Welcome to Friday, folks 🎊

Many of y’all have probably heard the latest country hit, “Choosin’ Texas,” by Ella Langley. The song has become the Dallas Stars’ unofficial anthem and sat at No. 1 on the Billboard Charts for four weeks. After 39 weeks since its chart debut, it sits at No. 2 today.

About a month ago, Langley, an Alabama native, filmed the song’s music video at Fort Worth’s Stagecoach Ballroom. It was finally released on Wednesday, and the video has already racked up nearly two million views. Check it out for a few great cameos. 🤩 (Let’s see if you can catch them all.) 

Like the song? Catch Langley at Dickie’s Arena on Aug. 15.

Animals will come right up to your vehicle at the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. (Julie Deilo/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

By Sydni Ellis

Some people take animal loving to another level—making it their life’s work to save otherwise unwanted creatures and give them a safe, happy home. Not all superheroes wear capes! Many of these animal sanctuaries in Texas allow visitors to spend time with rescued wildlife while raising funds for the rehabilitation, conservation, and education they provide.

From big cat sanctuaries (think: “The Tiger King,” but without the animal cruelty) to farm-animal sanctuaries, there are many animal sanctuaries in Texas that save animals from exploitation, neglect, and death, giving them better lives. Learn more about these rescue organizations below.

👚 Ms. Rachel for detained ‘littles’: Ms. Rachel, the child education YouTube star, videochatted with children at ICE’s South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley last month. She shared many of the sad conversations online. This week, she became one of about 200 influential Americans to sign a petition calling for authorities to close the facility immediately. (San Antonio News-Express)

🫨 Dallas housing in crisis: A Dallas City Council meeting on Wednesday laid out the grim reality of housing costs in the city. More than half of Dallas renters are using more than 30% of their income on housing, and last year, 28,000 evictions occurred. The city is working on a plan. Got ideas? The next meeting is on April 22. (Dallas Observer)

🎖️ A Scout helps pets: A Plano Scout has built a food pantry for the Dallas County Humane Society as his Life Scout project. This will help the organization, which is in desperate need of pet food donations to support adoptive families facing hardship. (Plano Magazine)

🌭 The Metroplex goes Chicago style: Chicago hot dog chain Portillo’s is expanding its DFW presence with a North Dallas location that opened this week and a DFW Airport location in May. 

⛽ Gifts of gas: Fort Worth police teamed up with Lucky Shamrock gas station to give about 80 customers $25 in free gas on Wednesday. (Dallas Express)

🚀 Houston, there’s no problem: The Artemis II ascent was successful. To track the crew on their 10-day mission, you can view their real-time orbit here or on the NASA app. 

Is it easier for you to learn about what’s happening in Texas and beyond through video? Check out our cut-to-the-chase videos! 

1. More business owners are reporting millions in damages because of the program’s end

2. Abbott didn’t address health care costs, housing, or public school work in his speech

3. The uninsured list keeps growing as state Medicaid becomes harder to access

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube for more videos.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Joi Louviere with stories from Sydni Ellis. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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