Five stories that have North Texas talking: Voter registration has spiked but that doesn’t mean this election will turn Texas purple; the new Rangers postseason food makes the State Fair look like a light snack; Baylor’s Title IX coordinator has resigned; and more.
Simon Calder, travel writer for British newspaper, The Independent, first visited Dallas in 1994. Among Texas’ four largest cities, Calder says Dallas stands out, in a bad way. “Texas is a land apart, a big-hearted state with three warm and welcoming cities: Houston, Austin and San Antonio. But not Dallas.” He writes in a recent Independent article on the world's least friendly cities that Dallas is “grudging.” In that first visit, he was turned off by the general vibe and a native he met who told him shopping and eating were all Dallas was good for. “I don’t want to be loved, when I go to a new city. But I do like to feel as though I am appreciated at least for the income I bring.” He has since returned, he says, and has appreciated the Sixth Floor Museum and Dallas Museum of Art. “But I still find it a city that does not care for the visitor, in both senses.” The one other U.S. city that got some flak: Miami. [Independent]
- More than a million people have registeredin Texas since the March primaries. But that doesn’t mean Texas will be turning purple. KUT reports more people registered in Republican parts of the state than did in areas that tend to lean Democratic. Derek Ryan, who owns political consulting firm Ryan Data and Research, says if Republicans make up the majority of new voters, that doesn't mean they'll vote for Donald Trump, who has drawn criticism from some Texas Republicans who prefer the Bush version of the party. See Ryan’s full voter registration analysis. [KUT]
- Patty Crawford, Baylor University’s first full-time Title IX coordinator, has resigned. A press release from Baylor was issued at 11:49 p.m. Monday, according to the Waco Tribune-Herald. “Our understanding is that Patty was disappointed in her role in implementing the recommendations that resulted from the Pepper Hamilton investigation,” the university said. Baylor hired the Philadelphia-based law firm to investigate its responses to sexual assault allegations. Baylor adopted the 105 recommendations from the nine-month investigation as mandates. Crawford held the role since November 2014. [Waco Tribune-Herald]
- State legislators are exploring having Texas schools teach students how to act when stopped by law enforcement. The Texas Tribune reports: “Law enforcement leaders and civil rights organizations have met with state Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, to discuss changing the language in Texas' driver handbook and education curriculum that advises drivers on what to do when stopped by an officer.”The proposed changes come after years of fatal encounters between police and civilians, particularly among unarmed black men and women, like Sandra Bland. [The Texas Tribune]
- When it comes to food, the state fair is to fried as Rangers stadium is to huge. GuideLive dished on the four new foods coming to Globe Life Park in Arlington during postseason. 1. The Atomic Burger: 1-pound beef patty covered in bacon and cheese and topped with ghost pepper sauce. 2. The TamArlington Dog: full-sized hot dog wrapped inside a tamale covered in chili and cheese. 3. The Popcornopolis Pita: pita stacked with smoked brisket, macaroni and cheese, and caramel popcorn. 4. The Never Ever Quit (N.E.Q.) Sandwich: a Philly cheesesteak topped with fried jalapeno slices, onion rings, waffle fries and mozzarella sticks. [GuideLive]
