Austin, Texas, ranked among America’s most sizzling real estate markets throughout the decade leading up to 2022, drawing buyers, investors and major employers at a remarkable pace.

Although the housing market in the Lone Star State’s capital has cooled noticeably in recent years, that momentum has not disappeared. Instead, it has shifted to a new wave of fast-growing Texas boomtowns.

A new report found that Texas claimed four of the top five places in a ranking of the fastest-growing boomtowns in America, underscoring the state’s continued pull for homebuyers and businesses.

Real estate agent Alexei Morgado said communities across the Sun Belt have experienced a surge of new homeowners in recent years, with Texas standing out as one of the strongest magnets for relocation.

‘I can see some common features with what is going on in rapidly growing suburbs and secondary cities, expansion into the outskirts, with new housing and more room available for buyers,’ Morgado told the Daily Mail.

The findings highlighted the runaway popularity of Texas real estate, driven by a surging economy and an energetic pace of new home construction. 

Morgado added that the effects of multiple factors influence prospective residents, like housing supply growth, employment and economic momentum – not only price growth.

The SmartAsset report looked at more than 400 US cities with populations of at least 65,000, analyzing changes over a five-year period in housing units, labor force size and economic output. 

During the Covid-19 pandemic, remote workers flocked to Texas – Austin in particular. But the boom quickly went bust as developers flooded the market with new homes. 

According to the Federal Reserve, the median home price in Austin surged from around $365,000 at the beginning of 2021 to well over $450,000 by late 2021.

Real estate developer Uri Man explained that Austin had one of the fastest growing cycles in the country during Covid.

‘That surge in new units has temporarily shifted the market in favor of renters and led to more than two years of rent declines,’ Man told The Daily Mail.

But for some Texas suburbs, including Georgetown and New Braunfels, that housing boom didn’t result in vacant apartments collecting cobwebs. 

Georgetown, instead, emerged as America’s biggest boomtown. Just 30 minutes from Austin, the suburb is known for its historic downtown and its stunning lagoon along the San Gabriel River. 

There’s also the Inner Space Cavern to the south, covered with hundreds of stalactites. 

Additionally, the area is somewhat of a haven for new residents looking for a cheaper and cozier alternative to Austin. 

Andrew Gardner, founder of Houston-based Leap Properties team, told the Daily Mail that people are moving to Texas suburbs so they still have access to major job markets ‘without paying core-city prices.’

‘Georgetown gives families and retirees breathing room,’ Gardner told us. ‘You can still be connected to the Austin economy while getting more space and a different pace of life. That’s a pretty compelling trade.’

The city saw its number of housing units climb 34 percent between 2019 and 2024, while its labor force also grew by 34 percent. The median sale price for a home in Georgetown, Texas, is $430,000 according to Redfin data.

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Meanwhile, real GDP in Williamson County, used by SmartAsset as a proxy for the city’s economic output, grew at a compound annual rate of 7.7 percent.

Mitch Coluzzi, Head of Construction for SoldFast, told the Daily Mail that Georgetown has noticeably grown ‘a ton’ in the past few years. 

That could be in part, he said, because many seniors are starting to avoid expensive metros in Florida and Arizona. As a result, suburbs like Georgetown are ‘picking up some of the slack.’

‘Honestly, this is just another example of the pattern small towns experience all over,’ Coluzzi said. ‘Word spreads that the town has charm and good job prospects, developers take note and homeowners looking for lower prices/new builds start moving in.’

‘Once property taxes spike and the rate of building slows down, another suburb will have a turn,’ he added.

Less than two hours from Georgetown, New Braunfels claimed second place.

The Central Texas city added 40 percent more housing units over the five-year period and saw its labor force grow by 32 percent. Real GDP in Comal County increased at a compound annual rate of 6.8 percent.

Part of New Braunfels’ appeal is also its proximity to Austin, but it also has its own sense of community and city, with a world-famous waterpark, a historic district and even an annual ten-day German festival. 

Fourth on the boomtown list is Texas’ Leander, which had the biggest housing-unit increase among the top five – the number of homes in the area jumped 48 percent.

‘The city’s population has continued to grow, which is a testament to its growing appeal,’ the city said in a statement. ‘People from all over the country are flocking to this gem of a city, enticed by its natural splendor, strategic location and vibrant economy.’ 

