Fair Park to get millions in first batch of bond money

1 big thing: Fair Park to get millions in first batch of bond money

2. 🎡 State Fair opens today 

A photo of Big Tex at the State Fair of Texas

What to do at the State Fair of Texas

3. 🗓 State Fair happenings 

A photo of a light show at the State Fair of Texas

4. 🗞 Burnt ends: Bite-sized news bits 

Illustration of a horse wearing an apron, while BBQing meat on a grill.

5. 🕯 One cocktail to go: Ayahuasca Cantina

Happy Friday! Hard work is a means not a virtue.

☀️ Today's weather: Still hotter than it should be.

⚽️ Situational awareness: The 2026 World Cup final will either be at AT&T Stadium or MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, per Gov. Greg Abbott.

Today's newsletter is 947 fair-ready words — a 3.5 minute read.

This newsletter was edited by Delano Massey and copy edited by Judith Isacoff and Yasmeen Altaji.

🔥 Mike is stunned that it's been 11 years since Big Tex went up in flames.

👑 Tasha is craving deep-fried goodness after reading about the funnel cake queen.

🍜 Naheed is reading about the phorrito that could've been a state fair item.

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Dallas

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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Dallas. Written by Michael Mooney, Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi and Tasha Tsiaperas.

Axios Dallas

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1 big thing: Texas sues EPA over emissions standards

A lot of cars in traffic on a highway in Dallas

Duchess of York's former assistant found dead in Dallas

2. Duchess of York's former assistant found dead in Dallas

Duchess of York in a black car with her assistant in the background

3. 🏈 Cowboys crush Patriots

A linebacker runs upright with the ball as a quarterback lays on the ground facedown

4. 🗞 Burnt ends: Bite-sized news bits

Illustration of BBQ sauce with a label that says "Burnt Ends."

5. 👻 We asked, you answered: Halloween decorations

Animated illustration of a pattern of Axios logos changing into blue word balloons with black question marks in them.

Happy Monday! Some weep, some sleep, some quietly plot and steep.

☀️ Today's weather: We don't have fall. We only have hotumn.

👏🏼 Situational awareness: The Rangers clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2016.

Today's newsletter is 1,047 emitted words — a 4-minute read.

This newsletter was edited by Bob Gee and copy edited by Khalid Adad and Yasmeen Altaji.

☂️ Mike is hoping his friends in New York are staying dry.

🐈‍⬛ Tasha is celebrating her kitten's first birthday.

💅 Naheed is planning the fetchest fit for National "Mean Girls" Day at Lexy's in Dallas.

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1 big thing: Supreme Court to rule on Texas social media law

A Greek looking building, photographed from the ground looking up

Dallas just had its second hottest September on record

2. 🌡 Dallas' hot, hot summer 

Our casual fan's guide to the Rangers postseason playoffs

3. ⚾️ An incredibly casual fan's guide to the Rangers playoff series

Champaign suds looking like stars, sprayed over a clubhouse after victory

Illustration of the Deep Ellum neon sign, which says "Burnt Ends" and "Axios" instead of "Deep Ellum" and "Texas."

A new career is waiting for you

5. 🌮 One taco to go: Taqueria Torres #2

Three tacos in soft tortillas, with a lot of cilantro on top

☀️ Today's weather: We'll miss this heat one day. High of 92, and a chance of thunderstorms at night.

📉 Situational awareness: Traffic fatalities in North Texas decreased 6% last year, according to data from the North Central Texas Council of Governments.

Yes, but: Traffic deaths in Collin County were up 51%.

Today's newsletter is 973 socialized words — a 3.5-minute read.

This newsletter was edited by Chloe Gonzales and copy edited by Judith Isacoff and Yasmeen Altaji.

⚾🏈 Mike is going to be watching a lot of sportsball over the next few days.

🗣 Tasha is enjoying "The Centre" and its take on language.

😅 Naheed is avoiding (accidentally) cheering for the wrong team's home run in the playoffs.

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Plus: 🏛️ SCOTUS takes on social media

Dallas will be a federal health innovation hub

1 big thing: Dallas will be a federal health innovation hub

Illustration of the Reunion Tower as a caduceus.

"Dateline" revisits Dallas murder-for-hire plot

2. 📺 "Dateline" revisits Dallas killing 

3. 🎊 Axios Dallas Weekender 

Illustration of a cassette tape with the tape unspooling to spell weekend. 

Illustration of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in Dallas, animating on and off the screen.

On the job hunt? 

5. 🎃 One burning question to go: Halloween decor

A photo of Halloween decorations on the lawn

Happy Thursday! Dream like you'll never wake.

☀️ Today's weather: High in the mid-90s. Still not sweater weather.

🎵 Sounds like: "She Blinded Me With Science"

🎂 Happy birthday to our Axios Dallas member Darren Grubb!

