Lone Star Park held its annual National Anthem auditions on Monday at the racetrack in Grand Prairie. Soloists, a duet and an instrumentalist stepped in front of the microphone near Lone Star Park’s winner’s circle while NBC 5 photojournalist Kevin Stewart was rolling. Hopefuls had to memorize the lyrics before the audition and perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” – a cappella in two minutes or less. Recorded performances will be reviewed and judged by Lone Star Park officials at a later date. All singers will be notified via email by April 5 if they have been chosen to perform. Each chosen perf ..read more

An 80-year-old woman is dead, and her granddaughter is behind bars following a shooting at a home in Dallas early Sunday morning. According to the Dallas Police Department, 30-year-old Kelsie Miles is charged with murder in the shooting death of 80-year-old Betty Hearn. The fatal shooting happened at about 5:10 a.m. in the 4700 block of Colwick Avenue. The Grand Prairie Police Department said Miles came into their station headquarters and told officers she had shot Hearn in Dallas. She also told them the Smith & Wesson .380 was in her car, which police recovered. After getting a call from ..read more

The Dallas Police Department is looking into the sudden death of a little girl who passed away early last week, days before her birthday. According to police, officers responded to a residence in the 700 block of Goldwood Drive around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, after a call for service. Once authorities arrived at the home, they found 7-year-old Royalty Rose Martinez unconscious. Dallas Fire-Rescue first responders were called to the house to help save the child’s life, but she was pronounced dead. Martinez’s father told NBC 5 that his daughter was taken to a children’s hospital two days ..read more

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing five businesses in Texas for not allowing off-duty officers to enter with their firearms. Paxton’s office filed the five lawsuits, four against North Texas businesses, saying restricting peace officers, including off-duty officers, from entering the premises with their authorized firearms jeopardizes public safety. “Texas law must be respected to ensure the safety and well-being of our citizens,” Paxton said in a written statement. “Criminal activity can occur at any time and any place. Peace officers are often well-positioned to prevent and suppress ..read more

Crews are working to control a fire that broke out at a Grand Prairie auto salvage yard Friday evening. The fire sent thick black smoke into the air that could be seen from a distance coming off what looked to be hundreds of cars. The salvage yard is located in the 4000 block of East Jefferson St. which is southwest of Dallas Love Field International Airport. There is no word on what caused the fire but Grand Prairie Fire Department says there are no reported injuries from the fire. At this time, there are no calls for evacuation. Officials say crews will be out here for a while. Check back a ..read more

A man is in custody after police say he stole a van with the owner inside and then drove from Fort Worth to Dallas Friday morning. The owner of the van is OK after witnesses called 911 to report seeing a person in the back of the van yelling for help. According to Fort Worth Police, a man called 911 at about 7:42 a.m. and said his boyfriend was acting erratically while trying to take his van near the intersection of Riverside Drive and East Lancaster Avenue. The call was disconnected, but minutes later operators were able to get the man back on the phone. He told them there had been a struggle ..read more

Many North Texas families chose to celebrate Christmas Day in Grand Prairie at the biggest light display in the Metroplex: Prairie Lights. “This is where we always do Christmas every year,” Diego Lopez told NBC 5. If you’re measuring by sheer wattage, the Christmas holiday may shine brightest in Grand Prairie. After the sun went down, hundreds of families made their way to Lake Ridge Parkway for Prairie Lights. The annual drive-through display touts more than four million twinkling bulbs. “We enjoy it, and it just became like a tradition for us,” Lili Vicente told NBC 5. Armed with hot cocoa a ..read more

A woman is dead, and a Grand Prairie Police officer has been placed on administrative leave following a shooting Saturday night. According to the Grand Prairie Police Department, officers received a call around 7:10 p.m. about family violence with an assault in progress in the 1200 block of Tripoli Trail. When authorities arrived at the scene, they met with a woman who escaped the home through a window and moved her to a safe location. Police reported that, while speaking to the victim, another woman emerged from the home and approached them with a handgun pointed at them. “Fearing for their l ..read more

Shoppers took to the malls and outlets this Black Friday in Grand Prairie. Many people may think the days of in-person shopping are long gone with the popularity of shopping online. Lines stretched out the door at several stores at the Grand Prairie Premium Outlets. “This is my first black Friday. I’m not from here. I came from Mexico and I’m visiting them and they bring me here,” said Amileu Zavala pointing to her family member Brandon. What’s different this year? “I’d say it’s a little calmer this year. The temperature is better. Last year it was cold. It was windy. This year this week has b ..read more

A Fort Worth Police officer is on restricted duty after being accused of family violence with a deadly weapon, the department says. Officer Carlos Zelaya was arrested Monday by the Grand Prairie Police Department and is facing a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon – family violence, according to a statement sent Tuesday by the Fort Worth Police Department. Fort Worth Police did not release any other details about the charge other than that it was alleged to have taken place in Grand Prairie when the officer was off duty. “Due to the ongoing nature of this investigation by our nei ..read more