TOP STORY

Weekend I-30 Shutdown Marks Key Dallas Reconstruction Milestone

Dallas closed Interstate 30 over the weekend to meet a crucial early deadline in the long-running downtown rebuild project. The closure allowed crews to remove the Cesar Chavez bridge, a step toward modernizing the highway for the city’s growth. Drivers faced tough detours and noise disruptions, but the project is expected to finish by 2030.

If you regularly drive or live near downtown Dallas, this means you’ll see and hear ongoing construction disruptions for years. Your usual routes might be tougher to navigate, especially with detours funneling traffic under the congested Woodall Rodgers Freeway. Though inconvenient now, these changes aim to ease future traffic and support the city’s expanding needs, so adapting your commute and planning ahead can save you headaches later.

Source: WFAA
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Markets

Oil (WTI)

59.3300

▲ 0.19%

Gas (Nat.)

3.4400

▲ 10.86%

Cotton

0.6458 / lb

▼ 0.71%

Cattle

2.3207 / lb

▲ 0.00%

S&P 500

6939.46

▼ 0.09%

Dow Jones

49358.19

▼ 0.01%

Nasdaq

23514.42

▼ 0.12%

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

54.0

32.5

Houston

66.0

38.3

Austin

68.0

36.1

San Antonio

67.8

34.7

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

State Fair Officials Aim to Cut Prices Soon

Attendance at the State Fair of Texas fell by about 400,000 last year, with high prices a key reason families stayed away. Fair president Mitchell Glieber said lowering ticket costs and vendor prices will be the top priority to make the event more affordable again.

When tickets and food prices at the State Fair rise, it directly hits your family budget and weekend plans. If you’ve skipped in recent years because it felt too pricey, you’re not alone. Fair officials want to lighten that load so you and your kids can enjoy rides, food, and Texas culture without breaking the bank. If they succeed, this beloved event could become a regular treat again instead of a special splurge.

Source: Dallas News
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What else is happening:

  • President Trump unleashed a late-night Truth Social tirade attacking Rep. Ilhan Omar and warning against a proposed New York Stock Exchange-style market in Dallas.

  • House Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing to unite his conference behind another Republican-only bill to secure legislative wins before the midterms and advance party priorities.

  • CBS aired a previously spiked 60 Minutes segment about deported migrants, renewing scrutiny of editorial decisions and national immigration enforcement practices.

Tech and Business

Texas Homebuilders Equip Homes With Backup Power

Texas homebuilders are increasingly integrating resilience technology as grid outages become a concern. Approximately 70% of buyers are installing backup systems like generators or portable batteries to ensure power during disruptions. Supply limitations are slowing broader adoption despite strong demand.

If you live in Texas, power outages can disrupt your daily life and comfort. Having a backup power system means your home stays functional during blackouts, keeping appliances and devices running. As more buyers prioritize this technology, expect newer homes to come equipped with energy resilience features, protecting your investment and peace of mind.

Source: Yahoo! News
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Texas Defines What Counts as Manageable Student Debt

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board reports 97% of graduates have manageable or no student loan debt, defined as monthly payments under 10% of income. Texas is targeting 60% degree attainment by 2030 and has froze tuition through 2026-27 to boost affordability.

Understanding what 'manageable debt' means can help you plan for college without overwhelming financial stress. Texas' focus on debt-to-income ratios means your loan payments should stay within a comfortable share of your future earnings. Affordable tuition and degree completion initiatives also aim to make higher education less daunting and more accessible for you or your family.

Source: Austin American-statesman
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What else is happening:

  • Texas Tech's Davis College plans a controlled burn near a Lubbock ISD AgriSTEM complex, prompting safety notices, traffic adjustments, and air-quality monitoring for nearby residents.

  • FedEx's CEO warns standard warehouse robots aren't sufficient and advocates for super humanoid robots with more articulation to improve package handling and logistics efficiency.

Sports

Kevin Durant Becomes NBA’s Sixth All-Time Scorer

Kevin Durant passed Dirk Nowitzki to become the NBA’s sixth all-time leading scorer during a recent Houston Rockets game. Despite a slow scoring night, Durant’s career milestone highlights his enduring impact on the league at age 37.

If you follow the Rockets or the NBA, Durant’s new scoring rank is more than just a stat—it’s a reminder of persistence and longevity in sports. For fans and aspiring players alike, his journey shows how talent paired with resilience can break records over decades. Watching KD play isn’t just about points; it’s about seeing a relentless competitor who redefines greatness even as seasons pass.

Source: Click2houston
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Sports Spotlight:

  • Analysts warn Houston's playoff struggles and C.J. Stroud could cost the young quarterback millions in future earnings while intensifying criticism of the offense.

  • The Patriots' returning defensive front helped rock the Texans, delivering a dominant win that exposes Houston's offensive holes and raises urgent roster questions.

  • The Bruins try to extend a six-game run when they visit the Dallas Stars, a matchup that will test Dallas' depth and influence Central Division positioning.

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.

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