Axios Dallas

May 12, 2026
Happy Tuesday! Embrace being better.
☀️ Today's weather: High in the low 80s.
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⛽️ Situational awareness: President Trump endorsed suspension of the federal gasoline tax in a CBS News interview. It would require an act of Congress, but Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has already said he would introduce legislation to pause the tax.
- A gallon of regular gas costs $4.52 on average nationwide. The average hovers just over $4 in Texas.
Today's newsletter is 898 very online words — a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: Texas reflects national Latino wealth divide
The wealth gap between white and Latino households poses deep problems for the U.S. economy in the coming decades, according to a recent report.
Why it matters: Latinos are the fastest-growing demographic in the U.S., but have 22 cents in household wealth for every $1 held by white households.
The big picture: This could limit consumer spending, business formation and long-term growth if unaddressed.
- Latinos contribute an estimated $4.1 trillion annually in economic output in the U.S. and are projected to make up nearly 28% of the U.S. population by 2060.
- The UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute–UnidosUS report says the Latino wealth gap isn't accidental but a result of decades of U.S. policy decisions that shape economic inequality today.
By the numbers: The Latino median household income in Texas is about $65,000 annually compared to $80,000 for white households, Gabriella Carmona, the report's lead author and a senior research analyst at the institute, tells Axios.
- Median hourly wages show a similar divide: $17 for Latino workers versus $26 for white workers, with noncitizen workers earning closer to $15 an hour.
- Just 18% of Latinos age 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree, compared to 42% of white Texans.
- In Texas, Latino college grads make about $29 an hour versus $37 for white peers.
Zoom out: Median Latino household wealth sits at $62,000 vs. white household wealth of $284,000.
- Only 28% of Latinos have retirement accounts compared to 62% of white Americans.
2. 🤳 Charted: Rise of the candidate creator


Potential 2028 presidential candidates are operating like creators, with social video operations, podcasts, Substack accounts and merch stores.
Why it matters: Politicians can build audiences, raise money and shape narratives without traditional media interviews or ad campaigns.
Zoom in: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has been podcasting since January 2020, when he defended President Trump during his impeachment.
- The political podcast started airing last month as an hourlong program on over 100 radio stations.
- Other politicians, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, both Democrats, have podcasts.
The intrigue: Most prominent Democratic contenders have Substack accounts, while Republicans have been far less active on the platform. Some — including Pete Buttigieg and Newsom — have built sizable audiences there.
🎧 Sign up here for Axios Media Trends Executive, a monthly members-only briefing about the evolving media landscape.
3. 🤠 A giant first game
The Dallas Cowboys have another shot at winning back their disgruntled fanbase this season.
Driving the news: The Cowboys will kick off the season on Sept. 13, playing the New York Giants in New Jersey, the NFL announced yesterday.
- The rivals' Sunday Night Football game will air on NBC.
The intrigue: The Cowboys will travel to Rio De Janeiro two weeks later to play the Baltimore Ravens. It will be the NFL's first game in the city and the Cowboys' first international regular-season game in 12 years.
- And, on Thanksgiving Day, the Cowboys will host the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium.
State of play: Though they have historically played well at home, the team struggled at home and on the road last season.
What's next: The rest of the schedule will be released Thursday evening.
4. 🗞 Burnt ends: Bite-sized news bits
⛺️ Texas officials have cleared 18 summer camps to operate this year with most camps still awaiting approval. (DMN)
🚨 Arlington police arrested one of their employees on sexual assault and oppression charges, saying the allegations stem from his interactions with a resident he met during a call for service. (WFAA)
📚 A filmmaker's new book, out today, focuses on the 2000 tornado that damaged downtown Fort Worth and killed two people. (Star-Telegram)
🌡️ Heat stroke was suspected in the deaths of six people found inside a cargo train near Laredo. (NBC News)
5. 😋 1 viral lunch to go
Our Axios Houston colleague Jay was dying to try the frozen chicken tikka masala wrap from H-E-B after he saw someone post about it on TikTok.
- Here's his dispatch:
Dig in: H-E-B sells four kinds of Deep Indian Kitchen frozen wraps: Chicken tikka masala, butter chicken kati, coconut chicken curry and potato and pea samosa kati. Each are around $4 depending on your store's location.
- The wraps are microwaveable and come with a sleeve that helps crisp the paratha while it's heating up.
My experience: It was a perfect, quick lunch. It didn't even get lava hot like a Hot Pocket. It was ready to eat less than five minutes after I pulled it out of my freezer.
Six-word review: Restaurant-quality sauce; tender chicken complements crunch.
The bottom line: Find them in the frozen aisle. But don't be surprised if these viral eats are sold out.
This newsletter was edited by Bob Gee.
Our picks:
🎶 Tasha is in the mood to go to some summer concerts. Any suggestions?
🗓️ Naheed is learning how the NFL creates its schedules.
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