Category: Breaking Dallas News

It’s difficult to get more than 50% of the vote in a race with nine candidates.

Still, Colin Allred has a chance to win the Democratic U.S. Senate primary without a runoff and face Republican incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz in the general election.

Allred, a U.S. representative from Dallas, has that possibility because he entered the race early, raised $18.3 million and projected an air of inevitability with political operatives and pundits in Washington and Texas.

Related:Texas Democrats bring differing styles in primary fight to take on U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz

Early voting for the March 5 primaries begins Tuesday, and for the last few weeks Allred has been alone on the Texas airwaves. He’s the only candidate reaching large swaths of voters in Dallas, Houston, Austin and the Rio Grande Valley, where he’s running the bulk of his TV spots. He has waged a stout digital campaign and has an army of grassroots volunteers across the state.

In a new poll from the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas, 52% of respondents chose Allred. State Sen. Roland Gutierrez of San Antonio was second with 14%, while 18% were undecided. No other candidate had more than 5% support.

Jim Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project, said Texans who were undecided are breaking toward Allred.

Other analysts agree.

“Right now it’s very likely that Allred will win outright on March 5,” said Mark Jones, a Rice University political scientist and senior research fellow at the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs.

Jones co-authored a survey conducted Jan. 11-24 that found Allred was the choice of 40% of likely voters in the Democratic primary. Gutierrez of San Antonio finished second with 12%, and none of the other candidates received more than 4% support. The poll found 38% of voters were undecided.

“Any way that you project it, undecideds would put him easily over 50%,” Jones said of Allred.

From left: U.S. Rep. Colin Allred of Dallas, state Sen. Roland Gutierrez of San Antonio and state Rep. Carl Sherman of DeSoto. The three are among the Democrats seeking to face U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in November.(Campaign courtesy photo / Campaign courtesy photos)

When no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, the top two finishers advance to a runoff. Jones said a runoff could occur if other candidates, including state Rep. Carl Sherman of DeSoto, get a significant share of the vote.

“That’s not happening right now,” he said.

Though Allred’s fundraising has always dominated the Democratic race, Gutierrez was considered to be a competitive opponent. His advocacy on behalf of the victims of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, where 19 students and two teachers died, put his face in front of voters.

A series of special legislative sessions last year may have hampered his ability to raise money and storm out of the starting block.

Other candidates also were slow out the gate.

Gutierrez acknowledges that Allred has a money advantage but rejects the notion that the race is over. He has been traveling across Texas on a major get-out-the vote swing.

Related:Texas Democrats running for U.S. Senate differ on Israel, health care, border security

“We’re powered by people here. We’re working hard. We’re traveling the state where we’re going up on digital media as well,” Gutierrez said. “I keep all the punditry and all the strategy to my staff and I just get out there to work and talk to people about their problems.”

Gutierrez is receiving inspiration from Crandall school teacher Victor Morales, who in 1996 beat U.S. Reps. John Bryant of Dallas and Jim Chapman of Sulphur Springs and Houston lawyer John Odam to win the Democratic nomination for Senate. Morales lost the general election to Republican Phil Gramm.

Lacking campaign cash, Morales drove a white pickup across Texas to deliver his message. His surname also helped him attract Latino voters.

“He didn’t have two nickels to rub together,” Gutierrez said of Morales.

When I pointed out that Morales had the white pickup, Gutierrez was undaunted.

“I have a white pickup,” he said.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)(Jose Luis Magana / ASSOCIATED PRESS)

With his large lead, Allred is using the primary to contrast himself with Cruz on the abortion issue, which Democrats hope will motivate general election voters.

In a television ad called “Freedom,” Allred says if elected senator he would fight to “protect women’s access to abortion.”

“Our state’s extreme abortion ban lets politicians like Ted Cruz decide what care women get, not their doctors,” Allred says in the ad. “My wife and I have been blessed with two beautiful baby boys. It’s outrageous that she could have been denied treatment in an emergency.”

