MRT 6/25-30/26 (free): TX Requests $10B+ in Federal Border Reimbursement // Hundreds of Data Centers Coming to TX // Dallas Woos Morgan Stanley High Rise // TEA Eyes AISD?

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THURSDAY 6/25/2026 - TUESDAY 6/30/2026

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TOP NEWS

“Texas requests $10B in reimbursements from federal government for Operation Lone Star” via KVUE‘s Jeff Bell --- Gov. Greg Abbott is officially applying to get reimbursed for what Texas spent on border security during the Biden administration.

The Texas governor said he submitted the paperwork to the federal government on Wednesday.

Abbott said under the Biden administration, Texas spent $10 billion of taxpayer money on Operation Lone Star that included sending Texas National Guard soldiers and state troopers to the border and building border barriers.

“In March 2021, I launched Operation Lone Star to fill in the dangerous gaps created by the Biden Administration’s refusal to secure the border,” Abbott said in a statement. “For four years under Biden, Texas spent more than $10 billion of taxpayer money to secure the border. I have formally submitted Texas’ application to the Department of Homeland Security for reimbursement of costs Texas had to incur because President Biden refused to do his job.” (KVUE)

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“Hundreds of data centers are coming to Texas. Here’s what you need to know.” via The Texas Tribune‘s Alejandra Martinez – In the span of a couple years, hundreds of massive electricity- and water-hungry data centers have proposed construction in Texas — a veritable gold rush for those capitalizing on the sudden demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure.

There are at least 248 data center projects planned across the state, according to a Texas Tribune recent analysis.

Experts and industry representatives say the Lone Star state is just the place for the data center revolution because of its friendliness to business and lax regulation. And while industry leaders promise economic gains, some Texans fear the pressure data centers could add to the state’s already strained resources like water and energy.

Gov. Greg Abbott recently moved from calling Texas an “epicenter” of AI development to announcing he would make regulating the industry a priority for state lawmakers during the 2027 legislative session. (TX TRIB)

“How history is guiding a U.S. attempt to beat screwworm again” via The Texas Tribune‘s Jayme Lozano Carver — The New World screwworm has entered the country, and if history is any indication, the parasite’s devastating effects on the U.S. could last for decades.

The screwworm re-emerged following years of warnings from Central America and Mexico officials of the impending outbreak. Then last year, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cut funds for screwworm monitoring in Central America.

Government officials continue to work to pinpoint how screwworm entered the U.S. while cases continue to creep up.

While the financial impact of this modern-day outbreak is still unknown, the USDA estimates the industry saved more than $900 million a year as a result of eradication in the past. (TX TRIB)

“Tensions with landowners rise as a raft of gas pipelines push through Texas properties” via The Texas Tribune‘s Brandon Mulder – In 2022, Ty and Leslie Eggemeyer received a notice in the mail that would shape the next four years of their lives. Their nearly 4,000-acre wildlife resort in Lampasas County — featuring everything from giraffes to wildebeests and gazelles — was along the route of a planned pipeline project proposing to connect the Permian Basin to the Gulf Coast.

Matterhorn Express, a pipeline entity majority-owned by the Austin-based infrastructure company WhiteWater Midstream, would transport Permian Basin gas 580 miles to the Houston area using the powers of eminent domain to sail through thousands of acres of private property.

On Artemis Ranch, the 42-inch pipeline would clip through just a half-mile strip of the property. But it would create an eyesore near the ranch’s entrance, visible to guests coming for wedding parties, corporate retreats and other events.

“We’ve been pushing our ranch as an eco-tourism ranch. How does that fit with a 42-inch gas pipeline running through the front entrance?” Ty Eggemeyer said. (TX TRIB)

“UT Austin researchers develop jacket that pulls drinking water from the air” via KXAN‘s Eric Henrikson — University of Texas at Austin researchers have developed a jacket that pulls drinking water directly from the air, a technology they said could help hikers, farm workers and emergency responders stay hydrated in harsh conditions. According to UT Austin, testing showed the jacket produced between 400 and 900 milliliters of drinking water per day, depending on humidity levels.

“We designed these water harvesting jackets by engineering these very special textile fabrics,” said Professor Guihua Yu with the Texas Materials Institute at UT Austin. The researchers published their work in the month’s new issue of Science Advances.

