Dallas, TX

Dallas City Council, don’t revive short-term rentals fight

Published

1 year ago

November 17, 2024

Dallas City Council, don’t revive short-term rentals fight

There’s a move afoot at Dallas City Hall to reopen the painful wound over short-term rentals, to bring it all back for public debate.

Some Dallas City Council members who were against the city’s ban, passed more than a year ago, are pointing to an ongoing temporary injunction barring its enforcement as evidence it should be revisited.

They say more legally bulletproof restrictions should be hashed out and approved so the city can get on with reaping millions of dollars in revenue it’s losing while waiting for a protracted legal battle to play out.

We disagree. Even as we reiterate our concerns about the legality of Dallas’ short-term rental restrictions, we haven’t forgotten the fight over them was one of the ugliest seen at City Hall in recent memory — and dragged on for years.

The City Council knew full well in June 2023 that the short-term rental rules they were adopting would land them in court, and opponents quickly sued. But the council was willing to take that risk on behalf of the thousands of homeowners pleading for relief from the citywide smattering of properties they said were harming their neighborhoods. The city shouldn’t abandon them now.

There’s another good reason to let the legal fight continue, at least for now. The city will glean valuable insight from the various trial and appellate court rulings along the way to help it devise a more legally sound set of restrictions going forward if necessary. The 5th District Court of Appeals is mulling a request by the city to lift the temporary injunction, and its ruling will serve as a guidepost.

In any event, we’re loath to see this highly emotional issue go back before the City Plan Commission and the Dallas City Council for rounds of heated public hearings, which may be necessary if the city starts over.

Dallas City Council member Chad West made a compelling case for reviving the short-term rentals debate earlier this month at the council’s Government Performance and Financial Management Committee meeting.

While the city remains handcuffed from enforcing its registration fee program and zoning restrictions limiting short-term rentals in nonresidential areas, these properties continue to operate citywide, West noted. City staff estimated that there are about 3,500 short-term rentals in the city, but less than half of them have registered to pay the 9% hotel occupancy taxes as required.

West said the city also stands to lose millions more if the issue isn’t resolved before the FIFA World Cup games in 2026. Meanwhile, the city spends nearly $1 million on its new short-term rental enforcement team, which for the time being has been diverted to other code enforcement matters.

“I think we admit we got it wrong and we go back,” West told the committee. But that brought a sharp rebuke from council member Cara Mendelsohn: “We debated this ad nauseam. I can’t believe that you are wanting to do this again.”

Council member Paula Blackmon also resisted: “It is not a good public policy approach. I just don’t think there is a clear reason to bring it back.”

Not deterred, West said he’d consider asking that the matter be briefed by the city’s lawyers in a council executive session. For now, that’s where it belongs. Behind closed doors.

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Dallas, TX

Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Dead, Opening Perfect Cowboys Opportunity

Published

6 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Dead, Opening Perfect Cowboys Opportunity

Dallas Cowboys Nation’s hopes of landing superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby were dashed last weekend when it was announced that he was being traded to the Baltimore Ravens. However, less than 24 hours before the new year, the trade has fallen apart.

On Tuesday night, the Las Vegas Raiders announced that the Ravens have backed out of the trade.

“The Baltimore Ravens have backed out of our trade agreement for Maxx Crosby,” the statement read. “We will have no further comment at this time.”

The news sends a major ripple for the league, with the Crosby sweepstakes once again open. Before his trade to the Ravens, the Cowboys were considered one of the teams closely monitoring the situation and a team that made a legitimate offer for Crosby.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby leaves the field following a game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium. | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

At this time, there is no word on why the trade between Las Vegas and Baltimore fell through. When the trade was first reported, the Raiders were set to receive a 2026 and 2027 first-round pick from the Ravens.

Now, his future is in limbo. Before he was traded to the Ravens, it was believed that the Cowboys, Chicago Bears, and Los Angeles Rams were the top candidates to land him. In fact, the Cowboys were “considered runner-ups” in the sweepstakes.

Dallas’ Original Trade Offer

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby reacts during the second half at SoFi Stadium. | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Cowboys initially offered the No. 12 overall pick in the 2026 draft, a 2027 second-round pick, and an unnamed veteran player.

“Dallas kept a hard line throughout. The franchise wasn’t willing to part with two first-round picks, hoping its 12th pick in April’s draft, plus a future second-rounder, would be enough to entice Las Vegas. Dallas was also willing to package a veteran player to sweeten the deal, but Vegas wasn’t interested in that. The Raiders prioritized picks,” Fowler wrote.

Last season, Crosby recorded 73 total tackles, 28 tackles for a loss, 20 quarterback hits, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception.

We’ll have to see if Dallas ends up being his new home, now that the team has a second chance to make something special happen, but there will be some serious competition. The 2026 NFL calendar year officially begins on Wednesday, March 11, at 4:00 p.m. ET.

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Dallas, TX

Dallas weather: Severe storms bring hail and tornado threats | See timing

Published

19 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Dallas weather: Severe storms bring hail and tornado threats | See timing

DALLAS – Severe thunderstorms are forecast to return to North Texas late Tuesday, bringing threats of damaging hail, high winds and localized flooding. While the primary concerns are wind and hail, a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out.

Tuesday Forecast

Dallas weather: Mar. 10 morning forecast

We have another chance of severe storms starting Tuesday afternoon. Meteorologist Ali Turiano has your forecast and everything you need to know ahead of the storms.

Scattered showers and storms are expected to develop as a dryline to the west moves into the region. Storm conditions are expected to intensify as the day progresses.

The greatest concerns remain damaging winds and large hail. The leading edge of the storm front will likely be the most intense, with the potential for straight-line winds and brief spin-up tornadoes.

LIVE Radar: Dallas-Fort Worth

Dallas Storms: Timing and Impact

The highest potential for severe weather in the Metroplex is from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., though lingering activity could continue until 2 a.m. Wednesday. Residents are advised to seek shelter immediately if a warning is issued for their area.

7-Day Forecast

A final round of storms is expected Wednesday, primarily between noon and 7 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. These storms carry a threat of half-dollar-sized hail and damaging winds.

Behind this system, North Texas will dry out and briefly cool off. Sunny skies return Thursday with a high in the mid-60s. Temperatures will then warm into the upper 70s on Friday before a sunny weekend with highs in the low 80s.

The Source: Information in this article comes from the National Weather Service and FOX 4 forecasters.

WeatherDallasFort WorthSevere Weather

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