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How the departure of Dallas’ police chief could impact the city’s November election

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How the departure of Dallas’ police chief could impact the city’s November election


With Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia retiring and heading to Austin to become an Assistant City Manager, how this could affect three ballot initiatives city voters will consider on Election Day. The State Fair of Texas can keep its new policy banning guns after a judge decides in its favor and against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Plus, there’s political fallout between the Tarrant County GOP and two Republican county commissioners who voted in favor of keeping polling locations at local universities. Jack Fink covers these stories and more in the latest episode of Eye on Politics (original air date: Sept 22, 2024).

Big D Departure

After more than three years, Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia is retiring from the city of Dallas and will start his new job as an Assistant City Manager overseeing public safety for the City of Austin on November 4th. 

He’s following the man who hired him in Dallas: former City Manager T.C. Broadnax, who’s now running Austin. It comes several months after the Chief agreed to stay on through May 2027 as Chief. 

In a statement, Garcia said, “…Deciding to step away from this profession has been one of the most challenging decisions of my life. Law enforcement has shaped who I am, providing me with a strong sense of purpose, responsibility, and camaraderie.” 

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Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson and interim City Manager Kim Tolbert released a joint statement saying, “We are immensely grateful to Chief Garcia for his dedicated service and unwavering commitment to the safety of our residents.. While we are sorry to see him go, we also know that the big city police chiefs never stick around forever.”

Dallas City Council members Paula Blackmon and Adam Bazaldua have expressed concerns that more people will follow Chief Garcia out the door. They said they worry that three proposed charter amendments voters will consider on Election Day, known as the Dallas HERO Initiative, may have led the Chief to leave the city.  

The Initiative’s organizers submitted more than 169,000 signatures to get them on the ballot. One amendment would require the city to maintain a police force of at least four thousand officers, which is about 900 more than in the city now and increase their starting salaries. Another amendment would have the city survey about 1,400 residents asking if the city manager should get a bonus or be fired. The third amendment would allow residents to sue the city if they felt the city isn’t complying with state law or its own charter or ordinances.      

Watch Jack’s interview with Council Members Blackmon and Bazaldua:   


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Dallas council members say they were blindsided by Chief Garcia’s intent to depart

12:53

Jack also spoke with Pete Marocco, Executive Director of the Dallas HERO Initiative.

Marocco responded to council members by saying they have it all wrong.  

Watch Jack’s interview with Pete Marocco, Executive Director of the Dallas HERO Initiative: 

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Dallas HERO Initiative Executive Director discusses the amendments on the ballot this November

13:09

A nationwide search will start soon for Garcia’s replacement. 

It comes at the same time that Dallas is looking for a permanent city manager after Broadnax left earlier this year.       

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Fair Fight 

The State Fair of Texas will be able to keep visitors with concealed carry permits from bringing their guns into Fair Park. This after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton took the city of Dallas to court. The city leases the land to the Fair. 

The Attorney General’s Office argued in court that Fair Park was public property, and a firearms ban would violate gun owners’ Second Amendment rights. The Fair put the ban into place after a shooting last year injured three people. 

Under the new rules, only active or retired police officers would be allowed to carry firearms.   

Political Fallout 

Now to the political fallout among Tarrant County Republicans over last week’s controversial vote by County Commissioners to keep polling locations at local universities

Among the four votes to give the green light, Republicans Manny Ramirez and Gary Fickes joined the two Democrats on the court, Alisa Simmons and Roy Brooks. Republican County Judge Tim O’Hare was the only “no” vote. After that, the Tarrant County GOP passed a unanimous resolution expressing disapproval of the vote and criticizing Fickes and Ramirez. 

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Jack spoke with Commissioner Ramirez and Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French about this issue.  

Watch Jack’s interview with Tarrant County Commissioner Manny Ramirez:  


Tarrant County Commissioner Ramirez says his polling location vote wasn’t a mistake

08:22

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Watch Jack’s interview with Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French: 


Tarrant County Republican Party disapproves of Commissioners votes for early voting locations

11:31

Texas Senate Debate

In the U.S. Senate race in Texas, there will be a debate between Republican incumbent Ted Cruz and his Democratic challenger, North Texas Congressman Colin Allred. The two will square off in their first televised debate in Dallas on October 15th. It will be broadcast on the Tegna-owned TV stations across the state.

