Texas announces state takeover of Fort Worth schools ... and more news

Before El Califa de Leon abruptly exited its Dallas area pop-up, The Dallas Morning News food team used the backdrop of Michelin-starred tacos to discuss what they expected to see ahead of the Texas Michelin Guide announcement on Oct. 28, 2025. Dallas chef Dean Fearing also dropped by to discuss why he missed the 2024 Michelin awards ceremony, how he helped create the iconic Mansion on Turtle Creek tortilla soup recipe and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Texas Education Agency will remove Fort Worth ISD’s elected school board and its superintendent, instituting the second-largest state takeover in Texas history. Education Commissioner Mike Morath announced the move Thursday. In other news, when Dallas County’s adult probation director cut a $32,800 check to a contractor in May, he said it was to replace checks issued two years earlier the consultant forgot to cash; former NBA player and coach Damon Jones was among more than 30 people charged in connection with schemes involving illegal sports betting and rigged poker games backed by the Mafia. Jones, who played collegiately at the University of Houston, was arrested on Thursday after he allegedly provided inside information about NBA games to co-defendants who used it to place sports bets; and a Preston Hollow mansion known for grandiose holiday decorations that attract droves of visitors has once more become the subject of both awe and ire. After neighbors complained, the city’s code compliance department issued the home notices for light glare and noise violations, which were found to be resolved in later inspections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fair officials acknowledged the decline in a release on Sunday. More detailed numbers Wednesday revealed this year’s fair attendance is the lowest over the past eight years. The drop has implications for the city of Dallas as well as the State Fair. A fair spokesperson said that several factors likely contributed to the drop in attendance. In other news, millions of Texans could lose food benefits at the end of this month if the government shutdown continues. In a letter to states this month, the U.S. Agriculture Department warned the federal government will have insufficient funds to pay for the Supplemental Food Assistance and Nutrition Program, known as SNAP, if the shutdown continues past next Monday; the Dallas City Council agreed Wednesday to pay Dallas County for jail services after a monthlong delay and approved an $8.7 million annual contract for housing and processing people arrested by Dallas police. The decision follows weeks of debate over performance measures and city concerns about delays in the jail intake process; and Big Tex needs a new pair of boots. The Big Tex Boot Design Contest, presented by Lucchese Bootmaker, opened Wednesday morning. To enter, draw, paint or illustrate the design on the sheets provided on the State Fair Design My Boots page and submit it with the entry form. Contest entries are due by Jan. 31, and the winning design will be announced March 2, next year.  All entries must be original works of art with no copyrighted material and include the Lucchese brand logo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and Joe Hoyt [00:15] ride the Cowboys rollercoaster for another week, wondering if Sunday's defense against Washington can last. Will it be good enough to take advantage of what looks like Dak Prescott's finest season? And will that make them a playoff team? [20:00] Mike Curtis joins Kevin and Evan to give a preview of the Mavs' opener Wednesday against San Antonio. Cooper Flagg has made an early impression, but will he, Anthony Davis and the defense be enough to hold things together until Kyrie Irving returns? [36:43] Kevin and Evan take a look at the teams in Texas with a best shot at the CFP and close with their predictions for the World Series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Plus - Texas identifies more than 2,700 “potential noncitizens” registered to vote; Owners of world’s only Michelin-starred taco shop call off pop-up in Dallas area; Travis Kelce, activist investor blitz Six Flags with ownership stake, calls for shakeup Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is an independent podcast hosted by The Dallas Morning News Opinion team. From the archives: Host Talmage Boston interviews Malcolm Gladwell, author of seven New York Times bestsellers, about his book Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering. (Recorded December 2024 in Dallas.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Clark Hunt, chairman and CEO of the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs and FC Dallas, on the growth of the NFL and sports in the region. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Plus - The Cowboys look like a contender with the offense at full speed, firing on all cylinders; Wildfire risk grows as North Texas starts workweek dry and breezy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Clark Hunt, chairman and CEO of the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs and FC Dallas, on the growth of the NFL and sports in the region. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Plus - Former Texas House First Lady Julie Straus found safe after going missing late Thursday; See new renderings of the $300M, 20,000-seat amphitheater under construction in McKinney; Dallas mayor wants to explore partnership with ICE after police chief declined Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices