With Mavericks gearing up for a new semester, UTA is offering the annual Maverick Stampede to welcome new and returning students to campus Aug. 14-29. Maverick Stampede is the official welcome to the university, with over 40 events planned. It serves as a way to acclimate Mavericks to campus culture, Student Activities coordinator Chrysta Porter said. “I think this matters because it shows that, truly, we are a community that cares about our students, and we want to see them thrive,” Porter said. “Yes, in the classroom, but we also want to see them thrive just simply as individuals.” The festivities, which previously stretched from August to September, have been shortened to two weeks this year, but the department has maintained the same number of events. Porter said this change was so students could feel the “stampede effect.” “We wanted the name stampede to really mean something,” she said. To help students determine which events to attend, Maverick Stampede pillars are being introduced. Each has a specific sector, such as tradition, involvement, community or success. The pillars serve as a way for students to easily identify the events hosted. “I think this Maverick Stampede was handled with a lot of love and care from so many campus partners,” she said. “I think our students are going to truly see that.” Kinfolk Kickoff Kinfolk Kickoff runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday at the Lonestar Auditorium in the Maverick Activities Center. The event offers free Maverick merch, food and a DJ. Welcome Back Movie Join EXCEL Campus Activities from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday in Brazos Park for a showing of the movie “Pitch Perfect” under the stars. MavsMeet Kickoff Students can participate in the annual MavsMeet Kickoff from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Monday at College Park Center. The celebration includes guest speakers, school traditions and live spirit performances from various groups on campus. This year's event will feature “Overtime Hustle” host Speedy Morman as the emcee and Jessica Rector, a UTA alumna, as the guest speaker. MavsMeet After Party Following the kickoff event, Mavericks can party the night away from 7 to 10 p.m. Monday at College Park Center with the MavsMeet After Party. Global Maverick Welcome International students have the opportunity to meet current UTA students, student organizations, resource offices and departments from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Rio Grande Ballroom in the University Center at the Global Maverick Welcome, with free food and activities provided. Rec Fest Come and see what Campus Recreation has to offer at Rec Fest from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Maverick Activities Center. Group exercise class demos, sport club information tables, outdoor games and tie-dyeing stations will be available. Waffleopolis Students can experience a night of Belgian waffles piled high with an abundance of toppings at the long-standing Maverick Stampede tradition Waffleopolis from 8 to 10 p.m. Wednesday at Brazos Park and the UC mall. @tay._.sansom news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Texas Republican lawmakers released their first draft of the state’s proposed congressional map Wednesday, which looks to fulfill the plan to flip five seats to Republican control in the 2026 midterm elections. House Bill 4, introduced by Texas Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, includes a potentially revised map that targets Democratic congressional members in Austin, Dallas, Houston and South Texas. The draft will likely be changed before the final version is approved by both chambers and signed by Gov. Greg Abbott. A public hearing on the proposed map is set for Friday at the Texas Capitol. The mid-decade redistricting effort follows a campaign by President Donald Trump's administration to expand Republicans’ majority in the House — five of which would come from flipping Democratic seats. The midterm elections typically favor the president’s opposing party, and Trump needs to maintain a U.S. House of Representatives majority to successfully push through his policies. Currently, Republicans hold 25 Texas congressional seats and Democrats have 13. Republicans have a 219-212 advantage in the U.S. House, with four seats vacant. Several states led by Democrats, including California, have stated their intention to begin the redistricting process in retaliation. The map immediately faced backlash from Democrats, who have been criticizing the redistricting process as racist and diluting voters of color. Democrats have also threatened to stall the process by fleeing the state. “Let’s be clear — this map is racist, it’s illegal, and it’s part of a long, ugly tradition of trying to keep Black and brown Texas from having a voice,” U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, said in a statement. “What Donald Trump and Greg Abbott are doing isn’t about