LATEST HEADLINES
A slate of new Texas laws go into effect December and January. Here’s what to watch.
| December 1, 2025
Dozens of new Texas laws will take effect in December and January, bringing wide-ranging changes to the state’s education system, law enforcement, taxes and more.
Texas proposes hiking licensing fees for summer camps by as much as 4,000%
| December 1, 2025
In their latest effort to boost camp oversight in the wake of the deadly July 4 floods, Texas officials have proposed hiking annual licensing fees for operators by thousands of dollars and slashing the number of camp representatives on a statewide committee that advises on industry regulations.
Texas schools are using AI to ban more books
| November 26, 2025
AI | book ban | EDUCATION | EXCO-Player | local politics | old texas | public education | public schools | TEXAS
School boards across Texas that are struggling to comply with a new state law restricting “inappropriate” materials on library shelves are turning to artificial intelligence for help.
Why Texas students need school libraries
| November 26, 2025
Watch as Amanda Jones, author of “That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America,” shares how school libraries help boost student performance and what happens when libraries are turned into disciplinary centers or computer labs.
Jones’ comments came during an event at Half Price Books in Dallas on Saturday.
Far-right conservatives are rewriting Texas history. Education advocates are sounding the alarm.
| November 26, 2025
DFW TEXED EXCLUSIVE | EDUCATION | K-12 education | Republicans | state board of education | TEXAS | Texas Lead Story
Education advocates are raising concerns over a new panel stacked with conservatives that will reshape how social studies are taught in Texas public schools.
The 10 most dazzling Dallas-Fort Worth holiday lights displays
| November 26, 2025
Addison | Arlington | Community | CULTURE | DFW | DFW EVENTS | DFW Lead Story | FAMILY | family friendly | frisco | Grand Prairie | HARDGATE | holiday lights | HOLIDAYS | LIFESTYLE | Little Elm | plano | THINGS TO DO
Bring the kids to see these 10 dazzling light displays around DFW this holiday season.
Texas Tea: Three Democrats vs. the Republican aiming to become Texas’ longest-serving governor
| November 24, 2025
So far, there's three Democrats looking to defeat Greg Abbott and become the governor of Texas, but do they have what it takes? Here's one Texan's opinion.
Here are the best costumes from the 2025 Texas Renaissance Festival
| November 21, 2025
Pirates, dragons, and plague rats, oh my! The costumes did not disappoint during the Pirate Adventure weekend at the Texas Renaissance Festival. The festival is running until Nov. 30 in Todd Mission, TX!
‘We Ain’t Buying it’: Grassroots groups mobilize to boycott Amazon, Home Depot, and Target
| November 21, 2025
Organizers of “We Ain’t Buying It” are calling for a Thanksgiving boycott of three companies they accuse of capitulating to Trump administration policies.
9 DFW food pantries to support this holiday season
| November 20, 2025
Community | CULTURE | DFW | donations | food banks | food pantries | food resources | HARDGATE | HOLIDAYS | LIFESTYLE | North Texas | plano | THINGS TO DO | volunteers
These Dallas-Fort Worth food pantries need volunteers and donations, especially during the holiday season.
Rodeo Dallas is back (sort of): New spot opening amid ongoing Deep Ellum closure
| November 20, 2025
Community | CULTURE | deep ellum | DFW | DFW Lead Story | ENTERTAINMENT | HARDGATE | LIFESTYLE | neighborhoods | rodeo | rodeo dallas | rodeo uptown
Rodeo Dallas is opening a new location amid its ongoing closure in Deep Ellum. Here’s what you need to know.
Houston couple keeps pride alive at Montrose home
| November 19, 2025
One Houston couple is keeping Pride visible. After the rainbow crosswalk at Taft and Westheimer in Montrose was removed, they decided to share their own display at home and are inviting everyone to drive by and see it. With the crosswalk gone, a decision tied to Gov. Greg Abbott’s administration, they are making sure the colors still shine in Houston.
Voters stopped a right-wing takeover of a Houston-area school board
| November 18, 2025
In early November, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD voters elected three new trustees to their school board, breaking a conservative majority that was elected in 2023.
