Tidak ada komentar:

Posting Komentar

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1948, Professor Ralphael O'Hara Lanier became the first president of what is now Texas Southern University, which was established by the Texas Legislature in 1947 as an institution for black students.

A new state law allows Texans to use gold and silver as legal tender, but there are a few twists. Check out the details in today's Roundup section, and let us know what you think of this development by shooting us a reply.

We think of The Texas Flyover as more than a news publication—it's a family. And if you're reading this, you're a part of it. Every morning, we show up in your inbox hoping to offer a grounded, honest start to the day. And we are grateful that you start your day with us.

This week, one of our own—David, our editor in chief and the second-longest serving member of The Texas Flyover team—underwent surgery. He's currently in the hospital recovering. We'd love to welcome him back with a wave of encouragement from the people he serves every day: you.

If you'd like to send David a get-well note, just reply to this email. We'll make sure he sees every message. Let's fill his inbox with support from across The Texas Flyover family.

We're sponsored today by a Flyover favorite, the Sonic Glow Toothbrush.

Don't feel like reading the national edition of The Flyover? Tune in to The Flyover Podcast! New episodes drop daily—watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, all in under 15 minutes.

Allred Announces Senate Run

Former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred has announced he is running for the U.S. Senate in a bid to become the first Democrat to win a statewide election in Texas since 1994. Last year, he lost a challenge to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz by nearly nine percentage points despite Democrats spending more than $130 million on the race.

Allred met with other prominent Democrats in May to discuss who would be the best to run for the seat currently held by Republican John Cornyn, who faces a tough primary contest with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. “Everyone else has to make their own decisions,” said Allred, who joins retired astronaut Terry Virts in seeking the Democratic nomination.

Allred said his campaign will aim to provide solutions to the rising cost of living and expose the flaws of “corrupt” politicians. “I know Washington is broken. The system is rigged, but it doesn’t have to be this way,” he said.

Allred outperformed Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in Texas during the 2024 election, and a recent poll shows he enjoys high favorability ratings in the state. The midterm elections are likely to be challenging for Republicans, whose candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas could struggle to coalesce party support after a contentious primary.

Local Campaign Updates

While news of Colin Allred's campaign for the U.S. Senate has dominated headlines, there have also been significant recent developments in two state senate races and the election to succeed the late Democratic Rep. Sylvester Turner of Houston.

State Sen. Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) said Monday he would not seek reelection after representing parts of North and Central Texas since 2010. State Rep. David Cook (R-Mansfield), who lost a contest for speaker of the Texas House to State Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock), indicated he would run for the vacant seat shortly after Birdwell's announcement.

In Tarrant County, State Rep. Nate Schatzline (R-Fort Worth) dropped out of the race to succeed former State Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) after local activist Leigh Wambsganss (R-Southlake) announced her intent to run. Wambsganss was quickly endorsed by Schatzline and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

Finally, legendary boxer George Foreman's son, George Foreman IV, announced he is running for the 18th Congressional District in Houston, which has been vacant since former Houston mayor Sylvester Turner died in March. Foreman will run as an independent and joins a field of 29 candidates.

Gold, Silver Designated Legal Tender in Texas

A new state law designates gold and silver as legal tender in Texas and outlines a process for conducting transactions. However, it stops short of requiring retailers to accept the precious metals as payment, and it doesn't prohibit the use of U.S. currency.

House Bill 1056 by State Rep. Mark Dorazio (R-San Antonio) aims to provide a framework for the clause in Article I, Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution, that stipulates that no state shall "make any thing but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts."

The law requires that gold or silver must be "marked with the specie's weight and purity" to be used as legal tender, and it allows the comptroller to establish an electronic payment system for precious metals held in the Texas Bullion Depository.

Banking associations opposed the legislation, claiming the framework lacks consumer protections, while other critics suggest that paying with precious metals could incur capital gains taxes. Proponents argue that gold and silver provide a hedge against inflation and government manipulation of fiat currency.

Flying together with our sponsor

Celebrate a brighter smile this 4th of July with the Sonic Glow Brush—now on special holiday offer!

This powerful toothbrush uses advanced sonic technology to remove plaque, stains, and buildup for a deep clean that feels like a professional polish. Featuring a smart timer, long battery life, and sleek design, it's perfect for upgrading your oral care routine. Don't miss this limited-time Independence Day deal—get a whiter, healthier smile and save big while supplies last.

Red, white, and clean! Order now before this offer disappears!