Leander describes itself as ‘business-friendly,’ with many residents holding ties to tech companies Samsung, Dell, Tesla and Apple. Leander’s labor force expanded by 25 percent, while county-level real GDP grew 6.1 percent.

In fifth place was Lewisville, north of Dallas.

Just minutes from Dallas Fort Worth Airport and near two major highways, Lewisville says it is ‘perfectly positioned for easy access to the rest of North Texas and the world.’

The median sale price for a home in Lewisville, Texas is current hovering around $400,000, according to Redfin. 

The city added 24 percent to its housing stock and expanded its labor force by 23 percent, while its county-level GDP grew at 6.7 percent annually.

Texas may dominate the boomtown ranking, but Lehi, Utah, breaks up the Lone Star State’s sweep. 

Ranked third overall, Lehi is the fastest-growing city outside Texas, boasting a 39 percent increase in housing units and a stunning 67 percent increase in its labor force over the five-year period analyzed. 

Recently, the area has become an technology and business hub along Utah’s Wasatch Front, attracting companies like Adobe, Microsoft and Texas Instruments.

That growth has transformed Lehi from a relatively small Utah community into a city of nearly 100,000 residents. US Census Bureau estimates put Lehi’s population at 95,313 in 2025, up from 47,407 at the 2010 census – roughly doubling in 15 years.

After a crushing U.S. Open quarterfinal defeat to Frances Tiafoe, Alex Michelsen found comfort from the last person many might have expected: the man who had just beaten him.

The two Americans had spent 4 hours and 38 minutes trading blows on Arthur Ashe Stadium, pushing each other through a grueling five-set tiebreaker. But when it was over, the defining image was not a forehand winner or a final point. It was Tiafoe wrapping Michelsen in an embrace as the 22-year-old tried to process the heartbreak.

Michelsen later described the U.S. Open match as “emotionally draining,” yet he said it was not only the loss that overwhelmed him. What truly broke through were the words Tiafoe shared at the net.

“I don’t think anyone else could have made me cry in that moment, to be honest,” Michelsen said. “Frances, he’s such a good guy, and he said a lot of personal things and just kind of got to me.”

So what exactly did Frances Tiafoe say to Alex Michelsen after their emotional U.S. Open showdown?

“You’ll be there. When I’m older, you’re going to be here, and we’re going to play again in this type of circumstance,” Michelsen recalled Tiafoe saying. “All that good stuff. He’s a great guy for consoling me in that moment.” 

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Michelsen had been on the cusp of the first semifinal appearance of his career before Tiafoe battled back to take the third set 7-5 and take the next two sets to move on to the next round at Flushing Meadows. 

Even with Tuesday’s loss, things are looking up for the 22-year-old California native, who spent most of this year’s tournament flying under the radar until he stormed out to a 2-0 lead on Tiafoe in the quarters. Michelsen will move up to No. 33 in the ATP rankings and Tiafoe, who has developed a close friendship with Michelsen, expressed confidence that this wasn’t the end for the youngster. 

“I know you’re going to be here so many more times and I’m going to be in a rocking chair when you do,” Tiafoe said on ESPN. 

And despite the disappointment, the confidence seemed to still be there for Michelsen. 

“It’s definitely one of the bigger disappointments,” he said. “But I’m just super happy that I showed myself I can make a quarter of a Slam, and I’m only 22. I’ve got a lot of time to grow physically and mentally. I’m going to be here again. I know it.” 

He added: “Next time I’m in this situation, I’m going to learn, and I’m going to do things the right way.”

Lindsay Clancy’s attorney indicated Tuesday that he would be receptive to plea negotiations, saying he hopes the district attorney will “revisit” the case following the mistrial in her murder trial.

Kevin Reddington’s remarks came after Judge William Sullivan declared a mistrial Friday when jurors could not reach a unanimous verdict. The panel reportedly ended with an 11-1 split.

Reddington said the lone holdout juror had expressed doubt but, in his view, was not properly applying the judge’s instructions on the standard of reasonable doubt.

Clancy, 36, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of her children — Cora, Dawson and Callan, all younger than 6 — who were found strangled inside the family’s home in January 2023.

In an interview on “Good Morning America” on Tuesday, Reddington said he hopes the two sides can “work something out” when asked about a possible plea agreement.

