Good morning, North Texas. ☕

The countdown clock is ticking loudly—we’re only 41 days out from the midterm election. Apart from checking your registration status and getting to know the candidates on your ballot, what else could you be doing to prepare?

Over the weekend I was at brunch with some friends, including one who had just moved to Texas. Before anyone asked about her move, her house, or her new job, another friend fired: “Are you registered to vote?” I was so proud.

My non-journalist friends know the stakes of the midterms, and have taken personal responsibility for making sure those around them are registered and prepared for Nov. 3—even if they’ve just arrived. It’s an easy task that can have a huge ripple effect.

Want to go even further? Apply to be a poll worker! These are paid positions that allow you to be a part of ensuring our elections remain free and fair. If you apply or have already confirmed you’re working the election, let me know. I’d love to shout you out in a future newsletter and hear about your experience afterwards. 

(Joi Louviere/ COURIER Texas)

By Brian McManus

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Gina Hinojosa made her pitch to Houston voters Tuesday afternoon on a rooftop at the edge of downtown Houston, taking questions from moderator Don Lemon and audience members at Courier Texas’ “On the Ballot” event six weeks before Election Day.

Hinojosa is trying to become the first Democrat elected statewide in Texas since 1994. She built much of her case around what she called a Republican state leadership that has failed working Texans.

Her central campaign proposal is a $1,500 payment to every Texas household, funded by drawing down the state’s rainy day fund, which she put at $27 billion and said is “being hoarded” in Austin.

“The difference between my plan and Trump’s plan is we have the money,” Hinojosa said to laughs from the packed crowd. “We pay for it. It should be working for us.”

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🏊‍♀️ The pool plan: The Fort Worth City Council will finalize plans later today (Wednesday) to add 10 outdoor swimming pools, 46 lap lanes, six spray grounds, and four indoor pools across the city. Here’s a map of where you can expect the new additions. (Fort Worth Report)

🚚 Art of the move: On Saturday, a semi hauled a sculpture down Jefferson Boulevard in Dallas. It read “Dignidad,” or “dignity” in Spanish, and previewed the Dallas Contemporary’s upcoming exhibit. Here’s everything you need to know about the piece and its companion exhibit.  (KERA)

🍅 Farmers Market restaurant: Popular Denton food truck Insurgent, known for using ingredients from local producers and growers, is taking its cuisine from a trailer to a permanent spot at the Dallas Farmers Market. Get the details here. 

🚍 The pink line: Last week, the Trinity Metro unveiled a new Fort Worth bus line created to honor the city’s Hispanic and Latino histories and cultures. The line is called La Linea Rosa and features a fleet of three buses showcasing designs from local artists. See the hot pink buses and their routes here.

Here are some things to do around the metroplex this weekend 

🎡 State Fair of Texas

Dallas

 

🤠 Lewisville Western Days

 

🍺 McKinney Oktoberfest

 

🛞 Monster Truck Wars

Denton

 

🇩🇪 Fort Worth Oktoberfest

 

🎉 Hispanic Heritage Celebration

Southlake

 

🛍️ The Bloom Bazaar: An All Women-Owned Marketplace

The Colony

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Joi Louviere with reporting by Brian McManus and editing by Kimberly Lawson.

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