Saturday, April 25, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1838, the United States and the Republic of Texas signed the Convention of Limits, establishing the western bank of the Sabine River as the eastern boundary of Texas and recognizing the Republic's claims to disputed territory in Red River County.

Would you believe the firing squad is making a comeback in 2026? The Justice Department just made a major move to reshape the death penalty while also reversing the Biden administration's freeze on federal executions. When was the last time a firing squad was actually used in the U.S.? How soon could this new policy be put into place? And who could it apply to? On today's episode of The Flyover Podcast, host Amy Hess answers all your questions and breaks down the latest on this developing story. Tune in here!

Today's sponsor is American Veterans Center. They're reminding us that Memorial Day is a time to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who served our country. This year carries even more significance as America approaches its 250th birthday. The American Veterans Center is leading one of the most meaningful ways to honor that legacy.

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.

Camp Mystic May Lose License to Reopen

Texas health officials formally notified Camp Mystic on Friday that the Hill Country girls camp may not receive a license to operate this summer, nine months after Guadalupe River flooding killed 27.

The Department of State Health Services sent an 11-page letter citing multiple deficiencies in the camp's proposed emergency plan and finding it out of compliance with state safety requirements.

The agency has reviewed hundreds of complaints about the camp's response on July 4, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has pressed the agency to withhold the permit until legislative and criminal investigations conclude.

Texas Rangers are probing neglect allegations, and a court injunction prevents the camp from demolishing flood-damaged cabins while the family of 8-year-old Cecilia "Cile" Steward, whose body has not been found, continues fighting in court.

ICE Arrests 277 with Criminal Background

ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations division in Houston arrested 277 illegal immigrants with criminal records during a two-week targeted operation across 58 Southeast Texas counties between April 6 and April 17.

Those detained had a combined 751 criminal convictions, including homicide and drug trafficking.

Also among those arrested was Minh Duy Tong Nguyen, a 54-year-old Vietnamese national convicted of murder in Houston in 1991 who had carried a longstanding removal order.

ERO Houston Acting Field Office Director Paul McBride warned that any local measures restricting ICE cooperation would have "immediate impacts to public safety," adding those impacts are often felt most acutely within immigrant communities where criminal offenders may reside.

Houston's World Cup Countdown Starts Now

Houston's East Downtown neighborhood begins its most dramatic physical transformation in decades on May 1, when eight blocks south of Shell Energy Stadium convert into a massive FIFA Fan Festival zone ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The festival runs June 11 through July 19, covering all seven Houston matches at NRG Stadium.

A $14 million Main Street revamp wraps by May 30, and downtown hotel bookings have surged 66% in June and 83% in July.

Over in Dallas, AT&T Stadium hosts nine total matches, including a semifinal in mid-July, putting two Texas cities squarely at the center of the world's biggest sporting event.

This year’s National Memorial Day Parade, hosted by Honorary Grand Marshal Gary Sinise, is set to be the largest in its history. It stands as a powerful tribute to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedoms.

What makes this event even more meaningful is how it is funded. The American Veterans Center receives no federal funding for the parade. It is made possible entirely by private citizens who believe in honoring those who served.

Your support helps bring this national moment of remembrance to life while also funding year-round efforts to preserve veterans’ stories, educate future generations, and produce documentaries that highlight the true cost of freedom.

If honoring our veterans matters to you, this is a meaningful way to take part.

➤ Houston: Harris County Flood Control District officials pushed back on delay accusations Friday, pledging to break ground on Northeast Harris County flood mitigation projects by June. (More)

➤ Statewide: Texas' Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday begins today and runs through Monday, letting shoppers buy generators, batteries, first aid kits, and other preparedness items tax-free. The annual holiday arrives ahead of hurricane season, which opens June 1. (More)

➤ Statewide: A new VegasInsider analysis ranks Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport second in the nation for potential flight disruptions this summer, with a 67.3% probability of delay or cancellation, Dallas Love Field third at 61.1%, and Austin-Bergstrom ninth at 54.5%. (More)

➤ Central Texas: Copper thieves are increasingly targeting fiber cables as they mistakenly believe the lines contain valuable copper, disrupting internet and 911 services. (More)

➤ Dallas: The city is implementing a hiring freeze for non-uniformed positions, overtime restrictions, and non-essential spending cuts after city data showed a projected shortfall of more than $30 million. (More)

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➤ Two Texas college players went in the first round of the NFL Draft: Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey to the Jets at No. 2 overall, and Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion to the Browns at No. 24. (More)

➤ The Dallas Stars lead the Minnesota Wild 2-1 in their first-round NHL playoff series, with Game 4 dropping the puck tonight at 4:30 p.m. CT. A win puts Dallas one step from the second round. (More)

➤ Rangers outfielder Evan Carter hit the first inside-the-park home run of his career in a 6-1 win over the Pirates on Thursday night. (More)

➤ Frank and Shirley Sloan donated $1 million to UTEP football, supporting the Miners' move to the Mountain West Conference this fall. Frank Sloan, a former UTEP player, made the gift to boost the program's transition. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Enjoy the outdoors without the hassle of sprays or sticky repellents. Repelix creates a quiet, scent-free 15-foot protection zone that keeps mosquitoes away using advanced heat-activated technology. Portable, rechargeable, and easy to use, it's a safer, cleaner way to stay bite-free at home or on the go. (LEARN MORE)

Flying together with our sponsor

Beyond the parade, your contribution supports programs that record oral histories from veterans across generations, host conferences connecting young cadets with firsthand accounts of service, and produce television specials that keep these stories alive.

As we approach America’s 250th birthday, there is a unique opportunity to ensure these sacrifices are never forgotten.

Consider making a gift today to support the National Memorial Day Parade and its mission.

➤ San Antonio's Fiesta celebration held its Battle of Flowers Parade last night and then hosts the Fiesta Flambeau Parade today before wrapping up this weekend. The 11-day festival brings food, music, and culture to the Alamo City. (More)

➤ Carnival Cruise Line announced Friday that its fifth Excel-class ship, Carnival Tropicale, will homeport in Galveston when it is delivered in 2028, giving the port two of the three newest ships in Carnival's fleet. (More)

➤ A runaway kangaroo hopped up to a stranded coffee truck on I-20 near Gordon last week, giving the owner a surprise visitor while she waited for a tow. Only in Texas. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Reveal smoother, brighter skin in minutes with the Sonic Smooth Pro+. A powerful at-home dermaplaning device that removes peach fuzz and exfoliates dead skin using gentle sonic technology. With customizable speeds and a safe design, it delivers spa-like results, helping your makeup glide on flawlessly and skincare absorb better. (LEARN MORE)