Rock band The Eagles are playing one last show in North Texas on their farewell tour.
The band announced new dates for their “The Long Goodbye, Act III” tour on Wednesday, Feb. 25. The Eagles started “The Long Goodbye” tour in 2023 and recently finished a lengthy residency at the Las Vegas Sphere.
Arlington’s Globe Life Field will host the band on Saturday, May 16. Other dates on the tour include Atlanta on May 5 and Nashville on May 9.
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Founding band member Don Henley will be joined longtime members Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit, along with Glenn Frey’s son Deacon and country music legend Vince Gill. The Tedeschi Trucks Band will be special guests at the shows.
Ticket presales will begin at 10 a.m. on March 3 and fans must sign up on the band’s website by 9 a.m. on March 2 for access. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on March 6.
In the meantime, VIP ticket packages are available now on the band’s website and include items like parking, premium seats, exclusive merchandise and more.
More on The Eagles
The Eagles have been rocking for more than five decades.
In the fall of 1971, the band formed and released its self-titled debut album a year later. The band went on to release five more albums through the 1970s.
After a lengthy hiatus, the band reunited in the early 1990s and performed together for a few years. It would be a few more years until the band released its next, and as of now final, studio album “Long Road Out of Eden” in 2007.
The band’s greatest hits album, “Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975,” is the best-selling album of all time in the U.S. with more than 40 million units sold, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. Some of the tunes from that album include “Take it Easy,” “One of These Nights,” Peaceful Easy Feeling,” “Lyin’ Eyes,” “Desperado” and more.
Over the years, The Eagles have played numerous times in North Texas, including several stops in Fort Worth. The band’s last show in Cowtown was at Dickies Arena in 2022.
Brayden Garcia is a service journalism reporter at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He is part of a team of local journalists who answer reader questions and write about life in North Texas. Brayden mainly writes about weather and all things Taylor Sheridan-related.
Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, Henry McCarty Irish Pub has opened in the West 7th Entertainment District.
There’s no sticky floors or rotten wood smell. It may just be the nicest Irish pub Fort Worth has ever seen. It’s dressed with snazzy checker flooring, a dark oak bar (in classic Irish fashion) and leather seating. Even the bathrooms are nice.
The inside of Henry McCarty’s mimics a traditional Irish pub with accents of dark wood, emerald green bar tiles and brass lanterns. Ella Gonzales egonzales@star-telegram.com
Previous Irish pubs in the area just felt like watering holes that served Guinness (and most bars serve Guinness nowadays anyway). But the Irish theme at Henry McCarty’s is evident, from the classic dark wood pub interior, to the full Irish food menu and variety of Irish beer served in a tulip glass.
In my opinion, the new pub is just as much a restaurant as it is a bar. While you can order wings and a soft pretzel, there’s also complex dishes like corned beef and cabbage rolls or shepherd’s pie. On St. Patrick’s Day, there will be live music, a live bagpiper and shot specials.
It’s hard to miss at 2869 Crockett St. with a large, wrap-around front patio. When you walk in, you are greeted with a “Billy the Kid Wanted” poster, since the bar is named after the American outlaw, whose parents were of Irish descent.
An Irish mule is like a Moscow mule made with Jameson whiskey instead of vodka. This drink is $6 on happy hour at Henry McCarty’s Irish Pub on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 in Fort Worth. Ella Gonzales egonzales@star-telegram.com
What can you eat at Henry McCarty Irish Pub?
Before you down an Irish car bomb, it’s probably best to have a bite of something to eat.
The menu is very accessible to anyone, whether you want to adventure into traditional European fare or if you just want a good burger or wings.
The Galway Bay Mussels are $7 on happy hour at Henry McCarty’s Irish Pub on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 in Fort Worth. Ella Gonzales egonzales@star-telegram.com
Scotch Eggs: soft-boiled eggs and herb sausage in panko breadcrumbs, fried, served with mustard.
Galway Bay Mussels: half pound of mussels in beer sauce served with crustinis.
Corned Beef and Cabbage Rolls: corned beef and cabbage with cheese, fried and served with thousand island sauce.
Traditional Irish Breakfast: two eggs, Irish bacon, bangers (sausage), black and white pudding (blood sausages), tomatoes, mushroom, beans, hash brown and brown bread.
Gaelic Mac and Cheese: Irish cheeses with Guinness Stout cheese, bangers, bacon and cherry tomatoes.
Irish Nachos: potato chips, ground beef and lamb, Guinness stout cheese, sour cream, pico de gallo.
Fish and Chips: light, crispy beer-battered fish served with steak fries and condiments.
Jameson Burger: beef patty, Irish cheddar, fried onions, lettuce, tomato and Jameson barbecue sauce on a bun.
Lemon-pepper boneless wings at Henry McCarty’s Irish Pub on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 in Fort Worth. Ella Gonzales egonzales@star-telegram.com
Henry McCarty’s also serves chicken sandwiches, wings, soups, salads, burgers and steak frites for those who want something more “American.”
For libations, the pub serves draft Guinness (non-alcoholic Guinness bottles are available too), Irish ales, wine and other staple beers. They also offer a full bar with Irish whiskeys and cocktails, like a Jameson mule.
A pint of Magner’s Irish Cider (left) and Guinness Stout (right), both of which are offered on draft at Henry McCarty’s Irish Pub on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 in Fort Worth. Ella Gonzales egonzales@star-telegram.com
How casual is Henry McCarty Irish Pub?
Henry McCarty Irish Pub is somewhere you can wear your jeans and boots.
While the inside is polished, it’s not somewhere you need to wear a suit. It’s the perfect place to kick back, enjoy a quality meal and good pint of stout.
The patio at Henry McCarty’s Irish Pub on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 in Fort Worth. Ella Gonzales egonzales@star-telegram.com
Their happy hour is weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m. During happy hours, they offer Irish street tacos for $5 a piece as well as $7 appetizers and $5 beers. There will not be a happy hour on St. Patrick’s Day.
VP of Operations Robin Vaughn said the pub plans to block off the majority of Crockett Street for an all-day St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the future. Since they just opened this year, they don’t have enough staff to do so quite yet.
Henry McCarty’s is open daily, Monday to Wednesday from 11 a.m. to midnight, Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to midnight. The kitchen is open Sunday through Wednesday until 11 p.m. and Thursday to Saturday until 1 a.m.
As the classic Irish toast states, “May your glass ever be full.”
Ella Gonzales is a service journalism reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She is part of a team of local journalists who answer reader questions and write about life in North Texas. Ella mainly writes about local restaurants and where to find good deals around town.
North Texas will see a warm-up on Wednesday, Feb. 25.
Daily highs are expected to stick around the low 80s Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service Fort Worth. Skies will be sunny and rain-free.
A combination of dry and breezy conditions will lead to an elevated fire threat primarily across areas west of Interstate 35 on Wednesday.
Beyond that, North Texans can expect a warm day. Overnight temperatures will be in the mid-50s with mostly clear skies overhead.
Brayden Garcia is a service journalism reporter at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He is part of a team of local journalists who answer reader questions and write about life in North Texas. Brayden mainly writes about weather and all things Taylor Sheridan-related.
President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address Feb. 24 during a joint session of Congress.
Pool
Getty Images
With President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address in the rear-view mirror and the all-important midterm elections roughly 250 days away, the Trump administration faces the challenge of generating results grand enough to match the optimism of his Tuesday night address and the reach of his all-consuming personality.
That personality was on constant display during his lengthy remarks Tuesday night, which kicked off with a litany of conditions he asserts he has improved. Even if many Americans can be expected to show appreciation for a repaired border and a more robust foreign policy, the wild card will be the freshly coined concept of “affordability,” as it was in 1992 when Clinton adviser James Carville proclaimed: “It’s the economy, stupid.”
On Nov. 3, the president will need evidence of progress on a number of issues to fend off Democratic attempts to win back majorities in the House and Senate.
