Rabu, 20 Mei 2026

Polis Under Fire, Pingree Renamed, and Iconic BBQ

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1862, the U.S. Congress passed the Homestead Act, accelerating settlement in the West by granting up to 160 acres of public land for a minimal filing fee and five years of residence.

In case you missed it, this week on The Flyover Podcast, Amy Hess shared why researchers say two to three cups of coffee a day may quietly support one of the body’s hardest-working organs. Dietitians say growing evidence suggests coffee could help reduce inflammation and protect this vital organ from long-term damage. Listen here!

Later today, you’ll receive a message from our partner, Fisher Investments, with a free guide on seven retirement income strategies for investors with $1 million or more. It’s a simple way to compare your options.

If you’re trying to be more thoughtful about the media you consume, social media probably isn’t the best place to get your news. Most platforms are designed to provoke reactions, not encourage perspective. That’s why some of us read The Pour Over. It delivers the news in a balanced, easy-to-read format while incorporating a Christian perspective that many readers appreciate.

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Polis Under Fire for Clemency

Several state Democrats, including more than 400 elected officials, candidates, and party members, have signed a formal complaint seeking to censure Gov. Jared Polis over his decision to commute Tina Peters’ prison sentence.

Peters had been serving a nine-year sentence for her role in a breach of Mesa County election equipment. Polis commuted her sentence to four-and-a-half years, making her eligible for parole June 1.

The complaint alleges the governor’s decision, which followed pressure from President Trump, undermines the party’s efforts to combat election denialism. It calls for Polis to be reprimanded and banned from speaking at party events.

Polis has also drawn criticism for granting clemency to Brandin Kreuzer, a man convicted in a 2008 crime spree that included shooting a Douglas County sheriff’s deputy, in a move local law enforcement officials called “appalling.”

Unaffiliated Voters Let in GOP Primary

A judge has rejected three Republican primary candidates’ request to block unaffiliated voters from participating in the June 30 Republican primary election.

The candidates’ lawsuit argued non-party voter participation dilutes the votes of registered Republicans and violates the GOP’s associational rights under the First Amendment.

Judge Jon J. Olafson declined to issue a preliminary injunction against Colorado’s semi-open primaries, saying the plaintiffs lacked standing and waited too long to file, with some ballots already mailed.

State Rep. Scott Bottoms, one of the plaintiffs and a gubernatorial candidate, argued in a hearing last week that the system “will hurt Republicans all down the line in many different elections throughout the state.”

Jamestown Tops Snow Totals

Several parts of Colorado’s mountains reported significant snow totals this week as a late-season storm brought winter-like weather to the high country.

Jamestown, northwest of Boulder, topped the list, with 8.6 inches, followed by Aspen Springs (6.6), Walden and Nederland (6), Sawpit (5.8), and Estes Park (5.5).

The snow arrived too late for Colorado’s ski resorts, which ended the season Sunday when Arapahoe Basin finally closed.

Forecasters say snow could fall in the mountains through Friday, with more rain in urban areas, including Denver, through Saturday.

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➤ Statewide: The Colorado Supreme Court ruled Monday that Children’s Hospital Colorado should resume sex-change treatments for children, which the hospital stopped providing in January amid threats to federal funding. (More)

➤ Larimer County: The U.S. Board of Geographic Names approved a citizen group’s request to rename Pingree Park and Pingree Hill to Soule Park and Soule Hill over George Washington Pingree’s ties to the Sand Creek Massacre. (More)

➤ I-25: A driver reversing on the shoulder of Interstate 25 caused a deadly crash Friday near Happy Canyon Road, killing one person and injuring two others, Colorado State Patrol said Monday. (More)

➤ Windsor: The town closed Windsor Lake to motorized boating for 2026 as officials project rapidly declining water levels due to low snowpack and irrigation demands. (More)

➤ Longmont: Meanwhile, the swim beach at Union Reservoir will be closed all summer due to low water levels, though wading and certain other activities will be allowed. (More)

➤ Wolcott: A local climber who survived a 40-foot rock climbing fall late last year credits Eagle County paramedics and recently added whole blood units with saving her life. (More)