democracy — it’s about consolidating power.” Under the proposed map, Veasey’s district, which is currently split across Tarrant and Dallas counties, would remain solidly Democratic but drop all of Fort Worth — his hometown and political base. His district was one of four specially mentioned in a letter from the Department of Justice as “unconstitutional ‘coalition districts.’” A coalition district is one predominantly made up of minority voters who tend to vote together. Gov. Abbott added redistricting to his agenda for the special session, which started July 21, following the Department of Justice’s letter. The proposed map splits Tarrant County voters among multiple neighboring Republican districts and would go from having seven representatives to five. UTA, currently represented by U.S. Rep Roger Williams, R-Willow Park, would be represented by U.S. Rep. Jake Ellzey, R-Waxahachie. Hundreds of Tarrant County residents attended a packed public hearing at UTA on Monday, where speakers and lawmakers criticized the proposed map’s absence. Other regional hearings were held across the state. The proposed map was shared two days after the hearings. Republicans have said publicly that the current map, drawn in 2021, did not violate the Voting Rights Act of 1965. However, in an interview with FOX 4, Gov. Abbott defended the redistricting effort and said he’s not worried about criticisms, saying that he lets Trump dictate the process. “We want to make sure that we have maps that don't impose coalition districts, while at the very same time ensuring that we will maximize the ability of Texans to be able to vote for the candidate of their choice,” he said. Other targeted areas include: 9th Congressional District: U.S. Rep. Al Green, D-Houston 28th Congressional District: U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo 32nd Congressional District: U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Farmers Branch 34th Congressional District: U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen @DangHLe news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

On July 23, the university announced Patrick Wilson as the new vice provost for online learning and academic innovation. UTA serves more than 12,000 online students, including undergraduate and graduate students, according to a UTA press release. “My goal is to position UTA as a national leader in online education — deeply connected to labor market needs and powered by academic innovation,” Wilson said in the release. Prior to this role, Wilson served as the executive director of online learning at New Mexico Highlands University and associate vice president for the Division of Digital and Distance Education at Tennessee Technological University. “UTA’s mission and momentum immediately resonated with me,” Wilson said in the release. “As a university with a strong research profile, a diverse Student Body and deep ties to the economic and workforce needs of North Texas, UTA is uniquely positioned to expand the reach and impact of online education.” His work focuses on the intersection of technology and student success and he will assume the new position Aug. 1. “I am particularly drawn to strategies that enhance student engagement and persistence in virtual environments, as well as innovative uses of data to inform institutional decision-making,” he said in a press release. @tay._.sansom news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

As hundreds packed UTA’s Rosebud Theatre on Monday for a Texas House redistricting committee public hearing, citizens and state representatives highlighted one missing item. An actual redistricting map. “Basically, Mr. Chairman, this process is wrong. You guys have the power to stop it. I hope you will use your power for the benefit of the people of Texas,” said U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Farmers Branch, at the public hearing. At the final of three Texas House public hearings, dozens of state lawmakers, a packed hearing room and an overflow space set the scene to discuss the sudden decision to tackle congressional redistricting during the Texas Legislature's special session. Approximately 500 people signed up to speak. “This effort to change the district, again, has nothing to do with representing people better. It’s the opposite of that,” said Texas Rep. Jon Rosenthal, D-Houston, and vice chair of the Texas House redistricting committee. “It's power grab at the expense of Black and brown communities.” The state has not provided any proposed revisions of the current map, which was drawn in 2021 and has yielded 25 seats for Republicans and 13 for Democrats. Critics of the mid-decade redistricting process question why the committee is hosting public hearings before maps are available. If the new maps are drawn, they will also be based on the same U.S. census data from 2020 used for the 2021 maps, Jeff Archer, executive director at Texas Legislative Council, said at the public hearing. Seven of