We leave you this Sunday with ring-necked pheasants, the state bird of South Dakota, foraging in a snowfall in Good Earth State Park. Videographer: Kevin Kjergaard
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COLLEGE PARK, Md. – They came from Maryland, Washington, D.C., and neighboring states like Virginia and Pennsylvania, but also states at least as far away as North Carolina, Georgia and, of course, Iowa.
They were lined up outside Xfinity Center on the campus of the University of Maryland up to three hours before Saturday’s opening tipoff, many of them wearing Iowa black and yellow, a number of girls wearing No. 22 Hawkeyes jerseys.
Clark, the Hawkeyes’ 6-2 senior point guard, now has 3,462 career points, 66 from becoming the all-time scoring leader in women’s NCAA basketball. The men’s scoring record, set by Pete Maravich in 1970 (3,667 points), remains within reach. The record chase continues Thursday in Iowa City against Penn State.
Early and late in the game, the Maryland side of the Xfinity Center crowd booed Clark when she got the ball but then saw firsthand how the nation’s most exhilarating player can quickly change the momentum for Iowa (21-2, 10-1 Big Ten). She does it with her scoring, of course – she hit three 3-pointers in a flash in the first quarter to quell an early Maryland run – but also by whipping or bouncing passes to teammates all over the court for their own scores.
Clark, who entered the game leading the nation in scoring (32.1 ppg) and assists (7.7 apg), finished with a season-high 12 assists as Maryland players did their best to front and swarm her, leaving Clark’s teammates open for layups and some big 3s of their own.
“I take it in everywhere I go and I think I’m just very grateful and obviously it’s changed my life in some ways more than others, just being aware of my surroundings and stuff like that, but people spend a lot of time, money and resources to come see us play,” Clark says. “Whenever I step on the court, I just want to have a lot of fun and I’ve been able to find a lot of joy and calmness in that. I don’t get nervous for these games, honestly. It is what it is, it’s basketball.
“One game is not gonna make or break our season and I just find a calming presence in like, being around my teammates and having fun playing this game.”
Iowa fans waiting outside before the arena opened its doors broke into “Let’s Go Hawks!” chants that continued throughout the game, including while Maryland players were introduced.
Clark hit a step-back 3 from the left wing. But she traveled on the ensuing possession, which uplifted the Maryland fans. Then the Terrapins roared ahead 11-3, their players flying off the bench to greet Shyanne Sellers after her jumper before a timeout during the sequence.
By the end of the quarter, though, Clark had three more 3s, including two more step-backs and one of her “logo 3s” from deep on the left wing. The show was on.
“Shootin’-from-the-logo 3, that’s not just luck,” Dickson Jensen, Clark’s former AAU coach for the All Iowa Attack, told USA TODAY Sports ahead of the game. “I mean, she shoots hundreds of those, hundreds, every day, and has for 6-7 years. I don’t care if you’re 6-6 or not. It doesn’t matter when (she’s) shooting from out here.”
Iowa plays at a fast pace and always had an answer for Maryland’s runs, whether it be a Clark buzzer-beating 3 to end the first quarter or driving layup to close the second.
“That game felt like March,” said coach Brenda Frese, whose team fell to 12-10 (4-7 Big Ten) faced with one of the toughest strengths of schedule in the country.
Clark finished 7 of 17 from 3-point range. But something else happened, too, an aspect of her game that makes her especially deadly and Iowa look unbeatable at times. From the start of the game, she was whipping passes around – short, medium and long – and finding open teammates, even if they didn’t convert on baskets.
They eventually did, and Clark finding teammates for backdoor cuts helped end a Maryland run that erased an 18-point deficit in the third quarter. After back and forth play, the score was tied 76-76 with 6:17 left in the fourth.
At that point, Clark hit another big 3 then found teammate Sydney Affolter underneath from the top of the key and later for a 3-pointer that helped seal the game.
“I thought we did a really good job of backdoor-cutting tonight and looking for scores around the rim,” Clark said. “We know Maryland plays out, they’re in passing lanes, so look to go backdoor and people are ready to finish the ball.”
Two other Iowa scorers (Molly Davis, 17; Kate Martin, 15) finished in double figures. Meanwhile, Clark’s passes came with one and two hands, her drives from the right and left. She delivered for everyone who came out.
“All last season, we had 10,000-plus at home, and then we go on the magical run (to the women’s NCAA title game) that we go on and we’re playing in front of sold-out crowds every single step of the way,” Clark says. “Yeah, it’s changed whether we are on the road or at home, there’s always huge crowds, but I think our team has just become just used to it. I mean, that’s the biggest thing, is like nobody shies away from these moments, whether you’re coming off the bench or you’re in the starting five, it’s just what you’re used to at this point and you don’t have much say in it, so you better embrace it.”
“And really, more than anything, it’s really good for women’s basketball so just enjoy every single moment.”
She walked off the court to cheers and her arms raised in appreciation.
NFC running back Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers and NFC defensive end Cam Jordan #94 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate as they dump water on NFC head coach Eli Manning after defeating the AFC during an NFL Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 05, 2023 in Las Vegas, NV.
Michael Owens / Getty Images
Super Bowl LVIII is still a week away, but there’s some football on TV to watch this Sunday. The 2024 Pro Bowl Games are being held in Orlando, FL this weekend. It’s a week-long competition that culminates in today’s epic flag football game, the Sunday Pro Bowl Games Championship.
The best football players from the AFC and the NFC will all be on the field today, including nine players from the NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers and five players from the AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs. You won’t want to miss this Super Bowl warmup. Here’s how to watch it.
How and when to watch the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games
The 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games will be played at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL from Feb. 1-4, 2024.
The first event of the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games was the Thursday Skills Showdown, held on Feb. 1, 2024.
The Sunday Pro Bowl Games Championship will be played on Feb. 4, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. PT). The game will air on ABC and ESPN and stream live on ESPN+, Sling TV and the other streaming platforms listed below.
How to watch the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games Championship without cable
While most cable packages include ABC and ESPN, it’s easy to watch the Pro Bowl Games Championship if ABC and ESPN aren’t included in your cable TV subscription, or if you don’t have cable at all. Your best options for watching are below. (Streaming options will require an internet provider.)
If you have don’t have cable TV that includes ABC, NBC, Fox or ESPN, one of the most cost-effective ways to stream live sports this year is through a subscription to Sling TV. The streamer offers access to the NFL Network, local NBC, FOX and ABC affiliates (where available) and ESPN with its Orange + Blue Tier plan. Also worth noting: Sling TV comes with 50 hours of cloud-based DVR recording space included, perfect for recording all the important games.
