Latest news with #TarrantCounty
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tarrant County judge on redistricting: 'The mission is to get three Republican commissioners'
The Brief Tarrant County's redistricting plan is facing criticism for allegedly diluting the votes of non-White residents. County Judge Tim O'Hare openly states his goal is to guarantee three Republican commissioners on the court, increasing conservative leadership. Seven maps are currently under consideration before a vote on Tuesday, amid concerns about transparency and the use of outdated 2020 census data. TARRANT COUNTY, Texas - A plan to redistrict Tarrant County has recently come under fire after critics say it may be biased against non-White voters. County Judge Tim O'Hare isn't trying to hide his motive for redistricting: To further increase conservative leadership in Tarrant County by decreasing the number of Democrats in the commissioners court. O'Hare, the Republican county judge, presides over a panel that currently has two Republican and two Democrat commissioners. In his first one-on-one interview with FOX 4 since taking office, O'Hare welcomed us into his Southlake county courthouse office. What they're saying "On Tuesday I hope we pass a map that guarantees, or comes as close as you can to guarantee, three Republican commissioners," O'Hare said. "That was my plan and what I campaigned on openly and publicly, dating as far back as May 2021." He responded to critics who are opposed to his effort to redraw Tarrant's district lines, with allegations that his plan lacks transparency and sufficient public input, along with claims that it is racially discriminating and violates the federal voting rights act. "It's purely partisan. I'm not going to try to hide from that or act like it isn't. That's exactly what it is," O'Hare said. "We've had four different meetings in each precinct, we put maps online for anyone to look at and see and go over them. We've given people the opportunity to submit their own maps and weigh in with comments through the website, through emails, through the public forum, through commissioners court meetings… So, I don't know how anyone with a straight face can say this is not transparent." When asked if he believes the redistricting plan constitutes racial gerrymandering, O'Hare made his end goal clear. "At the end of the day, I'm doing it to put another Republican on the commissioners court, period, the end," the judge said. "I don't look at it in terms of race, I look at it in terms of policy. I look at it in terms of results," O'Hare went on. "The mission is to get three Republican commissioners on the commissioners court." O'Hare compared his redistricting effort to a reversal of what's happened over the years in several now majority-liberal counties. "I didn't see these people come out and complain about what Dallas, Harris, Bexar or Travis County was doing, but they're complaining about what we're doing because they don't want to lose seats, but we know if they were in charge because they did it in those counties, that's their blueprint, we know if they were in charge here they do the same thing," the judge said. There is also speculation that O'Hare's focus is aimed specifically at unseating District 2 Commissioner Alisa Simmons. The two have often sparred during meetings on a variety of topics. That said, the judge denies wanting to unseat the commissioner. "I campaigned on this issue dating as far back as 2021," O'Hare said. " At the time I did that, I had never heard her name, didn't know who she was, had picked her out of a lineup of one, so the answer to that is just simply 'no.'" Another concern from critics is whether the 2020 census data used to create the maps is too old. But the mayors who support the plan point out that Tarrant redistricting has been delayed even longer – nearly 15 years. O'Hare says there are now seven maps up for consideration before Tuesday's vote. "I believe Tarrant County would be better served if we have strong Republican leadership," said O'Hare. "Tarrant County voters have elected Republicans to every single countywide office dating back 30 years, but we have two to two when it comes to Republicans and Democrats on commissioners court. I think it should more accurately reflect our voting population, so I want to see it go three to one." The backstory SMU mathematics professor and researcher Dr. Andrea Barreiro has dissected and analyzed the newly proposed maps for Tarrant County districts, the work of a county-hired consulting firm and the public legal interest foundation. In an interview on Thursday, she said the goal of the redistricting appears to be to diminish the voting power of non-White county residents. Cities including Fort Worth, Arlington, Mansfield and Grand Prairie have signed a letter expressing their opposition to the proposed map. The group called the effort ill-timed because it's the middle of the decade and, in their opinion, the census data from 2020 is outdated. In early April, the commission voted three to two, with commissioners Alisa Simmons and Roderick Miles opposing, to approve a contract with the Public Interest Legal Foundation to provide consultation with re-drawing district lines. What's next Opponents of the plan have vowed to wage a legal battle if it's adopted. O'Hare said he believed that would go in his favor. The Source Information in this article came from Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare and previous FOX 4 reporting.
