TOP STORY
Austin Proposes Inmates Clean Kennels to Aid Services
Austin officials are considering expanding a plan that enlists inmates to clean animal service kennels, suggesting they also volunteer for other nonprofits. This proposal aims to offer inmates rehabilitative work opportunities while benefiting organizations like food banks and museums. The initiative highlights inmate volunteerism without pay, countering exploitation concerns.
If you’re living in Austin, this plan could reshape how inmates contribute to the community and how nonprofits operate daily. By allowing inmates to volunteer and learn new skills, the program could reduce idleness in facilities and help local organizations thrive. It might even inspire broader programs statewide, affecting education, environment, and housing sectors that rely on volunteer work. This is a chance for Texas to rethink rehabilitation with real-world impact.
Source: Austin American-statesman
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Markets
Oil (WTI) | 56.9300 | ▲ 0.05% |
Gas (Nat.) | 3.8790 | ▲ 0.26% |
Cotton | 0.6378 / lb | • 0.00% |
Cattle | 2.2975 / lb | ▲ 0.07% |
S&P 500 | 6930.52 | ▲ 0.01% |
Dow Jones | 48715.76 | ▲ 0.08% |
Nasdaq | 23592.79 | ▼ 0.09% |
Last Time the Market Was This Expensive, Investors Waited 14 Years to Break Even
In 1999, the S&P 500 peaked. Then it took 14 years to gradually recover by 2013.
Today? Goldman Sachs sounds crazy forecasting 3% returns for 2024 to 2034.
But we’re currently seeing the highest price for the S&P 500 compared to earnings since the dot-com boom.
So, maybe that’s why they’re not alone; Vanguard projects about 5%.
In fact, now just about everything seems priced near all time highs. Equities, gold, crypto, etc.
But billionaires have long diversified a slice of their portfolios with one asset class that is poised to rebound.
It’s post war and contemporary art.
Sounds crazy, but over 70,000 investors have followed suit since 2019—with Masterworks.
You can invest in shares of artworks featuring Banksy, Basquiat, Picasso, and more.
24 exits later, results speak for themselves: net annualized returns like 14.6%, 17.6%, and 17.8%.*
My subscribers can skip the waitlist.
*Investing involves risk. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. Important Reg A disclosures: masterworks.com/cd.
Texas Grid & Weather Snapshot
Statewide Outage Count — today (from start of day to now): None.
City | High (°F) | Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|
Dallas | 83.3 | 63.3 |
Houston | 80.2 | 68.2 |
Austin | 82.0 | 67.3 |
San Antonio | 81.9 | 66.6 |
Alerts
Dallas: No active Weatherbit or NWS alerts.
Houston: No active Weatherbit or NWS alerts.
Austin: No active Weatherbit or NWS alerts.
San Antonio: No active Weatherbit or NWS alerts.
Politics and Economy
Newspaper Decline Changes How Texans Live and Inform
The steady drop in print newspapers over decades not only shifts how people get news but also alters everyday life. Many used papers for wrapping gifts, lining pet cages, or keeping memories. As print fades, communities from Montana to Texas feel the loss. For media, cutting costly print editions is survival; for readers, it changes habits and traditions.
You might not think how much you rely on physical newspapers beyond reading the news. Without them, small routines like wrapping gifts or preserving memories feel different, especially in Texas communities where local papers once marked everyday life. With fewer printed editions, your daily patterns and connections to local stories shift, pushing news consumption fully online. This changes how you interact with your neighborhood, recognize milestones, and even how information circulates in your social circles.
Source: AP News
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What else is happening:
Texans defensive tackle Naquan Jones says it's 'highly emotional' facing his former team, framing Sunday's game as personal and potentially pivotal for Houston's playoff hopes.
Analysts identify Five Senate Seats Democrats target in 2026, outlining how potential flips could shift control and shape federal policies that affect Texans.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass warns rising Latino recruitment into the Border Patrol reflects economic pressures and highlights immigration challenges that reverberate on the Texas border.
Tech and Business
NordVPN Unveils Future-Ready NordWhisper Protocol
NordVPN launched NordWhisper to outpace advanced censorship by mimicking normal web traffic, enhancing privacy and evasion beyond OpenVPN and WireGuard. The protocol evolved through 2025 with expanded platform support and plans for adaptive obfuscation and QUIC integration in 2026.
When you rely on VPNs to access information freely or protect your identity online, NordWhisper’s advancements will keep your connection more secure in places with strict internet censorship. This means smoother, safer browsing even if your usual VPN struggles. As your digital footprint becomes harder to track, you gain greater peace of mind about what’s seen and what stays private.
Source: Tech Radar
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Texas Regulators Weigh Next Steps After Federal Hemp Ban
Following Congress’s decision to ban all consumable hemp products in 2026, Texas regulators are gathering public input to shape new rules for retailers selling gummies, drinks, and smokeable hemp flowers with intoxicating THC levels.
If you buy hemp-derived products in Texas, new regulations could affect what’s available and where you shop. Retailers will have to follow updated rules that might change product options on shelves. Staying informed helps you know which hemp items remain legal and ensures your purchases meet state guidelines amid changing laws.
Source: NWA Online
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What else is happening:
A 10TB Internxt lifetime plan has dropped under $300, offering end-to-end encrypted storage that gives Texans affordable, subscription-free backups for photos, business files, and archives.
U.S. automakers face urgent pressure to reinvent for electric and software-driven markets, a transformation that could reshape Texas manufacturing, dealerships, and EV availability statewide.
Sports
McCown, Henderson Power UTSA to First Responder Bowl Win
UTSA dominated Florida International 57-20 at the First Responder Bowl, led by Owen McCown's three touchdown passes and Will Henderson III's three touchdowns. UTSA rallied after a 14-0 deficit, scoring 38 unanswered points to secure their third straight bowl victory.
If you follow Texas college football, UTSA’s commanding win shows the team’s growing strength and consistency. Their offensive surge after falling behind reflects resilience that could build excitement for the next season and bowl appearances. Watching players like McCown and Henderson shine might influence local fandom and betting interests.
Source: AP News
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Sports Spotlight:
San Antonio tries to extend its six-game home win streak against Utah as the Spurs aim to protect their playoff positioning and Western Conference standing.
No. 2 Texas hosts SE Louisiana after Lihi Azouri's 22-point game, aiming to preserve an unbeaten home record and build momentum before conference play.
With the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl looming, several Texas players have significant NFL and draft stakes, and standout performances could reshape postseason evaluations.
Texas History Insight
The town of Fredericksburg, Texas, was founded in 1846 by German immigrants, and to this day, German influence remains deeply woven into the city’s culture. From historic buildings and surnames to traditional festivals like Oktoberfest, Fredericksburg is one of the strongest surviving examples of German heritage in the American South.