Dallas, TX
Dallas police investigate alleged attempted kidnapping; neighbors believe it was something else
![Dallas police investigate alleged attempted kidnapping; neighbors believe it was something else Dallas police investigate alleged attempted kidnapping; neighbors believe it was something else](https://assets3.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2024/08/16/f07e780f-62ac-4500-8522-55bf208753db/thumbnail/1200x630/b48911a5b2ad174283475516fcbaa5f8/snapshot-2024-08-15t220437-277.jpg?v=d8f7565ef3e8b72561ee316b5993cbf9)
DALLAS — Over the last few days, it’s been widely reported that Dallas police are investigating what they believe was an attempted kidnapping in a North Dallas neighborhood Monday afternoon. A young man exiting a white SUV and approaching a group of kids was identified as the suspect.
Thursday, the department said it’s still investigating, but provided more information.
They said the involved individuals have been identified, are under the age of 18, and have been cooperating with the investigation. In this case, detectives do not believe there is a threat to the public at this time. No arrests have been made in this case.
“Originally, we were very worried,” Cori Pratt said. “We were all on very high alert.”
Pratt lives about a half mile from Old Pond Drive, where the alleged incident occurred.
As the Expanded Neighborhood Patrol coordinator for the nearby Highlands North Homeowners Association, she worked to learn more about this incident on Monday.
“I got in touch with an officer from our area, who patrols our area, and I asked him if he could verify, confirm any of this information and he said he could,” she said.
Pratt said the next day, the officer contacted her with an update.
“He reported that no one had been arrested and that it was not filed as an attempted kidnapping,” she said.
She put this information in an email and sent it to homeowners. It also stated the officer confirmed with a lieutenant that the incident started when one of the children threw an object, possibly a water balloon or ball, striking the man’s vehicle, causing him to stop and confront the group.
“I certainly understand how anybody would be absolutely terrified if their kid came screaming and said I’m being kidnapped or somebody is coming after me,” she said. “I totally understand that.”
However, with this investigation now going viral across multiple platforms nationwide, Pratt is hoping people will wait to learn more from police before making judgment.
“Innocent until proven guilty, right?” she said.
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Dallas, TX
Mavericks release full NBA regular season schedule, starting with Spurs and Wembanyama
![Mavericks release full NBA regular season schedule, starting with Spurs and Wembanyama Mavericks release full NBA regular season schedule, starting with Spurs and Wembanyama](https://dmn-dallas-news-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6SUYSIZPZJEZNCZUPQLOLIFBSY.jpg?auth=4c41225a780b4dc307c78ca847363f49e695cd4e21b6aa9b969f8f7bb340adc5&height=467&width=830&smart=true&quality=40)
The Dallas Mavericks’ schedule for the 2024-25 regular season is no longer a mystery.
After a slow trickle of marquee games over the last several days, the NBA officially revealed the full regular season schedule Thursday afternoon.
The Mavericks, the defending Western Conference champions, will begin the season Oct. 24 when Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs visit American Airlines Center, a reversal of last year’s season opener in San Antonio.
It’ll be a Texas Showdown between two revamped teams in the Southwest Division. It marks the debut of the newly formed trio of Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson, while Wembanyama will have a new co-star in veteran guard Chris Paul.
The Mavericks will take their new Big 3 on the road for the first time on Oct. 26 against the Phoenix Suns and another Big 3: Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
The Mavericks finished 50-32 last season, fifth in the Western Conference, before they went on an improbable, electric run to the NBA Finals. They’ll have two rematches with the Boston Celtics, who captured the Larry O’Brien trophy in five games, on Jan. 25 in Dallas and Feb. 6 in Boston.
Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison told The Dallas Morning News in July that he’s looking forward to seeing how the team responds to last season’s success. Any team that’s fresh off a Finals run will likely receive every team’s best shot.
