The Dallas Morning News

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake that shook parts of West Texas and apparently centered near Ackerly on Monday night was also felt in other parts of the state. The seismic activity occurred around 7:49 p.m., according to the Midland bureau office of the National Weather Service. There were no immediate reports of injuries or major damage from the quake; in other news, a man facing a murder charge in Kaufman County led police on a pursuit through Richardson and Dallas on Monday before he fatally shot himself. A front passenger was hospitalized after being shot multiple times, and three children — ages 5, 15 and 17 — were in the backseat at the time of the chase and shooting; Americans are divided over whether it’s more important to protect gun rights or regulate gun ownership. A Pew Research Center survey found a slight majority of 51% favored protecting the right to own guns over enacting gun restrictions. Pew said its research indicates about 4-in-10 U.S. adults live in a household with a gun. And gun ownership rates vary based on certain factors like political affiliation; and for four nights, the annual Plano hot air balloon festival will “light up the sky” at Oak Point Park and Red Tail Pavilion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss the big topics in North Texas sports, starting with the [5:50] Cowboys’ flop against New Orleans. The identity of this team, David says, is that if things are going well, it snowballs. Same when it’s going bad. Even so, Kevin says he expects the Cowboys to bounce back against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens based on how they defensed Deshaun Watson and the Browns. [24:07] Evan lays out a potential starting rotation for the Rangers next spring based on the encouraging performances of Kumar Rocker and Jacob deGrom last week. [40:00] Texas is back to No. 1 for the first time since 2008, only this time with two capable quarterbacks in Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning. No QB controversy, Kevin says. This is still Ewers’ team when he’s healthy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Beyond Talking Points: An American Middle Podcast. Host Abby McCloskey talks with Maya MacGuineas, President of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget about campaign promises from both parties, what they will cost, and what can be done about deficit spending and our growing debt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Texas is hardly a battleground state? The vast majority of races on November’s Texas ballots are highly predictable, offer little to no competition and won’t change the state’s political dynamic; In other news, the Dallas-Fort Worth area led the country in the growth of the Asian American population from 2022 to 2023, and Collin County anchored that increase. Those who work closely with Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in the region celebrate the increase but say there’s more work to be done to address the needs of the growing population, including language access and political participation; acourt hearing is set for Thursday to decide whether the State Fair of Texas can legally enforce a new policy that would prevent most people from bringing guns to the event, which kicks off next week; and the buzzy restaurants on Knox Street stole the show in Dallas over the past year, but take Knox east a few blocks and it leads to Henderson Avenue — a street that was once even hotter than its westside neighbor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Increased accessibility to overdose-reversing medicine is an immediate need in the community; Police are investigating reports that someone took “potentially improper” photographs of people on the University of North Texas campus and posted them online. UNT police announced in a news release last week that they learned about the photos on September 1 and have “taken a few reports from persons identified” in some of the photographs; Attorney General Ken Paxton this week withdrew a legal opinion issued by his office in 2016 saying nonprofits have the right to ban firearms from property leased from the government. The move comes after he sued Dallas, its interim city manager and the State Fair of Texas on Aug. 29 to block the nonprofit’s new ban on firearms at the city-owned fairgrounds. The fair starts in two weeks; and the Dallas Cowboys have some issues to address. Hoping to build on a strong Week 1 victory, the Cowboys returned to AT&T Stadium to face New Orleans yesterday but the Saints rolled to a 44-19 victory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The online threats of violence that led to increased police presences and several arrests at Dallas-area school districts this week also prompted changes to high school athletics; In other news, American Airlines flight attendants have ratified a new 5-year contract with the carrier that adds a combined $4.2 billion to their current contract; Michelin’s latest list of the best hotels in the United States, Mexico and Canada was announced, and Texas fared quite well. Six hotels in Dallas-Fort Worth made the list, and 20 across the State got nods from Michelin’s anonymous critics; and Jacob deGrom makes his return to the Rangers starting lineup after a 14-month layoff recovering from Tommy John surgery. The two-time Cy Young award winner has not pitched a major league game since April 28, 2023. In his last rehab start