Abbott: Flooding death toll now at 135

Gov. Greg Abbott said late last week that the statewide death toll from the catastrophic flooding in the Hill Country stands at 135, and the number of persons missing has dropped to three.

The July 4 flooding began when the storm stalled over what is known as “Flash Flood Alley,” The Dallas Morning News reported.

I visited with many of you last month at the annual TPA Convention in Denton. AI was the hot topic of much discussion. Some of us are more versed in the use of generative AI than others, and that’s okay.  This rang true to me when a publisher asked, “Could you show me how this AI stuff actually works? All I know about AI is what Google and Facebook are showing me.” 

By AUSTIN LEWTER, Texas Center for Community Journalism

Kerr County death toll tops 100, with 161 still missing

Search teams have recovered 103 bodies in Kerr County after the devastating July 4 floods along the Guadalupe River, with Gov. Greg Abbott saying at least 161 people were still unaccounted for.

Death toll climbs in Hill Country flooding; legislators will investigate response to crisis

Gov. Greg Abbott said Sunday he’s likely to instruct the Texas Legislature to investigate early warning systems and other governmental responses to July 4 flash flooding that killed at least 82 people in the Hill Country.

Lawmakers are set to convene in Austin on July 21. Meanwhile,  as of late Sunday an additional 41 people were still missing. In addition to local first responders, more than 1,300 state personnel were dispatched to the scene. 

EDITORS: This is a special bulldog edition of Capital Highlights to accommodate early holiday deadlines. It will be updated if needed on Sunday.

Vouchers could change homeschool landscape

The passage of the state’s first voucher program means homeschool families in Texas will soon be eligible for up to $2,000 to use toward educational costs such as tutoring or curriculum. From 500,000 to 600,000 Texas children are being homeschooled — between 8% and 10% of all school-aged children, the Houston Chronicle reported. 

Abbott vetoes THC ban, calls special session

Gov. Greg Abbott just before the midnight deadline Sunday vetoed a bill on THC products and said he would call a special legislative session to regulate products containing the substance, the Austin American-Statesman reported. The veto angered the bill’s chief champion, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

Abbott calls latest session his ‘best’

Gov. Greg Abbott says he got everything he pushed for during the Legislature’s 89th session, which ended on June 2.

The Dallas Morning News reported that the governor believes the “school choice” bill that passed will rejuvenate the state’s education system.

Abbott has until June 22 to sign or veto bills

Texas legislators wrapped up the 89th session last week, passing more than 1,200 bills — 800 of which were sent to Gov. Greg Abbott in the last 10 days of the session, The Dallas Morning News reported. 

Legislative session wraps up

The dust hasn’t quite settled on the 2025 legislative session, but here’s a sampling of bills already sent to Gov. Greg Abbott.

• A ban on clubs supporting gay teens in public schools won final legislative passage on Saturday. The measure sponsored by state Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, would prohibit schools from authorizing or sponsoring student clubs based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Several Democrats argued passionately against the bill, the Texas Tribune reported.

Editors: This is an early bulldog edition of Capital Highlights to accommodate early holiday deadlines. It will be updated Sunday if needed.

Less than a week remains in legislative session