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McKinney tiny doors are decked out for Christmas
The delightful tiny doors in Downtown McKinney are all decked out for the holidays and we're here to celebrate the miniature resplendence.The tiny picture: As we told you in September, the 7-inch doors are a public art exhibit, a collaboration among downtown businesses and local artists. Each miniature door is unique. Some include tiny mailboxes and flower pots. Some look like little bitty versions of storefronts they're attached to.Check out some of our favorites… Away in the cave the dragon did rest. Photo: Courtesy of Cormac West Fa la la la little door! Photo: Courtesy of Cormac West Baaaack away, giant! Photo: Courtesy of Cormac West Mousey on over to check out these little cuties. Photo: Courtesy of Cormac WestThe bottom line: Ho ho holy mackerel these are adoorable.Sign up for Axios Dallas for free.
Best holiday cocktail bars in Dallas-Fort Worth
Celebrate the 12 days of Christmas with a little stout cheer at one of the many holiday cocktail pop-ups around Dallas-Fort Worth.Many restaurants and bars are featuring seasonal sippers during December, while others are decked out with inflatables, wrapped presents, garlands and specialty glassware.Here are just a few of the seasonal offerings we've tried…Midnight Rambler Best cocktails go to the ill-behaved. Photo: Tasha "Krampus" Tsiaperas/AxiosTucked in the basement of the Joule is an excellent bar that is featuring a full TV guide of punny cocktail titles, including one that poses the most important holiday question: What does Kevin's dad...
What to know about property taxes this year
Texas' historic property tax cut this year was intended to help families close out 2023 with extra savings — but some homeowners might still be feeling stretched thin amid rising property values and costs of living.Driving the news: The deadline to pay taxes is Jan. 31 for most Texas counties if you want to avoid penalties and interest.You've got until the end of this month to pay your property taxes if you're planning to deduct them from your 2023 federal income taxes.Why it matters: Local governments rely heavily on property taxes, especially in Texas where there is no state income...
Expect hotter summers, mild winters in Texas, per a new climate report
Texas summers are likely to get hotter and winters are likely to become milder, per a new weather report.Driving the news: The state climate will be characterized by more extremes, from more 100-degree days to more extreme rainfall, per an analysis by the Texas climatologist paid for by the nonpartisan policy agency Texas 2036.The big picture: The 2021 report found that the number of triple-digit days is expected to nearly double by 2036, compared to 2001-2020. The updated report now predicts the number of 100-degree days to triple.Of note: There were 55 days with temperatures 100 or higher this summer in Dallas-Fort Worth. And the heat continued well into September.Last year, there were 47 days.Details: The report found that milder winters followed by high-heat summers will worsen drought conditions.And, when it does rain, downpours will be more severe. The report predicts an increase in urban flooding, up as much as 50% in the last half of the 21st century compared to last century.Zoom out: Hurricane intensity along the coast is also predicted to increase.What's next: The full report will be released in the new year.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Dallas.
Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs expands options in North Texas
Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs has a new partnership with a full-service online pharmacy to get low-cost medications to more people across Texas.Driving the news: This fall, Cost Plus Drugs started working with online-based Alto Pharmacy (no affiliation with the rideshare company Alto) to expand prescription pickup and delivery options in cities like Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and Austin where Alto operates.Why it matters: More than a million Texans, most of whom are children, lost Medicaid health insurance in recent months as their paperwork fell through the cracks amid a struggling public health system.Medications are often costly without a decent insurance...
The Rock once wrestled with the Von Erichs in Dallas
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson spent part of his childhood in Dallas, playing with members of the legendary Von Erich family.Why it matters: A movie about the Von Erichs, "The Iron Claw," starring Zac Efron, will be in theaters nationwide Dec. 22.Driving the news: On a recent episode of Joe Rogan's podcast, Johnson, 51, explained that his late father, Rocky Johnson, wrestled for Fritz Von Erich, the family patriarch whose real last name was Jack Adkisson. And Johnson would hang out with the Von Erich boys.What they're saying: "Every week at this famous arena called the Sportatorium, this tiny little arena...
