Jumat, 28 Agustus 2026

ICE Officer Freed, the Bread Shed, and the Grappler

Friday, August 28, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1845, the convention that wrote Texas' first state constitution adjourned in Austin. Delegates had approved annexation 55-1, putting the Republic on its path to becoming the 28th state.

A Roundup story below describes Gov. Abbott's call for universities to create three-year bachelor's degrees to replace some traditional four-year degrees. Do you think that's a good idea? Hit reply to let us know.

Today’s sponsor, Tap Systems, is developing patented micro-gesture technology designed to give smart glasses the intuitive controls they’ve been missing as major tech companies push further into wearable computing.

ICE Officer Freed

An ICE officer wanted in Minnesota for the January shooting of an immigrant walked out of a Cameron County jail at 6:59 a.m. Thursday.

Christian Castro faces four assault counts for allegedly firing through a closed Minneapolis door on Jan. 14 and striking a Venezuelan man in the leg. Texas law caps extradition holds at 90 days, a deadline Castro reached Thursday after his May 29 arrest.

U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. ruled Wednesday that Minnesota's lawsuit to keep him jailed wasn't "ripe for adjudication" because Gov. Greg Abbott hasn't decided on the extradition request. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said, "Christian Castro will not escape justice in Minnesota."

Abbott's office says the state is still investigating whether Castro qualifies as a fugitive. If he does, a spokesman said, a governor's warrant "will be executed immediately."

Abbott Proposes 3-Year College Degrees

Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday called on Texas public universities to offer three-year bachelor's degrees in high-demand fields.

The accelerated degrees would require 90 credit hours instead of the traditional 120 and could save students up to $35,000 in tuition and living expenses. Abbott announced the plan at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches.

Abbott named information technology as one likely field and pointed to nursing as another, with legislation expected in May and programs ready for the next school year. Twenty-six states already offer reduced-credit bachelor's degrees.

SFA president Neal Weaver said enrollment has grown so fast that the university capped it this year. Earlier this week, Abbott also proposed discounted summer classes to help students graduate sooner.

Ross Fire Destroys Family Business

A Graford family vowed to rebuild after the Ross Fire destroyed their canoe-rental business on land they have held since 1928.

Rochelle's Canoe Rentals has operated along the Brazos River since 1969, on 50 acres Buddy Rochelle's grandfather bought for $500. "Rochelle's will rise again," he said after seeing the damage on Wednesday.

The fire has burned more than 85,000 acres across Palo Pinto and Jack counties and was just 21% contained Thursday morning, with nearly 200 firefighters on the lines. No injuries have been reported.

Katie Rochelle's husband, a Mineral Wells firefighter, saved the family's home as flames closed in. Ranchers across the fire zone are searching for scattered livestock; a volunteer group says more than 100 animals have died.

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Smart Glasses Need Their Touchscreen Moment

Without the mouse and keyboard, a computer would have been nothing more than an expensive paperweight.

Just like touchscreens on smartphones, these “inputs” unlock the tools that reshape society. Right now, despite 322% shipment growth in 2025, smart glasses are still missing theirs.

Enter Tap Systems. Unlike disruptive voice commands and distracting hand motions, Tap’s patented tech tracks 145+ distinct micro-gestures directly from your watch band. And it’s compatible with any manufacturer’s software.

To date, they’ve already shipped 45,000+ units of their products and brought in $5M+ in total sales. Now, as big-name players like Apple, Google, and Samsung begin flooding the space, the opportunity is for an input provider to become the industry standard.

More than 7,000+ people have already invested. Until midnight PT, if you join them, you’ll lock in 10% in guaranteed bonus shares on top of your stake. Don’t miss out.

➤ Amarillo: Texas DPS honored 13 Amarillo investigators for stopping a planned July 4, 2025, mass attack. Kevin Hunt, 19, was detained while surveilling event sites. A search found firearms, explosives, and a manifesto. Hunt pleaded guilty in April to a federal weapon of mass destruction charge. (See Details)

➤ DFW Airport: Officials expect 1.4 million travelers from Sept. 3 through Sept. 8, up 7.2% from last year, with nearly 257,000 projected on Labor Day itself, the busiest day. Airfares are running roughly 13% to 27% higher than a year ago. (More)

➤ Galveston County: Homeowners whose properties were damaged by Hurricane Beryl or other eligible 2024 storms may qualify for rebuilding money and repair reimbursements through a Texas General Land Office recovery program. (See Details)

➤ Waco: The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District confirmed an active tuberculosis case in the Waco community, Baylor University told students and staff in an Aug. 26 notice. The infected person hasn't been on campus in several weeks, and officials say there's no ongoing risk to the wider community. (More)

➤ Wylie: The City Council voted 7-0 not to renew Wylie's contract with license plate reader company Flock Safety, shutting down six cameras when the deal expires Oct. 13. The mayor cited concerns about data sharing. (More)

