Thursday, April 16, 2026

Yorkie Rescued, Camp Mystic Hearing, and Austin's Coffee Scene

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1928, Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Dick "Night Train" Lane was born in Austin. The son of a pimp and a prostitute, he was abandoned in a dumpster at three months old and raised by Ella Lane. After serving four years in the Army, he joined the Los Angeles Rams and led the NFL in interceptions during his 1952 rookie season. Lane played in 7 Pro Bowls and was named to the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team in 2019.

A North Texas fisherman caught a gator in Lake Arlington last month, and game wardens weren't too happy about it. Check out the story here.

Later today, watch for a message from our partner, EnergyX, on how new technology is transforming lithium extraction and why investors are paying close attention right now.

Property taxes in Texas are no small expense, and most homeowners don’t realize they can challenge what they owe. The key is timing. The deadline to protest your property tax assessment is May 15. That’s where today’s partner, Resolute Property Tax Services, comes in to help you take action before it’s too late.

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.

Magnolia Mayor Arrested

Magnolia Mayor Matthew Dantzer was arrested Tuesday for allegedly assaulting a city staffer while they were attending a conference in Fort Worth last October. He was transferred from the Montgomery County Jail to Tarrant County yesterday.

The arrest follows a Texas Rangers investigation into allegations Dantzer grabbed City Secretary Christian Gable by the throat after making a series of sexual comments and trying to pull down her pants. Gable was five months pregnant at the time.

An outside firm's investigation into Gable's complaint to human resources was inconclusive. She continued to work in close proximity to Dantzer, who became increasingly hostile toward her, according to a federal lawsuit Gable filed earlier this month.

Gable's lawsuit claims she has been sexually harassed by the mayor since she went to work for the city in 2021, but she "felt she had no choice but to endure Mr. Dantzer's harassment if she wanted to keep her job."

Dantzer's attorney said he "maintains his innocence and looks forward to the opportunity to defend himself in the appropriate legal process." During Tuesday's city council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Jack L. Huitt Jr. called on Dantzer to resign.

Plan Ends Medicaid, Marketplace Partnerships

The health insurance division of Dallas-based Baylor Scott & White Health will no longer offer plans affiliated with Medicaid or the federal Health Insurance Marketplace at the end of the current plan years.

An announcement from Baylor Scott & White Health Plan cited "the state's Medicaid procurement decision and Individual Marketplace complexities" as the not-for-profit organization's reasons for discontinuing participation.

The carrier will terminate its Medicaid partnership in August and its Marketplace partnership in December. Texans enrolled in Medicaid or Marketplace plans with a different carrier can still use their insurance to receive care from Baylor Scott & White providers.

The Baylor Scott & White Health Plan covers about 125,000 of the state's Medicaid beneficiaries and about 100,000 Texans with Marketplace plans. The change will also impact the jobs of 321 employees.

Police Rescue Dog Stuck Underground

Officers with the Woodway Public Safety Department rescued a small dog that got stuck underground while chasing an armadillo on Tuesday.

To reach the Yorkie, first responders had to dislodge a massive rock using two-by-fours and "airbags that are usually used to prop up vehicles when an individual is stuck inside," according to Chief Khalil El-Halabi.

The dog was recovered safely and returned to its owners. The department posted a dramatic video of the rescue to Facebook.

"We gave them back their puppy, we took a picture with them, it was really a joyous occasion," El-Halabi said.

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➤ Corpus Christi: The city council scheduled an impeachment hearing to remove Mayor Paulette Guajardo from office over allegations of misconduct regarding a 2024 hotel development. The hearing was scheduled shortly after a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order barring her removal. (See Details)

➤ Travis County: A three-day hearing on whether Camp Mystic should be allowed to operate this summer wrapped up yesterday. During testimony, camp officials said they weren't aware of weather alerts issued before last summer's flood that killed 27 campers and counselors. (More)

➤ El Paso: The city council approved a non-binding memorandum of understanding with El Paso County and a local foundation to explore financing for preliminary work on a downtown deck plaza over I-10. The plaza must be approved by October to be incorporated into TxDOT's plan to expand the freeway. (More)

➤ Austin: The Texas Attorney General's Office is reportedly looking into the city's recently revised policy regarding police interactions with ICE, warning local officials that the policy may be in violation of a state law that prohibits municipalities from limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. (More)

