Thursday, March 26, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1930, former U.S. Supreme Court justice Sandra Day O'Connor was born in El Paso. The first woman to serve in the role, she was nominated by President Ronald Reagan in 1981 and retired in 2006.

After he was relocated from Port Aransas to Gator Country in Beaumont, Boots the alligator might have found a mate. Click here for details.

Planning a summer getaway just got more complicated. In today’s Flyover Podcast, host Amy Hess shares details from a new report on how changing conditions are rewriting the rules for booking flights. Should you book now or hold off? Tune in to hear what industry insiders are saying. Watch Now!

In Texas, a good cigar often goes hand in hand with a long evening outside, whether it is after a barbecue or a round of golf. Finding a quality assortment without overspending is not always easy, which is why sampler packs from today's sponsors at Best Cigar Prices have become a popular way to try premium brands without committing to a full box.

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.

Contracts Awarded for Border Wall

Contracts have been awarded for the construction of parts of a border wall in the Big Bend region, according to U.S. Border Patrol officials.

While a "smart wall" with advanced detection technology was initially planned for Big Bend National Park, the federal government later indicated that a physical wall would be built, then backtracked again. There are currently no plans to build a physical wall in Big Bend Ranch State Park, either.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers could begin surveys for a physical wall from Colorado Canyon to El Paso as soon as April 20, with construction expected as early as June. Eminent domain will be used as a "very last resort."

Meanwhile, the state has scrapped plans to build its own border wall, according to a recent statement from a Texas Facilities Commission official. Since the first segment was installed outside La Grulla in 2022, the state has spent $3 billion to build 82 miles of border wall.

Paxton Calls for Hancock's Removal

Attorney General Ken Paxton is calling on Gov. Greg Abbott to replace acting comptroller Kelly Hancock with Don Huffines, a former Texas senator who defeated Hancock in the GOP primary. Hancock criticized Paxton's defense of his efforts to exclude private Islamic schools from the state's new education savings account program.

In a Tuesday night social media post, Paxton called Hancock a "Never Trumper" and "incompetent loser" who "was rejected by Texans because he failed to do his job." Hancock was one of two Republican senators who voted to convict Paxton on impeachment charges in 2023.

In his letter, Hancock said Paxton's office failed to clarify the Houston Quran Academy's alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood in federal court. Hancock urged Paxton to revoke its charter and suggested he had been negligent in implementing a new law prohibiting foreign adversaries from acquiring property in Texas.

"The court cannot protect against threats it does not know exist," Hancock wrote, adding, "Texas cannot be asleep at the wheel as radical Islam spreads."

As of yesterday afternoon, neither Abbott nor Hancock had responded to Paxton’s demand.

McAllen Welcomes French Auto Company Factory

French automotive technology company Valeo broke ground Tuesday on a $225 million facility in McAllen that will manufacture the "brains" of new General Motors vehicles. The 337,000-square-foot plant is expected to create up to 500 jobs.

The factory will produce liquid-cooled central computing units for next-generation "software-defined vehicles." McAllen was selected for the project over Louisville and Detroit due to its local talent pool, according to Elizabeth Suarez of the McAllen Economic Development Corporation.

Hidalgo County approved a 50% tax abatement over 10 years for the facility. "I don’t even worry about incentives. What concerns me most is the creation of jobs and what it's going to bring, the sales tax dollars and what it's going to give to our communities," McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos said.

Researchers at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley calculated that the project could generate an annual economic impact of $514 million and $16 million in sales tax revenue. Production at the plant is expected to begin late next year.

Flying together with our sponsor

One sampler that has been getting attention is a 10-cigar collection featuring names like Drew Estate, Oliva, Rocky Patel, and Romeo y Julieta, all brands you would expect to see in a well-stocked humidor.

A few on our team have picked this one up recently and were impressed by the overall value and variety. It is an easy way to explore different profiles, from smooth and mellow to more full-bodied, whether you are relaxing on the porch or bringing a few along for the weekend.

You are getting a curated lineup designed to help you figure out what you actually enjoy without overcomplicating the process.

It also includes a free cutter and a $10 voucher, which adds a little extra to the deal.

