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The Brief: Eviction Threat Targets Dallas' Poorest Neighborhoods

The city is working on plans to help those affected.

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The Big Conversation

Hundreds of Dallas families in the city's poorest neighborhoods may become homeless following a threat from a real estate company to evict tenants at 305 rental houses.

The landlord, HMK Ltd., said the closures would come as a result of five pending lawsuits from the city over living conditions in its houses. Although the city asked for court orders in August that would’ve forced the company to comply with housing standards, tenants told WFAA that their homes had leaks and extensive damages.

In a statement, the city said it’s not forcing the company to close its doors to its current residents, and that “HMK would not need to close so many dwellings had it properly maintained them.”

As the Tribune’s Brandon Formby reports, Dallas struggles with an existing homeless crisis and some of the nation’s worst poverty rates. However, officials are putting together a team to figure out how to help affected residents. In a statement to the Tribune, Mayor Mike Rawlings said, “Our office will do everything we can to ensure that HMK tenants are not put out on streets.”

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Elsewhere

(Links below lead to outside websites; content might be behind paywall)

Ex-Dallas mayor, a Republican, urges GOP to not vote for 'manifestly unqualified' Trump, The Dallas Morning News

Told to cut their budgets, Texas agencies respond with fatalism, flair, Austin American-Statesman

Oil settles above $50 a barrel for first time since June, Houston Chronicle 

Once defiant Ted Cruz caught phone-banking for TrumpUSA TODAY

Bexar County Dems’ bid to remove incumbent from ballot fails, San Antonio Express-News

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Kennedy: Texas voter fraud? ‘Elections have been stolen,’ Lon Burnam says, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Texas officers find dozens of people held captive in homes, The Associated Press

Quote to Note

"As Hurricane Matthew prepares to impact the United States, it is crucial that our fellow Americans receive the assistance they need. I ask that all Texans keep those in the path of Hurricane Matthew in their thoughts and prayers as they brace for the impact of this major hurricane."

— Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement Thursday after announcing that Texas approved sending resources for disaster relief to Florida in preparation for Hurricane Matthew.

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News From Home

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