
Central Texas is about to get a new state park
Why it matters: With so much of Texas property in private hands, the new park will be key to expanding public access to the state's natural spaces.
Driving the news: The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has purchased 2,020 acres in Burnet County for $35 million using a combination of a one-time funding appropriation from the legislature and revenue from the sporting goods sales tax.
The property includes two miles along the Colorado River and is located across the river from Colorado Bend State Park, about 100 miles northwest of Austin.
Ten miles upstream from Lake Buchanan, the property features rugged hills and diverse habitats, per the state agency.
What they're saying:"It is fun to imagine generations of Texans enjoying the scenic views and outdoor adventures awaiting on this property," Rodney Franklin, director of Texas State Parks, said in a statement.
What's next: State parks officials have not set a potential opening date.

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Business Journals
18 hours ago
- Business Journals
Harmony Bank Committed to Midlothian – Investing in Local Growth, Businesses and Families
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What excites us most is the spirit of partnership we feel every time we talk with people here. Midlothian's story is one of steady, thoughtful growth—guided by neighbors who show up for one another, small businesses that reinvest locally, and schools and nonprofits that elevate the entire community. Harmony Bank's core belief is that banking should be a catalyst for good: a steady hand for households, a nimble resource for business owners, and a committed partner for community organizations. That's exactly the role we're eager to play in Midlothian. For local businesses, our focus is on practical advice and fast answers. Entrepreneurs don't have time to wait weeks for decisions, and they deserve a banker who understands how cash flow, inventory cycles, and hiring plans interact in the real world. Whether you're opening a second location, investing in equipment, navigating seasonal swings, or planning for multi-year expansion, we're bringing relationship lenders who will pick up the phone, meet you at your shop, and tailor solutions that make sense for your margins and your timeline. From SBA lending and owner-occupied commercial real estate to lines of credit and treasury services, our toolkit is built for business momentum—and our service model is built for clarity and speed. Community partnership is more than a tagline for us, it's a commitment that shows up in how we spend our time and where we put our dollars. As we focus on Midlothian, we're ready to roll up our sleeves with local nonprofits, schools, chambers, and civic groups that make this city special. A healthy local economy is about more than loans and deposits; it's about trust, shared goals, and a long horizon. We want to be the bank that shows up on Saturday morning, not just at quarter-end. 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We're excited to show you what a true relationship bank can be: responsive, practical, and rooted in your success. Whether you're exploring financing for a project, opening an account for a new business, or simply looking for a bank that picks up the phone and calls you by name, Harmony Bank is ready. Together, let's keep building a community where opportunity is accessible, businesses thrive, and families flourish.


USA Today
3 days ago
- USA Today
The Daily Money: A housing match made in heaven
Good morning! It's Daniel de Visé with your Daily Money. When Cristiana Perez and Nick Porter began house-hunting in New York State in 2021, they were open-minded about their prospects, but they kept getting priced out. Finally, they had an epiphany. Four years later, the couple are the proud owners of a former church. As church attendance declines and the housing market gets tighter, Perez and Porter's path may hold promise. The wealthiest suburbs of America's biggest cities New York's wealthiest suburb is Scarsdale, a name long linked to affluence. Wellesley, the most well-heeled Boston suburb, is known for academia. Fewer Americans might recognize the name of Hinsdale, Chicago's wealthiest suburb. And some non-Texans might struggle to differentiate between University Park and West University Place, the most affluent suburbs, respectively, of metropolitan Dallas and Houston. Here are the wealthiest suburbs of America's largest cities. 📰 More stories you shouldn't miss 📰 📰 A great read 📰 Finally, here's a popular story from earlier this year that you may have missed. Read it! Share it! Americans currently owe roughly $1.8 trillion in student loan debt. Yet, despite rising costs, going to college is a decision that can give you a high return on your investment. The size of that return, however, can depend on your major. About The Daily Money Each weekday, The Daily Money delivers the best consumer and financial news from USA TODAY, breaking down complex events, providing the TLDR version, and explaining how everything from Fed rate changes to bankruptcies impacts you. Daniel de Visé covers personal finance for USA Today.


USA Today
3 days ago
- USA Today
These are the wealthiest suburbs of America's biggest cities
New York's wealthiest suburb is Scarsdale, a name long linked to affluence. Wellesley, the most well-heeled Boston suburb, is known for academia. McLean, a high-earner enclave outside the nation's capital, houses diplomats and spies. Fewer Americans might recognize the name of Hinsdale, Chicago's wealthiest suburb. And some non-Texans might struggle to differentiate between University Park and West University Place, the most affluent suburbs, respectively, of metropolitan Dallas and Houston. A new report from the personal finance site GOBankingRates identifies the wealthiest suburbs of America's 50 largest metropolitan areas in 2025. It's a spinoff from an earlier analysis, which listed the wealthiest suburbs in America. Some of the names are familiar. The nation's wealthiest suburb is Scarsdale, a storied suburb in New York's leafy Westchester County. New York state, California and Texas are home to eight of the 10 wealthiest suburbs in America, Census data show. Other affluent suburbs attract little attention outside their own regions. A 'Jeopardy!' contestant might be hard-pressed, for example, to identify Alamo as the wealthiest suburb of San Francisco. "I wasn't really familiar with Milton, Georgia, until the survey," said Rudri Patel, a senior financial expert at GOBankingRates, referring to the wealthiest Atlanta suburb. "I think affluence is moving beyond stereotyped geographic regions," such as Beverly Hills, she said. "It doesn't need to be 90210." To compile the report, researchers found the suburb with the highest mean household income for each of the 50 largest metropolitan areas. Communities of fewer than 5,000 households were omitted. Here are the wealthiest suburbs of the largest cities Here, then, are the wealthiest suburbs of the 20 largest U.S. metropolitan areas. New York: Scarsdale. This famous New York suburb boasts an average household income of $601,193, as of 2023. The average Scarsdale home is worth $1.6 million, as of June 2025. It's the wealthiest suburb in America. Los Angeles: Palos Verdes Estates. Forget Beverly Hills: Palos Verdes Estates, part of the tony Palos Verdes Peninsula, is the wealthiest L.A. suburb and the 11th wealthiest in the nation. Household incomes average $367,178. Home values average $2.8 million. Chicago: Hinsdale. Most people associate Chicago's North Shore with suburban wealth, but the city's wealthiest suburb (and the nation's eighth wealthiest) sits to the west. Hinsdale has an average household income of $376,366. Home values average $1.3 million. Dallas-Fort Worth: University Park. The nation's sixth-wealthiest suburb is named for Southern Methodist University. The average household income is $389,868, and home values average $2.4 million. Houston: West University Place. This unsung suburb of Houston, named for nearby Rice University, is the nation's third wealthiest. Average household income is $409,677. The average home value is $1.1 million. Washington, D.C.: McLean. The most affluent D.C. suburb ranks 12th nationally. The average household income is $364,591, and home prices average $1.7 million. Philadelphia: Ardmore. This Main Line Philly suburb does not rank among the nation's 50 wealthiest, but Ardmore residents are doing just fine. Average household income is $161,029, and home prices average $527,016. Atlanta: Milton. This suburb wasn't incorporated until 2006, although its namesake, John Milton, fought in the Revolutionary War. Milton does not rank among the nation's 50 wealthiest suburbs. Household income averages $225,532, and the average home is worth $976,830. Miami: Pinecrest. You don't hear much about the nation's 21st wealthiest suburb, which sits south of Miami. Household incomes average $312,591, and home values average $2.4 million. Phoenix: Scottsdale. Though technically a suburb, Scottsdale is larger than many central cities, with a population of 241,361 in 2020. Scottsdale does not rank among the nation's 50 wealthiest suburbs. Household income averages $168,679, and home values average $946,327. Boston: Wellesley. The nation's 10th wealthiest suburb is home to Wellesley and Babson colleges. Household incomes average $368,179, and home values average $2.1 million. San Francisco: Alamo. Technically a suburb of Oakland, Alamo sits in Contra Costa County, east of San Francisco. Household incomes average $403,334. Home values average $2.5 million. Alamo is the nation's fifth wealthiest suburb. Riverside-San Bernardino, California: Eastvale. Who knew the Inland Empire ranked as the 13th largest metro area in America? As for Eastvale, it's an enclave of former dairy farms, incorporated in 2010. Household income averages $177,404, and home prices average $965,438. Detroit: Birmingham. Grosse Pointe may be more famous, but Birmingham is Detroit's wealthiest suburb, with an average household income of $240,711 and an average home value of $822,581. Birmingham does not rank among the nation's 50 wealthiest suburbs. Seattle: Mercer Island. The wealthiest Seattle suburb is an actual island, east of the city. It ranks 29th nationally. Household incomes average $303,425, and home values average $2.5 million. Minneapolis-Saint Paul: Edina. One of the first Minneapolis suburbs, Edina was once reachable by streetcar. Household incomes average $205,682, and home values average $785,567. Like most of the remaining suburbs on this list, Edina does not rank among the 50 wealthiest U.S. suburbs. San Diego: Solana Beach. With average home values of $2.6 million, Solana Beach is one of the most expensive suburbs in America. The average household income is a more modest $216,465. Tampa-St. Petersburg: Keystone. This little-known suburb ranks as the wealthiest in Tampa-St. Pete, with an average household income of $199,755. The average home value is only $277,636. Denver: Greenwood Village. Denver's wealthiest suburb was settled, fittingly, by gold prospectors. Household incomes average $258,780, and home prices average a whopping $1.6 million. Baltimore: Annapolis Neck. This waterfront community is technically a suburb of Annapolis, the Maryland capital. The average household income is $240,059, and home values average $665,302. Beyond the top 20: Other wealthiest suburbs Didn't see your city in the top 20? Here are the wealthiest suburbs of some other large metros. St. Louis: Clayton. Average household income: $216,884. Average home value: $1.1 million. Portland, Oregon: Cedar Mill. Average household income: $223,012. Average home value: $796,226. Pittsburgh: Franklin Park. Average household income: $218,236. Average home value: $502,695. Cincinnati: Mason. Average household income: $161,798. Average home value: $565,612. Cleveland: Solon. Average household income: $186,260. Average home value: $461,665. Indianapolis: Zionsville. Average household income: $220,563. Average home value: $666,102. Nashville, Tennessee: Brentwood. Average household income: $261,248. Average home value: $1.4 million. Milwaukee: Mequon. Average household income: $209,904. Average home value: $669,603.