Biden extends college loan payment pause, Mavs' Doncic to miss time, A&M to skip bowl game: Your Wednesday evening roundup

Also, Grigsby shares her local heroes list  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  [Morning roundup]( [NEWS]( | [BUSINESS]( | [SPORTS]( | [HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS]( | [ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT]( | [FOOD]( |[STATE OF THE CITY]( | [THINGS TO DO]( | [OPINION]( | [GAMES AND PUZZLES]( 12/22/2021 By Todd Davis Good evening! Here is a look at the top headlines of the day. 🔎 Prefer the online view? It's [here](. South Oak Cliff ambassador and community advocate Derrick Battie helped hang the basketball net prior to the opening of the South Oak Cliff Renaissance Park in November. (Juan Figueroa / Staff Photographer) OPINION [Unsung North Texas heroes: Here are some of those who made my list for 2021]( Columnist Sharon Grigsby writes: Politics over public health. School district drama. Lawless drivers. Inaction at City Hall. Looking back on the controversies, stalemates and breaking news I’ve written about this year, I was momentarily tempted to follow a colleague’s suggestion to compile "Sharon’s Top 10 Grinches of 2021." But you know that’s not my style -- besides, everyone likely already has a personal "lumps of coal" list. Instead, this column is [a homage to a few of the many local folks toiling in the background]( -- away from the unproductive noise and social-media grandstanding -- to make North Texas better for all who call it home. [More opinion]( | [Opinion newsletter]( ADVERTISEMENT [TOP NEWS]( [Pfizer pill becomes 1st US-authorized home COVID treatment]( [Congressional panel launches investigation into deadly Astroworld concert tragedy]( [Police searching for 2 men impersonating officers after they stopped a driver in Farmers Branch]( [Garland advocates, educators worry about future contamination after the EPA cleanup]( [Pause on student loan payments is extended through May 1]( ADVERTISEMENT POLITICS [Dallas judge accused of ordering staffer to pose as her draws 2 challengers in re-election bid]( [Alamo fights brew as Texas Sen. Dawn Buckingham has edge in GOP race for land commissioner]( [Democratic consultant faces criminal charge for text campaign in Plano City Council race]( [More politics stories]( | [Politics newsletter]( ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT [How are North Texas arts venues managing omicron surge? Mostly ‘business as usual’]( [A writer with Dallas roots unravels the rare secrets of the best movie ever — ‘The Godfather’]( [Pegasus Theatre’s Living Black and White Series returns to Eisemann with ‘Prime Time for Murder!’]( [More Arts & Entertainment stories]( | [Arts & Entertainment newsletter]( SPORTS [Luka Doncic and Trey Burke added to COVID-19 protocol list, bringing Mavericks’ total to six]( [Texas A&M not playing in Gator Bowl due to COVID outbreak in Aggies’ program]( [NHL announces players won’t be allowed to go to Olympics]( [More sports stories]( | [Sports newsletter]( Bob Phillips is the host of the popular show "Texas Country Reporter."(Photo by Jason Anderson / Courtesy Phillips Productions) TEXAN OF THE YEAR FINALIST [Bob Phillips turned ‘Texas Country Reporter’ into an institution]( Bob Phillips loves telling the Texas story. He has done so through a television show that began in 1972 and is entering its 50th season. [Phillips travels far and wide through the state]( visiting with Texans, getting them to tell viewers about their lives. Texas Country Reporter is Phillips’ creation, and it has become a beloved staple in people’s homes far beyond the state’s vast expanse. The RFD cable TV network has been broadcasting the show nationally for 20 years. Phillips said he and his production company receive more emails and other communication from outside the state than they do from within. 👋 That's all for this afternoon! For up-to-the-minute news and analysis, check out [DallasNews.com](. Share the love! If you like this newsletter, please forward this email to a friend and [check out our other newsletters here](. Do you have feedback? Submit your thoughts, questions, praise and corrections to[the newsroom.]( Looking for more? The Dallas Morning News has even more newsletters to keep you informed and inspired. [View the complete list](. ADVERTISEMENT [Free Newsletters]( | [Account Login]( | [Help Center]( | [Terms of Service]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Unsubscribe]( The Dallas Morning News, 1954 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75201, United States © Copyright 2021