“Nathan has no idea how to do constituent service and may be the worst state senator in Austin,” said a Democratic political consultant based in the state capital.
She continued, “he got lucky with his redistricting, but if Dems are apathetic and don’t show up or forget to vote down ballot this could be a GOP pick up.”
Nathan Johnson Losing Support From Left?
Among complaints is that Senator Johnson has not gotten Medicare expansion passed in Austin.
In a recent Facebook ad he was accused of being too willing to work with Republicans and not fighting hard enough for the rights of persons of color, women, the disabled, and other minorities…”
Johnson and United State Representative Allred were reportedly going to face centrist challengers per a rumor last August.
Johnson’s district has been re-written to be D+30.
Dallas County Democrats have numerous contested races including at the top of the ballot where they are expected to nominate Beto O’Rourke. This is the Democrat sample ballot.
Dallas County Republicans mostly have contested races at the top of the ticket including Don Huffines challenging Greg Abbott for the gubernatorial nod and who will face Colin Allred in TX32.
One day before primary voters choose party standard bearers, Dallas County and Dallas ISD surrenders on masks to Lauren Davis and reality.
Lauren Davis is challenging Edwin Flores for the Republican nomination to challenge Clay Jenkins in the November General Election.
Davis has gained prominence leading protests at Dealey Montessori Academy starting in September and as Chief Culture Officer for The Gents Place which has had unique views unrelated to men’s salon services recently.
The protests caused parent anger, particularly when Dallas Police seemed to go out of their way to protect white protestor rights over those of Black Lives Matter protests just a year prior. The protests seemed to be the impetus for Beth Wing’s sudden departure.
The Hinojosa flip flop comes as he reportedly prepares a mayoral run next year.
Dallas, Dallas ISD Surrenders On Masks – Any Change In Data?
In a late Friday afternoon statement, Judge Clay Jenkins announced his revised order regarding mask requirements in Dallas County.
“One hour after the CDC recommendation today, the public health committee met to look at hospital numbers here, medical modeling from UT Southwestern, and other information critical to advising,” said Jenkins.
However, some say, “What order? Government facilities have not mandated masks. Look at local theater operations,” said one county employee.
Many have complained that neither Dallas County, nor City of Dallas, took serious precautions once they decided to open back up.
“The theater here is that we needed masks,” the employee said. “This has all been political posturing by people who have magnetic attractions to microphones.”
“Clay Jenkins never mentioned paper masks don’t work against omicron. You need a N95 or KN95, but that doesn’t work for his audience of knitting circles.”
Both Dallas and Dallas schools says masks will no longer be mandated, but that they are “recommended.”
In a surprise to no one, Southern Methodist University provided a study confirming the obvious: Dallas infrastructure deserts exists, they primarily exist in the southern sector, and they are happening despite massive funding and misspending by Dallas City Council.
Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Barbara Minsker led the research project using public data and aerial maps.
“An infrastructure desert is a low-income area that has very highly deficient infrastructure compared to other areas of the city,” Minsker said.
The study considered twelve features of neighborhood infrastructure including streets, sidewalks, internet access to access to medical care. Neighborhoods deficient in eight or more characteristics were graded as infrastructure deserts.
The City of Dallas has not had a serious effort to handle its budget priorities in years. This has led to multiple cost over runs and quality control issues leading to issues in both Public Works and other programs.
Dallas Infrastructure Deserts Study Details
The study can be viewed here, but has a warning that it should not be cited since it has not been peer reviewed yet.
It is not clear if the City of Dallas will attempt to overcome accusations that the City of Dallas is now advancing another social equity goal which is both not realistic and will not do anything to overcome the economic gaps it purports to fix.
The city website says:
Equity means that each person has the resources and services necessary to thrive in each person’s own unique identities, circumstances, and histories.
Equity focuses on eliminating disparities while improving outcomes for all.
Racial equity is a situation that is achieved when people are thriving and neither race nor ethnicity statistically dictates, determines, or predicts one’s social outcome or ability to thrive.
Dallas Racial Equity Plan
Critics point to a series of mismanaged steps by current leadership in Dallas and on City Council.
They point to bait and switch economic development programs run by the former director, Dr. Eric Anthony Johnson, and a South Dallas/Fair Park Opportunity Fund which has been missing trust since it was founded, but has been a cash cow for politically connected minority political operatives.
A woman was attacked by Trump supporters on Ervay Street. Witnesses said the attackers had neo-Nazi markings on their vehicle, but this was not verified.
These and other events with far right conspiracy theorists have created cause for concern among local minority groups.
The White Rock bald eagles displaced by high winds earlier in the week may not be lost yet.
A Texas Parks and Wildlife Department urban wildlife biologist, Sam Kieschnick, told NBC 5 that there could still be time in the season for the birds to mate and build a new nest.
The Bald Eagle couple lost their nest from a cottonwood tree a day earlier this week after high winds knocked the nest down.
White Rock Bald Eagles
The eagles are federally protected and the City of Dallas has taken extra steps to ensdure their protection.
As a result, the city had taken extra steps to protect the eagles, including erecting temporary fencing near the parking lot and signs telling visitors to stay away from the nest.
