Articles

Tarrant County commissioners have voted to approve a slightly lower property tax rate after days of disagreements and tension. With four commissioners present, the proposal passed by a 3-1 vote, setting the new rate at $0.1862 per $100 of valuation. This represents a small decrease of 0.69 percent from last year’s rate of $0.1875. For a home valued at $300,000, the cut amounts to annual savings of about four dollars. While the financial impact on individual homeowners is min

A Texas woman’s vacation turned into a nightmare after she suffered a sudden medical emergency on a cruise to Mexico, leaving her family with more than thirteen thousand dollars in out-of-pocket expenses. What was meant to be a joyful first cruise experience instead became a financial and emotional ordeal, and now her family is warning others to prepare carefully before traveling abroad. Khiali Baxter was just two days into her trip when she suddenly became ill. She recalls

Rock legend Jon Bon Jovi and the late jazz pianist William James “Count” Basie are set to become the first inductees into the Walk of Fame at the Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank. The announcement marks a historic moment for the center, which has long stood as a cultural hub in New Jersey, carrying the name of one of the most influential musicians in jazz history. The event is scheduled for Thursday and promises to bring together admirers of both artists, celebrating their ou

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on Monday, just before the start of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The meeting, held at the Lotte New York Palace, marked their first in-person engagement since the United States announced an additional twenty-five percent tariff on India in response to Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil, which raised the total tariff burden to fifty percent. This face-to-face discuss

San Jose police will have to wait at least another year before the city considers bringing back its horse mounted unit, a once iconic division that served the city for more than a century before being disbanded in 2018. The San Jose City Council voted 6-4-1 this week to defer the decision until next year’s budget cycle, citing the city’s projected $25 million deficit and competing priorities. The mounted u

Singer and viral sensation D4vd has canceled the remaining dates of his United States tour following the discovery of a decomposed body in his impounded Tesla. The 15-year-old girl, identified as Celeste Rivas, was found earlier this month, leading authorities to open a death investigation that has now overshadowed the artist’s career. The young performer, who rose to fame on TikTok with viral songs like “Romantic Homicide,” had been touring since August, with sche

Ohio is preparing for a historic celebration as America approaches its 250th birthday, and the state has already begun marking the occasion in a meaningful way. The America 250–Ohio Commission, in partnership with the Ohio Arts Council, has introduced a new initiative called Murals Across Ohio. This project aims to spotlight public art across all 88 counties of the state, creating a colorful and cultural tribute to Ohio’s role in the nation’s past, present, and future.

A tense confrontation unfolded outside the federal immigration facility in Broadview on Friday morning, where protesters and facility staff clashed during a demonstration against enforcement operations. The suburban site, long associated with processing and detention, became the center of a heated standoff linked to “Operation Midway Blitz.” The protest began with about two dozen demonstrators holding signs and chanting in opposition to immigration enforcement. As the

A new Eco Challenge contest is calling on middle school teachers to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders by showcasing innovative student projects. The initiative, designed to highlight sustainability and green practices, gives classrooms the chance to demonstrate how they are taking meaningful steps toward building a healthier planet. By empowering students to think creatively and critically about environmental issues, the program aims to connect education with action and provid

The Dallas City Council has approved a record $5.2 billion budget for fiscal year 2025-26, marking the largest financial package in the city’s history. The sweeping plan, finalized after months of debate and more than a dozen amendments, passed with 11 council members voting in favor, three against, and one abstention. While the budget delivers a tax rate reduction and increased funding for police and fire departments, it also makes cuts to some community services, sparking frustration amo

Plano, Texas will once again host one of its most beloved traditions as the 2025 Plano Balloon Festival lights up the skies and welcomes thousands of visitors. This year’s event, held at Oak Point Park from Thursday, September 18 through Sunday, September 21, is expected to attract more than 100,000 attendees, making it one of the most significant family festivals in North Texas. With a legacy spanning 46 years, the festival has become a cultural landmark where families return year afte

Smartness: the positive and negative sides Smartness is one of the most admired human qualities, but it is often misunderstood. People use the word interchangeably with intelligence, cleverness, or even cunningness. Yet, smartness by itself is neither good nor bad. It is simply a neutral ability — the quick thinking, adaptability, and resourcefulness that allows people to respond effectively i

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov has strongly criticised Washington’s trade and tariff threats, arguing that major powers such as India and China cannot be coerced into changing their policies through ultimatums. Speaking on a television programme in Moscow, Lavrov said that the repeated warnings from the United States to cut energy ties with Russia were not only failing but also backfiring, as they were pushing countries to diversify markets, look for alternative energy resources

A powerful earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula early Friday, shaking buildings and sending residents rushing outdoors in panic. The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed the quake, which was centered 127 kilometers east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city located along the Pacific coastline. The tremors hit at 6:58 a.m. local time with a depth of 19.5 kilometers, making it a shallow but strong quake capable of producing significant ground shaking

A 29-year-old software professional from Telangana’s Mahabubnagar district was shot dead by police in the United States after a violent altercation with his roommate. The incident, which occurred on September 3 in Santa Clara, California, has left his family in India devastated and appealing to authorities for assistance in bringing his body home. The victim, Mohammed Nizamuddin, had been living in California after completing his master’s degree in the US and working in

Andrew Loffa, known to the music world as DJ Drewski, has carved his name into hip hop history by becoming the first DJ from New Jersey in 33 years to secure a full-time show on the legendary HOT 97 station. His achievement not only highlights his dedication to the craft but also shines a spotlight on New Jersey’s contributions to the culture of hip hop, a state often overlooked in the conversation. Born and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Drewski’s passion for music st

Hundreds of teachers in Texas are currently under investigation by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) over social media posts connected to the assassination of political commentator Charlie Kirk. The state agency confirmed that as of Wednesday, it has received 281 complaints against educators, a sharp increase from the 180 complaints that had been logged only two days earlier. While no official sanctions have yet been imposed, the teachers under review could face serious consequences, including

Communities in Schools of the Dallas region, which currently serves 10 school districts across North Texas, is preparing to launch an initiative unlike anything most families, students, and educators have seen before. Known for its strong mission that focuses on four essential pillars—academics, behavior, attendance, and basic needs—the organization continues to expand its programs to address the growing concerns around student wellbeing. In partnership with local school districts

US President Donald Trump has described the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom as an “unbreakable bond,” highlighting both its historical significance and present-day strength. Speaking at a business roundtable alongside British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Trump emphasized that the bilateral partnership is not only rooted in history but also evolving with unprecedented trade and investment initiatives. He called the ties between the two nations &ldq

The state of Ohio is once again at the center of a debate over religion and government after an online petition was launched to remove its official motto, “With God, all things are possible.” The phrase, drawn directly from the Bible’s Gospel of Matthew 19:26, has been a fixture of Ohio identity since 1959 but has faced challenges over the years from those who believe it promotes a specific religion in violation of the principle of separation of church and state. T