City News Roundup

Dwaine Caraway's big day and more festive doings in city news this week

This week, Dallas saw an inauguration, some charrettes and a press conference from the city's most fascinating city council member. Here are the city news highlights:

Welcome the new city council
A new Dallas City Council was sworn in on June 22 at the Morton Meyerson Symphony Center. Newly elected council members include Casey Thomas (District 3), Carolyn King Arnold (4), Tiffinni Young (7), Erik Wilson (8), Mark Clayton (9) and Adam McGough (10). They join Scott Griggs (1), Adam Medrano (2), Rick Callahan (5), Monica Alonzo (6), Lee Kleinman (11), Sandy Greyson (12), Jennifer Staubach Gates (13) and Philip Kingston (14).

Emceed by Dallas county commissioner Elba Garcia, the ceremony was festive, with a passionate speech by student Dalton Sherman and a dance by the Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico. Mayor Mike Rawlings observed that the council was possibly the youngest in history.

Dwaine is still in the game
The very next day, outgoing council member Dwaine Caraway held a press conference to announce his candidacy for Dallas County Commissioner District 3. Held at Edison's, an event space in the Cedars, it too was festive, with balloons, mariachis, a high school band and a barbecue spread.

Caraway is running against John Wiley Price, who is under federal indictment for taking nearly $1 million in bribes. His trial begins in 2016; taxpayers are footing the bill for part of his defense.

Toll road charades
The city finished up its series of public forums to present the toll road alternative designed by the privately funded Dream Team. It consisted of a video of Larry Beasley describing the Dream Team's suggestions of fewer lanes and more park access. Assistant city manager Mark McDaniel, now in charge of the Trinity River projects, answered questions, most of which challenged the toll road.

The city claims to be still open to public response. If you'd like to weigh in, hit this online survey.

Same-sex marriage excitement
If you're online right now, you're probably seeing lots of stuff about the Supreme Court's ruling on same-sex marriage. (Even if you're not online, you're probably seeing lots of stuff.) Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, always focused on exactly not the right things, has already issued a statement vowing that he will direct state agencies "to prioritize the protection of Texas' religious liberties." And publicity hound pastor Rick Scarborough of Pearland, Texas, promised to set himself on fire.

But Oak Cliff restaurant Bolsa will buy dinner for anyone who can bring in proof they got married today. And Dallas judge Roberto Canas has volunteered to marry anyone on June 29, time permitting.

"In light of today's Supreme Court ruling, I will be available on Monday to perform marriage ceremonies for anyone who needs one," Canas says, noting that it will be a light week with no trials scheduled because of the Fourth of July holiday.

Bye Miles
After a long and difficult tenure, Mike Miles resigned from his position as Dallas ISD superintendent. There were two years remaining on his contract. The Dallas ISD board of trustees appointed Dr. Michael Hinojosa as interim superintendent. He will be paid $25,000 a month. Hinojosa was superintendent from 2005–2011.

Dwaine Caraway is running for a Dallas county commissioner seat.

Dwaine Caraway/Facebook

Dwaine Caraway is running for a Dallas county commissioner seat.

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Public transportation news

DART to trim bus routes and change light-rail frequency in Dallas

Photo courtesy of DART

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Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is implementing service changes that include discontinuing several low-performing bus routes and adjusting weekday rail and bus frequencies. The changes take effect Monday February 2.

"These changes reflect what our riders and communities told us last year: 'Minimize disruption while maintaining access'," says Jeamy Molina, DART’s EVP and Chief Communications Officer in a release. “By focusing service where it’s used most and keeping strong connections to rail, GoLink and key bus corridors, we’re helping move North Texas forward."

Directly from the release, here are the changes being made:

Weekday light-rail frequency: DART’s Red, Blue, Green and Orange lines will operate every 20 minutes during weekday peak periods (previously 15 minutes). Off-peak weekday and weekend frequency will not change.

Convention Center Station: The station closed to riders January 5, 2026, due to construction at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. Trains will continue to pass through, but riders cannot board or exit there. Bus bays also closed Jan. 5, and stops have been relocated to nearby streets. Updates are available at DART.org/ConventionCenter.

Discontinued bus routes (7): 209 McKinney/Cole; 225 Nursery; 254 Legacy; 255 Story; 305 Addison Express; 378 Red Bird Express; 383 Lake Ray Hubbard Express. Nearby alternatives include rail, GoLink and connecting bus routes.

Bus frequency reductions: Routes 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 30, 38 and 57 move to 20-minute peak service. Routes 28, 41 and 47 move to 20-minute peak and 30-minute off-peak service and will be renumbered to 128, 141 and 147. Routes 101, 102, 103, 104, 106, 108, 109, 114, and 122 move to 20-minute peak and 30-minute off-peak service. Express Route 306 shifts to 20-minute frequency.

Schedule updates: Minor timing adjustments will be made on Routes 1, 218, 233, 235, 237, and 241 to improve connections. Route 883 UTD Comet Cruiser will operate about every 12 minutes on weekdays and 20 minutes on weekends, with no change to destinations.

Bus bay reassignments: Riders should watch for updated boarding locations at Addison Station; CBD West Transfer Center; Dallas College North Lake Campus Station; Downtown Irving/Heritage Crossing Station; Forest Lane Station; Lake Ray Hubbard Transit Center; Market Center Station; Northwest Plano Park & Ride; Parker Road Station; Red Bird Transit Center; SMU/Mockingbird Station; Southwestern Medical District/Parkland Station; and University of Dallas Station.

Riders can review new schedules and route details on DART’s service change landing page at www.DART.org/ServiceChange. Updated timetables will also be available through DART’s trip-planning tools and at select locations, and riders can contact DART Customer Service for help planning trips, finding alternate service, and confirming updated boarding locations.

"The changes were informed by a series of public hearings last summer and feedback from member cities and approved by the DART Board of Directors in September 2025," DART says. "In addition to the services scheduled to change on February 2nd, the DART Board also approved fare changes, GoLink expansion, and two potential site-specific shuttle partnerships. Those changes are set to take effect later this year."