Happy Friday folks,

Before you head out for your weekend excursions, a heads up that parts of Interstate 30 will be shut down from Saturday night through Monday morning. 

And if you read nothing else in this newsletter, make sure you check out our latest video on the Fort Worth neighborhood paying the cost for a $10 billion Black Mountain Energy data center. It’s at the end of this email. 

Dressing up is encouraged at Scarborough’s Hollow. (Scott Fischer/Southwest Festivals, LLC)

By Sydni Ellis

The magic of Scarborough’s Hollow begins before you ever walk through the castle gates. After all, part of the fun is getting in character—and even more so during Halloween season. 

When I put on sparkly makeup with my sister before the fall festival, held in the same Renaissance-era village that holds Scarborough Faire in the spring, I already felt the spirit of fantasy and fun.

Fairy wings, glitter makeup, medieval garb, and mystical costumes are all encouraged, and, honestly, you’ll feel out of place if you don’t dress up. (Although, fair warning: my 9-year-old son was embarrassed by all the attention he received from festivalgoers for his Harry Potter costume.)

From the moment my family and I arrived, the air was brimming with enchantment. Even the employees’ outfits and accents are expertly tailored to fit the era. We trekked through the gravel parking lot into a land from centuries past, filled with toddlers gnawing on turkey legs, colorful court jesters playing for a laugh, and all the pumpkins your heart desires.

🍕 Starboy’s Pizza: A new pizza shop just opened in the Medical District; its theme was inspired by the owners’ love of Tex-Mex, NASA, and The Cowboys. See what Starboy’s Pizza is serving up. (Culture Map Dallas)

☑️ Collin County Props: If you live in Collin County, you’ll likely find several propositions and bonds on your midterm ballot. If you live in Anna, Wylie, and McKinney, there are even more to consider. Here’s a rundown. (KERA)

🎒 Public education on the ballot: Got a child or grandchild in a Texas public school? Here’s how statewide elections, like lieutenant governor and comptroller, could shape their education. 

🎞️ Texas flicks: The Lone Star Film Festival is preparing to celebrate its 20th anniversary, with nearly 100 films. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming event. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

🪔 Letting in the light: This weekend is Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. The holiday signifies the victory of light over darkness. Check out these weekend events to celebrate. (Dallas Morning News)

🏫 DFW’s best schools: In the US News and World Report’s list of the best K-8 schools in the country, eight North Texas schools shine. See the list of schools here, including the two Dallas ISD schools that got top honors. (Culture Map Fort Worth)

In 2025, Black Mountain Energy came to Fort Worth with one goal in mind: to find a space to build their $10 billion data center campus. 

The project is part of a massive statewide boom. As of September 2026, Texas has nearly 600 tracked data center facilities and projects. North Texas has seen much of it, with more than 250 data centers operating, planned or under construction across the region.

So Courier Texas’ DFW political reporter Katie Serrano spent time talking to the people most affected. Watch our video here.

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

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

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