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TOP STORY
Texas Becomes First State to Buy Bitcoin
Texas has made a groundbreaking move by purchasing roughly $5 million in bitcoin via BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF. This purchase follows a state law enabling a public cryptocurrency reserve, signed by Gov. Greg Abbott months earlier. While the fund trades in US dollars, its value generally tracks bitcoin's price, which fell about 20% in the last month. Texas joins a growing wave of governments engaging with digital assets.
Your state's cryptocurrency reserve means Texas is staking a claim in the future of digital finance right now. If you're watching crypto markets, this purchase shows Texas is betting on bitcoin's long-term value despite recent price dips. As a taxpayer, this move might influence state investment strategies and how public funds are allocated. Keep an eye on how this affects Texas's economic standing amid broader crypto adoption.
Source: Finance Yahoo
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Markets
Oil (WTI) | 57.5600 | • 0.00% |
Gas (Nat.) | 4.1290 | ▲ 0.02% |
Cotton | 0.6414 / lb | ▼ 0.19% |
Cattle | 2.2955 / lb | ▼ 0.04% |
S&P 500 | 6827.89 | ▲ 0.06% |
Dow Jones | 48460.39 | ▲ 0.03% |
Nasdaq | 23193.65 | ▼ 0.02% |
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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 | 51.8 | 27.7 |
Houston | 53.4 | 33.8 |
Austin | 56.5 | 31.6 |
San Antonio | 57.9 | 37.4 |
Alerts
Dallas: No active Weatherbit or NWS alerts.
Houston: A Freeze Warning was issued on December 14 at 11:03 AM CST and remains in effect until December 15 at 9:00 AM, according to NWS Houston/Galveston.
Austin: No active Weatherbit or NWS alerts.
San Antonio: No active Weatherbit or NWS alerts.
Politics and Economy
Rep. Jasmine Crockett Launches Senate Campaign in Houston
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett kicked off her campaign in Houston aiming to unseat Republican Senator John Cornyn. She joins two other Democrats and three Republicans in the race for this key Texas Senate seat. Crockett highlighted immigration reform, economic issues, and the Gaza conflict during her visit. She emphasized engaging Latino voters in Harris and Fort Bend counties as a priority. The Texas GOP remains confident in Cornyn's prospects for re-election.
Your political landscape in Texas may soon shift with Crockett's campaign underway. If you live in Houston or surrounding areas, expect increased attention on immigration and economic policies affecting daily life. Voter outreach in Latino communities is set to intensify, which could influence local turnout and representation. This race will impact how Texas voices are heard in Washington.
Source: Khou
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What else is happening:
Dallas City Council approved a $10 million ARPA allocation to expand homelessness programs targeting over 425 residents in need of rental assistance and supportive services, strengthening social support in the city.
Governor Abbott has appointed fresh members, including Lucas and Rose, to the University of Houston System Board of Regents, boosting Houston's influence in higher education governance with terms extending through 2029.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire condemned the Australia mass shooting while local authorities increased security around menorah ceremonies, reflecting community safety concerns amid broader political tensions.
Tech and Business
Tesla Tests Driverless Model Y Robotaxi In Austin
Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed that testing for fully autonomous Robotaxis is happening now in Austin, Texas. A new video shows a Tesla Model Y navigating city streets without passengers or safety drivers. This move aims to challenge the current leader Waymo, which boasts 14 million paid Robotaxi rides. Analysts expect Tesla to launch these driverless services in five major cities next year, shaking up the domestic Robotaxi market.
Driverless Teslas cruising Austin streets without anyone behind the wheel signal big changes for how you might hail rides soon. Imagine skipping the hassle of a driver or surge fares-your ride could be smoother and more affordable. As Tesla accelerates testing here, expect increased competition that could drive innovation and better service in local transportation options.
Source: Benzinga
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SIAD Americas Launches Office in The Woodlands Texas
SIAD Americas LLC, part of The SIAD Group, has opened a new office in The Woodlands, Texas, marking an important step in expanding its engineered equipment business across the Americas. This move positions SIAD to better serve customers regionally. The opening attracted key leaders including Chairman and CEO Bernardo Sestini, along with representatives from the Italy-American Chamber of Commerce and the Italian consul general in Houston.
SIAD's new Texas office signals growing business opportunities if you're in the engineering or equipment sectors nearby. Expect increased local partnerships and potentially more job openings as the company ramps up regional operations. For customers, this expansion means faster, more accessible service tailored to the Americas market. Local economies benefit too with more international investment driving growth in The Woodlands.
Source: Biz Journals
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What else is happening:
Austin Independent School District raises safety alarms over repeated incidents involving Waymo’s driverless vehicles passing school buses, prompting investigations and software adjustments.
Dallas City Council greenlights an AI-powered camera initiative for sanitation trucks to monitor cleanliness and improve urban waste management efficiency.
Sports
Dak Prescott Details Vikings' Strategy That Stalled Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys fell 34-26 to the Minnesota Vikings at AT&T Stadium, where quarterback Dak Prescott finished with 294 yards on 23 completions but no touchdowns. Prescott pointed to the Vikings' defensive schemes, especially their zero blitz and keen vision, as key factors that disrupted Dallas' offense. Despite sitting under .500, Prescott stressed the team's commitment to fighting for a playoff spot and the pride their players maintain in difficult times.
Your game-day experience might feel more intense as the Cowboys' playoff chances tighten with this loss. Watching Prescott analyze the Vikings' defense shows the nuances behind those missed opportunities on the field. You're also seeing how the Cowboys' resilience is tested, which could shape how the rest of the season unfolds and impact your weekend football plans.
Source: Star Telegram
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Sports Spotlight:
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus faces calls to be replaced after the team's defensive struggles this season, according to SI.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones describes missing the playoffs as a huge disappointment amid the team's challenging NFL season.
The Vikings defeated the Cowboys 34-26 with quarterback J.J. McCarthy impressing in back-to-back wins, raising optimism for Minnesota and concerns for Dallas, per Star Tribune.
Texas Natural Fact
Texas is home to the largest bat colony on Earth. Every summer, Bracken Cave, just north of San Antonio, hosts over 15 million Mexican free-tailed bats. At dusk, the bats emerge in massive spirals that can be seen on weather radar and consume hundreds of tons of insects nightly — making them a critical part of Texas’ ecosystem and agriculture.