Reigning Major League Volleyball (MLV) champion Dallas PULSE will open its 2027 home schedule Friday, Jan. 8, against the Atlanta Vibe at Comerica Center in Frisco. Single-game tickets for the team’s 13 home matches go on sale Nov. 4 at DallasPulseVB.com.

Head Coach Shannon Winzer returns for her second season leading Dallas PULSE, joined by assistant coaches Jamille Torres and Robert Poole 

“We’re ready for the upcoming season and the opportunity to build on what we accomplished last year. Winning a championship is special, but defending it brings a new level of motivation,” said Head Coach Shannon Winzer. “We have more depth and experience than we did last season, and we continue to be intentional about the players we bring in and who we have representing Dallas. We’re excited about the talent and experience they bring, and the opportunity to continue making our mark on this league. 

The 2027 roster brings together international talent, athletes with Olympic experience and seasoned professional players ready to make their mark in North Texas. Returning Dallas PULSE players include North Texas-native and outside hitter Kaylee Cox, opposite hitter Kelsie Payne and middle blocker Layne Van Buskirk. Fans can explore the roster at DallasPulseVB.com.

“Our first season gave North Texans an opportunity to experience professional women’s volleyball,” said Dallas PULSE President and CEO Grady Raskin. “Our sponsors and fans embraced our team and helped build a foundation for long-term growth. As we prepare to defend our title in our second season, fans will have opportunities to connect with our players, be part of the Dallas PULSE community and feel the intensity of professional volleyball firsthand."

The 2027 Dallas PULSE home schedule at Comerica Center includes:

Jan. 8 vs. Atlanta Vibe

Jan. 22 vs. Omaha Supernovas

Jan. 28 vs. Orlando Valkyries

Feb. 5 vs. Minnesota Forge

Feb. 12 vs. Grand Rapids Rise

Feb. 19 vs. Omaha Supernovas

Feb. 28 vs. NorCal Rumble

March 11 vs. LA Thunder

March 14 vs. Vegas Thrill

March 19 vs. NorCal Rumble

April 1 vs. DC Flight

April 18 vs. Columbus Fury

April 24 vs. Indy Ignite

Fans looking to be a part of the action can secure seats through a season ticket plan or the new half-season flex plan, where fans can secure tickets for seven home matches. Both options are available at DallasPulseVB.com.

In the coming weeks, PULSE fans can mark their calendars for the 2027 MLV Draft on Nov. 23, followed by the debut of the official Dallas PULSE mascot in December. 

Stay connected to all things Dallas PULSE by signing up for the team's monthly newsletter. Subscribers will be among the first to receive updates on special events, preseason player activations and more. Fans can sign up for the newsletter on the team website at DallasPulseVB.com.

Dallas PULSE is North Texas’ women’s professional volleyball team and the reigning Major League Volleyball Champions. Playing at Comerica Center in Frisco, Dallas PULSE echoes the energy, and heart of Dallas-Fort Worth – home to one of the nation’s largest and most passionate volleyball communities. Following a championship-winning inaugural season, Dallas PULSE continues to build momentum on and off the court while helping grow the game of volleyball across North Texas. For more information, visit DallasPulseVB.com or follow @DallasPULSEVB on social media for schedule updates, roster announcements, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.

Major League Volleyball (MLV) is the premier professional volleyball league in the United States, designed to provide the sport and its athletes with the major league platform they deserve. Founded on a player-first philosophy, MLV combines elite competition, significant investment in athlete development, experienced professional sports ownership and a commitment to the long-term growth of volleyball across the country. As the league enters its fourth season in 2027, MLV has expanded to 12 teams from coast-to-coast in some of the top media markets in the nation. It will continue to create top-level, lasting opportunities and memories for players, coaches and local communities while leading the way in solidifying the future of professional volleyball in North America. For more information, visit MLVB.com and follow the league on Instagram,Facebook, X and YouTube.

Where a woman lives in Texas can significantly shape her economic opportunities. Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF), in partnership with Every Texan, has released the Texas Women’s Economic Opportunity Index, a new interactive tool that compares economic opportunity across 252 Texas counties and identifies where women are thriving and where barriers persist.

Building on a decade of research through its Economic Issues for Women in Texas reports, the index combines 12 measures across four areas to assess the conditions that affect women’s economic security, health, education and opportunities for advancement. The index provides county-level scores on a scale of 1 to 100 and will be updated as new data becomes available.

