recovered at the scene containing what officials described as “generalized hate rhetoric.”

“There was definitely hate rhetoric that was involved,” officials said, per Fox 4 KDFW.

Authorities emphasized there had been no specific threat directed at the Islamic Center before the shooting. The FBI said it was assisting in the investigation and had established a public tip line.

The mosque also houses the Al Rashid School, which offers classes in Arabic language, Islamic studies, and the Quran. Officials confirmed no children or staff members at the school were injured. A reunification center for families was established nearby.

In a video posted to Facebook, the Islamic Center said its students and staff were safe.

Mayor Todd Gloria said the city was mourning alongside the Muslim community.

“Hate has no home in San Diego. Islamophobia has no home in San Diego,” Gloria said at a later news conference, per The Guardian. “An attack on any San Diegan is an attack on all San Diegans, and we will not stand for it in America’s finest city.”

Imam and Islamic Center director Taha Hassane called the shooting “extremely outrageous.”

“We have never experienced a tragedy like this before,” Hassane said, The Guardian reported. “It is a house of worship. It’s not a battlefield.”

“The religious intolerance and the hate, unfortunately, that exists in our nation is unprecedented,” he added. “All of us, we are responsible for spreading the culture of tolerance, the culture of love.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom said he had been briefed on the situation and that California emergency officials were coordinating with local law enforcement.

“Worshippers anywhere should not have to fear for their lives,” Newsom said, per The Guardian. “Hate has no place in California.”

President Donald Trump was also briefed on the attack and called it “a terrible situation.”

Police said the investigation remains ongoing.

Note of clarification: Official statements that “no children or staff members at the school were injured” and that “students and staff were safe” refer specifically to the teachers, staff, and students who were inside the Al Rashid School building during the attack. All of them were safely evacuated without injury. The three adult victims — security guard Amin Abdullah and two additional mosque/school staff members — were shot and killed outside the main school and mosque buildings in the initial moments of the attack. This distinction allowed the imam and authorities to accurately reassure the community that everyone inside with the children was unharmed, while the three men tragically lost their lives outdoors on the grounds.

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CVS Health released new research showing a significant divide between older Americans’ ability to use digital health tools and their willingness to learn them, as health care shifts toward online and AI-powered services.

The white paper, “Navigating the Digital Health Literacy Gap,” surveyed Medicare-eligible adults and found that many struggle with digital tasks despite expressing openness to adopting new technology. The findings arrive as all baby boomers reach age 65 and older, a group projected to make up one in five Americans by 2030.

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Key Findings from the Report

CVS Health’s research revealed that 58% of respondents said low digital health literacy negatively impacts their ability to manage their health. The study examined four key areas: navigation, knowledge, skills, and confidence.

Despite the challenges, 86% of participants indicated they are open to using digital health tools if given proper support and training. Many expressed interest in learning through in-person help at pharmacies, simplified apps, or video tutorials.

Dr. Ayo Gathing, Senior Medical Director and Deputy Chief Health Engagement & Access Team Officer at CVS Health, stated in the report materials that “Trust and simplicity of care are critical to improving health outcomes.”

The study included surveys, interviews, and group discussions with seniors across different ages, incomes, geographies, health conditions, and living situations. It revealed barriers such as confusing interfaces, privacy concerns, and a lack of technical support.

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Broader Context and Company Response

Health care continues its rapid move toward digital-first models, including telehealth visits, online prescription refills, patient portals, and AI-assisted tools. CVS Health, which operates one of the nation’s largest pharmacy networks, said the findings align with its $20 billion technology investment announced in 2025.

The company is expanding in-person digital navigation support at CVS Pharmacy locations, offering simplified mobile apps, and partnering with community organizations to provide training.

Officials noted these efforts will hopefully help reduce barriers for older adults who want to engage with modern health care options.

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Industry Implications

Analysts say the digital divide among seniors could affect everything from medication adherence to preventive care. As more services move online, experts predict companies that successfully bridge this gap may see stronger patient loyalty and better health outcomes.

CVS Health operates thousands of retail pharmacies, specialty pharmacies, and MinuteClinic locations across the country. The company said it plans to use the research to guide future product design and customer support programs.

Read the full white paper here.

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A Pizza Hut franchise operator is reviving the chain’s classic dine-in atmosphere at dozens of restaurants, bringing back familiar features from the 1980s and 1990s that many customers remember from childhood.

Tim Sparks, president of Kansas-based Daland Corporation, has overseen the transformation of 38 Pizza Hut locations into what the company calls “Pizza Hut Classics.” Daland operates 93 Pizza Hut restaurants across several states.

The remodeled locations feature red vinyl booths, checkered tablecloths, stained-glass style hanging lamps, salad bars, Pac-Man arcade machines, and the chain’s signature red plastic cups. Many of the restaurants also retain the recognizable red-roof exterior associated with older Pizza Hut locations.

The effort follows Pizza Hut’s official “Classic Remodel” guidelines, though the push to convert dozens of stores has largely been driven by franchise operators such as Sparks.

Sparks said his goal extends beyond nostalgia.

“If we can get them in here as a family, they do tend to put their phones down and actually have conversations and speak with each other,” Sparks said, per Inc.

“I’m not going to tell you I know how to fix the world,” he added. “But I do think that family is a good place to start.”

Sparks’ connection to the company dates back to childhood family outings at Pizza Hut restaurants. He later began working for the chain as a dishwasher in 1983 before eventually becoming a manager and franchise operator.

The retro remodels come as Pizza Hut continues to face broader challenges within the pizza industry, including shifting consumer habits and increased competition. Earlier this year, the chain announced plans to close 250 locations nationwide.

The first known “Pizza Hut Classic” remodel opened in Ashdown, Arkansas, in 2019. Reports indicate more than 140 locations nationwide have since adopted the retro design concept.

Unlike traditional marketing campaigns, the remodeled restaurants have gained attention largely through word of mouth and social media. Customers and online influencers have posted videos and photos of the locations, with some fans reportedly traveling hours to visit the restored restaurants.

Outside several of the retro locations, plaques reference Pizza Hut founders Dan and Frank Carney, who opened the company’s first restaurant in Wichita, Kansas, using $600 borrowed from their mother.

“This Pizza Hut Classic celebrates our heritage with a design that’s reminiscent of our original dine-in restaurants,” one plaque states, Inc. reported. “It reminds us of the Pizza Hut where generations of Americans first fell in love with pizza.”

The nostalgic atmosphere appears to be resonating with customers. According to reports, retro-themed restaurants have become among Daland Corporation’s strongest-performing locations.

The revival also reflects growing consumer interest in retro dining experiences and family-oriented spaces that encourage in-person interaction.

The Pizza Hut corporate website does not list which of its franchisee or corporate-owned locations are Classic restaurants. However, Substack user Rolando Pujol has begun compiling a list of Pizza Hut Classic locations as he comes across them, noting that most are in smaller markets. In Texas, Pizza Hut Classics can be found in Bastrop, Carrizo Springs, Coleman, Fairfield, Fredericksburg, Gonzales, Hempstead, Hondo, and other small towns.

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Major U.S. retailers and consumer brands are launching limited-edition products, special packaging, and sponsorships as the nation prepares to mark its 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026. 

Companies including Mountain Dew, Coca-Cola, Cheerios, Oreo, Walmart, Target, and Cracker Barrel have announced initiatives ranging from rebranded packaging to official partnerships with America250, the congressionally designated organization leading national events. These moves come as the White House promotes year-long celebrations through its Freedom 250 initiative.

Mountain Dew rebranded its flagship citrus soda as “American Dew” for the summer of 2026, featuring patriotic red, white, and blue packaging. The limited-edition cans and bottles celebrate both America’s milestone and the brand’s 78th anniversary. The campaign includes a sweepstakes offering $250 cash prizes.

WHITE OUT!!! CODE RED!!! VOLTAGE!!! That’s precious cargo right there. Pick up a case @Walmart now! #MountainDew #AmericaPack pic.twitter.com/eEjvKLZOIi

— Mountain Dew® (@MountainDew) May 18, 2026

Coca-Cola, an America250 signature partner, released limited-edition mini-cans featuring unique designs for all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, along with custom bottles. The company also outlined community initiatives and volunteer goals tied to the anniversary. They are also holding a sweepstakes. 

Coca-Cola

General Mills introduced Birthday Cake Cheerios in a commemorative red, white, and blue box, per Allrecipes. The cereal features vanilla cake flavor with red, white, and blue sprinkles free of artificial dyes, hitting shelves in early summer.

Allrecipes / Cheerios

Oreo launched Firecracker Pop cookies in collaboration with Popsicle. The limited-edition treat features blue raspberry, lemon, and cherry-flavored creme between golden cookies, evoking classic red, white, and blue popsicles.

Oreo

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Broader Retail and Corporate Involvement

Walmart and Target are listed as founding or major sponsors of America250. Walmart has supported national programming, while Target participates through sponsorship and related retail promotions.

Cracker Barrel announced an official partnership with America250 in January 2026, highlighting its role in Main Street communities and traditions that “bring Americans together.”

Starbucks also appears among corporate sponsors supporting America250 events and programming.

Additional brands, such as Kraft Heinz, have joined sponsorship lists or released themed merchandise, contributing to widespread retail visibility for the anniversary.

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White House and National Context

The White House has outlined extensive Freedom 250 activities, including the Salute to America 250 Celebration with fireworks on the National Mall, the Great American State Fair traveling across the country, and decorations at federal buildings. President Donald Trump has previewed these as part of a year-long commemoration.

America250.org coordinates public and private efforts, aiming to engage all 350 million Americans. Corporate sponsors help fund events, educational programs, and community activations nationwide.

Retail activity reflects commercial participation in the semiquincentennial, with products appearing on shelves ahead of peak summer celebrations. Availability and exact promotions vary by location and retailer.

The post America 250 Party Hits The Aisles: Mountain Dew, Oreo, Cheerios & Coke Unleash Patriotic Treats appeared first on Dallas Express.

Dallas-area company Ciridian is gaining attention for its $124,000 luxury smart bed, aiming to capture the luxury sleep market with advanced pressure-relieving technology and biometric monitoring.

Ciridian introduced its flagship sleep system featuring more than 400 independently controlled smart springs that adjust in real time to the user’s body. The bed also includes biometric sensors and concierge-level service for affluent customers, reported the Dallas Business Journal.

Founder and CEO, an engineer-turned-entrepreneur, described the design philosophy: “If I didn’t care about the cost, if I just wanted to design the coolest and the most effective bed possible to eliminate pressure, what would that look like?” The company custom-builds each unit with premium materials, including upholstery by Dallas-based American Leather, per the DBJ.

The Ciridian Smart Bed features a solid wood base, a side-viewing window to observe the internal mechanics, and LED lighting. It continuously monitors sleep patterns and makes micro-adjustments to reduce pressure points throughout the night.

The startup operates a by-appointment-only showroom in Addison, reported Dallas Innovates. Pricing starts at six figures, positioning the product as one of the most expensive consumer sleep systems on the market. The company emphasizes handcrafted elements and real-time adaptive technology as key differentiators from mass-market smart beds.

Ciridian’s entry into the luxury market comes as demand for high-end home furnishings and wellness products rises among wealthy buyers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The region’s concentration of affluent residents has supported the launch of other premium home-tech products in recent years.

The bed’s development focused on maximizing pressure relief and optimizing sleep without cost constraints during the design phase. Sensors track biometrics, allowing the system to respond dynamically as the sleeper moves.

Company officials have not released sales projections, but the product targets a niche segment willing to invest significantly in sleep technology. Each bed is custom-configured based on client specifications, per the DBJ.

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President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States postponed a planned military strike on Iran after leaders from several Gulf nations urged Washington to allow negotiations to continue.

In a social media post, Trump stated that an attack had been scheduled for Tuesday but was halted following appeals from the emir of Qatar, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, and the president of the United Arab Emirates. He noted that discussions with Tehran were ongoing and could produce an agreement acceptable to the United States and regional allies.

“This Deal will include, importantly, NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN!” Trump wrote.

The President said he instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Daniel Caine, and the U.S. military to stand down from the planned operation while remaining prepared for “a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice” if talks fail.

The announcement marked the first public confirmation that the United States had prepared to resume military action against Iran amid escalating tensions tied to Tehran’s nuclear program and regional security concerns.

The Associated Press reported Sunday that the United States may be coordinating with Israel on potential renewed strikes, citing two people familiar with the matter, including an Israeli officer. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his Cabinet that “we are prepared for any scenario” and said “our eyes are open” regarding Iran.

Trump warned on Sunday that “the clock is ticking” for Iran to reach an agreement and said Iranian leaders needed to “get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged during a televised meeting of the Government Information Council that Iran had “suffered harm” from continued U.S. and Israeli attacks, Fox 4 KDFW reported.

“It is not the case that we have not suffered harm,” Pezeshkian said, while also urging Iranian leaders to avoid rhetoric that could deepen divisions. He added that Iran would not surrender the country’s “dignity and honor for comfort and convenience.”

Iran’s Foreign Ministry also signaled that negotiations remained active, per NBC News. Spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Tehran was not “intimidated by the enemy’s threats” and confirmed Iran had submitted another proposal to the United States through Pakistani mediators.

According to Iranian state media, Tehran’s 14-point proposal focuses on ending the conflict and securing “confidence-building measures by the American side.” Reports did not indicate whether the proposal included concessions tied to Iran’s nuclear activities.

The Strait of Hormuz remained effectively closed Monday, contributing to rising oil prices and renewed concerns about global energy supplies. Reuters reported that oil prices have climbed more than 35% since fighting and disruptions intensified in the Middle East.

U.S. Central Command said the American naval blockade in the Arabian Sea had turned away 85 commercial vessels as of Monday. The military also said four additional ships were disabled to enforce compliance with the blockade.

Signs of instability in the ceasefire continued to emerge over the weekend. Iranian state television aired presenters carrying firearms on live broadcasts. One anchor said he had trained with a masked Revolutionary Guard member and mimicked firing at a UAE flag. Another presenter displayed a weapon she said had been sent to her and declared, “From this platform I declare that I am ready to sacrifice my life for this country.”

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates reported that a drone strike caused a fire near the Barakah nuclear power plant. Officials said the fire did not compromise plant operations or safety systems. Saudi Arabia also reported intercepting three drones that entered from Iraqi airspace.

Trump said he remains open to negotiations but warned the military remains ready should diplomacy collapse.

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The very first thing Texas de Brazil President and co-founder Salim Asrawi wants readers to know is that he is not a developer and does not have a development stake in the ongoing debate about moving City Hall and redeveloping downtown into an entertainment district.

The interview is part of The Dallas Express’ Business and Civic Leader City Hall Redevelopment Series, which will ask local business owners, executives, developers, and civic leaders how they view the future of downtown Dallas, City Hall, public safety, sports, and redevelopment.

“I’m a restaurant guy and a proud Dallas resident,” Asrawi told DX. “It just makes sense.”

Asrawi co-founded Texas de Brazil, a family-owned churrascaria brand that blends Southern Brazilian-style cooking with Texas hospitality. Born in Lebanon, Asrawi immigrated to the United States at age 14 after fleeing war in his home country. He later earned a master’s degree in restaurant and hotel management, worked his way up in the hotel industry, and co-founded Texas de Brazil with his family.

The company lists Texas restaurants in Addison, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, McAllen, San Antonio, and Tyler, with Allen and El Paso listed as 2026 locations. Asrawi also appeared on the cover of President George W. Bush’s book Out of Many, One: Portraits of America’s Immigrants.

Lamenting Dallas’ lost opportunity to attract the Cowboys back to town during former Mayor Laura Miller’s tenure, Asrawi said, “If the Mavs and Stars are not downtown, there goes downtown.” Asrawi said bringing the Cowboys back to Fair Park when Dallas had an opportunity “would have fundamentally changed Fair Park and South Dallas,” and he does not want to see Dallas lose more sports teams to the suburbs.

“Arenas have always been part of downtowns,” Asrawi said, citing examples from Chicago and New York City, where walking around and visiting different bars, restaurants, hotels, and stores is part of the experience and vibrancy.

He encouraged opponents of downtown redevelopment to be “open-minded and think about the future.”

“What do you want Dallas to look like in 20 years, and what will it look like if we don’t?” Asrawi asked.

When asked whether Dallas’ I.M. Pei-designed City Hall should be sacrificed to keep the Mavericks or Stars in the urban core, Asrawi answered bluntly.

“I don’t [know] what’s historic about it,” Asrawi said. “It’s not Notre Dame or the Louvre.”

He continued, “I think it’s a great thing for the city to rent a place for City Hall. It’s all about business and we as a city have to do everything we can to keep them. We have the Mavericks and Stars. The hardest thing as a restaurant owner is getting them in the door and we have them already. How do we let them go?”

Asrawi acknowledged that it may be a tough sell to convince many residents that the city should use taxpayer dollars to support stadium-related redevelopment involving wealthy team owners.

He said the city and business community need to communicate clearly to residents “what’s in it for them” and how they would benefit from a revitalized downtown, including more jobs and less crime.

“Everybody will start building around it, and everyone wins. Business brings business,” Asrawi said. “Look at the growth in Uptown. It’s happening there,” he said, pointing to the new Goldman Sachs tower under construction near the American Airlines Center and the bar, restaurant, and retail development in Victory Park.

“When you develop things you have to create jobs. Jobs create opportunities. When people are working, they’re committing less crime.”

Asrawi said he is speaking up in support of the City Hall move and larger revitalization plan “out of love for my city.”

“It has nothing to do with politics,” Asrawi said. “It’s not about being a Republican or Democrat. It’s about wanting our city to be better.”

The Dallas Express is also asking readers to weigh in through a related poll on the future of downtown Dallas and City Hall. Readers can take the poll here.

The post Dallas Business & Civic Leader City Hall Redevelopment Series – Salim Asrawi, Texas de Brazil appeared first on Dallas Express.

A second suspect has been arrested in connection with the 2002 killing of Plano resident Frank Weiss, more than two decades after his body was discovered near Lake Lewisville in Frisco.

Keith Hart, 57, of Waxahachie, was taken into custody on May 8 on a murder warrant tied to the cold case, according to the Frisco Police Department. Authorities said officers from the Frisco and Waxahachie police departments coordinated the arrest, which occurred at about 7:45 a.m.

The arrest follows the April 20 arrest of Lisa Honrud, 55, who was married to Weiss at the time of his death. Honrud was charged with murder after investigators revisited the case with the help of updated investigative methods, newer technology, and information provided by a key witness, The Dallas Express reported.

Weiss’ body was discovered in 2002 near Lake Lewisville within Frisco city limits after a fisherman found the remains wrapped in black bags and tied with rope.

Authorities said 50-pound sandbags had been duct-taped to his legs. An autopsy determined Weiss had been shot twice in the chest with a .38 caliber firearm.

Police have not publicly detailed Hart’s alleged role in the killing, but investigators said the renewed progress in the case resulted from “time, commitment, and cooperation by key-witnesses.”

“Investigators with the Frisco Police Department have continued to make significant progress in a 24-year-old cold case homicide,” the department said in a statement announcing Hart’s arrest.

Frisco Police Chief David Shilson said the second arrest marks another step toward resolving the decades-old investigation.

“This second arrest moves us closer to closure for the Weiss family and our entire community,” Shilson said. “We are grateful for the continued support and will keep working until every responsible party is brought to justice.”

Court documents previously obtained by local media outlined details investigators uncovered during the renewed investigation into Weiss’ death. According to an arrest affidavit, Weiss and Honrud went to dinner on June 2, 2002, and investigators believe that was the last time he was seen alive.

Authorities allege Weiss had recently sought an annulment before he was killed. The affidavit states Honrud later told Weiss’ daughter that he had gone to Cancun and “did not want to be bothered,” Law & Crime reported.

Investigators also said a witness told detectives they had previously given Honrud a .38 caliber revolver. According to the affidavit, after learning Weiss had been killed with a .38 caliber weapon, the witness confronted Honrud about the gun.

“Lisa told [the witness], ‘we got rid of it’ by throwing it off the bridge over Joe Pool Lake,” the affidavit alleges, per Law & Crime.

Following Honrud’s arrest, Weiss’ daughter, Carla Weiss, described her father as “a wonderful man, the kind of guy who put me on his shoulders for three hours to ride the pink Dumbo because no other color would do.”

“He deserved better than this and we deserved to have him in our life a lot longer than we did,” she said, per Law & Crime.

Police have not said whether Hart or Honrud has retained attorneys. Denton County jail records show that Hart was released on a bond of $150,000, and Honrud is currently being held at the jail with a $850,000 bond.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the Frisco Police Department at (972) 292-6010. Anonymous tips may also be submitted by texting FRISCOPD and the tip to 847411 or through the Frisco PD app.

The post 24 Years Later: Second Arrest Made In Brutal Plano Man’s Murder appeared first on Dallas Express.

A towering middle-finger sculpture appeared Monday afternoon directly in front of New York City Hall, installed by Staten Island artist and activist Scott LoBaido as a pointed critique of Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Video footage shared widely on X showed the piece facing City Hall, drawing immediate crowds.

3….. 2…. 1….. pic.twitter.com/HO0EFrROKU

— Scott LoBaido (@ScottLoBaido) May 18, 2026

Video footage shared on X by multiple individuals, with licensing credited to Freedomnews.tv, shows the statue positioned directly facing City Hall, drawing crowds and immediate attention on social media.

LoBaido, known for patriotic paintings and sculptures as well as public protests, placed the work around 3:40 p.m. ET. It remained in place into the evening with no immediate removal by authorities.

LoBaido has a documented history of using art and direct action against city policies. He previously protested congestion pricing by mounting a vehicle and displaying a large middle-finger sign to cameras at Columbus Circle, leading to his arrest in January 2025, per SILive. He has also thrown pizzas over the gates of City Hall to oppose restrictions on coal- and wood-fired ovens, Fox News reported.

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Background on the Artist and the Installation

Scott LoBaido, born April 6, 1965, in Staten Island, New York, is recognized for flag-themed paintings and politically charged works. He describes himself as a “Freedom Fighter” and has created pieces targeting previous city officials, including former Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Manhattan district attorney.

Public records and news reports indicate LoBaido funds and installs many of his protest works independently or with limited private support, consistent with his past solo actions. No public funding or large organizational backing has been reported for the middle finger statue, per SILive.

The sculpture represents LoBaido’s expression of frustration with Mamdani’s leadership. Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, took office as mayor on January 1, 2026, becoming the city’s youngest mayor in more than a century. Critics have highlighted his progressive policies on issues including public safety, housing, and taxation as drivers of resident discontent.

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The Mayor and Prior Controversy

Mamdani’s administration has faced multiple challenges in its first months, including criticism of an executive order limiting cooperation with ICE, which drew condemnation from the Department of Homeland Security, and sanitation delays that left trash piling up across the city following winter storms, as The Dallas Express reported at the time.

There was also scrutiny related to documents linking his mother, filmmaker Mira Nair, to Jeffrey Epstein files.

Additionally, The Dallas Express reported on Mamdani’s proposed $127 billion budget, which included warnings of a potential 9.5% property tax hike, a federal judge blocking his attempt to intervene in the sale of rent-stabilized apartments, and questions about his wife’s past social media activity.

Mamdani also drew earlier criticism for a 2020 social media post in which he gave the middle finger to a Christopher Columbus statue in Astoria, Queens, and wrote “Take it down,” Fox News reported. The resurfaced image sparked backlash from Italian-American groups during his mayoral campaign, per the New York Post. Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams had moved to landmark certain Columbus statues, in part, in response to Mamdani’s past statements.

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Future of the Statue

As of publication, City Hall had not issued an official statement on the statue or indicated plans for removal. Questions remain about whether the installation will be permitted to remain under public space and permitting rules. 

The post NYC Gets The Finger: LoBaido Plants Giant Middle Finger At Mamdani’s City Hall appeared first on Dallas Express.

Frisco City Council will meet on Tuesday with a packed agenda, and at least three items have already lit up local forums and social media: a proposed mosque and two Hindu temples, each requiring the council to affirm, adjust, or reverse the Planning and Zoning Commission’s prior approval.

Frisco has grown at a breakneck pace over the past decade, and its population has changed right along with it — including a notable influx of South Asian and Muslim residents now calling the city home. As a result, the area has now seen a spread of concerns regarding the imposition of Sharia Law, as previously reported by DX.

While the city has long marketed itself on its development and quality of life, the new religious facility proposals have pushed some less comfortable conversations to the surface, with residents raising concerns about traffic, property values, and how the projects fit into the surrounding neighborhoods.

Frisco’s Existing Mosque vs. The New One on Lebanon Road

Frisco already has one established mosque: the Islamic Center of Frisco (Frisco Masjid), which opened in 2007 at 11137 Frisco St. It currently offers daily prayers, youth programs, education, and large community events.

A second, newer project is tied to the Islamic Center of Quad Cities (ICQC Masjid). A group with a growing presence in Frisco, Plano, Allen, and McKinney since 2018. Their project is located near 14800 Lebanon Road. City records link it to the “Centennial Pediatrics Addition” plat, owned by the Islamic Center for Quad Cities, Inc.

Construction is actively underway at the Lebanon Road site. The project received its Texas construction permit in late 2023 for a two-story, 43,575-square-foot facility, with an anticipated completion date of 2025. As of May 2026, work is still ongoing with concrete work completed and equipment on site. A potential concern for some residents is the proximity of new parking lots, increased traffic in the Turnbridge Manor neighborhood, and noise from area events.

Questions Over Mosque Funding

A September 2025 report by RAIR Foundation flagged ICQC’s fundraising pace, noting the group raised $2.4 million in under five months to purchase the 5.7-acre Lebanon Road site.

ICQC also maintains a public fundraising page on LaunchGood, a global crowdfunding platform marketed to Muslim donors worldwide. The Dallas Express reached out to ICQC for comment on its donor base and its reflection of the Frisco area, but had not received a response as of the time of publication.

Background

The Frisco proposals come in as North Texas continues to face growing scrutiny over large-scale Islamic-linked projects.

The Dallas Express has reported extensively on the East Plano Islamic Center’s (EPIC) proposed EPIC City — also known as “The Meadow” — in neighboring Collin and Hunt counties. The master-planned community would include residential lots, a mosque, and schools specifically marketed to Muslim families. That project has drawn a federal HUD investigation over alleged fair housing violations, including discriminatory marketing practices and financial terms that required subsidies for Islamic facilities.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office has also won a court injunction against the associated municipal utility districts (MUD).

In Frisco’s mayoral race ahead of the May elections, candidate Rod Vilhauer raised concerns about Sharia law and the possibility of parallel legal systems. He argued that local leaders must keep all city policies firmly grounded in American and Texas law to avoid any conflicts.

Vilhauer called it common-sense leadership, especially with issues that have surfaced elsewhere in the area, while also clarifying that Frisco itself had seen no Sharia-related cases at the time.

“What is happening in cities across America is well documented. Frisco is not immune, and a mayor who ignores that reality is not doing his job,” Vilhauer previously told DX. “I will ensure City Hall operates with full transparency, that no city contract, policy, or practice accommodates parallel legal systems, and that Frisco’s governing framework remains rooted in Texas law and American values. Period.”

Looking Ahead

Frisco’s Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission recently reviewed the new mosque proposal along with two Hindu temple projects. Earlier this month, the commission voted to advance all three items, sending them to the full City Council for a final decision.

The City Council is scheduled to take up these land-use items at its meeting on Tuesday, May 19. The work session begins at 4:00 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 5:00 p.m., with public comments likely to take place soon after at Frisco City Hall (6101 Frisco Square Blvd.).

Social media – particularly X – lit up ahead of the May 19 meeting. Activist and commentator Kaylee Campbell posted multiple times, urging Frisco residents to show up, noting the council would be deciding on the mosque and new Hindu temples, and calling on residents to make their voices heard. Her posts have collectively pulled in thousands of likes, reposts, and comments.

Other users echoed the call, with concerns ranging from traffic impacts in already congested growth corridors to questions about how neighboring property owners were notified of the proposals.

Now, new allegations of political ties between city leaders and community organizers surfaced in local blogs and posts, per Frisco Chronicles, including claims of voter mobilization efforts tied to specific candidates, though these claims remain unverified as of press time.

When the council meets on May 19, members will weigh the P&Z recommendations against public input, traffic studies, residential buffering, hours of operation, and fair housing requirements for the three new religious facilities.

The City Council’s decision will likely be watched well beyond Collin County, as fast-growing Texas suburbs increasingly grapple with the same land-use tensions playing out in Frisco.

The post Second Mosque And Two Hindu Temples Trigger Heated Battle In Frisco appeared first on Dallas Express.

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham is offering a limited edition “I Saved Texas History” T-shirt to donors who contribute at least $30 to the Texas General Land Office’s Save Texas History Program.

Donors who give $150 or more will receive the T-shirt along with a signed copy of Buckingham’s Alamo Defenders Heritage Map of Texas, the General Land Office (GLO) announced.

Contributions to the program help fund the preservation of more than 35 million historic documents and over 45,000 maps held in the GLO’s Archives, according to the agency.

“As a 9th-generation Texan, it is an honor to care for the 35.5 million historic documents and over 45,000 maps housed in the General Land Office’s historic Archives,” Buckingham said. “Many of these precious documents and maps are fragile. If we do not properly preserve them, irreplaceable parts of Texas’s story could fade from memory or be lost forever. By donating $30 or more to the GLO’s Save Texas History Program, you will not only receive a limited edition t-shirt but also help us keep Texas history alive in the hearts of future generations.”

The agency said donations directly support conservation work intended to keep the Archives accessible to future generations. Officials also suggested the shirt as a gift option for Texas history enthusiasts.

The GLO describes the Save Texas History Program as a statewide initiative to gather public support and private funding for the preservation and promotion of the maps and documents in its collection. The program’s stated goals are the conservation of the records and the education of Texans about the heritage they contain.

The post Save Texas History: Get A Limited-Edition T-Shirt And Support Preservation appeared first on Dallas Express.

Three prominent Texas high school baseball programs, including two defending state champions, have been forced out of the UIL postseason after their school districts self-reported the use of ineligible players.

The University Interscholastic League confirmed the withdrawals involved Grapevine High School, Centerville High School, and Poolville High School. Each case stemmed from separate eligibility issues, resulting in forfeitures and major changes to playoff brackets across multiple classifications.

Grapevine High School, the defending Class 5A state champion and the top-ranked 5A team in Texas, withdrew from the playoffs after Grapevine-Colleyville ISD reported that an ineligible player had participated during the season. The Mustangs had been seeking a third consecutive state title.

District officials said they received notice from the UIL on April 28 regarding allegations tied to a player’s eligibility. After an internal review initially upheld the player’s status, the district said new information provided by the UIL the following day determined the athlete was ineligible under UIL Section 442, which governs residency requirements.

As required under UIL rules, Grapevine forfeited all games involving the player and was removed from postseason competition.

Centerville High School, the reigning Class 2A Division I state champion, also exited the playoffs after Centerville ISD self-reported an eligibility violation on May 13.

The Tigers had already advanced to the regional semifinals before forfeiting the remainder of their season. Shelbyville, Centerville’s area-round opponent, advanced in its place to face Harleton.

According to the UIL, Centerville ISD launched a multi-day internal investigation after receiving notice regarding concerns over a player’s eligibility. District officials worked alongside UIL representatives, the District Executive Committee, and other involved parties before determining a violation had occurred.

Poolville High School was removed from the postseason before district certification after officials discovered an eligibility oversight involving a transfer student whose prior athletic participation form was missing.

The Monarchs forfeited all district games, surrendered their District 13-2A championship, and were disqualified from the Class 2A playoffs.

Under UIL Constitution and Contest Rules, the minimum penalty for using an ineligible player is forfeiture of all affected contests.

The UIL has not released the names of the players involved or disclosed detailed information about the violations. The organization directed requests for records and correspondence through the University of Texas’ open records process.

The disqualifications abruptly ended successful seasons for all three programs and reshaped playoff matchups across the state. Officials said the self-reporting process reflected districts following UIL compliance procedures once eligibility concerns were identified.

The post Texas High School Baseball Chaos: Three Powerhouses Disqualified From UIL Postseason appeared first on Dallas Express.

The Dallas Cowboys’ 1990s dynasty started with one of the roughest seasons in franchise history.

In the latest Dallas Express Sports Network episode, former Cowboys fullback and three-time Super Bowl champion Daryl “Moose” Johnston looks back at the beginning of the team’s rise, from the 1989 draft class to the locker room culture that helped turn a 1-15 team into one of the NFL’s most dominant dynasties.

Johnston joined Mark Elfenbein, Chris Yates, and The Dallas Express CEO Chris Putnam to discuss his arrival in Dallas, getting drafted alongside Troy Aikman, the early struggles under Jimmy Johnson, and the foundation that eventually produced three Super Bowl championships.

The Cowboys won just one game in 1989, but Johnston said the record did not fully reflect the team’s potential.

“It takes a long time for a group to learn how to win together,” Johnston said.

Johnston also discussed the leadership inside the locker room, the influence of offensive coordinator Norv Turner, and why the Cowboys’ success was about more than star power.

While Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin became the faces of the franchise, Johnston pointed to the offensive line, internal leadership, and team chemistry as critical pieces of the Cowboys’ championship run.

The episode also includes stories about Eric Williams, Charles Haley, Mark Tuinei, Jimmy Johnson, and the hard-edged culture that helped define the Cowboys during one of the most successful eras in NFL history.

Watch the full Dallas Express Sports Network conversation below.

The post Moose Calls: How The Cowboys Dynasty Began In 1989 appeared first on Dallas Express.

The fight to keep Michael Morris in power moved from behind-the-scenes maneuvering into public view Thursday.

The Regional Transportation Council voted to advance a new TxDOT agreement, ask the North Central Texas Council of Governments to remain as fiscal agent, and begin negotiations with Morris to continue as MPO transportation director.

The move came after NCTCOG Executive Director Todd Little fired Morris, a court ordered him reinstated, and The Dallas Express reported that Morris and some of his allies had worked behind the scenes to thwart NCTCOG leadership’s plan to move him out.

The May 14 agenda laid out the mechanism: the RTC would consider initiating negotiations with Morris because the proposed TxDOT agreement states that the RTC would appoint the MPO transportation director.

Morris currently serves as transportation director through NCTCOG, whose executive director fired him last month. The RTC did not hire him on Thursday, but it voted to begin negotiations under a proposed structure that could preserve his role and shift appointment authority to the RTC, which intervened in the lawsuit that resulted in his reinstatement.

As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Morris’ reinstatement followed a broader transportation civil war involving DART funding, alleged threats and intimidation, legal maneuvering, and control over billions of dollars in regional transportation decisions.

Thursday’s meeting showed that the fight is far from over.

Court Fight Put Morris Back In Chair

Attorney Rob Walters, retained by the RTC for the legal fight, opened Thursday’s meeting with an update on the May 5 court ruling that put Morris back on the job.

Walters said he was not offering legal advice in open session, but gave council members a summary of the temporary injunction.

According to Walters, the Tarrant County court found that the NCTCOG Executive Board lacked the required composition under federal law to act as the MPO, had acted without RTC input or against RTC policy, and had attempted to influence RTC policy by hiring a transportation director who would report to NCTCOG’s executive director rather than the RTC.

Walters said the court ordered NCTCOG not to pursue a replacement for Morris, rescinded Morris’ dismissal, and barred NCTCOG from interfering with the transportation director’s duties while the case continues.

NCTCOG can still appeal, Walters said, but the injunction remains in place for now.

Morris, who was fired by Little in late April, returned Thursday in a familiar role.

“It’s nice, Mr. Chairman, to be here today,” Morris told RTC Chair Rick Bailey. “Hopefully, the spirit of partnership extends from our speakers to our conversation today.”

Morris also joked that he had taken “two days off to mow the grass” and thanked Dan Kessler, whom NCTCOG had named interim transportation director after Morris’ firing.

RTC Moves To Cement Its MPO Claim

The centerpiece of Thursday’s meeting was a proposed new agreement between TxDOT, the RTC, and NCTCOG.

Under the proposed agreement, the RTC would be recognized as the region’s Metropolitan Planning Organization, while NCTCOG would continue to serve as the fiscal agent. RTC officials argued that the structure would leave NCTCOG responsible for processing RTC-related expenses, while the RTC would control regional transportation policy and funding decisions.

TxDOT has been working to finalize similar agreements with MPOs across Texas.

Morris and staff walked council members through the agreement’s three main components: the RTC affirming its MPO responsibilities, a 30-day request for NCTCOG to continue as fiscal agent, and authorization to negotiate a separate operating agreement covering administrative and business terms not addressed in the master agreement.

Morris argued for keeping NCTCOG in the fiscal-agent role despite the legal fight.

“We have a very gifted fiscal agent that does their job very well,” Morris told the council. “We have never gone to court with regard to any fiscal matters or any eligibility of requirements.”

But several members questioned whether the RTC could resolve the MPO issue by approving the TxDOT agreement.

Dallas Council Member Paul Ridley pointed to language in the 2018 agreement that designated NCTCOG as the MPO and asked who had formally changed that designation.

“At what point and on whose authority was there a change in the designation by the governor from 1974 of the COG as the MPO of this region?” Ridley asked.

Morris and Walters argued that federal law changes in 2005 and 2014 had superseded the old structure and that no new gubernatorial designation was required.

Walters said TxDOT believes it is on “rock solid ground” in proceeding with the proposed agreement.

Dallas City Council Member Cara Mendelsohn later echoed Ridley’s concern, arguing that the question should come from the governor or the courts, not simply from TxDOT staff.

“The RTC says it’s the MPO, but that does not make it so,” Mendelsohn said. “It’s not necessarily the deputy director of TxDOT. It’s actually the TxDOT board or the governor. Of course, the TxDOT board is appointed by the governor.”

Mendelsohn also argued that NCTCOG was asking to keep the existing structure in place until the legal question is resolved, while the RTC was effectively giving NCTCOG 30 days or threatening to go elsewhere.

“And that is wrong,” Mendelsohn said.

Denton County Judge Andy Eads defended the RTC’s position, saying multiple courts, legal teams, and TxDOT had landed on the RTC’s side.

Morris also argued that the RTC already serves as the region’s MPO because major transportation funding decisions rarely reach the NCTCOG Executive Board.

“When these elected officials put a billion dollars on LBJ East, $2 billion on U.S. 380, $2 billion on the Southeast Connector, $800 million on Southern Gateway, none of those items, and 98% of all other items, never go to the Executive Board,” Morris said.

Morris said those decisions go directly to implementing agencies.

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins abstained from the vote and urged both sides to work together before the next NCTCOG board meeting on May 28.

Jenkins said the fight was “not even about who’s in charge” or “bureaucrats behaving badly,” but about “service delivery of transportation projects in our region.”

The resolution passed with four members voting no and two abstaining.

RTC Begins Negotiations To Keep Morris

Immediately after voting to advance the TxDOT agreement, the RTC moved to begin negotiations with Morris to continue as MPO transportation director.

The vote did not finalize a direct employment contract. It authorized negotiations under the proposed TxDOT agreement, which states that the RTC would appoint the MPO transportation director.

That move goes directly to the heart of the dispute.

Morris works through NCTCOG, whose executive director fired him last month. The proposed TxDOT agreement would have the MPO transportation director appointed by the RTC. But the RTC’s current bylaws state that staff support comes from NCTCOG, and both Morris and legal counsel acknowledged that the bylaws would need to change before any final agreement with Morris.

Mendelsohn questioned whether the RTC could even begin negotiating with Morris before changing its bylaws.

“I would like to ask if our bylaws state that all staff for the RTC will be provided by the COG,” Mendelsohn said. “Do our bylaws state that?”

Morris responded that the bylaws would need to be changed before any final employment agreement could be executed.

“The bylaws will probably have to be opened,” Morris said. “My hope is the only staff, the only staff person that would be reporting to the Regional Transportation Council would be the director. If in fact the COG board wishes to be the fiscal agent, my hope is all the remaining staff remains, as they currently do as council government’s employees.”

Legal counsel said the bylaws currently state that NCTCOG provides staff support and would need to be amended to align with the proposed three-party agreement.

Morris said the item before the council did not hire him directly, but only authorized negotiations.