That plan normally costs $60 per month, but the streamer is currently offering a 50% off promotion for your first month, so you’ll pay just $30. You can learn more by tapping the button below.
Top features of Sling TV Orange + Blue tier:
There are 46 channels to watch in total, including local NBC, Fox and ABC affiliates (where available).
You get access to most local NFL games and nationally broadcast sporting events at the lowest price.
All subscription tiers include 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage.
You can also catch the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games on FuboTV. FuboTV is a sports-centric streaming service that offers access to just about every live sporting event you’d want to watch. Packages include ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, NFL Network and more, so you’ll be able to watch more than just today’s game, all without a cable subscription. (Yes, you can watch Super Bowl LVIII on CBS with Fubo TV.) Note: CBS and CBS Essentials are both subsidiaries of Paramount.
To watch the game without cable, start a seven-day free trial of Fubo. You can begin watching immediately on your TV, phone, tablet or computer. In addition to NFL football, FuboTV offers MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS and international soccer games. FuboTV Pro Tier is priced at $80 per month after your free seven-day trial.
Top features of FuboTV Pro Tier:
There are no contracts with FuboTV — you can cancel at any time.
The Pro tier includes 169 channels, including NFL Network. (You’ll need to upgrade to Ultimate for NFL RedZone.)
FuboTV includes all the channels you’ll need to watch college and pro football, including CBS (not available through Sling TV).
All tiers come with 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR recording.
You can watch the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games Championship on ABC with Hulu + Live TV. The bundle features access to 90 channels, including local TV affiliates and popular cable channels. Unlimited DVR storage is also included. Watch every game on every network with Hulu + Live TV, plus catch live NFL preseason games, exclusive live regular season games, popular studio shows (including NFL Total Access and the Emmy-nominated show Good Morning Football) and lots more.
Hulu + Live TV comes bundled with ESPN+ and Disney+ for $77 per month.
In addition to live streaming the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games Championship, ESPN+ offers exclusive live sports, original shows, a vast library of on-demand content (including the entire “30 For 30” series) and more. Here’s a sampling of what’s available on ESPN+:
Exclusive fantasy sports tools and content from some of the sports world’s most respected voices
Every Fight Night UFC event UFC PPV event (PPV events are subject to an additional charge.)
Soccer, including EFL Championship, US Open Cup and Bundesliga
College sports including the Ivy League, Big Sky Conference and Atlantic A10 Conference
MLB and the World Series
Top-tier tennis including the Australian Open and Wimbledon
The PGA Tour and the Masters
An ESPN+ subscription costs $10.99 per month, or save 15% when you pay annually ($110). ESPN+ is also currently offering a cost-saving bundle. Get ESPN+ (With Ads), Disney + (With Ads) and Hulu (With Ads) for $14.99 per month.
Watch NFL football live with a digital HDTV antenna
Amazon
You can watch the NFL and more live sports on TV with an affordable indoor antenna, which pulls in local over-the-air HDYC channels such as CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, PBS, Univision and more. Here’s the kicker: There’s no monthly charge.
Anyone living in partially blocked-off area (those near mountains or first-floor apartments), a digital TV antenna may not pick up a good signal — or any signal at all. But for many homes, a digital TV antenna provides a seriously inexpensive way to watch college football without paying a cable company. Indoor TV antennas can also provide some much-needed TV backup if a storm knocks out your cable.
This amplified digital antenna can receive hundreds of HD TV channels, including ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, FOX, Univision and can filter out cellular and FM signals. It received signals 360 degrees and delivers a high-quality picture in 4K, UHD and 1080 HDTV, top-tier sound and features a 16-foot digital coax cable.
Full 2024 Pro Bowl roster
Here’s who will be representing the AFC and NFC at today’s Pro Bowl Games Championship. Starred athletes are starters.
2024 NFC Pro Bowl Offense
Quarterback
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers*
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (replaces Purdy)
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (replaces Prescott)
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (replaces Stafford)
Running back
Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers*
D’Andre Swift, Philadelphia Eagles
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions (replaces McCaffrey)
Fullback
Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco 49ers*
C.J. Ham, Minnesota Vikings (replaces Juszczyk)
Wide receiver
CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys*
A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles*
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions (replaces Brown)
DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (replaces Evans)
Tight end
George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers*
Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys (replaces Kittle)
Tackle
Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers*
Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles*
Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions
Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (replaces Williams)
Guard
Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys*
Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta Falcons*
Landon Dickerson, Philadelphia Eagles
Tyler Smith, Dallas Cowboys (replaces Martin)
Center (2)
Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles*
Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions
2024 NFC Pro Bowl Defense
Defensive end
Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers*
Montez Sweat, Chicago Bears*
Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions
Demarcus Lawrence, Dallas Cowboys (replaces Bosa)
Interior linemen
Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams*
Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants*
Javon Hargrave, San Francisco 49ers
Kenny Clark, Green Bay Packers (replaces Hargrave)
Outside linebacker
Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys*
Danielle Hunter, Minnesota Vikings*
Haason Reddick, Philadelphia Eagles
Inside/middle linebacker
Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers*
Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks
Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints (replaces Warner)
Cornerback
DaRon Bland, Dallas Cowboys*
Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ers*
Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears
Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks
Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles (replaces Ward)
Free safety
Jessie Bates, Atlanta Falcons*
Strong safety
Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals*
Julian Love, Seattle Seahawks
2024 NFC Pro Bowl Special Teams
Long snapper
Andrew DePaola, Minnesota Vikings*
Punter
Bryan Anger, Dallas Cowboys*
Placekicker
Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys*
Kick returner
Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints*
Special teamer
Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Detroit Lions*
Nick Bellore, Seattle Seahawks (replaced Reeves-Maybin)
2024 AFC Pro Bowl Offense
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins*
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (replaces TBA)
Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts (replaces TBA)
The doll brand will close its Galleria Dallas store Feb. 20, and open in the Shops at Park Lane March 2.
DALLAS — American Girl will open in its new location in the Shops at Park Lane next month after more than 16 years in the Dallas market.
The brand’s Galleria Dallas store will close Feb. 20, according to the brand’s website. The new 14,720-square-foot, two-level store in the Shops at Park Lane next to Nordstrom Rack will open March 2.
It will include the full assortment of American Girl’s dolls and accessories, along with the brand’s doll-and-girl fashions and books.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Dallas fans to our newly imagined experiential store,” says Jamie Cygielman, global SVP and general manager of American Girl. “Centrally located at The Shops at Park Lane, American Girl Dallas features an all-new look and feel that honors our heritage and offers exciting experiences and new ways to celebrate that will make any visit a special Day to Remember. Whether girls and their families are dining in the charming cafe or getting made-to-match looks in the Dolled Up Salon, American Girl Dallas promises to be the place to create unforgettable memories together.”
