The Dallas Morning News

Counting on Trump

President Donald Trump delivered a Texas-sized warning to supporters Wednesday on the opening night of the first GOP midterm convention: show up in November or cede power to the Democrats. “I’m asking you to pretend that I’m on the ballot,” Trump...

GOP’S past meets its future

Washington Bureau [email protected] Ronald Reagan came to Dallas in 1984 proclaiming a “springtime of hope” and promising Americans that “greatness lies ahead.” He left with the Republican nomination, won 49 states and stamped his vision...

GOP bets on Trump in Dallas

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump called House Speaker Mike Johnson last November with an urgent demand: Republicans had to hold a midterm convention. “That’s not a thing,” Johnson told him. “Make it a thing,” Trump insisted. He got his way....

Crews hold the line

The Ross fire burning in Palo Pinto and Jack counties west of Fort Worth remained at 85,000 acres and 31% contained early Friday afternoon, but firefighters were on guard for a potential shift toward Possum Kingdom as winds were forecast to shift,...

Crews fight massive blaze

PALO PINTO COUNTY — The Ross fire was mapped at an estimated 85,000 acres Thursday, placing it among the largest wildfires ever recorded in North Texas as crews battled flare-ups across a blaze stretching roughly 30 miles from end to end. The fire was...

Crews gaining on wildfire

Kent Ragle finally reached his business Wednesday morning, two days after the Ross fire began tearing through his Palo Pinto County community. What he found was a total loss. The main office of Klassic Building Solutions, the construction company...

‘Inferno’ wildfire rages on

PALO PINTO — Long plumes of gray smoke spread across an overcast sky Tuesday afternoon as crews battled a rapidly growing wildfire fueled by extreme heat and dry conditions. What started midday Monday as a grass fire had grown to the raging Ross...

Beating the Texas heat

North Texas is bracing for another week of triple-digit heat after three straight days of record high temperatures. Monday’s high of 108 was a record for that date and followed a record-setting high of 109 on Sunday. Saturday kicked off the weekend...

Builders await City Hall fate

Every time Juan Merced Elizondo drives through downtown Dallas, he points to the massive concrete building nestled against the city’s skyline. “Nomás cuando paso les digo ‘Mira, yo hice esto.’” “When I pass by, I tell them, ‘Look, I built this,’” he...

Funding the dream

Before the sun had crept over the neighborhood, Yua Howk was already in the kitchen, in her pajamas, gazing up at her father. He handed over a hanger with a navy dress. A smile filled her rosy cheeks. A second school uniform — a navy polo and khaki...

Boba boom reshapes North Texas

When Fat Straws opened in Plano in 2002, there was “virtually no boba, no milk tea in Dallas-fort Worth,” said Terry Pham, the shop’s co-founder. Two decades later, Pham said, over a dozen milk tea stores opened in 2023 within six miles of the Fat...

Sweltering in the summer heat

Ines Cervantes, 69, hunkers down in her bedroom, near the home’s only air conditioner, a small unit wedged into a window. Cold towels and ceiling fans do little to cool her off, and her systolic blood pressure jumped to 230, far higher than what is...

Protesters call for ‘no wall’

As a former state senator and commissioner of the General Land Office, Jerry Patterson is no stranger to emotional issues that divide Texans into partisan camps. But sitting outside the Texas Parks and Wildlife headquarters in Austin Wednesday, the...

Sweet victory

Please stand to welcome the winners of the 2026 Big Tex Choice Awards. The State Fair of Texas has selected the best dishes of the annual competition that recognizes some of the new food creations coming to Fair Park this fall. This year, the Burger...

Big Bend border work pauses

The Trump administration said Monday it is temporarily pausing construction of a contentious border construction project in Texas’ Big Bend National Park while the head of the agency tasked with building the wall visits to do an “on-the-ground...

Volunteers help migrants

Zoya Choudhry doesn’t sit still. The 30-year-old activist spends her summer days dashing around in an orange vest emblazoned with a butterfly on the front and back — the symbol of migrants. Choudhry volunteers with La Colectiva North Texas, a...

