Sunday, May 10, 2026

Happy Mother's Day! On this day in 1979, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas was designated a historic landmark. It was designed by the Chicago firm of Graham, Anderson, Probost, and White, and it opened in 1921.

In case you missed it, this week on The Flyover Podcast, host Ayla Brown shared new concerns about what heavy AI use may be doing to our brains. Researchers are warning about a trend they call “cognitive surrender,” but is AI really making us worse thinkers? More importantly, how can we avoid falling into the trap ourselves? Listen 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.

Fight Your Tax Bill This Week

Texas homeowners have until May 15 to protest their 2026 property tax appraisals as rising valuations give many residents a strong incentive to challenge assessments.

Property values rose significantly across every major Texas metro this year, pushing assessments higher in Harris, Travis, Tarrant, and Bexar counties.

Officials are encouraging homeowners to protest higher property appraisals, saying the free process requires no attorney, possibly lower tax bills, and yield real savings.

Homeowners must present evidence of comparable sales or assessment errors during informal Appraisal Review Board hearings, though experts say many Texans skip the process and overpay taxes.

Texas property owners can review Texas Comptroller guidelines for protesting and appealing property appraisals through local review boards, arbitration, or state district court.

Abbott Renews Wildfire Disaster Proclamation

Gov. Greg Abbott amended and renewed Texas's fire weather conditions disaster proclamation on Friday, extending emergency authority across 40 counties in the Panhandle and South Plains.

The order covers a wide swath of West Texas—from Dallam and Sherman in the far northwest to Lubbock, Garza, and Kent to the south—where hot, dry, and windy conditions have elevated wildfire risk heading into summer.

Counties under the proclamation include Armstrong, Bailey, Briscoe, Carson, Castro, Cochran, Collingsworth, Crosby, and over 30 others.

The timing coincides with National Wildfire Awareness Month. Fire officials across Texas are urging residents to clear brush, avoid outdoor burning, and know their evacuation routes as fire season ramps up.

Texas Tops Alabama for SEC Title

Texas claimed its first SEC softball title Saturday, beating No. 2 Alabama in Lexington, Kentucky, in the Longhorns' second season since joining the conference.

Junior ace Teagan Kavan dominated in the circle, striking out 12 and allowing just one run as the Longhorns beat Alabama 7-1. The reigning Women's College World Series Most Outstanding Player capped off a strong tournament run that included a two-hit shutout of Ole Miss.

Texas, the defending national champion, now claims the SEC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The selection show airs today on ESPN2.

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.

🗺️ Around Texas

➤ North Texas: Residents face a severe weather risk today as a cold front brings a 50% chance of Mother’s Day storms, including damaging winds and hail. (See Forecast)

➤ San Antonio: Police said a woman possibly suffered a medical episode on Friday before her Honda Accord crossed into oncoming traffic on South General McMullen and collided head-on with a Mazda, leaving her critically injured. (More)

➤ Weslaco: Texas A&M AgriLife researchers will offer free well water and soil testing in Weslaco next month as Rio Grande Valley residents face growing concerns about groundwater contamination. (More)

➤ Amarillo: Hundreds gathered at Westminster Apartments to honor two teens killed in a May 2 shooting as families called for an end to gun violence after 10 fatal shootings this year. (More)

➤ Austin: Central Texas fire officials urged residents to prepare for wildfire season as hotter, drier summer conditions approach and human activity continues to spark most fires across Texas. (More)

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Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Victor Wembanyama posted a double-double with 39 points and 15 rebounds, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 115-108 Game 3 win over the Timberwolves. San Antonio will take a 2-1 series lead into Game 4 tonight in Minnesota. (More)

➤ Texas pitcher Teagan Kavan struck out 12 and allowed one run as the Longhorns beat Alabama 7-1 to win the SEC softball championship. (More)

➤ Dallas starters Arike Ogunbowale, Paige Bueckers, and Odyssey Sims each scored at least 20 points as the Wings opened the WNBA season with a 107-104 win over Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. (More)

➤ Top-seeded Texas Tech was held scoreless in a 4-0 loss to No. 6 seed Arizona State in the Big 12 softball championship. Sun Devils pitcher Kenzie Brown allowed just two hits. (More)

➤ Texas State star shortstop Dawson Park is no longer with the baseball program after an on-field dispute with a teammate last weekend. Park was batting .301 with 13 home runs for the Bobcats. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Support your wellness goals with Akemi Slim Patch, the easy-to-use transdermal patch designed to fit seamlessly into your daily routine. Using a slow-release formula, it’s made to help support appetite control, metabolism, and energy without pills or complicated regimens. Simply apply, wear comfortably, and stay focused on your health journey. (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.

➤ Addison teen Reeyan Mistry took both his grandmothers to prom—the first dance for either woman—as the Mother’s Day weekend gesture sparked a viral response online. (More)

➤ H-E-B announced an opening date for its Mid-Cities store, fueling anticipation among Fort Worth-area shoppers ahead of one of North Texas’ biggest grocery launches this year. (More)

➤ Pittsburg opened a free outdoor Fitness Court at Fair Park, expanding year-round wellness access as smaller Texas communities invest in public health infrastructure. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Elon Musk’s latest venture is making headlines nationwide after reportedly receiving White House clearance and expanding across all 50 states. Some analysts believe this new currency initiative could surpass the impact of Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI combined. Discover why investors are calling it one of the biggest opportunities of the decade — before the rollout gains even more momentum.