AGP Executive Report

Back-to-School Tax-Free Weekend: San Antonio shoppers are stocking up on school essentials during Texas’ Aug. 7–9 sales tax holiday, with qualifying items like clothing, shoes, and school supplies under set price limits. Air Travel & Sustainability: American Airlines says it has delivered electro sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) to a passenger aircraft on a real-world run from Corpus Christi to Dallas-Fort Worth. Family-Friendly Attractions: La Nube in downtown El Paso is celebrating two years and 360,000+ guests, highlighting its “Two Years of Discovery” birthday event and award-winning kids’ museum mission. Wildlife & Outdoor Safety: Texas Game Wardens are investigating the criminal killing of a nearly 12-foot alligator shot in the head in the San Jacinto River area. Travel Disruption Watch: A wildfire near Tascosa Road and Frying Pan Road in Amarillo is reported at about 4 acres with containment updates as crews respond. Health Alert for Travelers: Mexico’s flesh-eating screwworm outbreak is surging, with human cases reported in the thousands, underscoring the need for wound care when traveling.

Houston Safety Watch: HPD is investigating a fatal hit-and-run after a 71-year-old man in a wheelchair was struck in a marked crosswalk on Telephone Road; police say the driver fled in a small white sedan. Houston Crash Update: Police also report a separate deadly early-morning crash at Telephone Road and Reveille Street after a woman ran two red lights at high speed, killing the driver. Texas Outdoors & Wildlife: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department acquired a new Wildlife Management Area in Stephens County, adding more habitat for outdoor recreation. Family Travel & Planning: With Texas’ back-to-school sales tax holiday underway (Aug. 7–9), shoppers are hunting deals on eligible school supplies and tech. Community Events: Tyler’s Rose City Christmas Parade is opening registration for the Dec. 3 event, with a new route and added drone show and fireworks. Air Travel: Avelo hit a 10 million customer milestone, highlighting nonstop service that includes Dallas/McKinney and Houston Hobby.

Back-to-School Savings: Texas’ tax-free weekend is underway (Aug. 7–9), with most clothing, footwear, school supplies, backpacks, and diapers under $100 per item exempt from state/local sales taxes—just watch for exclusions like accessories, computers, and items $100+ each. Student Transit: Fort Worth ISD students can ride Trinity Metro free again for the 2026–27 school year, with passes loaded in the GoPass app for eligible grades 9–12. Community School Support: Copperas Cove ISD and Walmart kicked off the 12th annual “Stuff the Bus” drive, aiming to stock classrooms with backpacks and supplies for students across the district. Road & Travel Planning: TxDOT outlined Jasper County construction updates, including bridge work on US 190 and county road bridge replacements, with traffic shifts and closures expected into 2027. Family Safety on the Road: New state data highlights rising school bus and school-zone crash numbers in 2025, underscoring the need for extra driver caution near campuses. Wildlife & Property Damage: Feral hogs are increasingly damaging Texas neighborhoods, with experts pointing to development pushing hogs into repeat routes through subdivisions. Travel Culture & Legal Buzz: Buc-ee’s continues its trademark fight, this time suing Beaver’s Mini Mart in Ohio over a beaver mascot logo.

Back-to-School Savings: Texas tax-free weekend for school supplies kicks off Aug. 7–9, with shoppers urged to check what qualifies and how much they can save online and in-store. Heat & Safety: East Texas counties are issuing burn bans as hot, dry conditions raise wildfire risk, while Dallas-area homeowners are being warned that extreme heat can strain garage door springs and hardware. Family-Friendly Events: Amarillo families can grab free backpacks and haircuts this weekend, and Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson’s Back To School Fair continues the tradition with supplies plus health checks. Travel Disruptions & Health Watch: Extreme heat and shifting weather patterns are expected to affect travel, and a first locally acquired dengue case in Virginia is a reminder that mosquito-borne illnesses can spread as travel increases. Immigration at Airports: Advocates say ICE arrests are rising at major airports, including Philadelphia, adding pressure on travelers with limited documentation. Wildlife/Outdoors: Texas winter forecasts are pointing to a wetter, stormier season tied to El Niño. Buc-ee’s Legal Drama: Buc-ee’s is again in court, this time suing an Ohio mini mart over a beaver logo—another reminder that the road-trip giant’s brand is a big business.

