Jumat, 29 Mei 2026

Vance Speech, Million Dollar Highway House, and a Stowaway Marmot

Friday, May 29, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1975, 5.6 inches of snow fell in Denver, marking one of the city’s latest and heaviest spring snowstorms.

Vice President JD Vance addressed a total of 931 U.S. Air Force Academy graduates at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs yesterday. Read about the commencement ceremony in today's Top Stories.

Today's sponsor, Fisher Investments, is helping you plan your ideal retirement with a free guide designed to align your goals, timeline, and investment strategy for lasting financial confidence.

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.

Vance Addresses Falcons

Vice President JD Vance delivered the commencement address Thursday at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, marking the graduation of the U.S. Air Force Academy's Class of 2026.

The ceremony kicked off at 9 a.m. under cloudy skies and a hint of rain, with tens of thousands of attendees filling the stadium. The Air Force Thunderbirds capped the event with a flyover, though the full 30-minute airshow was canceled due to weather.

Vance, a Marine Corps veteran, spoke to the graduating class about the future of warfare, the evolving role of technology, and the current situation in Iran. Watch the speech here.

Vance had also been expected to make an appearance in Denver after the commencement, but that event was abruptly canceled Wednesday. The reason for the cancellation isn't clear.

Colorado Axes 173 State IT Jobs

The Governor's Office of Information Technology (OIT) laid off 173 employees Wednesday and named a new chief information officer, capping years of failed audits and poor service ratings.

The OIT, which runs the digital systems Coloradans use to access unemployment benefits, SNAP, and Medicaid, is cutting about 15% of its 1,150-person workforce. The restructuring is projected to save $4 million in the first year and $8 million annually after that.

Outgoing CIO David Edinger admitted satisfaction scores had barely moved on his watch. Deputy director Sarah Tuneberg takes over as CIO on June 1, with Edinger staying through June 11 to support the handoff.

OIT created 98 new positions under the revamped structure, and some affected workers may qualify for those roles. Officials were explicit that the cuts are driven by the new service model, not AI, and not Colorado's $1.5 billion budget shortfall.

Polis Signs Bear Law

Gov. Jared Polis on Wednesday signed a new law cracking down on the practice of feeding bears.

House Bill 26-1342 drops the legal bar from “intentionally” to “knowingly,” meaning anyone who leaves out food or trash can be charged with a misdemeanor for negligently luring bears.

For repeat offenders, fines climb to $5,000 for three or more violations, up from the previous cap of $2,000.

Colorado is home to 17,000 to 20,000 black bears. Wildlife officials say human-bear conflicts have become more frequent as the state's population has grown.

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➤ Statewide: Gov. Jared Polis signed a bipartisan wildlife crossings bill Wednesday, enabling Coloradans to voluntarily add $5 to their car registration to fund underpasses and overpasses that reduce deadly animal-vehicle collisions. (More)

➤ Evergreen: A bystander's video captured the moment an elk charged at a woman near Evergreen Lake. No injuries were reported. (See Video)

➤ Montrose County: Commissioner Sean Pond has withdrawn from Colorado's U.S. Senate race and has no current plans to run again. (More)

➤ Jefferson County: A jury trial is underway in the 2024 case of a former town council member accused of shooting a teen who trespassed on his property. (More)

➤ Boulder: Colorado State Patrol is asking for tips to identify the driver in a hit-and-run collision that seriously injured a 75-year-old cyclist. (More)

➤ Aurora: The estate of Kilyn Lewis filed a federal lawsuit against the city, alleging inadequate training, poor discipline, and racially biased policing within the police department led to a SWAT officer fatally shooting Lewis in 2024. (More)

➤ Avalanche legend Claude Lemieux died yesterday at 60. The four-time Stanley Cup champion spent five seasons with Colorado and won the 1996 title with the team. (More)

➤ Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar's injury is "pretty significant" and could keep him out of the start of next season. Makar missed the first two games of the Western Conference Finals and was visibly limited when he returned for Games 3 and 4 against Vegas. (More)

➤ Air Force football will have 10 games on national television this fall, the Mountain West announced this week. The Falcons open at home against Duquesne on September 5. (More)

➤ Former Broncos edge rusher Von Miller said this week he’s "for sure" playing in 2026 and has been lobbying Broncos coach Sean Payton to return to Denver. The 37-year-old Super Bowl 50 MVP is a free agent, but the Broncos have not shown interest. (More)

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➤ Colorado's Air Quality Control Commission unanimously approved more than $13.5 million in new emissions fees, with some reporting costs set to double for utilities, oil-and-gas drillers, landfills, and large manufacturers statewide. (More)

