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Axios Dallas
How Dallas-area schools are adapting to this heat
Summer break is over for many districts this week, but the summer heat won't go away.The persistent 100° days are forcing many school districts to adjust how their students spend time outdoors.Why it matters: Heat waves affect children more severely than adults because their bodies aren't as able to regulate their temperature and because they rely on adults to protect them from overheating, per Scientific American.And with fall sports starting up in Texas — clear eyes, full hearts — athletes, cheer squads and spectators could be at risk.State of play: Texas' University Interscholastic League, the governing body for high school...
COVID-19 cases increasing in Texas
COVID-19 cases are ticking up in Texas — though the overall number of cases remains well below what it was at the height of the pandemic.Driving the news: EG.5, a descendant of Omicron, was named a variant of concern by the World Health Organization last week.The new strain was responsible for an estimated 17.3% of COVID-19 cases nationwide from mid-July through Aug. 5, up from 7.5% through the first week of July, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Zoom in: Coronavirus cases reported in Texas increased nearly 24% in the week that ended Aug. 5, up from the...
Johnny Football's new documentary
A new Netflix documentary captures the rise and fall of former Texas A&M quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel.Why it matters: "Untold: Johnny Football," released last week, shows what can happen when a talented athlete grapples with national fame.The intrigue: "Johnny gave one of the most raw, vulnerable, revealing, open-hearted interviews that we've ever had," Maclain Way, an executive producer of "Untold," said in a statement.Prepare for lots of F-bombs.Details: The new documentary starts with Manziel's "Friday Night Lights"-like upbringing in Kerrville, just southwest of Fredericksburg, before delving into his "unstoppable" time at Texas A&M.Manziel talks about his dashed...
State Fair of Texas names food finalists for 2023
Crab tater bites, fried pho, and cheese fries pizza are among this year's savory finalists for the Big Tex Choice Awards at the State Fair of Texas.A Belgian chocolate cheesecake, fried cherry pie and sopapillas are among the sweet finalists.Driving the news: The fair — with all its fried foods — is less than 50 days away.Why it matters: Everyone knows fried foods will help you fit back into your winter (remember that season?) sweaters.Here are the finalists:Turkey ribs — fried turkey served with stuffing-seasoned fries and gravy.Ox'cellent soul roll — fried spring roll stuffed with beef oxtails, potatoes, Gouda and...
Property tax cuts in Dallas budget proposal
Dallas city leaders are introducing a property tax cut for the eighth year in a row in the next fiscal year's $4.6 billion budget.Driving the news: Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax and city staff presented the proposed $4.6 billion budget for 2023-24 to the City Council yesterday.Why it matters: Rising property values allow for another year of property tax cuts despite a budget increase of $100 million. If the proposal is approved, the budget would lower the rate from 74.58 cents per $100 valuation to 73.93 cents.The city wants to allocate $1.8 billion for its general fund, nearly $138 million...
Fort Worth proposes $1B general fund budget and property tax cut
Fort Worth's proposed budget for the next fiscal year includes its largest property tax rate reduction in decades.The suggested new rate is 67.2 cents per $100 valuation, a 4 cent cut.State of play: Like Dallas, other cities are collecting more revenue due to increased property values, making it possible for property tax cuts.Yes, but: Some homeowners have larger tax bills than in previous years as home values climb. Plus, cities are increasing fees for basic services such as trash and water.The intrigue: In this year's proposed budget, Fort Worth's general fund is more than $1 billion for the first time.Details:...
How to make the most of tax-free weekend in Texas
North Texans who procrastinated on school supply shopping are in luck because tax-free weekend runs from Friday to Sunday.Why it matters: The statewide sales tax holiday covers most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks under $100.The big picture: Back-to-school shopping in the U.S. is expected to reach a record $41.5 billion this year, up from $36.9 billion a year ago.Zoom in: Dallas parents will spend an average of $707 per student on supplies, clothing and other necessities to prepare for the upcoming school year, according to a recent survey from Deloitte.That's 18% more than the national average of $597.30% of...
