For decades, Candace Wicks has seen the good the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center can do.
Some of her first memories of the 10.5-acre South Dallas campus are volunteering with her church to hand out free meals to the area’s unsheltered community — a service she says is “just one of the many” examples of the center’s critical work.
But she said she has watched the center also make do with limited resources.
“I like to say — and it has been quoted several times — that ‘we make bricks out of straw’ here,” said Wicks, a vice chair appointed to the center’s advisory board, which she has served on for nearly 10 years. “This is one of the most underappreciated locations in the city.”
Advertisement
Political Points
Get the latest politics news from North Texas and beyond.
Wicks thinks that is starting to change: On Thursday, she joined a crowd on the campus to celebrate a $2.5 million earmark to benefit the center — federal funding that will go toward improving the facility and kickstart work before a forthcoming renovation approved by Dallas voters this spring as part of a $1.25 billion bond package.
The campus, originally called the Crossroads Community Center, opened its doors in February 1969 as the city’s first multi-service community facility. The Dallas City Council renamed the facility after Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1975.
Since then, the center has become a hub for services and educational and cultural enrichment in South Dallas. It was the venue for nearly 30 events and hosted nearly 200,000 visitors last year, according to a report from the center’s advisory board.
Advertisement
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, paved the way for the $2.5 million earmark. The earmark to the South Dallas center was the largest allocation the first-term representative directed as part of the fiscal year 2024 Appropriations Bill.
Crockett, whose district includes South Dallas, said her office received requests for more than 70 projects seeking funding in fiscal year 2024. Her staff reviewed the proposals and made recommendations based on the parameters set by the Republican-led House.
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Adam Bazaldua (left) reacts towards towards Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, during an event, on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, at Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center in Dallas. Rep. Crockett presented a check representing $2.5 million to Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center in Dallas as part of the Community Project Funding her office secured within the Appropriations process for Fiscal Year 2024.(Shafkat Anowar / Staff Photographer)
The bill passed earlier this year.
“I looked for spaces in which I felt, ‘if we don’t do this, I don’t know that this gap will get filled,’” Crockett said in an interview. “The MLK center is kind of one of those that falls into a bit of a unique category … I was concerned the gap may not get filled.”
Wick said that upcoming improvements to the center include accessibility enhancements.
Advertisement
Nearly four years ago, Wicks fell ill with a life-threatening sickness that resulted in sepsis. She survived, but the harsh treatments took a toll on her body. She now uses an electric wheelchair — something that has changed her perspective using the center.
“Not to say that I wasn’t already aware, but it’s changed how I view it,” she said. She added that she saw the $2.5 million earmark as “a prayer answered.”
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Adam Bazaldua, who represents District 7, where the center is located, described the earmark as “more than an investment in a building.”
“It’s an investment in the future of South Dallas,” he said.
Leadership teacher becomes a leader: UNT professor is Sunnyvale’s first Black councilman
George Woodrow has lived in Sunnyvale for 24 years and said he ran, in part, because he wanted African American community members to be represented.
Advertisement
As Texas flirts with high-speed rail, can Japan’s bullet train show the way?
A July trade delegation led by Gov. Greg Abbott hopped aboard a bullet train for a fast trip to Tokyo, feeding the appetite for high-speed rail for some Texans.
Dallas Cowboys Nation’s hopes of landing superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby were dashed last weekend when it was announced that he was being traded to the Baltimore Ravens. However, less than 24 hours before the new year, the trade has fallen apart.
On Tuesday night, the Las Vegas Raiders announced that the Ravens have backed out of the trade.
“The Baltimore Ravens have backed out of our trade agreement for Maxx Crosby,” the statement read. “We will have no further comment at this time.”
Advertisement
The news sends a major ripple for the league, with the Crosby sweepstakes once again open. Before his trade to the Ravens, the Cowboys were considered one of the teams closely monitoring the situation and a team that made a legitimate offer for Crosby.
Advertisement
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby leaves the field following a game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium. | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
At this time, there is no word on why the trade between Las Vegas and Baltimore fell through. When the trade was first reported, the Raiders were set to receive a 2026 and 2027 first-round pick from the Ravens.
Advertisement
Now, his future is in limbo. Before he was traded to the Ravens, it was believed that the Cowboys, Chicago Bears, and Los Angeles Rams were the top candidates to land him. In fact, the Cowboys were “considered runner-ups” in the sweepstakes.
Dallas’ Original Trade Offer
Advertisement
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby reacts during the second half at SoFi Stadium. | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Advertisement
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Cowboys initially offered the No. 12 overall pick in the 2026 draft, a 2027 second-round pick, and an unnamed veteran player.
“Dallas kept a hard line throughout. The franchise wasn’t willing to part with two first-round picks, hoping its 12th pick in April’s draft, plus a future second-rounder, would be enough to entice Las Vegas. Dallas was also willing to package a veteran player to sweeten the deal, but Vegas wasn’t interested in that. The Raiders prioritized picks,” Fowler wrote.
Last season, Crosby recorded 73 total tackles, 28 tackles for a loss, 20 quarterback hits, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception.
We’ll have to see if Dallas ends up being his new home, now that the team has a second chance to make something special happen, but there will be some serious competition. The 2026 NFL calendar year officially begins on Wednesday, March 11, at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Advertisement
— Sign up for the Cowboys Daily Digest newsletter for more free coverage from Dallas Cowboys on SI —
DALLAS – Severe thunderstorms are forecast to return to North Texas late Tuesday, bringing threats of damaging hail, high winds and localized flooding. While the primary concerns are wind and hail, a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out.
Tuesday Forecast
Dallas weather: Mar. 10 morning forecast
We have another chance of severe storms starting Tuesday afternoon. Meteorologist Ali Turiano has your forecast and everything you need to know ahead of the storms.
Advertisement
Scattered showers and storms are expected to develop as a dryline to the west moves into the region. Storm conditions are expected to intensify as the day progresses.
The greatest concerns remain damaging winds and large hail. The leading edge of the storm front will likely be the most intense, with the potential for straight-line winds and brief spin-up tornadoes.
Advertisement
LIVE Radar: Dallas-Fort Worth
Dallas Storms: Timing and Impact
The highest potential for severe weather in the Metroplex is from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., though lingering activity could continue until 2 a.m. Wednesday. Residents are advised to seek shelter immediately if a warning is issued for their area.
7-Day Forecast
Advertisement
A final round of storms is expected Wednesday, primarily between noon and 7 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. These storms carry a threat of half-dollar-sized hail and damaging winds.
Behind this system, North Texas will dry out and briefly cool off. Sunny skies return Thursday with a high in the mid-60s. Temperatures will then warm into the upper 70s on Friday before a sunny weekend with highs in the low 80s.
The Source: Information in this article comes from the National Weather Service and FOX 4 forecasters.
