Good morning, Texas. Here’s what you need to know today.
Your Weather Planner
A refreshing weekend is on the way in the form of cooler temperatures and lower humidity. One thing we will have to watch is the windy conditions Saturday, leading to critical fire danger across much of Central and South-Central Texas. This critical fire weather will carry over into Sunday, even with the lighter winds expected. Warmer temperatures are expected once again by the middle of next week.
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Around Texas
1. Judge declares 4 men wrongly accused of 1991 Austin yogurt shop murders innocent
A Texas judge on Thursday declared four men who were wrongfully accused of the 1991 Austin yogurt shop murders innocent, formally clearing their names in a courtroom for the first time since the killings of four teenage girls that haunted the city for decades.
“You are innocent,” state District Judge Dayna Blazey said during a hearing in a packed Austin courtroom.
2. Gov. Greg Abbott’s endorsements may not have as much power as compared to past elections
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s endorsements for public office have historically helped hopeful candidates, but this election cycle might prove otherwise.
Abbott quickly endorsed Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock in the Republican primary for the full-time position. Hancock, a former state senator, took over the duties last July after then-Comptroller Glen Hegar left office. In the weeks leading up to Election Day, Hancock has been campaigning with Abbott, however, there are other candidates in the race that might not align as much with Abbott as Hancock does.
3. Long lines at Austin’s first Swig lead to customer, neighboring tentant complaints
In the North Austin neighborhood of Anderson Mill sits the Woodland Center, with a number of stores, most recently, Swig — a “dirty soda” shop that shot to virality for its ties to Mormon and Utah culture, especially on the hit show “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”
According to its franchise owner, Swig has revitalized the Woodland Center. But some nearby businesses, including employees and customers of Half Price Books, are struggling to enjoy that alleged boost as Swig’s drive-thru line snakes around the complex.
Around The Nation
1. Trump announces $10B U.S. investment in Board of Peace
2. Iran holds more drills and U.S. carrier nears Mideast in latest preparations for possible war
3. Some Democrats plan to skip Trump’s State of the Union address
Deep in the Heart of Texas
Danielle Salgado and Cynthia Bever speak to Spectrum News at Carvajal Elementary. (Spectrum News 1)
San Antonio ISD teachers reach breaking point amid school closure
Families, teachers and community members filed out after the school board made it official: their neighborhood elementary school will close.
Carvajal Elementary is the 16th campus to close in two years for the San Antonio Independent School Distrct (SAISD). The conversations leading up to the decision left some families wiping tears and searching for answers.