👋 Happy Friday, Dallas!

Hope you’re soaking up this 70° "winter" weekend before the cold front hits. Whether you're here for the $400 Wagyu theater or the $6B school shakeup, we’ve got your morning covered.

Inside today’s issue:

  • 🔥The 214 Friday: What’s Hot Today

  • 🍴 The Spotlight: Jo’Seon (Design District)

  • 🕰️ Dallas Flashback Trivia

  • ⚡ The Quick Digest: Dallas in 60 Seconds

 
 

🔥 The 214 Friday: What’s Hot Today

The holiday hangover is officially over, and Dallas is wasting no time cranking up the volume for the first weekend of 2026. If you haven't locked in your plans yet, don’t panic. today’s "locals only" secret is that the best energy in the city is shifting toward the Design District tonight.

Hosting an event?

 
 

🍴 The Spotlight: Jo’Seon (Design District)

Location: 1000 N Riverfront Blvd, Dallas The Vibe: High-concept, ultra-modern Korean Wagyu dining that feels like a portal to Seoul’s most elite culinary scene.

The Scoop: This is the most ambitious opening in Dallas right now. Jo’Seon isn't just a restaurant; it’s an 18-course Wagyu experience that tells a story of Korean history and refined luxury. Led by a world-class team, the space is as stunning as the menu—think sleek, dark textures, theatrical lighting, and table-side service that is purely choreographed.

NOT SPONSORED

Dallas fine dining works best when it’s…

Tap your take below - which approach actually works here?

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🕰️ Dallas Flashback Trivia

Bopp Alley in Deep Ellum in the 1920s

Looking at this 1920s view of Bopp Alley, what was this specific area of Deep Ellum most famous for during this era?

 
 

⚡ The Quick Digest: Dallas in 60 Seconds

🥪 A Highland Park Goodbye: After 53 years, an iconic SMU-area staple is officially closing its doors next month. See which landmark is leaving →

🛍️ Neiman Marcus Alert: Fresh reports out this morning suggest the Downtown flagship faces "new uncertainty" as its parent company nears a major filing. Get the latest on the flagship →

🏀 Mavs/76ers Recap: Dallas struggled in their first outing of 2026 last night, despite a big return to the starting lineup. See the box score & highlights →

🌡️ Record Warmth: We hit 70°F yesterday, making it one of the warmest starts to January in North Texas history. See when the cold front hits →

🧬 The "Pet Clone" Trend: A Dallas-based company is now offering kits to local vets that allow you to genetically replicate your dog or cat. It’s no longer science fiction in the 214. See how it works & the cost →

🚗 75/635 Traffic Alert: A fatal crash at the "High Five" junction shut down Northbound US-75 earlier today, causing massive ripple effects for the weekend commute. Check current lane closures →

📉 DART Service Slashed: As of yesterday (Jan 1), DART has officially increased fares and cut the frequency of several major routes—the biggest service shift in 40 years. See if your route was cut →

🦾 New AI Laws in Effect: As of yesterday, Texas has officially launched its first regulatory framework for AI, including new rules on biometric data and "deepfakes." Read the 3 biggest changes →

 
 

Dallas business owners 💙

Our readers love discovering what’s local — where to eat, shop, and spend their weekends.
If you run a spot that makes this city better, we’d love to feature you.
No pushy ads, just real visibility with Dallas people who actually care.

 
 

🥂 A Final Toast to 2025

This is our last issue of the year, and I wanted to take a second to be real with you. Serving this city—from finding that perfect patio to skipping the AAC traffic—has been the highlight of my 2025. We started First in Dallas to give our home an independent voice.

If we made your Dallas life even 1% better this year, help us cross the finish line for 2026.

📈 Our "2026 Vision" Goal

We need 250 Founding Members to level up our coverage next year. Here is where we stand:

6 / 250 Founding Members Joined

Only 244 spots remain to claim "Founding Status" ($5/month).

❤️ Welcome to the Family

A massive Dallas-sized thank you to the legends who support this local independent newsletter:

  • Karen Jarrell
  • Margaret Varghese
  • Jeffrey W. McLaughlin
  • Tina Silkwood
  • Jeffrey Strater
  • Timothy Enstice

 
 

Tell me how I did—your feedback is the real fuel.


👉 Just hit Reply and tell :

  • 👍 Yes! Keep it coming

  • 🤔 It’s okay, could be better

  • 👎 Not really my thing

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