This small city became the Christmas capital of Texas. Here’s why.
| November 18, 2025
christmas capital of texas | Community | CULTURE | DFW | DFW Lead Story | ENTERTAINMENT | food & drink | grapevine | HARDGATE | HOLIDAYS | LIFESTYLE | SHOPPING | TEXAS | THINGS TO DO
Grapevine, Texas, draws over two million visitors to 1,400 Christmas events each year. Here’s what makes this town just north of Dallas a festive draw at the holidays.
Women-only Uber driver option now available in Texas cities, sparking criticism, lawsuits from male drivers
| November 17, 2025
A new system feature from Uber is showing mixed responses as the driving app rolls out a pilot program in Texas cities.
Political Videos
Dallas ‘No Kings’
New Texas law caused some schools to limit student health care services
Government shutdown threatens Houston classrooms
Jasmine Crockett: Republicans use trans people, immigrants to divide Black voters
Jasmine Crockett on fighting GOP free speech attacks: ‘Snatch our power back’
Gov. Greg Abbott would have you rat out your family
Texas has banned over 500 books. That’s why we’re launching the Texas Banned Book Club.
Attacks on academic freedom spread across Texas universities
THINGS TO DO
LOCAL STORIES
Rodeo Dallas is back (sort of): New spot opening amid ongoing Deep Ellum closure
| November 20, 2025
Community | CULTURE | deep ellum | DFW | DFW Lead Story | ENTERTAINMENT | HARDGATE | LIFESTYLE | neighborhoods | rodeo | rodeo dallas | rodeo uptown
Rodeo Dallas is opening a new location amid its ongoing closure in Deep Ellum. Here’s what you need to know.
This small city became the Christmas capital of Texas. Here’s why.
| November 18, 2025
christmas capital of texas | Community | CULTURE | DFW | DFW Lead Story | ENTERTAINMENT | food & drink | grapevine | HARDGATE | HOLIDAYS | LIFESTYLE | SHOPPING | TEXAS | THINGS TO DO
Grapevine, Texas, draws over two million visitors to 1,400 Christmas events each year. Here’s what makes this town just north of Dallas a festive draw at the holidays.
Women-only Uber driver option now available in Texas cities, sparking criticism, lawsuits from male drivers
| November 17, 2025
A new system feature from Uber is showing mixed responses as the driving app rolls out a pilot program in Texas cities.
The American Black Film Festival will be in Dallas this weekend. Here’s what you need to know
| November 14, 2025
American Black Film Festival | arts | Community | CULTURE | DALLAS | DFW | ENTERTAINMENT | LIFESTYLE | TEXAS
The American Black Film Festival is holding a two-day event this weekend at AMC NorthPark 15. Here are all the details.
The Politics of Access: What AfroTech can teach us about empowering innovation and equity
| November 14, 2025
At AfroTech in Houston, the energy was more than innovation. It was a call to expand power and access. Stacey Abrams’ powerful message about AI, democracy, and equity revealed why Texas’ tech future must serve everyone.
Remembering Cleo Hearn: Visionary Behind Cowboys of Color Rodeo Dies at 86
| November 13, 2025
Cleo Hearn | Community | Cowboys of Color | CULTURE | DALLAS | DFW | DFW Lead Story | LIFESTYLE | rodeo | TEXAS | TEXAS HISTORY
Cleo Hearn, who was known for creating the Cowboys of Color Rodeo, has died at the age of 86. Here’s what you need to know about his life and legacy. Cleo Hearn, a legend in the Texas rodeo community, died on November 9 at the age of 86. He will be remembered, among many other […]
TX walk to bring attention to substance-use disorders
| November 13, 2025
Community | CULTURE | DALLAS | DFW | FAMILY | HEALTH | LIFESTYLE | mental health | shatterproof | shatterproof walks | substance abuse
Drug poisoning deaths have increased by 75% in Texas over the last five years. In hopes of ending the stigma surrounding substance-use disorders, hundreds of people are expected to gather in Dallas Saturday for a walk sponsored by the nonprofit Shatterproof. The Shatterproof Walk to End Addiction Stigma will bring together advocates, families and those in recovery who want to see addictions addressed with more compassion.
