DALLAS - Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has directed that American flags on state property be flown at full staff to mark President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration next week, bypassing the national mourning period for former President Jimmy Carter. The move has sparked both praise and criticism on social media.

"On January 20th, the flags at the Capitol will fly at full-staff to celebrate our country coming together behind the inauguration of our 47th President, Donald Trump," Johnson said in a statement. "The flags will be lowered back to half-staff the following day to continue honoring President Jimmy Carter.”

The NBA could have some international competition if a group of investors being advised by Maverick Carter, LeBron James' business manager, follows through on its ambitions. Among the investors seeking to raise $5 billion to form an international basketball league are Skype co-founder Geoff Prentice,

Maverick Carter, LeBron James' business manager, has been enlisted as an adviser by a group of investors seeking to raise $5 billion to form an international basketball league that would serve as a rival to the NBA,