Nearly a third of workers in Texas earn less than $17 an hour, per new data from Oxfam, a global nonprofit advocacy group for income equality.

Why it matters: While wages have increased throughout the country, Texas is among the states with the highest proportion of low-wage workers.

By the numbers: Oxfam revised its definition of a low-wage worker this year, from those earning less than $15 an hour to those earning less than $17.

• Today, 23.2% of U.S. workers fall into the new low-wage worker category, per Oxfam. In 2022, 31.9% of workers earned less than $15 an hour.
• Workers in Texas also felt the wage boost, with 29.9% — or 4.5 million — workers falling into the low-wage worker category now, compared with 39.8% in 2022.

Between the lines: Women and people of color are far more likely to have a lower wage, Oxfam reports.

• In Texas, 34.2% of Black workers and 40.3% of Hispanic workers make less than $17 an hour.
• Meanwhile, 49.3% of Hispanic women in Texas earn low wages.

Zoom in: The states with the highest proportion of low-wage workers, like Texas, Mississippi and Oklahoma, adhere to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.

• The federal minimum wage hasn't increased in 15 years.
• Other states have implemented far higher minimum wages. California's minimum wage is $16 an hour, for example, and only about 16% of its workforce is earning less than $17 an hour, per Oxfam.

Context: A single person with no children must earn $20.92 per hour to make ends meet in Texas, according to MIT's Living Wage Calculator, a commonly accepted barometer.

The big picture: Wages nationwide have risen in part because of inflation, a strong labor market, and advocates pushing for minimum wage increases.

• Pandemic-era benefits also helped these workers be choosier about finding better-paying jobs as the country recovered from record unemployment in 2020.

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Texas can keep a floating barrier of buoys along the Rio Grande to deter immigrants from crossing the border into the U.S., a federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday.

Why it matters: The decision from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the latest in a yearlong legal battle between the Biden administration and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, reverses a September ruling that said Texas must move the controversial barrier.

Reality check: The buoys remained in the water even before this week's ruling, Abbott said on X.

Catch up quick: The Department of Justice sued Texas in July 2023 over the string of buoys, saying it violated federal environmental law and threatened public safety.

How it works: The ruling from the 5th Circuit, which is considered the most conservative federal appeals court, came after a divided 5th Circuit panel sided with the district court ruling to move the buoys.

• The new ruling reversed that decision for now, but did not make a ruling on the merits of the broader case.

Zoom in: The 5th Circuit disagreed with the district court's conclusion that the barrier is a "threat to human life," pointing out that news articles about deaths related to Rio Grande crossings reported the specific cause of death as unknown.

What they're saying: "Biden tried to remove them. I fought to keep them in the water," Abbott posted on Tuesday. "That is exactly where they will stay."

What's next: A trial in the broader case is set for next Tuesday. That could determine a more permanent future for the buoy barrier.

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🌬️ Saharan dust is to blame for hazy skies in Austin this week. (KUT)

❌ Boar's Head is recalling 7 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products for possible listeria contamination. (Axios)

✈️ The airline industry has likely dumped too much capacity into the Austin market, leading to recent nonstop flight cuts at the airport. (Austin Business Journal 🔒)

📱 Lake Travis ISD banned smart devices for pre-K through eighth-grade students during school. (KVUE)

Here's what's on deck this weekend.

Today

🎻 Take out the kids to the Austin Symphony Orchestra's Tuneful Tales at Milwood Branch Library from 1-2pm. Each week features a different ensemble and fun activities. Free.

🍿 Catch a screening of Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction" at The Paramount Theatre's summer film series. Doors open at 6:30pm. Tickets are $12.

Tomorrow

🍺 Grab a bite at the first installation of the Uptown Sports Club and Meanwhile Brewing Co. summer backyard barbecue series at 6:30pm, bringing together chefs, beers and live music. A $39 general admission ticket includes two drinks, two curated dishes and dessert.

Saturday

🎸 Scream along to songs by former One Direction star Niall Horan, who will make a stop at the Moody Center at 7:30pm. Tickets start at $40.

Sunday

🤘 Rock out at O.A.R.'s summer tour with Fitz and The Tantrums at 7pm at ACL Live. Tickets start at $49.

Check out more events