Fully Vaccinated? So Was Gov. Greg Abbott — Who Now Has COVID-19

Good morning, Dallas! Today is Aug. 18.

Today's Top Stories: The man against mask mandates, Gov. Greg Abbott, has tested positive for COVID-19.

The interactive Van Gogh exhibit doesn't just take you into his paintings. The show plunges you into the star-crossed artist's mind.

And finally: If you're keeping score, the mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus seem to be holding their own against the city's spraying efforts. Find out if your place is going under the spray.

Now today's weather: Light rain in the morning and afternoon. High: 87, low: 77.

Here are the top stories today in Dallas:

1. A new report reveals how high Dallas home prices have skyrocketed over the last 10 years.(CultureMap Dallas)
2. Here's how Dallas housing officials are working to avoid an "avalanche" of COVID-related evictions. (Dallas Business Journal)
3. Why should vaccinated North Texans pay attention to the current COVID-19 surge? You may be surprised. (KERA News)
4. Looking ahead, here's how Brad Alberts believes the Dallas Stars will weather the pandemic. (D Magazine)
5. Dallas' legendary underground downtown restaurant, Dakota's, is rising again. (CultureMap Dallas)

Tired of paying too much for your prescriptions? GoodRx helps you locate the lowest prices for medications at local pharmacies. Works for pet medications, too! GoodRx also helps bring the Daily to Dallas. Support our sponsor and see how much you can save by going to GoodRx.com.

Today in Dallas

• Begin first grading quarter — Truett Wilson Middle (Noon).
• First Day of School — Cannon Elementary School (Noon).
• First Day of School — Glenhope Elementary School (Noon).
• Boohoo/Woohoo Breakfast — Caprock ES (Noon).
• Hawaiian Theme Day — Collegiate Academy (Noon).
• PTA-Boohoo's & Yahoos — Parkview ES (Noon).
• Even Day — Central HS (Noon).
• First Day of School (Events) — Brewer High School (Noon).
• First Semester/First 9 Weeks — Heritage Elementary School (Noon).
• Fall Picture Day — Frankford (Noon).
• First Day of Classes — Dr. Gene Burton C&C Academy (Noon).
• First Day of School 2021-2022 School Year (Noon).
• New Student Move in — Southern Methodist University (Noon).
• ESEMPIO DAY! House Week — Sudie L. Williams Talented and Gifted Academy (Noon).
• School Starts! — Mound El (Noon).
• Boohoo Yahoo Breakfast — PTA meeting (7:30 a.m.).
• 8th Grade Volleyball Tryouts — Medlin Middle (7:30 a.m.).
• Yahoo BooHoo Breakfast — Heritage Elementary School (7:45 a.m.).
• Club & Organization Fair — Ranchview H S (7:45 a.m.).
• PTA BOO HOO YAHOO BREAKFAST — Glenhope Elementary School (8 a.m.).
• BooHoo Breakfast (Kinder Parents) — Howard Dobbs Elementary (8 a.m.).
• Tears and Cheers Breakfast — PreK and Kinder Parents Only (8 a.m.).
• Beginning of Term 1 — Bridges Accelerated Learning Center (8 a.m.).
• UP - Welcome back Coffee — Highland Park Middle School (8 a.m.).
• Coffee with the Principal — Solar Preparatory School for Boys (9 a.m.).
• Bridges Orientation New Students — Bridges Accelerated Learning Center (9 a.m.).
• Demystifying the Digital World for Nonprofits (9 a.m.).
• Baby Storytime - Burleson Public Library - Children's Programs (9:30 a.m.).
• Cine De Oro — City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture (10 a.m.).
• Sophomore Class Meeting — Wylie H S (10 a.m.).

Dallas Patch Notebook

• Dallas Cowboys: "The next @hardknockshbo is serving up a chippy practice against the LA Rams." (Instagram)
• Dallas Mavericks: "Our guy came home with the bronze and a pair of @crocs with a special meaning." (Instagram)
• Dallas Zoo: "Happiest of birthdays to one of the best mommas around! Boipelo is 15 years old today!" (Instagram)
• UT Dallas: "Help the UTD community stay healthy. We will host three pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinics on campus." (Instagram)
• Dallas Farmers Market: "Make summer a little easier with some watermelon drinks. Juice ‘em and enjoy. It’s so refreshing." (Instagram)
• DBU Baseball: "Tournament MVP and a Freshman All-American. #runitback Jace Grady." (Instagram)
• SPCA of Texas: "Is adopting a pet on your agenda tomorrow? If so, you’re in luck because of the animals available for adoption." (Instagram)
• SPCA of Texas: "“If you want love give me your hand and take it.” (Instagram)
• SPCA of Texas: "Happy Black Cat Appreciation Day from the foster kitty, Queen Vegeta! Black cats statistically have a difficult time." (Facebook)
• Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center: "So many of our wonderful foster volunteers stepped up over the weekend for long-term residents like Pearl." (Facebook)
• Dallas Police Department: "School has started, be sure to watch for kids and school zones. #BackToSchoolSafety" (Facebook)
• The Dallas Arboretum: "Celebrate summer with an elegant tea service! Through Aug. 31, celebrate the season at Garden Tea with your loved ones." (Instagram)
• Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center: "It's #TongueOutTuesday and, boy, do we have some adorable doggy tongues to show you today!" (Facebook)
• Dallas Farmers Market: "Make the most of these last summer moments and celebrate good weather with good company + great food." (Instagram)
• Dallas Museum of Art: "Focus On: Henry Ossawa Tanner" is now on view for free! Find out about the conservation treatment of Tanner's painting." (Instagram)
• Dallas ISD: " Congratulations to South Oak Cliff High School's new assistant boys' basketball coach, Sydelle Toney!" (Facebook)
• Dallas Police Department: "On Aug. 7, 2021, at about 10:05 p.m., the victim, Robert Wortham, who also went by the name Coco, was shot and killed." (Facebook)
• Dallas ISD: "On their first day of the school year today, North Lake Early College HS welcomed students to its permanent home." (Facebook)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Add your business here

Events:

• Free Family Mini Photo Sessions! (September 5)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Free Covid Testing for All - Drive Thru - 17776 Dallas Pkwy. (Details)
• Add your announcement

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday. I'll see you soon! If you're into these newsletters, consider bringing some friends and neighbors along for the ride. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Kevin Phinney

About me: Kevin Phinney has lived and worked as a writer and editor in Austin, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Seattle and New York City. He was born in Brooklyn, New York and was raised in El Paso. Phinney attended college in Austin. He has done television work as a reporter and commentator, and is a former host of a weekday drive-time radio show called "Kevin & Kevin in the Morning" on KGSR-FM (now known as Austin City Limits Radio). He is also the author of "Souled American, " a book tracking race relations in America through music. It was published by BILLBOARD Books, and is often used in college classrooms across the country.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Dallas Daily? Reach out anytime to kevin.phinney@patch.com.