Kelli Smith
@kellixsmith.bsky.social
Reporter covering safety, housing, healthcare and more for The Lab Report Dallas. Ex-public safety reporter @dallasnews.com. El Paso raised.
📩 [email protected].
📩 [email protected].
Pinned
Kelli Smith
@kellixsmith.bsky.social
· Jun 2
The Lab Report Dallas
Helping the city understand itself.
labreportdallas.com
🧵 Life news!: I’m leaving The Dallas Morning News after 4.5 great years, but I’m not going far.
I’m thrilled to announce I’m joining @sharongrigsby.bsky.social and @goodmoine.bsky.social at The Lab Report Dallas, an independent newsroom powered by the Child Poverty Action Lab. ✍️
I’m thrilled to announce I’m joining @sharongrigsby.bsky.social and @goodmoine.bsky.social at The Lab Report Dallas, an independent newsroom powered by the Child Poverty Action Lab. ✍️
Reposted by Kelli Smith
Dallas will likely end 2025 with its fifth straight decline in violent crime, in part by focusing on tiny geographies that account for most of it. What's that look like in practice? And what can't the cops solve? @kellixsmith.bsky.social on Volara in Oak Cliff: labreportdallas.com/p/the-stubbo...
The Stubborn Story of a Challenged Apartment Complex
Volara in Oak Cliff, once the most violent apartments in Dallas, last year became a tale of success. In 2025, police say it has returned to its old ways. What happened?
labreportdallas.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Dallas will likely end 2025 with its fifth straight decline in violent crime, in part by focusing on tiny geographies that account for most of it. What's that look like in practice? And what can't the cops solve? @kellixsmith.bsky.social on Volara in Oak Cliff: labreportdallas.com/p/the-stubbo...
In 2024, Dallas' most violent apartment complex became a tale of success after police appeared to lead a dramatic turnaround.
Then, this year, violence began rising again.
For @labreportdallas.bsky.social, I looked into what Volara's volatility tells us.
Then, this year, violence began rising again.
For @labreportdallas.bsky.social, I looked into what Volara's volatility tells us.
The Stubborn Story of a Challenged Apartment Complex
Volara in Oak Cliff, once the most violent apartments in Dallas, last year became a tale of success. In 2025, police say it has returned to its old ways. What happened?
labreportdallas.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:25 PM
In 2024, Dallas' most violent apartment complex became a tale of success after police appeared to lead a dramatic turnaround.
Then, this year, violence began rising again.
For @labreportdallas.bsky.social, I looked into what Volara's volatility tells us.
Then, this year, violence began rising again.
For @labreportdallas.bsky.social, I looked into what Volara's volatility tells us.
Reposted by Kelli Smith
And here is the link to that piece about the City Council briefing on the 287(g) program.
www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/...
www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/...
ICE Came to Dallas City Hall. It Did Not Go Well for ICE.
Mayor Eric Johnson’s insistence that the City Council discuss whether the police should be involved in a controversial federal immigration program may have had an unintended consequence: a fractious b...
www.dmagazine.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:14 PM
And here is the link to that piece about the City Council briefing on the 287(g) program.
www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/...
www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/...
Reposted by Kelli Smith
It's official: A Starbucks will open next door to he restored Forest Theater in South Dallas. My latest story for The Lab Report looks at why Forest Forward decided this was the right call for the project—and its neighbors.
labreportdallas.com/p/why-starbu...
labreportdallas.com/p/why-starbu...
Why Starbucks is Coming to South Dallas
The story of how Forest Forward came to understand the significance of inviting a national chain into its ambitious redevelopment of the Forest Theater.
labreportdallas.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:38 PM
It's official: A Starbucks will open next door to he restored Forest Theater in South Dallas. My latest story for The Lab Report looks at why Forest Forward decided this was the right call for the project—and its neighbors.
labreportdallas.com/p/why-starbu...
labreportdallas.com/p/why-starbu...
