SUMMARY: Rep. Ellen Troxclair filed House Bill 3879, the Texas Taxpayer & Voter Defense Act, which seeks to prevent tax-rate elections from funding large capital projects like Austin’s Project Connect light rail program. The bill targets perceived loopholes, including the lack of limits on project scope and cost changes after voter approval. It requires amendments to the Texas Tax Code to define projects that “materially deviate” from voter-approved plans. While not naming Project Connect directly, Troxclair criticized the program, citing legal challenges and significant changes to its scope. Similar legislation was introduced in 2023 but was not passed.

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SUMMARY: President Trump plans to sign an executive order directing new Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin the dissolution of the department, as confirmed by White House officials. The order instructs her to take necessary legal steps for closure, a move Trump believes will address indoctrination in schools. However, Trump lacks the power to eliminate the department entirely without congressional approval. The closure could significantly impact funding for schools, student loans, and educational content. McMahon has already communicated with agency staff regarding these changes, which have included recent employee layoffs and offers for voluntary resignation.

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SUMMARY: An early morning view of the International Space Station (ISS) over Houston highlights its visibility in the sky. Recently, a volcano in Hawaii has been erupting spectacularly since December 23, 2024, with lava fountains reaching 600 feet high. Volcanologists have noted the volcano’s activity, indicating potential eruptions. The lava flows into the ocean, contributing to the formation of new Hawaiian islands. Meanwhile, viewers can spot the ISS moving across the sky, appearing faster than a plane but slower than a shooting star. It will be visible for about seven minutes, peaking at 90 degrees in the Northwest sky.

You might have missed it, but if you got a chance to see the International Space Station above Houston, it wasn’t just in your imagination.

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