Every Republican knows that no single speech can turn the tide. Their hope is that the State of the Union will serve as a springboard to propel improvements that will resonate beyond the MAGA base.
A rebounding economy will help to do that. Trump hopes that despite recent tensions between ICE and the public, a strong immigration policy will win voters over as well. Knowing well the modern State of the Union practice of half the room standing while the other half sits, he set up the optics moment of the night: “If you agree with this statement, stand up and show your support: ‘The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.’ ”
It was one thing for Democrats to remain seated as Republicans gave standing ovations to specific Trump policies that were decidedly conservative; it is quite another for them to be unwilling to show support for a sentiment shared by vast majorities, including many Democratic voters
Trump is also betting that while opinions differ on his theories about the 2020 electoral result, majorities are also invested in the reliability of future elections, backing the most basic voter ID requirements. Citing the sweet irony of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani requiring ID to help shovel snow, he floated the familiar Republican talking point that the only reason to oppose voter ID is to make cheating easier: “They want to cheat, they have cheated, and their policies are so bad that the only way they can get elected is to cheat, and we’re going to stop it.”
Royce Williams receives the Congressional Medal of Honor as President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address Feb. 24 during a joint session of Congress. Pool Getty Images
Optimism was not the only strategy during this marathon exercise. There were frequent nods to heroism, some attracting partisan appreciation, as for the young woman rescued from a reckless gender transition. But far more frequent were opportunities for the kind of applause that reflected the hearts of Americans of every political stripe — medals for military heroes, accolades for guests in attendance who had endured valiant struggles, and the eagerly anticipated opportunity to direct love into the gallery for our victorious Olympic hockey team.
But the moments of unity were mixed with moments of unavoidable tension. At one point, pressing through the occasional catcalls from Democrats who had grown weary of his withering derision, Trump shook his head, looked in their direction and observed: “These people are crazy.”
That type of messaging might be as valuable as a rejuvenated economy. In any election, a political party has two broad points: Our ideas are good; their ideas are bad.
Housing, gas and eggs that are easier to afford will be one path to successful midterms, along with a better border and some calmed global trouble spots.
Another path may be the repeated assertion that Democrats have painted themselves into a corner that makes them appear to be anti-law enforcement, pro-illegal immigration and in a broad fashion, anti-common sense.
Those will be among the talking points of every Republican on the midterm campaign trail, where Democrats will energetically argue otherwise. The voters who returned Trump to office will have to show up in sufficient numbers in November to prevent a Democratic congressional takeover that could derail the agenda they voted for not so long ago.
If someone had told me ahead of time that the State of the Union would clock in at just under two hours, I might have been concerned that it would wander down rabbit holes that became the stuff of legend on the campaign trail. But as the TV analysts unpacked it afterward, Trump supporters seemed thoroughly delighted, while his critics recoiled, suggesting to me that he ultimately had done exactly what he wanted.
Mark Davis hosts a morning radio show in Dallas-Fort Worth on 660-AM and at 660amtheanswer.com. Follow him on X: @markdavis.
Mark Davis
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A half-century after its debut as a local alternative to fast-food chains, the Burger Box restaurants are still full of surprises.
The most stunning surprise is at the cash register. You get a large cheeseburger combo with crinkle fries or tots and a drink for about $10, fresh-made and cheaper than at Whataburger.
But the first surprise at the 48-year-old local hamburger chain is that it’s not like a chain at all. Each of the nine locations is different.
Some Box locations serve a full selection of 16 flavors of Blue Bell Ice Cream. Some don’t.
Some locations serve beer and a $4-$7 happy-hour menu weekday afternoons. Some don’t.
The cheeseburger with fresh vegetables, one of 10 burger varieties up to triple meat and cheese, served here with tater tots at the Burger Box in Richland Hills, Texas, as seen Feb. 6, 2026. Bud Kennedy bud@star-telegram.com
Some locations offer soft-serve cones. Some don’t.
Some locations serve a spicy burger with grilled jalapeños and Frank’s Red Hot Sauce named the “Devil’s Burger,” or a 12-topping mushroom bacon cheeseburger with special sauce named the “12 Burger.” Some don’t.
Some locations serve fried burritos. Some don’t.
Some locations serve breakfast. Some don’t.
Some locations also offer turkey, black bean or veggie burgers. Some don’t.
See what I mean?
The Burger Box in Richland Hills, Texas, seen Feb. 6, 2026. Bud Kennedy bud@star-telegram.com
From west Fort Worth to Euless, the Burger Box restaurants deliver an inexpensive alternative to national burger chains, with a variety of options at each location.
Burger Box has been an Arlington phenomenon since 1978, when founder Steve Box converted a former Dairy Queen on East Abram Street with the goal of starting a family restaurant chain.
Today, there are four locations across Northeast Tarrant County, plus two in south and west Fort Worth and single locations in Arlington, Kennedale and Pantego.
The Burger Box at 7700 Glenview Drive in Richland Hills has the best online reviews, and I see why.
The Burger Box location in Euless, Texas, serves beer and has happy hour food and drink specials, seen Feb. 6, 2026. Bud Kennedy bud@star-telegram.com
It opens at 10 a.m. The giant grill menu offers more than 70 items, from the specialty burgers mentioned above to chili dogs, fried mushrooms, chicken sandwiches, cherry limeades and banana splits,
A simple cheeseburger ($4.89!) was carefully constructed with fresh vegetables and served on a gently toasted 5-inch bun with tater tots (choices include crinkle fries or curly fries).
It was like back when Dairy Queens were consistent. Except a Burger Box has more choices.
A Burger Box in Bedford at 1011 N. Industrial Blvd. offers Dos Equis drafts and weekday happy hour hot dog or chicken-basket specials along with burgers and ice cream.
The Burger Box location in Euless, Texas, has a full selection of Texas-based Blue Bell Ice Cream, seen Feb. 6, 2026. Bud Kennedy bud@star-telegram.com
The west Fort Worth location at 4466 Southwest Blvd. is one of several also offering turkey or black bean burgers. They’re lower in fat for the same low price with the same wide choice of toppings, and they come off the same well-seasoned grill.
In a tough gourmet burger market with Fred’s Texas Cafe, Fuego Burger, Tommy’s Burgers and JD’s all nearby, that Burger Box location holds its own by offering old-school value.
Every Burger Box is different because founder Steve Box brought in a partner and franchised other stores. The restaurants have changed hands and now seem only loosely connected, but all have the original bright orange color scheme and old=fashioned burger-and-soda-shop appeal.
The locations even have different websites. Try the Box near you, or the next one down the road.
Burger Box locations:
● 2501 S. Cooper St., Arlington.
● 1011 N. Industrial Blvd., Bedford.
● 1101 Raider Drive, Euless.
● 5609 Crowley Road, Fort Worth.
● 4466 Southwest Blvd., Fort Worth.
● 3996 Denton Highway, Haltom City.
● 201 Kennedale Parkway, Kennedale.
● 2520 W. Park Row Drive, Pantego.
● 7700 Glenview Drive, Richland Hills.
This story was originally published February 25, 2026 at 4:21 AM.
Bud Kennedy is celebrating his 40th year writing about restaurants in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He has written the “Eats Beat” dining column in print since 1985 and online since 1992 — that’s more than 3,000 columns about Texas cafes, barbecue, burgers and where to eat. Support my work with a digital subscription
North Crowley’s Trey Hall (11) goes up to block the shot of Hurst L.D. Bell’s Roman Washington, right, in a Class 6A Division I bi-district game on Monday, February 23, 2026 at Martin High School in Arlington, Texas.
Courtesy to the Star-Telegram
Welcome to The Fast Break, boys playoff edition. A Star-Telegram series featuring the top Fort Worth-area high school basketball news, performances and results from the UIL bi-district round.
