As The Dallas Express wraps up another year, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our readers, staff, and community leaders who help make Dallas a great place to live, work, and play.
This year, we asked some of our journalists to share with readers one of the most memorable stories they wrote in 2023. We hope this collection recaps some of the highs and lows of the year while offering insight into the journalist’s efforts behind the scenes. We’ve included their emails so you can let them know what you thought of their stories or point them toward topics you would be interested to read in The Dallas Express in 2024.
Charles Grand – Senior Assistant Editor
Email: [email protected]
Article: Organized Crime Group Suspected in Robbery
“What made this article especially fun to write was following the bits and pieces of information we were getting that all started from a tip about a residential building hardening security after it was learned the victim had visited the property. From there, trying to get the police report and then ending up discussing the situation with the FBI and how the gangs operate was all very interesting,” said Grand.
Tiffany Chartier – Assistant Editor
Email: [email protected]
Article: Sen. Cornyn, Mayor Johnson Address Domestic Violence
“This was an important article for me to write because advocating for sexual assault survivors — ALL survivors — men, women, and children — is everyone’s responsibility. It takes a collective effort to raise awareness, ensure safety, aid in recovery (both mentally and physically), and prosecute perpetrators. If we fail to do so, perpetrators will continue to prey. Unfortunately, victims of such incidents often struggle to heal and feel minimized, and the justice system can further traumatize them, adding to their distress,” explained Chartier.
Collin Pruett – Assistant Editor
Email: [email protected]
Article: Federal Taxpayers Fund Migrant Caravans
“This story investigated the important links between the federal government and large nonprofits that appear to be working in concert to facilitate unlawful migration. This was my favorite story because it exposed the inhumane actions that both our federal government and nonprofits claiming to do good have taken,” said Pruett.
Michele Greer – Assistant Editor
Email: [email protected]
Article: Smithsonian Maintains Collection of Brains
“Having specialized in the history of medicine, I found this story to be very thought-provoking since it sheds light on the darker sides of scientific inquiry. Although nowadays, people’s brains aren’t being harvested and squirreled away, this story raises several questions about the motivations underpinning research endeavors today,” said Greer.
Patrick Hauf – Senior Reporter
Email: [email protected]
Article: DISD Partners With Transgender Clinic
“This article was the pinnacle of my investigation into Dallas ISD’s partnerships with radical gender ideology groups. It was encouraging to see the series gain coverage from national media outlets, and I hope it makes an impact on what groups the district decides to partner with in the future,” said Hauf.
Andrew Norsworthy – Breaking News Reporter
Email: [email protected]
Article: New Drone Phase Aviation Coming Soon
“I grew up watching the Jetsons as a child, and this story became my favorite because decades later, I get to report on something similar that is becoming real in my lifetime. I have always had a love for science, and it’s one thing reading something thinking it’s science fiction and another writing a story about that thing slowly coming to life,” said Norsworthy.
Andrew Afifian – National Correspondent
Email: [email protected]
Article: Does Mavs Sale Portend Push to Legalize Gambling?
“I like this because it’s about an important change being proposed to my hometown. I think that Dallas needs to be careful that in trying to become Monte Carlo, it doesn’t become Atlantic City,” said Afifian.
Andrew Terrell – Staff Writer
Email: [email protected]
Article: Grocery Store Returns to Dallas Food Desert
“When The Food Basket opened in East Oak Cliff in early 2023, it not only delivered fresh produce to shoppers, but it brought hope to the residents living in the area, all of whom had been without a neighborhood grocery store since 2020,” said Terrell.
Justin DeSales – Staff Writer
Email: [email protected]
Article: Abbott Honors Cavenders With ‘Star of Texas’
“Getting to see Gov. Abbott, along with one of the most influential families in Texas, was an amazing experience and something that I hope many people are able to do one day. Those who spoke during the event discussed the significance of the award and spoke about the bright future of Texas,” said DeSales.
Paul Bryant – Staff Writer
Email: [email protected]
Article: Southwest Pilot Shares Take Ahead of Holidays
“I’ve always enjoyed one-on-one conversations with people of various backgrounds and life experiences and how they approach their work every day. One of my favorite professions to profile is piloting, and over my career, I’ve met several commercial and private pilots and even one who operated hot air balloons as a hobby. It’s ironic because I have an inherent fear of heights and flying,” said Bryant.
Travis Tyler – Sports Writer
Email: [email protected]
Article: Texas Rangers Celebrate World Series Title
“Looking back on the past year, there were several articles I could have chosen as my favorite, but this one had to be the choice because it was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. While parking was nearly impossible to find, it was probably the most fun I’ve had covering an event, and the atmosphere really showed how much the championship meant to the franchise, its fans, the City of Arlington, and the DFW area as a whole,” said Travis.