Morning y’all ⛅

Here’s another 2026 election twist we didn’t see coming: Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, a Republican in one of Texas’ last true battleground regions, is crossing party lines with some of her endorsements.

🔹 Parker endorsed Democrat Jon Rosenthal for Texas Railroad Commissioner over Republican Bo French, a former Tarrant County GOP chairman. French drew bipartisan criticism and has lost endorsements after calling a group of South Asian students at a University of Texas at Austin football game “a problem.”

🔹 She’s also backing state Sen. Nathan Johnson (D-Dallas) over state Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston) for Attorney General.

❓ She has yet to weigh in on the US Senate race, stating she still doesn’t whether she’s supporting Republican Ken Paxton or Democrat James Talarico.

Parker isn’t the only one crossing party lines. This Johnson County conservative and this former Dallas congressman are, too. And in rural Hood County, one longtime Republican said her whole community is breaking rank over data centers. She even talked to gubanatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa about those concerns.

What do you make of Republicans crossing party lines in some of Texas’ biggest races this year? Does this signal a new era for politics or is this a one-off moment of unity for Texas voters? Write in and let me know your thoughts. I’ll share your perspectives in an upcoming edition.

Joi Louviere

Managing Newsletter Editor, Courier DFW

Your thoughts about voting could inspire someone else. Tell us what’s motivating you in a short, selfie-style video, and we may feature it in our newsletter or on social.* Tell us why you’re voting →

A behind-the-scenes look at Disney magic is coming to Fort Worth

An upcoming exhibit at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History details how Disney’s animators bring iconic movies to life. (HarshLight, CC BY 2.0)

By Sam Cohen

Disney movies have been a staple in childhood homes for decades. We each have our favorite (mine is “Mulan”), and we have each been impressed, in varying degrees, by the animation used to tell these stories.

Now, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is offering residents the chance to take a closer look at how exactly that animation unfolds in an upcoming exhibit.

Opening on Nov. 14, “Capturing Life, Creating Character: The Art of Live-Action Reference,” is an exhibition carefully curated and designed by the Walt Disney Archives. It provides guests with a closer look at the process behind how Walt Disney Studios’ animators create each distinctive film. The collection will be located in the museum’s Havener Gallery upstairs and remain on display until Feb. 14, 2027.

Here’s what to expect + how to get tickets

🫂 Mom away from home: A North Texas entrepreneur has launched Mamacitas, a service that helps college students navigate adulthood and independence with a motherly touch. Students can get help with time management, transportation, and other practical challenges. (NBC 5)

🏟️ Goodbye Dickies: Fort Worth’s Dickies Arena is now Ariat Arena after a 10-year naming rights deal ended. Here’s how the relationship with Dickies fell apart and how a boot brand took its spot. (Dallas Observer)

🎉 Party at the polls: If you haven’t voted yet, make the experience fun by attending one of these upcoming Party at the Polls events, where you can enjoy live music and free food.

⌛ Curtain call for beloved theater: Dallas’ 80-year-old live music venue, the Granada Theater, is closing down in November. Ticketed shows will be honored through April. Here’s what’s replacing the venue and why people are upset about it.

Here are some things to do around the metroplex this weekend

💀 Dia de los Muertos Oak Cliff

Dallas

🚂 Witches’ Brew Train

Grapevine

🎭 Ren Fair & Shakespeare LIVE

Arlington

🎃 A Fall Centerpiece Workshop

Plano

👻 The Garland Graveyard Haunted House

🥀 Dia de los Muertos en Fort Worth

🗓 See more events

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Joi Louviere, with a story from Sam Cohen. It was edited by Kimberly Lawson.

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