Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Spurs vs Knicks, Texas Boomtowns, and Officer Rescues Baby Deer

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1973, Governor Dolph Briscoe signed the Bilingual Education and Training Act into law, requiring Texas public elementary schools to provide bilingual instruction for students still learning English.

Two days ago, we asked about the person who has been the greatest (non-family) influence on your life, and so many of you emailed to tell us about teachers, scout masters, coaches, principals, recruiters, and college professors.

One thing is clear to us after reading all those stories: If you want to make a true and lasting difference in the world, show up for kids, teenagers, and young adults. It's hard to imagine there's a more meaningful way for any of us to invest our time, attention, and energy.

Today's sponsor, Oricle Hearing Aids, is helping readers hear more clearly without the sky-high prices—offering a tiny, easy-to-use hearing aid with clear sound and all-day power for under $100.

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.

Court Clears Texas App Age Law

Texas' law requiring age verification on app stores is now in effect after the Fifth Circuit's ruling stayed an injunction that had blocked it since December.

Senate Bill 2420, signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in May 2025, requires Apple, Google, and other app store operators to verify the ages of all users. Minors need parental consent before downloading any app or making in-app purchases.

Attorney General Ken Paxton had appealed the December injunction, and the Fifth Circuit's stay is temporary pending an appeal. Tech industry groups are challenging the law's constitutionality under the First Amendment.

Texas CDL Rules Shift Two Ways

Texas made back-to-back commercial driver's license policy changes Monday: mandating English-only written exams while simultaneously reopening a credential program for H-2A agricultural workers.

The Department of Public Safety announced that CDL and learner permit knowledge tests are now English-only, effective June 1. The change doesn't affect the hands-on skills test, which has always been English-only.

Hours later, DPS reversed course on a separate restriction, reinstating non-domiciled CDLs for H-2A workers under updated federal guidelines. Eligible workers with current licenses may continue using them until expiration. Those with expired credentials may file to have their credentials renewed.

The resumption follows a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rule change that took effect in March. H-2A applicants must appear in person at a DPS Driver License Office with all required documents.

Spurs Return to NBA Finals

San Antonio is back on basketball's biggest stage for the first time in 12 years, hosting the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals tonight at the Frost Bank Center. It's a rematch of the 1999 Finals, which the Spurs won for their first championship.

San Antonio got here by knocking off the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games. The young core—Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, and Devin Vassell—has been largely homegrown through the draft.

The Knicks are the league's hottest team, riding an 11-game playoff win streak and outscoring opponents by 23.8 points per game during that span—the most dominant 11-game stretch in NBA history. Their roster was built almost entirely via trades and free agency.

San Antonio opens as the series favorite, and Wembanyama is bettors' pick for Finals MVP.

Flying together with our sponsor

This Tiny Hearing Aid Is Changing Lives—And It’s Under $100

Big companies charge THOUSANDS for hearing aids—but guess what? You don’t have to pay that much! Oricle Hearing gives you crystal-clear sound, wireless charging, and all-day battery life for under $100! No doctor visits, no crazy prices—just amazing hearing at an unbeatable deal. Over 150,000 happy customers are already loving their new way of hearing. Don’t let overpriced hearing aids hold you back—order yours today!

LEARN MORE

➤ Austin: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton traveled to Washington to meet with President Trump after winning the Republican Senate primary runoff last week. (More)

➤ Dallas: Marine artist Wyland filed a $25 million lawsuit against FIFA and property owners after his iconic whale mural was painted over last month to prepare the wall for World Cup advertising. (More)

➤ Granbury: Hood County officials say they have no legal authority to stop eight proposed data centers from moving into the rural county near Fort Worth, as residents pack town halls to push back against the industrial influx. (More)

➤ Austin: Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Veterans Commission announced $40.8 million in grants to support veterans and their families, funding 190 grants distributed among 160 organizations statewide. (More)

➤ Galveston County: The Galveston County Consolidated Drainage District, located about 30 miles south of Houston, has deployed an AI-powered flood intelligence platform using a network of radar sensors to monitor water levels and generate predictive analytics, with automated text alerts to warn residents when rising water reaches dangerous levels. (More)

➤ La Marque: Galveston County sheriff's deputies and partner agencies executed 21 search warrants at area game rooms and financial institutions earlier this week, targeting an alleged illegal gambling and money laundering network in Galveston and Fort Bend counties. (More)

➤ Texas and Texas Tech meet tonight in Game 1 of the best-of-three Women's College World Series championship, a rematch of last year's final. (More)

➤ The late Mike Leach is on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot for the first time after the National Football Foundation lowered its minimum win-percentage threshold to make him eligible. Leach coached at Texas Tech from 2000 to 2009 and remains the program's all-time wins leader. (More)