Check out the sampler here →

➤ Lake Dallas: The owner of a home destroyed by an explosion and fire last week is suing Atmos Energy over the incident, which her lawsuit claims was caused by a natural gas leak. Jessica Bailey Lopez is seeking more than $1 million for her injuries. (See Details)

➤ Corpus Christi: The city council voted 5-3 Tuesday to review a petition to remove Mayor Paulette Guajardo over allegations she orchestrated the awarding of a tax incentive to a campaign contributor for the development of a hotel in 2024. The petition will be considered during the city council’s next meeting on April 14. (More)

➤ Hopkins County: A 51-year-old woman from Cumby was indicted by a federal grand jury on Monday for allegedly operating an unlicensed dog breeding facility. Nearly 90 dogs living in "deplorable conditions" were rescued from the site, where she allegedly shot and killed a dog tied to a tree. (More)

➤ Williamson County: Republicans will return to countywide voting for the May 26 runoff after precinct-based voting caused widespread confusion during the March 3 primary. (See Details)

➤ Hurst: Taneisha Thompson, whose recently posted video of her January arrest during a traffic stop went viral on social media, is threatening to sue the city, claiming the officer who arrested her used excessive force. The police department released body camera footage of the incident last week. (More)

➤ Grapevine: Attorney General Ken Paxton will address the Conservative Political Action Conference tomorrow night at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center. Sen. John Cornyn, his opponent in the GOP runoff for U.S. Senate, is skipping the event, saying he's "not going to sacrifice my work here in the Senate." (More)

Enjoy reading The Texas Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family. ✈️

➤ The Houston Cougars play Illinois, and the Texas Longhorns play Purdue in the NCAA men's basketball tournament tonight with a chance to advance to the Elite Eight. (See Schedule)

➤ Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros kick off their MLB seasons today with games against the Phillies and Angels, respectively. (More)

➤ The West Texas town of Plains—which has a population of just 1,355 residents—is spending $21 million to build a state-of-the-art football complex for the city's high school. (More)

➤ Texas Tech basketball coach Grant McCasland is being mentioned as a potential candidate for North Carolina's new coaching vacancy. The cost to buy out his current contract would exceed $10 million. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ What happens to your body when you drink the wrong water daily? Drinking the wrong kind of water could be the reason for skyrocketing levels of fatigue, weight gain, and rapid aging. That's why this former heart surgeon is urging all Americans to make this 1 tweak to their water now. Those who have are reporting better weight management, more energy, and smoother skin.†* But here's the catch…It has nothing to do with filtering your water, switching to alkaline, or any of the sort. ==> Watch this breaking presentation now

*All individuals are unique. Results can and will vary.
† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

➤ Amazon subsidiary Zoox is launching its robotaxi service in Austin later this year, joining competitors Waymo and Tesla in the state capital. Its bi-directional autonomous vehicles can accommodate four inward-facing riders simultaneously. (More)

➤ Buc-ee's now requires customers to pay for gas at the pump and won't accept gift cards for fuel purchases. (More)

➤ Valero said an "unforeseeable release of process fluid" sparked the explosion at its Port Arthur refinery Monday evening. Approximately 15,000 pounds of particulate matter, 6,000 pounds of carbon monoxide, and 900 pounds of VOCs were released during the explosion and subsequent fire. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ What if your shoes are causing your pain? Grounded Evolve footwear is designed to restore natural movement with a flexible, zero-drop sole that supports better posture and balance. Lightweight and breathable, they help reduce foot, knee, and back strain while keeping you comfortable all day. Try them risk-free today.

Flying together with our sponsor

Instead of guessing which cigars to buy, sampler packs like this make it simple. You get a mix of trusted brands in one shipment, ready for your humidor.

Between the variety, added extras, and approachable price point, it is a straightforward way to upgrade your rotation or stock up for the next get-together.

See what’s inside and order here →

➤ Dave Dillard of Livingston, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam, received his Purple Heart last Friday, nearly 58 years to the day after he was wounded in action. "I never thought that this day would probably come," Dillard said. (More)

➤ Theresa Miller, a business teacher at Amarillo High School, was named National Teacher of the Year by the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy. I'm kind of "speechless" and "overwhelmed," Miller said when she was surprised with the award during class on Tuesday. (See Photos)

➤ A family moving from Colorado to Florida was reunited with their dog about a week after she got loose in Wichita Falls. "My world is complete again," said Daniel Santos, a retired U.S. Army veteran. (Watch Video)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Digestive discomfort is something many people deal with, especially as routines, diet, and stress fluctuate. A new approach getting attention focuses on a simple, low-effort movement designed to support the body’s natural digestive process. It takes just minutes and can be done at home without changing your routine. See how it works here.