It’s Equal Pay Day, y’all,

This day is dedicated to reminding us that women still don’t make as much as men. It would take until this date for women in the US to make what men made last year. For women of color, the official date is even further away.

If you’re thinking, “Joi, there’s bigger fish to fry.” I’d say maybe, but maybe not. Equal pay in the US could change everything. It would drastically reduce the need for public assistance, shrink poverty rates, and protect more children from educational gaps and food insecurity. We’d start to see a more equal distribution of power in corporations, politics, and families. I’d even argue that many Millennials and Gen Z women who have decided not to have children, to avoid the workplace “motherhood tax,” would be far more open to starting families with equitable pay policies.

In 2023, the gap was narrower than ever. Today, the gap has widened. But what made 2023 so special?

In 2023, states continued to pass pay transparency laws
Many corporate women were still on work-from-home policies, adding more flexibility for childcare
About half of US states had some sort of minimum wage increase that year
Corporate DEI policies created targeted recruitment and structural changes that made it easier for women to thrive in male-dominated fields without discrimination

And that’s just the beginning of what needs to happen for us to see equal pay in our lifetime. So next time you prepare for the voting booth, pay attention to which candidates are talking about a minimum wage increase, passing pay transparency laws, and revamping the American childcare system. And if they aren’t already talking about these things, you can tell them to!

Yes, the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 exist, and while this legislation helped move the needle, there are still too many loopholes. The Paycheck Fairness Act could close those gaps, and has been introduced in the House and Senate a few times, but failed to gain Republican support.

Both Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn have voted against it, despite this appearing to be a bipartisan issue. Color me confused, but I’m dreaming that one day we’ll all be on the same page about paying women what they’re owed.

Joi Louviere

Senior Newsletter Editor, COURIER DFW

The 7 best spots to find bluebonnets in DFW

It’s the perfect time to spot fields of beautiful bluebonnets around North Texas. (Fallon Michael/Unsplash)

By Sydni Ellis

It’s bluebonnet season, y’all—and there are so many places to see these gorgeous native flowers growing in North Texas!

Adopted as the State Flower of Texas in 1901, bluebonnets are beautiful blue wildflowers that can withstand the Texas climate, which often comes with heat and drought. The best time to see them is in March and April, but the only problem is that everyone seems to be on the hunt for these vibrant blooms right now, as they are a beloved springtime tradition for many.

If you want to find bluebonnets off the beaten path (and away from crowds!), check out a few of the local spots my family and I have discovered over the years. We’ve had luck with these options, including one time we literally pulled over on the side of the road to snap pictures. With these, plus other hot spots in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, you’ll be sure to find a place for the prettiest family bluebonnet pictures.

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🏆 Still No. 1: For the 14th year in a row, Texas has been named the No. 1 state for new business, job creation, and overall economic development. In 2025, more than 1,400 business expansions brought 42,000 new jobs to the state. (Culture Map Fort Worth)

💥 Atmos sued after explosion: A Lake Dallas woman is seeking $1 million in damages from Atmos Energy after her home was decimated due to an area gas leak. The woman, whose home didn’t use gas, suffered burns, broken bones, and other injuries, according to her, because of the company’s failure to properly maintain and monitor its natural gas infrastructure. (CBS News)

🌳 More green is coming: Frisco’s 122-acre park project is almost completed. Northwest Community Park will feature nature hikes and bike trails for all levels, public art, a playground, and an observation deck. See a rendering here. (Community Impact)