Aaron Dean, the former Fort Worth police officer who killed Atatiana Jefferson, has been sentenced to 11 years, 10 months and 12 days in prison.

Driving the news: A Tarrant County jury decided Dean's sentence after two days of deliberations.

• The same jury found Dean guilty of a lesser charge of manslaughter last week. He was on trial for a murder charge.

Catch up fast: Court testimony showed Dean didn't follow Fort Worth Police Department standard practice the night he went into the backyard of Jefferson's home and shot her through a window on Oct. 12, 2019.

• Dean exhibits narcissistic and domineering personality traits "that could put himself and others at risk," a psychologist who evaluated him before he was hired by the police department testified during the trial's punishment phase Friday.
• Yes, but: Others who testified Friday vouched for Dean's character.

The big picture: Dean joins a short list of former police officers convicted and sentenced in on-duty shootings, many involving white officers and Black people.

• Jefferson, a Black woman, was killed in a predominantly Black neighborhood in east Fort Worth. Dean is white.

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If you think it's cold outside, brace yourself because it will only get worse later this week.

Driving the news: The National Weather Service forecasts arctic air bringing "dangerously cold temperatures" and blustery winds to our region.

• Wind chills are forecast to fall below zero from tomorrow night to Friday morning. There's also a chance of snow flurries and strong wind gusts tomorrow, the weather service says.

Why it matters: The weather forecast has reignited concerns about the stability of Texas' power grid, which faces its biggest test since new winterization standards took effect after the 2021 freeze.

• The Electric Reliability Council of Texas said in a statement that it "expects sufficient generation to meet forecasted demand" in the state, but it's unclear whether the legislature's changes will be enough to withstand extreme cold this winter.

Flashback: Mass power outages during a winter storm in February 2021 led to hundreds of deaths and property damage totaling nearly $200 billion, according to an official after-action report.

What they're saying: Pablo Vegas, ERCOT's new president, told the board of directors Tuesday morning that the grid is prepared to handle the frigid temperatures.

• The grid operator is forecasting demand for power to reach its peak of 70,000 megawatts Friday morning.
• "With all the available resources performing as planned, we have forecasted to have nearly 90,000 megawatts of capacity online for this weekend's event," Vegas added.

Of note: Dallas' Austin Street Center and OurCalling are opening Austin Street's former home, which isn't in use, as a shelter for individuals who need a warm place to stay, WFAA reports.

Zoom out: Nearly 33 million people nationwide are under winter storm watches and 27 million others have wind chill alerts this week, Axios' Andrew Freedman and Rebecca Falconer report.

Be smart: Sign up for your city's emergency alerts, protect your pipes, bring your pets inside and avoid extended time outside.

• Here are some more tips for preparing your home for winter weather.

The Dallas area continues to experience inflation above the national average, per the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index.

Driving the news: Consumers in the area that includes Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington are now paying 8.4% more for goods and services than a year ago. The national rate is 7.1%.

• Yes, but: Local inflation has dropped from 9.2% in October, when the national rate was 8.2%.

Why it matters: Though inflation is still high, the latest data offers hope that it can ease.

• Last week, the Federal Reserve raised its target interest rate by half a percentage point to bring down inflation.

By the numbers: The local drop in prices since October was largely due to a decline in energy costs, though the price of electricity is still up 20.2% year over year.

• Food costs are up 14.1% over last November.
• Housing costs are up 10.6% year over year and climbed 1.2% since September.
• The index for all items excluding food and energy increased 7.6% over the year, the largest 12-month increase since the index’s start in 1983.
• Of note: The cost of used vehicles is dropping, declining 2.8% year over year.

Want more holiday lights than you can see from your car? Head to Fair Park for Enchant Dallas.

Details: There's ice skating, a light maze, carol-oke, hot drinks and a village of shops.

• Plus, you can get a Fletcher's corn dog.

Yes, but: The event is pricey at $32 per adult and $20 per child. And parking is $20.

💼 See current open positions on our Job Board.

1. Sr. Manager, Pricing Strategy at Dave and Busters.
2. Senior Marketing Director at Dallas Mavericks.
3. Director, Marketing Campaign Development at Sirius XM.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

😃 If you live in Frisco or Plano, you're happier than your North Texas neighbors, according to a new study. Sorry, everyone else. (DMN)

🔎 The U.S. Education Department is investigating the Granbury school district after civil rights complaints after the superintendent told librarians to remove books on LGBTQ topics. (NBC News)

🍽 A popular Miami restaurateur plans to open an upscale Pan Asian restaurant in Deep Ellum in March. (D Magazine)

🗳️ The Texas Secretary of State's office released its final report on the audit of the 2020 General Election, highlighting some procedural issues in North Texas. (Texas Tribune)

🕎 A rabbi who was taken hostage at a Colleyville synagogue in January was a featured speaker during a Hanukkah event this week at the White House. (WFAA)

'Twas the week before Christmas

And all across North Texas

Families gathered in town

And some texted their exes

—

Axios readers

Were getting great deets

On cocktails and tacos

And repairs to the streets

—

New restaurants, new parks

And holiday lights,

Some statewide issues

And school district fights

—

The Cowboys are great

So heartbreak's probably near

But Happy Holidays y'all!

We'll see you next year!