Happy Election Day!

If you didn’t vote early, today is your day. Polls are generally open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and if you’re in Dallas County, you must vote in a specific precinct based on your party and location. You should have received a card in the mail with that information on it, but you can always check here for your specific instructions.

I’ll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with election results.

Daxbot robots have been mapping Burleson’s sidewalks to assist in the city’s ADA plan. (Lizzythetech/CC BY-SA 4.0)

By Sam Cohen

In January, Burleson began mapping the city to assist in its ADA transition plan, which was created to provide residents and visitors with a safer, more accessible way of getting around. Over 200 miles of sidewalks need to be assessed to determine where any potential obstructions lie that would create navigational barriers for people with disabilities. Aiding in this effort is the Oregon-based company Daxbot. Its website reads, “Putting Robots in the Service of Humanity,” and that’s exactly what’s being done in Burleson.

Daxbot’s robots have been covering between six and seven miles of sidewalk each day to collect valuable data for the city’s ADA plan. Errick Thompson, who serves as the Director of Public Works, said the robots are able to do this more quickly, efficiently, and precisely than a team of humans would be able to. “We want to make sure Burleson is a very walkable community for everybody. So, this is a huge input into helping us develop that plan,” he told NBC 5. Mason Reeves, who works for Daxbot, said the technology used by the robots is pretty straightforward.

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🏃‍♀️ Marathon history: A Fort Worth woman made history at the Cowtown Marathon this past weekend, ranking first overall after competing in the ultra-marathon portion of the weekend. Forty-one-year-old McKale Montgomery ran more than 31 miles in 3:33:11—that’s less than seven minutes a mile. (WFAA)

🎓 A bachelor’s in AI: Starting this fall, the University of North Texas will offer a major in artificial intelligence. The track was approved last week, making UNT the fourth school in the state to offer such a degree. Learn more here. (Dallas Observer)

🏞️ State park premiere: The latest state park in 25 years, Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, has opened about 75 miles west of Fort Worth. The 4,871-acre park holds a 68-acre lake and 16 miles of trails. See photos here. (Texas Parks & Wildlife)

Last week, I asked y’all what you’d name North Texas’ signature music festival and here’s what some of you said. 

Not Just Country — Samar

The Great North Texas Music Festival — Rudy

Dollarpalooza — Michele

Texas Jam — Anonymous

Want to weigh in? Submit your suggestion here.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Joi Louviere with reporting by Sam Cohen. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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