News Reader

DeSoto’s annual Crawfish Festival, a beloved family-friendly and community event celebrating Louisiana’s rich culinary heritage has been cancelled.

This year’s festival was cancelled due to forecasted inclement weather according to the city’s website and social media post.

“After careful consideration, we have determined that it is in everyone’s best interest to cancel the event. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We appreciate your understanding and support,” the post read.

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The Dallas Theater Center’s 40th annual CENTERSTAGE gala and fundraiser fundraised $400,000 from the “CENTERSTAGE 40: A Brand New Day,” themed event.  

The event chaired by Hamilton A. Sneed with honorary chairs T.D. and Serita Jakes and Helen and Frank Risch, commemorated the theater’s 65 years of artistic contributions and its Tony Award-winning legacy.

“Tonight is all about celebrating not only the work that DTC does on the stage but also the work that DTC does off the stage and in our community,” Sneed said.

“I want to challenge you tonight to think about the next generation of young people and the next 65-plus years of the theater. We don’t get to 40 Centerstage nights or 65 years of theater without the support of friends like each of you.”

The gala brought together nearly 260 guests, including Linda and Bill Custard, Anita Hawkins, Kimberly Alexander, Chuck Steelman, Andy Smith and Paul von Wupperfeld, Diane and Hal Brierley, and Kristen and Reed Gibbons.

The evening was designed to mirror the elegance and ambiance of Broadway’s iconic Supper Club, 54 Below, featuring themed cocktails, live entertainment, and exclusive auction experiences.

Guests were welcomed with Lallier Champagne and treated to live performances by Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company members Tiffany Solano and Zachary J. Willis.

The pre-dinner cocktail reception also featured a pop-up gallery showcasing works by participants in DTC’s Public Works and historical highlights from Project Discovery.

Sneed opened the formal proceedings with a warm welcome and expressions of gratitude, notably recognizing the original 1984 Centerstage Chairs Linda Custard, Bess Enloe, and Jane Dune.

But the highlight of the evening was a dazzling performance by the legendary Broadway star André De Shields.

Guests enjoyed a VIP meet-and-greet with De Shields, adding a personal to

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The Dallas Mavericks cruised into the NBA Finals Thursday night after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-103.

The Mavs’ victory was sealed by stellar performances from Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, who each scored 36 points in the blowout win.

Doncic’s all-around performance was instrumental in the Mavericks’ blowout win.

In addition to his 36 points, he secured a double-double with 10 rebounds while Irving, meanwhile, complemented his scoring with five assists.

Irving was also perfect from the free-throw line.

The Mavericks’ offensive onslaught was on full display at the Target Center in Minnesota as their ball movement and sharp shooting overwhelmed the Timberwolves from the start.

Dallas executed fast breaks and pick-and-rolls to perfection, creating numerous scoring opportunities and maintaining a relentless attack that left Minnesota unable to keep pace.

Doncic set the tone for the rest of the game, starting strong and going 4 for 4 from downtown.

 “He let his teammates know that it’s time and they’ve got to take it up a notch,” coach Jason Kidd said. “He sent the invites out, and they all came.”

With this victory, the Mavericks celebrated their Western Conference Championship and now set their sights on the NBA Finals.

The Mavericks will take on the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals to try and bring back a second championship to Dallas.

It has been 13 years since Dallas won its first NBA championship. Jason Kidd, now head coach of the Mavericks earned Dallas its first championship alongside Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki.

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The Dallas Mavericks Mavs Foundation announced Thursday, May 30, that it is giving $125,000 in emergency funding to nonprofits.

The Mavs Foundation is a nonprofit affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks that has dedicated itself to helping empower the youth, women, and families in need.

Founded in 1996, the foundation has provided grant funding totaling more than $10 million for the past 27 years to help nonprofit organizations serving women, children, and families in need.

The initiative is designed to support communities impacted by the recent tornadoes and severe weather that left many North Texans without shelter and electricity.

The severe storms were part of a deadly storm cell that reached across several North Texas counties, and left Seven people dead, including four children.

The storm also left thousands of North Texans without power.

“The Mavs Foundation’s Emergency Fund was created in order to quickly respond to the ever-evolving needs of our communities,” said Katie Edwards, President of the Mavs Foundation.

The funds will help support the removal of a multitude of programs such as debris removal, cleaning, and outreach assistance for temporary housing for families.

The money will also be used to provide meals and comfort kits with hygiene items, mental and medical health support, long-term recovery resources, and generous donations of water and snacks from Kroger to respite centers.

The funds that will be sent are coming from the Mavs Foundation’s Emergency Grant Fund for disaster relief, economic and pandemic relief, and other emergency grants.

“The recent weather has affected so many families, many who lost loved ones or lost their homes, and thousands who remain without power. We thank the nonprofits and volunteers who continue to provide the services and resources so desperately needed at this time,” said Edwards.

For more information about the Mavs Foundation visit their website.

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A Dallas man has been sentenced to 60 years in federal prison after he was found guilty of filming himself sexually assaulting girls as young as six years old.

Leigha Simonton, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas announced the sentence Wednesday, May 29, via press release.

Gemond Copage Miller, 34, was indicted in December 2021 and pleaded guilty in January 2024 to two counts of production of child pornography.

He was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr, who also ordered Miller to be supervised for life following his release from prison.  

Miller filmed himself sexually assaulting children as young as six years old, then sold the footage on the internet according to court documents.

When watching video footage, investigators were able to match Miller’s tattoo to the distinctive tattoos shown in the footage.

At Wednesday’s sentencing hearing, prosecutors said Miller admitted to abusing at least ten girls under the age of twelve.

Law enforcement identified at least 38 videos of child sexual abuse material produced by Miller according to the release.

Authorities have not yet identified all of the victims that were involved.

Miller was also in possession of approximately 722 images and 1,733 videos consisting of child sexual abuse material.

“My sense of safety and security has been shattered,” said a 13-year-old victim in a statement read aloud by her mother.

The victim at the time was just six years old when she was first assaulted.

“I am the first victim to come forward… Knowing that there are others shows that this is what he does. This is who he is. And he does not care that he took the innocence of children.”

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