Uncommon Knowledge
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Amid his first visit to Taiwan, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced on Sunday the opening of a Texas-Taiwan trade representative office in Taipei to strengthen business and economic ties between the state and island.
Taiwan-based companies have been expanding into Texas for years, specifically in the semiconductor and petrochemical industries. Totaling $21.3 billion in 2023, Taiwan is Texas’ seventh-largest trade partner, according to Abbott.
One of the notable expansions is by GlobalWafers, a Taiwan-based semiconductor silicon wafer company, which announced in 2022 plans to build a state-of-the-art silicon wafer factory in Sherman, Texas. This facility, expected to be the first of its kind in the United States in over two decades, aims to address the semiconductor supply chain issues in the U.S. by reducing the reliance on imported silicon wafers from Asia. This project is anticipated to create around 1,500 jobs and significantly bolster the state’s local economy.
During a visit to Taiwan on Sunday, Abbott announced the opening of the State of Texas Taiwan Office (STTO), making it the 23rd U.S. state to open an office in Taipei. The STTO, which will operate under Texas’ Economic Development & Tourism Office, was announced in an effort to strengthen business and economic ties between the state and island, with the Republican governor also signing a letter of intent.
Newsweek has reached out to Abbott’s office via email for comment.
SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP/Getty Images
“We understand, both in Texas and in the United States, the importance of a strong Taiwan for the future of the entire globe. One of the best things that we can do to strengthen Taiwan and strengthen its future is by expanding our economic ties, so that Taiwan grows even stronger economically,” Abbott said on a stage with Taiwan Minister of Economic Affairs Jyh-Huei Kuo.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Abbott praised the opening of the office and wrote on Sunday morning, “Taiwan President Lai welcomed our Texas delegation in Taipei. We also announced the opening of a trade representative office for the State of Texas. We do BILLIONS in trade with Taiwan. The country was very hospitable.”
Taiwan President Lai welcomed our Texas delegation in Taipei.
We also announced the opening of a trade representative office for the State of Texas.
We do BILLIONS in trade with Taiwan. The country was very hospitable.https://t.co/RKkxlOHjT0
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) July 7, 2024
According to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, Texas is an important trading partner as the Lone Star state is the ninth largest export market, with exports exceeding $11.5 billion in 2023.
“During this trip you will open the state of Texas-Taiwan office and sign an economic development statement of intent. I assure that the office will create new and trailblazing opportunities for an even stronger collaboration between Taiwanese and US businesses,” Lai said, according to Taiwan News.
However, the announcement comes as tensions between Taiwan and China continue to grow.
In May, Lai faced China’s largest-scale military exercises in nearly two years. It comes as a response to Lai’s inauguration speech as he asserted that “the Republic of China Taiwan is a sovereign, independent nation,” adding it is “an important link in the global chain of democracies.” While Taiwan has been independently governed since 1949, China views the island as part of its territory and hasn’t ruled out the use of force to unify the nations.
In addition, China has said it would launch a war if Taiwan were ever to officially declare independence. Lai, like his predecessor, former President Tsai Ing-wen, has maintained that there is no need to do so, as Taiwan is already an independent state.
Last week, China issued a no-sail zone warning in waters near Taiwan.
Maritime Safety Administration of China’s eastern Zhejiang province issued the navigational warning for a “military exercises” in the East China Sea from Wednesday to Friday as China’s military deployed 22 aircraft and six vessels.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
AUSTIN, Texas (KXII) — KXII 12 received 10 first place awards at the Texas Broadcast News Awards by the Texas Association of Broadcasters over the weekend.
The station won the following awards in the small market division:
•Breaking News
•Investigative Report
•Election Results Coverage
•Sports Special (The Max Blitz)
•Sports Anchor (David Reed)
•Station Photojournalism
•Individual Photojournalism (Drury Vaughan)
•Morning Newscast
•Evening Newscast
•Overall Broadcast Excellence
KXII 12 has been recognized for Overall Broadcast Excellence three times in the past four years. The award is the top station honor in each division.
