Back to School: Dallas ISD welcomes back students on 20 campuses

Summer is over for thousands of Dallas Independent School District students. On Tuesday morning, the district welcomed back students on 20 of its campuses.

Extended calendar kicks off at select campuses

The Dallas ISD Board of Trustees approved the additional days school year calendar earlier this year to provide students with the tools needed for academic success.

Under the updated calendar, 13 elementary schools and seven middle schools are opening their doors early. The schedule provides elementary school students and sixth graders with 10 additional days during the summer, alongside five Saturday school sessions spread throughout the academic year.

During these extra days, lesson plans focus on brushing up on reading and math skills while offering students time to explore various clubs and activities. Students also receive meals during the additional school days, just like during the regular school year.

The Saturday sessions will feature distinct themes, including:

• Gaming
• Superheroes
• Under the Sea
• Sports Spectacular

Parents and students share reactions

While adjusting to an earlier start can take time, parents and students at John Quincy Adams Elementary expressed optimism about the extra learning time.

"When I first told them, they were not happy about it... they already knew Saturday school," said Ashley Galvan, a Dallas ISD parent. "This school offers sometimes Saturday school... if you think about it and analyze it, it's better for them... better for us."

Students also shared excitement about reconnecting with classmates.

"I feel pretty happy to go to school because I could see my friends right now and I'm going to be able to learn more," said a fifth grader returning to campus.

Back to School

While students at these 20 select campuses are already back in the classroom, the rest of Dallas ISD will return to class in two weeks.

Heat advisories continue as North Texas faces triple-digit temperatures and high humidity

North Texas faces high humidity and triple-digit heat through the workweek, with a weak cold front bringing slight relief by the weekend.

Driver charged with manslaughter after fatal McKinney street racing crash

A 51-year-old man is facing two counts of manslaughter for a crash that left two 77-year-olds dead.

McKinney police say James Armont was racing when he crashed into another car ten days ago, at the intersection of Custer Road and Bedford Lane.

McKinney street racing crash

Mckinney police say 77-year-old William and Sandra Lazarus were inside the silver Hyundai minivan and died in the crash. The driver of the red BMW, 51-year-old James Armont, was arrested and charged with two counts of manslaughter. 

Police believe street racing played a role in the crash. People who live at that intersection tell FOX 4 that it was only a matter of time before a crash happened and believe a stoplight should be put in to help reduce speeding and racing on the road. 

Residents sound alarm about speeding

Romara Pimpleton and her daughter were home when a crash happened at the intersection of Custer Road and Bedford Lane in McKinney on July 17th. 

"It was horrible. It was horrible. It sounded like an explosion, that boom was not little. It was intense," said Pimpleton.

They came outside to see a car and a minivan heavily damaged.

"I knew it was going to be a fatality, I knew it was," she said. "This just shouldn't have happened, it shouldn't have happened."

Pimpleton and her daughter saw grocery bags in the back of the couple's car and knowing their life was taken on a short trip haunts them. 

Mariela Barnett has lived near the intersection for more than 20 years.

"Whatever minute of fun that they think they're having has huge consequences, not just for themselves but for other people," she said. 

Barnett frequently hears speeding and racing on the street. She believes a stoplight needs to be placed at Custer and Bedford.  

"I knew it was always a matter of time and something like that was gonna happen, and it did, and a family died; it could have been my kids." 

Community mourns loss of William and Sandra Lazarus

William and Sandra Lazarus were active parts of the community. Allen ISD says the couple have worked at schools in the district. Now a growing memorial honors their lives. 

We reached out to the Lazarus family, and they declined to speak with FOX 4. 

The neighbors who spoke with FOX 4 said they are keeping the family in their thoughts and prayers. 

According to Collin County jail records, Armont is listed, but there is no mugshot. He was taken to the hospital for injuries after the crash.

Richardson bartender still recovering after May stabbing attack

The bartender who was attacked in a May stabbing in Richardson says she can still see the "darkness" in her attacker's eyes from that night.

Richardson bar stabbing victim recovering

"There was something about the way he spoke to me or the way he looked at me that didn’t sit right with me."

Feliciana "FeFe" Cansino has worked at Good Vibes Bar and Grill in Richardson since the restaurant opened in 2020. In Feb. 2026, a stranger sat down that caused tension in the bar.

"I asked him what he’d like to drink, he asked for a soda, went and got it, brought it to him — then…he threw money at me," Cansino tells FOX 4's David Sentendrey. 

"At that point, I’m like, ‘you know what, I don’t think this is a good fit. I’m going to ask you to leave.’"

