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Ted Cruz wins third Senate term, defeats Democrat Colin Allred in Texas

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Ted Cruz wins third Senate term, defeats Democrat Colin Allred in Texas


Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz was reelected on Tuesday, defeating U.S. Rep. Colin Allred in this burgeoning state that was thrust to the center of the 2024 election in battles over immigration and abortion.

This outcome marks a setback for Texas Democrats, who have now gone three decades without a statewide victory—the longest losing streak for any party in the nation.

Sen. Ted Cruz, 53, clinched a third term in office after a high-stakes and costly reelection campaign, in contrast to his nail-biting victory over Beto O’Rourke six years ago. This time, Cruz appealed to his party to take his race seriously and reshaped his image to Texas voters, presenting himself as a pragmatic legislator focused on getting things done—an effort to pivot from his past reputation as an uncompromising firebrand with aspirations beyond Texas.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks during a watch party on election night, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at the Marriott Marquis in Houston. Ted Cruz was reelected on Tuesday, defeating U.S. Rep. Colin Allred.

LM Otero/AP

How Did Cruz Gain His Texas Victory?

Though votes were still being counted early Wednesday, Cruz held a comfortable lead over challenger Colin Allred, appearing close to a double-digit advantage—an impressive jump from his narrow win over Beto O’Rourke by less than three percentage points six years ago. Cruz’s victory not only secured his seat but also contributed to Republicans regaining control of the U.S. Senate for the first time in four years.

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Cruz addressed his supporters Tuesday night at his watch party in Houston by first walking out to the song “Eye of the Tiger.”

“I want to say to all of those who didn’t support me, you have my word I will fight for you, your jobs, your safety and for your constitutional rights,” he said.

Cruz Law and Order Agenda for Texas

On the campaign trail, Cruz emphasized a strong stance on law and order. In a notable moment, he appeared on stage flanked by Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, a prominent Democrat and the chief prosecutor of Texas’ largest county.

Colin Allred, a former NFL linebacker, sought to become Texas’ first Black senator by running a moderate campaign. He maintained a measured distance from Vice President Kamala Harris and progressive factions, instead highlighting endorsements from Republicans such as former Rep. Liz Cheney. Allred positioned himself as a staunch advocate for abortion rights in a state known for its stringent bans.

Ted Cruz Win
Texas Democratic Senate candidate Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, speaks during a watch party on election night, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Dallas. This outcome marks another setback for Texas Democrats, who have now gone three…


Tony Gutierrez/AP

What is Allred’s Message to Cruz?

In his concession speech at his watch party in Dallas, Allred said he called Cruz and congratulated him on his victory.

“It shouldn’t be remarkable to have to admit defeat,” he said. “You can’t just be a patriot when your side wins. Tonight we didn’t win, but we will continue to be patriots.”

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Colin Allred’s campaign faced early criticism from some Democrats who were dissatisfied with his strategy. They expressed frustration over his decision to avoid scheduling numerous large rallies and his limited investment in smaller regions of Texas, including cities along the Texas-Mexico border.

Cruz, however, performed notably better against Allred than he did against O’Rourke six years earlier, showing particular strength in predominantly Hispanic counties along the U.S.-Mexico border.

What Led to the Cruz Victory in Texas?

Insights drawn from the AP VoteCast survey that included over 4,500 voters in Texas, showed that the economy and jobs were foremost concerns among Texas voters, with 40 percent identifying it as the nation’s top issue. Immigration was cited by 20 percent of voters as the most pressing matter, while 10 percent pointed to abortion as their primary concern.

