Good Morning! On this day in 1885, the Dallas Morning News purchased its older rival, the Dallas Herald, less than two months after it began publication. (More)
If you’ve ever wanted to visit a castle, you can do that in Bellville, where local bakery owner Mike Newman labored for more than a decade to build a cinderblock-and-stucco fortress with a moat and drawbridge. Get the details here.
If you’re fascinated by the future of entertainment and love spotting big opportunities early, this glimpse into today’s sponsor, Elf Labs’ groundbreaking princess franchises, is one you won’t want to miss.
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.
Universities Reviewing Course Content
Several Texas universities are reviewing course content that pertains to race and gender identity after a viral video of a classroom discussion led to the termination of a Texas A&M professor and the resignation of its president.
Last month, Texas A&M University System regents announced that courses cannot “advocate race or gender ideology” without a campus president’s approval. On Monday, Texas Tech University System Chancellor Brandon Creighton announced that instructors cannot promote “activism on issues related to race or sex.”
The UT System and the UNT System are currently reviewing course content to ensure “compliance and alignment” with state and federal directives. TCU will roll its women and gender studies department into its English department. SMU suspended its requirement for students to take a course on “human diversity” in March.
Under a new state law, the authority to determine curriculum offerings and course content is transferred from faculty councils to politically appointed regents.
Another Cockfight Busted
The Collin County Sheriff’s Office arrested eight people Friday during a sting of a cockfighting operation in Farmersville. Similar raids were made during the past week in Alvarado and Houston.
Cockfighting “season” starts in late November—usually on Thanksgiving—and lasts through July, following the period when roosters shed and regrow their feathers and are the most aggressive. Animal Wellness Action has labeled the corridor between Tulsa and Dallas as the “primary hub of illegal cockfighting” in the country.
In Texas, organizing a cockfight and putting money on the contest are felonies. It’s a misdemeanor to attend a cockfight, allow property to be used for that purpose, or train a rooster for fighting.
Fifty-seven roosters were recovered during the Friday raid, and ICE detainers were lodged on three of those arrested. “The Collin County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to enforcing animal cruelty laws and dismantling illegal animal fighting operations,” read a news release.
Dells Give $6.25 Billion to U.S. Children
Michael Dell, the founder of Round Rock’s Dell Technologies, and his wife, Susan, are donating $6.25 billion to U.S. children aged 10 and under who live in ZIP codes with a median household income of $150,000 or less.
The $250 donations target 25 million children who aren’t eligible to receive $1,000 from the federal government in accounts authorized by the One Big Beautiful Bill. Only children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, are eligible to receive those federal funds.
At a White House ceremony to announce the gift, President Trump called it “truly one of the most generous acts in the history of our country.” The Dells said it is the largest single private commitment to U.S. children.
“We believe that if every child can see a future worth saving for, this program will build something far greater than an account. It will build hope and opportunity and prosperity for generations to come,” said Michael Dell.
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Fun fact: Did you know Disney’s princess IP has generated over $46.4B in revenue?
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➤ Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into Shein, a fast-fashion retailer founded in China, over concerns the company is using toxic or hazardous materials, misleading consumers about product safety, and misleading consumers about ethical sourcing. (More)
➤ Orange: A fire destroyed the historic El Bethel Missionary Baptist Church yesterday morning. “It’s definitely a shock,” said Pastor Rickey Guillory. “We’re going to lean on God and trust in the Lord.” (More)
➤ Tarrant County: A group of voters challenging the county’s redrawn precinct map has dropped its lawsuit after an appellate court denied its request for a preliminary injunction. The new map, which plaintiffs claimed was “racially discriminatory,” will likely increase the Commissioners Court’s Republican majority. (More)
➤ El Paso: The city has requested an exemption from Gov. Abbott’s directive to remove displays promoting “political ideologies” from public streets. The city argues its rainbow-colored crosswalks “support roadway safety in high-pedestrian environments.” (More)
➤ Hood County: Rachel Sanders Miller, a nurse for the county jail, was indicted for allegedly failing to obtain medical care for an inmate who died in April. “He needed help, and nobody helped him,” the inmate’s daughter said. (More)
➤ Laredo: The mother of Brianna Aguilera, a 19-year-old Texas A&M student who died after attending a tailgate in Austin last Friday, is demanding answers about her daughter’s death after police suggested it was accidental or a suicide. (More)
➤ Statewide: The Atlantic hurricane season ended Sunday. For the first time since 2022, Texas did not see a hurricane, tropical storm, or tropical depression make landfall. (More)
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➤ Texas Tech is No. 4 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, followed by Texas A&M at No. 7. The Texas Longhorns, Houston Cougars, and UNT Mean Green were all ranked in the top 25, but missed the 12-team playoff cut. (See Full Rankings)
➤ Texas moved up two spots to No. 2 in this week’s AP women’s college basketball poll, while TCU remained at No. 8. Baylor made a slight jump to No. 14. (See Full Poll)
➤ UNT is reportedly considering three candidates for its next head football coach: Longhorns assistant coach Neal Brown, Incarnate Word head coach Clint Killough, and former Florida head coach Billy Napier. (More)
➤ USA Todayranked the Dallas Stars No. 2 in their NHL power rankings, trailing only the Colorado Avalanche. (More)
➤ Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones said he and Jerry Jones want to re-sign George Pickens this offseason to keep him in Dallas. (More)
➤ The Chicago Bulls held internal discussions about trading for Dallas Mavericks big man Anthony Davis. (More)
➤ Texas history needs your help! Yesterday was Giving Tuesday, but it’s not too late to support the Texas State Historical Association. Your gift helps preserve the stories, people, and places that make Texas unique.Give today and make an impact!
➤ Two clothing stores in Texas made a New York Times list of the top 50 in the nation: Mr. Larkin, a Scandinavian-focused store in Houston for luxury women’s clothing, and M.L. Leddy’s, a Fort Worth store that sells handmade boots. (More)
➤ The Texas Department of Public Safety has conditionally selected nine Texas marijuana dispensaries for licenses to sell low-THC cannabis as part of the Texas Compassionate Use Program. State lawmakers expanded the program to authorize 12 additional licenses earlier this year. (More)
➤ New York-based real estate developer AZ Family Partners purchased Preston Plaza in Dallas at auction, with plans to spend $14 million in renovations on the 10-story office tower. “The office market in Dallas is probably performing the best of any office market,” said principal Arthur Zeckendorf. (More)
➤ The state of Texas has purchased about $5 million worth of bitcoin through an exchange-traded fund administered by BlackRock. The purchase, one of the first-ever cryptocurrency transactions by a state government, follows the creation of a strategic cryptocurrency reserve earlier this year. (More)
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➤ Austin homeowners are the most festive in America for the fourth year in a row, according to a report by handyman services website Thumbtack. Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio are also among the top 10. (More)
➤ An East Texas mailman purchased and delivered every item on 9-year-old Abigail Baker’s Christmas list after he found her letter addressed to Santa. (Watch Video)
➤ Chris Woolsey has created a TikTok channel showcasing his work restoring historical markers around Texas. (More)
➤ Houston’s new SafeWatch dashboard shows the locations of documented shootings across the city. The collaboration between law enforcement, first responders, and health professionals is the first of its kind in the nation. (More)
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Universities Reviewing Course Content
