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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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Crockett leads Talarico in Democratic Senate primary, per new poll

On the Republican side, Paxton and Cornyn lead Hunt, but no candidate has enough support to avoid a runoff.

Politics & Policy

U.S. Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jasmine Crockett" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/08/jasmine-crockett-texas-senate-2026-democratic-primary" data-vars-content-id="b7fff818-df4e-41be-a57b-c7677c64d750" data-vars-headline="Crockett leads Talarico in Democratic Senate primary, per new poll" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/08/jasmine-crockett-texas-senate-2026-democratic-primary" target="_self">Jasmine Crockett</a> (D-Dallas) leads state Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="James Talarico" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2026/02/11/talarico-crockett-us-senate-texas-advertising" data-vars-content-id="b7fff818-df4e-41be-a57b-c7677c64d750" data-vars-headline="Crockett leads Talarico in Democratic Senate primary, per new poll" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2026/02/11/talarico-crockett-us-senate-texas-advertising" target="_self">James Talarico</a> (D-Austin) for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, according to a small survey of 350 registered voters taken before Talarico&#x27;s viral interview with late-night host <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Stephen Colbert" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/17/colbert-cbs-talarico-interview-fcc-trump-carr" data-vars-content-id="b7fff818-df4e-41be-a57b-c7677c64d750" data-vars-headline="Crockett leads Talarico in Democratic Senate primary, per new poll" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/17/colbert-cbs-talarico-interview-fcc-trump-carr" target="_self">Stephen Colbert</a>. Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Democratic race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/10/texas-senate-talarico-crockett-race-identity" data-vars-content-id="b7fff818-df4e-41be-a57b-c7677c64d750" data-vars-headline="Crockett leads Talarico in Democratic Senate primary, per new poll" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/10/texas-senate-talarico-crockett-race-identity" target="_self">Democratic race</a> features two rising stars in the party with contrasting styles and messages. The winner will set the tone for the party in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas midterm election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2026/02/24/texas-democrat-primary-turnout-high" data-vars-content-id="b7fff818-df4e-41be-a57b-c7677c64d750" data-vars-headline="Crockett leads Talarico in Democratic Senate primary, per new poll" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2026/02/24/texas-democrat-primary-turnout-high" target="_self">Texas midterm election</a> with nearly every statewide office on the ballot.

More Democratic ballots cast than Republican in Texas primaries

Democratic voter enthusiasm during the primary could signal high Democratic turnout for the general election.

News

More Texas voters are turning out to cast ballots in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Democratic primary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/12/08/texas-primary-election-paxton-cornyn-crockett-talarico" data-vars-content-id="45746767-4792-49dc-9cdc-45eb29f873fd" data-vars-headline="More Democratic ballots cast than Republican in Texas primaries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/12/08/texas-primary-election-paxton-cornyn-crockett-talarico" target="_self">Democratic primary</a> than the Republican primary during early voting.Why it matters: Primaries tend to attract the most dedicated voters. High Democratic turnout in March could signal greater Democratic turnout in the November midterm election.

How "Landman" has been a boon to TCU

The Paramount show's second season uses the university as a backdrop.

Rich people, oil money and college freshmen — what could possibly go wrong?<ul><li>Taylor Sheridan&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Landman&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/08/13/fort-worth-film-paramount-taylor-sheridan-landman" data-vars-content-id="e9b0119e-6f80-4612-8f9e-7719f4dccda8" data-vars-headline="How &quot;Landman&quot; has been a boon to TCU" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/08/13/fort-worth-film-paramount-taylor-sheridan-landman" target="_self">&quot;Landman&quot;</a> has given Texas Christian University free publicity by using the school as a backdrop for the chaos and conflict of its second season.</li></ul>

Waymo launches driverless car service in Dallas

The coverage area and ridership are limited for now.

Driverless Waymo rides have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="started in Dallas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/11/18/waymos-driverless-cars-to-hit-dallas-roads-soon" data-vars-content-id="f1827bd4-03b2-46ab-9bc4-dc0976c76193" data-vars-headline="Waymo launches driverless car service in Dallas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/11/18/waymos-driverless-cars-to-hit-dallas-roads-soon" target="_self">started in Dallas</a>, with limited ridership at first. Why it matters: Waymo&#x27;s debut turns futuristic tech into a commuting option, moving the technology past its testing phase and into daily life.

Dallas heat islands can be 12 degrees hotter than other neighborhoods

Downtown, Oak Lawn, the Harwood area, West Dallas and Love Field are among the hottest areas.

The average temperature in Dallas-Fort Worth was nearly 6 degrees warmer than normal last month, per the National Weather Service, but some neighborhoods likely felt <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="much hotter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2024/04/03/dallas-heat-islands-study" data-vars-content-id="5f6984e4-0288-4f63-94b9-7c865bf956a4" data-vars-headline="Dallas heat islands can be 12 degrees hotter than other neighborhoods" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2024/04/03/dallas-heat-islands-study" target="_self">much hotter</a>.Why it matters: Dallas has mapped its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heat islands" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2024/07/23/urban-heat-island-effect-temperature" data-vars-content-id="5f6984e4-0288-4f63-94b9-7c865bf956a4" data-vars-headline="Dallas heat islands can be 12 degrees hotter than other neighborhoods" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2024/07/23/urban-heat-island-effect-temperature" target="_self">heat islands</a> for two years now, helping city planners determine which neighborhoods need more trees.

EF-1 tornado confirmed in Irving

DFW Airport recorded 74 mph winds Tuesday morning.

