Special Olympian Ashton Smith Suspended, Claims Bias

Ashton Smith, a 33-year-old champion swimmer from Fort Worth who competed in the Special Olympics World Games, has been suspended by the organization following a dispute with another athlete that exploded online.   Smith alleges she’s been the victim of abuse by another athlete that began with a racial epithet at…

Pete Sessions, Ukraine and Rudy Giuliani: Explained

Just when you, Dallas resident, thought you were rid of Pete Sessions, he’s doing his best to pull you back in. The erstwhile North Texas congressman and current Central Texas congressional hopeful is all over the international news, and not because of blimps, burlesque clubs or maybe living in Florida…

Observer Contributor Named Finalist for Frisco Police Chief

Two high-ranking and long-serving members of the Dallas Police Department are finalists for the top job at the Frisco Police Department, Frisco announced Wednesday. DPD Executive Assistant Chief David Pughes and DPD Major and acting Deputy Chief Max Geron are joined by Frisco Deputy Chief David Shilson on the short…

You Heard It From the Observer First: Ted Cruz Is Right!

Get your jokes about stopped clocks and blind squirrels ready. Ted Cruz, Texas’ Observer-beloved junior senator, is actually on the right side of a controversial issue. Late Wednesday afternoon, Cruz, along with a Star Wars cantina-like menagerie of politicians from both sides of the aisle — Sen. Tom Cotton, Rep…

Dallas Can Grieve for Botham Jean Without Bowing to Shame

The death of Botham Jean, a 26-year-old accountant and innocent man, and the trial of his killer, former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger, have challenged Dallas as no event since the 2016 murders of five police officers in one terrible night downtown. Now as then, a big part of this…

Confusion over New Rules Leads Many to Ditch Public Assistance

Immigrants are hastily dropping public benefits in response to a federal rule change put forth by President Donald Trump, but many of them don’t need to, advocates say. The fear, misinformation and rumors have lead to people needlessly giving up food stamps and healthcare assistance. The new guidelines stipulate that the use of assistance like Medicaid and food stamps and the likely hood that an applicant will use them in the future be weighed when deciding if an applicant should be approved for a green card.

DPD Says Guyger Witness Killed in Drug Deal Gone Wrong

Joshua Brown, a witness for the prosecution against former Dallas Police Department officer Amber Guyger, was killed during a drug deal that went bad, according to one of the participants in the would-be deal. Thaddeous Green, 22, shot Brown, 28, twice in the lower body after a fight interrupted a…

The Cowboys Aren’t Perfect, But They’re Far from Dead

The headlines Sunday and Monday came fast. The Dallas Cowboys, fresh off their second loss in a row, were “frauds” according to The Dallas Morning News’ Jean-Jacques Taylor. Mac Engel at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram went a step further, proclaiming the Cowboys capitulation to Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers…

Key Witness in Guyger Murder Trial Shot and Killed in Dallas

One of the state’s most memorable witnesses against former Dallas Police Department officer Amber Guyger was shot and killed late Friday night in Dallas, Lee Merritt, one of the civil attorneys representing Botham Jean’s family, confirmed Saturday. Joshua Brown, 28, lived across the hall from Jean in September 2018. Almost…

Judge’s Hug of Guyger After Sentencing Draws Scrutiny

Moments after Amber Guyger was sentenced to 10 years in prison Thursday, Judge Tammy Kemp hugged the former police officer and handed over her personal Bible. “This will strengthen you,” Kemp could be overheard telling Guyger. “You just need a tiny mustard seed of faith.” Now, Kemp is drawing fire…