Texas announces state takeover of Fort Worth schools ... and more news

The Texas Education Agency will remove Fort Worth ISD’s elected school board and its superintendent, instituting the second-largest state takeover in Texas history. Education Commissioner Mike Morath announced the move Thursday. In other news, when Dallas County’s adult probation director cut a $32,800 check to a contractor in May, he said it was to replace checks issued two years earlier the consultant forgot to cash; former NBA player and coach Damon Jones was among more than 30 people charged in connection with schemes involving illegal sports betting and rigged poker games backed by the Mafia. Jones, who played collegiately at the University of Houston, was arrested on Thursday after he allegedly provided inside information about NBA games to co-defendants who used it to place sports bets; and a Preston Hollow mansion known for grandiose holiday decorations that attract droves of visitors has once more become the subject of both awe and ire. After neighbors complained, the city’s code compliance department issued the home notices for light glare and noise violations, which were found to be resolved in later inspections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices