Category: Breaking Dallas News

LOS ANGELES — Hideki Matsuyama set the Riviera record for the lowest closing round by a winner Sunday in the Genesis Invitational, giving the Japanese star another record that means far more to him.

Matsuyama rallied from a six-shot deficit with a 9-under 62, punctuated by consecutive shots inside a foot of the hole, to win for the ninth time in his career on the PGA Tour. That breaks the record for Asian-born players he shared with K.J. Choi of South Korea.

Matsuyama finished at 17-under 267 for a three-shot victory over Will Zalatoris (69) and Luke List (68). Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, best friends playing in the final group, faded in the middle of the back nine and tied for fourth.

Related:Will Zalatoris says loss of family member was on his mind during Genesis Invitational

It was Matsuyama’s first victory since his playoff win at the Sony Open two years ago, after which Shigeki Maruyama sent him a text to remind him of a conversation they once had about becoming the most prolific PGA Tour winner of Asian players.

This one looked unlikely at the start of a final round in which Cantlay had a two-shot lead and looked to be in total control of his game. But it was a struggle from the start for Cantlay, who couldn’t find fairways or greens or make many putts that mattered.

Cantlay missed a 12-foot birdie attempt on the easy par-5 opening hole, and then didn’t have another birdie putt until the sixth hole. He closed with a 72.

Cantlay played with Schauffele, who struggled just as much. Schauffele got back in the mix with a tough birdie on the par-4 10th and holing a bunker shot for eagle on the par-5 11th. He bogeyed the next three holes and and rallied at the end for a 70.

List set the early pace. Zalatoris took the lead in the middle of the back nine. At one point there was a five-way tie for the lead heading to the tough stretch on the back nine at Riviera.

And then Matsuyama seized control with sheer brilliance. His approach to the tough 15th carried the bunker and rolled out to 8 inches.

“The second shot on 15 was probably the best shot I had,” he said through his interpreter.

On the par-3 16th, he let the club dangle as he followed the flight, unsure where it would go until he heard the crowd cheer for a shot that rolled to within 6 inches. He got up-and-down for a third straight birdie on the par-5 17th to stretch his lead to three shots, and by then, no one could catch him.

Matsuyama’s final act was a sharp-breaking 4-footer for par on the final hole, and he clinched his fist — a rare show of emotion by the Japanese star — when it dropped. His 62 broke, by one, the Riviera record for best closing round by a winner set by Doug Tewell in 1986.

Matsuyama had struggled the last two years, starting with a neck and back injury at Bay Hill in March 2022. He had only six top 10s worldwide during that stretch and fell out of the top 50 in the world.

“Ever since that injury, I was worried every week something bad might happen,” Matsuyama said. “This week I had no issue. I played without any worries. That really helped.”

The win was worth $4 million from the $20 million purse and moves him to No. 20 in the world with the entire major season ahead of him. Matsuyama now has 18 wins worldwide, eight on the Japan Golf Tour and the unofficial Hero World Challenge, also hosted by Tiger Woods.

The Dallas area also had representation from TCU product Tom Hoge and Highland Park’s Scottie Scheffler. Hoge finished in eighth at 11-under, while Scheffler tied for 10th at 8-under.

Will Zalatoris says loss of family member was on his mind during Genesis InvitationalPlano’s Will Zalatoris eyeing Genesis Invitational’s top spot entering final round

Find more golf coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

Police said the 16-year-old suspect was alone in an office refusing to put down the gun. Then at some point during negotiations, three officers shot at the suspect.

MESQUITE, Texas — A student was taken into custody after they entered a Mesquite charter school with a gun Monday morning, resulting in an officer-involved shooting as police responded, officials said.

Police said the armed student was injured during the incident, but no other students were injured and no officers were injured.

The incident happened shortly before 9 a.m. at the Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy in Mesquite, a charter school for grades 5-12 located at 3200 Oates Drive.