Texas’ 38 congressional districts contain part of Tarrant County — five represented by Republicans and two by Democrats. On July 21, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Dustin Burrows, the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, announced in separate press releases the formation of a Senate Special Committee and a House Select Committee to oversee the redistricting process. The 21-member Texas House redistricting committee is chaired by Texas Rep. Cody Vasut, R-Angleton. Texas, like all U.S. states, redraws its electoral lines every 10 years using data from the U.S. census. While no law is set against redrawing the lines more often, it’s not a common practice. Texas last practiced mid-decade redistricting in 2003 when Republicans gained control of both chambers of the Legislature. Democrats never regained control in Texas. This time, the pressure to redraw congressional seats seemingly comes from the federal level. President Donald Trump’s administration began pushing the idea, asking Texas lawmakers to redraw congressional districts to maintain Republican Party control of the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2026 midterm election. The Department of Justice sent out a memo July 7, alleging that four Texas districts — including the 33rd Congressional District currently held by U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth — constitute illegal racial gerrymandering. All four districts are majority nonwhite. ‘This fight is not new’ Roman Palomares, national president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, said at the public hearing that the current mid-decade redistricting process continues the suppression of Latino voting strength. “LULAC proudly stands with coalitions of Latino, Black, Asian American organizations, which have consistently led legal efforts to secure fair redistricting,” Palomares said. “This fight is not new, and it is far from over.” Redrawing the state’s congressional map became one of 18 items Gov. Greg Abbott is prioritizing on the 30-day special legislative session that started July 21, citing “constitutional concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Justice,”even as Texas Republicans previously said that the districts were drawn race blind. State Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, said at the public hearing that he also has not seen the proposed maps. “The reality is that I've been reassured that there'll be hearings once the maps come out,” West said. “But check this out: Will there be regional meetings like this?” Democrats nationwide have already started pushing back against the plan, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is signaling a retaliatory redistricting in the nation’s biggest blue state. Republicans have a 219-212 advantage in the U.S. House, with four seats vacant. At a rally outside the University Center before the public hearing, state Rep. Ramon Romero, D-Fort Worth, said he has recently had conversations with Newsom and asked the California governor to join the fight against redistricting. “We are at war, and they're coming for us,” Romero said. “The other thing that we have to understand is this is a deal. Trump called his governor, his boy, and said, ‘Time to pay me back.’ This is the way the new government of the United States is working for y'all.” Veasey, whose seat is being targeted by the Legislature, said at the public hearing that his district was created as part of a court-ordered map in 2011 to remedy deliberate racial gerrymandering. Abbott and Republican lawmakers swore under oath in front of the federal court that their map was “race blind,” Veasey said. “So, what is it? Were they lying then or are they lying now?” he said. Mid-decade redistricting In an interview with The Shorthorn, Pat Flavin, a political science professor at Baylor University, called the president’s effort “unprecedented.” “I can't think of an example where a president has so publicly instructed a state to engage in mid-decade redistricting,” Flavin said. Texas Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie, told The Shorthorn on Thursday that he has never seen a legislative body being asked to identify and break apart districts that have a majority of minority populations. “That's just a ludicrous statement in and of itself,” Turner said. Throughout Monday’s public hearing, the Rosebud Theatre, which houses 435 people at maximum, was filled with attendees, speakers and state lawmakers. About an hour and a half into the hearing, UTA opened the Bluebonnet Ballroom for overflow following requests from West and other state representatives. Mineola, Texas, resident John van Compernolle said that because the item is now on the special session agenda, the committee should use the opportunity to redraw fair and balanced maps that are color and party blind. “If in fact, these districts, as they're drawn, are gerrymandered, which many people have said they are, then you