According to the researchers, the specially engineered fabric can capture water from the atmosphere across a wide range of environments, from arid regions to humid climates like Central Texas. The textile collects moisture from the air and funnels it into detachable harvesting units, where the water is released and collected for drinking.

Traditionally, atmospheric water-harvesting systems have relied on large, stationary devices that collect moisture from the air. Researchers said the new wearable textile is designed to make the technology portable. (KXAN Austin)

2026  

“Jasmine Crockett’s silence could hurt James Talarico’s U.S. Senate chances in November” via Houston Public Media‘s Andrew Schneider – The Democratic Party’s state convention is set to open Thursday in Corpus Christi. One of the most notable absences among the roster of speakers is U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett. The Dallas congresswoman has declined so far to campaign on behalf of her erstwhile rival in Texas’ Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate, Austin state Rep. James Talarico.

Texas Southern University political scientist Michael Adams said that could hurt the voter turnout Talarico likely needs to have a chance of beating Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee, in November’s election. Texas Democrats are trying to break a three-decade losing streak in Senate campaigns.

“Black women voters [have] been the staple or the buckle, as we like to say, of Black voters in particular [for] Democratic turnout,” Adams said. (Houston Public Media)

“‘I’d love to have his help’: Paxton reveals what he told Cornyn after Senate runoff” via Fort Worth Star-Telegram‘s Eleanor Dearman – “By the way, did John Cornyn ever call and concede?” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick posed the question to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in an interview for the inaugural episode of the lieutenant governor’s new Lt. Dan podcast. He sat at a wooden table fashioned with a microphone and branded mug, as Paxton responded from a video screen facing the head of the table.

The episode was released about a month after Paxton defeated longtime Republican incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in a bruising primary runoff. Paxton faces state Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for the statewide seat, in the Nov. 3 general election.

The interview touches on the theme of party unity that’s being pushed by GOP leaders, as Cornyn voters weigh whether to support Paxton in the fall.

“So he sent me a text,” Paxton said. “I never saw a phone call from him, but I texted him back and I said, ‘Thank you. You know, I appreciate your service to Texas and to the country and I’d love to get together and talk.’” (FWST)

“Republican Representatives from AG Paxton’s home turf originally campaigned against him, explain why they now back him” via CBS News‘s Jack Fink – Two Republican members of the Texas House who have butted heads with Ken Paxton and endorsed incumbent John Cornyn told CBS News Texas they are fully supporting the Attorney General in his race against Democratic State Representative James Talarico.

Representatives Matt Shaheen of Prosper and Jeff Leach of Allen are from Collin County, Paxton’s home turf.

“I think the Republican voters spoke loud and clear that they preferred Ken Paxton,” said Shaheen. “He won overwhelmingly in the primary. We need to motivate our base, make sure that the Republican base gets out. Ken Paxton has clearly demonstrated that he can get our Republican base out. So, we look forward to helping him out and doing everything we can to get him and all of our awesome Republican candidates across the goal line.”

“Primaries are a time for us to pick our roster, to pick our candidates, to kind of have our family fights if you will,” said Leach. “But once the slate is chosen, which the voters of Texas have done, it’s incumbent upon us and for all Republicans to get out and support the ticket from the top to the bottom. So, it’s never a question for me. We know who our candidates are headed into November, and we’re going to do everything we can to make sure every single one of them, from the top to the bottom, is elected.” (CBS News)

“Texas Democrats leave convention united in effort to end GOP’s 30-year hold on Texas” via KUT‘s Blaise Gainey – Thousands of people filled the stands of the Hilliard Center Arena in Corpus Christi for the Texas Democratic Convention’s closing rally Saturday, where Sen. Bernie Sanders made the final keynote speech.

“We know that when we stand together as one people, the oligarchs and all of their money will never defeat it,” said Sanders, a Vermont Democrat. “Let’s go out and do it.”

His message was met with loud roars and cheers from the crowd, and it echoed one overall theme stressed by the party throughout their convention: The state’s Democratic leaders urged Texans to unite behind a common message and turn their energy into votes ahead of November’s consequential midterm elections.