Mesquite police said officers were dispatched to an active shooter call after a report of someone entering the school with a gun. Helicopter footage from the scene showed numerous police cars and SUVs in the area, one ambulance, a SWAT-like police truck, and officers in tactical gear.

A release said the suspect, a 16-year-old, was alone in an office in the school. A caller had told police the student had refused to put down the gun in his hands. Officers reportedly gave him verbal commands, but at some point during negotiations, three officers shot at the suspect. He then complied with commands and was arrested.

Mesquite PD confirmed to WFAA that 19 shots were fired by the officers. They also said there was no initial indication that the suspect fired at the officers.

The suspect was injured in the shooting and taken to a hospital for treatment, police said, but it is unclear at this time whether he was injured from a bullet or shrapnel. After he is treated at the hospital police say he will be transferred to the Dallas County Juvenile Detention Center.

No other students or officers were injured. The suspect’s identity is being withheld due to his status as a juvenile.

Police said the three officers involved were an 8-year veteran, a 5-year veteran and an officer-in-training who had multiple years of service with another agency. 

Along with the Mesquite Police Department’s criminal investigations unit and internal affairs unit, the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office is conducting its own separate, independent investigation.

“We are grateful that no children were injured in this incident,” Mesquite police Sgt. Curtis Phillip said.

Officials posted on the school’s Facebook page that the situation “was handled expeditiously” and that “all are safe.”

Shubham Pandey, the charter school’s district superintendent, confirmed in a statement that the suspect who brought a gun to the school was a student and that everyone on campus was “safe and secure.”

“We have rigorous safety protocols in place to handle such incidents effectively and efficiently to ensure the well-being of our school community,” Pandey said. “Today, those procedures were tested, and they worked as intended.”

Students were evacuated class-by-class to the nearby Northside Baptist Church, officials said.

School officials said they planned to hold classes Tuesday but would provide counseling services to students.

“We certainly understand students have experienced some level of trauma,” a district statement said. “Our students and staff are our ultimate priority.”

District officials in a statement later Monday said the school has “comprehensive safety plans for such incidents” and that those plans “proved effective in ensuring everyone’s safety.”

“We are actively cooperating with local law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation and will take all necessary measures in response to this incident,” the statement said. 

This is a developing story. Check back for more details.

A Dallas County judge should soon rule on whether Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones will be required to complete a paternity test to prove if he is the father of a 27-year-old woman who sued him in 2022.

A roughly hourlong hearing took place Monday morning in the George Allen Courts Building in downtown Dallas, where lawyers for Jones and the woman argued over whether the woman has a presumed father. Jones’ attorneys also called the proposed genetic testing “an invasion of privacy.”

The Dallas Morning News broke the story about the lawsuit filed March 3, 2022, by Alexandra Davis, who alleged that she was conceived when Jones and her mother had a relationship in the mid-1990s. According to court documents, Jones and Davis’ mother, Cynthia Davis, reached a settlement in which Jones agreed to financially support them so long as they didn’t publicly identify Jones as Alexandra Davis’ father.

Related:Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has at least 3 lawsuits against him. Where do they stand?

The lawsuit sought to have a court declare that Alexandra Davis wasn’t bound by that agreement, but she later dropped that lawsuit and instead sought testing to prove Jones is her father.

A judge previously ruled Jones was subject to genetic testing in late December 2022. His lawyers promptly appealed.

Jones’ attorneys, state Sen. Royce West, Levi McCathern and Charles “Chip” Babcock, argued Davis has a presumed father, who is the man her mother was married to when she was born, therefore preventing the case against Jones from proceeding.

His attorneys also said the government does not have the right to subject someone to genetic testing unless there is a “good reason,” adding that “curiosity” is not grounds for Davis to establish parentage. Jones’ lawyers have repeatedly argued in previous hearings and court filings that Davis’ lawsuit is one of many “monetary extortion attempts.” Court filings say Davis has received about $3.2 million from her mother’s agreement with Jones, including four years of tuition at Southern Methodist University, trips around the world and about $70,000 for a Range Rover.

