Sunday, September 14, 2025

Good morning! On this day in 1919, the first hospital in Corpus Christi, Spohn Hospital, was demolished by a hurricane, killing a nun, two patients, and two employees.

A Texas family went viral this week after breaking a 108-year streak of having only boys in its family. See the incredible moment they found out here and read more in Et Cetera.

This edition is sponsored by Oricle, a trusted partner making better hearing possible for thousands of families. Sometimes the best stories aren’t crafted in marketing meetings—they unfold around the dinner table. Recently, our founder gifted his dad, “Grandpa Jim,” a pair of Oricle hearing aids. What happened next had the whole family laughing, tearing up, and realizing just how powerful clear hearing can be.

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.

Gov. Abbott Signs Bill Banning Sharia Compounds

Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 4211 into law on Friday, banning residential property developments like EPIC City that create Sharia compounds in the state, or that defraud and discriminate against Texans.

House Bill 4211, authored by Rep. Candy Noble of Collin County, was written after members of the East Plano Islamic Center formed a for-profit entity called Community Capital Partners to develop a sprawling Muslim-centric community just outside Josephine, called EPIC City.

House Bill 4211 bans land deals based on religion, restricts resale control by sellers, and mandates disputes be resolved under Texas law in state courts.

The bill passed the House by a vote of 104-41, and the Senate by a vote of 30-1 before being signed into law. You can read the full bill text here.

‘Borderlands 4’ Debuts in Dallas

Frisco-based Gearbox Software debuted Borderlands 4 in Dallas this week, unveiling the long-awaited installment of the blockbuster franchise after six years in development with a red-carpet premiere.

Founded in Plano in 1999 and relocated to Frisco in 2015, Gearbox grew from five employees to hundreds, driven by the Borderlands franchise’s success and Borderlands 2’s top-50 all-time ranking.

Borderlands 4 is expected to push the franchise past 100 million copies sold, with the first three installments already reaching 94 million sales in the popular “looter shooter” series.

Texas Tourism Soars Past Competing States

Texas led the nation in tourism spending in 2024, with $36.7 billion, surpassing traditional destinations such as New York and California, according to a new Travel and Tour World report.

The state saw a 3.1% increase in tourism economic output from the previous year, and also ranked higher than Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

The report also touched on aspects of the Texas economy that led to the increase in spending, like musical festivals, cultural attractions, outdoor sightseeing, and more. You can read the full report here.

Flying together with our sponsor

When our founder gave his dad, “Grandpa Jim,” a pair of Oricle hearing aids, nobody knew what to expect. For years, Jim had struggled to keep up with conversations—missing jokes, nodding along, and quietly withdrawing. But the moment he put them on, everything changed. Suddenly, voices were crisp, laughter rang out, and Jim was back in the middle of it all.

At one point, he even asked the family to “quiet down” because things were suddenly too clear. That moment stuck with us. For Jim, it wasn’t just about hearing better—it was about feeling present again. He loved them so much, he immediately asked for an extra pair, just in case.

Stories like this are why we’re proud to partner with Oricle. If you or someone you love has been waiting to take the step toward better hearing, now’s the time. Don’t miss out on life’s moments—see what Oricle can do for you today.

➤ Statewide: Leaders in the Texas Senate and House announced the creation of legislative committees to examine speech on college campuses after reports of students celebrating the death of Charlie Kirk surfaced. (More)

➤ College Station: Hundreds gathered at Texas A&M University on Thursday for a candlelight vigil honoring Charlie Kirk, organized by the school’s Turning Point USA chapter, which he co-founded. (See Video)

➤ El Paso: A new study showed the city’s proposed Deck Plaza could generate $1 billion in economic output over the next 30 years. (See Study)

➤ Houston: New U.S. Census Bureau data shows that Houston has the highest poverty rate among the nation’s 10 most populous cities. (See Data)

➤ Grand Prairie: Officers mistakenly responding to the wrong house for a 911 call shot a resident in the leg after he came out of his garage holding a gun. (More)

➤ Jourdanton: A teacher was disciplined, but not fired, after a controversial social media post regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk. (More)

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➤ Texas defeated UTEP 27-10 despite a sluggish performance, while Baylor cruised past Samford, and SMU downed Missouri State 28-10. Texas Tech hosted Oregon State, while TCU welcomed Abilene Christian. (See Box Scores)

➤ No. 16 Texas A&M visited Notre Dame on Saturday in a must-win clash for the 0-1 Fighting Irish, whose playoff hopes hinge on securing a marquee victory after losing to No. 5 Miami. (See Box Score)

➤ The Astros’ magic number to clinch a playoff spot fell to 14 before last night’s matchup with the Braves. (See Box Score)

➤ Other ranked Texas college football teams faced off Saturday including No. 7 Texas and No. 21 Texas Tech. (See Scores)

➤ The Dallas Cowboys will play their second rivalry game in as many weeks tomorrow, facing off against the New York Giants, while the Houston Texans will take center stage on Monday Night Football, taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. (Preview)

Flying together with our sponsor

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Flying together with our sponsor

Our founder’s dad, “Grandpa Jim,” slipped on a pair of Oricle hearing aids—and the change was instant. For years, he’d been on the sidelines of family conversations. But suddenly, he could hear everything so clearly that he even asked everyone to quiet down. That’s how powerful the difference was.

The best part? He didn’t want to risk being without them again and immediately asked for backup pairs. It’s proof that better hearing is more than convenience—it’s a connection. If you’ve been thinking about it, this is your sign to finally make the change. Discover Oricle today

➤ Fort Worth’s Kimbell Art Museum presents “Myth and Marble: Ancient Roman Sculpture from the Torlonia Collection,” featuring 58 works from Europe’s largest private collection from now through Jan. 25. (See Sculptures)

➤ A Montgomery County firefighter and his wife broke a 108-year streak of only having boys in the family, with the emotional moment caught on video. (See Video)

➤ Wurstfest 2025 is set to bring 10 days of food, music, and fun to New Braunfels—bringing a star-studded lineup of musicians including Grammy-winning polka legend Jimmy Sturr. (See Full Lineup)

Flying together with our sponsor

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