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

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A whooping crane hatched at the Dallas Zoo and released into the wild was found fatally shot in Louisiana, the zoo announced this week.

Why it matters: Whooping cranes are among the rarest species of birds, protected under the Endangered Species Act. Harming one is a federal crime.

The crane, born in June 2023, was the Dallas Zoo's first successful hatching of the species.

The latest: The crane was found dead, with a gunshot wound, on Jan. 9 in Mamou, Louisiana, according to the zoo.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries are investigating the incident.

A reward totaling $12,500 — contributed by various organizations including the zoo — is being offered for information leading to the arrest and indictment of anyone responsible.

Flashback: The bird was released into its natural habitat in Louisiana in November as part of the zoo's conservation efforts with the Whooping Crane Center of Texas.

Stunning stat: At approximately 5-feet-tall, the whooping crane is the tallest bird in North America.

As of late 2019, there were almost 700 in the wild and another 153 in captivity, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The species is named for its unique, whooping calls.

What they're saying: "The impact of this significant loss is felt by everyone involved," zoo officials said in a statement to Axios.

"From the moment the egg arrived from the International Crane Foundation, our animal team dedicated countless hours to hatching, rearing, and providing care until the chick was released by the LDWF team in Louisiana."

"Please keep them in your thoughts as they process what has happened."

Go deeper: Read this 2016 Texas Monthly story about the many challenges facing the people trying to save whooping cranes.

Whooping crane born at Dallas Zoo found dead in Louisiana

Whooping cranes are among the rarest species of birds.

A rare whooping crane chick, the first-ever born at the Dallas Zoo, was found dead on Jan. 9 in Louisiana. Photo: Courtesy of Dallas Zoo

A whooping crane hatched at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dallas Zoo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2021/11/05/dallas-zoo-giraffe-deaths-transparency-criticism" data-vars-content-id="379e9d63-90bd-4bbf-a3e7-3b96f8c818b9" data-vars-headline="Whooping crane born at Dallas Zoo found dead in Louisiana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2021/11/05/dallas-zoo-giraffe-deaths-transparency-criticism" target="_self">Dallas Zoo</a> and released into the wild was found fatally shot in Louisiana, the zoo <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/dallaszoo/status/1768020767768215767?s=43&amp;t=q8kcDY5HY5O7P0j0RgAwJw" data-vars-content-id="379e9d63-90bd-4bbf-a3e7-3b96f8c818b9" data-vars-headline="Whooping crane born at Dallas Zoo found dead in Louisiana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/dallaszoo/status/1768020767768215767?s=43&amp;t=q8kcDY5HY5O7P0j0RgAwJw" target="_blank">announced</a> this week.Why it matters: Whooping cranes are among the rarest species of birds, protected under the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Endangered Species Act" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/endangered-species-conservation/endangered-species-act#:~:text=The%20Endangered%20Species%20Act%20of,habitats%20both%20domestically%20and%20abroad." data-vars-content-id="379e9d63-90bd-4bbf-a3e7-3b96f8c818b9" data-vars-headline="Whooping crane born at Dallas Zoo found dead in Louisiana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/endangered-species-conservation/endangered-species-act#:~:text=The%20Endangered%20Species%20Act%20of,habitats%20both%20domestically%20and%20abroad." target="_blank">Endangered Species Act</a>. Harming one is a federal crime.

News

The Dallas Stars have been one of the best teams in the NHL this year, and the team is primed for a deep playoff run — thanks in large part to a group of young superstars.

The big picture: With a record of 41-19, Dallas is second in the Central Division and third in the Western Conference.

Flashback: Dallas has made the playoffs in three of the last four seasons, losing in the Western Conference finals last year to the eventual Stanley Cup champions, the Vegas Golden Knights.

The intrigue: Dallas doesn't have anyone in the league's top 30 goal scorers or the top 20 in overall points.

Yes, but: The team has six players with at least 20 goals.

Zoom in: At 24, Jason Robertson again leads in scoring, with 23 goals and 45 assists this season.

Last year's rookie sensation, center Wyatt Johnston, is tied for the team lead in goals with 26 this year — and he isn't old enough to legally order a beer yet.

When 21-year-old Logan Stankoven was called up to the team in February, he had five goals and three assists in his first six games.

🦦 Plus: Goalie Jake Oettinger, who played in his first all-star game this season, is only 25.

The other side: Dallas has had some painful losses of late, blowing a 3-0 lead to the Florida Panthers and getting blown out 6-2 by the New Jersey Devils.

Why the Dallas Stars are good this season

The team has six players with at least 20 goals.

Wyatt Johnston is a legit superstar — and he's still only 20. Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The Dallas Stars have been one of the best teams in the NHL this year, and the team is primed for a deep playoff run — thanks in large part to a group of young superstars.The big picture: With a record of 41-19, Dallas is second in the Central Division and third in the Western Conference.

Caterpillar, the Irving-based construction equipment manufacturer, wants its dealers to hire 40,000 new technicians in two years to stem a global shortage.