Headlines in the last month portray the city of Dallas in chaos. We've had killings outside an ICE facility, a nightclub, a shopping center, a beheading at a motel. A story that isn’t being told: Dallas is on pace for one of its lowest murder tallies in a decade.
I dug into the data in my latest.
I dug into the data in my latest.
The Perception and Truth Behind Violence in Dallas
Despite numerous high-profile murders and violent crimes, the city is on pace for its largest decrease in homicides since well before the pandemic.
labreportdallas.com
October 15, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Headlines in the last month portray the city of Dallas in chaos. We've had killings outside an ICE facility, a nightclub, a shopping center, a beheading at a motel. A story that isn’t being told: Dallas is on pace for one of its lowest murder tallies in a decade.
I dug into the data in my latest.
I dug into the data in my latest.
What does the government shutdown fight have to do with Dallas hospitals? For @labreportdallas.bsky.social, I break down how planned health care cuts could hit the county’s safety net—with $130M already on the line.
“There’s going to be some rough seas.”
“There’s going to be some rough seas.”
Deep Medicaid Cuts Come for Parkland
The steepest reduction in the program’s history has the leaders of the county's safety net system preparing for the unknown. Here is where things stand.
labreportdallas.com
October 2, 2025 at 7:57 PM
What does the government shutdown fight have to do with Dallas hospitals? For @labreportdallas.bsky.social, I break down how planned health care cuts could hit the county’s safety net—with $130M already on the line.
“There’s going to be some rough seas.”
“There’s going to be some rough seas.”
Reposted by Kelli Smith
With the fight over healthcare shutting down the federal government today, The Lab Report's @kellixsmith.bsky.social looks beyond the political bickering and digs into the real-life implications across North Texas, especially within Parkland Health. labreportdallas.com/p/deep-medic...
Deep Medicaid Cuts Come for Parkland
The steepest reduction in the program’s history has the leaders of the county's safety net system preparing for the unknown. Here is where things stand.
labreportdallas.com
October 1, 2025 at 3:35 PM
With the fight over healthcare shutting down the federal government today, The Lab Report's @kellixsmith.bsky.social looks beyond the political bickering and digs into the real-life implications across North Texas, especially within Parkland Health. labreportdallas.com/p/deep-medic...
A woman had a theory: could small teams deployed after a drug overdose or poisoning save lives?
Three years since the fentanyl crisis struck North TX, deaths are declining.
My latest spotlights a 33-year-old at the center of the fight.
Three years since the fentanyl crisis struck North TX, deaths are declining.
My latest spotlights a 33-year-old at the center of the fight.
The 33-Year-Old Architect of the Region’s Fentanyl Response
Becky Devine had a theory: could outreach teams, deployed days after a drug overdose or poisoning, save lives? Three years later, deaths are declining.
labreportdallas.com
September 10, 2025 at 4:13 PM
A woman had a theory: could small teams deployed after a drug overdose or poisoning save lives?
Three years since the fentanyl crisis struck North TX, deaths are declining.
My latest spotlights a 33-year-old at the center of the fight.
Three years since the fentanyl crisis struck North TX, deaths are declining.
My latest spotlights a 33-year-old at the center of the fight.
Reposted by Kelli Smith
ICYMI: While the dominant public safety conversation in Dallas was about adding more cops, violent crime fell 48% across 150 sites in just six months. Police officers had very little to do with it. From @labreportdallas.bsky.social's @kellixsmith.bsky.social
labreportdallas.com/p/dallas-bli...
labreportdallas.com/p/dallas-bli...
In Dallas, Reducing Violent Crime Goes Beyond Policing
They aren’t cops. But this specialized team of city employees is showing how improving neighborhoods and addressing blight can reduce violence.
labreportdallas.com
September 4, 2025 at 3:47 PM
ICYMI: While the dominant public safety conversation in Dallas was about adding more cops, violent crime fell 48% across 150 sites in just six months. Police officers had very little to do with it. From @labreportdallas.bsky.social's @kellixsmith.bsky.social
labreportdallas.com/p/dallas-bli...
labreportdallas.com/p/dallas-bli...
