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Axios Dallas
The DeGolyer House at the Dallas Arboretum is worth a visit
Past the colorful flowers and the winding paths of the Dallas Arboretum is an easily missed historic house worth a visit.Why it matters: The DeGolyer House is the reason the 66-acre arboretum exists. The city of Dallas bought the 44-acre estate off White Rock Lake in 1977, paving the way for the site to be converted into the beautiful greenspace it is today.The big picture: Everette DeGolyer was a petroleum geologist and geophysicist in the first half of the last century. Nell DeGolyer was active in charity work and a supporter of the arts. She was also the first president...
What to know about the Dallas contestant on "The Circle"
Season 6 of the Netflix hit "The Circle" has a local contestant to root for: Caress Russell.What's happening: The new season's first four episodes are out today.How it works: Contestants get their own apartments in the same building, but they can't interact in person. They must communicate through a TV portal set up like social media and try to become the most popular contestant among the group.Yes, but: Some contestants compete as themselves and some take on another persona. The goal is to identify the catfish.Because the contestants can't meet or hear each other's real voices, many catfish have made it to the end.Zoom in: Russell, a Dallas-based poet and motivational speaker, has traveled the country to speak at festivals and churches.She's posing as her rapper and singer brother in the competition.There's also an AI bot pretending to be a real person this season.
Hackers post personal information from Tarrant Appraisal District on the dark web
A hacking group claiming responsibility for attacking the Tarrant Appraisal District network has reportedly posted some of the stolen information on the dark web.Why it matters: About 15 million people lost $23 million last year to traditional identity theft, per an AARP report.The big picture: Medusa has claimed responsibility in the past for attacks on Toyota Financial Services, a Kenyan airline and several school districts.The attacks are typically followed by ransom demands and threats to post sensitive information online.Ransomware gangs collected a record $1.1 billion from attacks in 2023.What happened: The Tarrant Appraisal District identified a "network disruption" on March...
Dallas, Fort Worth violent crime, homicides dropping
Data: AH Datalytics; Chart: Axios VisualsViolent crime, including homicides, has dropped so far this year compared to 2023 in Dallas and Fort Worth.Why it matters: Most large U.S. cities are starting to see drops in violence after sharp increases during the pandemic.The number of homicides in 204 cities dropped 20% in the first three months this year compared to the same time last year, per an AH Datalytics report reviewed by Axios.State of play: Dallas has gotten national recognition for drops in crime while other large metros were still seeing increases.Chief Eddie Garcia credits his violent crime reduction plan,...
What's on the Dallas bond election ballot
Dallas residents are getting political texts and phone calls urging them to vote for the city's $1.25 billion bond proposal in May, when turnout is typically low.Why it matters: Dallas, like many Texas cities, relies on voter-approved bonds to fix aging infrastructure like roads. A political action committee has spent almost $80,000 to encourage residents to approve the 10 bond propositions to invest "in our city's basics."Between the lines: Some council members had argued setting the May election felt rushed and holding the vote in November would get more people to the polls.The big picture: Voters must approve all 10...
Kacey Musgraves picked bluebonnets and started a debate
Country music sweetheart Kacey Musgraves unwittingly started a debate this week over the legality of … picking the state flower.Why it matters: Bluebonnets are sacred in Texas and some people are told from childhood that it's illegal to pick them. (It isn't, as long as you aren't on private property.)Driving the news: Musgraves, who grew up in the East Texas city of Golden, shared a photo on Instagram last week holding a bluebonnet bunch.The intrigue: Her comments section filled up with traumatized Texans who grew up believing picking bluebonnets was illegal in the state."Wonder what the world would be like if people just used Google to realize it's not illegal to pick bluebonnets 🤣," one commenter said."But for some reason I thought it was my whole life too 🤨," Musgraves replied.Friction point: The post also sparked a debate in the comments over the ethics of picking bluebonnets.One person shared that the flowers have a long germination process."Just because it's legal doesn't mean that it's the right thing to do," they wrote.Reality check: Picking, cutting or destroying any plant life at state and national parks is illegal.
Cedar Hills library ready to host events
Cedar Hill is ready to make nerdy dreams come true with its new library that can also host weddings and other events.Why it matters: Dallas, Southlake and Colleyville also have city-owned spaces people can rent to host meetings or events.The venues help boost revenue.The intrigue: The new Traphene Hickman Library was built around the theme, "library in a park." It has study rooms, a podcast recording studio, rooftop deck and the Cedar Hill Museum of History.The building is surrounded by a park with trails, a creek and outdoor gathering spaces.There's over 5,400 square feet of "unique programmable space" on the...
