Good morning, North Texas,

Well, it’s almost time for the Super Bowl LX, the Seattle Seahawks vs. the New England Patriots and—Bad Bunny vs. the world. For some, the day is strictly about football; others plan food and drink menus like it’s a national holiday, and some watch to enjoy the million-dollar commercials and to see an awe-inspiring halftime show. I’m no football commentator, but I can help prep you for the other stuff.

What are we eating?

I love the Little Smokies in the sweet sauce, (these feel very New England), but if you want to really dive into the theme, you could put some seafood on the menu as a nod to both teams (lobster mac, salmon sliders, clam chowder) and do a berry-forward dessert for Seattle and whoopie pies for New England.

What commercials should we watch for?

CBS Sports put together a list of commercials to watch for. Based on this, I suspect Peyton Manning, Post Malone, and Shane Gillis for Bud Light will be the best. 

How can I prep for the halftime show? 

Well, it’s probably too late to learn Spanish, but you can still check out Bad Bunny’s latest album and get ready to dance. 

Who should I cheer for?

This is a deeply personal decision. I like a Cinderella story and usually cheer for the underdog, but who has that title at this bowl? Seattle hasn’t won a Super Bowl since 2014, but New England wasn’t supposed to make it this far this season, so is their place in the finals a bit of a miracle? I’ll let you decide.

Politicians from both parties have won re-election despite being at the center of scandals. (AndriiKoval/Adobe Stock)

By Public News Service

Texas lawmakers are no strangers to scandals throughout the decades – and a University of Houston professor says they just don’t have the same impact they used to with the public.

From the abuse of power charges against former Gov. Rick Perry in 2014 to corruption charges against former U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, and impeachment proceedings against Attorney General Ken Paxton, Texans are accustomed to high-profile scandals. But the political landscape has changed over the last 50 years – and they aren’t having such a negative impact on the futures of people in power.

Brandon Rottinghaus, a political-science professor and author of the book “Scandal: Why Politicians Survive Controversy in a Partisan Era” said the shift is largely due to social media, and the 24-hour news cycle.

“The zone is completely flooded with information; people are overwhelmed and so, they retreat to their own tribal attitudes,” he said. “They’re going to support the politicians that they like and forgive them. The other is, there’s a correlation between social media use and appetite for scandal.”

🍽️ Why Dallas gets everything: North Texas has become a landing spot for big-name restaurant transplants—from Uchi and Carbone to Eataly and Portillo’s—making chains at least 40% of the metro’s dining scene. (Axios)

🚨 Hutchins rejects ICE facility: Hutchins officials and Dallas County Commissioner Elba Garcia say they oppose a proposed ICE detention center, with city leaders stressing they’ve received no official notice and warning it would strain infrastructure and harm the community. (ABC 8)

🤰 Pregnant in Texas jails: Texas jails hold more than 400 pregnant inmates each month, and a new state study is tracking their care and outcomes as advocates push for accountability and alternatives to incarceration. (Texas Tribune)

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Joi Louviere with reporting by Public News Service. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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