New program lets private citizens sponsor refugees in US

• State Department launching a program that allows everyday Americans to help refugees adjust to life in the U.S.
• Program will allow people to provide mentoring, job training and other services to refugees
• Volunteers must have a background check and pass online training before being able to provide services
• Program will provide refugees with community-based support to help them become self-sufficient
• Program is a way for the State Department to give refugees a better chance at success in the U.S.

Full article

The Dallas Morning News

New program lets private citizens sponsor refugees in US

WASHINGTON — Everyday Americans will be able to help refugees adjust to life in the U.S. in a program being launched by the State Department as a way to give...

Dallas County judge will go by Clay Lewis Jenkins

Dallas County judge Clay Jenkins is looking to change his name to include his father's last name, Jenkins, in order to honor his father's memory.

Full article

The Dallas Morning News

Dallas County judge will go by Clay Lewis Jenkins

The Dallas County judge, who has held the office since 2011, wants his father’s last name wrapped into his identity.

New legislative push begins to end Confederate Heroes Day as an official Texas holiday

Two Texas legislators have put forth bills that would abolish Confederate Heroes Day, a state holiday that commemorates the Confederacy and is celebrated in the same week as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. If passed, the bills would remove the holiday from the calendar, which has been observed in Texas since 1973.

The bills, filed by Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie, and Rep. Nicole Collier, D-Fort Worth, would also rename the holiday "Civil War Remembrance Day" and designate it a day of recognition instead of a state holiday.

The proposed bills come in response to the growing push across the nation to remove monuments, flags and other symbols of the Confederacy from public spaces. In Texas, Confederate monuments have been recently removed or relocated in cities like Dallas, Austin and San Antonio.

The bills have been sent to the House Committee on State Affairs and a public hearing is scheduled for March 10. If approved, the bills will move to the full House for a vote.

Supporters of the bills argue that Confederate Heroes Day should not be celebrated in the same week as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. They contend that the holiday is a reminder of the nation’s painful history of slavery and racism, and that it should be replaced with a day of recognition that pays tribute to all those who were impacted by the Civil War.

Opponents, on the other hand, argue that the holiday is an important part of Texas history and should not be removed from the calendar. They contend that the holiday recognizes the courage and sacrifice of the men and women who fought for the Confederacy and should not be erased from history.

The outcome of the bills will be closely watched by Texans across the state, and the final decision will no doubt be a contentious one.

Full article

The Dallas Morning News

New legislative push begins to end Confederate Heroes Day as an official Texas holiday

Two Texas lawmakers have filled bills that would eliminate Confederate Heroes Day, a state holiday honoring the Confederacy, which is celebrated the same week...

Frisco Residents Can't Decide if Animal Shelter is Fur-Real Necessary

The debate over the proposed animal shelter in Frisco, Texas, continues. Local citizens have expressed their opinions on the issue, raising concerns about the location and the potential impact on the community.

The proposed shelter is set to be located near the intersection of Main Street and Coit Road, and would be operated by the Frisco Animal Services division. The shelter would provide a safe haven for stray, abandoned, or surrendered animals, as well as adoptions, spay/neuter services, and other care.

Many residents of Frisco have expressed their opposition to the shelter, citing concerns about increased traffic and noise in the area, as well as a potential decrease in property values. Others, however, have argued that the shelter would provide a much-needed service for the community and would be a positive addition to the area.

The Frisco City Council held a public hearing on the matter on April 24th, during which community members voiced their opinions. Following the hearing, the City Council voted to defer a decision on the matter to later this year.

The debate over the proposed animal shelter in Frisco, Texas, is sure to continue. With both sides expressing their views, it remains to be seen how the City Council will decide on the matter. For now, it appears the debate will continue until the City Council makes a final decision.

Full article

Dallas News

Frisco animal shelter debate continues; city staffers say it’s not needed

"South Dallas Shooting Leaves Two with Bullet Holes, But at Least They're Not in the Ground!"

At around 10 p.m. on Tuesday night, Dallas police responded to a shooting in the 4300 block of Spring Avenue in South Dallas. Tragically, one person was killed and another was wounded in the incident.

Full article

Dallas News

1 killed, 1 wounded in South Dallas shooting

One person was killed and another was wounded in a shooting in South Dallas on Tuesday night. About 10 p.m., officers were called to the 4300 block of Spring...

Dog bites are more serious than you think. Here’s how to avoid risky situations

Dog bites are a common hazard, with an estimated 4.5 million people in the United States bitten by dogs each year. Taking proper precautions while out exercising is important to avoid being bitten.

Full article

The Dallas Morning News

Dog bites are more serious than you think. Here’s how to avoid risky situations

Even if you’re minding your own business while on your new year’s jog, dogs can bite you. More than 4.5 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs...

Authorities find woman’s body near home of man accused in Collin County kidnapping

Authorities discovered a woman's body in Grand Prairie on Wednesday night close to the home of a man suspected of abducting a woman from Collin County reported missing. The body was found in an area of the city not far from the residence of the suspect.

The Collin County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the woman had been reported missing earlier that day. They said that the circumstances of her disappearance had led them to believe that she had been kidnapped.

The investigation into the woman's disappearance is ongoing. The identity of the woman found in Grand Prairie has not yet been released. Police have not said whether they believe the woman found is connected to the missing woman.

At this time, no one has been charged in connection with the woman's disappearance. The Grand Prairie Police Department has asked anyone who may have information about the case to contact them.

Full article

Dallas News

Kayla Kelley’s body found near home of man accused of kidnapping her, authorities say

Authorities on Thursday confirmed that they had found the body of Kayla Kelley, the 33-year-old woman from McKinney who was reported missing last week. The...

One Texas Veteran is Healing Other Soldiers' Wounds - In More Ways Than One!

Stephanie Gattas founded The Pink Berets in 2015, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping female soldiers and veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Driven by her own personal experience, Gattas was determined to provide support, resources, and advocacy for women who have been affected by trauma.

The Pink Berets provide services ranging from counseling, to housing, to job training. They also have a peer-to-peer mentorship program and a 24-hour hotline for those in need of immediate assistance. Gattas also created a retreat program for women veterans, which allows them to have a safe and supportive environment to share their stories and heal from trauma.

The Pink Berets has also partnered with other organizations to provide more comprehensive resources and services. This includes legal aid, medical care, and financial assistance. Gattas and her team are committed to improving the lives of women veterans and supporting them in their journey of recovery.

Full article

The Dallas Morning News

‘Never the same’: Survivors of military sexual trauma turn to The Pink Berets for healing

Driven by her personal experience, Stephanie Gattas in 2015 founded The Pink Berets, a nonprofit that helps women soldiers and veterans suffering from post-trau...

Supreme Court says it still hasn’t determined who leaked abortion rights ruling

• The Supreme Court is investigating the leak of a draft opinion overturning abortion rights.
• Eight justices issued a statement to address the leak.
• The statement does not name the person responsible for the leak.
• The statement does not indicate when the investigation will end.
• The investigation is ongoing.

Full article

The Dallas Morning News

Supreme Court says it still hasn’t determined who leaked abortion rights ruling

The Supreme Court says it hasn't determined who leaked a draft of the court’s opinion overturning abortion rights, but that the investigation continues. Eight...

New legislative push begins to end Confederate Heroes Day as an official Texas holiday

Two Texas lawmakers have proposed legislation that would end the celebration of Confederate Heroes Day, a state holiday honoring the Confederacy. This holiday is currently celebrated on the same week as the anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

The bills, filed by State Senators Borris Miles and Jose Menendez, would replace the Confederate Heroes Day holiday with a day dedicated to Juneteenth, the day that marks the end of slavery in the United States.

Juneteenth is a state holiday in Texas, and is celebrated on June 19th each year. While the holiday is recognized across the United States, it is especially meaningful to people of color in Texas, and is seen as an important symbol of the fight against oppression.

If the bills are passed, Confederate Heroes Day will be removed from the state’s list of recognized holidays and replaced with Juneteenth. The bills are gaining support from both sides of the aisle, and many see this as a step forward in recognizing the importance of the fight against slavery and oppression.

Full article

The Dallas Morning News

New legislative push begins to end Confederate Heroes Day as an official Texas holiday

Two Texas lawmakers have filled bills that would eliminate Confederate Heroes Day, a state holiday honoring the Confederacy, which is celebrated the same week...