“You won’t hire that particular staff until the bylaws are revised,” Morris said. “At the same time, this particular item is not to hire the staff. It is to begin negotiations of that particular staff, it’s not a violation of the bylaws.”

Mendelsohn pushed back.

“So again, there’s no provision in the bylaws for this action, correct?” she asked.

Morris responded, “Before you would be able to legally have an agreement with me, you will have to revise the bylaws.”

Mendelsohn argued the RTC was moving in the wrong order.

“You’re absolutely putting the cart before the horse and rushing something that should not be rushed,” she said. “It should be very thoughtfully done.”

The RTC approved the motion, with four members voting against it and Jenkins abstaining.

Alleged DART Payoff Fight Still Looms

The unresolved DART funding fight remains one of the biggest pieces of unfinished business in the Morris saga.

The May 14 agenda included a scheduled follow-up on the RTC’s February decision to fund $180 million for DART, Trinity Metro, and the Denton County Transportation Authority.

The agenda says the RTC approved $75 million in February for DART-related efforts requested by DART and several cities that were considering withdrawal elections.

The same agenda says the RTC also approved $65 million for DCTA and $40 million for Trinity Metro.

As previously reported by The Dallas Express, sources characterized the $75 million DART-related allocation as an effort to pressure member cities to cancel withdrawal elections.

Several cities, including Plano, Irving, and Farmers Branch, later rescinded their DART elections. Addison, University Park, and Highland Park proceeded, with Highland Park voters approving withdrawal.

The RTC did not take up the $180 million follow-up on Thursday.

Morris said the item would return next month. He said staff were “very close” to finishing the Trinity Metro section and expected to bring it back as an action item, while staff still had work to do on the DCTA portion.

FIFA Transit Funding Approved

The council unanimously approved about $10 million in Federal Transit Administration funding tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Urbanized Area will receive $10,033,037 in federal funding, according to the May 14 agenda. The funding will come at a 100% federal share, with no local match required.

The funds are intended to help transit agencies and local governments in the City of Arlington, Grand Prairie, DART, and Trinity Metro prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Morris, who said he had done a CBS interview earlier in the day, told the council, “We are in good hands. Ready to implement your FIFA responsibilities.”

High-Speed Rail Fight Continues

The council also received an update on the Dallas-to-Fort Worth high-speed rail corridor, another major regional project caught in local political friction.

The item followed a November 2025 RTC action directing staff to move forward only with the “Western Alignment” in central Dallas after the City of Dallas opposed the eastern alignment.

The January 2026 Dallas City Council resolution may now jeopardize even the western alignment because it defines downtown Dallas as the freeway-bounded central business district. The western route cuts through part of that area while trying to connect to the already-approved Dallas-to-Houston high-speed rail station.

The region has already spent about $11 million developing the full Dallas-to-Fort Worth corridor, including a little more than $2 million on the western alignment. If the project cannot move forward, the region could be required to repay between $1.2 million and $7.5 million to the federal government.

Staff presented several possible next steps: mediation with Dallas officials, continuing the environmental process, or eventually exploring a western route from DFW Airport to Arlington, Fort Worth, and south toward San Antonio and Laredo.

Morris recommended starting with mediation, and the council agreed.

RTC members from Arlington, Fort Worth, and Dallas will meet with Dallas council members, Dallas County, and DART to seek clarification on the January resolution before moving forward on alternative corridors.

Fight Heads Into Next Round

Thursday’s votes moved the RTC closer to formalizing the authority it claims it already has.

They also moved the council toward keeping Morris in the transportation director role after NCTCOG tried to remove him.

If NCTCOG’s Executive Board declines to move forward with the TxDOT agreement, the RTC could seek another fiscal agent.

For now, Morris is back at work, the RTC has begun negotiations to preserve his role, and the region’s transportation power struggle is headed into another round.

The RTC’s next regular meeting is scheduled for June 11.

The post RTC Moves To Keep ‘King Of Gridlock’ In Place As Transportation Civil War Goes Public appeared first on Dallas Express.

The “Keep Right Except to Pass” sign, intended to keep slower traffic in the right lane on multi-lane highways, is widely regarded as one of the most frequently ignored traffic messages in Texas.

A viral post on X highlighting the sign drew significant attention on May 17, 2026, with thousands of Texans sharing similar frustrations about left-lane camping.

Not a suggestion 🤠 pic.twitter.com/uvk7bEDnFT

— Facts About Texas (@FactsAboutTexas) May 17, 2026

The “Keep Right Except to Pass” rule is outlined in Texas Transportation Code 545.051, which directs drivers to keep right when not passing, as stated, in part, below:

(b) An operator of a vehicle on a roadway moving more slowly than the normal speed of other vehicles at the time and place under the existing conditions shall drive in the right-hand lane available for vehicles, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, unless the operator is:
(1) passing another vehicle; or
(2) preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

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Common Traffic Violations: What the Numbers Show

Texas drivers most often disregard stop signs, red lights, speed limits, and turn signals, according to crash data and citation records, including iDriveSafely.

Disregarding stop signs and traffic signals remains a significant factor in crashes across Texas. According to the most recent data available from the Texas Department of Transportation, “Disregard Stop Sign” was a contributing factor in 15,579 crashes in 2024, including 100 fatal crashes and 588 suspected serious injury crashes.

Additional 2024 figures include:

• Disregard Stop Sign or Light: Between 12,305 and 16,452 crashes, depending on the specific reporting table.
• Failed to Yield Right-of-Way at Stop Sign: 31,693 crashes, including 154 fatal and 859 suspected serious injury crashes.
• Intersection-related crashes, which heavily overlap with stop sign and signal violations, resulted in 1,050 deaths statewide.

Speeding remains Texas’ most cited moving violation, followed by disregarding signals and failure to yield. A Nicolet Law study ranked Texas 10th among states for traffic-sign offenders based on 2020-2024 data, as reported by Yahoo Finance.

Texas law enforcement can issue tickets for improper lane use, though citations for left-lane violations appear less common than for speeding or red-light running. Fines vary by jurisdiction but typically range from $100 to several hundred dollars for moving violations, per Safe2Drive.

TxDOT continues education and enforcement campaigns through its Traffic Safety Data Portal to reduce these behaviors. The agency tracks fatalities and serious injuries, with data showing consistent patterns in lane discipline and signal compliance issues.

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TxDOT Sign Installation, Costs, and Maintenance

TxDOT installs and maintains regulatory signs like these through a standardized process. Districts conduct engineering studies before placement. Sign panels generally cost between $25 and $40 per square foot, depending on type and size, with installation adding labor and hardware expenses, per Work Safe Traffic Control Industries. A basic regulatory sign can cost several hundred dollars, while larger overhead or freeway signs cost more.

Replacement or new installation involves bid processes through TxDOT’s contracting system, with average low bids for aluminum signs and related work documented in statewide dashboards. Maintenance crews handle ongoing upkeep to meet the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices standards.

The post What Is The Most Ignored Road Sign In Texas? appeared first on Dallas Express.

Inter IKEA Group plans to cut approximately 850 jobs as the company behind the IKEA brand works to simplify operations, lower costs, and focus more directly on customers.

The company said the cuts are part of a broader plan to focus on three priorities: growing sales, significantly reducing prices, and increasing customer visits across IKEA retail formats.

“Despite many positive achievements, Inter IKEA Group has grown a bit too complex and too fragmented in a retail environment that requires simplicity and speed,” Chief Financial Officer Henrik Elm said in the company announcement.

Inter IKEA said about 300 of the affected roles are expected to be in Sweden. The company said it aims to have the new organization in place before the end of the calendar year.

“Today, affordability is more relevant than ever. This is not new for IKEA. It is at the core of who we are. We need to focus on what matters most to customers,” Elm said.

Affordability Push Comes After Sales Decline

Inter IKEA owns the IKEA concept through Inter IKEA Systems B.V. and serves as the worldwide IKEA franchisor. The company said 13 groups of companies have the right to own and operate IKEA sales channels under franchise agreements.

The move comes after two straight years of lower IKEA retail sales. Inter IKEA reported 26.3 billion euros in total revenue for fiscal year 2025, down from 26.5 billion euros in fiscal year 2024.

IKEA retail sales fell to 44.6 billion euros from 45.1 billion euros, though the company said lower prices helped increase sales quantities.

Inter IKEA said higher sourcing costs in fiscal year 2025 included increased tariff costs, some of which the company absorbed. The company said those pressures came as it worked to control costs, reduce prices, and increase sales volume, even as total IKEA retail sales declined.

Separate IKEA Retailer Also Announced Cuts

Inter IKEA is separate from Ingka Group, IKEA’s largest retailer.

Ingka Group announced in March that 800 Group Functions roles could become redundant as part of a separate restructuring.

Inter IKEA did not say whether any of its 850 job cuts will affect U.S. or Texas-based roles.

As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Rigney Financial Services said in a May client letter that oil prices and Middle East developments could continue driving market volatility this year.

The post IKEA’s Low-Price Push Now Includes 850 Job Cuts appeared first on Dallas Express.

Three teenage suspects are now behind bars following a 19-hour crime spree across Austin that included at least 12 separate shootings, multiple stolen cars, and multiple robberies that left four people wounded and forced parts of the city into a shelter-in-place lockdown.

In an initial press release posted Sunday, the Austin Police Department (APD) said it was asking for the public’s help identifying suspects in connection with shootings that took place on May 16.

APD said there was no specific motive at that time, and no fixed location for the shootings, describing them as “random,” and asked the community to remain vigilant. The department also described the suspect as a white or Hispanic male in his late teens, driving a Hyundai Sonata.

By Sunday evening, APD had confirmed that a third and final suspect had been arrested in connection with the shootings by the Manor Police Department, adding that there was “no ongoing threat to the public at this time.”

At a press conference held by the APD, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis walked through how the chaos unfolded. Around 3:45 p.m. on Saturday, a vehicle was stolen from an apartment complex, and then a gun was stolen from a nearby store shortly after. Officers saw no connection at first. But roughly 20 more service calls tied to the same suspects soon flooded in across south and east Austin, and the picture became clearer.

The group’s crime spree paused overnight, then resumed Sunday morning when, around 9 a.m., a man walking his dog was shot in the back. Other targets throughout the weekend included apartment buildings, homes, businesses, and two Austin Fire Department stations. The group even shot at a fire truck while firefighters stood nearby.

Four people were hit in total, with one suffering serious injuries and three sustaining minor injuries, Davis said.

One of the suspects, reportedly a 15-year-old, stole a gun from a store on Saturday; the other, a 17-year-old, already had an outstanding warrant for theft of a gun from that same store. Both will be placed in juvenile detention, and no names have been released as of press time.

The case broke open when the Travis County Sheriff’s Office and Manor Police tracked a stolen white Kia to the Manor area and attempted to stop it. All three suspects fled on foot. Two were quickly captured; the third evaded a massive manhunt involving nearly 200 officers, K-9 units, SWAT teams, helicopters, and drones before being located around 9:30 p.m. Sunday.

“I don’t know what motive would drive anybody to come and drive around senselessly in this city – in multiple parts of this city – shooting,” Chief Davis told reporters.

By Monday morning, the ripple effects had reached local schools. Manor ISD canceled classes at Presidential Meadows Elementary School and suspended bus routes in the Stonewater, Presidential Meadows, and Greenbury neighborhoods, asking families to find alternative forms of transportation.

“At this time, the Manor Police Department has indicated that the areas near Manor Rise Academy and Manor High School are clear, but families can expect to see increased police presence in an abundance of caution,” the district announced on Sunday night.

Anyone with information on the suspects or their motives is asked to contact APD’s Aggravated Assault Unit at 512-974-5177, or submit an anonymous tip to Capital Area Crime Stoppers at austincrimestoppers.org or 512-472-8477.

The post Austin Crime Spree Ends: 3 Teen Suspects Arrested After 12 Shootings In 19 Hours appeared first on Dallas Express.

Gen Z shoppers are emerging as a driving force behind a revival of American shopping malls, with younger consumers showing a clear preference for in-person retail over online purchases, according to industry data and retail executives.

Global retail spending by Gen Z is projected to exceed $12 trillion by 2030, with growth outpacing that of every other generation, according to NielsenIQ data. Circana found that consumers ages 18 to 24 completed 62% of their general merchandise purchases in physical stores last year, compared with 52% for shoppers ages 25 and older, as reported by FOX Business.

To capture that audience, mall operators are reshaping properties with features tailored to younger shoppers, including dressing rooms designed for social media and amenities such as indoor rock climbing walls.

Macerich Executive Vice President of Asset Management Cory Scott said experiences are central to how Gen Z approaches shopping.

“They value experiences almost more than they value material things. So it’s as much about the journey as the shopping and the things that they’re taking home with them,” Scott said, per Fox.

Some young shoppers told the news outlet that malls provide a form of social interaction that online retail cannot match.

“We grew up during like quarantine… Getting out and hanging out with people was a very big thing we didn’t appreciate during that time… As we grow older, we see that we need to be doing these things and it’s kind of fun,” one shopper said, per Fox.

The trend is unfolding alongside broader strength in consumer spending. U.S. retail sales increased 0.5% in April from the prior month and rose 4.9% from a year earlier, according to Commerce Department figures released Thursday. The data suggest households continue to spend despite pressure from higher interest rates and ongoing economic uncertainty.

The post Gen Z Fueling Mall Comeback: Experiences Over E-Commerce Drive Retail Revival appeared first on Dallas Express.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) over allegations that the nonprofit funneled money to violent extremist groups it publicly claimed to oppose.

The attorney general’s office is examining whether the SPLC engaged in deceptive donor solicitations and other potential violations of Texas law, according to a press release issued by the office on Monday. A Civil Investigative Demand has been served on the organization as part of the inquiry.

The SPLC has long described its mission as opposing “hate groups” and monitoring extremist activity, labeling a wide range of organizations as such.

In April 2026, the organization was indicted on federal fraud charges. The U.S. Department of Justice has alleged the SPLC improperly raised millions of dollars that were secretly funneled to leaders of the Ku Klux Klan and other groups.

More than $3 million was paid to individuals associated with those groups, according to the release. The SPLC has said the payments were intended to obtain insider information, but investigations have suggested some of the funds were used by extremists to commit additional crimes.

Donors were not told that their contributions could be used to support individuals affiliated with groups that the SPLC said it was working against, according to the Department of Justice.

Earlier this month, SPLC interim President and CEO Bryan Fair responded to the federal charges, stating on the organization’s website.

“The charges against the SPLC are provably wrong; they are based on inaccurate facts and a misapplication of law. Our informant program was successful in accomplishing its purposes: Threats and attacks were prevented, criminal activity was stopped, and information was gathered to dismantle the efforts of hate and extremist groups,” the statement reads. “There is no question that the information the SPLC shared with law enforcement saved lives.”

The organization has not yet responded to similar allegations Paxton made on Monday.

“The radical, woke SPLC was funding the very groups it was claiming to oppose. My office will ensure that the organization is held accountable for its blatant deception,” Paxton said in a news release. “Donors of the SPLC deserve to know if they have been manipulated into supporting a non-profit that gives millions of dollars to the KKK and other groups that they thought they were opposing.”

The investigation will seek to determine the scope of any deceptive solicitation practices, the attorney general’s office said.

The post Paxton Serves Civil Demand On Southern Poverty Law Center: Did They Trick Donors While Aiding Violent Extremists? appeared first on Dallas Express.

A recently spotted asteroid is set to pass close to Earth on May 18, but astronomers say there is no danger of impact.

The space rock, designated 2026 JH2, will travel within roughly 56,000 miles of the planet, a distance well inside the moon’s orbit but about double the altitude of GPS satellites, according to information provided by the Catalina Sky Survey. The moon sits about 228,855 miles from Earth, per NASA.

“This is much closer than the moon, but about twice as far as GPS satellites,” said Carson Fuls, director of the Catalina Sky Survey, per Fox 4 KDFW.

The closest approach is expected at 5:23 p.m. ET on May 18. Because that occurs during daytime hours across the United States, viewing the object from North America will be difficult. Observers in Europe will be better positioned to catch a glimpse.

“Since it is coming so close, it will appear to move very quickly across the sky towards the direction of the sunrise. After its close approach, it will move into the daylight sky and not be visible from the ground,” Fuls said, per Fox 4.

Even for those in a favorable location, the asteroid will not be visible to the naked eye. Fuls said it will reach a magnitude of about 11.8, which will require a telescope to observe.

“The asteroid will be fairly bright (for an asteroid) and reach magnitude 11.8. However, this is still over 100x fainter than a human eye can see even with perfectly dark conditions, so a backyard telescope would be required to see it,” Fuls said.

The Virtual Telescope Project plans to carry a livestream of the flyby beginning at 3:14 p.m. ET on May 18.

Astronomers first observed 2026 JH2 between May 9 and May 10. The Catalina Sky Survey detected the object on May 9 using its Mt. Lemmon Survey telescope, with Joshua Hogan and Alessandra Serreno operating the instrument that night, Fuls said.

The asteroid is estimated to measure between 100 and 250 feet in diameter.

After this week’s pass, 2026 JH2 is not expected to return to Earth’s vicinity until 2030, when it will be much farther from the planet.

The post Giant Asteroid 2026 JH2 To Fly Past Earth On Monday – Closer Than The Moon, No Impact Risk appeared first on Dallas Express.

Two men were killed early Sunday in South Dallas after what investigators believe began as a dispute between neighbors escalated into gunfire.

Officers with the Dallas Police Department responded to a reported shooting around 2:30 a.m. in the 6600 block of Emhouse Street, near Interstate 35E.

When officers arrived, they found two men suffering from gunshot wounds outside a residence, according to police. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

As officers secured the area, authorities said a male suspect barricaded himself inside a nearby home, prompting a response from the department’s SWAT team. Officers used ballistic shields as they approached the residence, while several nearby streets were closed during the standoff.

Police said the suspect was eventually taken into custody without incident.

The identities of the suspect and the two men who were killed have not been released.

Authorities have not said whether additional suspects are being sought. The investigation remains ongoing.

The post South Dallas Double Homicide: Neighbor Argument Turns Deadly appeared first on Dallas Express.

A Dallas police sergeant is in critical condition with severe spinal injuries after a small plane carrying three off-duty officers crashed in a Forney field early Saturday.

The single-engine aircraft came to rest upside down in a field near Sage Hill Parkway and Helms Trail shortly after midnight, in what authorities have described as an emergency landing that went wrong.

All three officers on board survived the crash. One officer sustained minor injuries, and another was treated at a hospital and later released, The Dallas Express reported. Sgt. Joshua Boykin, who is in his 40s, remains in critical condition with what his colleagues describe as potentially life-altering spinal injuries.

Boykin is a single father of two and is known within the Dallas Police Department for his love of road trips, motorcycles, and horses. Days before the crash, he had celebrated his birthday.

Dallas Police Association President Sean Pease, who spoke about Boykin’s condition, said the sergeant had undergone multiple surgeries.

“It’s just a huge, you know, life shake-up. That’s what’s going on,” Pease said, per Fox 4 KDFW. “I was just talking to them, and of course, right now they, they want all the, all the focus to be, you know, on him.”

“He was actually in about his third or fourth surgery when I was over there today,” Pease said. “Yeah, they’re still in a very, very serious condition with a spinal injury, so it’s going to be a very long recovery.”

Pease said fellow officers are rallying around all three survivors, with particular attention on Boykin’s recovery.

“Every time I look at his, his Facebook, you know, I’m seeing him, and the statement he made is, if you ever get a chance to do these type things, do them, and such great life advice, but you know, that’s why it’s a big impact for us too,” Pease said, per Fox 4. “We’re incredibly thankful that everybody was able to, if not walk away, you know, they’re still alive after something that significant.”

Fundraisers are being organized for the officers, including a planned cookout. In addition, the Assist the Officer Foundation has started a fundraising campaign on JustGiving.com, which has raised over $10,000 as of Monday morning.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the crash.

The post Dallas Police Sergeant Critically Injured In Forney Plane Crash appeared first on Dallas Express.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Monday morning that 88 Republican incumbents and nominees running for seats in the Texas House have signed a pledge supporting his five-point property tax reform plan. According to Abbott’s team, this number is sufficient to pass the legislation when the next legislative session begins.

However, a more significant figure, according to Abbott’s team, is 76: this represents the number of signatories who are incumbents or nominees deemed likely to win their races. They argue that reaching this threshold provides Abbott with a working majority in the Texas House, enabling him to advance what he is promoting as one of the largest property tax overhauls in the state.

“Texans are one step closer to the biggest property tax overhaul in state history,” Abbott told The Dallas Express.

“As of today, we secured enough support from Texas House Republicans and nominees to deliver lasting property tax relief for Texas homeowners. Working together next session, we will return power to taxpayers and end the cycle of local governments relentlessly hiking property taxes. Texans have demanded lasting relief for too long, and next session, we will deliver it,” Abbott continued.

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What the Plan Would Do

Abbott’s “Empowering Texas Taxpayers” pledge outlines five key changes to how property taxes are assessed and approved across the Lone Star state.

1. Spending limits on local governments. The plan would cap city, county, and other local government spending at the lesser of population growth plus inflation or 3.5% annually – a standard Abbott says Texas imposes on state spending but not on local entities.
2. A two-thirds voter threshold for tax increases. Under current law, Abbott argues it is too easy for local governments to raise property taxes without meaningful public consent. His plan would require two-thirds voter approval before any local property tax increase could take effect.
3. Voter-initiated rollback elections. If 15% of registered voters in a local jurisdiction sign a petition, the plan would allow them to force a rollback election to lower tax rates – giving residents a direct mechanism to monitor or even push back on government spending growth.
4. Appraisal caps and less frequent assessments. Properties would be appraised only once every five years under the proposal, reducing what Abbott describes as an annual burden on homeowners and businesses. The plan would also lower the homestead appraisal cap from 10% per year to 3%, and extend that cap beyond homesteads to all property types — including rental and commercial properties.
5. A voter referendum on eliminating school property taxes for homeowners. School district taxes make up the largest share of most Texas homeowners’ property tax bills. Abbott’s plan would let voters decide — via a constitutional amendment — whether to eliminate school district property taxes on homes altogether.

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Looking Ahead

The announcement comes as Texas primary runoffs conclude this month, with Abbott securing commitments while candidates still need his support.

Abbott has pointed to $51 billion in property tax relief delivered during the most recent legislative session as a landmark achievement. His office, however, also acknowledges that rising appraisals and local government rate increases have eroded that relief for many homeowners. This tension has kept property taxes near the top of the Texas political agenda.

With 76 likely winners already on record, Abbott is heading into the Capitol with a public commitment from enough House members to get it done. The next Texas legislative session opens on January 12, 2027 – and Abbott is making it clear he intends for property tax reform to be front and center from day one.

The post Abbott Secures 88 Signatures On ‘Empowering Texas Taxpayers’ Pledge For Historic Property Tax Reform appeared first on Dallas Express.

A national progressive organization partially funded by George Soros’ Open Society Foundations appears to have been actively opposing the development of data centers in Temple, Texas.

Indivisible Centex, the Bell County chapter of the national Indivisible group, held a week of action in late April against data center projects in Temple.

The campaign included a “Protest & Petition” event at Temple City Hall on April 24, efforts to recall city council members who supported the projects, and a virtual Zoom event on April 27 titled “Thirsty for Power: When Data Centers Drain Our Water.”

Screenshots of the events from social media were provided to The Dallas Express.

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Funding and Connections

Indivisible has received more than $7.6 million from George Soros’ Open Society Foundations since 2017, including a two-year $3 million grant in 2023, according to OSF’s public grant database.

The financial ties appear to be matched by direct personnel connections.

Tom Perriello led OSF’s U.S. operations from 2018 to 2023 while serving on Indivisible’s national board. Indivisible co-founder Leah Greenberg previously served as Perriello’s policy director. Heather McGhee currently serves on the boards for both organizations.

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Energy Expert Weighs In

Jason Isaac, CEO of the American Energy Institute, spoke to The Dallas Express about why it matters to keep an eye on groups like Indivisible, their background funding, and their interests.

“The protests outside Temple City Hall are being marketed as a local uprising. They aren’t.

Indivisible Centex is a chapter of a national organization that has taken more than $7 million from George Soros’s Open Society Foundations since 2017, and Indivisible is just one node in a much larger network. American Energy Institute’s new report documents more than $39 million in foreign funding flowing from Swiss, British, and Danish donors to the twelve activist groups now demanding Congress impose a national moratorium on data center construction,” Isaac told DX.

“This is the same playbook used against pipelines, refineries, and LNG terminals, now aimed at the grid load that AI, advanced manufacturing, and reshored industry require.

Texas leads the country in data center investment for the same reason we lead in energy production: abundant, affordable, reliable power and a regulatory environment that respects private property and free enterprise.

Foreign donors and the activists they fund want to erase that advantage.

Texans, and the elected officials they sent to Austin and Washington, should treat this for what it is: an organized effort by people who don’t live here, don’t pay our taxes, and don’t share our interests to dictate what we build on our own land,” Isaac added.

Texas has become one of the nation’s top markets for data center investment, particularly along the I-35 corridor that includes Temple, reported The Texas Land Agent.

Indivisible has not responded to The Dallas Express’ inquiry for comment on its funding or its connection to Soros and the Open Society Foundation as of the time of publication.

The post Soros-Funded Indivisible Targets Texas Data Centers In Temple, Texas appeared first on Dallas Express.

A post from World of Statistics on X listing the years since release for once-groundbreaking gadgets has drawn widespread attention, highlighting the fast pace of consumer electronics.

AirPods reached 10 years in 2026, the iPhone 19 years, the iPod 25 years, and the Polaroid camera 78 years. The list covers devices from the Walkman at 47 years to the Game Boy at 37 years.

Years since they were released:

🇺🇸 AirPods: 10 years
🇺🇸 iPad: 16 years
🇺🇸 iPhone: 19 years
🇺🇸 Kindle: 19 years
🇺🇸 iPod: 25 years
🇺🇸 Xbox: 25 years
🇨🇦 BlackBerry: 27 years
🇺🇸 PalmPilot: 29–30 years
🇯🇵 DVD: 30 years
🇯🇵 PlayStation: 32 years
🇯🇵 Game Boy: 37 years
🇺🇸 Macintosh: 42…

— World of Statistics (@stats_feed) May 17, 2026

These products delivered massive sales during their peaks before newer technologies largely supplanted them, illustrating rapid shifts in how consumers listen to music, play games, communicate, and capture moments.

Apple’s AirPods, released in December 2016, have generated substantial revenue. Cumulative revenue is projected to exceed $100 billion by the end of 2026, according to Counterpoint Research. Annual sales have reached tens of millions of units, with approximately 80 million units sold in 2025 alone as part of Apple’s wearables segment.

Primary buyers have been younger adults and professionals, particularly iPhone users aged 18-35 who value wireless convenience. Streaming services and smartphone integration have replaced dedicated music players, with advanced wireless earbuds featuring health and AI capabilities now expanding the category. Future expectations include continued growth in true wireless stereo devices with biometric sensors, even as the market matures, per Data Intelo.

The iPhone, launched in 2007, has sold over 2.5 billion cumulative units. In fiscal 2025, iPhone revenue reached $209.69 billion, accounting for about 48% of Apple’s total sales, reported Demand Sage. It initially targeted tech enthusiasts and professionals before broadening to all age groups. Smartphones have replaced earlier devices such as PDAs and feature phones. Industry projections indicate continued dominance through foldable designs, advanced cameras, and AI features.

Apple’s iPod, introduced in 2001, sold more than 450 million units lifetime. Sales peaked at nearly 55 million units in 2008, per Statista. It appealed mainly to music lovers and younger consumers seeking portable digital audio. Smartphones and streaming services supplanted dedicated MP3 players. Apple discontinued the iPod line in 2022.

Sony’s Walkman, released in 1979, sold approximately 400 million units across cassette, CD, and other formats. It targeted music enthusiasts of all ages in the 1980s and 1990s, reported Fast Company. Cassette and portable CD players gave way to digital formats. Streaming via smartphones now dominates personal audio.

Nintendo’s Game Boy, launched in 1989, and its Game Boy Color variant sold a combined 118.69 million units. It primarily reached children and families, per VGChartz. Smartphones and cloud gaming have largely replaced handheld consoles. Nintendo continues to innovate in portable gaming with newer systems.

Sony’s original PlayStation, released in 1994, sold over 102 million units, according to Sony Interactive Entertainment. It drew gamers across all ages. Dedicated home consoles face competition from PC gaming, mobile, and cloud services, with future growth expected in digital and subscription models.

BlackBerry devices, introduced around 1999, peaked with strong enterprise sales. The company reported revenue of $18.4 billion in 2012 at its height, per Macro Trends. Business professionals formed the core demographic. Touchscreen smartphones replaced physical keyboard models. BlackBerry has shifted focus to software and cybersecurity.

Polaroid instant cameras, dating to 1948, transformed photography for everyday users, noted Stacker. Smartphone cameras have largely replaced dedicated instant and film cameras, enabled by instant sharing. Hybrid instant-digital models and apps continue to serve niche nostalgia markets.

Wearable AI devices are projected to grow significantly, with the global market expected to reach approximately $270.2 billion by 2036, according to Yahoo! Finance. Smart glasses and augmented reality hardware are anticipated to accelerate, with the AR hardware market forecasted to reach $9.7 billion in 2026 and approach $38 billion by 2030, per ABI Research.

Consumers can expect greater integration of artificial intelligence, real-time health monitoring, ambient computing, and lightweight AR experiences that blend digital information with the physical world.

The post Tech Nostalgia Bomb: Polaroid Is 78, Game Boy Is 37 appeared first on Dallas Express.

A major multi-car crash early in the 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway sent several drivers, including Ryan Preece, into the wall on Sunday, May 17.

The incident occurred in the opening laps but resulted in no serious injuries.

Preece, driving for Stewart-Haas Racing, described the impact as one of the hardest hits he has taken. Preece told reporters after the incident: “I seem to take big hits.” He has been involved in several notable crashes in recent seasons but has maintained a strong safety record with no major injuries.

All drivers involved climbed out of their cars under their own power. The race continued after a red-flag period for cleanup.

Video from the in-car camera and broadcast replays showed a chain-reaction wreck involving at least five cars in Turn 1, according to NASCAR. Debris was scattered across the track, forcing a caution. Preece’s No. 41 Ford sustained heavy damage to the right side.

The All-Star Race, a non-points exhibition event featuring NASCAR’s top drivers and recent race winners, is known for its high-intensity, no-holds-barred style. This year’s edition at the 1-mile concrete oval in Dover, Delaware, drew a packed crowd for the unique format, which includes multiple stages and a fan-voted element, per NASCAR.

Similar dramatic early crashes have become a hallmark of recent All-Star events. In 2024, a large pileup at North Wilkesboro eliminated several contenders in the first stage. The 2025 All-Star Race at Texas Motor Speedway also saw heavy contact and spins in the opening laps.

NASCAR’s Next Gen car, introduced in 2022, has significantly improved driver safety. The reinforced cockpit structure and advanced energy-absorbing barriers at tracks like Dover have helped prevent serious injuries in high-speed impacts. Officials reported all safety equipment performed as designed during Sunday’s wreck.

The race continued with the remaining field battling for the $1 million prize, per Marca. Kyle Larson, who was also involved in the early incident, returned to competition after repairs. The event is part of a busy weekend at Dover that includes the Cup Series race on Sunday afternoon.

The post Massive Dover Crash: Drivers Walk Away After All-Star Chaos appeared first on Dallas Express.

Two Navy EA-18G Growler jets collided in midair Sunday during the Gunfighter Skies air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, prompting a lockdown of the base.

Mountain Home Air Force Base, located about 55 miles southeast of Boise, was hosting its Gunfighter Skies air show on Sunday, May 17, 2026, when officials placed the base on lockdown.

Shortly after 12:30 p.m. local time, social media posts from the base announced the lockdown. In a follow-up statement, officials reported that an “aircraft incident” had occurred, emergency crews were on scene, and an investigation was underway.

All four crew members ejected safely, with witnesses and announcers reporting four good parachutes, according to Fox 4. The incident occurred on the second day of the air show, the first held at the base in eight years.

The collision involved aircraft from the Navy’s VAQ-129 Growler Demo Team. Video shared by attendees showed the jets making contact, followed by smoke and parachutes descending. Emergency crews responded immediately, and the show was paused.

US jets COLLIDE MID AIR at Gunfighter Skies Air Show

CRASH and EXPLODE

4 parachutes seen pic.twitter.com/GYVJDLNgGU

— RT (@RT_com) May 17, 2026

The Gunfighter Skies 2026 event, themed “Freedom Takes Flight,” celebrated America’s 250th birthday and featured the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, F-15Es, A-10 Warthogs, warbirds, and other demonstrations. It drew thousands of spectators on Saturday and Sunday.

This marks the latest in a series of air show incidents in recent years. In 2025, a fatal midair collision near Reagan Washington National Airport between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter resulted in 67 deaths. The NTSB cited multiple systemic issues, including airspace management and visual separation failures.

Other examples include a 2025 incident at the Dubai Air Show where an Indian Air Force Tejas pilot died in a crash, and a 2022 midair collision at the Dallas air show that killed six people, reported Al Jazeera.

Investigations into the Mountain Home incident are underway by the Navy, Air Force, and federal authorities to determine the cause, which may include formation spacing, wind conditions, or mechanical factors.

The Gunfighter Skies air show returned after an eight-year hiatus, with organizers citing lessons from prior events, including a 2003 Thunderbirds crash and a 2018 hang glider fatality at the same base, reported Channel 3000.

The post Midair Collision At Mountain Home Air Show Forces Base Lockdown appeared first on Dallas Express.

Early voting for Texas’ May 26 primary runoff elections begins Monday, May 18, and runs through Friday, May 22.

Voters will decide key races, including the high-profile Republican U.S. Senate matchup between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton, as well as contests for attorney general and other offices.

Election Day is Tuesday, May 26.

Early voting locations across Texas, including in Dallas County, open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. each day. Registered voters may cast ballots at any early voting site in their county of residence.

The primary runoff follows the March 3 primaries, where no candidate received a majority in several races. Only voters who participated in a party’s March primary may vote in that party’s runoff, though those who sat out the primary may choose either party’s ballot.

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Key Races and Polling

The marquee contest is the Republican U.S. Senate runoff. A University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs poll conducted April 28–May 1 found Paxton leading Cornyn 48% to 45% among likely GOP runoff voters, with a margin of error of ±2.8 percentage points and 7% undecided, as The Dallas Express reported at the time.

Other notable Republican runoffs include the attorney general race (U.S. Rep. Chip Roy vs. state Rep. Mayes Middleton) and the Railroad Commission race (Jim Wright vs. Bo French). Democratic runoffs feature lieutenant governor (Vikki Goodwin vs. Marcos Vélez) and attorney general (Nathan Johnson vs. Joe Jaworski).

Several congressional and legislative district runoffs also appear on ballots in parts of the state, as detailed by The Texas Tribune.

No comprehensive early voting turnout figures were available as of Sunday, since voting begins Monday. Historical data from prior runoffs show participation is typically lower than in the initial primary.

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Voting Logistics in Texas and Dallas

Voter ID requirements remain consistent for early voting and Election Day: Voters must present one of seven acceptable forms of photo ID, such as a Texas driver’s license, Texas election identification certificate, Texas personal identification card, Texas handgun license, U.S. military ID card with photo, U.S. citizenship certificate with photo, or U.S. passport (book or card). IDs must be current or, for voters aged 18-69, expired no more than 4 years ago. Voters 70 and older may use an expired ID of any age if otherwise valid.

Voters without an acceptable photo ID may present a supporting document and complete a Reasonable Impediment Declaration or cast a provisional ballot.

Dallas County specifics: The county uses a countywide vote center model for early voting. Registered Dallas County voters may vote at any early voting location in the county. Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, May 18–22. A list of locations is available on the Dallas County Elections Department website. Voters can find their sample ballot, locate vote centers, and check registration status at dallascountyvotes.org or votetexas.gov.

Data from the Texas Secretary of State’s Office and county reports will track turnout as early voting progresses. Results from the May 26 election will determine nominees for the November general election.

The post Early Voting Opens Monday May 18 For Texas Primary Runoff appeared first on Dallas Express.

Many may not know that Starbucks has quietly maintained a corporate travel reimbursement policy, first announced in May 2022, that covers eligible employees and their dependents seeking abortions when the procedure is unavailable within 100 miles of their home.

The company has grown quieter about the policy in recent years while reportedly keeping it in place as part of its U.S. health benefits package. Yet, some pro-life advocates are doing what they can to not allow the discussion to get swept under the rug, such as LifeNews:

Pro-Lifers Should Never Drink Another Starbucks Coffee Again Because It Now Pays for Employee Abortions https://t.co/Hut1aOy5Bl pic.twitter.com/jAQfPRueHF

— LifeNews.com (@LifeNewsHQ) May 16, 2026

 

A July 2025 Fortune report noted that Starbucks, along with several other major employers, including Amazon and Bank of America, declined to comment on the ongoing status of such benefits, reflecting a broader corporate trend of maintaining them discreetly after the initial post-Dobbs announcements.

The policy originated in a May 16, 2022, internal memo from then-acting executive vice president of partner resources Sara Kelly, as reported by Reuters. 

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Ongoing Policy Details

The reimbursement applies to partners enrolled in Starbucks’ health care plan, typically those averaging sufficient weekly hours (often around 20 for part-time eligibility after meeting thresholds). It extends to covered dependents and integrates into broader medical travel provisions for procedures unavailable locally.

Starbucks has faced no verified reports of ending the benefit. A 2023 National Labor Relations Board case characterized the policy as an established offering, with the company defending its application to both union and non-union workers, per HRDIVE.

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Corporate Context and Similar Benefits

Many companies introduced or expanded similar travel reimbursements in 2022. Firms including Amazon, Apple, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, Levi Strauss, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and others have maintained versions of these benefits, often folded into general medical travel coverage rather than highlighted separately, per Fortune.

Public discussion of such policies has decreased since the initial wave of announcements, with companies opting for lower profiles as state regulations and political shifts continue to vary.

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Texas Abortion Framework & Beyond

In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling. This eliminated the previous nationwide constitutional right to abortion that had existed for nearly 50 years. The Court returned the power to regulate or ban abortion to individual states.

Texas had a “trigger law” already on the books. Once the Supreme Court officially overturned Roe, this law automatically took effect 30 days later — on August 25, 2022. It banned nearly all abortions in the state except when a physician determines, using reasonable medical judgment, that it is necessary to save the pregnant woman’s life or prevent a serious risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function.

Providers face felony charges and civil penalties of at least $100,000 per violation, per Section 170A.002 of the Texas Health and Safety Code (the trigger law). The pregnant woman faces no criminal or civil liability.

Neighboring states Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma also enforce near-total abortion bans. As a result, Texas residents seeking an abortion generally must travel to states where the procedure remains legal, such as Kansas, Colorado, or New Mexico (Guttmacher Institute Abortion Policy Map and KFF Abortion Dashboard).

Fathers or partners hold no legal right under Texas law to block a pregnant woman from obtaining an abortion, as reported by the Law Office of Bryan Fagan. Decisions rest with the woman.

Minors generally require parental consent or a judicial bypass for procedures, per Texas Family Code § 33.002.

Abortion laws vary by state. It remains broadly available with few or no gestational limits in states including California, New York, Illinois, Michigan, Washington, Oregon, and Colorado, among roughly 20 others and the District of Columbia. Near-total or total bans exist in 13 states, concentrated in the South and Midwest, reported Guttmacher as of May 15, 2026.

The 13 States with Total Abortion Bans:

1. Alabama
2. Arkansas
3. Idaho
4. Indiana
5. Kentucky
6. Louisiana
7. Mississippi
8. Missouri
9. North Dakota
10. Oklahoma
11. South Dakota
12. Tennessee
13. Texas

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The Fight Beyond Texas Borders

According to the most current complete data available, Texas Health and Human Services Commission data show 78 abortions were performed at brick-and-mortar facilities in the state in 2024, nearly all under the medical necessity exception. Of the 7,086 reported Texas resident abortions that year, 7,010 occurred out of state in jurisdictions sharing data with Texas (Texas HHSC 2024 ITOP Narrative Report and State of Procedure Table), as summarized by the Charlotte Lozier Institute in its October 14, 2025 analysis Lozier Institute: Abortion Reporting – Texas (2024).