North Crowley starts slow, blows past L.D. Bell
Isaak Hayes and Trey Hall combined to score 40 points as North Crowley eliminated Hurst L.D. Bell 68-50 in a Class 6A Division I bi-district contest on Monday night at Arlington Martin High School.
North Crowley (30-3), No. 2 in Class 6A according to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches, will play El Paso Eastlake (29-8) in the area round. Eastlake beat Midland Legacy 66-42 on Tuesday night.
North Crowley trailed 15-13 in the second quarter before going into the intermission with an 11-2 run and 26-21 lead. L.D. Bell’s Keyaun Williams made a three-pointer before the buzzer to help the Blue Raiders get within five.
A three from Roman Washington, who led the Blue Raiders with 20 points, pulled Bell within 46-41 with under seven minutes to play in the fourth quarter, but Hayes hit a three on North Crowley’s next possession to spark a 22-9 run to end the game for the Panthers.
Hayes led all scorers with 21 points while Hall added 19. Alex Barther II chipped in 14 points. Jesse Mikus scored 11 points for Bell and Williams finished with 10. L.D. Bell’s season ends at 23-8 which is the most wins in a season for the Blue Raiders since 2020.
Martin rallies to edge Lake Highlands
Arlington Martin rallied after halftime then held off Dallas Lake Highlands 62-57 in a Class 6A Division I bi-district game on Tuesday at Coppell High School.
Martin (22-12) will move on to the area round and face Coppell (25-11) which defeated Plano East 69-56 on Monday. Lake Highlands’ season ends at (21-10).
Martin led 12-9 after one quarter as Levi Moore scored 8 of his 14 points in the opening frame. But Lake Highlands rallied behind Quincy Perkins who hit 2 of his 3 threes in the second quarter to help put the Wildcats up 26-23 lead at the break.
Steven Reynolds III, who led Martin with 23 points, and Jeremiah Ellis helped the Warriors regain the lead in the third quarter and hold off Lake Highlands after that. Reynolds, who went 9 of 11 from the free throw line, had 15 of his 23 points in the second half while Ellis scored all 10 of his points in the second half including a pair of threes in the third quarter.
Eli Johnson helped keep it close for Lake Highlands by hitting 4 three pointers in the second half for 12 of his 14 points. Jaysean Wilkerson also chipped in 14 points with Uyiosa Osawemwenze adding 10 and Perkins finishing with 9 for the Wildcats.
Jeremy Nyakundi added 11 points for Martin.
Mansfield races past Byron Nelson after slow start
Mansfield only scored 5 points in the first quarter, but outscored Trophy Club Byron Nelson by 33 the rest of the way as the Tigers drubbed the Bobcats 61-34 in a Class 6A Division II bi-district game on Tuesday at Thomas Coliseum in Haltom City.
Mansfield improves to 24-8 on the season and will meet El Paso Eastwood (20-13) in the area round. Eastwood downed Wolfforth Frenship 55-43 on Tuesday. Byron Nelson’s season comes to an end at 19-15.
Mansfield, which trailed 11-5 after one quarter, got a game-high 17 points from Caden Shaver and 16 more from Zion Robinson as the Tigers turned up the defensive pressure from that point. Preston Jackson scored 10 points and Judah Charles added 9 for the Tigers.
Tucker Turner led the Bobcats with 10 points.
Eaton stuns No. 16 Lake Ridge
Haslet Eaton jumped out to a 17 point lead in the first quarter and the Eagles never looked back in a 70-55 upset of 6A No. 16 Mansfield Lake Ridge in a Class 6A Division I bi-district game on Tuesday at the Arlington ISD Athletics Center.
Haslet Eaton (27-7) will meet El Paso Franklin (24-9) in the area round after the Cougars downed Odessa Permian 53-42 on Tuesday. Mansfield Lake Ridge heads home with a 23-9 record.
Caleb Harris led the way for Eaton with 28 points and Wesley Zennon added 16 as Eaton jumped out to a 20-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Brewer gets past Colleyville Heritage, finally
Carter Scott scored 9 of his game-high 22 points in the first quarter and Fort Worth Brewer knocked off Colleyville Heritage 67-51 in a Class 5A Division II bi-district game on Tuesday night at Justin Northwest High School.
The Bears’ season ended against Colleyville Heritage the past two years. The Brewer (23-10) will play Arlington Seguin (24-8) in the area round after Seguin walloped Fort Worth Wyatt 94-38 on Tuesday night.
Scott made 2 three-pointers and scored nine of the team’s 13 points in the first quarter as the Bears held a 13-11 edge. Brewer outscored the Panthers 19-12 in the second quarter and 20-13 in the third.
Braelon Orr poured in 18 points for the Bears and Braylen Brown added 12. Scott also scored 9 points in the final stanza.
Colleyville Heritage (22-11) was led by Grayson Eichinger’s 15 points while Sameer Johnson finished with 13.
No. 6 Birdville takes care of Aledo to advance
North Richland Hills Birdville, No. 6 in Class 5A according to the TABC, got 21 points from Sawyer Dotson as the Hawks downed Aledo 57-41 in a 5A Division I bi-district clash on Tuesday at Argyle High School.
Birdville (28-5) will play Burleson Centennial (23-11) in the area round later this week. Centennial defeated Fort Worth Arlington Heights 77-65 on Tuesday. Aledo finishes at 26-7.
Centennial downs Arlington Heights in bi-district
Burleson Centennial had 4 players score in double digits as the Spartans handled Fort Worth Arlington Heights 77-65 on Tuesday in a Class 5A Division I bi-district tilt at South Grand Prairie High School.
It doesn’t get any easier for Centennial (23-11) as the Spartans are scheduled to face No. 6 North Richland Hills Birdville (28-5) in the area round later this week.
Levi Robinson led the Spartans with 19 points while Chaz Brown recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Mason Williams and Creede Stafford added 13 and 10 points, respectively, for Centennial.
Arlington Heights’ season comes to an end at 20-14.
No. 13 Southwest gets battle from Eagle Mountain
Fort Worth Southwest, ranked No. 13 in Class 4A by the TABC, trailed by 8 points at halftime, but rallied in the second half to down Fort Worth Eagle Mountain 53-46 in a Class 4A Di vision I bi-district contest on Tuesday at Fort Worth Brewer High School.
FW Southwest (26-7) advances to the area round where the Runnin’ Raiders will face Stephenville (30-4), a 62-50 winner over Lubbock Frenship Memorial on Tuesday. Eagle Mountain’s season comes to a close at 19-15.
Sophomore guard B.J. Baker provided the energy and scoring to ignite the comeback. Barker had 3 threes and 11 of his 16 points in the third quarter.
King Taylor also had 16 points for Southwest. Evan Bosch led Eagle Mountain with 17 points.
No. 10 Kennedale gets past tough first round, No. 22 Lincoln
Kennedale got a tough draw in the first round as the Wildcats had to face No. 22 Dallas Lincoln. It was a close game throughout, but the Wildcats managed to squeak by Lincoln 82-71 in a Class 4A Division II bi-district game on Monday night at Duncanville High School.
Kennedale (29-5) will face Van Alstyne (24-10), which defeated Arlington Summit International 91-21 on Monday, in the area round later this week. Dallas Lincoln’s season ends at 15-19.
Trey Smith led Kennedale with a game-high 29 ponits, 19 of which came in the first half. Smith hit 13 of 15 free throws, all in the first half, as part of the Wildcats’ 20 of 24 performance at the stripe.
Mason Forbes added 10 points (2 threes) for Kennedale with Jacoby Lovings pitching in 9. Lovings made 5 of 5 free throws including a clutch 4 of 4 in the fourth quarter.
Jakorian Jackson led the Tigers with 24 points with Markeelyn Houston adding 17 and Zechariah Bennett tossing in 14. All 4 playoff qualifiers from Lincoln’s district, District 11-4A, are ranked in the 4A Top 25 including Dallas Carter (No. 1), Dallas Kimball (3) and Dallas Pinkston (22).
No. 24 Brock gets past No. 14 Estacado in overtime
In a see-saw affair by two ranked schools, Brock blew and early lead then had to rally from a late deficit to down Lubbock Estacado 80-72 in overtime in a Class 4A Division II bi-district contest on Monday at McMurry University in Abilene
Brock (25-9), No. 24 in the state in 4A according to the TABC, advances to the area round and will face Fort Worth Dunbar (17-13) which defeated Bridgeport 87-66 on Tuesday. No. 14 Estacado’s season ends at 28-7.
Brock jumped out to a 21-8 lead after one quarter and opened a 39-24 lead with 1:14 left before halftime on the strength of 4 three pointers. Will McGee had 4 of the threes, two in each quarter, and Eli Paez had the other.
Paez led Brock with 24 points followed by McGee who finished with 21 including 5 threes. Shakure Wilbon, who poured in 42 points to lead all scores, helped the Matadors rally with 3 of his 7 three pointers in the third quarter to tie the game at 41.
It was Estacado’s turn after that building a 60-49 lead early in the fourth quarter behind Wilbon, but Colt Matlock, who finished with 15 points, and McGee helped the Eagles battle back to tie it at 65 at the end of regulation.
Brock outscored the Matadors 15-7 in the overtime period. The Eagles hit 12 of 14 free throws in the final 1:44 of overtime, including Matlock who made 6 of 6.
Brady Williams added 13 points for Brock. Andre Langston and Jariel Hawkins chipped in 10 points each for Estacado.
BOYS SCORES
North Crowley 68, Hurst L.D. Bell 50
Arlington Martin 62, Dallas Lake Highlands 57
Haslet Eaton 70, Mansfield Lake Ridge 55
South Grand Prairie 42, Richardson 39
Mansfield 61, Trophy Club Byron Nelson 34
Dallas Jesuit 71, Arlington Bowie 49
Crowley 64, Southlake Carroll 62 (OT)
Grand Prairie 75, Richardson Pearce 63
NRH Birdville 57, Aledo 41
Burleson Centennial 77, FW Arlington Heights 65
Denton 56, FW Chisholm Trail 29
Mansfield Timberview 81, FW Paschal 52
FW Brewer 67, Colleyville Heritage 51
Arlington Seguin 94, FW Wyatt 38
Saginaw 69, NRH Richland 59
Mansfield Summit 54, FW Polytechnic 20
Burkburnett 77, FW Eastern Hills 59
FW Southwest 53, FW Eagle Mountain 46
Dallas Kimball 71, Alvarado 30
Krum 87, Benbrook 58
Brock 80, Lubbock Estacado 72 (OT)
FW Dunbar 87, Bridgeport 66
Dallas Carter 95, Godley 49
Kennedale 82, Dallas Lincoln 71
Peaster 66, Iowa Park 63
Ponder 67, FW YMLA 31
Keene 61, Clifton 48
Grandview 77, McGregor 67
This story was originally published February 25, 2026 at 1:11 AM.
Welcome to The Fast Break, girls playoff edition. A Star-Telegram series featuring the top Fort Worth-area high school basketball news, performances and results from the UIL regional semifinal round.
No. 2 North Crowley runs away from Allen to adavance
North Crowley, No. 2 in Class 6A according to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches, broke open a close game after one quarter to roll past Allen 79-39 in a Class 6A Division I regional semifinal on Tuesday at Grand Prairie High School.
North Crowley (30-4) came at Allen (25-11) from all sides as 4 players recorded double-digit scoring for the Panthers. The Eagles trailed 18-13 at the end of the first quarter, but North Crowley went on a three spree in the second period to help boost the lead to 51-20 at the half.
Sukari Kinney hit 2 threes in the second quarter and Sandy Cortez added another. Cortez finished with a team-high 18 points, 11 rebounds and 2 steals with Kinney, a freshman, tallying 14 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals.
Jamari Milton had a nice night for the Panthers with 16 points, 9 rebounds 5 assists and 3 steals. Eden Johnson chipped in 12 points while Mecca Crawford scored 5 points, but recorded 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals.
Allen star Simone Richmond, who’s headed to Cornell in the fall, led all scorers with 22 points which included hitting 12 of 14 free throws on the night. Khy Johnson had 9 points for the Eagles with 5 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.
North Crowley will meet Flower Mound (27-8) in the regional final later this week. Flower Mound downed Keller 47-33 on Tuesday.
Keller can’t keep pace with Flower Mound
Mia Arnold scored a team-high 13 points for Keller, but the Indians’ season came to an end 47-33 against Flower Mound in a Class 6A Division I regional semifinal on Tuesday night at North Richland Hills Richland High School.
Keller finishes the season 25-8 and made the regional semifinals for the first time since 2023.
Flower Mound (27-8) will play No. 2 North Crowley (30-4) in the regional final. North Crowley beat Allen on Tuesday night 79-39.
The Indians trailed 26-13 in the second quarter before closing the period out with an 8-2 run that cut the deficit to 28-21 at the intermission. Audrey Heibel hit a three pointer to pull Keller within 28-24 early in the third quarter, but Flower Mound outscored the Indians 19-5 during the following nine minutes to pull away.
Dahila Rebella scored 8 points for Keller and Heibel added 5. Brooklyn Gray and Maci Pringle led Flower Mound with 17 and 12 points, respectively.
GIRLS SCORES
North Crowley 79, Allen 39
Flower Mound 47, Keller 33
Little Elm Braswell 55, Trophy Club Byron Nelson 34
Amarillo Tascosa 48, Joshua 37
Denton Ryan 64, El Paso Americas 37
Lubbock Monterey 43, Grapevine 35
Argyle 59, Amarillo Palo Duro 43
Decatur 47, Seminole 29
Brock 52, Amarillo Randall 28
Texarkana Liberty-Eylau 70, Ponder 59 (OT)
Paradise 46, Hooks 23
This story was originally published February 24, 2026 at 11:00 PM.
A collection of just shy of two dozen people furious at U.S. government efforts to deport illegal immigrants gathered outside a detention center in rural Johnson County on the symbolically significant July 4 to carry out a violent rebuke, prosecutors described to a jury in Fort Worth on Tuesday at a joint trial for nine defendants.
With a rifle, Benjamin Song, a former Marine Corps reservist, fired upon Alvarado police Lt. Thomas Gross just after Gross arrived at the center, prosecutors allege. A projectile entered his upper shoulder, left the back of his neck and took a path through tissue and muscle, but avoided vital organs.
Song confessed to three co-defendants, who have pleaded guilty, Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Smith said in the government’s opening statement. The accomplices will testify at the trial, Smith forecast.
“They’re going to tell it to you,” Smith said of the expected testimony on Song’s admission.
Defense attorneys who represent eight of the nine defendants offered in their openings a radically different account of evidence they said would fall short of establishing a sophisticated conspiracy to commit violence.
Rather, many of the defense attorneys asserted, their clients intended to participate in nothing more than a noise demonstration to bring hope to detainees. One is a mechanical engineer; another operates a benign book club, the defense attorneys said.
Defense attorney Phillip Hayes, who represents Song, reserved his opening statement for a time later in the trial.
The indictment represents an attempt to prosecute citizens for their political beliefs, defense attorneys have argued.
Law enforcement officers escort nine defendants indicted in connection to the shooting of a police officer outside a North Texas ICE detention center from the federal courthouse in downtown Fort Worth on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. A jury for their trial was selected Monday in the second attempt after the judge declared a mistrial during jury selection last week. Amanda McCoy amccoy@star-telegram.com
Defense attorney Warren St. John, who represents Meagan Morris, said his client was present at the detention center but was not involved in a crime.
“She didn’t get out of the van one time,” St. John said in his opening statement.
Beyond Song and Morris, who is referred to as Bradford Morris in the indictment, the defendants are Autumn Hill, referred to as Cameron Arnold in the indictment, Zachary Evetts, Savanna Batten, Maricela Rueda, Elizabeth Soto, Ines Soto and Daniel Rolando Sanchez Estrada.