🌝  Situational awareness: Tonight's harvest moon will be the last supermoon of the year. Expect a bigger, brighter face in the sky.

Today's newsletter is 935 carefully chosen words — a 3.5-minute read.

🔪 Mike is almost caught up on "Only Murders in the Building" and has some thoughts about this season's killer.

👻 Tasha is reading about Home Depot's Halloween decor merchant and his cemetery visits.

☕ Naheed is wondering which local coffee shop has the best pumpkin spice latte.

Are we one of your information hubs? Refer your friends to Axios Dallas and get cool merch like stickers, totes, hats, T-shirts and more!

Assault weapon mass shootings on the rise in Texas

1 big thing: Assault weapon mass shootings on the rise in Texas

North Texas auto parts workers on UAW's picket lines

2. 🚘 Auto parts workers on the picket line

3. 💰 Charted: Dallas' big banking energy

Why Cleveland is a worth a visit

5. ✈️ One Cleveland trip to go

Happy Wednesday! Listen well. Disagree with respect.

☀️ Today's weather: High in the low 90s.

🎵 Sounds like: "For The Love of Money"

🏀 Situational awareness: The Dallas Wings lost last night to the Las Vegas Aces, giving them a 2-0 lead in second round of the WNBA playoffs.

Today's newsletter is 996 high-powered words — a 3.5-minute read.

This newsletter was edited by Delano Massey and copy edited by Patricia Guadalupe and Yasmeen Altaji.

🎲 Mike is booking a ticket to Cleveland to check out this board game cafe Tasha keeps talking about.

⚾️ Tasha is anxiously watching the Rangers close out the season.

📚 Naheed is browsing this bookstore's online selection of translated titles.

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The Texas Attorney General's Office is leading a challenge to the Environmental Protection Agency's pollution standards for cars and light-duty trucks in a lawsuit that could have a lasting impact on the automotive industry and the Texas power grid.

The latest: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit recently heard arguments in the case.

Why it matters: The lawsuit could determine how much the EPA can regulate the auto industry — and the results could have a drastic impact on air quality across the country.

Transportation accounts for 28% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., according to the EPA — more than any other industry.

The big picture: A 2021 revision to the Clean Air Act requires the EPA to set vehicle emissions standards for cars and trucks manufactured between 2023 and 2026.

Fifteen states — led by Texas and supported by advocates for the oil and gas industry — are challenging the rule, arguing it could affect the reliability of power grids and national security.

The other side: Several Democrat-led states and cities — along with clean-air groups including the Environmental Defense Fund and the American Lung Association — have joined the case in support of the EPA, arguing that the petitioning parties don't have standing to challenge the regulation.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents companies responsible for making 98% of the new cars sold in the U.S., filed a brief outlining its strong support of the EPA in the case.

The intrigue: ​​The group challenging the EPA has argued that an increase in electric vehicles could damage the reliability of power grids, but grid experts have said that EVs could actually make grids more resilient by supplying electricity back to the network when it's needed most.

Of note: This lawsuit isn't about fuel economy or efficiency. Those standards are set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

What they're saying: "We have a real opportunity here grounded in technological development, innovation and advancement to reduce and even eliminate harmful air pollution," Peter Zalzal, the Environmental Defense Fund's associate vice president for clean air strategies, tells Axios.

"It's vital to protecting public health and helping to address climate change," he said.

The Texas Attorney General's Office didn't respond to requests for comment, but it said in March that EPA rules could "undercut states' authority and efforts to properly regulate their own environment."

Meanwhile: In a separate case, Ohio v. EPA, several Republican-led states and advocates for the oil and gas industry are challenging a waiver that has allowed California to set emission standards that go beyond the federal standards set by the EPA.

Plus: A new Texas law will require residents to pay $400 to register a new EV for two years and $200 for renewal to make up for the state's lost revenue from gasoline taxes.

What we're watching: The U.S. Supreme Court could ultimately decide the case.

Texas sues EPA over emissions standards

At stake: air quality across the country.

We emit a lot in Texas. Photo: Emil T. Lippe for The Washington Post via Getty Images

Air pollution

The Texas Attorney General&#x27;s Office is leading a challenge to the Environmental Protection Agency&#x27;s pollution standards for cars and light-duty trucks in a lawsuit that could have a lasting impact on the automotive industry and the Texas power grid.The latest: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit recently heard arguments in the case.

News

Dallas author Ben Fountain's first novel since the acclaimed "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" is about a CIA agent and a treasure hunt, set in a recently upended Haiti.

Driving the news: "Devil Makes Three" goes on sale this week. A Kirkus review calls it a "tale of humanitarian and political tragedy."

Why it matters: Since being heralded as a 10,000-hour "late bloomer" genius by Malcolm Gladwell, Fountain has become Dallas' most celebrated author.