Best new barbecue spots in North Texas
Texas Monthly is out with a new list of noteworthy barbecue joints in the state.The publication, which released its Top 50 in 2021, highlights the 25 best "new and improved" spots for smoked meats.Details: The list features spots that opened after 2021 or have significantly updated their menus.Arlington's Smoke 'N Ash BBQ has fused its barbecue and Ethiopian food into one menu, which includes barbecue nachos made with injera chips.Dallas' higher-end barbecue spot, Douglas Bar and Grill, serves wagyu brisket. Texas Monthly contributor Daniel Vaughn says they have "the most perfect fried apple pie you'll ever have."Meanwhile: The new list also celebrates five barbecue joints on the edges of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro.Decatur's North Texas Smoke BBQ, a food truck parked on U.S. 287, made the list. So did Denison's Heritage Butchery & Bakery, Mabank's B4 Barbeque & Boba, Tolar's Hill City Chop House, and Van Alstyne's Pit Commander Barbecue.Of note: Pit Commander's Texapolitan pizza will again be available at the State Fair of Texas. The main barbecue joint will be closed during fair season.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Dallas.
How Dallas-Fort Worth became America's boomtown
Imagine San Diego, San Jose, New Orleans, Pittsburgh and Boise all rolled up into the same metropolitan area.That would give you a sense of just how many people now live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area's major cities, which aside from the titular pair also include Arlington, Plano and Garland.The big picture: Dallas-Fort Worth is one of the country's fastest growing metropolitan areas.The region added more people than any other U.S. metro between 2021 and 2022, with 170,396 new residents.Climate change, which is driving extreme heat and other hazardous weather, is so far not slowing growth in Dallas — or other...
What other cities can learn from car-dependent Dallas
Dallas was initially a railroad town built with streetcars, trains and pedestrians in mind. But decades of car-centric policies turned it into one of the country's most automobile-dependent metro areas.The big picture: Cars are seen as synonymous with personal freedom, but they can also drive up the cost of living, carbon emissions and road congestion.Dallas-Fort Worth is constantly undergoing road construction, as new roadways are built and existing ones widened.Why it matters: The region's car-centricity affects low-income families the most because their need for usable sidewalks and affordable transportation options is neglected.Flashback: Footage of downtown Dallas in 1939 shows a...
North Texas' "Silicon Prairie" gets billions in new investment
A set of multibillion-dollar chipmaking facilities under construction in Sherman — a city of 45,000 about 60 miles north of Dallas — could solidify North Texas as a global microchip and tech leader.The big picture: From North Texas to Phoenix to upstate New York, cities and regions across the country are vying for a piece of a $280 billion federal package President Biden signed last year in hopes of boosting the domestic chipmaking industry and reducing the country's reliance on Chinese tech components.Catch up quick: Microchips are critical for everything from phones and laptops to vehicles and home appliances, but a...
Lionel Messi sells out FC Dallas tickets
North Texans will get to watch the GOAT in person this Sunday, for the first time since he joined Major League Soccer.Driving the news: Inter Miami CF and FC Dallas will compete for a Top 8 spot in the Leagues Cup, which features teams from MLS and Liga MX.The matchup became official Wednesday night, after FC Dallas beat Mexico's Mazatlán FC 2-1.The big picture: Major League Soccer has been around since the 1990s, but getting Lionel Messi to play in the U.S. has been its biggest move yet.Serena Williams, Kim Kardashian and LeBron James were among the celebrities who attended...
Dallas celebs featured on popular podcasts
This was a big week for North Texas — two of our local celebrities appeared on two popular podcasts.Driving the news: Post Malone was featured on the new episode of "Call Her Daddy," and Mark Cuban was featured on "The Really Good Podcast."Post Malone is also performing in Dallas this weekend.The intrigue: Bobbi Althoff takes a casual, awkward approach with her celebrity guests on "The Really Good Podcast," which results in random but charming conversations.Althoff and Cuban did their interview sitting on the floor of a parking garage. Cuban was barefoot."Call Her Daddy" host Alex Cooper takes a more energetic...
