It was another busy week in North Texas. Our free Courier DFW newsletter brings these straight to your inbox, Monday-Friday. Want to know more about education issues throughout the state? Subscribe to our Wednesday TexEd Report newsletter.
Drought kings: While data centers have been sucking what’s left of Texas’ water supply, let’s look at the longstanding culprits of the water crisis—coal and power plants.
Memorializing community: Two cousins work together to keep the Black History of Oak Cliff’s Tenth Street alive through a digital museum. Here’s how you can help.
The tastiest in DFW: Check out what local restaurants and chefs took home the top prizes at Culture Map’s Tastemakers Awards. See the Dallas winners here and the Fort Worth winners here. (Culture Map)
Till the wheels fall off: Tesla is recalling its Cybertruck again, because the manufacturer used the wrong grease to prevent cracking around the wheel stud, which could cause it to separate from the wheel hub—the wheels could literally fly off while in use. Get all the details on the Cybertruck’s eleventh recall. (Wired)
‘It’s a sh*tshow’: “Shenanigans.” “Wasteful.” “Burden.” “Overcompliance.” “Crippling.” “Sh*tshow.” Parents reflect on new the laws reshaping public schools in Texas.
Talarico’s maternal health plan: On Sunday, Senate candidate James Talarico announced a plan to address Texas’ maternal mortality crisis, which includes guaranteed time off for all new mothers, a requirement that insurance providers cover doula and midwife services, and extended eligibility for the WIC program. See his complete plan here. (The Grio)
Gas tax holiday: It might be the only time President Donald Trump and US Senate hopeful James Talarico are on the same page. Talarico has been pushing for a suspension of the federal gas tax amid rising fuel costs. Trump says he agrees. See who wasn’t in support of the 18.4-cents-per-gallon gas tax suspension at first. (Texas Tribune)
Camps can’t comply: New safety laws are leaving most Texas sleepaway summer camps in limbo. See what requirements were implemented this year and what camps are cleared for the summer.
Big win for Dallas band: After entering the competition four years in a row, Dallas musical group Cure for Paranoia has won NPR’s 2026 Tiny Desk Contest. Winners will record a Tiny Desk concert at NPR’s headquarters in Washington, DC, and headline a 10-city tour. Click here to see the video that got them the win. (KERA)
DFW’s new Ikea: Ikea opened its newest store in Rockwall this week. Get more information here. (Furniture World)
Holiday plans? Here are 8 ways to spend Memorial Day in North Texas.
Restoring a freedman cemetery: Local civil rights advocates have spent the last 10 years trying to restore the St. John’s Cemetery in Pilot Point, suspected to hold 400 unmarked graves of Black community members that inhabited the land a century ago. Denton County stopped funding the cleanup, so the group made a new plan to continue their work. (Denton Record-Chronicle)
30-minute delivery: Amazon Now, offering urgent delivery for an extra fee, has landed in Dallas-Fort Worth. This service offers 30-minute delivery on about 3,500 items stocked in a small local warehouse. Here’s how the fees work. (Culture Map Dallas)
They’re alive! More than 200 Tarrant County voters have been misidentified as deceased thanks to a third-party data management company, but county commissioners voted 3-to-2 this week to renew the company’s contract. It’s unclear how many more voters were affected. You can check your voter registration status here. (KERA)
🤝 ICE for the summer: Texas sheriff’s departments had until Dec. 1, 2026, to enter into a 287(g) agreement with ICE, but now Attorney General Ken Paxton says he’s giving the Dallas sheriff until June 1. Tap here to see the sheriff’s response and a reminder of the three levels of ICE involvement that departments can agree to.
🚕 Plano’s along for the ride: Plano’s on-demand ride service for residents 65+ is already pretty popular, logging more than 300 ride requests in the first week of operation. Rides are free through June 4. (WFAA)
🪴 These tiny towns are growing: These DFW northern suburbs are seeing some of the fastest growth in the nation. Click hereto see what smaller communities are blowing up. (CBS)
🚌 Grandpa makes graduation: A Fort Worth woman graduated from a Houston university last weekend, and her 91-year-old grandfather took a 9-hour bus ride to make it to the ceremony. Hear the heartwarming story. (NBC 5)
🍦 Ice cream opening: Portland’s famous ice cream chain has set opening dates for its Dallas and Fort Worth locations. Get the sweet details here. (Dallas Morning News)
