Is Texas Dumbing Down on Educating Students For Political Gains?

Good morning, Dallas. Today is Tuesday, Aug. 17.

Our Top Stories: It's the last of our three-part series on Critical Race Theory. While it promotes facts, Gov. Abbott is against it. At the same time, he's for lifting social media restraints on right-wing conspiracy theories — which are fact-free. Are we setting up future generations to be less informed than we are?

And, just when you thought delta was the worst of it, a new mutation of COVID-19 is calling Dallas home. Say hello to the lambda variant.

Also, the city may not be losing its war against West Nile virus, but it doesn't seem to be winning it, either. Check to see if your home, workplace or play space is under the nozzle tonight.

Now today's weather: Humid and mostly cloudy throughout the day. High: 89, low: 75.

Here are the top stories in Dallas today:

1. COVID-19 mobile testing sites are reopening citywide in Fort Worth. (News Desk)
2. Below normal temperatures are coming to the metroplex, with showers possible this week. (The Dallas Morning News)
3. After a massive loss of Dallas police evidence, the city manager reveals a flurry of new policies. (The Dallas Morning News)
4. Here are the 10 best things to do in Dallas this week. (Central Track)
5. Maroon 5 is requiring vaccination proof or a negative COVID-19 test at its Dallas concert. (The Dallas Morning News)

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Today in Dallas

• CMS Annual Title 1 Parent Meeting - Coyle Middle. (12 a.m.)
• Volleyball vs Mansfield Summit @ HHS (FB@6:30, FA@5:30, JV@5:30, V@6:30). (12 a.m.)
• PTA Chalk the Walk - Ouida Springer Elementary. (12 a.m.)
• Chalk the Walk & Sock the Lounge - Caprock ES. (12 a.m.)
• SANKOFA DAY! House Week - Sudie L. Williams Talented and Gifted Academy. (12 a.m.)
• Primary Picture Day! - Uplift Grand. (12 a.m.)
• Tennis Varsity v Chisholm Trail - Lamar HS. (12 a.m.)
• Lady Patriot Volleyball-RHS / Woodrow Wilson. (12 a.m.)
• HPHS PC TaG Breakfast for Faculty and Staff. (7:30 a.m.)
• Town Council Meeting & Study Session. (8 a.m.)
• HPHS Fish Camp - Highland Park High School. (8 a.m.)
• Parent Orientation/Orientacion a los padres. (8 a.m.)
• Summer Immunization Clinic - Sunset Valley ES. (8 a.m.)
• Conversations with Connie - Glencrest 6th Grade. (8:15 a.m.)
• 9th Grade Cohort Meeting - North Lake Collegiate Academy. (8:30 a.m.)
• Flowering Plant Walk - Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge. (9 a.m.)
• MIS Newcomer's Orientation/Breakfast Meeting. (9 a.m.)
• Junior Class Meeting - Wylie HS. (10 a.m.)
• Babybounce - Farmers Branch Manske Public Library. (10:15 a.m.)
• HPMS Newcomer's Orientation/Breakfast Meeting. (10:30 a.m.)
• Storytime: Family Storytime @ South Irving Library. (10:30 a.m.)
• Bilingual Storytime - Haltom City Library. (10:30 a.m.)
• HPHS New Scots - Highland Park High School. (11 a.m.)
• Bellevue University: Tuesday Take-Aways with Ryan Avery. (11 a.m.)
• Business of the Year Awards Luncheon. (Noon)
• UP - UPPA Kinder Luau - Highland Park Middle School. (Noon)
• BikeDFW Lunch & Learn Virtual Series Presents. (Noon)
• Coloring Tuesdays for Adults! - Grapevine Public Library - Adult Programs. (1 p.m.)
• Junior High Volleyball Team Tryouts (Events). (2:15 p.m.)
• OPEN HOUSE - South Hi Mount Elementary School. (2:30 p.m.)

Dallas Patch Notebook

• Dallas Cowboys: "We’re excited to see #CowboysNation tonight! Don’t forget the plaza opens at 4 pm for #CowboysNight." (Instagram)

• Dallas Mavericks: "Last practice in Vegas and we’re having some fun #DallasSummer." (Instagram)
• Dallas Zoo: "Someone is officially one month old! (Psst…it’s Eleanor. ) Zoologist Meagan M." (Facebook)
• Dallas ISD: "We’re excited to have every student back on campus tomorrow. We are asking everyone to help us keep students and staff safe." (Facebook)
• Dallas Museum of Art: " Get ready to Gogh! Tickets are now on sale for 'Van Gogh and the Olive Groves,' opening at the DMA on October 17!" (Instagram)
• SPCA of Texas: "This is definitely something to smile about! 46 animals found their furever homes last week — remember, we're now open." (Facebook)
• Dallas ISD: "ICYMI: Superintendent Hinojosa addressed media last night on the district continuing with a mask mandate for now." (Facebook)
• DFW Airport: "Here's how the airport plans to build and move more than 400 tons of modules to their new home at Terminal C." (Facebook)
• Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center: "Despite a solid adoptions weekend, DAS is still in desperate need of adopters and fosters." (Facebook)
• The Dallas Arboretum: "Piece together this peck of peppers in a pepper-themed puzzle for Pepper-Palooza." (Instagram)
• SPCA of Texas: "Over the weekend we introduced you to besties Lilith and Frasier! The cute pair is still looking for a home." (Facebook)
• The University of Texas at Dallas: "Comets, please see this message from UT Dallas President Richard C. Benson with information concerning the fall." (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Tuesday! I'll see you around. If you're loving these newsletters, consider bringing some more friends and neighbors on board. 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.