Good morning, Texas. Here’s what you need to know today.
Your Weather Planner
Finally, a warm Friday! Temperatures will push the 80 degree mark for many cities this afternoon under abundant sunshine. The warmer temps follow us into the weekend. Clouds will increase Sunday ahead of a low pressure system, leading to rain chances by Tuesday of next week for a good bit of the state.
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Around Texas
A U.S. District Court judge has stuck down a Texas law requiring plant-based meat products to be labeled with large disclaimers on the packaging.
The lawsuit, filed by Turtle Island Foods Inc., was in response to the state amending the Texas Health and Safety Code with Senate Bill 664, requiring provisions for plant-based meat products. According to the bill, the companies must label the products within certain parameters.
2. South Texas Builders Association heads to Washington to discuss immigration reform
This week in the nation’s capital, South Texas Builders Association (STBA) board members are meeting with legislators and government officials in search of solutions regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) efforts on private property job sites.
“We’re hurting and we’re asking for help,” said STBA President Ronnie Cavazos.
3. Proposed ICE facility in Hutchins faces opposition from officials, residents
In a brief, closed-door session on Wednesday, the Hutchins City Council met to discuss a proposed federal immigration facility in the city.
The Washington Post and San Antonio Business Journal first reported back in December that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) planned to convert warehouses into detention spaces across the country, including Texas. One such warehouse is in Hutchins, Texas, a city just south of Dallas. According to The Post’s reporting, the 1 million-square-foot warehouse could house up to 9,500 migrants, which is more than the population of Hutchins.
Around The Nation
1. Ransom note for Savannah Guthrie’s mom gave 5 p.m. Thursday deadline, FBI says
2. For the first time in more than 50 years, U.S. and Russia without nuclear arms treaty
3. Democrats issue 10 demands for Department of Homeland Security reform
Deep in the Heart of Texas
A partial view of the Carver Museum’s core exhibition, “The African American Presence in 19th Century Texas.” (Spectrum News 1)
Carver Museum in Austin celebrates 100 years of Black History Month
Marking 100 years of Black History Month can come with complex emotions in a state like Texas.
The George Washington Carver Museum in Austin honors and teaches both sides of Black history all year long, but things ramp up a bit during Black History Month — especially when marking this year’s centennial milestone.