Five stories that have North Texas talking: The State Fair of Texas ended on a record-setting note, the Ebola monitoring period ends for 43 people, early voting begins today, and more.
The State Fair of Texas wrapped up yesterday, and officials are calling it “the most successful Fair in the event’s 128-year history.” The fair generated $41 million in coupon sales for food and rides, beating the 2010 record of $37.3 million.
There were quite a few things to see at this year’s fair: the mobile Big Tex, Texas-OU weekend, and the games on the Midway.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4gAFrS6hr8
And another first: one of the Big Tex Choice Award winners sold out completely before the end of the Fair. The Funnel Cake Ale won over fair-goers taste buds, and also snagged the Big Tex Choice Award for Most Creative.
- 43 people have come off the 21-day monitoring period for Ebola symptoms. The state health department said that group of people have not shown any symptoms throughout the twice-a-day monitoring period. The quarantine for Louise Troh and her family also ended as well. For all the latest updates on the Ebola situation, follow our live blog. Also, check out our timeline, which maps out the last few weeks of events.
- Health officials have been on the watch for another virus: Enterovirus D-68. It’s a particular strain out of more than 100 non-polio enteroviruses. Those can range from the common cold to meningitis. KERA’s Sam Baker talks with Garland physician Dr. Jane Sadler about D-68 in this week’s Vital Signs.
- Early voting begins today, and will run through Oct. 31. For a refresher on the major issues in the gubernatorial election, check out Five Days In October, a series in collaboration with The Dallas Morning News, KXAS-TV, and KERA. The state voter ID law still applies for this election, so make sure to have one of the seven approved forms of ID handy. Here are more details on how the law will work this election.
- The Dallas Cowboys hit their best record since 2007. Yesterday’s win against the Giants brought the Cowboys to 6-1. The team is now first in the NFC East division. The game was also a milestone for running back DeMarco Murray – he became the first NFL running back to open a season with rushing at least 100 yards in seven straight games. Dallas will play against Washington at AT&T Stadium on Oct. 27.
