Texas Adds Bible to Required Reading

The Republican-led Texas State Board of Education approved a required reading list on Friday that adds Bible passages to public school curriculum for more than 5 million students.

The 9-5-1 vote makes Texas the first state to do so.

The list pairs scripture, including Psalm 23 and the Book of Exodus, with classics like Charlotte’s Web and Great Expectations. Supporters call the texts foundational to U.S. history; critics say it favors Christianity and erodes teacher autonomy.

The rules take effect in 2030. The board delayed a rewrite of high school social studies standards, expected to return at a later date.

Heat Dome Brings Triple Digits to Texas

A heat dome is building across the southern U.S., pushing much of Texas into the triple digits this weekend, with highs in the upper 90s and low 100s and heat index readings nearing 110 degrees.

Forecasters say Sunday looks hottest before the high-pressure ridge slides north toward the Ohio Valley next week. The system traps hot air and blocks cooling fronts, leaving little rain relief.

Close behind, a huge Saharan dust plume is expected to reach Texas early next week, bringing hazy skies, vivid sunsets, and possible air-quality problems.

Texas Lands 3 of 10 Chattiest Cities

Three Texas cities ranked among the nation’s 10 chattiest in a new national survey, with Austin at No. 3, Dallas at No. 4, and Houston at No. 10.

Researchers surveyed 2,044 people across 39 cities, scoring how often residents struck up conversations with strangers, neighbors, and coworkers. New Orleans claimed the top spot, where 94% of residents know a neighbor by name, followed by Washington, D.C.

The Lone Star results split sharply: Austin residents were the likeliest in the country to report five or more daily conversations outside the home, while San Antonio landed among the least chatty cities surveyed.

➤ Bexar County: The Pentagon reinstated mandatory flu vaccinations for military recruits after an outbreak at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland sickened at least 275 trainees and hospitalized four. (More) 

➤ Lubbock: Officials approved Lubbock ISD’s 2026-27 budget, including teacher and staff pay raises that increase the starting salary for new teachers to $51,500. (More) 

➤ Hidalgo County: The health department will offer low-cost back-to-school vaccinations Saturday in McAllen as part of its Summer Saturdays program, making it easier for families to prepare for the new school year. (More) 

➤ Rio Grande Valley: A U.S.-Israeli partnership proposed a privately funded, $1 billion desalination plant on South Padre Island to help ease chronic water shortages in the region. (More)

➤ Dallas: Officials approved a zoning change clearing the way for a $200 million, 16-story luxury apartment tower in Oak Lawn, replacing a 1960s-era, 33-unit condominium complex by 2029. (More)

➤ Real County: Gracie the giraffe was found safe in the Texas Hill Country after spending several days on the loose, ending a widely followed search that sparked viral memes and a $5,000 reward. (See Gracie) 

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➤ The University of Texas was named the top overall college athletics program in the country for the fifth time, winning the Learfield Directors’ Cup. They earned national titles in men’s swimming and diving, women’s rowing, and softball this year. (More) 

➤ Texas A&M volleyball’s Kyndal Stowers was nominated for best comeback athlete at the 2026 ESPYS, while Texas Longhorns softball pitcher Teagan Kavan earned a nod for best championship performance. (More) 

➤ Meanwhile, Baylor baseball’s Tyce Armstrong, who tied a 50-year-old record with three grand slams in a single game earlier this season, was nominated for best single-game performance at the 2026 ESPYS. (More)

➤ NBA superstar Kawhi Leonard would be open to signing an extension with the San Antonio Spurs if the Clippers decided to trade him this offseason. Leonard won a championship and Finals MVP in San Antonio before forcing his way out via trade in 2018. (More) 

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | MLB | WNBA | Golf

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Big Money Gets In Pre-IPO in AI

AI stocks now make up about 45% of the S&P 500. But the biggest breakout gains often happen because investors got in before companies went public.

In AI, big money increasingly moves sooner. In 2025, 67% of private-stage investments were in AI companies, up from 9% in 2022. But those opportunities are almost always reserved for the 1%.

Restaurant robotics pioneer Miso Robotics isn’t, and 44K+ everyday folks like you have already joined big money players like Ecolab as investors.

Miso’s Flippy Fry Station AI restaurant kitchen robot has logged 200K+ hours in kitchens across the $1T fast-food industry. Its tech is used by big-name customers like White Castle, Jersey Mike’s, Cinnabon, and more. And Miso just acquired 300+ patents from a food robotics early-mover that raised $450 million.

Flippy alone represents a $4B/year revenue opportunity in the US. Invest before Miso hits its $2.5M raise target for June. Hurry for bonus shares.

➤ An H-E-B truck driver from the Rio Grande Valley became the first Valley driver and only the fourth companywide to log 4 million consecutive safe driving miles, earning honors from the grocery chain and the National Trucking Association. (More)

➤ Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth ranked among the nation’s 10 hardest metro areas to keep cars clean in a new study measuring road grime, vehicle damage, and driver perceptions. (More)

➤ The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo unveiled plans for a $300 million, 1 million-square-foot agricultural complex along Highway 288, marking the largest facilities investment in the event’s 90-plus-year history ahead of its 2032 centennial. (More)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ A new study found one specific diet could lower dementia risk by up to 30%, even for those with early Alzheimer’s markers. Learn which foods are the most helpful. (Hear More)

➤ A new note sent to TMZ claims to have video of a suspect with Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother, Nancy, on what the sender called “probably her last” day alive. (Tune in Here)

➤  The prosecutor in the Charlie Kirk murder case was found in contempt for violating a judge’s gag order. (Podcast Available)

Do you usually strike up conversations with strangers?

1. All the time
2. Sometimes
3. Only if they start it
4.  Never

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you purchased any World Cup-related gear, merchandise, or promotional items?

1. Yes: 7%
2. No: 93%

Which two Texas cities are tied for the most Whataburger locations?

Show me the answer