Winter Storm Likely, 3,300+ ICE Arrests, and Knueppel’s 800th Point

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1856, the Know-Nothing party of Texas held its first open convention in Austin. The short-lived movement was the political manifestation of the anti-foreign, anti-Catholic secret society known as the American Order.

Former Texas Longhorns wide receiver Jordan Shipley was released from the hospital over the weekend after suffering severe injuries on his farm earlier this month. In a social media post, his wife shared that his doctors say his recovery thus far is "nothing short of a miracle."

Today's sponsor, Incogni, helps stop identity theft by removing your personal data from 420+ broker sites. Get 55% off with code FLYOVER.

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 Declares DEI Unconstitutional

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a 74-page opinion on Monday declaring that DEI policies in state agencies, public institutions, and local governments across Texas are unconstitutional. It also warns private companies that engaging in these practices could expose them to legal liability under state and federal law.

The sweeping opinion "overrules" one issued in 1999 by former Attorney General John Cornyn, which withdrew guidance directing state universities to refrain from using race-based criteria for admissions and financial aid.

Paxton claimed the withdrawal "muddied the waters" on the subject for decades, while Cornyn accused his U.S. Senate opponent of "showboating for attention."

The opinion identifies over 100 "woke state laws" and devotes particular scrutiny to the state's historically underutilized business contracting program, which he characterized as a pervasive, discriminatory regime.

The opinion doesn't carry the weight of law, but it could influence agency executives, school officials, and local governments to abandon DEI initiatives.

ERCOT Says It's Ready for Extreme Cold

Temperatures are expected to dip below freezing in much of the state for several days this weekend. On Monday, ERCOT said it "anticipates there will be sufficient generation to meet demand this winter."

Last month, the grid operator projected a 1% chance of ordering rolling blackouts in January and February as a last-resort move if demand threatens to exceed supply. Yesterday, ERCOT issued an advisory for below-freezing temperatures, with the possibility of precipitation, from Saturday through noon on Tuesday.

The grid operator came under intense scrutiny during a 2021 winter storm that left millions without power for days and killed more than 200 people.

Since then, a streamlined process for activating contingency reserves has been implemented, and power generators and transmission operators have upgraded their infrastructure to withstand severe weather.

Dallas Homebuilder Offering Cryptocurrency

Dallas-based Megatel Homes is launching a cryptocurrency rewards token called MegPrime after receiving a "no-action" letter from the Securities and Exchange Commission, effectively allowing the private company to move forward with the proposal.

The initiative is an extension of Megatel's 2019 program that provided renters with equity equivalent to a year's rent toward home purchases. Customers who use the token for payments to regular merchants can earn rewards such as rebates, discounted gift cards, and points redeemable for housing-related benefits.

"We've been always dreaming about coming up with a solution that can solve this housing affordability crisis," CEO Zach Ipour said. "We believe we can perfect this model and take it to the next level, merging real estate activity with the benefit of digital currencies," he added.

MegPrime is not being offered as an investment, and token holders won't get voting rights or receive profit distributions.

Flying together with our sponsor

Don't wait to become a victim. Take control of your identity.

Over 422 million people had their personal data exposed last year alone. And the easiest targets? People whose info is still floating around online.

Incogni tracks down and removes your personal details from 420+ data broker sites, people-search pages, public records, and more—automatically. They periodically check if your information appears on the data broker sites and remove it, so you get total peace of mind.

With their Unlimited plan, you can go even further. Google yourself and send them any link you find with your info on it. Their privacy team will assist you in getting it wiped.

Stop making it easy for identity thieves. Lock down your personal data before criminals take advantage of it.

