This Week's Hot Headlines

Texas car registration changes lead Dallas' top stories of the week

Changes are coming to vehicle registration in 2025.

Texas Department of Motor Vehicles

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 in December 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.

This Week's Hot Headlines

Dallas suburb blooms as most livable city in this week's top 5 stories

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Editor's note: The top Dallas news of the week includes big accolades for the Dallas 'burbs. Plus, three exciting restaurant openings to know. Get the details on our most popular stories below, then visit our event planner to fill your weekend agenda.

1. Blooming Dallas suburb ranks as America's 7th most livable small city. One Dallas-area city continues to attract the national spotlight: namely Flower Mound, whose latest accolade comes from SmartAsset, the financial technology company, which ranks it as the No. 7 most livable small city in the U.S. for 2025.

2. 3 affluent Dallas neighbors dominate new list of wealthiest U.S. suburbs. Three well-to-do Dallas-area communities — University Park, Southlake, and Colleyville — are among the wealthiest suburbs in America in 2025, a new report has confirmed.

3. Vila Brazil to bring affordable Brazilian steakhouse to Cedar Hill. A Brazilian steakhouse known for its low-for-steak prices is coming to Cedar Hill. Called Vila Brazil, it's part of a small local chain and will open in late 2025.

Side of meat Vila Brazil is beefing up its DFW locations. Photo courtesy of Vila Brazil

4. Oak Cliff Dallas address says bye Swank and hello Indian restaurant. A location in Oak Cliff Dallas that has seen some turnover in recent years is about to see some more. It starts with Swank, the ambitious restaurant from chef Luke Rogers, which is leaving its address at 1115 N. Beckley Ave. after a year. The space will soon become home to Elephant Indian Bar and Grill.

5. Family-owned cafe to serve empanadas and Argentinian food in McKinney. Award-winning empanadas are coming to McKinney via a new spot called Stefania's Empanadas Argentine Café, opening in August on the border of McKinney and Frisco.

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