Vice President and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris delivered a rousing address to the nation’s largest union of public school teachers in Houston Thursday.
Harris arrived in Houston Wednesday afternoon, greeted out on the tarmac at George Bush Intercontinental Airport by Mayor John Whitmire. She met with local leaders that evening to discuss Hurricane Beryl recovery and how the federal government can better assist the nation’s fourth largest city’s resilience against extreme weather events. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez later announced his endorsement of the vice president. Although a longtime Democrat, Mayor Whitmire notably has not yet endorsed the likely Democratic nominee, claiming he is waiting for the nomination process to complete.
Conversely, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo came out strong for Harris on Thursday, officially declaring July 25, 2024 to be “Vice President Kamala Harris Day” in Houston in honor of the visiting dignitary.
Also in Houston, power company CenterPoint Energy on Thursday unveiled new and comprehensive plans for improving its natural disaster preparation and response protocols in the wake of Hurricane Beryl. (Houston Chronicle)
Meanwhile, the number of Texans who have died as a result of Beryl has risen to 36. (CBS Austin)
While looking to cut about $48 million of its $78 million deficit in the upcoming school year, the Austin Independent School District is preparing to ask voters to approve a higher tax rate. The Austin ISD wants to eliminate at least $78 million in expenses over the next two school years. (Austin American-Statesman)
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday a new standardized system designed for school safety and security needs across all Texas school districts. (KXAN-TV)
A former Uvalde police officer pleads not guilty to criminal charges over the delayed mass shooting response. (Texas Tribune)
Citing slower technological progress than expected, CapMetro announced Thursday it is scrapping its ambitious plan to transition to an all-electric bus fleet. (KUT 90.5)
Diesel buses can run from early in the morning until past midnight. A battery bus only runs about 8 to 10 hours before it needs to be recharged, creating tough logistical hurdles in scheduling routes.
An analysis by the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) — a state-funded research agency at Texas A&M University — found battery-electric buses could only cover 36% of Capital Metro’s bus schedules.
— KUT 90.5
Members of the Parks and Recreation Board said they will ask City Council to reexamine a 2019 ordinance that circumvented public input to allow an adventure excursion company to operate a boating concession on Lady Bird Lake. (Austin Monitor)
A ban on aerosol sunscreen at Barton Springs Pool? (KXAN-TV)
Austinites will soon begin seeing more varied types of housing in their neighborhoods under both phases of HOME, or Housing Options for Middle-Income Empowerment, rolling out this year. (Community Impact)
Why do all the new skyscrapers in Austin look blue? (KUT 90.5)
Austin voters will likely see 13 proposed charter changes on the November ballot. (KXAN-TV)
Austin’s proposed budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year includes notable increases for the Austin Police Department but emergency medical service officials are left wanting more funding to promote public safety. (Daily Texan)
New statistical data shows the number of vehicle thefts topped 500 almost every month this year in Austin. (KEYE-TV)
According to Travis County documents, a second suspect was arrested earlier this week and charged in connection with a 2023 north Austin homicide investigation. (KXAN-TV)
A man was arrested after he allegedly shot himself by accident following a confrontation at an Austin recreation center. (KEYE-TV)
Officials say a missing 12-year-old girl from Georgia could be in Texas. (Fox7 Austin)
Southwest Airlines said it will be ending its policy of non-assigned seats on flights and travelers seem to be on board for it. (Yahoo! News)
Efforts to mitigate the toxic algae problem along Lake Travis are seeing mixed results. (Austin Chronicle)
Lake Travis water levels are rising due to recent rainfall.
There are now nine verified human cases of West Nile Virus in Texas. In three of those cases the patients are facing rare, possibly fatal symptoms.
The U.S. National Science Foundation selected UT’s Texas Advanced Computing Center, investing $457 million, to become the Leadership-Class Computing Facility to lead national research projects. (Daily Texan)
Max Scherzer pitched six solid innings, giving up only three hits and one run, to get the win for the Texas Rangers in Arlington last night for their fifth consecutive victory, 2-1, over the Chicago White Sox, and a series sweep. (Yahoo! Sports)
The Houston Astros had the night off and are back home this weekend hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Local efforts to attract a Major League Baseball team to the Austin area are underway, boosted most recently by the launch of a new group seeking to build support for a potential professional franchise. (Community Impact)
Austin FC kicks off its 2024 Leagues Cup campaign tonight at Q2 Stadium. The Verde & Black will face Pumas UNAM in the first of two group stage matches with kickoff set for 8:00pm. Here is a preview. (Austin FC)
Some fans, however, are not happy about the Leagues Cup and are vowing to stay away from the games. (KXAN-TV)
Texas’ SEC welcoming party cost a whopping $2.3 million, including fees to performer Pitbull and advertising in Times Square. (Burnt Orange Nation)
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What’s happening in the ATX this weekend?
