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Articles by Katie Standing
The real story behind the iconic "Don't Mess With Texas" slogan, 40 years later
Every Texan knows the phrase "Don't Mess With Texas." It evokes a sense of Texas pride, a puffed-out chest and a tip of the hat. But with the endless appearances on signs and merchandise, it can be easy to forget what Don't Mess With Texas is all about. The answer is self-evident, but may be hard to catch at first. It's about the word "mess," in the literal sense of making a mess.
A decade after Missy Bevers' killing, her family reflects on grief, milestones and love that carried them
EDITOR'S NOTE: It's been 10 years since a local mother was murdered in a Midlothian church one morning. Missy Bevers was preparing to lead a fitness class when she encountered the killer, dressed in tactical gear, inside the Creekside Church of Christ along Highway 287. The case gained national attention, generated thousands of tips, and sparked online theories and debates that continue even today. But a decade later, the question of who killed Missy Bevers remains unanswered.
Border wall won't be in Big Bend parks, officials say; advocates vow to keep fighting against wall on private land
On a sunny day in early March, Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson spent an entire day with a CBS News Texas crew. He drove a producer and photojournalist from his home base in Alpine to Presidio, through the winding mountain roads of both Big Bend Ranch State Park and Big Bend National Park, and out to the wide and vast Black Gap Wildlife Management Area. He did it, he said, because he wanted to show them why he is among the voices that has spoken out against a planned border wall in the area.
East Texas tiny home community offers female retirees sisterhood, sense of community
A group of retirees is reimagining what golden years can look like. Residents of The Bird's Nest, an all-women, tiny home community in the small East Texas town of Cumby, say they have become more than just neighbors. They have formed a sisterhood. Robyn Yerian, the community's founder, said she initially got the idea to downsize to a tiny home after realizing she would need to drastically cut her living expenses in order to retire.
Texas woman shares violent video of jail experience
It took Azellia Thompkins nearly a year to watch the video of her attempted suicide in the Scurry County jail. Now, she's hoping others will watch it. "When I finally looked at it, I was like, 'okay, now somebody else has to see this - because that was ridiculous,'" said Thompkins. Traffic stop turns into jail nightmare It started with a traffic stop in June 2024. Thompkins was getting a ride home from a coworker after an overnight shift at the Walmart in Snyder, a small town west of Abilene.
In jail instead of a hospital; the struggle to get mental health treatment in Texas
Thousands of people arrested each year in Texas are dealing with mental health issues. Some conditions can be treated with medicine, while others require hospitalization. But the I-Team found that in too many cases, the mentally ill end up in jail before ever getting access to the doctors who can help them. It's an issue Collin County's sheriff knows all too well.
North Texas pastor among foreign-born religious workers forced to self-deport
GORDON, Texas (CBS News Texas) - In the small town of Gordon, Texas, about 70 miles west of Fort Worth, Pastor Albert Oliveira is preparing to leave the country and his congregation behind. Like many other foreign-born religious leaders across the United States, a visa backlog has forced him to make the difficult decision to self-deport.
New law requires hospitals support grieving families amid rising infant death rates post-abortion ban
By Andrea Lucia, Lexi Salazar, Katie Standing Click here for updates on this story DALLAS, Texas (KTVT) — A new state law taking effect this month will require many Texas hospitals offering maternity care to be equipped to handle stillbirths and infant loss. That will mean offering bereavement counseling and providing cooling bassinets. Following the enactment of a strict ban on abortions, research has shown that more Texas families are losing newborns.
How Tarrant County's human trafficking unit offers help to men and women caught in prostitution stings
Law enforcement is approaching prostitution in a new way these days in Tarrant County. Yes, there are still arrests, but investigators are also offering help – and hope – to the women in sex ads and the men who respond to them. The I-Team followed along on a three-day operation in January with the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office to see how it works. TCSO's human trafficking unit set up at a hotel in Fort Worth.
