Happy Friday, y’all.

On Wednesday, I gave you a rundown of the controversial statements made by Bo French, the Republican nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner. I asked if you thought his comments, along with the responses and silence from some Texas GOP members, would have consequences in the November election. Here’s what a few of you said. 

Sherry B.: No, totally bad behavior. How [Ken] Paxton can still be in this race just shows you how corrupt this party is. As a lifelong Republican, I will only vote Republican if they are not MAGA. Bring back the moderates. If you can’t be bipartisan and be in the middle of the bell curve, you have lost my vote. 

Gwen: French is a scumbag of all scumbags. No one is listening to him. No one cares what he says. [Ken] Paxton is a whoremonger! 

Carl P.: Hopefully, Bo French will go down in defeat. [Ken] Paxton is another story. I am skeptical that enough Republican Texans will turn their backs on this buffoon. 

It’s not too late to weigh in. I’d love to know if you think speaking out or staying silent about racism, or any other taboo topics, can make or break a Texan’s candidacy. And if you think French still has a chance of winning his seat, tell me why.

As always, thanks for writing in and having these discussions with me. 

Tons of outdoor games, delicious fall goodies, and beautiful pumpkins await at Sunset Trail Farm. (Sunset Trail Farm)

By Sydni Ellis

September marked a record-breaking heat month in Dallas-Fort Worth—with the most triple-digit temps on record!—so it doesn’t feel like fall at all. A little sweat won’t stop us from enjoying the season, however! We may not be able to wear flannel shirts and boots just yet, but we can still enjoy all the amazing autumn activities.

My family loves visiting pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and fall festivals this time of year—even in the midst of a heat wave. There’s nothing like picking out pumpkins, going on hayrides, and enjoying delicious, seasonal treats. From u-pick farms to adrenaline-pumping activities to classic autumn photo opportunities, there is something for everyone at these fall-focused locations. 

It may be too hot to function right now, but that’s even more reason to get into the fall spirit with some local family fun. 

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🦖 A Universal letdown? At a cost of over $300 for a family of four, is the new Universal Kids Resort in Frisco worth it? A Texas family has mixed reviews. Read a father’s honest (and funny) review here. (Texas Monthly)

📸 Flock to stay: Despite residents calling for an end to Flock camera usage, the Carrollton City Council voted 6-1 Tuesday to renew the city’s contract and expand their network of cameras. (NBC 5)

👩‍⚖️ An outlet for gunmen? Attorneys for Allen Premium Outlets told the Texas Supreme Court on Wednesday that it bears no responsibility for the 2023 shooting where a gunman killed eight people and injured seven. Families for several victims argued that the mall lacked the proper security to handle a mass shooting and should have been prepared based on the frequency of incidents in the US. (KERA)

🥩 It’s Wagy’all now: An Irving restaurant fusing Texas barbecue with Iraqi spices just made Southern Living’s list for the best new barbecue spots in the South. See the review here. (Southern Living)

📘 Booked for inclusion: Arlington libraries want to support neurodivergent adults, and a new $25,000 federal grant will help with that. Check out this preview of what programming will look like. (Fort Worth Report)

🩺 Street doctors: Street medicine programs across the country exist to offer medical services to those living on the streets. Dallas is a year and a half into their inaugural program. Meet the Baylor physicians trying to make a difference. (KERA)

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Joi Louviere with a story from Sydni Ellis. It was edited by Kimberly Lawson.

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