Public transit ridership in the Dallas-Fort Worth area is at 78% of pre-pandemic levels, per American Public Transportation Association data.

Why it matters: Public transit — whether in the form of buses, light rail or even cable cars — makes for cleaner, greener cities and opens possibilities for those who can't afford a car.

The big picture: Of around 100 U.S. metro areas with more than 500,000 people, September 2023 public transit ridership was at or above 100% of September 2019 levels in just nine metro areas, report Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick and Kavya Beheraj.

• Nationally, "ridership recovered throughout 2022 and 2023 to stand at 77% of pre-pandemic levels in November 2023," per APTA's latest data.

Zoom in: About 5.1 million riders used D-FW public transit in September, down from the more than 6.5 million riders in September 2019.

• But, bus and train use has increased this year compared to last.

By the numbers: Dallas Area Rapid Transit recorded nearly 4.5 million bus and light rail trips this September, compared to just shy of 3.9 million trips in September 2022, according to the national transportation data.

• Fort Worth's Trinity Metro recorded nearly 490,000 trips in September, compared to 455,000 trips last September.

Yes, but: Overall, local public transit ridership was declining before business and government shutdowns in 2020.

• DART bus and train ridership had been dropping for years, down to about 69 million annual passenger rides in 2019, compared to almost 71.3 million in 2013, per the Dallas Morning News.
• And ridership on Trinity Railway Express — which connects downtown Fort Worth to downtown Dallas — had dropped from a peak of 2.7 million in 2009 to 2 million rides in 2019.

Security concerns...

Several North Texas high school football teams will compete for state championships at AT&T Stadium this weekend — including South Oak Cliff, which is hoping to bring home its third straight state title.

Why it matters: High school football is a massive part of this state's culture. In some parts of Texas, nothing matters more.

4A Division I: In its first-ever title-game appearance, Anna will take on Tyler Chapel Hill at 11am today.

• The Anna Coyotes only lost one game all year, a quadruple-overtime heartbreaker to boomtown rival Celina. Next year, Anna will move to 5A.

5A Division I: Aledo plays Smithson Valley at 7 tonight.

• The defending champion Aledo Bearcats haven't lost a game since the start of the 2022 season and they've averaged more than 60 points a game this year.

5A Division II: South Oak Cliff plays Port Neches-Groves at 11am tomorrow.

• On its way to a third-straight title game, South Oak Cliff only lost two games — to Duncanville and DeSoto, which are both playing for 6A championships. But Port Neches has won 14 straight.

Other big games...

The delightful tiny doors in Downtown McKinney are decked out for the holidays and we're here to celebrate the miniature resplendence.

The tiny picture: As we told you in September, the 7-inch doors are a public art exhibit, a collaboration among downtown businesses and local artists. Each miniature door is unique. Some include tiny mailboxes and flower pots. Some look like little bitty versions of storefronts they're attached to.

The bottom line: Ho, ho, holy mackerel these are adoorable.

Check out some of our other favorites…

⚖️ Tarrant County prosecutors announced the murder indictment of a man accused of giving another man the dose of fentanyl that killed him. The murder charge is possible through a new state law. (KERA)

🏛 A Fort Worth man was sentenced to more than four years in federal prison for assaulting a police officer during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. (NBC5)

🃏 Poker rooms might be made legal in Dallas as private game clubs, per city officials who are still litigating a lawsuit involving a poker house operator. (Dallas Observer)

🐮 A Fort Worth cattle company is accused of running a Ponzi scheme that racked up $191 million in fake contracts. (DMN)

Celebrate the 12 days of Christmas with a little stout cheer at one of the many holiday cocktail pop-ups around Dallas-Fort Worth.

• Many restaurants and bars are featuring seasonal sippers during December, while others are decked out with inflatables (blech), wrapped presents, garlands and specialty glassware.

Here are just a few of the seasonal offerings we've tried…

Tucked in the basement of the Joule is an excellent bar that is featuring a full TV guide of punny cocktail titles, including one that poses the most important holiday question: What does Kevin's dad do?

What to order: The Dark Elves — rye-bourbon blend, blackberry liqueur, espresso liqueur and Branca Menta.

Where: Midnight Rambler, 1530 Main St.

Cost: $16

Six-word review: Dark chocolate, rich mint, straight booze.

Miracle at Harwood Arms has the traditional pub decorated with garlands and oversized ornaments hanging from the ceiling.

• The regular menu is still available, plus some seasonal fare, including the appropriately green spinach dip called The Grinch.

What to order: Santa's Milk & Cookies — Irish whisky, vanilla, gingerbread, coconut cream and orange juice.

Where: Harwood Arms, 2823 McKinnon St.

Cost: $16

Six-word review: Like vanilla wafers in icy milk.

Fort Worth's Nickel City is positively covered in cheer with hundreds of wrapped presents hanging from the ceiling and colorful lights covering the walls.

What to order: Mulled Wine — hot mixture of wine, port, orange liqueur and spices.

Where: Nickel City, 212 S. Main St., suite 100 in Fort Worth.

Cost: $12

Six-word review: Warm cup of cozy winter cheer.

📭 Know a drink we should try? Hit reply and tell us.

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