This represents a sharp decline from pre-2022 levels, when Texas recorded thousands of abortions monthly. However, the 7,010 out-of-state figure only includes data from jurisdictions that voluntarily share information with Texas, meaning the actual number could be significantly higher, according to KXAN reporting.

Texas has no statewide law prohibiting residents from traveling out of state to obtain an abortion in jurisdictions where the procedure is legal. As stated previously, the pregnant woman herself faces no criminal or civil liability under Texas statutes for crossing state lines for this purpose. However, certain counties and cities have enacted local ordinances that restrict the use of local roads for “abortion trafficking” and allow private citizens to file civil lawsuits against those who assist with such travel.

Gaps in the regulatory framework have enabled Texas residents to secure either abortion pills or surgical abortions in other states, leading to life-threatening health complications, according to Mark Lee Dickson, founder of Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn.

Dickson claims that approximately 11% of women nationwide who travel out of state for an elective abortion end up in emergency rooms with complications such as sepsis, infection, hemorrhaging, or other life-threatening events after returning to their home state. He noted that abortion clinics advise women to seek emergency care if they experience complications, but do not instruct them to disclose that they used abortion pills. Instead, they are encouraged to lie, according to Dickson, saying they believe they are experiencing a miscarriage.

Dickson is leading a nationwide effort to close loopholes in state abortion bans. He has helped pass local ordinances in cities and counties across states that prohibit transporting a pregnant woman across state lines for the purpose of obtaining an elective abortion. These measures also block the distribution and trafficking of abortion pills into Texas communities.

Anyone who transports a pregnant woman across state lines to receive an abortion is considered an abortion trafficker, Dickson shared with The Dallas Express in a November, 2025 interview. This could refer to an organization, a parent, a boyfriend, or a friend… “but what we’re seeing is these abortion trafficking groups are often paying for transportation, lodging, and even the abortion itself to some Texas residents seeking abortions,” explained Dickson to DX.

Dickson remarked that “I see myself as an abolitionist, though many abolitionists would say that I’m not an abolitionist … I want to see the end of abortion in America, but the way I see it, those who claim to be abolitionist who are pushing one bill and are only willing to accept that one ‘pure’ bill… that’s not abolition to me. The people who are ending abortion in America are those who are willing to pass measures that we can actually get passed that do save lives.”

“That’s why the Texas Heartbeat Bill, the Human Life Protection Act, the Woman and Child Protection Act… all these different bills… the goal is saving lives. That’s what we are doing,” said Dickson to The Dallas Express.

Dickson would like to propose a state law mandating counseling for Texas resident mothers who have traveled to another state for an abortion within one year after the procedure. The counseling would be “administered by pro-life pregnancy centers here in Texas,” explained Dickson. “Texas has a vested interest in its residents, even across state lines.”

“What is abortion?” asked Dickson. “Abortion is this idea that someone’s worth and value is determined by their parent, by their mom… no wonder we live in such a suicidal nation. We’re teaching people through abortion that other human beings determine our worth and value,” he told The Dallas Express, emphasizing that our true worth and value are defined by what God thinks of us, rather than by the opinions of others.

The post Still There, Rarely Mentioned: Starbucks’ Quiet Abortion Travel Reimbursement appeared first on Dallas Express.

New research from scientists at Marshall University and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem suggests COVID-19 may be associated with biological changes in the lungs that could increase the risk of lung cancer over time, particularly among current and former smokers.

The study, published in Frontiers in Immunology, combined clinical data with laboratory and animal research to examine how SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, may affect long-term lung health.

Researchers cautioned that the study does not prove COVID-19 directly causes lung cancer. The clinical portion relied on a retrospective review of medical records, which can identify associations but cannot establish cause and effect.

Higher Rates Found In Patient Records

Using the TriNetX Research Network, researchers analyzed matched patient records by smoking status and found higher rates of lung cancer among patients with a documented history of COVID-19.

Among current smokers, lung cancer developed in 1.7% of people with prior COVID-19, compared with 1.4% of those without a documented history of infection. Among former smokers, the rates were 1.5% and 1.2%, respectively. Researchers also found a smaller statistically significant increase among people who had never smoked.

“Our findings suggest that COVID-19 may do more than cause acute illness—it may also create biological conditions in the lung that could contribute to increased cancer risk over time,” said Wei Li, Ph.D., professor of biomedical sciences at Marshall University’s Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and co-corresponding author of the study. “Understanding these pathways is critical as we continue to study the long-term health impacts of the virus.”

Researchers Point To Possible Lung Changes

The research focused on thymidine phosphorylase, or TYMP, a protein researchers said may interact with the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and promote inflammation, fibrosis, and tumor-related pathways in the lungs.

In mouse studies, researchers found that spike protein exposure contributed to lung injury, inflammatory responses, and tiny blood clots known as microthrombi. Those effects were reduced in mice lacking TYMP.

Researchers also found that spike protein exposure increased tumor development in a mouse model of lung cancer. Tumors appeared in 50% of lung lobes examined in spike-treated mice with TYMP, compared with 18% in spike-treated mice lacking TYMP.

“The collaboration between basic and translational scientists and clinicians enabled the identification of mechanisms underlying epidemiological evidence linking COVID-19 infection to the potential increased risk of lung cancer,” said David Gozal, vice president for health affairs and dean of the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University.

Study Does Not Prove Cause And Effect

Future studies should define any long-term cancer risk after infection and clarify TYMP’s role in lung disease, the authors said.

They also noted that the animal experiments used spike protein rather than live SARS-CoV-2 infection, meaning the model did not fully reproduce the complexity of COVID-19 infection.

The findings may help guide future studies on long-term lung monitoring for COVID-19 survivors, especially current and former smokers, and on whether TYMP could become a target for future treatments.

The post COVID-19 May Be Linked To Higher Lung Cancer Risk, Study Finds appeared first on Dallas Express.

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is set to receive $24 million in federal funding for air traffic control upgrades as Dallas prepares for major transportation demands tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy discussed the funding during a North Texas visit Friday, telling FOX 4 KDFW that the upgrades will help modernize aging aviation infrastructure at one of the world’s busiest airports.

DFW Airport To Receive $24M

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced May 15 that it will spend $835.8 million on air traffic control facility upgrades nationwide. The total includes more than $750 million to replace eight air traffic control towers and Terminal Radar Approach Controls, along with $85.8 million to upgrade Federal Contract Towers at 41 airports across 24 states.

Of that total, $24 million in federal funding is headed to DFW Airport, FOX 4 reported.

Air Traffic Control Upgrades

“Across the network, it hasn’t really been updated in decades,” Duffy told FOX 4. “This should have been done years ago. But as I’ve come into this position, I did a deep dive in the first couple of months to see how bad it was. And what I discovered was everything needs to be built brand new.”

Duffy said the federal work includes new air traffic control technology.

“We use copper wires. We’re going to go to fiber — new radars, new radio, new voice switches, new equipment for our controllers in the towers,” Duffy said. “All really important equipment on the safety side and the redundancy side.”

The FAA said the national projects will replace aging infrastructure and obsolete tower equipment, including radios, automated voice recorders, airport lighting controls, windows, heating and cooling systems, elevators, and roofs. The agency said many facilities are decades old and that failing infrastructure has interrupted air traffic services.

Family Travel Improvements

Duffy also said the federal government will spend another $1 billion to improve the travel experience for families at 45 airports.

He told FOX 4 that Dallas will see expanded bathrooms with more accessibility for strollers and changing tables.

World Cup Transit Planning

The airport upgrades come as North Texas prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Duffy said Dallas will receive $10 million in federal funding to support transportation needs tied to the tournament.

“We’ve given $10 million to Dallas to help with the transportation needs you’re going to have in the city,” Duffy said. “You’re going to have more capacity than you normally have, so it’s going to help if you need to bring in more buses, more drivers, more overtime, to make sure we can move people through the city.”

As previously reported by The Dallas Express, North Texas officials have discussed major transit changes ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including expanded rail service, express bus routes, and shuttle connections intended to move fans across Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington.

Dallas will host nine World Cup matches at AT&T Stadium, the most of any single venue in the tournament, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.

The post $24M Headed To DFW Airport As Dallas Prepares For World Cup Transit Demands appeared first on Dallas Express.

Tarrant County Public Health confirmed its first West Nile Virus-positive mosquito samples of 2026, marking the start of the county’s West Nile season.

First Positive Samples Of 2026

The samples came from Fort Worth and Grand Prairie during routine countywide mosquito surveillance, according to a May 14 public health release.

Tarrant County has tested 314 mosquito samples so far this year through Tarrant County Public Health’s North Texas Regional Laboratory.

Tarrant County has not reported any human cases so far this season.

Last year, Dallas County Health and Human Services confirmed its first positive West Nile mosquito pools on June 1, 2025, in Irving, Richardson, and Rowlett, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.

County officials said West Nile Virus activity typically increases from May through October as warmer weather leads to more mosquito activity. Local cities and unincorporated areas of Tarrant County may conduct mosquito treatments as needed.

How North Texas Tracks Mosquitoes

Tarrant County Public Health maintains an ongoing mosquito surveillance and mitigation program that collects mosquitoes from traps placed across county cities. The county says the program uses more than 150 mosquito traps.

Dallas uses a similar mosquito-control approach. The City of Dallas says its program includes weekly mosquito trapping and collections, monitoring known breeding sites, applying larvicide, responding to standing-water complaints, stocking Gambusia minnows in standing water that cannot be emptied, and treating storm drains in areas identified through surveillance.

Dallas has not announced a 2026 first positive West Nile mosquito sample as of the latest available public information reviewed by The Dallas Express. The City of Dallas, however, says it conducts weekly mosquito trapping and collections as part of its mosquito-control program.

The City of Dallas also maintains a “Do Not Ground Spray List” for residents who do not want ground spraying. Residents must submit a 311 request and sign up each season to remain on the list.

How West Nile Spreads

West Nile Virus commonly spreads to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.

Most infected people do not develop symptoms. Some may develop fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash, according to public health guidance.

Severe illness can affect the central nervous system and may result in hospitalization or death.

No licensed vaccines or medicines are available to prevent or treat West Nile Virus disease in people.

Remember The Four Ds

The City of Dallas advises residents to remember the Four Ds to reduce mosquito exposure:

• Drain: Drain or treat standing water in and around homes and workplaces
• Dusk/Dawn: Limit outdoor activities during dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active
• Dress: Wear long, loose, and light-colored clothing outside
• DEET: Use insect repellents that contain DEET or other EPA-approved repellents and follow label instructions

Standing water can collect in swimming pools that are not kept clean, ponds, pet dishes, birdbaths, potted plants, old tires, empty containers, toys, and clogged rain gutters, according to the City of Dallas.

Tarrant County Public Health also advises residents to keep vegetation trimmed because thick bushes and plants can provide resting places for mosquitoes.

The reminder comes as the Metroplex faces several rain and thunderstorm chances this week, which could leave standing water in yards, gutters, containers, and other mosquito breeding sites.

The post West Nile Detected In Tarrant County Mosquitoes Ahead Of Rainy Week appeared first on Dallas Express.

California track officials named female high school athletes co-champions in three girls’ jumping events after a biological male who identifies as a “transgender” athlete won each event at a sectional championship meet.

The athlete, publicly identified as AB Hernandez of Jurupa Valley High School, took first place in the long jump, high jump, and triple jump at the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Division 3 finals in Moorpark, California, Fox News reported.

Hernandez won the long jump by more than a foot, the high jump by two inches, and the triple jump by nearly two feet, according to the report. Meet announcers later declared two co-champions in each event, including Hernandez.

Hernandez did not appear at the long jump medal ceremony, where Moorpark High School’s Gianna Gonzalez stood alone on the top podium spot despite finishing behind Hernandez.

Hernandez later shared the top podium spot in high jump with Oak Park High School’s Gwynneth Mureika. In the triple jump, Hernandez stood alone after Shadow Hills athlete Malia Strange did not appear for the ceremony, according to the report.

The podium results followed a CIF pilot program enacted last year. The program awarded female athletes who finished behind a “transgender” athlete one higher placement for podium purposes and allowed some female athletes who narrowly missed qualifying in events involving a “transgender” athlete to compete at the state meet, Fox News reported.

Hernandez and the other winners will advance in the state postseason, according to Fox News. The two-day California state finals begin May 29 in Clovis.

Federal Scrutiny

The California policy has drawn federal scrutiny.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights announced in June 2025 that it found the California Department of Education and CIF in violation of Title IX after reviewing policies that allowed biological males to compete in girls’ sports. The department said OCR issued a proposed resolution agreement requiring CDE and CIF to change their practices or risk enforcement action, including referral to the Justice Department.

The Justice Department sued California in July 2025, alleging CDE and CIF engaged in illegal sex discrimination against female student athletes by allowing males to compete against them. DOJ said the policy deprived girls of equal education and athletic opportunities under federal civil rights law.

California law takes a different approach. AB 1266 requires public schools to allow students to participate in sex-segregated school programs and activities, including athletic teams and competitions, consistent with their “gender identity,” regardless of the gender listed in school records.

Texas Takes Different Approach

Texas law and athletic rules take the opposite approach for public school sports.

UIL rules state that member schools may not permit boys to try out for or participate on girls’ junior high or high school athletic teams. The rules also say gender is determined by a student’s birth certificate under Texas Education Code Section 33.0834.

Texas has also extended biological-sex requirements to public college athletics. The Save Women’s Sports Act prohibits a public college athletic team from allowing a student to compete on a team designated for the opposite biological sex. The law defines biological sex based on the student’s official birth certificate, if entered at or near birth or corrected only for a clerical error.

As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Accuracy in Media President Adam Guillette alleged that administrators in Irving ISD, Dallas ISD, and Richardson ISD advised undercover journalists on ways to bypass Texas’ restrictions on boys competing in girls’ sports. Richardson ISD denied wrongdoing, saying the district follows Texas law and UIL requirements.

The post Girls Named Co-Champions After Biological Male “Transgender” Athlete Wins 3 Events appeared first on Dallas Express.

Chris Krok, a radio host and podcaster, says he will join Wylie ISD parents to distribute Bibles outside Wylie East High School on May 19, months after Wylie ISD acknowledged that representatives of “Why Islam?” distributed materials on campus without required approval.

Krok announced the planned distribution in a press release, saying the group will be outside the school from 8:15 to 9 a.m. as students enter the parking lot.

“It’s time to pass out Bibles instead of Qurans at Wylie East H.S. America is a Christian nation,” Krok said in the release. “Instead of reading a ‘Shahada Card’ inside a Quran on how to pray to become a Muslim, we will pass out Bibles with instructions on how to receive Christ and become a Christian.”

Krok has also launched a GiveSendGo campaign to help pay for the Bibles.

Krok has also launched a GiveSendGo campaign to help pay for the Bibles. The campaign page shows the effort has raised $580 toward a $400 goal.

The planned event follows a February incident at Wylie East High School involving representatives of “Why Islam?,” who set up a table in a common area during lunch and distributed copies of the Quran, pamphlets on “Understanding Shariah,” and hijabs to female students, as previously reported by Texas Scorecard in an article published by The Dallas Express.

The incident drew public backlash after Marco Hunter-Lopez, president of the Wylie East High School Republican Student Club, posted videos to social media raising concerns about the group’s presence on campus.

“We typically have colleges come out. We have our clubs, have tables. We’ve never had a faith group to my understanding,” Hunter-Lopez said at the time.

Wylie ISD later told families the incident stemmed from a failure to follow district protocols.

“If proper protocols had been followed, this incident would not have occurred. We take that very seriously,” the district stated, according to the prior report.

The district said its policy bars outside organizations from distributing materials to students without prior approval from campus and district administrators. Guests may speak only with official student clubs with prior approval and may address only students with signed parent permission forms on file.

“In this case, the organization did not have permission to distribute materials, did not receive approval to speak with students outside of the club, and the club did not submit the required guest speaker request form,” the district stated.

The district characterized the incident as a procedural failure, not a dispute over religion or ideology.

“This situation is not about religion, politics, ideology, or any personal belief system. It is about a procedural breakdown,” the district said.

The February incident led some parents and community members to accuse the district of applying a double standard to Christianity and Islam. Krok’s announcement frames the May 19 Bible distribution as a direct response to the earlier campus incident.

The post ‘Time to Pass Out Bibles Instead Of Qurans’: Chris Krok Plans Wylie ISD School Response appeared first on Dallas Express.

A team of researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center has found that pairing a standard electrocardiogram with artificial intelligence can reliably catch early signs of heart failure in patients in Africa.

The study tested AI-augmented electrocardiogram analysis – known as AI-ECG – across eight health care facilities and hospitals in Kenya, and nearly 6,000 patients.

Currently, the world’s leading cause of death, heart disease, continues to claim more lives each year with no signs of slowing down. And that burden falls especially hard on sub-Saharan Africa, where patients tend to develop the disease at younger ages and face worse outcomes, even though they typically present with fewer complicating conditions than patients in wealthier countries.

A key reason for those worse outcomes is the difficulty of catching pre-existing heart conditions before they become full-blown heart failure.

According to UTSW, many patients first develop “left ventricular systolic dysfunction” – a state in which the heart’s main pumping chamber loses power. The standard tool for diagnosing this is an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to produce images of the heart. But echocardiograms can be expensive, and the equipment and expertise required to perform them are largely unavailable across much of Africa.

A problem that the UTSW team believes AI could help fix.

“These findings support AI-ECG as a practical, scalable screening tool that can effectively identify individuals at risk for heart failure in resource-limited settings where access to echocardiography is constrained, addressing a critical gap in global cardiovascular care,” said Dr. Ambarish Pandey, associate professor of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern.

A standard ECG measures the heart’s electrical activity and costs a fraction of what an echocardiogram does. The AI layer added to the ECG in this study searches the results for patterns associated with dysfunction and other precursors to heart failure – essentially squeezing more information out of a test that hospitals and clinics already have on hand.

Among the 1,444 patients who received both an AI-ECG and a confirmatory echocardiogram, the algorithm identified left ventricular systolic dysfunction in around 14% of cases. Its negative predictive value reached 99.1%, meaning that when the AI found no sign of dysfunction, echocardiography confirmed that finding in nearly every case.

Additionally, the algorithm correctly identified over 95% of patients with precursor conditions and accurately cleared over 79% of those without.

If validated at scale, AI-ECG could provide clinicians in under-resourced settings with an affordable way to identify patients who need closer cardiac monitoring before a silent condition becomes fatal.

A Look At AI In Medicine

As previously covered by The Dallas Express, AI is already changing how doctors work in the United States, helping health systems run more efficiently and catch problems earlier.

A DX report found that most Dallas-area women were open to AI helping read their mammograms – but only with a radiologist overseeing the process. That study, also out of UT Southwestern, found that nearly 74% of patients wanted to be told if AI was involved in their care, and more than 80% had at least one concern about the technology, ranging from data privacy to accuracy.

However, implementing AI in healthcare hasn’t been entirely seamless.

Texas’ medical and legal communities have been watching carefully how AI performs in high-stakes medical environments. Attorney General Ken Paxton secured a settlement in 2024 against an AI healthcare company after his office found it had made deceptive claims about the accuracy of its systems, potentially jeopardizing patient safety – a reminder that promising AI results must be matched by honest, transparent reporting.

“AI companies offering products used in high-risk settings owe it to the public and to their clients to be transparent about their risks, limitations, and appropriate use. Anything short of that is irresponsible and unnecessarily puts Texans’ safety at risk,” Paxton said at the time.

The post UT Southwestern Researchers Reveal AI Breakthrough For Heart Failure Screening appeared first on Dallas Express.

I recently helped a man in his late 60s join an online dating site.

He is a handsome widower who has lived multiple lives—youth, career, retirement—each filled with connections, adventures, and ups and downs.

This, however, is the first season in which connection feels more like a desire wrapped in grief, as if it is something lost rather than something still plausible.

He would make a wonderful companion for most any woman near his age. He has a special quality: he is personable and intellectual, not at all arrogant.

Stories from his younger days still light up his eyes, even as wrinkles frame his blinks. His hands tremble from a tremor, yet his gaze remains steady and sincere.

He is steady and sincere.

He is also lonely, like so many in a world pressed to exhaustion and phones.

It has been a long time since a paycheck defined him. Now he tends the acreage and the beautiful home he built for his wife, who died of a sudden heart attack two years ago—right there in the house meant for their golden years.

The gold has lost some of its shine.

As such, he is investing in his walk with the Lord, his health, and new connections.

I helped him answer the profile questions, took his photo, and sent him off with an app full of pictures and possibilities.

We all know horror stories about dating apps. Yet we also know the love stories that begin with nervous hope and friendship.

Getting online seemed to bolster him in a way I didn’t expect. He looked younger, excited, ready to smile again—not just for others, but for himself.

I don’t know how his story will end, but I am proud of him for trying. His world was shattered in an instant. Rebuilding after that feels almost otherworldly.

His wife’s clothes were still in the dryer the day she died. Her perfume cap sat on the vanity where she left it that morning. It wasn’t until the date on the milk carton told him time had passed—and things were spoiling—that the weight truly hit.

That was two years ago.

But today he did something different. Today, he put himself out there.

He felt like he was applying for a job he was too old and unqualified for. That was a lie. He was simply in a new season, trusting the Lord with his prayers, his time, his gifts, and his future.

He was in no hurry to make a mistake. The people who held his heart have no competitors; they will forever remain instrumental to who he is today. Still, he is looking forward while choosing to live fully in the moment.

We often imagine dating with childish, giddy excitement. Yet so many men and women of all ages struggle to find a genuine companion. Many younger adults remain single long after their parents had already started families. It is a different world, and we are still trying to figure it out.

Time feels thinned. People appear strained and drained.

Perhaps that is why my friend’s small, brave step matters. In a world that moves too fast and connects too little, he chose the discomfort of possibility over the quiet certainty of loneliness.

He didn’t log on to replace what he lost—he logged on to honor the life still ahead.

Two years after expired milk cartons and untouched perfume bottles, he is choosing to write a new chapter instead of endlessly rereading the old one.

Whether he finds a companion or simply rediscovers the man who can smile for himself, the act of trying has already restored something precious: hope.

In the end, that may be the quiet miracle we’re all searching for, not just at his age, but at any age.

The courage to believe that even after the gold has dimmed, it can still be polished again.

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This column was initially published by CherryRoad Media. For more inspirational articles, follow ©Tiffany Kaye Chartier.

The post Online Dating Over 60: Widower Joins Dating Apps After Losing His Wife appeared first on Dallas Express.

Hundreds of thousands of Americans may be living with something called Alpha-Gal Syndrome, a tickborne allergy to red meat and other mammalian products that recently drew attention after Joe Rogan discussed a friend’s experience with the condition.

 No more steak, burgers, or bacon. Families face sudden illnesses, lost traditions, and fear. At the same time, reports of hantavirus outbreaks and security warnings about possible terror threats tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in DFW remind us how fragile life remains. These modern afflictions strike families hardest and echo an ancient question that still rises from every hospital room and broken home: “Why, God?”

For generations, good people have watched their children get cancer, face sudden tragedy, or walk away from faith. The Bible answers in the book of Job.

Job was blameless and rich, yet in one day he lost all ten of his children, his wealth, and his servants. His wife told him to curse God. His friends blamed him. But Job refused to turn against the Lord. After months of agony, God restored him, doubling what he had lost.

Job’s story is not ancient history.

It’s happening now in all the world’s suffering. A desperate mother once knelt before St. Ambrose, weeping for her rebellious son. He stole, lied, lived with a girlfriend, and mocked the faith she taught him. Through tears she begged: “Please, convert my son. Save him.”

Ambrose’s reply shocked her: “Leave him alone… It is not possible that the son of these tears should perish.” She stopped demanding. She stopped negotiating with God. She opened her hands and surrendered her son completely. Years later, that son became St. Augustine, one of the greatest Christian thinkers in history.

Most of us pray the wrong way: “God, fix my child, husband, wife, or sibling in this way.” We treat God like a vending machine. But James 4:3 warns we often ask wrongly. True prayer says: “Jesus, You want their heart even more than I do. Not my will, but Yours. On Your time. In Your way. Even if it costs me suffering, so be it.”

This is how Abraham laid Isaac on the altar. This is how Monica finally saw breakthrough. Surrender is the key that turns ordinary prayers into unstoppable ones. Today, many families feel like Job’s, torn apart by illness, rebellion, or tragedy. And around the world, the suffering is worse. In Nigeria, thousands of Christians have been killed, families have been slaughtered in their villages, and pastors have been murdered with their wives and children, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.

Jesus never promised a pain-free life. He said, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33) and warned that His followers would face persecution (Matthew 24:9). Revelation shows this will intensify before His return, with plagues, pressure to compromise, and calls for patient endurance (Revelation 14:12).

Job was restored. Monica received a saint. Nigerian believers endure with supernatural peace. Your tears, your waiting, your surrender, none of it is wasted. If you are the parent, spouse, or child crying over someone you love, hear this:

Start surrendering. The same Lord who saw Job, Monica, and the martyrs sees you. He is writing a story that ends in victory. “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10) Hold fast. Your faithfulness matters for eternity.

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If you want to submit an article to this column, please follow the attached document.

Email louisdarrouzetii@gmail.com with any questions.

Future_Voices_Contributor_Guide_2025.

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About Future Voices

Future Voices is a Sunday-morning column in The Dallas Express in which young Texans share how faith and perseverance shape their lives. These stories remind readers that God often speaks through the honesty and courage of the next generation.

 

The post Modern Plagues, Persecution, And Job’s Nightmare: What Families Face Today appeared first on Dallas Express.

Another busy week brought major stories across Dallas, Texas, and beyond, from local crime and public safety developments to AI, border security, business growth, and culture.

Here are some of the stories readers may have missed this week from The Dallas Express.

Crime And Public Safety

• Dallas Police Report 8th May Homicide After 22-Year-Old Found Shot Dead
• Two Dead, Officer Hurt After Fort Worth Police Shootings Hours Apart
• Dallas Woman Found Dead In Freezer: Family Seeks Justice In Oak Cliff
• ‘We Got You’: Dallas Fugitive Sweep Ends With 162 Arrests And A Warning

Why It Matters: Public safety remained one of the week’s biggest themes across North Texas, with homicide investigations, police shootings, fugitive arrests, and family calls for justice underscoring the pressure facing residents and law enforcement.

Sports, DXSN, And Entertainment

• Greggo Is Back: Greg ‘The Hammer’ Williams Brings Hammer Time To DXSN
• Bob Lilly Learns How He Inspired A Cowboys Fan 2,000 Miles Away
• Stephen Jones Talks Cowboys Draft, Team Culture In New DXSN Interview
• World Cup Hype vs Reality: Are Texas Hotel Bookings Falling Short Of Expectations?

Why It Matters: DXSN kept building momentum this week with Cowboys content, legacy storytelling, and the return of Greg “The Hammer” Williams, while Dallas’ 2026 FIFA World Cup expectations continued to face real-world questions.

Accountability And Courts

• Johnson County Chief Deputy Fired Days Before Testifying Against Sheriff
• A Rare Courtroom Conflict Hits Hunt County Judicial Race After Attorney Cross-Examines Wife
• Texas Criminal Court Candidate Returned $4K From Sitting Judge After Election Code Questions
• PayPal To Waive $30 Million In Fees After Race-Based Fund Probe

Why It Matters: This week’s accountability stories focused on legal ethics, election questions, public trust, and institutional decision-making, all areas where transparency matters before voters and taxpayers are asked to move on.

Border, Immigration, And National Security

• Mother’s Day Weekend ICE Arrests: Criminal Illegal Aliens With Texas Murder, Kidnapping Convictions
• Illegal Alien Beats Man Unconscious, Rapes Him, Tries To Flee To Mexico: Texas Arrest By ICE & Marshals
• Tren De Aragua Leader Extradited To Houston On Terrorism, Drug Distribution Charges
• Hizballah Commander Accused Of Targeting New York Synagogue, Directing 18 Attacks

Why It Matters: Several stories this week showed how border security, international terrorism, and criminal enforcement intersect with Texas and the broader U.S. public safety landscape.

Growth, Business, And The Texas Economy

• The Return Of Titan John Rochon: Reinventing Berkshire For The AI Era Inside AIAI Holdings
• Dallas-Based AIAI Makes Nasdaq Debut With Rochon’s AI Deal Playbook
• USG Corporation To Invest Nearly $1.2B, Creating 200 New Jobs In Orange, Texas
• Texas Claims Four Of Nation’s 10 Largest Cities As Fort Worth And Austin Climb Rankings

Why It Matters: Texas growth remained a major story this week, from population gains and industrial investment to AIAI’s Nasdaq debut and John Rochon’s push to build an AI-driven holding company with an old-school operator’s discipline.

Dallas, Development, And Local Decisions

• What Should Dallas Do With City Hall? Take The DX Poll
• End Of An Era: Downtown Dallas’ Famous Whale Mural Disappears
• McKinney Airport Bond Fight Could Shut Down Resident Challenges
• Dallas Officials Consider Homeless Tax: Average $5/Month To Fund Housing And Outreach

Why It Matters: Dallas-area residents faced questions about public buildings, public art, airport development, homelessness funding, and how much say taxpayers should have when local governments pursue big-ticket decisions.

AI, Tech, And Education

• 30% Surge On College ‘A’ Grades After ChatGPT: Is AI ‘Learning’ The New Normal?
• AI Just Built Its First Real Zero-Day Hack: Google Sounds Alarm
• Meet HYPER: Frisco PD’s New AI Tool For Faster Non-Emergency Service
• If ChatGPT Were A Person, It Would Be Facing Charges For Murder: FSU Victim’s Family Sues OpenAI

Why It Matters: AI moved from classroom debates to policing, cybersecurity, and litigation this week, showing how quickly the technology is forcing families, schools, companies, and governments to adapt.

Texas Families, Culture, And Daily Life

• Texas Parents Love These Baby Names: Is Your Child’s Name On The List?
• From Snickers To Shakespeare: The Rise Of Book Vending Machines
• Farewell Self-Serve Soda: McDonald’s Shuts Down The All-You-Can-Drink Buffet

Why It Matters: Not every major story is about crime or politics. This week also brought stories about summer programs, reading, family life, and the cultural shifts shaping daily life.

The post Did You Miss It? Dallas Crime, AI, Border Security, And Texas Growth appeared first on Dallas Express.

A wanted man was shot by law enforcement officers Saturday after authorities said he threatened to get into a shootout rather than return to prison, then led officers on a Johnson County pursuit that ended in a crash.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as Joseph Boy, who was wanted on multiple warrants, CBS News Texas reported.

Deputies had received a BOLO, or “be on the lookout” alert, for Boy before Texas Department of Public Safety troopers found him and tried to stop his vehicle.

Boy fled, prompting a pursuit around 6 p.m., according to the sheriff’s office. Johnson County deputies assisted in the chase.

The pursuit ended near Jack Burton Drive and Texas 174 after officers used a PIT maneuver, causing Boy’s vehicle to crash, authorities said.

During the attempt to take Boy into custody, Boy produced a firearm, and officers shot him, according to the sheriff’s office.

Boy was taken to a local hospital for treatment. His condition was not immediately known, officials said.

No officers were injured.

The sheriff’s office said the case will be turned over to the Texas Rangers under standard protocol for officer-involved shootings involving sheriff’s office personnel.

Officials said no additional details would be released because the investigation remains ongoing.

The post Wanted Man Shot After Johnson County Chase Ends In Crash appeared first on Dallas Express.

Dallas police opened a homicide investigation after officers found a 22-year-old man shot dead Friday evening.

Officers responded to a shooting call at about 5:40 p.m. on May 15 in the 1700 block of Pear Street, according to the department’s public release.

When officers arrived, they found Daqualon Rudd, 22, shot and dead at the location, police said.

Rudd’s death marks at least the eighth homicide investigation tied to a May incident that Dallas police have reported this month.

The count is based on department homicide releases tied to incidents between May 3 and May 15. It does not represent a final official citywide homicide total for the month.

Police did not announce any arrest or suspect information in the Pear Street case.

The department listed the ongoing investigation under case number 069586-2026.

Anyone with information may contact Detective G. Curtis at 214-671-3633 or guy.curtis@dallaspolice.gov

The post Dallas Police Report 8th May Homicide After 22-Year-Old Found Shot Dead appeared first on Dallas Express.

A small plane carrying three off-duty Dallas police officers crashed near Forney early Saturday, sending all three officers to nearby hospitals, the Dallas Police Department said.

One officer has been released, one is listed in stable condition, and one remains in critical condition, DPD said in a May 16 statement. Officials had not released the officers’ names.

The crash happened overnight near Forney, according to DPD. The department said the Forney Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the incident.

DPD said investigators had released few details because the crash remains under investigation.

“The Forney Police Department, DPS, and the FAA are actively investigating the incident. Any additional information regarding the investigation should be directed to the appropriate investigating agency,” DPD said.

Dallas Police Association President Sean Pease said the officers were off duty and returning from a personal trip when the crash occurred.

“We are grateful that all three officers survived the crash,” Pease said in a statement posted by the Dallas Police Association. “Two officers sustained minor injuries, while one officer suffered significant injuries and continues to receive medical treatment.”

Pease said the association is focused on supporting the officers and their families.

“Our immediate focus is ensuring these officers and their families receive the support and care they need during this difficult time,” Pease said.

No additional details about what caused the plane to go down had been released as of Saturday afternoon.

The post 3 Dallas Officers Injured In Small Plane Crash Near Forney, One Critical appeared first on Dallas Express.

Two suspects died and a Fort Worth police officer went to the hospital after officers opened fire in two separate incidents hours apart Saturday morning, the Fort Worth Police Department said in statements reported by NBC 5 DFW.

The first shooting began around 12:05 a.m. in the 4200 block of Wiman Drive in East Fort Worth after officers received multiple calls and texts to 911 about gunshots.

Fort Worth Police Chief Eddie Garcia said officers heard more gunfire when they arrived and found a party in the area.

“When officers arrived, they found a party that was going on in the area and heard more shots being fired. As officers were moving into the area where the shots were being fired, they encountered an individual that was armed with a handgun. At one point, the individual pointed the handgun at our officers, did not follow directions or orders to drop the handgun,” Garcia said during a news conference posted to the department’s social media platforms.

Garcia said at least one officer shot the suspect, who died at the scene. FWPD said officers provided medical aid until the Fort Worth Fire Department arrived.

No officers were injured in the first shooting.

The second incident began around 4:15 a.m. while police were investigating the first shooting. Garcia said a white SUV drove past the scene multiple times “at a high rate of speed.”

FWPD said the driver appeared to be trying to hit officers standing near their vehicles.

Police tried to pull over the driver, but the stop became a 15-minute chase. Officers stopped the SUV with “a tactical vehicle intervention, also known as a PIT maneuver.”

As officers approached the SUV with their guns drawn and gave commands, the adult male did not comply and grabbed an officer’s handgun, police said.

Garcia said multiple officers fired and struck the suspect. He died at the scene.

An officer suffered an injury and went to a local hospital. FWPD said the officer was in good condition, though police had not said how the officer was injured.

The case remains under investigation.

Anyone with additional information may contact the Fort Worth Police Department at 817-392-4222. Anonymous tips may be submitted through Tarrant County Crime Stoppers at 469tips.com or 817-469-8477.

The post Two Dead, Officer Hurt After Fort Worth Police Shootings Hours Apart appeared first on Dallas Express.

For years, Chairman John P. Rochon, Ph.D., largely remained outside the spotlight. Inside investment circles, however, his name never disappeared. Known for decades of mergers and acquisitions leadership, long-duration value creation strategies, and a career spanning more than 350 transactions, Rochon quietly built a reputation as an operator who preferred building enterprise value over building headlines.

Now, he is stepping back into the public arena with the launch of AIAI Holdings Corporation, also known as Ai2, which began trading on the NASDAQ Global Market under the ticker symbol “AIAI.”

The company aims to redefine what an AI company can become. Unlike many artificial intelligence firms flooding the market today, AIAI is not attempting to sell chatbots, subscriptions, or generic software licenses.

Ai2 is a closely held public Nasdaq company, meaning it trades on a public exchange while maintaining concentrated control over major strategic decisions. That structure is central to Rochon’s ability to carry forward the M&A discipline behind Richmont’s decades-long acquisition strategy.

Rochon’s vision is significantly more ambitious:

Acquire companies
Implement AI internally
Increase enterprise performance
Compound long-term value

In many ways, insiders are already quietly referring to the concept as: “An AI-powered Berkshire Hathaway.”

A Different Kind of AI Company

Most AI companies today monetize software directly. AIAI Holdings is pursuing an entirely different strategy.

According to my conversation with Matthew Selinger, the company is structured as a diversified holding company designed to acquire and scale businesses through the deployment of its proprietary “Transformational AI” platform, known internally as TAI.

The company describes the platform as integrating:

• psychometric intelligence
• generative AI
• agentic AI
• advanced analytics
• and more than 180 branches of mathematics and science

The objective is not simply automation. It is operational transformation.

“We’re not out selling AI,” Selinger explained in our interview discussing the launch. “We are acquiring companies, implementing AI on those companies, increasing operational performance, and harvesting that enterprise value.”

That distinction may prove critical. Rather than licensing its systems outward, AIAI intends to retain all AI-generated value creation internally, a structure the company refers to as “captive monetization.” In theory, that means shareholders participate directly in the margin expansion, efficiency gains, and growth acceleration generated by the platform itself.

The Great Wealth Transfer Meets Artificial Intelligence

At the center of Rochon’s strategy is a macroeconomic reality few firms are discussing publicly at scale: America’s generational ownership transition. The company believes a historic opportunity is emerging as millions of business owners approach retirement without clear succession strategies in place.

The company points specifically to:

• more than $3.8 trillion in private equity backlog,
• constrained liquidity markets,
• longer private equity hold periods,
• and accelerating “boomer business transitions.”

Against that backdrop, AIAI believes it can provide something increasingly rare: liquidity without disruption.

Instead of dismantling acquired companies, leadership repeatedly emphasizes retaining management teams, preserving culture, and using AI to enhance, not replace, human operators.

“We’re not buying companies to strip them down,” Selinger said. “We want to keep management. We want to help companies implement AI and grow stronger.”

That approach differs meaningfully from many traditional private equity models focused primarily on aggressive cost reduction.

The CURA Thesis

Perhaps the most compelling intellectual framework within the company’s strategy is what AIAI calls “CURA.”

CURA stands for:

• Complex
• Urgent
• Administrative

The company believes AI creates the greatest enterprise advantage in industries where human cognition begins reaching operational limits.

Examples include:

• emergency dispatch systems,
• healthcare routing,
• insurance claims processing,
• procurement,
• logistics,
• dynamic pricing,
• cybersecurity,
• and high-volume enterprise decision environments.

Leadership describes these sectors as environments where “human performance degrades most” because of complexity, urgency, and volume.

That thesis appears to shape the company’s acquisition roadmap moving forward.

A Leadership Team Built for Scale

The company’s executive bench and board composition immediately stand out. Todd Furniss, AIAI’s CEO, brings more than 25 years of operational, consulting, and private equity experience across healthcare and business services. Furniss previously founded gTC Group and co-founded PlumTree Partners, while holding leadership roles at Everest Group and EDS.

The company also recruited Michael Sandoval, former Microsoft executive, inventor, mathematician, and AI scientist, who is helping architect the company’s evolving AI framework. According to individuals close to the company, Sandoval’s integration into the platform substantially expanded AIAI’s mathematical and enterprise capabilities.

Rounding out the team are Stephanie Liebman, who served as Chief Accounting Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance Operations at HP Inc., and Ken Betts, who has served as a partner most recently at Egan Nelson and before that Winston & Strawn and Skadden Arps.

