Texas

Texas shinkansen may not operate until early 2030s, Amtrak says

Published

7 months ago

May 30, 2024

Texas shinkansen may not operate until early 2030s, Amtrak says

Photo shows Andy Byford, senior vice president of the U.S. national passenger rail company Amtrak, speaking in an interview in Washington D.C. on May 13, 2024. (Kyodo)

A planned high-speed railway service in Texas, using Japan’s shinkansen bullet train technology, likely will not be completed until at least the early 2030s, a senior executive of U.S. railway operator Amtrak said recently.

“I do not see the line opening before the early 2030s…But certainly, the early 2030s is still possible,” said Andy Byford, senior vice president of the U.S. national passenger rail company, which supports the project led by local railway firm Texas Central Partners LLC, in an interview with Kyodo News in mid-May.

Most recently slated for completion in 2026, the project is receiving technical support from Japanese shinkansen operator Central Japan Railway Co. If it goes ahead, the railway will connect Dallas and Houston, two major Texas cities approximately 380 kilometers apart, in about 90 minutes, but planning has been repeatedly delayed due to financing concerns, among other reasons.

In the interview conducted at Amtrak’s headquarters in Washington, Byford stressed the need to secure funding from the private and public sectors to cover the projected cost, which is estimated to total more than $30 billion.

“I don’t see this project being able to go forward without federal, private and overseas investment,” said the executive in charge of the high-speed rail development program.

Byford said he is “hopeful” the federal government, currently led by President Joe Biden who supports trains as an effective low-carbon-emission transport option, will offer financial support, adding that he may be able to gain additional support from the governments of Dallas and Houston in the future.

He admitted the upcoming presidential election in November introduces some uncertainty, but he hoped having a strong business case “appeals to politicians of any stripe.”

Photo shows an N700S shinkansen bullet train in motion in Tokyo on May 28, 2024.(Kyodo)

The trains, to be made based on the N700S shinkansen that currently connects Tokyo and Osaka, among other cities, are slated to be manufactured by a Japanese company, the executive said without naming the firm.

With shinkansen train car maker Hitachi Ltd. also providing technical support, Byford said they and other related Japanese companies have “a stellar reliability and safety record,” and Amtrak will work with its partners to ensure that the Texas trains perform at the same level as those in Japan.

While the plan is to initially use rolling stock built in Japan, the executive said “it would be our intention” to eventually create jobs by bringing manufacturing to the United States.

The new railway service will utilize Amtrak’s ticketing and reservation system, and users will be able to purchase tickets through the Amtrak app, Byford said.

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Texas

Dinner at Dallas restaurant becomes holiday tradition for North Texas families

Published

7 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

Dinner at Dallas restaurant becomes holiday tradition for North Texas families

Holiday traditions run the gamut in North Texas. For some, it means a yearly dinner at a popular Dallas Chinese restaurant. But not just any dinner. These are gatherings reserved months in advance. And Wednesday’s festivities just happened to fall on Christmas day and the start of Hanukkah.

Ask April Kao when they plan to close the Royal China restaurant for the night, and she’ll tell you simply whenever the last person leaves. It’s what she’s grown accustomed to. When the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, with all its excitement and frenzy, comes breezing through the front door of the Royal China restaurant off Preston Road and Royal Lane.

Kao and her husband George, both owners of the restaurant, said opening on December 25 was never part of the original business plan.

“We didn’t used to open on Christmas day,” she said. “And in 2008 after the renovation, people begged and begged, ‘Please you have to open.’”

So, they did, and there’s been a massive turnout ever since. People from surrounding neighborhoods in North Dallas and people from different faith communities rely on Royal China.

“Before we open the door, we have lines outside and it’s getting busier and busier. So we take reservations a year before,” Kao said.

One Dallas family made reservations during the summer just to be sure their 15-year tradition wouldn’t miss a beat.

“My son-in-law, Berry, was the one who first suggested that we come to a Chinese restaurant on Christmas day,” said Lynn Harnden. “And we make our reservations like in July to be sure to come.”

As the years pass, seats are added to the reservation. This year, the Hardens occupied two tables with seventeen guests.

As for upholding family traditions, the Kaos have their own wall of memories at the restaurant. It’s a reminder of how far they’ve come from 1974, when George Kao’s father came from Taiwan with a dream and a plan.

“He is very proud,” he said. “He would smile. He’s smiling from above.”

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Pleasant Christmas weather for North Texas before storms return Thursday

Published

19 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Pleasant Christmas weather for North Texas before storms return Thursday – CBS Texas

Watch CBS News

First Alert meteorologist Brittany Rainey has the latest forecast.

