🌱 Habitat For Humanity To Receive Grant + Gov. Abbott Signs New Bill

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Here are the top three stories today in Dallas:

1. On Wednesday, Jun. 21, the Dallas County Commissioners Court voted to provide the Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity with a $1.6 million grant to continue their work in Joppa. With this new funding, the organization is aiming to create a new street and build roughly 30 homes at 0 percent financing. The project's overall goal is to allow families in the community who earn less than 80 percent of the area median income the opportunity to purchase a home and build more generational wealth. (WFAA)
2. Dallas' City Council reached a 12-3 vote in favor of not allowing short-term rental properties in single-family residential areas. This decision comes after more than three years of different committees, recommendations, briefings, and complaints. Overall, the vote will officially go into effect in about six months; rentals will still be allowed in commercial, as well as multi-family residential zones. (Dallas Observer)
3. After signing a bill that was originally aimed at drag shows, Gov. Greg Abbott signed new legislation into office that now bans all sexually explicit performances. This includes performances from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders which could result in a $10,000 fine per violation, as well as each of the cheerleaders getting charged with a Class A misdemeanor and potentially serving up to a year in jail. Legislators changed the wording back in March to expand what Texas views as "sexual conduct" after many drag performers stated the original bill was specifically targeting them. (Dallas Voice)

Today in Dallas:

Thursday, June 22

• PNC Patio Series With Kane Vinson at Sammons Park (5:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Lighthouse ArtSpace Dallas officially closed its immersive Disney experience only a few months after it opened. Many individuals were noticing their tickets were being canceled, and the company announced in a statement that production on the exhibit would be closing permanently. (WFAA)
• The Dallas Zoo is excited to introduce its new black-and-white ruffed lemur babies who were born back in early March. Guests can slowly start to see these beautiful babies venture out into their habitat to play with each other at Lemur Lookout. (Dallas Zoo)
• The Dallas Police Department is requiring all mandatory online reporting of certain non-emergency offenses be filed on Monday, Jul. 3. This process will go through the Dallas Police Online Reporting System and focus on saving individuals time, as well as freeing up officers to handle a greater number of emergency calls. Click here to learn more. (Dallas Police Department)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new 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.