last Saturday with Double-A Frisco, deGrom struckout five and gave up one hit in four scoreless innings. First pitch tonight in Seattle is set for 9:10 central time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Just in time for football season, the DMN food team discusses their top food picks to take to a tailgate or watch party, in addition to favorite spots (with tasty menus of course) for game viewings. The team also discusses a unique prix fixe menu that might just be worth the splurge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dallas Area Rapid Transit appointees failed to pass the agency’s budget for fiscal year 2025 on Tuesday amid ongoing disagreements on how to approach spending. Committee-of-the-Whole members diverged Tuesday and during an August meeting about whether to proactively reduce its 1.6% year-over-year budget growth in light of member cities’ desire to reduce sales tax contributions to DART by a quarter. Also, despite receiving millions of dollars in federal funding, the city of Dallas has failed to administer the program to remove lead from residents’ houses, a Dallas Morning News investigation found; the Dallas Police Department will soon try out a new system to better pinpoint random bursts of gunfire. The City Council on Wednesday approved a three-year contract for more than $300,000 with Crime Gunshot Intelligence Technologies for its gunshot detection program, FireFLY LE; and someone who purchased a Mega Millions lottery ticket in Sugar Land is about to really be living the sweet life. A gas station in the Houston suburb sold the winning ticket as the game’s jackpot rose to $800 million, valued at roughly $404.2 million cash. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss [1:02] the Cowboys’ surprisingly dominant win over Cleveland in the opener. David and Kevin discuss the spectacular play of second-year LB DeMarvion Overshown, employed as a “spy” on Deshaun Watson, and David adds that the four rookie starters were key to the win. The Cowboys’ play forces Kevin to ask the painful question: Could Jerry Jones actually be right about how good this team is? [20:49] Evan breaks down Kumar Rocker’s phenomenal numbers in the minors and what his start this week against Seattle could mean for the Rangers going into next season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Dallas City Council will vote Wednesday to authorize funding for the next phase of deck parks over Interstate 30. City officials, as per a memo, have identified locations on Lamar Street and near Old City Park from East Ervay Street to Harwood Street to build deck parks like Klyde Warren Park to bridge the gap between downtown Dallas and southern Dallas. In other news, an alternative route for a proposed Dallas-to-Fort Worth high-speed rail project is moving forward with engineering and environmental review after North Central Texas Council of Governments officials discussed it during a public meeting Thursday. The council approved an additional $1.6 million last month to fund a study of the new route, which loops west of downtown; of the 13 best new chefs in the United States, three are from the same Texas restaurant. That’s according to the latest Food & Wine magazine. Jalen Heard, Lane Milne and Jonny White, the co-founders of Goldee’s Barbecue in Fort Worth, are best friends and even better pitmasters; and this Saturday, join millions worldwide as they turn their faces toward the night sky in celebration of the moon. International Observe the Moon Night is a NASA-led event held every September or October when the celestial body is in its first quarter, a phase halfway between a new moon and a full moon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Children in Dallas County’s juvenile detention center were unlawfully secluded for days, circumventing due process and best practices for juvenile justice. That’s according to a yearlong investigation by state inspectors into allegations of inhumane treatment and neglect; In other news, Union Pacific Railroad is one step closer to eliminating its workforce in the east Texas town of Palestine after action by the Texas Supreme Court Friday. The court dismissed a petition by Anderson County to weigh in after a February state court ruling; For fiscal year 2023, the Foundation had total revenue of $24.2 billion, from which $2.131 billion came from the Texas Lottery. The lottery allocates just over $2 billion annually to Texas schools, which covers about five days of a typical 180-day school year; and Texas Rangers pitching prospect Kumar Rocker has earned a promotion to the big leagues after two months of dominating minor league hitters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Beyond Talking Points: An American Middle Podcast"' is a limited, 9-part series from The News' Opinion team leading up to the 2024 presidential election. In this first episode, contributing columnist and host Abby McCloskey talks with immigration expert Madeline Zavodny about Trump's promise of mass deportations, the problem of illegal immigration, the need for comprehensive immigration reform, the economic impact of immigration, and what to do about immigrants who are here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Multiple agencies are investigating the death of a person whose body was found Thursday at a construction site in Princeton. A construction crew alerted police after finding a body while working in an area south of County Road 398, between County