The broader board reflects a deliberate attempt to bridge:

• artificial intelligence
• defense
• infrastructure
• finance
• healthcare
• cybersecurity
• and national security expertise

Among the independent directors are:

• Special Technology Advisor and Fellow to the FBI Dr. Melvin Greer
• Aligned Data Centers CEO Andrew Schaap
• Dr. Doohi Lee
• Former Ambassador to the OECD, Jeanne Phillips
• Brigadier General Tom Cosentino
• Former Chairman of Vail Health Eric Affeldt
• Hon. Don Remy, former Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

The composition suggests the company is positioning itself far beyond consumer AI applications.

From AI Theory to Enterprise Implementation

Unlike many AI narratives centered on speculation, AIAI’s model depends on proving measurable operational outcomes. The company states that acquisition candidates will generally include businesses with:

• more than $100 million in revenue,
• EBITDA margins above 5%,
• high cash conversion,
• strong management teams,
• and willingness to adopt AI-driven operational systems.

Leadership says implementation will not follow a “one-size-fits-all” model. Instead, the process begins diagnostically: identifying EBITDA pain points, operational inefficiencies, workflow bottlenecks, and opportunities for AI-enhanced optimization.

Examples discussed by company representatives include:

• construction bidding optimization
• predictive maintenance
• operational safety systems
• fraud detection
• enterprise workflow automation
• and customer acquisition intelligence

The company argues that AI’s true value may not simply come from cutting costs, but from new, innovative service offerings and unlocking entirely new layers of operational scale.

Bringing Light to Darkness

Beyond the public company narrative lies another dimension of Rochon’s long-standing interests: AI-enabled intelligence systems. Individuals familiar with the broader Rochon ecosystem describe a multi-decade focus on psychometric AI, behavioral analytics, and identifying malicious actors through advanced intelligence methodologies.

One organization connected to those efforts is Skull Games, a veteran-led anti-human trafficking organization supported by Rochon that utilizes open-source intelligence and behavioral tracking to identify child predators and trafficking networks. The organization works closely with former special operations personnel and law enforcement partners.

Associates describe the mission as “bringing light to darkness.” That phrase has reportedly become closely associated with Rochon’s broader philosophy around AI deployment itself.

Rochon’s broader ecosystem also includes M42, a private AI-focused entity connected to the Rochon family office that has publicly discussed AI applications involving justice, intelligence, and human behavior analysis. While AIAI Holdings itself remains focused on enterprise acquisition and operational transformation, these adjacent initiatives reveal the broader worldview influencing Rochon’s long-term vision.

The Road Ahead

AIAI Holdings launched publicly with six initial portfolio companies spanning:

• construction
• healthcare
• AI research
• blockchain
• digital infrastructure
• and media-related operations

Leadership emphasizes this is only the beginning. Executives say the current portfolio does not reflect the eventual scale or composition of the company they intend to build. “We have a robust acquisition pipeline,” one company representative said during launch discussions. “The companies you’ll see coming forward will dramatically change the composition of the company over time.”

For investors, the opportunity and the risk now become execution. The market has heard countless AI promises. AIAI Holdings is making a different bet: that AI’s greatest value may not come from selling software, but from owning the companies transformed by it.

The post The Return Of Titan John Rochon: Reinventing Berkshire For The AI Era Inside AIAI Holdings appeared first on Dallas Express.

The City of Dallas has announced its Mayor’s Summer of Safety 2026 lineup, a collection of free and low-cost programs spanning libraries, parks, aquatics, public safety, and sports access for residents of all ages.

The programs run through early August at locations across Dallas and include summer meals for children and teens, reading prizes, recreation camps, teen passes, swim programs, and youth sports ticket access, according to the city.

Free Meals And Library Prizes

The Dallas Public Library’s SMART Summer challenge runs May 30 through August 8.

Children ages 0 to 18 can earn a free book for every 10 days of reading, up to three times during the summer. Children can also earn food coupons by completing discovery and creative activities while supplies last, according to the city.

Children who log 30 days of reading and complete 10 discovery activities and 10 creative activities by August 8 will enter a grand prize drawing. The library system is also offering a new Super Reader activity badge this summer.

Adults 18 and older can also participate. Adults can earn free books after logging 15 days of reading and may qualify for additional prizes by completing activities.

The library system will also provide free summer meals for children and teens ages 1 to 18 from June 1 through August 7 at 18 library locations, including the Central Library.

The meals are offered in partnership with Education Potential Verified and funded through the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program. No proof of need or pre-registration is required, according to the city.

Camps, Pools, And Outdoor Programs

Dallas Park and Recreation will offer several youth programs this summer, including Discover Dallas, a free camp for Dallas residents ages 5 to 12.

The camp includes crafts, sports, swimming, life skills activities, enrichment programs, and field trips, according to the city.

Adventure Camp at Samuell Farm in Mesquite will serve youth ages 7 to 15 with outdoor activities such as mountain biking, kayaking, archery, fishing, survival skills, and nature photography.

The city will also offer a Counselor in Training program for youth ages 13 to 17 at Kiest, Martin Weiss, and Pleasant Oaks recreation centers. The program costs $35 per week.

Dallas Park and Recreation operates 42 recreation centers across the city. Dallas Aquatics offers swim lessons for all ages, Teach A Child To Swim scholarships, seasonal jobs, and low-cost lifeguard and water safety instructor training.

Teen Passes And Sports Tickets

The Teen All-Access Pass will return in July, giving Dallas youth free admission to several venues, including Bahama Beach Waterpark, the Dallas Zoo, the Dallas Arboretum, Trinity River Audubon Center, Southern Skates Roller Rink, and the Perot Museum.

New partners for 2026 include the State Fair of Texas, Dave and Buster’s, and Dallas Love Field, according to the city. Passes will be available at Dallas recreation centers.

The Dallas Police Activities League will also offer athletic, educational, and recreational programs for youth ages 8 to 18. The program includes martial arts, basketball, and summer camp.

The Mayor’s Youth Sports Ticket Program will provide Dallas residents ages 12 to 17 with free tickets to professional, collegiate, and amateur sporting events. Each youth ticket includes one chaperone ticket.

The program, launched in 2022 by Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson in partnership with the Dallas Sports Commission, has distributed more than 15,000 tickets. The program offers access to more than 20 events, including Dallas Trinity FC matches, NASCAR races at Texas Motor Speedway, and the Concacaf Gold Cup.

“Professional sports bind us together as a city… These athletes inspire civic pride and teach our youth the value of discipline, resilience, and teamwork. That’s why I am proud to partner with the Dallas Sports Commission to offer more of our city’s youth the chance to witness the excitement of Dallas sports firsthand,” Johnson said.

The post Dallas Announces Family-Friendly Summer Lineup With Camps, Zoo Passes, And Meals appeared first on Dallas Express.

Two Texas mothers are facing serious criminal charges in unrelated child death investigations that authorities say involved troubling circumstances, including allegations of violence, drowning, and drug exposure.

In San Antonio, police arrested a South Texas woman Friday after the bodies of two young children were discovered inside a burning vehicle in a warehouse parking lot.

According to San Antonio Assistant Police Chief Jessie Salame, a person walking a dog called authorities between 5 and 6 a.m. after spotting a car on fire in the 500 block of Richland Hills Drive.

After firefighters extinguished the blaze, investigators found the bodies of a 5-year-old child and a 7-year-old child inside the small vehicle, Salame said.

Police later arrested the children’s mother, 34-year-old Marlene Vidal of Edinburg, and charged her with capital murder.

“We have statements made by the suspect, along with surveillance video and evidence from the scene, that indicate she was solely responsible for the death of these two children,” Salame said at a news conference.

Authorities said Vidal appears to have family ties in San Antonio. Investigators have not released the identities of the children or their causes of death.

Police said a motive remains under investigation.

“However, there are indications that mental health issues may have played a role,” Salame said, Fox 4 KDFW reported.

In a separate case near Houston, a Katy mother has been charged months after her two young daughters were found unresponsive in a backyard swimming pool and later determined to have cocaine in their systems.

Laura Nicholson, 23, faces two felony counts of injury to a child in connection with the deaths of 3-year-old Kinsley Kite and 2-year-old Kelsey Kite.

Investigators with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said the girls were found on February 11 in the family’s backyard pool at a home in the 21000 block of Creek Edge Court in west Harris County. Their grandmother discovered the children and called for emergency assistance.

The girls were flown to area hospitals, where they were pronounced dead.

Autopsies completed on April 30 found the primary cause of death for both children was drowning combined with acute cocaine toxicity. Toxicology reports confirmed cocaine and cocaine metabolites were present in their blood, investigators said.

Nicholson told detectives she had fallen asleep on a couch inside the home and woke up after hearing her mother scream. Authorities said Nicholson and her family lived together at the residence.

Nicholson reportedly acknowledged that she was aware the door latch was broken and that the girls had often gotten out of the house to run to the pool. Nicholson had also been previously questioned by CPS about her alleged drug use.

After a month-long investigation, Nicholson was charged on May 8 and arrested three days later in Lee County, Florida, near Fort Myers. Authorities said members of the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force located her at a mental health treatment facility.

She remains jailed in Florida awaiting extradition to Harris County.

No additional charges have been announced in the case, which remains under investigation.

The post Two Texas Mothers Charged In Separate Child Deaths Involving Fire And Drowning appeared first on Dallas Express.

The Social Security Administration released its 2025 list of the most popular baby names by state this week, offering a detailed look at naming trends across the country.

Top Baby Names in Texas

In Texas, the top five boys’ names for 2025 were:
• Liam
• Noah
• Mateo
• Santiago
• Sebastian

The top five girls’ names for 2025 were:
• Emma
• Olivia
• Isabella
• Mia
• Sophia

Nationally, Liam held the top spot for boys for the ninth consecutive year, while Olivia remained the top girls’ name for the seventh straight year.

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U.S. Birthrate Trends

The announcement comes as U.S. births continued their downward trend.

Provisional data show 3,606,400 births in 2025, a 1% decline from the previous year, according to a CDC/National Center for Health Statistics document released in April 2026. The general fertility rate reached a record low of 53.1 births per 1,000 women ages 15–44 in 2025.

Total births have fallen approximately 23% since the 2007 peak. The teen birthrate dropped by another 7% in 2025 to 11.7 births per 1,000 females ages 15–19, according to the same report.

Slightly more boys than girls continue to be born in the United States. The sex ratio at birth has remained stable at about 105 boys per 100 girls in recent years. This natural ratio has been consistent in U.S. vital statistics for decades.

The Social Security Administration compiles the annual baby names list from millions of Social Security card applications. Full state rankings are available at ssa.gov.

The post Texas Parents Love These Baby Names – Is Your Child’s Name On The List? appeared first on Dallas Express.

A childhood football dream more than 40 years in the making finally came full circle on Dallas Express Sports Network.

In a new DXSN segment, lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan Claude Cramer shared how Pro Football Hall of Famer Bob Lilly inspired him as a young athlete growing up in Northern California, far from Cowboys country.

Cramer said he first learned about Lilly when a physical education teacher showed football game films on rainy school days. He was about 10 years old at the time, but the impact stuck.

“I first met Bob Lilly through a game thing when I was 10 years old,” Cramer said. “And I wanted to be a defensive lineman.”

When Cramer began playing high school football as a freshman, he had the chance to choose his number. He picked No. 74, the same number Lilly wore while helping define the Dallas Cowboys’ early identity.

A photo from Cramer’s senior year in 1980 shows him wearing No. 74. That same year, Lilly entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The moment gave Lilly a chance to see how far his influence had reached, even to a small farming town in California.

“It’s interesting because that was the year I went in the Hall of Fame,” Lilly said.

The exchange offered a simple reminder of how sports heroes can shape young athletes in ways they may never know. For Cramer, Lilly was not just a Cowboys legend on film. He was the player Cramer wanted to model himself after.

Watch the full Dallas Express Sports Network segment to see Cramer share the story directly with Lilly and the DXSN crew.

The post Bob Lilly Learns How He Inspired A Cowboys Fan 2,000 Miles Away appeared first on Dallas Express.

Federal prosecutors charged an Iraqi national on May 15 with directing attacks across Europe and plotting to target a New York synagogue and Jewish institutions in Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Arizona, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, 32, allegedly served as a commander for Kata’ib Hizballah, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization operating in Iraq. The group operates closely with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which the United States also designates as a foreign terrorist organization, according to DOJ.

Federal prosecutors charged Al-Saadi by criminal complaint with six terrorism-related offenses. DOJ unsealed the complaint May 15 in Manhattan federal court after authorities transferred Al-Saadi into U.S. custody overseas.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn ordered Al-Saadi detained pending trial, according to DOJ.

“Thanks to the dedication and vigilance of law enforcement, this alleged terrorist commander is now in U.S. custody,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in the DOJ release. “As alleged in the complaint, Al-Saadi directed and urged others to attack U.S. and Israeli interests and to kill Americans and Jews in the U.S. and abroad, and in doing so advance the terrorist goals of Kata’ib Hizballah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.”

DOJ Alleges Attacks Across Europe

Al-Saadi and his associates allegedly planned, coordinated, and claimed responsibility for at least 18 terrorist attacks in Europe and two additional attacks in Canada in the name of Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya, a component of Kata’ib Hizballah, according to DOJ.

The alleged attacks included an explosive attack against the Bank of New York Mellon in Amsterdam on or about March 15 and an arson attack against a synagogue in Skopje, North Macedonia, on or about April 12.

Two Jewish men, including a dual U.S.-British citizen, were also stabbed and seriously injured in London on or about April 29, according to the complaint.

DOJ said Al-Saadi and Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya published videos of the attacks and claimed responsibility for them.

U.S. Jewish Institutions Allegedly Targeted

Al-Saadi also allegedly attempted to coordinate terrorist attacks in the United States in April and May, including attacks targeting Jewish institutions in New York and elsewhere.

On or about April 3, Al-Saadi communicated with an undercover law enforcement officer whom he believed could carry out attacks in the United States, according to DOJ.

Al-Saadi allegedly sent the officer photographs and maps showing the exact location of a prominent New York synagogue, along with two Jewish institutions in Los Angeles and Scottsdale. He also discussed whether the officer would use an improvised explosive device or set the New York synagogue on fire.

“Fortunately, no such attacks occurred at the time,” the DOJ release stated.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said officers assigned to the Joint Terrorism Task Force helped disrupt the alleged plot against the Manhattan synagogue.

Six Terrorism-Related Charges

Al-Saadi faces six charges: conspiring to provide material support to Kata’ib Hizballah, conspiring to provide material support to the IRGC, conspiring to provide material support for acts of terrorism, providing material support for acts of terrorism, conspiring to bomb a place of public use, and attempted destruction of property by means of fire or explosive.

The most serious charge, conspiring to bomb a place of public use, carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, according to DOJ. The attempted destruction charge carries a mandatory minimum term of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 20 years.

Congress sets statutory penalties, while a judge determines any sentence, the Justice Department said.

As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the Treasury and State departments designated several Muslim Brotherhood chapters as terrorist organizations in January for allegedly supporting Hamas.

The FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force investigated the Al-Saadi case with support from other federal, state, and local agencies, according to DOJ.

The charges are accusations. Al-Saadi is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The post Hizballah Commander Accused Of Targeting New York Synagogue, Directing 18 Attacks appeared first on Dallas Express.

Book vending machines that dispense physical books at the push of a button are real and expanding in schools, communities, and public spaces across the United States.

These machines, often used as literacy tools and rewards for students, dispense new books in exchange for tokens or payment, reported BookVending.com.

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History and Growth of Book Vending Machines

Book vending machines date back more than 200 years. The first known book-dispensing vending machine was built in England in 1822 by bookseller Richard Carlile to sell works that might otherwise have faced censorship, HuffPost reported.

Modern versions gained popularity in the mid-20th century, including Penguin Books’ coin-operated machines in London in the 1930s. In the United States, contemporary machines such as Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine, offered by Global Vending Group, focus on schools and literacy programs. These machines have operated in thousands of locations since around 2019, with significant growth in Texas and other states.

We need to have more of these everywhere. pic.twitter.com/Ni5UXuM2Nj

— Reads with Ravi (@readswithravi) May 15, 2026

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Dallas Independent School District & Beyond

In the Dallas area, Dallas ISD continues to expand its book vending machine program. The initiative, which began in 2022, now operates on nearly 60 campuses as of the 2024-2025 school year, with additional machines installed throughout 2025 and into 2026, reported the Dallas Education Foundation.

“Book vending machines are an innovative approach to spark a love of literacy and bring books into our students’ homes,” said Emily Davis, Development and Grants Manager for DEF in the 2024 announcement. “Instead of snacks, candy, and drinks, the vending machine houses engaging, age-appropriate, and culturally relevant books.”

Image by Dallas Education Foundation

Students earn tokens for positive behavior and redeem them for free books to build personal home libraries. Installations include Gilbert Cuellar Sr. Elementary, William M. Anderson Elementary, W.A. Blair Elementary, and Edwin J. Kiest Elementary. The program is supported through partnerships with the Dallas Education Foundation, Dallas Stars Foundation, Atmos Energy, and other local organizations.

Nationally, more than 11,000 locations actively use such machines, impacting 5.4 million students yearly and vending 12.6 million books annually, according to Global Vending Group. Machines appear in schools, grocery stores, community centers, and museums.

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Reading Habits: Print Still Dominates

Physical books remain the preferred format for most readers. Pew Research Center data shows the share of adults reading print books declined modestly from 72% in 2011 to 64% in October 2025. E-book reading rose from 17% to 31% over the same period, while audiobook listening increased from 11% to 26%. Overall book reading (any format) stood at 75% in 2025.

College graduates read at higher rates across formats, according to the same study. Younger adults under 50 show stronger adoption of e-books and audiobooks. Women read more than men in every category.

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Impact on Publishing and Authors

The rise of digital formats has reshaped the publishing industry. Self-publishing platforms such as Amazon KDP allow faster releases and higher royalties for authors, reducing barriers to entry. Traditional publishers have adapted by offering hybrid print and digital editions.

Print books continue to account for the majority of sales in many categories, supporting brick-and-mortar stores and providing tactile appeal that many readers prefer. Vending machines represent one effort to boost access to physical books and literacy, particularly among children.

Book vending machines offer schools and communities a practical way to put physical books directly into the hands of readers in high-traffic locations. According to a 2024 customer survey by Global Vending Group, 98.7% of schools reported that the machines improved the overall reading culture on campus.

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Demand Continues To Rise

The global book vending machine market, valued at approximately $450 million in 2024, is projected to reach $682 million by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 6.1%, according to market research firm Intel Market Research.

The post From Snickers To Shakespeare: The Rise Of Book Vending Machines appeared first on Dallas Express.

Many animal species form lifelong pair bonds that provide stability for raising offspring and mutual survival. In contrast, humans increasingly delay marriage, cohabitate more often, or remain single, with divorce rates remaining notable though declining in recent years.

While only 3% to 5% of mammals mate for life, certain birds, mammals, and other species demonstrate strong monogamous behaviors, according to a Hemanth P. Niar and Larry J Young study.

Wolves, for example, typically form lifelong pairs as alpha mates to lead packs and raise litters annually. Beavers, particularly Eurasian beavers, team up for life to enhance survival and share parenting duties. Gibbons sing duets to strengthen bonds, and California mice show strict monogamy with low rates of extra-pair fertilizations. Other examples include bald eagles, swans, albatrosses, prairie voles, and shingleback lizards, reported BBC Earth.

Biologists note that lifelong mating in animals often evolves where biparental care improves offspring survival or where resources are limited, making pair stability advantageous. In species like prairie voles, for example, the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin play a central role in reinforcing pair bonding, per Scientific American. Such pairings reduce energy spent on finding new mates and provide protection. 

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U.S. Marriage and Divorce Trends

Americans are marrying later than in previous generations, per the U.S. Census Bureau. In 2025, the estimated median age at first marriage reached 30.8 years for men and 28.4 years for women, up significantly from 23.5 and 21.1, respectively, in 1975.

Fewer households consist of married couples. In 2025, only 47% of U.S. households were married-couple households, down from 66% 50 years earlier.

The share of adults who are married has declined, while cohabitation has risen. In 2023, about 9.1% of U.S. adults were cohabiting, up from 3.7% in 1996, according to the Penn Wharton Budget Model at the University of Pennsylvania. 

The U.S. divorce rate has declined over the decades, according to BGSU’s 2025 report on the American Community Survey. The refined divorce rate stood at 14.2 divorces per 1,000 married women in 2024, down slightly from 14.4 in 2023 and well below the early-1980s peaks. 

According to multiple national surveys of divorced individuals, the most commonly cited reasons include lack of commitment (73%), too much arguing or conflict (56–58%), and infidelity (55–60%). Other frequent factors are financial problems, marrying too young, unrealistic expectations, and a lack of preparation for marriage, per Wilkinson & Finkbeiner (updated national survey data). A separate analysis by the Institute for Family Studies similarly ranked lack of commitment, infidelity, and excessive conflict as the top three reported reasons. 

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Mental Health and Partnership

Studies consistently link marriage to better mental and physical health outcomes than being unmarried, according to the Institute for Family Studies. Married individuals often report lower levels of depression and higher life satisfaction.

Research from the University of Michigan and others shows married adults in the U.S. and Japan reported higher life satisfaction and better physical health than single adults, partly due to greater family support.

While lifelong pair bonding remains rare in the animal kingdom, it serves clear evolutionary purposes where it exists, primarily through enhanced offspring survival and mutual protection. In contrast, humans continue to show shifting patterns: marrying later in life, cohabiting at higher rates, and entering fewer formal marriages overall.

These evolving family structures carry significant implications for individual well-being, child outcomes, and societal stability.

The post Nature’s Lifelong Lovers vs. America’s Struggling Marriages appeared first on Dallas Express.

The City of McKinney has filed a lawsuit in Travis County that effectively sues its own residents, asking a court over 200 miles away to shut down citizen challenges to controversial airport‑expansion bonds.

In a little‑known maneuver currently legal under state law, McKinney and its affiliated development corporation have asked a Travis County district court to “validate” tens of millions of dollars in bonds over the objections of taxpayers, who have twice rejected the proposed debt at the ballot box.

The suit could nullify pending litigation against the city and prevent any future bond-related lawsuits brought by its taxpayers.

Background

McKinney voters have twice rejected property‑tax‑backed airport expansion bonds: a $50 million bond in 2015 and a $200 million bond in 2023. Rather than dropping the project, city officials moved to “other city funding sources.”

In 2025, the city requested and received $5.4 million in grants for the airport project from the McKinney Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and McKinney Community Development Corporation (MCDC). Both are financed by a dedicated 0.5 percent local sales tax.

McKinney’s actions assumed voters only rejected the project because they didn’t want to pay for it through general obligation bonds, but would support paying for it through sales tax revenue bonds.

In March 2026, MCDC authorized $30 million in “Sales Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds” to refinance its 2025 airport bonds.

In response, the North Texas Conservation Association (NTCA)—a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the natural environment of North Texas—immediately filed a lawsuit in Collin County challenging the legality of MCDC’s controversial 2026 airport bonds.

A Trial by Ambush

On April 24, the City of McKinney and MCDC filed a lawsuit against all of its citizens in a Travis County district court, seeking a declaration that its 2026 airport bonds are legal and enforceable. The lawsuit was filed under Chapter 1205 of the Texas Government Code, also called the Texas Expedited Declaratory Judgment Act (EDJA).

This little-known law allows bond issuers—including cities—to file an expedited declaratory bond-validation lawsuit against a very broad group of defendants, including all taxpayers, property owners, or residents whose rights might be affected by the bonds.

The EDJA also allows a bond‑issuer to choose between litigating in its home county or Travis County. That gives city officials and their lawyers a strategic choice—to face local taxpayers and local judges or go to Travis County, where residents are unlikely to show up, particularly on short notice.

McKinney chose to file in Travis County.

Petitioners are not only asking for a fast court ruling confirming the validity of its 2026 airport bonds, but for the court to block any challenges seeking to invalidate them. This would seemingly include NTCA’s pending lawsuit.

“This feels like an attempt to take this fight away from the people of McKinney,” NTCA stated. “Residents have repeatedly asked questions about the financial risks, the environmental impacts, the future of our community, and the long-term consequences of airport expansion. Instead of addressing those concerns transparently here in Collin County, the City and MCDC chose to file in Travis County.”

An EDJA filing requires the court to immediately set a trial “on the first Monday after the 20th day after the date of the order.” A trial has already been scheduled for May 18, meaning any citizen wishing to challenge the bonds is expected to appear in Travis County on that date.

Under the law, public notices in newspapers are considered sufficient notice to the public—meaning many McKinney taxpayers remain unaware of the lawsuit.

Attorney Tony McDonald called the EDJA an “insane law that needs to be repealed.”

“Essentially, it lets local governments sue their residents in Austin in a ‘class action’ with only newspaper notices,” McDonald told Texas Scorecard. “It’s a trial by ambush with less than 20 day’s notice and no discovery. The statute was written by bond issuers to stomp on taxpayers and defies every semblance of due process.”

He explained that under the EDJA, McKinney may move to set a bond for citizens to even participate in the case. In previous cases, such bonds have been upwards of a million dollars.

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is automatically served in EDJA cases and is tasked with informing the court whether the bonds comply with Texas law. Yet the OAG is also operating on short notice.

At the time of publication it is unclear whether the OAG will side with McKinney or accept NTCA’s arguments regarding the bonds’ illegality.

“This should concern every taxpayer in McKinney regardless of where they stand on airport expansion,” commented NTCA. “People deserve the right to have their voices heard in their own community—not rushed through a legal process happening far away from the residents who will live with the consequences.”

“NTCA and its legal team are now preparing to respond in Travis County and will seek to have the EDJA case dismissed,” the organization wrote.

If you or anyone you know has information regarding court cases, please contact our tip line: scorecardtips@protonmail.com.

The post McKinney Airport Bond Fight Could Shut Down Resident Challenges appeared first on Dallas Express.

A wildfire burning in the Texas Panhandle destroyed a railroad trestle near Canyon early Friday morning as firefighters continued battling multiple fast-moving blazes fueled by dry conditions, strong winds, and lightning.

Video released by the Amarillo Fire Department showed the trestle engulfed in flames in Randall County, with smoke pouring across the area.

Additional footage shared from the scene captured heavy smoke obscuring the sun while emergency vehicles worked nearby amid intense wind conditions.

A railroad bridge in Canyon, Texas, was engulfed in flames and came close to collapsing as the Hunggate Fire swept through the area Friday morning.
pic.twitter.com/sxPr8ALyd0

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) May 15, 2026

The fire, known as the Hunggate Fire, has burned approximately 14,000 acres in Randall County and was reported to be between 30% and 40% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

Officials said the fire was likely sparked by lightning.

BNSF Railway confirmed the blaze destroyed the trestle and disrupted service on its Plainview Subdivision.

“A crew is onsite working with first responders to clear the area and our teams are mobilizing to rebuild the bridge,” BNSF spokesperson Kendall Sloan said, Fox 4 KDFW reported.

The Hunggate Fire is one of numerous wildfires burning across the Panhandle, stretching from the Texas-New Mexico border toward Childress. State officials said nearly 40,000 acres have burned across the region, with only a small number of fires fully contained.

Emergency officials issued several evacuation notices and traffic alerts as crews responded to rapidly changing fire conditions.

Authorities announced the evacuation of River Falls Airport and warned drivers to avoid the Claude Highway, also known as FM 1151, because of severe traffic congestion. Randall County officials also closed U.S. 87 from just south of Canyon to Hunggate Road and urged motorists to stay out of the area.

In neighboring Castro County, emergency management officials issued a fire warning tied to a wildfire about nine miles northwest of Happy.

“A fire warning has been issued for this area,” the alert stated. “There is a dangerous wildfire located 9 miles northwest of Happy. Avoid FM 168 north of county line. Detour FM 1075. Do not drive around barricades.”

Most evacuation orders issued during the fires have since been lifted, though officials said damage assessments remain ongoing and no total count of destroyed structures has been released, Fox 4 reported.

The National Weather Service warned that elevated fire danger is expected to continue across the Panhandle through at least Monday, raising concerns that additional fires could spread quickly.

The Texas A&M Forest Service Incident viewer showed 8 active fires in the Panhandle area on Friday afternoon, covering thousands of acres of land.

The post Railroad Trestle Engulfed In Flames During Texas Panhandle Fire appeared first on Dallas Express.

A Travis County grand jury has reindicted former Texas Lottery Commission Executive Director Gary Grief on a first-degree felony charge of abuse of official capacity tied to a controversial 2023 Lotto Texas jackpot drawing.

The indictment, returned on Thursday, mirrors an earlier charge filed in April that was dismissed days later at the request of an assistant district attorney. Court records show a summons was issued requiring Grief to appear in the 167th District Court in Austin on June 26.

Prosecutors allege Grief used his position at the now-defunct Texas Lottery Commission to defraud the state during the April 22, 2023, Lotto Texas drawing.

The case centers on a $95 million jackpot won after a syndicate reportedly spent about $26 million purchasing nearly every possible number combination through multiple lottery courier services. The operation drew criticism from state lawmakers after a Houston Chronicle investigation detailed how the group secured the winning ticket.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick previously said the jackpot had been “stolen” from Texans. The fallout prompted several investigations and contributed to the Legislature’s 2025 decision to abolish the Texas Lottery Commission and transfer its duties to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

The grand jury also issued a separate indictment against the Texas Lottery Commission itself, accusing the agency of abuse of official capacity through actions allegedly “authorized, requested, performed or recklessly tolerated” by Grief and two other commission officials.

Court documents also identify former commission officials Ed Rogers and Clay Kidd as managerial agents acting on behalf of the agency. Former lottery director Ryan Mindell, who briefly succeeded Grief, was not named in the filings.

Grief resigned from the commission in February 2024, before scrutiny surrounding the jackpot intensified.

In a statement, Grief’s attorney, Sam Bassett, criticized the prosecution and defended his client’s actions.

“The indictment returned by the Travis County Grand Jury is the product of politics, not facts demonstrating a crime,” Bassett said, per Texas Scorecard.

“Gary cooperated with the Texas Ranger investigation but neither he nor his counsel had input with the Grand Jury,” he added, per the Tribune. “When all facts are revealed in court, the public will see that Gary’s leadership at the Lottery Commission generated millions of dollars for Texas schools and veterans and there was no crime.”

Gov. Greg Abbott previously described the dismissal of the first indictment as “incomprehensible.”

No trial date has been set. The Travis County District Attorney’s Office has not publicly commented on the reindictment.

The post $95 Million Texas Lottery Jackpot Fallout – Gary Grief Hit With New Felony Indictment appeared first on Dallas Express.

New research from Texas A&M University shows that lettuce plants exposed to nanoplastics and the toxic heavy metal cadmium absorb up to 61% more cadmium into their edible leaves than plants exposed to cadmium alone.

The study also found that nanoplastics accumulated in the edible leaf tissues at 67% higher concentrations when cadmium was also present. Researchers used a controlled hydroponic model to examine these interactions, raising questions about food safety in crops grown in contaminated environments.

What’s in your salad? 🥗

Texas A&M researchers discovered that lettuce exposed to nanoplastics absorbs far more cadmium, a harmful heavy metal, offering new insight into how emerging contaminants may affect food safety.

🔗: https://t.co/HIQceqLZZS#TAMU #AggieResearch pic.twitter.com/hlzypHFmho

— Texas A&M University (@TAMU) May 15, 2026

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What Are Nanoplastics?

Nanoplastics are plastic particles smaller than 1 micrometer, formed when larger plastics break down or are manufactured for industrial use. They are small enough to pass through most filtration systems and enter water supplies, soil, and plant tissues.

The term “microplastics” first appeared in literature in 2004 to describe microscopic plastic fragments in ocean samples, per Science AAAS. Even smaller nanoplastics gained attention in the following decade as detection methods improved. By the early 2020s, researchers documented them in bottled water, seafood, air, and human blood.

The Dallas Express has previously reported on nanoplastics in bottled water, noting that they can leach from plastic containers and potentially enter the bloodstream.

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Texas A&M Findings

In the 2025 study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Ph.D. student Michael Bryant, working with Dr. Xingmao “Samuel” Ma, exposed hydroponic lettuce to polystyrene nanoplastics and cadmium.

Dr. Ma stated that “We should begin reassessing ‘safe’ cadmium limits, and heavy metals in general, in agricultural soil and soilless media,” per a March 17, 2026, press release by Texas A&M University.

The research showed that nanoplastics triggered oxidative stress in the plants, weakening their natural defenses. Normally, plants limit cadmium movement to leaves by storing it in roots—combined exposure disrupted this process.

Dr. Ma added that “We theorize this outcome is due to the increased root branching caused by cadmium exposure. Nanoplastics do not participate in any of the active transport mechanisms performed by the plant. Rather, they are passively taken up at gaps in the root surface.”

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Health Concerns and Widespread Presence

Cadmium is a known toxic heavy metal linked to kidney damage, bone issues, and certain cancers with long-term exposure. Nanoplastics themselves are associated in lab studies with oxidative stress, inflammation, and potential contributions to metabolic, respiratory, and cardiovascular concerns, as reported by The Lancet Planetary Health. Some animal and cell studies suggest links to increased cancer risk through DNA damage and immune effects, though direct human causation remains under study.

Nanoplastics and microplastics are now found worldwide in soil, water, air, and food chains. They appear in agricultural fields through sewage sludge, irrigation water, plastic mulch, and atmospheric deposition. The issue is global, with higher concentrations reported near urban and industrial areas.

Dr. Ma’s team plans further work to map contamination across U.S. regions using soil survey data to test whether lab findings hold up in real-world field conditions.

The post Texas A&M Study: Nanoplastics Cause Lettuce To Soak Up 67% More Toxins appeared first on Dallas Express.

A Manhattan judge declared a mistrial Friday in the latest retrial of Harvey Weinstein on a third-degree rape charge after jurors reported they were deadlocked.

The development marks the latest chapter in the long-running legal proceedings against the former Hollywood producer, reported the Associated Press.

Prosecutors must now decide whether to pursue a fourth trial on the allegation involving aspiring actress Jessica Mann. Weinstein, who is already serving a 16-year sentence in California for other rape convictions, remains imprisoned.

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History of the Case

The allegations against Weinstein gained national attention in 2017 when The New York Times and The New Yorker published investigative reports detailing claims of sexual misconduct by dozens of women.

In May 2018, Weinstein surrendered to New York authorities and was charged with rape and criminal sexual act in the first degree, per NPR. A superseding indictment added charges related to additional accusers.

Weinstein’s first New York trial in 2020 resulted in convictions for first-degree criminal sexual act against Miriam Haley and third-degree rape against Jessica Mann. He was acquitted of more serious predatory sexual assault charges and first-degree rape, CBS News New York reported at the time. He received a 23-year sentence.

In April 2024, New York’s highest court overturned the 2020 convictions in a 4-3 decision. The Court of Appeals ruled that the trial judge improperly allowed testimony from women whose allegations were not part of the charged crimes, finding it prejudiced the defense. The case was sent back for a new trial.

A 2025 retrial involving multiple accusers ended in a split verdict: conviction on one count involving Miriam Haley, acquittal on another, and deadlock on the third-degree rape charge involving Mann. A mistrial was declared on that remaining count, reported The New York Times.

The current retrial, which began in April 2026, again focused on Mann’s 2013 allegation. She testified that Weinstein trapped her in a DoubleTree hotel room, ignored her refusals, and assaulted her. Defense attorneys highlighted prior consensual encounters between Mann and Weinstein and questioned the credibility of her account.

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Next Steps

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office will consult with Mann before deciding on a potential fourth trial. A hearing is scheduled for June 24, reported AP. Weinstein denies all nonconsensual allegations.

The mistrial occurred because the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict after deliberations. Under New York law, a deadlocked jury results in a mistrial, allowing prosecutors the option to retry the case.

Weinstein was convicted in Los Angeles in 2022 of rape and sexual assault and sentenced to 16 years. He has appealed that conviction as well. He remains in custody.

The post Harvey Weinstein Mistrial Declared: Jury Deadlocks On Jessica Mann Rape Charge appeared first on Dallas Express.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $200,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of former U.S. counterintelligence agent Monica Elfriede Witt, a one-time Air Force intelligence specialist accused of defecting to Iran and providing classified information to the Iranian government.

The FBI Washington Field Office announced the renewed reward offer on Thursday, saying Witt remains at large after being charged in a 2019 federal espionage case.

Witt, 47, served in the U.S. Air Force from 1997 to 2008 and later worked as a government contractor until 2010. During her military and contracting service, authorities said she had access to SECRET and TOP SECRET intelligence, including the identities of undercover U.S. intelligence personnel.

Federal prosecutors allege Witt defected to Iran in 2013 and later transmitted sensitive national defense information to the Iranian government. According to the FBI, the information allegedly endangered U.S. personnel and their families stationed overseas.

“Monica Witt allegedly betrayed her oath to the Constitution more than a decade ago by defecting to Iran and providing the Iranian regime National Defense Information and likely continues to support their nefarious activities,” Daniel Wierzbicki, special agent in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Counterintelligence and Cyber Division, said in a statement.

“The FBI has not forgotten and believes that during this critical moment in Iran’s history, there is someone who knows something about her whereabouts,” Wierzbicki added. “The FBI wants to hear from you so you can help us apprehend Witt and bring her to justice.”

A federal grand jury in Washington indicted Witt in February 2019 on charges including conspiracy to deliver national defense information to representatives of a foreign government and delivering national defense information to representatives of a foreign government, specifically Iran.

Authorities said Witt allegedly conducted research on behalf of the Iranian regime to help identify and target former U.S. intelligence colleagues.

The FBI said Witt’s actions allegedly benefited Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which U.S. authorities say supports terrorist organizations and conducts intelligence and military operations targeting American interests.

Witt is also known by the aliases Fatemah Zahra and Narges Witt, according to the FBI. Investigators said she speaks Farsi and is believed to reside in Iran.

The FBI described Witt as an international flight risk and urged anyone with information about her whereabouts to contact federal authorities at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit tips through the bureau’s website.

The post FBI Offers $200,000 Reward For Ex-U.S. Spy Monica Witt Who Defected To Iran appeared first on Dallas Express.

Edward Lee Busby Jr. was pronounced dead Thursday evening following a lethal injection in Huntsville, becoming the 600th person executed in Texas since the state resumed capital punishment in 1982 – a milestone reached only after a last-minute legal battle that stretched from federal appeals courts to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Busby, 53, had been convicted in a Tarrant County courtroom in 2005 for the kidnapping and murder of Laura Lee Crane, a 77-year-old retired Texas Christian University professor.

Investigators in Busby’s case believe that Crane was abducted from a Fort Worth grocery store parking lot in January 2004, robbed, driven to Oklahoma, and left to suffocate in the trunk of her car with duct tape wrapped tightly around her face, as previously reported by DX.

Busby was arrested in Oklahoma City days later, still driving Crane’s car.

Final Words

Strapped to the gurney inside the death chamber, Busby delivered an extended final statement pleading for forgiveness from Crane’s family.

According to a transcript provided by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), Busby said: “Sir, Ma’am, I am so sorry, I ask that you please, please don’t hate me and that you can find it in your heart to forgive me for the part that I played in what happened to her. Ms. Crane was a lovely woman, I never meant anything bad to happen to her. I am so sorry, I am so, so sorry, but I feel asleep and I don’t know what happened. Please forgive me, please, if not for me for yourself. Because the Father said if we don’t forgive those who wrong us, He will not forgive us. And I know that you are angry, I know you’re angry and I’m sorry, I’m not happy about what happened…”

His full final statement is available via the official TDCJ website.

A Legal Battle to the Very End

The road to Thursday’s execution was anything but routine.

Busby’s attorneys had argued for years that he has an intellectual disability – a condition that, under the Supreme Court’s 2002 ruling in Atkins v. Virginia, prohibits a person from being executed. Nearly every expert who evaluated Busby — including the one the Tarrant County DA’s own office paid — concluded he had an intellectual disability. The prosecution’s own hired expert agreed that the man they were trying to execute was constitutionally ineligible for execution.

As such, on May 8, 2026, a Fifth Circuit panel voted to temporarily halt the execution, with the majority writing that when a man’s life is on the line, courts need to be certain they’re applying the right legal standard before proceeding.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton stepped in and asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the stay. The high court agreed on May 14, lifting the Fifth Circuit’s hold in a short order. Busby’s lawyers then made one last attempt to halt the execution back in the Fifth Circuit after the Supreme Court ruled, but it was too late.

