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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott compares floods to Friday Night Lights
by Joi Louviere
| July 15, 2025
At least 120 dead and our governor is talking football…okay.

Is Texas prepared for natural disasters?
| July 15, 2025
Local and statewide officials have come under scrutiny over their preparedness and response to the deadly flash flood in Central Texas.
As lawmakers prepare for a special session that starts July 21, Gov. Greg Abbott said the state’s response to natural disasters will be a top priority.

How to file flood damage with basic homeowners, renters insurance
| July 15, 2025
climate | CLIMATE CHANGE | Community | flood | flooding | NATIONAL NEWS | natural disaster | TEXAS | weather
Learn what steps to take after flood damage, what your insurance can cover, how to report claims, and where to find disaster assistance.

Cruz, Cornyn voted to slash weather forecast funding ahead of Texas floods
| July 15, 2025
Sen. Ted Cruz inserted language into President Trump’s budget bill cutting $150 million in funding for weather forecast improvements.

7 most notorious true crime cases in DFW history
by Joey Held
| July 14, 2025
CULTURE | DFW | dfw history | DFW Lead Story | HARDGATE | murder | NATIONAL NEWS | TEXAS | TEXAS HISTORY | true crime
Dallas-Fort Worth is home to plenty of exciting spots, but it’s also been the scene of some of the most infamous true crime cases in the country.

‘The best ice cream in the country’: How Blue Bell Creameries became a Texas staple
by Sierra Rozen
| July 10, 2025
Blue Bell Creameries has been a Texas staple for more than a century. But how did a small-town ice cream maker become a nationally known brand?

(Op-ed) Kids don’t vote: How the media, public talks about Texas, Camp Mystic flood matters
by Joi Louviere
| July 7, 2025
climate | CLIMATE CHANGE | HARDGATE | national politics | natural disaster | OPINION | TEXAS | Texas Lead Story | TEXAS POLITICS | weather
While natural disasters can often be tied to politics, is it appropriate to have that conversation immediately after tragedy strikes?

How to help, donate to Texas, Camp Mystic flood victims
by Sierra Rozen
| July 7, 2025
After flash floods devastated Kerr County, leaving over 90 people dead and at least 56 more missing, organizations around Texas are banding together to provide aid.

What to know about the flash floods in Texas that killed more than 80 people
| July 7, 2025
Flash floods in Texas killed at least 82 people over the Fourth of July holiday weekend and left others still missing, including girls attending a summer camp. The devastation along the Guadalupe River, outside of San Antonio, has drawn a massive search effort as officials face questions over their preparedness and the speed of their initial actions.

Dallas achieves unprecedented growth in pet adoptions
| July 3, 2025
CULTURE | DALLAS | dallas animal services | DFW | DFW Lead Story | dogs | LIFESTYLE | pet adoption | pets
Dallas pet adoptions shatter adoption records with 12,261 pets finding homes in 2024 — a 41% increase from the previous year. This makes Dallas Animal Services a national leader in animal welfare.

The coolest tattoo shops in Texas — from Dallas to El Paso
| July 3, 2025
Art | BLACK OWNED BUSINESS | Community | LGBTQ | local business | SMALL BUSINESS | STATE | Tattoo | TEXAS | THINGS TO DO
Here are some unique tattoo shops in the state of Texas.

How to fight Texas’ ‘trash’ school library censorship policies
by Joi Louviere
| July 3, 2025
bannedbooks | EXCO-Player | old texas | public education | public school | TEXAS | TEXAS LEGISLATURE | TEXAS POLITICS | TEXAS SENATE | youtube
Senate Bill 13, which literacy advocates say will destroy public school libraries and make book banning easier in Texas, takes power away from public school librarians and gives it to school boards and parents instead.
But local advocates like Laney Hawes, co-director of the Texas Freedom to Read Project, are fighting back.
SB 13 creates an advisory committee made up of parents that school boards can delegate decision making to, but there’s an option in the new law that allows districts to not adopt the council.
“ Our recommendation is, to districts, do not approve the library council in your school districts because it doesn't work,” Hawes told COURIER Texas. “It wasn't written to work. Don't do it. It's too many steps, and it’s going to destroy your school library.”