🌱 Dallas Reps Spearhead Energy Assistance Bill + City Data Breach

Hey, everybody. It's Saturday in Dallas and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Record-breaking heat. High: 108 Low: 83.

Here are the top three stories today in Dallas:

1. Two Dallas Democrats are spearheading a new effort aimed at helping low-income people pay their energy bills. Late last month, U.S. Reps. Colin Allred and Jasmine Crockett asked the House Appropriations Committee to pass emergency supplemental funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, citing that state programs in the South and Southwest may not be able to offer crucial aid to everyone who qualifies. In the wake of record-breaking heat waves in Texas, this funding could be a huge help to those struggling to pay their bills — across the state, reports are showing an average $64 increase in monthly cooling bills compared with last summer. (Dallas Observer)
2. On Thursday, the City of Dallas issued a formal notice detailing how an unauthorized third party downloaded city data from servers for nearly a month this past May. The city first detected that servers were breached starting on May 3, and since then the city and a team of cybersecurity professionals have been investigating the cause of the incident and reviewing any information accessed. Sensitive personal information—including full names, addresses, social security numbers, insurance information, and clinical information was accessed, and those potentially affected have been notified. If you believe you were affected but have not yet received notice, call the dedicated hotline at 833-627-2708. (WFAA)
3. On Thursday, the Dallas Museum of Art announced that Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos (NSA) has won the "Reimagining the Dallas Museum of Art International Design Competition." The museum's expansion project focuses on revitalizing the DMA’s campus to better serve the diverse city of Dallas. NSA described their competition-winning proposal—which will be developed by the Museum in consultation with its stakeholders and communities as an original and transforming relationship of art, landscape, and community. (Dallas Museum of Art via Instagram)

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Today in and around Dallas:

Saturday, August 5

• Lake Worth Farmers Market At 7005 Charbonneau Road, Lake Worth (8:00 AM)
• SPCA Of Texas Young Professionals For Pints For Pups At Oak Cliff Brewing Co. (1:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Fall youth soccer season is around the corner! Early registration is happening now for children aged 3-14, at $40 per player if you sign up before Sep. 15 . Visit your local rec center or sign up online today. (Dallas Park and Recreation Department via Facebook)
• Are you interested in learning more about nature? Check out the Dallas Arboretum's "STEM stops," where you can learn how to identify parts of a tree, how scientists use dendrochronology, and how to combine art with science. Click this link for more info on STEM stops and other happenings at the Children's Adventure Garden. (Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden via Instagram)
• The Dallas Public Library is hiring! Click the link for more info about available positions. (Dallas Public Library via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (August 9)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with 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.