“I‘m willing to listen to Tim. I‘ve known Tim for 30 years. He‘s a very hard charging prosecutor,” Reddington said, referring to Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz. “I hope, however, after sitting through this trial and seeing the evidence that was presented from the government as well as from the defense, that he would revisit that issue and hopefully would be able to work something out that would be acceptable to both sides.”

Reddington previously said that prosecutors weren’t open to a plea deal while talking to reporters on Sept. 2. He later said “bring it” when asked about the possibility of a retrial.

“There’s no plea bargaining, there’s nothing Cruz wants, his triple homicide convictions, consecutive life sentences,” Reddington said.

Reddington also appealed to President Donald Trump for a potential pardon. However, Trump has no authority to issue a pardon since Clancy’s murder trial is being handled in state court, not federal.

“Mr. President, I would hope that you would consider this young lady, the type of person she is, what she‘s been through, and consider a pardon,” Reddington said.

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Reddington also softened his criticism of the lone holdout juror, whom he had previously accused of having an “agenda” and of having “robbed” the other jurors of their time.

“I at the end of the case made statements to the effect that I was upset,” he said. “I would defend that individual‘s right to be a holdout for forever. That‘s part of our judicial system. And I respect that. And I would certainly defend his right to do that.”

“What I was upset about was, after that lengthy trial and the work that everyone put into this case, including these jurors that spent literally almost two months away from their home, their job, their family, where a gentleman had an opinion, not that he was sticking like the movie ’12 Angry Men,’ but in fact he had agreed, according to the note from the forelady, that he had doubt, but he would not apply the law of reasonable doubt as presented by the judge. That’s not right. And that’s why I was upset,” Reddington explained.

In a statement to News Media on Tuesday, Patrick Clancy’s attorney, Howard Cooper, said his client and his family have been the target of a “relentless, escalating and destructive defamation campaign” and warned that those behind it could face legal consequences.

“Over the past months, Patrick Clancy and his family have been subjected to a relentless, escalating and destructive defamation campaign. This campaign of misinformation has been launched and promoted by minor celebrities, so-called influencers and outright conspiracy theorists who appear intent on boosting their own social media profiles and potential profit by publishing what they know to be outright falsehoods that Patrick was somehow involved in the death of his young children and other vile claims,” Cooper said.

“Enough is enough — this spread of blatant and baseless falsehoods must stop. Those responsible should understand that there will be consequences, and every appropriate measure will be pursued to hold them accountable, including legally.  Law enforcement has been notified,” Patrick Clancy’s attorney added.

While Cruz hasn’t indicated what he will do with Lindsay Clancy’s case after the mistrial, Sullivan set a status hearing for Sept. 29.

The fallout from Michigan’s disputed last-second victory over Western Michigan in Week 1 of the college football season has taken a fresh turn.

The Wolverines avoided what would have been a stunning upset at The Big House in Ann Arbor when they connected on a 47-yard Hail Mary on the game’s final snap. The decisive play, however, came only after Western Michigan had already appeared to seal the win by knocking down a pass as time expired, before Big Ten officials unexpectedly put one second back on the clock.

The MAC (Mid-American Conference) has now filed an appeal with the NCAA FBS Oversight Committee and the College Football Playoff, asking for the result to be overturned and recorded as a 12-7 victory for Western Michigan.

The move follows the release of Big Ten footage showing officials conducting their review with a game clock that was not synchronized with the clock seen by television viewers and fans inside the stadium.

The ending sparked immediate backlash, with some fans alleging the decision was “rigged” to rescue one of college football’s wealthiest and most influential programs. The controversy has only intensified since the clock discrepancy came to light.

MAC commissioner Dr Jon Steinbrecher is now taking action to try and have the game considered a Michigan loss, a potentially seismic blow for the Wolverines’ playoff aspirations having already dropped out of the AP Top 25 even with a win.  

The statement read: ‘After further study and investigation, it is now evident that replay protocol was not properly followed in determining whether time remained on the game clock at the conclusion of the Western Michigan vs. Michigan football game.

‘The established replay protocol requires that the game clock displayed on the program feed be used in determining whether time remained. Instead, the Big Ten Conference replay crew relied upon the clock feed embedded within its replay system. As a result, one second was placed back on the game clock and an additional play was awarded.