Allred doesn’t mention his Democratic rivals in campaign commercials. He has his eyes on Cruz.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., shakes hand with Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, right, after a roundtable discussion about health care industry challenges and investments from the COVID-19 aid package passed by the Congress last year, Monday, March 21, 2022 at Dallas County Health and Human Services in Dallas. (Shafkat Anowar / Staff Photographer)

North Texans could see record-breaking heat for February, with temperatures expected to climb to a high of 90 degrees on Monday, the National Weather Service says.

A normal temperature for the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Monday would be 63 degrees. The heat record for that day — 90 degrees — was last seen in 1917.

“Climatologically speaking, we are pretty much way above what’s normal for this time of the year,” said Patricia Sanchez, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Fort Worth. “Typically, we would see our first 90-degree day in March.”

Dallas-Fort Worth and Waco areas have a 50-60% chance of surpassing that 90-degree record Monday and a 20-30% chance they will stay below, officials from the weather service said. Forecasters have more confidence temperatures will reach that high in North Texas, Sanchez said.

Sanchez said Tuesday will also be “fairly warm” and has the potential to break another record, which was 85 degrees for that date. Tuesday’s forecast shows a high temperature of 87.

The hot, dry and breezy conditions expected mean an elevated threat for grass fires on Monday and Tuesday, particularly along and west of Interstate 35, according to the weather service. That area is where the warmest temperatures will be with the east being cooler, Sanchez said.

North Texas hot weather ‘abnormal’

Looking at the past three decades, the hot weather is “abnormal,” Sanchez said. The expected high temperatures — typically seen in North Texas around mid-March — are early, she said.

However, last year on Feb. 21, the area also saw a 90-degree high. A cold front followed with temperatures dipping to 49 degrees before rising back up to 85 in the following week, she said.

“It’s all over the place just because we’re still kind of in that winter period in terms of getting those strong cold fronts that move this far south and bring that very cold temperature,” Sanchez said.

During February and heading into early March, North Texas is also seeing more sun, raising high temperatures while strong cold fronts continue to arrive from Northern and Arctic areas.

The weather during this time is “kind of flip-flopping,” she said.

Cooldown to follow record-breaking heat

Following the heat early in the week, a cold front is expected to blow through North Texas late Tuesday into Wednesday, officials from the weather service said. There is a slight chance of showers and storms, particularly to the east and north, but the immediate Dallas-Fort Worth area may stay dry, Sanchez said.

The best rain chances are east of Interstate 35 and north of Interstate 20, with a few storms possibly becoming strong with gusty wind and small hail, according to the weather service.

By Thursday, temperatures are expected to be near or below normal, and more rain with the potential of isolated thunderstorms is possible, officials from the weather service said.

“It’s not going to be that everybody will see something, but at least there’s that low chance on Thursday and Thursday nights,” Sanchez said.

Latest forecast from KXAS-TV (NBC5):

Saturday: 76/56, sunny

Sunday: 82/57, sunny

Monday: 90/66, mostly sunny

Tuesday: 85/53, mostly cloudy

Wednesday: 63/42, mostly cloudy

Friday will be a gorgeous day across North Texas. We’re feeling the effects of a weak cold front this morning with temperatures in the upper 40s and lower 50s. Temperatures will rebound into the lower 70s under sunny skies this afternoon. Just a light breeze will be the icing on the cake for a beautiful day.

The weekend weather will feature plenty of sunshine and warm conditions. While Saturday morning will be quite chilly (in the 40s), temperatures will quickly bounce back into the middle 70s by afternoon. Even warmer weather will return Sunday with a high of 80. The wind will be stronger Sunday from the south.

Early next week will be quite warm (almost hot!) with highs in the upper 80s Monday and low 80s Tuesday. A cold front will sweep across North Texas Tuesday night ushering in more seasonable weather by next Wednesday along with a low chance of showers.

Latest Forecast:

FRIDAY: Sunny and a little cooler. High: 72. Wind: NW 5-15 mph.

