On July 23, the university announced Patrick Wilson as the new vice provost for online learning and academic innovation. UTA serves more than 12,000 online students, including undergraduate and graduate students, according to a UTA press release. “My goal is to position UTA as a national leader in online education — deeply connected to labor market needs and powered by academic innovation,” Wilson said in the release. Prior to this role, Wilson served as the executive director of online learning at New Mexico Highlands University and associate vice president for the Division of Digital and Distance Education at Tennessee Technological University. “UTA’s mission and momentum immediately resonated with me,” Wilson said in the release. “As a university with a strong research profile, a diverse Student Body and deep ties to the economic and workforce needs of North Texas, UTA is uniquely positioned to expand the reach and impact of online education.” His work focuses on the intersection of technology and student success and he will assume the new position Aug. 1. “I am particularly drawn to strategies that enhance student engagement and persistence in virtual environments, as well as innovative uses of data to inform institutional decision-making,” he said in a press release. @tay._.sansom news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

As hundreds packed UTA’s Rosebud Theatre on Monday for a Texas House redistricting committee public hearing, citizens and state representatives highlighted one missing item. An actual redistricting map. “Basically, Mr. Chairman, this process is wrong. You guys have the power to stop it. I hope you will use your power for the benefit of the people of Texas,” said U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Farmers Branch, at the public hearing. At the final of three Texas House public hearings, dozens of state lawmakers, a packed hearing room and an overflow space set the scene to discuss the sudden decision to tackle congressional redistricting during the Texas Legislature's special session. Approximately 500 people signed up to speak. “This effort to change the district, again, has nothing to do with representing people better. It’s the opposite of that,” said Texas Rep. Jon Rosenthal, D-Houston, and vice chair of the Texas House redistricting committee. “It's power grab at the expense of Black and brown communities.” The state has not provided any proposed revisions of the current map, which was drawn in 2021 and has yielded 25 seats for Republicans and 13 for Democrats. Critics of the mid-decade redistricting process question why the committee is hosting public hearings before maps are available. If the new maps are drawn, they will also be based on the same U.S. census data from 2020 used for the 2021 maps, Jeff Archer, executive director at Texas Legislative Council, said at the public hearing. Seven of Texas’ 38 congressional districts contain part of Tarrant County — five represented by Republicans and two by Democrats. On July 21, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Dustin Burrows, the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, announced in separate press releases the formation of a Senate Special Committee and a House Select Committee to oversee the redistricting process. The 21-member Texas House redistricting committee is chaired by Texas Rep. Cody Vasut, R-Angleton. Texas, like all U.S. states, redraws its electoral lines every 10 years using data from the U.S. census. While no law is set against redrawing the lines more often, it’s not a common practice. Texas last practiced mid-decade redistricting in 2003 when Republicans gained control of both chambers of the Legislature. Democrats never regained control in Texas. This time, the pressure to redraw congressional seats seemingly comes from the federal level. President Donald Trump’s administration began pushing the idea, asking Texas lawmakers to redraw congressional districts to maintain Republican Party control of the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2026 midterm election. The Department of Justice sent out a memo July 7, alleging that four Texas districts — including the 33rd Congressional District currently held by U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth — constitute illegal racial gerrymandering. All four districts are majority nonwhite. ‘This fight is not new’ Roman Palomares, national president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, said at the public hearing that the current mid-decade redistricting process continues the suppression of Latino voting strength. “LULAC proudly stands with coalitions of Latino, Black, Asian American organizations, which have consistently led legal efforts to secure fair redistricting,” Palomares said. “This fight is not new, and it is far from over.” Redrawing the state’s congressional map became one of 18 items Gov. Greg Abbott is prioritizing on the 30-day special legislative session that