Thursday wasn’t even Busby’s first brush with the death chamber.

His 2020 execution was called off because of COVID, and the following year, a Texas appeals court stepped in again to take a second look at his intellectual disability claim – only for a trial court to ultimately reject it, leaving his defense team with nowhere to turn.

The Other Side of Justice: Exonerations 

While Texas executed its 600th prisoner, a separate story was unfolding just up Interstate 35.

This week, the City of Austin reached a tentative $35 million settlement with three men and the family of a fourth who were wrongfully accused of one of Texas’ most notorious crimes: the 1991 “I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt” murders, per AP News.

Amy Ayers, Eliza Thomas, and sisters Jennifer and Sarah Harbison – four teenage girls – were raped and killed during the horrific crime spree at an Austin yogurt shop on December 6, 1991.

Robert Springsteen, Michael Scott, Forrest Welborn, and Maurice Pierce were accused in the case. Springsteen was convicted and sent to death row, and Scott received a life sentence. Their convictions were eventually overturned, even though prosecutors tried to retry them for years.

Pierce, who spent three years in jail before charges were dropped, died in 2010 in a confrontation with police.

A Travis County judge formally declared all four men innocent in February 2026 after cold case investigators determined serial killer Robert Eugene Brashers – who died in 1999 – had committed the crime alone, a conclusion backed by DNA evidence found under one victim’s fingernail.

Within the same week Texas hit its 600th execution, it also cut a $35 million check to compensate the three men and the family of the fourth. The $35 million tentative settlement could be one of the largest of its kind in the city of Austin’s history.

Recent Exonerations Across the U.S.

Within the last year alone, America has had at least 8 high-profile legal exonerations, according to the exoneration registry:

• Yogurt Shop Four (Texas, 2026): Robert Springsteen, Michael Scott, Forrest Welborn, and Maurice Pierce were formally declared innocent in February after DNA evidence linked serial killer Robert Brashers to the 1991 murders of four teenage girls.
• Kenneth Windley (New York, March 2026): Freed after nearly 20 years in prison for a robbery he didn’t commit, cleared after the actual robber confessed.
• Clarence Jordan (Texas, April 2026): Death sentence overturned after nearly 50 years on Texas death row. The court found the 70-year-old, who has intellectual disabilities, should never have faced execution.
• Sandra Hemme (Missouri, December 2024): Formally exonerated after 44 years — the longest known wrongful incarceration of any woman in American history — for a 1980 murder.
• C.J. Rice (Pennsylvania, 2025): Freed after 12 years for a 2011 Philadelphia shooting he did not commit.
• Frank Drew (Illinois, 2025): Exonerated after 24 years wrongfully imprisoned for a 1996 homicide.
•  John Brandon Lamotte (Kentucky, October 2025): Wrongfully convicted in 2019 for an alleged stabbing, freed after eight years when the Kentucky Supreme Court upheld the reversal of his conviction.
•  Two Illinois Men (Chicago, 2025): A jury awarded $120 million to two men wrongfully convicted of a 2003 murder, setting a new record for wrongful conviction damages in Chicago.

The post Texas Hits Grim Milestone: 600th Execution Same Week As Major Exonerations appeared first on Dallas Express.

Dallas City Hall now sits at the center of a public debate over repair costs, historic preservation, downtown redevelopment, and access to city services.

The Dallas Express is asking readers to weigh in through a short 16-question poll about the future of the I.M. Pei-designed building at 1500 Marilla Street. The city selected Pei to design the building in 1966, and the current City Hall formally opened in 1978, according to the city’s archives.

City Hall Debate Draws Competing Views

A recent Dallas Morning News opinion piece by developer Mike Hoque argued that Dallas should stop declaring downtown dead and instead pursue a long-term vision built around safety, connectivity, and smarter use of public assets. The piece pointed to downtown residents, the Farmers Market, Main Street, the Arts District, the convention center redevelopment, Newpark, and other projects as signs that downtown still has room to grow.

Former Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings has also launched a campaign supporting relocation of City Hall operations and redevelopment of the site. According to The Dallas Morning News, Rawlings said Dallas should look beyond repair estimates and consider whether the property could help attract new business, support downtown activity, and potentially anchor an entertainment district tied to keeping the Mavericks and Stars downtown.

Another Dallas Morning News opinion piece by Dan Noble made the preservation case, arguing that Dallas should revitalize downtown through careful planning without demolishing City Hall. Noble wrote that the building is not an ordinary office building but a significant civic structure tied to Dallas’ public identity.

Those who favor relocation or redevelopment have raised questions about whether the current site could better support downtown’s economy, whether City Hall remains the best location for city services, and how repair costs compare with relocation or redevelopment options. Preservation advocates argue the building has architectural, civic, and historical value and should be repaired rather than vacated or demolished.

Repair Costs Remain Central Issue

Repair costs remain a major part of the discussion. A February presentation to the Dallas City Council Finance Committee estimated corrective repairs at $329.4 million. The same presentation estimated that fully updating City Hall for another 20 years would cost between $906 million and $1.14 billion, before operating expenses.

As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Councilmember Cara Mendelsohn has questioned aspects of the repair estimates, citing documentation of a $4.5 million heating system replacement completed in 2023 that included new boilers and asbestos remediation. Mendelsohn argued that Dallas should obtain an independent assessment before making a final decision on City Hall’s future.

Preservation Advocates Cite Prop S

The Save Dallas City Hall Coalition sent the city a 60-day notice of claim on May 12, alleging that Dallas has failed to maintain and repair the building while it awaits possible historic designation. The coalition’s letter says the Dallas Landmark Commission voted unanimously in March 2025 to begin the historic designation process.

The coalition also points to the citizen-enforcement provision added to the Dallas City Charter through Proposition S, a Dallas HERO-backed charter amendment approved by voters in November 2024. Its notice cites Chapter XXV of the charter, which allows residents to seek court action requiring the city to comply with city ordinances. The city code lists Chapter XXV as “Citizen Enforcement” and says it was added by amendment on November 5, 2024.

Readers Asked To Weigh In

The question for Dallas residents and readers is what should happen next.

Should Dallas repair City Hall and keep city operations there? Should the city preserve the building but move some services elsewhere? Should Dallas relocate operations and redevelop the site? Or should the city consider selling or leasing the property for private development?

The Dallas Express reader poll asks about public awareness, access to city services, repair costs, relocation preferences, historic preservation, downtown economic activity, and possible redevelopment.

The poll is informal and does not represent a scientific survey of Dallas voters or residents.

Readers can take the poll HERE.

The post What Should Dallas Do With City Hall? Take the DX Poll appeared first on Dallas Express.

Crews have begun painting over one of downtown Dallas’ most recognizable public artworks to make way for a new mural tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, prompting disappointment from residents and the artist who created the original piece.

The mural, officially titled Ocean Life, spans two sides of a building at 505 N. Akard St. and measures roughly 164 feet long and 82 feet high. Marine artist and conservationist Robert Wyland painted the work in 1999 as part of his nationwide “Whaling Walls” project aimed at promoting ocean conservation awareness.

The Dallas mural was the 82nd installation in Wyland’s series of 100 large-scale murals created across the country through the Wyland Foundation.

Residents and downtown workers who visited the site this week described the mural as a longtime fixture of the city’s landscape.

“It was something beautiful in the middle of a concrete jungle,” said Ray Hostetler, who said he often passed the mural while walking to the Katy Trail, per NBC 5 DFW.

Others said they were surprised to see blue paint covering portions of the artwork.

“I was a little disappointed to see just blue paint going up,” Wally Waites, who works nearby, told NBC 5. “I hope that there is something spectacular planned in its place.”

Photographer Mark Levine, who said he had documented the mural for years, called the loss significant.

“No matter what they put up, something is lost that’s just never coming back again,” Levine said, per NBC 5.

Wyland told Fox 4 KDFW that he was “blindsided” by the decision and said he was not personally consulted before work began. He said Ocean Life was among his favorite murals and held special meaning to him.

For years, much of the mural had been obscured by large outdoor advertisements that were later removed during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing the artwork to become fully visible again.

With the Dallas mural now covered, the only remaining Whaling Wall in Texas is the Orcas off the Gulf of Mexico on South Padre Island, unveiled in 1994.

Officials said the new artwork will celebrate Dallas’ role as a host city partner for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

A spokesperson for the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee said the project is being completed in partnership with Slate Asset Management, which owns the building.

The organization said it “recognize[s] the cultural and historical significance of Robert Wyland’s Whaling Wall 82” and added that “a portion of the original mural will remain preserved as a tribute to its lasting impact on the city,” NBC 5 reported.

The statement also said organizers look forward to unveiling “a new piece that captures this current historical moment and reflects the energy, unity, and global spirit surrounding the World Cup 2026 this summer.”

Officials said additional details about the mural are expected next week.

Reaction online has also been critical, with some Dallas residents describing the whales as an iconic part of the city’s identity.

“Those whales are iconic,” one commenter wrote, per Fox 4. “They’ve been around for as long as I could remember!”

“Booooo,” another wrote. “Bring back the whales.”

“The Wyland Whale wall, completed in ’99 in downtown Dallas, is being painted over for a FIFA ad. The ghouls who are destroying this city should be tarred and feathered,” commented X user Joel Montfort.

Photos of all 100 of the original Whaling Wall murals can be found on the Wyland Foundation website.

The post End Of An Era: Downtown Dallas’ Famous Whale Mural Disappears appeared first on Dallas Express.

A suspected senior leader of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua has been extradited from Colombia to the United States and appeared in federal custody in Houston on terrorism and international drug trafficking charges, federal prosecutors announced.

Jose Enrique Martinez Flores, 24, also known as “Chuqui,” is accused of providing material support to Tren de Aragua, which the U.S. State Department designated earlier this year as a foreign terrorist organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, Flores was arrested in Colombia on March 31, 2025, after U.S. authorities requested a provisional arrest warrant. He was scheduled to make his initial appearance on Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christina A. Bryan in Houston.

Prosecutors allege Flores was part of the inner circle of Tren de Aragua leadership operating in Bogotá, Colombia, and oversaw criminal activities that included drug trafficking, extortion, prostitution, and murder.

The indictment charges Flores with conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization. He is also accused of participating in an international cocaine trafficking conspiracy involving at least five kilograms of cocaine allegedly intended for distribution in the United States.

Federal authorities allege proceeds from the cocaine operation were used to advance the gang’s criminal activities.

If convicted, Flores faces up to life in prison and a possible $10 million fine.

Officials said Flores is the first known member of Tren de Aragua extradited from Colombia to the United States.

The case is part of a broader federal crackdown on Tren de Aragua. This transnational criminal organization originated in Venezuela and has expanded throughout Latin America and into the United States.

A federal grand jury in Houston returned a second superseding indictment in December 2025, charging three additional alleged gang leaders: Yohan Jose Romero, also known as “Johan Petrica”; Juan Gabriel Rivas Nunez, also known as “Juancho”; and Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano, also known as “El Viejo.”

Mosquera Serrano is listed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list and remains a fugitive, along with Romero and Rivas Nunez.

The State Department is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Mosquera Serrano and up to $4 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Romero.

Anyone with information about these fugitives is asked to contact the FBI via WhatsApp or Telegram at 281-787-9939, submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov, or visit the nearest FBI office, American Embassy, or Consulate.

The investigation was conducted through Joint Task Force Vulcan and the Homeland Security Task Force, a multiagency initiative targeting transnational criminal organizations, cartels, and gangs operating in the United States and abroad.

Federal officials said Colombian law enforcement agencies, including the Colombian National Police and the Colombian Attorney General’s Office, assisted in securing Flores’ arrest and extradition.

The post Tren De Aragua Leader Extradited To Houston On Terrorism, Drug Distribution Charges appeared first on Dallas Express.

Millions of Americans are reportedly preparing to participate in Good Neighbor Day America on Saturday, May 16, a coordinated day of service tied to the lead-up to the country’s 250th anniversary.

The initiative aims to inspire 250 million acts of kindness through volunteer projects nationwide, per the Good Neighbor Day America website.

Organizers partnered with America250, the congressionally designated nonpartisan group leading the semiquincentennial celebrations. Events range from neighborhood cleanups and food distributions to care package assemblies, with thousands of opportunities listed across all 50 states.

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Nationwide Movement

Good Neighbor Day America builds on earlier efforts to promote local kindness. The modern push launched as a 2026-specific campaign in partnership with America250 to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026.

Tomorrow’s the day. 🇺🇸

Good Neighbor Day America is almost here, and tomorrow is your chance to show up for your community with kindness, care and action. Big gesture or small, it all counts.

Be part of it and find local service opportunities at https://t.co/9XjIYpssei pic.twitter.com/qTcHdiFNxn

— America250 (@America250) May 15, 2026

The day encourages both organized volunteer events and individual acts, such as holding doors, paying for a stranger’s coffee, or picking up litter. Participants can track efforts through the Good Neighbor app for check-ins and rewards.

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DFW Events Highlight Local Impact

In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the Dream Center Dallas is reportedly planning a major outreach event on May 16 from approximately 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities include free groceries, produce, diapers, wipes, inflatables, and food trucks.

Organizers at the center invited DFW residents to join at noon on Saturday for service projects focused on practical help for local families. Similar events through partner organizations are expected across North Texas, though volunteers are encouraged to check the official map for the latest listings.

Nationally, partners include The Salvation Army, Keep America Beautiful, and numerous faith-based and community groups. Activities span neighborhood cleanups, charity walks, and resource distributions.

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Broader Participation and Goals

Organizers set a goal of 250 million acts of kindness to align with the anniversary milestone. Volunteers can join existing projects or create their own simple acts of service.

Officials urge residents to visit the Good Neighbor Day America website to find or register for events near them.

The post Good Neighbor Day America Hits Dallas: Join The Kindness Movement May 16 appeared first on Dallas Express.

A 23-year-old employee at an Aeropostale store inside North East Mall has been arrested after police said a hidden camera was discovered inside a dressing room.

Hurst police said officers responded on April 24 to a 911 call reporting a possible concealed camera at the store located at 1101 Melbourne Rd.

Investigators said two young women found a small camera partially hidden in a dressing room. After discovering the device, they removed it from the area, left the store, and contacted the police.

Detectives later examined the camera and determined it contained invasive visual recordings, according to authorities. During the investigation, police identified a suspect as Caleb Leonard, a store employee.

An arrest warrant was issued May 14, and Leonard was taken into custody at his residence without incident, police said. Investigators also executed a search warrant and collected additional evidence.

Leonard, who had been placed on administrative leave following the initial report, was charged with invasive visual recording and tampering with physical evidence.

Police said Leonard was employed by Aeropostale at the time the camera was allegedly placed inside the dressing room.

Catalyst Brands, the parent company of Aeropostale, said in a statement that the employee was suspended after the allegations surfaced and was subsequently terminated.

“We are aware of the arrest of a former associate. Upon learning of the allegations, we immediately suspended the associate and began working with the Hurst Police Department to support their investigation,” the company said, per Fox 4 KDFW. “The safety and security of our customers is always of utmost concern, and we have zero tolerance for behavior that puts anyone visiting our stores at risk.”

Hurst police are asking anyone who believes they may have been recorded in the dressing room or who has additional information to contact the department at 817-788-7166.

The post Aeropostale Employee Arrested After Hidden Camera Found In North East Mall Dressing Room appeared first on Dallas Express.

The family of Mariah Murray is seeking answers after the 27-year-old woman was found dead inside an abandoned home in East Oak Cliff on May 10.

Dallas police discovered Murray’s body Sunday afternoon at a vacant house in the 1400 block of Georgia Avenue, near the Illinois Avenue DART station. Relatives told Fox 4 KDFW that she was found inside a freezer.

No arrests have been made, and the Dallas Police Department has not released a suspect or a motive.

Hours after the body was discovered, Dallas Fire-Rescue responded to a fire at the same home. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and it is not clear whether it is linked to the killing.

Family members spoke with the news media and urged anyone with information to come forward.

“All of these people around here, somebody who knows did it,” Murray’s cousin said, per Fox 4. “Somebody seen her. They know who did it.”

“She didn’t deserve what happened to her,” another family member said.

One relative described Murray as someone with a warm personality.

“Man, Mariah had a good spirit,” the family member said, Fox 4 reported. “Always laughing. She loved to play. You know, people just make mistakes. You know, maybe she was hanging with the wrong people.”

Another relative said Murray had choices in life but did not deserve her fate.

“Oh, she had plenty of options, but people choose to do what they want to do, but whatever they chose, she didn’t deserve what happened,” the family member said.

The family called on neighbors and witnesses to assist investigators.

“Somebody had to see something, and somebody had to know something, so they need to speak up,” a family member said. “So, whoever did it, we want justice. We want whoever did it found. Point-blank. Period.”

Murray had nearly a dozen criminal charges in Dallas County in recent years, most of them minor infractions tied to DART, such as fare evasion, according to Fox 4.

One neighbor described the abandoned house as a location used by drug users. Another neighbor, Cesar Labrador, expressed concern for the family.

“I really do give out my condolences to her family and hope they’re okay,” Labrador said.

The Dallas Police Department is asking anyone with any information on the case to contact Detective C. Fehrenbach at 214-671-3671 or cody.fehrenbach@dallaspolice.gov.

The post Dallas Woman Found Dead In Freezer: Family Seeks Justice In Oak Cliff appeared first on Dallas Express.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a settlement with Texas Children’s Hospital that requires the facility to pay $10 million and to open what his office described as the country’s first detransition clinic for patients who underwent “gender-transition” procedures.

The agreement, reached after a multi-year investigation by the attorney general’s Healthcare Program Enforcement Division, resolves allegations that the hospital billed Texas Medicaid for unallowable and illegal “gender-transition” interventions, including the use of false diagnosis codes, according to a May 15 press release from the attorney general’s office.

Under the terms of the deal, Texas Children’s will establish a multidisciplinary clinic to treat patients seeking to reverse the effects of sex-altering medical interventions. For the first five years of operation, the hospital will fund all services at the clinic, and patients will not be charged.

The settlement also requires Texas Children’s to fire and permanently revoke the privileges of five physicians who performed the interventions. The hospital agreed never to rehire or credential those doctors. Paxton’s news release did not name the five doctors.

Texas Children’s further agreed to stop providing “gender-transition” services, adopt new compliance and ethics measures, and amend its bylaws so that any physician who violates Texas’s prohibition on medical interventions to “transition” minors automatically loses privileges.

Paxton’s office said the settlement was reached in coordination with the U.S. Department of Justice.

“Today is a monumental day in the fight to stop the radical transgender movement. This historic settlement reflects an institutional and fundamental cultural shift away from radical ‘gender’ ideology. In addition to helping establish the first-ever Detransition Clinic and securing millions, this settlement will ensure that the deranged child mutilators who hurt our kids are fired and held accountable,” Paxton said.

“I applaud Texas Children’s Hospital for changing course and committing to being a part of the solution by agreeing to form a first-of-its-kind Detransition Clinic that will help provide free care to those who have been victimized by twisted, morally bankrupt transgender ideology. Under my watch, I will investigate and bring the full force of the law against any Texas hospital that abuses children with harmful medical interventions to ‘transition’ kids,” Paxton added.

In 2024, The Dallas Express reported on the case of a registered nurse, Vanessa Sivadge, who was fired by Texas Children’s after blowing the whistle on the hospital for allegedly billing gender mutilating procedures to Medicaid. She also alleged that the hospital was manipulating patient medical records by “listing the preferred gender identity on the medical record instead of the birth sex, making fraudulent billing difficult to detect.”

“I observed the harmful effects of sex change hormones and puberty blockers for children who were convinced this would be ‘life-saving’ treatment,” Sivadge later testified before a congressional subcommittee in 2025.

She described to the committee how doctors at the hospital would emotionally blackmail parents by suggesting that their failing to affirm their child’s identitiy confusion would lead to self-harm.

The Dallas Express also reported extensively on the story of Dr. Eithan Haim, who exposed that the Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston was secretly providing “sex alteration surgeries” and “transgender” hormones to minors. He subsequently became the target of what he called a “political witch hunt.”

The Department of Justice indicted Haim under the Biden administration for allegedly leaking personal information. The case was dismissed with prejudice.

The post Paxton Forces Texas Children’s To Open Nation’s First Detransition Clinic In $10M Settlement appeared first on Dallas Express.

Classrooms and lecture halls have recorded a notable rise in top marks since generative AI tools became widely available.

A University of California, Berkeley analysis of more than 500,000 grades at a large Texas research university shows the share of A grades in writing- and coding-heavy courses increased by about 13 percentage points—or roughly 30% relative to the 2022 baseline—after ChatGPT’s debut.

Researchers attribute the shift primarily to students using AI for assignments rather than broad improvements in learning. The study, released this week, found larger grade increases in courses where homework carried greater weight, consistent with AI substituting for student effort.

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AI Reshapes Education Landscape

The Berkeley paper, titled “Artificial Intelligence and Grade Inflation,” examined grades from 2018 to 2025 using a difference-in-differences design. Courses with more AI-exposed tasks, such as essays and coding, saw substantial rises in A grades compared with less-exposed classes. Professors awarded about 30% more A’s and fewer A-minuses and B-pluses in those subjects.

Igor Chirikov, a senior researcher at Berkeley’s Center for Studies in Higher Education and the author of the paper, stated that the results suggest students relied on generative AI to improve their assignments.

This development comes as AI adoption in education has accelerated. Global student use of AI tools jumped from 66% in 2024 to 92% in 2025, according to DemandSage data. In higher education, 86% of students now use AI as their primary research and brainstorming partner.

Teachers have also integrated the technology. A Gallup survey found 60% of U.S. K-12 public school teachers used AI tools during the 2024-2025 school year, with 32% using them at least weekly. Those who use AI weekly save an average of 5.9 hours per week—equivalent to about six extra school weeks per year.

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History & Benefits of AI in Classrooms

Generative AI entered mainstream education rapidly after OpenAI released ChatGPT in late 2022. Within months, usage exploded. By the 2024-25 school year, 85% of teachers and 86% of students had used AI, per a Center for Democracy and Technology report.

Proponents point to efficiency and personalization gains. A randomized controlled trial published in Scientific Reports in 2025 found that students using an AI tutor achieved substantially higher post-test scores than those in traditional active learning, with an effect size of 0.73 to 1.3 standard deviations, in less time.

Separately, a Center for Democracy and Technology survey of middle and high school teachers found that 69% said AI tools have improved their teaching methods and skills.

AI also supports administrative relief, freeing educators for more student interaction.

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Challenges and Concerns

Critics highlight risks to critical thinking and genuine skill development. A Brookings Institution report warned that AI risks currently outweigh benefits for children’s cognitive development, citing declines in content knowledge, critical thinking, and creativity among heavy users.

One student quoted in the study said, “It’s easy. You don’t need to (use) your brain,” reported NPR.

A Center for Democracy and Technology survey found that 70% of teachers worry AI weakens critical thinking and research skills, EducationWeek noted. Half of the students said using AI makes them feel less connected to teachers.

In the workforce, AI is similarly disruptive. The World Economic Forum has projected that AI will displace 92 million jobs globally by 2030 while creating 170 million new ones, for a net gain. Roles requiring AI skills command a 28% salary premium.

The technology’s rapid integration has outpaced policy development in many districts, according to RAND’s 2025 survey findings. Educators have responded with policy adjustments. Some institutions have increased in-class assessments and proctoring, or reduced the weight of homework, to verify unaided student work. Princeton, for example, reinstated proctoring requirements, per The Daily Princetonian.

As AI tools evolve, schools continue balancing potential productivity gains against concerns about learning integrity and long-term skill retention.

The post 30% Surge On College ‘A’ Grades After ChatGPT – Is AI ‘Learning’ The New Normal? appeared first on Dallas Express.

May 15th is National Peace Officers Memorial Day, a day set aside to honor the men and women in law enforcement who gave their lives protecting the rest of us. For most people, it’s a meaningful observance. For those who have worn the badge, it’s something much deeper.

I know because I wore one myself.

Many people know me from radio, television, or my years in the car business, but long before any of that, I worked for the Dallas Police Department. I’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with officers who were willing to risk everything for people they didn’t even know. I’ve been there for the good days, the dangerous days, and the heartbreaking days when a dear friend I was supposed to be working with was savagely gunned down at the age of 24. Rest in peace Ron Baker.

And I’ve put the black tape on my badge for others more times than I ever wanted to.

If you’re not familiar with it, when an officer dies in the line of duty, fellow officers place a black mourning band across their badge. It’s simple, quiet, and powerful. No words are necessary. Every officer understands exactly what it means.

That image never leaves you.

Which is why the song I released this week is called “Black Tape on My Badge.”

I wrote it because there are some things you carry forever. For me, one of those things is July 7, 2016.

I will never get over that night.

Seven Dallas police officers were gunned down during what had started as a peaceful protest in downtown Dallas. Five officers were murdered. Others were critically wounded. It was one of the darkest nights in the history of our city and one of the darkest moments I’ve ever personally experienced.

Even now, nearly 10 years later, it’s hard to describe the emotions from that night. Shock. Anger. Sadness. Disbelief. But mostly heartbreak. Those officers kissed their families goodbye that morning expecting to come home after work, just like every other day.

They didn’t.

For those of us connected to law enforcement, it hit differently because we understood exactly what those officers were doing when the shots rang out. They weren’t thinking about politics. They weren’t thinking about headlines. They were thinking about protecting innocent people.

That’s what police officers do every day in America.

And despite everything they face today, the overwhelming majority still do it honorably.

That’s one reason I wanted to write this song. Not to make a political statement. Not to argue with anyone. I wrote it as a tribute to the people behind the badge and the sacrifices they and their families make every single day.

As I worked through the lyrics, memories came flooding back. Officers I knew. Funerals I attended. The sound of bagpipes. 21-gun salutes. Patrol cars lined up for miles. Family members being handed neatly folded American flags and trying to stay strong while their entire world had just been shattered.

You never really forget those moments.

The older I get, the more respect I have for the men and women who continue doing this job. Every shift starts with uncertainty. Every traffic stop carries risk. Every call could change a life forever, including their own.

Yet they keep showing up.

That deserves gratitude, especially today.

National Peace Officers Memorial Day is not about politics. It’s about remembering human beings who believed protecting others mattered more than protecting themselves. It’s about honoring courage, sacrifice and service.

And for some of us, it’s personal.

So, if you see an officer this Friday, take a second to thank them. It may mean more than you realize.

And if you have a chance, listen to “Black Tape on My Badge.” I wrote it from experience, from memories, and from a place in my heart that still aches for the officers we’ve lost, especially those we lost here in Dallas on July 7, 2016.

For every officer who never made it home, and for every family still carrying that loss, this song is for you.

Click here to listen.

Black Tape On My Badge He kissed his wife and grabbed his keys Same thing he’s done ten thousand times Little hands wrapped around his leg “Daddy, will you be home tonight?” He smiled and said, “I’ll do my best” But deep inside he knows the truth Every shift could be the one That takes him from the ones he loves Some people curse the uniform Some politicians want it gone But when the worst day finally comes Guess who they still call on I’ve stood beside a mother crying Tried to find the words somehow There ain’t no training in this world For telling her her child’s gone now And every siren screams a prayer Every badge carries a cost And every officer knows one day A brother or sister could be lost So if you see the men and women in blue Remember they’re human too They miss birthdays and holidays And bleed red white and blue They run toward danger when we run away Stand the line so we can sleep safe And sometimes all that’s left behind Is black tape on a badge And there ain’t a pain that cuts this deep Like folding up a fallen friend’s flag Or placing your hand across your heart Looking at black tape on your badge So before you judge what you don’t understand Walk one night in their boots Carry every scar and memory And see if it changes you Because they don’t do it for the paycheck Or glory or applause They do it because somebody has to No matter what the cost So tonight when they walk out that door Pray they all make it home Back to the families waiting up Scared to answer the phone For every life they try to save And every sacrifice they’ve had God bless the men and women in blue And the black tape on the badge Yeah, God bless the men and women in blue And the black tape on the badge

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Jerry Reynolds is a former police officer and an on-air car expert. He is the host of The Car Pro Show, president of the Car Pro Radio Network, and is heard locally on WBAP and KRLD. A former Ford dealer, he now helps consumers navigate the car-buying and ownership process. Read more at CarPro.com.

The post National Police Memorial Day, And A New Song For Them appeared first on Dallas Express.

The Dallas Police Department has received a $10 million donation from QuikTrip to support a future Law Enforcement Training Center at the University of North Texas at Dallas, the department announced.

The contribution is the largest gift in QuikTrip’s history, according to the department, which announced the investment this week.

The planned facility is designed to expand the academy training provided to Dallas officers. According to the department, the center will house classroom space, physical training areas, and immersive environments designed for scenario-based instruction.

“QuikTrip’s historic investment is more than a gift to the Dallas Police Department; it is an investment in the future of public safety in Dallas,” said Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux. “The challenges facing modern policing continue to evolve, and our responsibility is to ensure officers are prepared with the highest level of training possible.”

“This extraordinary partnership will help us better equip the men and women who serve this city every day, and we are deeply grateful for QuikTrip’s continued commitment to Dallas,” Comeaux added.

According to an update presented to the City of Dallas Public Safety Committee in December, the planned $180 million facility will be funded by a 2024 bond, state grants, and private funding, with construction slated to begin in the fall of 2026.

DPD said QuikTrip has supported its operations in the past, including the purchase of blocker trucks used to shield first responders working along busy roads and highways. The company has also contributed more than $1.5 million to upgrade the department’s existing reality-based training facility.

The post Dallas Police Get $10M From QuikTrip For State-of-the-Art Training Center appeared first on Dallas Express.

The chief deputy of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office was fired days before he was expected to testify against Sheriff Adam King in an ongoing criminal case involving allegations of retaliation and abuse of office.

James Saulter was terminated on May 12, according to his attorney, Christopher Cooke, who said the firing has placed significant strain on Saulter and his family.

“I think he is more worried at this point about how he’s going to put food on the table for his family than he is about his own emotions,” Cooke said, WFAA reported.

According to a termination letter from King, Saulter was dismissed for failing to appear at a scheduled Internal Affairs interview earlier that day.

Cooke disputed the circumstances surrounding the investigation, saying the inquiry was overseen by someone connected to the sheriff’s defense team.

“What the public doesn’t know is that the Internal Affairs investigation was being run by a friend of the sheriff, someone who he has on his defense team in his criminal case,” Cooke said.

Saulter is expected to testify in proceedings involving King, who has been indicted on two felony counts of retaliation against a witness. The sheriff also faces a misdemeanor abuse of office charge tied to sexual harassment allegations and an aggravated perjury charge accusing him of lying under oath to a grand jury.

After a March court hearing, King’s defense attorney, Bill Mason, publicly defended the sheriff.

“He is a fine man. I’ve known Adam King since the 1990s,” Mason said at the time, WFAA reported.

King remains in office and is working under a court-ordered hybrid schedule while the criminal case proceeds.

Cooke argued that Saulter’s firing raises concerns because of his role as a witness in the case.

“[King has] been allowed to be around his victims, and now [Saulter] is terminated, the main witness in the criminal prosecution against him next week,” Cooke said, per WFAA.

Saulter has already surrendered department-issued equipment, including his firearm, badge, and county computer, according to his attorney. He is now seeking new employment while preparing for upcoming court proceedings.

Cooke said he never expected the case involving King to evolve the way it has.

“If you’d have told me two years ago that what has happened was gonna go down this way, I wouldn’t have believed it,” Cooke said. “He is a different man from the man I supported for Sheriff. And he’s a different man than he was 10 years ago. It’s truly been heartbreaking to watch and now, to see the fallout of Chief Saulter and his family; he now has no income. It has a cascading effect.”

The post Johnson County Chief Deputy Fired Days Before Testifying Against Sheriff appeared first on Dallas Express.

White House Drug Czar Sara Carter convened the first in-person meeting of the Emerging Threats Committee on May 13 as federal officials work to identify dangerous drug threats before they spread through the illegal supply.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy hosted the meeting, which included federal, state, local, and Tribal officials, as well as leaders from academia, the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations, according to an ONDCP press release provided to The Dallas Express.

Committee members discussed the state of the illegal drug supply, new threat vectors, and challenges facing state, local, and Tribal communities.

The meeting followed the May 4 release of President Donald Trump’s 2026 National Drug Control Strategy, which calls for faster public warnings, stronger data collection, expanded use of artificial intelligence, and closer coordination between public health and law enforcement agencies.

As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the strategy frames the drug crisis as both a public health emergency and a national security threat, with a focus on attacking the illegal drug supply while expanding prevention, treatment, recovery, and faith-based support.

“History does not remember the crises we prevent. We rely on the Emerging Threats Committee to serve as the guardian angels of the American people, standing vigilant against emerging and still unknown drug threats,” Carter said.

“As part of our Strategy, ONDCP has already begun issuing drug threat notices on new and re-emerging deadly drugs entering the illicit drug supply, including medetomidine and cychlorphine, in an effort to warn the American people about these dangers. This is vital work with one goal in mind: to save American lives.”

Federal Officials Warn About Emerging Drugs

The committee meeting follows recent federal warnings about medetomidine and cychlorphine, two substances officials say have appeared in the illegal drug supply.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and ONDCP issued a health advisory on April 2, warning that U.S. jurisdictions have increasingly detected medetomidine in drug seizures, drug samples, paraphernalia samples, and wastewater testing.

Medetomidine, also known as “rhino tranq,” “mede,” or “dex,” is not approved for human use but is approved for sedation and pain relief in dogs, according to the advisory.

The CDC said medetomidine can cause profound sedation, low heart rate, and low blood pressure. The agency also warned that people who stop using medetomidine after regular exposure can experience severe withdrawal symptoms, including high blood pressure, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, and fluctuating alertness.

Because most medetomidine-involved overdoses also involve fentanyl, the CDC said responders should give naloxone to restore normal breathing during suspected overdoses.

Cychlorphine Already Found In Texas

As previously reported by The Dallas Express, federal officials warned on April 30 that cychlorphine, a synthetic opioid, had already appeared in Texas and may be up to 10 times more potent than fentanyl.

ONDCP’s Drug Threat Notice said officials identified cychlorphine in the illegal drug supply in states across all four U.S. Census regions, with the greatest prevalence in Ohio, Texas, and Tennessee.

The notice said cychlorphine has been linked to at least 55 deaths between 2025 and 2026. Officials also warned that the drug does not show up on drug test strips or routine hospital opioid urine screens.

Officials said cychlorphine has appeared mixed with fentanyl and other drugs, including methamphetamine, bromazolam, and cocaine. They also said the substance has been detected on its own.

ONDCP urged EMS workers, clinicians, law enforcement, and the public to be aware of the drug’s presence in the illegal supply, prepare to treat opioid overdoses with extra doses of naloxone, and call 911 when someone may be overdosing.

Strategy Calls For Earlier Warnings

The 2026 National Drug Control Strategy calls for federal officials to modernize public safety and public health data collection, use artificial intelligence to analyze current and future drug threats, and rapidly distribute warnings about dangerous drugs appearing in communities.

The White House said the strategy also calls for national-scale wastewater testing to obtain near-real-time data on illegal drug use.

The strategy further calls for expanding naloxone availability, developing new overdose-reversal medications, updating overdose rescue training, and creating a standardized approach for responding to mass overdose clusters.

The committee’s work fits into ONDCP’s broader strategy to identify emerging and still-unknown drug threats before they spread further through the illegal drug supply.

The post A New Wave Of Street Drugs Is Hitting The U.S., And Texas Is Already On The Map appeared first on Dallas Express.

A Dallas-based holding company built around artificial intelligence and acquisitions began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market Thursday, marking the public debut of AIAI Holdings Corporation under the ticker symbol AIAI.

The company, also known as Ai2, describes itself as an AI-enabled diversified holding company focused on acquiring and growing businesses across multiple industries. CEO and co-founder Todd Furniss said the listing is intended to launch “a new era of implemented AI.”

AIAI’s Class A common shares closed at $15.09 on Thursday, up 25.75% after opening at $12, according to Yahoo Finance market data.

Dallas Company Begins Trading

AIAI lists Dallas as its headquarters in its latest SEC registration statement.

“It’s an exciting day for us to debut on NASDAQ,” Furniss said in the company’s announcement. “Through this listing, we are introducing a new paradigm for acquisition, implementation, and optimization.”

The company said its initial portfolio spans healthcare, infrastructure, natural resources, financial services, and technology. Furniss said AIAI is focused on a disciplined acquisition strategy and is evaluating a pipeline of potential opportunities.

Built Around Acquisitions And Implementation

AIAI said it aims to create an “AI-powered ecosystem” by acquiring and scaling companies that can improve operations through AI integration.

The SEC filing says AIAI plans to identify, acquire, and, where appropriate, consolidate companies through an evaluation framework that looks beyond conventional metrics. The company said it expects to apply its technology directly to subsidiaries rather than relying on third-party licensing arrangements.

AIAI gave construction bidding as one example, saying its system could analyze project history, team psychometrics, and procurement data to produce estimates with quantified confidence factors. The company said the system could account for project type, geography, and team composition.

Rochon’s AI Acquisition Playbook

AIAI is chaired by John P. Rochon Sr., a longtime Dallas businessman whose Richmont Capital Partners says it has helped return more than $52 billion to partners across more than 350 M&A transactions.

Richmont, the private family office Rochon founded, says it has spent five decades investing across sectors including retail, consumer goods, international trade, manufacturing, finance, technology, and artificial intelligence.

The family office’s listed investment history includes Mary Kay, Avon Products, Armor Holdings, RealPage, Nukote, Harvey’s Casino and Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas, Miller Heiman, and JR JR Networks.

Richmont says it now focuses heavily on two themes: artificial intelligence through its M42 unit and acquiring or partnering with companies that operate in, or want to benefit from, artificial intelligence.

That history gives AIAI a different profile from a typical artificial intelligence startup. The company is entering the public markets as the latest expression of a much older acquisition and value-creation playbook, now built around applying artificial intelligence inside operating businesses.

Current AIAI Portfolio

AIAI acquired six operating companies on May 1: C.C. Carlton Industries Ltd., Constellation Network Inc., gTC MediGuide LP, AI Research Corporation, Vanguard Healthcare Solutions LLC, and Bond Street Limited LLC, according to the company’s SEC filing.

C.C. Carlton Industries has served Central Texas for more than 30 years and specializes in civil construction, project management, and estimating services. Its work includes subdivisions, apartments, commercial sites, hospitals, medical office buildings, industrial sites, schools, and municipal projects, according to the filing.

The company cautioned that forward-looking statements are subject to risks, including its lack of operating history, ability to attract new investments, acquisition-related risks, growth management challenges, and whether its licensed AI performs as expected.

The Dallas Express has reached out to AIAI for additional comment on the company’s Nasdaq debut and next phase of growth.

The post Dallas-Based AIAI Makes Nasdaq Debut With Rochon’s AI Deal Playbook appeared first on Dallas Express.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced that USG Corporation will build a new production facility in Orange, Texas, a project designated as qualified under the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation program.

The building materials manufacturer plans to invest $1.175 billion over the life of the project and create nearly 200 jobs, according to the governor’s office. The company’s initial investment in the Orange facility is $650 million.

“Texas is where businesses invest and grow for the future,” Abbott said in a May 14 statement. “This Texas-sized investment by USG will create jobs for hardworking Texans in Orange and across East Texas. I congratulate USG on expanding their presence and deep roots in Texas. Working together with manufacturing leaders across broad industries, we will build a stronger, more prosperous Texas for decades to come.”

USG produces building materials and solutions for residential and non-residential repair and remodeling. The company cited the state’s business climate and the regional manufacturing workforce as reasons for choosing Texas.

USG Corporation CEO Chris Macey said the project reflects a long-term commitment to Southeast Texas.

“USG is grateful for Governor Abbott’s leadership and for the partnership of other state and local officials who helped make this project possible,” Macey said. “Our investment in this state-of-the-art facility in Orange represents a long-term investment in Southeast Texas — one that will create quality jobs, strengthen the regional economy, and help us better serve our customers.

