THUMBS DOWN HEADLINE HYPE

THUMBS DOWN to the DALLAS TIMES HERALD for overheated, careless work on September 25. the morning after 67 candidates filed for the November elections. “Was 14-1 Fight All For Nothing?” a front page headline asked. The story’s subhead proclaimed “Whites top contenders in [wo black districts.” Unfortunately, the story failed to support either eye-grabbing line. The Herald had no new polling data that would have granted front runner status to JOHN EVANS, a current councilman, and LARRY DUNCAN white candidates running in two new minority districts. On the contrary, the story noted twice that Evans would have “a more difficult time” winning because his Casa View base was eroded by redistricting, leaving him in a 75 percent minority district.