TOP STORY
Austin ISD Opens Enrollment Amid Campus Closures
Austin ISD starts enrollment Monday with new processes as 10 campuses face closure to reduce a $65 million budget gap. Families must use the online Enroll Austin portal for all students. Admission-based programs and dual language options have updated timelines and requirements this year.
If you have kids in Austin ISD, this year's enrollment may shape where and how they attend school due to campus closures and program shifts. You’ll want to plan carefully around the phased application windows, especially if your child is in a specialty or dual language program. Navigating these changes early helps secure spots and reduces stress later in the year.
Source: Austin American-statesman
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Markets
Oil (WTI) | 58.8300 | ▼ 0.07% |
Gas (Nat.) | 3.2730 | ▲ 0.61% |
Cotton | 0.6463 / lb | ▲ 0.22% |
Cattle | 2.3373 / lb | ▼ 0.03% |
S&P 500 | 6965.99 | ▼ 0.14% |
Dow Jones | 49500.20 | ▼ 0.08% |
Nasdaq | 23668.04 | ▼ 0.16% |
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 | 64.6 | 35.8 |
Houston | 62.1 | 44.6 |
Austin | 64.9 | 40.5 |
San Antonio | 64.6 | 45.0 |
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
Texas must address child care fraud without harming families
Governor Abbott has ordered investigations into child care fraud after concerns about a Minneapolis center. Texas officials must carefully probe fraud without disrupting vital subsidy payments that support over 140,000 children statewide. Rooting out bad actors is essential, but maintaining access to affordable child care remains urgent given existing shortages, especially in rural areas.
If your family depends on child care subsidies, these investigations could feel unsettling. Delays in payments could disrupt your ability to work or attend school, but the goal is to protect families and taxpayers alike. Texas needs to balance strict oversight with ensuring reliable support for parents who rely on affordable, safe child care. Staying informed can help you navigate any temporary challenges as agencies act.
Source: Dallas News
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What else is happening:
Protesters and neighbors gathered for a vigil held Sunday outside Travis County Jail after an Austin anti‑ICE demonstration, demanding answers about the fatal shooting of Renee Good.
Dallas County GOP chair Allen West’s precinct-based plan — after abandoning a hand count — has sown confusion that could complicate voter access in key Texas primary contests.
A Dallas News commentary argues that federal courts need to act more forcefully against aggressive Trump immigration policies to safeguard legal protections for Texans at the border.
Tech and Business
Managing AI Data Centers to Protect Communities
As AI data centers rapidly expand, their demands on power, water, and land bring complex challenges. Transparent studies and fair policies can help communities benefit economically while guarding against rising costs and environmental strain.
If you live near proposed data center sites, you might face higher electricity rates or water shortages without proper planning. Advocating for early community input and seeing energy costs fairly allocated means your neighborhood avoids paying for corporate infrastructure. Thoughtful policies can turn this AI boom into a shared win, not a local burden.
Source: Dallas News
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Trump Pushes $50 Oil Price Amid Venezuela Crisis
President Trump's goal to lower oil prices to $50 per barrel clashes with U.S. oil companies aiming for higher profits. This move follows U.S. control of Venezuelan oil sales amid political upheaval, impacting industry jobs and global supply dynamics.
Lower oil prices could mean cheaper gas at the pump, but could also lead to fewer energy sector jobs and less investment in U.S. production. If you're connected to Texas's oil economy, changes in global oil politics and prices could affect local wages and fuel costs. Watch how this tug-of-war shapes your energy bills and job market.
Source: Quartz
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What else is happening:
Elon Musk’s Tesla faces multiple self-imposed deadlines this year, from Cybercab volume production to a Roadster demo that could define its 2026 roadmap.
Nvidia and automotive suppliers are teaming up to use AI and partnerships to overcome obstacles and speed deployment of higher-level self-driving vehicles across the industry.
Sports
Edwards Drives Past Wembanyama to Win Game
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves to a thrilling 104-103 victory over the Spurs by driving past star defender Victor Wembanyama for the game-winning shot. Edwards showed growth by making a smart play against the 7-foot-4 rookie, showcasing his evolving clutch skills in a critical moment.
If you follow basketball, Edwards' development shows how patience and practice on specific shots pay off. You can appreciate how putting in hours on mid-range and fadeaway shots helps turn pressure moments into game-winners. For fans of Texas basketball, watching Wembanyama's defense against an elite scorer also highlights the new generation of stars shaping the game’s future.
Source: AP News
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Sports Spotlight:
The Rockets bring a six-game home winning streak into Tuesday’s meeting with Chicago, boosting Houston’s playoff hopes and building confidence at Toyota Center.
Dallas aims to defend its home court against Brooklyn as the Mavericks look to extend momentum after their earlier 119-111 win over the Nets.
Kevin Durant climbed past Wilt Chamberlain on the career scoring list during the Rockets’ recent game, marking a significant personal milestone and highlighting his scoring consistency.
Texas History & Trade Fact
Before railroads dominated trade, Galveston was the busiest port in Texas and one of the most important ports in the entire United States. In the late 1800s, it handled more cotton exports than any other American port, making Texas a global agricultural powerhouse long before oil reshaped the economy.