Good evening, Texas. We’re wrapping up the day for you with the most important stories you need to know and your weather outlook.
Your Weather Planner
Thursday and Friday will see an intrusion of dry air move in from the west, creating a zone of contrast across the I-35 corridor. Areas east of the dry line will see morning clouds and fog while areas to the west will be cloudy but fog-free for the next few mornings.
Other than a few sprinkles, conditions remain dry with breezy and warm afternoons and near record highs in the 80s. Much colder weather arrives for the weekend.
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Today’s Big Stories
1. Texas cracked down on teachers for posts about Charlie Kirk, union lawsuit says
A Texas teachers’ union sued the state’s education department on Tuesday, accusing it of an improper “wave of retaliation” against public school employees over their social media comments following the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk.
The lawsuit says the free speech rights of teachers and other school staff were violated by the Texas Education Agency and its commissioner, Mike Morath, because they directed local school districts to document what the education agency described as “vile content” posted online after Kirk was fatally shot in September.
2. Venezuelans in Texas react to arrest of Nicolás Maduro, express hope and uncertainty
For Venezuelans living in the United States, news of the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has triggered a complex mix of emotions: relief, uncertainty and deep concern for family members still in Venezuela.
3. Family of Texas A&M student who died after UT tailgate files $1 million wrongful death lawsuit
The parents of Brianna Aguilera, a Texas A&M student who died after attending a tailgate for a football game in Austin in November, have filed a $1 million wrongful death lawsuit against two organizations for allegedly serving her alcohol.
According to the lawsuit, Aguilera had attended a tailgate hours before her death that was hosted by the UT Latin Economics and Business Association (ULEBA) at the Austin Blacks Rugby facility in East Austin. The lawsuit alleges the two organizations served Aguilera alcohol despite her being underage, saying the 19-year-old became “grossly intoxicated” and needed help walking and standing at times.
Notes for Tomorrow
Thursday, Jan. 8
Former Puerto Rico governor sentenced after pleading guilty to campaign finance violation
57th NAACP Image Awards nominations announced
In Case You Missed It
Texas Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, in the state Capitol. (Spectrum News 1/Erin Davis)
State Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, says there’s a “huge difference” between how she would run the state as lieutenant governor and how the current incumbent, Republican Dan Patrick, does it.
One major contrast is that Goodwin, an Austin Democrat, says she’d stop funding the recently passed school voucher law that would give parents up to $10,000 in public funds to send their kids to private schools.