Doctor helps parents facing infant loss deal with the unimaginable
By Andrea Lucia, Lexi Salazar, Katie Standing Click here for updates on this story NORTH TEXAS (KTVT) — After healthy pregnancies with her first two children, Yvette Ngo felt she knew what to expect when she found out she was expecting her third. She surprised her husband Thomas by tucking a positive pregnancy test into an Amazon box. The Arlington couple shared the news in their annual Christmas card. They celebrated their gender reveal with pink confetti.
Latin American baseball league provides migrants in Texas sense of community
By Ken Molestina, Lexi Salazar, Peter Hull and Katie Standing Click here for updates on this story NORTH TEXAS (KTVT) — Most Sundays you can find them playing on different community baseball fields around North Texas. Founded about a year ago, the Latin American Baseball League (Liga Latinoamericana de Béisbol, in Spanish) is made up almost entirely of immigrants from Latin America. There are more than 10 teams, representing their home countries — including Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba.
North Texas police chiefs and sheriff address smoke shop concerns after undercover raids
North Texas police chiefs and sheriff address smoke shop concerns after undercover raids NORTH TEXAS – This week the CBS News Texas I-Team took you inside the investigation of smoke shops in Allen. Part 1 showed how undercover officers and a teenage volunteer bought products at several stores. Part 2 explored the lab results, parent complaints, and the raids that took place in late August. Allen's police chief says this is not just an issue in his city, and his counterparts agree.
Along for the ride: Texas police bust vape shops selling THC to minors
Published September 12, 2024 9:55 AM By Kelsy Mittauer, Katie Standing Click here for updates on this story ALLEN, Texas (KTVT) — This summer, police in Allen spent weeks making undercover purchases at smoke shops across the city, then sending the THC products for testing at a certified lab in North Texas. Investigators wrote up warrants for nine stores; in August they conducted a coordinated raid with the DEA and seized products they said were over the legal limit.
Along for the ride: Allen police bust vape shops selling THC to minors
Along for the ride: Allen police bust vape shops selling THC to minors ALLEN – This summer, police in Allen spent weeks making undercover purchases at smoke shops across the city, then sending the THC products for testing at a certified lab in North Texas. Investigators wrote up warrants for nine stores; in August they conducted a coordinated raid with the DEA and seized products they said were over the legal limit.
Inside the investigation: Allen smoke shop raids
ALLEN — You have to be 21 years old to buy a vape in Texas, but police say that isn't stopping some stores from selling to minors, and in many cases, they say the THC products are well over the legal limit. In late August, Allen police and the Drug Enforcement Agency raided nine shops across the city. It took just a matter of hours to seize inventory and make arrests, but the operation began months ago.
Stolen guns and missing drugs: investigation finds thousands of potential thefts inside a North Texas police department
By Andrea Lucia, Kelsy Mittauer, Katie Standing Click here for updates on this story DESOTO, Texas (KTVT) — Police are supposed to solve crimes, but the CBS News Texas I-Team found thefts may have been happening inside one department for years, without anyone noticing. It began in January 2022, when a man was shot to death inside a DeSoto home, located just south of Dallas. Police collected several bags of marijuana that became evidence in a capital murder case.
Eye on Politics: Former Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings gets involved in third-party effort
There will likely be new Republican faces coming to the Texas House in January. We hear from conservative lawmakers, Tony Tinderholt of Arlington and Brian Harrison of Ellis County, about the potential impact. State Rep. Julie Johnson tells political reporter Jack Fink how she defeated nine other candidates in the crowded Democratic primary for the 32nd Congressional District.
North Texas family out $20,000 after falling victim to gift card scam: "I really just wanted a dog"
FORT WORTH, Texas (KTVT) -- A local family will likely never look at gift cards the same way again after they became victims of an increasingly popular scam. They're now out tens of thousands of dollars and it all started innocently enough: with a search for a new family pet. Kelli and Michael Regan lost two family dogs within the span of a month about a year ago. It was a hard loss, but they soon decided they wanted another dog. They began their search on Facebook.
North Texas family out $20,000 after falling victim to gift card scam: "I really just wanted a dog"
FORT WORTH — A local family will likely never look at gift cards the same way again after they became victims of an increasingly popular scam. They're now out tens of thousands of dollars and it all started innocently enough: with a search for a new family pet. Kelli and Michael Regan lost two family dogs within the span of a month about a year ago. It was a hard loss, but they soon decided they wanted another dog. They began their search on Facebook.
The fight against fentanyl: One mother's warning
FORT WORTH, Texas (KTVT) -- A few weeks ago, CBS News Texas took you inside the Fort Worth Police Department's fight against fentanyl. As investigators race to take dealers off the streets, there is another fight taking place, but this one is much more personal. Laura Cloy tells the story of her daughter Cali in her own words. "That is the deepest, darkest, most intense loneliness you could ever imagine, missing your child," Cloy said.
The fight against fentanyl: One mother's warning
Lawrence, Nakia Laura Cloy tells the story of her daughter and her fight against fentanyl. Published February 16, 2024 7:19 AM By Kelsy Mittauer, Alexis Ramirez, Katie Standing Click here for updates on this story FORT WORTH, Texas (KTVT) — A few weeks ago, CBS News Texas took you inside the Fort Worth Police Department’s fight against fentanyl. As investigators race to take dealers off the streets, there is another fight taking place, but this one is much more personal.
The fight against fentanyl: One mother's warning
FORT WORTH - A few weeks ago, CBS News Texas took you inside the Fort Worth Police Department's fight against fentanyl. As investigators race to take dealers off the streets, there is another fight taking place, but this one is much more personal. Laura Cloy tells the story of her daughter Cali in her own words. "That is the deepest, darkest, most intense loneliness you could ever imagine, missing your child," Cloy said.
Dollars & Sense: How consumers feel about tipping trends
Dollars & Sense: How consumers feel about tipping trends NORTH TEXAS — Tipping is nothing new, but Americans across demographic groups think there has been a shift in tipping culture in recent years. In fact, 72% of U.S. adults surveyed by Pew Research Center say tipping is expected in more places today than it was five years ago. Last week, CBS News Texas anchor Keith Russell spoke with service industry workers who explained why they think tipping is essential. This week, we hear from consumers.
Dollars & Sense: To tip or not to tip
NORTH TEXAS — It seems now everywhere you go, you're asked to tip. And while certainly not everyone is happy about this, a lot of service industry workers say it's important. In this weeks edition of Dollars & Sense, CBS News Texas anchor Keith Russell shares some tipping etiquette. Be sure to tune in next week. We'll hear from consumers about how they feel about the topic. Every week, CBS News Texas anchor Keith Russell tackles personal finance issues in his Dollars & Sense segment.
Dollars & Sense: How to show your Dallas Cowboys fandom without breaking the bank
NORTH TEXAS — A lot of people are looking forward to Sunday's wild-card matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers. But even for die-hard fans, those ticket prices can be steep. In this week's edition of Dollars & Sense, CBS News Texas anchor Keith Russell shares some tips for enjoying game day without spending hundreds of dollars. His tips include: Don't have a ticket to Sunday's game yet? It's not too late according to Kyle Zorn, head of content at TickPick.
Dollars & Sense: 2024 resolutions you can actually keep
NORTH TEXAS — At this point in the year, a lot of people are still sticking to their resolutions. But as the weeks pass, more people will inevitably drop them. Sometimes the resolutions we make at the start of a new year can be far-fetched. But in this week's edition of Dollars & Sense, Keith Russell shares some simple tips that are easy to adopt and can help you keep more money in your pocket in 2024.
Your Dollars & Sense: Key changes to the 2024-2025 FAFSA form
NORTH TEXAS — In just a few days, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, or the FAFSA, will open up to prospective college students. Students and their families fill out the FAFSA so the federal government can determine how much financial aid they are eligible for. In the past, this form has been released in October. The later release date is due to a series of changes that are being made to the form that are a result of the FAFSA Simplification Act that was passed in 2020.
