Dallas, TX
Family of pilot killed in 2022 Dallas air show files lawsuit against show organizer
DALLAS – The family of a pilot who died in an air show crash in Dallas last year filed a lawsuit against the show’s organizers.
Len Root was one of six people who died in last November’s crash at the Wings Over Dallas Air Show. His family is claiming negligence on behalf of the people who put on the show and owned the plane Root flew.
Root got his pilot’s license at the age of 16 and went on to fly for American Airlines for decades before retiring.
Root died at the age of 66 at the Wings Over Dallas Air Show in November 2022.
Six men in total were killed when two WW II-era planes collided mid-air.
A P-63 King Cobra crashed into the back of B-17 Flying Fortress before bursting into flames. Thousands of people watched in horror. Root was a co-pilot on the B-17.
Root’s family is still waiting for answers.
Thursday, their attorney, Kevin Koudelka, filed a lawsuit in Dallas County on behalf of Root’s wife and daughters hoping to gain those answers.
“Mrs. Root watched it happen, and she is not doing very well,” he said. “We need the lawsuit to get into what happened and who is responsible for that. Second part of that is who is responsible? What happened? Who is wrong? And why did this happen? And hold them accountable.”
Multiple defendants are named in the lawsuit, including the owners of the planes and the Commemorative Air Force.
The CAF is the non-profit who put on the air show.
The suit says the plane owners, the CAF and others were negligent in multiple ways leading up to and during the show.
“One of the questions we have is the air boss, who I call is the quarterback calling the plays for the event. We believe he was employed by CAF,” Koudelka said.
The lawsuit claims this air boss “failed to draft, organize, and implement a safe and adequate flight plan for the airshow.”
“Our investigation thus far and the preliminary report from the NTSB summed up is the planes shouldn’t have been near each other,” Koudelka said.
It could still take several months before the official final NTSB report is released.
The preliminary report didn’t reveal the cause but states there wasn’t any altitude advice plan in place prior to the show.
Back in January, the FAA released audio recordings of the radio traffic between the air boss and the pilots. Seconds before the collision, you can hear the air boss giving the command to go ahead.
“It’s a lawsuit to find out who screwed up and hold them responsible because we know Mr. Root, the pilot, didn’t screw up,” Koudelka said.
The CAF says it will wait to respond until after the final NTSB report is released.
Koudelka believes other lawsuits will be coming. His firm is the first to file.
Dallas, TX
Alamo Drafthouse saga leads Dallas' top entertainment stories of 2024
As the year 2024 comes to a close, Dallas is ready with all sorts of ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve: from classical music to cover bands, from rooftop parties to masquerade balls. Here are the nine most interesting choices to help get 2025 off to a great start.
Gaylord Texan presents Glass Cactus New Year’s Eve Bash
Gaylord Texan in Grapevine will ring in the New Year at their nightclub, Glass Cactus, with performances by cover bands Infinite Journey and Nerd Halen. General admission includes a sparkling rosé toast at midnight, while VIP admission includes a sparkling rosé toast at midnight passed hors d’oeuvres, one drink ticket, and early entrance to club that includes a private 15-20 minute acoustic set from Infinite Journey.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents New Year’s Eve
Before the ball drops, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra will kick off New Year’s celebrations with an evening of music, conducted by Moritz Gnann. Among the selections will be four compositions from Johann Strauss II, Bernstein’s Divertimento Waltz, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz, and more. The concert takes place at Meyerson Symphony Center.
Waterproof presents Countdown in the Sky
Waterproof, the rooftop lounge at The Statler Hotel in downtown Dallas, will present Countdown in the Sky, a night of music and spectacular views. The Couples package includes two VIP entry tickets with front-of-the-line access, one Champagne bottle, one high-top table and New Year’s Eve party favors. Additional packages are available for groups of 6 to 12 people.
Texas Live presents NYE Live!
At NYE Live! at Texas Live in Arlington, guests can welcome the New Year in style with entertainment, food and drink options, and a vibrant atmosphere. There will be live music, entertainment, decor, champagne toasts, and celebrations all night long.
Pegasus City Brewery presents NYE Bash
Pegasus City Brewery in Dallas will present a Monte Carlo/Casablanca/Gatsby style New Year’s Eve Bash for their fourth annual celebration. The evening will feature casino-style games, a performance by the David Washburn Jazz Band, an old-school photo booth, a Mexican food dinner, and a choice of 18 taps with beer, cider, and seltzer, plus wine and champagne, zero-proof options, and sodas. It all ends with a toast at midnight.
Meow Wolf Grapevine presents New Year’s Eve Adultiverse
On New Year’s Eve, reality takes a backseat as Meow Wolf Grapevine presents a special edition of Adulti-Verse. Guests 21 and over can enjoy Meow Wolf’s unique experience in style as the interdimensional soirée features a full-service bar and a performance by Night Shade Burlesque, as well as a champagne toast at midnight. Food & beverage will be available for purchase at the cafe.
Catbird presents NYE Met Gala
Catbird, the restaurant and bar at Thompson Dallas, will present a Met Gala-themed New Year’s Eve party, an opportunity for guests to wear over-the-top outfits. The event will transform the lounge into a prestigious and glamorous fashion event, complete with a red carpet, paparazzi, champagne, and special guest DJ Christopher Reid.
The Statler presents Royal Masquerade Ball
While the Statler’s rooftop bar will be hopping, their Grand Ballroom will transform into a Royal Masquerade Ball, complete with extravagant decorations, an open bar, casino games, and party favors. The festivities begin with DJs spinning Top 40 and hip-hop mashups. General admission tickets include access to an open bar and an evening of celebration. Before the ball, guests can dine in The Statler’s private dining space, a three-course dinner featuring premium wine and beer and a chef-curated menu.
Lone Star NYE at Reunion Tower
Reunion Tower will once again ring in the new year by presenting the annual Lone Star NYE at Reunion Tower fireworks show. The show will feature a display of over 5,000 pyrotechnic special effects, a 259 LED light display, and nearly 300 drones. There is no viewing allowed near the tower; viewing can be done at nearby parties or city streets. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth / KXAS will broadcast the event, and The Spot (98.7 FM), will simulcast the celebration.
Dallas, TX
These Dallas-Fort Worth bars, restaurants offer refined mocktails
Are you looking for a spot to sip on no-alcohol or non-alcoholic drinks in Dallas-Fort Worth? Options aren’t as slim as they once were for Dry January (or a dry or drier lifestyle) as more restaurants and bars add mocktails and other balanced, refreshing concoctions without the booze.
Beyond the Bar in Richardson
This was D-FW’s first no-alcohol bottle shop. Find unique zero-proof beverages of all sorts when you stop in.
101 S. Sherman St. B, Richardson. Open Tuesday through Sunday.
Community Beer Co. in Dallas
The Dallas brewery can pour NA beers. The sprawling venue, which changed locales in recent years, also has a robust food menu. Grab a table outside when it’s sunny.
3110 Commonwealth Dr., Dallas. Open Wednesday through Sunday.
Doughbird near University Park
There’s a zero-proof section at the recently opened restaurant in Inwood Village, near the intersection of Inwood Road and Lovers Lane. Find a cheery blackberry rickey, made with mint, blackberry jam, fresh lime, and fizzy water, or southern peach tea, comprised of clover honey, peach and sparkling yuzu sour.
5560 W. Lovers Lane, Dallas.
HG Sply Co.
Consult the “non-spirited” section of HG’s menu when stopping in. Mocktails with a healthful twist – think twists like beets or turmeric – are a point of emphasis at nutrition-conscious restaurant.
Multiple locations.
Ida Claire in Addison
Find six mocktails during Dry January at Ida Claire. Those include the Like a Virgin, with pineapple, grapefruit, lemon, blackberry, agave and soda, and Dazed & Confused, which includes Pamos THC spirit, pineapple, lemon, blueberry simple syrup and yuzu lime soda. The beverages are available all day through Jan. 31.
5001 Beltline Rd., Dallas.
Ladylove Lounge & Sound in Bishop Arts
Skip to the elixirs section of the cool lounge’s menu for a some surprising, well-balanced non-alcoholic flavor pairings. The elixirs are also included in Monday-Friday happy hour specials, which isn’t the most typical move.
Open daily. 310 W. Seventh St., Dallas.
Uchi in Dallas
Along with Uchiba and Loro in Dallas and Uchiko in Plano, Uchi has a menu filled with both low ABV and no-ABV beverages. Loro, a Japanese and barbecue fusion restaurant, has zero-proof options that include the spicy cucumber with lime, yuzu and ghost agave.
Multiple locations.
Dallas, TX
Dallas Wings name Chris Koclanes as new head coach, have No. 1 overall WNBA pick in 2025
NORTH TEXAS – Fresh from garnering the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, the Dallas Wings now have a new leader.
Chris Koclanes, known as a defensive and player development master, has been named the Wings’ next head coach.
Currently an assistant coach at the University of Southern California, Koclanes is replacing Latricia Trammell, who was dismissed in October after compiling a 31-49 record over two seasons. The Wings finished 9-31 last season.
Curt Miller, the Wings’ executive vice president and general manager, applauded Koclanes for his leadership, communication and basketball IQ.
“Throughout our extensive search and interview process, Chris continued to rise to the top and check the boxes of our important pillars,” Miller said in a news release. “He is a servant leader who places a high value on connection, collaboration, and a positive and consistent communication style with all those he coaches.
“Chris is a fantastic teacher of the game and has an outstanding basketball IQ. He is committed to player development and has a forward-thinking and innovative mind for the game. He is a tireless worker with a foundation built through preparation.
“In addition to his proven on-court skill, Chris possesses values that align perfectly with the Dallas Wings, including a shared focus on positively impacting the community and developing our players off the court.”
Miller touted the “many incredible things” on the Wings’ horizon, including a new arena, state-of-the-art practice facility and its selection of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
“… We are confident Chris is the right person to lead this team into a new era of Dallas Wings basketball,” Miller said.
Koclanes has previous WNBA experience with the Los Angeles Sparks and the Connecticut Sun.
“I look forward to partnering with our ownership, front office, and players to create a sustainable championship culture that is felt on and off the floor, and in the community,” Koclanes said in the release. “I’m excited to support and empower the women of this league as we continue to elevate the WNBA to new heights.”
He kicked off his career in basketball operations and video coordination at William & Mary and St. Joseph’s.
A formal news conference announcing Koclanes is scheduled for Jan. 9 at Reunion Tower in Dallas.
-
Business1 week ago
Freddie Freeman's World Series walk-off grand slam baseball sells at auction for $1.56 million
-
Technology1 week ago
Meta’s Instagram boss: who posted something matters more in the AI age
-
Technology4 days ago
Google’s counteroffer to the government trying to break it up is unbundling Android apps
-
News1 week ago
East’s wintry mix could make travel dicey. And yes, that was a tornado in Calif.
-
News5 days ago
Novo Nordisk shares tumble as weight-loss drug trial data disappoints
-
Politics5 days ago
Illegal immigrant sexually abused child in the U.S. after being removed from the country five times
-
Entertainment5 days ago
'It's a little holiday gift': Inside the Weeknd's free Santa Monica show for his biggest fans
-
Politics1 week ago
Trump taps Richard Grenell as presidential envoy for special missions, Edward S. Walsh as Ireland ambassador