For my latest story, I feature Dallas' City Action Strike Team — a trio that targets urban decay with an ambitious goal in mind: Could improving these spaces help reduce violence?
So far, we've found, the results are promising. More here:
So far, we've found, the results are promising. More here:
In Dallas, Reducing Violent Crime Goes Beyond Policing
They aren’t cops. But this specialized team of city employees is showing how improving neighborhoods and addressing blight can reduce violence.
labreportdallas.com
August 27, 2025 at 8:46 PM
For my latest story, I feature Dallas' City Action Strike Team — a trio that targets urban decay with an ambitious goal in mind: Could improving these spaces help reduce violence?
So far, we've found, the results are promising. More here:
So far, we've found, the results are promising. More here:
Reposted by Kelli Smith
Dobie Pre-K will soon be a hub for services in Esperanza. To understand the significance of local government finally paying attention here, @kellixsmith.bsky.social spent weeks with residents to learn about resilience and community in this pocket of North Dallas. labreportdallas.com/p/esperanza-...
In North Dallas, a New Future in a Shuttered School
County officials are finally paying close attention to the Esperanza neighborhood in Far North Dallas, beginning with a new vision for Dobie Pre-K.
labreportdallas.com
August 20, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Dobie Pre-K will soon be a hub for services in Esperanza. To understand the significance of local government finally paying attention here, @kellixsmith.bsky.social spent weeks with residents to learn about resilience and community in this pocket of North Dallas. labreportdallas.com/p/esperanza-...
In my first story for The Lab Report Dallas, I spent weeks in Esperanza, a neighborhood once called "mayhem" where a third of households live on less than $25,000 a year. After a school shuttered, officials stepped in — and residents turn to resilience.
In North Dallas, a New Future in a Shuttered School
County officials are finally paying close attention to the Esperanza neighborhood in Far North Dallas, beginning with a new vision for Dobie Pre-K.
labreportdallas.com
August 20, 2025 at 4:57 PM
In my first story for The Lab Report Dallas, I spent weeks in Esperanza, a neighborhood once called "mayhem" where a third of households live on less than $25,000 a year. After a school shuttered, officials stepped in — and residents turn to resilience.
Reposted by Kelli Smith
The full website goes live in the fall. We’ve hired @kellixsmith.bsky.social, one of Dallas' best reporters, as a staff writer. Email newsletters go out every Wednesday. We want to help Dallas understand what’s working, what’s not, and why. Join us! (Also it’s free.) labreportdallas.com/subscribe
July 18, 2025 at 6:16 PM
The full website goes live in the fall. We’ve hired @kellixsmith.bsky.social, one of Dallas' best reporters, as a staff writer. Email newsletters go out every Wednesday. We want to help Dallas understand what’s working, what’s not, and why. Join us! (Also it’s free.) labreportdallas.com/subscribe
Reposted by Kelli Smith
🧵 Fourish months ago, @sharongrigsby.bsky.social and I holed up in essentially a glass-doored closet and talked at each other until we could see the shape of a new publication. The Lab Report has a ways to go—website (the design rips), social accounts (yikes)—but we’re now running stories.
July 18, 2025 at 6:13 PM
🧵 Fourish months ago, @sharongrigsby.bsky.social and I holed up in essentially a glass-doored closet and talked at each other until we could see the shape of a new publication. The Lab Report has a ways to go—website (the design rips), social accounts (yikes)—but we’re now running stories.
🧵Our first stories are out at The Lab Report Dallas!
Leading up to our website launch, we're publishing a new piece every Wednesday to offer a look at the solutions-based journalism you can expect from us.
Our first two by @sharongrigsby.bsky.social and @goodmoine.bsky.social are must-reads. 👇
Leading up to our website launch, we're publishing a new piece every Wednesday to offer a look at the solutions-based journalism you can expect from us.
Our first two by @sharongrigsby.bsky.social and @goodmoine.bsky.social are must-reads. 👇
July 16, 2025 at 10:11 PM
🧵Our first stories are out at The Lab Report Dallas!
Leading up to our website launch, we're publishing a new piece every Wednesday to offer a look at the solutions-based journalism you can expect from us.
Our first two by @sharongrigsby.bsky.social and @goodmoine.bsky.social are must-reads. 👇
Leading up to our website launch, we're publishing a new piece every Wednesday to offer a look at the solutions-based journalism you can expect from us.
Our first two by @sharongrigsby.bsky.social and @goodmoine.bsky.social are must-reads. 👇
For my last @dallasnews.com story, I sat down with new Chief Daniel Comeaux and community and police leaders to ask how the ex-DEA leader can succeed amid a torrent of challenges here.
“Dallas is gonna have to deal with me because I’m not going anywhere.”
“Dallas is gonna have to deal with me because I’m not going anywhere.”
Dallas police face a torrent of challenges. How can new Chief Daniel Comeaux succeed?
Dallas' new police chief gave himself 90 days to learn before making changes. Still, since his start April 23, he’s had to contend with wide-ranging issues.
www.dallasnews.com
June 17, 2025 at 3:17 PM
For my last @dallasnews.com story, I sat down with new Chief Daniel Comeaux and community and police leaders to ask how the ex-DEA leader can succeed amid a torrent of challenges here.
“Dallas is gonna have to deal with me because I’m not going anywhere.”
“Dallas is gonna have to deal with me because I’m not going anywhere.”
Today is my last day at @dallasnews.com and it's still hard to believe it snuck up. Words can't express my gratitude for DMN's chance on me when I was a breaking news fellow.
I'm leaving after ~4 years covering Dallas PD, which has been an incredible opportunity to work on important stories.
I'm leaving after ~4 years covering Dallas PD, which has been an incredible opportunity to work on important stories.
June 13, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Today is my last day at @dallasnews.com and it's still hard to believe it snuck up. Words can't express my gratitude for DMN's chance on me when I was a breaking news fellow.
I'm leaving after ~4 years covering Dallas PD, which has been an incredible opportunity to work on important stories.
I'm leaving after ~4 years covering Dallas PD, which has been an incredible opportunity to work on important stories.
Reposted by Kelli Smith
Not a great situation tonight at Dallas city hall. The city attorney's interruption was a surprise to all board members who had questions prepared for the police chief. We are not done with this.
Board member Brandon Friedman (@brandonfriedman.bsky.social) is trying to ask the chief for his views on immigration, but is interrupted by a city attorney who says they can’t ask anything him about immigration or specific policies because the agenda only said it’d be a “general introduction.”
June 11, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Not a great situation tonight at Dallas city hall. The city attorney's interruption was a surprise to all board members who had questions prepared for the police chief. We are not done with this.
New: Dallas police oversight members arrived at their meeting tonight expecting to speak with the city’s top cop about a topic on many minds: immigration.
There was one catch: They weren’t allowed.
There was one catch: They weren’t allowed.
City attorneys bar Dallas police chief from speaking about immigration
The directive came minutes after Dallas police Chief Daniel Comeaux introduced himself to the Community Police Oversight Board.
www.dallasnews.com
June 11, 2025 at 1:49 AM
New: Dallas police oversight members arrived at their meeting tonight expecting to speak with the city’s top cop about a topic on many minds: immigration.
There was one catch: They weren’t allowed.
There was one catch: They weren’t allowed.
Chief Daniel Comeaux opens his remarks at Dallas’ Community Police Oversight Board by addressing yesterday’s protests. He said he’s sad officers had rocks and bottles thrown at them, but he’s proud of their strength and only one person was arrested.
Watch: dallastx.new.swagit.com/views/113/dc...
