After escaping her cage in Dallas Zoo, Nova was retrieved after several hours and is now with her sister according to a Dallas Morning News article which says, 

“The 4-year-old cat was reported missing Friday morning from an enclosure authorities believe was intentionally cut open. The zoo announced it had closed at 10:20 a.m. following a “code blue,” or an alert issued when non-dangerous animals are unaccounted for, but police records indicate officers were dispatched to the zoo about 7:20 a.m.

With the help of drone equipment from the Dallas and Irving police departments, Nova was found not far from the habitat she shares with her sister, Luna, at 4:40 p.m. and safely secured about 35 minutes later.

“As we had predicted, she found a good hiding spot, settled in and as we got closer to dusk, came out to explore,” Harrison Edell, the zoo’s executive vice president for animal care and conservation, said Saturday.”

Additionally, all Langurs of the Dallas Zoo were accounted for after it was discovered that their enclosure bore the same hole as the leopard’s enclosure according to a CBS DFW article which says, 

“However, Dallas police revealed late Saturday that staff soon discovered that a hole similar to the one cut in Nova’s habitat had also been cut in the fence of an enclosure housing a type of monkey called Langurs.

Thankfully, a second search was not necessary. All of the Langurs were still inside their habitat and did not appear to be harmed or in any danger.”

Currently, both the leopards and the langurs can now be visited but both the Dallas Zoo and the Dallas police remain vigilant to determine what caused the said holes. 

After waiting for several months, the Plano resident who bought the fateful lottery ticket has come forward to claim the huge prize set last 2022 according to a CBS News article. They say, 

“More than five months after buying a Mega Millions lottery ticket, a Plano resident claimed his or her $1 million prize. 

The drawing for that prize was July 29, 2022 and the ticket was set to expire on Jan. 25. It was bought at the RaceTrac at 1100 W. Park Blvd., in Plano. 

The winning Quick Pick ticket matched all five of the white ball numbers drawn (13-36-45-57-67), but not the gold Mega Ball number (14).”

However, Mega Million officials are yet to rest since another winning ticket is still out there waiting to be claimed according to a UP Job News article which reports, 

“Another winning ticket from the same draw was also sold but has yet to be claimed. It was purchased at Fuel Maxx #47, located at 420 University Drive in Prairie View.

Texas Lottery officials said the deadline to claim the $1 million prize is Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 5 p.m. local time. The ticket holder may claim the prize at any Texas Lottery claim center.

The ticket holder may also claim the prize by mail. Texas Lottery officials said the ticket, along with the claim form, must be postmarked on or before January 25 and mailed to this address:

Texas Lottery Commission

ATTENTION: Austin Claims Center

PO Box 16600

Austin, Texas 78761-6600”

Currently, the prize for the Mega Millions jackpot has reached more than $1 billion, holding the fifth largest amount in US history. 

Leaders of Texas’ 6 largest public university systems propose using $1 billion of the state’s $32.7 billion surplus to fund instruction, university operations, employee health insurance and a free tuition program for veterans and their children. In exchange, they pledge to hold undergraduate tuition flat for the next 2 academic years according to a Texas Tribune article which say, 

“The leaders of the state’s six biggest university systems are seeking the money to fund instruction, university operations and employee health insurance and to cover a free tuition program for veterans and their children.

As Texas lawmakers consider what to do with an unprecedented $32.7 billion state surplus, leaders of the state’s six largest public university systems are pitching that nearly $1 billion be allocated toward higher education. 

If lawmakers agree, these university chancellors pledge to hold tuition flat for all undergraduate students for the next two academic years.”

The Texas State Teachers Association is advocating for better funding for schools and keeping educators and staff salaries in mind, as the sector is facing widespread shortages according to a Local Profile article. They say,

“According to the Texas Standard, the Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA), the state’s biggest teacher union, is advocating for better funding for schools, keeping educators and staff salaries in mind for a sector facing widespread shortages. 

“We know that we have representatives on either side that are supportive of our public schools, especially in our rural communities, where they have seen school districts have to be really creative into ensuring that they have teachers in front of students, ensuring that they have the programs that need the funding,” Ovidia Molina, TSTA president, told the Texas Standard.”

The proposal outlined in the letter is for general academic institutions within the university systems, not health-related institutions. Chancellors also request similar funding increases for health-related institutions.

Pecan Lodge, a legendary BBQ spot in Dallas, Texas known for its “bomb barbecue brisket”, was featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. It has gained recognition as the best restaurant in Texas on the show according to a Dallas Morning News article. They say,

“Ever since Guy Fieri visited Pecan Lodge in Dallas and featured it on his Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2012, Pecan Lodge has been a legendary barbecue spot in Texas. 

Interest in the restaurant spikes every time Triple D airs re-runs, with people visiting the restaurant from all over the world, the owners have said. The flames were stoked once again when the website Mashed made a list of the best Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives restaurants in each state — and Pecan Lodge beat out all the other Texas businesses in late 2022.”

