Dallas Emergency Mask Order + ICU Bed Shortage + Arresting Dems?

Good morning, people of Dallas! It's me again, Dan Hampton, filling in for Kevin Phinney, your usual host of the Dallas Daily. As we've previously mentioned this week, please forgive the shorter-than-usual newsletter.

Today you'll read about what to know about Dallas County's new emergency mask order and see how a disagreement over COVID-19 safety measures led country music star Jason Isbell to cancel his Wednesday concert. Moreover, you'll see the 10 finalists for the Big Tex Choice Awards, which were unveiled this week by the State Fair of Texas.

But first, today's weather: Humid and partly cloudy throughout the day. High: 97, low: 78.

Here are the top stories in Dallas today:

1. Eline de Brujin of WFAA reports Dallas County issued an emergency mask order Wednesday after a judge ruled that local leaders can issue mask mandates to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The move comes after Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order banning mask mandates. Here's what to know about the Dallas County mandate. (WFAA) (UPDATE:Abbott and state Attorney General Ken Paxton will go to court to try to block a mask-wearing mandate in schools.)
2. Elsewhere in Texas, Dan Carson of the Houston Chronicle reports that Country Music star Jason Isbell canceled his Wednesday show at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion following a disagreement over COVID-19 safety standards. The venue reportedly wouldn't abide by the band's request to require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to be admitted. (Houston Chronicle)
3. NBCDFW reports the State Fair of Texas unveiled the 10 finalists for its Big Tex Choice Awards, including "crispy crazy corn," "deep fried I-35" and "deep fried seafood gumbo balls." See the full lineup here. The event will be livestreamed 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29. (NBCDFW)
4. J.D. Miles of CBS Dallas reports the Texas House voted this week to approve arresting Democrats who fled to Washington, D.C. in an effort to thwart GOP efforts to pass restrictive voter legislation. The House voted 80-12 in favor of issuing warrants for missing Democrats. (CBS Dallas via Patch)
5. Lauren Girgis, Charles Scudder and Allie Morris of The Dallas Morning News report that just two out of 285 children's intensive care unit beds were available Tuesday across 19 counties in North Texas. Furthermore, just 28 adult ICU beds were available in Dallas County as the delta variant of the coronavirus continues to spread like wildfire. (The Dallas Morning News, requires free newsletter subscription)

Send flowers today to someone you care about. Our partners at FTD are making that easier by offering Dallas Daily readers a 15 percent discount on orders through this link: Click here to make someone feel awesome.

Today in Dallas

• Ghosts of Craven Manor: Online Escape Game Experience (10 a.m.)
• Special Exhibition: The Book Smugglers (10 a.m.)
• Shining On (10 a.m.)
• The Dark Tower: Virtual Escape Room Experience (10 a.m.)
• Volleyball: @Castleberry Tournament - Lake Worth High School (12 a.m.)
• FAMILY CONFERENCES - East Fort Worth Montessori Academy (12 a.m.)
• CHS Volleyball Tournament (F/JV/V) - Castleberry High School (12 a.m.)
• Volleyball Var @ Mansfield Tournament (12 a.m.)
• Wear Super Hero shirt and jeans - Jimmie Tyler Brashear Elementary School (12 a.m.)
• Workforce Solutions of Greater Dallas - Young Adult Program Session (12 a.m.)
• Volleyball VAR: Lady Jackets in Duncanville Tournament TIME TBA (8 a.m.)
• Professional Days for Staff - McCulloch Intermediate School / Highland Park Middle School (8 a.m.)
• Sophomore Orientation - Hillcrest High School (8:30 a.m.)
• HPHS Schedule Pick-up Day for Seniors A-L 8:30-11:00, M-Z 1:00-3:30 (8:30 a.m.)
• HSNT Low-Cost Vaccination Clinic - Humane Society of North Texas (9 a.m.)

Dallas Patch Notebook

• The Dallas Cowboys welcomed star wide receiver Amari Cooper back to the field this week. (Instagram)
• The Cowboys also want to know your thoughts about the team's premiere of HBO's Hard Knocks. (Instagram)
• The Dallas Zoo shared a video of red river hog Neville eating his breakfast. He loves sweet potatoes and apples. Lettuce? Not so much. (Instagram)
• The Dallas Arboretum reminded folks that its first annual Pepper Palooza begins Friday and runs through Aug. 23. (Instagram)
• DFW Airport said hello to a "very rare" visitor this week as the Las Vegas Sands BBJ stopped by. (Facebook)
• The Dallas Zoo said its reptile team celebrated what it called the "momentous birth" of six Mangshan pit vipers earlier this summer. The little green snakes are native to the mountainous regions of southern China, which often sees extreme temperature swings. (Instagram)
• The Dallas Police Department remembered Dexter Clayton Phillips who was killed Aug. 11, 1923, when his motorcycle hit a pothole. (Facebook)
• The Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center shared photos for dogs that will be available for adoption at its PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center this week. (Facebook)
• The Dallas ISD shared a video of its summer graduation ceremony. (Facebook)
• The Dallas ISD reminded families that Friday is the deadline to apply for Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer, a food benefit for families with kids who temporarily lost access to free or reduced-price meals at school during the pandemic. (Facebook)
• The Dallas ISD also reminded parents to check their student’s bus route for the 2021-22 school year. (Instagram)
• DFW Airport welcomed former Democratic presidential candidate and current U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg along with other leaders to discuss how the region can benefit from the infrastructure plan. (Facebook)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• 5 Areas To Pay Extra Care To For Home Inspections (August 13)
• Free Insta-Worthy 30 Min Photoshoots in North Dallas! (August 14)
• Free Insta-Worthy 30 Min Photoshoots in the Dallas Arts District! (August 15)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with a new update. If you're feeling these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Dan Hampton

About me: Hi! My name is Dan Hampton and I'm the program manager for Patch's Community Publisher Initiative. Formerly a local editor on Long Island covering Port Washington, Wantagh-Seaford, Levittown, Glen Cove, Plainview, Syosset, New Hyde Park, Hicksville, Great Neck, Oyster Bay and Mineola. I am the former wire editor on Patch's national team and a former news associate at The Associated Press. I graduated with a journalism degree from Temple University in Philadelphia. Send tips and/or photos of your dog to dan.hampton@patch.com.

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