Drag performers speak on Texas bills, Dallas commissioners allow raises, book ban bill advances

Also, extra COVID-19 booster are now open to some high-risk Americans. [MORNING ROUNDUP]( [The Dallas Morning News logo]( [Active shooter threats, student discipline focus of bill advanced by Texas Senate]( The proposal comes nearly a year after Texas’ deadliest school shooting in Uvalde — where a gunman killed 19 [...] [Fort Worth police release video of man who died after being detained at La Gran Plaza mall]( 20-year-old Brandon Zapata of Fort Worth was pronounced dead about 45 minutes after he was detained at the La [...] [Dallas commissioners allow raises for staff, but struggle continues to fill county jobs]( County departments have seen high rates of turnover and numerous unfilled positions in recent months and some [...] [Bill banning ‘sexually explicit’ books in school libraries advances in Texas House]( Regulations on what books children can read — or be denied — at schools tentatively passed the Texas House on [...]   ADVERTISEMENT   [Extra COVID-19 booster now open to some high-risk Americans]( The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday signed off on a more flexible booster schedule for [...] [Chair of Dallas Democratic Party resigns]( Kristy Noble has stepped down after two years in the seat. Looking for more of the latest insights and top stories? We've got you covered. Become a member of The Dallas Morning News. [Join today](. [Affidavit: Victim in deadly Red Bird shooting thought he was meeting gunman for drug deal]( The victim in the fatal gas station shooting had planned to meet the suspected gunman for a drug deal, [...] [Dallas Zoo announces birth of twin emperor tamarin monkeys]( Two of the Dallas Zoo’s emperor tamarin monkeys, Bella and Finn, made international headlines in January after [...] [Family assault charge against former Fort Worth police officer dismissed]( An assault charge against former Fort Worth police officer Mark Force was dropped. [Comedian John Oliver takes on Irving-based Chuck E. Cheese in ‘Last Week Tonight’]( Comedian John Oliver dedicated a lengthy segment within his Last Week Tonight show to Irving-based children's [...] [MORE NEWS](   ADVERTISEMENT   ARTS [Raquel Blake dances during a performance on game show night at The Round-Up Saloon and Dance Hall in Dallas.]( Raquel Blake dances during a performance on game show night at The Round-Up Saloon and Dance Hall in Dallas. (Yfat Yossifor) [‘I could lose everything’: Dallas drag performers say Texas bills could impact their jobs]( Lawmakers in the Texas Legislature have recently proposed bills regulating drag shows. Rep. Nate Schatzline, R-Fort Worth, proposed House Bill 1266, which would require any business that hosts drag shows to pay additional taxes and face licensing restrictions because it would be classified as a “sexually-oriented business.” Opponents of HB 1266 and similar legislation believe [it could lead businesses to cut shows and threaten how drag performers make a living](. The bill is currently in the hands of the House State Affairs Committee. [READ MORE](   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( [YouTube]( [Privacy Policy](dallasnews.com/privacy-policy) | [Account Login]( |[Help Center]( [Terms of Service]( | [Manage Preferences](dallasnews.com/privacy-policy| [Unsubscribe]( The Dallas Morning News 1954 Commerce Street Dallas, TX 75201 © Copyright 2023