Gross took the witness stand for the government, recalling being shot, falling to the ground and returning fire at a moving silhouette.
The emotional toll of the shootings continues, the lieutenant testified.
“It’s a day I’m going to have to live with for the rest of my life,” Gross said.
The trial is to continue on Wednesday with the government’s case.
This story was originally published February 24, 2026 at 10:42 PM.
Emerson Clarridge covers crime and other breaking news for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He works days and reports on law enforcement affairs in Tarrant County. He previously was a reporter at the Omaha World-Herald and the Observer-Dispatch in Utica, New York.
Luzerne County will create a new Community Planning and Economic Development Division, a County Council majority decided Tuesday.
County Manager Romilda Crocamo has said the division would work with council to “recruit the right development for Luzerne County.” It is the first new division added since the January 2012 implementation of the county’s home rule structure, which created eight divisions.
Council agreed on the new division name on Tuesday instead of the originally proposed “Infrastructure, Community, and Economic Development Division,” largely because some citizens started using the acronym ICE even though the division has nothing to do with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Crocamo said the only staffing addition will be a division head — a position that had been advertised last month at an annual salary range of $90,000 to $98,000. The division head will oversee three existing departments with a combined 24 workers — Community Development, the Convention and Visitors Bureau and GIS/Mapping, Planning and Zoning.
The vote was 9-2 to create the new division. Those in support: Chairman Jimmy Sabatino, Vice Chairwoman Brittany Stephenson, Chris Belles, Steve Coslett, Dawn Simmons, Denise Williams, John Lombardo, Joanna Bryn Smith, and Patty Krushnowski.
Voting no were Council members Harry Haas and LeeAnn McDermott.
Lombardo said he believes a dedicated focus on economic development is a “fantastic idea for the county” and “really forward thinking.”
Belles said the county could achieve a class A economy if it changes the way it does business. He said the county has not been “completely stagnant,” but he observes attractive employment opportunities and higher median incomes in other areas.
“If we want to have nice things and have money in our pockets, then we should be making big moves,” Belles said.
Haas said he does not believe the people want a new division and had other complaints.
In reply, Crocamo said, “We have to move Luzerne County forward. We’re at a crossroads here, and we need to really focus on economic development — not just for the county, but for our communities and municipalities.”
Five citizens weighed in during a required public hearing preceding the meeting. County Redevelopment Authority Board Chairman Scott Linde said the authority would support the work of the new division.
Four others spoke against the division. Kingston Township resident Edgar Stark and Sugarloaf Township resident Ann Vinatieri questioned the cost and other issues in email comments posted with the agenda at luzernecounty.org.
Former county controller Walter Griffith and Hazleton resident Mark Rabo vehemently argued a division cannot be created without a ballot referendum and voter approval.
The county’s law division has disagreed with that interpretation. Crocamo, an attorney, said the case law Rabo cited involved a “fundamentally different” situation related to Lackawanna County’s attempt to eliminate elected row offices without convening a study commission.
Nanticoke/West Nanticoke Bridge
Council also unanimously approved a formal agreement with Modjeski and Masters Inc. to perform design and engineering for the county-owned Nanticoke/West Nanticoke Bridge over the Susquehanna River.
Crocamo closed the bridge in March 2025 after engineers performing an inspection found further deterioration and section loss of primary, load-carrying components. The alternate route is the Route 29/South Cross Valley Expressway crossing, officially called the John S. Fine Bridge.
Totaling 2,072 feet, the bridge connects Nanticoke and the West Nanticoke section of Plymouth Township. The crossing was constructed in 1914 and last rehabilitated in 1987.
In addition to $10 million in federal funding allocated through the state for this project, the county has access to a $55 million casino gambling fund established for county infrastructure. Because federal funding is involved, the engineer must first develop three options for the bridge, officials said.
The contract with Modjeski and Masters would be capped at $1 million and cites the following work schedule to be completed within two years: four months for a purpose and need assessment, a year for historic bridge rehabilitation analysis, and eight months to analyze alternatives.
Reach Jennifer Learn-Andes at 570-991-6388 or on Twitter @TLJenLearnAndes.
A voter walks into the Como Community Center to cast her ballot on the first day of early voting in Tarrant County.
Rachel Royster
rroyster@star-telegram.com
In Reality Check stories, Star-Telegram journalists dig deeper into questions over facts, consequences and accountability. More.
Early voting for the March primary is underway in Texas, and some voters are already running into interactions at the polls that feel confusing.
“The election worker had me point to the party I wanted the ballot for, and after I did, they announced quite loudly, ‘we have a (insert party color here)!’,” a Reddit user wrote. (The Star-telegram reached out to this Reddit user but has yet to hear back.) “The other election workers repeated what she said in the same volume. I was a little surprised because I never had witnessed something like this while voting. Would this be considered voter intimidation, or am I just thinking too much into this?”
It’s a fair question, and Texas law sets specific limits on how poll workers should handle voter interactions.
If you’re wondering what counts as allowed behavior versus something that crosses the line, here’s what to know.
Can a poll worker announce my party choice?
No. Poll workers are not allowed to reveal which party ballot you choose or how you voted.
The Texas Election Code says every voter has the right to a secret ballot, and election workers cannot influence a voter “by word, sign, or gesture.”
Announcing a voter’s party preference out loud violates that rule.
If a poll worker does this, it may cross into intimidation depending on how the interaction affects you.
According to the American Civil Liberties Union, intimidation includes conduct that interferes with a person’s right to vote, such as harassment, embarrassment or behavior that discourages participation.
If this happens to you, you can notify the presiding election judge at the polling site and still cast your ballot.
You also have options once you leave the polling place, like reporting the incident to the state, according to Attorney General Ken Paxton.
“Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of a thriving republic, and with the authority granted to my office by the Legislature, we will stop at nothing to uncover and stop any illegal voting activity,” Paxton said in a recent news release. “I invite all Texans to report suspected violations at our tipline, illegalvoting@oag.texas.gov. Your liberties and your representation in our government depend on secure elections. I will continue to protect the integrity of your vote and your voice.”
What are some signs of voter intimidation in Texas?
According to the Brennan Center for Justice, intimidation can happen through verbal comments, gestures or conduct that creates a hostile or uncomfortable environment for voters.
Some signs may include:
Calling attention to a voter’s political choices
Aggressive questioning about a voter’s eligibility
Blocking or delaying someone from accessing the voting area
Spreading misinformation that could discourage someone from voting
Any behavior that embarrasses a voter or makes them feel pressured to leave
Federal law also prohibits intimidation that’s meant to influence or deter someone from voting.
What are poll workers allowed to do during elections?
Poll workers have a clear and limited role under Texas Election Code. They’re there to run the site and help voters through the process, not to comment on or influence your choices.
According to the Election Code, poll workers are allowed to:
Check voters in and verify ID
Explain how to use voting equipment
Help voters who request assistance, following rules for bipartisan support
Process provisional ballots when necessary
Provide curbside voting for people who can’t enter the building
They can answer procedural questions, but they can’t interpret your selections or offer opinions about them.
What are poll workers not allowed to do in Texas?
Texas law also lays out clear restrictions on poll worker conduct. They can’t disclose how someone voted, announce a voter’s party preference, or influence a voter’s decisions in any way. They also can’t stand close enough to view a voter’s ballot.
According to Texas Election Code, poll workers cannot:
Give misleading or incorrect voting instructions
Deny a qualified voter a regular ballot if they meet ID and eligibility rules
Apply rules inconsistently or create new requirements not listed in state law
Remove voters from the line after polls close if they were already waiting
Refuse curbside voting to someone who qualifies
Challenge a voter’s eligibility outside the formal state process
What should I do if something feels off at the polls?
You have multiple options to report issues, and speaking up does not affect your right to vote.
