🌱 Could Dallas Become The Country's Largest Metro? + AI-Created Taco

Good morning, friends! It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Dallas Patch newsletter — here to explain everything you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny, breezy and hot. High: 104 Low: 80.

Here are the top three stories today in Dallas:

1. A new report says that Dallas-Fort Worth could become the largest metropolis in the country by the year 2100. The report by moving website moveBuddha predicted that the area's population could be as high as 33.9 million, putting it ahead of estimates for other large cities like Houston, New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. (Dallas Observer)
2. Reminder: today (Jul. 14) is the last day to provide feedback on TxDOT's I-30 East Corridor Project. The roughly five-mile project has a goal of reducing congestion on Dallas' I-30 by increasing the roadway from eight to 10 lanes, adding two reversible managed lanes, lowering the interstate, and adding five new bridges. You can view the plans and provide public comment today here. (NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth)
3. Dallas-based restaurant Velvet Taco recently hopped on the AI hype to make the first taco created by ChatGPT-4. The restaurant's new "Chat GPTaco" is made of flank steak, blackened shrimp, red chile aioli, chimichurri, crispy potatoes, grilled onion, queso fresco, jalapeño, and cilantro — a recipe created by AI and available through Jul. 25. (dallasinnovates.com)

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Today in Dallas:

Friday, July 14

• Parade Of Playhouses At NorthPark Center (10:00 AM)
• The Black Sugar Comedy Show At Dallas Comedy Club (7:00 PM)
• Ooh La La! Bastille Day Celebration At Sweet Tooth Hotel (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• If you witness a non-emergency offense, the Dallas Police Department requires that it be reported online via the Dallas Police Online Reporting System. You can file a report or learn more here. (Dallas Police Department via Facebook)
• Prepping for the release of "Barbie" next week? If you're hoping to see the film early with all of the most eager fans, you can check out a "Barbie Blowout Party" at participating theaters to catch an early screening on Jul. 19. You can also grab tickets to other themed screenings like a "Barbie Brunch" or "Barbiecore Dress-Up." (Dallas Morning News)
• Listen up, Dallas entrepreneurs: the DEC Network has a mentorship program that offers entrepreneurs one-on-one sessions, office hours, or cohorts that are tailored to your needs. You can apply to become a mentor or mentee here. (The DEC Network via Instagram)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Find Your Fenty (July 14)
• Find Your Fenty (July 15)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar at University Park Public Library (July 18)
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Featured gigs & services:

• 💲 Paid 1-Hour Product Test - $125 - Dallas 💲 (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday. See you all soon for another update!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.