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Texas

Texas A&M vs. USC Prediction, Odds, Picks – December 27, 2024

Published

1 day ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Texas A&M vs. USC Prediction, Odds, Picks – December 27, 2024

Data Skrive

The Las Vegas Bowl features a battle between the Texas A&M Aggies (who are 3.5-point favorites) and the USC Trojans on December 27, 2024 at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The over/under is set at 52.

Facing the Texas Longhorns in their most recent game, the Aggies lost 17-7. Last time out, the Trojans fell to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, with 49-35 being the final score.

Keep up with college football all season on FOX Sports.

Joel Klatt explains how ‘USC is spiraling and in trouble’ | The Herd

FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt joins Colin Cowherd to discuss USC losing 19 players to the transfer portal and why it is troubling.

Texas A&M vs. USC Game Information & Odds

When: Friday, December 27, 2024 at 10:30 p.m. ET
Location: Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada
TV: ESPN
Live Box Score on FOX Sports

More College Football Predictions

Texas A&M vs USC Betting Information updated as of December 25, 2024, 2:45 a.m. ET.
Favorite	Spread (Odds)	Favorite Moneyline	Underdog Moneyline	Total	Over Moneyline	Under Moneyline
Texas A&M	-3.5 (-111)	-180	+149	52	-109	-111

Texas A&M vs. USC Prediction

Pick ATS:
Texas A&M (-3.5)
Pick OU: Under (52)
Prediction: Texas A&M 28, USC 24

Predictions are made by the Data Skrive betting model.

Learn more about the Texas A&M Aggies vs. the USC Trojans game on FOX Sports!

Texas A&M vs. USC Betting Insights

Per the spread and over/under, the implied score for the tilt is Aggies 28, Trojans 24.
The Aggies have a 64.3% chance to claim victory in this meeting per the moneyline’s implied probability. The Trojans hold a 40.2% implied probability.
Texas A&M has compiled a 3-9-0 record against the spread this season.
USC has put together a 7-5-0 record against the spread this season.

Texas A&M vs. USC: 2024 Stats Comparison

	Texas A&M	USC
Off. Points per Game (Rank)	30.3 (52)	29.8 (55)
Def. Points per Game (Rank)	21.2 (23)	23.5 (47)
Turnovers Allowed (Rank)	13 (28)	18 (71)
Turnovers Forced (Rank)	17 (61)	16 (69)

Texas A&M 2024 Key Players

Name	Position	Stats
Marcel Reed	QB	1,572 YDS (61.1%) / 12 TD / 4 INT 501 RUSH YDS / 6 RUSH TD / 45.5 RUSH YPG
Le’Veon Moss	RB	769 YDS / 10 TD / 85.4 YPG / 6.4 YPC 10 REC / 141 REC YDS / 0 REC TD / 17.6 REC YPG
Amari Daniels	RB	661 YDS / 8 TD / 55.1 YPG / 4.8 YPC
Noah Thomas	WR	34 REC / 545 YDS / 6 TD / 45.4 YPG
Taurean York	LB	57 TKL / 6 TFL / 2.5 SACK / 1 INT
Nic Scourton	DL	29 TKL / 11 TFL / 4 SACK
Will Lee III	DB	37 TKL / 0 TFL / 2 INT / 2 PD
Dalton Brooks	DB	44 TKL / 5 TFL / 1 SACK

USC 2024 Key Players

Name	Position	Stats
Jo’Quavious Marks	RB	1,133 YDS / 9 TD / 94.4 YPG / 5.7 YPC 47 REC / 321 REC YDS / 0 REC TD / 29.2 REC YPG
Miller Moss	QB	2,555 YDS (64.4%) / 18 TD / 9 INT -18 RUSH YDS / 2 RUSH TD / -2 RUSH YPG
Ja’Kobi Lane	WR	36 REC / 398 YDS / 9 TD / 36.2 YPG
Jayden Maiava	QB	906 YDS (61.2%) / 7 TD / 2 INT 49 RUSH YDS / 4 RUSH TD / 5.4 RUSH YPG
Easton Mascarenas	LB	84 TKL / 4 TFL / 3 SACK / 2 INT
Kamari Ramsey	DB	44 TKL / 4 TFL / 2 SACK
Mason Cobb	LB	61 TKL / 2 TFL / 2 INT / 2 PD
Jaylin Smith	DB	49 TKL / 3 TFL / 2 INT / 2 PD