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Dallas non-profit organization provides free welding certification to veterans

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Dallas non-profit organization provides free welding certification to veterans


NORTH TEXAS – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that more than 33,000 veterans are homeless in the United States, including about 4,000 in Texas.

A North Texas nonprofit organization is helping to change that by providing free job training in a trade to help veterans experiencing homelessness and housed veterans looking for a good-paying career.

The Homeless Veterans Services of Dallas, also known as the Veterans Resource Center, is a safe haven for many veterans, including retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Devoe Pelcher.

“I served in Germany, and from there I went to Korea,” Pelcher said.

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Pelcher served the country from 1978 to 1987 and still has vivid memories of surviving combat.

“That was stressful because you never know when something is going to happen. I used to wake up thinking I was on fire, and I was so glad that I wasn’t when I woke up,” Pelcher said.

Pelcher is learning how to turn the old into new by crafting works of art from discarded scraps of metal.

“There was no way I was going to be able to pay for school,” Pelcher said. “My life was totally changed when I got that certificate that I completed the welding course.”

The veterans take welding classes taught by Dallas College instructors five days a week. Homeless Veterans Services of Dallas President Ken Watterson said the classes originally started out for veterans experiencing homelessness, but now about 10% of veterans in the class are unhoused.

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“It doesn’t cost the veteran anything but his time. It’s a 10-week program. We pick 12 veterans at a time. So far, we’ve had over 500 veterans graduate from the program,” Watterson said.

The Texas Veterans Commission helps to provide funding for the program.

“It’s a mix of homeless veterans and veterans who are looking for that specific job skill,” TVC Commissioner Chuck Wright said.

The veterans come out of the program certified in a high-paying trade.

“Welding is a trade that is well needed and well paid, and that’s what I’m looking for, the money. The M-O-N-E-Y,” Pelcher said.

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“Plumbers, electricians, welders, it doesn’t take long to get into the $80,000 to $100,000 a year range,” Wright said.

The veterans pick pieces of scrap metal and turn them into works of art. They also create practical projects as they transform the metal and their lives.

Retired radio operator Breeana Lopez served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2015 to 2018.

“It’s a lot of ups and downs. I really enjoyed it though and am thankful I went through it,” Lopez said. “It’s a brother and sisterhood.”

She plans to use her welding skills to sell unique items at the state fair, and she made one-of-a-kind gifts from scratch for her wife.

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“It makes me feel great. I’ve always been the one that I love to help out,” Lopez said. “I try to help out where I can, and I love making things.”

“The life lessons that we need, the trades that we learn, they pour so much in me. I need to pour something out,” Pelcher said.

Pelcher feels ready to pick up what’s discarded and create magic in his community as he steps confidently into his future.

The veterans also get a forklift certification in addition to their welding training.

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Dallas, TX

2026 Dallas Cowboys schedule officially announced

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2026 Dallas Cowboys schedule officially announced


Behold the 2026 Dallas Cowboys schedule.

We knew coming into Thursday that the Cowboys would be on the road to take on the New York Giants in the season opener on Sunday Night Football, that Dallas is “hosting” the Baltimore Ravens in Brazil in Week 3, and that the Philadelphia Eagles would be in town for Thanksgiving Day. Now we know it all.

Among the first things that jump to mind is that bye week is late. Dallas isn’t on bye until Week 14, the Sunday of that week is December 13th for full perspective.

The Cowboys also only play twice in their own building, thanks to the Brazil game, before November. Sometimes those weird quirks show up in schedules and this is certainly one of them.

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It is interesting to see that the NFL gave Dallas the longest amount of rest possible after their Thanksgiving tilt. It hasn’t been uncommon for the league to have the Cowboys play on consecutive Thursdays, but perhaps that is a thing of the past.



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Dallas Approves $180,500 for New Botham Jean Boulevard Street Signs

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Dallas Approves 0,500 for New Botham Jean Boulevard Street Signs


A portion of South Lamar Street was officially renamed Botham Jean Boulevard in 2021.

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On Wednesday, the Dallas City Council approved funding that will replace highway exit signs and road signs marking Lamar Street with new signage honoring Botham Jean, the 26-year-old Dallas accountant who was fatally shot in his own apartment by an off-duty Dallas police officer in 2018. 

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The $180,500 in funding for 13 signs to be installed by the Texas Department of Transportation is the final step in the street renaming that was unanimously approved by the council in 2021. The new signs will be placed at exits along Interstate 45, State Highway 310 and U.S. Highway 175. 

Already, Botham Jean Boulevard signs run along the road in the Cedars, where Jean lived before he was killed. 

“This street on which he chose to live and the street on which he died can serve as a lasting memory of the upstanding resident who loved Dallas so much,” his mother, Allison Jean, told the council in 2021.  

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Jean was shot by Amber Guyger, a Dallas police officer, after she entered his apartment believing it was her own. A Dallas jury found Guyger guilty of murder in 2019 and sentenced her to 10 years in prison. She has also been ordered to pay the Jean family nearly $100 million in a civil trial, which accused her of using excessive force. 

The Jean family is seeking restitution from the city of Dallas because they argue that Dallas, as Guyger’s former employer, had a duty to defend Guyger and pay out claims brought against her. The Jean family filed suit against the city in April of this year.

On Wednesday, city council member Adam Bazaldua stated that the continued remembrance of Jean’s name is a reminder that “no one is above the law.” 

“This has never simply been about changing street signs; it has always been about commemorating a life that was taken too soon,” said Bazaldua. “When driving down Botham Jean Boulevard, we are reminded of the thousands of lives lost across the country each year to senseless gun violence.” 

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Bazaldua said that once city leaders were made aware that some signs from the initial 2021 street name change had not materialized, the horseshoe took steps to correct the oversight “somewhat promptly.” But he acknowledged that Wednesday’s funding came on the heels of community advocacy urging the project’s completion. 

Community leader Yafeuh Balogun said his organization, Community Movement Builders, began asking the city for the updated signs in September 2025. Addressing the council ahead of Wednesday’s vote, Balogun encouraged the horseshoe to vote in favor of the funds because it “would make no sense” to not follow through with the street renaming approved years ago. 

 “I think this is very powerful simply because driving here today, I still saw the Lamar Street Signs,” Balogun said. “I remember how powerful it was back in 2021 when the city council voted to rename Lamar Street to Botham Jean. I’d like to keep that legacy going.” 



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World Cup volunteers receive uniforms, new tickets released

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World Cup volunteers receive uniforms, new tickets released


We’re less than a month out from the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and North Texans volunteering in the event have received their uniforms. FOX 4’s Peyton Yager has more on that and the new hospitality tickets released today.



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