Remove your data now—55% off with code FLYOVER

➤ The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments yesterday pertaining to the constitutionality of the Texas and Louisiana laws requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. Two other federal lawsuits challenging the Texas law are still pending. (More)

➤ Dallas: TxDOT rejected the city's request for an exemption to Gov. Greg Abbott's statewide order to remove "political" road markings. The city must remove rainbow-colored crosswalks from the Oak Lawn neighborhood by the end of the month or risk losing state and federal transportation funding. (More)

➤ Austin: The city has settled 78 civil lawsuits against its police officers over the past five years, according to records. The settlements total more than $37 million and range between $2,000 and $8 million. (More)

➤ Houston: An off-duty police officer was fired and charged with child endangerment for allegedly drag racing last Thursday with an 8-year-old child in the vehicle. According to authorities, he was clocked going faster than 130 miles per hour. (More)

➤ El Paso Electric has requested state approval to build a $473 million natural gas power plant for Meta's new $1.5 billion data center. Meta would fund the project and have exclusive use of its energy output for 5 years. (See Details)

➤ Rusk: Former Police Chief Scott Heagney filed a discrimination lawsuit against the city after being fired earlier this month. Before his termination, Heagney was negotiating a time to undergo an evaluation for PTSD, according to his attorney. (More)

➤ Fort Worth: Firefighter Caleb Halvorson, who suffered extensive injuries while responding to a call last September, received approval for several medical claims from the carrier that administers the city's workers' compensation policy after public outcry. "This is just like the bare necessity of what I need," Halvorson said. (More)

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

➤ The Longhorns were the highest-ranked Texas team in this week's AP women's basketball poll at No. 4, followed by TCU (No. 9), Baylor (No. 14), and Texas Tech (No. 19). (See Poll)

➤ FOX Sports' RJ Young's Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings for the 2026 college football season included four teams from the Lone Star State: Texas Tech (No. 4), Texas (No. 6), Texas A&M (No. 9), and SMU (No. 21). (See List)

➤ Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was fined $11,593 by the NFL for wearing eye black with the message "stop the genocide" during the team's wild card win over the Steelers—a reference to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He wore the same message before Sunday's loss to the Patriots. (More)

➤ San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama was named a starter in the NBA All-Star Game. The franchise's last All-Star starter was Kawhi Leonard in 2017. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Buried Hiroshima secret finally EXPOSED: If you thought history books taught you everything you needed to know about Hiroshima… you need to see this shocking video. The full story is finally coming out… and it's incredible. Watch Now.

➤ Medical cannabis provider Texas Original opened a 75,000-square-foot headquarters in Bastrop last month. It's the largest such facility in Texas. (See Photo)

➤ Grapevine-based GameStop is closing 470 stores in 43 states by the end of the month. The company closed 590 stores during the previous fiscal year. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, Houston-based women's clothing brand Francesca's is liquidating its inventory and "closing soon." The company, which has hundreds of locations across the country, reportedly owes vendors approximately $250 million. (More)

➤ Electricity demand for Texas data centers will exceed 40 gigawatts by 2027—the most in the nation—according to California-based Bloom Energy. (See Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Unexpected medical bills can add financial stress when you need peace of mind most. HealthLock uncovers billing errors, overcharges, and insurance mistakes that could be costing you hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars. With expert review and ongoing bill protection, HealthLock can reduce invalid medical expenses, so you can take back control of your healthcare with confidence. Enroll with HealthLock today.

Flying together with our sponsor

Scammers don't guess—they look you up.

Most scams don't start with malware—they start with public data. Addresses, phone numbers, and relatives are often pulled from data brokers and people-search sites. That's why scam calls can sound calm, specific, and legitimate.

Incogni helps reduce this exposure by removing personal data from these sources and monitoring for re-listing. When less of your information is easy to find, impersonation gets much harder.

Limit what scammers can find—save 55% with code FLYOVER

➤ Bryan and Michelle Hofmann are the morning co-anchors for Corpus Christi's KRIS 6. They got engaged on-air in September 2022 and were married in 2024. (See Photos)

➤ Bradford McMillan, the principal of Waco's Tennyson Middle School, is stepping down for a one-year deployment to Kuwait as a chaplain with the Texas Army National Guard. "Hearing stories of my father as an individual that always looked after soldiers, I felt a call to serve in the military in that capacity," McMillan said. (More)

➤ Texas has the second-highest concentration of risky roads in the country, trailing only Mississippi, according to a report by auto insurance comparison service iSelect. (More)