"Billy Lynn" was a bestselling sensation before it was adapted into a big-budget Hollywood movie.

Background: Fountain first visited Haiti in 1991. He tells Axios he was drawn there by "the suspicion that things were happening in there that I needed to try to understand, or at least engage with in the most serious way I might be capable of."

He took 40 to 50 trips to the country over the next 25 years to learn and experience as much as possible. 

"I never intended to stop going, but the past few years the insecurity has become so extreme that I'd be pretty foolish to go there now," he says.

He worked on this Haiti novel on and off for the last decade, while also writing some scorching nonfiction about America.

The intrigue: Fountain actually wrote an entirely different novel set in Haiti before "Billy Lynn," but he never sold it.

"I suppose that was the necessary failure I had to write in order to get to the point where I might write something worthwhile," he says.

What's next: He says he's got a good start on a new novel that's coming faster than usual.

Worthy of your time: Zac Crain's excellent D Magazine story about Fountain.

Ben Fountain's new novel is a thriller set in Haiti

Fountain has become Dallas' most celebrated author.

A man in a black suit with a black tie, looking literary

Ben Fountain is a Dallas treasure. Photo: Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Dallas author Ben Fountain&#x27;s first novel since the acclaimed &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Billy Lynn&#x27;s Long Halftime Walk" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/20/books/review/billy-lynns-long-halftime-walk-by-ben-fountain.html" data-vars-content-id="19ec3293-06d2-4e9f-a811-4161d1044883" data-vars-headline="Ben Fountain&#x27;s new novel is a thriller set in Haiti" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/20/books/review/billy-lynns-long-halftime-walk-by-ben-fountain.html" target="_blank">Billy Lynn&#x27;s Long Halftime Walk</a>&quot; is about a CIA agent and a treasure hunt, set in a recently upended Haiti.Driving the news: &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Devil Makes Three" data-vars-click-url="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250776525/devilmakesthree" data-vars-content-id="19ec3293-06d2-4e9f-a811-4161d1044883" data-vars-headline="Ben Fountain&#x27;s new novel is a thriller set in Haiti" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250776525/devilmakesthree" target="_blank">Devil Makes Three</a>&quot; goes on sale this week. A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kirkus review" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ben-fountain/devil-makes-three/" data-vars-content-id="19ec3293-06d2-4e9f-a811-4161d1044883" data-vars-headline="Ben Fountain&#x27;s new novel is a thriller set in Haiti" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ben-fountain/devil-makes-three/" target="_blank">Kirkus review</a> calls it a &quot;tale of humanitarian and political tragedy.&quot;

Culture

National

The former assistant to the Duchess of York was found dead in a Dallas apartment last week, and the medical examiner's office ruled the death a homicide, according to Dallas police.

A suspect was taken into custody in Austin by University of Texas police and charged with murder.

The big picture: Dallas police were called on Sept. 25 after neighbors smelled an odor coming from the downtown Dallas apartment, per WFAA. They found 46-year-old Jenean Chapman dead.

The man arrested, 48-year-old James Patrick, was married to Chapman for a few months, according to NBC News. Chapman's family said her relationship with Patrick was "rocky."

Royal connection: Chapman worked as Sarah Ferguson's personal assistant from 2001 to 2005, compiling briefings and handling travel needs, per the BBC.

Ferguson married Prince Andrew, Queen Elizabeth's third child, in 1986. They legally separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996 but are close friends and still live together.

Chapman moved to Dallas about five months ago for a new job, her family told NBC5.

What they're saying: "We're just in shock, and we're trying to gather ourselves and collect all the missing pieces of information," Crystal Marshall, one of Chapman's three sisters, told NBC.

"I am shocked and saddened," Ferguson wrote Friday on Instagram. "Jenean was loyal, hardworking, beautiful and fun and my heart breaks for her family and friends."

What's next: Patrick will be charged with murder in Dallas County.

Chapman's family set up a GoFundMe page to help transport her body to New York and pay for legal fees.

Austin

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Austin. Written by Nicole Cobler and Asher Price.

Axios Austin

Austin Alerts

Axios Austin Thought Bubble

Austin Members

Dallas Alerts

Axios Dallas Thought Bubble

Dallas Members

A suspect was arrested in Austin and charged with murder.

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York (left), and Jenean Chapman (right) in New York in 2003. Photo: Arnaldo Magnani/Getty Images

The former assistant to the Duchess of York was found dead in a Dallas apartment last week, and the medical examiner&#x27;s office ruled the death a homicide, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dallas police" data-vars-click-url="https://dpdbeat.com/2023/09/26/homicide-at-1400-elm-street/" data-vars-content-id="3777ccd8-8126-4b12-b330-12282de93f46" data-vars-headline="Duchess of York&#x27;s former assistant found dead in Dallas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dpdbeat.com/2023/09/26/homicide-at-1400-elm-street/" target="_blank">Dallas police</a>.<ul><li>A suspect was taken into custody in Austin by University of Texas police and charged with murder.</li></ul>

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Politics & Policy

The Rangers are in Tampa for the first game of the wild card series against the Rays. The game starts at 2pm Tuesday.