started July 21, citing “constitutional concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Justice,”even as Texas Republicans previously said that the districts were drawn race blind. State Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, said at the public hearing that he also has not seen the proposed maps. “The reality is that I've been reassured that there'll be hearings once the maps come out,” West said. “But check this out: Will there be regional meetings like this?” Democrats nationwide have already started pushing back against the plan, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is signaling a retaliatory redistricting in the nation’s biggest blue state. Republicans have a 219-212 advantage in the U.S. House, with four seats vacant. At a rally outside the University Center before the public hearing, state Rep. Ramon Romero, D-Fort Worth, said he has recently had conversations with Newsom and asked the California governor to join the fight against redistricting. “We are at war, and they're coming for us,” Romero said. “The other thing that we have to understand is this is a deal. Trump called his governor, his boy, and said, ‘Time to pay me back.’ This is the way the new government of the United States is working for y'all.” Veasey, whose seat is being targeted by the Legislature, said at the public hearing that his district was created as part of a court-ordered map in 2011 to remedy deliberate racial gerrymandering. Abbott and Republican lawmakers swore under oath in front of the federal court that their map was “race blind,” Veasey said. “So, what is it? Were they lying then or are they lying now?” he said. Mid-decade redistricting In an interview with The Shorthorn, Pat Flavin, a political science professor at Baylor University, called the president’s effort “unprecedented.” “I can't think of an example where a president has so publicly instructed a state to engage in mid-decade redistricting,” Flavin said. Texas Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie, told The Shorthorn on Thursday that he has never seen a legislative body being asked to identify and break apart districts that have a majority of minority populations. “That's just a ludicrous statement in and of itself,” Turner said. Throughout Monday’s public hearing, the Rosebud Theatre, which houses 435 people at maximum, was filled with attendees, speakers and state lawmakers. About an hour and a half into the hearing, UTA opened the Bluebonnet Ballroom for overflow following requests from West and other state representatives. Mineola, Texas, resident John van Compernolle said that because the item is now on the special session agenda, the committee should use the opportunity to redraw fair and balanced maps that are color and party blind. “If in fact, these districts, as they're drawn, are gerrymandered, which many people have said they are, then you have an opportunity to un-gerrymander them,” he said. The redistricting process also received support at the public hearing. Rich Stoglin, president of the Frederick Douglass Republicans of Tarrant County, said Texas doesn’t need the Democratic Party’s leadership that leads to systemic gang violence, a pummeling education system and deteriorating communities. “We need and must have increased Republican leadership in the great state of Texas to remain great,” Stoglin said. ‘Politicians choosing their voters’ Democrats have repeatedly criticized the decision to focus on redistricting for this special session over dealing with the aftermath of the July 4 flooding in the Hill Country. “In my opinion, if we're going to be in a special session, we ought to be dealing with the tragedy in the Texas Hill Country from the recent floods and better preparing our state for future natural disasters and really nothing else,” Turner said. Romero did not mince words against Abbott’s priorities. “You have a community in Kerr County that's still burying kids, mothers, fathers, brothers or sisters, and he has no honor for those families, no pride for those families,” Romero said. Trump has said he wants five more seats from Texas. If Republicans win those seats, they will have 30 U.S. House representatives over Democrats’ eight. “We are today playing political games to appease the fella in the White House and his lust for power,” said U.S. Rep Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, whose district is targeted by the Legislature. Flavin said Texas is a Republican-leaning state, as proven by Trump winning the state by 14 percentage points. However, Republicans getting 30 out of 38 seats — approximately an 80% control — would provide a distorted view of their support in the state and would probably be “the most egregious gerrymander one could imagine,” he said. Redistricting, he said, takes power out of the hands of regular voters and puts it in politicians’ hands. “Essentially, instead of voters choosing politicians, you have politicians choosing their voters,” Flavin said. Because the