Back-to-School Savings: Texas’ sales tax holiday runs Aug. 7-9, with exemptions on school supplies like backpacks, calculators, and pencils (items over $100 don’t qualify). Family Travel & Safety: North Texas Rehabilitation Center urges parents to keep kids’ backpacks around 10% of body weight (no more than 15%) and use both shoulder straps plus chest/weight straps to prevent shoulder and back pain. Public Safety on the Move: A Frontier Airlines flight was evacuated at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental after a verbal bomb threat; no device was found and investigators are looking into it. Road Watch: DPS reported a fatal Smith County crash at FM 2908/FM 2767 after a vehicle allegedly failed to stop; families are pushing for a traffic signal. Tourism Spotlight: A Texas nonprofit, Black Outside Inc., brought teens on a 53-mile Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Scenic Byway bike trip—history and outdoor time in one. Community Events: Wichita Falls’ Hotter’N Hell Hundred is gearing up for its Aug. 100-mile ride kickoff, including the cannon tradition. Big Travel-Industry Note: American Airlines will change elite complimentary upgrades on some domestic routes, limiting them to premium economy starting Aug. 25.

Extreme Heat & Travel: A new AP-NORC poll finds Americans increasingly feel extreme heat in everyday life, including travel and vacation plans—especially in the West and Midwest—adding urgency to heat-safety planning for trips and outdoor schedules. North Texas Road Trip Stop: Tarzan & Jane Travel Centers is opening its first DFW-area location in Pilot Point, aiming to bring its Midland-Odessa travel-center model to a growing North Texas corridor. Back-to-School Help in the Rio Grande Valley: McAllen Public Library’s free Palm View Branch “Back to School Bash” (Aug. 15) will hand out supplies, hygiene kits, and connect families with local support partners. Air Mobility in DFW: Joby Aviation is leasing space at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport, signaling more eVTOL activity and future air-taxi operations in the metroplex. Texas Tax-Free Weekend: Texas’ sales tax holiday runs Aug. 7–9, covering many school supplies, backpacks, and clothing/footwear under $100 (with key exclusions). Local Commuter Fix: Amarillo-area drivers near FM 2219 and VFW/FM 2590 are getting a new traffic signal, with flashing start expected Aug. 6 and full operation targeted by week’s end or early next week. Space & Travel Inspiration: NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Anil Menon began a spacewalk to prep the ISS for a new solar array—another reminder that Texas travel audiences are hungry for big, far-off adventures.

Back-to-School Savings: Texas’ sales tax holiday is back Aug. 7–9, with clothing, backpacks and school supplies under $100 eligible (watch shipping/handling charges that can push items over the limit). Road & Travel Disruptions: TxDOT will shut down I-35 main lanes in Waco from midnight Friday through early Sunday for removal of the South Valley Mills Drive flyover, with frontage roads and detours in place—check drivetexas.org before you go. Family Travel Safety: A San Patricio Diabetes Support Group is hosting a free “Diabetes Emergency Preparations” workshop Aug. 12, aimed at helping families and caregivers plan for medical emergencies. Consumer Travel Troubles: Houston-area travelers are pushing for answers after Airbnb allegedly refused refunds for trips derailed by a blizzard. Local Crime & Tech: Texarkana police say Flock cameras and surveillance helped track an ATM theft across state lines, leading to arrests. Tourism & Culture: The Pepsi National Battle of the Bands is moving from Houston to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, with AT&T Stadium in Arlington set to host starting in 2027.

Space & Science: A discarded SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage is expected to crash into the Moon early Wednesday, creating a dust plume scientists can track later with telescopes—an unplanned moment that could still yield useful lunar data. Travel & Community: People of Hope, a traveling storytelling museum, is stopping in Knoxville (Aug. 7-8) and Chattanooga (Aug. 11-12), with immersive sessions aimed at inspiring local service. Health Alert: The CDC is preparing to expand a cyclosporiasis outbreak to more states, tied to contaminated Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce—travelers and locals should watch for symptoms and food recalls. Texas Travel Biz: Buc-ee’s legal fight continues as it sues over a beaver logo/trademark in Ohio, while the chain’s next big Texas-adjacent move keeps rolling—plus, Waymo’s Dallas robotaxi service is opening to the public. Cruises: Celestyal reshuffled its North America sales team and named a new regional partner manager to boost travel partner support. Military Families: An AP investigation says more than 50 military spouses and parents have been detained under the current immigration crackdown.

