Dallas News

When Perini Ranch Steakhouse opened 40 years ago in tiny Buffalo Gap, Texas, co-owner Tom Perini says he did “everything you should not do.” He put the restaurant in an old barn that was basically invisible to West Texas travelers. The restaurant, which is 15 miles from Abilene, sold steaks, hamburgers, green chile hominy and often-dry brisket. Some of the neighbors knew …

WASHINGTON — Texas Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz offered full-throated defenses Thursday of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, after ProPublica reported that Dallas mogul Harlan Crow had paid private school tuition for Thomas’ grandnephew. “There are a lot of generous people that are willing to provide scholarships to poor kids every day in America, and I think that’s a commendable thing,” …

WASHINGTON — The Senate confirmed career Dallas prosecutor Damien Diggs as the U.S. attorney for East Texas on Thursday, making him the first Black lawyer to lead the office responsible for federal law enforcement from Plano to Beaumont, including Jasper, where a notorious racial murder took place. Approval came on a unanimous voice vote. Both of Texas’ Republican senators, Ted …

A 17-year-old in Pennsylvania was detained Tuesday after authorities identified him as the suspected “swatter” who called in a threat to a Collin County residence last month. The teen — who is considered a juvenile in Pennsylvania — admitted to making “swatting” calls in several states across the country during an interview with authorities, the Collin County Sheriff’s office said …

A ransomware attack on the city of Dallas that has “significantly impacted” police and compromised other city services was initiated by a prolific group called Royal, officials said Thursday. The city’s Information and Technology Services department “isolated the issue and is gradually restoring service prioritizing public safety and resident-facing departments,” the city said in an afternoon news release. City Manager T.C. Broadnax …

Dallas officials are working to restore services after the city was hit with a ransomware attack Wednesday, affecting police, courts, 311 and multiple city websites. City manager T.C. Broadnax said that he’s optimistic the risk is contained and that employees have been hard at work to recover from the issue. On Thursday, the city said the culprit behind the attack is a group …

A couple of thunderstorms are possible this evening. A severe storm or two can’t be ruled out with some hail and gusty winds being the main threats. The storm coverage will be rather limited so not everyone will have a storm. The next several days will keep “unsettled” weather in the forecast, meaning storms will be possible. While we’re not …

The founder of a Southlake-based supply-chain management startup has been indicted on charges of defrauding investors out of at least $25 million, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas. Christopher Kirchner, the 35-year-old founder of Slync, was indicted Thursday on five counts of wire fraud and eight counts of money laundering. Federal authorities said Kirchner “swindled …

A Fort Worth ISD elementary school was “secured” Wednesday afternoon after someone drove by the school and pointed a gun at students, police said. Shortly before 3:30 p.m., officers were called to Sagamore Hill Elementary School in the 700 block of South Hughes Avenue, where someone reportedly pointed a weapon at students, according to Fort Worth police. Officers met with …

AUSTIN — State Rep. Bryan Slaton, a Royse City Republican reportedly facing allegations he had an inappropriate relationship with a staffer, on Thursday was seen leaving an area where the meeting of a legislative committee tasked with investigating lawmaker misconduct took place. The House General Investigating Committee met for about an hour behind closed doors to conduct a due process …