Texas map is already favorable to maximize Republican seats, redrawing could lead to the party stretching their districts and spreading their voters too thin, thus putting their seats in jeopardy in an attempt to flip Democratic seats, Flavin said. Potential challenge In June, Democrats criticized Tarrant County’s mid-decade redistricting process, saying that the approved plan racially gerrymandered voters of color in order to give Republicans an advantage. GOP leaders said the plan is legal and since a federal lawsuit has been filed. Redrawing districts to dilute the power of voters of color is bound to draw legal complaints. The current congressional maps drawn in 2021 are still the subject of an ongoing court challenge. What will happen in Texas in the next couple of weeks could be an inflection point in terms of redistricting, Flavin said. Redrawing the map mid-decade may become a political strategy that political parties may use to ensure they have the majority. “It’s going to be a constant state of redistricting,” he said. @DangHLe news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Hundreds of protesters gathered in the summer heat outside the University Center on Monday to rally against a proposed Texas congressional redistricting before a public hearing on campus. On July 9, Gov. Greg Abbott announced an 18-item agenda for a special session, including a mid-decade redraw of the Texas congressional maps, which made waves throughout the state. Hosted by the Texas House of Representatives' Select Committee on Redistricting, the hearing was scheduled in the evening at UTA’s Rosebud Theatre to discuss 14 of 38 congressional districts in Texas. Several government officials spoke out against the redistricting during the protest, including Texas Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie, U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth and Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons. Having recently undergone a county redistricting that shifted Precinct 2, which formerly contained most of Arlington, Simmons said she understood the issue well. “Don’t mistakenly call this a power grab, a political play. It is racism," Simmons said. “It is diluting the voting strength of people that look like me, and who are Hispanic, Asian and others.” Texas Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, said the issue is that people are attempting to ensure they gain and maintain power, while shifting others away. “This is ground zero, Texas, and if it happens in Texas, it can happen anywhere in this country,” West said. “If it happened on the congressional level, it could happen at the local level.” He said that he was glad to see protesters show up in near 100-degree weather and are able to express their opinions. “That continues to give me faith that democracy is not dead, that it is still alive,” West said. Chants criticizing President Donald Trump, denouncing gerrymandering and demanding fair redistricting maps echoed through the parking lot where protestors stood outside the University Center. Yaseen Tasnif, sociology and logistics senior, said the attempt to redistrict was a call to action from Trump, asking Abbott to push for up to five Republican congressional seats. “It feels like it’s taking away our representation, specifically when it comes to UTA,” Tasnif said. They said a lot of voices will be diluted if the redistricting goes into place. Irving resident Staceye Randle, said lawmakers should be focusing on enhancing infrastructure and ensuring people have access to life-saving measures, referring to the recent Hill Country floods. “[Lawmakers] need to listen to the people in their communities, to their constituents,” Randle said. “That’s the most important thing. We put them in office and we can fire them.” Not everyone at the event shared that perspective. Across the street, Arlington resident Kenny Mills, 64, stood with an American flag and voiced his support for the redistricting. Mills said the community elects its representatives, and if they decide that there needs to be redistricting, he agrees. “I’m sure when [democrats] were in charge, there was plenty of it going on,” Mills said. “I think [Republicans] are doing a good job.” But Turner disagreed. Turner said that what lawmakers are attempting is wrong and that they are targeting two majority-minority congressional districts in Texas and dismantling them. “In our first two hearings, we’ve heard from hundreds of people, in Austin and Houston, who have shown up to testify,” Turner said. “Not a single person said they’re in favor of this.” During the public hearing at UTA and during two separate hearings in Austin and Houston, there were no redistricting maps to show the public what the specific changes would be. Turner, who serves on the Texas House of Representatives’ Select Committee on Redistricting, stated that without maps, the public can't testify on any issue. “We’ve asked repeatedly, ‘Where’s the map? Who has the map? Who’s seen the map? When are we going to see the map?’ and we’re being stonewalled,” he said. Turner said the protest was about the community not wanting a Trump takeover of Texas. “We want Trump and Abbott to leave these congressional districts alone and not further gerrymander an already heavily gerrymandered map,” he said. @ tay._.sansom @wall035203 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

