Five stories that have North Texas talking: Coca-Cola taps into sparkling water craze with Topo Chico; the Las Vegas shooter spent time in Mesquite; it’s local music month in D-FW; and more.
Coca-Cola has bought the brand rights to Topo Chico, the popular Mexican mineral water that Texans find in grocery stores, coffee shops and bars, for $220 million.
The deal was made through Coke’s Venturing & Emerging Brands unit. The addition of Topo Chico complements other Coke products like Dasani and Glacéau Smartwater and will help Coke compete in the growing premium sparkling water market, FoodBev Media reports.
The two beverage companies have a history, too: The first bottle of Coca-Cola in Mexico was bottled at a Topo Chico facility in the 1920s.
The acquisition will bring Topo Chico to more people across the United States. Texas currently accounts for about 70 percent of the brand’s American sales, according to FoodBev Media.
Topo Chico will continue to be imported from the same natural source in Cerro del Topo Chico in northern Mexico where it has been bottled since 1895. [FoodBev Media]
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- A gunman shot and killed nearly 60 people and injured hundreds more attending a music festival from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas Sunday. The gunman, who died by suicide, was identified as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock. He once lived in North Texas. Here’s how Texas officials responded to the violence. [NPR, The Texas Tribune, KERA News]
- Women are dying during pregnancy or shortly after giving birth at an alarming rate in Texas. In their latest report, officials studying the issue say drug overdose — fueled by the nation’s current opioid crisis — is a leading cause of pregnancy-associated deaths. [KUT]
- KXT 91.7, KERA’s sister station, has made some big programming changes this month to bring listeners more new, local and legendary music. KXT has also dubbed October Local Music Month in North Texas — learn more. [KXT]
- OK, Whataburger or In-N-Out? Discuss. [Texas Monthly]
The High Five is KERA’s daily roundup of stories from Dallas-Fort Worth and across the state. Explore our archives here. And sign up for our weekly email for the North Texas news you need to know.
