Brandon Formby, Author at The Texas Tribune

The Texas Rangers in November 2016 are asking Arlington voters to approve a $500 million public contribution to the the team's plans for a new ballpark, which would replace the one that opened in 1994.

Economy

Arlington voters overwhelmingly support subsidizing new Rangers ballpark

By Brandon FormbyNov. 8, 2016

A bond measure asked voters to approve $500 million in tax revenue for a new Rangers ballpark.

Campaign signs lined the edge of the Farmersville City Hall property on the first day of early voting on Oct. 24, 2016.

Politics

Early voting turnout surges in Collin County, but nobody’s sure why

By Brandon Formby and Alexa UraNov. 7, 2016

Population growth is nothing new in suburbs north of Dallas, but not even that explains why so many people in affluent and rural Collin County are turning out in droves this year.

Blocked Out

HUD wants documentation on how Dallas handled federal housing funds

By Brandon FormbyOct. 31, 2016

The federal agency’s inquiry comes after a City Hall audit raised questions about the way housing officials documented their oversight of subsidized projects.

Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas home to the Texas Rangers on October 25, 2016.

State Government

In Arlington, voters debate paying to replace Rangers ballpark

By Brandon FormbyOct. 29, 2016

Opposing sides on the bond measure disagree on whether the baseball team will leave for another city if voters refuse to pay for half of the $1 billion ballpark.

L-R, top row: State Rep. Rodney Anderson, R-Grand Prairie, and Democratic challenger Terry Meza; state Rep. Cindy Burkett, R-Sunnyvale and Democratic challenger Rhetta Bowers. L-R, bottom row: state Rep. Linda Koop, R-Dallas, and Democratic challenger Laura Irvin; and state Rep. Kenneth Sheets and Democratic challenger Victoria Neave.

Economy

Dallas County sees cluster of competitive Texas House races

By Brandon FormbyOct. 26, 2016

Four Republican incumbents in North Texas are fighting off Democratic challengers in what could be some of November’s closest contests.

DART trains pull in and out of Akard Station in front of the transit agency's headquarters on Oct. 25, 2016.

Transportation

DART approves rail expansions, but debate over priorities isn’t over

By Brandon FormbyOct. 25, 2016

Transit agency moving ahead with suburban rail line and downtown subway, but not everyone is happy.

An Orange Line train awaiting departure to Belt Line Station at North Lake College Station in Irving, Texas.

Transportation

New urbanists skeptical of North Texas transit agency’s expansion plan

By Brandon FormbyOct. 25, 2016

Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s plan to build a new suburban rail line and make a second downtown train route a subway is drawing questions.

Democrat Victoria Neave is challenging state Rep. Kenneth Sheets, R-Dallas in House District 107.

Politics

Warring ads turn up heat on competitive Dallas County House race

By Brandon FormbyOct. 22, 2016

An out-of-district house and a Child Protective Services vote are the topics of competing campaign materials from incumbent Republican Rep. Kenneth Sheets and his opponent, Democrat Victoria Neave.