TOP STORY
Thousands Advised To Stay Inside in Texas

Thousands in El Paso and nearby towns were told Tuesday morning to stay indoors due to high levels of fine particle pollution labeled "unhealthy" by the EPA. Sensitive groups like children and the elderly should avoid outdoor activities to reduce health risks.
If you're in or near El Paso, this means stepping back from outdoor plans until conditions improve. The poor air quality can trigger breathing problems and worsen existing health conditions, especially for kids and older adults. Staying indoors today helps protect your lungs and may prevent discomfort, so consider postponing exercise or errands outside. This serves as a reminder of how environmental factors can directly affect your day-to-day wellness.
Source: News Week
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Markets
Oil (WTI) | 63.6200 | ▲ 0.25% |
Gas (Nat.) | 3.1570 | ▲ 0.80% |
Cotton | 0.6402 / lb | ▲ 0.27% |
Cattle | 2.4293 / lb | ▲ 0.95% |
S&P 500 | 6835.08 | ▲ 0.14% |
Dow Jones | 49499.42 | ▲ 0.19% |
Nasdaq | 22550.57 | ▲ 0.15% |
What Will Your Retirement Look Like?
Planning for retirement raises many questions. Have you considered how much it will cost, and how you’ll generate the income you’ll need to pay for it? For many, these questions can feel overwhelming, but answering them is a crucial step forward for a comfortable future.
Start by understanding your goals, estimating your expenses and identifying potential income streams. The Definitive Guide to Retirement Income can help you navigate these essential questions. If you have $1,000,000 or more saved for retirement, download your free guide today to learn how to build a clear and effective retirement income plan. Discover ways to align your portfolio with your long-term goals, so you can reach the future you deserve.
Texas Grid & Weather Snapshot
Statewide Outage Count — today (from start of day to now): None.
City | High (°F) | Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|
Dallas | 77.0 | 54.0 |
Houston | 77.7 | 57.0 |
Austin | 83.7 | 55.9 |
San Antonio | 85.1 | 56.8 |
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
Early Voting Guide for 2026 Texas Primary Near Austin

Early voting starts February 17 and runs through February 27 for the Texas primary elections across Travis, Williamson, Hays, and Bastrop counties. Voters can choose party nominees for key races including U.S. Senate and local offices. Polling sites and hours vary by county, with many locations and extended hours available to accommodate voters.
When you head to vote early, you have a good range of times and locations across central Texas to fit your schedule and neighborhood. Whether you favor a morning visit at Austin's main site or an evening stop near your local library, casting your ballot in person is more convenient this year. With significant races like the U.S. Senate and attorney general on the ticket, your vote shapes which leaders represent Texas on critical issues, making participation especially crucial.
Source: Austin American-statesman
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What else is happening:
Ken Paxton held his first scheduled campaign rally, signaling a more aggressive statewide push in the U.S. Senate primary as early voting begins.
The Heidi Group returned to federal court alleging discrimination after losing state funding tied to abortion politics, continuing a high-stakes legal fight over government contracts.
Tarrant County's voting guide lists partisan primary locations and hours to help voters across the county navigate polling options ahead of March 3.
Tech and Business
SpaceX and xAI Compete in Pentagon Drone Contest

SpaceX and its AI branch xAI are part of a six-month Pentagon competition focused on autonomous drone swarming, with a $100 million prize. The contest seeks technology that translates voice commands into instructions for drone fleets amid growing defense AI investments.
If you follow tech innovations, this competition could shape how drones interact around large public events and sensitive areas near you. Advances here might mean more secure airspace and new military tech jobs in Texas. Keep an eye out as SpaceX pushes its AI capabilities toward practical defense applications, potentially influencing how autonomous drones integrate into everyday security.
Source: Teslarati
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HIVE Digital Reports $90.6 Million Quarterly Loss

HIVE Digital Technologies from San Antonio posted a $90.6 million loss in its fiscal third quarter, missing analyst expectations on revenue and adjusted loss per share. The cryptocurrency mining company’s results highlight ongoing challenges in the volatile crypto sector.
If you’re invested in or watching Texas-based crypto firms, HIVE’s latest results show how risky the market can still be. These losses might influence job security and new investments locally. For anyone curious about crypto’s future in Texas, this underlines the importance of cautious optimism as the sector navigates financial and regulatory pressures.
Source: KVUE
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What else is happening:
A Texas Tesla owner says FSD tried to drive his car into a lake, calling the behavior repeatable and renewing safety concerns about autonomy.
The Pentagon may sever ties with Anthropic after talks stall over Claude guardrails, highlighting tensions about military use and AI safety protections.
Sports
Big 12 Teams Seek Greater Respect in NCAA Tournament

Despite TCU, Baylor, West Virginia, and Texas Tech all ranking in the AP Top 25, only TCU made the NCAA’s initial Top 16. The Big 12 community feels overlooked even as the league delivers tough, competitive games with multiple teams tightly contending for top spots.
If you follow Texas college basketball, you know the Big 12’s fight for respect affects how these teams are viewed nationally and how they prepare mentally. Every game feels like a high-stakes matchup since any team can win on any night. As the Horned Frogs and Bears clash to end the regular season, your bracket predictions and game day excitement hinge on these intense battles that define postseason hopes.
Source: AP News
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Sports Spotlight:
No. 15 Baylor meets No. 20 Texas Tech in a pivotal Big 12 showdown after Taliah Scott’s 26-point outburst, with both teams jockeying for tournament positioning.
No. 12 TCU visits Houston following Briana Peguero’s 23-point performance, a matchup that could reshape Big 12 standings and NCAA tournament perceptions for both programs.
Texas State faces Arkansas State after Saniya Burks’ 22-point game, as the Bobcats seek a crucial Sun Belt win to strengthen their postseason resume.
Texas Heritage Insight
The iconic phrase “Six Flags over Texas” doesn’t just refer to amusement parks: it references the six nations that have governed parts of Texas — Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the United States, and the Confederate States of America.

