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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>.

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.

Walking pneumonia cases on the rise in Dallas-Fort Worth

One doctor says the uptick is the worst he's seen in 12 years.

A mild form of pneumonia known as &quot;walking pneumonia&quot; is on the rise among young children and teenagers this fall.Why it matters: It&#x27;s common for RSV cases to spike around this time of year, but walking pneumonia hasn&#x27;t been this prevalent since before the COVID pandemic, per Cook Children&#x27;s Medical Center.

Cook Children's sues Texas to retain Tarrant County Medicaid patients

The Fort Worth-based system's contract ends in September 2025, unless the courts system intervenes.

The Cook Children&#x27;s Health Plan is suing the State of Texas over its plans to end its Medicaid contract next year, alleging the decision was &quot;unilateral&quot; and &quot;flawed.&quot;The big picture: For decades, the state&#x27;s health commission has contracted with community-based health systems to provide care to low-income families and families with specialized needs.

Health 🩺

Texas among America's least healthy states

How rising health care costs are affecting Texans

Boosting health care access for families

Texas is one of most restrictive states for birth control access

Texas to spend millions on psychedelic research