CBS News
3 hours ago
- General
- CBS News
New documents reveal what Gateway Church may have known before abuse allegations
New court documents that were filed Friday are shedding more light on what Gateway Church may or may not have known well before the child abuse allegations against founder Robert Morris. CBS News Texas obtained court documents, filed in Tarrant County, related to a lawsuit against the church over retirement payments. Pastor Robert Morris applauds during a roundtable discussion at Gateway Church Dallas Campus, Thursday, June 11, 2020, in Dallas. A statement issued on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, said that Morris has resigned after a woman said he had abused her on multiple occasions in the 1980s, beginning when she was 12. Alex Brandon / AP They include a proposed announcement that he was going to make to the congregation, but it was never made public. According to Morris' attorney, the proposed announcement was written by Morris in 2011. In it, Morris admits to "inappropriate behavior" with an underage girl, but did not name Cindy Clemishire, who publicly accused Morris of sexually abusing her when she was 12 years old. That 2011 announcement was never made public because, in a letter in 2007 to the board of elders, the president suggested Morris "should not mention the family or Cindy specifically by name as this would violate their privacy." On Friday, Gateway Church released a statement that read, in part: "We have consistently and publicly said that there were elders and employees at Gateway who knew about this issue before it became public - and either didn't take action or didn't inquire further. That was fundamentally wrong - the church elders took action, and none of those individuals are a part of Gateway Church today." Meanwhile, Morris is currently facing five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child in Oklahoma. The charges stem from alleged incidents that occurred between 1982 and 1985 in Hominy, Oklahoma, while he was a traveling preacher staying with Clemishire's family.
CBS News
7 hours ago
- General
- CBS News
Tarrant County Judge defends redistricting process: "It's 100% about partisan politics"
The Tarrant County Commissioners Court is set to vote June 3 on a controversial proposal to redraw precinct boundary lines — a move that has drawn sharp criticism from residents, local leaders, and civil rights advocates. County Judge Tim O'Hare, who initiated the redistricting process, told CBS News Texas on Friday that the effort aligns with a campaign promise he made in 2021. Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare CBS News Texas "This is something that I campaigned on dating back to 2021 — that this would be the time where we would look at redistricting," O'Hare said. O'Hare defends GOP strategy O'Hare has been open about his political motivations. "Give me a map that guarantees three Republican commissioners seats," he said. "That's what I've asked for." Currently, the Commissioners Court is evenly split with two Republicans and two Democrats. O'Hare, a Republican, believes adding another GOP commissioner would better serve the county. Critics cite racial concerns The proposed maps show significant changes to Precincts 1 and 2, both currently represented by Democrats. Critics say the new boundaries would shift areas with large Black and Hispanic populations out of Precinct 2 and into Precinct 1, potentially diluting minority voting power. In response to accusations of racial gerrymandering, O'Hare said, "This is about partisan politics. You can legally in this country, according to the U.S. Supreme Court, draw maps for partisan purposes. So for me, it's 100% about partisan politics." 10 mayors urge delay, review Ten Tarrant County mayors — including those from Fort Worth, Arlington, and Grand Prairie — signed a letter urging commissioners to delay the vote. They warned that the proposed maps could violate the U.S. Voting Rights Act and face legal challenges. City councils in Fort Worth, Arlington, and Grand Prairie also passed resolutions opposing the redistricting process. "We know Democrats are going to challenge," O'Hare said. "But when you say it can affect minority groups, I think Republican governance is better for all people, regardless of race. And I would also tell you, Democrats don't have a monopoly on non-whites." O'Hare said the redistricting would help ensure Republican leadership on the court for the next decade. "I believe Republicans offer better ideas for governing — better ideas for cutting taxes, eliminating waste, fraud and abuse, keeping people safe, and maintaining law and order," he said. "And I think every single countywide officeholder — judge, tax assessor, sheriff, D.A., you name it — is a Republican. This will strengthen our Republican majority on the court. And I think it's what's best for everyone in Tarrant County, not just Republicans." Support from conservative suburbs On Thursday, the mayors of Southlake, Keller, North Richland Hills, and Colleyville voiced support for redistricting. They argued that major counties like Dallas and Harris redrew maps after the 2020 census and said it was "political malfeasance" that Tarrant County did not do the same. A previous redistricting effort in 2021, led by a Republican-majority court, resulted in no changes to the precinct maps. Commissioner Alisa Simmons, who opposes the current proposal, said that process was thorough and legally sound. "Tarrant County fulfilled its duty to redistrict in 2021 following the 2020 Census," Simmons said in a statement. "A Texas-based law firm that specializes in redistricting guided the county through a detailed and deliberate process over months with extensive community involvement. Because the existing boundaries were well within the allowed deviation, complied fully with state and federal law, and fairly reflected both the political and racial makeup of our county, they were confirmed by a bipartisan vote." She added: "Any statement that Tarrant County did not fulfill its responsibility to redistrict in 2021 is blatantly false. Tim O'Hare knows this but, inexcusably, is coercing local leaders to repeat his lie." Critics have also raised concerns that the proposed changes are based on outdated data, as redistricting typically follows the decennial U.S. Census. The next census is scheduled for 2030. Legal, data questions raised The conservative law firm hired by the county, the Public Interest Legal Foundation, has not released the criteria or data used to draw the new maps. O'Hare said the firm is using a broad range of data beyond the 2020 census. "They're looking at all sorts of things," he said. "It's a very comprehensive look. The demographer, I think, is one of the top demographers in the country. The lawyers — this is what they do for a living." New maps added Friday The speed of the process has also drawn criticism. The vote is scheduled just nine weeks after the law firm was hired. "I think two months has been plenty of time," O'Hare said. "If you don't want it to change, I understand why you say that. But people have had plenty of opportunity to weigh in, look at it, become aware and participate. And we've had hundreds of people submit emails, comments, show up in person. I think the word is out." On Friday, the county added two new map options to the list of proposals under consideration.
CBS News
9 hours ago
- General
- CBS News
Dump truck crashes into home in north Tarrant County, authorities say
Authorities are investigating the cause of a chain-reaction crash that ended with a dump truck slamming into a home Friday morning in north Tarrant County. CBS News Texas The accident occurred around 10:20 a.m. near the intersection of FM Road 718 and Newark Ranch Road, according to the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office. Officials said the crash involved a dump truck and a sedan. The truck plowed through the wall of a home, while the sedan came to rest on nearby train tracks. The Sheriff's Office said the dump truck driver was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. The sedan driver and a woman inside the home also sustained minor injuries but were not transported.
CBS News
2 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
More North Texas school districts are switching to 4-day weeks. Here's why.
More public school districts in Texas are turning to shorter school weeks, including several in North Texas. For the 2025-2026 school year, Kennedale ISD in Tarrant County and Ponder ISD in Denton County will transition to a four-day school week. At least 18 public school districts in the North Texas area have already made the change. Districts have said that moving to a four-day school week will help them recruit and retain quality teachers. According to the Texas Education Agency, for the 2024-2025 school year, the total number of employed teachers fell for the first time since 2011, and the number of teachers leaving rose. Other reasons include saving money and student attendance. While the TEA does not have a complete list of districts implementing four-day school weeks, the Texas Classroom Teachers Association said that Olfen ISD, east of San Angelo, was the first to implement a four-day week in the 2016-2017 school year. As a rule, districts will designate a day off. Usually, that's on a Monday or a Friday. By law, Texas requires public schools to provide a minimum of 75,600 minutes of instruction per school year. Instead of making the school year longer, many districts opt to make the school day longer. Kennedale ISD, for example, plans to increase its school day by 15 minutes. Ponder ISD says it will increase its school day by 30 minutes. But missing that fifth day may impact students when it comes to learning retention. The TEA released a report in February 2025 comparing the academic impact of a four-day school week to a five-day school week. Results are based on the 2022-2023 school year STAAR test scores. In reading/language arts, students in grades 6-8 who attended a four-day school week scored an average of 6 to 8 percentage points lower than students who attended a five-day school week. In math, students in grades 4-6 had an average of 5-8 percentage points lower. The TEA also cited national research that shows evidence of academic growth from districts that adopted a four-day school week as long as they made the school day or the school year longer. However, that growth didn't happen as fast as in five-day school week districts. On average, students in a four-day school week attend 148 school days per year, compared to the national average for five-day schools at 180 days per year. North Texas school districts operating in a four-day school week: Chico ISD Gordon ISD Graford ISD Mineral Wells ISD Palo Pinto ISD Tioga ISD Farmersville ISD Terrell ISD Anna ISD Community ISD Decatur ISD Sanger ISD Athens ISD Gainesville ISD Quinlan ISD Joshua ISD Gunter ISD Collinsville ISD
