When The State Fair Opens Next Month, Will Big Tex Be Masked?

Good morning, Dallas! It's Friday, Aug. 27.

Your Headlines: Everyone's excited about The State Fair of Texas returning. But will it be safe?

The music world lost The Rolling Stones' drummer Charlie Watts earlier this week, and Texans whose lives he touched are reminiscing.

And, if you care to find out just how much it costs to own and operate a car in Texas versus other states, you can wince and find out.

First, today's weather: Humid and partly cloudy throughout the day. High: 93, low: 76.

Here are the top stories today in Dallas:

1. Dallas hosts are opening their homes free to Afghan refugees through Airbnb. (CultureMap Dallas)
2. A former Baylor Scott & White doctor is accused of using his Baylor title while spreading COVID-19 misinformation. (WFAA.com)
3. Dallas has five options for the future of I-345, and only one makes sense. (The Dallas Morning News)
4. Dallas and Fort Worth school boards will discuss the next steps in Texas' ongoing mask mandate ban debate.(The Dallas Morning News)
5. The Dallas Museum of Art is debuting three contemporary art exhibitions next month. (D Magazine)

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Today in Dallas

• Senior Sunrise - Western Hills High School. (6:30 a.m.)
• Senior Sunrise - All Seniors - James M Steele High School. (7 a.m.)
• Cross Country Kaufman Invitational - Grand Prairie High School. (7:15 a.m.)
• GH PTA Dollar Dress Day - Geneva Heights Elementary School. (7:30 a.m.)
• FHS Cross Country Kaufman Run with the Lions. (7:30 a.m.)

Dallas Patch Notebook

• Dallas Cowboys: "Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at #NFLDraft decisions with our next Deep Blue: War Stories, tomorrow at 6 p.m. CT!" (Instagram)
• Children's Health: "Jaxon has overcome the unimaginable with great strength and resilience. Originally diagnosed with Stage 4 Osteosarcoma in 2019, new nodules were recently found on his lungs. Despite more chemotherapy and surgeries, Jaxon continues to fight." (Instagram)
• DBU Baseball: "Six months until Opening Day!" (Instagram)
• DFW Airport: "Guys, we're asking for your help: Please wear a mask within the airport, unless actively eating or drinking." (Facebook)
• The Dallas Arboretum: "Discover Dallas’ Best Interactive Garden for Kids, awarded by D Magazine in the 2021 Best of Big D issue! The Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden is filled with eight acres of science and nature exhibits that will inspire young minds." (Instagram)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update. If you're enjoying these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Kevin Phinney

About me: Kevin Phinney has lived and worked as a writer and editor in Austin, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Seattle and New York City. He was born in Brooklyn, New York and was raised in El Paso. Phinney attended college in Austin. He has done television work as a reporter and commentator, and is a former host of a weekday drive-time radio show called "Kevin & Kevin in the Morning" on KGSR-FM (now known as Austin City Limits Radio). He is also the author of "Souled American, " a book tracking race relations in America through music. It was published by BILLBOARD Books, and is often used in college classrooms across the country.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Dallas Daily? Reach out anytime to kevin.phinney@patch.com.