It will also feature a new salon in which, for the first time in Dallas, girls can join their favorite American Girl dolls in getting a matching hairstyle or a mini manicure, plus ear-piercing. Salon reservations can be made in advance.
Visitors can also enjoy the American Girl Cafe, with seatings for brunch, lunch, and teatime. The new cafe features three private party rooms to celebrate birthdays and other occasions, plus a new Berry Bar that offers sweet treats to go.
To celebrate the store’s opening, American Girl is supporting Save the Children’s Education and Literacy Programs with a donation of nearly $40,000 in retail value of American Girl books1 to the nonprofit’s partner schools in Texas.
For more information, visit American Girl’s website.
Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., returns to a GOP caucus meeting working to formally elect a new speaker of the House on Oct. 13, 2023.
Amanda Andrade-Rhoades
USA TODAY NETWORK
Southlake mayor and congressional candidate John Huffman said Saturday that expelled former U.S. Rep. George Santos of New York has apologized for a video accusing Huffman of siding with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Santos apologized for the video Friday in a meeting with Huffman, U.S. Rep. Beth Van Duyne and syndicated radio talk show host Dana Loesch at a Southlake restaurant, Huffman said.
Huffman is one of 11 candidates for the open U.S. House District 26 seat vacated by U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess. The district covers south and east Denton County, Cooke County and south Wise County.
Santos replied to Loesch that the video was paid anonymously and “I don’t even know who the candidates are.” He happened to be in Dallas, he said, asking, “Highland Park country club for drinks? Hahaha.”
The Cameo video was posted Jan. 29 on X. It starts with Santos shouting, “Hey, Mayor John Huffman!” He says he doubts voters would support anyone who “supports BLM and attended a BLM rally.”
No retraction had been posted by Santos as of late Saturday.
Many of you have likely seen our flyer going around but if you have not, we are organizing an event in Southlake Texas on June 6th 2020 from 2 pm to around 4pm pic.twitter.com/n2KHdvYDmZ
— Progressive Activism Club (@activism_club) June 4, 2020
The Southlake Peaceful Protest was organized by a high school club after the May 25 murder of former Houston resident George Floyd, 46, by a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Huffman did not speak. He accompanied Hill because city police had received threats of violence, he said.
On her Feb. 1 radio show, Loesch, a Southlake resident and nationally syndicated radio host, told her audience she was also at the 2020 rally and that Hill and Huffman went to keep the peace.
Hill also faced similar campaign accusations in her 2022 Republican primary runoff loss to now-state Rep. Nate Schatzline.
Santos was “taken advantage of by liars” who ordered the video, Huffman said.
He did not name an opponent, saying only: “There is some strategy and shenanigans afoot. That’s primary politics for you.”
Huffman’s $303,084 raised so far is second only to Flower Mound Republican Brandon Gill ($478,700). Gill has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump, Sen. Ted Cruz, U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson and former Trump national security advisor Michael Flynn.
Next are Dallas Republican Luisa Del Rosal ($189,200), former District Judge Doug Robison of Denton ($110,650) and former Denton County Judge Scott Armey ($95,425). Armey is endorsed by his father and former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, and U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm.
Late Friday, Loesch posted a photo of herself with Huffman, Santos and Van Duyne hugging and smiling.
Her post: “Cheers to Friday!”
This story was originally published February 3, 2024, 8:45 PM.
Bud Kennedy is a Fort Worth Star-Telegram opinion columnist. In a 52-year Texas newspaper career, he has covered two Super Bowls, a presidential inauguration, seven Republican and Democratic national conventions and 18 Texas Legislature sessions.. Support my work with a digital subscription
ARLINGTON, Texas — A pedestrian was hospitalized after being hit by a train in downtown Arlington Saturday, police say.
Officers responded to the 1500 block of W. Division Street near Fielder Road, around 3 p.m. Saturday. The pedestrian, a 31-year-old man, was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries, according to police.
The train conductor told officers the man was walking on the railroad tracks when he was hit, according to police. It’s unclear why the man was on the tracks.
“As a result of the collision, the train came to a stop, blocking multiple railroad crossings through the Downtown Arlington area. The crossings were blocked until about 6 p.m. when the scene cleared and the train was able to move again,” Arlington police said. “The Arlington Police Department wants to remind the public that you should NEVER walk on railroad tracks – and if you have to cross them, you should use a designated railroad crossing so you can be alerted to any approaching trains and know when it’s safe to cross.”
Ruby was born on Jan. 11 at the Fort Worth Zoo, the third mandrill ever born in the history of the zoo.
Fort Worth Zoo
A baby mandrill was born at the Fort Worth Zoo on Jan. 11, the first since 1995, the zoo announced in a news release Thursday.
The female monkey, named Ruby, was born to her mother Scarlett and her father J.J.
The baby mandrill was given her colorful moniker as a nod to her mom, the zoo said. Ruby and her mom are doing well and have formed a healthy bond. Right away, the baby was able to hold tight to her mom as she moved about the indoor habitat.
Ruby was given her name as a nod to her mom, Scarlett. Right away, Ruby was able to hold tight to her mom as she moved about the indoor habitat. Fort Worth Zoo
Baby mandrills nurse for anywhere from six to 12 months and remain close to their mothers even after weaning, according to the release.
Because Ruby has been attached to her mother, she has yet to be weighed and measured, but zoo officials say this is a good thing as it shows a strong bond between the two,
Zoo keepers estimate Ruby to weigh around 2 pounds.
Before Ruby, there have only been two mandrill births in the history of the Fort Worth Zoo, a female in 1992 and a male in 1995.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the mandrill is listed as vulnerable. Found in just a few countries in west-central Africa, populations continue to decline due to habitat destruction and illegal, unregulated hunting, the release says.
“Ruby’s birth contributes to a diverse, genetically healthy population of mandrills among U.S. zoos and ensures their survival for future generations,” the zoo said in the release.
Related stories from Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Nicole Lopez is a breaking news reporter at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso, where she studied multimedia journalism. She also does freelance writing.
A security guard sits at Houston Street and Eighth Street on Jan. 13, 2024, after Houston Street was opened following cleanup from the explosion in the Sandman Signature Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas. Twenty-one people were injured in the explosion.
Bob Booth
Special to the Star-Telegram
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Full Coverage: Fort Worth Hotel Explosion
Find the latest stories on the Sandman hotel explosion in downtown Fort Worth.
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The Fort Worth Fire Department has stepped back from leading the investigation into the Jan. 8 explosion at the Sandman Signature Hotel and turned control of the property over to the hotel’s owner, Northland Properties, officials said.
