AUSTIN — The biggest change in federal funding of child welfare in 40 years has Texas youth advocates frantically waving their arms, trying to get state GOP leaders’ attention. For the most part, child advocates say they’re being ignored – at peril of losing a chance to navigate the momentous and system-roiling changes they say are coming. Smart sailing, they …

A 15-year-old boy is in police custody Wednesday after he was accused of assaulting and robbing an elderly woman at a Fort Worth grocery store. The incident happened on Nov. 19 just after 7 p.m. at 8000 Crowley Road. The teen approached the woman as she loaded groceries into her car, police said. The boy demanded the woman’s keys. When …

A 29-year-old woman has been charged after a wrong-way collision in which a teen was killed and three other people injured on eastbound Loop 820 in North Richland Hills early Thanksgiving morning. Noemi Martinez, 29, has been charged with intoxication manslaughter in the death of 17-year-old Benjamin Casteneda following a wrong-way collision on Loop 820 in North Richland Hills.(North Richland …

Police are looking for a woman who was “taken under suspicious circumstances” by her boyfriend earlier this week. They were last seen around 11:39 p.m. Tuesday. Sherry Ward, 44, was “taken under suspicious circumstances” by her boyfriend, Luis Balderas, 37, police say.(Dallas Police) Sherry Ward, 44, is an endangered person, police say. She and her boyfriend, Luis Balderas, 37, are …

Police are looking for a 17-year-old boy who went missing Thursday morning in West Oak Cliff. Joshua Castillo, 17, was last seen in the 1100 block of S. Westmoreland Road and could be a danger to himself and others, police say.(Dallas Police) Joshua Castillo was last seen wearing a beige hooded sweatshirt and black pants in the 1100 block of …

Police are investigating an incident in which an off-duty Trenton police officer fired his weapon at a suspect fleeing a Home Depot in Lake Highlands Friday morning. Officers responded about 11 a.m. to the 11200 block of Garland Road, where they were met by the officer, who was working in an off-duty capacity in full police uniform. The officer told …

Dallas for years has struggled with a shortage of affordable housing. And as officials continue to try to correct course, one council member wants to consider a policy for new development that other cities have turned to. Dallas City Council member Chad West, who chairs the council’s Housing and Homelessness Solutions Committee, has asked the Housing Policy Task Force to …

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Police say a restaurant owner shot and killed a man who was harassing customers in southeast Houston. According to detectives, the man went into Gilmore’s Burgers on Reed Road around 9 p.m. Wednesday. The 69-year-old man was reportedly bothering customers when he got into an altercation with the owner. During the altercation, the restaurant owner shot …

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Thanksgiving is a holiday of tradition, and for the Harris County Pct. 4 Constable’s Office, that includes delivering meals on Thanksgiving eve to families who need some help. It’s known, appropriately, as “Operation Turkey Dinner.” An anonymous benefactor has provided money to buy the dinners over the years, while deputies take the meals to the recipients. …

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A struggling Cajun restaurant in the East End has been busier than ever, thanks to a viral tweet from the owner’s daughter. Brianna Leon, a University of Houston at Victoria softball player, tweeted that her father had been stressed and sad because his restaurant, Cajun Town Cafe, wasn’t doing well. Brianna invited anyone on Twitter to try …