TONIGHT: Mostly clear and chilly. Low: 46. Wind: NW 5-10 mph.

SATURDAY: Sunny and warmer. Low: 46. High: 76. Wind: S 5-10 mph.

SUNDAY: Mostly sunny, windy and warm. Low: 56. High: 80. Wind: S 15-25 mph.

MONDAY: Partly cloudy, windy and very warm. Low: 60. High: 88. Wind: S 15-25 mph.

TUESDAY: Partly cloudy, breezy and warm. Low: 66. High: 83. Wind: S 15-25 mph.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy and cooler with a 20% chance of showers. Low: 55. High: 65. Wind: NW 10-20 mph.

THURSDAY: Partly to mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of showers. Low: 42. High: 64. Wind: SE 10-15 mph.

FRIDAY: Partly cloudy and mild. Low: 44. High: 68. Wind: S 10-15 mph.

SATURDAY: Partly cloudy and mild. Low: 48. High: 72. Wind: S 10-15 mph.

SUNDAY: Partly cloudy and mild. Low: 53. High: 73. Wind: S 10-15 mph.

CONTINUING WEATHER COVERAGE

Stay up to date with the latest weather forecast from NBC 5’s team of Weather Experts by clicking here or by watching the video below.

What the NFL’s record-setting salary cap for 2024 means for the Dallas Cowboys – SportsDay Staff, Dallas Morning News

This is the perfect time for the Cowboys to be “all in”.

The Dallas Cowboys just got some financial breathing room.

The NFL informed teams Friday that the 2024 salary cap will be $255.4 million which is a record-breaking $30.6 million increase from last year’s cap. It’s the largest year-to-year increase in total money in free agency history.

The Cowboys are still expected to be over the cap, but they now have more flexibility this offseason. According to overthecap.com, which tracks each team’s cap hit, the Cowboys are projected to be $8.17 million over for the upcoming season. The Cowboys could just sneak under the cap by cutting wide receiver Michael Gallup as a post-June 1 release. Doing so would free up $9.5 million.

Two voidable years exist on Prescott’s contract after this season. An automatic conversion can turn part of his base salary into a signing bonus that’s then distributed over those three seasons.

Prescott is scheduled to receive $29 million in base salary. Dallas could choose to put all but $1.21 million of that into a signing bonus, which would lower his cap hit to $40.9 million for the upcoming season.

If this is the path Dallas chooses it likely would be taken by March 13, which is the start of the league year.

Open Market: Free agency flooded with LB options – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com

The Cowboys need to attack free agency as well as the NFL draft for linebacker help.

Lavonte David: Not unlike Wagner, David has been a staple of his team’s defense for a long time now and, not so coincidentally, is also approaching his mid-30s while still playing at a high level. He also owns a Super Bowl ring and the three-time All-Pro remains durable, starting in 32 regular season games over the past two seasons and showing no glaring signs of slowing down.

He is actually moving in the opposite direction, producing more tackles and sacks, and the same amount of pass break ups, in 2023 as he did in 2022, and despite two fewer starts. He is a leader of the highest order and, like Wagner, instantly provides credibility to the Cowboys’ linebackers room if they can make a deal with him.

Frankie Luvu: Oscillating back to the younger side of the list, Luvu jumps out at me in a big way. He’s wrapping up a three-year deal with the Panthers that ended with two career-best seasons in a row, and he’s also known to force fumbles when he gets near the ball. And for as good as he is as rushing the passer when he’s sent at one — 12.5 sacks since 2022 — he’s also statistically nearly a top-10 linebacker in stopping the run.

The 27-year-old enters this list in the same way as does Brooks, a young but established talent that can both contribute readily but that can also serve as a bit of a mentor. And the fact Luvu was able to climb from the ranks of the undrafted in 2018, and from a less-heralded program at Washington State, no less, to being on this list is the type of hunger and grind you have to love.