Their menu consists of meat, sandwiches, sides, and desserts which are famously delicious. It includes:

• Brisket
• Pulled Pork
• Smoked Turkey
• Beef Ribs
• Smokehouse Nachos
• Fried Chicken
• Aunt Polly’s Banana Pudding
• Texas Tumbleweed Cookies
• Peach Cobbler
• And Daily Specials

Pecan Lodge is open 11am to 3pm on Mondays, 11am to 8pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11am to 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11am to 8pm or until they’ve sold out on Sundays. They’re located at 2702 Main Street, Dallas.

La Casita Bakeshop in Dallas-Fort Worth opened La Casita Coffee, by purchasing The Modern Well in Rowlett, fulfilling owner Maricsa Trejo’s passion for coffee according to a D Magazine article. They say,

“One of the most well-known local pastry shops in Dallas-Fort Worth is expanding into coffee. Maricsa Trejo and her husband Alex Henderson have taken over Rowlett coffee shop The Modern Well and will reopen it as La Casita Coffee later this month. Trejo is a James Beard Award semifinalist, and she and Henderson are owners of La Casita Bakeshop. The Dallas Morning News first reported the expansion. 

Trejo told D Magazine that she always hoped to branch out into coffee. When the opportunity arose to purchase a coffee shop, she and her husband jumped on it. 

“I’ve always wanted to be in little communities and be a part of them,” Trejo says. “Me and my husband, Alex, we thought it was a natural first step to start with coffee.”

La Casita Coffee shop in Rowlett offers a communal space, special menu items on weekends, a full menu of coffee drinks, and exclusive baked goods like cruffins, kouign amanns and more according to a Dallas Observer article. They say,

“Preorders will not be available at the Rowlett location; it’s a more traditional stay-and-linger communal space. 

La Casita Coffee shop will carry all the requisite baked goods (cruffins), including some exclusives that can’t be bought anywhere else. Special menu items on Saturdays and Sundays will include delights like kouign amanns, twice-baked croissants and pastries. Plus a full menu of lattes, cortados, espressos and more.”

The soft opening is planned for Jan. 14, and a grand opening is slated for Jan. 21.

A neighborhood in Northwest Dallas is being pushed to be officially recognized as Koreatown in order to boost tourism in the area according to a Dallas Morning News article. They say,

“Stores like Sam Moon and restaurants like Korea House became cornerstones to the growth and identity of the area, which to many Korean Americans in North Texas is unofficially called “K-Town” or “Koreatown.”

Now, the Greater Dallas Korean American Chamber of Commerce is pushing for the city to approve street toppers for a stretch of Royal Lane to be labeled Koreatown. The organization hopes the toppers can be an important step in preserving the history of the area.”

Greater Dallas Korean American Chamber of Commerce board member John Lee said this recognition could help people in the area who want to experience something new according to an NBCDFW article which reports, 

“”For those people that are wanting to experience something and don’t know where to go, the fact that we have something designated would speak loud for the cultural diversity,” Lee said. 

Lee added an official Koreatown designation could bring in community development funding. 

“I think there will be more people willing to donate and provide grants and whatnot to continue to revamp that area and beautify it,” Lee said.

John Lee is leading efforts to get the city’s approval for street toppers on Royal Lane in Dallas, which would pay homage to the legacy of Koreans who have built Koreatown. He has the support of Dallas City Council member Omar Narvaez, whose district includes the area where the street toppers would be placed.

Walmart has just changed the game as it has given the go signal for drone deliveries in several Dallas cities according to a Local Profile article. They say,

“Walmart customers in the Dallas area, including East Dallas, Garland, Mesquite, Plano, and Richardson, can now receive their grocery delivery by drone.

By the end of the year, Walmart plans to expand these deliveries across Texas, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Utah, and Virginia, for a total of 34 stores making drone delivery in 23 cities nationwide.”

Walmart VP Vik Gopalakrishnan said they’re proud of this futuristic new option. “Drone delivery makes it possible for our customers to shop those last-minute or forgotten items with ease, in a package that’s frankly really cool.”

Accordingly, the drone deliveries will carry certain precautionary measures but luckily, they will not impose a minimum for the orders according to a CultureMap Dallas article which says, 

“Customers who live within a mile of a participating store can place orders through www.droneupdelivery.com between 8 am-8 pm. Drones can deliver more than 10,000 eligible Walmart items up to 10 pounds, including fragile items like eggs, in as little as 30 minutes.

There are no order minimums and the delivery fee is $3.99. (With use of promo code FreeDeliveryTX, customers using drone delivery for the first time will have the delivery fee waived.)

Once the items are packaged and loaded into the drone, the order is delivered using a cable that gently lowers the package into the customer’s yard.

