Good morning, good people 🌅

Here are a few updates on some news topics we’ve been covering lately.

1️⃣ The investigation into the Dallas apartment explosion is moving along. I posted a video Friday, sharing what we know right now. You can also check out this list of fundraising and donation efforts that are actively helping the families of those killed, as well as those who were displaced.

2️⃣ In part No. 582 of the “Do we update Dallas City Hall or scrap it” saga, a vote to determine next steps is set for Wednesday. Here are the issues that will be discussed. 

3️⃣ With the Mavericks and the Stars making firm decisions to abandon their Downtown Dallas venues for more customizable spaces further north, restaurants and bars near the American Airlines Center may be in trouble. Check out their sales numbers when the teams are playing versus when they’re not.

If you missed the special World Cup newsletter yesterday, you can find it, and other past editions of Courier DFW, here.

Here’s what you can rent on the cheap in DFW, from studio apartments to houses. (Alex Shuper/Unsplash)

By Sydni Ellis

It’s no secret that Texans are struggling with rising housing costs. And as homeownership becomes increasingly unattainable, many are turning to renting apartments or homes in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Fifty-eight percent of City of Dallas residents are renters, according to a February 2026 Child Poverty Action Lab rental housing report. Of these, 59 percent are low-income, which means they’re likely looking for the least expensive options that offer the amenities they need. In other words, they want the best bang for their buck, especially given the staggering costs and inflation affecting every area of their spending.

Members of Gen Z are especially likely to be renters. A March 2026 report by RentCafe found that more than 88% of Gen Zers in Dallas rent. But, regardless of age, how do you find the right home or apartment to rent that fits you or your family’s needs and—more importantly—your wallet?

According to Realtor.com, the median rent in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area was $1,410 a month in January 2026. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of options in the area that cost renters $1,400 or less per month. 

Join COURIER and 3.14 Action on June 11 for Facts vs. Fiction: The Fight for Science in American Democracy.

Misinformation isn’t just noise. It’s shaping policy decisions that determine who can afford care, which communities are protected, and how our government responds to real-world risks.

This live conversation will examine what’s at stake when facts are ignored and how science-informed leadership has shaped policy on healthcare, climate, agriculture, and public health. At a moment when institutions and public trust are under attack, we’ll explore what happens when decision-making is driven by evidence, what it takes to rebuild trust, and why scientific integrity is essential to democracy.

Stay tuned for more speaker announcements, and don’t miss this conversation.

Eight pierogis from A Taste of Europe are more than enough to feed one person. (Joi Louviere/ Courier DFW)

On a rainy day, I wanted a cozy lunch, and after reading impressive reviews, I ventured to West Arlington for a Taste of Europe. This Eastern European restaurant has been around for 24 years, founded by an immigrant couple from Belarus and Russia, respectively. Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, and Hungarian dishes are represented here. Here’s what I ordered.

Would you try this restaurant? Let me know if you do. 

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 Sydni Ellis. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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