Azeez Al-Shaair: Brooks isn’t the only one on this list of intriguing candidates for the Cowboys who spent time studying from an NFL legend. For the better part of his young career, Al-Shaair served as mostly an understudy to none other than Fred Warner, before he’d go on to sign with the Tennessee Titans in 2023 with the hopes of establishing himself as a full-time starter.

Mission accomplished, folks. In 17 starts, the 26-year-old set a career mark in tackles (163 combined, 84 solo), while adding four more pass break ups and another forced fumble to his stat line; and he’s also been known to contribute heavily to special teams when needed, adding to his overall value to any team he’ll join going forward.

Cowboys’ 3-round mock draft: O-lineman in Round 1? When will Dallas grab a running back? – Jon Machota, The Athletic

Dallas addresses several key needs within the first 100 picks.

Round 1, pick No. 24 overall

Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

Listed at 6-foot-7, 330, Mims has the size and athletic ability teams are looking for as a franchise cornerstone at offensive tackle. He started only six games last season for the Bulldogs, all at right tackle. In Dallas, he’d likely be expected to play left tackle, with Tyler Smith staying at left guard. There’s no reason to think Mims couldn’t handle that spot, even if there are some growing pains early.

This pick came down to three players: Mims, Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson and Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry. Powers-Johnson makes a lot of sense if the Cowboys don’t re-sign unrestricted free agent C Tyler Biadasz. A trio of Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland and McKinstry was also intriguing. But ultimately, this pick was about solidifying an offensive line group that has dropped off from once being elite. Tyron Smith’s heir apparent might be Tyler Smith, but if Mims is available at 24, pair him with Tyler Smith on the left side of that line for the next decade.

Mims is Brugler’s fifth-highest-graded OT in this class. There’s a bit of a dropoff after the top six, who are all ranked among his top 18 players. His No. 7 OT is ranked 38th overall.

The Cowboys’ offseason strategy is forming, and will break open with contract extensions and free agency – Tom Ryle and Roy A White III, Blogging The Boys

The dots to the master plan are connecting.

One big thing is whether to use the franchise tag, as our Brandon Loree has already looked into. Tagging players has been something they have done each year for the past six seasons, and there are some reports they are about to break that string. Dallas faces another tight cap situation and the high cost of a tag, with no ability to push the hit into future years, is not worth it. While there are certainly several of their own free agents they would do well to bring back, they are almost certainly going to be looking at much more favorable deals than tagging them. One of the most important is Tyron Smith, who reportedly wants to come back. He is still a premier left tackle when healthy, but there, as a famous guy once wrote, is the rub. He seems almost certain to miss some time, and it could be extensive. Look for them to try and negotiate something much cheaper than the $18 million plus cost of a tag for offensive linemen. That is going to be true of anyone else they bring back.

One player on that list who is possibly not going to be a target to reach a new agreement with is Tony Pollard, who did play on the tag last year. Running backs are plentiful in free agency, and it has proven to be one of the easiest positions to replace productivity. Pollard’s performance last year was not what the team wished for, especially early. While we often gripe about the constant reliance on bargain shopping for free agents, running back is one where it makes a lot of sense. The team still has Malik Davis, Hunter Luepke, and Deuce Vaughn under contract. If they do want to re-sign one of their own, they might well want to target Rico Dowdle over Pollard. Dowdle would be probably be much more affordable. Then they could wait for outside free agency to settle down and find a serviceable fourth back for depth. They could get someone on a very affordable one year, prove-it deal, something they could also do with other positions like linebacker where they have some pressing needs.

Former BYU football star and Dallas Cowboys receiver Golden Richards has died at the age of 73 – Jay Drew

Historical Cowboys figure passes away.

Former BYU and Dallas Cowboys receiver Golden Richards, one of the most gifted — and troubled — athletes the state of Utah has ever produced, died early Friday morning in his Murray home of congestive heart failure after a long battle with multiple health and prescription drug abuse issues that plagued his later years.

He was 73.

“He has left us and gone to a better place,” confirmed his brother, Doug Richards, a former BYU basketball star. “He fought pretty good there to the end, until it was his time.”