Texas Migration Buzz: U-Haul’s 2026 Midyear Migration Report says Texas is a top net-gain destination for Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z, with younger movers drawn by jobs, colleges and apartment options. Road & Safety: A Hardy Toll Road southbound closure in Harris County followed a double 18-wheeler crash that rolled one vehicle onto a Union Pacific track; officials warn of major delays. Autonomous Travel: Waymo opened fully driverless rides to everyone in Dallas, ending the earlier waitlist; airport service is still in testing. Tourism Economy: Fort Worth reported about 3 million World Cup visitors and a 9% bump over typical summer numbers, with hotel counts up 22% during the tournament. Big Bend Backlash: Texas outfitters and outdoor businesses are urging leaders to halt proposed vehicle barriers and roads in Big Bend National Park, warning it could damage the region’s tourism economy. Wildfire Readiness: Gov. Abbott activated extra state wildfire response resources for increased Panhandle fire danger. Back-to-School Scams: Cybersecurity experts warn Texas parents about AI-powered fake school messages and fundraiser/supply scams during the new school year. Buc-ee’s Expansion: Buc-ee’s announced its first Arkansas location in Benton (Aug. 17) and is also set to open in San Marcos, keeping the travel-center growth train rolling.

Back-to-School Savings: Texas’ tax-free weekend for school supplies runs Aug. 7-9, with many items (including backpacks) exempt if they’re $100 or less, giving families a last-minute budget boost. Houston-Area Schedules: Several districts across the metro area set first-day dates in early August, with Houston ISD and others returning between Aug. 10-12. Austin Convention Center Financing: Austin is selling $663 million in bonds to replace its demolished convention center, aiming for a larger, net-zero carbon facility opening in early 2029. Texas Travel & Retail Buzz: Texas A&M and Buc-ee’s launched a co-branded merchandise line, expanding the university’s on-campus Buc-ee’s sales into select stores. EV Road-Trip Infrastructure: Pilot, GM and EVgo say their fast-charging network has topped 300 locations and 1,300 stalls across 40 states—good news for longer drives. Public Safety Reminder: East Texas officials urged fire safety as dry conditions and wind have fueled brush fires, including along I-20.

Space & Family Fun: SpaceX is sponsoring a free “Blast Off Before School Starts” Community Play Day at the Children’s Museum of Brownsville on Aug. 8, with the Boca Chica to Mars exhibit and hands-on activities. Back-to-School Deals: George Salinas Injury Lawyers will host a “Ready, Set, School” Backpack Giveaway in San Antonio Aug. 8 (500 students, plus safety kits), while Colonial Village in Longview runs a Back-to-School Bash Aug. 8 with 100 free prefilled backpacks. Road Safety Watch: A Rockport-area crash on Loop 1781 killed a 9-year-old after the child was ejected; in Nacogdoches, drivers say a repaved North Street turning lane feels dangerously narrow after TxDOT restriping. Local Travel Culture: Lockhart’s Kreuz Market keeps its barbecue legacy alive—slicing brisket and shoulder clod from the same butcher counter since 1900. Houston Music Tourism: Bun B brought Houston rap royalty together for a historic UGK “Been Ridin’ Dirty” celebration at Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land.

Hill Country Hotel Overhaul: Lakeway Resort & Spa near Austin was bought by Trestle Studio and Sopris Capital, with a planned $29 million makeover of rooms, spa, meeting space, and dining. Heat-Safety for Texas Sports: UIL now requires schools to measure wet bulb globe temperature before outdoor practices, with rules that can force breaks, shorten workouts, or cancel sessions. Public Health & Travel Planning: With measles outbreaks rising, more than 74,000 U.S. adults over 50 sought measles immunity “titer” tests, including during West Texas’s recent surge—an issue for families heading back to school. Texas Leadership Loss: Former U.S. Rep. and Fort Worth’s first female mayor Kay Granger died at 83, remembered for breaking barriers in Congress and local government. Premium Travel Perk: American Airlines and Citi refreshed the Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Legend Mastercard with Admirals Club access and faster AAdvantage status progress. Outdoor Tech & Community: A new bike-trail push and invasive-species concerns highlight the work needed to keep Texas-area trails welcoming. Wildlife Health Watch: New World screwworm remains a Texas and New Mexico concern as USDA prepares phased cattle-trade reopening.

Local Leadership Loss: Former City of Bryan Mayor Lloyd Joyce, 92, died July 29; visitation is Aug. 7 and funeral Aug. 8 in Bryan. North Texas Politics & Travel Impact: Former U.S. Rep. and Fort Worth’s first female mayor Kay Granger, 83, has died; her long public service included leading House Appropriations. Immigration at Airports: A Johns Hopkins researcher detained by ICE while boarding a domestic flight had valid work authorization, her attorney says, after an overstays claim. Energy & Travel Risk: Trump says new Iran talks will begin Monday and calls off strikes; embassies warn Americans in the region to expect flight disruptions. Road Safety: A 21-year-old died in a high-speed Castle Hills crash on Loop 410; Killeen police investigate a fatal hit-and-run on MLK Jr. Boulevard. Family-Friendly Texas Stops: Shenandoah Road Trip coverage highlights farm fairs and Buc-ee’s-style pit stops for travelers. Fall Planning Tool: A fall foliage map tracks peak color timing nationwide, with Texas generally later in the season.

Immigration & Travel Safety: A Texas-linked surge in airport detentions is prompting a rare travel advisory, with reports of immigration arrests during domestic flights affecting people who were previously considered lower risk. Birth Tourism Push: A Texas congressman-backed bill would try to strip citizenship eligibility for children tied to “birth tourism,” aiming to recast certain entrants as “invaders” despite Fourteenth Amendment guarantees. Crime & Vacation Risk: Allstate warns that burglars increasingly use social media to time targets, noting August travel posts can leave homes vulnerable—Houston, Dallas and San Antonio are among the highest-volume burglary markets. Tourism Incident: A Texas tourist posted bond after being accused of shoving a bartender in Miami, with the victim alleging a concussion and broken tooth. Community Back-to-School: Green Acres Baptist Church en Español in Tyler and Fuzión’s back-to-school fair handed out 2,000 backpacks with supplies plus health screenings and family resources. Texas Travel Culture: A Texas man’s prison-travel book connection: Fort Worth-raised Taylor Sheridan met co-author Tom Nelson at a gym, blending Hollywood storytelling with real-life “how to not die in prison” travel lessons.

Back-to-school help in North Texas: Arlington ISD hosted a massive kickoff at AT&T Stadium with free backpacks, shoes, haircuts, and supplies for thousands of families. School readiness in Houston: Harris County Clerk annexes expanded Saturday hours so parents could grab birth certificates and get kids enrolled, with volunteers also handing out backpacks. Community giving in Central Texas: Killeen’s Carlson Law Firm ran a drive-thru giveaway, distributing 700 fully loaded backpacks to kids. Road safety crackdown: Fort Worth launched a 90-day speeding enforcement push on Loop 820 and I-30, targeting high-risk corridors at night. Travel planning + safety: A Texas man was arrested at Miami’s cruise terminal after an alleged assault at a Hard Rock Cafe near the port. Texas shopping deal: Texas Tax-Free Holiday runs Aug. 7-9, exempting many school items under $100. Local travel culture: Nacogdoches invites visitors to the 194th Battle of Nacogdoches commemoration at Sterne-Hoya House on Aug. 2. On-the-road incident: A motorcyclist died after a collision with a turning pickup at a Cleburne intersection.

Transit Boost: Texas Transportation Commission approved $154M in public transit funding to expand mobility for seniors, people with disabilities, and rural/urban riders—supporting accessible vehicles and curb-to-curb services. Hill Country Luxury Watch: A new wave of major hotel brands is moving into Texas Hill Country, signaling a possible “next Napa” shift with destination spas, Michelin-level dining, and branded residences. Golf & Travel: Wild Spring Dunes is opening in East Texas with a Tom Doak-designed public course on Sept. 8, with more courses planned. Family Fun & Culture: San Antonio’s Book Festival launched a petition to protect city funding as it faces a major budget shortfall; the free event draws 25,000+ annually. Outdoors Ranking: Texas is ranked #5 for hiking in 2026, citing trail count plus Big Bend and state park access. Local Events: Houston’s Tattoo Arts Festival runs at NRG Center through Sunday, blending entertainment with tattoo history. Road Trip Reality Check: A weekly construction report flags lane closures and overnight work affecting travel plans around Texas and nearby corridors.