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.
“Do you see a swamp or castle?”
The other day, I was hanging out with my friend, Rob Curley, executive editor of The Spokesman-Review. I’m drinking black coffee, and Rob is wrestling with a Texas-shaped waffle.
By LEONARD WOOLSEY, President, America’s Newspapers
Rob is crazy smart, crazy funny, and simply a bit crazy – just like I like my friends. He is currently leading a historic effort to convert his newspaper into community ownership – a radical concept in our world.
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
I would like to start by saying thank you to the TPA board and members for allowing me to serve as your 147th president. I am honored to have the opportunity and I am excited to work for you so that you get as much as you want from your Texas Press Association.
By LISA CHAPPELL, TPA President 2025-26
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.
TARLETON – A publisher called the center last week with a problem. Always happy to help, we listened. The question started out short, but the answer took some time to unpack.
By AUSTIN LEWTER, Texas Center for Community Journalism director
“What is your view on articles sent by community contributors that use AI to write it?” they asked. “I just received an article from a teacher that is 100% AI.”