The fire department investigated the criminal and public safety aspects of the explosion on behalf of the city. The initial investigation “revealed no indication of a criminal nexus or a recurring public safety concern,” fire officials said in a letter Wednesday to interested parties including the defendants and plaintiffs in lawsuits related to the explosion.
Fort Worth Fire Department spokesperson Craig Trojacek told the Star-Telegram on Saturday that the department’s investigation isn’t complete. It’s stepping back so other parties can conduct investigations needed for the multiple civil lawsuits connected with the explosion, which authorities have said was linked to a natural gas leak believed to have started in or near the basement.
“It’s going to be a collaborative effort,” Trojacek said of the ongoing investigation.
“Investigators with the Fort Worth Fire Department Arson and Bomb Division will continue monitoring the progress of the investigation, including all site examinations, as an interested party,” the letter says.
The investigation into the exact origin and cause of the blast is expected to be complicated and lengthy. If at any point anything is uncovered to indicate the explosion was caused by or involved “criminal intent,” the fire department will take the investigation back over, according to Trojacek.
The fire department’s letter states that the other parties should coordinate their investigations and reach agreements on issues including access to the site and handling of evidence, “affording an opportunity for all to investigate the incident and to protect their respective interests.”
On Thursday, Northland Properties filed a court document indicating the hotel owner has reached an agreement with natural gas supplier Atmos in regard to preserving evidence at the scene of the explosion. The Rule 11 agreement has been filed in every lawsuit in which Northland and Atmos are parties, including a suit in which Atmos has sought to place the blame on the hotel owner.
The document states that Northland and Atmos anticipate working with other parties, including the attorneys for injured employees and guests who are suing, to agree on plans for a joint investigation.
According to the terms of the Rule 11 agreement, Northland won’t take any action or permit any entity under its control to do anything “that would alter, modify, or destroy any condition or item currently existing in the basement area of the building” without giving Atmos written notice three business days in advance.
Atmos agreed not to take any action to “alter, modify, or destroy” the gas line “that runs along 8th Street between Houston and Throckmorton Streets and the supply line branching off that line to supply gas to the Hotel” without providing Northland with written notice three business days in advance.
Atmos representatives can participate in investigations of the hotel’s first floor and basement conducted by Northland or “any representative or expert for any other party in the lawsuits in which this Rule 11 Agreement is filed.”
Atmos won’t be allowed to access the hotel except for the reasons mentioned in the agreement, written permission by Northland or by court order.
Northland representatives can participate in Atmos’ investigation of its hotel gas supply line.
The final stipulation of the agreement is that “Atmos Energy shall withdraw or nonsuit its currently pending request for injunctive relief in this case,” according to the document.
Atmos Energy wrapped up its initial investigation into the explosion on Jan. 12 and said it found no evidence that its lines or equipment caused the blast. In spite of those findings, Atmos has been named as a defendant in at least nine lawsuits filed on behalf of 33 plaintiffs. The hotel owners’ insurance company has also made several claims against Atmos related to the explosion, according to the lawsuit Atmos filed against Northland.
According to Atmos, someone at the Sandman hotel called the gas company to report a leak about 11 minutes before the blast. The Atmos representative told the caller to evacuate the building, but there’s no evidence the hotel staff tried to follow those instructions, the company’s lawsuit against Northland Properties states. Atmos argues that the leak originated inside the building, for which the property owner is responsible.
The lawsuit filed in Tarrant County asked the court to declare that Atmos holds no liability for the explosion. As part of the agreement, Atmos withdrew its request for the court to stop the fire department from releasing control of the scene to Northland.
In another one of the lawsuits, a Dallas County judge on Jan. 12 signed a temporary restraining order preventing cleanup of debris at the Sandman Signature Hotel to preserve evidence due to a lawsuit from José Mira, an employee of the basement-level Musume restaurant who was injured in the explosion.
The restraining order was originally granted for one week, but was later extended. It expired on Friday.
Related stories from Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Harriet Ramos covers crime and other breaking news for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Michigan community leaders are encouraging voters to select “uncommitted” in the Michigan primary elections, hoping to send a message to President Biden before November that they’re unhappy with U.S. support for Israel in the conflict with Gaza.
“The main push is Joe Biden’s stance on the conflict taking place between Israel and Gaza,” said Hussein Dabajeh, one of the organizers of the “Vote Uncommitted” movement.
“That’s not who we voted into office. That’s not who we helped elect,” said Dabajeh. “That’s not who over 150,000 Arab and Muslim voters in the state of Michigan voted for.”
In Michigan, Democratic and Republican presidential primary ballots alike offer voters the choice of selecting a candidate or “uncommitted.” A vote of “uncommitted,” according to the Michigan secretary of state, “indicates the voter is exercising a vote for that political party, but is not committed to any of the candidates listed on the ballot.” And, if there are enough “uncommitted” votes, the party “may send delegates to the national nominating convention who are not committed to a specific candidate.”
Michigan is a critical swing state, one that Mr. Biden won by a thin margin of about 154,000 votes in 2020, but that Hillary Clinton lost in 2016 to Donald Trump, who appears likely to be the GOP presidential nominee this year. It’s home to a large community of Arab and Muslim Americans, 146,000 of whom voted for Mr. Biden in 2020, and many of whom disagree with Biden’s stance on the Israel-Hamas war.
Organizers think that if the Vote Uncommitted movement in Michigan can convince tens of thousands of voters to vote uncommitted, it may help force Mr. Biden to reassess his backing of Israel in its war with Hamas. The Israeli military has cut off or restricted the flow of supplies and aid to civilians in Gaza as it continues to carry out military operations. The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza says that over 25,000 have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war.
The Vote Uncommitted movement in Michigan is similar to efforts to coax New Hampshire primary voters to write in “ceasefire” on their ballots. In last month’s primary, “ceasefire” received about 1.2% or 1,512 of Democratic primary votes. However, New Hampshire has a much smaller population than Michigan and a different demographic profile.
Earlier this month, Biden sent campaign manager Julie Chavez-Rodriguez to Michigan to meet with Arab American community leaders. They refused to meet with her.
“The lives of Palestinians are not measured in poll numbers,” Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, said on X. “When elected officials view the atrocities in Gaza only as an electoral problem, they reduce our indescribable pain into a political calculation.” In another post to X, Hammoud stated that one Dearborn resident has so far lost 80 family members in Gaza.
Vote Uncommitted is encouraging voters unhappy with Mr. Biden’s stance on the Israel-Hamas war to vote uncommitted, no matter their party affiliation or background. The campaign describes itself as a “multiracial and multifaith anti-war campaign” in Michigan.