Road 394 and South Beauchamp Boulevard, according to a Princeton police news release. In other news, the Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott reached an agreement to make the quarterback the highest-paid player in NFL history. The Cowboys won their season opener against the Cleveland Browns 33-17 Sunday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tap water in Grand Prairie is safe, city leaders said late Thursday, ending a two-day ordeal in which a foam used for firefighting contaminated the water supply. At a news conference Thursday night, city officials said boiling water will not be necessary as long as the city maintains adequate water pressure. To do so, officials asked residents to flush their home systems in phases; Voters in the Nov. 5 election should be allowed to decide on three proposed charter changes backed by nonprofit Dallas Hero and three others designed to cancel them out; The city of Dallas is raking in nearly $50,000 in revenue annually by subleasing an underground tunnel for public use. The only issue? It’s paying more than $500,000 to rent and maintain the property. Council member Chad West, who chairs the Government Performance and Financial Management Committee, flagged the issue Wednesday as the City Council worked its way through its $5 billion budget proposal; Traffic on northbound I-35E beginning near Corporate Drive will be detoured via Exit 451 at Main Street and Fox Avenue. All northbound entrance ramps coming from Corporate Drive, Business 121 and Fox Avenue will be closed, with officers at the Business 121 and Main Street intersections assisting with traffic control. Southbound I-35E traffic north of Justin Road will be detoured via Exit 452. The southbound entrance ramp coming from Justin Road will be closed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The DMN food team discusses signature Dallas restaurants - and places that feel like home even when hundreds of miles away. The team also dives into the city's most-expensive restaurant buildout ever and (conversely) places to find an affordable dinner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A foaming agent used to fight fires contaminated the city’s water supply, prompting an urgent alert to avoid tap water and sending thousands of residents scrambling for bottled water and answers. City officials told those residents to avoid drinking the water, but also to avoid bathing, cooking, brushing teeth or washing dishes and clothes in tap water. The water is also unsafe for animals. The city also warned against treating the water yourself, explaining that boiling water would not help; Also, Verizon is in advanced talks to acquire rival telecommunications operator Frontier Communications. Frontier moved its corporate headquarters to Dallas last year from Connecticut, bringing administrative functions to Texas for a company with more than 14,000 employees in 25 states; a Northeast Dallas library recommended to be closed amid city budget cuts will likely stay open after community opposition to the plan; And Elvis Andrus, the fresh-faced, energetic kid whose arrival helped usher in the Texas Rangers’ AL dynasty more than a decade ago, will officially retire as an active player on Friday as a Ranger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Grand Prairie warned residents north of Interstate 20 to avoid using the city’s water for uses other than flushing due to the presence of a foaming agent in the water. Grand Prairie ISD announced on social media that campuses would be closed today “out of an abundance of caution” because of the water issue. That includes cancellation of all morning extracurricular activities. Bottled water is being distributed in front of City Hall and will be distributed at other locations, which can be found on the city’s website, gptx.org. Residents with questions are encouraged to call 972-237-8400; in other news, transgender Texans will no longer be allowed to change the sex on their birth certificates to reflect their gender identity. The policy change comes less than two weeks after Texas banned transgender residents from changing the sex on driver’s licenses or state-issued IDs. Only clerical errors or omissions made by the hospital can now be amended; a woman accused of attempting to drown two Muslim children in an apartment complex pool was recently indicted by a Tarrant County grand jury; and our Eat Drink D-FW Food team picked out 12 budget friendly North Texas restaurants. Find that story here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss the state of North Texas’ biggest sports stories. Kevin and Evan analyze [7:10] the biggest weaknesses in the Rangers’ lineup and whether Ray Davis is willing to spend to fix it. But before he does that, he’s first got to re-sign his general manager and maybe his manager, too. Does winning outweigh the bottom line with Davis? David goes over [27:49] the Cowboys’ starting lineup for the opener against Cleveland and tells us the impact of Dalvin Cook’s signing on the rest of the running backs. [50:24] The guys talk about Texas A&M’s status as an underachiever in football, and what beating Michigan could do for Texas this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brooks said he, members of his family and likely “everyone who knew” his younger brother were in “complete shock” after hearing what Cobb-Bey did. He described the difficult process of grieving for a loved one knowing they’ve done something