Why it matters: The dearth of technicians is an outgrowth of the widening skills gap in the American labor market, a result of more people attending four-year colleges instead of trade schools.

Even before the pandemic, 70% of employers reported having trouble filling roles requiring skilled labor, per Bloomberg.

State of play: Not only are manufacturing giants like Caterpillar having trouble finding the workers to build this equipment, dealers are struggling to hire people to maintain and repair that equipment, Griffin Reome, the company's manager of workforce development, tells Axios.

A lot of the technician workforce is also starting to retire, and the company is scrambling to transfer that institutional knowledge to a new generation.

Flashback: Caterpillar has watched this problem evolve over decades.

"We have articles within the Caterpillar organization that date back to the 1960s, talking about the skills gap and how people are being pushed into the post-secondary college route versus going into the workforce," Reome says.

What they're doing: The company created a development program that pays people to train and targets a wide range of potential workers, from recent high school graduates to military veterans to mothers who've been out of the workforce for years.

The company is also leaning into recruiting events — often alongside its biggest competitors like Komatsu and John Deere, who are having the same issues, Reome says.

"This is certainly an all-hands-on-deck issue."

Plus: They're working to hire women, who account for a mere 3% of the technician workforce in the U.S.

Technology shifts have made the job less labor-intensive and more accessible.

"You don't have to be a 200-pound male," Reome says. "And you won't need a shoulder replacement when you're 40."

What they're saying: "Women can easily do the job as efficiently as their male counterparts," he says.

"Some would even say they can do it better because of the attention to detail and the ability to multitask."

By the numbers: Though the company won't release its pay scale, Reome says Caterpillar technicians make "20% over the median household income within the U.S.," which amounts to a salary of about $90,000 a year.

Why the construction industry is short 40,000 technicians

Construction equipment manufacturer Caterpillar, hopes to hire 40,000 new technicians in two years.

A technician works on construction equipment

The world needs a lot more people who can competently do this. Photo: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Labor

Caterpillar, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Irving-based construction equipment manufacturer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/14/caterpillar-headquarters-move-illinois-texas" data-vars-content-id="8f1d2700-8108-422e-88e3-d9494f4083e3" data-vars-headline="Why the construction industry is short 40,000 technicians" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/14/caterpillar-headquarters-move-illinois-texas" target="_self">Irving-based construction equipment manufacturer</a>, wants its dealers to hire 40,000 new technicians in two years to stem a global shortage.Why it matters: The dearth of technicians is an outgrowth of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="widening skills gap" data-vars-click-url="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005054/en/Skills-Gap-Rapidly-Widening-According-to-New-Wiley-Survey" data-vars-content-id="8f1d2700-8108-422e-88e3-d9494f4083e3" data-vars-headline="Why the construction industry is short 40,000 technicians" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230124005054/en/Skills-Gap-Rapidly-Widening-According-to-New-Wiley-Survey" target="_blank">widening skills gap</a> in the American labor market, a result of more people attending four-year colleges instead of trade schools.

Latest news on Wall Street, Corporate America and financial regulation.

Business

The Dallas Cowboys are the only NFL team that didn't announce a signing in the first 24 hours of free agency.

Why it matters: They were the only team in the league to finish the 2023 regular season ranked in the top-5 in offense and defense, but flamed out in the playoffs yet again.

Now several of the team's stars are signing elsewhere, while Dallas appears hamstrung by salary cap limitations.

The latest: Starting running back Tony Pollard took a three-year deal with the Tennessee Titans, leaving second-year back Deuce Vaughn — the shortest player in the league — as their top running option.

Vaughn, who was a highlight machine at Kansas State, compiled a total of just 80 yards last season.

Yes, but: Fans hoped this might mean the Cowboys would sign former Titans running back Derrick Henry — but he just committed to the Ravens.

Plus: The team hasn't re-signed star offensive tackle Tyron Smith — who's being targeted by the Super Bowl-champion Chiefs — and gave wide receiver Michael Gallup permission to seek a trade.

Meanwhile: Every other team in the Cowboys' division signed a big-name free-agent running back.

The big picture: Unless the team extends quarterback Dak Prescott's contract, his salary-cap hit this season is close to $60 million, nearly a quarter of the team's total allotted expenditures.

If receiver CeeDee Lamb's contract isn't extended, he's owed $17 million — leaving very little to sign free agents.

What we're watching: This financial conundrum could pave the way for the return of beloved veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott.

What the Dallas Cowboys have done so far this offseason

Several of the team's stars are signing elsewhere, while Dallas appears hamstrung by salary cap limitations.