“This is an incredible honor and a testament to the integrity and hard work of our entire news team,” station vice president & general manager Derek Rogers said. “We’re proud to be recognized for journalism that puts Texoma first, and we’re grateful to our viewers for trusting us to tell the stories that matter most.”
Station news director Matt Griffin said the awards reflect the team’s commitment to the community.
“These awards are a testament to the dedication and professionalism of the team we have at KXII 12,” Griffin said. “They are committed to serving our communities by giving them the quality coverage they deserve every day.”
Copyright 2026 KXII. All rights reserved.
CENTRAL TEXAS — Strong thunderstorms started to fire up west of I-35 after 2pm Sunday afternoon after several rounds of morning rain and thunderstorms. These thunderstorms will continue to pepper regions along and west of I-35 for the remainder of the evening. Individual storms are traveling North-Northeastward at a slow pace. Severe weather isn’t out of the question, but risks will mainly be small hail, wind gusts around 40mph, frequent lightning, and heavy rain. Rain totals could climb to 3″ for some affected.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is unlikely to be issued today.
A Flood Watch was issued for Bell, Williamson, Milam, Robertson, Leon, Burleson, Brazos, Madison, and Grimes counties until 4am Monday morning. A complex of thunderstorms closer to I-10 have prompted Flash Flood Warnings for excessive rain, but this has so far stays south of the Brazos Valley.
Any thunderstorms, severe or not, should conclude by 10pm tonight. After which, conditions remain humid with lows in the upper 60s. Monday’s storm chances have diminished greatly, and only an isolated chance for showers and storms remain for those east of I-35. Waco is looking dry. Highs climb to the low to mid 80s.
The next thunderstorm chance appears to be around Wednesday of this week. There is a chance for stronger storms but Waco is at the extreme southern most extent of thunderstorm chances to begin with, so this isn’t a particularly great chance for nasty thunderstorms. The bulk of that action is likely well north extending from Dallas, TX to Milwaukee, WI.
The week finishes very warm. Waco’s high temp will climb to about 86 degrees and College Station up to 88 potentially.
– 25 News Meteorologist Thomas Patrick
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In May, Dallas voters will have an opportunity to decide on a bond election by Dallas ISD valued at more than $6.2 billion, a record amount in the State of Texas.
If voters approve, they will agree to raise their property tax rate by one cent. It’s estimated it will cost homeowners an extra $2.79 each month and an extra $33 annually with a home value of $500,000 after the $140,000 homestead exemption.
The bond would build 26 brand new schools, renovate and modernize all campuses, remove the 700 remaining portable classrooms and upgrade security.
It will also provide various updates, including technology for students, debt service refinancing and repairs for swimming pools.
The bond election is comprised of four propositions, A through D. Early voting for this and other municipal elections runs from Monday, April 20, through Tuesday, April 28.
CBS News Texas political reporter Jack Fink spoke with the Dallas ISD Bond Campaign co-chair and former school board trustee Miguel Solis, who explained more about why the bond is needed.
“Kids getting a high-quality education in high-quality facilities will inevitably lead to a better economic outlook,” Solis told Fink. “Because more kids will then be getting better grades that lead to better jobs and maximizes their earning potential… this is a workforce play as much as anything else.”
Solis said that the tax rate in Dallas ISD has been consistently decreasing since 2019.
“When you look at the ten largest districts in North Texas, it’s actually got the lowest tax rate,” he said. “That only gets the district so far to be able to ensure, once and for all, that every student and every school across Dallas ISD can have physical infrastructure improvements.”
According to Solis, there are 135,000 students in Dallas ISD.
“That number alone is larger than most Texas cities outside of Dallas,” Solis said. “The district is just big.”
The Texas Public Policy Foundation said that if the Dallas ISD bond is approved, it could double the district’s debt.
“Anytime you issue a bond, that’s you’re essentially issuing debt,” Solis said. “And that debt can extend out over the course of, you know, multiple years. The 2015 bonds over the course of, I’d like to think maybe the next 5 or 10 years, we will probably see that debt ultimately paid off.”
Solis said that the district feels “pretty confident” that it can manage any existing and new debt.
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