No comments:

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Good morning! On this day in 1870, the 475-foot Waco Suspension Bridge opened to traffic, becoming the longest single-span suspension bridge west of the Mississippi River. The bridge was closed to vehicle traffic in 1971 and received a state historic marker in 1976.

TxDOT has treated bridges and overpasses ahead of the wintry weather expected in parts of the state next week. Continuing the theme, today's trivia asks which community in Texas changed its name when a nearby bridge was completed. Check it out below!

Did you know that the team that makes The Texas Flyover also produces a national publication called The Flyover? Click here to subscribe and stay up to date with the latest national headlines—without the bias of legacy media outlets.

We're sponsored today by GoldCo. Check out their guide to investing in gold and silver.

ERCOT Issues Weather Watch

ERCOT, the Texas power grid operator, issued a Weather Watch through Friday, indicating the potential for higher electricity demand as below-freezing temperatures and wintry precipitation are in the forecast for much of the state.

Officials emphasized that while reserves will be lower than normal, there is no expectation of an energy emergency.

Meanwhile, TxDOT treated the highways in North Texas with a brine solution that lowers the freezing point and prevents the accumulation of ice and snow. Crews will closely monitor bridges and overpasses later this week when precipitation is expected.

TxDOT Outlines Vision for AI

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) released a 71-page strategic plan for integrating artificial intelligence into its operations. The plan outlines four pilot projects and over 200 potential AI use cases, focusing on "high-impact applications that enhance human decision-making, streamline processes, and provide new insights from data."

During last month's board of directors meeting, an agency official described the plan as a three-year roadmap that could change as AI's capabilities evolve.

Some of the potential use cases included in the plan are "AI-Assisted Bridge Inspection and Deterioration Prediction," "Weather-Related Closure Recommendations," and "Automated Speed Study Analysis."

Rapper Accidentally Fires Gun During Podcast

Houston rapper OG 2 Low made headlines after accidentally shooting a gun in his pants pocket during a live episode of the YouTube show "One on One with Mike D."

The incident occurred about 47 minutes into the show when the rapper, whose real name is Cedric White, reached into his pocket, causing the weapon to fire. Show host Mike D looked around the room, asking, "Who shot who? Somebody got shot?"

White, meanwhile, appeared shocked. When asked if he was okay, he replied, "I hope." White then asked if everyone else in the studio "was good."

Some commentators suspected the incident was a publicity stunt. One viewer predicted that "the memes from this video gone be crazy."

Flying together with our sponsor

Stability. Wealth Protection. Long Term Financial Growth. This is what many Americans are searching for when they invest in precious metals like gold and silver. But what's the best way to buy these precious metals?

Do you buy an ETF (Exchange Traded Fund), or do you get your hands on the real thing? Here's the thing about ETFs… You don't actually own the gold or silver. You can't take physical delivery of the metal. Taxes and fees can eat away at your gains. Shares may or may not have sufficient gold or silver backing. But with physical gold or silver, you are the one in the driver's seat.

You have the control you're looking for with your hard-earned money. If you want to learn more about buying and controlling your own physical gold and silver, get your free copy of… How To Buy Gold & Silver - A Beginner's Guide To Today's Most Desired Assets

➤ Irving: Invasive feral hogs have been tearing up yards and rummaging through trash in recent weeks. A frustrated resident of the Dallas suburb lamented, "I can't just go out there and start blasting." (See Photos)

➤ Arlington: An 18-year-old woman was arrested Saturday for allegedly shooting her ex-boyfriend when he got into a fight with her current boyfriend. (More)

➤ Odessa: The 2025 Sandhills Stock Show and Rodeo kicked off last Thursday and is in town through this Saturday. Rodeo president James Wise acknowledged the event would not be possible without the help of passionate volunteers. (See Photos)

➤ Edinburg: A high school principal has been accused of sending harassing text messages to a person in a group chat with other district employees. Jesus Ramon Mata turned himself in to the police on Sunday and was released on a $10,000 bond. (More)

➤ Amarillo: LEGO enthusiasts packed the Amarillo Civic Center this past weekend to check out the creations at the traveling LEGO Brick Convention. "You can build cities, build cars, there's something for everybody, and that's the beauty of this hobby," said one of the featured artists. (Watch Video)

➤ San Marcos and Texas State University are collaborating on a community survey asking residents how they get around town. The results will be used to reevaluate bus routes and the university's shuttle service system. (More)

Enjoy reading The Texas Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family.

➤ Former Houston Texans great JJ Watt mocked the Tennessee Titans for their dismal performance against the Texans during the CBS broadcast of Sunday's game when the Titans wore an Oilers-inspired uniform against the team representing their former host city. (More)

➤ Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey went viral on Sunday after he hit one of the team's cheerleaders in the head with a kickoff. (Watch Video)

➤ Houston Rockets star Amen Thompson put together an incredible performance in his return from a two-game suspension, scoring 23 points with 16 rebounds, leading the team to a 119-115 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Never lose your wallet again. SmartCard is the world's first tracker designed specifically for your wallet or purse. Even though it recently launched, it's already going viral across Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. More than 70,000+ people use it already to track their wallets, earning an incredible 97.2% satisfaction rating. (See It Here)

➤ The U.S. Department of Commerce awarded Samsung $4.74 billion to expand its chip fabrication plants in Taylor and Austin. The funding comes from the federal CHIPS and Science Act. (More)

➤ State lawmakers are considering new regulations for lithium-ion battery energy storage systems, which critics allege pose significant health and safety risks. One proposal would prohibit building such facilities within 500 yards of an adjacent property. (More)

➤ Several notable projects are slated for the Texas Hill Country this year, including the grand opening of the luxurious Albert Hotel in Fredericksburg, an $18 million Topgolf in New Braunfels, and an $11 million Crunch Fitness gym in Kyle. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Never lose your reading glasses again! With ThinOptics®, you'll always have your reading glasses handy! These thin, incredibly durable, and comfortable glasses stick right to the back of your phone, keeping them safely tucked away until you need them. (See It Here)

Flying together with our sponsor

If you have $50,000 or more saved for retirement, it could be at risk! Discover the 2024 IRS Loophole that thousands of Americans are using to protect their retirement savings with gold and silver! 100% Tax & Penalty FREE! Get Your FREE INFO KIT NOW!

➤ Actor and Austin native Glen Powell posed for photos at the Golden Globes on Sunday with physician assistant Maxwell Braunstein, the winner of a lookalike contest held in Austin last year. (Watch Video)

➤ Former Texas governor Rick Perry touted the alleged benefits of the illegal psychedelic drug ibogaine during a recent episode of Joe Rogan's podcast. Perry said the drug can help treat addiction and PTSD, expressing optimism that the incoming Trump administration will make it more accessible. (More)

➤ The 5,900-acre Padgitt Ranch in Coleman County, once the largest fenced ranch in Texas, recently hit the market for $21 million. The property has been in the same family for 145 years. (See Photos)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ The Gold Standard In Scientific EMF Protection. Aires neutralizes the harmful EMF radiation coming from your devices with patented, clinically proven NanoTechnology. No harmful methods, no fake science, no false claims — just science.

You can't escape technology today… but you can save yourself from the dangerous EMF radiation it emits.