unthinkable; Dallas woman mourns Israeli cousin killed in Gaza; at a time when average new-vehicle prices near $50,000 are pushing more shoppers to consider the used market, Consumer Reports is releasing brand reliability ratings and top picks of pre-owned models for the first time; Costco bargain hunters are going to have to pay an additional $5 to $10 annually as the popular warehouse chain raises its membership fees for the first time in seven years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Many across Dallas mourned the loss of 46-year old police officer Darron Burks over the weekend as a friend, colleague and family member but also paid tribute to a man they said was selfless in the pursuit of helping others. Burks was killed in a southeast Oak Cliff shooting Thursday night. Dallas police Chief Eddie García said Burks was “executed” in his marked patrol car; Also, Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a brief with the state Supreme Court on Friday supporting a group behind a trio of Dallas charter amendment propositions that several City Council members openly opposed. If approved, the Dallas Hero proposals would mandate the city hire nearly 1,000 officers, waive governmental immunity for city officials and tie the city manager’s evaluation to a community survey; the Abilene Christian football team’s bus crashed in Lubbock after their narrow overtime loss to Texas Tech Saturday night. One player, two coaches and the bus driver suffered minor injuries and were transported to University Medical Center; and GameStop wants to bring you back to the time when you were playing The Legend of Zelda or Donkey Kong Country 2. The Grapevine-based retailer is launching “GameStop Retro” at four sites in North Texas with old-school devices and games that can reach back more than 20 years, according to a post on its website. That includes locales in Dallas, Arlington, Euless and Allen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At least one Dallas police officer was killed and two others were wounded in a shooting Thursday night in southeast Oak Cliff, multiple police officials told The Dallas Morning News.More than 20 units responded about 10:10 p.m. to an assist officer call in the 900 block of East Ledbetter Drive, near South Marsalis Avenue, according to an online police call log. Officers were taken to a hospital, and at least two were in life-threatening condition, the police officials told The News. The officials later told The News that at least one of the officers had died. The names of the officers involved were not released. Also, Attorney General Ken Paxton followed through on a promise to sue Dallas and the State Fair of Texas over the fair’s plans to ban most people from bringing firearms to the annual event; 59-year old Ben Spencer spent 34 years in prison in connection with the killing of Jeffrey Young. He was exonerated and released Thursday; and for the best high school football teams in America, such as Duncanville and DeSoto, lining up early-season games has become like using a dating app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The DMN food team dives into the topic of restaurants gone by - and the nostalgia that anchors them. A reader request also leads to conversation about some of the best-curated wine lists in Dallas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Dallas man pleaded guilty this week to defrauding investors out of more than $27 million in oil and gas and water rights scams. Dennis James Rogers II, 35, concocted phony business opportunities and persuaded investors to hand over millions of dollars, which he spent on a private jet, a custom home builder and real estate, according to federal court documents. Also, Dallas greenlights sale of embattled downtown building flagged for squatting, vandalism; Texas is attracting young and rich movers ditching California and New York; H-E-B picks Las Colinas for new store Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Driving on some Texas roads is a test of patience. Most drivers have felt the bone rattle of one too many potholes on their commute, and Dallas has its fair share of streets in disrepair. Texas roads have deteriorated in the last 10 years, with just under 77% in acceptable condition in 2022 compared to nearly 92% in 2012; Dallas wants to send out recruiting materials to attract candidates for a new city manager next month. But the search firm hired by the city to lead the headhunting must ensure it advertises the right city first. Several City Council members were puzzled Monday after reviewing a seven-page draft of the job ad brochure. The cover displayed downtown skyscrapers they couldn’t quite place. That's because the picture wasn’t of Dallas. Dallas Public Library System Director Mary Jo Giudice will retire Oct. 1 after more than two decades in the library system, Interim City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert said Tuesday. Giudice oversees 28 library branches and has worked in the library system since 2004. Texts, videos she’ll never delete: Dallas shooting ends son’s faithful contact This story is part of The Dallas Morning News’ homicide project focused on sharing the stories of all people killed in Dallas in 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington and David Moore discuss [1:11] the Cowboys’ inability to get anything done in a timely manner, and not just the fact that CeeDee Lamb’s contract is pretty much the same one predicted months ago. Four starters in the Cowboys’ front nine on defense have been signed within the last two weeks. And they may still be shopping for a starting running back. [26:42] Meanwhile, the Rangers’ fall from last year’s World Series title practically requires parachutes. But college football is here, [37:14] with a new 12-team playoff and new alliances, and the Aggies have a chance to make a splash if they can beat Notre Dame this week in College Station. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Dallas Cowboys secured CeeDee Lamb to a four-year contract extension worth $136 million ($100 million guaranteed), a person familiar with the deal told The Dallas Morning News on Monday; in other news, President Richard C. Benson, who oversaw dramatic advances at the University of Texas at Dallas, is the latest leader to announce his upcoming departure as higher education in the state comes under increased scrutiny. Officials at the University of Texas at Dallas announced Monday that Benson will step down when the UT System board finds his successor, likely by the end of this academic year. Dallas Fort Worth is sprouting from the roots of being the Sun Belt’s economic powerhouse into one of the biggest ones in the country. Though New York City and, to some extent Chicago, are still the kings, slow growth after COVID-19 means Dallas is in the right place at the right time to emerge with the financial crown; and with Labor Day on the way, check out DallasNews.com for a list of fun events to check out this weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michele Andre Dallas’ next director of the police oversight office. Andre has served as a top watchdog over officers in Albany, N.Y. and has more than eight years of experience in public administration and police oversight. Andre begins in the position Sept. 3; also several West Dallas activists feel hopeless after a commission agreed to send the City Council a recommendation stripping residents of the ability to petition to close businesses that have proven harmful to the community. The City Plan Commission on Thursday approved an amendment to the Dallas Development Code to align its amortization process — where the city closes down a business that affects the community negatively — with Senate Bill 929, a new state law that adds protection for business owners; COVID-19 cases are on the rise throughout the Southwest, including Dallas County, but the latest vaccines will soon be on the way to pharmacies. Dallas County had 109 positive COVID-19 cases reported daily on a seven-day rolling average last week, according to the Dallas County Health and Human Services website, which was last updated Aug. 23; and Election Day is Nov. 5 with early voting starting even sooner on Oct. 21. Election clerk positions tend to be the most common way citizens help work the polls. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Herb Kelleher, founder of Southwest Airlines once said, “A company is stronger if it is bound by love, not fear.” But is love enough to save Southwest? Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan said recently in an email to The Dallas Morning News, “No change fees. No cancel fees. No bag fees. Rapid rewards points don’t expire. Flight credits don’t expire. We have the friendliest, most flexible policies in the industry with a terrific network. But the biggest thing that makes us ‘us’ is our people and the unique and unrivaled hospitality they deliver.” ; In other news, a rideshare driver was forced at gunpoint by a passenger to drive from Arlington to Miami last weekend as the passenger planned to kidnap another person in Florida; Next, in the U.S., someone dies of a drug overdose about every five minutes. In 2022, more than 111,000 people died as a result of an overdose; and Shaquille O'Neal's Big Chicken is set to open in Fort Worth near Alliance Town Center on Sept. 3. The first 34 customers in line at the opening will receive free Big Chicken food and drinks for a year. The number 34 is an ode to Shaq’s jersey number when he played with the Los Angeles Lakers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Dallas Morning News food team dives into favorite food television programs, both scripted and reality, and how they play into the dining experience. They also taste test a mysterious Fall-themed beverage: The new pumpkin spice Slurpee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dallas’ top police and fire officials say their departments’ high overtime costs likely will only decrease when they have more staff; also, two longtime staff members at Cross Timbers Church in Argyle are leaving weeks after two pastors at the Denton County church resigned. Cross Timbers elders told congregants that Brian and Jamie Hackney, who helped found the church in 2000 and have served on staff for more than 20 years, were leaving; in other news, R. Gerald Turner, SMU’s longest-serving president, will step down from his role at the end of this school year after 30 years; and check out the Chicken and French Toast at Breakfast Brothers and the Nashville Style Chicken Sandwich Combo from HCK Hot Chicken. This Saturday Pepsi is encouraging diners to bring their favorite companion for a buy one, get one free offer covering $100,000 worth of meals at more than 30 restaurants in 15 U.S. cities. The offer is valid on select dishes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dallas elected officials plan to seek legal advice this week after