Dallas, TX
Letters to the Editor — Sharon Grigsby, maternal deaths, No Labels, school closings
Grigsby set the standard
Re: “Writer is leaving The News — Pulitzer Prize winner will start new chapter after decades covering the community,” Tuesday Metro & Business story.
Newspapers have a long history of colorful columnists who often became the story. Mike Royko, a brilliant writer, was also known for his frequent visits to the Billy Goat Tavern in Chicago. Jimmy Breslin from New York published a letter from the “Son of Sam” and ran for City Council president. Both made up characters to illustrate the ills of the cities where they lived and worked.
Sharon Grigsby chose a different path. Her goal was always to make Dallas a better place to live without making herself the center of the story. Her columns were based on in-depth research without the entertaining theatrics that made many columnists famous.
Her columns weren’t about her. They were about us. I did not always agree with her take on some issues, but I always knew reading her columns was well worth my time.
Sharon and her colleague Cheryl Hall set a standard for journalism that is not often duplicated today. Their work should be required reading for young journalists.
David Margulies, Lewisville
Grave disservice to women
Re: “‘Deaths will be in vain’ — Texas committee’s plan to skip 2 years of data raises concerns,” Saturday news story.
I am beyond appalled and incredulous at the decision to not investigate pregnancy-related deaths in 2022 and 2023. While you, Patrick Ramsey, may not want to “live in the past,” I’m sure the families of those women who died, some as a result of the Texas abortion ban, will be living in the past for the rest of their lives.
What other types of death did you decide to exclude from your investigations for 2022 and 2023?
Your failure to perform your job is a grave disservice to the women who have died and their families. It also denies all the people of Texas critical information on which to make political decisions and therefore is an obstruction of our civil rights.
Donnia Harrington, Rockwall
Politics intrudes on health
In this story, Patrick Ramsey is quoted as saying, “We cannot live in the past looking at maternal deaths.” What? Have I suddenly awoken to find myself in a different universe? One where we do not use past knowledge to guide us to better solutions regarding our laws?
The more I look at that quote, the angrier I become, because it appears to represent the intrusion — one more time — of politics into what should be impartial research into improving the lives of Texas residents. Please, for the love of God, let’s get these political sycophants out our health affairs.
Dan Siculan, Royse City
No Labels was on right track
Re: “More Than the Usual Dirty Politics — Democrats’ aggressive undermining of No Labels movement was voter suppression, pure and simple,” Dec. 5 editorial.
This piece answered a lot of questions about what happened to this quickly disappearing movement. I was intrigued by the concept and looking at the last several election cycles, I believed the timing was perfect for such an undertaking.
The Democrats lost in 2024 for the same reason they lost in 2016. A huge majority of the voters couldn’t picture its candidate in the driver’s seat.
So why was the election so close? An equally large number of voters couldn’t hold their nose long enough to pull the lever to allow a dishonest egocentric to represent us to the rest of the world.
In a nation of more than 334 million people, we all know there are many patriotic citizens with the intellect and heart to lead us forward as the beacon of freedom the rest of the world wants to see.
We have four years to find a few. Maybe a No Labels-type organization can start early and help the cause for the rest of us.
Ken Kelley, Pottsboro
Ignorance is expensive
Re: “District votes to close 5 schools — Lewisville elementary campuses will shutter as enrollment falls,” Wednesday news story.
As retired Texas teachers, it is disappointing to see the continued lack of funding and support for public schools in Texas. The recent school closing announcements in district after district is confirming the lack of commitment to quality education in our state.
According to raiseyourhandtexas.org, Texas ranks 42nd in the nation per student spending. It is shortsighted not to prepare future generations in Texas and have competitive education attainment. If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.
Alan and Karen Beck, Plano
Hold DSO applause
I’d like to ask your music critic Scott Cantrell to keep pounding on the Dallas Symphony Orchestra to put into practice his easy suggestion for stopping the inappropriate clapping.
I tell myself to be patient with those who are uneducated about protocol and at least coming to the concert, but why doesn’t it dawn on them after the first faux pas that two-thirds of the audience is not clapping?
Why do they not realize that the conductor is not turning to the audience? Since they don’t, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra needs to try to educate them.
Dolores R. Rogers, Dallas
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
FC Dallas returns home tonight to host Western Conference rivals Real Salt Lake.