That stranger, 28-year-old Stephen Kwembe, returned on May 8 and stabbed Cansino and three other bar patrons. All four were hospitalized following the attack.

"When I looked up he was like, ‘Do you remember me?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ He was like, ‘You wouldn’t serve me then,’ and I said, ‘And I’m probably not going to serve you this time either, so might as well leave.’"

Richardson Police said earlier that day Kwembe attempted to retrieve a gun confiscated by police related to a drug paraphernalia charge, but was unable to retrieve it.

Kwembe later called a non-emergency line at the Garland Police Department, telling them he was going to Good Vibes Bar and Grill to kill someone.

"There was just a darkness in his eyes that I’d seen the first time, but this time was even more. More. There was nothing behind his eyes. Just darkness," Cansino continued.

When officers arrived at the scene, Kwembe was standing outside the restaurant's entrance. Kwembe refused to drop his knife and advanced towards the officers, at which point two officers opened fire, striking and killing him.

Cansino was stabbed seven times, and spent a week in the hospital following the attack. She says she wouldn't be here without the men who jumped in to stop Kwembe.

"I can never repay them for jumping in and saving me," Cansino said. "And putting their own bodies on the line."

Cansino hopes to return to Good Vibes Bar and Grill in the future, but is now focusing on her physical and mental health, with physical therapy ongoing.

"Some wounds are not visible. They’re just within you and time to heal takes longer than the actual physical of it."

A GoFundMe to help Cansino's recovery efforts can be found here.

Multiple Wilmer city officials arrested after racially-charged gas station confrontation

A Wilmer City Council Member and the city's acting Chief of Police have been arrested after a racially-charged confrontation at a convenience store.

Wilmer City Council Member arrested

Moses Garcia, a newly-elected Wilmer City Council Member, was arrested and charged with making a terroristic threat after a July 22 confrontation at a Shell gas station.

An arrest affivadit states that Garcia began threatening a Black man at the gas station, and used racial slurs during the confrontation.

Garcia reportedly made statements claiming responsibility for removing Wilmer's police chief, mayor, and other personnel.

Police reviewed surveillance footage of the incident and determined Garcia was the primary aggressor. Another man was seen restraining Garcia from moving towards the victim.

Garcia has been in his position since early June.

Wilmer acting police chief arrested

On Monday, Wilmer acting police chief Jesus Mancillas was arrested and charged with interference with public duties.

An arrest affidavit states that Mancillas tried to take over the investigation into Garcia on July 23, the day after Garcia's confrontation.

An email sent to Wilmer Police states, "Acting Chief Mancillas will be managing this case completely until further notice."

Mancillas took the surveillance footage from the incident, despite Wilmer Police understanding that Mancillas was acting as police chief in a civilian capacity, and not as a Texas Peace Officer.

Wilmer leadership turmoil

Multiple members of leadership in Wilmer have resigned or retired since a June 5 special council meeting, where Garcia was sworn in as a City Council Member.

On June 5, longtime Wilmer Police Chief Victor Kemp resigned, with Mancillas replacing him.

City Administrator Steve Norwood was terminated from his role the same night.

On July 10, Wilmer Mayor Sheila Etta resigned without an explanation.

Wilmer's interim City Administrator Frank Posada provided the following statement to FOX 4:

The City of Wilmer is aware of the arrest involving City Council Member Moses Garcia.

I first became aware of this matter upon arriving at City Hall this morning, when I was informed by a lieutenant with the Wilmer Police Department that the arrest had occurred.

At this time, the circumstances surrounding the arrest are the subject of an active investigation. Because this is an ongoing legal matter, it would be inappropriate for the City to speculate or comment further on the facts until the appropriate authorities have completed their work.

The City of Wilmer is also aware of the arrest involving Acting Police Chief Jesus Mancillas.

Last week, I appointed Mr. Mancillas to serve as Acting Police Chief to provide leadership and operational oversight of the Police Department during an ongoing administrative matter involving the Police Captain. The appointment was made to ensure continuity of operations while the department addressed internal issues and an active administrative investigation.

I had no knowledge that the Wilmer Police Department was contemplating or carrying out an arrest involving Mr. Mancillas. He was assisting the City of Wilmer at my request, and I am disappointed by what has occurred.

Because of the nature of the investigation and the potential legal proceedings that may follow, I will limit my additional comments at this time.

I have spoken with the City Attorney, who has been informed of the situation and is providing legal guidance to the City as we move forward.

We will continue to cooperate with the appropriate authorities and will provide additional information to the public when it can be released without compromising the integrity of the investigation.

A Wilmer City Council meeting is planned for Thursday, July 30.