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Dallas, TX

25,000 free Dallas teen passes available June 29 for museums, zoo and more

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25,000 free Dallas teen passes available June 29 for museums, zoo and more


Dallas Parks and Recreation will distribute 25,000 all-access passes that give Dallas teens free admission to cultural and recreational attractions across the city throughout July.

Passes will be available beginning June 29 on a first-come, first-served basis at City of Dallas recreation centers.

The program, now entering its fifth year, is open to Dallas residents ages 13 to 17. City leaders say the initiative, which launched in 2021, helps promote positive engagement opportunities for teens and reduce crime during the summer months.

Teens must register in person and provide proof of Dallas residency to receive a pass.

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The city says the program is made possible through partnerships with local cultural, recreational, and entertainment organizations.

Participating attractions include:

  • African American Museum
  • Bahama Beach
  • Bath House Cultural Center
  • Latino Cultural Center
  • South Dallas Cultural Center
  • Oak Cliff Cultural Center
  • Dallas Museum of Arts
  • Community Art Pop Up Cultural
  • Dallas Arboretum
  • Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum
  • Dallas Park and Recreation Summer Fitness
  • Dallas Zoo
  • Frontiers of Flight Museum
  • Golf Dallas
  • Reunion Tower
  • Shakespeare of Dallas
  • State Fair of Texas
  • Southern Skates Roller Rink
  • Texas Discover Garden
  • The Sixth Floor Museum At Dealey Plaza
  • Trinity River Audubon

A full list of participating attractions and recreation centers distributing passes is available at DallasParks.org



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At least 4 injured after vehicle drives into Dallas crowd, driver arrested

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At least 4 injured after vehicle drives into Dallas crowd, driver arrested


At least four people were injured after a vehicle drove into a crowd of people in Dallas on Thursday evening.

Dallas police responded to an “Assist Officer call with an Ambulance” at approximately 7 p.m. in the 300 block of West Davis Street.

Authorities learned that a vehicle drove into a crowd, injuring multiple people. At least four have been taken to a local hospital for treatment. Police said no one was in critical condition.

The driver of the vehicle was arrested at the scene, police said. Authorities are still working to determine if this driver could have been drunk or if this could have been a medical episode.

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According to police, there is no indication that the crash was terrorism related.

The investigation is ongoing.

This story will be updated as we learn more.



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FOX’s Kasper Schmeichel compares England to Dallas Cowboys, so who are their other sports analogs?

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FOX’s Kasper Schmeichel compares England to Dallas Cowboys, so who are their other sports analogs?


FOX Soccer analyst Kasper Schmeichel came prepared for this year’s World Cup on American soil.

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The former Danish goalkeeper may not be from around these parts, but that didn’t stop him from dropping an eerily accurate comparison between two overconfident but long-suffering sports programs.

With England and Croatia warming up inside AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, Schmeichel decided he would roast two fanbases with one stone, comparing the Cowboys to the Three Lions with a hilarious one-liner.

Funny, but also painfully true if you’re a supporter of either team.

COWBOYS LEGEND DIGS DEEP INTO THE TEAM’S MISSING ‘FIBER’ THAT’S RESULTED IN SUPER BOWL DROUGHT

I made a comparison last week between the English national team and Notre Dame, but Schmeichel got me thinking, who are the sports analogs to England from the four major North American leagues (NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA)?

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Today, I will be doing exactly that, including giving a slightly better NFL comp than the Cowboys (shocking, I know).

Without further ado, let’s piss off our neighbors from across the pond.

FROM 4 STRAIGHT SUPER BOWL LOSSES TO JOSH ALLEN’S PATRICK MAHOMES PROBLEM, BILLS MIGHT BE CURSED

NFL – Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears helmets are displayed before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev., on Sept. 28, 2025. (Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images)

While the Dallas Cowboys are a fine comparison for the English national soccer team, I think I can do one better.

