Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1905, filmmaker, businessman, and aviator Howard Hughes was born in Houston. He is known for producing landmark films Hell's Angels (1930) and Scarface (1932), purchasing Trans World Airlines, and setting multiple air speed records.

Check out this drone video of Austin's famous Trail of Lights.

To provide the Texas Flyover staff additional time with their families over Christmas, today's edition and those for the next few days will be a little shorter than usual. We'll be back with a full edition on Monday.

Today's sponsor, Money.com, wants to help you find out if you're overpaying for car insurance by comparing your current coverage in just a few minutes to see if you could put real money back in your pocket.

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.

Remains to be Removed from Cemetery

The National Defense Authorization Act includes a provision sponsored by Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz to disinter the remains of Vietnam War veteran and convicted rapist Fernando Cota from the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Cota was the prime suspect in the murders of six women before he died by suicide in 1984. The son of one of Cota's alleged victims urged Congress to remove his remains from the military cemetery.

"Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery is a sacred resting place for more than 170,000 respected veterans and their loved ones, and it would be a slap in the face to each one of them to allow Fernando Cota, a convicted rapist and alleged serial murderer, to remain buried amongst such heroes," said Cornyn.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has not indicated a timeline for the disinterment process, but Cornyn's office suggested it would be completed within the next year.

Moving Data Shows Balanced Migration

The number of people moving to Texas this year roughly equaled the number leaving the state, according to data from moving company Atlas Van Lines.

It's the second consecutive year that outbound migration and inbound migration each accounted for 50% of the company's moves in Texas. Between 2019 and 2023, Atlas reported that at least 56% of Texas moves were inbound, with a high of 57% in 2021.

"Whether it's having no income tax that's drawing people in or the political climate and social issues that's pushing them away, these findings underscore the ongoing push-pull dynamic of [Texas's] migration patterns," Atlas said.

This year, Arkansas led the nation with 68% of moves coming from inbound migration, while Louisiana had the highest percentage of outbound moves (66%) for the second year in a row. Overall, fewer Americans are moving than in recent years, a consequence of being locked into low-rate mortgages, according to the report.

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Car insurance premiums are up 64% since 2020

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➤ Conroe: The Conroe Professional Fire Fighters Association has sued the city for rejecting its ballot initiative that would authorize the city's firefighters to engage in collective bargaining. (More)

➤ Austin: Authorities arrested three illegal immigrants from Latvia suspected of operating a high-tech gift card scheme that has defrauded customers of $14 million. (See Details)

➤ Dallas: Xavier Mayfield, an 18-year-old South Oak Cliff football player, admitted to accidentally shooting his teammate just hours after their team won the state championship on Saturday, according to police. The unnamed victim is reported to be in stable condition. (More)

➤ Venus: Controversial social media content creator Ash Trevino, 36, was arrested for alleged healthcare and welfare fraud last week. She was released on a $15,000 bond and has vowed to fight the charges. (More)

➤ Calhoun County: Conservation groups purchased more than 3,000 acres of coastal wetlands to preserve as a habitat for the area's endangered whooping cranes. (More)

➤ Austin: Samuel Grey Horse has been spreading Christmas cheer for more than a decade by dressing up as Santa and riding his horse through downtown Austin. "This is what I do, and this is who I am," he said. (Watch Video)

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Are you overpaying for car insurance?

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