A sea of green overtook the St. Jude Event Center on Sunday afternoon as plant lovers from across Dallas-Fort Worth came to celebrate The Bloomverse Expo. The event was one of the first of its kind in Arlington, garnering hundreds of attendees, with lines wrapping around the building and over 50 vendors selling anything from plants to handmade dreamcatchers and jewelry. Viridiana Robles, owner and founder of The Bloomverse Expo and Plants by Viridiana, said she did not expect such a large turnout. “[The markets] have never been this big,” Robles said. Bloomverse was the first plant convention that many attendees and vendors had participated in of this size. Aubrey residents Julie Harris, 34, and Chloe Freret, 36, ran a booth together and had never been to an expo event before Bloomverse. Harris said they wanted to create an inclusive space. Harris and Freret have kids on the spectrum, which drives the way they sell their items, selling kid kits which come with an affirmation card, care cards and a Pothos cutting that kids can plant themselves. The pair got into growing plants during the COVID-19 pandemic, and since then, it’s been a long journey, Harris said. “I mean, these people often have other jobs like we do, and they're putting their additional time away from their families to do something that they love and they feel passionate about, and that's a huge thing,” Harris said about other vendors in the community. To many attendees, the event was about more than just plants — it was about people. Forney resident, Alexandra Gartin has been a part of the plant community for around six or seven years. She said the community makes her feel included and serves as an icebreaker in getting to know people. “Mostly everybody in the plant community is really nice and welcoming,” Gartin said. Dallas resident Blanca Charles, 35, said her mother’s love for plants and the support from her family and partner drove her to start her business, Rooted by Blanca Charles. While she has been at various pop-up shops across the Dallas-Fort Worth area before, Bloomverse was her first time doing a plant-specific expo. Charles is not alone in her endeavor, however. Her partner, Lancaster resident Armando Molina, 35, pushed her to start her business so she could have something to call her own and has helped her at every pop-up event, he said. “It was scary for her to start, she didn't know what to do,” Molina said. “So I kind of gave her that little push and she did it. Now she's doing pop-ups everywhere.” When Molina first joined the plant community, he didn’t know anything about plants, but the community is what kept him with the hobby. “Everybody's so friendly. You get people from so many different types of backgrounds and characters,” he said. “It's just so many different types of people, and it's beautiful to see.” @tay._.sansom @_.lexlie_ news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

As a little kid, Dana Collins said the heat at the Texas Rangers games was one of those things that fans were forced to endure. Nowadays, Irving resident Collins, 42, praises the experience in Globe Life Field, calling it “night and day” compared to The Ballpark in Arlington. While he enjoyed his time at the old ballpark, he said he likes that the new one keeps his family out of the heat. “It was good for me to kind of suffer through those things,” he said. “But that doesn't mean that I can make that a family experience all the time.” As the summer nestles itself into Texas’ typical triple-digit temperatures, the Arlington Entertainment District bustles with sports fans. Two ballparks stand a block apart, one a testament to the past, the other, a nod to the future. “When that park opened in 1994, nothing had ever been built like that in Arlington,” said John Blake, Rangers historian and senior adviser. “It was such a source of civic pride. It put us on the map nationally.” Originally designed to look older than it was, The Ballpark in Arlington was destined to lead the Rangers into the future, but struggles with the Texas heat turned some fans away. Soon, a new stadium was built, where the faithful could watch games regardless of the temperature. When the weather was right, the Rangers were the spotlight of the city, bringing in tens of thousands of fans per homestand. Over the years, the team has called three different Texas stadiums home under seven different names, each one building on the franchise’s legacy. When The Ballpark in Arlington opened, it was met with praise and applause. The MLB held the 1995 All-Star Game in Arlington’s backyard, and fans from across Dallas-Fort Worth and the United States flocked to see the ballpark. However, Texas weather won out in the end. Blake recalled a reporter checking the thermometer during a match leading up to the All-Star game – it read a blistering 120 degrees on the field. The game itself was no cooler, with over 50,000 fans dripping like popsicles. “We also had an old-timers game scheduled, and it was so hot that the old-timers only would play one inning,” he said.