Doug Richards said his brother fell and broke his hip on Christmas Day in 2022, and has had four hip surgeries since then, all of which contributed to his declining health.

Cowboys add to the coachingstaff.

Cowboys hired Cristian Garcia as defensive quality control coach, two people with knowledge of the move said. Garcia is a promising, well respected coach who finished last season as the Commanders’ interim DB coach. He will assist Al Harris in secondary.

Garcia follows Jeff…

— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) February 23, 2024

Blogging The Boys Podcast Network and YouTube Channel

We offer two different shows every single weekday on the Blogging The Boys podcast network, and another one on Saturday to start your weekend.

Monday: 1st and 10 with Tony Catalina and Aidan Davis

Monday: Press Coverage with Brandon Loree and Jess Nevarez

Tuesday: The Writer’s Block with David Howman, Brandon Clements and Chris Halling

Tuesday: Hidden Yardage with Sean Martin and Jess Haynie

Tuesday: BTB Roundtable with various BTB Staffers

Wednesday: NFC East Mixtape with RJ Ochoa and Brandon Lee Gowton

Wednesday: Talkin’ The Star with Connor Livesay and Joey Ickes

Thursday: The Ocho with RJ Ochoa

Thursday: Ryled Up with Roy White and Tom Ryle

Friday: Girls Talkin’ Boys with Kelsey Charles and Meg Murray

Friday: The Star Seminar with Danny Phantom and Rabblerousr

Saturday: The World’s Team with Paul Stewart and Mike Poland

The Blogging The Boys podcast network is available on all major podcast platforms.

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Police shot at a 16-year-old student holding a gun Monday morning at a suburban Dallas charter school as they negotiated with him to put down his weapon, authorities said.

The student, whose identity is being withheld because of his age, was taken to a hospital in stable condition, police in Mesquite, Texas, said. Other details about the teenager’s injuries were not immediately provided.

The shooting occurred inside an office at the Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy’s middle school and high school campus before 9 a.m. local time. School was in session, and panicked children were led outside and later reunited with their families at a nearby Baptist church.

Students walk out of Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy in Mesquite, Texas, on Monday.NBC DFW

Mesquite police were called to the school on a report of an active shooter. Administrators said they were attempting to calm the armed student until officers arrived.

The officers found him alone in an office and “provided verbal commands to the suspect. At some point during the negotiations, three officers fired at the suspect,” police said. “The suspect then complied with commands and was taken into custody.”

Neither the officers nor any other students or staff were hurt.

The Mesquite officers who fired were described as an eight-year veteran, a five-year veteran and an officer-in-training with “multiple years of service” from another agency. Their identities were not released.

Possible charges were not immediately announced in connection with the incident. Police said their investigation was ongoing, with the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office conducting a separate and independent review.

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“We’re just thankful a tragedy was avoided and nothing worse occurred,” Travis Block, a spokesperson with the Mesquite Fire Department, said at a news conference.

The school said in a statement that the “situation was contained” thanks to “swift actions of our staff” and a safety plan.

“Today, those procedures were tested, and they worked as intended,” school district Superintendent Shubham Pandey said.

The school expected to reopen on Tuesday.

“We certainly understand students have experienced some level of trauma,” the school said on Facebook. “Our students and staff are our ultimate priority.”

Erik Ortiz is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital focusing on racial injustice and social inequality.

Friday will be a gorgeous day across North Texas. We’re feeling the effects of a weak cold front this morning with temperatures in the upper 40s and lower 50s. Temperatures will rebound into the lower 70s under sunny skies this afternoon. Just a light breeze will be the icing on the cake for a beautiful day.

The weekend weather will feature plenty of sunshine and warm conditions. While Saturday morning will be quite chilly (in the 40s), temperatures will quickly bounce back into the middle 70s by afternoon. Even warmer weather will return Sunday with a high of 80. The wind will be stronger Sunday from the south.

Early next week will be quite warm (almost hot!) with highs in the upper 80s Monday and low 80s Tuesday. A cold front will sweep across North Texas Tuesday night ushering in more seasonable weather by next Wednesday along with a low chance of showers.

