
Word Wrangler: July 12, 2026
Texas is big. So big, in fact, that references to its massive size have influenced our great state’s lexicon.
DFW news for Sunday, July 12: Word Wrangler: July 12, 2026; Fatal fiery Saturday crash in Johnson County could cause Sunday traffic delays on Hwy. 171; and Teenage girl hospitalized after accidental shooting at Little Elm home; the latest from across Dallas-Fort Worth, curated from the best DFW sources.
A Fort Worth H-E-B store will remain closed on Friday following an electrical fire that started in a meat case.Fire at Fort Worth H-E-BThe multi-alarm fire broke out at the H-E-B Alliance store in Fort Worth on Thursday afternoon.H-E-B said the store experienced an isolated electrical fire in a meat case.No one was injured, according to H-E-B.The store is located at 3451 Heritage Trace Parkway, and was the first H-E-B to open in Fort Worth.Fort Worth Fire said at 8:30 p.m. that the fire had been contained. Saginaw Fire and Haslet Fire could also be seen on sight assisting.A large fan from DFW Airport was brought in to help with the smoke inside the store.H-E-B released the following statement to FOX 4 on the fire:"H-E-B Alliance experienced an isolated electrical fire in a meat case. It has been contained and there were no injuries. The store is closed today while we clean the area and replace affected products. We will provide an update once this process is complete."Craig Trojecek, P

If you’ve been driving in Texas for more years than you care to admit, you’ve probably noticed the latest trend that’s taken over local roads. Today’s trucks have suddenly gotten a lot bigger, with wider wheels and elevated ride heights. Factory-built vehicles don’t look like the norm anymore, and what used to make a truck […] The post The Texas Truck Status Symbol: Why Everyone Suddenly Has a Built Truck appeared first on Fort Worth Weekly.

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SubscribeDallas Police have detained a 19-year-old suspect in connection to a teenager's drowning at Lake Ray Hubbard this past April.Lake Ray Hubbard drowning arrestDallas Police arrested 19-year-old Lucas Roper on July 9. He's been charged with one count of tampering with physical evidence.Roper was arrested in connection to the Apr. 13 drowning of 18-year-old Daniel Erving at Lake Ray Hubbard.Erving's body was discovered on Apr. 17, four days after he drowned.An arrest affidavit states that after Erving drowned, Roper and a juvenile suspect threw Erving's clothes into the tree line near a bridge above Lake Ray Hubbard.Police also learned the two suspects fled the scene in Roper's vehicle. As they fled, the juvenile suspect threw Erving's phone out of the vehicle.The Rowlett Police Department later recovered Erving's clothes and cell phone, on which they located phone calls and messages between Roper and Erving from the day of the drowning.According to the affidavit, Roper told police that he

A man was found dead on Friday morning in a pool in the Frisco Lakes retirement community.Frisco police said they got a call on Friday morning about an unresponsive person in one of the pools operated by Frisco Lakes.By the time first responders arrived, he was already deceased, police said.Frisco Lakes is a retirement community of about 3,000 homes near Main Street and Stonebrook Parkway in Frisco. It has three outdoor pool areas, according to the community association’s website.Images from SKY 4 showed investigators and crime scene tape at the pool on Anthem Drive.Police have not yet said how the man died or whether they suspect foul play.No details about his identity were released.

The city of Fort Worth has filed a lawsuit against a motel for being a nuisance and a drain on public resources.Fort Worth Police Chief Eddie Garcia, the city’s attorney, and others addressed the Central Motel on East Lancaster Road in Fort Worth on Tuesday.They explained the nuisance abatement lawsuit that now aims to end its chronic drain on city resources.The filing states that the "lives of the brave men and women of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies are unnecessarily put in harm’s way every time they respond to a call related to this property."Police have responded to the Central Motel 591 times since 2024.Chief Garcia said that includes a murder in 2025, an arson in 2025, 80 narcotics cases, seven weapons offenses, seven aggravated assaults, multiple prostitution offenses, and many more theft, vandalism, criminal trespassing, auto theft, and burglary cases."We’ve met with the ownership of this motel two separate times about the crime since 2020, the last time bei

Ten musical styles that have influenced the state and vice versa.

A wave of scattered thunderstorms is expected to bring heavy rain, localized flooding risks, and brief relief from the July heat to North Texas and the Texoma region starting Sunday afternoon.
People lit up the comment section after we posted an article about how confused Norwegians — and, admittedly, we are — about tipping.