➤ Harris County: Half of Harris County households with children experienced food insecurity in 2023 and 2024, nearly triple the national estimate, a Rice University Kinder Institute study found. Among families earning under $35,000, 68% faced it, versus 14% of those earning $100,000 or more. (See Report)

➤ La Joya ISD reported three student threats at its schools this week, sending letters to families at Tabasco Elementary and Cesar Chavez Middle School. A middle schooler allegedly sent messages referencing a firearm. Officials deemed the threat non-credible and said there's no danger to students. (See Details)

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➤ TCU football revoked the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's press credential this week after the paper reported on a locker room fight that led to safety Jacob Fields' dismissal. The athletic director accused the coverage of endangering a student-athlete. (More)

➤ Texas Tech football signed former Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos as a backup to starter Will Hammond. The Big 12 confirmed Castellanos remains eligible despite attending an NFL minicamp this spring without signing a contract. (More)

➤ North Texas named veteran transfer Tayven Jackson its starting quarterback for the Sept. 5 opener at defending national champion Indiana, the school where Jackson played from 2023 to 2024. (More)

➤ Rare trading cards of Spurs center Victor Wembanyama and Hall of Famer Tim Duncan sold for a combined $556,345 at a Dallas auction last weekend, with Duncan's 1997 rookie card setting a new public-sale record at $330,645. (More)

➤ The American Arena League announced an expansion franchise in Lufkin that will begin play in 2027, bringing professional arena football to a market the league says hasn't had the sport in more than a decade. (More)

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➤ What Happens To Your Body When You Drink The Wrong Water Daily? Drinking the wrong kind of water could be the reason for skyrocketing levels of fatigue, weight gain, and rapid aging. That's why this former heart surgeon is urging all Americans to make this one tweak to their water now. Those who have are reporting better weight management, more energy, and smoother skin. ==> Watch this breaking presentation now

➤ Edgar De La Garza, a 46-year-old Brownsville businessman, pleaded guilty Tuesday in a Paycheck Protection Program fraud case. His firm submitted fake documents claiming two employees and a $14,000-a-month payroll, netting $36,600 in May 2021. His attorney says he's repaid the money. (See Details)

➤ Two University of Texas graduates turned a student side project into a Hyde Park bakery called Stoya Bread & Co., selling sourdough, bagels, and cookies from a self-service "bread shed" that trusts customers to pay. Sydney Stewart and Nicolas Montoya are planning a second shed in East Austin. (Read Story)

➤ Gov. Greg Abbott rang the closing bell Thursday at the grand opening of the NYSE Texas headquarters on Dallas' historic Old Parkland campus. Launched in March 2025, the state's first incorporated securities exchange has grown to include more than 120 issuers with a combined market capitalization of more than $2 trillion. (More)

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➤ Struggling with blood pressure management? The Vital Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor helps monitor your vital signs accurately at home without expensive doctor visits or unreliable readings. Learn more

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All Eyes Are on This 6,150% Growth Opportunity

People’s sunglasses can now do more than block Texas’ UV rays.

In 2025, AI smart glasses shipments jumped 322%. It’s just the start, too. By 2040, experts say this market will have grown another 6,150% as names like Apple, Google, and Samsung race in.

But user habits paint a different picture. Despite Meta's sales climbing, engagement-per-user fell. One major problem’s lingering, and Tap Systems thinks they solved it.

That issue? Nobody's solved how to control them. Voice is awkward in public. Frame buttons are tiny. But Tap’s patented tech can detect 145+ distinct micro-gestures, giving total control to smart glasses users. Even better? It’s compatible with any manufacturer’s tech.

They’ve already shipped 45,000 Gen 1 & 2 units, generated $5M+ in sales, and raised $20M+ from investors. And until midnight PT, you can join them as an investor and unlock 10% in guaranteed Tap Systems bonus shares on top of your stake.

This is a paid advertisement for TAP's Regulation CF offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.tapwithus.com

➤ Texas DPS patrol units began using the Grappler, a front-mounted net that snags a fleeing car's rear tire and brings it to a controlled stop. Two West Texas units carry the $8,000 system, deployed seven times since December. (See Details)

➤ Devin Way, a Lufkin-born actor, is one of 21 castaways on Survivor's 51st season, premiering with a two-hour episode Sept. 23. Way, 33, who played Dr. Blake Simms on Grey's Anatomy, joins the new "Open Era," where any past twist can return without warning. (More)

➤ Doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters, and EMTs get free San Antonio Zoo admission from Sept. 1 through Sept. 30 by showing a valid ID or badge at the entrance in the annual Frontline Heroes offer. (See Details)

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➤ Women Over 50: Why You're Losing Muscle (And 3 Ways to Stop It) Losing 1% of muscle yearly after 50? Harvard warns this leads to lost independence. But a Doctor of Physical Therapy discovered three simple rules to reverse age-related muscle loss—no weightlifting required. Takes seconds daily and delivers stronger bones, better balance, natural energy, and lifelong independence. (Learn more)