Dallas files complaint against U.S. government over former Naval base
The City of Dallas is seeking damages from the federal government for failing to clean up environmental contamination at a former Navy airfield the city wants to redevelop for housing.Driving the news: Dallas filed a complaint with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims this week alleging that the federal government breached its contract to clean the groundwater and land the U.S. Navy used for 50 years.The Navy agreed to clean up the property within 15 years but missed its 2017 deadline.Why it matters: The City Council approved a master plan in December that reimagines the 738-acre plat in southwest Dallas,...
Texas homeowners insurance premiums rising
Homeowners across the country have seen significant increases in their home insurance premiums — and Texas is among the states with the steepest increases since last year, the Wall Street Journal reports.The big picture: Insurance companies are charging more and insuring less to make up for the weather-related losses from the past several years.Why it matters: The cost of owning a home is already high for many families in part due to inflation and high interest rates. State of play: Since January 2022, approved home insurance rates have increased between 20% and 30% in Texas, Oregon, Utah, Arizona, Illinois and...
Dallas’ hot, dry summer is setting records
The hot, dry summer in North Texas is setting heat and low precipitation records, according to the National Weather Service.Driving the news: Dallas-Fort Worth recorded only 1.25 inches of rain total in June and July, setting a record for the sixth driest span for the two-month period.The two months were also the 10th warmest in the area's recorded weather history, with an average temperature of 86.7°, per the National Weather Service.The big picture: This July was the Earth's hottest month, and even typically hot regions like Texas are setting heat records.Phoenix became the first major U.S. city to reach an...
North Texas housing draws out-of-state interest
Data: Zillow; Note: Origins include the entire metro area; Chart: Axios VisualsMost pre-pandemic moves were motivated by job changes, but now housing affordability is driving cross-state relocations, experts say.The big picture: Since 2021, there has been an exodus from high-cost tech hubs along the West Coast — including the Bay Area and Seattle — for more affordable mountain region states and Texas, Redfin deputy chief economist Taylor Marr says.The Texas population is booming, and Fort Worth added the most residents in the yearlong period that ended in July 2022.By the numbers: Nearly 75% of page views for Zillow listings in...
All the Texas Rangers trade deadline moves
Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer is tentatively scheduled to make his first start as a Texas Ranger on Thursday night.Why it matters: Scherzer was the blockbuster deal the Rangers made before Tuesday's trade deadline.The former New York Met will help fill the hole left by fellow former Met Jacob deGrom. The ace — with his $185 million, five-year deal — is out for the remainder of the season while he recovers from elbow surgery.The latest: The Rangers acquired Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Austin Hedges in the final hour before the deadline, per the DMN. Catch up fast: The Rangers...
Texans to benefit most from Biden student loan forgiveness measure
Texas, Florida and California will benefit the most from a student loan forgiveness program that seeks to cancel remaining balances for longtime borrowers.Why it matters: Americans owe $1.75 trillion in student loans, mostly from federal loans, per Forbes.That's almost $29,000 owed per borrower, on average.Catch up fast: The U.S. government paused federal student loan repayments and interest accruals during the COVID-19 pandemic.The Biden administration canceled up to $20,000 in student loan debt in August 2022, but the Supreme Court struck down his plan in June.Interest will start accruing on Sept. 1, and payments will be due in October.What's happening: The...
West Nile cases increasing in Texas
Dallas County is reporting a fifth person has been sickened by the West Nile virus, a disease transmitted by mosquitoes.Driving the news: A man living in the 75248 ZIP code in northern Dallas has been diagnosed with the West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease, the most severe form of infection.Why it matters: Most cases of the virus in humans are asymptomatic, and about 1 in 5 people develop a fever, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About 1% of infected people develop neuroinvasive infection, which can be fatal.Flashback: The state's first human case this year was confirmed on July 10...
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