Dallas Observer | The Leading Independent News Source in Dallas, Texas

Your Water Bill is Going Up, Plus 3 Other Takeaways From Dallas’ $5 Billion Budget

By Emma Ruby

Aug 11, 2025

This budget was City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert’s second time at the helm of Dallas’ finances.

Fort Worth Successfully Banned Short Term Rentals. Why Can’t Dallas?

By Emma Ruby

Aug 8, 2025

Fort Worth got the answer on vacation rentals that Dallas officials have long been hoping for, but haven't gotten yet.

5 Key Dallas Issues on the Agenda Now That City Council is Back

By Emma Ruby

Aug 7, 2025

On the first day back in session, advocates asked for transparency in DPD’s dealings with ICE, one of several issues the body will address.

City Ban on Short-Term Rentals Swatted Down Again. Everything You Need to Know

By Emma Ruby

Aug 4, 2025

For the second time this year, a court has upheld an injunction on the ban. Here’s what that means for Dallas’ neighborhoods.

Dallas Is a Pothole Hellscape. This Man is On A Mission to Fix That

By Emma Ruby

Aug 1, 2025

After an unmarked curb left him with a flat tire, Adam Sharkey knew something had to be done about Dallas’ streets.

Ex-Dallas City Manager Spent Absurd Amount of Tax Dollars on Lunch

By Emma Ruby

Jul 30, 2025

A large amount of Austin taxpayer dollars was also spent to supply former DPD Chief Eddie Garcia with protein shakes.

What Does it Take to Fix a Problematic Street in Dallas? Who Knows?

By Emma Ruby

Jul 25, 2025

Calamitous car accidents along a North Oak Cliff road have left residents wondering what it will take to make them feel safe.

Trash Service Changes Are Coming to Dallas. People Are Pissed.

By Alyssa Fields

Jul 15, 2025

Dallas will end alleyway trash service for 26,000 residents in 2026, and there's probably nothing they can do about it.

Following Surprise Exit, Former DPD Chief Named as Finalist for Fort Worth Top Cop

By Alyssa Fields

Jul 15, 2025

There’s no place like home, err, 30 miles from home. What was his Dallas exit all about?

The Dallas Morning News' City Pride Flag Criticism Is Flat Out Wrong

By Emma Ruby

Jul 2, 2025

The article argues that specialty flags could cause division and alienation amongst a diverse city.

Gentle Gentrification Eases Its Way Into Southern Dallas

By Emma Ruby

Jul 2, 2025

A local developer finds you can go home again and build some nice houses while you're at it.

‘We Were Set Up’: Immigration Off the Table as Comeaux Meets Police Oversight Board

By Emma Ruby

Jun 11, 2025

The board had written a six-page letter outlining questions they planned to ask the Dallas Police Chief on Tuesday evening.

Uptick in Owner Surrenders Leaves DAS With Thousands More Animals Than Past Years

By Emma Ruby

Jun 9, 2025

The Dallas Animal Shelter has temporarily paused the intake program, citing the need to catch up on space and resources.

Dallas Police Ramping Up Use of Facial Recognition Tech for Case Solving

By Emma Ruby

Jun 4, 2025

The software is embroiled in legal challenges and was built on billions of images from social media, causing privacy concerns for some.

Hundreds of Bike Lane Miles Approved for Dallas, but is the City Working Fast Enough?

By Emma Ruby

May 29, 2025

Dallas has half the bicycle infrastructure of Houston, Austin and San Antonio. The newly adopted plan could fix that.

UPDATE: Council Denies Batch Plant Zoning Request Near Youth Soccer Park

By Emma Ruby

May 28, 2025

Dallas needs concrete to build, but the industry's pollution is concerning for families who utilize a nearby soccer park.

Dallas Officials Give In-Depth Look at Convention Center Plans, Questions Remain

By Emma Ruby

May 22, 2025

“There is no intention to draw birds to the site,” was an actual quote from Wednesday's Convention Center briefing inside City Hall.

Oak Cliff Crashes Catch Social Media Buzz and City Attention

By Alyssa Fields

May 16, 2025

Two vehicle crashes at the same roundabout have triggered widespread intrigue and have sent one council member into action.

Dallas City Council Overwhelmingly Supports Overhaul of Parking Code

By Emma Ruby

May 15, 2025

Dozens of Dallas residents spoke for and against the "momentous and meaningful” ordinance change on Wednesday.

City Hall

Neighbors Back Off Dallas Pepper Square Lawsuit

Oversight Board’s Deep Ellum Data Doesn't Make Sense

City Hall

Neighbors Back Off Dallas Pepper Square Lawsuit

Oversight Board’s Deep Ellum Data Doesn't Make Sense

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