Texas
Texas AG Ken Paxton sues Meow Wolf, others for banning off-duty officers from carrying guns
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the immersive art venue Meow Wolf Grapevine, the State Fair of Texas and three other businesses across the state, alleging the businesses banned off-duty officers from carrying guns.
The lawsuit filed against Meow Wolf on Feb. 21 alleges the business, located inside the Grapevine Mills mall, violated an article of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure that since last July an establishment serving the public cannot restrict a peace officer from carrying an authorized weapon. Businesses in violation are subject to a $1,000 penalty per instance, according to the code.
The lawsuit alleges off-duty officers Eric Perkins, deputy chief of police at River Oaks Police Department, and Dallas Police Department SWAT team sergeant Daniel Harris were barred from carrying guns at Meow Wolf Grapevine when they visited on different occasions in 2023.
Paxton wrote to Meow Wolf Grapevine director of security Tony Perkins about complying with the law; Perkins wrote that the venue had updated its policies, according to the lawsuit. Despite the assertion in that letter, the lawsuit alleges, Meow Wolf Grapevine subsequently banned off-duty Sherman Police Department corporal Scott Vance from carrying a gun into the business.
Herman Campos, from Carrollton, visited the Grapevine Mills mall Tuesday afternoon. He believes off-duty officers should be allowed to carry firearms into businesses, because they have to be prepared for any event at all times.
“They’re supposed to be prepared for anything and everything, any kind of action that might require the use of a firearm to protect people,” Campos said. “That’s their duty.”
Meow Wolf Grapevine declined to comment on ongoing litigation. According toits code of conduct page, Meow Wolf Grapevine bans visitors from bringing weapons of any kind, including any firearms, pocket knives, pepper spray, large chains and spiked jewelry.
Paxton also sued The Factory in Deep Ellum, Texas Trust CU Theatre in Grand Prairie and The Lucky Duck in San Antonio over alleged violations, all of which prohibit visitors from bringing firearms inside the venue.
Seth Bodine is a business and economic development reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at seth.bodine@fortworthreport.org or follow@sbodine120.
This article first appeared on Fort Worth Report and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
See wild rescue of trapped roller coaster riders
Eight people were rescued after the Iron Shark roller coaster stalled at Galveston Pleasure Pier, leaving riders stuck near the summit for hours.
While Texas Roadhouse is known for its signature steaks and rolls, the restaurant has changed its menu over the years.
Texas Roadhouse first opened in 1993 and has become known for favorites like its warm, freshly baked rolls served with honey cinnamon butter and its hand-cut steaks. While many signature items remain, some fan-favorite menu offerings have since been discontinued.
Recently, Tasting Table, which features recipes and news for food enthusiasts, looked back at some discontinued Texas Roadhouse menu items that some may remember fondly.
Here are some of the discontinued menu items at Texas Roadhouse.
Floor peanuts
While some Texas Roadhouse locations may still provide peanuts by request, the practice of throwing the shells on the floor ended with the pandemic, according to Tasting Table.
Users on Yelp also discussed whether peanut shells could be tossed on the floor.
“They still offer peanuts is sealed bags upon request. Just ask for peanuts and they’ll keep on bringing them,” one user said.
Baked beans
While the restaurant offers several side options, such as green beans, mashed potatoes, and seasoned corn, Texas Roadhouse no longer carries baked beans — which are common at steakhouses.
“Always enjoyed Texas Roadhouse but Broke my heart when they took those delicious baked beans off the menu,” a reddit user posted back in 2023, while searching for a recipe.
Original Chicken Critters
While there are Chicken Critters — chicken tenders that are golden-fried and lightly crispy — on the menu today, fans say the original recipe has changed.
Apparently, the tenders were crispier and lighter, according to Reddit users.
“My husband and I talk about the OG chicken critters all the time,” one Reddit user posted.
Sierra Chicken Pasta
The only pasta dish served at Texas Roadhouse has gone viral on TikTok, with many recreating it with their own recipes.
The Sierra Chicken Pasta was made with penne pasta, pieces of crispy bacon, and grilled chicken, all of which were tossed in an Asiago cheese sauce, according to The Takeout.
It doesn’t appear that Texas Roadhouse offers any type of pasta, according to its menu.
Oven-roasted half chicken
The discontinued item came in two styles — plain or barbecue — according to Tasting Table.
The restaurant still offers several chicken options, though, like smothered chicken (served with wide, made-from-scratch gravy) and grilled BBQ chicken.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
The overseas death of a U.S. Army soldier from Central Texas is under investigation, the Department of Defense announced Wednesday.
Sgt. Devin A. Seibel, 26, of the Waco suburb of Robinson, died Sunday in a “training‑related incident” at Erbil Airbase in Iraq, officials said.
According to the department, Seibel was an active‑duty soldier supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led coalition campaign launched in June 2014 to defeat the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria.
Seibel was assigned to the Air Ambulance Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, in Fort Carson, Colo.
The department didn’t release any additional information.
CBS News Texas will provide updates as more information becomes available.
-
Lifestyle22 minutes ago‘How to Rule the World’ explores education and power at Stanford University
-
Technology34 minutes agoCyberdecks used to look like little laptops, but now they’re getting more personal
-
World37 minutes agoPete Hegseth warns narco-terrorists as U.S. backs Bolivia’s government amid coup warnings
-
Politics42 minutes agoDemocrats split over Tlaib’s Lebanon measure as Republicans seize on Hezbollah omission
-
Health49 minutes agoPopular weight-loss diet shows surprising impact on serious mental health condition
-
Sports52 minutes agoNBA bans two fans for life after court invasion during Knicks-Spurs Game 1
-
Technology57 minutes agoCharter breach warning: What customers should know
-
Business1 hour agoTrump announces new coal export terminal in Oakland