➤ Texas State announced the launch of the first NCAA Division I women's gymnastics program in Texas, with competition tentatively set to begin in spring 2028. The school is searching for its inaugural head coach as it prepares to join the Pac-12 next month. (More)

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

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Give your feet the freedom they deserve. Grounded Footwear’s barefoot-inspired shoes feature a wide toe box, lightweight breathable design, and flexible sole that supports natural movement. Enjoy all-day comfort, improved balance, and reduced pressure on feet and joints—whether you're walking, working, or exploring. (SHOP NOW)

➤ Several North Texas cities are among the nation's fastest-growing "boomtowns," according to a new study, including Lewisville (No. 5), McKinney (No. 8), Frisco (No. 10), and Denton (No. 11). (More)

➤ Neiman Marcus said it will close its downtown Dallas flagship store on Sept. 30. It's the fourth location shuttered since Saks Global's January bankruptcy. (More)

➤ Texas boasts the No. 8 best state economy in the U.S. this year, according to WalletHub's annual report of the best and worst state economies. Massachusetts was ranked No. 1. (More)

➤ Texas has begun enforcing new requirements for companies operating self-driving vehicles commercially, following the passage of Senate Bill 2807 last year. Operators must now hold active authorization from the Texas DMV to put automated vehicles on state roads. The agency also launched a public portal for residents to report safety concerns. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Discover AI-powered stock research designed to uncover emerging opportunities before they hit the mainstream. Backed by experienced market analysts, these recommendations focus on companies positioned to benefit from major technology trends. Get actionable insights, expert guidance, and timely updates to help build a smarter, more informed investment strategy. (LEARN MORE)

Flying together with our sponsor

Why pay thousands for hearing aids?

Oricle Hearing Aids deliver crystal-clear sound, all-day comfort, and rechargeable convenience for under $100. No prescriptions, no appointments—just powerful, affordable hearing support you can trust. Join over 150,000 satisfied customers who’ve made the switch.

Hear better, live better—order Oricle today and save!

LEARN MORE

➤ A Round Rock police officer's bodycam video went viral after he helped return a fawn trapped beneath a fence by driving it back to its mother waiting nearby. (More)

➤ Klyde Warren Park in Dallas will host free FIFA World Cup watch parties from June 11 through July 19, with broadcasts available in both English and Spanish. (More)

➤ A World Trade Center steel beam made a stop at the Long Center in Austin on Tuesday as part of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation's "Steel Across America" tour ahead of 9/11's 25th anniversary in September. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Home Safety Alert: It kills while families sleep. Protect yours with Vital Carbon Detector. It tracks carbon monoxide, natural gas, and propane in a single device. Learn More

Who will you be rooting for in the finals of the Women's College World Series softball tournament?

Yesterday's Results:

Have you ever been to Bastrop?

Yes: 61%
No: 25%
Never heard of it: 9%
I live there!: 5%

Who was the first governor of Texas after its admission as a state?

Show me the answer

Unsubscribe (Step One)

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

Capital Budget Proposal, a Blazing Meteor, and the Longaberger Basket

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1864, Ransom E. Olds, the founder of Oldsmobile, was born in Geneva.

☄️ A meteor streaked across the sky over Ohio late Monday, and reports suggest its path may have crossed directly over Toledo. Watch the fireball in today’s Et Cetera section.

🧺 Also, a central Ohio landmark known for its unusual design is now on the market. Read more in Top Stories.

Today's sponsor, Oricle Hearing Aids, is helping readers hear more clearly without the sky-high prices—offering a tiny, easy-to-use hearing aid with clear sound and all-day power for under $100.

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.

Lawmakers Unveil $4 Billion Capital Budget

Ohio lawmakers introduced a capital budget proposal Monday, outlining a nearly $4 billion, two-year plan for construction and infrastructure improvements statewide.

More than $600 million was proposed for K-12 building construction and modernization, while more than half a billion dollars would fund public works projects to repair roads, bridges, and water systems.

Beyond schools and roads, the budget directs $275 million toward a new Miami Valley psychiatric hospital to expand mental health care in southwestern Ohio. All 88 Ohio counties are guaranteed a share of roughly $200 million for local community projects.

Normally, the Ohio House and Senate each propose their own version of the capital budget before negotiating a compromise. This year, the chambers are collaborating on a unified version to expedite the process.

Cincinnati's 'Fastest Nun' Moves Closer to Sainthood

Vatican theologians unanimously voted to advance the cause for the beatification and canonization of Sister Blandina Segale, Servant of God—a Cincinnati nun who ministered across the Wild West frontier in the late 19th century.