KEY FINDINGS:

The index reveals significant disparities in economic opportunity across Texas, affected by geography, race and income. Counties that invest in resources and services for women and families are better positioned to help residents thrive.

In addition to where a woman lives, other key findings include the following:

• Childcare remains a major barrier. Childcare is the weakest domain in most counties, and seven of Texas’ 10 largest counties rank in the bottom half statewide.

• Most Texas counties lack adequate maternity care. Of Texas counties, 63% are classified as maternity care deserts or as having low access to maternity care. Alarmingly, 36% of Texas women who had a birth in 2024 did not receive prenatal care during their first trimester.
• Women-owned businesses tend to make less than businesses owned by men: While women own 42% of privately held businesses in Texas, only 14% of revenue is generated by women-owned businesses.

• The gender wage gap persists: A typical Texas woman working full-time, year-round earns just 81 cents for every dollar her male counterpart earns. In 2024, it was 83 cents.
• Despite outpacing men in degree earning and representation in professional occupations, women hold fewer leadership roles.

“Over more than a decade of reporting on the economic security and overall well-being of Texas women, our findings have been consistent,” said Karen Hughes White, president and CEO of Texas Women’s Foundation. “As the state with the nation’s strongest economy, Texas has the potential to make economic opportunity accessible to women and their families. This index helps identify where progress is being made, where gaps remain and where targeted action can help create a strong and vibrant Texas for all.”

FOUR AREAS THAT AFFECT ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY:

The index examines four areas that influence women’s economic opportunities:

Work and Economic Security

• Women working full time earn 81 cents for every dollar earned by men, down from 83 cents in 2024.
• Three in 10 women ages 18–64 live below 200% of the federal poverty level.

Health and Well-being

• Thirty-six percent of births occur without first-trimester prenatal care.

Childcare and Family

• Thirty-three percent of 3- and 4-year-olds are enrolled in public pre-K.
• Infant care costs consume 22% of a working mother’s earnings.

Education and Workforce Development

• Thirty-five percent of Texas women ages 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared with 33% of men.
• Women account for 45% of employed Texans in management, business, science and arts occupations, compared with 37% of men. However, women hold just 22% of management roles within professional occupations, compared with 34% of men.
• Women own 44% of nonemployer firms but receive just 26% of their receipts.

The index provides searchable scores for 252 counties. Loving and Kennedy counties are excluded due to insufficient data.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITY:

Based on the findings, Texas Women’s Foundation recommends action in four areas:

Invest in Childcare and Family Support

• Expand access to quality childcare and universal pre-K, particularly in underserved communities.
• Increase childcare subsidies for lower-income families and incentivize higher-quality care.
• Encourage family-supportive workplace policies, including paid leave, flexible work arrangements and childcare partnerships.

Strengthen Work and Economic Security

• Enact paid family and medical leave and paid sick leave so women can care for themselves and their families without sacrificing income or employment.
• Expand access to capital, mentorship and contracting opportunities for women-owned businesses.

Expand Health Coverage and Access

• Expand Medicaid and simplify Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollment for women and families.
• Restore funding for qualified enrollment assistance and automatic enrollment from Medicaid for Pregnant Women into Healthy Texas Women for eligible participants.

Support Educational and Workforce Advancement

• Increase funding for TEXAS Grants and College Promise programs, particularly for women of color facing student debt burdens.
• Expand student loan forgiveness and cancellation opportunities for eligible Texans.
• Invest in education and training programs that prepare women for living-wage jobs, particularly in industries where women’s participation is declining.

The Texas Women’s Economic Opportunity Index offers policymakers, community leaders, employers and advocates a data-driven resource to identify gaps, prioritize investments and strengthen economic opportunity for women throughout Texas.

To view the research report including the Texas Women’s Economic Opportunity Index, visit www.txwf.org/research.

About Texas Women’s Foundation:

Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF) raises funds from a broad base of donors, including individuals, foundations and corporations. These resources support nearly $5 million in investments each year to help eliminate the barriers to women’s economic security, stability and success through targeted research and advocacy, intentional grantmaking and leadership programs. Since its inception in 1985, TXWF has invested more than $90 million in grantmaking in support of Texas women, their families and their futures, and another $25 million-plus in research, advocacy and educational programs for a total impact of more than $115 million over the last 41 years. TXWF’s vision for a strong and vibrant Texas for all  remains at the forefront of its work. 

