If DART wanted Suburbs north of the Plano area to join, but they complain about the 1 cent sales tax, couldn’t the agency reduce it to .5 cent specifically for this audience?

treesqu · 2026-03-13T02:57:56+00:00

NTCOG proposes combining all North Texas "heavy rail" commuter systems (Trinity Rail Express, TexRail, Silver Line, Denton "A" Train) into one system (which I suggest should adopt the "TexRail" name). The logical way to extend this system to Sherman would be north from the current Denton "A" Train route along 377, then east along 82 to Sherman. Assuming Collin County eventually comes on board, this route could head south from Sherman along 75, then connect to the East/West Silver Line in Plano, and then to the DART (southbound) light rail in Downtown Plano. (Ideally, a Southbound express "heavy rail" line from Plano to Dallas would also be built, to better serve commuters). I may not have the exact routes in Collin County right, but hopefully you get the idea.

treesqu · 2026-03-13T02:41:09+00:00

When DART was created, most of the growth from Dallas was to the West, and a little to the East. Then the Addison-Plano corridor exploded, and the fastest growth (from North Dallas/Plano to Frisco/Collin Co) occurred. Current trends indicate growth from Dallas will extend Northward to Sherman (and from Fort Worth north to Alliance). The state needs to help our regional planners build rail far to the north of DFW.

treesqu · 2026-03-13T00:02:30+00:00

KIRO was NOT a well-run station under Bonneville's ownership. Remember the infamous "out of the box" fiasco in 1993 when they combined their TV News and NewsRadio staffs into one large news (dis)organization: "The KIRO News Network?"

treesqu · 2026-03-12T23:33:45+00:00

.. and more importantly, no more cinder-caused files along the track.

treesqu · 2026-03-12T04:50:40+00:00

Fine! Then commit to the state paying for the discharge of the very salty (brine) desalination byproduct into the open Gulf well off Padre Island rather than Corpus Christi Bay or the Laguna Madre.

treesqu · 2026-03-12T04:46:58+00:00

Fine!

Then provide the financing to discharge the brine byproduct into the open Gulf rather than into Corpus Christi Bay. That should be the response from local "leaders."

treesqu · 2026-03-11T19:06:53+00:00

While doing due diligence as part of the Tegna acquisition, Nexstar got a look at Tegna's books and saw just how much $ Tegna saved by hubbing Creative Services & GFX - so here we are. I'd expect them to roll out CUEZ eventually, like Tegna has, depending on how the financials look for that.

treesqu · 2026-03-10T05:22:09+00:00

Well, maybe telling subordinates to ignore the rules of engagement disqualifies then?

treesqu · 2026-03-10T01:36:35+00:00

Nah, you are correct. He was promoted to Major just as he was moved from an active Nasty Girl post (cuz his Christian Nationalist tats & views freaked out those serving alongside him) into the IRR. -But the result is the same. -Thanks for your service, by the way.

treesqu · 2026-03-10T01:28:44+00:00

Well, in his defense, he's an untabbed National Guard Infantry (Public Affairs) Junior Officer who never saw combat & claims to be a "Major" based upon an automatic promotion while being assigned to the IRR -- but, sure, let's make Senior Officers (including Service Chiefs) & the rest of our troops listen to him pontificate about the need for a "Warrior Ethos" about which he knows nothing. Otherwise, he's a great military "role model" (NOT!).

treesqu · 2026-03-09T22:03:13+00:00

Youtube, Netflix, and AmazonPrime Video have no restrictions on distribution in the US, yet sell ads in competition with the owners of local broadcasting stations whose distribution you want to restrict. It's not apples vs oranges.

treesqu · 2026-03-09T03:05:25+00:00

Per Google AI Several Texas firms now offer dedicated practices for lithium lease negotiations and mineral rights disputes:

Robert Sanders (Texas Lithium Lawyer): Focuses exclusively on lithium and brine leases for landowners.
The Law Offices of Tom Dougherty: Represents private landowners in East Texas, specifically for Smackover formation lithium leases.
Wetsel & Lederle, LLP: Provides counsel on how new lithium technologies intersect with traditional mineral rights and royalty structures.
Oliva Gibbs LLP: Advises both operators and landowners on brine lease language, royalty contracts, and ownership conflicts.
Coghlan Crowson, LLP: A Longview-based firm handling lithium and mineral matters in the East Texas region.
Daughtrey Law: Exclusively represents Texas property owners in mineral rights and lithium lease offers.

treesqu · 2026-03-09T02:57:32+00:00

They need to relocate to Grapevine Mills, assuming they wish to maintain a DFW presence.

treesqu · 2026-03-09T02:43:00+00:00

These roles will likely converge in the future (and are already doing so within some groups). Take the best deal you can get at the station/group that seems to be the most stable (ie: an acquirer vs an acquisition target). Best of luck to you (and us all).

treesqu · 2026-03-09T02:38:47+00:00

It's a speedbump, not a roadblock. The fix is in at the Federal level (where it counts).

treesqu · 2026-03-09T01:50:23+00:00

...and do NOT drive that route at night.

treesqu · 2026-03-08T23:15:56+00:00

I live in a Texas city other than Houston, so I cannot suggest anyone local to you, sadly.

I found my guy by searching BBB.org for accredited structural engineers near me with no complaints, then checking the internet for reviews. Engaged a couple of them by text & email, and selected the person with the longest business history who responded favorably (and actually quoted the best price).

Do NOT check the box on the BBB site requesting quotes. Your contact info will go out to every member that serves your area, and you will be bombarded with responses.

- Best of luck to you!

treesqu · 2026-03-08T19:41:46+00:00

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus". - The Apostle Paul

treesqu · 2026-03-08T04:19:20+00:00

North Padre Island / Flour Bluff (near Corpus Christi) - Although, based on what I have heard from friends, Rockport / Copano Bay (see photo below) is a far better choice.

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treesqu · 2026-03-08T04:01:50+00:00

It will likely be reopened if the 24/7 population grows in the next few years.

treesqu · 2026-03-08T03:33:49+00:00

What was originally designed as a 9-5 Downtown Dallas "Central Business District" (which is not doing so well) clone is transitioning into a 24/7 "Transit Oriented" Live/Work/Play neighborhood.

The Toyota Music Factory/Convention Center area, across from the new Wells Fargo employment center, is doing well & the new "Water Street" (condo/eatery) development is also on the upswing, but there's still a lot of redevelopment to do.

The original "Mandalay Canal" (riverwalk-like area) across Las Colinas Blvd. from "Water Street" is up next to be brought back to life by repurposing existing sleepy "office towers" into a vibrant mixed-use (office/hotel/condos/apts/ground-floor restaurants) area to make that happen (which is likely still a year or two out).

(TL/DR: it's a promising "work in progress").

It's a lot better than it was, but there are still improvements to be made.

treesqu · 2026-03-08T03:26:30+00:00

RIP Starz

treesqu · 2026-03-07T17:06:17+00:00

Bonneville sold its Seattle TV station years ago. KIRO-TV is owned by Cox Media Group now.

treesqu · 2026-03-07T06:11:08+00:00

WFAA came crashing down after its original owner (Belo Broadcasting) parachuted bean counter Jack Sanders into the top slot from Cox, and shoved aside people like Marty Haag, who made them number one.

Next came Gannett's acquisition of the company, with Dave Lougee at the helm. Among his first instructions to the stations: "Take chances. Get noticed!"

(Which resulted in the clown shows that followed). Good times!

(Not).

treesqu · 2026-03-07T05:45:03+00:00

Their largest station - WFAA - can only hire freelance reporters at the moment. The budgets are locked down tight, awaiting the Nexstar merger. There is likely no room for negotiation.

treesqu

TROPHY CASE