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➤ The Colorado Avalanche open Game 1 of the NHL Western Conference Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights tonight at Ball Arena, coming off an 8-1 playoff record. (More)

➤ The Denver Nuggets are expected to part ways with center Jonas Valanciunas this offseason, potentially waiving him to save around $8 million. The 14-year NBA veteran could return to Europe, where EuroLeague clubs pursued him last summer. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, Nuggets lead assistant Jared Dudley interviewed with the Trail Blazers for their head coaching vacancy. (More)

➤ Yesterday's Results: NBA | MLB | NCAAB | Soccer | WNBA

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➤ Denver City Council unanimously approved a one-year moratorium, effective Thursday, on new data center construction projects while a task force studies impacts and drafts regulations over the next 12 months. (More)

➤ Gov. Jared Polis is expected to sign a revegetation bill pushed by Arkansas Valley communities, which say it provides valuable protections against cities’ “buy and dry” practices for agricultural water. (More)

➤ The College Ave. shops at Fort Collins’ Foothills Mall were sold to two real estate firms, CenterSquare and Spark Properties Group. The properties include buildings housing tenants such as Nordstrom Rack, Lululemon, and LongHorn Steakhouse. (See Details)

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➤ Post Oak Barbecue in Denver, billed as the “most down-to-earth Texas barbecue you'll find anywhere in Colorado," is the state’s most iconic barbecue joint, according to a new state-by-state list. (See List)

➤ Adele, a Denver police dog, is retiring after serving eight years as a Narcotics Detection K9 and helping to seize over $1 million in narcotics. (See Photos)

➤ Opera Colorado is inviting local singers to audition on June 4 and 6 for its upcoming season’s chorus, which will perform productions of Verdi’s Macbeth and Mozart’s School for Lovers (Così fan tutte). (See Details)

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Trump Endorses Paxton, Pentagon Pauses Wind Projects, and a Wet Tesla

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act. Texas had already done something similar as a Republic in 1839.

Tesla Cybertrucks are equipped with a "Wade Mode," meant to allow them to drive through bodies of water. Jimmy Jack McDaniel decided to test the feature at Grapevine Lake. It did not go well. See the Around Texas section for details.

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Trump Backs Paxton Over Cornyn

President Trump upended the Texas Republican Senate race Tuesday, endorsing Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn just one week before the May 26 runoff—a move that caught Cornyn off guard after months of uncertainty.

Trump praised Paxton on Truth Social as "a true MAGA Warrior," while criticizing Cornyn for being slow to back him during his 2024 presidential run. Senate GOP leaders, including Majority Leader John Thune, spent months urging the president to support Cornyn.

Some Senate Republicans vented frustration. "John Cornyn is an outstanding senator and deserved in my judgment the president's support. Obviously it's the president’s call but I’m disappointed that he did it," said Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).

The Texas race has already become the most expensive Senate primary in U.S. history, with both parties spending well over $100 million. The winner faces Democrat James Talarico in November.

CDC Ebola Ban Clouds World Cup

With the WHO declaring Ebola a global health emergency, the CDC has banned entry for non-U.S. citizens from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan—putting Texas' two World Cup host cities in an unexpected bind.

The CDC's 30-day emergency order suspends entry for foreign nationals who visited those countries within the last 21 days—the maximum incubation period—and covers players, coaches, officials, and fans.

Congo's national team was slated to base in Houston and play a Group Stage match on June 17. Their participation is now in jeopardy, with organizers awaiting FIFA guidance.

Houston public health leaders are urging residents to prepare, not panic, stressing that the Ebola risk to the general population remains extremely low. Screening protocols are in place.

Wemby Goes Huge, Spurs Take Game 1

Victor Wembanyama dropped 41 points and 24 rebounds in a double-overtime thriller in Oklahoma City on Monday night, joining David Robinson to become the second Spurs player with over 40 points and 20 rebounds in the playoffs.

Wemby's performance ultimately helped stake the Spurs to a 122-115 Game 1 win over Oklahoma City in the Western Conference Finals, despite the Thunder forcing two overtime periods.