➤ Tarrant County: U.S. Secret Service investigators found 10 card skimmers at businesses that accept SNAP benefits during a two-day operation earlier this month. The investigation was part of an agency initiative to combat financial crimes associated with transnational groups. (More)

➤ Athens: More than 100 residents attended Monday's city council meeting to express concerns about a 10-megawatt battery energy storage system proposed by Austin-based Data Factory. The city council tabled consideration of a zoning revision for further review. (More)

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➤ The San Antonio Spurs will face the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the NBA Playoffs after Portland won the No. 7 seed in the play-in tournament. It will be Victor Wembanyama's first playoff series. (More)

➤ Former Cowboys center John Fitzgerald passed away at 77. Fitzgerald was a fourth-round pick in 1970 and anchored the Dallas offensive line for most of the decade. (More)

➤ Austin FC was eliminated from the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday night, falling 2-1 to Louisville City FC on the road in the Round of 32. (More)

➤ The Houston Gamblers of the United Football League claimed offensive lineman Jackson Carman off waivers from the Birmingham Stallions. Carman played in three games for Birmingham before being released. (More)

➤ Baylor's esports program defeated Boise State 4-1 in a Rocket League video game match to win the Power Esports Conference Grand Finals in Las Vegas earlier this month. (More)

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➤ DFW International Airport slipped to fourth in a ranking of the world's busiest airports last year, with nearly 86 million passengers. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport topped the list with more than 106 million passengers, followed by Dubai International and Tokyo's Haneda Airport. (More)

➤ In a recent survey conducted by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), 78% of farmers in the South reported they can't afford to purchase all the fertilizer they need this year. "The skyrocketing cost of fuel and fertilizer is creating more economic hardships for farmers who have already endured years of losses," AFBF President Zippy Duvall said. (More)

➤ Austin lobbyist James Taylor will manage a London office established by Gov. Greg Abbott's Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office in an effort to attract businesses to the Lone Star State. (More)

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➤ A Dallas radio station is auctioning a guitar signed by Taylor Swift in 2008 to raise money for patients at Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth. Staff found the guitar after cleaning out the station's prize closet. The auction ends tomorrow. (See Details)

➤ Austin has the best coffee shops in the nation, according to a recent ranking published by Food & Wine. "The sheer variety of cultural influences, creative drink options, and accompanying food choices make Austin's one of the most vibrant coffee scenes in the country," states the magazine's profile. (More)

➤ A Border Patrol agent spotted a zebra walking along a country road in Presidio County on Tuesday. "There's something that you don't see everyday," said Joel Nuñez Jr. of the Presidio County Sheriff's Office. (Watch Video)

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Record-Breaking Buc-ee’s, a Trump Endorsement, and an Upset Hockey Coach

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1867, Wilbur Wright was born near Millville, Indiana. He and his brother, Orville, would later design the first successful airplane at their bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio.

🦫 Buc-ee’s debut in the Buckeye State shattered the company’s previous opening day records, as Ohioans flocked to the state’s newest travel stop and convenience store. Read more about last week’s record-setting opening in today’s Top Stories.

Later today, watch for a message from our partner, EnergyX, on how new technology is transforming lithium extraction and why investors are paying close attention right now.

Today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz, is sharing practical tips to help you cut everyday expenses and stretch your budget further when money gets tight.

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.

Ohio's Buc-ee’s Sets Opening Day Records

Ohio’s first Buc-ee’s location brought in more than $1 million on its April 6 opening day, which company officials said was the strongest grand opening in the company’s history.

The new travel center and convenience store is located along State Route 235 near Interstate 70 in Huber Heights. Customers began lining up the night before the grand opening, drawing visitors from across the U.S. and Canada.

Mayor Jeff Gore said hotels from Huber Heights to the Miller Lane corridor sold out over opening weekend, adding there is “no doubt” the chain’s economic impact will be “huge.”

On Tuesday, the Mansfield Planning Commission recommended rezoning that would clear the way for a planned second Buc-ee’s in Ohio near the Interstate 71 and State Route 39 interchange.

Vance Speaks at TPUSA Event

Ohio native Vice President JD Vance addressed a crowd of University of Georgia students on Tuesday at an event for Turning Point USA—the organization co-founded by the late conservative Christian activist Charlie Kirk.

Vance touched on several issues, including the war with Iran, immigration, the Catholic Church, and housing affordability. The vice president also said Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow and TPUSA’s CEO, was unable to attend after receiving “very serious threats.”

