Good morning! On this day in 1901, New York passed a state law requiring the initials of a car’s owner to be posted on the back of the vehicle. These were America’s first license plates, largely homemade. (See Photo)
If you grew up digging through a box of cereal for a hidden prize, you’ll want to check out today’s Et Cetera section. Kellogg’s is bringing back its in-box toy promotion for the first time in years. What was your favorite cereal box prize growing up? Reply to this email and let us know.
Would you believe the firing squad is making a comeback in 2026? The Justice Department just made a major move to reshape the death penalty while also reversing the Biden administration’s freeze on federal executions. When was the last time a firing squad was actually used in the U.S.? How soon could this new policy be put into place? And who could it apply to? On today’s episode of The Flyover Podcast, host Amy Hess answers all your questions and breaks down the latest on this developing story. Tune in here!
Today’s sponsor, Mode Mobile, is turning everyday smartphone usage into a new income stream while giving users a stake in the rapidly growing data economy behind today’s AI boom.
Tornado Tears through Oklahoma
A confirmed EF-4 tornado tore through Enid, Oklahoma, on Thursday night, destroying homes and forcing Vance Air Force Base to close.
The twister hit the city of about 50,000 just before 9 p.m. local time, leveling homes in the Gray Ridge neighborhood and trapping residents under debris. At least 40 homes were damaged, and first responders conducted door-to-door searches through the night. See photos and videos of the storm here.
Enid’s mayor said 10 to 15 people suffered injuries, but remarkably, no fatalities have been reported. Vance, the Air Force’s fourth-busiest airfield, remained without power and water Friday morning.
More severe storms are expected across Oklahoma through Saturday.
Soldier Bet on Secret Raid, Won $400K
A U.S. Special Forces master sergeant was arrested Thursday for allegedly using classified intelligence about the capture mission of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro to win more than $400,000 on prediction market Polymarket.
Gannon Ken Van Dyke, 38, helped plan Operation Absolute Resolve and signed nondisclosure agreements before creating a Polymarket account and placing 13 bets totaling $33,000 in the days before the January raid on Caracas.
Van Dyke then tried to cover his tracks, moving his winnings to a foreign cryptocurrency vault and asking Polymarket to delete his account. He faces up to 20 years in prison on the top charge of wire fraud.
Home Improvement Stores Ranked
Lowe’s is America’s top-rated home improvement retailer, according to a recent customer satisfaction study, dethroning previous winners Menards and Ace Hardware.
The study surveyed more than 2,100 customers on factors including price, staff, merchandise, and online experience. Ace Hardware finished second, while Menards and Home Depot both scored below the industry average.
Overall, 64% of shoppers said they’d definitely return to their preferred store, up nine points from 2024, a jump credited to more proactive employees and customers doing better research online before visiting in person.
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:
➤ Firing squads are making a comeback. Here’s what the Justice Department’s major death penalty decision really means. (Hear More)
➤ GOP lawmakers have proposed to shift Virginia cities into D.C., escalating redistricting tensions. (Listen Now)
➤ Authorities say a teen has been accused of plotting to drive a vehicle into an historic Texas synagogue. (Podcast Available)
➤Federal prosecutors ended a criminal probe into Fed Chair Jerome Powell, clearing a path for Kevin Warsh’s nomination as the inspector general reviews Federal Reserve renovation cost overruns. (More)
➤ The FDA announced measures to speed development of psychedelic treatments for mental illness, expanding research into therapies while stressing they remain unproven and will be closely supervised. (More)
➤Secretary of War Pete Hegseth criticized European and Asian allies for not joining efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying the era of “free riding” on U.S. protection is over. (More)
➤The Trump administration extended a Jones Act waiver for 90 days to ease fuel prices, allowing more shipments between U.S. ports as oil disruptions tied to Iran’s blockade drive costs higher. (More)
➤A federal appeals court blocked President Trump’s directive suspending asylum access, ruling immigration law does not allow the administration to deny migrants the right to seek protection. (More)
Flying together with our sponsor
AI Frenzy Could Send ‘EarnPhone’ Soaring
The hidden fuel behind AI? Your phone.