Anyone who takes an eagle or any part of their nest could face penalties up to $100,000.
The city plans to keep the immediate area around the nest closed while natural resources officials monitor the bird’ activity.
Yesterday we reported on the return of The Dallas Opera with its presentation of Madame Butterfly which starts tonight. Great Madame Butterfly tickets are still available for all shows.
The distinguished cast of Dallas Opera favorites and debuts includes 2005 “Maria Callas Debut Artist of the Year” Latonia Moore (Cio-Cio-San), Evan LeRoy Johnson(Lt. B.F. Pinkerton, TDOdebut), Kirstin Chávez (Suzuki), Michael Adams (Sharpless, TDOdebut), Martin Bakari (Goro, TDO debut), Hyung Yun (Prince Yamadori), and Adam Lau (The Bonze).
Music Director Emmanuel Villaumeleads The Dallas Opera Orchestra, Laurie Feldman directs, Michael Yeargan is set and costume designer, and Duane Schuler is lighting designer. Alexander Rom, chorus master, leads The Dallas Opera Chorus.
“It’s such a joy to to be able to bring fully staged productions back to the Winspear Opera House,” said Ian Derrer, The Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO.
· Four performances: February 18 (8pm), 20 (2pm), 23 (7:30pm), 26 (7:30pm)
· 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one intermission
· Sung in Italian with English translations projected for each performance.
· Location: Winspear Opera House (2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX)
· Tickets start at $19 and can be purchased online at dallasopera.org or by calling (214) 443-1000 (Monday – Friday from 10am – 5pm)
· $15 advance student tickets are available for the Wednesday, February 23 performance of Madame Butterfly.
· $15 student rush tickets are available at the Winspear Opera House 90 minutes prior to any Dallas Opera performance and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
· We require one valid Student ID for every two tickets purchased.
Dallas arts are returning in full force with a full season of The Dallas Opera and the City of Dallas celebrating the the Majestic’s centennial.
Arts are coming backs trong as Madame Butterfly returns to Dallas.
The Dallas Operareturns to presenting fully staged works after an almost two-year hiatus with its production of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, reminding audiences that grand opera endures.
The production, filled with some of the most beautiful operatic music of all time, opens at the Winspear Opera House on Friday, February 18, 2022, at 8:00 PM, with subsequent performances on Sunday, February 20 (2:00 PM), Wednesday, February 23 (7:30 PM), and Saturday, February 26(7:30 PM).
The distinguished cast of Dallas Opera favorites and debuts includes 2005 “Maria Callas Debut Artist of the Year” Latonia Moore (Cio-Cio-San), Evan LeRoy Johnson(Lt. B.F. Pinkerton, TDOdebut), Kirstin Chávez (Suzuki), Michael Adams (Sharpless, TDOdebut), Martin Bakari (Goro, TDO debut), Hyung Yun (Prince Yamadori), and Adam Lau (The Bonze).
Music Director Emmanuel Villaumeleads The Dallas Opera Orchestra, Laurie Feldman directs, Michael Yeargan is set and costume designer, and Duane Schuler is lighting designer. Alexander Rom, chorus master, leads The Dallas Opera Chorus.
“It’s such a joy to to be able to bring fully staged productions back to the Winspear Opera House,” said Ian Derrer, The Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO.
Madame Butterfly Returns To Dallas: The Story
In Nagasaki, Japan, a young woman, Cio-Cio-San, falls in love with a U.S. Naval Lieutenant, B.F. Pinkerton. For Cio-Cio-San, also known as “Madame Butterfly,” their impending marriage is one of longevity and love, but for Pinkerton, she is no more than a woman to pass the days until he finds a “real” American wife.
Three years later, Pinkerton has left, and Butterfly continues to wait, holding on hope for her husband’s return. Not only has Pinkerton abandoned a wife, but now a child. Cio-Cio-San is thrilled to see that after all this time, her husband’s naval ship has finally returned to the harbor. Butterfly prepares to reunite with her love, however it’s a woman she sees—Pinkerton’s American wife.
Filled with grief for what was, Butterfly is asked to give up her child. Quietly agreeing, she regains her composure and retrieves her father’s dagger, reading the inscription: “To die with honor when one cannot live with honor.” Cio-Cio-San bids her son farewell and stabs herself, dying as Pinkerton’s voice is heard outside.
· Four performances: February 18 (8pm), 20 (2pm), 23 (7:30pm), 26 (7:30pm)
· 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one intermission
· Sung in Italian with English translations projected for each performance.
· Location: Winspear Opera House (2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX)
· Tickets start at $19 and can be purchased online at dallasopera.org or by calling (214) 443-1000 (Monday – Friday from 10am – 5pm)
· $15 advance student tickets are available for the Wednesday, February 23 performance of Madame Butterfly.
· $15 student rush tickets are available at the Winspear Opera House 90 minutes prior to any Dallas Opera performance and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
· We require one valid Student ID for every two tickets purchased.
Dallas arts are returning in full force with a full season of The Dallas Opera and the City of Dallas celebrating the the Majestic’s centennial.