have an opportunity to un-gerrymander them,” he said. The redistricting process also received support at the public hearing. Rich Stoglin, president of the Frederick Douglass Republicans of Tarrant County, said Texas doesn’t need the Democratic Party’s leadership that leads to systemic gang violence, a pummeling education system and deteriorating communities. “We need and must have increased Republican leadership in the great state of Texas to remain great,” Stoglin said. ‘Politicians choosing their voters’ Democrats have repeatedly criticized the decision to focus on redistricting for this special session over dealing with the aftermath of the July 4 flooding in the Hill Country. “In my opinion, if we're going to be in a special session, we ought to be dealing with the tragedy in the Texas Hill Country from the recent floods and better preparing our state for future natural disasters and really nothing else,” Turner said. Romero did not mince words against Abbott’s priorities. “You have a community in Kerr County that's still burying kids, mothers, fathers, brothers or sisters, and he has no honor for those families, no pride for those families,” Romero said. Trump has said he wants five more seats from Texas. If Republicans win those seats, they will have 30 U.S. House representatives over Democrats’ eight. “We are today playing political games to appease the fella in the White House and his lust for power,” said U.S. Rep Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, whose district is targeted by the Legislature. Flavin said Texas is a Republican-leaning state, as proven by Trump winning the state by 14 percentage points. However, Republicans getting 30 out of 38 seats — approximately an 80% control — would provide a distorted view of their support in the state and would probably be “the most egregious gerrymander one could imagine,” he said. Redistricting, he said, takes power out of the hands of regular voters and puts it in politicians’ hands. “Essentially, instead of voters choosing politicians, you have politicians choosing their voters,” Flavin said. Because the Texas map is already favorable to maximize Republican seats, redrawing could lead to the party stretching their districts and spreading their voters too thin, thus putting their seats in jeopardy in an attempt to flip Democratic seats, Flavin said. Potential challenge In June, Democrats criticized Tarrant County’s mid-decade redistricting process, saying that the approved plan racially gerrymandered voters of color in order to give Republicans an advantage. GOP leaders said the plan is legal and since a federal lawsuit has been filed. Redrawing districts to dilute the power of voters of color is bound to draw legal complaints. The current congressional maps drawn in 2021 are still the subject of an ongoing court challenge. What will happen in Texas in the next couple of weeks could be an inflection point in terms of redistricting, Flavin said. Redrawing the map mid-decade may become a political strategy that political parties may use to ensure they have the majority. “It’s going to be a constant state of redistricting,” he said. @DangHLe news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Musician and actor Miles Caton, middle, smiles with Natalia Bryant, left, NBA star Kobe Bryant’s daughter, during a Dallas Wings game against the Indiana Fever on Aug. 1 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Caton was recently casted as Sammie Moore in the film “Sinners.”

Despite efforts, the Dallas Wings (8-20) came up short in a tightly contested 88-85 loss against the Atlanta Dream (16-11). Wings guard Haley Jones made her second appearance in the starting lineup since rejoining the team earlier in July, and did not disappoint. She recorded three assists, three rebounds and 12 points, including a 37-foot 3-pointer with the shot clock expiring to put the Wings ahead during the final stretch. Wings rookie guard Paige Bueckers said since the all-star break, the Wings have improved their offensive movement and changing sides of the floor, which helped the team get open looks and read defenses. The game was back-and-forth from beginning to end and physical throughout. Dream center Brittney Griner was ejected one minute into the third quarter, which would only heighten the intensity of the game. Dream guard Allisha Gray scored 15 points and seven assists. Dream forward Naz Hillmon also came up big time for the team with 21 points, shooting 5-7 from range. To top off her performance, Hillmon sealed the game with a 3-pointer to put the Dream ahead with 2.6 seconds left in the game. The Wings faced a seven-point deficit late in the third, when the game started to get away from them. Despite their resilience, the team could not claw its way back into the game. The Wings’ defense was somewhat disorganized down the stretch which led to multiple 3-point attempts for the Dream. “In defense we need to be tougher, especially in the final stretch