Minggu, 19 Juli 2026

Abbott Seeks Trump Aid, New Sec. of State, and Longhorn NIL Deal

Sunday, July 19, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1876, the first Texas and Pacific Railway train rolled into Fort Worth. Residents had laid the last miles of track themselves to beat a state deadline, launching the town's rise as a cattle and rail hub.

In case you missed it, this week on The Flyover Podcast, Ayla tackled the phone battery problem that has almost nothing to do with your actual battery. It turns out a handful of settings are running in the background all day, quietly draining power without you ever touching them, and shutting them off costs you nothing. From the toggles most people never think to check to the ones switched on the day the phone left the box, Ayla walked through seven quick fixes that can stretch a single charge well past what you are getting now. See tips here!

Today's sponsor is Dr. Steven Gundry MD, sharing a collagen-building technique he says may help support strength, energy, and healthy aging beyond traditional collagen supplements.

Abbott Asks Trump for Flood Aid

Gov. Greg Abbott signed a major disaster declaration for 28 counties and asked President Trump for federal aid to help Hill Country communities recover from last week's flooding.

The declaration would unlock federal money to rebuild homes and infrastructure. State crews rescued more than 270 people, and local teams near Uvalde about 300 more.

The two who died included John Mark Steward, 65, a Westlake High School graduate whose Kerrville home washed away while his wife was away on a business trip.

The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country opened a relief fund for its 10 counties, with housing the top need, and Abbott pointed donors to the state's Rebuild Texas Fund.

Abbott Names New Secretary of State

Gov. Greg Abbott appointed his senior adviser and legislative director, Robert Howden, as Texas' 116th secretary of state, effective Saturday.

The move makes Howden, a Republican, the state's chief election officer less than four months before the November midterms.

Howden, who has served under Republican Governors Bill Clements, George W. Bush, and Rick Perry, replaces Jane Nelson, who stepped down Friday after three and a half years.

Abbott said Howden's experience prepared him to "protect the integrity of Texas elections." His appointment must be confirmed by two-thirds of the state Senate, which next convenes in January.

Talarico Outraises Paxton by Wide Margin

Democrat James Talarico raised a record $30 million from April through June for his U.S. Senate campaign, more than triple Republican Ken Paxton's $9 million.

Talarico, an Austin state representative, has raised more than $70 million since launching in September, with his campaign citing over 780,000 donors.

Paxton, who beat incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the May runoff, called his $9 million a personal-best quarter, most of it raised after he won the nomination.

Recent public polling shows the race essentially tied, and even Republican Sen. Ted Cruz has acknowledged Talarico could flip the seat. Talarico is trying to become the first Democrat to win a U.S. Senate seat in Texas since 1988.

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➤ Houston: The U.S. attorney for South Texas, Aaron Reitz, released new details in the July 7 fatal ICE shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, 52, saying officers had targeted two Guatemalan men in a similar van. The account complicated an earlier federal claim that Salgado Araujo struck a vehicle. (See Details)

➤ Statewide: Texas A&M Forest Service will buy its first state-owned firefighting aircraft, two Subaru Bell 412EPX helicopters, under a $257 million legislative appropriation, though the first will not arrive until December 2027. (See Details)

➤ Also Statewide: Attorney General Ken Paxton urged Texans to guard against donation scams, fake charities, and price gouging as flood recovery ramps up, warning that fraudsters often exploit disasters. (See Details)

➤ Houston: A United Airlines technology outage disrupted flights at Bush Intercontinental Airport, leaving travelers with delays before the airline said service was restored Saturday morning. (More)

➤ San Antonio: The city and its police union reached a tentative three-year contract that would raise officer base pay 16.5% and cost about $102.2 million, even as San Antonio faces a projected $158 million budget shortfall. Union members must still ratify it. (See Details)

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➤ Texas Longhorns players Cam Coleman and Colin Simmons signed NIL deals with Nike, joining teammates Ryan Wingo, Jonah Williams, and Dia Bell on the company’s roster of sponsored college athletes. (More)

➤ SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said reigning ACC champion Duke should’ve received a berth in last season’s College Football Playoff over Sun Belt champion James Madison, which suffered a lopsided first-round loss at Oregon. (More)

➤ Houston Astros prospect Lucas Spence made his major league debut Friday, collecting a single in three at-bats during a 3-2 loss to the Orioles. (More)

➤ Texas Rangers top prospect Sebastian Walcott returned to action in the Arizona Complex League this week, serving as the designated hitter while recovering from February surgery to repair a torn elbow ligament. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | The Open | MLB | WNBA

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➤ McKinney grandmaster Andy Woodward, 16, returns to St. Louis to defend his U.S. Junior Championship after an undefeated run last year, cementing his status among the world's top juniors. (See Updates)

➤ Gracie Chapman of Tyler turned the loss of her child into support for families enduring the fear and heartbreak of a neonatal intensive care unit, making encouragement bags to give to parents. (More)

➤ The Texas Rose Festival, Tyler's 93rd, kicked off Friday night, launching the city's signature celebration of its rose-growing heritage. (See Report)

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

➤ A legal battle over mail-in ballots took a major turn. (Hear More)

➤ A 94-year-old Chick-fil-A employee celebrated 20 remarkable years on the job. (Listen Now)

➤ Actor Gary Sinise found healing by helping others. (Podcast Available)