Sander’s speech capped the three-day convention where democratic delegates, volunteers, and elected officials urged activists to organize for the 2026 elections. Candidates and party leaders argued that winning political power in the state is essential for protecting public education, expanding health care access and safeguarding rights they say are under attack — both in the Lone Star State and nationally. (KUT)

“Senator Nathan Johnson campaigns for Texas attorney general, prioritizes consumer protection laws” via CrossroadsToday.com‘s Amaya Norman – State Sen. Nathan Johnson is campaigning across Texas as he seeks the office of attorney general. State Senator Nathan Johnson of Dallas is seeking the office of Texas attorney general. Johnson has represented Senate District 16 since 2018 and continues to practice law while serving in the Texas Legislature. He earned his law degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

During a campaign stop in the Crossroads, Johnson said his campaign is centered on restoring public trust in the attorney general’s office and ensuring it serves all Texans.

Johnson argued that the office should focus on enforcing laws that protect consumers rather than pursuing partisan political agendas.

“Consumers are having their daily rights violated,” Johnson said. “As a legislator, I’ve passed laws to protect people from that, but those laws have to be enforced. When you’re using the attorney general’s office as a diversionary tactic or a partisan tactic instead of something that actually protects consumers, you’re not doing your job. People aren’t getting what they’re paying for with their tax dollars, and they don’t have an office they can trust.” (CrossroadsToday.com)

STATE GOVERNMENT  

“Texas Business Court Caseload Accelerates and Broadens After House Bill 40 Expands Jurisdiction” via The Texas Lawbook‘s Marisa Secco Giles, Aaron Lira & Olivia Landry –- The Texas Business Court’s second year is off to a faster start than its first, and the expansion of its jurisdictional reach through House Bill 40 appears to be contributing to the uptick in its caseload.

As discussed in prior coverage of House Bill 40, which became effective Sept. 1, 2025, the jurisdiction-expanding legislation lowered the value threshold to qualify as a “qualified transaction” from $10 million to $5 million; lowered the related amount-in-controversy threshold from $10 million to $5 million; provided jurisdiction over a broad range of intellectual property disputes; provided jurisdiction to enforce arbitration agreements and review arbitral awards in most cases where the underlying claim would otherwise fall within the Business Court’s jurisdiction; and allowed pre-Sept. 1, 2024 cases to be transferred to the Business Court when there is agreement between the parties and the Business Court. House Bill 40 also allows the amount in controversy threshold in certain types of cases to be met by aggregating the total amount of all joined parties’ claims.

From its inception Sept. 1, 2024, through the end of the first quarter of 2026, the Business Court received approximately 367 cases through either original filings or removals. Close to half of those cases were added after the effective date of House Bill 40. In the Eleventh (Houston) Division, the Business Court received nearly as many cases since House Bill 40 went into effect as it did during its entire first year. In the Third (Austin) Division, the Business Court received even more cases since House Bill 40 went into effect than it did during its first year of operation. (The Texas Lawbook)

“Slot machines are “illegal,” the AG says, but local prosecutors have final say.” via Dallas News‘s Yamil Berard – The Fortune Club, a gameroom in Ben Wheeler, Texas, about 75 miles southeast of Dallas, offers a new generation slot machine that looks like the real thing, but its owners and a district judge in east Texas say is "skill based," not chance, and therefore legal.

The bitter fight over what constitutes a gambling device in Texas has grown yet another layer of complexity.

A new generation of bell-ringing slot machines has been popping up across Texas since a trial judge in east Texas deemed them perfectly legal roughly two years ago.

So, even though the machines look and sound like the real thing, the decision by former 336th District Court Judge Laurine Blake determined they are games of skill, not games of chance. According to her ruling, they include memorization elements similar to the vintage Simon game that was a symbol of 1980s pop culture. (DMN)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT  

“Dallas woos Morgan Stanley with incentives for billion-dollar development” via Dallas News‘s Nick Wooten – The Dallas City Council on Wednesday approved an $18.5 million incentive package and additional tax abatements as Morgan Stanley seeks to expand its “Y’all Street” presence by occupying a high-rise at the corner of McKinney Avenue and Fairmount Street.

Under the terms of the deal, Morgan Stanley would undertake a two-phase development project. Morgan Stanley would lease roughly 700,000 square feet in the new Uptown Tower for 16 years with an expected move-in date of 2031. While waiting for the high-rise, the banking giant would lease about 255,000 square feet at downtown’s Fountain Place skyscraper at 1445 Ross Ave. for just over four years.

Morgan Stanley plans to invest nearly $97 million and will bring 1,500 jobs to Fountain Place by 2031. The firm will invest over $684 million in the new Uptown building by 2031 and employ 3,800 people at the site by the end of 2035 with the possibility of additional relocations. The developer is expected to invest another $650 million to build Morgan Stanley’s new office, bringing the value of the estimated development to more than $1.3 billion, city documents show.

The Fountain Place skyscraper and the planned Uptown site will be designated as neighborhood empowerment zones. Morgan Stanley will receive a 90% tax abatement on its property at Fountain Place for five years. The bank will also receive a 90% tax abatement on its property at the new site for 10 years. The city estimates it will forgo $4.8 million in tax revenue. (DMN)

“Council members demand meeting about how $75M in arena deal should be spent” via San Antonio Express-News‘s Madison Iszler – A rendering shows the planned new Spurs arena downtown and the broader Project Marvel sports and entertainment district.

As city officials prepare to hash out agreements for a new Spurs arena downtown, three City Council members are calling for a special meeting to discuss how $75 million from the NBA franchise should be spent.

Teri Castillo, Marina Alderete Gavito and Sukh Kaur said in a memo that they want residents, business owners, artists and labor union representatives to have a chance to weigh in on how the money should be allocated.

In a non-binding term sheet for financing the $1.3 billion arena, Spurs owners have pledged to give the city $2.5 million annually over 30 years for so-called “community benefits.” It would be distributed during the term of the franchise’s lease with the city for the arena, which could begin in 2028. There are no stipulations about what the money must be used for. (SAEN)

“Harris County immigrant legal services program paused by Texas Supreme Court” via ABC13 Houston‘s Sarah Al-Shaikh –- Funding for a Harris County program is now on hold after the Texas Supreme Court put the brakes on it.

The Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocked the county’s multi-million-dollar immigration legal assistance program after finding “serious doubt” about whether the county has the legal authority to operate it.

The program offers free legal services to county residents facing deportation who qualify. The state supreme court said they have enough legal questions to put a temporary pause on funding.

On Friday, the court temporarily blocked the county from spending money through its Immigrant Legal Services Fund while the case plays out. (ABC13 Houston)

“Advocates take aim at police spending in Austin budget” via Austin American-Statesman‘s Austin Sanders – A coalition of more than 30 community groups is calling on city leaders to restore millions in proposed cuts to social service contracts and fund additional programs by limiting growth in the Austin Police Department budget.

The coalition this week released a “community investment budget” calling for roughly $36 million for programs including emergency rental assistance, violence prevention, homelessness services, mental health response and inclement weather sheltering.

The proposal comes weeks before Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax is expected to release an austerity budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year that must account for a $25 million shortfall. Broadnax has already indicated he plans to achieve that by cutting $17 million from social service programs.

The coalition is asking the City Council to reject that approach. (AAS)

“SAISD board picks next superintendent as two trustees raise concerns” via San Antonio Express-News‘s Noah Alcala Bach – San Antonio ISD trustees selected Adrian Bustillos as the lone finalist for superintendent at a meeting Wednesday night.

The San Antonio Independent School District board picked its next superintendent on Wednesday in a 5-2 vote. Adrian Bustillos, a chief transformation officer in a Houston-area district, is slated to take the top job in San Antonio’s oldest school system, replacing outgoing Superintendent Jaime Aquino.

Bustillos’ career in public education began two decades ago in El Paso ISD, where he taught science. He rose through the district’s ranks, becoming an assistant principal in 2009 and serving in two central office roles from 2018 to 2019. After 13 years in El Paso, Bustillos became the chief transformation officer at Aldine ISD, a largely suburban district just north of Houston that serves about 52,000 students across nearly 70 campuses.

The two dissenting trustees — on an often unified board — who voted against the selection were Jacob Ramos and Stephanie Torres. (SAEN)

“Austin ISD is closer than ever to a state intervention. Here’s what can happen” via Austin American-Statesman‘s Keri Heath and Tony Plohetski – When the Texas Education Agency announced in 2023 that it would seize control of the Houston Independent School District over the academic failings of one campus, many Austin families watched with deep concern about what it would mean for the state’s largest public school district.

Crystal Brothwell Hernandez, president of the Austin Council of PTAs who has nine children in Austin ISD schools, described seeing Texas’ largest urban school district fall into the hands of the state as part of a conservative grab for public schools. She believes the state doesn’t know what local schools need and fears takeovers turn learning into a cookie-cutter approach and rob parents of their voice in their child’s education.