when it’s a tight game, but also the first half was not our best defensive half,” Wings Luisa Geiselsolder said. “I think we need to start more aggressive and not just wait for them to be aggressive.” In the fourth quarter, Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale hit a mid-range shot to tie the game at 85 apiece, sending the crowd into a frenzy with 21 seconds left on the clock. As a team, the Wings made 50% of their field goals and shot 50% from three. Bueckers led the team in scoring with 21 points and seven assists. She took over late, electrifying the arena with multiple shots made while being fouled and adding a 3-pointer in the final minutes of play. Head coach Chris Koclanes said he was proud of the team’s growth and resilience but knows they need to capitalize more. The offense is in a better place, and they need the defense to match the standard, he said. The Wings look to bounce back as they return to the American Airlines Center to host a home rematch against the Indiana Fever at 6:30 p.m. Friday in Dallas. The game will be available to stream on ION and League Pass. @tdreevess sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

As a little kid, Dana Collins said the heat at the Texas Rangers games was one of those things that fans were forced to endure. Nowadays, Irving resident Collins, 42, praises the experience in Globe Life Field, calling it “night and day” compared to The Ballpark in Arlington. While he enjoyed his time at the old ballpark, he said he likes that the new one keeps his family out of the heat. “It was good for me to kind of suffer through those things,” he said. “But that doesn't mean that I can make that a family experience all the time.” As the summer nestles itself into Texas’ typical triple-digit temperatures, the Arlington Entertainment District bustles with sports fans. Two ballparks stand a block apart, one a testament to the past, the other, a nod to the future. “When that park opened in 1994, nothing had ever been built like that in Arlington,” said John Blake, Rangers historian and senior adviser. “It was such a source of civic pride. It put us on the map nationally.” Originally designed to look older than it was, The Ballpark in Arlington was destined to lead the Rangers into the future, but struggles with the Texas heat turned some fans away. Soon, a new stadium was built, where the faithful could watch games regardless of the temperature. When the weather was right, the Rangers were the spotlight of the city, bringing in tens of thousands of fans per homestand. Over the years, the team has called three different Texas stadiums home under seven different names, each one building on the franchise’s legacy. When The Ballpark in Arlington opened, it was met with praise and applause. The MLB held the 1995 All-Star Game in Arlington’s backyard, and fans from across Dallas-Fort Worth and the United States flocked to see the ballpark. However, Texas weather won out in the end. Blake recalled a reporter checking the thermometer during a match leading up to the All-Star game – it read a blistering 120 degrees on the field. The game itself was no cooler, with over 50,000 fans dripping like popsicles. “We also had an old-timers game scheduled, and it was so hot that the old-timers only would play one inning,” he said.“After the first inning, they said, ‘we're done, it’s too hot out here.’” In the 2024 All-Star Game, hosted in the Globe Life Field, temperatures reached just shy of 100 degrees outside the air-conditioned stadium. Inside, the climate felt like a comfortable 74 degrees. Former Rangers catcher Jim Sundberg, who played in the original 1972 ballpark, said that The Ballpark in Arlington was a big upgrade, but Globe Life Field is even better. “A lot of people like [The Ballpark in Arlington], but it was just way too hot,” he said. The amenities at Globe Life Field play a big role in the experience, with staggered seating for optimal spectating and a 360-degree view of the field, Blake said. Not to mention the retractable roof, which shields the crowd from elements and amplifies their cheers into a deafening echo. While the move across the street was deemed necessary, the Rangers made every effort to memorialize the historic moments that fans hold dearly. So much so, they kept the old stadium alive and turned it into a multi-purpose conglomerate. Nods from the past are shown on each corner at Globe Life Field. Fan favorite players that left a legacy with the franchise, monumental achievements and even fun callbacks to simpler times. Chuck Morgan, executive vice president of Ballpark Entertainment, promotions, production and announcer for the Rangers, said fans would talk about the heat at every outdoor stadium the team has had. Aside from the heat that caused daily technical issues, the memory of the ballpark, now called Choctaw Stadium, rings throughout the rafters at Globe Life Field in honor of its impact on not just Rangers’ baseball, but the city of