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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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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.

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.

How Colossal's technology works

Colossal is using gene editing technology to recreate the DNA of extinct species by modifying the DNA of their closest living relatives.

Researchers at Dallas-based Colossal Biosciences rely on ancient DNA from extinct species and the genome of their closest living relatives to determine how they can be brought back.Why it matters: Gene editing technology is commonly used to treat diseases and modify crops and livestock.<ul><li>Colossal is using the technology to recreate the DNA of extinct species by modifying the DNA of their closest living relatives.</li></ul>State of play: Dallas billionaire Ben Lamm and Harvard geneticist George Church founded Colossal in 2021, aiming to bring back the woolly mammoth.<ul><li>*The company announced last April it had <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="revived the dire wolf" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/04/07/colossal-biosciences-dire-wolf-extinct-austin" data-vars-content-id="e820a1fe-3405-43c6-8eb7-1eebb3f0f15f" data-vars-headline="How Colossal&#x27;s technology works" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/04/07/colossal-biosciences-dire-wolf-extinct-austin" target="_self">revived the dire wolf</a>. The wolves had been extinct for over 12,500 years. </li><li>In September, the lab announced a scientific breakthrough in resurrecting the dodo bird. The company&#x27;s scientists were the first to create primordial germ cells from birds other than chickens and geese.</li></ul>How it works: Gene editing is a cumbersome process that requires a lot of waiting and testing.<ul><li>Scientists <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="edit" data-vars-click-url="https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2024/06/stanford-explainer-crispr-gene-editing-and-beyond" data-vars-content-id="e820a1fe-3405-43c6-8eb7-1eebb3f0f15f" data-vars-headline="How Colossal&#x27;s technology works" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2024/06/stanford-explainer-crispr-gene-editing-and-beyond" target="_blank">edit</a> certain DNA from the living relative to make it match the genome of the extinct species. The hybrid genes are tested to ensure the modifications worked.</li><li>The hybrid cells are then grown into an embryo that is implanted into a surrogate.</li></ul>Case in point: For the extinct dire wolf, Colossal referenced DNA from a tooth and 72,000-year-old skull to modify the DNA of gray wolves and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recreate the dire wolf genome" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5uCuOwK_VE" data-vars-content-id="e820a1fe-3405-43c6-8eb7-1eebb3f0f15f" data-vars-headline="How Colossal&#x27;s technology works" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5uCuOwK_VE" target="_blank">recreate the dire wolf genome</a>.<ul><li>Colossal&#x27;s dire wolves, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Remus, Romulus and Khaleesi" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bH-qb50AGYs" data-vars-content-id="e820a1fe-3405-43c6-8eb7-1eebb3f0f15f" data-vars-headline="How Colossal&#x27;s technology works" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bH-qb50AGYs" target="_blank">Remus, Romulus and Khaleesi</a>, are now just over a year old.</li><li>&quot;They&#x27;re hitting all their milestones, so it&#x27;s really sort of a green light for us to start to look at growing the pack now,&quot; says Matt James, Colossal&#x27;s chief animal officer who previously oversaw animal care at the Dallas Zoo.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: Colossal scientists are now editing DNA from Asian elephants, who are 99.96% similar to woolly mammoths, to recreate mammoth DNA.<ul><li>Climate change and habitat loss may have contributed to the species&#x27; extinction <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="thousands of years ago" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05w9b6b" data-vars-content-id="e820a1fe-3405-43c6-8eb7-1eebb3f0f15f" data-vars-headline="How Colossal&#x27;s technology works" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05w9b6b" target="_blank">thousands of years ago</a>.</li></ul><figure><img alt="Fluffy light brown mouse standing on its hind legs on a wooden platform inside a cage filled with white bedding and toys. The mouse is genetically modified to have the fur of a woolly mammoth. " height="1080" id="60ad2fd2-1eaa-48b5-8012-9a8586bb07b0" src="https://images.axios.com/s5VXCpZpa2H1PaXku6g9z9P2aA8=/2026/02/17/1771368569960.jpeg" width="1920" srcset="https://images.axios.com/KcxVT1OgrLH57NExwaxL-5xAsDI=/51x30:1879x1058/1920x1080/2026/02/17/1771368569960.jpeg?w=1920 1920w, https://images.axios.com/ikxhMvLM8Xla4kZTv8m38JGOZS0=/51x30:1879x1058/1600x900/2026/02/17/1771368569960.jpeg?w=1600 1600w, https://images.axios.com/pRY-9sTwphe5hov6vQZ8diXHRDw=/51x30:1879x1058/1366x768/2026/02/17/1771368569960.jpeg?w=1366 1366w, https://images.axios.com/CG7xFnlqijh5FlIm2L10JZkCqP0=/51x30:1879x1058/1024x576/2026/02/17/1771368569960.jpeg?w=1024 1024w, https://images.axios.com/593RPc2051thMg0dNXzWWKMIAvs=/51x30:1879x1058/768x432/2026/02/17/1771368569960.jpeg?w=768 768w, https://images.axios.com/OOjY16p8-t5h5R44Aznw65UaC0E=/51x30:1879x1058/640x360/2026/02/17/1771368569960.jpeg?w=640 640w, https://images.axios.com/xop6SGA2hYorYAZMTzALm_RE0wA=/51x30:1879x1058/320x180/2026/02/17/1771368569960.jpeg?w=320 320w"/><figcaption>This genetically modified mouse acts like other mice but has the fur of a woolly mammoth. Photo: Tasha Tsiaperas/Axios</figcaption></figure>Reality check: Don&#x27;t expect a woolly mammoth just yet. Scientists are still editing the genome and the species has a two-year gestation period.<ul><li>Colossal is testing its edits on mice — which employees refer to as their &quot;woolly mammoth mice&quot; — to see how the modifications influence their hair color, length and texture.</li></ul>The bottom line: &quot;I sort of think about how one day my daughter could be on a safari-like experience through northern Alaska, seeing mammoth roam again. That would be incredible,&quot; James tells Axios.Read more: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dallas-based &quot;de-extinction&quot; startup to open biovault in Dubai" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2026/02/18/dallas-de-extinction-colossal-biosciences-dire-wolf" data-vars-content-id="e820a1fe-3405-43c6-8eb7-1eebb3f0f15f" data-vars-headline="How Colossal&#x27;s technology works" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2026/02/18/dallas-de-extinction-colossal-biosciences-dire-wolf" target="_self">Dallas-based &quot;de-extinction&quot; startup to open biovault in Dubai</a>