DroneUp deliveries are powered by a team of certified pilots operating within FAA guidelines to safely manage flight operations. Deliveries will be made to the safest location of the customer’s home, such as in the front or backyard or driveway.”

The full list of the stores that are offering drone deliveries is available to the website where customers can see if their area is available for drone delivery. 

Luka Doncic of the Mavericks is not just known for delivering points and assists but also known for his fondness towards children and he delivered smiles to two children’s hospitals according to a Dallas Morning News article. They say, 

“Luka Doncic has followed Dirk Nowitzki’s example as more than the Mavericks’ franchise cornerstone.

Doncic on Wednesday hosted a holiday party at Scottish Rite for Children hospital through his charity, the Luka Doncic foundation, to provide gifts, games and activities for about 200 pediatric patients in Dallas.

Doncic didn’t attend the gathering Wednesday, hours before the Mavericks’ tipoff against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but his girlfriend, Anamaria Goltes, participated in the event that included gingerbread and ornament crafts, costumes, face-painting, a photobooth and snacks.”

After delivering to childrens in Dallas, he will proceed to Slovenia where he will share the same love to the children of his country according to Mavs article which reports, 

“I hope this makes them happy and puts a smile on their face,” said Dončić. “They are so brave and strong, and I want them to know I’m thinking of them during the holidays and wishing them all the best in the New Year!”

Later this week, the MVP candidate will send his elves back to Slovenia to host a surprise party for 60 children residing at the Children’s Hospital in Sticni, Slovenia.

He will also provide gifts and a holiday party with 80 children and their families on Thursday at the UKC Children’s Hospital in Maribor, Slovenia.

All the gifts were selected by Dončić, event organizers said.”

Earlier this year, Doncic made an incredible feat by surprising different children’s hospitals in Dallas with shoes, basketballs, jerseys and memorabilia. 

A new restaurant is coming in the busy area of University Park and its concept is as intriguing as its name according to a Dallas Morning News article which reports, 

“It’s looking like 2023 will be a hallmark year for Snider Plaza, the shopping center in University Park that’s been around since 1927.

Beyond the handful of new restaurants coming soon in Snider Plaza from UP resident and restaurateur Hunter Pond, another Dallas operator, Jon Alexis, just announced he will open an American eatery named Ramble Room in the neighborhood.

Restaurateur Alexis — like Pond and fellow Snider Plaza restaurateur Doug Pickering (who owns newish restaurant Douglas) — has strong ties to the neighborhood. Alexis’ first job was at Kuby’s Sausage House and European Market, and he and his wife grew up nearby.

“I hope Ramble Room serves the neighborhood as long as Kuby’s,” Alexis says in a prepared statement.”

Ramble Room will feature a grand decoration that will produce an astonishing and calm ambiance for the guests and customers but the full menu is yet to be revealed according to an Eater Dallas article. They say, 

“Details on the food are thin, other than a promise of what Alexis calls “approachable American cuisine” and the promise of a family-friendly space. A representitive for the restaurant shared some rough menu items, including a waygu ruben, Italian sausage rigitoni, and filet mignon of tuna. “We wanted to do a style of restaurant that my friends as well as my parents would enjoy,” Alexis said, with the promise that it would be the kind of place diners can go a couple of times a week.

The decor, however, is described in detail. Patrons will dine under high ceilings, tall windows offering a view of the world, a patio fireplace by the front door, and personal lamps at every booth. The space is 4,500 square feet and holds 75 in the dining room and 50 more on the patio. Alexis intends the 25-seat u-shaped bar to invite patrons to stay awhile. And a second floor will be available to reserve for large and private parties.

Alexis and his staff are looking at the spring of 2023 for their grand opening.

It took dedication and years of planning to finally set up the return of Fazoli in Texas and now it’s finally happening according to a Dallas Morning News article. They say,

“Fazoli’s has planned for several years to bring hot breadsticks and fast-food Italian to Dallas-Fort Worth once again, and the company announced today that a franchise group has signed a lease to open a restaurant in Denton.

In a world brimming with fast-food concepts, Fazoli’s is relatively unique. It’s one of the only fast-food restaurants where a consumer can get a salad, a slice of lasagna and a piece of cheesecake, all ordered from the front seat of a car in the drive-through lane.

Fazoli’s has a dining room, too, for those who have a few extra minutes to eat.”

For its menu, Fazoli will not just be bringing breadsticks to Texans but instead the entire Italian cuisine and culture with a twist. 

• Meatball da Vinci

• Fried Mozzarella Skewers with Marinara

• Baked Spaghetti

• Pepperoni Pizza Breadsticks 

• Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

• Chicken Parmigiano

• Loaded Baked Spaghetti
• Spicy Baked Ziti with Sausage

• Whole Pepperoni Pizza

• Loaded Fettuccine

• Chicken Carbonara

There is no confirmed address of the restaurant but it is already expected to open this coming 2023.