Arlington. “They’ll talk about how hot it was over there,” Morgan said. “A lot of folks who went to Arlington, sitting in those aluminum bleachers out in the outfield, how hot that was. They burned the backs of their legs on those bleachers, but most of it’s all good, they’ve all good memories over there.” @kaleivie_ @wall035203 sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The Dallas Wings (7-19) suffered a crushing 106-80 defeat to the Las Vegas Aces (13-13) Sunday at College Park Center. This game drew the attention of the retired Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt. The crowd erupted as he appeared on the big screen. Coming off a narrow 86-76 loss to the Golden State Valkyries, the Wings returned home in hopes of adding an eighth win to the season. However, after its loss to the Valkyries, Wings rookie guard Paige Bueckers was the first player in WNBA history to record over 350 career points and over 100 career assists in the first 20 games. Coming into this game, the Wings were without two of their key players: Bueckers, who was out on rest, and forward Myisha Hines-Allen, one of the more experienced players on the team. Forward Maddy Siegrist also remained out of play due to a knee injury suffered earlier in the season. The Wings started slow as the Aces took a 9-2 lead over them early in the first quarter. With the help of Wings guard JJ Quinerly, the team ended the first stretch tied 27-27. For the Aces, guard Jackie Young took over the first quarter, scoring 14 points, went 4-5 on 3-pointers and had a dominant half against the Wings' defense. Early in the second quarter, the Wings took a 31-29 lead over the Aces, but was short-lived with costly turnovers and fouls. The team attempted to pull back ahead, but the Wings were down by 12 points at the end of the half. The Wings struggled to find their rhythm in the third quarter, missing key shots which allowed the Aces to surge ahead and build a commanding lead. “They got way too many 50/50 balls tonight compared to what we did,” Wings guard Haley Jones said. “So, I think that we can just learn from them. They’re a championship team.” Aces forward Kierstan Bell, Young and guard Jewell Loyd were on fire. The trio recorded 63 points for the team and finished with a combined 20-33 from the field. The bench was where the Wings clicked, as center Teaira McCowan and Jones put on a dominant performance. Jones finished the game with more than 10 points and McCowan finished the game with a season high in points and rebounds. “I’m pretty proud of myself, I mean, it’s what I do,” McCowan said. “It’s what I’ve been doing my whole entire career, so I just went out there and showcased it today.” Trailing 73-58 entering the fourth quarter, the Wings attempted a comeback but ultimately fell short. The Wings return with a back-to-back home game set to play the New York Liberty at 7 p.m. Monday at College Park Center. The game will be available to stream on ESPN. “We’re just going to continue to tinker where we need to,” head coach Chris Koclanes said. “Paige wasn’t in the lineup, so there’s somebody missing that is a spark, but we’ll continue to make sure we’re doing everything we can to have the best combinations out there to give us the best chance of winning.” @tracysansomjr sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Whether Mavericks are filling time between classes, planning weekend outings or looking to explore beyond the classroom, Dallas-Fort Worth offers plenty of options. The areas around UTA provide a variety of student-friendly activities, from parks and theaters to indoor adventures and hidden local gems. Here are some affordable things to do nearby: Alley Cats, 2008 W. Pleasant Ridge Road From bowling to rock climbing, Alley Cats has many activities to enjoy. Prices vary by activity, with bowling costing $30 per hour on weekdays and arcade game cards starting at $5. The cards can be used for all activities except bowling. Coyote Drive-In, 223 NE Fourth St., Fort Worth Coyote Drive-In offers a movie night under the stars. Tickets start at $8 for children ages 5 to 12 and $11 for adults; children 4 and under get in free. Arlington Skatium, 5515 S. Cooper St. Residents can lace up and skate at one of the largest roller skating facilities in Texas. Admission is $14 during regular public skating hours, with half-price tickets available Wednesdays. Arlington Skatium hosts theme nights, parties and open skate sessions throughout the week. Bolder Adventure Park, 2324 W. Warrior Trail, Grand Prairie With over 66,000 square feet of indoor adventure, including archery, a jump pad, tubing slides and a free fall experience, Bolder Adventure Park at EpicCentral offers many activities. Full day tickets start at $10 per person. International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame, 621 Six Flags Drive The International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame provides the history of some of the greatest bowling