Jumat, 19 Juni 2026

Data Centers, Next Step, and a Bluegrass Festival

Friday, June 19, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1874, President Ulysses S. Grant reinstated Edward M. McCook as the seventh territorial governor of Colorado.

Denver is the Mile High City—but where in the city can you go to be exactly one mile above sea level? As we report in our Top Stories, the answer is your complicated than you might think.

If you've been reading The Flyover for a while, you've probably heard us talk about LMNT before. It's become one of our favorite sponsors because it solves a real problem many people deal with every day: staying properly hydrated. With summer temperatures climbing, now is a great time to see why so many of The Flyover readers have made LMNT part of their routine.

'Dark Money' in Democrats’ Primaries

About $2 million in untraceable money has flown into a handful of Colorado Democrats’ statehouse primaries ahead of the June 30 election.

The funds back more moderate candidates over liberal incumbents in districts across the Denver metro and high country. Three nonprofits that don't disclose their donors are routing cash through eight state-level super PACs.

On the other side, Colorado Labor Action—funded mainly by teachers unions and the AFL-CIO—has spent about $800,000 backing more progressive candidates in several of the same races.

Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, whom a recent poll showed as a slight favorite in the race for governor, entered June with more than $4.6 million in direct campaign donations and $8 million amassed by a super PAC.

Front Range Moves Against Data Centers

Denver, Jefferson County, and Longmont have all moved recently to block new data center development, reflecting regional backlash over rising electricity bills, pollution, and developer tax breaks.

Longmont City Council banned hyperscale data centers—capping energy usage at either 5% of the region's grid capacity or 100 megawatts—in a 6-1 vote last week. In May, Denver City Council and Jefferson County both approved moratoriums on new centers.

At the state level, the legislature this session let two competing data center bills die without resolving the standoff, leaving a statewide framework to wait until 2027.

Denver ‘Mile High’ Marker Moving

Denver is getting a new Mile High marker—this time, accurate to the centimeter—on the State Capitol's west steps, part of a sweeping national reassessment by NOAA's National Geodetic Survey.

The existing markers—at the 15th, 18th, and 13th steps—were set relative to the sea-level measurement systems of their days, in 1909, 1969, and 2003 respectively.

Since then, the reference framework for spatial measurements used by GPS and mapping systems has changed, making new, more precise measurement necessary.

The new marker is expected to be placed before Colorado Day on Aug. 1, just in time for the state's 150th birthday celebration.

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➤ Larimer County Sheriff's Sgt. Jeremy Coleman and Deputy Ethan Powers were two of three motorcyclists fatally struck by a driver in Idaho on Tuesday. The third victim, Nathan McCormick, was Coleman's son-in-law. The driver, a Colorado Springs woman, has been charged with manslaughter. (More)

➤ Superior: Amid historic drought conditions, residents are caught between water conservation and local HOA rules requiring green lawns. (More)

➤ Statewide: Ahead of the June 30 primary, an investigation found some candidates’ political advertisements use imagery and language to imply endorsements that were never given, including from figures like Pope Leo XIV and former President Barack Obama. (More)

➤ Fort Collins: A man has received nearly $400,000 to settle an excessive force lawsuit against the city’s police services. (More)

➤ Chaffee County: Investigators are looking for the person who allegedly tried to start a forest fire near Clear Creek Reservoir last weekend. (More)

➤ Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park has implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions as dry conditions and heat elevate wildfire risk across the Western Slope. (More)

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➤ Chicago took the series in an 8-6 win against Colorado at Wrigley Field, handing the Rockies another road loss as the team continues to struggle through a difficult season. (More)

➤ Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper is out on $1,000 bond after appearing in Douglas County court on felony assault and protective order violation charges stemming from two separate domestic incidents this month. (More)

➤ Littleton City Council approved a funding package for 1st Street Farms, a proposed 5-acre community hub backed by Peyton Manning. The project includes a 15,000-square-foot restaurant and event barn, with groundbreaking targeted for later this year. (More)

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➤ The National Western Center, home to the famous National Western Stock Show, announced that Kate Girotti will be taking over as its new CEO. The center is in the midst of a $1.6 billion redevelopment. (More)

➤ A Colorado Department of Revenue employee filed a class-action lawsuit alleging the state failed to pay her the local minimum wage when employees relocated to a Denver office building. (More)

