Editor's note: The most-read Dallas stories of the week look to the new year ahead. We cover all the changes to Texas car registration in 2025, plus the top places to travel (one is on our own backyard).

Here are the five hottest headlines in Dallas right now. And for the best things to do this weekend, go here.

1. What is this new emission inspection to register your car in Texas. Beginning January 1, 2025, Texas vehicle owners will no longer need to obtain a safety inspection prior to vehicle registration. House Bill 3297, passed during the 88th Legislature in 2023, eliminates the safety inspection program for non-commercial vehicles. We'll all be free, free, free of the oppression of the safety inspection process. However …

2. Kindhearted Plano ranks among the 10 most caring cities in America. Plano has some of the kindest, most generous residents in the country. So says a new report that ranks the Dallas suburb the No. 10 most caring city in the United States.

Plano is one of the happiest and most caring places in America. Visit Plano - Facebook

3. West Grove center in McKinney signs on slew of new restaurants. A mixed-use center coming soon to McKinney has already lined up more than a dozen tenants: According to a release, West Grove, a new development at the intersection of US-380 and North Custer Road has signed on a supermarket, a coffee shop, ice cream shop, and a Chick-fil-A.

4. Beloved Texas city hailed top place to travel in 2025 by Travel + Leisure. Texas travelers already know the many charms of San Antonio, and now the whole world is finding out, too. National magazine Travel + Leisure has declared San Antonio one of the best places to travel in 2025.

5. Exclusive Prime rib and fancy lunches lead this Dallas restaurant news. There's plenty to chew on in this roundup of restaurant news, from new lunch and dinner menus to holiday-flavored beers. Even bigger news — the McRib is back, for those who have been anxiously awaiting its return.