legends and of the game itself, which dates back 5,000 years. Admission starts at $7.50 for children 4 to 18 and $9.50 for adults. Top O’ Hill Terrace, 3001 W. Division St. Residents can go to Arlington Baptist University and tour Top O’ Hill, a former casino turned Baptist seminary. Once a hidden gambling hot spot disguised as a tea room, it was opposed by a gospel preacher who later helped transform it into a university. Tours are $10 per person by appointment. The Cozy Catfe, 740 SW Green Oaks Blvd. At The Cozy Catfe, residents can spend time with adoptable cats for $13 per person. Two membership levels are available at $40 and $60 a month. Both include complimentary beverages and unlimited visits. Cidercade, 500 E. Division St. Cidercade offers over 275 arcade games, from retro classics to modern hits and dance-offs. Patrons pay a onetime admission of $12, no coins or game cards required. The Parks Mall at Arlington, 3811 S. Cooper St. Residents can ice skate, explore a variety of shops and enjoy an IMAX movie experience at the AMC Theatres at The Parks Mall at Arlington. Crystal Canyon Natural Area, 1000 Brown Blvd. Crystal Canyon Natural Area is free to explore and features a diverse geological landscape, offering evidence of a onetime nearshore marine environment. Residents can enjoy hiking and biking trails surrounded by natural history in North Arlington. @tay._.sansom news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

From a Texas Rangers game to a Paul McCartney tribute, residents have plenty to choose from in Dallas-Fort Worth this week. Music Celebrate the music of Paul McCartney at “Live and Let Die: The Music of Paul McCartney,” a tribute concert at 8 p.m. Friday at Arlington Music Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets start at $46.38. Entertainment Experience the rich cultural heritage of Latin America with the opening of Create Texas at Wellspring’s “Beyond Borders: Contemporary Visions of Latin America” from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Wellspring on Main. The contemporary art exhibit will be on display until Aug. 28. The exhibit includes works from 12 local artists and spans topics such as landscapes, iconic figures, current events and soccer’s cultural significance. Residents can take their furry friends to the Canines and Coffee event from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the Downtown Arlington Doggie Depot for coffee, community and canine fun. The free event is designed for dog lovers and their pets to socialize and enjoy fresh air at the dog park. Meet Texan writers at the fourth annual Texas Author Con and Book Festival from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas. The free event will feature authors from a variety of genres, including romance, fantasy, thriller and children’s books. Enjoy book signings, readings, panel discussions, Q&A sessions and more. Celebrate National Moth Week at the fourth annual Arlington Citizen Science Program’s Moth Night at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Webb Community Park pavilion. Residents can observe and identify moths in their local habitat at the viewing stations along the trails and learn about their role as pollinators in North Texas. Sports See the Texas Rangers and the Detroit Tigers bat it out at 6:10 p.m. Sunday at Globe Life Field. Tickets start at around $18, and the doors open at 4:10 p.m. news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

It’s a bird! It's a plane! It's another “Superman” movie flying into theaters last Friday, bringing writer and director James Gunn’s first big-screen DC Universe project to audiences. Overall, fans of the superhero genre and the last son of Krypton stand to be pleased with the movie. Lighthearted and colorful, the Gunn production embodies the Golden Age of DC Comics, when Superman was originally introduced. The film serves as a solid introduction to Gunn’s DC Universe. Every scene with flying and fight choreography feels fluid and true to character, with close-ups of Superman’s emblem shown more than once and Hawkgirl’s scream emphasized. However, it isn’t perfect. The movie’s storyline is relatively straightforward, and all the plot twists are glaringly foreshadowed. Some parts linger longer than needed, while others pass by too quickly. As the fifth live-action iteration of the “Man of Steel” in the last 25 years, David Corenswet had big shoes to fill. And he passed with flying colors, embodying the hope Superman is known for while balancing the humanity of Clark Kent. Unlike previous adaptations, “Superman” shows ace reporter Kent already established in the world, donning the red and blue suit, with a partly formed Justice League working in tandem with him. Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific and Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern make up the LordTech-funded version of the league called the “Justice Gang.” The trio, not occupying the screen for long, manage to establish the world’s other heroes without overshadowing Superman. Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane and Corenswet’s Kent are already in a relationship at the start of the movie, not going through the overdone love triangle with Kent, Superman and Lane. The relationship emphasizes that not every relationship is perfect and that everyone is a work in progress. This Kent is more realistic than previous iterations: He isn’t perfect, and he’s sure to remind everyone of that. Gunn said in an interview with Deadline that Kent is a well-adjusted person due to his stable upbringing in a loving household, a rarity in superhero media. He is written to be a corny Kansas farm boy, always wanting to save lives rather than worry about the consequences of his actions. Several instances in the film show Corenswet portraying both Kent and Superman as a person trying to do his best, despite his outbursts while trying to defend himself. Nature versus nurture is explored throughout the film as Kent faces a dilemma between his biological parents’ choice and his own. Lane’s subplot at the Daily Planet plays a significant part in the movie. She's always an investigative journalist first and Kent’s love interest second. She doesn’t hesitate to call out the ethical implications of Kent interviewing his counterpart. This plot point turns full circle, playing a pivotal role in taking down the big bad of the movie. Music also plays an important part in the movie, setting the tone for each scene. The music ebbs and flows, building up to nail-biting moments. “5 Years Time,” Noah And The Whale’s upbeat, stuck-in-your-head tune, plays when Edi Gathegi’s Mister Terrific shows audiences exactly why the smartest member of the gang is called Mister Terrific. Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor, Skyler Gisondo’s Jimmy Olsen, and Krypto, Superman’s foster dog, steal every scene they’re in. Hoult’s take on the supervillain makes the audience sympathize with him one moment and despise him the next. Luthor is aware of the consequences of his actions, but in his own sick and twisted way, believes he is the hero of the story, sent to save humanity from the alien Kent. As Olsen, Gisondo takes a character who is usually Kent's sidekick and gives him more importance, gathering laughs along the way as his character helps expose Luthor's malicious plan. Dubbed “the worst dog in the world, with superpowers” by Gunn, Krypto is a menace throughout the film, bringing more chaos into Kent’s life and making him seem more relatable. This movie isn’t the dark and emo Superman that fans of Henry Cavill’s Superman remember. Corenswet’s interpretation of the beloved character is the embodiment of hope and compassion. He may not be the Superman of the past, but he’s the Superman we need. @marupudisairam opinion-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

From live sports and a murder mystery to swing dancing and artmaking, residents have plenty to do in the Dallas-Fort Worth area this week. Entertainment Step back five decades during “Panic at the Disco!: A 70s Murder Mystery” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at George W. Hawkes Downtown Library. The night will feature a disco dance contest, celebrity drama and major twists. Registration is free, but required to attend. Join Downtown Arlington’s Summer Dance Series from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at George W. Hawkes Downtown Library. The series brings beginner-friendly swing and salsa classes — no partner or experience needed. Registration is free and available through the library’s website. Find antiques and vintage goods at the Rhythm & Relics Flea Market at Binions Ice House on Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. The event will feature vendors selling an assortment of goods, a DJ and food and drinks available in the restaurant. The event is free to attend. Sports All Elite Wrestling comes to Globe Life Field on Saturday for the first-ever professional wrestling event at the venue. “AEW All In: Texas” marks a major moment for professional wrestling fans in Arlington. Tickets can be bought online. The Ultimate OCR 3K Championship takes place Friday at Dallas Market Hall. This course spans a full 3K with over 25 obstacles in between. The event runs in timed waves for different age demographics from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. start times. Top male and female finishers will compete for a $4,000 prize. All finishing participants will receive a medal and shirt. Music Enjoy classic country tunes and family-friendly fun at Johnnie High’s Country Music Reunion at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Arlington Music Hall. The show celebrates Texas country tradition with a mix of heartfelt songs, lively performances and a welcoming atmosphere. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. @samip.parajuli.54 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu