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Saturday, February 7, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1837, Brig. Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston was wounded in a duel by Brig. Gen. Felix Huston after Sam Houston appointed him to succeed Huston as commander of the Texas army. Johnston was unable to assume the post following his injury, but he was later appointed Secretary of War by President Mirabeau B. Lamar.

Hodari, the African lion at the El Paso Zoo, will predict the winner of Sunday's Super Bowl by devouring one of two helmet-shaped piñatas. We're not sure what it means if he eats both!

This week, The Flyover team is in Colorado, meeting in person to plan how to make The Texas Florida even better in 2026. As a result, today's edition will be intentionally abbreviated, and we'll be back to normal on Sunday.

Today's sponsor is the Texas State Historical Association, inviting history lovers to Irving this March for its 130th Annual Meeting—a three-day celebration packed with expert talks, iconic Texas stories, and a Texas-sized anniversary party.

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.

School Choice Applications Break Record

More than 42,000 students applied for Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) the first day enrollments opened, shattering the national record for a new school choice program by surpassing Tennessee's 33,000 mark from last year.

Acting State Comptroller Kelly Hancock said 20,000 families applied for the program within three hours of opening.

As application numbers continue to climb, some private schools are opting out, saying there are too many unanswered questions about how the program will work.

Over 80% of applicants plan to attend private schools through the program, while just under 20% are considering alternatives such as homeschooling. Enrollment in the program runs through March 17, and openings are not filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Cowboys to Play in Rio

The Dallas Cowboys will play in the first NFL regular-season game held in Rio de Janeiro, marking the team's first international game since 2014.

Historic Maracana Stadium, the site of the opening ceremony for the 2016 Summer Olympics, will host the game as part of an international slate of NFL games in Paris, Munich, Madrid, London, Mexico City, and Melbourne.

It's the third year in a row that an NFL game will be played in Brazil. Sao Paulo hosted games in 2024 and 2025.

The Rio matchup will be considered a home game for the Cowboys, and their opponent will be announced this spring.

Texas History Lands In DFW: the state's premier Texas history event is coming to Irving! Join the Texas State Historical Association for our 130th Annual Meeting, March 4–7, 2026, at the Westin Irving DFW.

With something to pique every history interest - from military history to bullfighting and Texas oil, we welcome all to the biggest annual history gathering. This year's highlights include 30+ expert-led discussions on everything from Texas in conflicts like the American Revolution, Civil War, and WWII to the legendary 1901 Spindletop gusher, the history of bullfighting, water conservation, and much more!

This history-filled weekend will culminate in our 130th Anniversary Celebration: Casino Night. Kick up your heels or double down at an Old West saloon party featuring gaming tables, live music by the Cory Cross Band, and a Texas-sized dinner. Don't miss three days of non-stop Texas history. Visit our website to learn more and register today!

➤ College Station: Texas A&M's Board of Regents responded to a scathing editorial from major donor Jon Hagler, calling Hagler a "super Aggie" but saying they "take exception" to suggestions they are not building on Vision 2020—a document co-authored by Hagler, casting a vision for the future of the university. (More)

➤ Grapevine: The childhood home of rock star Post Malone is up for sale. The 1,685-square-foot house is listed for $549,900 and has been "tastefully" and "thoughtfully" updated. (See Photos)

➤ Dallas: The city has hired 260 goats from Fort Worth to clear invasive plants over 11.5 acres at White Rock Lake, working daily in 1 to 1.5-acre sections. (More)

➤ Houston: A 10-year-old boy has been released from police custody after he fatally stabbed a 13-year-old girl this week during an altercation that involved 20-30 people. The boy said he acted in self-defense. (More)

➤ San Antonio: A federal appeals court threw out the guilty plea from ex-San Antonio attorney Chris Pettit, ruling that Pettit wasn't sufficiently informed of the plea's implications. Pettit is currently serving a 50-year sentence. (See Details)

➤ Statewide: A recent report graded Texas's ERCOT power grid as a D- for transmission planning. (More)

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➤ Houston basketball coach Kelvin Sampson walked back comments he made earlier this week criticizing his program's funding: "I shouldn't have said we're poor… The NIL thing, though, that's not a bottomless pit." (More)

➤ Two former Dallas Cowboys—Jason Witten and Darren Woodson—were eligible but not elected to the NFL Hall of Fame this year. (More)

➤ Former Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett was named the 2026 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year. (More)

➤ No. 4 Texas women's basketball beat No. 5 LSU 77-64 to extend their home winning streak to 39 games. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

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Flying together with our sponsor

Behind-the-scenes tours, rare book offerings, and fascinating history talks are just a sample of what's on offer at the TSHA Annual Meeting. Make new Texas history friends, meet renowned historians, and explore the latest research that connects the past to today's world.

With engaging sessions for almost every facet of our shared history, you'll leave with new stories to share and a deeper appreciation for the people, places, and events that shaped the Lone Star State. Make plans to attend, bring a friend, and experience why this gathering has been the state's bedrock history event for 130 years. Register today!