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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>.

Spring smarter: Your guide to tackling this season's DIY projects

This spring, look to Lowe's to help you make your dream home projects a reality.

Partners

This spring, take on your home projects with confidence in Dallas. Whether you&#x27;re tackling DIYs, sprucing up the garden or transforming your outdoor space, Lowe&#x27;s has everything you need to get it done.Why it&#x27;s important: Spending time outside boosts your mood and enhances your lifestyle. Your outdoor space is where you relax, play, gather and make memories.

What Texans need to know about the STAR+PLUS Medicaid changes

Whether you are a beneficiary affected by these recent changes or a caregiver helping a loved one get started, now is a good time to review and compare your options.

As of Sept. 1, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission has a new contract for the STAR+PLUS Medicaid program.The impact: Whether you are a beneficiary affected by these recent changes or a caregiver helping a loved one get started, now is a good time to review and compare your options.

Get into the spirit with Lowe’s’ one-stop shop for Halloween

Make Lowe’s your one-stop shop for Halloween — and be the ghoul of your neighborhood.

<figure><img alt="The patio of a house with halloween decorations including spiders, skulls, and skeletons. " height="1080" id="4acb8e4b-b229-437a-b1c9-564d22eb945b" src="https://images.axios.com/a95da5WeVPOIXJCPYwSamLcGBB8=/2024/08/22/1724364069522.jpg" width="1920"/><div></div></figure>We know. Dallas&#x27;s summer is still in full swing. Hello, 90° weather!Okay, but: Halloween enthusiasts are already dreaming of crisp, spooky October nights — and Lowe&#x27;s is on the same page.

Deals, workshops and exclusives: Get ready for spring with Lowe’s

Gardening has always been cool — but in recent years, its popularity has grown significantly across the country, especially for younger generations.

Business

Gardening has always been cool — but in recent years, its popularity has grown significantly across the country, especially for younger generations.Key numbers: 2023 studies show that the pandemic created 18.3 million new gardeners — many of whom are millennials — enabling more people to get outside for restorative purposes like stress relief and improved mental and physical health.