🌱 Dallas Hospital Capacity + Free Meals During Winter Break

Good morning, Dallas! It's Saturday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on in Dallas today.

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First, today's weather:

A shower and thunderstorm. High: 52 Low: 34.

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Here are the top 4 stories in Dallas today:

1. A ransomware attack of a nationwide human resources company impacted more than 2,400 hourly employees of the City of Dallas. Ultimate Kronos Group, which provides timekeeping services to the city, notified Dallas officials this week that it was the subject of a recent ransomware attack that may take weeks to resolve and impact the paychecks of the affected workers. A spokesperson for the city said they are "working to ensure that all those workers get their paychecks as close to accurately as possible." (Dallas Observer)
2. COVID-19 cases are increasing across the country, at a time when some Dallas-area hospitals are already struggling with the current demand for beds. Texas health officials reported that roughly 78 percent of inpatient beds and 88 percent of ICU beds in hospitals across the state were occupied as of Dec. 16. The CDC projects that daily new COVID-19 hospital admissions will be somewhere between 6,300 and 18,400 patients by Jan. 7, which may be a challenge for local hospitals like Dallas Medical Center and Medical City Dallas, which are currently at or near 100 percent occupancy. (Dallas Patch)
3. The Dallas Theater Center canceled several upcoming performances of "A Christmas Carol" after a company member tested positive for COVID-19. All shows at Wyly Theatre have been canceled through Tuesday, Dec. 21, and they hope to resume performances on Dec. 22. Ticketholders for the canceled performances are currently being contacted about refunds. (FOX 4 Dallas)
4. Dallas ISD will be providing free meals for every student 18 and younger over the winter break, which began yesterday. Grab-and-go weekly meal packages containing seven lunches and seven snacks can be picked up at any of Dallas ISD's 22 schools. Meal services are scheduled for Monday, Dec. 20 and Monday, Dec. 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. while supplies last.(NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth)

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Today in Dallas:

• Gingerbread House Craft Event At Dallas Heritage Village (All Day)
• DFM Holiday Market At Dallas Farmers Market (9:00 AM)

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From my notebook:

• Dallas Zoo Lights has been named one of the top 10 best zoo lights events in the country by USA Today, and they're celebrating by giving away tickets to Zoo Lights. (Instagram)
• Students from Sylvia Mendez CREW Leadership Academy put together a movie of "The Polar Express," complete with musical numbers for Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman. (Facebook)
• In the spirit of keeping "Dallas ISD On the Move," the Health and Physical Education Department encouraged staff, students and families to participate in the 2021 Oncor Kids Race on Saturday, Dec. 11. (Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll see you around.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.