➤ Paul Box, a 45-year-old financial adviser from Waxahachie, is one of a few hundred people to run seven marathons on seven continents in just seven days. He won last year's event, averaging under 3.5 hours per race. (Watch Video)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Over 50 and feeling weaker or more forgetful? Johns Hopkins researchers warn of a "silent epidemic" that may raise frailty risk by 230%. The solution isn't medication—it's a forgotten, nutrient-dense superfood tied to Nobel Prize-winning research, said to support cognition, muscle strength, and bone health when eaten daily. Learn more.

Are you concerned about the power grid ahead of this weekend's winter storm?

Yesterday's Results:

How do you feel about prairie dogs?

No feelings: 28%
Important part of Texas: 27%
Cute: 23%
They're a nuisance: 22%

What Texas town is home to a giant roadrunner named Paisano Pete?

Show me the answer

Unsubscribe (Step One)

The Texas Flyover
1942 W Gray St
Unit #158
Houston, TX 77019

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1872, North Carolina's 34th governor, Thomas Bragg, died at age 61. A states' rights Democrat, Bragg served two terms, promoting internal improvements and banking reform. He was also the older brother of General Braxton Bragg, for whom Fort Bragg was originally named.

The chances of a significant winter storm hitting North Carolina are looking more likely. Read more in Top Stories.

Today's sponsor, Incogni, helps stop identity theft by removing your personal data from 420+ broker sites. Get 55% off with code FLYOVER.

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.

Winter Storm Likely This Weekend

Meteorologists are warning of a potentially major winter storm this weekend as confidence grows that an Arctic blast will interact with an active storm track. This could bring rare winter hazards across the Carolinas and the broader South starting Friday night.

Though details remain fluid, a mix of freezing rain, sleet, snow, and cold rain is expected, with precipitation peaking Saturday and Sunday.

Snow chances are increasing in western and northern North Carolina, while coastal areas like the Outer Banks may see mostly rain with some potential for a wintry mix.

Some weather apps show predictions of 6 to 15 inches of snow in parts of North Carolina, but meteorologists say it's too soon to pin down exact amounts. They note that ice poses the greatest threat, potentially causing power outages, tree damage, and treacherous travel conditions.

ICE Arrests Exceed 3,300 Across NC

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested more than 3,300 people in North Carolina during the first nine months of President Trump's second term, nearly double the total ICE arrests across the state during all of 2024.

This data, drawn from the Deportation Data Project between Jan. 20 and Oct. 15, doesn't include arrests made during the Border Patrol's Operation Charlotte's Web in November, which resulted in 425 arrests as of Dec. 3.

More than two-thirds of the arrests—many concentrated in the Charlotte and Triangle areas—occurred in local jails, prisons, and other detention facilities, often through agreements with local law enforcement or immigration detainers.

Nearly 400 of those arrested were on the Department of Homeland Security's "Worst of the Worst" list.

UNC-Chapel Hill Receives $10M Civics Grant

UNC-Chapel Hill's School of Civic Life and Leadership (SCiLL) has received a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The award includes a $10 million matching grant and $100,000 in direct funding to expand civic education, scholarship, and leadership development.

The grant, announced by SCiLL on Jan. 15, comes amid national concerns over declining civic knowledge, historical literacy, and civil discourse.

The funding will support the creation of eight endowed professorships in fields such as American political thought, constitutionalism, classical civic education, great books, and leadership.

It will also bolster graduate programs, including a planned doctorate in American thought and constitutionalism and a master's in military leadership. The funding will further enhance undergraduate teaching, public initiatives, and a Summer Civics Institute—already underway at the school—for K-12 educators and high school students.

Flying together with our sponsor

Don't wait to become a victim. Take control of your identity.

Over 422 million people had their personal data exposed last year alone. And the easiest targets? People whose info is still floating around online.

With their Unlimited plan, you can go even further. Google yourself and send them any link you find with your info on it. Their privacy team will assist you in getting it wiped.