Meanwhile, Davis’ attorneys Kris Hayes and Andrew Bergman cited a document from proceedings in Arkansas that state “in plain and apparent words” that Davis is not the child of her mother’s now ex-husband.

Hayes said because Davis therefore has no presumed father, Jones has only two options to move the case forward.

“Once that burden has been met, the only thing they can do is acknowledge paternity or agree to take the paternity test,” Hayes said.

At the conclusion of the hearing, Judge Sandra Jackson said she would review the evidence and arguments presented, but did not disclose a timeline for her decision.

Jones is also in the midst of another legal battle with Alexandra Davis in a U.S. district court. She sued him for defamation in March before the lawsuit was partially dismissed in October and refiled in November. There was a hearing in a federal court in Texarkana where defense attorneys asked the judge to dismiss the lawsuit a second time. No ruling had been made as of Monday morning.

A jury trial is also looming in a personal injury lawsuit against Jones in which a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her at AT&T Stadium in 2018. Jones has denied those allegations.

In a move poised to alter the landscape of nonprofit fundraising, Data Axle Nonprofit unveiled its latest innovation in Dallas on February 21, 2024. The launch of new email data for its omnichannel cooperatives, Apogee and DonorBase, marks a pivotal shift towards a more targeted and efficient approach in donor acquisition strategies. By directly linking email addresses to known donation activities, these cooperatives are setting a new standard in how nonprofits can engage with potential donors.

Breaking New Ground in Donor Engagement

The traditional methods of donor acquisition often cast a wide net, relying on broad consumer data or an organization’s existing pool of email prospects. However, Apogee and DonorBase are charting a different course. Their strategy focuses on leveraging donation activity, coupled with best-in-class modeling and comprehensive data usage. This approach is designed to appeal to an audience that is not only more likely to engage but is also more predisposed to donate. This initiative represents a significant leap forward from conventional techniques, promising enhanced interaction rates, reduced unsubscribe numbers, and notably larger initial donations from newly acquired contacts.

Empowering Nonprofits with a Data-Driven Approach

At the core of this innovative launch is Data Axle Nonprofit’s commitment to empowering organizations with tools to more effectively acquire and engage donors. With access to over 80 million philanthropic email addresses submitted by nonprofits, the cooperatives offer an unprecedented resource. This wealth of email data, directly linked to donation activities, enables nonprofits to execute targeted email campaigns that resonate with individuals inclined towards philanthropy. Early adopters of this new email cooperative data have already begun to see the fruits of their labor, reporting improved campaign performance across various metrics.

Looking Towards the Future of Fundraising

The introduction of Apogee and DonorBase’s email data is a testament to the evolving nature of nonprofit fundraising. As organizations strive to navigate the challenges of donor acquisition in a digital age, the ability to reach potential donors through multiple channels—including email, direct mail, social media, and more—becomes increasingly crucial. This launch not only reflects a shift towards more sophisticated data-driven strategies but also highlights the potential for nonprofits to significantly enhance the efficacy of their email acquisition and engagement efforts. With the landscape of nonprofit fundraising continuously changing, the innovations brought forth by Data Axle Nonprofit could very well set the new standard for donor engagement in the years to come.

The search for a young girl who was last seen heading to school on Thursday morning in Polk County ended with the tragic discovery of her dead body.

Audrii Cunningham’s body was found by search crews in the Trinity River near Livingston. A press conference held at the Texas Department of Public Safety headquarters for the Southeast Texas Region provided the latest update.

Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons explained that Audrii’s body had been found thanks to the Trinity River operators lowering the water levels. Her body has been transported to the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine her cause of death and collect evidence.

As previously covered by The Dallas Express, Don Steven McDougal, a family friend residing behind Cunningham’s home, was identified by Polk County authorities as a person of interest and arrested on unrelated felony charges on February 16. He remains in police custody, according to Polk County District Attorney Shelly Sitton.

Lyons told reporters that McDougal’s cell phone records and interviews with detectives, as well as information collected from witnesses, helped narrow the search for the missing girl. The sheriff’s office is currently preparing an arrest warrant for McDougal on capital murder charges connected to Audrii’s death.

“I understand that this is a difficult situation for Audrii’s family and the community,” Sitton told reporters. She also highlighted the valiant effort of local law enforcement to “protect our children.”

“You can be assured that the District Attorney’s Office will be just as dedicated to this case as every one of these law enforcement officers that are standing behind you to do what is right for Audrii and bring justice to our community,” she added.

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New safety measures are already being installed at the Mesquite school where a student brought a gun Monday.

Police officers were dispatched about 8:50 a.m. for a 16-year-old student reported to be holding a gun in the office of the Pioneer Technology and Arts Academy campus in Mesquite. Police said school administrators attempted to keep the student calm until police arrived. When police arrived and were negotiating with the student, three officers fired shots at him. He suffered a wound to his leg before he complied and was taken into custody.

Nineteen shots were fired by officers, police said Tuesday, and the teen holding the gun did not fire his weapon. No other students were injured.

Related:Officers fired 19 shots at student who brought gun to Mesquite school; student didn’t fire

The school announced Monday night in a news release that students would return to campus for a regular school day on Tuesday and that counselors would be on-site to speak with students for three days.

The release also stated several steps would be taken to “harden” the school and increase safety, including adding metal detectors and surveillance cameras, securing entry points, and providing additional training to staff. It is not clear what this additional training would entail. An additional news release clarified the metal detectors were being installed Tuesday.

District staff did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding how these strategies were chosen.

A news release mentioned the presence of an armed security guard on the campus, but it is not clear what role they played during the gun incident. A new Texas law that took effect in September requires schools to have some type of armed personnel on campus.

Related:Active shooter defense is becoming big business in Texas. Experts ask if it’s paying off

Mo Canady, executive director of the National Association of School Resource Officers, said he would recommend the addition of a school resource officer. He said these officers have specific training and abilities that armed security guards do not, including potentially speeding up police response time and being specifically trained in de-escalation.

Canady also cautioned against adding metal detectors without a rigorous plan for their implementation. He said for the detectors to be effective, schools must identify one or two primary points of entry and secure all others. It also requires community education about the importance of not leaving doors propped open and designated personnel to maintain and operate the metal detectors all day long.

“You can very easily create a false sense of security,” he said. “Every solution has a bit of a problem to it that we have to overcome and think about.”

While some have previously questioned the absence of metal detectors in Dallas-Fort Worth area schools, including after a 2021 shooting at an Arlington high school, others have argued it’s not a viable option because of the layout of certain campuses and time involved in screening each student.

Related:Texas superintendents want safer schools. But money and logistics stand in the way

Efforts to harden schools across the state increased following deadly shootings in Santa Fe in 2018 and Uvalde in 2022, among others. These pushes have come with some financial support from the state but have primarily placed the burden on local districts to make costly upgrades to campuses.

Despite instituting expensive new safety requirements for schools during the legislative session, lawmakers allocated just $10 per student for security measures, which is below what many districts asked for. Lawmakers set aside an additional $15,000 per campus and millions in grant funding.

School-hardening tactics also may not be effective, according to one study. Research published in 2019 by James H. Price and Jagdish Khubchandani did not find any empirical evidence that school hardening decreased gun violence. The strategies they reviewed included school resource officers, metal detectors and locker searches.

“School officials should not give in to political pressures to ‘do something’ when that ‘something’ is likely to be ineffective and wasteful of limited school resources,” they wrote.

Staff writer Talia Richman contributed to this report.