The Texas Legislature has been actively addressing flooding concerns through two special sessions following the devastating July 4th floods in Central Texas that killed at least 135 people, including 27 girls at Camp Mystic.
Key Flood-Related Legislation:
Flood Relief Funding: The Texas Senate has approved nearly $300 million in flood relief as part of the special session agenda. This includes relief funding for response to and recovery from the storms which began over the July 4th weekend, including local match funding for jurisdictions eligible for FEMA public assistance
Senate Bill 1 – “Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act”: This bill strengthens summer camp regulations to help prevent future tragedies, directly responding to the deaths at Camp Mystic during the Guadalupe River flooding.
A foundation has committed to utilizing $40 million to help community members with housing needs, including rebuilding their home.
Natural Disaster Preparation: Texas Governor Greg Abbott‘s agenda includes legislation to evaluate and streamline rules and regulations to speed preparedness for and recovery from natural disasters, as well as flood warning systems and emergency communications.
The Legislature is in its second special session after the first session was disrupted by House Democrats walking out. As of this week, the Senate has been actively passing flood-related bills, with recent votes occurring late last night.
Texas Monthly reporter Aaron Parsley turned his family’s harrowing experience in the July 4th flooding, and the loss of his 2-year-old nephew, into a powerful essay of survival and grief.
“I had hoped that my commitment to reelection under any circumstances would encourage Congressman Casar to not surrender his winnable district to Trump. While his apparent decision is most unfortunate, I prefer to devote the coming months to fighting Trump tyranny and serving Austin rather than waging a struggle with fellow Democrats. If [Trump’s] extreme gerrymandering prevails, I wish Congressman Casar the best.” — Rep. Lloyd Doggett
On Thursday, Congressman Lloyd Doggett announced that he would retire from his 52-year political career and not seek reelection in 2026, creating an opening for fellow Austin Democrat Greg Casar. This decision is contingent upon the new congressional map drawn by Republicans being upheld in court. The announcement comes one day after the Texas House approved the new redistricting plan.
Austin City Council member Zohaib Qadri:
The Texas House passed its redistricting bill Wednesday night, with a 88-52 vote.
California leaders on Thursday approved a sweeping plan to elect more Democrats by redrawing congressional districts, delivering an immediate counterpunch to the gerrymandered map that Republicans in Texas are passing at the request of President Trump. — New York Times
State Rep. Katrina Pierson discusses why she voted in favor of the controversial redistricting maps.
Democratic State Rep. Ann Johnson of Houston discusses the Republican-led redistricting effort in the Texas legislature, and how Democrats will fight back.
Meanwhile, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is intensifying his legal battle against Democratic legislators by urging the state Supreme Court to declare their seats vacant after breaking quorum earlier this month. (CBS Austin)
A Kyle man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Aliaksandr Bushtser at a Buda gas station in 2023, the Hays County District Attorney’s Office announced on Wednesday.
San Marcos authorities responded to shots fired early Thursday at an apartment complex.
Bexar County officials have issued an Amber Alert for a missing three-year-old.
Assistant City Manager Eddie Garcia, who oversees Austin police, fire and EMS, will become Fort Worth’s next police chief, less than a year after taking the job in Austin.
An Austin ISD student was arrested for possession of two unloaded firearms on the campus of Northeast Early College High School and International High School on Thursday. (CBS Austin)
Mexican low-cost airline Viva will launch a new route between Austin and Mexico City in November.
A federal investigation has been launched after Tesla reportedly waited for months before reporting crashes that happened with the company’s self-driving technology.
Austin wants to create a central hub for trash before it goes to landfills. The Austin Resource Recovery will present details on the project to the city’s Climate, Water, Environment and Parks Committee next week. (KUT 90.5)
A house fire near Lake Travis yesterday.
WEATHER
Parts of the ATX saw downpours from showers and thunderstorms around mid-afternoon Thursday.
Camp Mabry reported around a half-inch of rain while the airport only got a trace. Rainfall totals varied around the region.
We could see more of the same today.
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
Hurricane Erin has made its anticipated northeast turn over the Atlantic and is expected to spend the next several days accelerating away from the United States. However, strong winds circulating around the large storm will continue to generate large waves and hazardous surf conditions into the weekend.
Governor Greg Abbott announced a new 10-year transportation plan with a total projected investment of over $146 billion. The plan by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will invest in local roads and major congestion relief projects to meet the demands of Texas’ growing population and a thriving economy.
“This more than $146 billion investment in our roadways will help Texas meet the critical needs of our growing state as more people and businesses move here for the freedom and opportunity they can’t find anywhere else. We must strengthen our roadways and improve congestion and safety to keep our economy booming and keep Texans moving. By investing billions of dollars in our transportation network today, we will build the future of Texas for generations to come.” — Gov. Greg Abbott
Former Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, a Beaumont Republican who oversaw a spate of conservative legislation and led the failed impeachment against a fellow Republican that revealed deeper divisions within the GOP, announced Thursday he will not seek reelection to the Legislature.
Dade calls it quits.
Conservative firebrand Rep. Chip Roy said Thursday he is running for Texas attorney general in 2026, jumping into a crowded Republican primary field to replace Ken Paxton.
A San Antonio man pleaded guilty Wednesday to making threats against President Donald Trump on social media last month, according to court documents. (FOX 7 Austin)
A traffic stop in Val Verde County led to the arrest of an MS-13 gang member as part of Operation Lone Star. (My Texas Daily)
Uvalde school officials are reportedly withholding emails related to the 2022 Robb Elementary mass shooting.
President Trump claims a big win in Texas as the state House passes new congressional maps giving the GOP an edge in 2026. Blaise Gainey of The Texas Newsroom and Andrew Schneider of Houston Public Media share what it means for the political landscape going forward.
Are Americans falling out of love with their credit cards? Not quite, but a new trend suggests a certain spending binge is over.
Texas’ top taco journalist, Mando Rayo, previews the new season of the Tacos of Texas podcast.
In the U.S., peyote – important to Indigenous religion – is only naturally grown in Texas. But the supply is drying up.
(Episode from August 21, 2025)
(Episode from August 21, 2025)
SPORTS
MLB: The Houston Astros are trying to turn things around after a recent slump at the plate. Last night in Baltimore, they got off to a good start.
Christian Walker and Yainer Diaz homered, Jesús Sánchez ended a lengthy slump with five hits and the Houston Astros beat the Baltimore Orioles 7-2 Thursday night to snap a four-game losing streak. (Yahoo! Sports)
ASTROS NEWS: Although the team hasn’t confirmed it, reports say 9-time All-Star reliever Craig Kimbrel has reached an agreement to join the Astros. (MLB.com)
Meanwhile, in Kansas City last night, the Royals made in three-of-four against the Texas Rangers.
Vinnie Pasquantino homered for the fourth straight game, this time a go-ahead shot leading off the sixth inning, and the Kansas City Royals went on to beat the Texas Rangers 6-4 on Thursday for their sixth win in their last seven games. (Yahoo! Sports)
RANGERS NEWS: Second baseman Marcus Semien left Thursday’s game in the second inning due to a left foot contusion, while center fielder Evan Carter left in the eighth inning due to a right wrist contusion. (MLB.com)
ON THE SCHEDULE
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Texas Sports Unfiltered | Texas-Ohio State Preview
Watch time lapse video of skies over Lake Travis as thunderstorms rolled into the region mid-afternoon yesterday. (beginning around the 2:15 mark in the video).