Billions of data points — from your clicks, swipes, scrolls, and searches — are feeding the next wave of AI innovation.
Big Tech is harvesting it. Mode Mobile is giving it back to you.
This isn’t a theory… Mode’s 32,481% revenue growth landed them the #1 spot on Deloitte’s list of fastest growing companies in software, and they’ve secured the Nasdaq ticker $MODE ahead of a potential IPO. However, the offer is still open for early investors.
AI breakthroughs are everywhere, but these models need your data to survive.
➤ The Giants, Commanders, and Cowboys all received A+ grades for their picks in round one of the NFL Draft, while the Rams’ selection of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson was given an F. (See All Grades)
➤ Paris has submitted a bid to host ice hockey at the 2030 Winter Olympics after the new mayor of Nice vocally opposed converting his city’s soccer stadium into an ice rink. (More)
➤ Jim Furyk is set to return as U.S. Ryder Cup captain for the 2027 matches after Tiger Woods withdrew his name from consideration. (More)
➤ Michigan staffer Paige Shiver said her nearly four-year relationship with football coach Sherrone Moore was an “open secret” within the athletic department before his firing. (More)
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Bitcoin, gold, silver, and oil are traded 24 hours a day.
Flying together with our sponsor
From selling Pokémon cards to disrupting a $1 trillion industry
Mark Cuban delivered local papers, Warren Buffett sold packs of gum, Richard Branson bred parakeets… Today’s wealthiest business leaders started their entrepreneurial journeys at a young age.
And Dan Novaes’ story is no different.
From selling Pokémon cards at the age of 7 to founding Mode Mobile, Dan’s EarnPhone has led to +$1B in savings for their ecosystem of +490M users worldwide. His company ranked #1 fastest-growing software company in 2023 by Deloitte, and plans are underway for a potential IPO on the Nasdaq (ticker: MODE).
➤ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he secretly underwent early-stage prostate cancer treatment after a 2024 surgery revealed a small tumor, delaying disclosure to prevent Iranian propaganda during wartime. (More)
➤ Palestinians in Deir al-Balah will vote in Gaza’s first election since 2006, with some pro-Hamas candidates, offering a rare gauge of the group’s support. (More)
➤ Automaker Toyota debuted CUE7, a 7-foot-2 humanoid robot, at a Tokyo arena, where it used AI to dribble a basketball and sink a free throw without human input, drawing cheers. (See CUE7)
Flying together with our sponsor
➤ Need a simple place for your phone while driving? Try Cell Phone Seat, it doesn’t block your view, vents, or even your cup holder. It’s the easiest cell phone mount to install and use, plus it’s Made in America by Veterans! Get the two-pack discount, makes a great gift. (See video here)
➤ New York deputies are testing bumper-mounted StarChase guns that fire GPS darts onto fleeing vehicles, allowing officers to track suspects remotely and reduce dangerous high-speed chases, officials said. (See Tech)
➤ An independent investigator says he decoded a Zodiac cipher linking suspect Marvin Margolis to the 1947 Black Dahlia murder, a claim authorities have not confirmed. (More)
➤ Kellogg’s will revive its long-dormant in-box prize promotion on Sunday, including Toy Story 5 toys in select cereals as the breakfast cereal maker builds on the movie’s nostalgic childhood themes. (More)
Flying together with our sponsor
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This is a paid advertisement for Mode Mobile Regulation A+ offering. Please read the offering circular at https://invest.modemobile.com/ Mode Mobile recently received their ticker reservation with Nasdaq ($MODE), indicating an intent to IPO in the next 24 months. An intent to IPO is no guarantee that an actual IPO will occur. The Deloitte rankings are based on submitted applications and public company database research, with winners selected based on their fiscal-year revenue growth percentage over a three-year period.
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Tornado Tears through Oklahoma
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