It's official: A Starbucks will open next door to he restored Forest Theater in South Dallas. My latest story for The Lab Report looks at why Forest Forward decided this was the right call for the project—and its neighbors.
labreportdallas.com/p/why-starbu...

My Lab Report colleague @kellixsmith.bsky.social dug deep into Dallas crime data for this report. There you'll also find a link to sign up for more stories like Kelli's. Thanks to everyone who has already become a subscriber and/or offered feedback and story tips.
labreportdallas.com/p/the-percep...

With the fight over healthcare shutting down the federal government today, The Lab Report's @kellixsmith.bsky.social looks beyond the political bickering and digs into the real-life implications across North Texas, especially within Parkland Health. labreportdallas.com/p/deep-medic...

Multifamily development plans in Dallas regularly set off firestorms of protesting neighbors who know they hold the power to delay, or even kill, any project. As of Monday, a new state law wiped out that influence. From The Lab Report's @goodmoine.bsky.social
labreportdallas.com/p/senate-bil...

ICYMI: While the dominant public safety conversation in Dallas was about adding more cops, violent crime fell 48% across 150 sites in just six months. Police officers had very little to do with it. From @labreportdallas.bsky.social's @kellixsmith.bsky.social
labreportdallas.com/p/dallas-bli...

It's easy to be overwhelmed by the never-ending string of barriers to neighborhood transformation. The story of Dallas pastors Chris Simmons and Gerald Davis shows how much impact just one or two people can have.

We're building something new over here, and I'm so excited to have Kelli with us. If you care about compelling local journalism that isn't boring, we're launching this for Dallas later this summer. Sign up here: labreportdallas.com

Our nonprofit newsroom adventure grows! So excited to be sharing this new chapter with Matt @goodmoine.bsky.social Goodman, who is at the top of the list of local journalists I most admire and whom I’ve wanted to work alongside for almost a decade. www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/...

Gov. Greg Abbott is ready to allow online sports betting in Texas.

In an exclusive interview for the Texas Take Podcast, Abbott said he has no objection to the Texas Legislature passing a law to join 39 other states that have legalized online sports betting. www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...

Whoa … acclaimed restaurant Petra and the Beast is closing Sunday.

The restaurant re-opened in a larger space in 2023 and was a James Beard finalist last spring.

Before leaving @dallasnews.bsky.social for my new writing job, I’m glad I was able to devote one of my last columns to an important goal of mine these last six-plus years — helping tell the long-neglected and vital stories of Dallas history.

www.dallasnews.com/news/comment...

Exciting news: After a great run with @dallasnews.bsky.social I’m headed to the Child Poverty Action Lab, where I will continue to tell significant stories about Dallas. www.dallasnews.com/news/comment...

A report out of the North Texas animal welfare front — this wildlife center could really use some help.

Two-thirds of Dallas County young adults aren’t making a living wage. Commit Partnership wants to improve those odds by 2040. Here’s what educators believe is working already.

www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/...

My contribution to this week’s theme of thanks-giving. A 145-year-old bell powered by an iPhone.