Afiah Bey, a pillar of Dallas’ African American community and a well-known griot who made it her life’s work to share and preserve stories of African culture and history, died Jan. 28. She was 63. Bey, who was formerly known as Melody Bell, was known for her performances at local schools and libraries, where she’d combine drumming, singing and storytelling …

Three people were found dead after a SWAT standoff at an apartment complex in far northeast Dallas Sunday, police said. Officers responded to an active shooter call that was later upgraded to a shooting call at an apartment complex the 9800 block of Summerwood Circle about 4:30 p.m., police said. As police approached the building, a suspect fired shots at …

Health authorities are closely watching an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a new strain of coronavirus known as COVID-19. Here are the answers to key questions about the outbreak: What is the virus? Scientists have identified the virus as a novel, or new, coronavirus. The name comes from the Latin word for crowns or halos, which coronaviruses resemble under …

HOUSTON, Texas — Compared to many of Texas’ big cities, Houston is hardly making the grade fiscally. That’s according to a recent report from nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank Truth in Accounting. Houston earns a D grade for its financial health in Truth in Accounting’s new Financial State of the Cites 2021 report, a comprehensive analysis of the fiscal health of …

PASADENA, Texas (KTRK) — The Pasadena Police Department is asking for prayers from the community as they mourn the death of detective Pedro ‘Pete’ Mejia Jr., who died after a difficult battle with COVID-19. In a statement released on Saturday, officers said Mejia had worked for the department since 2005 after graduating from the academy. He was also a decorated …

In early December 2018, hundreds of Houston-area locals lined the railroad near W. Hardy Toll Road to get a glimpse of and salute the historic Union Pacific No. 4141 Engine, a locomotive painted to match Air Force One. The distinctive, blue and white carrier led the funeral train of President George H.W. Bush as it traveled to College Station, en route to …

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A pair of Harris County Sheriff’s Office patrol cruisers were damaged Sunday morning in a crash involving a suspected intoxicated driver, authorities said. It happened before 5:30 a.m. in the 12900 block of Eastex Freeway near Aldine Mail Route Road. Deputies responded to a report of a stranded motorist on the freeway and had blocked …

HOUSTON, Texas — Legislation has been drafted that would allow Lone Star College System to offer two new bachelor’s degree programs in health care information technology and emergency management, said Kyle Scott, LSCS vice chancellor for strategic priorities, although Scott said he could not name the legislators with whom the college system is working. Although legislation has yet to be …

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A bicyclist attempting to cross Highway 6 was killed Saturday and the car involved took off after the crash, authorities said. It happened around 10 p.m. in the 8100 block of Highway 6 North at Forest Trails Drive. The victim, an adult Hispanic man, was crossing the highway when a northbound black car struck him, witnesses …

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Another rash of shootings across the city overnight, including an incident involving teens in southwest Houston, have investigators looking for answers. Authorities responded to at least eleven people who were shot since Saturday night across the Houston area. Two teens were shot around 3 a.m. near Corporate Drive and Sharpcrest Street. A 14-year-old and a 19-year-old …