‘This was not a judgment regarding the proper amount of time to place on the clock. It was an error in the application of the established replay protocol governing this specific end-of-game timing situation. 

‘Had the protocol been properly followed and the program-feed clock been used, no additional play would have been awarded, and Western Michigan would have won the game, 12–7.

‘As a result, the Mid-American Conference has submitted formal appeals to the NCAA FBS Oversight Committee and the College Football Playoff. The MAC is requesting that those bodies recognize Western Michigan as the actual winner of the game for purposes of their respective rankings, evaluations and selection deliberations, and take such other corrective action as may be within their authority.’

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Western Michigan added in their own statement via President Russ Kavalhuna: ‘Commissioner Steinbrecher and the MAC have taken important action today in college football. The support we have received from across the country for Coach Taylor and our Broncos, for their character and their sportsmanship, has been overwhelming, and we are grateful for it.

‘Some have read our actions as weak. However, supporting student-athletes and their growth during a time of adversity is strength. Being bitter doesn’t make you better and this should not be mistaken for weakness or agreement. We can show respect for the game while also asking serious questions; I’ve done both, and I’ll keep doing both. 

‘Our job at Western Michigan is to play the game and help our students grow. It’s the job of the conferences and the NCAA to enforce the rules. Our Broncos will continue to take the field against any opponent.’

In the immediate aftermath of the game, Steinbrecher stated the conference had accepted the outcome. However, it has now performed a huge U-turn after more information has come to light.

‘I commend Western Michigan for the outstanding effort and a well-played game, and I offer my congratulations to Michigan,’ Steinbrecher said. 

‘I also appreciate the collaborative efforts of the Big Ten office and its prompt response in reviewing the play and providing the requested clarification.’

Fox Sports rules analyst Mike Pereira broke down the confusion over the game clocks and protocol on The Joel Klatt Show on Monday morning. 

‘It’s the right call with what they were looking at, but it’s wrong… they didn’t follow the protocol, which, by the way, is not in the rule book,’ Pereira said. ‘It is not. There’s a lot of ways that you look at things called philosophy.

‘The official replay officials have been told that if there is a discrepancy, use the television footage. Do not use your footage in the command center. Use the footage that 10 million people are watching, not the one that’s three.

‘When it’s all said and done, that’s what should have happened, and there shouldn’t have been another play. They did not look at the television copy of what was being shown to all of us.

‘I think it’s a huge question, and the question is certainly in the minds of everybody with Western Michigan and Michigan itself is who won the game, who lost the game. But in the big picture, why? Why did this really happen? I think that’s what we have to look into.’ 

LSU’s 2026 football roster is now at capacity, though the final additions are not the two names that had been fueling speculation across the college football landscape in recent weeks.

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Lane Kiffin and LSU completed the 105-player roster by adding Aiden Anding and Gabriel Reliford, a move reported Tuesday night.

With those spots now taken, LSU no longer has room to add Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, two players who had each spent time with NFL teams earlier this year, to the 2026 roster.

Wright and Harris were already enrolled at LSU, but they were not placed on the roster before the Tigers’ win over Clemson, leaving them unavailable for Saturday’s game.

Thamel had previously noted that Wright and Harris remained possible candidates to join LSU football later in the season, since the program still had two open roster spots at the time.

But with Anding and Reliford — who have previously played with the Tigers — joining the team, the active roster is full and no longer gives LSU the room to add Wright or Harris.

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Wright and Harris scored a legal win at the end of last week that would allow them to play for what would be their fifth season in college football, even after spending time in the pro ranks this summer.

The SEC, on the same day, filed a lawsuit in Alabama against LSU and head coach Lane Kiffin, alleging the parties would be violating the conference’s First Amendment rights by going against conference rules and values.

The conference amended the suit on Tuesday, as it said SEC CEOs plan to meet on Thursday to decide whether LSU can continue to be a member institution. The SEC requested a temporary restraining in its amended filing to stop LSU from potentially blocking the meeting.

Now that LSU has decided not to add the NFL players to its roster, it’s not clear if the conference leaders will still meet or if the roster move is satisfactory enough to end the legal matters.

In the middle of all the roster drama, LSU won its first game under Lane Kiffin in a 51-10 rout over Clemson on Saturday.

LSU moved up from No. 11 to No. 8 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll.