Storms in North Texas have knocked out power to thousands of homes and businesses and damaged about a dozen small planes.
Dallas-based Oncor reports more than 18,000 customers still without electricity Monday afternoon as crews worked to restore power.
The National Weather Service says wind gusts of more than 70 mph were recorded Sunday night in the Fort Worth area. Authorities have no reports of major damage or injuries.
Some small planes outside a hangar at Fort Worth's Meacham International Airport were damaged by wind-tossed debris.
The American Red Cross was sending bottled water to residents whose homes lost power or suffered damage, including parts of Haltom City, Kennedale and Eagle Mountain Lake. Forecasters predicted another hot day Monday, with temperatures above 100 degrees.
AP
Dallas Hosts Crimes Against Children Conference
The 24th annual Crimes Against Children conference is underway in Dallas. It is the largest meeting of its kind – more than 3,000 law enforcement, prosecutors, social agencies and social media representatives.
US Attorney Sarah Saldana was among officials addressing the group.
“I was looking through the program and there is just something fairly devastating about the topics that are discussed in that program, and that you all will be talking about,” said Saldana. “It takes special people to work in this area.“
Joe Sullivan, Chief Security Officer for Facebook, told the group that new software allows Facebook to identify suspect communications. He says that actually led to the arrest of an Orlando man as he arrived at a middle school to pick up a 13 year old girl he had contacted online.
BJ Austin
No Sure Recovery For Dallas Budget
Dallas city council members got some good budget news for a change Monday, but also heard a couple of warnings.
The good news: property and sales taxes are up, and because of that, the proposed budget does not include a tax hike or layoffs. It restores pay cuts of the past couple of years; and keeps the same hours at libraries and rec centers.
Council member Vonciel Jones Hill warned that state lawmakers are targeting the city’s franchise fees when they convene next year.
“That is millions and millions of dollars,” said Hill. “If there is a crack in the municipalities’ abilities to collect those franchise fees that would devastate a huge portion of our budget.”
Mayor Mike Rawlings cautioned that improvements in the economy and tax revenue could change course. He says the city must continue to be diligent.
BJ Austin
The “Cool” After The Storm
The Red Cross opened a Cooling Center and Shelter in Haltom City Monday afternoon for victims of Sunday night’s storms that were still without power.
But, the Christian Center of Fort Worth on NE 28th, had its own problems. The air conditioning went out and had to be quickly repaired.
As of 3pm Monday afternoon 11,000 customers in the Fort Worth area were still without power.
The National Weather Service says the late night storms packed winds of more than 70 miles an hour.
BJ Austin
Dallas quints: 3 boys, 2 girls in stable condition
A Dallas hospital has announced the birth of quintuplets.
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center said Monday that the three boys and two girls are in stable condition.
Hospital officials say the youngsters were born premature Thursday to missionaries Carrie and Gavin Jones.
The quintuplets have been named Will Edward, David Stephen, Marcie Jane, Seth Jared and Grace Elise Jones. Their birth weights ranged from 1 pound, 12 ounces to 2 pounds, 11 ounces.
Dr. Gary Burgess says the babies are doing as expected for quintuplets born at 27 weeks. They remain in the neonatal intensive care unit at UT Southwestern's St. Paul University Hospital.
The parents also have an 8-year-old son.
AP
New trial ordered for Texan over 2008 killing
An appeals court has ordered a new trial for a North Texas husband convicted of killing a man he caught kissing his wife.
The 2nd Court of Appeals ruled that Kory Nelson Turner of Mansfield was denied his right to a public trial.
Turner was convicted of murder and sentenced to 12 years in prison for the death of Leonard Keith Jr. The shooting happened during a 2008 party.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports the judge did not let Turner's wife, brother and father-in-law sit in court during jury selection. The seating area was full of potential jurors.
Judge George Gallagher allowed the defense introduce the trio to potential jurors to see if any recognized them.
AP