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Is Dallas Really The ‘Brash Texan Star Of The South?’ Abu Dhabi Newspaper Thinks So

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An Abu Dhabi newspaper calls Dallas the "brash Texan star of the South."

Five stories that have North Texas talking: Dallas takes center stage in Abu Dhabi publication, today is Election Day in Texas, meet a 96-year-old-reporter, and more:

Dallas takes center stage in Abu Dhabi publication: The National, an English-language newspaper based in Abu Dhabi, featured Dallas in a recent edition, headlined: “Dallas is a brash Texan star of the South.” The National encourages visitors to tour the Sixth Floor Museum, the Old Red Museum, Klyde Warren Park, Highland Park Village and Southfork Ranch, among other places. And eat at the French Room and Twisted Root. “Insecurity isn’t something that plagues Dallas,” the paper reported. “It chases money rather than love.” It continues: “When you start delving in, mini personalities emerge. The Arts District shows a desire to do culture as well as commerce; the Deep Ellum neighbourhood retains a creative, dressed-down heart; uptown has a youthful, skittish enthusiasm for sampling the latest hot restaurants. Efforts to dig beyond first impressions will bring rich rewards.”

  • Dallas Muralist Makes Cover Of ‘New American Paintings’: A painting by Dallas artist and muralist CarlosDonjuan– best known these days, perhaps, for his sherbet-colored murals along the wall near the Belmont Hotel — now graces the cover of the latest issue of New American Paintings. The publication is set up like a “juried exhibition in print” — with thousands of artists entering the competition each year and only 40 making it into print. The painting is called “Dreamers” (mixed media on a birch panel). KERA’s Art&Seek has more.

  • Texas is great for Millennials: The Millennials, those youngsters in their 20s, aren’t all wasting away in their parents’ basements due to a lousy economy. Some are getting jobs. And when they do land gigs, The Atlantic Cities suggests they move to San Antonio and Houston because they can afford living there. “Some of us just want a steady 9-to-5 in a city we can afford, so we can achieve at least some of the same milestones our parents did. San Antonio and Houston are keeping the American dream relatively intact.” The Atlantic Cities cites the cities’ young populations and low unemployment rates. Houston has lots of energy jobs and a strong art and restaurant scene. San Antonio has a thriving technology sector and “offers a cheaper, chiller alternative to Austin.” These are places where you can buy a home and start a family without breaking the bank. No mention of Dallas-Fort Worth. Sniff, sniff.

  • Meet a 96-year-old reporter: We sure don’t want to be pounding out copy into our 90s, but Belton Journal reporter Berneta Peeples is still enjoying being a reporter after decades … and decades … and decades on the job. She’s retired before – only to return to the job in Belton. The Dallas Morning News profiled Peeples, who is hinting yet again at retirement. “After a recent fall that sidelined her for a month and left her unable to pilot her 1994 Crown Victoria, the woman synonymous with Belton, an hour north of Austin, is hinting at retiring again. But not for the obvious reasons. ‘Mostly it’s my new computer,’ Peeples said. ‘My old computer dropped dead, and they brought me a new one. And it’s driving me crazy.’”
Eric Aasen is KERA’s managing editor. He helps lead the station's news department, including radio and digital reporters, producers and newscasters. He also oversees keranews.org, the station’s news website, and manages the station's digital news projects. He reports and writes stories for the website and contributes pieces to KERA radio. He's discussed breaking news live on various public radio programs, including The Takeaway, Here & Now and Texas Standard, as well as radio and TV programs in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.