When dying needs a navigator

Jeanine Blair opened the door for her death doula on a cloudless Friday morning in July. They greeted each other like old friends. They sat, and the pink-haired, heavily tattooed doula pulled out her binder and spread documents across the dinner...

Texas A-F scores are out

North Texas’ biggest school districts largely held steady in this year’s A-F accountability ratings, according to scores released Friday. Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington and Garland ISDS all gained a few points compared with last year’s results, but not...

‘Keller will be heard’

KELLER — Keller City Council’s special-called meeting Wednesday night had very little on the agenda, but people still showed up in droves, overfilling the chambers. At the top of the list: discussing Westlake’s data center development. In a meeting...

Cyber risks spur job growth

Maturon Miner spends his weekdays in a rented room in Plano, away from the East Texas home he shares with his wife and 5-yearold daughter. Every weekend, he drives back to see them. Then he returns to North Texas for another week of coding, hands-on...

New campuses greet students

Emma Haak’s first moments of fourth grade were punctuated with mariachi music. Outside Victor H. Hexter Elementary School in Dallas, a mariachi band, clad in emerald green, strummed light, airy tunes as hundreds of families walked their children to...

State control shapes school return

A few minutes after 7:30 a.m. Monday, Liz Bay’s kids bounced up the steps of W.M. Green Elementary School in Fort Worth and headed inside to the gymnasium, where teachers waited to show students where to go. Dressed in green heart-shaped sunglasses...

Dallas scales back I-30 parks

One chilly weekend in January, excavators began transforming what is normally one of Dallas’ most congested roads — Interstate 30 — to make way for the $888 million Canyon project. The work kicked off an effort to widen the downtown thoroughfare for a...

A day in the North Texas heat, told hour by hour

Some pushed through it. Others tried to escape it. None could ignore it. The heat found them all. While this year hasn’t approached historic extremes, it has already delivered more than a dozen days of the triple-digit temperatures known to make...

Finding hope despite obstacles

With wide eyes, Colleen and Steven Howk took in the courtyard lined with picnic tables, the skyscrapers hovering in the distance. This was where the school held its dances. And over there, the gleaming playground. Here, they believed, attentive...

Dallas ISD officer wounded

By midmorning Thursday, dozens of Dallas police officers had fanned out across two scenes: a pair of unrelated officer-involved shootings, separated by 90 minutes and less than three miles. The first stretch of yellow police tape went up in Melshire...

Contested data center moves ahead

WESTLAKE/KELLER — Tension simmering between neighboring North Texas cities over a proposed data center reached a flashpoint Tuesday night at a planning and zoning meeting in one of the state’s richest neighborhoods. The more than 4-hour meeting was...

Homeless aid vote advances

When a divided Dallas County Commissioners Court on Tuesday killed the idea of asking residents to vote on a higher tax rate to generate $150 million for homeless services, the swing vote was a shocker. Commissioner Theresa Daniel has been a staunch...

Football practice kicks off

Southlake Carroll’s football players run during the first day of football practice at the high school on Monday in Southlake. North Crowley began practice Monday as well.

Carrollton soldier laid to rest

Army Pfc. Isabella Gonzales, the 19year-old Carrollton soldier killed last month in an Iranian attack on an air base in Jordan, was buried with military honors Sunday morning. Family, friends and fellow service members gathered at the Dallas-fort...

Dallas faces ICE flight protests

Under a blazing morning sun, dozens of people lined up behind a bus near a plane at a private hangar at Dallas Love Field Airport. Over the course of an hour, about 25 people, with restraints on their wrists, waists and ankles, could be seen climbing...

Let the trading begin

Gold confetti coated the floor underneath the Texas Stock Exchange’s formidable closing bell Friday, a physical manifestation of the capital foundation provided by the likes of Goldman Sachs and Charles Schwab that made TXSE the most well-capitalized...

High temps could extend into early fall

The hot weather is here to stay in Dallas — likely for much longer than normal years, according to a meteorologist from the National Weather Service. Severe summer temperatures normally start to drop in early September, but NWS meteorologist Brennen...

College oversight law divides Texas

Republican lawmakers praised the early results of a new state law that increases oversight of Texas public colleges, but critics say it’s led to widespread censorship and worry university leaders have overcomplied in restricting what can be...

Summer fun ends early

The sun still hung low in the sky Tuesday morning when Armando Pérez and Alejandra del Muro walked their three kids up to John Quincy Adams Elementary School in Dallas. The family arrived at about 7:20 a.m., a few minutes before the Pleasant Grove...

Training camp kicks off

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott puts his arm on teammate Jalen Thompson’s shoulder as the team arrived for training camp on Monday in Oxnard, Calif. For more Cowboys coverage, turn to

Hearn’s mission rides on

A DJ played R&B and hip-hop as horses raced across the dirt, cowboys wrestled steers and a sold-out crowd cheered inside Fair Park Coliseum. During intermission, the competition paused to honor the man who helped make the scene possible. Cleo Hearn,...

Data centers divide Red Oak

RED OAK — Elda Jazmin Villegas’ dining room transformed into a war room overnight. The room started as a meeting spot for dozens of residents alarmed as Red Oak rezoned 830 acres of farmland for another data center development. It has evolved into the...

Coastal habitat to come ashore

The next chapter of the Dallas Zoo begins at the water’s edge. After years of planning, construction is set to begin this fall on African Shorelines, the first phase of the zoo’s $119 million Wild Horizons master plan and the largest transformation in...

Trump pushes pledge on utility costs

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Thursday had governors and electricity companies join a voluntary pledge to shield U.S. consumers from higher utility bills from data centers — a sign of how the artificial intelligence buildout has become a...

Fallen soldier returns home

The remains of Isabella Gonzales, the 19-year-old soldier from Carrollton who was killed in an Iranian attack in Jordan last week, were returned to the U.S. Wednesday during a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. Soldiers...

Texas sizzles under high heat

AUSTIN — The operators of the Texas power grid are projecting record-breaking power demand this week as triple-digit temperatures settle in across much of the state. ERCOT, the state’s power grid operator, hasn’t issued an emergency alert or request...

Carrollton soldier killed

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The United States military said late Monday it was carrying out its 10th consecutive night of strikes on Iran in a push to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The renewed bombings came following the death of another American...

Spain defeats Argentina

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — This is how good Spain was at the World Cup: Not even Lionel Messi had any answers. And when it was over, Spain walked off with the trophy. Messi simply walked off in tears. Spain is back atop the soccer world for a second...

Vacant lots cost communities

South of Interstate 30, vacant lots with “No Trespassing” signs scar the Dallas landscape. Some are overgrown with weeds. Others serve as dumping grounds, littered with tires, debris and discarded couches. They adjoin old homes and new construction...

Taking bald eagles under wing

Chris Morris stopped abruptly on the sidewalk approaching White Rock Lake, urging the park visitors alongside him to do the same. “If you stand out here for a couple minutes or so, you’ll hear them calling at different times,” Morris said. “A neat...

Hill Country floods turn deadly

At least two people died after being swept away by floodwaters and scores of others were rescued from their inundated houses, vehicles and campgrounds Thursday as heavy rain and thunderstorms pounded the Hill Country and parts of South Texas. Swollen...

A sign of normalcy

Over the last month, North Texas has welcomed soccer fans from all over the world. Global superstars like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Cristiano Ronaldo took the field inside Dallas Stadium. The venue was visited frequently...

D-FW closes memorable run

ARLINGTON — The end came at 3:59 p.m., with exultant Spain players shouting and looking skyward and anguished France counterparts dropping to their knees. Thanks to its suffocating defense, world No. 3 Spain’s 2-0 toppling of No. 1 France in Tuesday’s...

North Texas, take a bow

Some morning wake-ups these past few weeks, Monica Paul says, have resembled 1993’s Groundhog Day, but Tuesday’s dawning promises to be distinct. Historic. Extra-exhilarating. Eight World Cup games played in Arlington over the past 30 days have...

European teams embrace Texas

For a few weeks this summer, Frisco and Mansfield became home away from home for two World Cup teams. Even though Sweden and Czechia exited the tournament early, local officials say the international attention will have lasting benefits. Between...

Dallas, through the world’s eyes

Nearly a month into the World Cup, the international press corps has found plenty to say about Dallas beyond the soccer. North Texas has had more matches than any other host region, with the ninth and final game on Tuesday. Dallas also is home to...

SCORCHING WEEKEND IN DALLAS

Tourist Pati Pereira of Brazil took photos of her daughter Maria with the soccer-clad longhorns at Pioneer Plaza on Friday in downtown Dallas. Maria shook her hands afterward, saying the horns were very hot. Though not currently forecast to surpass...

Uncertainty swirls at neighboring site

More than a month after a deadly natural gas explosion destroyed The Clyde apartments in Oak Cliff, plans to redevelop the blast site have been halted, deepening uncertainty for the families next door as they navigate life in homes they no longer...

Neighbors flag arena issues

PLANO — Can a 20,000-seat arena be a good neighbor? That was the question at the center of an open house Wednesday at The Shops at Willow Bend, where city officials, the Dallas Stars president and real estate developers met with about 250 nearby...

NATO unveils billions in new arms deals

ANKARA, Turkey — President Donald Trump on Tuesday insisted that the United States should be in control of Greenland rather than NATO ally Denmark, renewing tensions in Europe even as the transatlantic military alliance was announcing billions in arms...

Elation before elimination

Kaden James (from left), Neal Brewer and Colton Dunbarger spelled out ‘USA’ at the Dallas FIFA Fan Festival on Monday as they cheered on their side while watching the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium. Belgium won...

MEET RIVER AND SPLASH

ARLINGTON/MANSFIELD — Before Richard Everhart can fully open the back door of his white Ram 1500, a fuzzy, brown snout pokes out and a glistening nose wiggles as it sniffs the air. Splash, one of Arlington Water Utilities’ newest full-time employees,...

The Dallas that changed America

As the nation celebrates its 250th birthday, Dallas occupies a singular place in the American imagination, for better and worse. But the city’s influence extends far beyond its reputation. From the assassination that shook the nation’s faith in its...

In pursuit of happiness

Nearly every table was full at Milagro Tacos Cantina on the last Friday afternoon in June. Servers wove between families balancing plates of tacos and margaritas at the West Dallas establishment. When a group arrived, owner Jesus Carmona pushed two...

Training to bring home a win

The Egypt team and staff huddled during a training session Thursday in Dallas ahead of the team’s World Cup match against Australia. Heavy rains soaked the Dallas-fort Worth area in June.

Sweet 16

■ Malik Tillman (17) of the U.S. celebrated with teammates after scoring the team’s second goal during a World Cup Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara, Calif., on Wednesday. It was just the second knockout-round victory for...

From Nacogdoches to Hall of Fame

WACO — Due to time constraints on this speech-filled night, the induction of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame’s nine-member class of 2026, Clint Dempsey’s turn at the lectern was condensed to 146 seconds. No matter. As usual, he was pure clutch and all...

A scorching day for soccer fans

Dallas weighs land-use changes

In southeast Dallas, Joppa residents have lived for decades amid industrial facilities, facing pollution concerns and sparring between advocates and businesses despite the neighborhood’s lush, green environment. City planners are looking to change...

ABUSED & ABANDONED System fails survivors

A 12-year-old Dallas middleschooler ended up on the streets where a pimp discovered her. For as little as $50, he sold her for sex. He withheld food unless she worked. She later disappeared into the state’s foster care system after suffering from...

Sick with FIFA fever

At 12:38 p.m. Monday, as Argentine superstar Lionel Messi one-timed a deep cross past two frozen Austrian defenders and a wrong-footed keeper — simultaneously giving Argentina a 1-0 lead and earning himself the alltime World Cup scoring record — the...

Draw is a win-win

(Above) A Japan fan took a photo with Sweden fans ahead of a FIFA World Cup Group F soccer match on Thursday at Dallas Stadium. (Left) Japan forward Ayase Ueda (18) chased a loose ball against Sweden defenders Isak Hien (4) and Gustaf Lagerbielke (2)...

Blue wave rolls into Dallas

Ahead of their FIFA World Cup match Thursday in Arlington against Sweden, Japan supporters tossed one another into the air (above) and cheered for their team (left) during a rally Wednesday at Harwood Park in downtown Dallas. Japan entered the match...