Lineups are in from both sides. Let’s dive into what Eric Quill’s starting group looks like, who is on the bench, and who we believe will see minutes later on in this one.
What Changed From Last Match
If it ain’t broke, right? This is the same group as last week that picked up three points in New York.
FC Dallas Lineup Notes:
Starting XI
Formation: 3-4-3
Bench
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Who should come off the bench?
I almost think you roll out the same group of subs that worked last week in New York. That would be Chris Cappis, Logan Farrington, Sebastien Ibeagha, Sam Sarver and maybe more minutes for Caleb Swann. That, or give Nicholas Simmonds a few more minutes out there.
Key Question Heading Into Kickoff
After ending a couple of streaks last week, can FC Dallas finally put together a complete performance at home?
There is no getting around it: this is a big one for FC Dallas tonight. They need to figure out how to get the most out of their home games here this week (and next) before being gone for three and a half months. If they can replicate what they did last week in New York where the defense was stout, the attack was clinical, and everything else in between came together…there is no reason why they can’t string together a couple of wins in a row here starting tonight.
Suspended: none
International duty: none
Season-ending injury list: Kaka Scabin (knee)
Out: Anderson Julio (Lower leg), Bernard Kamungo (lower leg)
Questionable: none
On Loan: Tsiki Ntsabeleng (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Enes Sali (Al-Riyadh), Malachi Molina (Nashville SC), Geovane Jesus (North Texas SC), Enzo Newman (North Texas SC)
Unavailable (off-roster): Daniel Baran, Jaidyn Contreras
RSL Lineup Notes:
Formation: 5-4-1
Starting XI
How to watch
📅 Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
⚽️ Kickoff: 7:30 PM
🏟 Venue: Toyota Stadium
📺 Streaming: MLS Season Pass
💬 Gameday Social: #FCDvRSL
☀️ Weather: 87, sunny
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FC Dallas returns home this weekend looking to build off last week’s road result as Real Salt lake comes to town for another important Western Conference matchup. With the schedule beginning to pile up before the summer World Cup break in June, grabbing points at Toyota Stadium feels more important than ever right now.
RSL arrives with one of the more balanced attacks in the conference and enough pace to punish mistakes in transition. For Dallas, this one is about staying organized defensively, controlling the midfield battle, and continuing to find consistency in the final third. If those three items can be checked off this weekend, there’s a real opportunity to keep the momentum moving in the right direction before a long summer road trip.
Let’s dive into some notes, predictions, and more.
TL;DR: Match Preview
Quick hits before kickoff.
- Score prediction: FC Dallas 2 – 1 Real Salt Lake
- Key player to watch: Petar Musa – To make the World Cup roster later this month for Croatia, Musa has to continue scoring here and guide the team to a big home win.
- Why this game matters: The next two are at home and after that there are nine straight road games. Dallas has to bank some points at home while they can before the long summer road trip.
FC Dallas Notes:
All-time vs RSL: FC Dallas holds a 24-15-13 all-time regular-season record against RSL. Dallas has scored 79 goals against Salt Lake. RSL has scored 63.
Home record vs RSL: Dallas has a solid 14-2-8 at home against RSL in regular season meetings. Dallas has scored 44 home goals against RSL. Salt Lake has scored 23 goals at Toyota Stadium versus Dallas. Dallas last won at home versus RSL on April 16, 2023. Jesús Ferreira and Bernanrd Kamungo scored for Dallas that night.
Homegrown clock: Homegrown keeper Michael Collodi was the only HGP earning minutes this season until Nolan Norris joined him on the field. Collodi has played the full 90 in each match, while Norris has been in and out of the lineup. Norris also has one goal on the season. Caleb Swann also made his debut off the bench in New York. Together, they have played 1595 minutes. To add more perspective here, Dallas HGPs only accounted for 1683 minutes in 2025.
What to Watch For: FC Dallas vs. Real Salt Lake FC Dallas returns to Toyota Stadium riding momentum from a historic road win in New York, but RSL arrives with one of the most dangerous young attacks in MLS. Here’s what to watch when the Burn host the Claret-and-Cobalt on Saturday.
Notable season stats:
- FCD is 7th in crosses in MLS with 144.
- The Burn are 6th in total distance covered in MLS with 286.24 km (800 miles).
- FCD is third in MLS in aerial challenges won with 171.
- FC Dallas is 9th in MLS in xG with 18.81.
- FCD is 8th in MLS in shot efficiency with 1.19.
- Musa is 4th in MLS in xG with 7.77. He also ranks tied for 4th in MLS in shots with 40.
Potential FC Dallas Lineup:
With another three-games in seven days stretch coming up, Eric Quill will likely go with as strong of a lineup as possible in these next two home games.
Formation: 3-4-3
Projected Starting XI
Availability & Disciplinary Report
⚽
Disciplinary Report
Suspended: none
Suspended with next yellow card: none
Suspended with next two yellow cards: Osaze Urhoghide, Nolan Norris
🗒️
Availability Report
Season-ending injury list: Kaka Scabin
Out: Anderson Julio (Lower leg), Bernard Kamungo (lower leg)
Questionable: none
On Loan: Tsiki Ntsabeleng (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Enes Sali (Al-Riyadh), Malachi Molina (Nashville SC), Geovane Jesus (North Texas SC), Enzo Newman (North Texas SC)
Unavailable (off-roster): Daniel Baran, Jaidyn Contreras
International duty: none
Real Salt Lake Notes:
Key player for RSL: Diego Luna
Scouting Real Salt Lake: What FC Dallas Needs to Know 🔎 A detailed scouting report on RSL ahead of FC Dallas’ 2026 showdown, breaking down formations, key players, tendencies, and tactical edges.
Disciplinary Report
Suspended: none
Suspended on next yellow card: none
Availability Report
Out: Jesus Barea (knee), Emeka Eneli (knee), Ari Piol (Achilles)
Questionable: Juan Jose Arias (groin), Justen Glad (groin), Lukas Engel (hip)
International duty: none
Big game this week for FC Dallas. Before we get into it, members have the full scouting report, projected lineups, and injury report. If you want to go into Matchday actually knowing what to watch for, now’s the time.
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A mystery trust bought one of the most expensive homes in Texas this week — just months after buying another multimillion dollar property nearby.
The Lost River Trust bought the mansion at 4815 Saint Johns Drive in Highland Park from Dallas entrepreneurs Melbourne and Jamie O’Banion on May 5, according to county records. The final sale price is undisclosed, but the sellers had the home listed for $24.9 million at the time.
The six-bedroom, eight-bathroom home spans 11,433 square feet on a 0.6-acre lot, according to the listing. It was built by Mark Molthan and designed by Tom Weber. They listed the home on March 23 for about $2,200 per square foot.
Allie Beth Allman, founder of the eponymous brokerage, represented the sellers. Damon Williamson with The Agency represented the buyer, according to Redfin.
Just two Dallas homes last year sold with listing prices higher than $25 million, though both sold for well below what they asked. The trust of the late Fortress Investment Group CEO Josh Pack sold his former home at 6601 Hunters Glen Road for $30.5 million after asking $35 million, and manufacturer Guinn Crousen sold his home at 4000 Euclid Avenue for $25.5 million after asking $33 million.
Only six homes in Texas are asking a higher price, according to Zillow. Two effectively tie with the home on Saint Johns Drive: a spec mansion on Strait Lane that’s asking $25 million, and another new construction at 4 Lana Lane in Houston that’s asking $25.5 million.
The Lost River Trust bought another luxury home just six months ago. On Nov. 14, the trust purchased the home at 3709 Euclid Avenue, a four-bedroom, six-bathroom, 5,845-square-foot house that was asking $14 million when it withdrew from the market in September. It’s about half a mile south of the home on Saint Johns Drive.
Melbourne O’Banion is the CEO of Dallas-based tech startup Bestow, which produces software for life insurance companies. His wife Jamie O’Banion is the founder of Dallas-based cosmetics company BeautyBio.
The Crespi Estate at 5619 Walnut Hill Lane, listed by the Cox Family for $64 million, remains the most expensive home on the market in Texas.
Read more
Dallas entrepreneurs Jamie and Melbourne O’Banion list Highland Park mansion for $25M
Estate of late Dallas plastic surgeon Sam Hamra sells historic Highland Park teardown to mystery buyer
Robert Vaughn buys University Park spec mansion that asked $26M
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