News

The top local stories this evening from the KERA Newsroom: Black and Latino high schoolers in the Dallas school district pass Advanced Placement exams at a higher rate than any other district in the country. Also, we talk to the chair of Dallas' home-rule commission to talk about why the much-talked about effort to remake the school system fizzled out. 

Black and Latino Students in Dallas high schools pass the Advanced Placement exams at the highest rate in the country. The story of how Dallas became the national leader in getting underrepresented minorities to pass these classes is a bright spot in an otherwise struggling urban school district. 

The Dallas school district’s home-rule commission voted Tuesday against writing a new charter for the district. That ended a nearly year-long process aimed at transforming how the district is run. Bob Weiss is the chairman of the home-rule commission, and he spoke with KERA’s Jeff Whittington about the reasons behind that decision.

As an admiral, William McRaven traveled around the world. Now, as the new head of the University of Texas system, he’s been traveling across Texas. His most recent stop was at UT Arlington for a meeting with major donors. It was his first visit to North Texas as chancellor.

State lawmakers are considering a nearly $2.5 million plan to help answer a pressing question in some Texas communities: Why does the ground keep shaking?  

Five stories that have North Texas talking: a Dallas writer is sentenced to prison; Dallas and Fort Worth don't have much "arts vibrancy;" NPR's Michel Martin will tackle the ethics of football in Dallas; and more. 

Members of America’s middle and upper classes have preconceived notions about what it means to be poor. This hour, as part of KERA’s One Crisis Away initiative, we found out what going without is really like.

Ana Zamora, a 21-year-old Dallas college student and part-time hotel receptionist, got an unexpected seat on a national stage this week. First Lady Michelle Obama invited her to her husband’s State of the Union speech in Washington, D.C. Zamora is a “dreamer." She was brought to this country from Mexico as a toddler and she’s set to graduate from Northwood University’s Cedar Hill campus this spring.

Top stories this morning from the KERA Newsroom: Ana Zamora, who was brought to Texas from Mexico as a toddler, talks about what it was like to hear conservative Republicans lament her appearance at the State of the Union speech this week. And Dianna Douglas reports on how Admiral William McRaven could boost UT Arlington as its mother system's chancellor. 

The top local stories this evening from the KERA Newsroom: The new leader of the University of Texas system made a stop at UT Arlington today. We’ll also hear from a Dallas woman who fought the courts to teach an ancestral tradition: African hair braiding.