City Council hears arguments for divvying up more than $1 billion in city bond money
Dallas has $1.1 billion in proposed bond funding up for grabs for streets, parks, housing, public safety and arts projects — and everyone wants a piece of it.Why it matters: The 2024 bond proposal will address just a fraction of the infrastructure needs citywide.For example, Dallas streets are so notoriously bad — uneven and riddled with potholes — that the half a billion dollars city staff want allocated from the bond package to fix them would cover about 6% of the needs, per city briefings.Driving the news: The Dallas City Council spent hours Wednesday listening to dozens of residents and...
The cost of Texas' many special legislative sessions is adding up
Texas' 181 lawmakers have spent 106 days this year in special sessions, accounting for roughly $4.2 million in per diem allowances alone.That doesn't include other costs, like staff time and supplies.It also doesn't include the two weeks that senators spent in the impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton.Driving the news: Lawmakers ended the fourth special session of the year on Tuesday. It's not clear if or when Gov. Greg Abbott will call back lawmakers. The big picture: It's uncommon for a Texas governor to call more than three special sessions beyond the Legislature's 140-day regular sessions every other year.Rick...
The cost of Texas' many special legislative sessions is adding up
Texas' 181 lawmakers have spent 106 days this year in special sessions, accounting for roughly $4.2 million in per diem allowances alone.That doesn't include other costs, like staff time and supplies.It also doesn't include the two weeks that senators spent in the impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton.Driving the news: Lawmakers ended the fourth special session of the year on Tuesday. It's not clear if or when Gov. Greg Abbott will call back lawmakers. The big picture: It's uncommon for a Texas governor to call more than three special sessions beyond the Legislature's 140-day regular sessions every other year.Rick...
School vouchers fall short in Texas — again
The push in Texas to give some families taxpayer money for private education and homeschooling has failed after two special sessions devoted to the matter.An effort to increase funding for public schools also failed.Driving the news: The year's fourth special session, which spanned 29 days, concluded on Tuesday.Why it matters: Gov. Greg Abbott appears no closer to getting his marquee "school choice" legislation passed than at the start of the year — and another special session could risk alienating lawmakers tired of being in Austin.The issue is likely to come up again in the next election cycle and the 2025...
Nearly 1 in 10 North Texas households are multigenerational
Multigenerational households — three or more generations under one roof — are on the rise in the U.S. and make up a sizable percentage of the population in North Texas.Why it matters: Living close to family or friends can improve your health and happiness.Plus, in some cultures, living with your parents is totally normal.The big picture: The rising costs of housing and living could be driving the rise in multigenerational living.Financial concerns and caregiving needs are two of the major reasons that people cite for living with their parents (and parents' parents).Zoom in: The share of multigenerational households in North...
Nearly 1 in 10 North Texas households are multigenerational
Multigenerational households — three or more generations under one roof — are on the rise in the U.S. and make up a sizable percentage of the population in North Texas.Why it matters: Living close to family or friends can improve your health and happiness.Plus, in some cultures, living with your parents is totally normal.The big picture: The rising costs of housing and living could be driving the rise in multigenerational living.Financial concerns and caregiving needs are two of the major reasons that people cite for living with their parents (and parents' parents).Zoom in: The share of multigenerational households in North...
Eric Nadel's headset and World Series notes are up for auction
Baseball fans will get a chance to bid on broadcaster Eric Nadel's headset and handwritten notes scripting his World Series radio announcement: "Rangers fans, you are not dreaming."Driving the news: Irving-based Heritage Auctions will sell the handwritten note, signed copies of the radio broadcaster's scorecard from the World Series-clinching game and the headset and microphone he wore when announcing the team's first-ever championship.Why it matters: Proceeds from the Eric Nadel Collection will go to the Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas.Nadel missed the first four months of the season to seek treatment for anxiety and depression. He returned in August, in time for the Rangers to squeak into the playoffs and win the Fall Classic.Flashback: Nadel has been a Rangers announcer since 1979. He called both World Series losses.He struggled with depression in the 2000s but didn't take time off like he did this year.Details: The auction will include books from Nadel's collection. And part of his 1989 scorebook recording Sammy Sosa's MLB debut.What's next: The auction takes place Dec. 17.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Dallas.