Egyptian street food comes to Garland

Koshary is a layered bowl of rice, lentils, pasta and chickpeas, topped with rich tomato sauce and crispy fried onions.

Food and Drink

Roll out the red carpet: Egypt&#x27;s national dish is being served at a Garland gas station.The intrigue: Traditionally vegan, koshary is a layered bowl of rice, lentils, pasta and chickpeas, topped with a rich tomato sauce and crispy fried onions. The dish has working-class roots and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Italian influence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.foodrepublic.com/2056057/egypt-national-dish-koshary-origins/#:~:text=Yet%20koshary&#x27;s%20composition%20is%20not,represent%20distinctly%20Middle%20Eastern%20flavors." data-vars-content-id="9493d1b2-5333-4078-b7bb-c633d967e36a" data-vars-headline="Egyptian street food comes to Garland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.foodrepublic.com/2056057/egypt-national-dish-koshary-origins/#:~:text=Yet%20koshary&#x27;s%20composition%20is%20not,represent%20distinctly%20Middle%20Eastern%20flavors." target="_blank">Italian influence</a>.

Democrat flips Texas Senate seat in Tarrant County

Taylor Rehmet tallied more than 57% of the vote in the special election runoff, after being outspent 10 to 1.

Election

Democrat Taylor Rehmet flipped a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas Senate district in Tarrant County" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/11/06/tarrant-county-democrat-wants-to-flip-state-senate-seat" data-vars-content-id="13131ba1-5740-47b0-8183-e0f74d476156" data-vars-headline="Democrat flips Texas Senate seat in Tarrant County" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/11/06/tarrant-county-democrat-wants-to-flip-state-senate-seat" target="_self">Texas Senate district in Tarrant County</a> on Saturday, easily beating a President Trump-back Republican.Why it matters: The district, which covers most of Fort Worth and its conservative northern suburbs, has been reliably red for decades.

What we're watching in Texas in 2026

From elections to school vouchers, here are the stories we're watching in 2026.

Across Texas, we&#x27;re keeping our eye on several big stories this year.

Texans approve constitutional amendments for tax breaks, water investments

Several amendments will also reduce property taxes for some groups.

Texas voters on Tuesday approved all <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="17 constitutional amendments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/10/14/texas-constitutional-amendments-election" data-vars-content-id="ea7dc259-9cb7-4ceb-ab80-c345c49fcbac" data-vars-headline="Texans approve constitutional amendments for tax breaks, water investments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/10/14/texas-constitutional-amendments-election" target="_self">17 constitutional amendments</a> on the ballot addressing property taxes, the state&#x27;s water supply, dementia research and other issues.The big picture: The updates to the Texas Constitution range from enshrining <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="parental rights" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/04/26/texas-house-tentatively-oks-parental-consent-for-social-media" data-vars-content-id="ea7dc259-9cb7-4ceb-ab80-c345c49fcbac" data-vars-headline="Texans approve constitutional amendments for tax breaks, water investments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/04/26/texas-house-tentatively-oks-parental-consent-for-social-media" target="_self">parental rights</a> to prohibiting capital gains and inheritance taxes.

What's on the May 3 ballot in Dallas-Fort Worth

Voters will cast ballots for city council, school board and bond proposals.