“The USG family is excited to be a part of the Orange community, and we are committed to being a trusted neighbor and employer for decades to come. This new plant builds upon our hundred-year-old roots in Texas that include manufacturing operations in Sweetwater, Dallas, and Galena Park, and reflects our continued commitment to our customers’ success and the state’s prosperity.”

State Sen. Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) and state Rep. Dade Phelan (R-Orange) both praised the announcement.

Nichols offered congratulations to USG and Orange County, adding, “These investments in our communities demonstrate how Texas continues to lead in job creation and economic development.”

“This $1.175 billion … investment and the nearly 200 new jobs it brings will make a real difference for Orange County families and the entire region,” Phelan said. “I’m proud that the JETI program is helping make projects like this possible, and I look forward to seeing this facility become a cornerstone of our local economy for generations to come.”

Orange Mayor Larry Spears Jr. thanked Abbott and the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office for support in repurposing a former paper mill site for the new plant.

Orange County Judge John Gothia said the project is structured as a partnership with Little Cypress-Mauriceville Consolidated Independent School District through the JETI program.

Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD Superintendent Stacey Brister said the district plans to align its educational programs with workforce needs tied to the facility.

“We are committed to preparing our students with the skills, experiences, and mindset necessary to succeed in high-demand careers, and we look forward to working alongside USG to build a strong, future-ready workforce for our region,” she added.

The JETI program was created after Abbott signed House Bill 5 into law following the 88th Regular Legislative Session. The program is designed to attract large, capital-intensive economic development projects while requiring reporting and transparency measures.

“The JETI Act allows a company, school district, and the Governor’s Office to enter into an agreement for a 10-year school district maintenance and operations (M&O) tax appraised value limitation of 50%, based on qualifying job and capital investment minimums. Projects located in qualified Opportunity Zones are eligible for an additional 25% limitation on taxable value,” the governor announced in a press release last year.

The post USG Corporation To Invest Nearly $1.2B, Creating 200 New Jobs In Orange, Texas appeared first on Dallas Express.

A Texas man received five years of probation and was ordered to pay $77,500 in restitution after admitting his role in a black-market operation that killed approximately 3,600 bald and golden eagles and other birds on and around Montana’s Flathead Indian Reservation.

John Patrick Butler, 71, of Texas, pleaded guilty in December 2025 to one count of conspiracy, two counts of unlawful trafficking of bald and golden eagles, and one count of purchasing eagles and eagle parts killed illegally in violation of the Lacey Act. 

Co-defendant Travis John Branson, a Washington man, was sentenced in October 2024 to three years and 10 months in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and $777,250 in restitution for his role as the organizer. Branson and others, including Simon Paul, hunted the birds over multiple years and sold feathers and body parts, according to a press release from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) law enforcement and partners uncovered the scheme by following the money and building cases against the conspirators. USFWS highlighted the case during National Police Week, noting that it was a profit-driven wildlife crime that was stopped through diligent investigation.

Killing our national symbol to sell on the black market? Not on our watch.

A Washington man admitted to killing bald and golden eagles on and around the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana and selling their feathers and body parts on the black market, part of an illegal… pic.twitter.com/3xKH7JALgc

— U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (@USFWS) May 14, 2026

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History as National Symbol

The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) holds deep cultural and symbolic significance. In the United States, the bald eagle was chosen for the Great Seal in 1782, but early designs considered the golden eagle, per the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Benjamin Franklin famously preferred the turkey, but the eagle—symbolizing strength, freedom, and authority—prevailed as a national emblem rooted in Roman traditions of power.

Golden eagles serve as national symbols for several countries, including Mexico, Germany, Austria, Kazakhstan, and Albania, reflecting their widespread reverence across cultures for power and majesty, per the American Bird Conservancy.

In the U.S., both bald and golden eagles carry profound importance to Native American tribes. The USFWS operates the National Eagle Repository to provide legally obtained eagles and parts for religious and cultural use, addressing demand while protecting wild populations.

On May 14, the U.S. Postal Service announced its bald eagle stamp, available now:

Fly high! It's time for your envelopes to leave the nest 🪺 Send them off with the new Bald Eagle: Hatchling to Adult Stamps🦅 Order yours and other stamp-inspired products today at https://t.co/7AgQVZHyh7 pic.twitter.com/5FgvQERa0p

— U.S. Postal Service (@USPS) May 14, 2026

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Legal Protections and Penalties

The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940, as amended, prohibits taking, possessing, selling, purchasing, bartering, or transporting bald or golden eagles, including their parts, nests, or eggs, without a permit. Violations can result in fines up to $100,000 for individuals ($200,000 for organizations) and one year in prison for a first offense, with increased penalties for felonies.

The Lacey Act further prohibits interstate trafficking of wildlife taken in violation of other laws. In this case, restitution reflected the scale of the operation and harm to populations.

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Population Status

Golden eagles are not listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. USFWS surveys estimate roughly 30,000 golden eagles across the United States, with populations in the western U.S.—where most reside—appearing stable based on recent data, though concerns persist about juvenile survival and localized pressures.

The leading cause of adult golden eagle mortality in the western U.S. includes illegal shooting. Other threats involve habitat changes, electrocution, and collisions.

USFWS manages eagle permits for incidental take, such as from wind energy, with updated rules in 2024 aimed at balancing conservation and development.

USFWS continues to work with partners to protect these iconic birds, central to America’s natural and cultural heritage.

The post Texas Man Sentenced In Eagle Trafficking Ring That Killed Thousands Of Protected Birds appeared first on Dallas Express.

Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to expand the Texas Repeat Offender Task Force to Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin, spreading a joint law enforcement operation across Texas that has produced strong results since its launch in Houston last October.

“Our state’s peace officers confront a revolving door of repeat violent offenders,” Abbott said in Wednesday’s announcement. “Targeting these dangerous perpetrators reduces crime, increases safety, and better protects Texans. We will unapologetically back law enforcement, bring dangerous criminals to justice, and keep our communities safe.”

The task force pairs DPS troopers and special agents with local police departments, sheriff’s offices, Texas Rangers, and other federal agencies to run missions to identify and arrest violent repeat offenders. Since its Houston debut, the operation has produced 728 arrests – 455 of which were flagged as high-threat offenders. Officers also reportedly detained 155 known gang members and made arrests connected to some of the country’s most notorious criminal organizations, including Puro Tango Blast, MS-13, the Bloods, and the Crips.

The drug seizure numbers also stand out. More than 225,000 lethal doses of fentanyl, 115 pounds of methamphetamine, seven pounds of cocaine, and 415 pounds of marijuana were confiscated across 225 different drug enforcement missions. Officers also seized 110 weapons, made 12 currency seizures, and recovered 25 stolen vehicles — all within months of the task force standing up in the Houston area.

The repeat offender crackdown hits close to home for North Texas.

Dallas has dealt with the repeat-offender problem for years. In 2022, then-Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia said that repeat offenders were the biggest thing standing in the way of safer streets, pointing to bond policies that let dangerous people walk back into the same communities they’d already harmed.

Concerns over the bail-revolving-door have defined Abbott’s public safety agenda for years. As The Dallas Express previously reported, Abbott appeared at the North Central Texas Sheriff’s Coalition earlier this year to push what his office calls the strongest bail reform package in Texas history.

That legislation, signed into law last year, covers four areas:

Senate Bill 9 gives prosecutors a way to push back on bail decisions in serious-crime cases and for repeat felons, and ensures that only elected judges can lower bail already set by an elected judge. Senate Bill 40 blocks public money from going to nonprofits that post bail for defendants. House Bill 75 requires magistrates to put in writing why they believe an arrest lacked probable cause. And Senate Joint Resolution 5 — now part of the state constitution — requires judges to deny bail when prosecutors can show a defendant charged with murder, rape, or human trafficking is a danger to the public or likely to flee.

DX has previously covered Abbott’s call for a “Chief State Prosecutor” in December of 2025 to pursue cases when local district attorneys decline – an idea rooted in the same frustration over repeat offenders being returned to the streets by prosecutors and judges.

The task force expansion in Dallas takes immediate effect, according to Wednesday’s press release.

The post Abbott Expands Texas Repeat Offender Task Force To Dallas, San Antonio & Austin appeared first on Dallas Express.

Authorities investigating the disappearance and presumed death of 6-year-old Noel Rodriguez-Alvarez announced a significant development in the case following a two-day search at the Everman home, where the boy once lived.

The Everman Police Department, FBI, and Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office held a joint news conference on Thursday after investigators searched a property in the 3700 block of Wisteria Drive on Tuesday and Wednesday.

At the press conference, Everman police chief Al Brooks confirmed that human remains had been found at the property, but he stopped short of saying that the remains were those of Noel. He said that the department was waiting on the medical examiner to make that determination.

Brooks thanked the FBI and the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance and for making the resources available to conduct the renewed search that led to the discovery of the remains.

Officials fielding questions at the press conference declined to provide further details about the evidence or what led to the renewed search, stating they did not want to reveal anything that could interfere with the future prosecution of the case.

The excavation of the property was a joint effort by the Everman Police Department, the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI. Aerial footage showed crews digging and sifting through the dirt in the backyard beneath brightly colored canopies that had been set up for the search.

By Wednesday afternoon, investigators appeared to focus on a specific area of the yard, with personnel loading a tarp-covered item into a van that was then driven to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office. The search operation appeared to wrap up later Wednesday as crews began leaving the property.

Noel was last seen alive in the fall of 2022, but authorities were not notified of his disappearance until March 2023.

Investigators said Noel’s mother, Cindy Rodriguez-Singh, initially told police the boy was living with his biological father in Mexico. Two days after being questioned, Rodriguez-Singh, her husband, and Noel’s six siblings traveled to India without Noel.

Rodriguez-Singh was later added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list before she was arrested in India in August 2025. She has been charged with capital murder in connection with her son’s disappearance.

Last month, a Tarrant County judge ruled Rodriguez-Singh incompetent to stand trial and ordered her committed to a state mental health facility.

The post Human Remains Found At Everman Home In Noel Rodriguez-Alvarez Disappearance Case appeared first on Dallas Express.

The City of Dallas is moving forward with installing new highway signs reflecting the renaming of a portion of Lamar Street to Botham Jean Boulevard. On Thursday, the City of Dallas posted on X that it had approved funding for 13 new signs along I-45, SH 310, and US 175.

The original street renaming took place on January 13, 2021, when the Dallas City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 31744, renaming a portion of South Lamar Street as Botham Jean Boulevard. A dedication ceremony was held on March 27, 2021. While local street signs were updated at that time, freeway signs along I-45, US 175, and other routes continued to display the old “Lamar Street” name. The current project funds new highway signs to correct that long-standing discrepancy.

The City of Dallas X post on May 14 highlighted the project’s goal: “This ensures our infrastructure reflects the history & people that shape our city.”

Did you know? Dallas approved funding for 13 new hwy signs along I-45, SH 310, and US 175 to update Lamar St to Botham Jean Blvd. This ensures our infrastructure reflects the history & people that shape our city.

To learn the history of this name change: https://t.co/44hlEeGB2v pic.twitter.com/LckFl3s55X

— City of Dallas (@CityOfDallas) May 14, 2026

Botham Jean Boulevard honors Botham Jean, a 26-year-old accountant originally from St. Lucia, who was fatally shot in his Dallas apartment on September 6, 2018, by then-Dallas Police Department officer Amber Guyger.

Guyger was convicted of murder by a jury in October 2019 and sentenced to 10 years in prison. She appealed her conviction and sentence. In August 2021, the Texas Fifth Court of Appeals upheld both the conviction and the 10-year sentence. In March 2022, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals denied her further appeal, and the U.S. Supreme Court later rejected her final petition, as The Dallas Express reported at the time.

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Process and Cost to Rename a Road in Dallas

Renaming a street in Dallas typically begins with an application through the City’s Planning and Development Department or City Council initiative. For full name changes, the process requires review by multiple departments (often 14 or more), public hearings, notification to property owners, and City Council approval. It can impact addressing, emergency services, and mapping systems.

Costs vary widely. Local street sign replacements are relatively modest, but updating highway signs — which require TxDOT coordination and comply with federal standards — can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

City officials cited the need for consistency between local streets and highway signage. According to recent reporting, the City of Dallas will pay TxDOT $180,500 to install the 13 signs. 

Larger projects, including design, fabrication, installation, and removal of old signs, drive up expenses. Property owners or petitioners sometimes share costs, though city funds often cover major infrastructure updates.

The City of Dallas maintains a formal street naming policy under its code, with additional guidelines for ceremonial namings that add toppers without changing the legal name (to avoid disrupting emergency services).

No timeline for installation was specified in the city’s announcement, but work is expected to proceed in coordination with TxDOT.

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Other Recent Road Name Change Developments in Dallas

In addition to Botham Jean Boulevard, city leaders are discussing the potential renaming of César Chávez Boulevard, a nearly two-mile stretch near the Dallas Farmers Market. This comes as the repercussions of the sexual abuse claims against the late labor leader are still unfolding, and information is coming to light regarding the identities of his accusers – among them are two women who allege they were minors when the abuse started, as reported previously by The Dallas Express.

Another notable change involved S.M. Wright Road/Freeway, which was officially renamed to better honor the civil rights icon.

The post Dallas To Update Freeway Signs Five Years After Botham Jean Renaming appeared first on Dallas Express.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced legislation this week that would rename U.S. Highway 287 as Interstate 47 in honor of President Donald Trump, as the Republican senator faces a closely watched reelection runoff in Texas with Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Cornyn announced the proposal on Tuesday, calling the roadway the “Trump Interstate.”

“I am proud to introduce legislation to rename US Highway 287 as Interstate 47 in honor of our 47th President,” Cornyn wrote in a social media post.

I am proud to introduce legislation to rename US Highway 287 as Interstate 47 in honor of our 47th President @realDonaldTrump.

My bill will upgrade one of our nation’s longest highways to a future interstate and save more than $5 BILLION in travel costs, all while honoring the… https://t.co/Ua8lxoZUeN

— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) May 12, 2026

The route stretches nearly 1,800 miles from Port Arthur, Texas, through the DFW metroplex, to Choteau, Montana, crossing Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. According to Cornyn’s office, it is the second-longest three-digit highway in the United States.

The legislation, co-sponsored by Republican Sen. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, would also upgrade portions of the roadway to interstate standards. Cornyn’s office cited a 2025 Texas Department of Transportation study estimating the changes could reduce travel times by 7.37% and generate $5.4 billion in savings by 2050.

The study also found that upgrading roughly 632 miles in Texas not currently built to interstate standards would cost an estimated $24.5 billion while producing what the senator’s office described as a 161% return on investment through economic growth, job creation, and freight improvements.

“Texas is Trump Country & this bill cements @POTUS’ legacy by designating nearly 1,800 miles of open road to forever be known as the Trump interstate,” Cornyn wrote.

In a separate statement, Cornyn said the designation would stretch “from Texas’ Gulf Coast to the edge of the U.S.-Canadian border,” Audacy reported.

The proposal is the latest effort to attach Trump’s name to public landmarks and institutions. In recent months, Trump’s name has been added to sites including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and a roadway near Mar-a-Lago in Florida.

Cornyn introduced the measure as he campaigns against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a Republican Senate runoff scheduled for May 26. Neither candidate secured a majority during the March primary election. A recent University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs poll showed Paxton leading Cornyn by 3 % points, as reported by The Dallas Express.

The winner of the runoff will face Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in November.

Trump has not endorsed either Republican candidate, though he has repeatedly said he plans to announce a decision. Following the March primary, Trump urged Republicans to unite behind the eventual nominee.

“Both John and Ken ran great races, but not good enough. Now, this one, must be PERFECT!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, as previously covered by The Dallas Express.

“My Endorsements within the Republican Party have been virtually insurmountable!” he added. “It is such an honor to realize that everyone I Endorse WINS, and wins by a lot, especially in Texas! I will be making my Endorsement soon, and will be asking the candidate that I don’t Endorse to immediately DROP OUT OF THE RACE!”

The post Cornyn’s Push To Rename 1,800-Mile US-287 As ‘Trump Interstate’ Before Runoff appeared first on Dallas Express.

New U.S. Census Bureau population estimates, released May 14, 2026, show Texas now boasts four of the 10 largest cities in the United States and five of the 12 largest, more than any other state.

Top largest U.S. cities by population (July 1, 2025 estimates, Vintage 2025):

1. New York city, New York: 8,584,629
2. Los Angeles city, California: 3,869,089
3. Chicago city, Illinois: 2,731,585
4. Houston city, Texas: 2,397,315
5. Phoenix city, Arizona: 1,665,481
6. Philadelphia city, Pennsylvania: 1,574,281
7. San Antonio city, Texas: 1,548,422
8. San Diego city, California: 1,406,106
9. Dallas city, Texas: 1,329,491
10. Fort Worth city, Texas: 1,028,117
11. Jacksonville city, Florida: 1,017,689
12. Austin city, Texas: 1,002,632

Fort Worth surpassed Jacksonville, Florida, to enter the top 10. Austin passed San Jose, California, to rank 12th. These figures come directly from the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 Subcounty (city and town) population estimates.

The city-level data, released May 14, 2026, provides the latest subcounty breakdown from the broader Vintage 2025 population estimates cycle. Earlier this year, in January, the Census Bureau released the initial national, state, and county-level figures from the same Vintage 2025 dataset.

Those earlier releases showed Texas added 391,243 residents statewide between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025 — the largest numeric gain of any state — bringing its total population to 31,709,821 (approximately 31.7 million). This represents 1.2% growth, more than double the national rate of 0.5%, as The Texas Tribune reported at the time.

Texas cities also dominate growth lists. For example, the Census Bureau reports that 10 of the 11 fastest-growing U.S. cities by percentage since 2020 are in Texas (with places like Celina, Fulshear, and Princeton leading recent one-year percentage gains).

The Dallas Express has previously reported robust growth in North Texas suburbs even as Dallas County saw a decline of 2,616 residents between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025 (from 2,664,013 to 2,661,397). In contrast, Collin County added 42,966 people (ranking second nationally in numeric growth among counties), and the broader Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area gained 123,557 residents (second-largest increase among U.S. metros).

Business headquarters relocations continue to fuel Texas growth, with no state income tax, pro-business policies, and a lower cost of living drawing companies from higher-tax states. Dallas-Fort Worth has led the nation with 100 corporate relocations between 2018 and 2024, while Texas cities dominate national rankings, The Dallas Express reported at the time.

Recent examples include KFC moving its U.S. headquarters from Louisville to Plano, a Germany-based AI company (Cognigy) relocating from San Francisco to North Texas, Care.com shifting from Austin to Uptown Dallas, Paul Mitchell moving from California to Texas, and the Devon-Coterra merger bringing a major shale giant’s headquarters to Houston. Other notable moves involve ExxonMobil redomiciling to Texas.

Median household income (most recent available):

• Austin: ~$90,430 
• Fort Worth: ~$82,503
• Dallas: ~$74,323
• Houston: ~$64,361
• San Antonio: ~$66,176
• Statewide Texas median household income: $78,476 (2020-2024 ACS)

The latest full national income release (for calendar 2024) showed U.S. median household income at $83,730, per the U.S. Census Bureau.

Texas maintains a relatively young population, with a median age of approximately 35.5–35.9 years (recent estimates). Persons under 18 make up 24.5% of residents, while those 65 and older account for 13.9%. About half of adults are married (demographic details from prior ACS/Census summaries).

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All population figures above are sourced explicitly from U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (January 2026 state/county releases and May 14, 2026 city releases) unless otherwise noted.

The post Texas Claims Four Of Nation’s 10 Largest Cities As Fort Worth And Austin Climb Rankings appeared first on Dallas Express.

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping opened a closely watched summit Thursday in Beijing, where the Chinese leader warned that tensions over Taiwan could push the United States and China toward conflict.

The two leaders met at the Great Hall of the People during a two-day summit expected to focus on trade, tariffs, Taiwan, Iran, and artificial intelligence. Trump was welcomed with an honor guard and crowds of children waving Chinese and American flags.

“The relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before,” Trump said during opening remarks, CNBC reported.

Xi described the relationship between the two countries as “the most important bilateral ties in the world” and said China was committed to building a “relationship of strategic stability” with the United States.

Taiwan quickly emerged as a central issue during the talks.

Calling it “the most important issue” in U.S.-China relations, Xi warned that Washington “must exercise extra caution in handling the Taiwan question.”

“If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability,” Xi told Trump, according to NPR. “Otherwise, the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy.”

Xi added that “‘Taiwan independence’ and cross-Strait peace are as irreconcilable as fire and water,” while describing stability in the Taiwan Strait as “the biggest common denominator between China and the U.S.”

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring the self-governing island under Beijing’s control. The United States continues to provide arms to Taiwan while maintaining a policy of strategic ambiguity regarding military intervention.

A White House statement later described the meeting as “good” and said the two sides discussed expanding economic cooperation, market access for American businesses, and increased Chinese investment in U.S. industries. The statement did not mention Taiwan.

The leaders also discussed fentanyl, agricultural trade, and global energy security. According to the White House, Trump and Xi agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open as concerns continue over disruptions tied to tensions involving Iran.

Xi also raised the idea of avoiding what he called the “Thucydides Trap,” a term used to describe how tensions between rising and established powers have historically led to war.

At a state banquet Thursday evening, Trump referred to Xi as a “friend” and said the two countries had an opportunity to “create a future of greater prosperity, cooperation and happiness,” CNBC reported. He also invited Xi to visit the United States in September.

Xi said “mutual respect” was necessary for stable ties and stressed that “cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both,” according to NPR.

The summit comes after months of trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Last year, the two countries stepped back from escalating tariffs and export restrictions following talks in South Korea, resulting in what analysts have described as a fragile trade truce.

Trade remains a major focus of the visit. Before the truce, U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods climbed into triple digits, while Beijing restricted exports of rare earth minerals critical to electronics and weapons manufacturing.

Discussions this week are also expected to include Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural products, including soybeans, and broader trade issues involving technology and manufacturing.

Trump’s delegation includes several top U.S. business executives, among them Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

Xi told the business leaders that U.S. companies were contributing to China’s economic reforms and said “the door to China for U.S. business would only get wider,” per NPR.

Trump said American companies “look forward to trade and doing business, and it’s going to be totally reciprocal on our behalf.”

Following their formal meetings, Trump and Xi visited Beijing’s Temple of Heaven, a historic site traditionally associated with imperial ceremonies and prayers for harvests.

The summit is scheduled to conclude on Friday after additional meetings and a working lunch between the two leaders.

The post Trump-Xi Summit: Xi Warns Taiwan Tensions Could Spark US-China Conflict appeared first on Dallas Express.

The White House issued a Presidential message reaffirming its commitment to women’s health during National Women’s Health Week on May 13, 2026.

The administration said it promotes and supports “the health and well-being of our Nation’s mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, and friends.”

The Presidential message criticizes past reliance on temporary fixes in care standards that left women without answers, reliable information, or lasting treatments. It pledges direct action against the root causes of illness, chronic diseases that hit women hardest, and barriers to affordable healthcare, as part of an effort to Make America Healthy Again.

Earlier this year, the administration held the first National Conference on Women’s Health. The gathering united policy experts, researchers, and physicians to examine advances in research and technology while boosting federal-private-sector collaboration, according to the message.

Those steps aim to spark innovation centered on prevention, early detection, and personalized treatment. They also spotlight previously overlooked conditions such as infertility, endometriosis, and autoimmune diseases to yield better outcomes.

The administration vows to restore scientific integrity to ensure accessible, trustworthy discoveries that benefit women at all life stages. It seeks to equip women with resources to protect their health, including affordable care and accurate information.

Efforts target lower drug prices, greater price transparency, and reduced out-of-pocket costs burdening women and families. Most-Favored-Nation drug pricing agreements and the TrumpRx launch promise major savings on costly brand-name medicines by prioritizing patients.

American women merit top healthcare, the message states. It hails progress made and pledges accelerated momentum for healthier futures across generations of women and girls.

The post White House Reaffirms Commitment To Women’s Health: Root Causes, Not Temporary Fixes appeared first on Dallas Express.

For 13 years, Greg “The Hammer” Williams was one of the most recognizable voices in Dallas sports radio, helping shape the culture of 1310 The Ticket during its rise as Dallas-Fort Worth’s first all-sports radio station.

Now, Greggo is back.

Williams is returning to Dallas sports media with Hammer Time, a monthly segment on Dallas Express Sports Network. In the latest episode, he sits down with Chris Yates and Chris Putnam for a raw conversation about addiction, ego, accountability, and recovery.

Known for his larger-than-life personality, sharp wit, and unforgettable on-air moments, Williams became a fan favorite during one of the most influential eras in local sports radio. But behind the microphone, he was battling personal problems that eventually cost him his career.

“I got way too full of myself. My ego strangled me,” Williams said.

The episode traces Williams’ rise in Dallas radio, his firing from The Ticket, his struggles with addiction, and the long road back through rehab, Alcoholics Anonymous, and sobriety.

Williams does not dodge the consequences. He speaks openly about the damage addiction caused to his career, reputation, and personal life. He also discusses why recovery required more than regret.

Now 66 and nearly 10 years sober, Williams reflects on what he has learned, what he still carries, and why he says he is more content today than ever before.

Watch the full Hammer Time conversation with Greg “The Hammer” Williams on Dallas Express Sports Network.

The post Greggo Is Back: Greg ‘The Hammer’ Williams Brings Hammer Time To DXSN appeared first on Dallas Express.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Kyle Rittenhouse, and several Republican candidates appeared at a Fort Worth “Night of Action” event focused on Christian political engagement, Republican unity, and voter mobilization ahead of the May 26 primary runoff elections.

For Liberty & Justice hosted the May 9 event at Mercy Culture Church in Fort Worth. The event page described the gathering as an opportunity for Christians to “come together, get equipped, and take action alongside others who care about the future of the church and of our communities.”

The speaker lineup included Paxton, who is running for U.S. Senate against incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas); state Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston), who is running for attorney general; Texas Railroad Commission candidate Bo French; Agriculture Commissioner Republican nominee Nate Sheets; outgoing state Rep. Nate Schatzline (R-Fort Worth); Rittenhouse; and Kambree Nelson.

Early voting for the May 26 runoff elections begins May 18.

Speakers Urge GOP Unity

Several speakers urged Republican voters to unite behind the party’s nominees after the runoff elections conclude.

Sheets told attendees that Republicans need to support the party’s nominees even if their preferred candidate loses, Fort Worth Report reported.

“Once the runoffs are done, whether it’s your guy or not your guy, get behind whoever the nominees are, and let’s go in together,” Sheets said.

French, a former Tarrant County GOP chairman, urged attendees to focus on voter turnout.

“You can win if you just mobilize the people who think like you to get out and vote,” French said.

Rittenhouse pointed to President Donald Trump and Paxton as examples of political figures willing to fight through opposition.

“I see the headlines every day of President Trump getting attacked, but he doesn’t stop fighting,” Rittenhouse said, according to Fort Worth Report. “Those are the leaders we should aspire to elect when we go to vote, who is going to put America first and who is going to help save this country.”

Event Focused On Christian Political Action

For Liberty & Justice was founded by Schatzline in 2021 and aims to equip Christian voters to run for office and become active in local government through Campaign University, according to Fort Worth Report.

Carlos Turcios, a Republican precinct chair and director of For Liberty & Justice’s Tarrant County chapter, told attendees the event should energize them for political action.

“I don’t want everyone here to be discouraged,” Turcios said, according to Fort Worth Report. “I want everyone here to be energized, to be fired up, because we got a country to save, we got a state to save, we got a city to save, we got a county to save, we got America to save.”

The event also included information on local political and community involvement through For Liberty & Justice, church partnerships, and Republican-aligned organizations.

Groups present included Turning Point USA DFW Young Professionals, Republican Women of Greater North Texas, Tarrant County Young Republicans, North Tarrant Republicans, and Faith and Freedom America.

The post Paxton, Rittenhouse Headline Fort Worth ‘Night Of Action’ Ahead Of GOP Runoffs appeared first on Dallas Express.

U.S. and South Korean defense officials held the 28th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue in Washington this week.

The U.S. Department of War and the Republic of Korea Ministry of National Defense held two days of talks on May 12-13, 2026, according to a joint statement.

John Noh, assistant secretary of war for Indo-Pacific security affairs, and Dr. Jay Finch, acting deputy assistant secretary of war for East Asia, headed the U.S. delegation. Kim Hong-Cheol, deputy minister for national defense policy, led the South Korean side. Senior officials from both nations’ defense and foreign affairs agencies took part.

Delegates reviewed overall defense cooperation within the U.S.-ROK Alliance and discussed policy directions to strengthen its combined defense posture.

Both sides expressed commitment to advancing cooperation outlined in last November’s Joint Fact Sheet between the U.S. and ROK presidents and the 57th Security Consultative Meeting Joint Communique.

Participants concluded that the dialogue had established a basis for practical steps to bolster the alliance and anticipated deeper collaboration toward common security objectives on the Korean Peninsula and throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

On Monday, in advance of the two-day Dialogue, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth met with ROK Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-back to discuss “the security situation on the Korean Peninsula” and to reaffirm “the important role of the Korean-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue.”

Ahn outlined South Korea’s recent steps to boost defense spending, acquire critical capabilities, and lead peninsula defense. Hegseth underscored the need to modernize the alliance through a clear-eyed, pragmatic approach to deter threats and strengthen the combined U.S.-ROK defense posture. Both national defense leaders agreed to increase cooperation and collaboration on mutual security interests.

The post US-South Korea Hold 28th Integrated Defense Dialogue: Alliance Strengthened Against North Korean Threats appeared first on Dallas Express.

A Utah woman who gained national attention after publishing a children’s book about grief following her husband’s death was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole for fatally poisoning him with fentanyl.

Kouri Richins, 35, was convicted in March of aggravated murder in the 2022 death of her husband, Eric Richins, along with additional felony counts that included attempted murder, insurance fraud, and forgery.

Judge Richard Mrazik imposed the sentence on what would have been Eric Richins’ 44th birthday.

“A person convicted of those things is simply too dangerous to ever be free,” Mrazik said during the hearing, Fox 4 KDFW reported.

Prosecutors said Richins killed her husband for financial gain while facing mounting debt tied to her house-flipping business and pursuing a relationship with another man. Authorities said she secretly obtained multiple life insurance policies on her husband and wrongly believed she would inherit an estate worth more than $4 million.

Jurors concluded that Richins laced her husband’s cocktail with fentanyl at the couple’s home near Park City. Prosecutors said the amount found in his system was about five times the lethal dose. The attempted murder conviction stemmed from an earlier incident in which prosecutors said she tried to poison him with a fentanyl-laced sandwich on Valentine’s Day weeks before his death.

During the sentencing hearing, Richins addressed her three sons while wearing a lime green jail uniform and handcuffs.

“Please just don’t give up on me,” she said, per Fox 4.

Richins maintained her innocence and called the verdict “an absolute lie.” She told the court she planned to appeal the conviction.

“I will not be blamed for something I did not do,” she said, per ABC News.

Defense attorneys argued for a sentence of 25 years to life rather than life without parole, saying the decision about any future release could be left to another time. Attorney Kathryn Nester told the court Richins was not the “monster” portrayed by prosecutors and described her as a mother and community member who had also shown kindness to others.

The judge said he struggled with the long-term impact the sentence could have on the couple’s three sons, but ultimately concluded public safety concerns outweighed the possibility of parole.

Based on the information presented at trial, Mrazik said Richins ‘doubled down’ on her efforts to kill her husband after her first attempt failed.

Prosecutors sought the maximum sentence, arguing Richins murdered her husband “using poison, and for money.”

The couple’s children, who are now living with Eric Richins’ sister and her husband, submitted statements expressing fear that their mother could one day be released from prison.

“I’m afraid if she gets out, she will come after me and my brothers, my whole family,” one son said in a statement read during the hearing. “I think she would come and take us and not do good things to us, like hurt us,” per ABC.

Another son said, “I will not feel safe” if his mother were released.

Eric Richins’ father, Eugene Richins, also urged the judge to impose life without parole, citing the need to protect his grandsons.

The case drew widespread public attention after Richins was arrested while promoting a self-published children’s book focused on coping with the loss of a parent following her husband’s death.

Richins still faces more than two dozen additional criminal charges in a separate financial crimes case, including allegations involving mortgage fraud and money laundering. She has not yet entered a plea in that matter.

The post Children’s Book Author Gets Life In Prison For Fentanyl Murder Of Husband appeared first on Dallas Express.

Federal, state, and local investigators returned this week to an Everman home tied to the disappearance of 6-year-old Noel Rodriguez Alvarez, intensifying efforts to locate the missing boy, who authorities believe is dead.

The joint operation involves the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, and the Everman Police Department at a residence in the 3700 block of Wisteria Drive, according to officials and aerial footage captured on Wednesday.

Investigators were seen excavating portions of the backyard and sifting through the dirt beneath several canopies. By late Wednesday morning, crews had concentrated their efforts around a specific area while additional law enforcement personnel and apparent crime scene units arrived at the property.

Everman Police Chief Al Brooks described the operation as part of the ongoing investigation and declined to comment on whether any new leads or tips had prompted the search. Authorities previously searched the property in 2023.

“We can’t really discuss anything about the investigative process,” Brooks said during a Tuesday briefing, adding that officials would leave “no stone unturned.”

Private investigator Jay J. Armes III, who is not involved in the case, said searches of this nature are often supported by new evidence.

“A judge isn’t going to give you a warrant unless there’s sufficient probable cause,” Armes said, according to CBS New Texas. “This is good news for the investigation.”

Noel was last seen alive in late 2022, though police were not alerted to his disappearance until March 2023 after an extended family member reported him missing, The Dallas Express reported. Child Protective Services and police later responded to the home.

Investigators said Noel’s mother, Cindy Rodriguez Singh, told authorities the child was living with his biological father in Mexico. Two days after police questioned her, Rodriguez Singh, her husband, and Noel’s six siblings boarded a flight to India without the boy.

Rodriguez Singh was later placed on the FBI’s Most Wanted list before being arrested in India in August and returned to Texas. She has been charged with capital murder in connection with Noel’s disappearance.

Last month, a Tarrant County judge ruled Rodriguez Singh incompetent to stand trial, and she was transferred to a state mental health facility. Proceedings involving the parental rights of her other children are expected to remain on hold until she is able to appear in court. The children are currently living with relatives in the United States.

Although Noel’s remains have not been found, investigators believe the child is dead.

The renewed search has stirred emotions throughout the Everman community, where neighbors say they continue to hope for answers.

Jazmine Ramirez remembered Noel as a kind and loving child.

“He was a kid…he had all his future in front of him,” Ramirez said, per CBS. “It’s heavy… to think of ever doing anything like that to a kid.”

William Gaither, another neighbor, described Noel as “a real nice … loving, adorable child.”

Neighbors also expressed frustration over the years-long investigation and pleaded for closure.

“Just tell us where he is. It’s time for him to have… a peaceful rest. Just tell us where he is,” Porschia Taylor-Inocente said, per WFAA.

The post New Excavation At Everman House Where Noel Rodriguez Alvarez Vanished In 2022 appeared first on Dallas Express.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is reminding Texans to take basic precautions around water as National Water Safety Month is underway.

Last year, Texas recorded 178 boating incidents that resulted in 50 fatalities and 77 serious injuries. Paddle sports such as kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding accounted for about 6% of reported boating incidents but 32% of the fatalities.

Drowning accounted for 70% of the boating-related fatalities in 2025, and 84% of those victims were not wearing a life jacket, according to TPWD data released Wednesday.

“Most incidents we see are preventable. Wearing a life jacket, staying aware of your surroundings and following state laws can make the difference between a good day on the water and a tragic outcome,” said Col. Ron VanderRoest, TPWD law enforcement director.

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DFW and Statewide Risks

The Dallas-Fort Worth area has seen multiple water-related tragedies in recent years. In 2025, at least 12 fatal drownings were reported at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes in the region, according to Fort Worth Report.

The Dallas Express has reported several local incidents, including multiple drownings at Lake Lewisville and recoveries in the Trinity River system.

Statewide, child drownings remain a serious concern. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services tracks fatal drownings of children aged 17 and younger. In prior years, Texas has recorded over 100 such deaths annually in some periods, with many occurring in pools, bathtubs, and open water.

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Prevention Steps

TPWD recommends the following measures:

• Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Children younger than 13 must wear one by law while a vessel is underway.
• Stay sober. Alcohol is a leading factor in fatal boating incidents.
• Check weather and water conditions before heading out.
• Take a boater education course.
• Use an engine cut-off switch when operating above idle speed.
• File a float plan with someone on shore.

“Life jackets only work if you’re wearing them,” VanderRoest said. “In an emergency, there is rarely time to find one and put it on.”

Texas law requires basic safety equipment on vessels, including sound-producing devices and navigation lights for nighttime operation. Alcohol penalties for boating while intoxicated mirror those for driving while intoxicated.

With summer temperatures rising and more people heading to Texas lakes, rivers, and coastal waters, officials stress that simple steps can reduce risks for boaters, paddlers, and swimmers.

The post 84% Of Texas Boating-Related Fatalities Were Not Wearing Life Jackets appeared first on Dallas Express.

As Texas high school football players in the Class of 2026 finalize commitments, the full cost of attending many Division I programs in the state has climbed sharply, with some private universities exceeding $90,000 per year for full-time, on-campus undergraduates before financial aid.

A graphic widely shared on X by Texas Football Life lists the estimated 2026-27 cost of attendance for Texas D1 schools with football programs. Rice University tops the list at $97,309, followed by SMU at $96,388 and Baylor at $90,482. Public flagships remain far lower: the University of Texas at $32,508 and Texas A&M University at $31,224.

Estimated full-time on-campus undergraduate cost of attendance (COA) for D1 schools 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗶𝗱 pic.twitter.com/PfriAs3sIx

— Texas Football Life (@txfblife) May 13, 2026

These figures reportedly represent estimated total costs, including tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, travel, and miscellaneous expenses, for in-state, on-campus students. Actual amounts paid vary widely after scholarships, grants, and other aid.

Rice University lists its 2026-27 on-campus cost of attendance as $97,309. SMU reports $96,388. Baylor University aligns with the $90,482 published estimate. TCU comes in at $89,810. Public institutions such as Texas State University list $30,880, Texas Tech $29,783, and the University of North Texas $29,698.

Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin confirm figures near $31,000–$32,500 for in-state on-campus students. Lower-cost options include UT El Paso at $24,800 and East Texas A&M at $24,004.

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Enrollment Trends

Texas higher education (public, private, and health-related institutions) enrollment reached a record 1.6 million+ students in fall 2025, up 4.7% from fall 2024 and surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Public universities grew by 2.7%, while two-year colleges grew by 6.1%, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board reported.

Over the past decade, public university enrollment increased from roughly 637,000 in 2016 to almost 709,000 in 2025 (an 11.3% increase). Growth has been strongest at institutions such as Tarleton State (up over 40% in some periods).

Community college and vocational enrollment have also rebounded strongly since 2021, with two-year public institutions up 16.7% from pandemic lows, according to a Texas A&M University System analysis of Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board data.

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Post-High School Pathways

Texas high school graduates pursue both four-year universities and vocational or community college routes. Community colleges serve hundreds of thousands annually, offering shorter, career-focused programs in fields such as skilled trades, health care, and technical occupations. Recent data show strong recovery and growth in two-year enrollments, along with gains in four-year enrollments, according to the Texas Association of Community Colleges.

Vocational and trade programs have seen particularly strong demand. Enrollment in high vocational public two-year institutions rose 11.7% nationally in spring 2025, with Texas community colleges reporting similar upward trends in skilled trades and technical certificates.

Many students and families view these shorter, career-oriented pathways as safer routes amid rapid AI adoption in white-collar fields, offering faster entry into hands-on jobs that are less immediately exposed to automation.

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Student Debt

According to SmartAsset’s 2026 State Student Debt Study, Texas residents hold approximately $137.4 billion in student loan debt, with an average of $34,608 per borrower across 3.9 million borrowers. About 12.69% of state residents carry such debt.

The post Football Is King in Texas — But $97K College Bills May Leave 2026 Athletes Paupers appeared first on Dallas Express.