Watch: dallastx.new.swagit.com/views/113/dc...
June 10, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Chief Daniel Comeaux opens his remarks at Dallas’ Community Police Oversight Board by addressing yesterday’s protests. He said he’s sad officers had rocks and bottles thrown at them, but he’s proud of their strength and only one person was arrested.
Watch: dallastx.new.swagit.com/views/113/dc...
Watch: dallastx.new.swagit.com/views/113/dc...
Tonight’s Dallas protests appear to be the most tense DPD/protester interactions since 2020 George Floyd demonstrations. DPD trained a specialized group after those to better handle mass protests.
They also come one day before Chief Comeaux is set to address Dallas’ police oversight board.
They also come one day before Chief Comeaux is set to address Dallas’ police oversight board.
Dallas rally to show solidarity with LA protesters turns tense as crowd takes to street
Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge plays host Monday for those who aim to “stand in solidarity” with L.A. following immigration enforcement operations, protests.
www.dallasnews.com
June 10, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Tonight’s Dallas protests appear to be the most tense DPD/protester interactions since 2020 George Floyd demonstrations. DPD trained a specialized group after those to better handle mass protests.
They also come one day before Chief Comeaux is set to address Dallas’ police oversight board.
They also come one day before Chief Comeaux is set to address Dallas’ police oversight board.
Reposted by Kelli Smith
We are very pro things-that-are-good-for-Dallas: labreportdallas.com
June 2, 2025 at 9:20 PM
We are very pro things-that-are-good-for-Dallas: labreportdallas.com
Reposted by Kelli Smith
We're building something new over here, and I'm so excited to have Kelli with us. If you care about compelling local journalism that isn't boring, we're launching this for Dallas later this summer. Sign up here: labreportdallas.com
June 2, 2025 at 9:09 PM
We're building something new over here, and I'm so excited to have Kelli with us. If you care about compelling local journalism that isn't boring, we're launching this for Dallas later this summer. Sign up here: labreportdallas.com
🧵 Life news!: I’m leaving The Dallas Morning News after 4.5 great years, but I’m not going far.
I’m thrilled to announce I’m joining @sharongrigsby.bsky.social and @goodmoine.bsky.social at The Lab Report Dallas, an independent newsroom powered by the Child Poverty Action Lab. ✍️
I’m thrilled to announce I’m joining @sharongrigsby.bsky.social and @goodmoine.bsky.social at The Lab Report Dallas, an independent newsroom powered by the Child Poverty Action Lab. ✍️
The Lab Report Dallas
Helping the city understand itself.
labreportdallas.com
June 2, 2025 at 8:51 PM
🧵 Life news!: I’m leaving The Dallas Morning News after 4.5 great years, but I’m not going far.
I’m thrilled to announce I’m joining @sharongrigsby.bsky.social and @goodmoine.bsky.social at The Lab Report Dallas, an independent newsroom powered by the Child Poverty Action Lab. ✍️
I’m thrilled to announce I’m joining @sharongrigsby.bsky.social and @goodmoine.bsky.social at The Lab Report Dallas, an independent newsroom powered by the Child Poverty Action Lab. ✍️
New: An effort to seal unsustained cop misconduct records across Texas failed after a challenge in the TX House. The bill was supported by Dallas PD but raised transparency and accountability concerns.
"If you can’t get the record, trust suffers.”
"If you can’t get the record, trust suffers.”
Bill endorsed by Dallas PD would’ve sealed unsustained cop misconduct records from public
The bill could’ve shuttered access to scores of misconduct investigations in Dallas and elsewhere.
www.dallasnews.com
May 28, 2025 at 6:25 PM
New: An effort to seal unsustained cop misconduct records across Texas failed after a challenge in the TX House. The bill was supported by Dallas PD but raised transparency and accountability concerns.
"If you can’t get the record, trust suffers.”
"If you can’t get the record, trust suffers.”