According to the ACLU, you can contact:
Election Protection Hotline: 866-OUR-VOTE
U.S. Department of Justice Voting Rights Hotline: 800-253-3931
Tiffani is a service journalism reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She is part of a team of local journalists who answer reader questions about life in North Texas. Tiffani mainly writes about Texas laws and health news.
Luzerne County Councilwoman Dawn Simmons issued a statement Tuesday clarifying a comment she made about her brother during County Council’s Feb. 10 discussion on a proposed immigration resolution.
The resolution proposed by Councilwoman Denise Williams would have voiced concern about the use of deadly force by federal immigration enforcement officers, and urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice to ensure the use of deadly force is subject to “prompt, independent and transparent investigation.”
Council Chairman Jimmy Sabatino did not place the resolution on Tuesday’s council voting agenda, saying he checked with his colleagues and found “no appetite to put this particular resolution on the agenda for a vote.”
In the Feb. 10 discussion, several council members expressed concern that the resolution would draw attention to this area and prompt U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to target immigrants here.
Simmons had said she could verify, from personal experience, that ICE is “already here.”
She spoke of her mechanic’s swift deportation back to Mexico last year and then said the following about her brother: “While not born here, he is naturalized and has a green card and served in the Army for at least two decades, and ICE picked him up and put him in a detention center as a veteran,” Simmons said. “We had to fight tooth and nail to get him out and keep him here.”
Simmons said Tuesday she wants to clarify that her brother’s experience with ICE was neither recent nor local. She said it occurred approximately 10 years ago in New Jersey. She attributed her misperception of the timeline due to the trauma of the experience, saying her brother is like a father to her.
Simmons indicated she was issuing the statement, in part, due to post-meeting questioning about the details of her story on a local radio news talk show.
Her statement:
“Everything I shared during that meeting was grounded in fact. I do want to clarify one point. While I misspoke on the exact timeline of events, that does not change the central and verifiable fact that my brother, a disabled U.S. Army veteran with more than 32 years of honorable service, was detained by ICE. He is 100% disabled. He has served this country for decades, and he was, in fact, detained. Correcting a timeline does not negate that reality, nor does it diminish the seriousness of what occurred.”
Simmons said her brother, Samuel Charles, was attending Tuesday’s meeting remotely.
“He is here in the interest of transparency. But I want to be clear; he is not a public figure. He is a private citizen and a veteran, and attempts to turn his life or service into a political gotcha are inappropriate and unacceptable. If we are going to scrutinize anything, it should be policy and practice, not personal integrity.”
Simmons said her responsibility as an elected official is to “speak truthfully, correct the record when necessary, and remain accountable to the public.”
During Tuesday’s meeting, Charles verified his 32 years of active and honorable military service and said he retired from the military in 2005. He said he was detained by ICE for a few months in 2017 and was released after intervention from legislators.
Charles said the issue stemmed from a government oversight problem related to the date of his mother’s citizenship, but the matter was later corrected.
Reach Jennifer Learn-Andes at 570-991-6388 or on Twitter @TLJenLearnAndes.
Cassandra Walker practices chest compressions during a CPR class at the Pat May Center in Bedford on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024.
Chris Torres
ctorres@star-telegram.com
About one-quarter of Fort Worth Police patrol cars will soon be equipped with automated external defibrillators, a tool that can be used to save lives when a cardiac arrest strikes.
Ultimately, the department hopes to equip all of its 450 patrol cars with AEDs so that officers can respond in the event of a cardiac arrest, said Cynthia Wood, public information officer for the department.
Cardiac arrest occurs when a person’s heart stops beating unexpectedly, which in turn stops blood flow to the brain and other organs. It is different from a heart attack, which occurs when there is a blockage in blood flow to the heart. The American Heart Association estimates that more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals every year, with the vast majority of those cardiac arrests being fatal. Nationwide, the average survival rate is 10.2%, according to the American Heart Association.
Ask any expert about the key to improving that dismal survival rate, and they’ll give you the same answer: time.
“Cardiac arrest is the most time-sensitive disease in all of medicine,” said Dr. Benjamin Abella, the system chair of the department of emergency medicine at the Mount Sinai Health System.
“Time is the enemy,” said Dr. Thomas Rea, professor of medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine. “Every minute that goes by without definitive care is a 10% decrease in the likelihood that that patient will survive.”
The thinking behind equipping Fort Worth patrol cars with AEDs is that it will help those suffering a cardiac arrest get access to potentially life-saving shocks sooner. Police officers are sometimes the first responders to an emergency medical call, and get there before emergency medical services, Wood said. In those cases, if officers can respond with an AED before a member of the public or emergency medical responders can, they might save a life.
The initiative was born out of the American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers, a Tarrant County group working to improve cardiac arrest survival rates. Tarrant County is one of three communities in the U.S. selected by the American Heart Association to improve survival rates, and the Nation of Lifesavers committee has convened leaders from local schools, first responders, the business community, and local government to tackle the problem.
During a meeting focused on improving survival rates, an officer with the Fort Worth Police Department recommended equipping patrol cars, in part because the AED at the Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex has been used successfully four times, Wood said.
The first 115 AEDs will be paid for by foundations, including the Amon G. Carter Foundation, the Sid W. Richardson Foundation and BNSF Railway, according to a news release.
Ciara McCarthy covers health and wellness as part of the Star-Telegram’s Crossroads Lab. She came to Fort Worth after three years in Victoria, Texas, where she worked at the Victoria Advocate. Ciara is focused on equipping people and communities with information they need to make decisions about their lives and well-being. Please reach out with your questions about public health or the health care system. Email cmccarthy@star-telegram.com or call or text 817-203-4391.
More than 20 residents were displaced after an apartment fire in Arlington on Monday afternoon, Feb. 23, officials said.
Arlington Fire Department
More than 20 residents were displaced after an apartment fire in Arlington on Monday afternoon, officials said.
The Arlington Fire Department received calls about the blaze about 1:30 p.m. on the 4900 block of Sigmond Drive, according to Arlington Fire Department social media posts.
A second alarm was requested after reports of a large column of smoke visible from the apartment complex, officials said.
When the fire crew arrived, heavy fire conditions were reported on the first and second floors of the apartment building, according to the fire department.
Firefighters attacked the fire and conducted a primary search of the structure. A third alarm was requested a short time later after the blaze was observed through the roof “to ensure adequate personnel and equipment were available,” officials said.
The fire was under control approximately 20 minutes after the first unit arrived on scene, officials said.
The apartment building consists of 16 units, one of which was vacant at the time of the fire. The American Red Cross has been assisting 24 displaced residents, including 19 adults and five children with temporary housing and support services, officials said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported, officials said.
This story was originally published February 24, 2026 at 10:11 AM.
Shambhavi covers crime, law enforcement and other breaking news in Fort Worth and Tarrant County. She graduated from the University of North Texas and previously covered a variety of general assignment topics in West Texas. She grew up in Nepal.
At times, the discussion on Monday inside a federal district courtroom in Fort Worth sounded as if it was from an AM radio talk show, with callers chiming in on hot-button political matters like guns, terrorism and antifa.
At one point, the host, U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman, asked a mostly attentive audience whether anyone believed transgender people are more likely to be violent. A woman shared her view that mental illness was likely in play. No one else raised their hand.
One participant was less engaged. Prospective Juror No. 42 fell asleep.
But rather than passionate fuel for a radio broadcast, the responses were from prospective jurors on subjects at the center of a trial that is underway in Fort Worth in which nine defendants have been indicted in connection with the July 4 shooting of a police lieutenant outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Johnson County.
The hunt for a fair and impartial jury began anew after the first effort to impanel a jury was halted last week when Judge Pittman declared a mistrial in the case because a defense attorney, while questioning potential jurors, wore a T-shirt on which there were photos of Civil Rights Era-protesters.
