NTX Now

Fort Worth Police are embracing artificial intelligence to sharpen their de-escalation techniques. The system puts officers through realistic scenarios and responds to them in real time, recognizing when an officer is making progress or losing the plot in trying to calm a tense situation. The technology was developed by UT-Arlington professor Dr. Shuchi Deb, with help from Fort Worth Police Office...

September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. To honor veterans who have died by suicide, and raise awareness for the mental health struggles so many others face, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is hosting ruck hikes. Nicole Mechler is the department's military liaison and joins us to talk about what these hikes are and how you can get involved. 

In July, the state cancelled its contract with Empower, the private contractor in charge of overseeing foster care cases in North Texas. Now, the state has transitioned Child Protective Services cases from Empower's management to that of two new private contractors. But how is that transition actually going? Claire Ballor with Lab Report Dallas joins us for an update.

For decades, residents in the Joppa neighborhood of Dallas have fought for environmental justice after concentrated industrial growth in the area threatened their health and well-being. Now, the historic Freedman neighborhood wants to know why the city granted a permit to a data center without any community input. 

Each year, millions of adults age 65 and older fall, but less than half tell their doctor about it. In today's Vital Signs, we explore what leads to so many falls. 

Who isn’t looking for a quiet, creative “third space” away from home and the office? But not everyone approaches these shared spaces the same way, and "cafe campers" are bad for business. Plus, what's coming up this week on Think? Krys Boyd joins North Texas Now for a preview.

Animal shelters around the country are navigating shelter crowding following restrictions placed on transporting animals across state lines with the outbreak of the new world screwworm. Kolby Monnig from Texas Humane Legislation Network , Liz Schultz from SPCA of Texas , along with two, 2-month old puppies -- Apollo and Rocky -- join NTX Now host Ron Corning and managing producer Bekah Morr to tal...

It's been a busy week with Dallas passing a city budget, Southlake denying permits for Pride events and ... more hot weather. Ron and NTX Now managing producer Bekah Morr walk us through the week that was.

Over the summer, the city of Dallas started using A.I.-powered cameras attached to garbage trucks.  The idea is to make code enforcement more efficient. The cameras scan your yard and you get a so called courtesy notice and are issued a 'blight score'. NBC-5 investigative Scott Friedman joins us to talk about how the program may disproportionately impact lower-income homeowners.

The Denton Record-Chronicle's John Fields joins us to talk about what's wrong with the Cowboys and what's going right with SMU.

The Plano Balloon Festival kicks off today in Oak Point Park in Plano. More than 40 colorful balloons take to the sky in this annual 4-day event that draws participants from not only Texas but across the U.S. KERA's Alexsis Jones and Therese Powell talked to one of the balloon pilots at the festival. Plus, rice art is simple – you throw carefully arranged colored rice into the air to make shapes a...

These difficult economic times are taking a toll on us all, but there are unique challenges for seniors who live on fixed incomes. The Senior Source in Dallas is on the frontlines, working to connect them to resources and other organizations in North Texas that are stepping up to fill that need. Julie Krawczyk is the program director of The Senior Source’s Elder Financial Safety Center, and she jo...

Wednesday, the Federal Reserve voted to raise interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point to combat inflation. That's going to impact Americans with any kind of debt. To better understand what that means for consumers, we reached out to Dean Stansel. He's a Research Associate Professor with the Bridwell Institute for Economic Freedom at the SMU Cox School of Business.

A former U.S. ambassador to Mexico who's also a fifth-generation Mexican American has a vision for a more inclusive approach to politics. Ken Salazar has also served as a U.S. senator and secretary of the interior. His new book is called "Borderlands: My Fight for an Inclusive America," and it maps out a vision for more unity with our neighboring nations in a time when the U.S. is being defined by...

We're no strangers to talking about barbeque on this show, but how often can you eat a variety of smoked meats while supporting your local food banks? Well, this weekend, you can! Texas Monthly's BBQ Homecoming takes place this Saturday in Grand Prairie, and attendees can try a variety of items from seven different vendors. Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn joins us to talk through what...

Bekah and Ron breakdown the day's top stories. Plus, after a record-breaking September for triple-digit temps, and the buzz around El Nino this year, we wanted to check in with our favorite weather professional, Jesse Hawila, senior meteorologist at WFAA.

Thousands of Texas families are waiting for help paying for childcare, but government payments don’t always cover the full cost. As KERA’s Sujata Dand reports, even families who get that help can struggle to find care they can afford. Also, after more than four decades at the helm, a North Texas musical era is coming to a close as Plano Symphony Orchestra music director Hector Guzman steps down at...

In Carrollton, a heated debate is expected tonight as the city council decides whether to renew its contract with Flock Safety. KERA's breaking news report Emmanuel Rivas Valenzuela joins us with the details. Also, a coalition of advocacy groups is suing to block the Trump administration from deploying ICE agents to polling sites in November. Plus, social media algorithms are great at using a pers...

Believe it or not, Texas high schools are already gearing up for homecoming season. With the formal attire, flowers, dinner and everything else associated with the event, it can be an expensive undertaking. But the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District is working to help families cut down on costs. 

Julia and Ron breakdown the day's top headlines. Also, ocean temperatures in the Gulf are running about two degrees warmer than normal. Those warming temperatures can harm coral reefs, with ripple effects to sea life and the economy. Houston Public Media’s Julianna Washburn reports researchers are closely monitoring reefs as the Gulf endures some of its hottest weeks of the summer. 

Farmers across the country are losing access to federal workers that help them with soil and water conservation efforts. The Natural Resources Conservation Service has been hit hard by the Trump administration’s cuts to the federal workforce, and Texas lost 15 percent of its staff last year. Harvest Public Media’s Abigail Bottar reports on how that’s impacting farmers. Plus, If you've been conside...

According to a new investigation by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune, Ken Paxton appears to have violated federal ethics laws when filing disclosures about his assets and liabilities. We talked with reporter Zach Despart, who was one of the reporters involved in this project. And in the aftermath of a major fire in Sand Branch, residents say no one was hurt and property damage was minimal. But the...

Like so many brick and mortar shopping centers and malls across the country, The Shops At Willow Bend in Plano has permanently closed. D Magazine's senior editor Mike Piellucci joined us to talk about the mall's closure and how it hit especially close for his family.

When it finally gets here, the fall will bring cooler temperatures, as well as the usual seasonal illnesses: flu, COVID, strep throat, RSV and, of course, the common cold. In today’s Vital Signs, KERA’s Sam Baker talks with Dr. Donna Casey, an internist with Texas Health Dallas, about why this happens. Plus, Julia and Ron breakdown the day's top headlines. 

While many restaurants are facing challenges, a new pizza shop is thriving. Will and Julie Salisbury opened Salisbury's Pizza and joined us to discuss how they are finding success by focusing on affordability. Plus, Krys Boyd joins us for a look ahead at what's on Think this week.