As Washington shuffles forward toward some sort of expansion of gun control (universal background checks, yes; bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, maybe not), state legislators in Texas are debating the optimal technique for thumbing their noses at the federal government. On Wednesday, the House Select Committee on Federalism…
Dump trucks, upended concrete, chain-link fencing and security tape block every logical path to the Crum Basketball Center, making it nearly impossible to penetrate SMU’s practice facility. The university is remodeling nearby Moody Coliseum, where the Mustangs play their games; soon the musty building will be transformed into a shiny…
State Representative Rafael Anchia of Dallas filed legislation Friday that he hopes will position Texas to lead the sustainable age. He describes it as a launching point for a dialogue in the Legislature, a “shell” of a bill that will eventually drive workforce development for the next generation of jobs…
Late last month, 27-year-old Sondra Scarber and her girlfriend Hillary Causey headed to a Mesquite elementary school’s playground, to take Causey’s 4-year-old son Jaxon to play. The couple later told police that soon after they arrived, some much bigger boys started pushing Jaxon around. “Can you please keep your hands…
It was hard to fathom how Robert Jeffress could possibly refine his already highly nuanced views on human sexuality, but the First Baptist pastor has managed, somehow, to do just that. Right Wing Watch brings us a video of Jeffress’s appearance last week on Trinity Broadcasting Network’s “Praise the Lord”…
It was moderately entertaining when a Tennessee-based company called Poo Prints lobbied the City Council to implement a citywide dog-crap DNA testing regime. But even the considerable charm of total A-list actor David Keith couldn’t convince council members to transform the city into a giant CSI: Dog Poop. It was…
Turns out, those camera-mounted compact cars Google dispatches to prowl America’s streets haven’t just been collecting the panoramic Street View images that help make its maps feature so incredibly useful. Nope. As the search giant admitted yesterday, those cars have been gathering email addresses, search histories and other personal information…
The surveillance cameras at Klyde Warren Park aren’t exactly hidden. They’re rather conspicuous, in fact, with their large white boxes emblazoned with “Dallas Police” and prominent placement on light poles throughout the 5.2-acre green space. But BearCom, which manufactured and installed the 13 wireless cameras, wants to make extra sure…
Texas Central Railway’s plan, announced almost a year ago now, to build a high-speed rail line linking Houston and North Texas has hit a not altogether unexpected complication: inter-city squabbling over where the bullet train will stop. In Mobility 2035, its long-term vision for transportation in the region, the North…
It’s hard to fathom why someone would murder a 79-year-old woman in the home she’s lived in for 50 years, and do so in such a brutal manner that police have declined to so much as hint at her injuries. But police might be a step closer to finding out…
Over the past couple months, we’ve brought you periodic updates on Texas Right to Life’s quest to help pass a bill banning all abortions after 20 weeks. They’ve finally found a sponsor to carry that bill: State Representative Jodie Laubenberg filed the “Preborn Pain Act” this time last week. Texas…
In a move that will protect our children from a future of grocery store snack aisles packed with nothing but kale chips and similar creme-free items, private equity firm Apollo Global Management has teamed up with food mogul Dean Metropoulos to purchase Hostess’ snack business out of bankruptcy. The New…
In his column Sunday, the Morning News’ Steve Blow wrestled with the the problem of hell, or at least the conservative Protestant vision of it. How, the question goes, can a supposedly loving, forgiving God condemn souls to an eternity of unbearable torment? Blow’s answer is that God doesn’t. Without…
Mayor Mike Rawlings’ recently launched crusade against domestic violence has been earning praise from local media since it was announced it a couple of months ago. Now, after traveling to the Big Apple to speak on the issue alongside Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Michael Bolton, he’s gathering attention from elsewhere…
We didn’t get around to watching J.R.’s funeral on “Dallas” last night nor, if last week’s ratings are any predictor, did the rest of the city. But we were curious to appraise Mayor Mike Rawlings’ acting chops, which, we’re proud to say, are totally on par with noted thespians Mark…
The United States Bullion Depository was, according to Wikipedia, an unintended byproduct of a 1933 executive order banning the private ownership of large quantities of gold. Those who didn’t move their gold to Switzerland sold it to the Federal Reserve, which found that it didn’t really have any place to…
Sometimes it seems like all we ever do here at Unfair Park is bitch about the dastardly and frivolous legislation our elected representatives concoct down at the capitol. But not every bill sends us lunging for the bottle. Take this measure, filed by Sen. Bob Deuell of Greenville, barring State…
Chris Wright, whom the Mavericks just signed to a 10-day contract in hopes of patching their depleted backcourt, first felt something go wrong in March 2012. The point guard was playing professional ball in Turkey after going undrafted out of Georgetown the year before. He was running sprints during practice…
If it’s not already there, add Pioneer Parkway in Arlington to the list of places it’s probably wiser not to ride your bike. As you can see above, the two lanes are broad and straight, perfect for cars to pick up speed, with only a narrow shoulder that disappears to…
There was a time when the Highland Hills Crips were a big enough catch that the Feds targeted them with “Operation Greedy Grove” and trumpeted the arrest of several members with a press release. Fast forward two-and-a-half years. It’s Sunday morning, 11 a.m. A youngish gentleman, who might ought to…
Chanon Thompson, a 33-year-old woman from Carrollton, traveled to New Mexico last week and wandered into the Santa Fe National Forest. She made it six or seven miles in, then she realized she couldn’t find her way back, according to ABC News. She spent two nights in freezing temperatures before…
If you need a reminder that Oak Cliff and downtown will soon be linked by street car, head over to the Houston Street and watch as drivers try to get across the viaduct, which is closed for construction. Another reminder: DART just announced that it’s officially sealed a $9.4 million…
