Dallas, TX
Letters to the Editor — SMU and UMC, dumpster diving, Dallas leadership, animal fights
Negotiate on SMU control
Re: “United Methodists should have control of SMU — Issue has been settled in church’s favor since 1911,” by Cynthia B. Astle, Sunday Opinion.
Astle provides a good summary of the argument about relations between Southern Methodist University and the United Methodist Church. As a retired faculty member at SMU, former dean of SMU’s Perkins School of Theology and a United Methodist minister, I find myself on both sides of the question.
Astle is quite right to say that the relation between church and university set out in the founding documents is part of the university’s heritage and part of its commitment to past generations of supporters. If this relationship is going to be changed, it should be done by mutual negotiation, not by legal action from one side or the other.
On the other hand, the productive history of this relationship, especially in the work of Perkins School of Theology, is not dependent on specific legal arrangements. In the United States, the United Methodist Church has five theological schools that are integral parts of a church-affiliated university at Boston, Drew, Duke and Emory, as well as SMU. The legal relationships between the church and these universities vary, but at all of them the school of theology builds important connections between the university and the community. And the university provides educational resources that no theological school could offer on its own.
The future of this collaboration at SMU does not rest on the outcome of a lawsuit. It depends on both church and university moving beyond recent disputes about ownership and control to rediscover their shared interests in truth and justice.
Robin W. Lovin, Dallas
Don’t dump, donate
Re: “Stores’ trash is a treasure for the taking — Dumpster divers find perfectly good merchandise that’s been tossed,” Sunday news story.
I read this story about dumpster diving with a combination of disgust and outrage. Can someone explain why retailers aren’t donating these goods to shelters, thrift stores, the homeless, schools or some other worthy outlet? Not only are they bypassing an opportunity to help the less fortunate, they are filling our landfills with more trash, most of which is not biodegradable.
Jim Welch, Dallas/Northaven Park
Politicians the nouveau riche
Re: “Salary set for new city manager — Base pay of $450K decided by council in 13-2 vote is third highest in Texas,” Friday news story.
If you’re scraping by on a teacher’s salary or on some kind of retirement that barely pays the rent, be happy, don’t worry, even though you are paying our politicians a king’s ransom in salary. Almost a half million dollars a year for a city manager voted on by the Dallas City Council is evidence that politicians are the nouveau riche in our society.
Don Skaggs, Garland
Enforce term limits
Recently, the Neighborhood Coalition of Dallas called on city leaders to comply with the city code regarding term limits for boards and commissions. As a resident invested in our city’s future, I echo their plea: Dallas leadership must replace all termed-out appointees immediately.
This simple action would demonstrate a commitment to the city charter and save taxpayers the cost of an unnecessary and preventable lawsuit. Dallas voters approved Proposition S, allowing citizens to sue the city to enforce the charter. Along with rejecting council pay raises, this sent a clear message: Public trust in the Dallas City Council is deeply eroded.
Ignoring citizen concerns, as seen during the Forward Dallas 2.0 process, will only widen the divide. Instead, leaders should seize this opportunity to rebuild trust. By acknowledging missteps, committing to transparency and appointing representatives who genuinely reflect the will of Dallas residents, city leaders can begin repairing their relationship with the community.
This is a chance for Dallas to turn the tide and reestablish confidence in its leadership. It’s time for city leaders to rise to the occasion and demonstrate responsible governance.
Natalie LeVeck, Dallas
Support bloodsport legislation
Re: “Texas’ Bloodsport Laws Must Be Toughened — Dog and cockfighting will be curbed only if the penalties are severe,” Friday editorial.
The SPCA of Texas urges North Texans to support the efforts of Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, who, working with Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot, recently filed House Bill 1795 to strengthen penalties for animal fighting. If passed, this law would make most animal fighting-related offenses felonies, aligning penalties for cockfighting with those for dogfighting.
The importance of this legislation is clear following the Dec. 17, 2024, animal seizure, resulting in the SPCA of Texas taking custody of 50 roosters, 43 hens, 34 adult dogs and 10 puppies from the Kaufman County property in partnership with law enforcement. The animals were found in appalling conditions, some with injuries consistent with fighting. Many dogs were unlawfully restrained without adequate shelter or water, clear violations of the Safe Outdoor Dogs Act.
While the SPCA of Texas is dedicated to evaluating, treating and caring for the animals we rescue, including these animals, stronger laws are critical to deterring and preventing such cruelty.
We call on North Texans to work with the Texas Humane Legislation Network, which makes it easy for citizens to ask their state legislators to support this legislation, and to report suspected animal abuse to law enforcement authorities.
Together, we can significantly reduce the horrors of animal fighting and cruelty. The SPCA of Texas will continue to speak for animals, but we need the community’s help to make lasting change.
Chris Luna, Dallas
President and CEO, SPCA of Texas
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
Dallas, TX
Trade rumors heating up as Dallas Mavericks could make major move after awful start
The Dallas Mavericks are in a tough spot. Through the early stages of the 2025-26 campaign, the Mavericks are a mere 4-12 and have one of the worst records in the NBA.
An unbalanced roster and plenty of injuries are making it more and more likely that the Mavericks won’t be able to dig out of this hole, even if Kyrie Irving is able to return from an ACL injury.
At this point, focusing on the future should be Dallas’s primary objective. The franchise only controls one of its own first-round picks through 2030, and that selection will fall this summer.
READ MORE: Mavericks deliver tough season-ending update on failed Nico Harrison signing
If there’s a path to regaining assets, the Mavericks must explore possibilities, including major moves that would break up the current team.
Trade Rumors Heating Up Around Mavericks’ Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson
It’s no real secret that the Mavericks would part with just about any player on their roster for the right price, including Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson.