“After the first inning, they said, ‘we're done, it’s too hot out here.’” In the 2024 All-Star Game, hosted in the Globe Life Field, temperatures reached just shy of 100 degrees outside the air-conditioned stadium. Inside, the climate felt like a comfortable 74 degrees. Former Rangers catcher Jim Sundberg, who played in the original 1972 ballpark, said that The Ballpark in Arlington was a big upgrade, but Globe Life Field is even better. “A lot of people like [The Ballpark in Arlington], but it was just way too hot,” he said. The amenities at Globe Life Field play a big role in the experience, with staggered seating for optimal spectating and a 360-degree view of the field, Blake said. Not to mention the retractable roof, which shields the crowd from elements and amplifies their cheers into a deafening echo. While the move across the street was deemed necessary, the Rangers made every effort to memorialize the historic moments that fans hold dearly. So much so, they kept the old stadium alive and turned it into a multi-purpose conglomerate. Nods from the past are shown on each corner at Globe Life Field. Fan favorite players that left a legacy with the franchise, monumental achievements and even fun callbacks to simpler times. Chuck Morgan, executive vice president of Ballpark Entertainment, promotions, production and announcer for the Rangers, said fans would talk about the heat at every outdoor stadium the team has had. Aside from the heat that caused daily technical issues, the memory of the ballpark, now called Choctaw Stadium, rings throughout the rafters at Globe Life Field in honor of its impact on not just Rangers’ baseball, but the city of Arlington. “They’ll talk about how hot it was over there,” Morgan said. “A lot of folks who went to Arlington, sitting in those aluminum bleachers out in the outfield, how hot that was. They burned the backs of their legs on those bleachers, but most of it’s all good, they’ve all good memories over there.” @kaleivie_ @wall035203 sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The Dallas Wings (7-19) suffered a crushing 106-80 defeat to the Las Vegas Aces (13-13) Sunday at College Park Center. This game drew the attention of the retired Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt. The crowd erupted as he appeared on the big screen. Coming off a narrow 86-76 loss to the Golden State Valkyries, the Wings returned home in hopes of adding an eighth win to the season. However, after its loss to the Valkyries, Wings rookie guard Paige Bueckers was the first player in WNBA history to record over 350 career points and over 100 career assists in the first 20 games. Coming into this game, the Wings were without two of their key players: Bueckers, who was out on rest, and forward Myisha Hines-Allen, one of the more experienced players on the team. Forward Maddy Siegrist also remained out of play due to a knee injury suffered earlier in the season. The Wings started slow as the Aces took a 9-2 lead over them early in the first quarter. With the help of Wings guard JJ Quinerly, the team ended the first stretch tied 27-27. For the Aces, guard Jackie Young took over the first quarter, scoring 14 points, went 4-5 on 3-pointers and had a dominant half against the Wings' defense. Early in the second quarter, the Wings took a 31-29 lead over the Aces, but was short-lived with costly turnovers and fouls. The team attempted to pull back ahead, but the Wings were down by 12 points at the end of the half. The Wings struggled to find their rhythm in the third quarter, missing key shots which allowed the Aces to surge ahead and build a commanding lead. “They got way too many 50/50 balls tonight compared to what we did,” Wings guard Haley Jones said. “So, I think that we can just learn from them. They’re a championship team.” Aces forward Kierstan Bell, Young and guard Jewell Loyd were on fire. The trio recorded 63 points for the team and finished with a combined 20-33 from the field. The bench was where the Wings clicked, as center Teaira McCowan and Jones put on a dominant performance. Jones finished the game with more than 10 points and McCowan finished the game with a season high in points and rebounds. “I’m pretty proud of myself, I mean, it’s what I do,” McCowan said. “It’s what I’ve been doing my whole entire career, so I just went out there and showcased it today.” Trailing 73-58 entering the fourth quarter, the Wings attempted a comeback but ultimately fell short. The Wings return with a back-to-back home