Tracey McManus
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Dallas County gov accountability reporter for @dallasnews. Previously: @TB_Times, @AUG_Chronicle. University of Florida J-school
Tracey.McManus@dallasnews.com
Articles by Tracey McManus
Fighting homelessness at $100 million a year: Dallas County tax goes to voters Original
Dallas County voters will decide whether to raise property taxes to generate about $100 million a year for homelessness services before the county works out the service contract, performance goals and spending oversight. The proposition on the Nov. 3 ballot would add 2.4 cents per $100 of assessed valuation on top of an already increased tax rate county commissioners approved for this year. The homeless levy, which has no defined end date, would put the overall county rate 15.4% above last year’s.
Dallas County set to require police bring arrestees to a judge for bail before jail — unless they pay Original
Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown is poised to implement a new jail intake rule on Thursday opposed by 31 local police chiefs after a judge denied Carrollton’s request to block what it alleged is a “pay-to-detain regime.” Brown announced in April the overcrowded county jail will stop accepting arrestees who have not already been “properly magistrated” unless the arresting agencies have contracts with the sheriff's office for those services.
Dallas, Collin counties work to process 100,000 backlogged DPS voter files
Less than a month before early voting begins, Dallas County elections officials are sorting through 68,104 voter registrations that were filed through Texas’ online drivers license portal since October 2025 but never transmitted to the county, a spokesperson confirmed. In Collin County, officials received more than 40,000 backlogged files this week, said Elections Administrator Kaleb Breaux.
Dallas, Collin counties work to process 100,000 voter files backlogged from Texas DPS before midterms Original
Less than a month before early voting begins, Dallas County elections officials are sorting through 68,104 voter registrations that were filed through Texas’ online drivers license portal since October 2025 but never transmitted to the county, a spokesperson confirmed. In Collin County, officials received more than 40,000 backlogged files this week, said Elections Administrator Kaleb Breaux.
Counties didn’t receive online voter registrations from Texas DPS for a year Original
Tens of thousands of voter registration applications filed through Texas’ online drivers license portal didn't transmit to counties for processing over the past year, according to state and local officials. State elections officials were working to determine the number of unsent records and transfer them to counties on Wednesday.
Dallas County tax bills won’t be mailed until voters decide on rate hike for homeless aid Original
Any Dallas County resident expecting to find a property tax bill in their mailbox in October like usual will have to wait a little longer. Dallas County placed a question on the Nov. 3 ballot asking voters whether to increase taxes to pay for homelessness support services, so bills won’t be mailed until the countywide rate is decided, according to Dallas County Tax Assessor John Ames.
Dallas County tax bills won't be mailed until voters decide on rate hike for homeless aid
DALLAS—Any Dallas County resident expecting to find a property tax bill in their mailbox in October like usual will have to wait a little longer. Dallas County placed a question on the Nov. 3 ballot asking voters whether to increase taxes to pay for homelessness support services, so bills won't be mailed until the countywide rate is decided, according to Dallas County Tax Assessor John Ames.
Layoffs come to Dallas County IT in reorganization to ‘modernize’ department Original
Thirty-one Dallas County information technology employees will be laid off next month in a sweeping restructuring of the department. While 49 positions are being eliminated – 31 of which had people in them – the reorganization will create 52 new jobs for different “skills IT needs as the department moves forward,” according to assistant county manager Charles Reed.
Dallas County to roll out $1 million voter education effort for Nov. 3 election Original
Dallas County will spend $1 million on a voter education campaign ahead of the Nov. 3 general election to clear up questions around how and where residents may cast their ballots. Digital and radio ads before Texas' Oct. 5 voter registration deadline will clarify facts about the state’s voter suspense list and now-halted federal changes to mail-in voting, said Dallas County Elections Administrator Paul Adams. A second phase before Nov.
Survivors push for answers as Epstein files ‘reading room’ opens in Dallas
DALLAS — When visitors walked into the North Dallas event space, they saw a life-sized timeline tracking President Donald Trump’s long association with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. It starts with their 1987 introduction and progresses to Trump flying on Epstein’s private jet in 1995 — the same year Epstein’s first known accuser reported him to the FBI. It ends in 2026 after Trump’s Department of Justice released about half the files it has on Epstein, 3.5 million pages.
While Republicans rally in Dallas, Democrats call out affordability, corruption as paths to victory Original
Voters have heard the optimistic pitch from Beto O’Rourke before, but the former congressman says this may be the year Democrats win back Texas. O’Rourke came the closest of any Democrat in decades to winning statewide when he lost a 2018 bid for Senate by 2.5 percentage points. With a Democrat running for every state and federal office for the first time since 1972, he said blue turnout could push them to victory this fall.
Survivors push for answers as Epstein files ‘reading room’ opens in Dallas
DALLAS -- When visitors walk into the North Dallas event space, they see a life-sized timeline tracking President Donald Trump's long association with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. It starts with their 1987 introduction and progresses to Trump flying on Epstein's private jet in 1995 -- the same year Epstein's first known accuser reported him to the FBI. It ends in 2026 after Trump's Department of Justice released about half the files it has on Epstein, 3.5 million pages.
