Five stories that have North Texas talking: Dallas would see more than 130 days of 95-degree temperatures by the end of the century if climate trends continue; members of Dallas’ first graffiti crew reflect on the times; Trump’s coming to Fort Worth and Austin today; and more.
While August in North Texas is getting nods of approval for its unusually cool, rainy weather, July’s intense heat has climatologists shaking their heads in disappointment. It was the hottest month ever recorded, according to NASA, keeping 2016 on track to be the hottest year on record.
Using calculations by Climate Central based on projections by the World Climate Research Programme, The New York Times created and published several maps on how the U.S. will see more 100-degree and 95-degree days by the end of the century if current climate trends aren’t disrupted.
The average number of 100-degree days in Dallas:
From 1991-2010: 15 days per year
By 2060: 55 days per year
By 2100: 98 days per year
The average number of 95-degree days in Dallas:
From 1991-2010: 44 days per year
By 2060: 97 days per year
By 2100: 133 days per year
See how the rest of the country would fare in the future if current climate conditions progress. [The New York Times]
- The transgender bathroom battle between Texas and the Obama administration continues. On Monday a federal judge from Fort Worth blocked the president’s directive for public schools to allow transgender students to use bathrooms and other facilities that align with their identity. U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor granted a preliminary, nationwide injunction in response to a lawsuit filed by Texas and a number of other states. NPR reported: “The preliminary injunction would mean that, until that lawsuit works its way through the courts, the ‘status quo’ would be maintained and the guidance could not be considered enforceable.” [NPR]
- Thirty years ago, Dallas was a blank canvas. In the early ‘90s, however, the first graffiti crews began painting the facades of Deep Ellum, Bishop Arts and other neighborhoods thus establishing an artistic subculture in the city, and the scene really peaked around 2005, one Dallasite says. It’s always been illegal, but back then, graffiti wasn’t as strictly monitored as it was starting after 2009 when Dallas Police created a task force targeting specific “writers.” In its heyday, there were several known writers, who went by names like RAS13, Marka27, Teks, Yums and Kung Fu to name a few. Dallas Observer spoke with some of the city's originators about the state of art then and now. [Dallas Observer]
- Days after his campaign chairman resigned, Donald Trump is making a trip to Texas. He will be fundraising in Fort Worth and Austin today as well as holding a rally in the capital city. It will be the first trip to Texas since Trump officially won the GOP nomination last month at the Republican National Convention. The Texas Tribune reported: “His campaign is more enmeshed than ever with the state party, which met withsenior Trump officials earlier this month in Austin. More Texas Republicans have come out in support of him, perhaps most notably Land Commissioner George P. Bush.” However, current polls show him with narrower leads over Clinton in Texas than past Republican presidential victory margins. [The Texas Tribune]
- A North Texas country singer is on NPR Music’s radar. Maren Morris, a 26-year-old Arlington-raised singer-songwriter, made her major label debut, “Hero,” earlier this summer. This week, her song, “Once,” from the album is featured on NPR’s “Songs We Love.” Here’s what they had to say: “Having released one of the most sonically adventurous country albums in recent memory, Morris continues to prove that she doesn't intend to stay within one musical zone — except that one labeled ‘excellence.’” Although, Morris has been taking Nashville by storm since she relocated a few years ago, we’ll still claim her as yet another North Texas breakout. [NPR Music, D Magazine]
