Howdy folks 👋 (in my Big Tex voice).

Today is the first day of the State Fair of Texas—do you plan on attending? Last year, there was lots of talk about how expensive the fair had gotten, but organizers said they’ve worked to ensure it’s more affordable this time around. 

If you attend the fair for the new and creative foods, make sure you check out this list of Big Texas Choice Award finalists and winners to help inform your visit. 

If you attend this weekend, write in and let me know about your experience. What’s your favorite food item this year? Did you attend a concert? How much did you spend for your family to attend? Let me know so I can share your insights with the Courier DFW audience. Thanks in advance. 

Fort Worth has more than 20 different library locations. (Noemi Castanon/ Courier TX)

By Noemi Castanon

A Fort Worth Public Library card will give you free access to youth and adult workshops, learning resources, and entry to museums among other things.

Fort Worth has 20 different library locations accessible to anyone from the community. Library cards are free for residents, non-resident students in pre-k-12, educators, CFW employees, and TexShare visitors. Non-residents can get a card for $50 a year.

Applications can be filled online or by visiting a library location. Residency can be verified with a Texas Driver’s License, Texas state-issued identification card, lease agreement, vehicle registration, utility bill dated within the last 30 days, or Texas vehicle insurance card. 

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📸 Trash truck camera concerns: Dallas has recently started using cameras on trash trucks to detect code violations throughout city neighborhoods. The images captured were supposed to blur people and license plates for privacy concerns, but that may not be happening. Get the full story here. (NBC 5)

🛄 McKinney airport deals: Avelo Airlines, the main airline of the new McKinney National Airport, is offering $99 direct flight deals to a few different cities, with the opportunity to check your bag for free. (Culture Map Dallas)

⭐ The final kick line: Dee Brock, the original director of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, has died at 96. Brock, who grew up in Wright City and was a three-time UNT grad, led the cheerleaders for 14 years.
 (NBC News)

👗 A pattern for success: At 15, Dallas’ Angela Mercado can now cross “first runway show” off of her bucket list. In late August at the Texas Theatre, she presented 15 pieces she designed and sewed herself. Here’s how it went. (KERA)

💰 Record-breaking giving: North Texas Giving Day was last week, and donors gave more than $76 million to 3,300 local nonprofits, making the day the largest regional fundraising effort in the country. (North Texas Giving Day)

🏘️ Homecoming: Fort Worth’s newest affordable housing development has started welcoming residents. Babers Manor, a plan for 80 units in the Stop Six neighborhood, is in its third and final stage. Get the details here. (WFAA)

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Joi Louviere, with a story from Noemi Castanon. It was edited by Kimberly Lawson.

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