This roundup of news around Dallas includes newspaper news, protest news, and St. Patrick's Day news. There's also a new program that helps low-income seniors fix up their house.

Here's what's happening around Dallas this week:

Al Dia disbanding
After 19 years, The Dallas Morning News has disbanded the staff of Al Día, its Spanish-language newspaper, assigning them to other roles at the newspaper effective March 1. According to a post on the Dallas News Guild union website, the team’s five full-time journalists were told they were being reassigned, with the rationale being stats that said the number of people speaking primarily Spanish in Texas is dropping. Moving forward, DMN stories will be translated into Spanish for Al Dia.

Senior home repair
The Dallas City Council approved funding for the Department of Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization’s Senior Home Repair Program. The program offers approved applicants up to $10,000 in grant funds aimed at home repairs improving accessibility within the home, increasing safety and efficiency. Residents must be 65 years or older, at or below 80 percent area median income (AMI) and in need of repairs at their primary residence. Residents may apply starting February 1 by downloading an application online or picking one up at the Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization office in City Hall. Residents need to show proof of household income, Identity, age, proof of primary homeowner occupancy, and proof of ownership. The deadline is March 3, and residents may drop off their application at the Housing office in City Hall or any library or recreation center. For assistance, call 214-670-3644 or visit their offices at City Hall.

Shriners protest
On February 9, PETA supporters rallied outside the Shriners International Membership & Marketing Conference and Masters Class, held at Embassy Suites in Grapevine, urging Shriners International to ditch circus cruelty and modernize their shows by making them animal-free. It was risky: Protesters were previously assaulted by Shriners at a similar action in St. Louis in December.

Shrine circuses are among the last remaining shows that still use wild animals, who are confined to small crates, kept in shackles, and deprived of any semblance of a natural or happy life. Shriners routinely do business with cruel exhibitors, including Carson & Barnes Circus, which has been cited for more than 100 violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act and whose head trainer was caught on video attacking elephants with bullhooks.

St Paddy's Day run
The St. Paddy's Day Dash Down Greenville 5K, which has kicked off the St. Paddy's Day Parade festivities for nearly three decades, is introducing a new course. Participants will have a chance to walk, jog, run, and dance on the parade route for the first time ever. Registration is now open for the event, which is a part of the Run Project race series. The St. Paddy's Day Dash Down Greenville 5K is one of nine races held by the Run Project across North Texas.