Lawmaker Who Broke Quorum In Portugal? + Escaped Cobra

Good morning, Dallasites! Kevin, your usual source for the Dallas Daily, is out today. In his stead, I have put together a fresh edition of the daily digest to make sure you're still up-to-date on all the local happenings. Please note that during this period your newsletters might be lighter than usual.

-Dan Hampton

To start you off today we have two Texas Democrats — including one from Dallas — who were unaccounted for this week after breaking quorum and jet-setting to Washington, D.C. Furthermore, a venomous cobra might be on the loose in Grand Prairie, and Gov. Greg Abbott shared his thoughts on imposing a new mask-mandate.

First, today's weather: Humid throughout the day. High: 94, low: 75.

Here are the top stories today in Dallas:

1. Patrick Svitek and Cassandra Pollock of The Texas Tribune report that the Texas House Democratic Caucus could not account for Dallas state Rep. Jessica González and state Rep. Julie Johnson of Farmers Branch this week. The two were reportedly vacationing in Portugal after breaking quorum and fleeing for the nation's capital. (The Texas Tribune)

2. A venomous cobra may have escaped from a home in Grand Prairie, and authorities urge the public to avoid trying to capture the slithery serpent. The owner of the West African Banded Cobra also apologized for causing the scare, saying that although the snake might have escaped, it might actually be dead, caught between the walls of his home. (NBCDFW)

3. Priscilla Aguirre of My San Antonio reports that Gov. Greg Abbott doesn't want to see lockdowns, shutdowns, or mask-mandates despite surging hospitalizations in Dallas and elsewhere. "Everyone already knows what to do," Abbott said. "Everyone can voluntarily implement the mandates that are safest for them, their families, and their businesses."(MYSA)

4. Ashley Killough and Amir Vera of CNN report that a 14-year Dallas firefighter was charged with stealing. Authorities said he lied about testing positive for COVID-19, took paid leave for nearly a month, and spent nearly $1,400 at a large indoor water park in Round Rock while claiming he was sick. (CNN)

5. The Editorial Board of the Houston Chronicle questions why Attorney General Ken Paxton and Gov. Greg Abbott are not holding accountable those who profited from a natural disaster. The editorial board asks: [Why are they not] "firing off press releases and filing lawsuits against natural gas pipeline companies and traders" who hauled in billions of dollars in profits from desperate Texans after Winter Storm Uri? (Houston Chronicle)

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Today in Dallas

• Dallas Zoo Summer Camps (9 a.m.-3 p.m.)
• The Dallas Arboretum Presents The Return of Zimsculpt (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
• The Ghosts of Craven Manor: Online Escape Game Experience (10 a.m.-10 p.m.)
• Special Exhibition: The Book Smugglers (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)
• Shining On (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)
• Out Of Many, One: Portraits Of America's Immigrants (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
• Hyer - Back-to-School Sign Up (BSSU) (12 a.m.)

• "Peaks and Vales" at Moncrief Cancer Institute (12 a.m.)
• Griffin Returns - Henry W. Longfellow Career Exploration Academy (12 a.m.)
• Tarrant County Back to School Roundup (Events) (12 a.m.)
• Spirit Day - Gabe P. Allen Charter School (12 a.m.)
• UP - Back to School Sign Up (BSSU) - Highland Park Middle School (12 a.m.)
• Teacher Workday [Base] - Adelfa Botello Callejo Elementary School (12 a.m.)
• Professional Development Day (Teachers Only) (7:30 a.m.)
• HPHS CPR/First Aid Certification - Highland Park High School (8 a.m.)
• 25th Annual Mayors Back to School Fair/25 Feria Anual de Regreso a Clases del Alcalde (8 a.m.)

Dallas Patch Notebook

• UT Dallas encourages followers to help cheer on Tom Scott MS’14 as he competes in Men’s Karate in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Instagram)
• The Dallas Arboretum shared what it calls "beautiful and vivid summer colors in the garden." (Instagram)
• The Dallas Museum of Art is calling all DFW teens with a passion for art! (Instagram)
• Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center says there's a new performer in town and his name is Houdini. (Facebook)
• The Dallas ISD Congratulates Principal Antonio Verduzco after he won the 2021 William H. Cotton Scholarship. (Facebook)
• The SPCA of Texas says no one works harder than Floyd on National Work Like a Dog Day. (Facebook)
• The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (Official DART page) says the Carrollton City Council approved an ordinance to allow the expansion of Downtown Carrollton Station. (Facebook)
• The Rotary Club of Dallas shared a post about the Cookies for Cops service project. (Facebook)
• The Dallas Park and Recreation Department encourages Dallasites to visit the Dallas Arboretum to experience the international blockbuster exhibit ZimSculpt. (Facebook)
• Green Dallas shared a volunteer opportunity: This Saturday, F.A.R.M. will be prepping beds for fall and is asking for volunteers to help at 8 a.m. on Aug. 7. (Facebook)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Free Insta-Worthy 30 Min Photoshoots in North Dallas! (August 7)
• Free Insta-Worthy 30 Min Photoshoots in the Dallas Arts District! (August 8)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (August 10)

Thanks for following along and staying informed! If you're liking these newsletters, consider bringing some of your friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Dan

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? You can email me at dan.hampton@patch.com.