Good Morning! On this day in 1948, singer and stage actor Gary Morris was born in Fort Worth. He is best known for his 1983 ballad The Wind Beneath My Wings. He also played the protagonist Jean Valjean in the Broadway production of Les Miserables.
Today’s Around Texas section showcases a Christmas lights guide for Fort Worth and a list of 10 family activities across the metroplex, celebrating the season’s spirit with festive outings. See below for all the details.
If you’re proud to call Texas home—or simply captivated by its rich history and bold future—the newest Texas Almanac from today’s sponsors, the Texas State Historical Association offers a fresh, inspiring way to rediscover the Lone Star State.
Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.
Tech Wins First Big 12 Title
Texas Tech scored 34 unanswered points in a 34-7 victory over Brigham Young University, securing the Red Raiders’ first Big 12 title and a likely first-round bye in the College Football Playoff.
BYU jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, but Texas Tech answered with 13 points before halftime and shut out the Cougars 21-0 in the second half. See the complete highlights here.
Linebacker Ben Roberts intercepted two passes, and the Red Raiders’ defense produced two more turnovers, holding BYU to a season-low 200 yards.
On offense, Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton threw for 215 yards and two touchdowns. Texas Tech is expected to play in one of the four CFP quarterfinal games on Dec. 31 or Jan. 1.
PAC Sues Austin Over Parody Logo
Political action committee Save Austin Now has sued Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax over the PAC’s parody use of the city’s logo.
The lawsuit follows a city attorney’s letter accusing the PAC of using Austin’s logo without authorization in a parody featuring the city’s “A” above the word “audit.”
The group seeks a permanent injunction and argues the logo is invalid because the City Council never formally adopted it.
The city’s logo, a stylized, wavy blue and green “A,” unveiled in a $1.1 million rebranding project in September, drew immediate backlash. Critics compared it to a math textbook publisher’s logo and Cracker Barrel’s failed rebrand.
Woman Cuts Fire Hose During Blaze
Dallas police officers arrested a woman early Friday morning for allegedly stabbing a fire hose while Dallas firefighters were combating a house fire.
The blaze broke out just before 1 a.m. on Dec. 5 at a home on Prosperity Avenue near Bonnie View Road in East Oak Cliff.
As firefighters battled the blaze, the woman walked up and allegedly stabbed the hose multiple times. Video from the scene shows water shooting from at least six punctures in the line, but crews were still able to extinguish the fire.
The suspect, a 37-year-old Dallas woman, was charged with criminal mischief, officials say, and will also be charged with first-degree arson.
Now the official State Book of Texas, the 73rd edition celebrates a new designation with a look and feel that’s out of this world.
From the history and future of the Space Age in Texas to the importance of Spanish exploration to the area, and the greatness of the Texas Heritage Trails Program, the featured articles only scratch the surface of what’s inside the Lone Star State’s most popular reference book.
This edition also includes a revamped section to highlight all 254 counties, a travel guide, and new photo galleries of Texas stars in music, TV, film, and sports.
Plus, there’s hundreds of fresh images, fun “Best of Texas” lists, updated tables, maps, and facts for people of ages to explore.
➤ Dallas: Hundreds gathered in downtown Dallas on Saturday morning for the annual holiday parade as Christmas-themed balloons drifted above the streets to the beats of a marching band. (Parade Photos)
➤ San Antonio: The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office arrested a mother and grandmother after deputies found a 2-year-old wandering barefoot and alone in the woods around 3 a.m. on Friday. (More)
➤ Houston: Police arrested two people after finding 200 pounds of methamphetamine hidden behind a false wall in a Houston home. (More)
➤ Fort Worth: A guide to the top homes and neighborhoods for Christmas lights in Fort Worth and nearby areas has been released, with updates coming throughout the season as more displays appear. (See Guide)
➤ San Antonio: The Guadalupe River was named one of Texas’ most snake-populated waterways, home to venomous species including water moccasins, western diamondback rattlesnakes, Texas coral snakes, and broad-banded copperheads. (More)
➤ DFW: A list of 10 festive, family-friendly activities around the Metroplex aims to make the season magical for kids, featuring Christmas markets, light displays, and a holiday cruise. (See List)
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➤ The Houston Texans will take on the Kansas City Chiefs tonight on Sunday Night Football in a game that could decide both teams’ playoff fates. (More)
➤ Houston Rockets legendary forward Kevin Durant scored 28 points in the team’s 117-98 Friday win over the Phoenix Suns to become just the eighth player in NBA history with 31,000 career points. (More)
➤ Ready to buy tickets for next year’s World Cup soccer matches? As of fall 2025, the cheapest price for the first match in Houston on June 14 is $550. The Round of 32 match costs at least $680 while the final game at Houston Stadium, a Round of 16 meeting, has a get-in price of $1,000. (How to Buy Tickets)
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Now the official State Book of Texas, the 73rd edition celebrates a new designation with a look and feel that’s out of this world.
From the history and future of the Space Age in Texas to the importance of Spanish exploration to the area, and the greatness of the Texas Heritage Trails Program, the featured articles only scratch the surface of what’s inside the Lone Star State’s most popular reference book.
This edition also includes a revamped section to highlight all 254 counties, new photo galleries, and fun “Best of Texas” lists.
Plus, there’s hundreds of fresh images, updated tables, maps, and facts for people of ages to explore. Order your copy today!
➤ Texas icon George Strait was among honorees presented with Kennedy Center medals on Saturday, as President Trump also recognized Sylvester Stallone, Gloria Gaynor, Kiss, and Michael Crawford. (More)
➤ Landowners can secure up to $80,000 for reforestation through a Texas A&M Forest Service program supporting properties that lost trees to disease, disasters, or extreme weather in the past decade. (More)
➤ Fort Worth’s Stage West production of All Is Calm honors the 1914 World War I Christmas truce with a cappella carols and soldiers’ words while reuniting Martin High School alumni in a celebration of humanity, camaraderie, and music.(More)
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Henrietta High School’s sendoff ahead of their playoff game against Callisburg.
Tech Wins First Big 12 Title
