Five stories that have North Texas talking: Ian Kinsler generates controversy; a busy election night; Bruuuuce is coming!; and more:
Ian Kinsler hopes the Texas Rangers, his former team, goes winless this year. And he called the team’s general manager, Jon Daniels, "a sleazeball." Kinsler talked with ESPN The Magazine about the transition from Texas to the Detroit Tigers. But, on Tuesday, Kinsler told reporters that his comments were “taken a little out of context.” He also thought the story was “a little ridiculous” and “a little childish.” He said: “There's not much to say about it. It's written. It's out there. I'm not happy about it.” ESPN reported: “Kinsler says that with [Nolan] Ryan's role diminished the past couple of years, the Rangers lost the swagger and professionalism that had been a point of pride for the team.” Daniels told ESPN that Kinsler was entitled to his opinion. But Kinsler did say he’ll miss his teammates. "I'll miss Elvis and Beltre, Mitch [Moreland], Matt Harrison and [Ron] Washington,” he told ESPN.
- Which city do you want to host the 2016 GOP convention? The Republican National Committee has launched an interactive poll that allows folks to vote for their favorite city. Dallas is one of eight cities preparing a bid to host the event. The others are Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, Kansas City, Mo., Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus.
- Tuesday was primary day. You might have heard. It was a late, tense night for many primary candidates as conservative tea party voters flexed their muscle and defeated some Republican incumbents, while other candidates went on to win their party nominations. In the Republican race for lieutenant governor, State Sen. Dan Patrick of Houston and incumbent David Dewhurst are heading for a May 27 runoff. Also, in North Texas, Don Huffines defeated longtime incumbent John Carona in the State Senate District 16 race. Get up to speed on KERA’s Primary Blog.
- The 2014 State Fair of Texas will include a Texas Sports Hall of Fame exhibit and an effort to fight hunger by turning canned foods into art. Fair officials in Dallas on Tuesday announced the fair theme: "Deep in the Heart of Texans.” An exhibit from the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in Waco will include memorabilia from sports stars recognized since the athletics group began in 1951. Giant arrangements at the State Fair will be built with cans of food, with the items later donated to the North Texas Food Bank. College football returns to the Cotton Bowl with Grambling State facing Prairie View A&M on Sept. 27. Texas and Oklahoma will play on Oct. 11. The State Fair of Texas runs Sept. 26-Oct. 19 – just 204 days away. (Associated Press)
- Bruuuuuce! The musical lineup for the 2014 NCAA March Madness Music Festival in Dallas was announced today – and it includes some top-notch groups. How about Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band? The Killers? Tim McGraw? Jason Aldean? They’ll be here in April. And they’ll be performing – for free – at what’s called Reunion Park or the site of the former Reunion Arena. Learn more here from KERA News – and brush up on all things Bruce.