Latest Forecast:

FRIDAY: Sunny and a little cooler. High: 72. Wind: NW 5-15 mph.

TONIGHT: Mostly clear and chilly. Low: 46. Wind: NW 5-10 mph.

SATURDAY: Sunny and warmer. Low: 46. High: 76. Wind: S 5-10 mph.

SUNDAY: Mostly sunny, windy and warm. Low: 56. High: 80. Wind: S 15-25 mph.

MONDAY: Partly cloudy, windy and very warm. Low: 60. High: 88. Wind: S 15-25 mph.

TUESDAY: Partly cloudy, breezy and warm. Low: 66. High: 83. Wind: S 15-25 mph.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy and cooler with a 20% chance of showers. Low: 55. High: 65. Wind: NW 10-20 mph.

THURSDAY: Partly to mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of showers. Low: 42. High: 64. Wind: SE 10-15 mph.

FRIDAY: Partly cloudy and mild. Low: 44. High: 68. Wind: S 10-15 mph.

SATURDAY: Partly cloudy and mild. Low: 48. High: 72. Wind: S 10-15 mph.

SUNDAY: Partly cloudy and mild. Low: 53. High: 73. Wind: S 10-15 mph.

CONTINUING WEATHER COVERAGE

Stay up to date with the latest weather forecast from NBC 5’s team of Weather Experts by clicking here or by watching the video below.

WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump threw his weight Tuesday behind Republicans challenging four Texas House members who crossed Gov. Greg Abbott on school choice and voted to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Paxton has sought retribution by working to oust Republicans who voted against him. Abbott has been trying to unseat many of the same incumbents.

The endorsements by the GOP front-runner for president aid two of his top boosters in Texas.

The targeted incumbents are among the “rural 16″ who voted against school choice proposals, an Abbott priority. All four also voted in May to impeach Paxton, as did over two-thirds of House Republicans.

Trump emphasized the impeachment votes in his Truth Social posts announcing the endorsements, deriding each of the targeted incumbents as a “RINO” — Republican in name only.

The four incumbents are state Reps. Stan Lambert of Abilene, Glenn Rogers of Graford, a tiny town in West Texas; John Kuempel of Seguin and DeWayne Burns of Cleburne.

Trump endorsed Liz Case against Lambert, Mike Olcott against Rogers, Alan Schoolcraft against Kuempel, and Helen Kerwin against Burns.

Each challenger, the ex-president wrote, will “Champion School Choice,” border security, election integrity and gun rights.

The Trump-backed candidates quickly amplified his endorsement via email, tweet and Facebook posts.

“What an absolute blessing and honor!” Kerwin tweeted.

“I am floored to have the support of Trump,” Olcott tweeted, reflecting how unusual it is for a former president to recommend candidates in local contests, as Trump has done for years.

Last month, Trump endorsed a primary challenger to House Speaker Dade Phelan, a fellow Republican whom Paxton blames for the impeachment. When the Texas Senate acquitted him in September, Trump took credit after publicly pressuring lawmakers.

The governor’s border security crusade reinforces Trump’s own attacks on President Joe Biden.

Paxton co-chaired Lawyers for Trump during the 2020 campaign, led a lawsuit aimed at overturning Trump’s defeat, and spoke at the Jan. 6, 2021, rally shortly before a pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol.

Trump offered especially glowing praise for Kerwin, who pitches herself as a MAGA conservative.

He noted that her daughter, Brooke Rollins, worked on his senior staff at the White House for three years and now leads the America First Policy Institute, a think tank that promotes his agenda and has been described as a “White House in waiting” if he’s elected a second time.

“Helen Kerwin is an America First Conservative, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement!” he wrote.

“The greatest endorsement from the greatest President @realDonaldTrump!! Congrats, Mom!!” Rollins tweeted.

Abbott stumped with Kerwin in Cleburne on Monday night, telling her supporters the incumbent has voted to curb gun rights.

