Happy Monday,

It’s only right to start the week with a laugh. I just about fell out of my chair when I read this story about a greedy raccoon getting its head stuck inside a mayonnaise jar. This precocious rodent, neighbors eventually dubbed “Mayonesa,” spent days wondering around a Dallas neighborhood stuck in the jar until Dallas Animal Services came to the rescue and removed it. See the ridiculous photos here. 

I would say this is unbelievable, but if you’ve ever seen a raccoon completely decimate your garbage can in the middle of the night, looking for grub, this should be no surprise. Let this be a reminder to us all to seal those garbage lids and save both the critters and yourself the trouble. Here’s the secure latch I use to sleep easy. 

Educators shop to prepare for the new school year. (Noemi Castanon/ Courier Texas)

By Noemi Castanon

Karen Olivo, an art teacher at South Hills HighSchool in Fort Worth, doesn’t know what she’d do without The Welman Project. The nonprofit that gives educators free school supplies has been a godsend during Olivo’s six years as a public school teacher and has helped close a resource gap left by years of bare bones funding for public schools across Texas.

“In this economy and society that we live in today teachers aren’t really given the support that they need most of the time,” she said. “Having a place like Welman is like a huge weight off of you.” 

In November of 2015, The Welman Project was established to help educators with resources for their classrooms—73% of public schools in Texas are currently underfunded, and teachers typically receive no money for their classroom needs. A 2025 report shows that the average teacher in the US spends about $895 out of pocket for classroom items each year.

And we’re not exaggerating. Our Courier Texas political editor found that under the most recent marijuana restrictions, Delta-8, Delta-10, and other hemp-derived THC products are now considered Schedule I controlled substances, making Texas’ penalties for possession among the harshest in the country.

Even the possession of simply one gram—that’s the weight of a paper clip— could lead to 180 days to two years in jail. That’s the same penalty for stealing $20,000 worth of something from an individual or entity. 

PITA is located on Preston Road in Frisco, with another location coming to Prosper in the fall. (Joi Louviere/ Courier Texas)

I’ve found what you’ve been looking for—a Mediterranean version of Chipotle, with a drive-thru! PITA is a bright and beautiful eatery in east Frisco, just moments from Dallas North Tollway. You can design your own dinner by first deciding if you want a salad, bowl, or pita wrap and then choosing from an array of ingredients. Some offerings include 72-hour marinated chicken shawarma, spicy falafel, grilled steak, roasted corn, pickled cabbage, hummus, tzatziki, and more feta than you know what to do with. Once you top with the sauces of your choosing, you can check out their house-made refreshers with lime, raspberry, and mango flavors you can combine.

With the bowl, pita chips, dot cake, and a drink, I still managed to get out for less than $30 and I had leftovers. I think this concept is so smart, especially with the drive-thru option, and I love seeing healthier food options that are affordable and convenient. The staff told me they’ll be opening another location in Prosper this fall, but I selfishly vote for a Dallas location after that. Give PITA a try and tell them Courier DFW sent you!

Don’t Sleep On is a weekly series where I shout out DFW events and businesses I think you should try. Have a suggestion? Reply to this email.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Joi Louviere with reporting by Noemi Castanon. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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