A Fort Worth H-E-B store will remain closed on Friday following an electrical fire that started in a meat case.Fire at Fort Worth H-E-BThe multi-alarm fire broke out at the H-E-B Alliance store in Fort Worth on Thursday afternoon.H-E-B said the store experienced an isolated electrical fire in a meat case.No one was injured, according to H-E-B.The store is located at 3451 Heritage Trace Parkway, and was the first H-E-B to open in Fort Worth.Fort Worth Fire said at 8:30 p.m. that the fire had been contained. Saginaw Fire and Haslet Fire could also be seen on sight assisting.A large fan from DFW Airport was brought in to help with the smoke inside the store.H-E-B released the following statement to FOX 4 on the fire:"H-E-B Alliance experienced an isolated electrical fire in a meat case. It has been contained and there were no injuries. The store is closed today while we clean the area and replace affected products. We will provide an update once this process is complete."Craig Trojecek, P

If you’ve been driving in Texas for more years than you care to admit, you’ve probably noticed the latest trend that’s taken over local roads. Today’s trucks have suddenly gotten a lot bigger, with wider wheels and elevated ride heights. Factory-built vehicles don’t look like the norm anymore, and what used to make a truck […] The post The Texas Truck Status Symbol: Why Everyone Suddenly Has a Built Truck appeared first on Fort Worth Weekly.

Former Irving resident Charley Crockett, who’s thrived as a superb vintage-Outlaw country singer-songwriter now based in Austin, basically said he’s OK with going back to busking, which was what he did before becoming regionally famous — and which is what he may be doing if he keeps adding to this flamewar between him and supporters […] The post Charley Crockett’s Satanic Watusi appeared first on Fort Worth Weekly.

Handing out food in downtown has become controversial as the city advances its own plans for fighting homelessness.

Come October, the acclaimed Dallas chef is back in his own space and wants to “take care of you for the evening.”

The city of Arlington is celebrating a major success because of the World Cup. And there’s one semi-final match remaining. World Cup Economic ImpactCrowds have packed hotels, restaurants, and businesses across the city this summer.While the final economic impact won’t be released for several more weeks, officials said they anticipate the numbers to be higher than expected.The city believes the first eight matches have already generated $18 to $24 million for the local economy. That’s before accounting for spending at restaurants, bars, and retailers.Hotel and short-term rental revenue also reached a record $31 million in June, shattering the city’s previous monthly record of $23.6 million set in late 2024.The occupancy rates were slightly lower than expected, but visitors paid way more for rooms, with average nightly rates climbing nearly 47%.The owner of the Grease Monkey Burger Shop said his customer traffic increased roughly 25% to 30% throughout the tournament."We’ve seen an overal

Argyle shortstop Grady Emerson was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, making the North Texas standout one of the first players chosen in this year's draft.Grady Emerson selected No. 2 overall.Emerson attended Fort Worth Christian School and entered the draft as MLB Pipeline's No. 2 overall prospect and was widely regarded as the top high school position player available.The left-handed hitter capped his senior season by batting .532 with a .648 on-base percentage and a 1.013 slugging percentage. He added seven home runs, 50 RBIs and 31 stolen bases while earning Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year honors.Emerson is the highest-drafted Texas high school player in this year's draft and also has an extensive international résumé with USA Baseball, becoming the first player to compete in multiple 15U and 18U National Teams.Former Rangers outfielder Rusty Greer helped developEmerson played for former Texas Rangers outfielder Rusty Gre

The Rangers will have home field advantage against the Astros during the match-ups, with the first game happening Friday night in Arlington.

After controversial arrests, alleged retaliatory firings and a litany of water issues, the Texas Rangers are investigating the City of Trinidad.The Texas Rangers confirmed to FOX 4 they have begun an investigation into the City of Trinidad."We can confirm the Texas Rangers are investigating. As this is an active investigation, we have no further information to provide," the Texas Rangers said to FOX 4 in a statement.The law enforcement agency's investigation comes as multiple lawsuits have been filed against the city over retaliatory firings and controversial arrests related to the city's water quality issues.This week, former Trinidad City Administrator and Secretary Lindsey Patterson filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming she had "no record of discipline" when she was terminated in Feb. 2026.Patterson's suit claims she was fired after reporting to the Trinidad Police Department that "public funds belonging to the city were being held by private individuals."Trinidad's current Cit

Commercial real estate still feels uncomfortable, even in Dallas-Fort Worth. Capital remains cautious. Transactions are slower than normal. Many investors are sitting on the sidelines waiting for more certainty before putting money back to work. That’s usually when opportunities start to emerge. We’re now entering year five of this downturn cycle. That is a long … Continued The post Nobody Rings a Bell at the Bottom of a Market appeared first on D Magazine.

Dozens of people were displaced after an overnight fire tore through their condo complex in Far Northeast Dallas.The fire started around 10 p.m. at the Cambridge Park Condominiums near Audelia Road and Skillman Street, just off Interstate 635.As many as 70 firefighters were called to help battle the three-alarm blaze.The building now has serious damage. The roof has partially collapsed.Officials confirmed at least 24 units were damaged, and 45 people were displaced.Thankfully, everyone made it out safely. No injuries were reported.Residents who live in the complex said they woke up in a panic. Their stories are heartbreaking."I just got up to check what was going on and as soon as I came out I saw the smoke coming out of the vents. I just ran inside, got my kids and my husband out," Melissa Davidson said. "I just lost everything."The cause of the fire is still unknown.