The series stays in Oklahoma City for Game 2 tonight at Paycom Center, before shifting to San Antonio for Games 3 and 4.

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➤ Statewide: The Pentagon has paused permits for 54 onshore wind projects in Texas—part of a 165-project nationwide hold—citing national security concerns, leaving billions in energy investment in limbo across West Texas and the Panhandle. (More)

➤ San Antonio: More than 10,000 Bexar County voters cast ballots on Day 1 of early voting for the May 26 primary runoff, with U.S. Senate, attorney general, and congressional seats on the ballot. Early voting runs through May 22. (More)

➤ Dallas: Former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred and incumbent Rep. Julie Johnson continued their fierce campaigns in the 33rd Congressional District Democratic primary runoff. (More)

➤ Houston: Houston ISD will limit special education class sizes under a new model launching in the 2026-27 school year, part of a broader restructuring of services for more than 21,000 students with disabilities. (More)

➤ El Paso: El Paso ISD's latest quarterly report reveals an estimated $96 million funding gap driven by state funding shortfalls, as district officials weigh bond options to address capital needs. (More)

➤ Lake Grapevine: A driver intentionally steered a Tesla Cybertruck into Lake Grapevine to demonstrate the vehicle's "Wade Mode" wading capability, but the Cybertruck became disabled and took on water, police said, prompting the driver and a passenger to abandon it. (See Photos)

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➤ Texas took two of the SEC's five major baseball awards heading into the conference tournament. Outfielder Anthony Pack Jr. won Freshman of the Year, and outfielder Aiden Robbins took Newcomer of the Year. Texas A&M first baseman Gavin Grahovac earned Scholar-Athlete of the Year. (More)

➤ The Dallas Wings women's basketball team answered coach Jose Fernandez's public "selfishness" call-out with a dominant blowout of the Washington Mystics Monday night at College Park Center in Arlington. (More)

➤ The Texans and Cowboys are teaming up to host the first-ever girls flag football state championship at UNT on June 13-14, part of a broader push to get the sport sanctioned by the UIL. (More)

➤ Austin FC fired head coach Nico Estevez and sporting director Rodolfo Borrell this week after a 3-6-5 start to the MLS season. (More)

➤ Houston is preparing to host seven FIFA World Cup matches this summer, with an estimated 500,000 visitors expected and downtown hotel bookings up 66% in June and 83% in July. (More)

Yesterday's Results: NBA | MLB | NCAAB | Soccer | WNBA

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➤ H-E-B, based in San Antonio, was ranked No. 2 among Texas companies on Forbes' list of America's largest family-owned businesses. Enterprise Products Partners, based in Houston, was ranked first in Texas. (More)

➤ Central Texas home sales are trending upward, with Unlock MLS data showing year-over-year gains in both sales volume and median prices across the Austin metro. (More)

➤ Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is taking its Texas-style sausage to grocery shelves, with the Dallas-based chain's products now available in Kroger stores statewide. (More)

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One reader called The Pour Over "the only news that doesn't leave me feeling anxious." We agree. It’s like a sanctuary for your inbox.

Here’s what you’ll get:

Clarity: Brief summaries of world events.
Conviction: Staying informed without losing your peace.
Community: Join 1.5 million Christians who refuse to be manipulated by algorithms.

Stop scrolling for answers and start your morning with the truth. Join for free, now.

➤ A stranded shrimp boat ran aground at Crystal Beach on the Bolivar Peninsula, quickly becoming an unlikely roadside attraction drawing beachgoers and photographers to the Gulf Coast shore. (See Photos)

➤ ABC's Grey's Anatomy is getting a Texas spinoff set at a rural hospital, with Shonda Rhimes returning as co-creator. The series is expected to debut in the 2026-27 TV season. (More)

➤ Dallas foodies have a packed Memorial Day weekend ahead, with back-to-back Texas BBQ and pickle-themed festivals plus Dallas Tiki Week, making it one of North Texas's busiest food weekends of the year. (More)

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