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Graphics reporter

Mel Fronczek

Mel produces data-driven stories using charts, maps and more. Before ing The Dallas Morning News in 2023, she was a digital producer for the South region of the USA TODAY Network. Mel is an alumna of the New York Times Student Journalism Institute, Dow Jones News Fund, ProPublica Data Institute and Indiana University Media School.

Latest Stories

Staff illustration; iStock photo

Live: Track measles cases during Texas outbreak with these graphics

The outbreak is the state’s largest in decades. Stay up to date with case counts here.

By Mel FronczekPublic HealthJun 12, 2025

Plano ISD student Faizan Zaki, 13, lays on the stage as confetti drops around him after he...

See how Faizan Zaki made it to National Spelling Bee champ

The Plano ISD student won the competition after finishing as runner-up last year.

By Matt Kyle and Mel FronczekNationalMay 30, 2025

Staff illustration; iStock photo

Where does Texas get its food? What food gets imported? 3 charts explain

It’s a volatile economic period for imported goods. Here’s a data-driven look at Texas’ food-related imports.

By Mel Fronczek and Anna ButlerFoodMay 23, 2025

A health worker isters a measles test on Fernando Tarin, of Seagraves, Texas, at a...

As the measles outbreak grows in Texas, what makes the virus so contagious?

Measles viral particles can linger in the air for up to two hours, experts say.

By Miriam Fauzia and Mel FronczekNewsApr 30, 2025

Overall, Dallas ISD scored a C, down from a B in 2022. (Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning...

How did your Dallas ISD school score on the latest A-F state ratings?

Texas’ academic ability grades – from 2023 – were delayed because of a lawsuit.

By Talia Richman and Mel FronczekEducationApr 24, 2025

Mickie Palmer, 6, of Carrollton, looks up at a nurse before receiving the measles, mumps and...

Data: These 6 charts show how measles vaccination rates declined in Texas public schools

Falling childhood vaccination rates could put more communities at risk for outbreaks, public health officials said.

By Milla Surjadi, Mel Fronczek and José Luis AdrianoEducationMar 24, 2025

Opponents listen to discussion of a proposal to close Pinkerton Elementary School during a...

These 8 charts explain what’s straining Texas school budgets

Campus closures and staff cuts are among the tough decisions officials face to address shortfalls.

By Talia Richman and Mel FronczekEducationMar 7, 2025

A sign is seen outside a clinic with the South Plains Public Health District Sunday, Feb....

Map: These Texas schools have low measles vaccination rates

Childhood vaccination rates for measles are lowest in private schools in Texas, state data shows.

By Mel Fronczek and Milla SurjadiEducationMar 6, 2025

A health worker isters a measles test to a car enger at a mobile testing site...

Data: These charts show vaccine exemptions in North Texas, Gaines County

For measles, about 95% of people have to be vaccinated in order for the community to be protected.

By Mel FronczekPublic HealthFeb 28, 2025

Staff illustration; iStock photo

Measles outbreak: These graphics show vaccination rates in Texas

Texas’ measles outbreak is now up to more than 120 confirmed cases, the most the state has seen in any year since the early ’90s.

By Mel Fronczek, Laurie Joseph and Emily BrindleyPublic HealthFeb 28, 2025

Search and rescue efforts are seen around a wreckage site in the Potomac River from Ronald...

Maps: See where American Airlines jet collided with military helicopter in D.C. area

Maps show the site of the collision in relation to Ronald Reagan National Airport and the jet’s flight path.

By Mel FronczekAirlinesJan 30, 2025Member Exclusive

Ice covers power lines and tree branches in the Lakewood neighborhood of Dallas, Thursday,...

Use this map to track North Texas power outages during winter storm

The Dallas Morning News has put together a map that updates hourly with the latest on areas experiencing power outages.

By Kai Teoh and Mel FronczekWeatherJan 9, 2025

Leaves are frozen in the ice of the Arrington Lagoon Fountain during cold weather in...

Graphics: How do this week’s chilly temperatures compare to past winters?

For Jan. 8 through 10, this year’s temperatures are expected to be lower than in recent years.

By Mel FronczekWeatherJan 9, 2025

A child catches snowflakes with their tongue during El Museo del Barrio's 47th annual Three...

Graphics: When has D-FW’s first snow happened historically?

The first snow in the Dallas-Fort Worth area has, on average, occurred in mid-January.

By Mel FronczekWeatherJan 8, 2025

Cold temperatures and a lawn sprinkler create icicle on a tree ahead of a winter storm...

Graphic: How much snow did past D-FW winters get?

The forecast of 2 to 4 inches would be more than the total snowfall last winter.

By Mel FronczekWeatherJan 8, 2025

A voting booth at the Dallas county elections training/warehouse facility in Dallas, Texas...

How a ballot becomes a vote in Dallas County

Leading up to the November general election, we looked into what happens to your ballot once you’re done filling it out.

By Mel FronczekElectionsOct 28, 2024Member Exclusive

Manager Irene Muñoz faces the fresh cut fruit endcap at the Albertsons in Irving in 2023....

Map: Kroger and Albertsons plan to sell these 26 D-FW grocery stores

Both companies will be offloading nearly 600 stores across the U.S. as part of its proposed $25 billion merger.

By Mel Fronczek, Uma Bhat and Irving Mejia-HilarioRetailJul 13, 2024Member Exclusive

The News compiled 2022 and 2023 payroll data, which is public information, from the city of...

How much do Dallas city employees make? Here’s the data to find out

Explore the data to find out how much city of Dallas employees made in 2022 and 2023.

By Mel Fronczek and Everton Bailey Jr.NewsJun 25, 2024Member Exclusive

Birdwatcher Kalder Korte, looks through the binocular to spot birds at Harry S Moss Park, on...

Need a new hobby in North Texas? Here’s how to get into birding

Here’s a beginner’s guide to birding in North Texas, complete with recommendations for places to bird, recommended equipment and resources to get you started.

By Mel FronczekLifestyle May 25, 2024Member Exclusive

Birdwatcher Kalder Korte, points up on the trees to identify a certain species of a bird at...

‘Dude, that’s 250’: Meet the 19-year-old Dallasite with big birding goals

The Highland Park High alumnus got serious about birding in 2022 and embarked on a challenge to see the most species in Dallas County in 2023.

By Mel FronczekEnvironmentApr 22, 2024Member Exclusive

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