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TOP STORY
911 Calls Reveal Desperation During Texas Floods
Newly released 911 recordings expose the chaos and fear as Texas Hill Country residents were trapped by flash floods last July Fourth weekend, resulting in at least 136 deaths. Overwhelmed dispatchers received more than 400 calls as people clung to roofs and trees, pleading for rescue amid rising waters.
If you lived in the Texas Hill Country, these floods likely shook your sense of safety, especially learning many received no warning. The ordeal shows how fast a disaster can disrupt daily life and emergency response. Knowing these stories might inspire you to prepare better for extreme weather and emphasize the need for timely warnings to protect your family and neighbors.
Source: AP News
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Markets
Oil (WTI) | 60.1400 | ▲ 0.05% |
Gas (Nat.) | 5.3370 | ▲ 0.79% |
Cotton | 0.6395 / lb | ▲ 0.09% |
Cattle | 2.2738 / lb | ▲ 0.07% |
S&P 500 | 6869.07 | ▼ 0.04% |
Dow Jones | 47942.58 | ▼ 0.07% |
Nasdaq | 23574.95 | ▲ 0.03% |
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Texas Grid & Weather Snapshot
Statewide Outage Count — today (from start of day to now): None.
City | High (°F) | Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|
Dallas | 62.2 | 39.9 |
Houston | 65.7 | 48.0 |
Austin | 74.1 | 44.8 |
San Antonio | 75.2 | 47.5 |
Alerts
Dallas: A Dense Fog Advisory was issued on December 5 at 11:59 PM CST and remains in effect until December 6 at 10:00 AM, according to NWS Fort Worth.
Houston: No active Weatherbit or NWS alerts.
Austin: No active Weatherbit or NWS alerts.
San Antonio: No active Weatherbit or NWS alerts.
Politics and Economy
Jasmine Crockett’s Senate Bid Shakes Up 2026 Race
Dallas Democrat Jasmine Crockett’s likely entry into the 2026 Texas Democratic Senate primary shifts the landscape, turning it into the state’s most expensive and anticipated race since 2018. Her potential campaign challenges rivals Colin Allred and James Talarico, forcing a reevaluation of support and strategies ahead of the March primary.
If you’re following Texas politics, Crockett’s Senate bid could change who represents your area and how fiercely Democrats campaign next year. Her strong base means voter outreach may intensify, possibly boosting turnout among those who don’t usually vote. If she leaves her House seat, candidates like Marc Veasey and Julie Johnson might fight for new districts, altering local political dynamics and choices on your ballot. This race could have big ripple effects across Texas communities and policies.
Source: Daily Gazette
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What else is happening:
A reflective essay explores the writer’s unease with parts of Texas culture and politics, blending admiration with honest discomfort. It offers a thoughtful look at how identity and expectations collide in a rapidly changing state.
Readers weigh in on immigration, neighborhood services, and community values, sharing sharply different views on everyday challenges. The range of opinions highlights how varied and passionate civic voices are across Texas.
Tech and Business
Cloudflare Outage Resolved Amid Diverse News Events
Cloudflare briefly went down on Friday, causing widespread slowdowns and outages for platforms like Zoom, LinkedIn, Etsy, and several government and payment websites. The company confirmed a network configuration issue triggered the disruption, but full service was restored within hours.
If you rely on Zoom for meetings, LinkedIn for hiring or networking, or e-commerce sites for business, this outage may have delayed your workday or transactions. Texas companies that use Cloudflare security and hosting services also experienced temporary downtime, highlighting how a single global infrastructure failure can ripple into your daily routine.
Source: Head Topics
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El Paso Spent $2 Million on Amazon, Impacting Locals
The City of El Paso and Ysleta ISD spent nearly $2 million on Amazon purchases in 2023, a report finds. It argues heavy reliance on Amazon harms local businesses and inflates costs due to algorithm-driven pricing compared to local fixed-price contracts.
When local governments like El Paso turn to Amazon for supplies, it can mean fewer dollars circulating within your community. That may translate into fewer local jobs and services you depend on, from small retailers to support firms. While Amazon may promise convenience and low prices, fluctuating costs and reduced competition can impact your local economy’s health and choices you have for reliable products.
Source: Yahoo! News
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What else is happening:
Lufkin's economic development director detailed the city’s job growth and poverty reduction success at the First Friday Luncheon, showing plans for future growth.
Nordstrom Rack announced plans to open at least 14 new stores across 10 states in 2026, a notable move for department store rivals in a changing retail landscape.
Sports
No. 8 Houston Cougars Face Florida State Saturday Night
The No. 8 Houston Cougars will host the Florida State Seminoles at Toyota Center in Houston. Houston comes in strong with a 7-1 record, unbeaten at home, while Florida State is 5-3 and searching for a road win. Key players Emanuel Sharp and Robert McCray are set to battle it out in this early-season matchup.
If you’re headed to the Toyota Center or tuning in, expect a competitive game with Houston’s solid home record and Florida State’s potent scoring. Watching this game gives you a front-row seat to rising college basketball stars making their mark under the bright lights in Houston. It’s also a chance to rally behind local talent like Emanuel Sharp, who’s registering impressive numbers on the court. This game might shape the early season momentum for both teams, affecting future local sports buzz.
Source: AP News
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Sports Spotlight:
Texas Southern Tigers host Sam Houston after Po'Boigh King's 20-point effort boosted the Bearkats in a close 93-83 loss to Oklahoma State, marking a key Texas college basketball contest.
Lamar faces Texas A&M-CC as Braden East scored 24 points in Lamar's win, sparking interest in this first Southland Conference meeting this season in Texas.
No. 19 Texas Tech Red Raiders meet LSU at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, continuing Texas' robust college basketball schedule with undefeated home record on the line.
Texas Ancient Wonder
Hueco Tanks in West Texas holds over 3,000 ancient pictographs, some dating back more than 8,000 years — making it one of North America’s richest rock-art sites. Indigenous peoples, including the Jornada Mogollon, used the natural rock basins (“huecos”) as water sources and left behind paintings depicting masks, animals, and ceremonial symbols. Today, the site is protected for both its cultural heritage and rare desert ecosystems.