➤ Outside Days returns to Denver this weekend for its third year at a new downtown location, with gear demos, athlete appearances, and exhibitors showcasing Colorado's outdoor recreation economy. (More)

➤ Edison's Ice Cream is bringing its Fort Collins scoops to Greeley, opening a second location in the historic Salzman building on 8th Ave., with a grand opening celebration and buy-one-get-one scoops this Saturday. (More)

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➤ The $100 Billion IPO Everyone Is Watching. Elon Musk’s Starlink project could become one of the biggest IPOs in history, and investor James Altucher says there may still be a way for regular investors to position early for less than $100. He’s even revealing the free ticker behind his top pick. (More)

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Retirement Might Be Closer Than You Realize

Knowing when to retire can be tricky and when it comes to building a retirement plan often it’s hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together The 15-Minute Retirement Plan, to help you map out a path forward and navigate important financial decisions in
retirement.

This summer, our guide for investors with over $1 million can help you answer questions such as:

-How long will I need my portfolio to last?
-How can withdrawals impact my savings and investments?
-What trade-offs will I need to make when retirement planning?

Download your free guide today.

➤ An off-grid home for sale just off the iconic Million Dollar Highway has nearly 26 acres, three historic mining claims, a century-old structure, and a custom observatory. (More)

➤ A marmot stowed away inside a truck's frame in Lake City and rode more than 250 miles to Broomfield, where animal control officers safely wrangled the unexpected passenger. (More)

➤ This list of the best food and beer summer festivals across the state has everything from the Burger Battle to the Bacon and Bourbon Festival. (More)

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What do you think of Colorado’s new bear-feeding law?

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A secret garden for the weekend

Christoffers

Flowers & Gifts

❧

Friday at the Shop

A secret garden for the weekend.

Mr. Toad's Secret Garden is one of our favorite pieces in the shop right now — a whimsical, story-book arrangement that feels less like a bouquet and more like a moment.

Available in three sizes. Locally designed, locally delivered.

Standard

$125

Abbott Freezes Tuition, Overpriced Housing, and Name the Capybaras

Friday, May 29, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1939, the State Soil Conservation Board was organized in response to the devastating Dust Bowl of the 1930s.

If you're good at naming animals, the Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo in New Braunfels could use your help with a couple of baby capybaras. Scroll down to Et Cetera for details and answer the Poll question while you're down there about the most named pets you've ever had at once.

Today's sponsor, Fisher Investments, is helping you plan your ideal retirement with a free guide designed to align your goals, timeline, and investment strategy for lasting financial confidence.

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.

Paxton Faces Cash Challenge

Ken Paxton defeated four-term Sen. John Cornyn in the Texas Republican Senate primary runoff earlier this week, winning the GOP nomination for a November contest against Democratic state Rep. James Talarico, a contest that has national Republicans bracing for a costly fight.

Paxton had raised $7.6 million with $2.3 million cash on hand, while Talarico pulled in more than $40 million during the primary cycle. Talarico's campaign reported raising an additional $600,000 in the two hours after the runoff.

A GOP consultant warned the party may need to spend up to $100 million to hold the seat, potentially pulling resources from other battleground states as Republicans defend their Senate majority. Texas' roughly 20 media markets make statewide advertising among the most expensive in the country.

Cornyn pledged in his concession speech to support Paxton in the general election against Talarico, saying he trusts Texas voters.

Abbott Freezes Texas Tuition Again

Gov. Greg Abbott issued a directive this week ordering all Texas public colleges and universities to freeze undergraduate tuition and fees through the 2026-2027 academic year.

It's the fourth consecutive year Abbott has maintained the tuition freeze, a policy first introduced in 2023. The order covers all two-year and four-year institutions—both general academic and health-related schools—affecting hundreds of thousands of students statewide.

"Higher education must be attainable for Texas students and families," Abbott wrote to university presidents. Since the freeze began, Texas has invested more than $680 million in community college funding reform and $328 million more in expanded financial aid programs.

The governor also signaled he wants to extend these limits in future years, writing that Texas must "continue leading the nation in creating affordable pathways to higher education." The freeze covers both tuition and mandatory fees across all public institutions, including community colleges.

Fertitta to Acquire Caesars Entertainment

Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta struck a deal to acquire Caesars Entertainment in a transaction valued at $17.6 billion, capping a years-long pursuit of the casino giant.

The all-cash equity portion of the transaction totals approximately $5.7 billion—a 49% premium over Caesars' unaffected share price as of Feb. 25, 2026. Fertitta's company would absorb roughly 52 Caesars casinos across the U.S., adding to his existing Golden Nugget casino portfolio and Landry's restaurant empire.