Brothwell Hernandez is worried Austin ISD may be next on TEA’s list of districts to take over, as the state has targeted the district in a number of recent investigations and flagged AISD for its academic struggles. (AAS)

“Austin ISD slows boundary plan, pushes some changes to 2027-28 school year” via KXAN Austin‘s Brian Murray – Austin Independent School District (AISD) is slowing plans to realign its school district boundaries that impact which schools students attend. Originally, AISD was aiming to implement districtwide changes for the 2027-28 school year. But now, according to an email to families, the plan will be shifted into a two-phase approach. The first phase will address "urgent" boundary issues the district said ‘cannot wait’; The second phase aims to be a comprehensive change to campuses’ boundaries across the district.

AISD said the new timeline would allow it to “make better, more sustainable long-term decisions along with the community.” Below is a breakdown of the two-phase plan to address issues about staffing, overcrowded schools and the budget. Phase one includes “urgent” boundary realignment for select campuses with “projected growth that would otherwise require portables we cannot afford.” It is unclear which schools will be impacted. The proposal for these changes will be announced next month, and the school board will vote on them in September.

Phase one also includes defining Marshall Middle School’s attendance area for the first time. AISD will begin planning phase two in January 2027 and is expected to bring school closures. The school board will vote on these changes in fall 2027. “Taking this extra time allows us to monitor enrollment trends following recent closures, analyze data from our October enrollment snapshot, and further progress our academic visioning,” AISD Superintendent Matias Segura wrote in the email. “We want to ensure that future engagement opportunities take place during the school year when it is most convenient for families to participate.”

AISD cited concerns over the budget and enrollment efforts as some causes of the need for realigning boundaries. Under-enrolled schools financially strain the district. Sean Mooney, a real estate agent with Mooreland Properties, said affordability in the housing market has made it hard for young families with younger children to access some areas in Austin, leading to an aging population and underpopulated schools. (KXAN Austin)

#TXLEGE  

“Texas leaders are asking data centers how much water they use. Most aren’t responding” via Houston Public Media‘s Alejandra Martinez – Data centers use water to cool their massive arrays of computer servers. A state agency sent out a survey to figure out how much, but less than a third of the companies responded.

Data centers need a lot of water and energy. State officials want to know how much, and they hoped a survey sent to data center companies would give them the answers.

But at a legislative hearing Tuesday in Austin, they were told less than a third of the companies surveyed responded.

“Bad data, bad study,” said state Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, a member of the House Natural Resources Committee. (Houston Public Media)

“Texas Lawmakers Again Eye Regulation for Proxy Advisory Firms” via The Texan‘s Holly Hansen – State lawmakers are considering bolstering a state transparency law and imposing further regulations for proxy advisory firms, and may subpoena two foreign-owned advisors over ongoing concerns about conflicts of interest — and claims the firms advised companies against relocating to Texas.

During the 89th Legislative Session, state lawmakers approved Senate Bill (SB) 2337 requiring proxy advisory firms to disclose when their recommendations are based on “non-financial factors” or “conflict with other proxy advisory services.”

Holly Hansen is a Senior Reporter for The Texan where she has written extensively on criminal justice, public corruption, politics, and property rights, and is one of the state’s most recognized journalists covering Houston and Harris County.

She is a frequent guest on radio and television shows, discussing local, state, and federal public affairs. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in History, has called Texas home for three decades, and now lives in the Austin area where she enjoys the outdoors and reading historic literature. (THE TEXAN)

BUSINESS NEWS  

“Tesla’s tiny robotaxi fleet could ‘dramatically scale,’ Texas official says” via Austin American-Statesman‘s Andrea Guzmán – Tesla Inc. officially began operating a robotaxi service in Austin a year ago. Now, leadership at the Texas Department of Transportation thinks its fleet could start to surge.

TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams experienced a production version of the Cybercab at the Texas Innovation Invitational and wrote on LinkedIn afterward that the purpose-built robotaxi will “dramatically scale” Tesla’s cab operations over the coming months.

“Observing this vehicle firsthand — from its design and butterfly doors to the cargo trunk configuration — provides a tangible example of how quickly our transportation system is evolving,” Williams wrote. “Sitting inside the cabin, the complete absence of traditional driver controls underscores a significant shift in mobility and vehicle design. No steering wheel, no accelerator, no brake. Only a single touch-screen monitor.” (AAS)

“NRG Energy opens first power plant in 10 years to meet energy demand” via Houston Chronicle‘s Naina Srivastava – NRG Energy opened its first power plant in over a decade late last month, partly funded by the state’s energy fund.

The power plant, located off the Sam Houston Highway in Willowbrook, is a peaker plant — a power plant that operates one to two hours each day, acting as a shock absorber to the power grid — said Matt Pistner, the president of NRG Wholesale. As energy demand in Texas continues to surge, largely driven by new AI data centers, developers have looked toward Houston, the energy capital of the world, as a location for new sites.

The TH Wharton generating station is one of three NRG power plants funded by the Texas Energy Fund, a state initiative established in 2023 that is managed by the Texas Public Utility Commission. Two others are expected online by 2028, both also in the Houston area.

The TH Wharton plant is also one of 108 new gas power plants pitched between the beginning of 2024 and April 2025, according to a report by the Environmental Integrity Project. Approximately half of the projects listed were clustered in the Houston area, making Houston a hub for new power plant developments. (HOU CHRON)

“Neugebauer wins expedited discovery; FRMI shareholders urged to vote (FRMI)” via Stock Titan – Toby R. Neugebauer, shareholder and co-founder of Fermi Inc., along with affiliated participants, filed definitive Schedule 14A proxy materials seeking agent designations to call a Special Meeting and urge shareholders to support their slate. The filing states the Texas Business Court granted Mr. Neugebauer’s emergency motion for expedited discovery related to the Board’s adoption of a 70% supermajority bylaw to expand the board.

The participants say the court order requires Fermi to produce documents and testimony about the bylaw, federal-court actions, and the cancelled Special Meeting. The proxy materials state Mr. Neugebauer beneficially owns 146,516,035 shares of common stock, composed of 44,656,376 shares held by Vicksburg Investments Management LLC, 94,359,659 shares held by the Melissa A. Neugebauer 2020 Trust, and 7,500,000 shares underlying RSUs that vested.

The court’s order for expedited discovery, dated June 26, 2026, is described as requiring the company to produce documents and testimony about its adoption of a 70% supermajority bylaw and earlier litigation positions. The proxy states these materials are relevant to a Special Meeting effort led by the Fermi Founder Parties.

The filing frames the development as material to shareholder rights and solicits agent designations to call a Special Meeting. Subsequent filings and produced discovery will determine whether the bylaw and related actions were procedurally justified; timing and scope of discovery are described but specific documents and deposition subjects are not listed in the excerpt. (Stock Titan)

“H-E-B to build $175M refrigerated facility on the East Side” via San Antonio Express-News‘s Lily O’Neill – H-E-B wants to expand its manufacturing and distribution facilities on San Antonio’s East Side. H-E-B plans to build a $175 million refrigerated facility at its East Side campus.

The new property is part of the San Antonio-based grocer’s largest-ever investment in its manufacturing and supply chain operations. H-E-B plans to construct a two-story, 675,000-square-foot facility with refrigeration space, as well as office and administration space, at 2045 South Foster Road, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Construction is expected to begin in August this year and be completed by March 2028.

The grocer declined a request for comment on the new facility.

The company also is working on building a $125 million bakery production facility at the campus, and said in a news release that it plans to add a transportation building and additional facilities. (San Antonio Express-News)

“Vistra gets funding to expand Ward County power plant” via Midland Reporter-Telegram‘s Mella McEwen – Plans to add two new natural gas units to a Ward County power plant have received approval for the eighth Texas Energy Fund loan from the Public Utility Commission of Texas under its In-ERCOT Generation Loan Program.

Vistra Corp. plans to add 860 megawatts of new reliable power by building the two new natural gas units at its Permian Basin Power Plant, which would more than triple the site’s current capacity. The additional 860 megawatts would be enough electricity to power about 215,000 Texas homes. The project is expected to begin generating power for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas power region in 2028.

Vistra announced in September that it planned to move forward with the next phase of its capital plan to support grid reliability in Texas.

In 2024, the company identified more than $1 billion worth of potential capital additions in generation capacity within the Texas power market operated by ERCOT by 2028 if market conditions were supportive. Citing customer demand and West Texas’ growing power needs, particularly the state’s expanding oil and natural gas industries, the company made a final investment decision to build the two new natural gas units. (MRT)

“Casey’s eyes Texas expansion by building on small-town legacy” via The Des Moines Register – Casey’s is looking to Texas as a prime location to expand its small-town business model, which has thrived in Iowa and across the Midwest, CEO Darren Rebelez says.

“We love Texas,” Rebelez said Wednesday, June 24, at Casey’s investor day in New York City, where the company detailed its strategic plan for the next three years.

Iowa small towns, where Casey’s stores are a common fixture, launched the nearly 60-year-old convenience store chain that is now the nation’s third largest.

“When I think of growth prospects, this is the anecdote I like to give: In Iowa, our home state, we have 550 stores with a population of 3 million people,” Rebelez said. “The population of Texas is 30 million people. So, are we going to put 5,500 stores in Texas? Probably not. But could you squint and see 1,000 stores, 2,000 stores? I don’t see why not.” (The Des Moines Register)

QUICK LINKS  

Spectrum News: “Supreme Court ruling leaves thousands of Texas TPS holders vul­nerable to im­mi­gration en­forcement” Spectrum News

Fast Company: “How SpaceX wants to fuel Starship’s next phase with a Texas pipeline” Fast Company

The Free Press: “Texas Supreme Court Hands Detransitioner Historic Win” The Free Press

KVUE: “Texas named best business climate for 4th year in row, Gov. Abbott says” KVUE

ABJ: “American City Business Journals expands Texas footprint with new publication” ABJ

Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas: “Texas factory output growth slows further” Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

TX TRIB: “A Democratic Texas education board member alleges harassment” TX TRIB

AAS: “Are THC drinks legal in Texas? Why Target and other retailers still sell them” AAS

HOU CHRON: “These Texas GOP congressmen are pushing more federal oversight of AI” HOU CHRON

DMN: “There’s another sign that Dallas will land billion-dollar Morgan Stanley hub” DMN

TX TRIB: “San Marcos becomes the first Texas city to ban data centers, testing its local control” TX TRIB

KXAN Austin: “Austin is using Waymo AV data to target pothole repairs” KXAN Austin

KXAN Austin: “Central Texas leaders warn AI-driven layoffs could signal broader job losses” KXAN Austin

DMN: “Whole Foods set to land in Southlake at new development as grocer invests in D-FW” DMN

FWST: “Could Fort Worth reverse changes to this major traffic corridor?” FWST

EXTRA POINTS 

Recent Texas sports scores:
Thursday 6/25
> MLB: Houston 2, Detroit 1
> MLB: Texas 6, Toronto 5
> WORLD CUP: Turkey 3, USA 2
> WNBA: Las Vegas 99, Dallas 84
Friday 6/26
> MLB: Detroit 8, Houston 0
> MLB: Texas 5, Toronto 4
Saturday 6/27
> MLB: Texas 7, Toronto 4
> MLB: Houston 8, Detroit 6
> WNBA: Dallas 112, Seattle 110
Sunday 6/28
> MLB: Texas 3, Toronto 2
> MLB: Houston 7, Detroit 5
> WNBA: Minnesota 85, Dallas 77
Monday 6/29
> MLB: Minnesota 5, Houston 4
> MLB: Texas 6, Cleveland 3

Tonight’s Texas sports schedule:
> 5:40pm: Texas at Cleveland
> 7:10pm: Minnesota at Houston

Tomorrow’s Texas sports schedule:
> 12:10pm: Texas at Cleveland
> 7:10pm: Minnesota at Houston
> 8pm: WORLD CUP: USA vs. Bosnia (Fox network)

TEXAS SPORTS HEADLINES / LINKS

TEXAS RANGERS: “Rangers shortstop Corey Seager lifted from game in first inning with ‘back discomfort’” AP

DALLAS MAVERICKS: “Dusty May never imagined coaching in NBA but says he prepared for jump to Mavs from college“ AP

WORLD CUP: “Who will be coming to Houston for World Cup Round of 32 and Round of 16?” Houston Chronicle

TEXAS FOOTBALL: “Sark, Longhorns add quarterback recruit” KXAN

TEXAS A&M BASEBALL: “Texas A&M baseball transfer tracker: Who’s in, out ahead of MLB draft?” AAS