Happy Friday, y’all!

Well, it’s maybe not the happiest for my pro-cannabis folks. Today begins the latest hit to Texas’ hemp industry—a ban on Delta-8. After Texas issued a flower and smokeable hemp ban this spring, a new ruling will take Delta-8 and other cannabinoids off the shelves today. 

This decision led Dallas shop owner, Molly Mathias, to close the doors to her Bishop Arts storefront this week. She told me that if state lawmakers don’t get educated on the hemp industry, it’ll have dire effects on Texas consumers and the 9,000-some odd businesses across the state that have made the healing plant their bread and butter. Click the buttons below to hear a local business owner’s assessment of the ongoing issue.

Alisa Simmons, left, and Tim O’Hare. (Photos courtesy of campaigns)

By Noemi Castanon

Republican incumbent Tim O’Hare has served as Tarrant County judge since 2023, and will face Democrat Alisa Simmons, who currently serves as the county commissioner for Southeast Tarrant County, during the general election on Nov. 3. 

As Tarrant County continues to grow—it has more than 2.2 million people and is the third-most populous county in Texas—it has become a swing county in the state. 

📓 Free school supplies: As families prepare for a new school year, several organizations around DFW will be giving free supplies and haircuts to families in need. Click here to check out our list of drives and freebies. 

📡 On the market: Dallas Market Hall, which has been the site of conferences and trade shows for more than 60 years, has cancelled all upcoming events as the owner decides if he wants to redevelop the space for a data center. (WFAA)

🫰 Pay up, Texas: In 2023, Texas House Bill 8 went into effect, promising that the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board would financially reward community colleges for getting low-income and adult students to graduation day. The colleges came through, but now the board doesn’t have enough money to pay out.
(Dallas Observer)

📖 Child authors: A Desoto 10-year-old and 6-year-old are now the co-authors of a bilingual coloring book of affirmations. Tap the link to hear from the children and their mother. (NBC 5)

👩‍🍳 Big Tex alum keeps cookin’: Kendall Williams won the State Fair of Texas’ Big Texas Choice Award last year for the most creative dish—wagyu bacon cheeseburger deviled egg sliders (Courier DFW tried them, and they were delish!), and in August she plans to open her own restaurant in Victory Park. See what’s on the menu. (Culture Map Dallas)

🏃‍➡️ The county’s champ: A 17-year-old Denton County native is now a US champion. Cooper Lutkenhaus won the men’s 800-meter race at the US track and field outdoor championships last weekend. It’s his first outdoor title. (KERA)

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! 

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

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