Driving the news: This is Texas' first time in the postseason playoffs since 2016.

Storylines to watch: The series will feature the two best hitters in the AL. Tampa Bay's Yandy Diaz barely beat Texas' Corey Seager for the league's batting title.

Both teams have struggled with pitching lately, so expect some high-scoring games.

The Rays are slight favorites in Las Vegas.

The big pitcher: The Rangers aren't likely to get newly acquired ace Max Scherzer back for the postseason.

Matchup: The Rays have the best home record in the American League.

Yes, but: The Rangers swept Tampa during their last meeting in July.

State of play: Turns out the Silver Boot series between the Rangers and the Houston Astros mattered this year.

The teams tied for first in the American League West, but the defending World Series champion Astros get the luxury of a couple of days off before their postseason series because they had a better record against the Rangers.

The intrigue: The Rangers and Astros both won just four of their last 10 games, but the Astros won four straight.

What they're saying: "We've certainly got a test in front of us. We've just got to bounce back. It's still good to be here," Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said after the team lost the regular-season finale.

The prescience: The Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant predicted the Rangers' 2023 regular-season win total within one game — in January!

This is Texas' first time in the playoffs since 2016.

Marcus Semien celebrates in the clubhouse after the Rangers clinched a spot in the postseason playoffs. Photo: Steph Chambers/Getty Images

Major League Baseball (MLB)

The Rangers are in Tampa for the first game of the wild card series against the Rays. The game starts at 2pm Tuesday.<ul><li>Good luck getting work done.</li></ul>

Sports

Four months after a gunman killed eight people and injured seven more at an outlet mall in Allen, a local company is organizing a gun show less than a mile away.

Driving the news: The Allen Gun Show will take place this weekend at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center.

Why it matters: An event promising "over 500 tables of guns, knives, ammo and shooting supplies" so close to the site of a recent mass shooting is paradigmatic of the gun-rights divide in America.

While mass shootings often fuel debate over gun regulation, several studies have shown that they also lead to a temporary increase in gun sales.

Catch up fast: On May 6, a 33-year-old Dallas man drove to the outlet mall with eight legally purchased guns and opened fire near H&M.

An Allen police officer fatally shot the gunman.

Two young sisters and a couple and their 3-year-old son were among the people killed.

The intrigue: The city of Allen and Premier Gun Shows, the Fort Worth-based company organizing the event, canceled a similar gun show planned for July 15-16 after a mutual agreement, per the Dallas Morning News.

City officials and the company didn't elaborate on their agreement at the time or say whether the cancellation was related to the shooting.

Context: Premier hosts gun shows across the state almost every weekend of the year, including The Original Fort Worth Gun Show.

The company has another gun show scheduled at the same Allen venue in November.

Data: Gun Violence Archive; Chart: Axios Visuals

Zoom out: Last year the NRA held its national convention in Houston, a few days after 19 children and two teachers were killed at an elementary school in Uvalde.

What they're saying: Neither Premier nor the mayor of Allen responded to multiple requests for comment. 

Gun show coming to Allen months after mass shooting

The Allen Gun Show will take place this weekend at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center.

Four months after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a gunman killed eight people" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2023/07/05/allen-shooting-texas-questions" data-vars-content-id="e1f3cd12-de2c-4055-8539-b7c025517283" data-vars-headline="Gun show coming to Allen months after mass shooting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2023/07/05/allen-shooting-texas-questions" target="_self">a gunman killed eight people</a> and injured seven more at an outlet mall in Allen, a local company is organizing a gun show less than a mile away.Driving the news: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Allen Gun Show" data-vars-click-url="https://www.premiergunshows.com/shows/allen-gun-show/" data-vars-content-id="e1f3cd12-de2c-4055-8539-b7c025517283" data-vars-headline="Gun show coming to Allen months after mass shooting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.premiergunshows.com/shows/allen-gun-show/" target="_blank">Allen Gun Show</a> will take place this weekend at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center.

Michael Mooney

Stories

Our casual fan's guide to the Rangers postseason playoffs

Texas sues EPA over emissions standards

Duchess of York's former assistant found dead in Dallas

Ben Fountain's new novel is a thriller set in Haiti

Gun show coming to Allen months after mass shooting

Newsletter editions

⚾ Playoff time, pitches

🥊 Texas v. EPA

👋 Howdy, folks

🩺 Big science energy

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