“You’re no longer hunting people,” Harrison said. “They’re going to be hunting. So how do you respond? Do we finish games off? Does everybody come in shape, ready to go? That’s the type of stuff I’m excited to see.”
Seven of the Mavericks’ first nine games are at home, which includes a five-game homestand – the first of two during the season. That serves as a calm before the storm because Dallas will embark on a brutal stretch of 11 of 15 games on the road throughout the majority of November. The Mavericks will also end the season playing 12 of their final 20 games on the road.
Here are a few takeaways from the Mavericks’ schedule, followed by the complete list of games, times and TV info.
National TV appearances
Dallas is scheduled to play on national television 30 times, including nine on TNT, nine on ESPN, seven on NBA TV and five on ABC.
Locally, the Mavericks are waiting to see what happens with Bally Sports Southwest, whose parent company, Diamond Sports Group, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Minority shareholder Mark Cuban said at an event last week, according to WFAA-TV, that if Bally doesn’t renew its contract with the Mavericks, which appears likely, the franchise will do what it can to maximize distribution.
One option could be partnering with the Stars, who ended their rights agreement with Bally and will launch a direct-to-consumer streaming app, Victory+, that will allow in-market fans to watch games for free this season.
Back-to-backs
The Mavericks are scheduled for 13 back-to-backs:
- Five are home-to-road.
- Four begin and end on the road.
- Two begin and end at home.
- One is road-to-home.
- Four don’t require any travel.
On the road
Dallas’ longest road trip is five games, from Jan. 29 to Feb. 6, against New Orleans, Detroit, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Boston.
The Mavericks also have two four-game trips.
Home cooking
The Mavericks’ longest homestands are two five-game stints from Oct. 31 to Nov. 8 and Feb. 8 to Feb. 21.
Complete schedule
October
Thu. Oct. 24: San Antonio, 6:30, TNT
Sat. Oct. 26: @ Phoenix, 9:00
Mon. Oct. 28: Utah, 7:30
Tue. Oct. 29: @ Minnesota, 6:30, TNT
Thu. Oct. 31: Houston, 7:30
November
Sun. Nov. 3: Orlando, 6:30
Mon. Nov. 4: Indiana, 8:45
Wed. Nov. 6: Chicago, 7:30
Fri. Nov. 8: Phoenix, 6:30, ESPN
Sun. Nov. 10: @ Denver, 7:00
Tue. Nov. 12: @ Golden State (NBA Cup group play), 9:00, TNT
Thu. Nov. 14: @ Utah, 8:00, NBA TV
Sat. Nov. 16: San Antonio, 7:30, NBA TV
Sun. Nov. 17: @ Oklahoma City, 6:00
Tue. Nov. 19: New Orleans (NBA Cup group play), 7:30
Fri. Nov. 22: @ Denver (NBA Cup group play), 9:00, ESPN
Sun. Nov. 24: @ Miami, 5:00
Mon. Nov. 25: @ Atlanta, 6:30, NBA TV
Wed. Nov. 27: New York, 6:30, ESPN
Sat. Nov. 30: @ Utah, 8:30
December
Sun. Dec. 1: @ Portland, 8:00
Tue. Dec. 3: Memphis, 7:30 (NBA Cup group play)
Thu. Dec. 5: @ Washington, 6:00
Sat. Dec. 7: @ Toronto, 6:30
Dec. 10-17: NBA Cup
Thu. Dec. 19: LA Clippers, 7:30
Sat. Dec. 21: LA Clippers, 7:30
Mon. Dec. 23: Portland, 7:30
Wed. Dec. 25: Minnesota, 1:30, ABC
Fri. Dec. 27: @ Phoenix, 8:00
Sat. Dec. 28: @ Portland, 9:00
Mon. Dec. 30: @ Sacramento, 9:00, NBA TV
January
Wed. Jan. 1: @ Houston, 7:00
Fri. Jan. 3: Cleveland, 7:30
Mon. Jan. 6: @ Memphis, 7:00
Tue. Jan. 7: LA Lakers, 6:30, TNT
Thu. Jan. 9: Portland, 7:30
Sun. Jan. 12: Denver, 2:00
Tue. Jan. 14: Denver, 8:30, TNT
Wed. Jan. 15: @ New Orleans, 7:00
Fri. Jan. 17: Oklahoma City, 7:30
Mon. Jan. 20: @ Charlotte, 11:00, NBA TV
Wed. Jan. 22: Minnesota, 6:30, ESPN
Thu. Jan. 23: @ Oklahoma City, 7:00
Sat. Jan. 25: Boston, 4:30, ABC
Mon. Jan. 27: Washington, 7:30
Wed. Jan. 29: @ New Orleans, 7:00
Fri. Jan. 31: @ Detroit, 6:00
February
Sun. Feb. 2: @ Cleveland, 2:30
Tue. Feb. 4: @ Philadelphia, 6:30, TNT
Thu. Feb. 6: @ Boston, 6:30, TNT
Sat. Feb. 8: Houston, 2:00
Mon. Feb. 10: Sacramento, 7:30
Wed. Feb. 12: Golden State, 8:30, ESPN
Thu. Feb. 13: Miami, 7:30
Feb. 14-16: NBA All-Star 2025, San Francisco Bay Area
Fri. Feb. 21: New Orleans, 8:30, ESPN
Sun. Feb. 23: @ Golden State, 2:30, ABC
Tue. Feb. 25: @ LA Lakers, 9:00, TNT
Thu. Feb. 27: Charlotte, 7:30
March
Sat. March 1: Milwaukee, 7:30
Mon. March 3 Sacramento, 7:30
Wed. March 5: @ Milwaukee, 8:30, ESPN
Fri. March 7: Memphis, 6:30, ESPN
Sun. March 9: Phoenix, 2:30, ABC
Mon. March 10: @ San Antonio, 7:30
Wed. March 12: @ San Antonio, 7:00
Fri. March 14: @ Houston, 7:00
Sun. March 16: Philadelphia, 12:00, ABC
Wed. March 19: @ Indiana, 6:00
Fri. March 21: Detroit, 7:30
Mon. March 24: @ Brooklyn, 6:30
Tue. March 25: @ New York, 6:30, TNT
Thu. March 27: @ Orlando, 6:00, NBA TV
Sat. March 29: @ Chicago, 7:00
Mon. March 31: Brooklyn, 7:30
April
Wed. April 2: Atlanta, 7:30
Fri. April 4: @ LA Clippers, 9:30
Sat. April 5: @ LA Clippers, 9:30, NBA TV
Wed. April 9: LA Lakers, 6:30, ESPN
Fri. April 11: Toronto, 7:30
Sun. April 13: @ Memphis, 2:30
Mavericks radio
The Mavericks’ flagship radio station, 97.1 The Eagle, will continue to broadcast all of the team’s games. Each game will also be available via live stream on iHeartRadio.com and in Spanish on Zona MX 99.1 [KFZO].
Dallas, TX
Dallas Cowboys to sign veteran pass rusher Carl Lawson
![Dallas Cowboys to sign veteran pass rusher Carl Lawson Dallas Cowboys to sign veteran pass rusher Carl Lawson](https://dmn-dallas-news-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AFY6KEI3ZBEA3JBD2G6WBDXEDY.jpg?auth=574d92d023eb4f74a1a8a64fede76c18683e0601ac01dd44a7080d0e7a8e6334&height=467&width=830&smart=true&quality=40)
OXNARD, Calif. — The Cowboys will sign defensive end Carl Lawson, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Dallas Morning News on Thursday.
Lawson’s arrival is the latest move for a defensive line that has gone through a series of changes.
Defensive end Sam Williams’ season-ending knee injury on July 28 prompted the Cowboys to find a replacement. Initially, second-round pick Marshawn Kneeland was cast as the projected starter opposite DeMarcus Lawrence.
The Cowboys also worked out three players (Shaka Toney, Al-Quadin Muhammad and Lawson) following Williams’ injury. The team signed Toney and Muhammad in early August and each played in the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
But Toney suffered an injury and was waived/injured by the team Wednesday. That move allowed the club to sign center/guard Cohl Cabral because the offensive line needed increased depth because of health issues.
“Marshawn’s done a nice job,” coach Mike McCarthy said before Wednesday’s practice when asked about the defensive ends. “I think, clearly, the amount of reps he received in the game is also tied to his work last week in the Rams [joint] practice. I think we got some new guys we’re still breaking in. Chauncy [Golston] has gone out there and played some end and I like what he did. He had some really good plays in the [preseason] game. The biggest thing, not only the individual, but getting the techniques, getting that part right, making sure we’re getting everything fitted together, the fundamentals, techniques and the calls.”
Defensive end isn’t the only position the Cowboys seek to upgrade.
Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said he wanted to find another nose tackle for depth behind second-year player Mazi Smith.
After a difficult rookie season, a scheme change was thought to benefit Smith in his second season. He pushed back on that slightly after Wednesday’s joint practice with the Rams.
“Yeah, it ain’t the scheme,” he said. “It’s more about time and warming up to people and getting with the program and everybody getting on the same page and becoming part of the team.”
The Cowboys acquired defensive tackle Jordan Phillips in a trade with the New York Giants on Wednesday for conditional late-round 2026 draft picks.
There is familiarity with Lawson within the Cowboys’ coaching staff. Paul Guenther, the Cowboys defensive run game coordinator, was the Bengals defensive coordinator in 2017 when Lawson was drafted in the fourth round.
In six NFL seasons, Lawson has 27 sacks. Two years ago, he signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the New York Jets. In 23 games, Lawson had seven sacks before he was let go.
The Cowboys will make a roster move to clear the way for Lawson.
Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
Dallas, TX
Letters to the Editor — Texas prisons, voting, Dallas sanitation, ‘Morning Has Broken’
![Letters to the Editor — Texas prisons, voting, Dallas sanitation, ‘Morning Has Broken’ Letters to the Editor — Texas prisons, voting, Dallas sanitation, ‘Morning Has Broken’](https://dmn-dallas-news-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3XDNSM7G7ZBQHJ6D2HZZDXX5HI.jpg?auth=042142331bc6898cae4d4d8aae887df4a33b8e14c143058d0659ad123961068b&height=467&width=830&smart=true&quality=40)
For shame, Texas
Re: “Prisons Must Stop Sweltering Cruelty — Texas inmates are being ‘cooked to death’ without air-conditioning,” Monday editorial.
I correspond with 13 women in Texas prisons, including my own family member, who has lived in four of the female units. Eight of those 13 do not have air-conditioning, and winters are also brutal on those units. They live in cinder-block buildings or metal industrial buildings with metal roofs and no insulation.
They were sentenced to be confined, not to be tortured. The cruelty our governor, lieutenant governor and state senators are allowing by refusing to use surplus budget money to provide relief and basic humane treatment of fellow human beings is beyond comprehension.
Most of these state leaders claim to be Christians. I have written them directly, repeatedly, respectfully, on this issue and never receive so much as a form letter in return.
God sees, hears, knows and remembers (Exodus 2:24). The ultimate reckoning will not be kind to those who “close their hearts to pity” (Psalm 17:10).
In the meantime, advocates for humane treatment of Texas prisoners will continue to call for basic standards of climate control for human beings. As for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s claims about heat mitigation, they are true only on paper. There are so many failures in carrying out even those pitiful efforts. For shame, Texas!