Trump also endorsed Brent Hagenbuch on Tuesday in Senate District 30, a seat left vacant by the retirement of Sen. Drew Springer, R-Muenster. Springer voted to acquit Paxton but last week called for reopening the probe based on fresh evidence.

The Dallas Cowboys just got some financial breathing room.

The NFL informed teams Friday that the 2024 salary cap will be $255.4 million which is a record-breaking $30.6 million increase from last year’s cap. It’s the largest year-to-year increase in total money in free agency history.

The Cowboys are still expected to be over the cap, but they now have more flexibility this offseason. According to overthecap.com, which tracks each team’s cap hit, the Cowboys are projected to be $8.17 million over for the upcoming season. The Cowboys could just sneak under the cap by cutting wide receiver Michael Gallup as a post-June 1 release. Doing so would free up $9.5 million.

RELATED: 10 prospects the Dallas Cowboys should target in first round of 2024 NFL draft

Dallas Morning News writer David Moore recently laid out a possible avenue to cut down on Dak Prescott’s $59.8 million cap hit:

Two voidable years exist on Prescott’s contract after this season. An automatic conversion can turn part of his base salary into a signing bonus that’s then distributed over those three seasons.

Prescott is scheduled to receive $29 million in base salary. Dallas could choose to put all but $1.21 million of that into a signing bonus, which would lower his cap hit to $40.9 million for the upcoming season.

If this is the path Dallas chooses it likely would be taken by March 13, which is the start of the league year.

Prescott isn’t the only financial question mark facing the Cowboys. The team has a number of key contributors from last season set to enter free agency this offseason including running back Tony Pollard, left tackle Tyron Smith, cornerback Stephon Gilmore, center Tyler Biadasz, safety Jayron Kearse, defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, cornerback Jourdan Lewis, defensive back Dorance Armstrong and more.

The Cowboys used the franchise tag on Pollard last season, but likely won’t use it on him again as the price for the tag would increase. For that matter, as the roster currently stands, the price of using the tag on any of their pending free agents would likely still be too high even with the extra cap space.

The Cowboys have some decisions to make. Getting the new salary cap numbers will certainly help. Especially as teams prepare to travel to Indianapolis for the NFL Combine where teams routinely meet with agents of veteran players. Teams were previously expecting the cap for 2024 to be about $13 million lower, according to earlier projections by overthecap.com.

“The unprecedented $30 million increase per club in this year’s salary cap is the result of the full repayment of all amounts advanced by clubs and deferred by the players during the Covid pandemic as well as an extraordinary increase in media revenue for the 2024 season,” the league said in a statement.

This 13.6% salary cap increase is the largest in a non-COVID year since 2006 when the cap increased by 19.3% from $85.5 million to $10 million.

Cowboys hire former Commanders interim DB coach Christian Garcia as defensive assistant10 prospects the Dallas Cowboys should target in first round of 2024 NFL draft

Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

Friday will be a gorgeous day across North Texas. We’re feeling the effects of a weak cold front this morning with temperatures in the upper 40s and lower 50s. Temperatures will rebound into the lower 70s under sunny skies this afternoon. Just a light breeze will be the icing on the cake for a beautiful day.

The weekend weather will feature plenty of sunshine and warm conditions. While Saturday morning will be quite chilly (in the 40s), temperatures will quickly bounce back into the middle 70s by afternoon. Even warmer weather will return Sunday with a high of 80. The wind will be stronger Sunday from the south.

Early next week will be quite warm (almost hot!) with highs in the upper 80s Monday and low 80s Tuesday. A cold front will sweep across North Texas Tuesday night ushering in more seasonable weather by next Wednesday along with a low chance of showers.

Latest Forecast:

FRIDAY: Sunny and a little cooler. High: 72. Wind: NW 5-15 mph.

TONIGHT: Mostly clear and chilly. Low: 46. Wind: NW 5-10 mph.

SATURDAY: Sunny and warmer. Low: 46. High: 76. Wind: S 5-10 mph.

