Local Media Goes National

CBS 48 Hours works with CultureMap Dallas for show on Michele Williams murder case

CultureMap Dallas gets a berth in the national spotlight when CBS news magazine show 48 Hours profiles our coverage of accused murderer Michele Williams. The show's May 3 episode, called "Temptation in Texas," is described thusly: "Sex, bondage, affairs and murder — who killed a brilliant-but-feared businessman?"

The story delves into the bizarre life of Williams, dubbed the Keller Black Widow, who was accused of killing her husband, Greg, in cold blood as their daughter slept in the next room. It follows the lead set by managing editor Claire St. Amant, who broke the tale with an investigative piece that posed the question: Did Michele Williams get away with murder?

48 Hours has been working since January with St. Amant, who is featured prominently in the story. The episode also interviews Williams' family members such as her son Lee O'Brien and sister Laura Cusick.

The case has taken a number of bizarre twists and turns since CultureMap's first report. Williams initially reached a deal with Tarrant County on lesser charges, but she has since withdrawn her guilty plea and faces a jury trial in September. Her suspicious behavior after her husband's death adds another layer of intrigue.

Tune in to CBS at 9 pm on Saturday to watch 48 Hours correspondent Peter Van Sant examine the complicated case. Here's a teaser:

Michele and Greg Williams at a birthday party for their daughter shortly before Greg was killed.

Michele Williams is accused of murdering her husband

Photo courtesy of 48 Hours

Michele and Greg Williams at a birthday party for their daughter shortly before Greg was killed.

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E-Cigarette News

Dallas City Council places restrictions on vaping in public

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Man vaping

Vaping will now be banned exactly like smoking, thanks to a new ordinance from the Dallas City Council.

At their December 11 meeting, the council passed an ordinance to ban vaping in all the same areas where smoking is not allowed. It'll go into effect on December 11, 2025 — giving everyone a year to get into compliance.

Proposed by City of Dallas Environmental Commission (EVC) and the Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability (OEQS), the ordinance amends the definition of “smoking” in the Dallas City Code to include the use of vaping devices.

The ordinance does not ban vaping — it only bans where you can vape: no vaping in all indoor and enclosed spaces; within 15 feet of building entrances; and on park property. The ordinance also bans marijuana smoking in those same places.

In addition, the amendment requires restaurants, hotels, fitness centers and other businesses to update their signage to clearly state that both smoking and electronic smoking devices are prohibited.

The ordinance already earned widespread support from health organizations such as the Dallas County Health and Human Services, the American Lung Association, and the American Heart Association. These organizations, along with the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Surgeon General, have all raised concerns about the health risks of direct and second-hand exposure to vaping aerosols, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children and older adults.

Dallas is not the first city to impose such a ban: San Antonio enacted a similar ban in October. Theirs goes into effect on January 1, 2025.

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