Five stories that have North Texas talking: Event organizers are deciding whether to stay in Texas over SB 4; state lawmaker apologizes after DWI arrest; Oak Cliff Film Festival starts today; and more.
Two major conferences planned for Texas announced on Wednesday their decision to stay or relocate in light of the state's new immigration law that's already prompted lawsuits.
South by Southwest organizers aren't moving the longtime Austin festival, despite the push from a pair of U.S. senators. In an open letter, Democrats Robert Menendez of New Jersey and Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada urged SXSW CEO Roland Swenson to relocate "until the recent anti-immigration SB4 law is repealed or overturned by the courts."
As KUT reports, “Swenson said organizers agree that the law stands ‘diametrically opposed to the spirit of SXSW,’ but said holding it elsewhere was not the answer."
On flip side, the American Immigration Lawyers Association of attorneys who represent immigrants, announced Wednesday the cancelation of its 3,000-member conference in Grapevine, slated for next year.
The organization's president, William Stock, said members "expressed their desire not to spend money" in the state, the Associated Press reports. The annual conference had been planned for the Grapevine since 2011. [KUT, The Associated Press]
- "I love you and I will fight for you and I'm invoking my 5th Amendment rights." That’s what state Rep. Victoria Neave repeatedly told Dallas police officers when she was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated. Neave crashed into a tree in Lakewood Tuesday around 11:30 p.m. She was booked into the Dallas County at 3:30 a.m. Wednesday and then released on $500 bond. Neave issued a statement, apologizing for the incident. [KERA News]
- A Houston Democrat is pushing forward to impeach President Donald Trump. U.S. Rep. Al Green made the initial call for Trump’s impeachment last month, and as a result, he received racist death threats. As the Texas Tribune reports, “Green's effort remains a largely isolated one, with a highly uncertain path. House Republicans control the chamber, and there are few indications members of the GOP are interested in impeaching a president from their own party.” [The Texas Tribune]
- Retired Dallas Police Chief David Brown will join Krys Boyd on Think this afternoon. Last July, Brown was thrust into the national spotlight as he teamed with Mayor Mike Rawlings to lead the city through the aftermath of a shooting spree that left five officers dead. He’ll talk about helping to heal the department he once lead – and about his lifelong commitment to his hometown – which he writes about in his new memoir. Tune in at 1 p.m. or download the podcast later. [Think]
- More than 60 feature films and shorts will screen during the 6th annual Oak Cliff Film Festival. If you can’t manage all of those films in the next few days, Art&Seek picked five you won’t want to miss. Festival co-founder and North Texas director David Lowery sat down with The Big Screen team to preview the festival, which runs through Sunday. Films will be screened at venues in Oak Cliff. Individual tickets are available online or in person. Or, you can be a VIP. [Art&Seek]
The High Five is KERA’s daily roundup of stories from Dallas-Fort Worth and across the state. Explore our archives here. And sign up for our weekly email for the North Texas news you need to know.
