On January 7, 1891 Zora Neale Hurston, a renowned American novelist – whose work celebrated Black culture – folklorist, and anthropologist, was born.
The Daily Dose (Jan. 7)
1. Dallas City Manager Search Nears Conclusion (We Think)
The search for Dallas’ next city manager looks to be entering its final stages, as three finalists have been selected: Kimberly Tolbert, the current interim city manager; William Johnson, assistant city manager for Fort Worth; and Mario Lara.
The final decision rests with the Dallas City Council, who will vote on the appointment in the coming weeks. The city is holding a series of public meet-and-greets this weekend for residents to interact with the candidates and hear their perspectives on the future of Dallas. Public meet-and-greets are scheduled:
- Saturday, Jan. 11 – 10 a.m. at Dallas City Hall (1500 Marilla Street)
- Saturday, Jan. 11 – 3 p.m. at Singing Hills Recreation Center (6805 Patrol Way)
- Sunday, Jan. 12 – 1 p.m. at Fretz Recreation Center (6950 Beltline Road)
2. Meta Gets Rid of Fact-Checkers
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced the discontinuation of its partnership with third-party fact-checkers in the United States. This marks a significant shift in the company’s content moderation strategy. Since 2016, Meta has relied on independent fact-checking organizations to identify and label misleading or false information on its platform, an initiative was launched in response to widespread criticism of the company’s role in the spread of misinformation, particularly during the 2016 US presidential election.
Moving forward, Meta will transition to a “Community Notes” model, similar to that employed by X (formerly Twitter). This system empowers users to collaboratively add context and information to potentially misleading posts, allowing for a more decentralized approach to addressing misinformation. Meta has cited a desire to prioritize “free expression” as a key driver behind this decision.
3. Powerful Earthquake Devastates Tibet, Underscores Region’s Seismic Vulnerability
A strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Tibet near Mount Everest yesterday, resulting in significant casualties. At least 95 people have been confirmed dead, and over 130 injured. Tremors were felt across the region, including Nepal and parts of India. Rescue efforts are underway.
This devastating event tragically highlights the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity. The Himalayas, formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, are a zone of intense geological activity. The region has a history of major earthquakes. In 2015, a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal near Kathmandu, resulting in the deaths of nearly 9,000 people and widespread destruction. India has also experienced its share of seismic events. The 2001 Bhuj earthquake in Gujarat, which measured 7.7 on the Richter scale, caused significant loss of life and widespread damage.
4. President Elect Donald Trump Pushes for Sweeping Bill
President-elect Donald Trump is pushing to have a massive bill passed, and he apparently wants it done with haste. Republicans, who would only need a simple majority (or 51 votes) in the Senate to pass the bill, have acknowledged the massive piece of legislation includes immigration laws, policy around energy and tax, cuts to federal programs as well as Trump’s afore-requested debt ceiling increase. Republicans seem to be falling in line, willing to pass the legislation, but there is some division about how to pass it. Some members of the congressional body want to pursue passing Trump’s legislation as one large package while others are flirting with the idea of splitting in up into two small bills.
5. Dallas Remains Under Winter Storm Watch
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, effective later this week, with significant snowfall accumulations possible, especially north of Interstate 20. Sleet and freezing rain are also a concern, potentially leading to icy road conditions. Residents are advised to monitor the forecast closely, prepare for travel disruptions, and take precautions to protect their homes from freezing temperatures. Dallas residents took to social media to share stories of empty store shelves and grocery hauls as the city prepares for a potential shut down. Warming centers are available throughout the city, including at Fair Park. Residents can find a list of warming centers and their locations on the City of Dallas website.