Cruz, a former presidential candidate in 2016, first joined the Senate after serving as Texas’ solicitor general. In 2020, he expanded his reach with a popular podcast, Verdict, where he voiced strong support for then-President Donald Trump during his impeachment, solidifying his influence within conservative circles.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press

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How To Spend An Overnighter In Fort Worth, Texas

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How To Spend An Overnighter In Fort Worth, Texas


If you’ve been one of the 10.8 million annual visitors to Forth Worth, Texas, you already know it’s worth a multi-day stay. But sometimes, you don’t have that luxury, and the best you can swing is an overnighter. I’m here to tell you, that’s not a bad thing. Fort Worth, a pleasantly compact city in comparison to its sprawling neighbor, Dallas, turns an overnight stay into an opportunity to immerse yourself in Texan culture while luxuriating in the finer things in life.

Start with a semi-private flight via JSX, which operates out of its own terminal outside of Dallas-Love airport. This streamlined service provides private-flying ease and comfort at a fraction of the cost (a typical flight from Houston to Dallas costs about $500 round trip and gets you there in about an hour). After an extremely comfortable flight, you’ll touch down in Dallas, and it is a matter of minutes to deplane, collect your bag, and hail a ride. Opt for a rental car from JSX onsite provider Go Rentals or just use a ride app for the day.

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The heart of Fort Worth is 40 minutes away – you’ll leave the hustle and bustle of the big city behind and find tree-lined (and impeccably clean) streets. You’ll also find the new Crescent Hotel Fort Worth, which Conde Nast Traveler recently dubbed the #1 Hotel in Texas. Service is on point – when I arrived feeling a little queasy, the staff managed to rustle up a bowl of soup and a grilled cheese sandwich, and that was with the dining room temporarily reserved for a television crew shooting on the premises.

Which apparently is a thing in Fort Worth. It’s becoming an increasingly popular destination for movie and TV filming, and it’s clear why. The landscape is quite pretty, made all the prettier in the Cultural District, where Crescent Hotel is located. It features lovely museum buildings and wide streets that will beckon you outside to explore, and that exploration should include the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, the oldest botanic garden in Texas. It boasts 23 specialty gardens, such as the Japanese Garden ideal for a serene stroll, along with sculptures, ponds, waterfalls, and a don’t miss greenhouse.

If you prefer the indoors, just across the street from the Crescent Hotel is the Kimbell Art Museum, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and features works by creative legends like Rembrandt, Picasso, and Cezanne. The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth is a stone’s throw away, as is the Amon Carter Museum, currently featuring an exhibit entitled “Cowboy.”

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And speaking of cowboys, you must set aside time to witness an authentic and historically accurate cattle drive, which takes place twice daily at 11:30 am and 4:00 pm on Exchange Street in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. Watch as wranglers outfitted in boots, chaps, and hats reminiscent of the early American days drive cattle through the town. You can learn more about Fort Worth’s cowboy culture at The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, and the Cattle Raisers Museum.

If you haven’t noticed by now, Fort Worth is a bit of a dichotomy with its attention to ranch life every bit as important as its evolution to modern city. That’s why a day here is a study in contrasts, and one of the best ways to see – and taste – that is through the food. Start with lunch on the hacienda-style patio at Joe T. Garcia’s, a popular Tex-Mex restaurant serving up margaritas and family recipes like bean chalupas since 1935.

For dinner, dive into Waters Restaurant for a fine dining experience helmed by Chef Jon Bonnell. Appetizers like crab cakes and tomatoes topped with fried goat cheese are about as close to perfect as you can get. And foods that depend on being cooked just right, like scallops and filet, are indeed just right. Waters is located in Sundance Square, a walkable entertainment and business district that is especially lovely at night and offers live theater, shopping, an historic Chisholm Trail mural, water features, and over 30 restaurants, in case you decide to stay.

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That’s the only problem with Fort Worth – one day and night will give you a taste that will have you hustling to get back. So maybe not such a problem after all.



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City of Houston defends keeping firefighter on payroll amid nude video controversy and lawsuit

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City of Houston defends keeping firefighter on payroll amid nude video controversy and lawsuit


HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The City of Houston says its hands are tied when it comes to a firefighter who showed a nude video of a female firefighter to their colleagues.