➤ Giddings: Dozens of Lee County residents attended a Monday meeting hosted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to oppose a proposed composting facility in Lincoln. "...We're gonna fight it if they try to bring it here," said County Judge Frank Malinak. (More)

➤ Houston: Chinese national Liren Lai was arrested by federal authorities on Friday and is charged with collecting information on U.S. Navy personnel on behalf of China's Ministry of State Security. The FBI also arrested his alleged co-conspirator, Yuance Chen, in Happy Valley, Oregon. (More)

➤ Statewide: A Department of Justice initiative to crack down on fraud in federal health care programs has implicated 48 Texans. A Monday announcement stated that 324 people have been charged for fraud-related crimes totaling $14.6 billion in intended losses. (See Details)

➤ Dallas County: A district judge has dismissed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's lawsuit against the city of Dallas and the State Fair of Texas over a policy that prohibits visitors from carrying guns on the fairgrounds. Judge Emily Tobolowsky did not explain her ruling. (More)

➤ Houston: Federal charges have been filed against 16 people accused of drug trafficking and the illegal possession and sale of firearms. Several Venezuelan nationals with suspected ties to the Anti-Tren transnational crime ring were apprehended. (See Details)

➤ Burnet: Firefighters battled a massive blaze at a tire disposal facility Monday afternoon and through the night. State Highway 29 was temporarily shut down. There have been no reports of injuries. (See Photos)

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

➤ Texas State has officially joined the Pac-12, becoming the ninth member of the newly revamped conference. The Bobcats will begin playing Pac-12 football games in 2026. (More)

➤ The Spurs, Mavericks, and Rockets have all been active through the first two days of NBA free agency. See all of their moves, including who the Mavs signed as a short-term Kyrie Irving replacement. (More)

➤ Texas is partnering with Learfield to launch an in-house NIL marketing agency, the Longhorn Sports Agency, which unifies branding and deal-making operations for student-athletes. (More)

➤ NHL free agency opened Monday and has continued throughout the week. The Dallas Stars have made several roster changes. (More)

➤ Yesterday's Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | Tennis

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Fire up the flavor this 4th of July with Flip Fork Pro! This double-sided grilling tool makes flipping burgers, ribs, and veggies fast, easy, and mess-free. Perfect for backyard BBQs and holiday cookouts, it's the ultimate upgrade for your grill game. Celebrate with sizzle—grab yours today!

➤ The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to consider an ExxonMobil appeal to a $14.25 million judgment against the company for violations of the Clean Air Act between 2005 and 2013 at its Baytown refinery. (More)

➤ Austin-based software giant Oracle revealed in its Monday SEC filing that it has secured multiple cloud computing agreements, including one expected to generate $30 billion in annual revenue starting in 2028. The company has announced plans to relocate its headquarters to Nashville. (More)

➤ Vispring, a London-based manufacturer of luxury handcrafted mattresses, opened a showroom in Dallas last month as part of an expansion into the U.S. market. Some of its mattresses retail for as much as $100,000. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Beat the summer heat with CoolWave Air! This compact, portable AC cools your space in minutes—no installation, no hassle. Perfect for bedrooms, offices, or on-the-go relief, it's your personal escape from sweltering temps. Stay cool, comfortable, and refreshed all season long. Order now before the heatwave hits!

Flying together with our sponsor

Upgrade your smile with the Sonic Glow Tooth Brush—designed to whiten teeth, remove plaque, and promote healthier gums using advanced sonic technology. This sleek electric toothbrush makes brushing effortless and effective. Get yours now and enjoy a brighter, cleaner smile with every use. Limited-time offer—order today!

➤ TxDOT has partnered with artificial intelligence company Rekor Systems to provide real-time traffic data in Houston to enable faster emergency response times. The service is already running in Austin and will eventually expand statewide. (More)

➤ Waco hosted the Texas Youth Classic golf tournament on Monday and Tuesday. Around 150 boys and girls from across the state competed in the event. (Watch Video)

➤ A golden retriever named Stella was rescued by San Marcos firefighters after getting stuck on the side of a cliff at the Purgatory Creek Natural Area. The firefighters had to rappel down the cliff to get to Stella, who was unharmed. (See Photos)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Blast away dirt and grime with the PowerStream Pressure Washer! Compact yet powerful, it easily tackles patios, driveways, siding, and more. No bulky machines or expensive services—just quick, effective cleaning right from your hose. Restore your home's shine in minutes with this lightweight, high-pressure cleaning solution!