SUMMARY: The Tennessee State Funding Board approved $6.8 million in FastTrack incentive grants, with significant amounts allocated to TruGreen, Schneider Electric, and Denso Manufacturing. TruGreen received $2 million for relocating its headquarters to Franklin, creating 135 net jobs with an average wage of $72.39. Schneider Electric received $4 million to add 400 jobs and invest $85 million in Wilson County, offering jobs at $26.53 an hour. Denso was awarded $1.8 million for a $100 million expansion in Athens, expected to create 200 jobs at $31.39/hour. The FastTrack program currently has $165.7 million in uncommitted funds, with 73% already allocated.

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SUMMARY: Federal, state, and volunteer efforts continue in the North Carolina mountains as they recover from Hurricane Helene. The region is facing winter weather, with snowfalls reported across multiple counties. FEMA and the Small Business Administration are working to provide aid, though there are mixed reactions to their efforts. Some displaced individuals are in tents, with FEMA exploring solutions. FEMA has provided over $48 million in displacement assistance, with total aid exceeding $247 million. Governor Roy Cooper proposed $25.57 billion in federal aid. Truist Bank committed $725 million to recovery, including loans, grants, and volunteer efforts.

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SUMMARY: A University of Texas-Austin poll reveals that most Hispanic Texans favor deporting illegal border crossers and have shown increased support for Donald Trump, with him winning 55% of the Latino vote in Texas. This shift signals a decline in attachment to the Democratic Party, with key concerns centering on immigration and the economy. A substantial 91% prioritize immigration, while 87% focus on the economy, with 76% rating it poorly. The Texas legislature has allocated over $11.6 billion for border security over four years, reflecting a significant investment compared to previous federal funding.

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