According to Dallas Hoops Journal’s Ashish Mathur, Davis and Thompson are aware there’s reportedly “a high chance” the franchise trades them. Both players have been quite disappointing since being acquired by the Mavericks.
Davis was obviously the “crown jewel” in the trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. He’s only played in 14 regular-season games since the deal due to a variety of injuries.
So far this year, Davis has appeared in five games, averaging 20.8 points, – tied for the second-lowest mark of his career – 10.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks. He’s missed the last 11 outings due to bilateral Achilles tendinosis and a calf strain.
Davis is signed through the 2027-28 season and is making north of $54 million this season. The 32-year-old is a 10x NBA All-Star and won a championship with the Lakers in 2020.
Thompson is in the second season of a three-year/$50 million contract, joining the Mavericks via sign-and-trade from the Golden State Warriors in 2024.
The veteran sharpshooter has fallen off a cliff this season. Thompson was removed from the starting lineup earlier this season. He’s averaging a career-low 9.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. Thompson is only shooting 34.7% from the field and 31.3% from three-point range.
Thompson is a 5x NBA All-Star and he won four titles with the Warriors.
Parting ways with a handful of veterans would give the Mavericks an opportunity to fully focus on building around Cooper Flagg.
READ MORE: NBA expert believes Mavericks’ situation is most ‘dire’ it’s ever been
Stick with MavericksGameday for more FREE coverage of the Dallas Mavericks throughout the 2025-26 season
Follow MavericksGameday on Twitter and Austin Veazey on Twitter
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Dallas, TX
FC Dallas 2026 Match Schedule: Every Game, Every Date
Major League Soccer today announced FC Dallas’ 34-match schedule for the 2026 MLS regular season. FC Dallas opens its 31st season at Toyota Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 21, against Toronto FC.
Beginning in 2026, all FC Dallas MLS matches will be available to stream for Apple TV subscribers at no additional cost.
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Key items of the schedule
Long road stretch: Dallas will play nine consecutive road matches during Toyota Stadium renovations, the longest stretch in club history. This will kick off before the league’s pause for the 2026 World Cup in May and wrap up at the end of August.
FIFA World Cup break: The league will pause its schedule for the World Cup from May 25 through July 16.
No interrupted playoff schedule: Following Decision Day 2026 on November 7, the league will observe the November FIFA window before beginning one month of uninterrupted 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs action, culminating in 2026 MLS Cup. The complete postseason schedule will be announced at a later date.
First time against Charlotte: While the two clubs met in the 2023 Leagues Cup, FC Dallas will get its first match against Charlotte FC in league play when they visit the Queen City in early October.
Against the East: Including Charlotte and the opener against Toronto, Dallas will also face Nashville SC, D.C. United, the New York Red Bulls, and the Columbus Crew. Dallas last faced Toronto, D.C. United and the Red Bulls in the 2024 regular season and last faced Nashville and Columbus in 2023. Dallas will visit Charlotte FC for the first time.
Copa Tejas: There will be a pretty long stretch between games against the Houston Dynamo in 2026, with the first coming in March and the follow up in Houston in October. On the other hand, Dallas will see Austin twice within a month’s time.
Halloween game: Yes, Dallas will play a game on Halloween night. I believe this could be the first league game for Dallas on Halloween, but don’t hold me to that.
Wednesday night soccer: There will be seven mid-week games in the regular season for FC Dallas in 2026.
Dallas, TX
Dallas Police Association President placed on leave after fatal crash
DALLAS – A Dallas police officer has been placed on administrative leave as the department’s Internal Affairs Division investigates a fatal crash from earlier this year.
An attorney representing the victim’s family says a lack of transparency has only fueled their frustration.
Officer on leave after fatal crash
What we know:
According to Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux, Senior Corporal Jaime Castro was placed on administrative leave last Friday. The department would not provide further details, saying only that the internal investigation remains active and ongoing.
DPA President identified
The backstory:
The case dates back to March 15, when Atianna Washington was struck and killed while crossing the 2500 block of West Northwest Highway. Police said the vehicle involved stopped at the scene.
FOX 4 cameras captured Castro, wearing a white T-shirt, speaking with other officers and shaking hands at the scene that night.
Castro, a 26-year veteran of the department, joined the Dallas Police Department in 1998 and is currently assigned to the Operational Technology and Alarm Unit.
He was elected president of the Dallas Police Association in January after serving on its executive board since 2016.
Questions on driver’s identity
What they’re saying:
Attorney Scott Palmer, who represents Washington’s family, said the family has struggled to get answers from police.
“When there’s an investigation into one of their own, an internal affairs investigation, we typically don’t get a lot of information,” Palmer said. “We don’t get reports, we don’t get body cams. So, it’s frustrating.”
Palmer said questions about who was driving the vehicle that hit Washington have lingered since the night of the crash.
“There’s always been an open question in my client’s mind, and in ours, as to who was driving,” he said. “The crash report says it was the girlfriend,” said Palmer.
Police have not identified Castro’s girlfriend, and no criminal charges have been filed in the case.
Internal investigation status
Dig deeper:
When contacted by FOX 4 on Thursday, Castro’s attorney declined to comment.
Palmer said he believes the internal affairs investigation is now gaining traction but expects the process to move slowly.
“There’s a lot of questions, very few answers,” he said. “She is the victim here. She’s young. She’s no longer able to speak for herself. That’s why the reports and the witness statements are all important. But we have a loss of life here, and this is critical, this is serious.”
What’s next:
Dallas police have not said whether the internal affairs investigation is directly related to the March crash.
FOX 4 has requested body camera video, incident reports, and internal police records connected to the case.
The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office has not yet said whether the case will be presented to a grand jury.
The Source: Information in this article was provided by FOX 4’s Casey Stegall.
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