Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1900, a powerful hurricane devastated Galveston, killing at least 6,000 people on the island and an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 overall. It remains the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history.

Today's issue of The Texas Flyover is a shortened holiday edition to allow The Texas Flyover staff to enjoy Monday's Labor Day holiday with friends and family. Our regular edition will return tomorrow.

For the first time in American history, a major political party is holding a full national convention in a midterm year. Two nights, one Dallas arena, and around 20,000 people expected through the doors, but the biggest surprise isn't who's speaking; it's whether the major TV networks will even show up to cover it. On The Flyover Podcast, Ayla counts down the 10 things you need to know about this week's unprecedented convention, including a viral website stunt that has both parties talking. Tune in here!

Later today, you’ll get an email from our partner Fisher Investments with its latest outlook on what could keep the bull market running.

When it comes to peptides, there are more options than ever, and figuring out what actually makes sense for you can feel like guesswork. Today’s sponsor, The Pep Report, takes a different approach: start with your DNA and use your genetics to help narrow down the options.

Houston’s Regan Hutsell Wins Miss America

Houston dancer Regan Hutsell won Miss America 2027 Sunday in West Palm Beach, Florida, becoming the first Miss Texas to claim the national title in more than 50 years. Hutsell is the fourth Texan to win and the competition’s 99th titleholder.

The former Radio City Rockette and trained ballet dancer performed a jazz routine and won preliminary talent and fitness awards. She will receive a $50,000 scholarship.

Hutsell studies health sciences online at Liberty University and hopes to become a physical therapist. Her community service initiative, Your Body Is Your Home, promotes self-worth and a healthier body image, drawing on her recovery from an eating disorder.

SFA Provost Flags Three-Year Degree Challenges

Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to recommend three-year bachelor’s degree pathways requiring roughly 90 credit hours instead of the customary 120. The proposal aims to reduce costs, accelerate graduation, and meet workforce needs.

The board is expected to submit recommendations by Dec. 31, and lawmakers could consider legislation in 2027. Eligible fields have not yet been selected.

Stephen F. Austin State University Provost Jordan Barkley said some programs would be difficult to compress. Programs governed by specialized accreditation may require clinical experience, internships, or other training that cannot simply be removed, leaving SFA to determine which degrees could fit the shorter format.

Study Flags Metals in Border Toys

A UTEP-led study found that 12% of 333 children’s toys purchased in El Paso and Ciudad Juárez had total metal concentrations above thresholds drawn from U.S. or Mexican safety standards.

Researchers collected 109 toys in El Paso and 224 in Ciudad Juárez over 11 months and screened their surfaces using X-ray fluorescence. Seventy-eight percent contained at least one element of potential concern, while approximately one in eight contained three or more.

Toys purchased in Ciudad Juárez were about three times more likely to exceed safety thresholds than those bought in El Paso. Nickel appeared in more than one-third of all samples, while lead was detected in 3%, primarily in inexpensive children’s jewelry. Arsenic and cadmium were found only in toys purchased in Ciudad Juárez..

Published in Environmental Pollution, the research is the first binational screening of hazardous metals in toys sold along the U.S.-Mexico border. The authors cautioned that additional testing would be needed to determine whether the toys violated regulations.

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➤ Texas City: Officials approved plans for Texas’ first Latitude Margaritaville, a resort-style community for adults 55 and older. The 1,318-acre development is expected to include approximately 3,500 single-family homes, villas, and cottages, with a tentative 2028 opening. (See Plans)

➤ Harris County: County Judge Lina Hidalgo called for a special Commissioners Court meeting to examine the county’s Flock camera contract, citing concerns about privacy, oversight, and access to collected data. The court is scheduled to hold the special meeting at 9 a.m. today. (More)

➤ Hays County: The county secured a $39.2 million federal award to build an overpass above the Union Pacific railroad crossing on Centerpoint Road. The $49 million project would widen the road to four lanes and add shared-use paths for pedestrians and cyclists. (See Details)

➤ Mineola: The 17th annual Okrapalooza brought Texas chefs together Sunday for an okra cook-off, live music, and fundraising at the Venue at Cope Ranch. Proceeds support Promise of Peace Gardens and its efforts to provide food to families across Wood County. (More)

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Do you follow the Miss America competition?

Yesterday's Results:

Do you like things flavored with pumpkin spice?

1. No: 62%
2. Yes: 38%

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes.

➤ Republicans are holding the first-ever midterm national convention this week, but major networks may skip it. (Listen Now)

➤ OpenAI's own chief scientist is sounding the alarm on advanced AI, warning no one is prepared for what comes next. (Hear Why)

➤ How long do you think the average American takes in the shower, and is it too long? (Hear Details)

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