A Hunt County jury acquitted Andrew Ryan Carlton in a child sex abuse trial that followed months of litigation over whether his defense attorney should remain on the case despite his wife’s expected role as a State witness.

The verdict form, filed May 8 in the 196th Judicial District Court, states: “We, the Jury, find the defendant, Andrew Ryan Carlton, ‘Not Guilty’ of the offense of Continuous Sexual Abuse of Young Child and any lesser-included offenses.”

Carlton had faced a charge in State of Texas v. Andrew Ryan Carlton, cause no. 35597CR, in the 196th Judicial District Court in Hunt County.

Keith Willeford, Carlton’s defense attorney, is also a candidate in the May 26 Republican primary runoff for judge of the 196th Judicial District Court. Hunt County’s official Republican runoff sample ballot lists Christina Perrone and Keith Willeford as the candidates for the seat.

The case drew unusual scrutiny after prosecutors moved to disqualify Willeford, arguing that his wife, Natalie Molkentine Willeford, was expected to testify for the State.

A courtroom observer who attended the May 5 proceedings told The Dallas Express that Natalie Willeford testified during the trial and that Keith Willeford personally cross-examined her.

The same observer said Willeford asked the court to close the courtroom to the public and later sought a gag order for the gallery. The observer said Judge J. Andrew Bench denied the requests.

Her testimony triggered the circumstance Bench had warned about months earlier, when he said the conflict would become actual if Mrs. Willeford testified.

Willeford declined to comment when contacted by The Dallas Express, citing the case. The Hunt County District Attorney’s Office did not respond to a request for comment before publication.

State Sought To Remove Willeford

The Hunt County District Attorney’s Office filed a motion on August 25, 2025, asking the court to disqualify Willeford from representing Carlton.

The State argued that Natalie Willeford was an expected witness and that her marriage to defense counsel created at least the appearance of a conflict of interest.

According to the State’s motion, prosecutors learned while preparing for trial that the child’s former teacher may have relevant information because the child allegedly told the teacher she did not want to go to Carlton’s house.

Prosecutors said they initially knew the teacher only as Natalie Molkentine and had not yet connected her to Willeford.

In late July or early August 2025, they learned Molkentine was now Natalie Willeford, the wife of Carlton’s defense attorney.

The State then met with Mrs. Willeford, the child’s mother, Assistant District Attorney Jeff Kovach, and victim assistance coordinator Maria Ornelas to determine whether to call Mrs. Willeford as a witness.

In the State’s filing, prosecutors alleged that Mrs. Willeford asked during the meeting, “Isn’t this a conflict of interest?”

The State also alleged that Mrs. Willeford described the child as “a truthful child,” remembered the child saying she did not want to go to Carlton’s house, and said her memory was that the statement may have related to the grandmother rather than Carlton.

The State further alleged that the child’s mother felt Mrs. Willeford had “backed off of what she had earlier stated.”

Defense Said The State Was Trying To Remove Chosen Counsel

Willeford pushed back in court filings, arguing that his wife was not a material witness and that prosecutors were trying to interfere with Carlton’s Sixth Amendment right to counsel of his choice.

In his response, Willeford said Carlton was first indicted in February 2024 on an indecency-with-a-child charge in cause no. 34948CR and that Willeford had represented him since April 2024.

The State later secured a new indictment against Carlton on June 11, 2025, in cause no. 35597CR on the continuous-sexual-assault charge, according to the filing.

Willeford argued that Mrs. Willeford was “not a fact witness” and that the State was using her, at most, as an ancillary witness to force Carlton off his retained lawyer.

He also argued that the State’s conflict theory belonged to the jury because it involved weighing credibility and testimony.

The defense also challenged the State’s reference to a 2024 Attorney General matter involving spousal conflicts among attorneys. Willeford argued no Attorney General opinion existed because the request had been withdrawn.

At an August 29 hearing, Kovach acknowledged the issue.

“Doing my research on this case, I used AI. I got that opinion. Mr. Willeford pointed out to me that that opinion, I guess, was withdrawn. So it’s not an opinion, so I want to make that — note that for the record,” Kovach said, according to the hearing transcript.

Judge Found Conflict Would Become Actual If Wife Testified

Judge Bench held hearings on August 29 and September 10, 2025, before denying the State’s motion.

In its written findings, the court said prosecutors intended to call Natalie Molkentine Willeford as a witness. Judge Bench also identified her as Keith Willeford’s wife, noted that she had taught the alleged victim, and said she used the name Natalie Molkentine before she married Willeford.

Bench further found that Carlton understood and waived any potential or actual conflict.

The conclusions of law said Mrs. Willeford would be a material witness if she testified as prosecutors expected. They also identified a potential conflict between Willeford and Carlton and said her testimony would cause the conflict to “ripen into an actual conflict of interest.”

The judge nevertheless found that Carlton had “effectively, freely and validly” waived any potential or actual conflict. The court concluded that Carlton’s right to counsel of his choice outweighed the danger of unfair appearance, jury distraction, ineffective assistance, and due-process concerns under the circumstances.

At the September 10 hearing, Bench gave Carlton a lengthy warning about the possible consequences of keeping Willeford as counsel.

“Sir, you understand — and I will make a note for the record the Court believes that if Mr. Willeford’s wife is called to testify, it will be an actual conflict of interest. Not a potential conflict of interest, but an actual conflict of interest,” Bench said, according to the transcript.

The judge also warned Carlton that his attorney’s marriage to a potential State witness could affect cross-examination.

“If that happens, you run the risk that Mr. Willeford will sacrifice your interests in having conflict-free counsel and in a vigorous, unrestrained, and forceful defense on your behalf in order to serve his personal interests in not embarrassing his wife or, frankly, insinuating to a jury in public that she is a liar or that her memory is faulty,” Bench said.

Carlton still chose to keep Willeford.

State Took The Issue To Appeals Court

The State then sought mandamus relief from the Sixth Court of Appeals in Texarkana, asking the appellate court to force Judge Bench to disqualify Willeford.

The Sixth Court denied the petition on November 17, 2025.

In its memorandum opinion, the appellate court said Walker sought to compel the trial judge to disqualify Carlton’s counsel of choice because counsel “married a witness the State intends to call.”

The court held that because Carlton had been fully informed of the conflict and waived it, Judge Bench had discretion to deny the State’s motion.

The appellate court also said Mrs. Willeford was “not a significant witness to the State’s case since the record shows that she had no personal knowledge of the offense.”

The court concluded that the State had cited no case requiring disqualification under the facts of the case and denied the petition.

The State later asked the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals for leave to file a mandamus petition after the Sixth Court’s ruling, according to a filing accepted December 30, 2025. The records reviewed by The Dallas Express did not include a ruling from the Court of Criminal Appeals on that request.

Trial Ends In Acquittal

The case went to trial in May. The jury acquitted Carlton after the trial court allowed Willeford to remain on the case, after the appeals court declined to force his removal, and after Natalie Willeford testified on May 5.

A courtroom observer who attended the proceedings told The Dallas Express that Keith Willeford personally cross-examined Natalie Willeford after she testified.

The acquittal closed the criminal case against Carlton. The conflict dispute now adds a new public-interest question to the May 26 judicial runoff for the 196th District Court.

The post A Rare Courtroom Conflict Hits Hunt County Judicial Race After Attorney Cross-Examines Wife appeared first on Dallas Express.

Dallas police and the U.S. Marshals Service arrested 162 suspects during a five-week operation targeting people wanted on warrants for murder, aggravated assault, and other violent offenses, the Dallas Police Department announced May 13.

The operation, called “Operation We Got You,” ran from April 1 through May 5 and cleared more than 200 active warrants, according to DPD Beat, the department’s official blog.

As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Dallas police and the U.S. Marshals Service launched the operation in April as a fugitive apprehension effort aimed at suspects wanted on violent-offense warrants.

Operation Targeted Violent-Offense Warrants

The Dallas Police Department published a 19-page report listing the suspects, warrant charges, and arrest histories. The report says DPD and the U.S. Marshal’s North Texas Fugitive Task Force arrested the 162 suspects between April 1 and May 5.

The warrant charges listed in the report include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, murder, capital murder, manslaughter, aggravated kidnapping, and family violence-related charges. Several suspects had multiple active warrants listed.

“Today is about public safety, partnership, and accountability,” Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux said during a May 13 press conference. “The Dallas Police Department remains relentless in our mission to identify, locate, and remove violent offenders from our communities.”

Comeaux said Dallas police are not waiting for violent suspects to strike again.

“We’re not waiting for violent criminals to strike again,” Comeaux said. “We are going after them, finding them, and taking them off the streets.”

U.S. Marshals Highlight Repeat-Offender Focus

Sean Malecha, acting U.S. marshal for the Northern District of Texas, said the operation targeted suspects wanted for aggravated assault, homicide, and other violent crimes.

“These bad actors present a danger to the community,” Malecha said. “And we as a combined force will not stop what we’re doing until they are all brought to justice either in a federal or state court.”

Malecha highlighted the arrest of Martin Madarang, who was wanted on a murder warrant. The DPD report lists Madarang as having 13 total arrests, including narcotics charges, assault-family violence, and failure to identify as a fugitive.

Malecha said Madarang was arrested April 29 by the North Texas Fugitive Task Force Alpha Team.

“So, he was a repeat offender, but our folks caught up to him on the 29th of April and arrested him,” Malecha said.

Malecha said Madarang is accused in a deadly shooting after a verbal altercation in Dallas.

“And now he’s in custody answering for a murder where he allegedly shot a victim after a verbal altercation in Dallas,” Malecha said.

Police Say 86 Suspects Remained In Custody

Sgt. Sheldon H. Smith, a Dallas police officer assigned to the U.S. Marshals North Texas Fugitive Task Force Alpha Team, said 86 of the 162 suspects remained in custody as of the press conference.

Smith said the operation included elements from Dallas police patrol divisions, the department’s fugitive unit, and the U.S. Marshals task force.

“This collaborative effort was very successful,” Smith said.

Smith said the 162 suspects had 590 total current and previous arrests. He also said authorities cleared 207 aggravated assault and murder warrants during the operation, and 11 suspects were in custody on immigration holds.

“All of these persons that I just described to you had one thing in common,” Smith said. “It was not their first crime.”

Smith said the arrests showed the value of the partnership between Dallas police and federal authorities.

“It is a proven fact that if we work together, both federal and state, that we can get the job done,” Smith said.

Comeaux Touts Proactive Enforcement

Comeaux said the operation reflects a broader strategy of proactive policing.

“Operations like this are what proactive policing looks like,” Comeaux said.

Comeaux said arresting suspects wanted on violent-offense warrants is only part of the city’s public safety challenge.

“Arresting violent offenders is only part of the solution,” Comeaux said. “Accountability matters.”

Comeaux said Dallas police have arrested 1,384 people through proactive enforcement efforts over the past year.

The department did not release a geographic breakdown showing where each arrest occurred. It also did not provide a full summary showing how many warrants fell into each offense category.

Comeaux ended with a warning to suspects with felony warrants.

“And as I always say, if you have a felony warrant, you need to wonder if it’s us watching you,” Comeaux said.

The post ‘We Got You’: Dallas Fugitive Sweep Ends With 162 Arrests And A Warning appeared first on Dallas Express.

Alison Fox, a Republican candidate for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, returned a $4,000 campaign contribution from a sitting judge after questions surfaced about whether the donation exceeded limits under state election law.

Judge David Newell, who serves on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and is not seeking re-election, reported a $4,000 payment to “Alison Fox for Judge” in his January campaign finance report.

The payment was dated October 17, 2025, and categorized as a political contribution made from political contributions, according to Newell’s filing with the Texas Ethics Commission.

Photos reviewed by The Dallas Express also appear to show Fox and Newell attending the same political event, where candidates and attendees posed for pictures in front of a large Texas flag backdrop. The images add context to questions about Newell’s support for Fox’s campaign after his finance report listed a $4,000 political contribution to her campaign.

Fox is running for Place 3 on the Court of Criminal Appeals, Texas’ highest criminal court. She faces Thomas Smith in the May 26 Republican primary runoff.

State Law Limits Judicial Contributions

Texas Election Code Section 253.1611 bars judicial candidates and officeholders from using political contributions to knowingly make political contributions totaling more than $100 in a calendar year to another candidate or officeholder.

The Texas Ethics Commission has also said a retired judge who still has a campaign treasurer appointment on file remains subject to the restriction and may not contribute more than $100 per year to another candidate or officeholder.

Newell’s campaign finance report listed the $4,000 payment to Fox, along with other political contributions from campaign funds. The report also listed $1,000 contributions to Jo Ann Pierce Linzer for Judge Campaign, Paul Still for Judge, and The Mark Hanna Campaign.

Tony McDonald, an attorney experienced in campaign finance law, told Texas Scorecard that the filing appeared to show an illegal contribution.

“It seems clear based on the report that Newell made, and Fox accepted, an illegal campaign contribution,” McDonald said.

Fox later told Texas Scorecard she received and reported the contribution, but was not initially aware of the applicable restrictions. She said the funds had been returned and that the refund would appear in her next campaign finance report.

Newell did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s request for comment.

Runoff Comes Amid GOP Scrutiny

The contribution issue comes as Fox faces conservative scrutiny in the Republican runoff for Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3.

A social media post attributed to Fox’s husband, Graden Wayne Dahlberg, urged voters to support her in the Republican primary and told Democrats to consider doing the same.

“Please vote for my wife in the Republican primary,” the post said. “Even if you are a Democrat, consider doing so for strategic reasons.”

Anyone who doubts the absolute necessity of closing the Texas Republican primaries, here you go—an open plea for Democrats to crossover and vote for CCA Place 3, not to mention a pay-for-play LINK Letter endorsement. This is an automatic disqualification for this candidate.… pic.twitter.com/wVtGKBwcId

— Karnifex Maximus (@KarnifexMaximus) February 14, 2026

 

Texas does not require voters to register by party. A voter who has not participated in a party primary during the calendar year may choose either party’s primary. However, a voter who cast a ballot in one party’s primary may not vote in the other party’s runoff, according to the Texas Secretary of State.

Fox led the March primary with 31.3% of the vote, while Smith finished second with 30.7%, The Texas Tribune reported. The two advanced to the May 26 runoff because no candidate received more than 50% of the vote.

The race has drawn added attention because the Court of Criminal Appeals has played a central role in disputes over Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s authority to prosecute election-law cases.

Newell was one of two Republican judges on the court who previously sided against Paxton and later declined to seek re-election, The Texas Tribune reported.

Smith works in Paxton’s office and has Paxton’s endorsement. Fox has emphasized her criminal appellate experience, including work at the Court of Criminal Appeals and the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office.

The winner of the Republican runoff will face Democrat Okey Anyiam, a private criminal defense attorney, in November.

The post Texas Criminal Court Candidate Returned $4K From Sitting Judge After Election Code Questions appeared first on Dallas Express.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown and ordered her office to begin formal cooperation efforts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under a state law that took effect earlier this year.

In a letter released on Wednesday, Paxton directed Brown to seek a 287(g) agreement with ICE and report progress to the Office of the Attorney General by June 1, 2026.

The order stems from Senate Bill 8, which became effective January 1 and requires sheriffs in Texas counties that operate jails to enter into formal agreements with ICE. The agreements authorize local officers to perform certain federal immigration enforcement duties involving the “investigation, apprehension, or detention” of people living in the country illegally.

Under the new law that took effect on January 1, county sheriffs operating jails are now required to pursue cooperation agreements with ICE regardless of local political preferences.

“The decision of whether to seek such an agreement is not yours to make,” Paxton wrote in the letter to Brown. “By enacting (the law requiring participation), the Texas Legislature created a mandatory statewide policy of cooperation between county sheriffs and ICE.”

Paxton accused Brown of refusing to comply with the law after she reportedly stated publicly in October 2025 that “no additional efforts” would be made toward establishing an agreement with ICE.

According to the attorney general’s office, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department has not informed the state of any attempts to negotiate such an agreement since the law took effect.

“I will not allow the people of Dallas County to suffer because the Sheriff refuses to work with ICE to keep violent illegals off our streets,” Paxton said in a news release announcing the investigation.

“Texas law requires that sheriffs seek a formal agreement with ICE to help stop illegal immigration,” he added. “My office will ensure that the Dallas County Sheriff complies with the law and that ICE is assisted to the fullest extent possible under the law.”

Paxton’s office said sheriffs in Harris, Bexar, and El Paso counties have already finalized or are negotiating similar agreements with ICE.

In his letter to Brown, Paxton wrote, “Notably, you stand alone in your failure to comply with this law.”

Brown has not yet commented publicly on Paxton’s letter.

The dispute comes amid growing pressure from state officials on local governments over immigration enforcement policies.

Earlier this year, Gov. Greg Abbott’s administration threatened to withhold more than $32 million in public safety grants from the City of Dallas, along with an additional $55.1 million tied to FIFA World Cup preparations, over Dallas police policies regarding cooperation with ICE, The Dallas Express reported.

In a letter sent to Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson in April, the Governor’s Public Safety Office argued that Dallas police general orders allowed officers to decline certain immigration-related cooperation requests from federal authorities.

The department’s policies state officers “may not prolong the detention of an individual to further investigate the individual’s immigration status or to hold them for federal authorities.” The policies also state that officers are not required to notify ICE about a person’s immigration status following an arrest, WFAA reported.

State officials argued those directives conflicted with assurances the City provided to receive state grant funding.

A spokesperson for the City previously said Dallas remained committed to complying with state and federal law while continuing to prioritize public safety.

Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux has said in the past that he preferred for the department to avoid becoming heavily involved in immigration enforcement debates.

Texas Immigration Law Council maintains a web page that explains the three types of 287(g) agreements that local law enforcement entities may choose from and tracks the counties and other jurisdictions that are participating in these agreements.

The post Dallas Sheriff Marian Brown Under AG Investigation For Refusing ICE Cooperation appeared first on Dallas Express.

The federal government’s anti-fraud task force, led by Vice President J.D. Vance, announced a major escalation in its crackdown on healthcare fraud: withholding approximately $1.4 billion in payments to suspicious hospice and home health providers nationwide (including significant actions in California), suspending hundreds of providers in the Los Angeles area, and implementing a six-month nationwide moratorium on new Medicare enrollments for hospice and home health agencies.

Vice President J.D. Vance kicked off Wednesday’s press conference by describing the new anti-fraud strategies in very human terms.

“Fraud always has two fundamental victims,” Vance said. “The first victim is the American taxpayer. But it also has as its victims the people who are meant to benefit from these programs, who are not able to benefit — or maybe are benefiting less – because of what a disaster some of the fraud has wrought.”

The massive California crackdown – the largest healthcare fraud fight in CMS history, according to Trump’s team – comes after the administration said the state failed to properly police its own Medicaid program.

CMS Deputy Administrator Kim Brandt explained that her team uncovered $630 million in provider billing flagged as the top 5% of outliers nationally, another $500 million in suspicious home care spending growing at twice the national average, and $200 million in questionable payments.

California officials have now been asked to explain the discrepancies before any of those frozen funds are released.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, noted the suspicious concentration of hospices in Los Angeles and questioned how so many could legitimately serve the population. Of the suspended providers — who had collectively billed large sums — the vast majority have not disputed the actions, with officials describing the response as “crickets.”

CMS is implementing a six-month nationwide moratorium on new Medicare enrollments for hospice and home health agencies. Existing providers may continue operating, but no new licenses or enrollments will be approved during this period while improved verification tools are developed.

Vance also highlighted glaring enforcement gaps: Hawaii, despite receiving billions in federal Medicaid funds, has recorded zero indictments or convictions in recent years. New York, with its roughly $100 billion program, produced just nine indictments in the same time period – while Indiana, with about one-third of New York’s population, had more than four times as many.

On Tuesday, letters were reportedly sent to all 50 state Medicaid programs demanding proof of prosecutions for serious fraud. States that can’t show meaningful enforcement risk losing their federal MFCU funding.

Vance was careful to note that the issue cuts across party lines, citing Ohio and Maryland as states that have cooperated constructively with the task force despite their different political leanings. “This does not have to be a red state or a blue state issue,” he said. “This is just basic good government.”

Brandt, whom Vance referred to as “probably the single official who has saved American taxpayers more money than any other official in the government,” highlighted the administration’s real-time claims monitoring system — known as the Medicare Fraud War Room — which has reportedly blocked over $2 billion in fraudulent payments since its launch in 2025. A parallel Medicaid effort is now flagging suspicious claims before payment.

The Medicaid War Room, launched in partnership with the Department of Justice, the FBI, and state fraud units, now also flags suspicious claims before they’re paid out.

Andrew Ferguson, executive director of the anti-fraud task force, said the stakes extend beyond dollars. “When the states just take this money and turn it into a jobs program for blue state lawyers, they are effectively participating in elder abuse,” he said, adding that MFCUs are legally required to investigate abuse and neglect in care settings.

Before opening the floor to questions, Vance left the room with a bottom-line number: fix the fraud, and the Medicare Trust Fund lives twice as long. No new taxes, no benefit cuts – just stopping the bleeding.

The post JD Vance Leads Massive $1.4 Billion Medicare Fraud Crackdown – Hospice Scam Exposed appeared first on Dallas Express.

Texas officials from both parties are backing proposals to temporarily suspend state fuel taxes as gasoline prices continue rising across the state.

According to AAA Texas, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in the Austin area surpassed $4 on Tuesday, up $1.24 from the same time last year.

President Donald Trump said this week that his administration is considering a temporary suspension of the federal gas tax, which currently stands at 18.4 cents per gallon. The federal tax on diesel fuel is 24.4 cents per gallon.

Asked on Monday how long the federal tax could be paused, Trump responded, “Until it’s appropriate,” The Dallas Express reported.

Earlier on Monday, during a phone interview with CBS News, Trump said that suspending the gas tax is “a great idea,” adding, “We’re going to take off the gas tax for a period of time, and when gas goes down, we’ll let it phase back in.”

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller renewed his calls for both federal and state fuel tax relief. He praised Trump’s consideration of a federal pause and urged Gov. Greg Abbott to take similar action in Texas, where the state tax on gas is 20 cents per gallon.

“Several weeks ago, I called on both Texas Governor Abbott and President Trump to temporarily suspend both the state and federal motor fuels tax in order to provide relief to hardworking families who are struggling due to this brief period of higher than usual gasoline prices,” Miller said in a statement on Tuesday.

“I am very pleased that President Trump is seriously considering doing exactly that. That’s what leadership looks like, and our President has it in spades,” he added.

Miller argued that higher fuel costs are putting additional strain on Texas agriculture and rural communities.

“Texas agriculture is already battling drought, high input costs, and economic uncertainty,” Miller said. “Fuel prices impact everything from planting and harvesting to hauling livestock and stocking grocery shelves. Temporary fuel tax relief is common sense, pro-consumer, and pro-Texas.”

The agriculture commissioner also noted that Indiana, Georgia, and Utah have taken steps to provide fuel tax relief and again called on Abbott to act.

“Governors in Indiana, Georgia, and Utah have already stepped up to provide relief for their citizens, and I once again renew my call for Governor Abbott to follow the lead of President Trump and act decisively for Texas families,” Miller said.

A pause on both federal and state gas taxes would save Texans approximately $5 to $6 per average tank of gas.

The governor’s office pushed back strongly against the proposal, saying Abbott does not have the authority to suspend the state gas tax through executive action.

“There’s a reason Sid Miller lost his election, it’s because he doesn’t shoot straight with Texans,” Abbott press secretary Andrew Mahaleris said in a statement. “Any suggestion that the Texas governor is authorized by law to suspend a gas tax is entirely uninformed or purposefully misleading.”

Mahaleris added, “If the Texas governor could suspend taxes, he would have suspended the property tax years ago.”

Miller responded on Tuesday by criticizing Abbott’s office and arguing the governor has previously exercised broad executive authority in other situations.

“Texans have watched Governor Abbott repeatedly pick and choose when and how to wield executive authority over the years, whether through emergency declarations, disaster powers, regulatory actions, or suspending certain rules and regulations when it suited his priorities,” Miller said.

“The question Texans are asking is simple: if executive authority can be used aggressively in other situations, why wouldn’t every available tool be used right now to help hard working families being crushed by high fuel prices?”

Miller also disputed the spokesman’s comparison to property taxes.

“Contrary to his statement today, the Governor should know that the state doesn’t even collect property taxes, so he couldn’t suspend those taxes if he wanted to,” Miller said.

Support for a temporary federal gas tax suspension has emerged from both political parties.

State Rep. James Talarico, a Democrat from Austin and candidate for the U.S. Senate, endorsed the idea last month.

“Lowering prices at the pump should be a bipartisan commitment,” Talarico said Monday, Fox SA reported.

Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn said he could support a short-term federal pause depending on the details.

“There’s a difference between a temporary suspension and a permanent suspension,” Cornyn said Monday, per Fox. “I don’t know exactly what the President has in mind. I think a temporary suspension getting through this sort of bumpy time because of uncertainty about energy prices, I can live with that.”

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa has also called for a suspension of the Texas state gas tax. For now, however, Abbott’s office maintains that a state-level tax suspension cannot be enacted through executive authority alone.

The post Bipartisan Call: Suspend Texas Gas Tax As Prices Surge Past $4 Per Gallon appeared first on Dallas Express.

Organizers expect thousands of Americans from across the country to gather on the National Mall on Sunday, May 17, 2026, for Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise, and Thanksgiving.

The event, promoted by President Donald Trump and organized by Freedom 250, reportedly features high-profile speakers including House Speaker Mike Johnson, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Franklin Graham, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, and others.

THIS SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2026! 🇺🇸

Americans from every state will gather on the National Mall for Rededicate 250, a historic day of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving celebrating 250 years of God’s providence over America.

🇺🇸 Speaker Mike Johnson
🇺🇸 Secretary Pete Hegseth
🇺🇸 Franklin… pic.twitter.com/ASXNMEwqW2

— Freedom 250 (@Freedom250) May 13, 2026

It comes weeks after the annual National Day of Prayer on May 7 and aligns with broader observances leading to the nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026. 

The National Day of Prayer has been observed annually on the first Thursday in May since 1952, when President Harry Truman signed it into law following advocacy efforts that included those of Rev. Billy Graham. Congress formalized the date in 1988.

Each year, the President issues a proclamation encouraging Americans to pray. The White House released it on May 6, 2026, ahead of the May 7 observance. It honors America’s tradition of prayer and faith, references the nation’s 250th anniversary, and encourages Americans to pray while noting the upcoming May 17 Rededicate 250 event on the National Mall.

This year’s observances drew participation from local gatherings in all 50 states, with reports of strong turnout at courthouses, churches, and public sites. The National Day of Prayer Task Force reported tens of thousands of local events.

The Dallas Express has previously covered local Texas observances, including the Tarrant County National Day of Prayer Luncheon, which returned for its third year on May 7, 2026, with former NFL quarterback Colt McCoy as keynote speaker.

Trump announced plans for the gathering during the National Prayer Breakfast, stating, “…I’m pleased to announce that on May 17, 2026, we’re inviting Americans from all across the country to come together on our National Mall to pray, to give thanks … to rededicate America as one nation under God,” reported USAToday.

Speakers listed include Franklin Graham, who has launched a separate “One Nation Under God” 50-day prayer initiative running from May 15 to July 4, with daily videos from pastors in each state. Graham posted on May 13 about the upcoming event:

This Sunday, May 17, President @realDonaldTrump is holding an event on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to pray and rededicate our nation to God—something no other president has done. I hope Christians from all across this country will come and take a stand for Jesus Christ… pic.twitter.com/eteKvyvaS6

— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) May 13, 2026

The event follows reports of increased spiritual activity in parts of the country.

Faith leaders and observers noted a rise in church attendance and interest in prayer and Bible reading in the months after the September 2025 assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Some pastors described it as contributing to a “revival” atmosphere, with accounts of new professions of faith and renewed engagement, though such movements are difficult to quantify nationally, as The Dallas Express has extensively covered.

Local faith leaders have also joined the effort to share God’s Word, including Founder and President of Christians Engaged, Bunni Pounds, who has participated in Bible-reading events ahead of America’s 250th anniversary. 

We just launched @AmericaRTBible last night at our SoConCon event. Join the movement for April 18-25, 2026 as our national leaders read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation to celebrate our 250th birthday of America. https://t.co/Ufz2DwWkYx

— Bunni Pounds (@bunnipounds) July 26, 2025

Organizers describe Rededicate 250 as nonpartisan and open to Americans of faith, with livestream options and encouragement for churches nationwide to participate remotely. 

The post One Nation Under God: Rededicate 250 Calls The Nation Back To Faith And Prayer appeared first on Dallas Express.

Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones joined Dallas Express Sports Network for a conversation on the team’s draft, defensive rebuild, and the organization’s vision for the future.

In the latest episode, Jones spoke with Chris Putnam and Chris Yates about the final seconds of a draft-night trade, explaining how quickly the Cowboys moved to secure one of their top targets before another team could potentially jump ahead of them.

Jones said the Cowboys felt good about following their draft board, though he noted the true evaluation of any draft class comes years later.

Cowboys Focus On Defense

The conversation turned heavily toward the defensive side of the ball, where Jones said the Cowboys made improvement a major offseason priority through coaching changes, free agency, and the draft.

Jones said the team struggled defensively last season and has spent the offseason working to “beef up the defensive side.”

He also credited head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s leadership, saying the team is moving in the right direction while still having “a lot of wood to chop” as new defensive pieces come together.

Building A New Identity

Jones said the Cowboys are working to build a clearer identity across the organization, from the coaching staff to the roster.

“You’ve got to have an identity for your football team,” Jones said during the interview.

He added that the Cowboys want to build the team “the right way with the right type of men.”

The episode also gives viewers a lighter look at Jones, including his thoughts on family, time in the mountains, and what he might be doing if he were not involved with the Cowboys.

Watch the full conversation with Stephen Jones on Dallas Express Sports Network.

The post Stephen Jones Talks Cowboys Draft, Team Culture In New DXSN Interview appeared first on Dallas Express.

President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a high-stakes summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, seeking to stabilize relations between the world’s two largest economies even as tensions persist over Iran, trade, and Taiwan.

Before departing the White House on Tuesday, Trump sought to minimize disagreements with Xi over the ongoing conflict involving Iran, despite recent pressure from his administration for China to use its influence with Tehran.

“We’re going to have a long talk about it. I think he’s been relatively good, to be honest with you,” Trump said of Xi and the conflict, the Associated Press reported.

Moments later, Trump downplayed Iran as a central issue in the talks.

“We have a lot of things to discuss. I wouldn’t say Iran is one of them, to be honest with you, because we have Iran very much under control,” Trump said.

The summit comes as the Trump administration faces mounting domestic and international pressure tied to the conflict in Iran, which has disrupted global oil markets and heightened concerns about economic instability.

Administration officials have argued that China, the world’s largest buyer of Iranian oil, has leverage to encourage Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and return to negotiations.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have recently urged Beijing to help restore shipping traffic through the critical waterway, which carried roughly 20% of the world’s crude oil before the conflict began.

“You can’t buy from them if you can’t ship it there, and you can’t buy from them if your economy is being destroyed by what Iran is doing,” Rubio said last week, per AP.

Despite those appeals, analysts say China has shown little interest in becoming deeply involved in the conflict.

“They are very cautious, risk averse, and they don’t want to be involved in anything that would drag them into something that they don’t consider their problem,” said Ahmed Aboudouh, a Middle East specialist with Chatham House, per AP.

Trump’s visit marks the first trip to China by a U.S. President since he visited Beijing during his first term in 2017. He was joined by senior administration officials, including Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Bessent, as well as business leaders such as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

The White House has signaled that trade and economic cooperation will dominate discussions with Xi as both nations attempt to preserve a fragile truce reached after months of escalating trade tensions.

Last year, the United States imposed tariffs as high as 145% on Chinese goods before both governments stepped back from further escalation. China had responded by tightening export controls on rare earth minerals critical to U.S. industries.

Trump said trade would remain a top focus during the meetings.

“We’re going to be talking with President Xi about a lot of different things. I would say more than anything else will be trade,” Trump told reporters before departing Washington, the Washington Post reported.

“We’re the strongest nation on Earth in terms of military. China’s considered second, who knows,” Trump added. “I have a great relationship with President Xi, and I think it’s going to remain that way.”

Taiwan is also expected to be a major topic during the summit. Chinese officials are expected to press Trump on U.S. military support for the island, which Beijing considers part of China.

Trump suggested earlier this week that he may be open to discussing future arms sales to Taiwan.

“President Xi would like us not to, and I’ll have that discussion,” Trump said, per the Post. “That’s one of the many things I’ll be talking about.”

The remarks alarmed some supporters of Taiwan in Washington, where lawmakers from both parties have long viewed U.S. military assistance to the island as a cornerstone of regional security.

Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, urged the administration to take a firmer approach toward Beijing.

“China needs to stop being a personal trainer for our adversaries,” Tillis said, the Post reported.

China has also pushed back against recent U.S. sanctions targeting Chinese firms accused of supporting Iran. The State Department last week sanctioned several entities, including three China-based companies, accused of providing satellite imagery that aided Iranian military operations.

Beijing condemned the measures as “illegal unilateral pressure” and activated a blocking statute prohibiting Chinese companies from complying with the sanctions.

Ahead of Trump’s arrival, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Beijing and defended Iran’s right to pursue civilian nuclear energy.

Xi has also indirectly criticized the United States over the conflict, warning that international law “must not be selectively applied or disregarded,” AP reported.

Despite the disputes, analysts say both leaders appear motivated to avoid further destabilizing the relationship as each faces economic pressures at home.

Sarah Beran, a former U.S. diplomat who worked on China policy in both the Trump and Biden administrations, said expectations for major breakthroughs during the summit remain limited.

“The difficulties, the frictions, aren’t going away between the two, but both sides also really are focused on domestic issues,” Beran said, the Post reported.

Officials from both governments have suggested that maintaining dialogue between the two leaders remains essential as tensions continue over trade, security, and global conflicts.

The post Trump-Xi Beijing Summit 2026: What Do They Aim To Resolve? appeared first on Dallas Express.

Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX-26) has been appointed to chair a newly created congressional task force focused on constitutional accountability.

The “Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses” will operate under the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and will target what the committee describes as systemic abuses by government institutions, including illegal DEI policies, misuse of immigration and social welfare programs, and foreign-backed efforts to suppress political speech.

Gill, who represents Texas’ 26th Congressional District – covering Denton and parts of Tarrant County – will lead the six-member panel alongside Republican colleagues Reps. Jim Jordan (Ohio), Andy Biggs (Ariz.), Michael Cloud (Texas), Byron Donalds (Fla.), and Brian Jack (Ga.).

“Americans deserve truth, transparency, and justice,” Gill said in a statement. “They are sick of being defrauded by government institutions and programs that should have been putting them first, not robbing their tax dollars. It is my great honor to chair the Oversight Committee’s new taskforce on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses. It is a great privilege and responsibility to carry on this extension of the work Chairman Comer and the committee is doing to fight for integrity and freedom for all.”

Chairman Comer credited Gill’s committee record as the reason for the pick.

“Representative Brandon Gill is a star on the Oversight Committee and has exposed the insanity of the Radical Left who seeks to undermine fundamental American values protected under our Constitution,” Comer said. “I am happy to announce Representative Gill as the new chairman of our Task Force to support the preservation of constitutional rights enjoyed by the American People. Under his leadership, we will continue to expose radical ideologies being pushed on Americans and fight to safeguard our freedom that we’ve enjoyed as a nation for 250 years.”

The task force will operate for six months under Committee Rules and is empowered to hold hearings and request documents from government agencies.

Comer and Gill got straight to business, sending a letter to Ohio Department of Medicaid Director Scott Partika demanding documents related to what investigators are calling a pattern of fraud in Ohio’s Home and Community-Based Services Medicaid waiver program.

The task force will now focus its investigations on whether institutions are promoting illegal discrimination, misusing immigration and welfare programs at the expense of Americans, or working to silence lawful political speech through coordinated influence campaigns.

“It’s my honor to work with Chairman Comer and the members of this Task Force to demand answers from the entities, foreign and domestic, that have robbed Americans blind. It is time for accountability and transparency,” Gill told The Dallas Express.

The post House Oversight Task Force: Rep. Brandon Gill To Target Illegal DEI Policies And Welfare Fraud appeared first on Dallas Express.

The South Carolina Supreme Court on Wednesday overturned the murder convictions and life sentence of disbarred attorney Alex Murdaugh in the 2021 killings of his wife and younger son, ruling that jury interference by a court clerk denied him a fair trial.

In a unanimous decision, the state’s highest court ordered a new trial, citing what the justices described as “improper external influences on the jury” and “shocking jury interference” during the 2023 proceedings, reported the Guardian.

Murdaugh, 57, was convicted of fatally shooting his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, near the kennels of the family’s Colleton County property on June 7, 2021. Maggie Murdaugh. 52. was shot multiple times with a rifle, while Paul Murdaugh, 22, was killed with a shotgun.

The justices said Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill improperly influenced jurors by making comments that undermined Murdaugh’s credibility during the trial.

The court wrote that Hill “placed her fingers on the scales of justice, thereby denying Murdaugh his right to a fair trial by an impartial jury,” the Associated Press reported.

“As her book’s title suggests, it turns out Hill was quite busy behind the doors of justice, thwarting the integrity of the justice system she was sworn to protect and uphold,” the justices said in the unsigned 27-page opinion.

Hill had overseen evidence and jury management during the six-week trial while also writing a book about the case titled Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders. The book was later withdrawn following allegations of plagiarism.

The Supreme Court also criticized the trial judge for allowing extensive evidence about Murdaugh’s financial crimes during the murder trial, saying the evidence unfairly prejudiced jurors against him.

Murdaugh’s attorneys argued that prosecutors failed to present direct physical evidence tying him to the killings. They noted no blood or DNA from the victims was found on Murdaugh or his clothing, despite the close-range shootings. The weapons used in the killings were never recovered.

Prosecutors had maintained that the evidence against Murdaugh was overwhelming and argued the clerk’s comments to jurors were brief and insignificant. But the Supreme Court disagreed, finding the conduct serious enough to compromise the fairness of the trial.

“Although we are aware of the time, money, and effort expended for this lengthy trial, we have no choice but to reverse the denial of Murdaugh’s motion for a new trial,” the justices wrote, CNN reported.

Despite the ruling, Murdaugh is expected to remain in prison. He previously pleaded guilty to financial crimes involving the theft of approximately $12 million from clients and is serving concurrent federal and state prison sentences, including a 40-year federal term.

Prosecutors did not immediately say whether they plan to retry Murdaugh on the murder charges.

The case has drawn nationwide attention through documentaries, podcasts, and books examining the downfall of the once-prominent South Carolina legal family. Murdaugh’s father, grandfather, and great-grandfather collectively served as elected prosecutors in the region for more than 80 years.

The court praised prosecutors, defense attorneys, and the trial judge for their work during the original proceedings while placing responsibility for the reversal on Hill’s actions.

“Our justice system provides — indeed demands — that every person is entitled to a fair trial,” the ruling stated, AP reported.

The post Murdaugh Murder Case Collapses: Life Sentence Overturned Over Jury Tampering appeared first on Dallas Express.

Meta Platforms announced on Wednesday the rollout of Incognito Chat with Meta AI on WhatsApp and the standalone Meta AI app. The feature enables users to have temporary, private conversations with the AI assistant that are not stored or accessible by the company.

today we're launching Incognito Chat with Meta AI, a new way to have completely private conversations with AI. built on top of our Private Processing technology, Incognito Chat lets you talk to Meta AI in a way that is invisible to anyone else.

when you start an Incognito Chat…

— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) May 13, 2026

The feature uses “Private Processing technology” in a secure environment, with messages processed so that even Meta cannot access them. Conversations disappear by default when the session ends, setting a new standard for privacy in AI interactions, according to a May 13 Facebook post by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

“Incognito Chat handles all AI inference in a Trusted Execution Environment that ensures your messages are not accessible to us. The conversations on your phone also disappear when you exit the session. This is different from other disappearing AI products where your conversations logs often remain on other companies’ servers for many months,” Zuckerberg stated, in part.

