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Get smarter, faster on what matters in Dallas with Tasha Tsiaperas and Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi.

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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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What it's like to take the Texas Eagle to Chicago

Ridership on the Texas Eagle jumped about 14% last fiscal year from fiscal year 2024.

News

There&#x27;s something magical about choosing to pass through instead of over the so-called flyover states.Why it matters: Train ridership is increasing across the U.S., particularly in areas with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/08/amtrak-mardi-gras-service-train-passenger-numbers" data-vars-content-id="0968ea46-60cb-48d7-aef6-0eda71ff7704" data-vars-headline="What it&#x27;s like to take the Texas Eagle to Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/08/amtrak-mardi-gras-service-train-passenger-numbers" target="_self">new</a> or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="faster Amtrak service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/11/19/amtrak-ridership-seattle-cascades-train-airo-coast-starlight" data-vars-content-id="0968ea46-60cb-48d7-aef6-0eda71ff7704" data-vars-headline="What it&#x27;s like to take the Texas Eagle to Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/11/19/amtrak-ridership-seattle-cascades-train-airo-coast-starlight" target="_self">faster Amtrak service</a>.

Why your symptoms might not tell the full story

You can research symptoms, track changes and still not have a clear answer — but imaging could help guide next steps.

Partners

You now have more ways than ever to research symptoms, compare treatments and track your health.<ul><li>But even with all that information, getting a clear diagnosis isn&#x27;t always straightforward.</li></ul>The landscape: The traditional care path often focuses on managing symptoms first, either by waiting to see if symptoms improve or through treatments.<ul><li>That approach doesn&#x27;t always identify the cause of the issue, and without a clear diagnosis, care can become a series of short-term fixes instead of a targeted plan.</li></ul>

The questions you should be asking your primary care provider — and why they matter

Patients with a primary care provider they trust have better health care outcomes.

<div data-sponsor-disclosure="&quot;{&quot;logoUrl&quot;:&quot;https://images.axios.com/MBfyM-orWoOYkH8XZtJH7R9aJPA=/2026/03/25/1774474022710.png&quot;,&quot;headline&quot;:&quot;A message from: Amazon One Medical&quot;}&quot;"></div><div style="display:none"></div>Nearly half of Americans feel anxious before a doctor&#x27;s appointment — and most leave at least one question they forgot or didn&#x27;t feel comfortable asking.Here&#x27;s the deal: The relationship between a patient and their primary care provider (PCP) is one of the strongest predictors of long-term health.Studies show that patients with a PCP they trust have better health outcomes, lower hospitalization rates and higher satisfaction with their care, but the structure of most primary care visits makes that relationship difficult to organically build.

Texas among America's least healthy states

Texas ranks last in health insurance coverage and the rate of primary care physicians available to residents.

Health

Texas is one of the least healthy states, ranking 40th in a state-by-state health report card from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="United Health Foundation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/08/state-health-rankings-2026-healthiest-places-to-live" data-vars-content-id="f5e5e6ef-2c78-454c-a6ef-c21ee88c59a8" data-vars-headline="Texas among America&#x27;s least healthy states" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/08/state-health-rankings-2026-healthiest-places-to-live" target="_self">United Health Foundation</a>.Why it matters: Texas ranks last or near last in several access-to-care metrics, with more than 17% of adult Texans <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="avoiding doctor visits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2023/10/11/why-texans-skip-medical-care" data-vars-content-id="f5e5e6ef-2c78-454c-a6ef-c21ee88c59a8" data-vars-headline="Texas among America&#x27;s least healthy states" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2023/10/11/why-texans-skip-medical-care" target="_self">avoiding doctor visits</a> due to cost.

How rising health care costs are affecting Texans

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas is dropping UT Southwestern Medical Center and Texas Health Services as in-network for one of its HMO plans.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas will stop counting UT Southwestern Medical Center and Texas Health Services as in-network for one of its HMO plans starting in January.Why it matters: Health insurance <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="costs are soaring" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/20/work-health-care-coverage-costs-increase" data-vars-content-id="f2fbe85e-b67c-4811-95ce-80d02801c407" data-vars-headline="How rising health care costs are affecting Texans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/20/work-health-care-coverage-costs-increase" target="_self">costs are soaring</a> for employees and employers.

Boosting health care access for families

The facility brings together public and private groups to improve access to care.

A public-private partnership between several Fort Worth institutions provides medical care for families, from babies to grandparents, under one roof.Why it matters: This is the first time two of Fort Worth&#x27;s oldest hospital systems are sharing a building to help families meet all of their primary care needs in one trip.<ul><li>The effort could be a model in other areas of North Texas. </li></ul>

Texas to spend millions on psychedelic research

Gov. Greg Abbott approved spending $50 million for study of Ibogaine.

Politics

Texas plans to spend $50 million on research examining the effects of a psychedelic drug called Ibogaine on behavioral health conditions.Why it matters: Ibogaine remains illegal in the U.S., but its advocates hope Texas&#x27; research will push it toward FDA approval, saying it can help veterans with PTSD and other mental illnesses.

Dallas-Fort Worth runs afoul of federal air standards

Dallas-Fort Worth polluters could face $45 million in yearly federal fines if the region's air quality doesn't improve by 2027.

Dallas-Fort Worth polluters could face $45 million in yearly federal fines if the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="region&#x27;s air quality" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2024/02/22/texas-air-quality-get-worse" data-vars-content-id="a352c0f5-0956-4804-b2f9-6501215b12b1" data-vars-headline="Dallas-Fort Worth runs afoul of federal air standards" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2024/02/22/texas-air-quality-get-worse" target="_self">region&#x27;s air quality</a> doesn&#x27;t improve by 2027.Why it matters: Air pollution is a serious threat to health, particularly for children, elderly people and those who have asthma or other lung conditions.

How to reduce pollution in Dallas-Fort Worth

Industrial businesses are major polluters, but individuals can still have a positive impact on the region's air quality on ozone action days.

Ridesharing, telecommuting and taking public transit can reduce the pollution that contributes to the poor air quality in Dallas-Fort Worth.Why it matters: Industrial businesses are major polluters, but individuals can still have a positive impact on the region&#x27;s air quality.

Texas abortion ban linked to higher sepsis risk after pregnancy loss

ProPublica examined the abortion ban's impact on maternal health.

Patients who experienced a second-trimester pregnancy loss in a Texas hospital had a higher risk of contracting sepsis after the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state&#x27;s initial abortion ban" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/09/01/texas-abortion-ban-effect" data-vars-content-id="455390ad-81d5-4d7c-bc8f-295e43e1bc5d" data-vars-headline="Texas abortion ban linked to higher sepsis risk after pregnancy loss" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/09/01/texas-abortion-ban-effect" target="_self">state&#x27;s initial abortion ban</a> went into effect in 2021, per a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ProPublica" data-vars-click-url="https://www.propublica.org/article/texas-abortion-ban-sepsis-maternal-mortality-analysis" data-vars-content-id="455390ad-81d5-4d7c-bc8f-295e43e1bc5d" data-vars-headline="Texas abortion ban linked to higher sepsis risk after pregnancy loss" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.propublica.org/article/texas-abortion-ban-sepsis-maternal-mortality-analysis" target="_blank">ProPublica</a> investigation.Why it matters: Texas has become an epicenter of the country&#x27;s battle over abortion rights and reproductive health.

Dallas Fire-Rescue pilots blood transfusions in ambulances

Pre-hospital transfusions can dramatically increase a patient's chance of survival.

Dallas Fire-Rescue is testing equipment that will allow paramedics to start blood transfusions on critically wounded patients before arriving at the hospital.Why it matters: Pre-hospital transfusions are a head start on treatment and can dramatically increase a patient&#x27;s chance of survival if they are more than 30 minutes from a hospital, the department says.

Axios Houston

Texas Children's must open country's first "detransition clinic"

Houston

A cartogram displaying the 2025 America's Health Rankings. New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont rank highest. Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas rank lowest in health.

Health 🩺

Texas Children's must open country's first "detransition clinic"

Why your symptoms might not tell the full story

The questions you should be asking your primary care provider — and why they matter

Texas among America's least healthy states

How rising health care costs are affecting Texans