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US DOJ, John Cornyn starts investigation into Muslim community, Epic, tied to East Plano Center

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US DOJ, John Cornyn starts investigation into Muslim community, Epic, tied to East Plano Center


The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a federal civil rights investigation into a Muslim-centered planned community around one of the state’s largest mosques near Dallas, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn said Friday.

Cornyn requested the federal probe of the development last month, citing concerns it could discriminate against Christians and Jews. He announced in a post on X that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi had notified him of the investigation.

The developers of the proposed planned community tied to the East Plano Islamic Center, which has not yet been built, have said they are being bullied because they are Muslim.

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment or to confirm Cornyn’s announcement.

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A federal probe would further escalate pressure on the proposed EPIC City, which is already facing mounting criticism and multiple investigations from Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and other GOP state officials who claim the group is trying to create a Muslim-exclusive community that would impose Islamic law on residents.

Among its chief critics is the state’s hard-right Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is challenging Cornyn for his Senate seat in 2026.

“Religious discrimination and Sharia Law have no home in Texas,” Cornyn, of Texas, wrote in his post on X. “Any violations of federal law must be swiftly prosecuted, and I know under (President Donald Trump’s) administration, they will be.”

Dan Cogdell, an attorney for EPIC City who defended Paxton in his 2023 impeachment trial when he was acquitted by the state Senate, said the developers have “done nothing illegal and we will cooperate fully with all investigations-regardless of how misguided and unnecessary they are.”

The state investigations include whether the development is violating financial and fair housing laws and whether the mosque has conducted illegal funerals.

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Cogdell has said none of the investigations would be happening if the community was planned around a church or temple.

The attacks on the project about Islamic law and other claims “are not only completely without merit and totally misleading but they are dangerous as well,” Cogdell said Friday. “These folks are US Citizens, law abiding and Texans.”

The Council on American-Islamic Relations in the Dallas area also has criticized the state probes as bullying the Muslim community and a violation of constitutionally protected religious expression.

Plans for the mixed-used development include more than 1,000 homes and apartments, a faith-based school for kindergarten through 12th grade, a community college, assisted living for older residents and athletics fields.

EPIC City would be near the community of Josephine, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of Dallas.

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Trackdown: Dallas 7-Eleven robbery suspect wanted

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Trackdown: Dallas 7-Eleven robbery suspect wanted


Dallas police need a name for a dangerous robber who pulled a gun on a 7-Eleven clerk and walked out with the cash register drawer.

He was caught on camera. But it’s been six months, and he’s still at large.

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7-Eleven Robberies

What we know:

The robbery in question happened on Jan. 13 around 10:30 p.m. at the store at 302 North Marsalis Avenue.

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A Black male who is about 5 feet 8 inches tall and about 170 to 180 pounds walked in and waited until no other customers were inside.

“After it’s empty, he displays a handgun and points it at the cashier,” said Det. Eduardo Lopez Villa. “I don’t know what he said. He just demanded the cash from the cash register.”

Det. Villa said the suspect took the whole cash register drawer before fleeing eastbound on foot on 8th Street.

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What you can do:

The detective believes anyone who knows the suspect will be able to recognize him.

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“Yes, most definitely based on the video and the screenshot. If you know him, you’ll recognize him,” he said. 

Tipsters can call or text Det. Villa at 469-755-8445.

“I need his information so I can talk to him about this incident,” he said.

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FOX 4’s Trackdown

You can watch Shaun Rabb’s Trackdown series every Wednesday on FOX 4. Episodes are also posted weekly online, on YouTube and on FOX Local.

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FOX 4 viewers have now helped to make 220 arrests.

The Source: The information in this story comes from Dallas Police Det. Eduardo Lopez Villa.

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Dallas weighs $500 million‑plus repair plans as City Hall’s future comes up for debate

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Dallas weighs 0 million‑plus repair plans as City Hall’s future comes up for debate


Dallas officials are weighing two costly options for City Hall’s future: either relocate entirely or spend more than half a billion dollars on repairs. One proposal would cost about $532 million over six years, while a second plan would spread repairs over a decade at an estimated cost of $557 million. The City Council is expected to outline the next steps on the project tomorrow.



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Dallas weather: Flash flooding strands vehicles near DFW Airport after heavy rain

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Dallas weather: Flash flooding strands vehicles near DFW Airport after heavy rain


Slow-moving thunderstorms brought localized flash flooding to parts of North Texas on Tuesday evening, blocking highways near Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and dropping several inches of rain in portions of Tarrant and Parker counties.

Flash Flood Warnings

Local perspective:

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Flash flood warnings are in effect for Hopkins, Hunt, Rains and Van Zandt counties until 7:45 p.m.

Flooding was reported along Texas 183 near Valley View Lane south of DFW Airport, where stranded vehicles and water-covered roadways created hazardous travel conditions.

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A flash flood warning remained in effect near the airport, although rainfall rates had begun to diminish as the storm weakened.

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings

The National Weather Service also issued a severe thunderstorm warning for northern Hood County, citing the potential for gusty winds and small hail. Forecasters reported hail ranging from pea-sized to marble-sized in parts of Hood, Parker and Denton counties. 

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Forecasters attributed the weakening storms in Denton County to an outflow boundary, a meteorological feature that can disrupt thunderstorm development.

The warning area was reduced as the storm weakened near sunset.

LIVE RADAR

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What they’re saying:

FOX 4’s Kylie Capps said the storms moved unusually slowly from east to west, allowing heavy rain to accumulate over the same areas for several hours. 

Rainfall estimates showed some locations in eastern Parker County and western Tarrant County received nearly 5 inches of rain during a six-hour period, while areas near DFW Airport recorded more than 2 inches.

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Elsewhere in North Texas, northern Rains County received nearly 5 inches of rain.

7-Day Forecast

What’s next:

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Forecasters expect a quieter overnight period, with only isolated showers lingering into the evening. Additional thunderstorms are possible Wednesday afternoon, though coverage and the threat of severe weather are expected to remain limited.

Temperatures are forecast to reach about 90 degrees Wednesday. 

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Rain chances are expected to continue through the remainder of the workweek and into the weekend as an upper-level low-pressure system sends multiple disturbances across North Texas.

The Source: Information in this article was provided by FOX 4’s Weather Team

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