Strong winds knocked out power for hundreds of thousands of North Texans, toppled street signs and ripped roofs off of homes Tuesday morning.Driving the news: An EF-1 tornado briefly touched down in Irving and traveled less than a mile, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Weather Service" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/NWSFortWorth/status/1897035356547244455" data-vars-content-id="a6bec1b8-2cdb-4609-9f73-68c3ea4658b6" data-vars-headline="EF-1 tornado confirmed in Irving" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/NWSFortWorth/status/1897035356547244455" target="_blank">National Weather Service</a>.

Dallas-Fort Worth dry spell ending with Halloween rain

The Dallas area will likely see rain through the weekend, ending a historic dry spell.

Climate

The clouds might clear out and the weather should feel a little cooler by the time trick-or-treaters start knocking on doors demanding candy.Why it matters: Dallas-Fort Worth will likely see rain through the weekend, ending a historic dry spell.

How North Texas cities are tackling the heat

Drought conditions have returned to portions of North Texas.

Texas is in better shape this summer compared to this time last year, but people, crops and livestock remain at risk amid searing heat and intensifying <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drought conditions" data-vars-click-url="https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?TX" data-vars-content-id="8f1ad398-5e8f-4826-9f8a-1369c9ba3b54" data-vars-headline="How North Texas cities are tackling the heat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?TX" target="_blank">drought conditions</a>.Why it matters: Many North Texas cities are asking residents to help mitigate the impacts by conserving water, energy and emergency resources.

Most of Dallas lives on an urban heat island

The city's urban heat islands feel at least 8 degrees hotter than other areas.

Dallas is one of six U.S. cities where at least 1 million people are exposed to urban heat islands, parts of town where temperatures feel at least 8 degrees warmer than in parks or wooded parts of the city.Why it matters: City leaders are investigating which Dallas <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="neighborhoods are the hottest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2024/04/03/dallas-heat-islands-study" data-vars-content-id="a51c9b87-6e20-415e-ac5b-d2fed0642979" data-vars-headline="Most of Dallas lives on an urban heat island" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2024/04/03/dallas-heat-islands-study" target="_self">neighborhoods are the hottest</a> to see where more trees should be planted.

Dallas-Fort Worth heat waves are getting longer

Heat waves in Dallas-Fort Worth now last an average of four days longer than they did in the 1960s.

Heat waves in Dallas-Fort Worth now last an average of four days longer than they did in the 1960s, per a new Environmental Protection Agency analysis of U.S. heat trends.Why it matters: Prolonged heat can <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="strain power grids" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/05/23/texas-grid-power-heat-wave-ercot" data-vars-content-id="343dd8ce-ee51-47fc-a1dc-3780e3c8b85a" data-vars-headline="Dallas-Fort Worth heat waves are getting longer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/05/23/texas-grid-power-heat-wave-ercot" target="_self">strain power grids</a> and lead to heat illnesses and death, particularly among vulnerable populations.

What Dallas-Fort Worth's ozone action days mean

The air may be partly to blame if you've been feeling a little crummy lately.

Notice a haze over the skyline recently? It&#x27;s not blurry vision. It&#x27;s smog.Why it matters: D-FW does not meet <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal air quality standards" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/sip/dfw/dfw-status" data-vars-content-id="7d0204ee-78e8-4045-bcd3-ea7d738e9ed2" data-vars-headline="What Dallas-Fort Worth&#x27;s ozone action days mean" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/sip/dfw/dfw-status" target="_blank">federal air quality standards</a>.

ERCOT forecaster predicts hot summer

Many of the factors that contributed to the past two years of record-breaking summer heat are still in place.

Go ahead and turn on Santana and Rob Thomas because this summer is likely going to be a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hot one" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Whgn_iE5uc" data-vars-content-id="e7300c40-bb99-40f5-80a0-1d68b2e52624" data-vars-headline="ERCOT forecaster predicts hot summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Whgn_iE5uc" target="_blank">hot one</a>.Why it matters: Texas continues to set heat records, straining the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state&#x27;s power grid" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/06/15/ercot-record-demand-energy-texas" data-vars-content-id="e7300c40-bb99-40f5-80a0-1d68b2e52624" data-vars-headline="ERCOT forecaster predicts hot summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/06/15/ercot-record-demand-energy-texas" target="_self">state&#x27;s power grid</a>.

Dallas ranks among the top U.S. allergy capitals

Allergy seasons, especially in the Southern states, are getting longer.

Feeling tired? Have itchy eyes? Sneezing louder than a leaf blower? Welcome to one of the allergy capitals of the U.S.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dallas-Fort Worth area" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2023/05/12/dallas-allergy-season-longer" data-vars-content-id="78ec525f-9040-48f6-a24b-80766e7c887a" data-vars-headline="Dallas ranks among the top U.S. allergy capitals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2023/05/12/dallas-allergy-season-longer" target="_self">Dallas-Fort Worth area</a> is fourth among the most challenging places to live in the U.S. with allergies, per a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America report" data-vars-click-url="https://aafa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/aafa-2024-allergy-capitals-report.pdf" data-vars-content-id="78ec525f-9040-48f6-a24b-80766e7c887a" data-vars-headline="Dallas ranks among the top U.S. allergy capitals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://aafa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/aafa-2024-allergy-capitals-report.pdf" target="_blank">recent Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America report</a>.

North Texas had a warm, dry winter

Cold snaps are shorter than they used to be.

February brought temperatures well above average to Dallas-Fort Worth — and less rain than typical.The big picture: D-FW sees fewer consecutive days of below-normal winter temperatures than the region did decades ago.

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