Law enforcement agents stand outside the federal courthouse in downtown Fort Worth on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. A second attempt of the trial of nine defendants indicted in connection to the nonfatal shooting of a police officer outside a North Texas ICE detention center last year began Monday. Amanda McCoy amccoy@star-telegram.com
Pittman concluded that attorney MarQuetta Clayton wore the shirt in an attempt to visually equate the civil rights movement to the Prairieland Detention Facility shooting, a position perhaps appropriate for argument to the jury, the judge said, but improper to deliver via clothing to panel members in jury selection.
Clayton wore the shirt under a blazer.
Pittman himself handled questioning in the second attempt at selecting a jury after offering the U.S. Attorney’s Office and defense attorneys an opportunity to suggest questions.
A 14-member jury was sworn in on Monday afternoon. Opening statements are expected on Tuesday morning.
Prosecutors have 61 potential witnesses. The trial is likely to take about two and a half weeks.
Pittman asked whether any of the prospective jurors held strong feelings about immigration enforcement or antifa, and whether, if they did, the panel members would only consider evidence from the trial in verdict deliberation and set aside political sentiments.
Law enforcement escort nine defendants indicted in connection to the nonfatal shooting of a police officer outside a North Texas ICE detention center last year from the federal courthouse in downtown Fort Worth on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. A second attempt of their trial began Monday after the judge declared a mistrial during jury selection in the previous trial. Amanda McCoy amccoy@star-telegram.com
The case’s top count is attempted murder. Defense attorneys suggest the culpability of each defendant is in question.
Although much of the activity outside the Prairieland Detention Facility in Alvarado was recorded on video, the defendants’ use of monikers in encrypted written messages in advance of the shooting, avoidance of cellphones that would indicate their location and employment of other methods to maintain “op-sec” has stymied the connection of behavior to an individual defendant, the government has suggested.
The defendants’ attorneys refer to their clients as protesters. The FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office describe them as attackers and domestic terrorists aligned with antifa.
Some ignited fireworks, others spoke from a bullhorn, still others spray-painted anti-ICE slogans on vehicles and an unoccupied guard booth.
Supporters of the nine defendants indicted in connection to the nonfatal shooting of a police officer outside a North Texas ICE detention center last year chant across the street from the federal courthouse downtown Fort Worth on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. A second attempt of the trial began Monday after the judge declared a mistrial during jury selection in the previous trial. Amanda McCoy amccoy@star-telegram.com
One of the defendants, Benjamin Song, a 32-year-old former Marine Corps reservist who associates described to authorities as a cult-like ringleader who opposes the government on immigration enforcement and on other matters, shot Alvarado Police Department Lt. Thomas Gross, authorities allege.
The lieutenant suffered one gunshot wound that entered near his shoulder and exited his back.
Song was the only non-law enforcement shooter, the government alleges. He is accused of firing 11 rounds from a rifle. Gross returned fire with three rounds.
Song and the other defendants were motivated by the position that the migrants who are detained at the ICE facility are political prisoners, Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Smith asserted at an earlier hearing in the case.
Beyond Song, the defendants are Autumn Hill (referred to as Cameron Arnold in the indictment), Zachary Evetts, Savanna Batten, Meagan Morris (referred to as Bradford Morris in the indictment), Maricela Rueda, Elizabeth Soto, Ines Soto and Daniel Rolando Sanchez Estrada.
Law enforcement agents stand outside the federal courthouse in downtown Fort Worth on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. A second attempt of the trial of nine defendants indicted in connection to the nonfatal shooting of a police officer outside a North Texas ICE detention center last year began Monday. Amanda McCoy amccoy@star-telegram.com
Emerson Clarridge covers crime and other breaking news for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He works days and reports on law enforcement affairs in Tarrant County. He previously was a reporter at the Omaha World-Herald and the Observer-Dispatch in Utica, New York.
Restaurateurs Jeffrey Yarbrough and Camille McDonald, part of the team that opened the popular Teddy Wongs dumpling house in Near Southside, will open a completely new concept across from Dickies Arena.
The restaurant will replace a former Taco Heads at 1812 Montgomery St.
According to records, the new business is tentatively named La Pistola. But that slang term is a placeholder, and the new name and food concept have not been decided, Yarbrough said.
The property includes two small buildings — a restaurant and bar — that were converted from homes in the 1970s. The location has been a pet grooming service, antique shop, thrift shop and small Tex-Mex restaurant until 2016, when Taco Heads opened and connected the buildings with a patio.
The former Taco Heads location in Fort Worth. Joyce Marshall Star-Telegram archives
Yarbrough, a restaurateur and real estate developer, has opened businesses such as Club Clearview and Liberty Noodle in Dallas, as well as Teddy Wongs at 812 W. Rosedale St. and a second location coming at 102 Houston Ave. in Weatherford.
He is also the founder of the Texas Chicken-Fried Steak Day statewide restaurant promotion.
McDonald opened Teddy Wongs as the “wine boss” and has been involved in her family’s upscale Restaurant506 and Sanford House lodging in central Arlington.
McDonald said the Montgomery Street project is about “building something that belongs in Fort Worth,” according to the announcement.
She and Yarbrough praised the location and potential growth on Montgomery Street, a gateway to Dickies Arena and also to the Will Rogers Memorial Center complex and regularly scheduled events.
The Taco Heads patio looks out onto Montgomery Street and the Fort Worth Cultural District, as seen March 17, 2016. Rick Press Star-Telegram archives
The restaurant is directly across from the arena and provides a patio view of Will Rogers and the downtown skyline.
Yarbrough’s BigInk Commercial Real Estate also announced a new restaurant opening in the Denton County city of Krum.
Forever Steak & BBQ, 115 W. Lake St., is expected to open the first week of March.
Bud Kennedy is celebrating his 40th year writing about restaurants in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He has written the “Eats Beat” dining column in print since 1985 and online since 1992 — that’s more than 3,000 columns about Texas cafes, barbecue, burgers and where to eat. Support my work with a digital subscription
Grapevine-Colleyville school board trustees voted unanimously Monday night to reject Senate Bill 11, which requires districts to vote before March 1 on whether to provide a period of time for prayer and reading of religious texts during the school day.
The bill would require parents who want their kids to participate to waive their right to sue the school district for violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which blocks the government from establishing a religion.
The board members said they voted against the prayer period because of the amount of work it would create for the schools when students are already able to pray at their own discretion on campuses.
Trustee Matt Foust, said that he thinks the bill was “well-intentioned” but is “misguided” for many reasons.
“I also think that this unnecessarily invades on the parent’s role in providing that guidance and faith, one that I hold dearly,” Foust said.
The board voted unanimously to reject instituting a prayer period during instructional hours. Fousia Abdullahi fousia.abdullahi@star-telegram.com
Other restrictions include that the prayer and religious text cannot be provided in the physical presence of or within the hearing of students whose guardians have not signed a consent form.
“With the logistical complexities of determining the students that have approval from their parents and monitoring students to ensure the rules involving separation, etc. are not violated, the administration does not recommend that the Board adopt such a resolution,” staff wrote in the agenda item. “State law, federal law, and GCISD Board Policy allow students to engage in prayer, reading of religious text and religious expression on school property and during the school day.”
GCISD joined other Tarrant County districts that rejected the prayer option, including Lake Worth, Hurst-Euless-Bedford, Arlington, Mansfield, Northwest, Kennedale and Everman .
The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas said in a release on Monday that it’s important for schools to be neutral when it comes to religion.
“School districts should reject S.B. 11 because inviting state-organized prayer into public schools will only cause division, pressure students to conform, and distract schools from their core educational mission,” said Caro Achar, engagement coordinator for free speech at the ACLU of Texas in the statement. “This law risks violating students’ and families’ constitutional rights and blurring the critical separation between church and state. Texas students already have robust rights to pray or read religious texts during their own time during the school day. “
Howard Rosenthal, associate director of the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and the former president of Beth Israel in Colleyville, said the wording of the bill is ambiguous about which religious texts and versions are allowed.