Ann Coulter will be in Dallas for a Free Press debate
Author Ann Coulter will be in Dallas on Thursday for a live debate with libertarian magazine Reason editor-at-large Nick Gillespie.What's happening: The Free Press, a Los Angeles-based digital media company, is hosting live debates across the U.S. on complex topics the country faces. The first debate takes place tonight. Coulter and Gillespie will discuss whether America should shut its borders.If you go: 7pm Thursday at the Majestic Theatre. Tickets start at $50.Other Dallas-area events...🪁 Fly high. The nonprofit Vibha is hosting a Kite Flying Festival to raise money for education and health care for underprivileged children.3-8pm Saturday at The Sound. Free admission.🕺 Break it down. Watch local street dancers honor the hip-hop movement at the Underground Movement Festival's latest showcase.5-10pm Saturday at Plano's McCall Plaza. Free admission.🥁 Groove to the music. The three-day Dallas Reggae Festival is a family friendly event with live music, Caribbean-inspired food, jewelry vendors and crafts.Friday to Sunday at 13331 Preston Road in Dallas. Daily admission starts at $25.
Dallas-Fort Worth inflation higher than national average
Data: BLS; Chart: Axios VisualsInflation in Dallas-Fort Worth remains higher than the national average but is still well below heights seen in 2022, per the latest Consumer Price Index report.Why it matters: Consumers continue to see high prices, especially for food and shelter.Inflation was falling at the end of last year, but it has remained higher than palatable for the first part of the year, likely putting at risk the Federal Reserve's plans to lower interest rates.Zoom out: Nationally, consumers are paying 3.5% more for goods and services compared to last year.By the numbers: D-FW inflation in March was up...
UT Dallas is the latest state university to lay off DEI staff
UT Dallas is the latest Texas public university to lay off staff due to the new law barring diversity, equity and inclusion programs at state institutions.Why it matters: Texas is one of at least nine states to pass legislation limiting or prohibiting DEI programs on college campuses.Anti-DEI bills have been introduced in 21 states since 2021.State of play: Senate Bill 17, which took effect in January, bars public universities from maintaining offices or programs dedicated to supporting historically underrepresented groups, such as people of color or members of the LGBTQ community.Critics of the programs say they are discriminatory and emphasize...
The Dallas Mavericks keep winning as playoffs approach
The Dallas Mavericks are peaking at the right time, thanks to the power pairing of Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving.Why it matters: A solid NBA playoff run after last year's World Series win would help make up for all those heartbreaking years as a Dallas sports fan.Driving the news: Dallas' regular season ends Sunday, and the NBA playoffs start April 20.The final home game is Friday against the Detroit Pistons.State of play: The Mavericks have the fifth best record in the Western Conference after winning 15 of their last 17 games, including a 130-104 win over the Charlotte Hornets Tuesday...
Texas home insurance costs keep rising
Source: Reproduced from NerdWallet; Note: NerdWallet determined the average homeowners insurance cost by calculating the median rate for 40-year-old homeowners across various insurance providers in every ZIP code nationwide; Map: Axios VisualsHome insurance premiums are on the rise nationwide, and Texas remains one of the states with the highest rates.Why it matters: Homeowners have experienced major cost of living hikes because of rising property taxes, electricity bills and insurance premiums.The big picture: Texas' effective rate change for owner-occupied homeowners insurance increased 23% in 2023, per S&P Global. It was the highest increase of any state.Oklahoma and Texas now have the highest average...
Where to watch the eclipse in Dallas-Fort Worth
If you've procrastinated on eclipse planning, all is not lost. There are still a few places where you can go to watch the total solar eclipse with other people, as long as you're willing to brave the traffic for four-ish minutes of thrill.Driving the news: Dallas-Fort Worth is expected to have one of the longest durations of totality in North America.A partial eclipse is expected to begin around 12:23 p.m. Monday. Totality, when day will look like night, is expected 1:40-1:44 p.m.You'll need eclipse glasses to watch it safely, but you can make a pinhole camera if you're in a...
Texas is a leading state for wind, solar production
Data: Climate Central; Note: Includes both utility-scale and small-scale solar generation; Map: Axios VisualsTexas is a top producer of solar power and wind energy in the country, per a new Axios analysis.Why it matters: Energy from wind and solar installations nationwide is expected to outpace coal-fired electricity this year, per Axios Generate's Ben Geman.And, solar power helped keep the lights on during January's Arctic blast in Texas.The big picture: Solar installations across the U.S. generated about eight times the gigawatt-hours of electricity in 2023 than in 2014, per Climate Central, a climate research nonprofit. Wind generation has doubled in the...
