Former Dallas congressman Colin Allred will run again for U.S. Senate next year after losing in the general election in 2024.

Why it matters: Republicans are already in the throes of a bitter primary for the Senate seat, with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton challenging four-term Sen. John Cornyn.

• Democrats are hopeful that a divisive Republican primary will boost their chances of winning the seat.

The big picture: Allred automatically becomes the Democratic frontrunner, with the party hoping to achieve its elusive dream of winning a statewide race in Texas.

• A Democrat hasn't won a statewide election in Texas since 1994.

Catch up quick: Allred, a former NFL player and civil rights attorney, served three terms in the U.S. House after being elected in 2018.

• He stepped down to run against Sen. Ted Cruz last year.

Stunning stat: Allred's 2024 campaign was a fundraising powerhouse, raising nearly $95 million.

• Despite his eye-popping fundraising numbers, Allred lost to Cruz by almost nine points, or about 1 million votes.

Zoom out: North Carolina and Maine remain the Democrats' best 2026 chances at flipping a Senate seat, followed by Texas, Florida and Ohio.

What they're saying: "I'm announcing my candidacy for the United States Senate to lower costs and stop corrupt politicians like John Cornyn and Ken Paxton from rigging the economy against hard-working Texans," Allred said in his campaign launch video.

What we're watching: Whether more big-name Texas Democrats join the race.

Denton is bringing back fireworks this year.

State of explosion: The city opted for drone shows for the past two years, but the 2023 display was rained out and residents panned the brief show last year.

If you go: The event begins at 6pm Thursday at the North Texas Fairgrounds. Food vendors include Beth Marie's ice cream, and the Raised Right Men will perform.

• Entry is free but parking costs $10.

Other North Texas pyrotechnic displays:

🎂 Celebrate 40. Addison Kaboom Town! is in its 40th year. The event features an airshow before the nationally recognized fireworks display.

• 5-11pm Thursday at Addison Circle Park. Tickets are required for park entry.

🌸 Have a crape time. Waxahachie is hosting its annual Crape Myrtle Festival and Fireworks, including a Big City Outlaws concert. Fireworks start around 9:15pm and music to match will broadcast on KBEC 1390/99.1.

• 6pm Thursday at the Waxahachie Sports Complex. Fourth of July parade starts at 10am in downtown Waxahachie.

⚽️ Dayslong fun. Frisco Freedom Fest is a two-day celebration that includes a 5K race, car show, cornhole tournament, drone show and rollerskating. July 4 fireworks follow the FC Dallas game.

• Thursday's events, including cornhole, start at 6pm at Kaleidoscope Park. Independence Day events are at Simpson Plaza.

🎡 Bangs are bright. Fair Park Fourth features food trucks, live music and a fireworks show in the home of the State Fair.

• 5:30-10pm Friday at Fair Park. Free. Parking is $20 per vehicle.

🎇 Light up the river. Fort Worth's Fourth will have live music and food vendors before a massive fireworks show. Attendees can bring tubes to float in the river until 8pm.

• 5-10pm Friday at Panther Island Pavilion. Free.

More weekend events

Country singer Shaboozey and rapper BigXthaPlug held up traffic in Dallas for their new music video, "Home."

Why it matters: BigXthaPlug was born in Dallas and started rapping while in prison.

• "Home" is about feeling lost in life and trying to find a way back.

State of play: The music video shows BigX and Shaboozey stuck on the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in "the worst traffic jam ever experienced in the United States."

• Shaboozey pulls out his guitar and starts singing on the bridge with BigX.
• The tune sounds like an anthem, similar to Shaboozey's "A Bar Song," and includes rap verses by BigX.

The intrigue: The video makes several references to Texas. The artists are driving a pickup truck with a bag of Wingstop, which is based in Dallas.

• A Texas flag sways behind them.

What's next: BigX's country-inspired album "I Hope You're Happy," is expected to drop later this year, per Ebony Magazine.

🏀 The Dallas Wings traded NaLyssa Smith to the Las Vegas Aces yesterday for a 2027 first-round pick. (WFAA)

🐈‍⬛ Plano's North Texas Wildlife Center is at risk of shutting down if it doesn't find a new home. (DMN)

⚖️ A Dallas County judge dismissed Attorney General Ken Paxton's lawsuit challenging the State Fair of Texas' gun policy. (KERA)

🏀 Free agent guard D'Angelo Russell joins his former Lakers teammate Anthony Davis as a Maverick in a two-year, $13 million deal. (CBS)

Salsa Tex-Mex has five locations in North Texas and a killer fajita platter that keeps us going back.

The intrigue: Chips and salsa are always free and happy hour specials run from Sunday-Friday.

• We've celebrated birthdays in Allen and enjoyed family dinners in Frisco.

What to order: Taco plate and a fajita platter with chicken and steak.

Where: Salsa Tex-Mex, locations in Allen, Anna, Frisco, Plano and Prosper.

Cost: Taco plates start at $14, fajitas are $46 for two people,

Six-word review: Salsas and fixin's accentuate tender steak.

🤔 Know a great taco we should try? Hit reply and let us know.