Becky Haigler, East Dallas
Prisoners are people
Regardless of their crimes, prisoners are people — people with a right to life and a constitutionally guaranteed right to not be treated cruelly. I have never been incarcerated, but I have experienced homelessness. I know something about dealing with a Texas summer without air-conditioning. Not surprisingly, it’s excruciating.
Forcing anyone to endure these conditions and suffer from heat-related illnesses more than exceeds the definition of cruelty. If we are morally and constitutionally proscribed from treating people this way, how can we justify the cost of fighting a lawsuit that by right should be won by the plaintiff? How can we justify the cost of treating those who suffer? How can we justify undermining the humanity of our brothers and sisters?
Eric Wallace, Dallas
Expired license is an ID
Re: “Voting and license logjam,” by James Elliott, Sunday Letters.
In his letter, Elliott wrote about a family member whose license had expired. He and the family member are inconvenienced by the backlog of available appointments to renew the driver’s license.
However, the expired license is still an acceptable form of ID for voting in November. Per the office of the Texas Secretary of State, a license expired no more than four years is acceptable.
Mr. Elliott, please encourage your family member to take her expired license to the polls and exercise her constitutional right to vote!
Karen Cannon, Arlington
Voter ID myths and truths
I am concerned that people are hearing rumors about voting problems and deciding not to vote due to them. A few examples are: Myth: You cannot vote with an expired license. Truth: You can if you are under 70 and it expired less than four years ago. Over 70, the expiration date does not apply.
Myth: You cannot vote without a driver’s license. Truth: There are seven forms of photo ID plus many alternate IDs that are acceptable for voting. Check this website, votetexas.gov/voting/need-id.html.
Myth: Food and drink cannot be offered to people in line to vote. Truth: This is true only if it is done on a partisan basis. If offered in a nonpartisan way and without electioneering, it’s totally acceptable in Texas.
Check the website above for the rules and don’t believe what you hear about barriers to voting. Turn out and vote your conscience.
Marcia Grau, Richardson
Vocal crowd seeks alley pickup
The Dallas Department of Sanitation Services and District 9 council member Paula Blackmon must have been shocked Monday when they held a community meeting on the department’s proposal to move sanitation pickup from alleyways to curbsides. A standing-room-only crowd of all ages swarmed into the Ridgewood Belcher Recreation Center’s large meeting room.
The attendees overwhelmingly voiced their opposition to department director Clifton Gillespie’s plan to phase out alleyway trash collection, which accounts for 38% of all garbage pickup in the city.
So many people showed up to voice their feelings, some had to park on distant surrounding streets and lean up against the meeting room walls. Only one microphone was used — had the leaders never run a community meeting before?
Four or five uniformed police officers watched over the crowd, even rushing to “escort” out a too-vocal resident at one point.
Gillespie heard a number of thoughtful suggestions from the attendees, from privatizing existing alleyway trash collection to using more modern, more maneuverable, automated side-loading mini-trucks for pickup in narrow alleys. Whether he truly listens to them remains to be seen.
Glenn Hunter, East Dallas
‘Praise every morning’
Re: “Don’t overlook morning’s promise — Early hours bring moments of hope, beauty and clarity,” by Christopher de Vinck, Saturday Opinion
De Vinck’s column is a lovely paean to a daily reflection that thanks and humility are such life-giving virtues, “recognizing all over again that we are on a long, joyful adventure.”
In no way does he suggest a competition with the Benedictine monks in Vermont. But he does reveal that “the monks greet each day with song and prayer, and they are filled with gratitude to God. I try to greet each day with words, poetry and with a sense for it all.”
Here he puts one in mind of “Morning Has Broken,” a haunting song that shares his own sense of new beginnings each day, but does affirm what is most important: “Praise with elation, praise every morning, God’s re-creation of the new day.”
Tom Jodziewicz, Irving
We welcome your thoughts in a letter to the editor. See the guidelines and submit your letter here. If you have problems with the form, you can submit via email at letters@dallasnews.com
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