The city of Arlington is celebrating a major success because of the World Cup. And there’s one semi-final match remaining. World Cup Economic ImpactCrowds have packed hotels, restaurants, and businesses across the city this summer.While the final economic impact won’t be released for several more weeks, officials said they anticipate the numbers to be higher than expected.The city believes the first eight matches have already generated $18 to $24 million for the local economy. That’s before accounting for spending at restaurants, bars, and retailers.Hotel and short-term rental revenue also reached a record $31 million in June, shattering the city’s previous monthly record of $23.6 million set in late 2024.The occupancy rates were slightly lower than expected, but visitors paid way more for rooms, with average nightly rates climbing nearly 47%.The owner of the Grease Monkey Burger Shop said his customer traffic increased roughly 25% to 30% throughout the tournament."We’ve seen an overal

Five Fort Worth City Council members are calling for a temporary pause on the construction of new data centers within the city limits. It’s the latest in the ongoing debate about data centers in Tarrant County.The city of Fort Worth has four existing data centers with plans to build at least four more.But there have been two recent public meetings about the developments where residents have shared concerns. Because of that, Council members Carlos Flores, Mia Hall, Chris Nettles, Elizabeth Beck, and Jeanette Martinez believe additional conversations are necessary.They want a temporary moratorium on new data centers to give the council time to discuss and refine regulations.In a news release issued Thursday, the five council members said they are aware that data centers can help the local economy, but they want to be cautious moving forward with new construction due to the residents’ concerns. They said there are multiple reasons data centers can be harmful to communities, including nois

Three finalists have been announced for DART's open President & CEO position.DART CEO finalists namedDART announced the three finalists on Friday. They are:Nathaniel P. Ford Sr., CEO of the Jacksonville Transportation AuthorityDee Leggett, AICP, Director of Business Operations for Herzot Transit Services, Inc.Monica Tellez-Fowler, President/CEO of the Central Ohio Transit AuthorityLeggett previously served as DART's EVP & Chief Development Officer."We are confident these three candidates represent the best public transportation leaders from across the country," said DART Board Chair Randall Bryant. "The Board has a monumental task ahead of us to select our next President & CEO from this finalist panel. As part of our commitment to transparency and community engagement, we’re asking the public for feedback from our meet & greet on Saturday to inform the final decision."DART will hold a public meet and greet on Saturday, July 11, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at DART headquarters for the public

The city of Arlington is celebrating a major success because of the World Cup. And there’s one semi-final match remaining. World Cup Economic ImpactCrowds have packed hotels, restaurants, and businesses across the city this summer.While the final economic impact won’t be released for several more weeks, officials said they anticipate the numbers to be higher than expected.The city believes the first eight matches have already generated $18 to $24 million for the local economy. That’s before accounting for spending at restaurants, bars, and retailers.Hotel and short-term rental revenue also reached a record $31 million in June, shattering the city’s previous monthly record of $23.6 million set in late 2024.The occupancy rates were slightly lower than expected, but visitors paid way more for rooms, with average nightly rates climbing nearly 47%.The owner of the Grease Monkey Burger Shop said his customer traffic increased roughly 25% to 30% throughout the tournament."We’ve seen an overal

Atmos Energy is facing another wrongful death lawsuit in the wake of the deadly apartment explosion in Oak Cliff earlier this year.Wrongful death lawsuit against Atmos EnergyAttorney Ted Lyon has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Atmos Energy on behalf the family of Marisol and Erick Perez Jr., who were killed in the deadly May explosion.The suit alleges Atmos Energy did not properly mark gas lines outside The Clyde Apartments, where the explosion occurred.A crew hired to do soil tests on the building, which was up for sale, ruptured an unmarked gas line. Atmos says it hired a contractor to handle line markings."Here they failed to mark the line properly. Atmos did. They didn't know where their line was," Ted Lyon tells FOX 4's Steven Dial.Lyon believes Atmos Energy is solely responsible for the explosion."They gave a driller information where to drill, and they drilled in the wrong place. The under bearing of the structure was filled with gas and you had this immense explosion. S

Three finalists have been announced for DART's open President & CEO position.DART CEO finalists namedDART announced the three finalists on Friday. They are:Nathaniel P. Ford Sr., CEO of the Jacksonville Transportation AuthorityDee Leggett, AICP, Director of Business Operations for Herzot Transit Services, Inc.Monica Tellez-Fowler, President/CEO of the Central Ohio Transit AuthorityLeggett previously served as DART's EVP & Chief Development Officer."We are confident these three candidates represent the best public transportation leaders from across the country," said DART Board Chair Randall Bryant. "The Board has a monumental task ahead of us to select our next President & CEO from this finalist panel. As part of our commitment to transparency and community engagement, we’re asking the public for feedback from our meet & greet on Saturday to inform the final decision."DART will hold a public meet and greet on Saturday, July 11, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at DART headquarters for the public