“This is not an endorsement of Trump or a desire to see him return to power,” the campaign states. “We are sending the warning sign to President Biden and the Democratic Party now in February, before it’s too late in November.”
A similar push occurred in 2008 when Michigan Democratic primary voters unhappy that Barack Obama was not on the ballot voted “uncommitted,” rather than for Hillary Clinton. Because Michigan defied the Democratic National Committee’s national calendar and held its primary out of order, the DNC sanctioned the state for holding its primary out of order. As a result, Obama withdrew his name from the Michigan primary ballot. That year, nearly 240,000 Michiganders voted “uncommitted.”
The state’s Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer, recently acknowledged on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” that there is “a lot of angst” around the Israel-Hamas war and “a lot of personal pain.”
“These are legitimate and raw feelings that people have, and they’re entitled to their opinions,” said Whitmer.
Sophia Barkoff is a broadcast associate with CBS News’ “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.” She covers foreign affairs, often focusing on national security and U.S. foreign policy with an emphasis on Russia and Eastern Europe.
FORT WORTH, Texas — Leadfoot, a 1,324 pound European Cross and the 2024 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Grand Champion Steer, sold Saturday morning for $340,000.
Higginbotham, a Fort Worth-based insurance and financial services broker, bought the steer at the auction held at the Fort Worth Stockyards. Watch the auction here:
Each year, the auction raises millions of dollars for the student steer handlers.
Despite the thunder, thousands of music fans wearing black T-shirts and hoodies swarmed Dallas’ American Airlines Center on Friday evening. They came from all over, fighting heavy rain and the congestion of rush-hour traffic to see rock juggernaut Tool.
Formed in Los Angeles in 1990, Tool was the first of several creative successes by singer Maynard James Keenan, whose other projects include bands A Perfect Circle and Puscifer, and his very own winery. Tool’s sound is distinguished by various symbiotic elements: Danny Carey’s complex drumming, Justin Chancellor’s bombastic bass and guitarist Adam Jones’ angular riffs. Jones’ art has come to define the band’s visual aesthetic. The band members’ many other high-profile artistic projects have made Tool concerts somewhat of an elusive experience for their fan base. American Airlines was packed from top to bottom.
Opening act Elder took the stage early, starting with a tripped-out, Zeppelin-like musical introduction. The band’s sound was reminiscent of 1970s progressive rock, with an unexpected elemental snarl like that of Black Sabbath. Elder’s flawless front-of-house mix and mind-quest-inducing musical journey filled every inch of the packed house with ease. Throughout the band’s set, they shifted seamlessly from vocally driven doom trance to long instrumental songs, successfully cracking open Tool fans’ third eyes.
As the last song of the set repeated, the room swelled as the audience celebrated the individual players’ flawless delivery. It seems likely that Tool fans will be adding Elder to their playlists if they haven’t already. Only Tool would pick an opening band that rocked this hard.
At 8:27 p.m., the mass of Tool fans screamed as the lights dropped down. The set opened with drummer Carey on stage by himself, starting off with “Fear Inoculum.” The visuals were striking as Chancellor and Jones followed suit with their instruments. Frontman Maynard James Keenan finally joined the band to great applause, perched on a riser over the entire stage.
Maynard James Keenan and Justin Chancellor are still rocking together.
Carly May Gravley
With art films projected on a screen spanning the length of the stage, Keenan looked as if he were singing from inside a volcano, hot lava and fire engulfing the entire stage. The lights then shifted into wild oscillating colors, looking otherworldly and esoteric. As Keenan sang the first song of the set, he fell in and out of sight, blending in with the all-encompassing stage visuals, one of which included a close-up of an eyeball projected into the size of a building. A few minutes into the show, Keenan paused to greet the audience.
“Hey, you awake? We’re about to find out,” Keenan said. “Ready to take a trip? Stick with us, stay here, stay present and we’re going to go on a little journey.”
It was at that point that he politely requested that all cellphones be put away and for the audience to stay present. A giant silver seven-point star then came down from the rafters as the band slid into “Jambi” from the 2006 album 10,000 Days. This visual element hung over the band for the rest of the show and added another focal point to the already striking visuals. The last riffs of “Jambi” filled the arena as guitarist Jones soloed under a white spotlight and Keenan, rocking from side to side, nestled on his perch above the band. It’s simply amazing that only three instruments were making it all happen.
The band followed with “Rosetta Stoned,” also from 10,000 Days, shooting lights with laser-like precision into the crowd. Carey’s bass drum pulsated wildly, syncing with the crowd members’ heartbeats as images of alien demigods adorned the stage. The latter’s effect felt like watching a Ridley Scott film painted by Francis Bacon, on acid. By this point, many audience members looked as if they were deep into Tool’s journey and in a trance. One man reached his arms to the ceiling yelling like he was in a Southern Baptist revival. After a brief pause and darkened stage, Tool went into several other songs from their newest album, Fear Inoculumas, as a pink curtain of light showed the aesthetic symmetry between the band and audience.
Danny Carey, Maynard James Keenan, Justin Chancellor
Carly May Gravley
This section of the concert was followed by a perfect performance of “Intolerance” from the band’s 1993 album Undertow. The initial notes of the classic Tool song provoked wild cheers of excitement from the crowd, with Chancellor and his bass moving to the music. Though 30 years have passed since the release of Undertow, the iconic album cover created by Jones was also used in the live visuals for “Intolerance,” engulfed in orange smoke.
Next was “The Grudge” from 2001’s Lateralus. It was after this that Tool offered something rare in a rock concert: a 12-minute intermission period for fans to refresh beverages, empty bladders and take a breather.
At 10:00 p.m., Carey was back onstage alone again. He slowly started a drum solo that progressively morphed into “Chocolate Chip Trip” from Fear Inoculum, a heavily synthesized experimental drum and bass song. The accompanying onscreen graphics were an abstracted real-time camera that filmed Carey playing his kit and synths. He ended this by smashing a giant gong at the song’s conclusion. The theatrics and light show, reinforced by this performance, could have given Cirque Du Soleil a run for the money. The room once again filled to what felt like capacity, and the audience once more appeared ready to embark on a journey as epic as Gilgamesh’s.
“Flood,” another song from Undertow, came next as Maynard showed up on his perch, singing in his white shirt, black vest and slacks, and confetti fell on the screaming crowd. Tool went to work again, playing “Invincible” from their latest album before pausing for the singer to say a few things to the crowd, now allowing them to activate cellphones and record the last song.
“Alright, deep breath in, deep breath out,” Keenan said. “Welcome back, Dallas. You guys are awesome. You can record, but no flash, or a kick to the vagina. If you don’t have one, we can install one for you. You guys are great. Thank you.”