game set to play the New York Liberty at 7 p.m. Monday at College Park Center. The game will be available to stream on ESPN. “We’re just going to continue to tinker where we need to,” head coach Chris Koclanes said. “Paige wasn’t in the lineup, so there’s somebody missing that is a spark, but we’ll continue to make sure we’re doing everything we can to have the best combinations out there to give us the best chance of winning.” @tracysansomjr sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Robert “Snake” LeGrand, a former UTA men’s basketball head coach well known for his extensive kindness and ties to the community, died at 81 Saturday in Arlington. LeGrand, nicknamed “Snake” for his gliding movements on the court, was a decorated coach with high school and collegiate experience. But his legacy does not end at the court. He was a father, a mentor, and to many, a friend who led with compassion and care. Ricky French, a longtime friend and former vice principal of the high school LeGrand’s son attended, said the coach always cared for others and never treated anyone like a stranger. French recalled a trip to the 2012 Olympics in London, where even overseas, LeGrand ran into people whose lives he had touched. “That’s just the kind of guy he was, you know,” French said. “When he was your friend, trust me, he was your friend. He had your back.” LeGrand initially joined UTA as the assistant head coach of the UTA men’s basketball team. As head coach from 1976 to 1987, he left a lasting legacy and helped open doors for those who followed. Under LeGrand’s leadership, UTA recorded its first 20-win season and saw its first National Invitation Tournament in 1981. He also helped lay the foundation for the university’s wheelchair basketball program, originally known as the Freewheelers before becoming the Movin’ Mavs, according to a UTA press release. Through highs and lows, Snake left his mark not only on the basketball program but on the state of Texas. He was the first Black head coach in Texas NCAA Division I and UTA history, while being the first coach to reach 100 wins at the university. “He just exemplified everything that athletics is supposed to teach you,” French said. Before UTA, LeGrand attended three colleges. He first enrolled at Central State University but left after a year to join the Air Force. After his discharge in 1967, LeGrand returned to school at St. Mary’s University, where he played basketball and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and government. LeGrand graduated from St. Mary’s University in 1970 and earned a master’s degree in counseling from Southwest Texas State University, now known as Texas State University, in 1974. He was inducted into St. Mary’s Men’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987. He spent the latter years of his career as a counselor at Lamar High School in Arlington. After more than a decade, he retired but stayed busy running a T-shirt business, Sports N Goods 4 U. LeGrand became a regular at J. Gilligan’s after his time at UTA. Owner Randy Ford, who first met him there, said LeGrand always arrived with a group of friends. “He was always just so full of life, he was always happy,” Ford said. “ I don’t know that I ever saw him at Gilligan’s in a bad mood. He knew everybody.” LeGrand was a beloved figure at J. Gilligan’s, where photos of him hang around the bar and grill. Just the mention of his name would bring people to a smile. His impact is duly noted in the history of Arlington. He is survived by his wife, Gloria LeGrand, his children Brian, Chris, Bobby, Aurice, Lisa, Brianna and 10 grandchildren. “He was a wonderful ambassador for UTA and our athletics programs and a pillar within this community,” said Jon Fagg, UTA director of Intercollegiate Athletics, in a press release. “We will greatly miss having him around the College Park Center and his spirit and legacy will live on for generations to come.” @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Returning from the All-Star break, the Texas Rangers opened the second half of the regular season with a 2-0 win against the Detroit Tigers on Friday at Globe Life Field. The Rangers went into the break with a 2-1 series win against the Houston Astros. The team holds a third-place standing in the American League West and is pegged at 17th in the MLB. Over the break, history was made at the T-Mobile Home Run Derby, with Cal Raleigh being the first ever catcher to win a derby Monday in Atlanta, Georgia. The following day, the MLB showcased the league's finest in the 95th annual All-Star Game on Tuesday. Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom, the team’s lone nomination, earned his fifth All-Star nod but did not take to the mound in his first as a Ranger. Ahead of the trade deadline, the Rangers sent pitcher Dane Dunning to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for pitcher José Ruiz and cash considerations. Ruiz was optioned to Round Rock Express following the deal. The Rangers leaned on their minor league affiliates to manage their 40-man roster before their opening game against the Tigers. The team selected contracts for Round Rock Express first baseman Rowdy Tellez and infielder Cody Freeman after outfielder Sam Haggerty was placed on the 10-day injured list. Defensive efficiency defined the early innings of the game, as both teams managed only four combined hits and stranded five runners over the first four innings. Pitching was the definitive doorstop for halting both teams’ offenses. The opening pitchers recorded six strikeouts each, with the relievers adding several to total 18 strikeouts throughout the game for both teams. “I can’t say enough about what our pitching did tonight, it’s a tough lineup and well-played game, but it’s good to get off to a start like this,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. The earliest action for the Rangers came from an error produced by Detroit’s shortstop Javier Báez, which allowed Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka to reach third and catcher Jonah Heim to first. Both were left on base after a strikeout from shortstop Corey Seager ended the third inning. Approaching the final stretch, Seager drove it down center field to net a double RBI in the bottom of the eighth that landed him at second base. A flyout by second baseman Marcus Semien left Seager on base and ended the inning 2-0. The Tigers looked for a hole in the Rangers' defense in their final at-bats in the top of the ninth, but a groundout and two strikeouts by reliever Robert Garcia earned him the save and a Ranger win. “It’s good for these guys, we’re doing some good things here offensively,” Bochy said. “Didn’t score a lot of runs today, but when you get to that mark, you keep losing that one game to get you [over .500]. These guys should feel good about it.” The Rangers resume their nine-game homestand with the mid-series match against the Tigers on Saturday at 6:05 p.m. at Globe Life Field. The team will only see one off day during their trio of series. Streaming for the series is available on Rangers Sports Network and Victory+. @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

From a Texas Rangers game to a Paul McCartney tribute, residents have plenty to choose from in Dallas-Fort Worth this week. Music Celebrate the music of Paul McCartney at “Live and Let Die: The Music of Paul McCartney,” a tribute concert at 8 p.m. Friday at Arlington Music Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets start at $46.38. Entertainment Experience the rich cultural heritage of Latin America with the opening of Create Texas at Wellspring’s “Beyond Borders: Contemporary Visions of Latin America” from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Wellspring on Main. The contemporary art exhibit will be on display until Aug. 28. The exhibit includes works from 12 local artists and spans topics such as landscapes, iconic figures, current events and soccer’s cultural significance. Residents can take their furry friends to the Canines and Coffee event from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the Downtown Arlington Doggie Depot for coffee, community and canine fun. The free event is designed for dog lovers and their pets to socialize and enjoy fresh air at the dog park. Meet Texan writers at the fourth annual Texas Author Con and Book Festival from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas. The free event will feature authors from a variety of genres, including romance, fantasy, thriller and children’s books. Enjoy book signings, readings, panel discussions, Q&A sessions and more. Celebrate National Moth Week at the fourth annual Arlington Citizen Science Program’s Moth Night at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Webb Community Park pavilion. Residents can observe and identify moths in their local habitat at the viewing stations along the trails and learn about their role as pollinators in North Texas. Sports See the Texas Rangers and the Detroit Tigers bat it out at 6:10 p.m. Sunday at Globe Life Field. Tickets start at around $18, and the doors open at 4:10 p.m. news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

From live sports and a murder mystery to swing dancing and artmaking, residents have plenty to do in the Dallas-Fort Worth area this week. Entertainment Step back five decades during “Panic at the Disco!: A 70s Murder Mystery” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at George W. Hawkes Downtown Library. The night will feature a disco dance contest, celebrity drama and major twists. Registration is free, but required to attend. Join Downtown Arlington’s Summer Dance Series from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at George W. Hawkes Downtown Library. The series brings beginner-friendly swing and salsa classes — no partner or experience needed. Registration is free and available through the library’s website. Find antiques and vintage goods at the Rhythm & Relics Flea Market at Binions Ice House on Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. The event will feature vendors selling an assortment of goods, a DJ and food and drinks available in the restaurant. The event is free to attend. Sports All Elite Wrestling comes to Globe Life Field on Saturday for the first-ever professional wrestling event at the venue. “AEW All In: Texas” marks a major moment for professional wrestling fans in Arlington. Tickets can be bought online. The Ultimate OCR 3K Championship takes place Friday at Dallas Market Hall. This course spans a full 3K with over 25 obstacles in between. The event runs in timed waves for different age demographics from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. start times. Top male and female finishers will compete for a $4,000 prize. All finishing participants will receive a medal and shirt. Music Enjoy classic country tunes and family-friendly fun at Johnnie High’s Country Music Reunion at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Arlington Music Hall. The show celebrates Texas country tradition with a mix of heartfelt songs, lively performances and a welcoming atmosphere. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. @samip.parajuli.54 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

From country music to museum visits, there’s plenty to enjoy across Arlington and Dallas-Fort Worth this weekend. Entertainment Residents can check out “A Shining City on the Hilltop,” a limited-time exhibit of 35 paintings by President George W. Bush from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 19 at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas. On Friday, admission is free, and the museum will remain open until 8 p.m. Tickets are available here. Laugh the night away at Boots on the Ground Comedy Jam with Angelia Walker at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Arlington Improv, located in the Arlington Highlands shopping center. Tickets start at around $19, and doors open at 6 p.m. The event is 18-plus. Join Benji Brown at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Arlington Improv for a night of comedy. Known for his character Kiki, Brown is building up to be the next major urban comedic household name. Tickets start at around $25, and doors open at 6 p.m. The event is 18-plus. Music Wrap up the weekend with free live music and fireworks at the Clover Club Independence Weekend Concert from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Enjoy ’90s country hits from Straight Tequila Night, then stick around for a 15-minute fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. Sports Take a 90-minute premium tour of Globe Life Field on Saturday. The tour includes a 60-minute behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium and 30 minutes playing catch and taking photos in the outfield, where the 2023 World Series Champion Texas Rangers played. Tickets start at $35 for adults. Discounts are available for ages 4 to 14, ages 65-plus, military and first responders. @samip.parajuli.54 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

From classic rock and reggae rhythms to immersive tours and ballgames, residents have plenty to do in the Dallas-Fort Worth area this week. Music Sing along to classic hits as the Little River Band takes the stage at 8 p.m. Thursday at Arlington Music Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the event is open to all ages. Tickets are sold out. Join Tejano Queen Forever with Quimikoz Del Son on Friday at Levitt Pavilion for a free outdoor concert. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. with Quimikoz Del Son, a DFW band blending reggae rhythms, hip-hop and horns. Tejano Queen Forever will follow at 8:30 p.m., honoring Selena Quintanilla Perez’s legacy. Join Demola the Violinist at 7 p.m. Saturday at House of Blues Dallas for live music and vibrant energy. Guests can also enjoy the upscale Foundation Room experience before or after the show. Ticket prices vary and can be found here. Catch Japanese pop-rock band SCANDAL on its Love, Spark, Joy! tour at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Cambridge Room at House of Blues Dallas. Known for its high-energy performances, the band is bringing an electrifying night of music to the stage. Ticket prices vary and are available here. Sports Take a step back in time – and into the present – with a joint tour of Globe Life Field and Choctaw Stadium, the current and former homes of the Texas Rangers. The 90-to-120-minute experience begins at Globe Life Field at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Friday and continues to Choctaw Stadium, home of the Rangers from 1994 to 2019. Ticket prices start at around $47 and can be found here. Cheer on the Texas Rangers as they take on the Baltimore Orioles at 7:05 p.m. Monday at Globe Life Field. Tickets start at around $14 and doors open at 5:05 p.m. @samip.parajuli.54 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu