Starting Monday, DeSoto Independent School District is asking its middle and high school students to refrain from bringing backpacks for the remainder of the school year. The school district announced backpacks will not be allowed for students in grades six through 12 in an effort to “reduce any potential distractions and concerns.” “The measure is being taken out of an …

A Dallas dog owner is speaking out after her pet was fatally mauled over the weekend by another dog at a boarding facility in West Dallas. In a Facebook post Monday, Heather Heflin said her dog, Drake, was killed the previous day while he was under the care of Smart Dog Dallas. Heflin said her 6-year-old terrier mix, which she …

Michele Williams didn’t understand what her daughter’s fiancé was telling her when he called unexpectedly. It was June 9, 2019. He pleaded with her to meet him at an area hospital. He wouldn’t say anything about her daughter, Kiersten Smith. As Williams put on her shoes, her husband questioned Smith’s fiancé. There had been an accident, the fiancé finally said. Smith …

Four men were arrested earlier this week and are facing drug and weapons-related charges following a multi-agency operation in Cedar Hill, according to police. On Tuesday, officers from Cedar Hill and Duncanville arrested the men during traffic stops and DeSoto police officers carried out a search warrant at a Cedar Hill home in the 400 block of Kimmel Drive, according to …

A slow-moving cold front could serve as a catalyst for large hail and damaging winds in North Texas, according to the National Weather Service. The weather service issued a severe thunderstorm warning that lasted until 3:30 p.m. Thursday for Rockwall County and parts of Dallas, Collin and Hunt counties. The advisory had cautioned of winds up to 60 mph, which can damage roofs …

Would college sports be impacted by a Senate proposal to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education? Some Democratic senators argued that the NCAA could ban the state’s beloved college athletic programs from participating in its games if Texas moved forward with attempts to do away with DEI efforts. The Senate voted 19-12, along party lines, to pass a …

Building an exceptional hike-and-bike network — a task Dallas is well on the way to accomplishing — is only half the challenge. Once those trails are built, people must feel safe using them. Otherwise, they may never give these recreational assets and transportation alternatives a second chance. That’s why I’ve devoted several recent columns to where the city’s trail network — despite …

HOUSTON, Texas — As the cost of solar panel installation becomes more attainable to homeowners, more Americans are willing to reduce their carbon emissions and their electricity bills in the process. So just where does Houston rank in new tech like solar panel installation? According to a new report from home service management platform Thumbtack, it doesn’t. Houston, which has no shortage …

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A truck driver was killed when a car crashed into him as he loaded equipment onto an 18-wheeler on North I-45 near FM 1960 Thursday morning. The crash happened at about 9:14 a.m., according to Harris County Sheriff’s Office Captain Anthony McConnell. The truck parked on the feeder road as the driver worked to load equipment …

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The artist suspected of painting over Houston’s iconic “Be Someone” sign was arrested over two weeks ago but posted bond the next day, according to records. In February, a felony graffiti charge was filed against 27-year-old Chandrika Metivier, who is accused of painting over the bridge multiple times. Metivier, who identifies as non-binary, was arrested on April …