Stop making it easy for identity thieves. Lock down your personal data before criminals take advantage of it.

Remove your data now—55% off with code FLYOVER

➤ Statewide: North Carolina congressional map critics, including the NAACP, voluntarily dropped their federal lawsuits on Jan. 16, conceding after judges upheld the GOP-friendly redistricting for the 2026 midterms (More)

➤ Cherokee County: A large fire at Andrews Valley Poultry Farm killed approximately 86,000 chickens and caused $5 million in damage to an industrial coop on Jan. 17. No injuries were reported, and the cause is under investigation. (More)

➤ Catawba County: State troopers have charged Juan Aguilar, 37, with two counts of felony death by vehicle and DWI after a head-on crash that killed 20-year-old Catawba College soccer player Fletcher Harris and his 19-year-old girlfriend, Skylar Provenza. (More)

➤ Cary: Mayor Harold Weinbrecht has terminated his consulting contract with WithersRavenel to protect the engineering firm from fallout, citing a "negative environment created at town hall by the actions of former Town Manager [Sean] Stegall," who allegedly mismanaged funds. (More)

➤ Wake County: The Senate has dropped its request for $638 million for the proposed N.C. Children's Hospital in southern Wake and now seeks $103.5 million in previously authorized financing amid an ongoing budget impasse with the House. (More)

➤ Triangle: More than 50 North Carolina brides allege Holly Christina Photography took upfront payments totaling at least $160,000 collectively for wedding photos and services that were never delivered. The company attributes the delays to a medical emergency. (More)

➤ Asheville: A technical glitch with Transportation Security Administration equipment at Asheville Regional Airport on Monday caused security lines to stretch up to 1 hour and 45 minutes—beyond the usual 12 minutes—leading to flight delays and missed departures. (More)

Enjoy reading Flyover North Carolina? Click here to share with your friends and family. ✈️

➤ Women's AP Poll: Duke was the only North Carolina team to make the Top 25 in this week's women's basketball AP poll, coming in at No. 21. (See Poll)

➤ Carolina Hurricanes winger Eric Robinson is expected to miss time with an upper-body injury after taking a hip-check from an opposing player this week. If it's a shoulder injury, which seems likely, he could be out for a while. (More)

➤ Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel scored his 800th career point in just 42 games—the fastest of any player in franchise history to hit the milestone. (More)

➤ Zero teams from the state made FOX Sports' Way-Too-Early college football rankings for the 2026 season. (See List)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ HendrickCars.com signed a multiyear agreement to become the official automotive retailer for the Truist Championship in a deal that includes player transportation, sponsored seating areas on the course, and community outreach programs. (More)

➤ Buc-ee's in Mebane is spurring development along Trollingwood-Hawfields Road, including a new 128,000-square-foot Target store and a three-story Duke Health clinic. Target will announce an opening date as the project nears completion. (More)

➤ GameStop is closing 470 stores across 43 states, including 17 stores in the following North Carolina cities: Albemarle, Burlington, Charlotte, Durham, Gastonia, Greensboro, Mocksville, Monroe, Murphy, Raleigh, and Wilmington. (See Locations)

Flying together with our sponsor

Flying together with our sponsor

Scammers don't guess—they look you up.

Incogni helps reduce this exposure by removing personal data from these sources and monitoring for re-listing. When less of your information is easy to find, impersonation gets much harder.

Limit what scammers can find—save 55% with code FLYOVER

➤ North Carolina ranks No. 9 among the best states to drive in, thanks to low ownership and maintenance costs (No. 6), solid access to vehicle services (No. 10), fair safety performance (No. 28), and middling traffic and infrastructure (No. 31). (See Data)

➤ Fayetteville native Prince Purposed produced all the music for the Martin Luther King Jr.-inspired comedy King Blvd, which explores streets named after King across the U.S. and is now streaming on Amazon Prime and Tubi. (More)

➤ The northern lights were expected to be visible in parts of North Carolina Monday night into early Tuesday due to a G4 geomagnetic storm watch prompted by a coronal mass ejection. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor