Weekend Roundup: U.S. takes down suspected Chinese spy balloon, Cowboys hire Kellen Moore a replacement

Plus, Gov. Greg Abbott declares disaster declaration for seven counties after winter storm. [WEEKEND ROUNDUP](dallasnews.com) dallasnews.com [A balloon that the U.S. government says is a Chinese spy balloon drifts above North Carolina on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023.]( In this photo provided by Brian Branch, a large balloon drifts above the Kingstown, N.C. area, with an airplane and its contrail seen below it. (Brian Branch / ASSOCIATED PRESS) POLITICS [U.S. downs Chinese balloon over ocean, moves to recover debris]( The U.S. military on Saturday shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon off the Carolina coast after it traversed sensitive military sites across North America. [China insisted the flyover was an accident involving a civilian aircraft and threatened repercussions.]( President Joe Biden issued the order but had wanted the balloon downed even earlier, on Wednesday. He was advised that the best time for the operation would be when it was over water, U.S. officials said. Military officials determined that bringing it down over land from an altitude of 60,000 feet would pose an undue risk to people on the ground. [READ MORE](   And: This isn't the first time the U.S. has dealt with [potentially dangerous balloons from other countries](   Also: [Many questions remain]( about the suspected Chinese spy in the sky   ADVERTISEMENT   [DYK? NEWS QUIZ]( The roughly 884-acre Ranch with a nine-hole golf course and multiple lakes is on the market in Bowie.(Hand-out / Briggs Freeman Sotheby's Interna) [Question 4 of 5]( [Which sprawling ranch northwest of Fort Worth just went up for sale for $12.5 million?]( - [Prairie Oaks Ranch]( - [Southfork Ranch]( - [Sanders Hitch]( - [River Ranch]( [Start the quiz by choosing your answer.](   AROUND THE SITE - Sports: The Dallas Cowboys have [hired Brian Schottenheimer as offensive coordinator]( to replace Kellen Moore - News: Three weeks at the Dallas Zoo: [A timeline of recent events]( - Arts: Abandoned and forgotten: Dallas journalist reclaims history by [restoring Black cemetery](   ADVERTISEMENT   [FINALLY...](dallasnews.com) [Gov. Greg Abbott declares disaster declaration for seven counties after winter storm]( After a winter storm swept parts of Texas for four days and left hundreds of thousands without power, Gov. Greg [Abbott issued a disaster declaration for seven counties impacted by the storm.]( The declaration includes Denton, Hays, Milam, Smith, Travis and Williamson counties. The governor said in a statement that additional counties may be added to the declaration as officials complete damage assessments. [READ MORE NEWS](   ADVERTISEMENT   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( [YouTube]( [Privacy Policy](dallasnews.com/privacy-policy) | [Account Login]( |[Help Center]( [Terms of Service]( | [Manage Preferences](dallasnews.com/privacy-policy| [Unsubscribe]( The Dallas Morning News 1954 Commerce Street Dallas, TX 75201 © Copyright 2023