Your Dollars & Sense: Making the most of charitable donations
NORTH TEXAS — The holidays are a great time of year to give back and donate to a charitable organization if you can. But the past couple of years, inflation and other economic conditions have made it harder for some people to open up their wallets. According to wealth management firm OpenAir Advisers, charitable donations decreased 10.5% last year, when adjusted for inflation. And even though inflation has come down recently, not everyone has felt relief just yet.
Your Dollars & Sense: White Elephant dos and don'ts
NORTH TEXAS — How many items have you checked off your holiday shopping list? Are there some people you just don't know how to shop for? It's a common concern, especially if you're participating in a workplace gift swap. This week, Keith shares some dos and don'ts on shopping for white elephant gifts for coworkers. Some of his tips: Buy a gift that isn't too specific. Practical items like Bluetooth headphones or speakers are things that a lot of people can enjoy.
Your Dollars & Sense: Is it time to cut the cord?
NORTH TEXAS — More Americans are cutting the cord to cut costs. Nielsen data shows that in October, more Americans watched television by streaming than any other method -- nearly 37%. But with so many options and rising subscription prices, does switching to streaming really help you save dollars? Short answer: it depends. Here are some pieces of advice from Keith to help keep your streaming costs low: Take advantage of of the free apps on your streaming device.
Your Dollars & Sense: Holiday spending expected to grow this year
NORTH TEXAS (CBSNewsTexas.com) — The holiday season is upon us. But while it's supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, between decorating your home and shopping for presents, this can be an expensive time of year for a lot of people. One in four people are still paying off holiday debt from last year, according to WalletHub. Even so, the personal finance company projects holiday sales are expected to increase 3% - 4% this year.
Dollars & Sense: How to use a credit card to your advantage
Dollars & Sense: How to use a credit card to your advantage Dollars & Sense: How to use a credit card to your advantage 03:27 NORTH TEXAS (CBSNewsTexas.com) — If you're not careful, credit cards can get you into a lot of trouble. Americans' credit card debt surpassed $1 trillion for the first time ever in the second quarter of this year.
Dollars & Sense: The importance of a good credit score
Dollars & Sense: Why is credit so important? NORTH TEXAS (CBSNewsTexas.com) — Like it or not, credit is essential. From getting a car, to buying a home, good credit can make a world of difference. The better your credit score, the better rate you'll get when trying to buy a house, car or any other major purchase when you're not paying for it all at once with cash. And the opposite is also true: the worse your credit, the worse your rate on any loan.
With rising mortgage rates, is now the right time to buy a home?
NORTH TEXAS (CBSNewsTexas.com) — Mortgage rates continued to rise this week, with the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in the United States hitting 7.8% Tuesday. Rates are currently the highest they've been since 2000. Zooming out, rates have been trending upward since reaching historic lows during the COVID-19 pandemic. At one point, in January 2021, rates dropped to 2.65%. But if you look back even further, trends have gone up and down over the course of the past few decades.
'It’s been great for my life'; This is one of the fastest-growing sports in America | Get Fit
The sport itself moves slower than tennis since it’s played on a smaller court. Less running around makes it easier on the joints. SAN ANTONIO — From weights and machines to lap pools and fitness classes, Lifetime offers several options for those looking to get in better shape. The club also offers pickleball, one of the fastest-growing sports in America, according to USA Pickleball. More than 110 Lifetime locations offer pickleball. Chad Bulosan is their pickleball coordinator.
Smart Barre and Pilates San Antonio is about 'time under tension' | Get Fit
“It’s lots of core work. High intensity, being low impact. So you’re going to come in, you’re not running or jumping, but you will get your heart rate up." SAN ANTONIO — At Smart Barre and Pilates San Antonio, the focus of every workout is time under tension. The movements are slow and precise to target and tone your muscles. Kristin Fay owns the boutique fitness studios that are catered to women. She said their Pilates class is unique compared to what’s offered at other studios.
