5th Circuit Hands Texas AG Paxton Win On Mail-In Voting

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Thursday afternoon, effectively eliminating the possibility that Texas would expand access to mail-in voting prior to the state’s primary runoffs on July 14. The court’s ruling leaves Texas’ mail-in voting as is for the duration of…

City Officials Hear Protesters Out in South Dallas

After days of rallies, marches and clashes with police, the Dallas protesters calling for change after the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police office paused Wednesday to air their grievances in front of audience that included members of Dallas City Council, Dallas County Commissioners Court and Dallas Police…

Dallas Officials Expand Curfew Zone

Dallas is expanding the area covered by a curfew order, city officials announced Tuesday afternoon. The newly expanded curfew zone includes Trinity Groves and West Village. It also now includes the Frank Crowley Courts Building, where a demonstration began Monday evening, and the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, where police detained…

Hall Defends Dallas Police’s Handling of Monday Night Protest

Chief U. Renee Hall on Tuesday morning defended the police department’s handling of a protest that ended in a mass detainment Monday night on the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge. During the demonstration, police allowed hundreds of protesters to march into the westbound lanes of the bridge at about 8:30 p.m…

Dallas County Reports New Highs In COVID-19 Cases, Deaths

A total of 257 more Dallas County residents have tested positive for COVID-19 and 16 more county residents have died from the virus, according to Dallas County Health and Human Services chief Philip Huang. Both totals are the highest the county has reported in a single day. The 257 new…

Dallas Protests Are as Much About Old Scars as They Are New Ones

The catalyst for the last four days’ protests in Dallas is new, if horrifyingly familiar. Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauven allegedly murdered George Floyd, a black man, last month by kneeling on his neck for almost nine minutes. People in Dallas and around the world are angry. “I’m just enraged…

Did Dallas Cops Put Two Protesters in the Hospital?

Dallas police are investigating incidents in which police officers used force against two people Sunday, putting both people in the hospital. Both incidents occurred on Main Street in downtown Dallas during Sunday’s protest against police brutality. The first incident happened at 4 p.m. near Pegasus Plaza. The second was at…

7 Times Texas Twitter Could’ve Used a Fact Check

Last week, Twitter attached a link to one of President Donald Trump’s tweets, asserting that the president’s claims about voter fraud and mail-in voting weren’t true. The social media platform decision incensed Trump and many Republicans, including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Attorney General Ken Paxton. The president even issued…

Photos Show Midlothian ISD Board Member Wearing Blackface

Last week, Jimmy Fallon apologized after a video of him in blackface went viral on social media, sparking outrage nationwide. The offensive practice has also reared its ugly head in North Texas. The Observer has obtained photos of Tami Tobey, a member of the Midlothian ISD Board of Trustees, dressed…

After Two Days of Violence, Sunday’s Protests Were Largely Peaceful

While Dallas initially saw peaceful protests turn into violence, arrests and a curfew around downtown, the weekend ended with a vocal but placid march downtown. Clergy members from throughout Dallas gathered with residents in front of Dallas Police headquarters starting at 5 p.m. Sunday. The crowd bowed their heads as…

Protesters Clash With Police During Dallas George Floyd March

Protesters gathered in front of the Dallas Police Department headquarters on the 1400 block of Lamar St. Friday afternoon for what was initially a peaceful demonstration, but the subsequent march became tumultuous as participants clashed with police officers in riot gear all throughout downtown Dallas. The protest, organized and advertised…

Abbott Opens Texas Sporting Events to Spectators

Beginning Sunday, Texas pro sports teams and facilities can allow fans to attend their outdoor events at up to 25% capacity, according to a proclamation from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Motor sports events can open at 25% capacity beginning Friday. The governor published his amended rules on May 22 without…