'Stand against tyranny': Democrats warn against Republican talking points in Dallas convention counter messaging
DALLAS - Democrats in Dallas on Wednesday warned voters not to fall for the Republican pageantry in the first-ever GOP midterm convention. People can't afford groceries, the "endless war" in Iran is crippling Americans' way of life and corruption under President Donald Trump is now a Republican standard, said Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who joined local and state Democrats across the street from the event.
Democratic groups plan counter rallies for GOP convention in Dallas
While Republicans gather for their convention-style rally next week in Dallas, Democratic and civil rights groups will be making their own calls to action around the city. A coalition of more than a dozen organizations will host the We the People Rally for Democracy at 6 p.m. Sept. 10 at on City Hall Plaza. coming on the second and final day when President Trump is scheduled to address the GOP midterm convention.
Democratic groups plan counter rallies for GOP convention in Dallas
While Republicans gather for their convention-style rally next week in Dallas, Democratic and civil rights groups will be making their own calls to action around the city. A coalition of more than a dozen organizations will host the We the People Rally for Democracy at 6 p.m. Sept. 10 at on City Hall Plaza.
Epstein files 'reading room,' bookmobile coming to Dallas during GOP convention
President Donald Trump will join Republicans next week in Dallas at a convention-style rally. The Epstein scandal is following him here. From Sept. 8-12, about 3.5 million documents previously released online by the Department of Justice related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein will be printed out and displayed in binders in a yet-to-be announced location called The Donald J. Trump and Jeffrey Epstein Memorial Reading Room.
Epstein files ‘reading room,’ bookmobile coming to Dallas during GOP convention
President Donald Trump will join Republicans next week in Dallas at a convention-style rally. The Epstein scandal is following him here. From Sept. 8-12, about 3.5 million documents previously released online by the Department of Justice related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein will be printed out and displayed in binders in a yet-to-be announced location called The Donald J. Trump and Jeffrey Epstein Memorial Reading Room.
After massive Sandbranch fire, suppression efforts continued Sunday in area with no water infrastructure
SANDBRANCH - Late Sunday afternoon, in sweltering 99 degree heat, firefighters were still working to suppress smoky hotspots and lingering flames from a brush fire that was initially contained the night before in Sandbranch, an unincorporated Dallas County community with no fire hydrants or water infrastructure.
Sandbranch fire contained after multiple departments responded to the unincorporated area with no water infrastructure
SANDBRANCH — A brush fire burned for about three hours late Saturday night in the Sandbranch community, which lacks water infrastructure in unincorporated Dallas County. Crews from at least 13 volunteer and municipal fire departments responded to or hauled water into the area, including from hydrants two-miles away near the Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Erath County jury rejects barratry claim against Loncar Lyon Jenkins
STEPHENVILLE — Neither Loncar Lyon Jenkins nor its lead generator illegally solicited a retiree through a phone call where the law firm discussed representing him after a crash that totaled his truck, an Erath County jury concluded on Thursday. Records show a now-disconnected number called Barry Marshall two days after the April 2024 accident before he was transferred to a representative at the law firm owned by Dallas County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins and former state Sen. Ted Lyon.
Lead generator gives jury disputed account of crash-victim referral to Loncar Lyon Jenkins
A Stephenville man said he never asked anybody to call and refer him to an attorney after the crash that totaled his pickup truck. But Barry Marshall's phone wouldn't stop ringing from a now disconnected number days after the April 2024 accident. After finally picking up, he was transferred to a law firm owned by Dallas County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins and former state Sen. Ted Lyon.
Barratry or lawful marketing? Loncar Lyon Jenkins’ civil trial begins in Erath County Original
An unknown number lit up Barry Marshall’s phone two days after a driver crashed into his pickup truck near Stephenville. After Marshall answered the sixth call, a man offered to refer him to Loncar Lyon Jenkins attorneys to handle the case. A contract with the firm, owned by Dallas County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins and former state Sen. Ted Lyon, was in his inbox minutes later.
Dallas County jail banned physical books and magazines. A prisoner rights publisher says it’s illegal Original
The most secure federal prison in the country allows incarcerated people to receive books and magazines mailed in by publishers. So do county jails across the U.S., including in Texas’ Bexar, Collin, Tarrant and Travis counties. In Dallas County, jail officials have put “a near-total ban” on printed literature, violating a 2007 federal consent decree where they agreed Prison Legal News publications were permitted mail, the outlet alleges in a motion to reopen the case.
Dallas County voters to decide on tax increase to fund homelessness response
The Dallas County property tax rate will rise slightly next year, but voters will decide this fall whether to triple the increase to fund housing and intervention services targeted at ending homelessness The Dallas County Commissioners Court on Tuesday voted unanimously to adopt a fiscal year 2027 tax rate of 22.46 cents for every $100 in property value, about one cent higher than this year and the first rate hike since 2010.
Dallas County voters to decide on tax increase to fund homelessness response
The Dallas County property tax rate will rise slightly next year, but voters will decide this fall whether to triple the increase to fund housing and intervention services targeted at ending homelessness.
