Articles for May 28th, 2008

Farmers Branch Continues to Strike Out

The DMN just posted this news alert:

A federal judge has found a Farmers Branch ordinance banning apartment rentals to most illegal immigrants to be unconstitutional. U.S. District Court Judge Sam Lindsay issued a permanent injunction blocking the city from implementing the measure, Ordinance 2903.

posted by Eric Celeste | May 28th, 2008 4:24pm | filed under Local News | 42 Comments »

Samir Patel Is Still My Spelling Hero

A couple of astute FrontBurnervians sent along this ESPN profile of Samir Patel, the Colleyville kid who spelled words and broke hearts the past two years at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Whose heart? Well, mine for one, which is why the FrontBurnervians are astute. They know what a big fan I have been — and continue to be — of Patel. The Bee just won’t be the same without him. (Also, hi Robert.)

posted by Adam McGill | May 28th, 2008 2:37pm | filed under Local News | 6 Comments »

Trouble at Channel 11?

picture-1.pngKTVT’s 10 o’clock news was hilarious yesterday. Twelve minutes in, there were at least four mistakes. First up, footage of a convenience store murder from October 2008. (Maybe Channel 11 has a time machine?) Then a guy’s name was spelled “Brain” instead of “Brian.” A story on American Airlines and the pilot strike had a graphic showing that the pilots’ demands would cost the airline $750,000; the reporter said it was $750 million. And, last but not least, a “candeligjht vigil” was held for a local girl who passed away. I’ve never watched the news on KTVT before—is this a common thing? I’m not picking on the station: Just wanted to say thanks for making depressing news funny, Channel 11 copy gal/guy.

posted by Kristiana Heap | May 28th, 2008 12:11pm | filed under Local News, Media | 30 Comments »

Speaking of Josh Hamilton

Holy cow. Did you know this guy used to do drugs? (Kidding aside, it’s a story for the ages, really.)

posted by Tim Rogers | May 28th, 2008 11:30am | filed under Local News | 19 Comments »

How Many Fans Will Show Up To Today’s Game?

empty stadiumYour Texas Rangers play the first-place Tampa Bay Rays today at 11:30 a.m. local. You’d think a day game in Florida, especially one involving an exciting young team (Rays) and an MVP candidate (Jason Botts Josh Hamilton) would draw a large crowd. But did you see the game last night? I think there were more people at the Best of Big D party last year. The box score says there were more than 10k, which, if you believe that, I’ve got a Fantroy confession I’d like you to hear. FB/TRangers fan Zach in New York puts the over/under on folks in seats at first pitch at 500. I’ve got the under.

posted by Eric Celeste | May 28th, 2008 11:04am | filed under Local News, Sports | 5 Comments »

A New Spokesman For Southwest Airlines?

You know how that guy Jared lost all of that weight eating Subway sandwiches and ended up being the spokesman for the chain? I wonder if fun-loving Southwest Airlines is considering Semaj Booker as the face of the new flier. He’s the cute, precocious 10-year-old who, twice now, has tried to make it from Seattle to Dallas on SWA without even buying a ticket. In January of last year, he made it all the way to San Antonio. This time, he didn’t leave Seattle-Tacoma Int’l. Though he did get past the metal detectors and security. LUV used to boast you could “fly for peanuts.” Now, as Semaj proves, you can fly for even less than that. Mull it over, Herb. (I know: He’s retired. But he could still pull some strings.)

posted by Adam McGill | May 28th, 2008 9:46am | filed under Business, Transportation | 3 Comments »

Leading Off

1. The Cowboys and the Mavericks are teaming up to try to get the 2010 NBA All-Star Game, which would be played in the Arlington Death Star. Tune in to the Ticket at 8:40 this morning to hear Gordon Keith and George Dunham do the fake Jerry Jones and Mark Cuban having a business meeting to discuss the topic. [So what's that going to sound like? Do you have a joke here or what?]

2. “Dallas Area Residents Feel the Grip of Soaring Gas Prices.” Coming tomorrow in your paper: “Dallas Area Residents Cope With Gravity.” [Please have another shot at this. The gravity line doesn't work.]

3. UT Southwestern has landed a Harvard fellow by the name of Daniel K. Podolsky as its next president. By all accounts, he’s a great choice. I don’t have a joke for this one. It’s just a big deal for UTSW and the city. [Note: he's an expert in the human digestive system. Maybe make a fart joke?]

posted by Tim Rogers | May 28th, 2008 6:48am | filed under Local News | 15 Comments »