After joining the Sisters of Charity in Cincinnati, Sr. Blandina traveled the Santa Fe Trail alone in 1872 to the then-Colorado Territory, where she established schools and hospitals. She earned the nickname "the fastest nun in the West" and became known for her encounters with frontier figures such as Billy the Kid.

Petitioner Allen Sánchez announced the vote outside a convent bearing Sr. Blandina's name. Sanchez said her cause will now be reviewed by cardinals and bishops at the Vatican before advancing to the pope for consideration.

Church officials say dozens of miracles have reportedly been attributed to Sr. Blandina's intercession. You can read more about the canonization process here.

Longaberger Basket Building Listed for $8.5M

The Longaberger Basket Building in Newark, one of Ohio's most distinctive landmarks, has been listed for sale at $8.5 million.

The seven-story structure, built to resemble an oversized wicker basket, served as the longtime corporate headquarters of the Longaberger Company, a business known for its handcrafted baskets. You can see photos of the property here.

The company vacated the building in 2016, and the property was sold the following year. It has sat empty ever since. A plan to redevelop the structure into a 150-room luxury hotel, complete with a restaurant and indoor pool, collapsed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Separately, the Longaberger Homestead—the company's former manufacturing campus and visitor center in Frazeysburg—also remains on the market.

Flying together with our sponsor

This Tiny Hearing Aid Is Changing Lives—And It’s Under $100

LEARN MORE

➤ Statewide: Gov. Mike DeWine has appointed Benjamin Suver as interim director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, effective June 7. Suver replaces Andy Wilson, who is slated to assume the role of state attorney general. (More)

➤ Grove City: Grove City Council voted to impose a one-year moratorium on new data center development and will establish a task force to study the impacts of such projects on the community. (More)

➤ Columbus: State troopers arrested DJ Byrnes, author of the independent left-wing blog The Rooster, on a misdemeanor telecommunications harassment charge. (More)

➤ Toledo: A Toledo firefighter who once received a key to the city for acts of valor now faces theft and fraud charges after being accused of stealing more than $1,000 from an internal station fund. (More)

➤ Kent: Kent State University Airport has received $329,912 in federal funding to support a taxiway construction project spanning 22,000 yards. (More)

➤ Steubenville: Historic Fort Steuben has launched a fundraising campaign to build an outdoor statue honoring Baron von Steuben, the Continental Army officer from whom the city takes its name. (More)

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

➤ Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski was awarded the NHL's James Norris Memorial Trophy, given annually to the league's top defenseman. Werenski posted 22 goals and 59 assists across 75 games in the 2025-26 season. (Watch Video)

➤ The Federal Aviation Administration has restricted drone flights over portions of Columbus—including Historic Crew Stadium and downtown—as the city prepares to host Ecuador's World Cup squad for training at the OhioHealth Performance Center. (More)

➤ Devlan Daniel, a junior at Indian Hill High School, was named Ohio's Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year after hitting .436 with four home runs and 20 RBIs, while posting a 1.05 ERA with 44 strikeouts across 26 innings on the mound. (More)

➤ Columbus' incoming NWSL franchise is inviting fans to weigh in on the team's name, colors, and crest. The league's 18th club is set to begin play in 2028 and will share ScottsMiracle-Gro Field with the Columbus Crew. (More)

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

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Duke Energy has petitioned Ohio's Public Utilities Commission to approve an $8-per-month rate increase for residential customers—roughly a 4.5% rise for those consuming 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month. (More)

➤ OPmobility Exterior USA, an automotive parts supplier, plans to construct a new manufacturing facility in Rossford that would create 541 full-time jobs and generate up to $40 million in annual payroll. (More)

➤ AeroVironment, a defense technology manufacturer, announced a $15 million investment to expand its production capabilities in Greene County. The expansion is projected to create 200 jobs. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

Why pay thousands for hearing aids?

Hear better, live better—order Oricle today and save!

LEARN MORE

➤ A meteor produced a fireball that illuminated skies across Ohio late Monday night. Reports indicate the object may have streaked directly over Toledo. (Watch Video)

➤ Cedar Point visitors are effectively serving as human windshields as coasters barrel through swarms of midges—small, non-biting Lake Erie insects that emerge once water temperatures climb to 60 degrees. (See Photo)

➤ Gov. Mike DeWine has proclaimed June 1-7 as Ohio State Parks Week, recognizing the natural landscapes and recreational offerings across the state's 76 parks. (More)

➤ The Coshocton Hot Air Balloon Festival returns Thursday at the Coshocton County Fairgrounds, with balloon rides, a night glow, fireworks, food vendors, and live music. (Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Home Safety Alert: It kills while families sleep. Protect yours with Vital Carbon Detector. It tracks carbon monoxide, natural gas, and propane in a single device. Learn More