It was another busy week in North Texas. Our free Courier DFW newsletter brings these straight to your inbox, Monday-Friday. Want to know more about education issues throughout the state? Subscribe to our Wednesday TexEd Report newsletter.
(March 30-April 3, 2026)
👉 Is $14K too much? Home rental prices have skyrocketed in anticipation of the slew of World Cup visitors seeking lodging close to the matches. See what prices are looking like now. (Dallas Observer)
👉 Two top chefs rep DFW: Maggie Huff and Scott Girling are the only North Texas chefs named as 2026 James Beard Award finalists. Get the scoop on their restaurants here.
👉 Ms. Rachel for detained ‘littles’: Ms. Rachel, the child education YouTube star, videochatted with children at ICE’s South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley last month. She shared many of the sad conversations online. This week, she became one of about 200 influential Americans to sign a petition calling for authorities to close the facility immediately. (San Antonio News-Express)
👉 Outlaw Music Fest is touring: Willie Nelson keeps the outlaw spirit alive with 2026 festival dates. He’ll be joined by special guests like Sheryl Crow and Stephen Wilson Jr.
👉 School voucher tango: Texas private school voucher applications are closed, and with more than 250,000 applicants, what happens now that the demand is greater than the funding budget?
👉 Dallas housing in crisis: A Dallas City Council meeting on Wednesday laid out the grim reality of housing costs in the city. More than half of Dallas renters are using more than 30% of their income on housing, and last year, 28,000 evictions occurred. The city is working on a plan. Got ideas? The next meeting is on April 22. (Dallas Observer)
👉 Whataburger faves return: Whataburger customers said they loved the limited runs of the Banana Pudding Shake and Bacon Steakhouse Double, so starting today, they’re both back—for a little while, at least.
👉 A new driver’s ed: UT Arlington researchers have developed a simulated driver’s ed training for neurodivergent people. The technology, designed to feel like an open road, addresses the short attention spans and interactive learning needed by many with ADHD and other disorders. (NBC 5)
👉 Protein Blue Bell: The national protein craze has hit a beloved Texas brand. Dubbed “Blue Bell Pro,” it’s the same Texas ice cream you know and love, but with about 33 additional grams of protein. Five flavors are available in DFW stores now. (Culture Map Fort Worth)
👉 Student group suspended: UT Dallas has suspended a pro-Palestine student group following a protest at the school’s May 2025 graduation. While the group claims they didn’t coordinate the demonstration, UTD has barred them from meeting on campus and accessing university resources until February 2027. Get the whole UTD v. protestors saga here. (Dallas Observer)
👉 SNAP, crackle, kale? Starting today, Texans can no longer use their SNAP benefits to buy soda and candy. Last year, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 379, co-authored by Collin County state senator Angela Paxton, to confirm these parameters, which also include nuts, raisins, and candied fruit. See the potential downside here. (Axios Dallas)
👉 Dog eat Dallas: Check out these 9 dog-friendly restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth.
👉 No endorsements on Sundays: This week, a Texas judge said ‘no’ to allowing churches, and other nonprofits, to endorse political candidates without losing their tax-exempt status. (Texas Tribune)
👉 Big on conservation: A wildlife shelter and bird observatory is planned for Dallas’ latest green space. Big Cedar Wilderness Park is a 300-acre project to protect land in Southwest Dallas from development. Read more here. (Axios Dallas)
👉 The Metroplex goes Chicago style: Chicago hot dog chain Portillo’s is expanding its DFW presence with a North Dallas location that opened this week and a DFW Airport location in May.
👉 The kids are detained: New data is showing Texas ICE detention centers are holding children for more than the 20-day limit agreed upon in a 1997 federal court agreement. Read a 6-year-old’s account here. (NBC 5)
👉 Dallas gets free pre-k: Dallas ISD will join Arlington and Fort Worth ISD in offering free pre-K to all students starting next school year. Get the details here.
👉 Works of art: Check out these 5 Fort Worth museums designed by famous architects.
👉 Animal lover land: Dive into these eight Texas animal sanctuaries that are rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife, and see what animals call them home.
