Good Morning! On this day in 1861, Texas formally seceded from the Union when a state convention in Austin voted 166–8 in favor. The move, later ratified by voters, followed a Unionist boycott and the removal of Gov. Sam Houston from office, after he refused to back the Confederacy.
When TV dinners arrived in the 1950s, they changed America’s relationship with more than just the meal. While the term itself has faded away, the pre-packaged meal lives on in a broader, healthier way, as we find out in today’s “Whatever Happened To…” segment.
States along the Southeast coast braced for the effects of a “bomb cyclone” on Saturday, including dangerous cold and blizzard conditions in a fast-developing storm, the winter equivalent of a hurricane.
Cities along the North Carolina and Virginia coast were expected to see 7 to 12 inches of snow on Saturday and Sunday, along with wind gusts up to 70 mph.
In North Carolina, forecasts called for 5–7 inches of snow in Asheville, while Raleigh prepared for 4–7 inches.
Widespread flight cancellations were anticipated just one week after a winter storm that led to nearly 20,000 flight cancellations over the three days from Saturday to Monday.
The Senate voted on Friday to separate extended funding for the Department of Homeland Security after a White House deal delayed negotiations two weeks over Democratic demands to restrict Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Democrats are pressing for changes they believe are necessary to prevent future abuses, including requiring immigration agents to wear body cameras, carry clear identification, and end roving patrols in cities.
List: Top Supermarket Chains
Trader Joe’s edged Publix atop the list of 2026 supermarket rankings, according to a survey by the American Customer Satisfaction Index.
Trader Joe’s, known for its private-label, specialty products, has locations in 42 states and the District of Columbia.
Publix has more than 1,400 locations in eight states, with close to 900 in the chain’s home state of Florida.
H-E-B, Sam’s Club, and Aldi round out the top five. Giant Eagle ranked last, based on factors including store layout and cleanliness, website satisfaction and checkout speed.
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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:
➤ A federal judge blocked key provisions of President Trump’s election executive order. (Hear More)
➤ The world’s biggest TikToker earned nearly $1 billion after licensing an AI clone. (Listen Now)
➤ A parenting coach shares strategies to help parents guide children through tantrums. (Podcast Available)
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➤ Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the 2026 Australian Open women’s final early Saturday morning to win her first-ever Australian Open and second Grand Slam title (More)
➤ The Seattle Seahawks are expected to be sold after Super Bowl LX, with a price projected to exceed the NFL record $6.05 billion sale of the Washington Commanders in 2023. (More)
➤ New York Mets superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor said he will not play for Team Puerto Rico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic because of insurance provisions in his contract. (More)
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Bitcoin, gold, silver, and oil are traded 24 hours a day.
➤ SpaceX generated about $8 billion in profit of over $15 billion in revenue last year, offering rare financial insight ahead of the space company’s expected public debut later this year. (More)
➤ Silver prices plunged 28% to $83.45 an ounce, the worst day since March 1980, while gold fell 9% after President Trump nominated Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve chair, boosting the dollar. (More)
➤ D-Wave Quantum Inc., a publicly traded quantum computing pioneer, will move its headquarters from Silicon Valley to Boca Raton, Florida, citing the state’s rapidly growing technology ecosystem. (More)
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Ladies and gentlemen, here are our most-clicked stories of the week:
➤ Budweiser unveiled an Americana-themed Super Bowl ad marking its 150th anniversary, featuring a Clydesdale foal and an eaglet friendship set to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Free Bird. (See Ad)
➤ Twenty-two vintage photos capture moments when kids discovered their parents were cooler in their youth, showcasing old-school style, confidence, and charisma that still impress today. (See Photos)
➤ A list of the kindest dog breeds highlights affectionate, patient, kid-friendly companions that veterinarians recommend for families, first-time owners, and anyone seeking a devoted pet. (See Dogs)
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➤ Neuropathy? Tingling Feet? This New Home Device Is a Game-Changer for Seniors. Millions of Americans are discovering the breakthrough that’s helping them walk, sleep, and live without foot pain… and it has nothing to do with pills, injections, or expensive treatments. This doctor-designed home device is changing lives in just minutes a day. Originally developed to improve circulation and reduce nerve discomfort, it’s now going viral for its ability to relieve tingling, burning, and stabbing foot pain, fast. (LEARN MORE)
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➤ A federal judge denied Minnesota’s request to block ICE’s Operation Metro Surge, allowing immigration enforcement to continue while legal challenges proceed. (More)
➤ A child remained in critical condition after gunfire wounded at least five people during a Mardi Gras parade on Saturday in East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, authorities said. (More)
➤ The Israel Defense Forces confirmed it struck multiple locations throughout Gaza on Saturday, killing at least 30 in response to Hamas violating the ceasefire agreement. (More)
➤ A gas leak may have caused the explosion that rocked the Iranian port city Bandar Abbas on Saturday, killing six and injuring 14, while U.S. and Israeli officials denied involvement. (More)
➤ Catherine O’Hara’s death on Friday revealed she lived with dextrocardia with situs inversus, a rare condition that reverses the placement of the heart and other internal organs. Celebrities Enrique Iglesias and Donny Osmond also live with the condition. (More)
➤ Demond Wilson, the actor best known for starring in NBC’s Sanford and Son, died on Friday at his Palm Springs, California, home at age 79 following complications related to cancer. (More)
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Whatever happened to TV dinners?
TV dinners appeared as postwar America rearranged itself around two new household fixtures: the freezer and the television. It was Swanson’s “TV dinner” concept of the early 1950s that sold families on the dream of a hot meal with minimal kitchen time.
How did the product originate? In 1953, Swanson found itself with 260 tons of excess turkey, and an executive proposed packaging the turkey into compartmentalized aluminum trays (inspired by airline meal trays), adding sides like stuffing, peas, or sweet potatoes, and selling it as a complete heat-and-eat meal marketed for eating in front of the television.
It took off immediately. By the 1960s and 1970s, frozen dinners became a routine: Salisbury steak nights, corn that tasted faintly of the tray, and that fizzy thrill of peeling back foil like you were unwrapping the future. Here’s a 1955 Swanson’s TV commercial.
The fast growth of TV dinners wasn’t really about taste. It was about permission: permission to skip the table, skip the dishes, skip the whole performance of dinner. It matched suburban living rooms and TV-tray tables, and it fit a country sprinting toward convenience and more dual-income schedules.
The decline came in slow motion. By the late 20th century, “TV dinner” started to sound like a punchline—processed, salty, beige—while microwaves and new packaging quietly shifted the product into the broader category of “microwave meals” and “frozen prepared meals.”
But the category itself never died. Frozen foods boomed during the pandemic—one industry report pegged U.S. frozen food retail sales at $65 billion in 2020, up 21% year over year. And market researchers estimate the U.S. frozen food market at $83.5 billion in 2024, still growing.
So what happened? The “TV dinner” became the “frozen meal,” with the same basic promise, upgraded with more global flavors, more “healthy” positioning, and more premium options, leaving aluminum tray nostalgia behind.
Do you remember TV dinners? Did you have a favorite meal? Let us know your thoughts by replying to this email.
Sydney Zoo debuted its newest resident, a giraffe born last month, who has already become popular with visitors.
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