Good Morning! On this day in 1935, the Texas Department of Public Safety was established by the Texas Legislature. Newly elected Governor James Allred had campaigned on a platform of providing stronger law enforcement in the state.
Lizzie McGuire, aka Hilary Duff, was spotted at Austin’s acclaimed La Barbecue this week this week. See photos here, and read more about it in Et Cetera.
Learn about these 11 weird little hacks Costco shoppers should know from today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz.
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Texas Judge Blocks Beto’s ‘Nonprofit’ Scheme
A Tarrant County judge ruled against the nonprofit Powered by People on Friday, siding with Attorney General Ken Paxton, who alleged the group was illegally aiding Democratic lawmakers fleeing to block GOP redistricting legislation.
Judge Megan Fahey issued a temporary restraining order against the nonprofit founded by former Congressman and presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke, citing “unlawful fundraising practices” and violations of Texas law.
Fahey’s order prevents O’Rourke or his group from continuing to fundraise or provide financial support to the fleeing Texas Democrats. You can read the full order here.
Tax-Free Weekend Continues Until Midnight Sunday
Texans are expected to save around $130 million this weekend as most items under $100 are exempt from local and state sales tax until midnight Sunday.
The holiday, a Texas tradition since 1999, allows Texans to purchase a wide range of items tax-free, including most clothing, footwear, diapers, school supplies, and backpacks priced at less than $100.
Consumers can also use layaway to benefit from the holiday, as items purchased with the method are tax-free so long as they are under $100. If a retailer mistakenly charges sales tax, Texans can request a refund via the comptroller’s website.
The holiday will continue until Sunday at midnight. You can find a full list of eligible items here.
Several Texas Lakes Named in Bassmaster Top 100 List
Several Texas lakes earned spots in both national and Central Division rankings on the annual Top 100 Bass Lakes of America list, which highlights top reservoirs nationwide and by region.
Over 500 lakes were evaluated based on a combination of tournament data, fishery reports from state wildlife agencies, and feedback from thousands of anglers across the country.
The Longhorn State landed nine total lakes on the list, including two ranked in the top 10 nationally: Lakes O.H. Ivie and Fork, at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively.
Outside the top 10, Texas had seven of the top 25 Central Division lakes. Sam Rayburn was ranked No. 4, followed by Toledo Bend at No. 6, J.B. Thomas at No.9, Lake O’ the Pines at No. 16, Bois d’ Arc at No. 18, Caddo at No. 19, and Conroe at No. 22. You can see the full list here.
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Do you shop at Costco? Check out these additional ways to save money while shopping from today’s sponsor, Finance Buzz.
And learn the secret of price endings — .79, .49, or .89 often mean manufacturer deals, while .88 or .00 could be manager markdowns or clearance items.
➤ Austin: Around 500 fish were found dead in Lake Mueller on Friday, likely due to low oxygen levels. (See Photos)
➤ Houston: Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it arrested more than 350 illegal immigrants in the Houston area linked to over 1,700 crimes in the first six months of the Trump administration. (More)
➤ Arlington: Mayor Jim Ross is receiving backlash after a newly surfaced video from 2018 showed Ross berating a street preacher. (See Video)
➤ Plano: Multiple local high school speech and debate team members earned honors from the National Speech and Debate Association, the world’s largest academic competition. (See Photos)
➤ Corpus Christi: The city became the first in Texas designated a Coast Guard City, honoring its strong relationship with the U.S. Coast Guard. (More)
➤ El Paso: Local schools are set to lose over $25 million in state funding due to over 400,000 unexcused absences in the 2024-2025 school year. (More)
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➤ The Houston Rockets will play Oct. 21 on NBA Opening Night and on Christmas Day, joining the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks in the holiday lineup. (More)
➤ Houston Astros slugger Taylor Trammell put the Astros ahead 5-2 in extra innings against the New York Yankees with this monster homer to right field, helping lead the Astros to a 5-3 win. (Watch Video)
➤ The University of Texas unveiled its renovated football locker room, featuring reclining chairs, large TVs, new carpeting, and SEC, Longhorns, and Nike branding. (See Video)
➤ The Texas Sports Hall of Fame was named as one of the top 10 best sports attractions by USA Today, with fans still voting on which will be number one. (More)
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➤ A 1962 Hillridge home in northeast Dallas, billed as “a blast from the past,” features original wood, checkerboard carpet, three bedrooms, three baths, and a backyard storage building, listed for $390,000. (See Photos)
➤ Hollywood celebrity Hilary Duff made a surprise visit to La Barbecue in Austin on Friday, posing for photos with staff. (See Photos)
➤ SeaWorld San Antonio ranked No. 10 on Reader’s Digest’s list of U.S. attractions, parks, and landmarks with the longest wait times. (See List)
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Drone view of Austin’s Waterline tower, now the tallest building in Texas.
Have you ever fished at Lake O.H. Ivie or Lake Fork?
Texas Judge Blocks Beto’s ‘Nonprofit’ Scheme