Texas GOP rejects ban on associating with Nazi sympathizers
Members of the Texas GOP's executive committee voted 32-29 over the weekend to reject a proposed ban on party members associating with Nazi sympathizers and Holocaust deniers.They also censured outgoing Republican state Rep. Andrew Murr over his role in investigating and impeaching Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.Why it matters: The votes highlight the cultural and political rift among Republican state leaders, who have publicly feuded this year over property tax relief, school vouchers and the push to oust Paxton, among other things.Roughly half of the committee also tried to prevent a record of their vote from being kept, according to...
Construction begins on Universal theme park in Frisco
Construction is underway on Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Universal Destinations & Experiences' first theme park dedicated to families with young children.Why it matters: The Universal theme park fits in with Frisco's branding as a burgeoning sports and entertainment town. The city is already home to the Texas Rangers Double-A affiliate Frisco RoughRiders, FC Dallas' Toyota Stadium, the Dallas Cowboys practice facility at The Star and the Omni PGA Resort.About 7 million people visit Frisco every year. Mayor Jeff Cheney expects the addition of the Universal Kids Resort will push that number up to 10 million.Driving the news: Frisco city...
The obsession with a Fort Worth woman's $59 million Paris wedding
People are still talking about a Fort Worth woman's "wedding of the century" last month that included a welcome dinner at the historic Paris Opera House, Maroon 5 singing "She Will Be Loved" during the first dance and touches of couture everywhere.Why it matters: Fort Worth has a lot of wealthy families, but their lives are rarely the subject of headlines.Social media users who didn't know anything about the Brockways before the Nov. 18 wedding have gone down many rabbit holes to learn about their background and quantify their wealth. Business Today estimated that the wedding cost $59 million.Zoom in:...
The U.S. women's soccer team is playing China in Frisco
The U.S. Women's National Team will feature a homegrown talent when it faces China Tuesday night at Toyota Stadium.Why it matters: The women's team is still reeling from a disappointing performance at this summer's World Cup, when the U.S. exited in the round of 16 after losing to Sweden in penalties.The match in Frisco is the second of two friendlies the U.S. and China play over four days. The first was Saturday night in Fort Lauderdale.The big picture: Some of the team's best-known players, like Megan Rapinoe, have retired from international play.Yes, but: Jaedyn Shaw, one of the young prospects hoping to return the U.S. team to glory, is from Frisco.She's only made two appearances for the national team but already has a goal — a clever toe-poke against Colombia in October.What they're saying: "It will be extremely special to play in my home town. I'm super excited, I have a lot of family there," Shaw told the Dallas Morning News.She says she's already received many requests for tickets to the game.If you go: Tickets start at $35.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Dallas.
Gen Z in Dallas is spending more of their income on housing
More than 60% of Gen Z renters in Dallas-Fort Worth spend at least 30% of their income on rent, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.Why it matters: Steep prices and mortgage rates pose seemingly insurmountable hurdles to homeownership — and renting isn't necessarily an affordable alternative, reports Axios' Sami Sparber.Spending 30% of your income on rent is "the new normal," according to economists at Moody's Analytics.Driving the news: One in three Gen Z-ers (34%) surveyed by Freddie Mac say owning a home feels impossible in their lifetime, up from 27% in 2019.Saving for a down payment is the biggest obstacle,...
More Dallas landlords are offering free rent to entice new tenants
North Texas landlords are offering more incentives like free months of rent or free parking in an effort to entice new tenants, according to a recent analysis by Zillow.Why it matters: The increase in what Zillow calls "sweeteners" is an indication that fast-climbing rent costs could be leveling off.The big picture: While rent prices are still rising nationwide, they're going up much slower than they have been over the last three years.Yes, but: In Dallas, rent prices have remained relatively flat from 2022, according to an October report from Zillow.Between the lines: The increase in these incentives correlates with the...
Texans face higher food insecurity than national average
Texas is one of six states with a higher percentage of households that are food insecure than the national average.Why it matters: The economy might've looked great in 2022 by some metrics, like the low unemployment rate, but not this one.Food insecurity spiked to a level not seen since the U.S. economy was slowly recovering from the financial crisis, Axios' Emily Peck and Kavya Beheraj report.Details: Food insecurity means that at times during the year, a given household couldn't get enough food for one or more of its members because they didn't have enough money or resources.People with "very low"...
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