Tool finished with the classic 2001 song “Schism” from Lateralus, which by far had the creepiest and most interesting visuals: partially dissected gray humanoids floated in and out of the screens, creating a hybrid bond between the music and art. At the close of this song, the lights came up and Tool took an extended bow to the packed house fiercely cheering for the band.
For the duration of their show, no band member missed a single note. Several parts of the set showcased Maynard’s nearly flawless voice. The group maintains an elegant offering of high art and musical power that’s damn near impossible to emulate or manufacture. Tool is the kind of band that could play at the gates of heaven or hell, and either would make sense.
The 2024 Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo’s auctioning of the Grand Champion steer at Watt Arena on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024.
Noah Acala Bach
nacala@star-telegram.com
The Fort Worth Stock Show’s 2024 Grand Champion steer sold at auction Saturday morning for an impressive $340,000.
Higginbotham & Associates, the Fort Worth-based insurance and financial broker group, had the winning bid on “Leadfoot,” a European cross breed steer belonging to 17-year-old Ellie Bezner of Dalhart in Dallam County.
The money from the sale will go toward Ellie’s education.
This is the second year in a row that Higginbotham claimed a Grand Champion steer at the auction. In 2023, the company paid a whopping $440,000 for “Snoop Dog,” shown by Sadie Wampler of Canyon.
The Coach cast had a way of making us laugh, cry, and even reflect on our own experiences. Running for nearly a decade, this beloved show not only entertained audiences with its humor but also showcased a stellar cast.
Coach premiered on ABC in 1989 and ran until 1997. Created by Barry Kemp, the show followed the life of Hayden Fox, portrayed by Craig T. Nelson, who was the head coach of a fictional college football team (Minnesota State University’s Screaming Eagles). At its core, Coach focused on the personal and professional life of a seasoned coach. The show not only depicted the challenges and triumphs of coaching but also delved into Fox’s relationships with his family, friends, and colleagues. The combination of sports, family dynamics, and comedy made Coach a hit with viewers.
ABC/MoviestillsDB A360
Throughout its run, Coach received numerous Primetime Emmy Award nominations, with Craig T. Nelson winning the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 1992.
Here we look at the Coach cast to see what they are doing now.
Craig T. Nelson was born in 1944 and established himself as a radio performer and comedian before becoming an actor. Before join the Coach cast, Nelson had bit parts in several TV series including Private Benjamin, Charlie’s Angelsand WKRP in Cincinnati.
Ironically, Nelson almost didn’t play the role of Haden Fox. Creator Barry Kemp wrote the part of Fox for another actor, Dabney Coleman. However, Coleman wasn’t available. There was fierce competition for the role, but Nelson ultimately won out. His comedic timing and ability to convey both toughness and vulnerability made him a hit with audiences.
Post Coach cast, Nelson continued his successful career with roles in films such as The Incredibles (as the voice of Mr. Incredible) and TV shows like Parenthood and movies such as The Family Stone.
Did you know? Nelson was offered the role of Jay Pritchett for the pilot of Modern Family, but turned it down.
Jerry Van Dyke as Luther Van Dam
1992/2007Kypros / Contributor/Getty; Jeff Daly / Contributor/Getty A360
Jerry Van Dyke, born in 1931, is the younger brother of famed actor Dick Van Dyke. Jerry Van Dyke got his start in TV in 1962 in a two-part episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show, playing his real-life brother’s television brother. He had bit parts in other shows including Perry Mason and Andy Griffith Show.
However, his big break came playing Luther Van Dam, the lovable and quirky assistant coach. He was nominated for four Emmy awards for that role. Van Dyke’s comedic antics and chemistry with Nelson made the show a hit.
After the Coach, Van Dyke appeared in several sitcoms including My Name Is Earl and Raising Hope.
He passed away in 2018 at the age of 86.
Did you know? Series creator Kemp wanted Jerry Van Dyke for the role of Luther Van Dam, but ABC didn’t want him because they didn’t think he was funny enough (especially when compared to his famous brother). The network finally relented and Van Dyke became a fan favorite of the show.
Shelley Fabares as Christine Armstrong in the Coach cast
2000/2018Frank Trapper / Contributor/Getty; Michael Tullberg / Contributor/Getty A360
Born in 1944 in Santa Monica, California, Shelley Fabares became a teen-idol when she was cast as the daughter Mary Stone on The Donna Reed Show. Fabares also starred in several movies, including three with Elvis Presley: Girl Happy (1965), Spinout (1966) and Clambake (1967). She also had a reoccurring role on the hit sitcom One Day at a Time.
Fabares big break was when she got the part of Christine Armstrong, girlfriend to Craig Nelson’s character Hayden Fox. Her chemistry with Nelson made her a fan favorite and she was nominated for two Emmy awards.
Since Coach, she has done mostly voice work, including the voice of Martha Kent on Superman: The Animated Series.
Did you know?Coach is credited for giving a successful long-waited series comeback to Fabares. For two decades, she has been trying to land in a long-running, successful sitcom.
Bill Fagerbakke as Dauber Dybinski in the Coach cast
2003/2022David Klein / Stringer/Getty; Irvin Rivera / Contributor/Getty A360
Born in 1957 in California, Bill Fagerbakke had bit parts in several TV shows including Perfect Strangers, before becoming a regular on the series Gargoyles (1994-1997).
Getting the role Dauber Dybinski, the lovable yet somewhat naive assistant coach, was a turning point for Fagerbakke.
After the show, he expanded his career through voice acting and appeared in several shows including the TV series Jumanji. His next big break came in the form of the voice of Patrick Star in the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants. His voice appeared in over 250 episodes.
Did you know? Fagerbakke guest starred in Young Sheldon several times.
Clare Carey as Kelly Fox
2003/2015Albert L. Ortega / Contributor/Getty; Michael Bezjian / Contributor/Getty A360
Born in 1967, Clare Carey had small parts in shows like Mr. Belvedere and Dragnet before being cast as Kelly Fox, the daughter Hayden Fox, on Coach.
After the series, she was a regular on the television shows So Little Time (2001-2002), Point Pleasant (2005-2006), Jericho (2006-2008) and Crash (2008-2009). She also appeared in films including Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles, Smokin’ Aces and Savannah Sunrise.
Most recently, she’s made guest appearance in CSI, NCIS and Aquarius.
Did you know? Carey was born in Africa, in the country of Rhodesia (what is now Zimbabwe).
On Friday at 11:27 p.m. an updated severe thunderstorm warning was issued by the NWS Fort Worth TX in effect until Saturday at 12:30 a.m. The warning is for Dallas, Ellis, Kaufman and Rockwall counties.
Residents should prepare for wind gusts of up to 60 mph.
