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Dallas judge denies AG Ken Paxton’s attempt to block State Fair of Texas gun policy

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Dallas judge denies AG Ken Paxton’s attempt to block State Fair of Texas gun policy


A Dallas County District judge denied Attorney General Ken Paxton’s request to block the State Fair of Texas’ new gun ban policy from going into effect when the event kicks off next week.

Judge Emily Tobolowsky said she didn’t believe there was enough evidence showing any laws were being broken by the new restriction, which would limit firearm carriers on the grounds during the 24-day event to elected, appointed or employed peace officers. The ruling at the end of a temporary injunction hearing on Thursday means the new policy will be in place when the Fair begins next week.

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Fair organizers announced they would increase security and limit who would be allowed to carry guns into Fair Park on Aug. 8. The fair previously allowed any attendee with a valid handgun license to bring a gun as long as it was concealed, but state law doesn’t require Texans to have a permit to carry a firearm in a public place.

The policy change comes after a man shot three people at the fair last year.

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Paxton sought a temporary injunction to stop the new policy from being enforced. Last month, Paxton sued the fair, Dallas and interim city manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, arguing the restriction is illegal and infringes on gun owners’ rights. The lawsuit was filed two weeks after Paxton sent a letter to Tolbert threatening legal action unless the city forced the fair to drop its new policy.

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Three Texas residents have since been added to the lawsuit as plaintiffs alongside the state.

The suit describes the trio as wanting to exercise their right to carry a firearm onto government-owned property like the 277-acre Fair Park. Two of them are listed as licensed firearm holders, and the third isn’t.

One of the plaintiffs, Max Juusola, filed a complaint with the Attorney General’s office about the new fair policy the day it was announced.

The nonprofit group leases Fair Park from the city for the event, one of the state’s largest annual celebrations and the most attended fair in the country. Dallas officials have maintained city officials weren’t involved in the fair’s decision to enact the new policy, and fair officials say they believe it’s their right to take measures they deem fit to protect patrons.

Paxton and Tolbert didn’t attend Thursday’s hearing, and attorneys representing the state declined to comment afterward. Mitch Glieber, president of the State Fair of Texas, said after the hearing that the judge’s ruling was a victory for the Fair, that he didn’t rule out an appeal from the state, and that fair officials believe the new policy will help keep fairgoers safe.

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The State Fair of Texas runs from Sept. 27 through Oct. 20.

This story will be updated.



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Talarico, Paxton campaigning in Texas this week. See events

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Talarico, Paxton campaigning in Texas this week. See events


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The two candidates vying for the U.S. Senate seat in Texas are making stops across the Lone Star State this week.

Democrat James Talarico and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will head to South Texas as the two go head-to-head in the Nov. 3 General Election to replace U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. Cornyn lost his reelection bid to Paxton in the Republican Primary Election.

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The campaign tour continues for Talarico after hosting townhalls in El Paso and Marfa as part of his “Frontera Tour,” while Paxton is holding a “Rally in the Valley” in McAllen.

Here’s where the candidates will be in Texas.

Paxton heads to McAllen for ‘Rally in the Valley’

Paxton is heading to McAllen for his “Rally in the Valley” event at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14. He’ll be joined by National Border Security Council President Paul Perez, TX-28 Nominee Tano Tijerina, and TX-34 Nominee Eric Flores.

The all-ages event will take place at University Draft House Townlake McAllen, 100 West Business 83, and spots can be reserved at eventbrite.com.

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Talarico to visit Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Laredo

Talarico continues his “Frontera” tour with a stop in Del Rio on Monday, July 14.

“Gather with your family, friends, and neighbors to hear from James about taking his fight against Big Money and corruption to Washington. Together, we can win back power for working people in a system that’s rigged for the ultra-wealthy,” the event page states, adding that the program will be short and voters can greet Talarico after.

Here are the stops on Talarico’s “Frontera” tour:

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Monday, July 13:

  • 3 p.m. Memo’s Restaurant, 804 E Losoya St. in Del Rio
  • 7 p.m. International Center For Trade, 3295 Bob Rogers Drive in Eagle Pass

Tuesday, July 14:

  • 6 p.m. La Posada – San Agustin Ballroom, 1000 Zaragoza St. 107 in Laredo

Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.



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Arrest made in death of North Texas teen Daniel Erving found in Lake Ray Hubbard

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Arrest made in death of North Texas teen Daniel Erving found in Lake Ray Hubbard




Arrest made in death of North Texas teen Daniel Erving found in Lake Ray Hubbard – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth



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Texas leaders question federal handling of fatal ICE shooting

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Texas leaders question federal handling of fatal ICE shooting


HOUSTON, Texas — Houston-area leaders on Saturday expressed frustration over what they described as a lack of cooperation from federal authorities following the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.

The shooting happened on Tuesday during an immigration operation. Federal officials said an ICE agent shot and killed the 52-year-old after he allegedly rammed a law enforcement vehicle and refused verbal commands during a traffic stop.

Three men detained during the operation have disputed the federal account of what happened.

RELATED | Illegal immigrant killed by ICE agent in Houston was not intended target, lawmaker says

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Rep. Christian Menefee, D-Texas, criticized the federal government’s handling of the case, questioning its characterization of Salgado Araujo and the use of masked ICE agents and unmarked vehicles during enforcement operations.

RELATED | Family speaks out after fatal ICE shooting as Austin rally calls for transparency

SEIU Texas President Elsa Flores called for greater transparency and accountability, saying officials should ensure a similar incident does not happen again and that those responsible are held accountable.



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