➤ With temperatures topping 100 degrees this week, seniors receiving social security and other Coloradans on fixed incomes are feeling the squeeze. Xcel Energy is proposing a roughly 6% rate hike as early as August, pending PUC approval. (More)

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➤ A bear was caught on camera sneaking into the Castle Rock Police Department’s parking lot by shimmying over a chain-link fence. (See Video)

➤ The Telluride Bluegrass Festival kicked off last night and runs through Sunday. Tips include arriving early, packing layers, and surrendering to the mountain magic. (More)

➤ America's oldest whitewater festival is underway along the Arkansas River in Salida. The four-day run through Sunday features kayak races, a raft rodeo, live music, and the beloved Tenderfoot Hill Climb. (More)

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➤ A new King Tut discovery has shocked doctors. It was once called “The Cure for Every Disease except Death,” and modern labs now say it shrinks tumors, slashes cholesterol, and cuts pain in half. Why haven't you heard about it? See the truth here while you can.

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ The flip phone is making a comeback, and this time it's built to keep you off your phone. (Hear Details)

➤ Several high-ranking Trump officials have adopted the same diet, and one credits it with reversing a heart condition. (Hear Episode)

➤ A Los Angeles warehouse fire released hazardous gas and smoke, forcing air quality warnings across the region. (Listen Now)

Have you ever been whitewater rafting?

Yesterday's Results:

How do you feel about license plate-reading cameras?

Support: 31%
Oppose: 29%
Neutral: 18%
Not sure: 14%
Other: 8%

How did Huerfano County get its name?

Show me the answer

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Uber Robotaxis in Houston, Fake FIFA Merch, and Winning Texas Wines

Friday, June 19, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1865, Union Gen. Gordon Granger stepped ashore in Galveston and announced that slavery in Texas was over—the moment that became Juneteenth, now a national holiday.

Japanese World Cup fans are making an impression on Texans. Not only did they get noticed for cleaning up AT&T Stadium in Arlington after their match against the Netherlands on Sunday, but they seem to be having some Texas-sized fun between matches, as well.

Have you run into any international travelers in the state for the soccer matches? Hit reply to tell us about it.

Supreme Court Sides with Texas Man

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Thursday that the government cannot strip a Texas man of his guns because he uses marijuana.

The decision in U.S. v. Hemani favored Ali Danial Hemani, charged under a 1968 law after FBI agents found a handgun and marijuana at his Texas home. He faced no other charges and wasn't accused of being armed while high.

Writing for the court, Justice Neil Gorsuch said the government can't treat everyone who regularly uses marijuana as "categorically violent and dangerous." The narrow ruling leaves the underlying ban intact and marked a loss for the Trump administration, which defended it.

The case drew unusual allies. The ACLU and the National Rifle Association backed Hemani, while gun-control group Everytown and the Justice Department argued that habitual drug users pose a danger that justifies the ban. Gorsuch said the government hadn't met its burden to prove that.

Texas Weighs Data-Center Grid Rules

Texas energy regulators are close to approving a new way to screen data centers flooding the grid with connection requests.

The Public Utility Commission was set to vote yesterday on an ERCOT plan to study data-center hookups in groups, or "batches," rather than one at a time. ERCOT says its old system, built for 40 to 50 large projects, was swamped by 225 requests last year, about 70% of them data centers.

The first round, "Batch Zero," would screen only projects that have already locked in land and financing, separating serious proposals from speculative "paper" ones. Supporters say the change protects grid reliability, while some residents worry about the strain on power, water, and neighborhoods.

The overhaul follows a directive this month from Gov. Greg Abbott, who told regulators to make data centers pay for their own grid upgrades and to keep those costs off residential bills.

Uber's Lucid Robotaxis Coming to Houston

Uber, Lucid, and Nuro have named Houston as the second market for their autonomous robotaxi program, with service launching by mid-2027 exclusively through the Uber app. The service will launch first in the San Francisco Bay Area later this year.

The fleet will use Lucid Gravity SUVs running Nuro's Level 4 self-driving platform, paired with cameras, lidar, radar, and a roof-mounted "halo."

Nuro is already road-testing nearly 100 vehicles, with safety operators, across California and Texas. Uber has secured a 50,000-square-foot Houston depot that draws more than 4 megawatts of power, with 40 fast chargers and 15 maintenance bays.

Flying together with our sponsor

The Hydration Product We Keep Coming Back To

There are a lot of wellness products out there. Very few become repeat sponsors because very few consistently resonate with our audience the way LMNT does.

That's where LMNT comes in.

Even better, they've rolled out refreshing summer flavors like Lemonade and Iced Tea that are perfect for warmer weather.

Check out LMNT today and claim your free gift with purchase.

➤ Houston: Customs officers at the Port of Houston seized more than $6 million in counterfeit FIFA World Cup merchandise, including roughly 12,000 fake Adidas jerseys, 4,500 soccer balls, and 2,200 phony Apple watches and earbuds. Most shipments came from China. (See Details)

➤ Odessa: The Permian Basin is rallying around the family of Lt. Isai Huerta, a nine-year Odessa Fire Rescue veteran who died June 14 battling a trailer fire. It was the department's first line-of-duty death since 1991. (More)

➤ Weslaco: A widened drainage ditch intended to move water faster is instead trapping it in backyards after Monday's heavy rain, residents say. Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 says the southwest drain is working as designed, but will weigh fixes like inline drains. (More)

➤ Nacogdoches: A federal judge ruled that two Stephen F. Austin State University athletes can continue to press their Title IX lawsuit over the school's 2025 cuts to women's beach volleyball, bowling, and golf, while dismissing five other plaintiffs' claims. SFA reinstated the teams after the suit but denies discrimination. (More)

➤ Waco: Kimisha Denise Mathis, 41, was sentenced to 20 years for luring Lee Murrow, a 32-year-old Bellmead mechanic and father of three, to his death, then helping dump his body in the Brazos River. Her co-defendant was sentenced to 40 years. (More)

➤ Fort Bend County: A surge in mosquitoes after weeks of rain has prompted Judge Daniel Wong to declare a public health emergency, clearing the way for aerial spraying. (See Details)

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➤ The U.S. soccer team faces Australia today in Seattle in a Group D World Cup clash. El Paso natives Ricardo Pepi and Alejandro Zendejas are in Mauricio Pochettino's squad. (Details)

➤ In other World Cup action, the Netherlands faces Sweden tomorrow at Houston's NRG Stadium, followed by Lionel Messi and Argentina against Austria on Monday at Arlington's AT&T Stadium. (See Schedule)

➤ Texas A&M landed Texas State right-hander Wade Cooper via the transfer portal, the Aggies' third pitching addition this offseason. The freshman reliever posted 73 strikeouts in 66.2 innings, five saves, and a 4.72 ERA, joining Michael Earley's rebuilt bullpen for 2027. (More)

➤ The Protect College Sports Act cleared the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee 19-9 on Thursday, heading to the floor despite SEC and Big Ten opposition. The Cruz-Cantwell bill regulates athlete pay, caps transfers, and grants the NCAA limited antitrust protection. Majority Leader Thune wants a vote before August. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | MLB | WNBA | Golf

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➤ Daikin plans to hire roughly 400 production workers at its Waller campus, the Daikin Texas Technology Park, one of North America's largest factories. It's holding a career fair there today, bucking recent layoffs at some Texas employers. (More)

➤ A 20,000-square-foot Tudor mansion on Lexington Avenue in Highland Park is headed to auction after its asking price slid from $36.5 million to $29.9 million. Owners Larry and Joyce Lacerte are downsizing to a condo in a Knox Street tower. (More)

➤ The Tyler-born Ruby's Mexican Restaurant chain, known for its birria tacos, opened its sixth East Texas location in Gresham, on County Road 165. Owner Ruby Abarca was joined at the opening by the Tyler Hispanic Business Alliance. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

Flying together with our sponsor

A Summer Staple for Many of The Flyover Readers

We don't partner with companies repeatedly unless they're delivering value to our audience, and LMNT has done exactly that.

Plus, Flyover readers can currently receive a free gift with purchase.

See what all the buzz is about and get the details here.

➤ Houston is marking Juneteenth with celebrations across the city, headlined by "The Reunion" at Emancipation Park, featuring music, food, and a domino tournament. Many businesses and government offices are closed for the federal holiday. (See Events)

➤ Susie Scheiber of Brownsville, 17, is training her dog, Ash, to become a certified therapy dog for a local military veteran, the centerpiece of her Girl Scout Gold Award project. (More)

➤ Forty-two Texas wineries won a combined 122 medals at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards—the state's best showing ever. Stonewall's Adega Vinho led with 15 awards, including gold for its 2021 Estate Tempranillo. Four Hill Country wines earned gold overall. (More)

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