San Antonio barre studio specializes in full-body, low-impact workouts | Get Fit
If you’ve never tried barre before, Fay said it’s more difficult than you may think. SAN ANTONIO — If you’re looking to get fit and make a few friends in the process, Smart Barre and Pilates could be the place for you. Kristin Fay is the owner of Smart Barre and Pilates San Antonio. Her studios specialize in full-body, low-impact workouts. If you’ve never tried barre before, Fay said it’s more difficult than you may think. “Barre is a fusion of yoga, pilates and ballet,” Fay said.
Need guidance on your fitness journey? San Antonio coach offers personalized training | Get Fit
In this week’s Get Fit, coach and trainer Tamara White's sharing a quick workout you can do on your own without any equipment. SAN ANTONIO — If you’re looking to improve your health from the comfort of your own home, Tamara White can help you out. White is a coach and trainer at the WellFit location off Lockhill Selma. She offers personalized training in-studio, as well as in-home personal training. In this week’s Get Fit, she’s sharing a quick workout you can do on your own without any equipment.
HASfit gets to core of helping people of all ages | Get Fit
“HASfit stands for Heart and Soul Fitness. We believe that every heart and soul deserves the right to be fit.” SAN ANTONIO — Many of us want to live a healthy lifestyle, but some people do better with a coach who can guide them through their fitness journey. Freddie Villarreal is the owner of HASfit, a personal training gym in San Antonio. “HASfit stands for Heart and Soul Fitness,” Villarreal said.
Have you tried a personal workout? | Get Fit
WellFit's plans are designed for each person and every trainer has their own specialty. SAN ANTONIO — If you're looking to live well in the new year, WellFit may be the place for you! It's a personal training and rehab facility that's been creating healthier lifestyles throughout Texas since 2002. Tamara White is a coach and trainer at the WellFit location off Lockhill Selma. She said their plans are designed for each person and every trainer has their own specialty.
Self-defense class teaches you how to survive a real-world threat | Get Fit
During a Krav Maga class, you can expect to do push-ups and sprints between punches. The whole idea is to give you a way to defend yourself. SAN ANTONIO — Pete Hardy is the owner and chief instructor at STW Self-Defense and Fitness. One of the classes offered at his gym is Krav Maga. Its approach is to teach you how to survive a real-world threat. You will be trained to counter-attack swiftly and effectively to the most vulnerable targets on your attacker’s body.
Self-defense class teaches you how to survive a real-world threat | Get Fit
During a Krav Maga class, you can expect to do push-ups and sprints between punches. The whole idea is to give you a way to defend yourself. SAN ANTONIO — Pete Hardy is the owner and chief instructor at STW Self-Defense and Fitness. One of the classes offered at his gym is Krav Maga. Its approach is to teach you how to survive a real-world threat. You will be trained to counter-attack swiftly and effectively to the most vulnerable targets on your attacker’s body.
No ropes or harnesses needed at San Antonio bouldering gym | Get Fit
The locally-owned indoor bouldering gym is in downtown San Antonio. It has more than 100 boulder problems, which are like puzzles for your mind and body to solve. SAN ANTONIO — Remember how much fun you had climbing trees as a kid? You can get the same adrenaline rush at Armadillo Boulders. The locally-owned indoor bouldering gym is in downtown San Antonio. It has more than 100 boulder problems, which are like puzzles for your mind and body to solve.
’It’s alarming’ Chambers Co. reports one of the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in Ala.
By Katie Standing | April 14, 2020 at 7:16 PM EDT - Updated April 14 at 7:16 PM CHAMBERS COUNTY, Ala. (WTVM) - Chambers County is reporting one of the highest number of deaths for a county in all of Alabama, despite the fact it is relatively rural and not that densely populated. For many, this means the virus is hitting especially close to home there.
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