Thursday, September 3, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1834, the first Presbyterian missionary in Texas helped two Methodist preachers hold a camp meeting on Caney Creek, near present-day Kenney. Peter Hunter Fullinwider had ridden back from his Mississippi wedding that spring.

Do you remember what evenings felt like when you were a kid? The whole family at the table by six, a phone call after dinner, maybe the sound of neighbors talking out on the porch. These are five after-dinner habits that once defined American life, and they've all but vanished or been replaced. Join Ayla on The Flyover Podcast as she counts down all five and takes you on a trip down memory lane. Tune in here!

Thanks to the incredible generosity of Flyover readers, we raised $26,638 for Convoy of Hope’s Nepal flood relief efforts. Your support is making a meaningful difference for families affected by this disaster. If you haven’t had a chance to give, or would still like to participate, you can make a contribution here.

Later today, watch for a message from our partner, Incogni, about how much of your personal information may be available online and how to remove it before scammers or identity thieves can use it.

Today’s sponsor is Aerless Vacuum Travel Bags, helping fall travelers pack bulky sweaters, jackets, and layers while saving up to 60% of valuable luggage space.

Edouard Floods Roads, Knocks Out Power

Rescue crews pulled families out of high water across Southeast Texas on Wednesday as the remnants of Edouard dumped more than 20 inches of rain near the Tyler-Hardin county line.

Highway 787 near Saratoga sat under at least a foot of water, and the volunteer fire department conducted several rescues. "Stay home. Don't, don't drive around looking," Fire Chief Gary Flowers said.

In Livingston, deputies reached a woman and four children, including a baby, trapped in their mobile home after Choates Creek spilled over.

More than 53,000 customers were still without power Wednesday afternoon, most of them in Jefferson, Hardin, and Tyler counties. Judges in Polk and Hardin counties declared local disasters, and dozens of school districts called off classes.

U.S. 69 north of Kountze reopened as the water receded, but flood watches remained in effect from the upper coast into eastern Texas, with more rain possible through Thursday morning.

Tarrant County Cuts 92 Polling Sites

Tarrant County commissioners voted 3-2 Tuesday to eliminate 92 Election Day polling places before the Nov. 3 midterms. The county will run 224 sites for its 1.3 million registered voters, down from 316 in the 2022 midterms.

County Judge Tim O'Hare said the plan saves about $1 million, keeps 54 sites above the state minimum, and averages 1.56 miles between Election Day locations. Some sites changed because buildings closed or failed disability-access rules.

The court's three Republicans backed the plan. Democrats Alisa Simmons and Roderick Miles Jr. voted no, with Miles saying, "Our population hasn't shrunk. Our electorate hasn't shrunk."

Dozens of residents spoke against the cuts during an hours-long meeting. An August session ended with the room cleared and a former state representative arrested on a charge of disrupting a meeting.

Cruz Calls Senate Race Effectively Tied

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz says the Texas Senate race between Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico is "effectively tied."

Public polling is mixed: Emerson College had Paxton up 47-46, a University of Texas poll had Talarico ahead 42-39, and Texas Public Opinion Research put Talarico up six.

Paxton told Fox News his own polling looks different, but that "we definitely have a close race." He hasn't said whether he'll accept Talarico's challenge to three fall debates.

President Trump, on Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's podcast, called Paxton a "good man" and said Texas would be "a disaster" under Talarico.

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➤ North Texas: The Ross Fire has burned just over 90,000 acres across Palo Pinto and Jack counties since Aug. 24, destroying 157 structures, including 25 homes. It's the second-largest wildfire in North Texas' recorded history. (See Details)

➤ Corpus Christi: The city council again rejected a $978.8 million desalination plant Tuesday, 5-3. Opponents cited cost and salty discharge into the bay. Gov. Greg Abbott's office called the project a "tremendous opportunity." The city projects a water emergency by 2028. (More)

➤ The Woodlands: The Houston City Council agreed never to annex the township, ending a shared regional projects fund in exchange for $50 million. Board chairman Brad Bailey called it a "win-win." Controller Chris Hollins called it a "fire sale." (See Details)

➤ Statewide: Texas hospitals expect to lose $27 million a day after the Trump administration withheld approval of about $9.8 billion in extra Medicaid payments. Federal regulators question how local governments tax hospitals. Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas' setup follows federal law. (More)

➤ Kerr County: President Trump said he's sending Texas $50.5 million for storm recovery, without saying which disaster it covers. His administration had not approved a major disaster declaration for July's flooding in Kerrville and 27 other counties as of late August. (More)

➤ Austin: Texas collected $4.62 billion in state sales tax in August, up 7.1% from a year earlier, with online shopping receipts up more than 20%. Comptroller Don Huffines said lawmakers should steer the extra money into property tax relief. (See Details)

➤ Statewide: Nearly four in 10 Texas homesteads now owe no school district property taxes after lawmakers raised the exemption to $140,000. Among homeowners aged 65 or older or those who are disabled, 61% owe nothing, up from about 44%. (See Report)

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➤ University of Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian said he opposes college teams taking back players who have been in NFL training camps. (More)

➤ Former Red Raider receiver Roy Alexander sued the NCAA to overturn a six-game betting suspension, saying his wagers, most under $12, never involved his own teams. The NCAA said it stands by its rules. (See Details)

➤ The Dallas Stars will stream locally on Amazon's Prime Video this season, one of six NHL teams in a multiyear deal that also covers pre- and postgame shows. Carolina, Anaheim, Columbus, Minnesota, and St. Louis are the others. (More)

➤ Allen High School's volleyball team held off 2025 Class 6A Division II state champion Southlake Carroll 25-15, 24-26, 26-24 to keep the No. 1 spot in the area rankings. Plano Prestonwood Christian tops the private school list. (See List)

Yesterday’s Results: US Open | MLB | Soccer | NCAA Volleyball

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➤ Southwest Airlines will build one of its first four airport lounges at Austin-Bergstrom, with doors opening in late 2027. Only holders of the airline's Rapid Rewards credit card, issued by Chase, get in. (See Details)

➤ State insurance regulators warned companies that setting premiums based on how much a customer will tolerate, rather than risk, is illegal in Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott said the average homeowner's premium has climbed 79% in six years. (More)

➤ A data center proposed near Prosper drew a 7-0 recommendation to deny from the town's planning commission, after residents raised noise and water concerns. Developers say closed-loop cooling would conserve water. The Town Council votes Sept. 8. (See Details)

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➤ 2M Smokehouse's owners won the debut season of Food Network's Pitmasters and a $30,000 prize. Esaul and Grecia Ramos have run the southeast-side San Antonio joint since 2016, and they describe the split simply: "He's the smoke. She's the sugar." (More)

➤ Gibbons and lemurs are back on their island at Waco's Cameron Park Zoo after crews patched a leak in the lake. The Butterfly Garden reopened, too, with new paths, a fountain, and kids' sensory beds. (See Details)

➤ Baylor University ranked in the top 20% of universities worldwide in two global rankings, from U.S. News and research firm American Caldwell. It also climbed to No. 88 nationally, first in the Big 12 for a second straight year. (See Report)

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