The agreement includes a "go-shop" period through July 11, 2026, during which Caesars can solicit competing bids. Fertitta first approached the company about a merger back in 2018, making Thursday's announcement the culmination of an eight-year chase.

The Galveston-born mogul—who also owns the Houston Rockets—would become one of the largest gaming operators in the country if the deal clears regulatory and shareholder approval. Caesars shareholders must still vote on the transaction.

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Summer Reading List: The 15-Minute Retirement Plan

➤ South Texas: Three South Texas cities—Corpus Christi, Brownsville, and McAllen—rank among the nation's 10 most overpriced housing markets, part of a new report finding 11 Texas cities in the national top 50. (More)

➤ Statewide: The Department of Public Safety unveiled a $3.2 million counter-drone program to protect FIFA World Cup matches at AT&T Stadium in Arlington and NRG Stadium in Houston ahead of the June 14 kickoff. (More)

➤ Houston: Transportation officials warn some commutes near NRG Stadium could double on FIFA World Cup match days this summer, with disruptions expected across multiple corridors during the month-long tournament and downtown FanFest. (More)

➤ Laredo: U.S. Customs officers seized $455,000 worth of cocaine and ketamine at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge, arresting a 75-year-old U.S. man after a canine unit found 14 drug packages hidden inside his SUV. (More)

➤ Houston: A new study ranks Houston among the nation's deadliest metro areas for road fatalities, pointing to infrastructure funding gaps and dangerous intersection designs as key contributors to high crash rates. (More)

➤ Statewide: A new investigation asserts that school police officers across Texas tased, pepper-sprayed, and hogtied students—including a 10-year-old in Cypress-Fairbanks—sometimes in response to minor misconduct, raising use-of-force concerns. (More)

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➤ Texas Tech softball beat Mississippi State 8-0 in their first game of the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City yesterday. They'll play Tennessee on Saturday. (More)

➤ Texas softball, meanwhile, lost to Tennessee 6-3 in their first game of the WCWS yesterday, and will face elimination in a game against Mississippi State today. (More)

➤ Victor Wembanyama bounced back from a Game 5 loss to score 28 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks as San Antonio crushed Oklahoma City 118-91 Thursday night to tie the Western Conference Finals. The series now heads to a Saturday winner-take-all Game 7, with an NBA Finals berth against the Knicks at stake. (More)

➤ The five Texas schools that made the NCAA baseball tournament field—Texas, Texas A&M, Tarleton State, Texas State, and Lamar—open Regionals today. (See Schedule)

➤ Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott won the Pro Football Writers of America's Good Guy Award for his accessibility with local and national media. He is the first member of the Cowboys franchise to receive the honor. (More)

Did you miss the chance to contribute yesterday? The Texas Flyover was built to be different than mainstream media. No agenda. No spin. Just the news, clearly written, fairly covered, and delivered every morning to half a million readers across the state.

We're not backed by a corporation with an angle. We're supported by readers, and that's exactly how we want it.

Will you chip in to help support The Texas Flyover?
Give $10
Give $25
Give $50
Give $100
— The Texas Flyover

➤ Dallas Fed president Lorie Logan warned at a Bank of Japan conference in Tokyo that U.S. shale can't offset the global oil supply gap from the Hormuz closure, saying the world may need to consume less oil and gas. (More)

➤ H-E-B still hasn't reached El Paso, Texas' sixth-largest city, despite years of demand, as logistics and supply chain hurdles continue to block the San Antonio grocer's far-west expansion. (More)

➤ Houston SWAT officers used drones to raid Lucky J's Social Club on Richmond Avenue, arresting four to five people for illegal gambling after a months-long undercover investigation found gaming tables and more than $350,000 in cash. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

Flying together with our sponsor

Retirement Might Be Closer Than You Realize

This summer, our guide for investors with over $1 million can help you answer questions such as:

-How long will I need my portfolio to last?
-How can withdrawals impact my savings and investments?
-What trade-offs will I need to make when retirement planning?

Download your free guide today.

➤ Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo in New Braunfels is asking the public to help name two newborn baby capybaras at the Central Texas attraction. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, the San Antonio Zoo is offering free admission to all Texas teachers throughout June for Teacher Appreciation Month, plus 50% off tickets for up to four guests. (More)

➤ Wine & Food Week returns to The Woodlands June 3–7 for its 22nd year, featuring the theme "Going Places" with wine pairings, culinary events, and tastings at the Woodlands Resort in the Houston area. (More)

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