SUNDAY: Mostly sunny, windy and warm. Low: 56. High: 80. Wind: S 15-25 mph.

MONDAY: Partly cloudy, windy and very warm. Low: 60. High: 88. Wind: S 15-25 mph.

TUESDAY: Partly cloudy, breezy and warm. Low: 66. High: 83. Wind: S 15-25 mph.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy and cooler with a 20% chance of showers. Low: 55. High: 65. Wind: NW 10-20 mph.

THURSDAY: Partly to mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of showers. Low: 42. High: 64. Wind: SE 10-15 mph.

FRIDAY: Partly cloudy and mild. Low: 44. High: 68. Wind: S 10-15 mph.

SATURDAY: Partly cloudy and mild. Low: 48. High: 72. Wind: S 10-15 mph.

SUNDAY: Partly cloudy and mild. Low: 53. High: 73. Wind: S 10-15 mph.

CONTINUING WEATHER COVERAGE

Stay up to date with the latest weather forecast from NBC 5’s team of Weather Experts by clicking here or by watching the video below.

DALLAS – The longest winning streak of the season for the Dallas Mavericks coincides with a tie for the longest stretch of games together for the star pairing of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

Doncic scored 41 points, Irving had 29 and the Mavericks beat the Phoenix Suns 123-113 on Thursday night, extending their winning streak to seven in both teams’ return from the All-Star break.

Dallas pulled even with Phoenix in the standings at 33-23 and took the head-to-head tiebreaker with a 2-1 record in a pairing of teams battling for a guaranteed spot in the playoffs.

Doncic had 11 assists and nine rebounds matched against fellow All-Stars Devin Booker, who scored 35 points, and Kevin Durant, who had 23 on an ordinary shooting night for the 14-time All-Star. The Suns had won five of six before the break.

The Dallas surge started when Irving returned from a sprained thumb. The Mavs have been without Doncic or Irving, or both, in 27 games because of injuries. Their seventh straight together matched the previous long stretch this season, from the first month.

“I think it answers the questions that those two co-exist quite well,” coach Jason Kidd said. “I think it just shows again, our health, our energy, everything’s in a positive way right now. I think the guys are having fun. You can see that energy on the floor.”

Dallas kept its hot streak going through the break in the first visit from new majority owner Miriam Adelson. The widow of casino mogul Sheldon Adelson was sitting courtside.

The deal between her company, Las Vegas Sands Corp., and Mark Cuban was approved by the NBA in December. Cuban is now the alternate governor.

Irving, who missed the first two meetings, scored 13 points in the first quarter and restored a double-digit lead early in the fourth with a nifty behind-the-back dribble and spin move for a layup.

A smiling Doncic greeted Irving when the Suns called a timeout after Irving’s layup, and the star pairing provided the finishing blow when Irving passed after rising for a jumper and Doncic hit a 3-pointer for a 128-113 lead. Both came out of the game at the next whistle.

The Suns were without guard Bradley Beal, who is dealing with left hamstring tightness. He scored 20 points in a 132-109 Phoenix victory in Dallas a month ago, when Booker scored 22 of his 46 points in a decisive third quarter as the Suns rallied from 16 points down.

This time, it was Irving who sparked a Dallas rally.

“You just have to know that, especially after he makes one, that the next one is coming up,” Booker said. “He’s a great player and hard to guard. We definitely could have limited some of those transition looks.”

The Mavs scored the first 16 points of the second half to finish a 33-9 run that started after the Suns took their biggest lead at 54-43 midway through the second quarter.

“We didn’t start the third quarter with enough attentiveness,” Phoenix coach Frank Vogel said. “We did get a little too stagnant offensively. We had some breakdowns with what we were supposed to do. That led to some tough possessions.”

Tim Hardaway Jr. and P.J. Washington scored 12 points apiece for Dallas. Eric Gordon had 16 for Phoenix.

UP NEXT

Suns: At Houston on Friday night.

Mavericks: At Indiana on Sunday.

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