Here's your guide to weekend things to do in Dallas
Here's what's going on around Dallas this weekend.🎶 History leads you. Verdigris Ensemble presents "Mis-Lead," a musical performance detailing the lead-smelting past of West Dallas.7:30pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Kalita Humphreys Theater, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd. in Dallas. General admission is $41.🛍️ Shop for social justice. Dwell with Dignity is hosting four interior designers for book signings and a thrift sale to raise money for people experiencing poverty, homelessness, domestic abuse and social injustice.4-6pm Thursday at 1833 E. Levee St. in Dallas.🍻 Clink up with friends. The Big Texas Beer Fest features over 90 breweries this year, with a lineup that includes beer, ciders, hard seltzers and hard kombuchas.3pm Saturday at the Fair Park Automobile Building. Tickets start at $45.🖼️ Be artsy. Meet local artists, explore local vendors, and hear live music at the Deep Ellum Community Arts Fair, which started over 150 years ago.Friday to Sunday on Crowdus Street in Deep Ellum. Free admission.
These Dallas chefs and restaurant are James Beard finalists.
A Dallas restaurant and two local chefs are finalists for a 2024 James Beard award.Why it matters: The annual awards doled out by the James Beard Foundation are basically the Oscars for American cuisine.Almost half of Dallas-Fort Worth's semifinalists made it to the next round.The big picture: The foundation is increasingly recognizing Texas cuisine in the national restaurant categories, and the awards created a regional category in 2019 just for the state.This year, Dallas has two finalists in national categories: Lucia chef David Uygur for outstanding chef and Gemma for outstanding hospitality.Lucia was a finalist last year in the national outstanding restaurant category but didn't win.Zoom in: Chef Misti Norris of Petra and the Beast in Dallas was named a finalist in Texas' Best Chef category. The other nominees in the Texas category are:Emmanuel Chavez, Tatemó in HoustonTracy Malechek-Ezekiel, Birdie's in AustinAna Liz Pulido, Ana Liz Taqueria in MissionChristopher Cullum, Cullum's Attaboy in San AntonioWhat's next: The winners will be named at a June 10 gala in Chicago.
Dallas study identifies heat islands 10 degrees hotter than other neighborhoods
Some Dallas neighborhoods are as much as 10 degrees hotter than others, a new study of heat islands found.Why it matters: Tree-lined streets and less concrete can make the difference between extremely hot and just regular hot on a summer day.Data on heat islands can guide city planners on where more trees should be planted and whether cooling paving technology should be used.Driving the news: The hottest part of Dallas on Aug. 5, 2023, was 110 degrees — nearly 10 degrees hotter than other areas, according to a joint study released this week by the city of Dallas and the...
Women-owned businesses in Dallas are booming
Data: Yelp; Table: Alice Feng/AxiosOpenings of women-owned businesses in Dallas-Fort Worth increased 21% last year compared to 2022, per Yelp data.Why it matters: Nearly a quarter of Texas small businesses are woman-owned, more than the national average.And, the state has a higher share of small businesses owned by women of color than the national average, per Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas research.Driving the news: Women-owned business openings rose 17% nationwide, Axios' Analis Bailey reports.The Los Angeles (4,741), New York City (3,189), Miami (2,190), Dallas (1,898) and Atlanta (1,858) metro areas saw the highest overall number of new women-owned businesses in...
Mayor Mattie Parker's perfect Fort Worth day
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker loves that Cowtown is the only U.S. city with a twice daily cattle drive.State of play: When Parker isn't working during her second term as mayor of the 13th largest city in the country, she's running on the Trinity Trails or taking the kids to the Fort Worth Zoo or Westside Little League.We asked the mayor her favorite Fort Worth activities. Here's what she said:🖼 Favorite neighborhood: Fort Worth Cultural District☕️ Favorite coffee shop: Black Coffee, Casa Azul Coffee, and Buon Giorno.🥢 Favorite restaurant: Tokyo Cafe, 5121 Pershing Ave.💞 Favorite date spot: Clay Pigeon or a concert at Billy Bob's Texas.🎶 Favorite local band: Grady Spencer & The Work
Kate Cox opens up about her abortion
Kate and Justin Cox would have welcomed a baby girl — their third child — this spring if their pregnancy had gone smoothly.Instead, the Dallas-area couple became a "reluctant face" of the abortion rights movement, a new Time story says.Why it matters: Texas' abortion restrictions have created confusion and fear among some doctors over how to treat complicated pregnancies where urgency is needed."Kate was the first time since Roe was overturned that a woman who was currently pregnant, needing an abortion under the health exemption, went to a court to get a court order for an abortion," Center for Reproductive...
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Axios Dallas, anchored by Michael Mooney, Tasha Tsiaperas, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.
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