Amid tense rhetoric between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV, Vance, who is Catholic, criticized clergy who attacked the administration’s immigration policies, questioning how it could be “humane” to allow drug and sex traffickers to cross the southern border.

On Iran, Vance told young voters not to “disengage” over a single disagreement with the administration’s foreign policy. Instead, he urged them to “get more involved” and demand more from people in power.

You can watch the complete event here.

State Officials Target Kalshi, Sports Betting

The Ohio Casino Control Commission is seeking to fine Kalshi $5 million, alleging the online prediction market operates unlicensed sports gambling tied to event-based contracts in Ohio.

Last fall, Kalshi sued the Ohio Casino Control Commission, arguing that regulation of exchange trading falls solely under federal authority. A federal judge ultimately denied its request for a preliminary injunction.

In another move targeting sports gambling, a group of Republican state lawmakers introduced legislation earlier this month that would ban online betting, bar certain types of wagers, and cap individual bets at $100.

Separately, state Sen. Bill Blessing, R-Colerain Township, proposed a bill that would impose a 2% fee on sports wagers, with the revenue directed to public sports stadiums and K-12 education.

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19 Things to Cut When Money Gets Tight (Most People Ignore #11)

Money is tight, and with prices on the rise, deciding where to cut back can feel overwhelming. You don’t have to overhaul your entire life overnight to see a difference.

Here is how to start: Browse our list of money-saving strategies below and choose just one or two to try today. Even a single small change can create the breathing room you need to breathe a little easier.

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➤ Southwest Ohio: President Trump endorsed Air Force veteran and former CIA officer Eric Conroy in the Republican primary for Ohio’s 1st Congressional District, currently represented by Rep. Greg Landsman, a Democrat. (More)

➤ Statewide: Officials will expand Ohio 211 statewide by July 2026 through a partnership unifying regional providers, aiming to connect all 88 counties with 24/7 access to essential social services. (More)

➤ Cincinnati: Former Cincinnati Vice Mayor Chris Smitherman filed a petition to limit city manager's hiring and firing authority following City Manager Sheryl Long’s handling of a probe into Police Chief Teresa Theetge. (More)

➤ Whitehall: A special election on May 28 will decide whether to recall a mayor and two council members as a state Supreme Court lawsuit challenges the city’s requirement to proceed. (More)

➤ Columbus: Police arrested two people protesting an Ohio State University event where two Israel Defense Forces soldiers shared accounts of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack. (More)

➤ Warren County: A fire destroyed a cart barn and golf carts at Armco Park Golf Course in Lebanon on Tuesday, but reopened on Wednesday for walking play while crews worked to restore full operations. (More)

➤ Columbus Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness, who took over in January, harshly criticized his players after the team missed the playoffs, saying, “These guys, they don't care. Losing is not important enough to them.” (More)

➤ The Louisville Bats, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, set a franchise record with seven home runs in an 18-4 win over Toledo on Tuesday. (More)

➤ Two proposals for sports venue upgrades in Toledo have been submitted: one to build an $83.6 million professional soccer stadium, and another for a $17.6 million renovation at Fifth Third Field. (More)

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➤ Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost sued Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion to block the closing of its 150-year-old rabbinical program, arguing the move violates state laws protecting donor intent. (More)

➤ The National Hockey League announced a multiyear partnership with Procter & Gamble Canada, the Canadian arm of the Cincinnati-based consumer goods company. (More)

➤ The State Library of Ohio closed its Italian Village location in Columbus as it prepares to move downtown to 35 E. Chestnut St. (More)

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Your money is getting tight. Prices are going up. And figuring out what to cut back on can feel overwhelming. Here's what you can do: Read our list of money-saving strategies below, and start with one or two today. Even doing just one can help you breathe a little easier. Learn More

➤ Flag City Honor Flight’s 34th mission took 79 Ohio veterans to Washington, D.C., where Rep. Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) greeted them as they honored fallen friends and reflected on increased public respect. (More)

➤ The Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail, stretching along the shoreline through Cleveland and Sandusky, is a finalist for USA Today’s 10Best award for Best Scenic Drive. (Vote Here)

➤ Great Parks will host eagle-viewing sessions at Winton Woods, where visitors can use binoculars to spot two newly hatched bald eaglets nesting above Winton Lake during scheduled April and May events. (Details)

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