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Letters to the Editor – Dallas College, Prop G, Ken Paxton, Speaker Mike Johnson

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Letters to the Editor – Dallas College, Prop G, Ken Paxton, Speaker Mike Johnson


As long as we’re campaigning

Re: “Vote for the candidate, not the party — I’m a Democrat who’s voting for a Republican, because he’s the best for the job,” by Sam Eppler, Thursday Opinion.

In Eppler’s column, he picked the wrong race to use as an example of picking individuals over parties. Dallas College Trustee Catalina Garcia, the incumbent, is the better and more experienced candidate.

Eppler tells us to vote for individuals over parties. However, individuals are not elected to represent their own interests; rather, individuals are elected to represent their constituents. In the Dallas College trustee race, we must look at who is best for the community.

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Garcia has extensive experience working with higher education. Her opponent is a Dallas ISD trustee. Garcia has worked with higher education policies, college students and college faculty. He has not.

For years, Garcia has supported her alma mater, UT Southwestern Medical School, advising them on diversity matters and helping them with recruitment of qualified medical students. She has mentored numerous students through college, and she has participated in countless Career Days throughout the community, encouraging students to continue their education.

Garcia is a co-founder and former officer of most every major women’s organization and Hispanic organization in our community. She has the record, the experience and the community commitment to do the job.

Carol Donovan, Dallas/Lakewood

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Distressing lack of details

Re: “Prop G could fire up growth — $72.3 million initiative would give city the tools to lure economic development,” April 25 news story.

Proposition G requests $72 million for “growth and development” in Dallas. The word “could” appears in this story 10 times with respect to what the $72 million “could” provide.

“Could” is defined in the Cambridge dictionary as being “used to express possibility, especially slight or uncertain possibility.” Is it irresponsible to request $72 million without concrete details, uses and benefits of expenditures? How did anyone decide that $72 million was the amount needed without those details?

The story also states that there is no list of projects that are “shovel-ready” and “it’s hard to predict when it’s going to actually result in shovels in the dirt.” The phrase “a couple of years down the road” does not inspire confidence, does it?

When compared to the detailed lists of improvements and renovations in Propositions A, B, D, F, and J, perhaps it would be wise to regroup and request $72 million when citizens are aware of more specifics as to how the money will be used to “fire up growth.”

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And thank you, Cara Mendelsohn (April 14 opinion column), for your insights on bonds, debt, interest and taxes. It certainly presented food for thought.

Cheryl Ann Ballou, North Dallas

Was this an official trip?

I was shocked but not surprised to see on the news Attorney General Ken Paxton sitting in the row behind former President Donald Trump at his criminal trial. I was not aware that New York City is part of our Lone Star State. And I’m sure our taxes are covering all the expenses in this trip to the far northeast tip of Texas. Will this nonsense ever stop?

John Wyckoff, Palmer

Problematic pairing

It was sad to see, on Tuesday’s front page, a story about campus protests with a photo of protesters being pepper-sprayed next to a story about Gov. Greg Abbott saying to ignore a law. The two are different, but the law is still the law.

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One is students doing what students have always done: protest. The other is regarding a governor who is on a short list to become either vice president or attorney general saying ignore the law.

Stuart Johnson, Red Oak

Never a dull moment

Much to the chagrin of a few hard-right congressional representatives and the relief of just about everyone else, legislation to fund the Ukrainian military has been passed. It is not without great peril to House Speaker Mike Johnson, however.

With a willingness to work alongside Democrats, he may very well lose the speakership. Democrats in the house are now in the awkward position of saving the speaker or running the risk of a new hard-right member taking the gavel. The plot thickens.

Johnson, it seems, has become something of a maverick (remember that term?) and someone with whom Democrats seem to get along, to a degree. Time alone will tell how this plays out, but for now, let’s all celebrate the shared victory of someone in power standing on principle and willing to pay the price for doing so. This is how it’s supposed to work.

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David Seay, Plano

A new Churchill?

Re: “Our ‘nice, quiet sleep’ in Ukraine won’t last — In an echo of the late 1930s, America can be a Chamberlain or a Churchill,” by John C. Médaille, April 23 Opinion.

Médaille’s op-ed should be required reading for every American. History does repeat itself and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s likeness to Adolf Hitler is obvious. Now is not the time for isolationism.

We must elect statesmen to serve us in Congress, and then we must hold them to account. I have not been a fan of House Speaker Mike Johnson, but in this case, he has shown his true mettle. He had the courage to stand up to the far-right Republicans at great political cost.

I even believe that he is well on his way to being a Winston Churchill. I hope that others will follow his lead and get this country back on track. Our very democracy depends on it.

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Kay Martz McKinney, Dallas/Little Forest Hills

… And an annoyed party

House Republicans were enthusiastic about Rep. Mike Johnson’s ascension to speaker — until he showed willingness to work with both parties. Today’s GOP wants no part of cooperative leadership or representative government.

Michael Coldiron, Dallas/Prestonwood

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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Hip-hop hitmaker Cardi B coming to AAC in Dallas

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Hip-hop hitmaker Cardi B coming to AAC in Dallas


Cardi B, one of hip-hop’s most outsize personalities — and one of its most reliable hitmakers — is coming to Dallas.

The New York City-born rapper broke through in 2017 with the hit single “Bodak Yellow,” launching a chart-topping run that soon included “I Like It” and the blockbuster hit “WAP.” Her Grammy-winning debut album, Invasion of Privacy, cemented her as a defining voice in contemporary rap, blending brash humor, confessional storytelling and club-ready production.

The 33-year-old’s success helped boost the profile of women in a genre long dominated by men, encouraging record labels to sign more female rappers. She has frequently teamed up with rising female artists, including GloRilla, FendiDa Rappa and “WAP” collaborator Megan Thee Stallion.

Cardi’s stop at American Airlines Center is part of the arena run supporting her second studio album, 2025’s Am I the Drama? Recent shows in the “Little Miss Drama Tour” have leaned into spectacle, with elaborate staging, surprise guest appearances and a set list that spans her entire career.

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Fans can expect a high-energy performance built around booming trap beats, pop hooks and Cardi’s signature unfiltered banter — the same mix that has helped her sell out dates across the tour and turn concerts into party-like events.

DETAILS: March 7 at 7:30 p.m. at American Airlines Center in Dallas. Tickets start at $334.10, but some verified resale tickets are cheaper. ticketmaster.com.

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Pop legend Diana Ross performs March 7 at the WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma.

Sarah Hepola

OTHER CONCERTS

Bluesy psychedelic rock band All Them Witches performs March 7 at House of Blues Dallas.

Bluesy psychedelic rock band All Them Witches performs March 7 at House of Blues Dallas.

Travis Pinson

ALL THEM WITCHES March 7 at 8 p.m. at House of Blues Dallas. ticketmaster.com.

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DIANA ROSS March 7 at 8 p.m. at WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Okla. winstar.com.

RICH BRIAN March 7 at 8 p.m. at The Bomb Factory in Deep Ellum. axs.com.

TRACE ADKINS March 7 at 10 p.m. at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth. billybobstexas.com.

AFROJACK March 8 at 3 p.m. at It’ll Do Club in Deep Ellum. eventbrite.com.

LITHE March 8 at 8 p.m. at House of Blues Dallas. ticketmaster.com.

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CONAN GRAY March 10 at 8 p.m. at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth. ticketmaster.com.

MATISYAHU March 10 at 8 p.m. at the Granada Theater in Dallas. prekindle.com.

OUR LADY PEACE, WITH THE VERVE PIPE March 12 at 8 p.m. at Tannahill’s Tavern and Music Hall in Fort Worth. ticketmaster.com.

PAUL WALL March 12 at 9 p.m. and March 13 at 10 p.m. at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth. billybobstexas.com.



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GOP candidates for Texas House face off in Collin County, Park Cities, North Dallas

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GOP candidates for Texas House face off in Collin County, Park Cities, North Dallas


The fiercest legislative primary fights Tuesday in North Texas were inside the GOP.

In Dallas County, two moderate GOP incumbent representatives faced challengers after being censured by their own county party.

In Collin County, several Republican state House members were fending off rivals running to their right.

The Dallas Morning News will provide live election results this evening when the polls close at 7 p.m. Results will be updated throughout the evening for statewide races and Dallas, Collin, Denton, Ellis, Kaufman, Rockwall and Tarrant counties.

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Dallas County, House District 108

Republican Morgan Meyer, first elected in 2014, was challenged by attorney Sanjay Narayan in a district that includes the Park Cities, Oak Lawn and Preston Hollow.

Narayan criticized Meyer for backing renewable energy expansion and for being censured by the Dallas GOP last year.

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Meyer was among House Republicans targeted after disputes over the House speaker vote and chamber rules. He and other lawmakers called the censure effort unconstitutional.

In the campaign, Meyer focused on property tax relief and emergency preparedness after the Camp Mystic tragedy.

Small business owner Allison Mitchell is unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Dallas County, House District 112

Republican Angie Chen Button, who has represented the district covering parts of Dallas, Richardson and Garland since 2009, drew three primary opponents.

Button has highlighted her support for small businesses and public schools and her bipartisan record. A senior member of the Ways and Means Committee, she would play a key role in the state’s property tax debate if reelected.

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Dallas-area delegation in the Texas House of Representatives on Sunday, May 30, 2021, showing State Rep. Angie Chen Button, R-Garland, in the chamber.

Bob Daemmrich / Bob Daemmrich/CapitolPressPhoto

Opponents Chad Carnahan and Tina Price attacked Button for being censured by the Dallas GOP last year, a move she and other lawmakers have criticized as an internal party power struggle.

Carnahan, a businessman, said he wants to lower property taxes and prevent Shariah in Texas.

Price said she would improve public schools and spur the re-use of old buildings. Also in the GOP race: Perry E. Barker Sr.

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Democrat Zach Herbert was unopposed.

Collin County, House District 61

Two Republicans are seeking to represent the district that covers most of McKinney and parts of Frisco and Celina.

Incumbent Keresa Richardson, who was elected in 2024, and former state Rep. Frederick Frazier both support eliminating property taxes.

Richardson, an entrepreneur, said she would expand the Texas voucher-like program for education.

Frazier, a former police officer and McKinney City Council member, was more cautious about expanding the program.

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Frederick Frazier speaks as Rep. Keresa Richardson looks on during a candidate forum for...

Frederick Frazier speaks as Rep. Keresa Richardson looks on during a candidate forum for Republicans in Collin County ahead of the March primary election at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

Anja Schlein / Special Contributor

Two political newcomers, Jackie Bescherer and Brittany Black, are running in the Democratic primary. Both oppose Texas’ voucher program and vow to increase public education funding.

Collin County, House District 67

Republican Rep. Jeff Leach, first elected in 2012, faces Matt Thorsen in a district that includes parts of Plano, Allen, McKinney and Melissa.

Leach has highlighted his conservative record, including legislation barring Shariah in Texas courts. He also served as a House impeachment manager during Attorney General Ken Paxton’s 2023 trial, a role he has defended amid backlash from activists.

Thorsen, a small business owner and former youth pastor, helped lead the effort to censure Leach last year. He has criticized Leach’s impeachment role and accused him of siding with Democrats on House rules.

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Both support eliminating property taxes, expanding education savings accounts and oppose the development formerly known as EPIC City. Two Democrats are also running, though the district has leaned Republican.

Collin County, House District 70

Three Republicans are competing for the nomination to run against incumbent Democrat Mihaela Plesa, who is running unopposed in her party’s primary.

Democrat Mihaela Plesa responds to questions during a District 70 Candidate Forum hosted by...

Democrat Mihaela Plesa responds to questions during a District 70 Candidate Forum hosted by Raise Your Hand Texas at Plano ISD Academy High School in Plano on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022.

Liesbeth Powers / Staff Photographer

George Flint, a former district judge and Collin County Republican Party Chair, emphasized eliminating property taxes and securing the border in his campaign.

Jack Ryan Gallagher, an attorney, said he would attract companies to North Texas, improve public schools and partner with local law enforcement if elected.

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Michael Hewitt, an attorney, said he would gradually lower property taxes and work to keep Texas a business-friendly state.

The district includes parts of Plano, Richardson and Far North Dallas.



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Dallas Fed says ‘older, experienced workers’ likely have less cause for concern about AI job displacement

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Dallas Fed says ‘older, experienced workers’ likely have less cause for concern about AI job displacement


Artificial intelligence hasn’t yet triggered the broad job losses many feared — at least not for experienced workers.

That’s the takeaway from a new analysis by J. Scott Davis, an assistant vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, who examined employment and wage trends in industries most exposed to artificial intelligence.

Davis argues the data tell a more nuanced story — one that’s challenging the traditional career ladder, and helping older employees earn a bit more.

Since ChatGPT’s debut in late 2022, overall US employment has risen about 2.5%, according to Davis’ analysis, which uses an AI exposure index developed by researchers and published in the Strategic Management Journal. At the same time, employment in the sectors most exposed to AI has slipped by roughly 1%.

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Wages tell a different story. The average weekly pay nationwide has climbed 7.5% since fall 2022. And across the most AI-exposed industries, wages have grown faster, up 8.5%.

If AI were simply replacing workers, both employment and wages would likely be falling, Davis wrote.

Instead, Davis points to a divide between “codified” knowledge — the kind learned from textbooks and in university courses — and “tacit” knowledge gained from hands-on work experience.

“Returns on job experience are increasing in AI-exposed occupations,” Davis wrote. “Young workers with primarily codifiable knowledge and limited experience will likely face challenging job markets.”

Using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, his analysis found that the occupations most exposed to AI tend to offer larger pay premiums for experienced workers.

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In roles with less hands-on experience, AI exposure is associated with weaker wage growth, he wrote.

Workers under 25 in AI-exposed industries have also experienced employment declines, according to Davis’ analysis.

“There appears to be less cause for concern about widespread job displacement for older, experienced workers,” he wrote.

A less dire picture… so far

The findings offer a counterpoint to the more apocalyptic predictions about AI’s impact on the labor market.

Last week, Citrini Research published a memo, written from the hypothetical perspective in 2028, that theorized how AI could crush the US jobs market and trigger a broad-based market collapse.

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“What if our AI bullishness continues to be right…and what if that’s actually bearish?” the memo asked.

Top executives inside the AI companies are worried about jobs, too.

Dario Amodei, the CEO of Anthropic, the company that runs Claude, warned that AI could eliminate 50% of entry-level office jobs. OpenAI’s head of product, Olivier Godement, said the life sciences, customer service, and computer engineering industries were all about to get automated. And Boris Cherny, the creator of Claude Code, said that he doesn’t believe the job title “software engineer” will exist next year.

For now, at least, the Dallas Fed paints a different picture of today’s jobs market. It points to less mass displacement and market ruptures — and more power for employees who already have their foot in the door.

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