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Axios Dallas
North Texas schools close amid budget cuts, declining enrollment
Declining enrollment and budget shortfalls have forced several North Texas school districts to close campuses.The big picture: Traditional public schools nationwide are struggling with declining enrollment, as more families opt for private schools or public charter schools.Americans are also having fewer kids. The U.S. fertility rate has declined nearly 15 percentage points since 2007, per AP.State of play: Public school enrollment in Texas increased by almost 9% between 2012-13 and 2022-23. But attendance, which determines in part how much funding a school receives, remains a challenge.Around 26% of Texas students were chronically absent — meaning they missed more than roughly...
Rick Perry joins Texas Stock Exchange's leadership team
The new Texas Stock Exchange plans to start trading in late 2025 from Dallas, with a leadership team that includes former Gov. Rick Perry.Why it matters: Gov. Greg Abbott hopes TXSE — pronounced "Tex-see" — will draw more companies to Texas and boost the state's already strong economy. There is also hope that it will elevate Dallas as an economic hub."With those first trades and listings, Dallas will become a new hub for capital markets in the United States," TXSE chairman James Lee said at a news conference in Austin on Monday.The big picture: Perry, former Dallas Fed president Richard...
The State Fair of Texas has $422 million economic impact on Dallas-Fort Worth
More than 2.3 million people went to the State Fair of Texas last year, generating about $422 million in economic activity from visitors and exhibitors in Dallas-Fort Worth, per a new economic study.Why it matters: The fair is more than fried food, rides and auto shows. It's actually an economic boon for North Texas.Plus, your Axios Dallas writers unabashedly love the fair and all its flair.Driving the news: The three-week extravaganza starts Friday and continues through Oct. 20.State of play: About the same number of people attend the fair each year, but the event's effect on the North Texas economy...
How to enjoy the State Fair of Texas
The State Fair of Texas isn't cheap. Some families spend hundreds of dollars on a single visit.Yes, but: There are ways to ball on a budget and make the most of your fair experience…🤫 Avoid the crowds. The fair tends to be the busiest on Saturdays and during Dallas ISD's fall break, seeing over 100,000 visitors in a day.DISD's fair days are Oct. 10-11, the Texas-OU game is Oct 12, and Indigenous Peoples' Day is Oct. 14. Steer clear if you hate large crowds.🎟️ Get a discount. Admission is discounted for seniors, military members and first responders. You can also...
Dallas City Council to vote on ForwardDallas land use plan
The Dallas City Council is scheduled to vote Wednesday on FowardDallas, a comprehensive plan on how public and private land should be used.Why it matters: City committees and residents have met for months to update the wide-ranging plan for the first time in almost 20 years.The plan aims to guide zoning decisions to ensure there is enough equitable housing in the city.The big picture: Dallas leaders continue to grapple with the city's racist past. The east-west Interstate 30 severs lower-income communities from the higher-income communities to the north.Dallas was the first Texas city to impose housing segregation by race in...
2024 elections: What to know about North Texas races
Election Day is Nov. 5. Control of the White House and Congress is at stake.Why it matters: State legislative seats are also on the ballot — but those chambers are extremely likely to remain under Republican control.Though many North Texas seats were essentially decided during the primaries, some races are competitive. Plus, Dallas voters will weigh in on City Charter amendments, including one that would decriminalize marijuana. Here's what you need to know about voting and what's on the ballot in North Texas.Voting in TexasYou can register to vote through Oct. 7.Update your information with the secretary of state's office...
Toyota Stadium in Frisco to get $182 million renovation
Frisco's Toyota Stadium is about to get real shady — the Frisco City Council has approved a $182 million plan to update the home of FC Dallas and add shade over its seating areas.Why it matters: North Texas has become a popular outpost for well-established and up-and-coming franchises. The sports venues expand the region's capacity to host moneymaking large-scale events.Toyota Stadium has hosted concerts, high school football games, college bowl games and Concacaf Nations League matches.The big picture: Dallas is a main host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which means the Dallas-Fort Worth region will host events and...
The Texas Civil War Museum is closing
A White Settlement museum claiming to have the largest collection of Civil War artifacts west of the Mississippi will close next month. Why it matters: The 15,000-square-foot Texas Civil War Museum was often criticized for being partial to the Confederacy, showcasing artifacts from the United Daughters of the Confederacy and not mentioning slavery much.
Dallas Stars start training camp, preseason games
It's about puckin' time for hockey to return. Why it matters: The Dallas Stars have made it to the Western Conference Finals two years in a row. Just three months ago, they fell short of making it to the Stanley Cup Final. Time to try again. The latest: Training camp...
Dallas nonprofit raises more money than ever
One of Dallas' oldest nonprofits is raising more money and serving more people than ever, thanks in part to the pandemic. The latest: Ascend Dallas is one of more than 3,000 nonprofits participating in North Texas Giving Day on Thursday. The nonprofit changed its name from WiNGS this year, and...
AT&T agrees to $13 million settlement for 2023 data breach
Dallas-based AT&T has agreed to a $13 million settlement over a data breach that occurred in a January 2023, the Federal Communications Commission announced Tuesday.Why it matters: The telecommunications industry was a top target for hackers last year, with over 80% of breaches involving cloud-stored data, per the FCC.At least 1 billion records have already been stolen or accessed in data breaches this year, according to TechCrunch.The big picture: AT&T has experienced multiple breaches in recent years. The company reported in July that hackers had seized several months of call logs, affecting almost all AT&T cellphone users.Zoom in: The FCC's...
Jordan Spieth visits Brookhaven as he recovers from wrist surgery
Pro golfer Jordan Spieth is taking full advantage of family time in Dallas as he recovers from wrist surgery.Driving the news: Spieth visited Brookhaven Country Club on Monday to meet young golfers at a charity tournament for the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation's work with pediatric cancer research and junior golf development.The 31-year-old also spoke to reporters about his recovery and what could be next in his golf career.Why it matters: Dallas-Fort Worth is a training ground for professional golfers.Dallasite Scottie Scheffler is the No. 1 golfer in the world and this year's Masters winner.SMU grad Bryson DeChambeau, No. 10 in...
What to know about LIV golf tournament in Carrollton
Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf is hosting its team championship tournament this weekend in Carrollton.Why it matters: This will be the first time the well-funded, two-year-old golf tour stops in North Texas.LIV has been controversial since it launched in 2022, partly because it is funded by the Saudi government.Catch up fast: Critics argue that the Saudi government is funding the golf tour to "sportswash" its global image.The PGA Tour initially criticized the tour over human rights concerns in Saudi Arabia and suspended players who took part in the inaugural LIV tournament.Last year, the two groups announced they planned to merge. That...
North Texas Giving Day is on Thursday
North Texans love charity work so much that there are multiple nonprofits to help donors figure out which organizations to help.Driving the news: North Texas Giving Day is on Thursday and, this year, donors can choose from over 3,000 nonprofits across the region.Why it matters: The event, organized by the Communities Foundation of North Texas, has raised over $9.4 million in early giving so far this month. How it works: Organizers say 100% of each donation will go to its intended nonprofit.Browse the list of organizations or take a quiz to be matched with causes based on your interests. You don't have to wait until Thursday to donate.Dozens of organizations also have donors willing to match contributions. Amazon is one of the matching sponsors this year.Plus: There are several in-person events this week — including a lunchtime improv class, wine walk and fundraiser with classic arcade games.Zoom out: The event has raised over $566 million in the last 15 years. Around 97,000 donors participated last year, raising over $60 million.
DFW Airport's Terminal C to get a facelift
One of the worst terminals at DFW Airport is finally getting an upgrade.Why it matters: Updates to Terminal C are part of the airport's $9 billion capital improvement plan, which includes the construction of a sixth terminal.The big picture: DFW is one of the busiest airports in the world. Over 80 million passengers traveled through it last year.The airport's capital improvement plan has over 180 projects, including a plant that will supply renewable energy for the airport, the new Terminal F and an east-west road to State Highway 360.The airport says the plan is its biggest capital investment since it...
Frank Lloyd Wright skyscraper up for auction
The only skyscraper designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is scheduled to go up for auction next month, leaving its fate up in the air.Why it matters: The 19-story building looks over Osage country in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and is filled with Wright-designed furniture.The tower is hundreds of miles from Dallas, but its past and future are linked to North Texas.The big picture: The skyscraper was originally imagined in the 1920s as a New York City apartment tower, but the Great Depression shuttered the project.Wright updated the design in the 1950s for Harold C. Price and his Bartlesville pipeline company. The architect...
Plano-based Tyler Technologies faces complaints over glitchy government software
A Plano-based technology firm has built a multibillion-dollar business out of helping local governments break up with their archaic web systems.Why it matters: Tyler Technologies doesn't have major competitors, giving it a near-monopoly on the public sector nationwide, per a new Bloomberg story.But some clients say their technology updates have been glitchy, delaying court proceedings and causing longer jail stays, per Bloomberg.The big picture: Tyler's products span construction permitting, police dispatching, jail booking, property appraising, campground reservations, restaurant inspecting, cannabis licensing and school bus tracking, per Bloomberg.In many cases, local municipalities purchase multiple Tyler products.State of play: Tyler was founded...
EPA funding to expand residential solar in Texas
Dallas and Harris counties are likely to receive the largest portion of the $250 million in federal grant money awarded to Texas to support solar energy projects. Why it matters: The U.S. Solar for All program is projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 30 million metric tons over five years, according to the EPA.
Baroque painting of Mary Magdalene now a part of Kimbell Art Museum permanent collection
A 17th century painting that was lost, then rediscovered, is on display at the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth.Why it matters: This is the first time the public can view "Penitent Mary Magdalene," which was in private collections since its creation and widely copied.State of play: Artemisia Gentileschi, the first woman accepted to the Florence Academy of Fine Art, painted the piece around 1625. It depicts Saint Mary Magdalene, a central figure in Christianity's origins.The intrigue: The painting disappeared from public record for many years and reappeared in 2001 at an auction in France, per the Kimbell.It was in a private collection until the Kimbell purchased it this year. The painting went on display last week.What they're saying: "In contrast to some of Artemisia's more violent narratives of forceful, heroic women, such as Judith and Lucretia, the Kimbell Magdalene captures an introspective moment of contrition and reflection, intense in its spiritual power," the museum said in a statement.If you go: The painting is in the Kimbell's Louis I. Kahn Building as part of the museum's permanent collection, free to access.Special exhibits are half price on Tuesdays and after 5pm on Fridays. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Six Flags of Texas now requires chaperones for kids under 15 after 4pm.
Six Flags Over Texas now requires children under 15 to be chaperoned by someone over 21 after 4pm.Why it matters: Six Flags joins the State Fair of Texas in requiring most minors be accompanied by an adult in the evening.The Arlington-based theme park operator said the policy aims to ensure that "all guests have the best time ever and leave happy and eager to visit again." The big picture: Six Flags, like other amusement parks, has seen a decline in attendance.The park attributed the policy change to an increasing number of incidents involving "unruly and inappropriate behavior at amusement parks...
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