According to the NWS, “For your protection get inside a sturdy structure and stay away from windows.”
This warning is in effect until Saturday at 12:30 a.m.
Actions to take when lightning threat is imminent
Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times a year. Most of the strikes occur in the summer, killing 20 people each year, according to the NWS. Chance of lightning increases as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is overhead. It diminishes as the storm moves away.
Here are recommendations for maintaining safety during a thunderstorm:
• To minimize risk of being struck by lightning, when going outside, have a plan to get to a safer place.
• If the sky becomes threatening and thunder can be heard, find a safe place to shelter.
• Once indoors, avoid touching corded phones, electrical equipment, plumbing, and windows and doors.
• Wait 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder before going back outside.
If finding indoor shelter is not an option:
• Steer clear of open fields, hilltops, or ridge tops.
• Stay away from tall, isolated trees or other tall objects. If you are in a forest, stay near a lower stand of trees.
• If you are with a group, fan out to stop the current from transmitting between members.
• When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region. Just remember, tents do not offer protection from lightning.
• Keep a distance from water, wet articles, and metal objects. While water and metal do not draw lightning, they are proficient conductors of electricity.
What steps to follow when driving in the rain?
• Switch on headlights — Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.
• While on the road — Opt for the middle lanes and remain on higher ground. Rainwater tends to gather along the road edges.
• Avoid puddles — Driving into puddles or low rainwater areas can lead to vehicles hydroplaning or losing control.
• Do not follow large vehicles closely — Large vehicles like trucks or buses can create a spray of water that can reduce your visibility.
• Avoid flooded areas — When encountering a flooded road, do a U-turn and head back. The strong currents from flash floods can pull drivers off roadways. Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle’s mechanical and electrical systems.
What is hydroplaning?
Hydroplaning happens when a vehicle starts sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.
This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle’s weight can push water out of the way. The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control. Hydroplaning is primarily caused by three factors:
1. Vehicle speed — When a vehicle’s speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases. Drive at a reduced speed during wet weather.
2. Water depth — The deeper the water, the sooner a vehicle loses traction on the road. It doesn’t matter how deep the water is, even a thin layer can lead to hydroplaning.
3. Tire tread depth — Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.
In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here’s what to know:
• Ease off the accelerator — Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction.
• Turn into the skid — Turning into the skid can help the vehicle’s tires realign to regain control.
• Make sure the tires reconnect with the road — During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.
• Brake gently as needed — Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.
Source: The National Weather Service
This story was originally published February 2, 2024, 11:08 PM.
Alexander Ramey, 61, was taken into custody at an area hotel, according to the sheriff’s office.
DENTON COUNTY, Texas — A 61-year-old Ohio man was arrested in Denton County for online solicitation of a minor.
The Denton County Sherrif’s office said Alexander Ramey of Chillicothe, Ohio, initiated contact online with who he believed to be the mother of a 14-year-old girl.
“The communications were mostly sexual in nature and eventually escalated to the arrangement of a meeting with the mother and the 14-year-old for the purposes of engaging in sex with the minor girl,” the department said in a press release.
The Denton County Sheriff’s Office Human Trafficking Unit obtained an arrest warrant for Ramey, an airline mechanic, who was in the Dallas Fort Worth area for job training.
Ramey was taken into custody at an area hotel and charged with online solicitation of a minor, according to the sheriff’s office.
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Waveland, Mississippi — Following his retirement and the death of his wife, 76-year-old Danny Chauvin of Waveland, Mississippi, said he had way too much time on his hands.
Chauvin served in the Army during the Vietnam War and has been treated for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s when he’s alone with his thoughts that he’s the most vulnerable.
“That’s when stuff comes back to you,” Chauvin told CBS News.
But to keep his sanity, he knew he also had to keep busy. But how?
That’s when Chauvin realized one of the things he missed most about his wife was all the little handyman jobs he used to do for her. So, a few months ago, he posted a note on Facebook that read: “If there’s any honey-do jobs that you can’t handle, I’m willing to help.”
“And it spread,” Chauvin said. “It spread like wildfire.”
So now, on a daily basis, and sometimes four times a day, Chauvin fixes the hole in his heart by fixing just about everything else, like putting up a shower, hanging up a porch swing and fixing a closet door.
The price for his services? Nothing. It’s free.
“He showed much kindness to people,” one of his customers told CBS News.
Most of those Chauvin helps are women, many of whom are single or widowed. They call him the “Honey-Do Dude,” and say he is just about the only person they know willing to help with these small jobs. And, obviously, no one is going to match his price point.
In fact, when the work is done, the only thing he takes is a picture with his customers as a reminder that he is not alone in his struggle.
He also revealed his PTSD has improved since he started offering free handyman work.
Following his retirement and the death of his wife, Danny Chauvin needed a way to keep busy, so he began offering his handyman services for free. It changed his life. Steve Hartman has his story in “On the Road.”
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The airstrikes started just hours after Biden joined grieving families to watch as the remains of the 3 Army Reserve soldiers were returned to the U.S.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. military launched an air assault on dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Quds force Friday, in the opening salvo of retaliation for the drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan last weekend, officials told The Associated Press.
President Joe Biden and other top U.S. leaders had been warning for days that America would strike back at the militias, and they made it clear it wouldn’t be just one hit but a “tiered response” over time. The officials confirming the initial strikes spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations not yet announced.
The strikes by manned and unmanned aircraft hit more than 85 targets, including command and control headquarters, intelligence centers, rockets and missiles, drone and ammunition storage sites and other facilities. U.S. Central Command said the strikes used more than 125 precision munitions, and they were delivered by numerous aircraft, inlcuding long-range bombers flown from the United States. One official said B-1 bombers were used.
The assault came came just hours after Biden and top defense leaders joined grieving families to watch as the remains of the three Army Reserve soldiers were returned to the U.S. at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
It was unclear what the next steps will be, or whether the days of U.S. warnings have sent militia members scattering into hiding, making it more difficult to detect and strike them. But it was evident that the recent statement released by Kataeb Hezbollah, one of the main Iran-backed militias, saying it was suspending attacks on American troops had no impact on the administration’s plans.
The U.S. strikes appeared to stop short of directly targeting Iran or senior leaders of the Revolutionary Guard Quds force within its borders. Iran has denied it was behind the Jordan attack.
In a statement this week, Kataib Hezbollah announced “the suspension of military and security operations against the occupation forces in order to prevent embarrassment to the Iraqi government.” But Harakat al-Nujaba, one of the other major Iran-backed groups, vowed Friday to continue military operations against U.S. troops.
The U.S. has blamed the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a broad coalition of Iran-backed militias, for the deadly attack in Jordan, but has not yet narrowed it down to a specific group. Kataeb Hezbollah is, however, a top suspect.