TXWF’s targeted research into the issues impacting the economic security of Texas women and families will continue to guide its work. The biannual report on the economic issues that face Texas women and their families provides corporate and community leaders, and state and local lawmakers with critical data to inform policies, practices and programs across the state. In addition, Texas Women’s Foundation is an acknowledged leader and advocate in the mission-aligned investing movement, deploying 100 percent of its invested assets – endowments, operating investments and donor-advised funds – in a values-based portfolio that yields strong financial returns and social benefits that align with its mission. For more information, visit www.txwf.org, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram or donate now.

Here’s a real skeleton story as we begin Halloween celebrations.

Dr. Qian Wang, professor in biomedical sciences at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas, identified what he and other researchers believe is likely one of the first examples of an ancient nose amputation.

The skull of a woman who lived in central China about 700 years ago could be tangible evidence of what ancient legal documents describe as nose amputations. Wang said such punishments, along with limb amputations, were forms of criminal punishment for those convicted of stealing horses and cattle or for repeat offenses of lesser crimes. Other punishments included decapitation, facial inking/tattooing and castration, and they were used during the Yuan Dynasty, which ran from about 1271 to 1368.

“The process of (bone) damage, healing and bone spurs/outgrowth around the nasal opening indicated that the mature way of nose-cutting most probably from bottom up,” shared Wang, a well-known biological anthropologist, in a written explanation. “The way of bone remodeling might suggest the wearing of a kind of nasal prosthetic.”

He joined researchers from what’s now Sanmenxia Yangshao Culture Institute in China and nearby Zhengzhou University in their archaeological investigation in July 2024 to examine bone pathology, tooth wear and other skeletal markers. The original dig was in 2018.

Wang and the other researchers’ findings are shared in the November issue of the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. Read the abstract.

Wang said she likely lived into her 40s and was buried alone and face down, which indicates she received special treatment to cover her disfigurement and was cast off from others. He said she probably lived for a few years after the amputation.

It’s possible she lived into the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Her skeleton was screened and assessed for trauma and diseases. Wang said more skeletons will be screened in the future.

Wang is the initiator of the Global History of Health Project Asia Module, an international collaborative project to systematically document the health/disease status of human skeletal remains from the past 10,000 years. They assess how human health status, including oral health, varies with environment, economic mode, climate change, and interpersonal conflicts. 

His findings often make international headlines. Wang appeared on the “Ancient Aliens” television series earlier this year and shared details about another discovery in China. Eleven skeletons had artificially elongated skulls and flattened bones at the back of their heads; one, dating back 12,000 years, is believed to be the oldest example of artificial cranial deformation.

“The elongated head could have symbolized and amplified the person’s higher status within the group,” Wang said at the time. “The head-binding practice could be humans reimagining themselves to look like gods and goddesses.”

Helping children believe they can do hard things starts with how adults guide them through everyday challenges. The Heights Church will host bestselling authors and counselors Sissy Goff and David Thomas for Raising Capable Kids on Friday, November 6, 2026, from 6 to 7:30 PM at 201 W. Renner Road in Richardson.

Designed for parents of children of all ages, the workshop will offer practical tools to help kids build confidence, develop resilience and take responsibility. Tickets are $10 per adult and may be purchased at theheights.org/capable. The event is open to the community.

“Parents want to help their children, but it can be difficult to know when to step in and when to give them room to work through a challenge,” said Ivy Lassiter, Kids Pastor at The Heights Church. “This event will give parents practical tools they can use at home to help their kids face something difficult, learn from a setback and begin to recognize what they’re capable of doing.”

Drawing from their book, Capable, and decades of counseling children and families, Goff and Thomas will share stories, guidance and encouragement to help parents nurture the belief that their children can face challenges and keep going.

“You don’t have to wait until your family is facing a major struggle to make time for an evening like this,” Lassiter said. “Whether you’re raising a young child or a teenager, we want you to leave with a clearer sense of how to support your child and something specific you can put into practice. You don’t need to attend The Heights to join us. We welcome families from throughout the community.”

Sissy Goff, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, counselor and executive director of Daystar Counseling in Nashville, Tennessee. She brings more than three decades of experience helping children, teens and families work through anxiety and strengthen confidence and connection. Goff co-hosts the Raising Boys & Girlspodcast and speaks to parents, educators and caregivers nationwide. Her media appearances include TODAY and Good Morning America.

David Thomas, LMSW, is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author and executive director of Daystar Counseling in Nashville, Tennessee. With more than 30 years of counseling experience, he helps children, teens and families navigate emotional development and the challenges of growing up. Thomas co-hosts the Raising Boys & Girlspodcast and speaks at schools, churches and conferences across the country. His work has appeared on TODAY and in The Washington Post and USA Today.

The Heights Church in Richardson, Texas, helps people grow in their faith and build meaningful connections through worship, biblical teaching and opportunities to serve. With ministries for children, students and adults, The Heights supports individuals and families through every stage of life. Located at 201 W. Renner Road, the church welcomes the surrounding community to its services, programs and events. For more information, visit theheights.org.

Sometimes a small act of generosity can make a tremendous impression, especially on a 7-year-old. For Dr. Jacqueline Plemons, it’s what led her to become a dentist. 

“My mother had a toothache and, as a single mother with two children, had no means of getting help,” she said. “After visiting a few offices with no success, a kind dentist agreed to treat her at no charge. I was incredibly grateful and grew up wanting to be just like him – being able to care for people who sometimes desperately need our help.” 

Plemons accomplished her goal. Not only is she Texas A&M University College of Dentistry’s new director of external affairs, but she’s also approaching 40 years in dentistry. Plemons also is a full-time clinical professor in periodontics and director of the Stomatology Center, where she helps diagnose and manage complex oral medicine conditions while educating future generations of dental professionals. 

If that’s not enough, Plemons owned a private dental practice in Dallas for decades and is a former president of both the Texas Dental Association and the Dallas County Dental Society. 

Plemons’ distinguished career received the spotlight Sept. 18 when Texas Academy of General Dentistry named her 2026 Texas Dentist of the Year at its annual awards ceremony in Austin. She was one of 16 nominees statewide. 

It’s considered among the most prestigious honors a Texas dentist can earn. 

“Dr. Plemons represents the very best of our profession,” said Dr. Jon Dossett, president of Texas AGD, in a written statement. “Her extraordinary career as a clinician, educator, mentor, and leader has touched countless patients and dental professionals across Texas and beyond. Her dedication to advancing dentistry and serving others makes her truly deserving of this recognition.” 

“Dentistry has taught me that caring for patients is a privilege, that good communication is incredibly important and that lifelong learning is essential for good patient care,” Plemons said. “There’s value in being both a mentor and a mentee, and dentists are stronger as a group in shaping the future of our profession.” 

She graduated from the dental school in 1986 (then-Baylor College of Dentistry) and later earned a master’s in oral biology from Baylor University in Waco. Plemons earned a periodontics certificate from the dental school in 1988.

Plemons has taught at A&M Dentistry part-time or full-time throughout her career and has held leadership roles within the American Dental Association, where she chaired the Council on Dental Education and Licensure. Plemons served as a delegate to the ADA House of Delegates and contributed to many councils, committees and accreditation initiatives.  

She’s an advocate for the profession and provided testimony before the Texas Legislature and the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners on issues affecting dentists and patients across Texas. 

A nationally recognized educator, researcher and lecturer, Plemons has spent nearly four decades teaching at her alma mater. In addition, she authored more than 30 peer-reviewed scientific publications, delivered more than 200 professional lectures nationally and internationally and contributed to research in periodontics, oral medicine, oral cancer detection and patient care. 

“Being named Texas Dentist of the Year is a tremendous honor and a well-deserved recognition of Dr. Plemons’ exceptional contributions to the dental profession,” said Dr. Lily T. García, College of Dentistry dean. “We are incredibly proud to have a faculty member whose leadership, expertise and commitment to advancing oral health continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients, students and the profession. This recognition reflects not only Dr. Plemons accomplishments, but also the positive impact of her work throughout Texas.”  

Plemons mentors dental students, specialty residents, graduate students, researchers, and junior faculty members. 

Dr. Deborah M. Foyle, clinical professor in periodontics and A&M Dentistry’s new associate dean of student affairs, said she met Plemons in 1995 when helping her gather clinical data for a study of mucositis in patients undergoing chemotherapy at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. Foyle had recently moved to Dallas from London, England, so Dr. John Regan, her husband, could attend A&M Dentistry’s endodontics graduate program. 

“The first time I was introduced to her, I was with my 3-month-old premature baby, and she just lit up during her interaction with him,” Foyle said. “She loves children, (and) I was struck by how natural, genuine, caring and giving she was; that is how she still is with patients and students alike.” 

Plemons’ career accomplishments include the Texas Dental Association Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Service, the American Dental Association President’s Award, the Dallas County Dental Society Lifetime Achievement Award, the Texas A&M College of Dentistry Distinguished Alumnus Award and the American Academy of Periodontology Educator Award.