Her son died after a struggle with Dallas County jailers. The lawsuit seeking accountability settled for $15,000
Shamond Lewis was comatose hours after guards restrained him away from cameras. Qualified immunity granted to an officer ended his mother’s excessive force case. By Tracey McManus Dallas Morning News https://www.dallasnews.com/ Shamond Lewis, 24, died after an altercation with Dallas County jail officers in 2022. Sophia Lewis A hallway camera shows officers walking Shamond Lewis into a changing room at the Dallas County jail and disappearing from view.
Her son died after a struggle with Dallas County jailers. The lawsuit seeking accountability settled for $15,000
Shamond Lewis was comatose hours after guards restrained him away from cameras. Qualified immunity granted to an officer ended his mother’s excessive force case. By Tracey McManus Dallas Morning News https://www.dallasnews.com/ Shamond Lewis, 24, died after an altercation with Dallas County jail officers in 2022. Sophia Lewis A hallway camera shows officers walking Shamond Lewis into a changing room at the Dallas County jail and disappearing from view.
A tax hike to pay for homeless aid? Dallas County commissioners may ask voters
A majority polled by a housing nonprofit say homelessness in Dallas County is a top concern, but will voters be willing to raise their property taxes to help solve it? The Dallas County Commissioners Court is scheduled to decide Tuesday whether to put a question on the Nov. 3 ballot asking voters to increase the tax rate by up to an extra 2.85 cents to fund housing and public safety services for the homeless.
A tax hike to pay for homeless aid? Dallas County commissioners may ask voters
A majority polled by a housing nonprofit say homelessness in Dallas County is a top concern, but will voters be willing to raise their property taxes to help solve it? The Dallas County Commissioners Court is scheduled to decide Tuesday whether to put a question on the Nov. 3 ballot asking voters to increase the tax rate by up to an extra 2.85 cents to fund housing and public safety services for the homeless.
Her son died after a struggle with Dallas County jailers. The lawsuit seeking accountability settled for $15,000
Shamond Lewis was comatose hours after guards restrained him away from cameras. Qualified immunity granted to an officer ended his mother’s excessive force case. A hallway camera shows officers walking Shamond Lewis into a changing room at the Dallas County jail and disappearing from view. About 12 minutes later they roll him out strapped to a restraint chair. Dallas to get $211 million from DART as part of bid to save transit agency Lewis was comatose within hours and died six days later.
After redo vote, Dallas County takes first step toward asking voters to fund homeless tax
When a divided Dallas County Commissioners Court on Tuesday killed the idea of asking residents to vote on a higher tax rate to generate $150 million for homeless services, the swing vote was a shocker. Commissioner Theresa Daniel has been a staunch proponent for homeless solutions over her 14 years in office.
After redo vote, Dallas County takes first step toward asking voters to fund homeless tax
Commissioner Theresa Daniel switched her vote hours after helping block the measure, allowing the court to consider placing a tax increase for homeless services on the Nov. 3 ballot. When a divided Dallas County Commissioners Court on Tuesday killed the idea of asking residents to vote on a higher tax rate to generate $150 million for homeless services, the swing vote was a shocker. Commissioner Theresa Daniel has been a staunch proponent for homeless solutions over her 14 years in office.
Irving to restore arrestees' ability to see judge for bail in city detention without transfer to Dallas County jail
For the first time in more than two years, Irving officials will allow judges to set bail for all detainees in the city's detention facility instead of making most wait to be transferred to the Dallas County jail for their chance at freedom. Municipal judges held magistration hearings for all arrestees in the Irving jail for decades but stopped in May 2024 for all felony and most misdemeanor cases.
Irving to restore arrestees' ability to see judge for bail in city detention without transfer to Dallas County jail
For the first time in more than two years, Irving officials will allow judges to set bail for all detainees in the city’s detention facility instead of making most wait to be transferred to the Dallas County jail for their chance at freedom. Municipal judges held magistration hearings for all arrestees in the Irving jail for decades but stopped in May 2024 for all felony and most misdemeanor cases.
Abbott's campaign paid $25,000 to rent elephant from exhibitor with history of welfare violations
By Tracey McManus, The Dallas Morning News DALLAS - Gov. Greg Abbott's campaign spent $25,000 to rent Paige the elephant for the Texas GOP convention from an exhibitor that failed to register with Houston before bringing the animal to the event, records show. A campaign finance report released Wednesday disclosed for the first time the amount Abbott's political committee paid East Texas Elephant Experience, also known as Trunks and Humps, to parade her June 12 around the George R.
Abbott's campaign paid $25,000 to rent elephant from exhibitor with history of welfare violations
DALLAS — Gov. Greg Abbott's campaign spent $25,000 to rent Paige the elephant for the Texas GOP convention from an exhibitor that failed to register with Houston before bringing the animal to the event, records show. A campaign finance report released Wednesday disclosed for the first time the amount Abbott's political committee paid East Texas Elephant Experience, also known as Trunks and Humps, to parade her June 12 around the George R. Brown Convention Center.
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