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TOP STORY
Houston Man Pushes for Wrong-Way Crash Prevention
After losing his brother in a wrong-way crash, a Houston man advocates for safety upgrades like spike strips and alert systems. Fatal wrong-way crashes on Houston roads have surged, prompting calls for better prevention measures to stop more families from facing such losses.
If you drive around Houston, these wrong-way accidents bring real risks to your daily commute and loved ones. Enhanced road safety features could protect your routes and prevent the trauma of losing someone to a reckless driver. Supporting these measures means safer highways for you and your family, reducing chances of deadly crashes while easing community stress.
Source: Click 2 Houston
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Markets
Oil (WTI) | 57.4300 | ▲ 0.67% |
Gas (Nat.) | 4.1030 | ▲ 0.32% |
Cotton | 0.6393 / lb | ▲ 0.08% |
Cattle | 2.3080 / lb | • 0.00% |
S&P 500 | 6834.70 | ▲ 0.02% |
Dow Jones | 48132.23 | ▼ 0.02% |
Nasdaq | 23307.80 | ▲ 0.12% |
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Texas Grid & Weather Snapshot
Statewide Outage Count — today (from start of day to now): None.
City | High (°F) | Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|
Dallas | 75.2 | 54.5 |
Houston | 79.2 | 68.0 |
Austin | 77.5 | 55.0 |
San Antonio | 79.9 | 59.7 |
Alerts
Dallas: No active Weatherbit or NWS alerts.
Houston: A Dense Fog Advisory was issued on December 21 at 11:36 PM CST and remains in effect until December 22 at 10:00 AM, according to NWS Houston/Galveston.
Austin: No active Weatherbit or NWS alerts.
San Antonio: No active Weatherbit or NWS alerts.
Politics and Economy
Retroactive Cuts Threaten Austin’s Nonprofit Safety Net
Austin is facing a sudden 10% retroactive cut to city contracts funding nonprofits that provide vital services like food assistance, mental health support, and youth programs. These cuts come amid rising needs, shrinking federal and state funds, and growing homelessness, putting frontline services and vulnerable residents at serious risk.
If you or your neighbors rely on community programs for food, shelter, or mental health support, these unexpected budget cuts could mean fewer services when you need them most. Nonprofits stretch every dollar through volunteers and matching funds, but slashing contracts retroactively strains their ability to plan and deliver care. This disruption threatens the stability of families across Austin and widens long-standing health and economic inequalities, especially in East Austin where resources are already scarce.
Source: Austin American-statesman
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What else is happening:
Texas Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett blasted JD Vance’s 'street girl' jab as a racist attack, signaling it may dominate her Senate bid messaging.
A new analysis finds rising no-shows in immigration court have accelerated deportations, straining border communities and complicating legal access for many Texas residents.
Reporting shows the share of people with severe mental illness in state mental hospitals accused of serious crimes has surged, reducing chances for timely treatment before catastrophic crisis.
Tech and Business
AI Reshapes Business But Leaves Leadership Gap
Dallas-Fort Worth thrives amid rapid AI adoption in finance, tech, and energy sectors. Yet as AI automates many tasks, local leaders warn that the unique human judgment and wisdom needed for complex decisions can’t be replaced by algorithms.
You might notice your workplace introducing AI tools to speed routine jobs, but when tough calls arise, someone still has to lead with experience and ethical insight. Education that nurtures these human strengths is key to keeping jobs meaningful and Texas competitive in an AI-driven economy. Supporting local universities focused on classical learning ensures future leaders who can guide technology with wisdom instead of being led by it.
Source: Dallas News
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New Laws Mandate Food Labels on Seed Oils and Dyes
Louisiana and Texas enacted laws requiring food products to carry warnings about seed oils, food dyes, and additives starting in 2027 and 2028. The measures stem from conservative-led movements questioning these ingredients’ health effects, despite mixed expert opinions.
You might soon see more detailed labels when grocery shopping or dining out in Texas, highlighting ingredients like seed oils or artificial dyes. While these laws aim to increase transparency, they also spark debates about consumer choice and regulatory overreach. For business owners, adapting packaging and marketing to these mandates could affect costs and customer communication strategies.
Source: Reason Magazine
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What else is happening:
Education experts argue emphasizing classical learning can help Texans retain judgment and moral reasoning as artificial intelligence reshapes workplaces and classrooms across the state.
A Louisiana teen’s case shows how AI deepfakes can upend student lives, prompt school discipline, and expose gaps in district policies protecting minors.
Sports
Kings edge Rockets 125-124 in thrilling OT game
Dennis Schroder's clutch 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds left in overtime gave the Sacramento Kings a narrow 125-124 win over the Houston Rockets. The Kings came back from a five-point deficit in the final minutes, fueled by strong performances from DeMar DeRozan and Russell Westbrook. Kevin Durant led the Rockets with 24 points but missed a potential game-winning shot at the buzzer.
If you're a Rockets fan, this nail-biter might sting, highlighting some late-game struggles in offense and defense this season. For fans of the Kings, Schroder's game-winner ended a tough five-game losing stretch, sparking renewed optimism. This kind of close finish keeps the playoff hopes alive and makes following each game even more exciting.
Source: AP News
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Sports Spotlight:
Maryland-Eastern Shore, aiming to end a six-game skid, faces Texas in Austin where the Longhorns are 6-1 at home and expected to control the game.
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed faces mounting expectations to prove he's elite in 2026, a showing that could shape the Aggies' national title hopes and NFL draft outlook.
The Detroit Red Wings host the Stars after an overtime win, giving Dallas a chance to rebound on the road and exposing questions about their defensive depth.
Texas Infrastructure Insight
Texas operates the only independent power grid in the continental United States. Managed by ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas), most of the state’s electricity runs separately from the Eastern and Western U.S. grids — a system designed to avoid federal regulation and give Texas greater control over its energy market.