Attorney General Ken Paxton warned he’d sue the city to block a new State Fair of Texas policy banning most people from bringing guns into the annual event. The Dallas City Council is scheduled to meet today in closed session with City Attorney Tammy Palomino to discuss options; In other news, a jury decided Monday that the parents of a former student accused of killing 10 people at a high school near Houston in 2018 do not bear financial responsibility for the shooting; Dallas County residents with little to no internet access could see some relief in the next few years. Officials on Tuesday announced a new project using American Rescue Plan Act funds to increase internet access in up to 10 Dallas County ZIP codes; And when the Dallas Cowboys get back to their home turf at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium Saturday, fans will have 23 new food choices at the concession stands. From a 16-ounce burger with pepperoni pizzas for buns to the Wagyu truffle burger to Flamin’ hot ice cream, there seems to be a little something for everyone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

So far, North Texas has recorded 19 days of at least 100 degrees, nearing the typical summer, which sees roughly 20 days with 100-degree temperatures. But overall, this summer has been more mild than last year, when the region recorded 55 days of 100 degrees or more and Texans were baking bread in mailboxes and cookies in cars; In other news, when allegations of mismanagement of Fair Park First funds became public in April, the nonprofit’s leaders began to realize they lacked direct control over the money they were responsible for managing; trash pickup from alleys in Dallas will continue for the foreseeable future. Council member Kathy Stewart announced to her constituents Friday that interim City Manager Kimberly Tolbert is postponing a sanitation department initiative to phase out alley trash pickup and require residents to bring their garbage to the curb instead; And Tex-Mex restaurant Chuy’s will close its longtime Dallas home at McKinney Avenue and Knox Street and move to Greenville Avenue in East Dallas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two pedestrians were killed over the weekend in separate auto accidents, one in Pleasant Grove and another in Oak Cliff; also, reports of gunshots at Town East Mall turned out to be chairs being thrown in the food court; nearly 200 protesters outside Dallas Black Dance Theater cry “Firing dancers? Not the answer” and “Union busting is disgusting!” ; and the Texas Rangers are coming to terms that a return to the playoffs doesn't seem to be in the offing this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dallas school leaders braced for a C rating for the district, down from the B it earned in 2021-22, but Texas’ official academic accountability grades are on hold once more because of a lawsuit. Garland ISD, meanwhile, is projected to score a B, as it did two years ago. The two districts had dozens more campuses earn Ds or Fs this year, compared to those that were not rated the last time grades were released, according to estimates. Also, McKinney is turning a new page in its literary scene with the launch of a festival dedicated to spotlighting the voices of local and up-and-coming authors. The Roy and Helen Hall Memorial Library is holding its first literary fest. And a massive night of professional wrestling is heading to North Texas. On Thursday, All Elite Wrestling’s CEO and general manager Tony Khan, alongside Arlington mayor Jim Ross and a group of the wrestling promotion’s top stars, announced that the pay-per-view event “All In Texas” will be coming to Globe Life Field next year, scheduled for July 12th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Inspired by the trip of a lifetime, the DMN food team discusses the experience of staff writer Claire Ballor at the Paris Olympics and other bucket-list travel around the world (and even to a specific time in Dallas). Senior food reporter Sarah Blaskovich also dove into State Fair of Texas' savory and sweet food finalists. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office announced Wednesday that it found the State Fair of Texas’ new gun policy violates Texas law and threatened to sue the city of Dallas if the policy is not fixed in 15 days; also, the city of Dallas is going to pay what will likely be hundreds of thousands of dollars to a police officer that the department had accused of capital murder. Bryan Riser, a former patrol officer, was accused by his department of ordering the 2017 killings of Liza Saenz and Albert Douglas. But a bungled police investigation led to the charges being dismissed — and Riser’s appeal to win back his job; in other news, longtime Dallas radio icon Norm Hitzges signed off in June of 2023, and in what may be an unsurprising development to those who listened to him over his 48-year career: He still hasn’t stopped working. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dallas police are investigating after witnesses said a man approached a group of children and attempted to coerce one of them into his SUV. The incident was captured on security footage. Police are asking for the public’s help in locating the man, who was driving a white Toyota 4Runner with Texas license plate number THS9209. In other news, Southwest Airlines is getting a run for its money with aggressive activist investor Elliott Investment Management, possibly landing itself in a proxy fight. The hedge fund confirmed Tuesday that it plans to nominate 10 directors to Southwest’s 15-person board and call a special meeting allowing shareholders to vote on candidates. Also, to mandate or not to mandate remote workers to return to the office. And When Guy Fieri’s Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives spotlighted Fort Worth restaurant Fred’s Texas Cafe in 2009, it changed “everything,” said co-owner Quincy Wallace. So when Food Network came calling 15 years later, offering to film Fieri’s spinoff TV show Triple D Nation at the nearly 50-year-old Fort Worth restaurant, the answer was an easy yes, Wallace said. The episode, premiering Aug. 23, 2024, is likely to introduce this shabby-chic spot to a new audience once again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two Texans are asking the federal government to intervene after they were allegedly denied abortions for ectopic pregnancies, leading to each woman losing a fallopian tube, according to complaints filed with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services last week; In other news, as temperatures in Dallas-Fort Worth reach into the 100s, staying hydrated becomes even more important. Last year, heat-related illness caused more than 350 deaths in Texas; a Texas judge once again blocked the release of A-F accountability grades for public schools that were to be published Thursday. The order comes in response to a lawsuit from a handful of districts, alleging the grades would be invalid because they’re based on results from flawed STAAR tests; And Dallas restaurant Sugar Factory American Brasserie closed after service on Aug. 4. The Las Vegas-born restaurant and dessert shop served the most over-the-top desserts Dallas had ever seen when it opened in 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to Biles, Richardson, Scottie Scheffler and others, Texas alone claimed more medals than several countries. In other news, the Fort Worth City Council is considering paying three former employees, including former Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald, a combined $9.6 million to settle their whistleblower suits against the city; normal activities will resume at Wilmer-Hutchins High School in southeast Oak Cliff after police responded Saturday afternoon for an “unknown item” found at the campus. Classes will go on as normal on Monday, the start of the school year, after an item was “called into question” and authorities swept the building; And the Dallas Black Dance Theatre terminated its entire company of dancers Friday. That’s according to a statement posted on social media by the labor union representing the dancers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The regional transportation planning agency spearheading the project approved an additional $1.6 million to fund the study Thursday; In other news, a Tarrant County man was sentenced last week to 77 months for defrauding the federal government of $2.6 million in his preparation of tax returns. 51-year old Anthony Floyd was charged in June 2023 and pleaded guilty in May on the first day of his trial; about 1 in 4 Dallas water utility customers are behind on their bills, and city officials say they plan to start cutting off service and levying fines if people haven’t paid off the debt or set up payment plans by mid-September. Around 26% of more than 313,000 customers are at least 60 days past due on their bills that cover Dallas water, sewer and stormwater services. Customers who are behind will start getting letters during the week of Aug. 19 saying they need either to pay off their balances or create a payment plan; and between bustling events at the American Airlines Center and the forthcoming 5,000-person Goldman Sachs campus, the ownership behind a new Italian restaurant expects it to stay busy. Sanjay Joshi, owner and CEO of the eatery expected to open in early 2025, has tapped Carla Pellegrino of Top Chef and Throwdown with Bobby Flay fame to guide the culinary efforts at the space. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Here's your chance to get to know our new food editor, Anna Butler, a graduate of the French Culinary Institute, former cookbook publisher employee and native Texan. This week, we also discuss favorite Italian restaurants in town and more as we respond to reader questions as part of Ask Eat Drink D-FW. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Latraveone Wherry, 19, was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Task Force, Dallas police said. He is charged with capital murder in the July 14 shooting death of Jake Reynosa of Houston, who was visiting Dallas with friends when he was killed; Texas A&M University-Commerce will not be rebranded to include “Dallas” in its name, university President Mark Rudin announced in a statement on Wednesday; Dallas landmarks remade, for better and worse; State Fair of Texas’ famous foods of 2024 include fried burnt ends and cotton candy bacon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A driver reportedly stabbed another driver and hit two people with their own cars following an accident on Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway on Tuesday morning; The city of Dallas has stopped construction on more than a dozen homes in the Elm Thicket-Northpark neighborhood because city inspectors approved permits using old zoning information, and city officials are trying to figure out how it happened; former Dallas Cowboys running back Duane Thomas died Sunday. He was 77; and finally a nearly $16 million Highland Park estate was the most expensive home listed in Texas last month. Six of the state’s 10 priciest homes were in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SportsDay Insider Evan Grant analyzes [1:30] the Rangers’ strategy following the trade deadline, focusing on the addition of Andrew Chafin and the return of key players such as Jacob DeGrom and Josh Jung. Evan also outlines his five-step process for the Rangers to take charge of the AL West. David Moore checks in [17:35] from Cowboys training camp, where things are about to heat up, and takes note of players who are turning heads at camp. Lastly, the guys share [29:02] their favorite moments thus far from the Paris Olympics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dallas police Chief Eddie García on Monday fired two officers who faced separate accusations of public intoxication and receiving pay for off-duty hours that weren’t worked; Texas man begs state for his unemployment benefits. The state says he missed a deadline; more than 2.1 million Texas voters are on the state’s suspended list, three months before the presidential election. Voters should still be able to vote with a suspended status, but it will take an extra couple of steps; and urban wildlife comes alive as Dallas-Fort Worth goes to sleep Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The heat will steadily creep up over the next few days with highs peaking around 105 Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures are expected to fall back to about 103 on Friday. Heat indexes, or “feels-like” temperatures, will peak around 108. No rain is expected, but there may be low chances by the coming weekend. An air quality alert has been issued for the D-FW area for Monday, and is expected to be extended into Tuesday and Wednesday. Tropical Storm Debby, which hit Florida as a hurricane this morning, is not expected to affect Dallas. Also, seven people are facing charges after Grapevine police said they conspired to steal over 200 vehicles in the North Texas area worth more than $9.3 million. And First Baptist Dallas held its first service in worship center since fire in historic sanctuary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A mix of sun and clouds today with a dangerously high temperature of 104 expected. A bit cloudy tonight with a low of 81. A chance of some showers over the weekend. The high Saturday will be 102 and Sunday - 99. The overnight lows will be in the mid 70s; Children in the custody of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department face excessive force, sexual abuse and a lack of important services, a federal investigation into five state facilities concluded; In other news, First Baptist Dallas plans to hold its first service in its worship center since a four-alarm fire engulfed its sanctuary and destroyed much of the historic building last month.Simone Biles still wears the crown. Biles, the most decorated U.S. women’s gymnast, won the gold medal in the all-around Thursday at the Paris Olympics with a dominant performance that was almost assured the moment she nailed her signature vault; and the Lone Star State has attracted millions of new residents from across the country for decades, advertising its low taxes, abundance of jobs and warm weather. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Dallas Morning News food team says farewell to editor and host Erin Booke as she embarks on new adventures. From condiments to new recipes for the sushi bazooka, Sarah, Claire and Imelda each bring restaurant and food recommendations for Erin to continue enjoying as she spends more time with her family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a scramble to find a replacement for one of Dallas County’s busiest voting sites ahead of the November presidential election, a county commissioner says officials are close to a solution; Dallas billionaire Mark Cuban is the top signature of a new group of 100-plus venture capitalist investors from prominent tech regions like Silicon Valley supporting Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid for the White House; Fifty-one year old Terren Dames, who served as senior pastor at North Dallas Community Bible Fellowship in Plano, was arrested May 2 for soliciting an undercover police officer. According to a police affidavit, Dames agreed to pay the undercover officer $150 for “full service"; and the Lone Star State has attracted millions of new residents from across the country for decades, advertising its low taxes, abundance of jobs and warm weather. But a recent analysis suggests eager movers should pause before making the switch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s highly likely recent earthquakes felt in North Texas are related to oil and gas operations, according to a United States Geological Survey geophysicist. Last week, West Texas earthquakes sent tremors through the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The largest was recorded at a 5.1 magnitude Friday morning, according to the USGS, and five were recorded at a magnitude greater than 4. Also, Southwest Airlines is kicking off red-eye flights, but not at Dallas Love Field; D-FW home prices continue slow crawl up as questions about supply, interest rates loom; child care deserts that have families struggling for providers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices