Spirit Airlines shut down early Saturday, leaving travelers stranded across the country.

Why it matters: The company's demise — which comes after two bankruptcies and a failed attempt to secure a government bailout — marks the end of the runway for a company that offered cheap flights to America's budget travelers.

The big picture: The spike in jet fuel prices from the Iran war was the last straw for Spirit, which had announced a deal to exit bankruptcy days before the war began.

• Spirit's collapse is expected to lead to an uptick in ticket prices, especially in markets where Spirit competed fiercely.

Zoom in: Spirit said passengers who booked flights with credit cards or debit cards will automatically get refunds.

• Affected passengers can visit SpiritRestructuring.com for more information.
• Dallas-based Southwest Airlines announced early Saturday that it will provide special fares at Southwest ticket counters at the departure airport for affected Spirit ticketholders. Fort Worth-based American Airlines was offering "rescue fares" for affected travelers.

By the numbers: Spirit flew about 1 in 33 domestic miles in the 12-month period ending in February, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

• It was the eighth-largest U.S. carrier during the period, ranking just behind Frontier and ahead of SkyWest.

The intrigue: One of Spirit's last-ever flights landed at DFW Airport from Detroit early Saturday, marking the end of its 34-year history.

Flashback: The Florida-based Spirit Airlines expanded to DFW Airport in 2011, offering dozens of flights to domestic and international destinations. The airline also gave travelers extra-discounted fares if they went to the Terminal E ticket counter in advance to book them.

• But, over the years, the airline faced rising operational costs and tougher competition from Frontier Airlines, which also flies out of DFW.

What we're watching: How Spirit's demise will fuel other low-cost airlines such as Frontier and Avelo.

💭 Naheed's thought bubble: Rest in peace, Spirit. Thanks for all the cheap thrills that allowed me to visit Cancun, Phoenix, Chicago, Tampa and more.

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DART will end service in Highland Park after last weekend's elections.

Why it matters: It's the first time in nearly four decades a city has voted to leave the transit system, per the DMN.

Yes but: DART successfully fended off breakaway efforts in Addison and University Park.

School bonds

Dallas ISD voters approved four bond measures totaling $6.2 billion to fund the construction of 26 schools, renovations at existing schools, safety and security upgrades, science and technology labs, buses, playgrounds and pool upgrades, among other things.

Zoom in: Voters in Arlington ISD approved two bond measures allocating $469.8 million for new facilities, including a new elementary school, renovations to existing facilities and upgraded safety measures.

• However, voters rejected $31.6 million to replace grass with artificial turf at baseball and softball facilities, as well as new equipment and athletic storage facilities.

City bonds

Fort Worth voters approved an $845 million bond package for street repairs, park, public library and animal shelter improvements, affordable housing and police, fire and EMS communications.

City council and school board races

Irving voters elected Council Member Al Zapanta to be their next mayor. Zapanta is a businessman and president and CEO of the United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce.

• Arlington Mayor Jim Ross was reelected to a third term.
• Frisco voters sent mayoral candidates Rod Vilhauer and Mark Hill to a runoff on June 13.

The intrigue: Voters in the Grapevine-Colleyville school district ousted three conservative incumbents.

🏘️ Richardson is pausing new short-term rental registrations as city leaders weigh tighter rules. (Dallas Observer)

🏗️ A planned luxury apartment tower near Turtle Creek is moving forward, but at a smaller scale than originally proposed. (The Dallas Business Journal)

🏢 Dallas officials filed lawsuits targeting several apartment properties in Uptown, Old East Dallas and Red Bird over alleged discrimination and poor living conditions. (DMN)

U.S. student visa denials hit a decade high in 2025, contributing to enrollment declines that could cost Texas universities an estimated $133.2 million annually, per a recent report.

The big picture: Visa processing is strained by competing priorities, including expanded travel bans and the State Department's focus on World Cup travel.

By the numbers: Visa refusal rates nationally rose to 35% in 2025 — the highest in a decade — after years of relative stability, per Shorelight, a company that helps international students apply to U.S. schools.

Zoom in: Texas is among the states with the largest projected tuition losses tied to declining international enrollment, according to Shorelight's analysis.

Between the lines: New international student enrollment declined around 17% nationally last year, Rachel Banks, a senior director at the international educators association NAFSA, tells Axios.

• In Texas, that translated to a $65 million economic loss tied to fewer incoming students — reflecting a slowdown in new arrivals, not total international student contributions.
• The report didn't include data about specific Texas universities, but the University of North Texas and UT-Arlington noted a drop in international students last year. Both are among the top institutions in the state for international student enrollment.

Talent pool at risk