As the New Year nears, here's a look at WFAA's pick for the eight biggest stories of 2019.
Guyger trial, Atatiana Jefferson's death
Just weeks after former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the murder of Botham Jean, a Fort Worth police officer shot and killed Atatiana Jefferson inside her home. Though Jefferson was killed a year after Jean, many in the Dallas-Fort Worth community were comparing the two police shootings. Both victims were black and inside their homes when they were killed by white police officers.
Dallas tornado
On Oct. 20, Dallas and the surrounding areas were hit with 10 tornadoes causing more than $2 billion in damage. WFAA journalists discuss what went on behind the scenes and what it was like covering the devastation that evening.
RELATED: 'Some families will never be the same': Recovery from Dallas tornado split along economic lines
Vaping-related illnesses across the country
A sudden increase in lung illnesses was linked to vaping across the country and North Texas. The WFAA investigative team looked into what is in vaping products, some of which teens can easily buy.
Shootings in El Paso, Odessa
A gunman killed seven people in Odessa in August. The attack occurred just weeks after an Allen resident drove more than 11 hours to El Paso, where he is accused of killing 22 people at a Walmart. Authorities are seeking the death penalty for Patrick Crusius.
Globe Life Park closes
It was a busy year at Globe Life Park. It was the final season there for the Texas Rangers. Also, Adrian Beltre and Michael Young both returned to have their jerseys retired. Fans flocked to the final game of the season to honor many of the former Rangers who were lucky enough to call this field home for a time.
Inspirational Originals
This year WFAA viewers met some inspiring individuals who captured our hearts. We take a look at a few of our WFAA Original stories and get a glimpse from the creators on why stories like theirs matter.
Dirk Nowitzki retires
After 21 years in the NBA, Dirk Nowitzki retired in 2019. The beloved Dallas Mavericks player now has a street named after him in front of the American Airlines Center.
Suspected serial killer
Billy Chemirmir, 47, has been charged in the deaths of 12 elderly women and is accused in at least six other slayings of elderly people, court records show. Civil lawsuits suggest Chemirmir posed as a maintenance worker at a senior living facility to gain access to his victims.
Check back as WFAA continue to share the biggest stories of 2019.
Honorable mentions
- There was a time before the start of the Dallas Cowboys season that the biggest local football story was whether Ezekiel Elliott would show up to training camp. It was a simpler time.
- Cellphone footage released this year showed Sandra Bland recorded her own arrest. The video showed her perspective during the now infamous traffic stop. Bland was found dead by suicide three days after her arrest in her Waller County jail cell.
- A U.S. Navy veteran was dead for three years before his body was found in his DeSoto apartment. Ronald Wayne White moved into the apartment shortly before his death and none of his family knew his new address. They searched for years to find out what happened to him.
- In May, Dallas police investigators searched the Catholic Diocese of Dallas in connection with sexual abuse allegations. A detailed search warrant affidavit said the diocese stonewalled law enforcement during investigations into the actions of five men.
