Dallas Observer | The Leading Independent News Source in Dallas, Texas

Dallas native and journalist Barrett Brown is causing trouble in the U.K.

Dallas Journalist Barrett Brown Went to the U.K. Now, He Wants Asylum.

By Simone Carter

Sep 15, 2021

To a great extent, Barrett Brown is fueled by cheap tobacco and vengeance. The embattled journalist wants to inflict as much damage as possible on America, and recently, he’s broadened his scope to include the United Kingdom. There, Brown is attempting to claim asylum, largely because he says he’s been...

An after-action report on three tense days of Dallas protests last summer found some errors by cops, but laid a lot of blame on "rioters."

Seeking Justice for Protesters Injured by Dallas PD, Attorneys Say Civil Suits May Be Only Hope

By Jacob Vaughn

Sep 15, 2021

Since Chief Eddie Garcia took over the department, attorneys Daryl Washington and Michelle Simpson Tuegel said they’ve been hopeful for more transparency and a change of culture in DPD. But, they say the jury is still out on whether any of this will happen.

As Texas' new camping ban goes into effect, advocates say life could get yet more difficult for Dallas' homeless.

Texas' New Camping Ban May Make Life Worse for Dallas' Homeless

By Jacob Vaughn

Sep 14, 2021

Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton sent a joint letter to the Texas Association of Counties, the Texas Municipal League and cities across the state, reminding them all that the ban must be enforced.

The recreation center is complete with a fitness center and baseball courts, a recording studio, commercial kitchen, computer lab, and senior center.

Ethics Complaint Says Tennell Atkins Wasted $20,000 on Grass for Rec Center

By Jacob Vaughn

Sep 13, 2021

In an anonymously filed ethics complaint, Council member Tennell Atkins, a project manager and a program manager are accused of wasting $20,000 of city property and resources on the Singing Hills Recreation Center.

Professors say Turning Point USA's watchlist threatens intellectual diversity.

'Designed to Intimidate': Revamped Conservative Watchlist Targets Professors in Texas and Beyond

By Michael Murney

Sep 11, 2021

A few weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001, Dr. Robert Jensen, then a professor of journalism at the University of Texas at Austin, decided to bring the campus’ conservative and liberal factions together. “I got tired of all the right-wing events and all the left-wing events, with the...

Parents and school boards across the state have challenged Gov. Greg Abbott's ban on mask mandates.

Parents Sue Allen ISD over 'Failure' to Protect Children with COVID Safety Measures

By Jacob Vaughn

Sep 10, 2021

The lawsuit said the school board has a responsibility to assure students’ right to life and that it’s not living up to this.

Former Pres. George w. Bush answering questions during a 2007 press conference.

George W. Bush Will Speak At the Center Named After Him About a 9/11 Movie Made About Him

By Liam Gaughan

Sep 10, 2021

This weekend, many tributes will be held to commemorate the two decades since the September 11 attacks and a special event in Dallas aims to respectfully honor the anniversary through the participation of the former commander-in-chief.

During this year's legislative sessions, Texas Republicans stepped up efforts to effectively ban abortion in the state

U.S. Dept. of Justice Sues Texas Over New Abortion Law

By Patrick Strickland

Sep 9, 2021

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Texas over Senate Bill 8, the harsh new abortion law that bars women from receiving the procedure at around six weeks, which is often too soon for a woman to know they’re pregnant. During a press conference Thursday, Attorney General...

This December, the Dallas Police Department is due to report back to City Council on the effectiveness of an ordinance that expanded a ban on cruising.

Did Dallas Curb Sex Trafficking With the 'No Cruising' Ordinance?

By Jacob Vaughn

Sep 9, 2021

The thinking is if law enforcement can reduce the traffic in these areas, they can reduce this illegal activity. But people question how well this is working.

The Satanic Temple isn't pleased with Texas lawmakers.

The Satanic Temple Is (Again) Fighting Texas' Harsh Abortion Restrictions

By Simone Carter

Sep 9, 2021

The Satanic Temple is challenging Texas' newest abortion law.

Joppa is a community in southern Dallas made up of 500 people.

In Dallas' Joppa, Community Leaders and Developer at Odds Over Proposed Townhomes

By Jacob Vaughn

Sep 7, 2021

Named for a city in the Bible, Joppa was formed by freed slaves after the Civil War. Residents have always called it Joppee, and some say it's not the place for 14 new townhomes.

The Dallas Police Department put up the camera that captured this video to help build a case against Hoppenstein properties.

South Dallas Property Owner Sues City Over Habitual Criminal Property Designation

By Jacob Vaughn

Sep 6, 2021

Norman Hoppenstein thinks the city is asking too much of him to reduce crime on his properties. So, he's filling suit.

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson tweeted that yacht rock is “the official music of the Dallas City Council.” Tell us more, Mr. Mayor.

Yacht Rock Is Now the Official Music of Dallas City Council. But Why Stop There?

By Mark E. Moon

Sep 6, 2021

Most people in the world would look at landlocked Dallas as one of the last places to be a mecca for yacht rock, but as we learned this week, the music genre has been the subject of a rather bold declaration.

Twitter users are comparing Texas to the dystopian land of Gilead from The Handmaid's Tale and to the Taliban following Gov. Greg Abbott's signing if restrictive abortion laws.

#TexasTaliban Trends on Twitter Following Restrictive Abortion Laws

By Eva Raggio

Sep 3, 2021

This week, a law went into effect in Texas banning abortions performed after six weeks of pregnancy. The law makes no exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape.

The organizers often say they're not affiliated with the QAnon conspiracy theory. But, their names and all the content for their events say otherwise.

Deja Q: QAnon John's Las Vegas Convention Loses Its Venue

By Jacob Vaughn

Sep 2, 2021

This time called the For God & Country Patriot Double Down, the logo for the event includes the seven and queen of hearts cards, a reference to Q, the 17th letter in the alphabet.

With permitless carry now law, restaurants need to understand the nuances of the law, including new signage.

Permitless Carry Adds New Burden to Restaurants

By Lauren Drewes Daniels

Sep 1, 2021

Restaurants and bars linger at the intersection of culture and politics. Usually, we pass through, noticing little else than what’s in front of us. Other times — like recently — a quagmire evolves.

The Dallas City Council grilled City Manager T.C. Broadnax for not notifying them about data loss sooner.

Terabyte by Terabyte, the Dallas Police Data Loss Story Keeps Getting Worse

By Jacob Vaughn

Sep 1, 2021

It’s believed that all the files were lost when an employee in the Information and Technology Services Department was migrating data between servers this spring. The files were from archived data prior to July 2020.

After a smooth run in Dallas over Memorial Day weekend, Q Con organizers are trying it again, this time in Las Vegas.

QAnon John Calls For 'Military Mutiny' Ahead of Las Vegas Event Featuring DFW Speakers

By Jacob Vaughn

Aug 31, 2021

QAnon John, aka John Sabal, said the U.S. military has an obligation to act against and remove “this rogue actor,” referring to President Joe Biden.

Texas suffragette Minnie Fisher Cunningham campaigning for a seat in the Senate in 1928.

A New PBS Documentary Tells the Real Story About the Women's Suffrage Movement

By Brittany Nunn

Aug 31, 2021

How much do you know about the women’s suffrage movement in Texas? If you’re like most people, chances are you don’t know much, if anything at all. We tend to take the right to vote for granted, as though one day 100 years ago the reigning body of all-male politicians...

Quorum Be Damned: Why Some Texas Democrats Stayed in Washington D.C.

By Simone Carter

Aug 30, 2021

The Texas Legislature is back in session, but some Democrats are remaining in Washington D.C.

Politics

Ad Tells Texas Business to Move to Chicago

Health Officials Warn About Delta-8 and Other Hemp Products

I support

Keep Dallas Observer Free.

This Week's Issue