Election day is Saturday, and city council and school board positions are up for grabs across North Texas.Why it matters: Local elections determine who makes decisions about taxes, schools, land use, roads, parks and libraries.

Dallas voters decriminalize marijuana, approve 2 controversial propositions

Voters approved an amendment to the City Charter that makes misdemeanor marijuana possession the lowest police enforcement priority.

Dallas voters approved an amendment to the City Charter that would essentially decriminalize marijuana, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="preliminary voting results" data-vars-click-url="https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/TX/Dallas/122494/web.345435/#/summary" data-vars-content-id="ca1623fc-3a41-4d2f-ad72-770baa4a83ac" data-vars-headline="Dallas voters decriminalize marijuana, approve 2 controversial propositions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/TX/Dallas/122494/web.345435/#/summary" target="_blank">preliminary voting results</a>.<ul><li>They appeared set to approve two community-supported propositions that would vastly increase the police force and allow residents to sue city officials.</li></ul>

Dallas-Fort Worth elections: Trump, Cruz win

Voters also approved amendments to the city charter.

Texas made their decisions in the presidential election and beyond, sending <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="former President Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="ae000582-078e-4a1c-8f43-0816821c209c" data-vars-headline="Dallas-Fort Worth elections: Trump, Cruz win" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">former President Trump</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="to the White House" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/05/election-map-2024-presidential-results-harris-trump" data-vars-content-id="ae000582-078e-4a1c-8f43-0816821c209c" data-vars-headline="Dallas-Fort Worth elections: Trump, Cruz win" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/05/election-map-2024-presidential-results-harris-trump" target="_self">to the White House</a> and reelecting U.S. Sen Ted Cruz, according to the Associated Press.Why it matters: Texas had been viewed as an opportunity for Democrats to expand the playing field and be in a position to steal Republican Senate seats, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="as Axios&#x27; Hans Nichols and Stephen Neukam reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/25/senate-democrats-florida-rick-scott-mucarsel-powell" data-vars-content-id="ae000582-078e-4a1c-8f43-0816821c209c" data-vars-headline="Dallas-Fort Worth elections: Trump, Cruz win" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/25/senate-democrats-florida-rick-scott-mucarsel-powell" target="_self">as Axios&#x27; Hans Nichols and Stephen Neukam reported</a> — but those hopes did not work out for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Vice President Harris" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/kamala-harris-us-election-2024" data-vars-content-id="ae000582-078e-4a1c-8f43-0816821c209c" data-vars-headline="Dallas-Fort Worth elections: Trump, Cruz win" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/kamala-harris-us-election-2024" target="_self">Vice President Harris</a> or Colin Allred.

Tarrant County judge advances conservative viewpoints

Tim O'Hare's rise in one of the country's largest counties exemplifies what happens when far-right Republicans make it to top positions in local government.

Tarrant County&#x27;s top official once created a political action committee to promote conservative city and school board candidates in Southlake.Why it matters: Tim O&#x27;Hare&#x27;s rise in one of the country&#x27;s largest counties exemplifies what happens when far-right Republicans make it to top positions in local government, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Texas Tribune and ProPublica report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/11/texas-tarrant-county-tim-ohare-far-right/" data-vars-content-id="240880cd-9931-4820-9197-81a8376b8cfc" data-vars-headline="Tarrant County judge advances conservative viewpoints" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/11/texas-tarrant-county-tim-ohare-far-right/" target="_blank">the Texas Tribune and ProPublica report</a>.

Dallas' voting stickers designed by high schoolers

The Dallas County Elections Department held a contest for the new sticker design.

Dallas voters are getting artsy stickers this election instead of generic &quot;I voted&quot; ones.Why it matters: Cities across the U.S. have debuted new sticker designs that represent their own identities and the privilege of being able to vote.

Elections 2024: Voting in North Texas

Dallas voters will weigh in on 18 proposed amendment to the City Charter.

Politics

Election Day is Nov. 5. Control of the White House and Congress <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="is at stake" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/us-presidential-house-senate-elections" data-vars-content-id="10b330e4-0c61-407d-97e4-87d1e517676e" data-vars-headline="Elections 2024: Voting in North Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/us-presidential-house-senate-elections" target="_self">is at stake</a>.Why it matters: State legislative seats are also on the ballot — but those chambers are extremely likely to remain under Republican control.

🗳️ Mapped: Low voter turnout in Texas

Texas had nation's second-lowest voter turnout

A choropleth map of the U.S. showing the share of citizens 18+ who voted in the November 2024 elections by state. Washington, D.C. leads at 79.5%, while Arkansas trails at 52.8%. The nationwide figure is 65.3%.

Election 🗳️

More Democratic ballots cast than Republican in Texas primaries

Democrat flips Texas Senate seat in Tarrant County

What we're watching in Texas in 2026

Texans approve constitutional amendments for tax breaks, water investments

Texas had nation's second-lowest voter turnout