🌱 Homeless Task Force Report + New Dallas County Sheriff Candidate

Hi all. It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Patch newsletter. Here's all the local news you need to know right now.

But first, today's weather:

A thunderstorm in spots. High: 96 Low: 78.

Here are the top three stories today in Dallas:

1. A task force created by Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson to examine how the city is handling its homeless population has issued a report that examines what the city can do to transition currently homeless individuals into housing. The report found that the number of unsheltered people in Dallas grew from 242 in 2014 to more than 1,300 in 2022. However, the 2023 homeless census showed a two percent decrease in homelessness, which could be an early indication of progress. The report also indicated that Dallas has insufficient housing for people earning less than 50 percent of the median income in the city. (Dallas Observer)
2. There is another candidate for Dallas County Sheriff for voters to consider. Rodney Thomas has officially joined the race, and he has experience working with federal law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Thomas has described the conditions for inmates at the Dallas County Jail as "deplorable," and he supports progressive reforms for the criminal justice system. Primary elections will be held in the spring of 2024, and the general election will happen in November 2024. (KRLD)
3. There are several upcoming performances in Dallas that can get you out of the heat and into a local theater. The Watering Hole Collective will be putting on a performance of Spirit Awakening from Jul. 12-22 at Arts Mission Oak Cliff. This musical is based on a controversial 1891 play, and part of the ticket sales will benefit local nonprofits that work with LGBTQIA+ youth. The Uptown Players are presenting Chicken & Biscuits from Jul. 28-Aug. 13. This play is a character-driven drama that follows a family as they navigate loss and their relationships with each other. (Dallas Culture Map)

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Today in Dallas:

Thursday, July 6

• Alex Cantrell Music At Perot Museum Of Nature & Science (6:00 PM)
• Global Grooves: Ladies Bachata Styling At Anita Martinez Recreation Center (6:45 PM)
• Club Improv Teams: Laundry Night & Beefy At Dallas Comedy Club (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Dallas Zoo has welcomed a new addition to its colobus monkey family. Second-time parents Pili and Kuruka have welcomed a baby girl. (Dallas Zoo via Facebook)
• Dallas Public Library has announced a Community Nature Expo that will take place on Saturday, Jul. 15 from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library. Attendees will learn more about local wildlife and hear from regional experts. Learn more about the event here. (Dallas Public Library via Facebook)
• The Dallas County Sheriff's Department expressed gratitude for being included in the 4th of July parade. Check out the pictures at the link! (Dallas County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)

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