AUSTIN — The Texas House will pass a sweeping property-tax relief package this session that includes tighter appraisal caps that apply to all kinds of property, not just homes, Speaker Dade Phelan said Thursday. House Bill 2 by Dallas Republican Rep. Morgan Meyer also would slash rates on schools’ main property levy, delivering a $461 tax break next year for …

OXON HILL, Md. — Sen. Ted Cruz demanded prosecution for Dr. Anthony Fauci, telling conservative activists Thursday that the nation’s most prominent public health expert lied about COVID-19′s origin and “destroyed” lives by encouraging closure of schools and businesses and prodding Americans to wear masks and get vaccinated. “He led policies that destroyed peoples’ lives, that hurt tens of millions …

American Airlines and Southwest Airlines have canceled nearly 440 flights in and out of DFW International Airport and Dallas Love field with strong thunderstorms and hail forecasted in North Texas later Thursday. Fort Worth-based American Airlines, which counts DFW Airport as its biggest base, has canceled nearly 340 flights in and out of North Texas, mostly after 5 p.m. It’s just a fraction …

Ahead of a severe storm threatening the region this afternoon, multiple North Texas school districts announced they are canceling all after-school activities, including athletic events, fine arts programs and other practices. Due to likely inclement weather, Dallas ISD and Fort Worth ISD announced on Twitter they are not holding any after-school and evening events. DISD noted it plans to dismiss students from class at their …

AUSTIN — More than 100 people, the vast majority Asian-American Texans, decried a bill designed to ban Chinese citizens from owning property in the state. Dozens panned Senate Bill 147 as discriminatory and unconstitutional, while its author touted it as a necessary security measure to protect the state from China, Iran, North Korea and Russia. No action was taken on the …

A Texas influencer will be somewhat restricted in the evidence she can produce at her upcoming trial for deceptive business practices, a Dallas County judge ruled Thursday. Social media personality Brittany Dawn Davis has been sued by the state over a fitness plan Texas officials say violated consumer protection laws and misled followers with eating disorders. The trial — scheduled to begin …

A tornado formed Thursday in Weatherford as severe storms pummeled North Texas with heavy winds, rain and hail, local police said. The Weatherford police Facebook account reported that a tornado formed in the afternoon but added no further details could be shared because officials are still assessing damages to the area. The post encouraged residents to stay off the roads and …

A powerful, fast-moving line of thunderstorms — and possible tornadoes — battered Dallas-Fort Worth on Thursday, leaving toppled trees, damaged businesses and hundreds of thousands without power in its wake. Weatherford police confirmed on Facebook a tornado touched down Thursday afternoon. No further details could be shared because officials were still assessing damages to the area, and the National Weather Service in …

We’re ending the week on a quieter and much cooler note as a cold front moves across North Texas. The weekend looks sunny and dry with a warming trend. Next week will offer more rain chances. Severe storms are not expected. In fact, it looks like it will be much too chilly for that with highs only in the 50s …

Tornado sirens, power outages and property damage Thursday evening peppered Dallas-Fort Worth as much of the area experienced severe thunderstorms and waited out tornado warnings from the National Weather Service. The service warned a “destructive” storm could push wind gusts up to 80 mph and has been warning North Texans to look out for severe thunderstorms, which could produce large hail …