Texas
Thousands of beautiful but toxic sea creatures washing up on Texas shores
Thousands of beautiful but dangerous sea creatures are washing up on Texas’ coast — bungling plans for many spring breakers.
The blue dragons — which are shell-less mollusks known as “the most beautiful killer in the ocean” — popped up in droves along the shores of North Padre Island Sunday for the first time this year, officials at the Harte Research Institute said.
Experts posted a series of breathtaking photos of the stunning blue dragons, but offered a starch warning not to get too close to the tiny predator.
“When threatened or touched, it can release stinging cells with more powerful stings than the Portuguese man o’ war can alone! That’s why we recommend just taking photos and not touching,” the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s marine research institute said on Facebook.
The thousands of blue dragons were blown in over the weekend by the strong southeast winds that Texas experiences every spring, according to the institute.
The creatures themselves are partly blown in by the waves, but are also in hot pursuit of the other venomous aquatic critters they feed on that are swept by the gusts, including man-o-wars, by the wind sailors and blue buttons.
Blue dragons — also known by their less-glamorous scientific name, Glaucus atlanticus sea slug — feed on the toxins of the species and process their cells to zap predators with an even stronger sting, which can cause nausea, pain and vomiting.
Although only about an inch long, Blue dragons have enough power to send a human to the hospital with a single sting.
As if spending one’s spring break avoiding the tiny, but poisonous creatures isn’t enough, experts warn that thousands of more blue dragons will visit the coast in the coming weeks.
“This is just the first “blue wave” of these organisms washing in together. You can expect to see this happening more as we get into spring with strong southeast winds blowing them onshore. Happy beachcombing!” the Harte Research Institute said.
Warm, humid and windy conditions continue for North Texas on Friday as air flow from the south pulls in Gulf moisture. Mostly cloudy skies are in store, with highs in the low 80s and wind gusts up to 35 mph.
Overnight, storms will approach the region from the northwest, most likely arriving in North Texas between 3 and 7 a.m. The system will bring scattered showers and thunderstorms, with the potential for some stronger storms capable of wind gusts up to 60 mph and small hail.
The rain will continue for most of Saturday morning. North Texas will dry out from north to south in the afternoon.
The front also brings a steep drop in temperatures, with highs on Saturday topping out in the low to mid-60s.
Temperatures on Sunday morning will drop into the 40s, but sunshine will return in the afternoon with highs in the 70s.
Next week will start off with highs in the 70s and a chance of rain on Tuesday before temperatures rise into the 80s again.
FILE-In this photo illustration, a 1040 Individual Income Tax Return document is seen on a desk on April 15, 2024 in North Haledon, New Jersey. (Photo illustration by Michael Bocchieri/Getty Images)
In a year of record-breaking tax returns, a new study finds that Texas is seeing the second-largest average returns in the nation.
Upgradedpoints.com found that the national average is nearly $3,600, but Texas residents are seeing nearly a thousand more than that this year. They used numbers from the IRS in conducting the study.
Texas-sized tax returns
By the numbers:
In Texas, the average refund was $4,344, slightly below the average in Florida, which leads the nation at $4,433. The state had the second-largest overall filing volume: 13.6 million returns filed and over 9.7 million (71.3%) receiving a refund, the study found.
The Texas county with the highest average return was Shackelford County, located west of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, at $7,375. Most wage brackets saw returns closer to average, with those earning $50-$100K per year averaging $4,249. However, their average appears to have been imbalanced by the $200K+ earners, who saw an average refund of $105,163.
What is the penalty for filing taxes late?
Dig deeper:
The failure to file penalty applies if you didn’t file your tax return by the due date (including extensions).
By the numbers:
The penalty is 5% of your unpaid taxes for each month that a return is late, up to 25% of the total unpaid, for individuals and most business tax returns, according to the IRS.
You’ll know if you owe a penalty because you’ll receive a notice letter from the IRS.
2026 tax brackets
Your tax filing could also look different next year if your tax bracket is adjusted. Keep that in mind if you plan to switch jobs, or earn or lose some income.
Because of inflation adjustments, income thresholds for the two lowest brackets rose by about 4%, while higher brackets increased by roughly 2.3% compared with 2025 levels.
READ MORE: 2026 tax brackets vs. 2025: Here’s what’s changed, other things to know
2026 tax deduction
For tax year 2026, the standard deduction increased to $32,200 for married couples filing jointly. For single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately, the standard deduction rose to $16,100 for tax year 2026, and for heads of households, the standard deduction will be $24,150.
2027 tax filing season
Consult a tax professional now if you have any questions or concerns about your tax-filing situation come January 2027.
The Source: Information in this article comes from upgradedpoints.com and previous FOX Local reporting.
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