Hey DFW,

Did you hear? Gov. Abbott has issued a state of emergency for the anticipated winter weather, beginning Friday. Keep your eyes on the weather forecast as it’s changing hour by hour.

This would be a good day to cover any yard plants you’d like to preserve, as well as outdoor water spouts. Make sure you know where your water shutoff valve is (in case of flooding) and have generators hooked up and ready to go.

If your weekend plans are ruined, I have some fun suggestions later in this email. Happy prepping!

The Dallas County Commissioners Court is expected to pass a symbolic exoneration for Tommy Lee Walker, who was wrongfully executed in 1956. (Mohamed Nohassi/Unsplash)

This article contains details of murder and of racial violence.

Yesterday, the Dallas County Commissioners Court reversed a guilty verdict in the case of Venice Parker’s 1953 rape and murder. At 19 years old, Tommy Lee Walker was sentenced to death for the crimes and executed three years later, proclaiming his innocence till the last seconds. Now, 70 years later, it’s been determined that everything from Walker’s arrest to his conviction was a result of unreliable evidence, coerced interrogations, and just flat-out racial bias.

Reporter Sam Cohen examines one of the most shocking trials in Dallas history. Read the full story below.

🗳️ Time to vote in Tarrant Runoff: If you’re a resident of Texas Senate District 9, most of Tarrant County, it’s time to vote early for your next state senator. Taylor Rehmet, a Fort Worth Democrat, and Leigh Wambsganss, a Southlake Republican, are going head-to-head for the seat. Get dates, voting locations, and more here. (Fort Worth Report)

🏗️ The Mavs are house hunting: Last year, the Dallas Mavericks announced that they wouldn’t renew their contract with the American Airlines Center and have since been searching for a property to build their own arena. They’ve narrowed it down to two Dallas properties. Take a look here. (Fox 4)

🏆 James Beard Award noms: The James Beard Awards have released their list of 2026 semifinalists, and eight DFW restaurants and bars have received nominations. See the list here. (Culture Map Dallas)

It looks like the weekend weather forecast will have us inside, sheltering from cold temperatures instead of hunting for fun events for our families.

Let’s make plans for the next best activity—binging TV shows.

Set in a Pittsburgh hospital, “The Pitt” gives a realistic representation of a day working in a city emergency room, with each season documenting just one day. The show received 13 Emmy nominations last year and most recently won a Golden Globe for Best Television Series – Drama. (Warrick Page/HBO Max)

These series are all trending on their respective streaming networks. Click the series name to watch the trailer and learn more about the show. 

On Hulu

“Pole to Pole”
“A Thousand Blows”
“Percy Jackson and the Olympians”
“Tell Me Lies”

On Apple TV

“Hijack”
“Tehran”
“Pluribus”
“Mr. Scorsese” 

On Netflix

“His & Hers”
“Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials”
“Harlan Coben’s Run Away”
“Stranger Things”

On HBO Max

“The Pitt”
“Industry”
“Heated Rivalry”
(A blast from the past) “Mad Men”

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

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