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Schmeichel mentioned that England “won it once and have never stopped talking about it,” and although the second part of that statement applies to both, the Cowboys are five-time Super Bowl champions, having won it most recently in January 1996, a good three decades after England.

If you really want a team that more accurately mirrors the hard luck of the English, it would have to be the Chicago Bears.

3 HISTORIC NFL FRANCHISES FIND THEMSELVES IN SAME BOAT SINCE TURN OF THE CENTURY

They have one Super Bowl win to their name, which came 40 years ago, and really don’t have much else to show for it.

Also, having lived in the DFW area for the better part of a decade, I can confidently say Cowboys fans are a little too arrogant and cocky to be compared to the English.

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Sure, England will say things like “it’s coming home,” but they are far more self-deprecating and aware of their faults, even nihilistic in some cases.

The Bears hang onto their history because they know things will inevitably go bad for them on the biggest stage.

Speaking of which…

NHL – Toronto Maple Leafs

Spencer Carbery, assistant coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, looks on from the bench during the third period against the Washington Capitals at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ont., on April 14, 2022. (Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Toronto Maple Leafs actually line up with England more closely than either fanbase would like to admit.

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While the Leafs have a litany of Stanley Cups to their name, their most recent win was back in 1967, less than a full year after England won their first and only World Cup.

As far as expectations go, both constantly go into their respective tournaments with the weight of the world on their shoulders, only to come crashing down in the most horrific ways imaginable.

For the Leafs, it comes in the form of blowing big leads in the playoffs, while English fans and players alike can’t even hear the words “penalty kicks” without having a mental breakdown.

England and Toronto are both long-suffering cities, but their fans keep showing up expecting a different outcome.

Insanity? No, just sports fandom.

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NBA – New York Knicks

Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks celebrates a three-point basket with Karl-Anthony Towns during Game Two of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on June 5, 2026. (Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)

This one would have been an even better comparison if the New York Knicks hadn’t gone and won the whole damn thing this year, but these two sports teams are still eerily similar.

WHY THE KNICKS, DISRESPECTED BUT CLAWING BACK, TOUCHED A RAW NERVE IN NEW YORK CITY AND ULTIMATELY THE COUNTRY

Think of the Knicks’ 2026 NBA Championship run as a window into what it would look like if England captured a World Cup (on American soil, no less).

Before this year, the Knicks famously had not won a Larry O’Brien trophy in over 50 years, yet they were still considered one of the “blue bloods” of the NBA.

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Decades of heartache didn’t change that; it only made their fans more insufferable, but their triumph earlier this month in the NBA Finals exorcised all those demons.

THE ATHLETIC BEWILDERINGLY CELEBRATES ‘ZOHRAN MAMDANI SPORTS SUMMER’ AFTER NEW YORK KNICKS WIN NBA FINALS

A win in the World Cup Finals would probably do the same for England fans, as you could probably feel that sigh of relief from the other side of the Atlantic.

MLB – New York Mets

New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto reacts after scoring a run on an RBI double by infielder Bo Bichette against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on April 2, 2026. (Robert Edwards/Imagn Images)

Hello again, New York.

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The Big Apple certainly has its fair share of winners, but it also has plenty of franchises that are aching to make a trip back down the Canyon of Heroes, none more so than the Mets.

Year after year, the Mets are near the top of MLB in terms of spending, with little to show for their efforts.

WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE

They won a World Series back in 1986 and have been chasing that high ever since.

The common thread between England and the Mets (along with all the other teams on this list) is expectations relative to results, and it seems like the Mets are sort of a Schrödinger’s baseball franchise in that regard, expected to both compete for a World Series with their high-priced talent and flame out in spectacular fashion all the same.

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FOX ONE’S NEW WORLD CUP VIEWING EXPERIENCE

England always has flashy players heading into World Cup play, but the results haven’t been there, and they’ve often been sent home in brutal fashion, offering a great parallel to the Mets’ clockwork-like midsummer swoons and late-season meltdowns.



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