🌱 Dallas Sued Over Median Ordinance + Klyde Warren Park Activities

Hello, everybody! I'm here with your Friday edition of the Dallas Patch newsletter, filled with all the community news you need to know right now.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 66 Low: 57.

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Here are the top three stories today in Dallas:

1. A man and four others are suing the city of Dallas over its median ordinance. Veteran Alton Waggoner, 68, is one of four plaintiffs suing over an ordinance that criminalizes standing in an intersection median. Presented as part of its Vision Zero plan to reduce traffic fatalities, the ordinance allows officers to issue a $500 fine to people standing in the median. An injunction has been filed to prevent the city from writing more tickets until the suit is settled, but the court has not yet ruled on an injunction. (D Magazine)
2. The University of North Texas (UNT) system is pausing new DEI hiring policies after Gov. Abbott's office sent a memo to public universities that stated diversity, equity, and inclusion hiring practices are illegal. In a statement released on Wednesday, Chancellor Michael R. Williams said he has requested a review of current hiring policies "to ensure an appropriate and consistent approach is being taken across our entire system." The University of Texas and Texas A&M University systems have also changed their DEI policies since the governor's memo went out. No university or agency in the system will admit any student based on anything other than merit. (WFAA.com)
3. Klyde Warren Park is introducing a series of activities this weekend for spring break, including tech trucks. The park will be offering fitness classes, live music, and movies. They are also partnering with local groups like Perot Museum for a tech truck, where kids will be able to participate in STEM activities. There will also be food trucks, including a lobster truck, and a reptile show. (NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth)

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Today in Dallas:

• Dallas Quilt Show At Dallas Market Hall (10:00 AM)
• R&B Friday's At Bamboo Room Complex (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Dallas Museum of Art is offering a variety of special exhibitions this spring, including “Spring Break Family Fun” starting Tuesday, Mar. 14 at 11:00 a.m. Learn more about the upcoming scheduled events at the link! (Dallas Museum of Art via Instagram)
• The SPCA of Texas is seeking donations to cover veterinary costs for injured animals. This includes medical and wellness programs for animals, outreach to keep pets safe and healthy, and resources and education to help animals in crisis. (SPCA of Texas via Instagram)
• In honor of Harriet Tubman Day today (Mar. 10), The Dallas Arboretum is giving away two tickets to a Cool Thursdays Concert. Those interested must share a photo with the Tubman sculpture in their Arboretum garden to enter. (The Dallas Arboretum via Instagram)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow 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.