Deuce Vaughn runs the ball in a Cowboys uniform

Cowboys fans might be seeing a lot more of Deuce Vaughn soon. Photo: Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images

National Football League (NFL)

The Dallas Cowboys are the only NFL team that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="didn&#x27;t announce" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wfaa.com/article/sports/nfl/cowboys/dallas-cowboys-free-agency-moves-jerry-jones/287-65bf08a3-0f79-4c6e-ad40-7714cbe7c23f" data-vars-content-id="ed301872-c206-44ef-ba2e-cf750acf242f" data-vars-headline="What the Dallas Cowboys have done so far this offseason" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wfaa.com/article/sports/nfl/cowboys/dallas-cowboys-free-agency-moves-jerry-jones/287-65bf08a3-0f79-4c6e-ad40-7714cbe7c23f" target="_blank">didn&#x27;t announce</a> a signing in the first 24 hours of free agency.Why it matters: They were the only team in the league to finish the 2023 regular season ranked in the top-5 in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="offense" data-vars-click-url="https://www.foxsports.com/articles/nfl/2023-nfl-offense-rankings-team-pass-and-rush-stats" data-vars-content-id="ed301872-c206-44ef-ba2e-cf750acf242f" data-vars-headline="What the Dallas Cowboys have done so far this offseason" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.foxsports.com/articles/nfl/2023-nfl-offense-rankings-team-pass-and-rush-stats" target="_blank">offense</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="defense" data-vars-click-url="https://www.foxsports.com/articles/nfl/2023-nfl-defense-rankings-team-pass-and-rush-stats" data-vars-content-id="ed301872-c206-44ef-ba2e-cf750acf242f" data-vars-headline="What the Dallas Cowboys have done so far this offseason" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.foxsports.com/articles/nfl/2023-nfl-defense-rankings-team-pass-and-rush-stats" target="_blank">defense</a>, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flamed out" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2024/01/16/dallas-cowboys-nfl-packers-dak-prescott" data-vars-content-id="ed301872-c206-44ef-ba2e-cf750acf242f" data-vars-headline="What the Dallas Cowboys have done so far this offseason" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2024/01/16/dallas-cowboys-nfl-packers-dak-prescott" target="_self">flamed out</a> in the playoffs yet again.

Sports

The Dallas Morning News is reviving "High Profile," a popular features section that's been dormant for nearly 20 years, the paper recently announced.

Why it matters: As local newspapers across the country are contracting and vanishing, hiring bestselling author Sarah Hepola — who's also written for the New York Times and The Atlantic — gives readers a glimmer of hope.

Context: The paper has had a rough stretch of late. In the last year, the DMN has issued a rare front-page retraction, ended a protracted union negotiation and its parent, DallasNews Corp. lost dozens of positions to buyouts. 

Catch up quick: "High Profile," the Sunday profiles section, was a staple of the paper from 1981, when it launched with a story about Larry Hagman, until its quiet end in 2005. 

The section included magazine-style stories about the region's most notable characters, including politicians, musicians and entrepreneurs.

Hepola wrote the 2015 New York Times bestselling memoir "Blackout" and created and hosted the Texas Monthly podcast "America's Girls," about the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

What they're saying: "This brand of coverage is a blast from the past, but it's also a reinvention," Hepola wrote in her first story for the paper. "Glamour, yes, but also grit."

What we're watching: Will the paper ever make the illustrious "High Profile" archives available online?

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect the DMN did not lose dozens of reporters, but its parent company, DallasNews Corp., lost dozens of positions overall.

The Dallas Morning News is bringing back "High Profile"

The popular features section has been dormant for nearly 20 years.

A woman in front of some Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders

The local paper's new feature writer is ready for adventure. Photo: Courtesy of Sarah Hepola

The Dallas Morning News is reviving &quot;High Profile,&quot; a popular features section that&#x27;s been dormant for nearly 20 years, the paper recently <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/2024/03/03/the-news-revives-high-profile-for-a-new-features-beat-led-by-staff-writer-sarah-hepola/" data-vars-content-id="eff75021-6a9d-4b6b-b682-d5bd2d8a8487" data-vars-headline="The Dallas Morning News is bringing back &quot;High Profile&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/2024/03/03/the-news-revives-high-profile-for-a-new-features-beat-led-by-staff-writer-sarah-hepola/" target="_blank">announced</a>.Why it matters: As local newspapers across the country are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="contracting and vanishing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/16/newspapers-decline-hedge-funds-research" data-vars-content-id="eff75021-6a9d-4b6b-b682-d5bd2d8a8487" data-vars-headline="The Dallas Morning News is bringing back &quot;High Profile&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/16/newspapers-decline-hedge-funds-research" target="_self">contracting and vanishing</a>, hiring bestselling author <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sarah Hepola" data-vars-click-url="https://sarahhepola.com/" data-vars-content-id="eff75021-6a9d-4b6b-b682-d5bd2d8a8487" data-vars-headline="The Dallas Morning News is bringing back &quot;High Profile&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sarahhepola.com/" target="_blank">Sarah Hepola</a> — who&#x27;s also written for the New York Times and The Atlantic — gives readers a glimmer of hope.

Michael Mooney

Featured stories

Why the Dallas Stars are good this season

Whooping crane born at Dallas Zoo found dead in Louisiana

Why the construction industry is short 40,000 technicians

The Dallas Morning News is bringing back "High Profile"

What the Dallas Cowboys have done so far this offseason