Some of the militias have been a threat to U.S. bases for years, but the groups intensified their assaults in the wake of Israel’s war with Hamas following the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The war has led to the deaths of thousands of civilians in Gaza and spilled across four other countries now. Iran-backed militia groups throughout the region have used the conflict to justify striking Israeli or U.S. interests, including threatening civilian commercial ships and U.S. warships with drones or missiles in almost daily exchanges.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that “this is a dangerous moment in the Middle East.” He added, “We will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our interests and our people. And we will respond when we choose, where we choose and how we choose.”
“At this point, it’s time to take away even more capability than we’ve taken in the past,” Austin said.
As of Tuesday, Iran-backed militia groups had launched 166 attacks on U.S. military installations since Oct. 18, including 67 in Iraq, 98 in Syria and now one in Jordan, according to a U.S. military official. The last attack was Jan. 29 at at al-Asad airbase in Iraq, and there were no injuries or damage.
The U.S., meanwhile, has bolstered defenses at the base in Jordan that was attacked by the ran-backed militants on Sunday, according to a U.S. official.
And the Israeli military said its Arrow defense system intercepted a missile that approached the country from the Red Sea, raising suspicion it was launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The rebels did not immediately claim responsibility.
A U.S. official also said the military had taken additional self-defense strikes inside Yemen Friday against Houthi military targets deemed an imminent threat. Al-Masirah, a Houthi-run satellite news channel, said that British and American forces conducted three strikes in the northern Yemeni province of Hajjah, a Houthi stronghold.
While previous U.S. responses in Iraq and Syria have been more limited, the attack on Tower 22, as the Jordan outpost is known, and the deaths of the three service members has crossed a line, the official said.
That drone attack, which also injured more than 40 service members — largely Army National Guard — was the first to result in U.S. combat deaths from the Iran-backed militias since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out. Tower 22 houses about 350 U.S. troops and sits near the demilitarized zone on the border between Jordan and Syria. The Iraqi border is only 6 miles (10 kilometers) away.
Also on Friday, the U.S. Treasury imposed new sanctions on a network of firms in Iran and Hong Kong that are accused of assisting Iran procure technology to make ballistic weapons and drones. And the U.S. hit six Iranian officials with sanctions for allegedly committing a series of malicious cyber activities against critical infrastructure in the U.S. and other nations.
The Woodall Rodgers Freeway overpass near downtown Dallas was shut down for much of Thursday morning after a car carrying four passengers went over the side of the ramp and crashed below, killing all four at the scene.
Friday morning, the Dallas County Medical Examiner named the four individuals involved as Sabria Lacey, DeAvion Aubert, Robert Gowans Jr. and Anthony Lisbon. Ranging in age from 21 to 22 years, the group was evading Irving police in a stolen vehicle.
Irving police released dashcam footage showing the stolen vehicle speeding up the ramp and then bursting into flames after it fell. NBC 5 reported that “officers with the Dallas Police, Dallas County Sheriff’s Office and Dallas Fire-Rescue all arrived and tried to provide first aid to the occupants of the stolen vehicle.”
On Thursday, CBS 11 reported that Irving police have been involved in more than 500 chases since 2018, and that many of them evolved into high-speed affairs.
“Records also show more than one in every four Irving police chases reached or exceeded 100 mph. Police have not said what speed Thursday’s chase reached,” the report stated. “Out of the 515 Irving police chases since 2018, only one time was an officer disciplined for failing to follow the department’s pursuit policy. The officer was suspended by the department, according to police records.”
Earlier this week, TheDallas Morning News reported on the aftermath of a police chase gone wrong when a father and his 3-year-old son were seriously injured during a Garland police pursuit in which they were not the suspects. The report says the injuries resulted from “a terrifying accident caused by what appears to be a violation of Garland’s police pursuit policy.”
Also in Garland, another police chase ended when 32-year-old officer Joe Tsai was killed in pursuit of a vehicle with a fake paper license tag in November.
“Our agency has one of the stricter pursuit policies here in the region.” – Arlington police spokesperson
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We reached out to several of the largest police departments in North Texas, including Dallas, Arlington, Plano, Frisco, Fort Worth, Denton and Carrollton, for more about their pursuit policies and to determine how many chases their officers have been involved in over the past few years. Some departments asked us to file an open records request for both pieces of info (which we did), while others asked us to file that request for just the stats. Some other departments, however, filled us in on both their pursuit policy and the number of chases their offices have been involved in recently.
From 2022 until now, Dallas Police Department officers have pursued more than 180 chases: 90 in 2022, 89 in 2023 and three so far this year.
According to the DPD’s General Orders an officer may engage in a chase only under certain conditions, including “when the officer has probable cause to believe that a felony involving the use or threat of physical force or violence has been, or is about to be, committed,” among a number of other circumstances. Should a Dallas officer see “a suspect discharge a firearm in a public place or display a firearm in a public place in a threatening manner,” a chase can be engaged.
From 2018 to 2022, Arlington police officers engaged in 342 chases (numbers for 2023 haven’t been posted yet). According to the annual pursuit analysis report the department publishes, the vast majority of Arlington police chases are due to suspected felonies or suspected DWIs. In 2022 alone, there were 63 police chases in Arlington, with 15 ending in the suspect voluntarily stopping and 13 ending in a collision. The remaining chases in 2022 ended because of officer or supervisor decisions.
A spokesperson for the Arlington Police Department said it does not release its general orders, but that the department requires serious discretion in this area.
“Our agency has one of the stricter pursuit policies here in the region,” the spokesperson explained via email. “It lays out very specific conditions that must be met for an APD officer to initiate a pursuit. It also gives officers and their supervisors flexibility to terminate pursuits if they feel it is no longer safe or prudent for the pursuit to continue.”
Fort Worth would provide neither the police policy for pursuits nor any statistics regarding chases, but KERA reported this week that Cowtown cops have been kept rather busy with chases on its roads in recent years.
“Over the past six years, nearly 1 of out every 3 Fort Worth Police Department car chases have caused a crash,” the KERA report stated. “Fort Worth officers initiated 1,331 pursuits from 2017 to 2022, for an average of four chases a week, according to data from the department’s use of force reports analyzed by the Fort Worth Report. Of those, 432 resulted in an accident.”
Police chases are a hot topic across all of Texas, and especially near the border where Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s controversial and costly border security plan, Operation Lone Star, looms large. In November 2023, Human Rights Watch published a 77-page report noting that the “program led to crashes that killed at least 74 people and injured at least another 189 in a 29-month period.”
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.jpg "The 2024 Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo’s auctioning of the Grand Champion steer at Watt Arena on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024.")
