Good morning! On this day in 1860, the Galveston, Houston and Henderson Railroad completed a 10,000-foot bridge from Virginia Point to Galveston Island. The bridge was destroyed by a hurricane in 1867, as were several subsequent bridges. Virginia Point was abandoned in the 1950s. Today, it can only be reached during low tide by a shell road where the old causeway previously stood.
If you or someone you know is in a tough spot, this video of an opossum putting up a fight with a coyote in a Dallas neighborhood could be just the inspiration you need. Check out this story and more in today’s edition!
We’re sponsored today by the nonprofit World Concern, offering an opportunity to help needy Christian children in Somalia.
The Texas Senate approved a measure Wednesday that would provide $1 billion for eligible families to pay for private school tuition or expenses associated with homeschooling. The bill advances a proposal that Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have marked as a legislative priority and tried to enact for years.
Senate Bill 2 advanced to the House by a 19-12 vote, with every Democrat and one Republican opposing the measure. The legislation establishes education savings accounts of up to $11,500 a year for families with an income less than 500% of the federal poverty level, with 80% of the funding prioritized for low-income families and students with disabilities.
Democrats opposed the bill. They contend it would primarily benefit wealthy families and divert tax dollars from public schools to private institutions that aren’t regulated to the same degree. Republicans, on the other hand, said it empowers families to choose the education that’s best for their children, spurs competition, and incentivizes the establishment of new private schools.
Gov. Abbott designated the legislation as an emergency item during his State of the State address on Sunday, making it eligible for consideration during the first 60 days of the 140-day session, which began Jan. 14. The bill faces an uncertain future in the House, where a similar proposal was killed two years ago.
Nuclear Power Companies Partner with Texas A&M
Four companies have agreed to build small modular nuclear reactors at Texas A&M University’s 2,400-acre RELLIS campus in Bryan. The project, dubbed “The Energy Proving Ground,” could eventually provide up to one gigawatt of electricity to the Texas power grid, with the first reactors coming online in as soon as five years.
The CEOs of the four companies—Kairos Power, Natura Resources, Terrestrial Energy, and Aalo Atomics—joined Chancellor John Sharp on Tuesday to announce the project.
“We plan to showcase how our technology can address the energy needs of Texas and the nation,” said Natura Resources founder and CEO Douglass Robison. A statement from the university said the project would “set the stage for deploying small nuclear reactors across the country.”
University officials have already submitted applications to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for commercial electrical and thermal power generation facilities.
Eight Texas Cities among Safest in U.S.
Eight Texas cities ranked among the top 50 safest cities in the U.S., according to an annual analysis by financial services broker MoneyGeek.
Frisco ranked No. 2 overall, with a violent crime rate of 86 per 100,000 residents and a crime cost per capita of $287. Nearby Plano was No. 18 overall, while Pearland was No. 13, with a violent crime rate of 106 and a crime cost per capita of $471.
Sugar Land (20), McKinney (22), Round Rock (26), Grand Prairie (42), and League City (48) were also among the safest cities in the country. San Antonio (222), Dallas (248), and Houston (250) ranked in the bottom third, while Austin came in at No. 162.
The analysis examined 2023 crime data reported to the FBI for 292 U.S. cities with populations of at least 100,000. See the full dataset here.
Flying together with our sponsor
Somalia is facing a devastating combination of natural disasters, global conflicts, widespread poverty, and disease outbreaks. East Africa has just endured its worst drought in 40 years, leaving tens of millions without access to clean water, wiping out millions of livestock, and destroying crops. With domestic food production crippled, Somalia has relied heavily on imports—90% of its wheat coming from Russia and Ukraine—until those shipments stopped.
Now, two in five children in Somalia suffer from acute malnutrition, and cholera is spreading in some regions. The food crisis, compounded by global humanitarian aid being redirected to Europe and the Middle East, has created a perfect storm, leading to a sharp rise in child malnutrition.
We’re asking the Flyover Community to join us in partnering with World Concern to help get emergency nutrition packs (a peanut paste fortified with nutrients), water, and hygiene products to those with the most need.
➤ Gov. Greg Abbott visited the White House yesterday, where he offered President Trump the use of 4,000 state prison cells for the detention of illegal immigrants. (More)
➤ Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Al Green (D-Houston) announced Tuesday he would file articles of impeachment against Trump for his suggestion that the United States would take over the Gaza Strip. Green contended that Trump’s remarks amount to advocacy for ethnic cleansing. (More)
➤ Marlin ISD: The board of trustees voted Monday to move to a five-day school week for the rest of the year after the district was closed multiple days due to issues with the city’s water system. (See Details)
➤ Port Mansfield: Game wardens apprehended three people accused of guiding hunts for exotic Nilgai on private property without consent. Homeland Security assisted with the nearly year-long investigation. (More)
➤ Houston: The city has yet to repair a water main break that occurred over two weeks ago. (See Photos)
➤ Huntsville: Steven Nelson, 37, was executed last night for the 2011 murder of Rev. Clint Dobson at NorthPointe Baptist Church in Arlington. The execution was the state’s first of 2025. (More)
➤ Houston ISD: Families across the district participated in a “sick-out” Wednesday to protest a state takeover of the district and express frustration over the loss of certified teachers, library closures, curriculum changes, and the management of district funding. (See Details)
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➤ The Dallas Mavericks are offering refunds to some of the team’s season ticket holders after trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers. (More)
➤ The Houston Rockets have acquired Boston Celtics guard Jaden Springer in exchange for draft pick compensation. (More)
➤ Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen underwent knee surgery on Tuesday night. He is listed as “month-to-month” moving forward. (More)
➤ ONEOK and MPLX have announced a $1.75 billion partnership to build a liquefied petroleum gas export facility in Texas City. The terminal will be connected via a new pipeline from a Mont Belvieu storage facility and is expected to ship 400,000 barrels per day. (More)
➤ Tesla is offering an insurance discount of up to 10% to Texas customers who enable the Full Self-Driving (Supervised) mode. (See Details)
➤ Trump Burger, a Donald Trump-themed diner with locations in Belville and Flatonia, is expanding to Houston, Galveston County, and San Antonio. (See Photo)
➤ Meanwhile, Papy Donuts in Edinburg has seen a dramatic increase in sales after advertising pastries emblazoned with the president’s name, putting plans to shutter the shop on hold. (More)
Flying together with our sponsor
➤Kailo’s Flex™ is an all-natural pain patch, designed to quickly relieve pain anywhere on your body. It is the most flexible, comfortable, and affordable pain patch device we have ever made! (See It Here)
➤ Ryan Sparks, a fifth-grader at Pershing Park Elementary School in Killeen, has been selected to perform with the Organization of American Kodaly Educators National Children’s Choir in Chicago next month. Named for Hungarian composer Zoltan Kodaly, it is one of the top children’s choral groups in the nation. (More)
➤ New concessions to be sold at the Houston Astros’ Daikin Park this season include BBQ Burnt End Fries, Chicken Waffle Sandwich, Colt .45 Quesabirria, and Horchachos. (See Photos)
➤ A Dallas resident captured a video of an opossum facing off with a coyote in his front yard before he scared off the predator by clapping and shouting. (Watch Video)
Flying together with our sponsor
➤ Check out CozyCharge, the rechargeable hand warmer that provides eight hours of warmth whenever you need it. (See It Here)
Would you mind if a nuclear power plant were built in your town?
School Choice Proposal Passes Senate