John Barrientes was found liable in a civil trial last year and was ordered to pay former firefighter Melinda Abbt $250,000. City Council is considering approving an $850,000 payment to Abbt to settle a separate federal lawsuit related to the matter.

Yet some council members question why Barrientes has been allowed to keep his job.

The city points to an obscure Texas law governing police and fire departments.

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“If you’re looking to terminate someone’s employment because of a past act, the statutory scheme in Texas requires that that occurs within six months of the act,” City Attorney Michel Arturo said.

But that’s not how other attorneys see it.

“I’m not aware of any law that says you have to fire someone within 180 days of the misconduct,” employment attorney Michael Lombardino said.

Arturo sent Eyewitness News a copy of the Texas Local Government Code. Under a heading titled ‘Indefinite Suspensions,’ it reads:

“In the original written statement and charges and in any hearing conducted under this chapter, the department head may not complain of an act that did not occur within the six-month period preceding the date on which the department head suspends the firefighter or police officer.”

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Lombardino said that should only apply to indefinite suspensions, which he said are different than terminations.

“Sometimes you need to be able to conduct an investigation, so putting a time limit on when you would be able to terminate an employee doesn’t really make sense,” he said.

Arturo told council members that firing Barrientes could give him grounds for a wrongful termination suit. Some worry about the lawsuits the city could face by keeping him.

“If we have another incident that comes up, aren’t we in more legal jeopardy because we are aware of this behavior?” Councilman Fred Flickinger asked.

Council won’t vote on whether to approve the settlement with Abbt for at least another week.

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For news updates, follow Luke Jones on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Copyright © 2024 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.





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Texas Longhorns OT Kelvin Banks Jr. Named Finalist for Major Award

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Texas Longhorns OT Kelvin Banks Jr. Named Finalist for Major Award


Texas football senior and offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. was nabbed as one of the four finalists for the Lombardi Award, a trophy that celebrates the best offensive or defensive lineman in college football.

Among Banks Jr. in the other finalists spots are LSU’s offensive tackle Will Campbell, Penn State’s defensive end Abdul Carter and South Carolina’s EDGE defender Kyle Kennard.

This is just another award for the offensive tackle. After the Mississippi State win, Banks Jr. was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week and repeated that award against Oklahoma. In addition, Banks Jr. also was named the Outland Trophy’s National Player of the Week for his performance against the Sooners.

Before the season, Banks Jr. was called First Team All-America by the Associated Press, CBS Sports, ESPN, Sporting News, and The Athletic as well as the preseason First Team All-SEC team by both media and coaches.

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The Texas offense has been successful partially because of Banks Jr., he is ranked as the highest Texas player on the PFF Big Board at 11.

According to the official Texas Longhorns website, the Longhorns rank ninth nationally in team passing efficiency (162.81), 12th in passing offense (288.6), 13th in completion percentage (67.9) and scoring offense (37 ppg), and 18th in total offense (450.2 ypg).

These stats have also helped propel the Longhorns offensive line to be a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award earlier this month.

If Banks Jr. wins, this would be the fourth time a Longhorn has won the Lombardi Award. The other three to win are Kenneth Sims (1981), Tony Degrate (1984), and Brian Orakpo (2008).

This year’s award dinner will take place on Dec. 11th after the regular season concludes.

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In the meantime, Banks Jr. and the Longhorns face the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday for their next opponent.

The game in Austin will kickoff at 2:30 on ABC.

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Other Texas Longhorns News:

MORE: Texas A&M Aggies Coach Slips Up In Press Conference When Asked About Texas Longhorns

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MORE: Brent Venables Blasting 5-Star Commit For Visiting Texas Longhorns? ‘Not Committed!’

MORE: Texas Longhorns Remain at No. 3 in Latest College Football Playoff Rankings

MORE: Texas Longhorns Announce Home and Home Matchup vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish



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