In layperson’s terms, Incognito Chat creates a one-time, self-destructing conversation thread with Meta’s AI chatbot. Users tap a new icon in a Meta AI chat to start it. The chat exists only on the user’s device during the session, runs in an isolated, secure setup (a Trusted Execution Environment), and disappears upon exit, with no server-side logs kept by Meta.

This differs from standard Meta AI chats or those on other platforms, where conversation history may be stored for improvement, personalization, or training purposes. It is similar to WhatsApp’s existing disappearing messages feature for human-to-human chats, which lets users set timers of 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days for messages to auto-delete.

The feature is free as it builds on WhatsApp’s standard service, which requires only a phone number and an internet connection, with no subscription fees for core messaging or AI features.

On safety and monitoring against predators, WhatsApp maintains end-to-end encryption for all personal chats by default, meaning only the sender and recipient can read messages. For Incognito AI chats, the private processing adds another layer, with Meta stating it cannot access the content.

The company uses automatic spam detection to block most scam accounts before they reach users and provides tools to report and block contacts. Content involving child exploitation is forbidden, with the company directing user concerns to authorities like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

WhatsApp notes that its design prioritizes known contacts via phone numbers, though group chats can introduce risks if unknown members are added. No specific new predator-monitoring details were announced for the Incognito feature beyond the existing framework.

Messaging apps have experienced explosive growth in recent years. WhatsApp is the world’s most popular mobile messaging app, surpassing three billion monthly active users, according to Backlinko. At the same time, Meta’s combined WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger platforms command over 90% market share in many countries, per Business of Apps.

Ephemeral or disappearing messaging features have gained popularity for privacy, with users rising into the billions across apps. Traditional SMS texting remains widespread, with estimates of over 6 billion texts sent daily and high open rates. Still, internet-based apps have overtaken it in volume for many users, especially internationally and among younger demographics, who send thousands of messages monthly via apps.

In the U.S., 85% of adults use text messaging or apps multiple times per week, with messaging now the leading communication method, according to YouGov.

The rollout begins on Android and iOS for select users and will expand over the coming months, initially text-only with plans for images, voice, and additional capabilities.

WhatsApp has long offered disappearing messages in user chats to reduce digital footprints and storage usage. The new Incognito mode extends similar logic to AI interactions amid growing user demand for privacy with sensitive topics like health or finances.

The post WhatsApp’s New Incognito Chat With Meta AI Promises Privacy – Here’s How It Works appeared first on Dallas Express.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to draw millions of fans and generate billions in economic activity, but hotel operators in several U.S. host cities say tourism demand has not matched early projections ahead of the tournament.

In Texas, where Houston and the Dallas-Arlington area will host a combined 16 matches in June and July, hotel bookings have remained softer than many in the hospitality industry had anticipated.

A recent survey from the American Hotel & Lodging Association found that nearly 80% of hotels surveyed across the 11 U.S. host cities reported bookings tracking below original forecasts. In Dallas and Houston, about 70% of respondents said booking activity was largely in line with a typical summer season rather than showing a major World Cup surge.

FIFA has projected significant economic benefits from the tournament, estimating it will generate $30.5 billion across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, including roughly $3.5 billion in Texas alone. The organization also expects the event to reach six billion viewers globally during its 39-day run.

Still, concerns about international travel, rising costs, and geopolitical tensions have contributed to uncertainty surrounding attendance.

“There certainly are not only economic headwinds but certainly … sentiments toward the U.S. by some countries out there internationally, it’s potentially an issue in terms of people being able and willing to travel to the United States for these matches,” said Brent DeRaad, president and CEO of the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau, per The Texas Tribune

AT&T Stadium in Arlington is scheduled to host nine matches, while Houston’s NRG Stadium will host seven. Local officials said ticket sales remain strong and expect matches to sell out, though much of that demand may be coming from domestic travelers rather than international visitors.

Industry groups and analysts pointed to several reasons for the slower hotel demand, including expensive tickets, lengthy visa wait times, and broader travel concerns.

The American Hotel & Lodging Association said international travel barriers — including visa processing delays, increased visa fees, and uncertainty surrounding entry into the United States — have contributed to lower-than-expected overseas travel.

Hotels in some cities also faced disruptions after FIFA canceled large hotel room blocks in Dallas, Arlington, and other host markets earlier this year. The association said the cancellations revealed “softer underlying traveler demand,” per the Tribune.

According to the report, roughly 70% of FIFA’s group hotel blocks nationwide have been released.

“Hotels across host markets have spent years preparing for the World Cup, and while there is real excitement, the data points to a more nuanced outlook,” AHLA President and CEO Rosanna Maietta said in a statement, the Tribune reported.

High costs tied to attending matches have also become a concern for fans. Ticket prices for the 2026 tournament are significantly higher than those for previous World Cups in Qatar and Russia. Some matches have tickets exceeding $1,000, while seats for the championship match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey have reached nearly $33,000.

Transportation and lodging costs have also risen sharply in some markets. Near MetLife Stadium, some hotels increased nightly rates several times above standard pricing ahead of the tournament.

Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe, said many experienced fans are likely waiting for prices to decline before booking trips.

“Fans that are used to traveling for tournaments know that this price will always go down,” Evain said, the Associated Press reported. “There are many examples of hotel owners regretting that they priced too high and then panicking at the last minute and reducing prices.”

At the same time, short-term rental platforms appear to be seeing stronger demand than traditional hotels in some regions. Houston First Corporation reported short-term rental bookings in the Houston area are up 53% for June and July compared with the same period last year.

Houston officials remain optimistic that the city will still experience a meaningful tourism boost during the tournament.

“We expect that World Cup will help deliver a better than normal June and early July in the Houston hotel market,” Houston First Corporation President and CEO Michael Heckman said in a statement, per the Tribune. “Bookings are up year over year and we anticipate they will continue to climb as we get closer to the tournament.”

Houston First said hotel booking pace in the city is up 17% in June and 14% in July compared with last year, while international air bookings through the city’s airports are up 33% in June.

Economists and tourism analysts, however, cautioned that projections tied to global sporting events are often overly optimistic.

Bob Heere, a sports management professor at the University of North Texas, said local spending by residents attending matches should not be counted as new economic activity.

“Any good economic impact study does not include locals because, indeed, they are, regardless, spending their money here,” Heere said, the Tribune reported.

Andrew Zimbalist, an economics professor at Smith College, said large sporting events frequently discourage other travelers because of expected congestion, security concerns, and inflated prices.

“The general problem is that soccer tourists — and expected congestion, high prices and security concerns — push away normal business travel and tourism,” Zimbalist said, per AP.

Some tourism officials nonetheless believe demand could rise closer to kickoff as more fans finalize travel plans. Data from the travel search engine KAYAK shows that interest in World Cup-related travel is strong, even if that interest has been slow to translate into bookings. Flight searches for Dallas are up 64% compared to last year, and up 24% for all host cities combined. Hotel searches for all host cities have risen by 40%, Fox 4 KDFW reported.

More than five million tickets have already been sold for the tournament, according to FIFA, with over six million expected to be available across all 104 matches.

Lisa Delpy Neirotti, director of the Sport Management Program at George Washington University, said international events like the World Cup still generate economic benefits even if they fall short of early forecasts.

“It does bring economic impact, but it may not bring the impact that the report said,” Delpy Neirotti said, according to Fortune. “You get all this hype, and then it kind of falls short. So then people are disappointed, but they still should be happy with it.”

The post World Cup Hype vs Reality: Are Texas Hotel Bookings Falling Short Of Expectations? appeared first on Dallas Express.

Merriam-Webster drew widespread attention with a recent post explaining a common English pronunciation pattern: certain words function as nouns when the first syllable is stressed and as verbs when the second syllable receives the stress.

Examples include SUSpect (noun) versus susPECT (verb), CONflict versus conFLICT, PROtest versus proTEST, and CONvert versus conVERT. The dictionary’s X account shared the observation in response to a Guinness World Records post, sparking hundreds of replies and millions of views as users discussed the language’s complexities.

Something interesting you might not have realized:

A number of words in English are NOUNS when you stress the FIRST syllable…

But VERBS when you stress the SECOND syllable.

-SUSpect/susPECT
-CONflict/conFLICT
-PROtest/proTEST
-CONvert/conVERT https://t.co/6u5tF8Vs5o

— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) May 12, 2026

The post spotlighted heteronyms—words spelled the same but pronounced differently depending on meaning and part of speech.

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Easy for Natives to Master, Brutal for Newcomers?

Such peculiarities in the English language can lead to discussions about its difficulty. According to the U.S. Foreign Service Institute (FSI), which trains diplomats, English is not among the hardest languages for native English speakers to learn other tongues, but the reverse holds challenges for non-native speakers.

FSI ranks languages by the number of hours needed for English speakers to reach professional proficiency. Category I languages like Spanish or French require about 575-600 hours, while Category V languages such as Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Japanese, and Korean demand around 2,200 hours.

English’s irregular spelling, vast vocabulary drawn from multiple languages, and stress-dependent meanings add layers for learners. Native speakers often master these intuitively, but all the little rules and nuances can frustrate others.

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Literacy Slipping as Technology Does the Thinking

U.S. literacy data over the last decade show broader challenges in reading and comprehension. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), via the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), reports that 28% of U.S. adults ages 16–65 performed at Level 1 or below in literacy in 2023, up from 19% in 2017. This reflects a decline in average literacy scores from 271 in 2017 to 258 in 2023.

Other analyses, including from the National Literacy Institute, cite 21% of adults as illiterate or functionally illiterate in 2024 data, with 54% reading below a sixth-grade level.

Increased reliance on technology, including search engines, AI tools, and social media, has been linked to cognitive offloading, in which individuals delegate mental tasks to devices rather than engaging their own reasoning and memory.

A 2025 study published in Societies found a strong negative correlation between frequent AI tool usage and critical thinking abilities, mediated by this cognitive offloading.

Researchers at Microsoft and others reported in 2025 that higher confidence in generative AI reduces the perceived effort and practice in critical-thinking tasks among knowledge workers.

 

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Books to Bites: How America Swapped Novels for Memes and “Slop”

Reading for pleasure has also declined. Pew Research Center data indicates the share of U.S. adults reading a print book in the past 12 months fell from 72% in 2011 to 64% in October 2025.

A University of Florida study using American Time Use Survey data found daily reading for pleasure dropped more than 40% over 20 years, from 28% in 2004 to 16% in 2023. Researchers linked shorter attention spans and competition from digital media to the trend.

Short-form content, including social media snippets and memes, provides quick information but limits deep engagement with longer texts. This shift coincides with the continued popularity of dictionary lookups for linguistic curiosities, as users encounter English’s quirks online.

The rise of memes as a primary vehicle for news consumption has mirrored a broader shift toward visual, bite-sized storytelling reminiscent of childhood picture books. According to analyses spanning the last several years, many younger adults and teens increasingly encounter current events through humorous images, short videos, and illustrated formats on platforms like TikTok and Instagram rather than traditional long-form articles.

A 2025–2026 Attest study found that 67% of Gen Z users prefer short-form comedy and memes over other content types, with 41% consuming news in this format.

This trend aligns with documented challenges in sustaining attention for longer narratives, as excessive short-form content consumption correlates with reduced focus, with average attention spans on digital tasks dropping to as low as 47 seconds in measurements within the last several years.

Ironically, Merriam-Webster’s 2025 Word of the Year was “slop,” defined as low-quality digital content often produced by AI.

The post From Books To Memes: America’s Literacy In The Age Of ‘Slop’ appeared first on Dallas Express.

Highland Park has launched a new city-operated transportation program to replace services previously provided by Dallas Area Rapid Transit, following a vote by residents to leave the regional transit agency.

The new service, called Highland Park On-Demand, began operating on May 13 as a city-controlled microtransit system designed to serve riders within Highland Park and up to one mile beyond the town’s borders.

The coverage area includes connections to Mockingbird Station in Dallas and access to other regional transportation options. The service will also accommodate riders with mobility needs through paratransit offerings.

The launch comes days after Highland Park residents voted on May 2 to withdraw from DART, making the town the first municipality to leave the regional transit network.

DART announced it would end operations in Highland Park on May 14 following the election results.

The withdrawal is expected to bring immediate changes for commuters in the Park Cities area. Route 237 and other DART bus lines will continue traveling through Highland Park to reach surrounding destinations, but buses will no longer stop within town limits.

The Park Cities GoLink zone will also cease operations within Highland Park, and DART paratransit services to and from the town will end. DART officials said riders with recurring paratransit trips would be contacted directly regarding the transition.

Any park-and-ride facilities located within Highland Park will also be removed from the DART system.

While Highland Park voters approved leaving the agency, neighboring Addison and University Park held similar elections on May 2 and chose to remain part of the DART network.

The post Highland Park On-Demand Begins: New Microtransit Replaces DART appeared first on Dallas Express.

Authorities in Texas have discovered a seventh body connected to a suspected human smuggling operation after six illegal aliens were found dead inside a Union Pacific railcar in Laredo.

The latest victim was found Monday afternoon along railroad tracks in Bexar County near San Antonio, broadening an investigation that began after the six bodies were discovered Sunday at the Union Pacific Railyard in North Laredo.

Investigators believe the deceased man was traveling with the same group found inside the shipping container. Authorities have not publicly identified him, but officials said he was carrying a Mexican voter registration card.

Officials suspect the victims died from hyperthermia after enduring extreme heat inside the sealed railcar. Authorities estimated temperatures inside the container may have reached between 120 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit. On Saturday, temperatures in San Antonio climbed to nearly 90 degrees.

The investigation began after a relative living out of state received frantic text messages Saturday from a woman trapped inside the railcar. According to authorities, the woman wrote that the container was becoming “very, very hot” and that the people inside were in distress.

San Antonio police attempted to locate the train after receiving the information, but were directed to the wrong location and did not find the railcar. Investigators now believe the woman who sent the messages was among those later found dead in Laredo.

Webb County Medical Examiner Dr. Corinne Stern has identified five of the six victims recovered Sunday: a 14-year-old Honduran boy, a 24-year-old Honduran man, a 29-year-old Mexican woman, a 45-year-old Mexican man, and a 56-year-old Mexican man.

Stern said the 29-year-old woman’s death was caused by hyperthermia. Although examinations for the remaining victims are still pending, Stern said it is highly probable that hyperthermia caused the deaths of the entire group. She told the Associated Press the illegal aliens may have suffered inside the container for nearly eight hours.

Authorities said the train originated in Del Rio, near the U.S.-Mexico border. Electronic sensors designed to alert railroad officials when a container door opens were triggered multiple times during the trip, including in Del Rio, Laredo, and San Antonio.

Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said investigators believe smugglers, commonly referred to as coyotes, may have opened the railcar from the outside during the journey.

“Those cars can’t be opened from the inside. (…) We think it was a coyote who opened the door from the outside,” Salazar said during a Monday press conference, El País 50 reported.

Officials said the seventh body was discovered after railroad police and federal agents began patrolling tracks in the San Antonio area following the weekend sensor alerts.

“The fact that a sensor hit from here indicates someone opened that from outside,” a Bexar County spokesperson told Fox 4 KDFW. “Our belief at this point is that it was most likely smugglers that opened it from the outside at some point discovered this body and then, for whatever reason, dumped him out to avoid accountability.”

Federal authorities are investigating the case as a possible human trafficking operation. Homeland Security Investigations, the Laredo Police Department, and the Texas Rangers are involved in the inquiry.

The corridor between Laredo and San Antonio has long been used by smugglers transporting illegal aliens deeper into Texas and other parts of the country. The region was also the site of a deadly 2022 smuggling tragedy in which more than 50 illegal aliens died inside a sweltering tractor-trailer traveling from Laredo to San Antonio.

Migration across the southern border continues to carry significant risks, including exposure to extreme heat and exploitation by human traffickers. The International Organization for Migration reported in April that at least 414 illegal aliens died or disappeared in the Americas during 2025, with roughly 41% occurring along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Authorities are asking anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity near the railroad tracks on Saturday to contact the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.

The post 7th Body Found: Texas Railcar Smuggling Claims More Victims In Extreme Heat appeared first on Dallas Express.

Two Texas women have been arrested in separate cases involving fatal crashes, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

In West Texas, DPS troopers arrested Jessica Moncallo, 30, on May 11 in connection with a single-vehicle crash in Dawson County that killed a 16-year-old driver last month.

According to DPS, Moncallo was booked into the Dawson County Jail on a charge of purchasing or furnishing alcohol to a minor related to the April 15 crash along County Road 18.

Investigators said toxicology results later showed the teenage driver had a blood alcohol content of 0.081 at the time of the crash.

The Texas Highway Patrol said the investigation remains active and that no additional details were being released.

“DPS would like to remind the public that purchasing or furnishing alcohol to a minor is a serious offense that can have tragic, life-altering consequences,” the agency said in a statement. “In addition to placing lives at risk, individuals who provide alcohol to a minor may face additional criminal penalties.”

The agency added that if prosecutors determine at trial that furnishing alcohol contributed to a crash causing serious bodily injury or death, the person responsible could face state jail felony charges.

In a separate North Texas case, Gracie Yates was re-arrested on Monday after authorities upgraded charges stemming from a March crash in Stephenville that killed a mother and her young son.

Yates now faces first-degree felony intoxication manslaughter charges and a state jail felony charge of injury to a child, according to DPS.

Authorities said the charges are tied to a March 22 crash in which Yates allegedly drove into a home near the intersection of North Ollie and West Green streets around 3:30 a.m.

The crash killed 47-year-old Barbara Rocha and her 7-year-old son, Alex, while they were inside the residence, investigators said.

Stephenville police previously arrested Yates in March on charges of criminally negligent homicide. Investigators said they believed she was intoxicated at the time of the crash.

Yates is being held in the Ellis County jail on a bond totaling more than $1.5 million.

The post Two Texas Women Arrested In Separate Fatal Crashes: Teen And Mother-Son Killed appeared first on Dallas Express.

The family of a man killed in the 2025 mass shooting at Florida State University has filed a federal lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging its ChatGPT chatbot contributed to the attack by encouraging and assisting the accused gunman.

The lawsuit was filed on Sunday in Florida by Vandana Joshi, the widow of Tiru Chabba, who was killed in the April 2025 shooting alongside university dining director Robert Morales. Six other people were wounded in the attack.

The complaint names alleged gunman Phoenix Ikner as a defendant and claims he engaged in extensive conversations with ChatGPT in the months leading up to the shooting. According to the lawsuit, Ikner used the chatbot to discuss firearms, mass shootings, extremist ideologies, and the logistics of carrying out an attack.

Attorneys for Chabba’s family allege ChatGPT “inflamed and encouraged” Ikner’s delusions and helped him plan details of the shooting, including identifying peak traffic times at the university’s student union.

The lawsuit claims Ikner uploaded images of firearms to ChatGPT and received information about operating them. According to the complaint, the chatbot allegedly told him a Glock handgun was meant to be fired “quick to use under stress” and advised him to keep his finger off the trigger until he was ready to shoot.

The suit also alleges ChatGPT discussed how shootings involving children or multiple victims are more likely to draw national media attention. On the day of the attack, the complaint states, Ikner asked about possible sentencing and incarceration outcomes.

Investigators say Ikner began the shooting at approximately 11:57 a.m. after allegedly being told weekday lunch hours between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. were among the busiest times at the student union.

Ikner has pleaded not guilty. His trial is scheduled to begin in October.

During a Monday news conference announcing the lawsuit, attorney Bakari Sellers accused OpenAI of prioritizing profits over public safety.

“The unique thing about this is we are not going to allow the American public to have clinic run on them by OpenAI and ChatGPT,” Sellers said, NBC News reported.

Joshi also criticized the company in a statement released Monday.

“OpenAI knew this would happen. It’s happened before and it was only a matter of time before it happened again,” she said, per NBC News. “But they chose to put their profits over our safety and it killed my husband. They need to be responsible before another family has to go through this.”

The lawsuit alleges wrongful death, gross negligence, product liability, and failure to warn. Chabba’s family is seeking unspecified damages and additional safeguards for ChatGPT.

Amy Willbanks, another attorney representing the family, said stronger protections are needed before the technology is made widely available.

“We cannot have a product that is unregulated and being used by people when we don’t know the full extent of what it can lead to,” Willbanks said during a Monday press conference, CNN reported.

OpenAI rejected claims that ChatGPT was responsible for the shooting.

“Last year’s mass shooting at Florida State University was a tragedy, but ChatGPT is not responsible for this terrible crime,” OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri said in a statement, per CNN. “In this case, ChatGPT provided factual responses to questions with information that could be found broadly across public sources on the internet, and it did not encourage or promote illegal or harmful activity.”

Pusateri said the company cooperated with law enforcement after learning of the incident and continues to work to improve safeguards designed to detect harmful intent and prevent misuse.

The lawsuit is among a growing number of legal cases involving allegations that artificial intelligence chatbots contributed to violent acts or self-harm. OpenAI is currently facing multiple lawsuits tied to incidents involving ChatGPT, including litigation connected to a school shooting in Canada and a separate lawsuit filed by the family of a teenage boy who died by suicide.

Last month, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a criminal investigation into OpenAI after reviewing Ikner’s chat history.

“If ChatGPT were a person,” Uthmeier said in a statement, per NBC, “it would be facing charges for murder.”

The post ‘If ChatGPT Were A Person, It Would Be Facing Charges For Murder’ — FSU Victim’s Family Sues OpenAI appeared first on Dallas Express.

An advertisement for a refurbished iPod Shuffle spotted in the New York City subway promotes “Zero screen time” as a selling point in 2026.

Tony Fadell, the former Apple executive who led development of the original iPod, shared the image on X, noting the shift toward devices that let technology step back.

“When we built the iPod, the goal was the technology disappeared and you could have your music wherever you were,” Fadell wrote. “Now we’re living through a moment where people are actively looking for ways to disconnect from the infinite feed, algos, and constant notifications.”

Spotted in the NYC subway. “Zero screen time.” An iPod Shuffle ad in 2026.

When we built the iPod, the goal was the technology disappeared and you could have your music wherever you were. 1,000 songs in your pocket.

Now we’re living through a moment where people are actively… pic.twitter.com/s3fAuRCfoh

— Tony Fadell (@tfadell) May 12, 2026

The ad, part of Back Market’s campaign for refurbished iPod Shuffles, markets simplicity and the absence of a screen as a feature rather than a limitation.

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U.S. Adults Average 6–7 Hours of Daily Screen Time

U.S. adults average between 6 hours 12 minutes and 7 hours 2 minutes of daily screen time across devices, according to multiple 2025-2026 reports.

Mobile devices account for roughly 3 hours 22 minutes, with computers adding about 3 hours 18 minutes, according to Exploding Trends. Gen Z reports higher figures, often exceeding 9 hours per day, per Demand Sage.

Research links excessive screen time to various health effects. Physical issues include eye strain (computer vision syndrome), neck and shoulder pain, back pain, and headaches from poor posture and prolonged focus, per the Journal of Education and Health Promotion.

Mental health associations include higher rates of depression and anxiety symptoms. A CDC analysis found teens with high non-schoolwork screen use are more likely to report depression symptoms (25.9% vs. 9.5%) and anxiety symptoms (27.1% vs. 12.3%).

Other impacts involve sleep and relationships. Excessive screen time disrupts sleep patterns in multiple ways. Blue light from devices suppresses melatonin production, delays sleep onset, and leads to later bedtimes, reduced sleep duration, and poorer sleep quality. A 2025 CDC report found that teens with high non-schoolwork screen use were significantly more likely to experience an irregular sleep routine (49.2% vs. 29.2%) and to report being infrequently well-rested.

Screen time also affects relationships by reducing face-to-face interaction and creating emotional distance. Excessive device use is linked to “phubbing” (phone snubbing), miscommunication, and feelings of neglect, which can lower relationship satisfaction and increase conflict. The same CDC analysis showed teens with high daily screen time were more likely to report infrequent social and emotional support.

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Efforts to Unplug Gain Momentum Nationwide

Companies and governments have launched efforts to encourage reduced screen time. Back Market’s campaign promotes older, screen-free music players as a way to downgrade from constant connectivity.

In Texas, the Legislature designated October 21 as Unplug Texas Day, an official observance encouraging residents to disconnect from devices and engage in outdoor activities. Led by the Texas Recreation and Park Society, the day promotes activities at state and local parks.

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department events include hiking, river activities, and family time at locations like Guadalupe River State Park. Governor Greg Abbott signed the resolution supporting the initiative.

Similar pushes appear elsewhere. Some brands market “dumb” phones or limited-feature devices, while public health messaging highlights trade-offs of constant connectivity. Fadell emphasized that effective technology “understands when to step back” and that “constraints create freedom.”

A 2025 experiment found that blocking mobile internet access for two weeks led to meaningful improvements in mental health, life satisfaction, and sustained attention — effects comparable to those of established treatments, per Oxford University Press.

The post Americans Average 6-7 Hours Daily Screen Time — Why iPods Are Making A Comeback appeared first on Dallas Express.

PayPal Inc. agreed to waive roughly $30 million in processing fees to resolve a federal fair lending investigation into a race-based investment program the Justice Department said favored black and minority-owned businesses.

The agreement requires PayPal to create a new Small Business Initiative that excludes criteria based on race, national origin, or other protected characteristics. PayPal will waive processing fees on $1 billion worth of transactions for eligible American small businesses that are veteran-owned or operate in farming, manufacturing, or technology.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the settlement advances President Donald Trump’s push to eliminate illegal “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” practices from corporate America.

“This Department of Justice is delivering on President Trump’s vow to root out illegal DEI from every corner of corporate America,” Blanche said. “American corporations are on notice: you will face our aggressive enforcement if you use race or national origin to discriminate against qualified Americans.”

Justice Department Says PayPal Fund Favored Minority-Owned Businesses

The investigation focused on PayPal’s Economic Opportunity Fund, which the company announced in 2020 as part of a broader commitment to support black businesses and minority communities.

PayPal created the fund to invest in black and minority-owned businesses and gave applicants preference based on race, color, and national origin, the Justice Department said. The department also said the program did not seek to remedy any specific documented instances of past discrimination.

The Equal Credit Opportunity Act bars creditors from discriminating against credit applicants based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, receipt of public assistance income, or because an applicant exercised rights under the Consumer Credit Protection Act.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division said the agreement reinforces equal access to business financing.

“With this settlement, PayPal agrees that race and national origin should play no part in determining which small businesses deserve its investment and financial support,” Dhillon said. “The Department will use the full range of its enforcement authorities to eliminate discrimination and ensure that all Americans have an equal opportunity to grow their small businesses.”

PayPal Denies Liability

The settlement agreement includes important limiting language.

The agreement states that the United States “has not made any determinations or findings” that PayPal violated the Equal Credit Opportunity Act or any other federal law related to the Economic Opportunity Fund. It also states that the agreement does not amount to an admission or finding by either party and that PayPal “expressly denies any liability” related to the fund.

A PayPal spokesperson said the company has helped small businesses access digital financial tools for more than two decades and is “excited to launch the Small Business Initiative,” Reuters reported.

New Small Business Initiative Will Face Justice Department Review

The agreement requires PayPal to appoint a director for the Small Business Initiative, conduct a financial needs assessment of American small businesses, submit initiative plans to the federal government, train employees on compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and file annual progress reports with the Justice Department.

The new initiative must remain viewpoint and content-neutral, according to the agreement. PayPal may not grant preferences or impose restrictions based on political ideology or party affiliation.

President Donald Trump’s Justice Department has also scrutinized race-based policies in business, education, public employment, and government contracting.

Similar federal actions have already reached public agencies and local governments. The Dallas Express previously reported that the Justice Department opened investigations into the City of Austin and California’s Environmental Protection Agency over policies allegedly tied to race- and sex-based employment preferences.

The policy shift has also affected Dallas, where city officials moved to restructure several social-service and contracting programs after new federal rules restricted the use of DEI criteria in government-funded initiatives.

For DFW businesses, the PayPal agreement shows that the federal government is applying anti-discrimination law to corporate grant and investment programs, not just traditional lending decisions or public-sector hiring.

Small business owners in Texas who use PayPal processing services may want to monitor the new Small Business Initiative, though the Justice Department release and settlement agreement did not specify a public application process.

The post PayPal To Waive $30 Million In Fees After Race-Based Fund Probe appeared first on Dallas Express.

Comments from President Donald Trump at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) last September are gaining renewed attention as his team intensified its fight with the U.N. this week over global migration policy.

Speaking before the 80th Session of the UNGA on September 23, Trump declared that the Biden administration had lost more than 300,000 unaccompanied children who entered the United States, many of whom he said had been “raped, exploited and abused and sold.” He also announced at the time that his administration had already reunited nearly 30,000 of those children with their families abroad.

“The mother and father rushed to the door, and their tears in their eyes, they can’t believe that they’re seeing their son or daughter,” Trump told world leaders. “Any system that results in the mass trafficking of children is inherently evil.”

Those words landed with fresh force this week after the U.S. State Department publicly broke with the United Nations on May 11 over its migration agenda, accusing the U.N. of facilitating mass migration to the United States and condemning U.N. efforts to interfere with deportations of illegal immigrants.

“As the American people suffered under an unprecedented wave of mass migration, the UN was on the ground pipelining migrants to our southern border,” the State Department said via press release.

The administration’s child recovery numbers have only gone up since Trump’s UNGA address. The White House now claims the administration has rescued more than 60,000 migrant children from sex trafficking and child labor – double the figure Trump cited in September.

Since the speech, the Trump team says it has also deported more than 605,000 illegal aliens, while another 1.9 million self-deport out of the U.S. on their own.

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The Fight Against The Trafficking Crisis

The Dallas Express has reported extensively on the intersection of mass migration and child trafficking over the past few years. Between 2019 and 2023, more than 519,000 unaccompanied children were encountered at the southern border under the Biden administration – more than double the number recorded under Trump’s first term – and confirmed child trafficking cases at HHS rose from 1,143 in 2021 to 2,226 in 2022.

Texas law enforcement has continued to try to crack down on the trafficking crisis. “Operation Soteria Shield,” a statewide sting involving over 70 agencies, including the FBI, Dallas Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, resulted in 109 children rescued and 244 suspects arrested back in June of 2025.

On Tuesday morning, Trump reposted an excerpt of the UNGA speech with the following quote: “Any system that results in the mass trafficking of children is inherently evil – yet that is exactly what the globalist migration agenda has done…In America, those days are over.”

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against a North Texas company and its owner, alleging they improperly operated fraudulent businesses to obtain H-1B visas.

According to the lawsuit, Golden Qi Holdings LLC and its owner, Yuan Yao, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China, are accused of advertising nonexistent childcare and therapy businesses to sponsor foreign workers through the federal visa program.

The Office of the Attorney General said the lawsuit is part of a broader investigation into suspected abuse and fraud involving H-1B visas.

State officials allege Yao owns and manages several Texas-based entities, including Golden Qi Holdings, that promoted childcare-related services online despite not operating legitimate facilities. Among the businesses named in the allegations are Allen Infant Care Center and DFW ABA Center.

The attorney general’s office cited reporting by Blaze Media’s Sara Gonzales, who visited the address listed for Allen Infant Care Center and reportedly found an empty building and an overgrown playground instead of an operating childcare facility.

According to the lawsuit, an individual familiar with the property claimed the center had not operated for an extended period and alleged that Yao “sells visas.” The lawsuit also alleges that Yao received federal and state childcare and business subsidies but did not use the funding for childcare operations.

State officials further allege that several businesses connected to Yao listed the same vacant address, 600 S. Jupiter Road in Allen, and that the advertised childcare facilities lacked proper licensing.

“Let this be a warning to anyone considering trying to scam the H-1B visa program. I will continue fighting to ensure that the H-1B program serves the interests of Americans, not Chinese nationals, and that those who abuse the program are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” Paxton said in a statement. “My office will continue to work to stop any foreign national from entering this country unlawfully.”

The lawsuit seeks to stop the alleged violations under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Texas Human Resources Code. The attorney general’s office is also seeking civil penalties, including up to $10,000 for each alleged violation of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

Last month, Paxton announced that his investigation into alleged H-1B visa fraud had been expanded to nearly 30 businesses across North Texas, The Dallas Express reported.

The post Empty Daycare Exposed: Paxton Sues Over H-1B Visa Fraud Scheme In Allen, Texas appeared first on Dallas Express.

An investigation is underway after a construction worker was killed Monday afternoon at a job site tied to the Edwards Road improvement project in McLendon-Chisholm.

Emergency responders were dispatched around 3:25 p.m. on May 11 to the area of Costa Verde Drive and Torrente Drive in the Sanoma Verde subdivision after receiving reports of an unresponsive worker at the site, according to the Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office.

When crews arrived, they located a man who authorities said had reportedly been struck and run over by an excavator. Personnel from McLendon-Chisholm Fire Department and Rockwall County EMS pronounced the man dead at the scene.

The Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office identified the worker as William Werner, 56, of Kaufman County. Officials said Werner was employed by a utility contractor involved in sewer installation work connected to the road project.

Authorities said Werner’s body was taken to the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office for examination. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has also been notified as investigators continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident.

McLendon-Chisholm Mayor-elect Jerry Brewer shared a statement on social media following the fatal accident:

“I’ve been informed of a tragic loss at the Edwards road construction site today, where a worker’s life was cut short,” Brewer said, WFAA reported. “Let’s surround the deceased, their loved ones, and colleagues with love, care, and prayers during this difficult time. Meanwhile, let’s allow the authorities to work uninterrupted and avoid the area.”

The Edwards Road project calls for the reconstruction of about 1.17 miles of roadway beginning at League Road and extending to near 428 Edwards Road.

Officials said the investigation remains active.

The post Rockwall County Construction Worker Killed In Excavator Accident appeared first on Dallas Express.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday shared an image of a novelty $100 bill featuring his portrait in place of Benjamin Franklin’s.

The post, shared on Truth Social, depicts a mock “Federal Victory Note” with Trump’s official portrait, signatures from Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, and a serial number styled “TRUMP4547.”

The posted $100 image was explicitly a novelty/mock bill, not legal tender.

It is illegal under longstanding U.S. law to feature the portrait of any living person on United States paper currency and securities. This stems from the 1866 Thayer Amendment, which states: “Only the portrait of a deceased individual may appear on United States currency and securities.”

The image comes as the U.S. Treasury Department prepares to issue new $100 bills in June 2026 bearing Trump’s signature — the first time a sitting President’s signature will appear on U.S. paper currency.

According to the Treasury’s March 26, 2026 announcement, Trump’s signature will accompany that of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on future notes. The change replaces the U.S. Treasurer’s signature, a practice in place since 1861, and honors the nation’s 250th anniversary.

“The first $100 bills with the signatures of Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will be produced in June, followed by other denominations in the coming months,” Reuters reported.

Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) introduced the Golden Age Act, which would require Trump’s portrait on all future $100 bills. The Golden Age Act (H.R. 1790) currently remains in the Introduced stage. It was referred to the House Committee on Financial Services on March 3, 2025, and has not advanced beyond committee.

Current U.S. paper currency features portraits of Presidents and founding figures: George Washington on the $1, Thomas Jefferson on the $2, Abraham Lincoln on the $5, Alexander Hamilton on the $10, Andrew Jackson on the $20, Ulysses S. Grant on the $50, and Benjamin Franklin on the $100.

The last major update to a President’s portrait on circulating paper currency occurred decades ago. The current designs for these denominations have remained largely consistent since the 1920s and 1930s series, with security enhancements added in later decades, but no new Presidential portraits have been introduced.

The post Franklin Who? Trump Drops Playful Mock $100 Bill On Truth Social appeared first on Dallas Express.

A Vernon man was sentenced on Monday to 30 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to distributing child pornography, marking his third federal conviction for such offenses, prosecutors announced.

Keanu Deavan Wesley Ortiz, 32, received the 360-month sentence from U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker during a hearing in Plano, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas.

Court documents indicate Ortiz was on federal supervision in the fall of 2024 after a prior release from the Bureau of Prisons tied to a similar offense. Investigators determined that during that time, he was communicating online with another sex offender about a sexual interest in children.

Prosecutors said Ortiz sent video files to that individual, who was located in the Eastern District of Texas. The material depicted the violent sexual abuse of prepubescent females, including infants and toddlers.

Ortiz admitted distributing the files between September 2024 and April 2025 and acknowledged that the conduct affected interstate and foreign commerce. The conviction is his third at the federal level involving child pornography.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse.

The post Vernon, TX: Man Jailed 30 Years For Child Porn Depicting Infant And Toddler Violent Sexual Abuse appeared first on Dallas Express.

At a Glance:

• First AI-powered zero-day exploit discovered: Google Threat Intelligence Group found what it believes is the first real-world case of criminals using AI to create and exploit a previously unknown software vulnerability (a “zero-day exploit”).
• What was attacked: The exploit targeted a popular open-source web-based system administration tool. It could bypass two-factor authentication (2FA) if attackers already had a user’s login credentials.
• How it was stopped: Google identified the AI-generated attack code, warned the software maker, and helped release a fix before the criminals could launch a large-scale attack.
• Signs it was made by AI: The malicious code contained unusually detailed explanations (docstrings), a made-up security score, and textbook-style programming — common traits of AI-generated content.
• Broader threat: State-backed hackers from China and North Korea, along with cybercrime groups, are increasingly using AI to identify vulnerabilities more quickly and develop more advanced malware.
• What it means for everyday users and companies: Organizations and individuals that rely on open-source admin tools or similar software need to apply security updates promptly. AI is lowering the skill barrier for attackers, making cyber threats more common and potentially more damaging.

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The Details:

Google Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG) has identified what it describes as the first known instance of a threat actor using an AI-developed zero-day exploit in the wild. The exploit, found in a Python script, targeted a two-factor authentication (2FA) bypass in a popular open-source, web-based system administration tool.

A zero-day exploit is a cyberattack that exploits a previously unknown security flaw in software, hardware, or firmware, per Google Cloud. The term “zero-day” means the software maker has had zero days to develop and release a fix, leaving users exposed until a patch becomes available.

In the recent case identified by Google Threat Intelligence Group, attackers used an AI-assisted tool to discover and weaponize such a flaw in an open-source administration system before the vendor was aware of it.

GTIG stated that the criminal threat actors planned a mass exploitation event, but proactive discovery by the group, followed by responsible disclosure to the vendor, may have prevented widespread use. The incident is detailed in GTIG’s May 11, 2026, report on AI-powered threats.

According to the report, analysis of the exploit code revealed hallmarks of large language model (LLM) generation, including numerous educational docstrings, a hallucinated CVSS score, and a structured, textbook-style Pythonic format. GTIG stated it has “high confidence” that an AI model supported the discovery and weaponization of the vulnerability, though it does not believe Google’s Gemini was used.

The vulnerability stemmed from a high-level semantic logic flaw involving a hard-coded trust assumption in the software, rather than common issues like memory corruption. It required valid user credentials to function, but allowed bypassing 2FA once those were obtained.

GTIG worked directly with the impacted vendor to develop a fix, which disrupted the planned campaign. The specific tool name was not disclosed in the public report.

This marks an escalation in how adversaries leverage generative AI. The report also notes state-sponsored actors linked to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) showing interest in AI for vulnerability discovery, including persona-driven prompting and integration of specialized vulnerability datasets.

Cybercrime groups have used AI for other purposes, such as accelerating malware development with obfuscation, polymorphic code, and decoy logic. Examples include malware families like PROMPTFLUX, HONESTCUE, CANFAIL, and LONGSTREAM.

Growing Cyber Risks in the U.S.

The discovery comes as reports of AI-assisted cyber activity targeting U.S. organizations are increasing, according to Security Affairs. Cyber threats continue to affect businesses, government entities, and individuals through data breaches, ransomware, and supply chain attacks.

For companies, particularly those relying on open-source software or web administration tools, the incident underscores the need for rapid vulnerability management and monitoring of indicators of AI-generated code, per Infosecurity Magazine. Individuals using such tools for personal or small business administration may face heightened risks if patches are not applied promptly.

GTIG emphasized that while AI lowers barriers for attackers, defenders are also deploying AI tools, such as Google’s Big Sleep for vulnerability identification and CodeMender for automated fixes.

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