Texas Democratic lawmakers sent a letter of congressional inquiry to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on Monday, cautioning public colleges about the potential loss of federal funding if they adhere to Republican Governor Greg Abbott’s recent directive to disregard updated language in Title IX regulations. Title IX, a civil rights law established in 1972, prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally …

Two children who were in the back seat of a car when it was stolen Sunday afternoon in Farmers Branch were found safe, police said. Authorities had been searching for Preston Jeremy Scarlett, a 5-year-old boy, and Princess Janelle Scarlett, a 4-year-old girl. The two children were in a car about 3:30 p.m. in the 4000 block of Sigma Road, …

Prosecutors say Desmond Jones showed his true colors Friday in the waning moments of his trial. As Jones’ sister took the witness stand to testify on his behalf, the 24-year-old defendant stood up from his chair at the defense table and said: “This [expletive] doesn’t even matter anymore.” Desmond Jones (Dallas County Sheriff’s Office) As jurors watched, bailiffs swarmed Jones and …

Bret Schmidt is not like many other criminal defense lawyers in at least one respect: He has become very good friends with clients, including one with a lengthy criminal history. Schmidt told jurors that he liked and trusted Javier Tovar Sr., 46, a prison gang member with a rap sheet dating back to the 1990s who also became his client. …

If professional football made Tony Romo wealthy, calling NFL games from the booth will make him absurdly wealthy. At least if reports regarding his new contract with CBS are true. The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback is set to become the highest-paid NFL analyst in television history, per Andrew Marchand of the New York Post. Romo’s new contract was later confirmed by The Washington Post. Romo, …

A music teacher at a Frisco high school has been arrested on a charge of online solicitation of a minor. Brett Kevin Yzquierdo(Collin County Sheriff’s Office) Brett Kevin Yzquierdo, 29, was booked into the Collin County jail Thursday and posted $25,000 bond Friday, jail records show. He was arrested by the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Department. No further details about the …

Dallas Police Chief U. Reneé Hall said her department is hoping to secure a grant from the Department of Justice to start using technology that can detect gunfire. Sensors and cameras can quickly help locate the sound of gunshots but the equipment is expensive, with estimates around $100,000 per square mile. Other U.S. cities, such as Chicago and Wilmington, N.C., …

AUSTIN — In a heated South Texas primary, one PAC is getting schooled — by teachers. A mailer by the Texas Now PAC features a picture of Democratic state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. between two men wearing shirts emblazoned with teachers’ union logos. The problem? One of the men is deceased. The other is campaigning against Lucio, union leaders said. …

The weekend will be mild along with gusty south winds with afternoon highs in the 70s. Those south wind will below 10 to 20 mph Saturday, and 20 to 30 mph Sunday. Monday will be another mild one, but with more clouds and continued breezy southerly winds. A cold front will move into North Texas late during the day Monday …

  COLLEGE STATION – A decade ago, Pete Sessions led House Republicans out of the wilderness as their chief campaign strategist. Democrats lost 63 seats, and Nancy Pelosi lost her job as speaker. But after 22 years in Congress, Dallas voters kicked Sessions himself to the curb in 2018, replacing him with a little-known former NFL player and civil rights …

AUSTIN — The state is preparing to deal with the spread of the novel coronavirus whether the situation changes from “status quo to extreme pandemic,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday. “We are preparing for all possible contingencies,” Abbott said. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and local providers are contacting and monitoring travelers who return from China, …