Sharon Grigsby

Why Starbucks is Coming to South Dallas The story of how Forest Forward came to understand the significance of inviting a national chain into its ambitious redevelopment of the Forest Theater.

It's official: A Starbucks will open next door to he restored Forest Theater in South Dallas. My latest story for The Lab Report looks at why Forest Forward decided this was the right call for the project—and its neighbors.
labreportdallas.com/p/why-starbu...

The Perception and Truth Behind Violence in Dallas Despite numerous high-profile murders and violent crimes, the city is on pace for its largest decrease in homicides since well before the pandemic.

My Lab Report colleague @kellixsmith.bsky.social dug deep into Dallas crime data for this report. There you'll also find a link to sign up for more stories like Kelli's. Thanks to everyone who has already become a subscriber and/or offered feedback and story tips.
labreportdallas.com/p/the-percep...

Deep Medicaid Cuts Come for Parkland The steepest reduction in the program’s history has the leaders of the county's safety net system preparing for the unknown. Here is where things stand.

With the fight over healthcare shutting down the federal government today, The Lab Report's @kellixsmith.bsky.social looks beyond the political bickering and digs into the real-life implications across North Texas, especially within Parkland Health. labreportdallas.com/p/deep-medic...

The New Law of Building in Texas State lawmakers passed a bill that makes it legal to build multifamily or mixed-use developments in areas zoned for commercial use. How will this change Dallas-Fort Worth?

Multifamily development plans in Dallas regularly set off firestorms of protesting neighbors who know they hold the power to delay, or even kill, any project. As of Monday, a new state law wiped out that influence. From The Lab Report's @goodmoine.bsky.social
labreportdallas.com/p/senate-bil...

In Dallas, Reducing Violent Crime Goes Beyond Policing They aren’t cops. But this specialized team of city employees is showing how improving neighborhoods and addressing blight can reduce violence.

ICYMI: While the dominant public safety conversation in Dallas was about adding more cops, violent crime fell 48% across 150 sites in just six months. Police officers had very little to do with it. From @labreportdallas.bsky.social's @kellixsmith.bsky.social
labreportdallas.com/p/dallas-bli...

The Lab Report Dallas Helping the city understand itself.

This month, our new Dallas-based publication began distributing a weekly newsletter to provide an early look at the kind of journalism readers can expect from us. To see other stories we've published so far, click on the page below:

This Work Won't Go to the Cemetery Cornerstone Baptist Church has always sought to be of service beyond its own walls. But losing a longtime associate pastor presented a challenge unlike any this South Dallas institution has taken on.

It's easy to be overwhelmed by the never-ending string of barriers to neighborhood transformation. The story of Dallas pastors Chris Simmons and Gerald Davis shows how much impact just one or two people can have.

We're building something new over here, and I'm so excited to have Kelli with us. If you care about compelling local journalism that isn't boring, we're launching this for Dallas later this summer. Sign up here: labreportdallas.com

Yes.

Goodbye for Now, *D Magazine* After nearly 11 years at Dallas' city magazine, I'm off to start something new. First, let's talk about where we live.

Our nonprofit newsroom adventure grows! So excited to be sharing this new chapter with Matt @goodmoine.bsky.social Goodman, who is at the top of the list of local journalists I most admire and whom I’ve wanted to work alongside for almost a decade. www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/...

Exclusive: Gov. Greg Abbott says he supports Texas legalizing sports gambling The comments are some of the governor's strongest in support of an industry that has ramped up its lobbying and political giving in recent years

Gov. Greg Abbott is ready to allow online sports betting in Texas.

In an exclusive interview for the Texas Take Podcast, Abbott said he has no objection to the Texas Legislature passing a law to join 39 other states that have legalized online sports betting. www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...

Petra and the Beast chef Misti Norris announcing the restaurant would close on Sunday.

Whoa … acclaimed restaurant Petra and the Beast is closing Sunday.

The restaurant re-opened in a larger space in 2023 and was a James Beard finalist last spring.

Keepers of historic North Dallas cemetery long threatened by development finally rest easy Encroaching apartment development has long threatened the final resting place of some of Dallas’ most prominent Black and white pioneers. With Landmark...

Before leaving @dallasnews.bsky.social for my new writing job, I’m glad I was able to devote one of my last columns to an important goal of mine these last six-plus years — helping tell the long-neglected and vital stories of Dallas history.

www.dallasnews.com/news/comment...

Columnist Sharon Grigsby leaving The Dallas Morning News for a new chapter Sharon Grigsby has worked at The Dallas Morning News for more than 40 years, most recently as the city columnist. She’s leaving her job at the end of the...

Exciting news: After a great run with @dallasnews.bsky.social I’m headed to the Child Poverty Action Lab, where I will continue to tell significant stories about Dallas. www.dallasnews.com/news/comment...

Inside an unusual Plano MASH unit: bobcat babies, a concussed owl and mended turtle shells The Plano-based North Texas Wildlife Center, which treats 2,500 critters annually, needs help to find a bigger home. This year more than 140 species took...

A report out of the North Texas animal welfare front — this wildlife center could really use some help.

Only 1 in 3 Young Adults Make a Living Wage in Dallas County, Report Finds Two-thirds of Dallas County young adults aren't making a living wage. Commit Partnership wants to improve those odds by 2040. Here's what educators believe is working already.

Two-thirds of Dallas County young adults aren’t making a living wage. Commit Partnership wants to improve those odds by 2040. Here’s what educators believe is working already.

www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/...

Long-silent Dallas church bell rings with high-tech makeover and pastor’s iPhone A Casa Linda woman was told the church bell couldn’t be repaired. Now the restoration project, her tribute to her late husband, is a Thanksgiving and Advent...

My contribution to this week’s theme of thanks-giving. A 145-year-old bell powered by an iPhone.