“I feel it is wrong to allow school staff to encourage students to pray or not to pray in any way that may contradict their families beliefs and practices,” Rosenthal said. “ Injecting the school into the mix can and surely will cause difficulties and confusion.”
Rosenthal said students may feel compelled to participate because of peer pressure.
“Decisions about whether, when or how to pray and read scripture should be left to parents, students themselves and faith communities,” he said.
Adrian Higginbotham, a parent against prayer periods, said schools already provide opportunities for prayer.
“Our teachers are already battling for every minute of instruction time to meet state standards,” Higginbotham said. “Carving out a specific block of the school day for this purpose is inherently disruptive to educational flow and creates an unnecessary burden for teachers and staff.”
Sayeda Syed, a resident of GCISD said the district is very diverse and passing the consideration would “open a pandoras box.”
Syed said if it passed the board should not be surprised if her kids bring their religious books to school.
“Now this is the time to give this choice to the parents,” Saeed said. “We have Saturday school, Sunday school to teach our kids.”
Beverly Mavis, a resident, said voting in favor of the prayer period would be another intrusion by GCISD board members
“I would hope that the same board members who ran on parental rights, the need for parent control over student academic choices and teaching morals and values at home as the optimum situation would recognize the imposition of religious activities such as prayer time as part of the daily school structure violates those very principles,” Mavis said.
Fort Worth ISDs administrators also recommended not adopting the period ahead of its board meeting, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
This story was originally published February 23, 2026 at 10:46 PM.
Fousia Abdullahi is a Fort Worth Star-Telegram news reporter who covers suburban cities including Southlake, Colleyville, Grapevine and Keller. She enjoys reading and attending local events. Send tips by email or phone.
Aledo pitcher Tempe Perry (16) and catcher Austyn Marriage (4) discuss the situation during the UIL softball state semifinals 5A D1 playoff game at Trojan Softball Field in Euless, Texas, Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
Bob Booth
Special to the Star-Telegram
The Texas high school softball season is here, and tons of Fort Worth-area athletes are having stellar performances.
Which athlete had the best game? You tell us. Vote for the Star-Telegram Fort Worth-area High School Softball Player of the Week.
Voting will end at 11 a.m. Friday.
See a strong performance from Feb. 23 through Feb. 28 that stands out? Send a nomination for next week’s player of the week poll with a stat line to high school sports editor Charles Baggarly (cbaggarly@star-telegram.com).
Charles Baggarly is a high school sports editor and reporter for the Fort Worth Star Telegram. He graduated from TCU in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and served as TCU 360’s sports editor. Connect with Charles on Twitter or via email.
Grapevine catcher Gianni Corral picks one out of the dirt in the pitching cage during Grapevine Mustang baseball practice at Grapevine High School in Grapevine, Texas, Tuesday Feb. 17, 2026.
Bob Booth
Special to the Star-Telegram
The Texas high school baseball season is here, and plenty of Fort Worth-area athletes have already had superb performances.
Which athlete had the best game? You tell us. Vote for the Star-Telegram Fort Worth-area High School Baseball Player of the Week.
Voting will end at 11 a.m. Friday.
See a strong performance from Feb. 23 through Feb. 28 that stands out? Send a nomination for next week’s player of the week poll with a stat line to high school sports editor Charles Baggarly (cbaggarly@star-telegram.com).
Charles Baggarly is a high school sports editor and reporter for the Fort Worth Star Telegram. He graduated from TCU in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and served as TCU 360’s sports editor. Connect with Charles on Twitter or via email.
In addition to accomplishments, Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo identified challenges in her annual “state of the county” report set for presentation Tuesday, particularly staff recruitment and retention hurdles in multiple departments.
The county has been wrestling with filling vacancies in some departments for years.
Crocamo said the administration closely monitors openings, and the list typically includes 911 telecommunicators, sheriff deputies, and caseworkers at Children, Youth and Families (CYF).
“It’s jobs that are very difficult,” she said.
Crocamo said she includes challenges in her annual report because she wants to “be open with the public and County Council about issues that need to be addressed.”
While compensation will always be a consideration, Crocamo said on-the-job stress is also a major factor in vacancies.
The labor force also has changed because younger workers may be more willing to leave jobs if the conditions are not meeting their priorities, she said.
In one example, the report said staffing recruitment and retention “continue to be an issue” for the county Human Services Division.
It cites “insufficient resources to offer competitive salaries or benefits” and says workforce shortages have prompted increased caseloads, decreased access to services, and longer waitlists.
The Pennsylvania State Civil Service also “produces less qualified applicants and takes months to complete,” the report said.
Crocamo said Monday the county is working to withdraw from the Civil Service system.
The state Civil Service Commission develops and administers job-specific tests and creates listings of qualified candidates for agencies to use in hiring candidates. The state established the civil service system in 1939 to encourage merit selection in public sector hiring.
Since 2013, county officials have mulled switching to in-house handling of the recruitment and selection of CYF caseworkers and other human service positions now filtered through civil service, according to prior reporting. County officials have described the state process as outdated and unappealing to fresh college graduates, arguing that an internal process could speed up the filling of positions and allow more flexibility.
Some other examples of staffing concerns expressed in Crocamo’s 60-page report, which is posted in Tuesday’s County Council work session agenda at luzernecounty.org:
• Human Resources: It highlighted “inability to attract and retain qualified candidates” and “heavy administrative burden and insufficient staffing.”
• Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts: It references salaries for the workload in the department. “The staff is working overtime and through lunches, trying to stay caught up on the workload.”
• Sheriff’s Department: It “continues to experience significant challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified personnel.”
“Competitive hiring environments, salary disparities with surrounding agencies, and the increasing demands placed on law enforcement have resulted in prolonged vacancies and difficulties maintaining authorized staffing levels,” it said. “These shortages place additional strain on existing personnel, contribute to increased overtime expenditures, and impact on the department’s ability to proactively plan for future operational needs.”
• 911: The center “maintained strong operational performance while continuing active recruitment to address vacancies.”
“Due to staffing challenges, staff worked extended hours to ensure coverage while handling high-risk emergencies with professionalism and empathy,” it said.
• Building and Grounds and Road and Bridge: Both cited “continued vacancy issues.”
• Public Defender’s Office: The office hired and retained two assistant public defenders and five support staff workers and said it is “continuing to reach out and find additional attorneys to fill our staff vacancies.”
Some of the open positions are posted in the Human Resources career opportunities section at luzernecounty.org.
For instance, the county is seeking a new roster of 911 telecommunicators to start training in May, with the annual compensation listed at $40,250.
Among the other postings and annual compensation: full-time assistant public defender, $62,000; part-time assistant public defender, $41,385; custodial worker, $24,604; deputy sheriff, $33,135; human resources business partner, $53,000; human resources generalist, $42,000; and prothonotary clerk 3, $29,342.
Council Chairman Jimmy Sabatino said he believes a salary study is needed so the county “will be ready for 2030, when the debt is paid off.”
“We’ll never be able to be fully staffed and excel at recruitment if we don’t adjust our salaries,” Sabatino said.
Crocamo said “there are no easy answers,” and she noted many other counties are struggling to attract workers for “tough jobs.”
The county is “actively working to address these staffing issues while prioritizing the excellence that defines our county staff,” Crocamo said Monday.
“Despite the current staffing challenges we are facing, I want to emphasize that the quality of our work continues to remain exceptionally high,” she said. “Our dedicated team is committed to maintaining our standards and ensuring that our residents receive the best possible service.”
Tuesday’s council work session follows a 6 p.m. voting meeting at the county courthouse on River Street in Wilkes-Barre. Instructions for the remote attendance option are posted in council’s online public meetings section at luzernecounty.org.
Reach Jennifer Learn-Andes at 570-991-6388 or on Twitter @TLJenLearnAndes.
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