Biden Withdraws, Endorses Harris

President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race Sunday, and endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, to replace him at the top of the ticket.

The historic announcement puts the Democratic Party into uncharted waters, with the next steps up to the party’s national committee, which will have to decide on how to select a new candidate. Here’s a look at how that process would work.

Though Harris is seen by some as the front-runner, she was not endorsed in statements from two of the party’s most influential leaders, Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi, who both applauded Biden’s decision but pointedly didn’t endorse his vice president.

Obama said he was confident “the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges.”

Biden’s decision came after weeks of pressure from other Democrats after his poor performance in the June debate with former President Donald Trump.

The last time an incumbent president withdrew from an election was in 1968, when Lyndon Johnson announced he wouldn’t run for re-election. Ironically, that year’s Democratic convention was in Chicago, just as this year’s will be.

Historic Dallas Church Ravaged by Fire

A massive fire destroyed the historic sanctuary of First Baptist Dallas on Friday evening.

The blaze, which started in the basement, quickly escalated to a four-alarm fire and, due to structural concerns, prevented investigators from entering.

Despite the extensive damage to the 1890 Victorian-style building, no injuries were reported. A cause has not yet been determined.

Attendees gathered at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center on Sunday, where Senior Pastor Robert Jeffress announced that the sanctuary would be rebuilt, emphasizing the church’s resilience beyond its physical structure.

Two Texas Powerhouses Die

Two powerful Texas politicians died this weekend: Democrat U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee died of cancer at age 74, and former GOP State Rep. Jim Pitts passed away at age 77.

Jackson Lee, an outspoken advocate for a host of liberal causes, helped lead federal efforts to prevent domestic violence and to recognize Juneteenth as a national holiday. Gov. Greg Abbott called her a “tireless advocate for the people of Houston.”

Pitts served as the chief budget writer for the Texas legislature for close to a decade. The Republican lawmaker represented House District 10, which includes Ellis County, Hill County, and part of Henderson County, from 1993 to 2015.

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➤ Austin: Students from across Texas protested at the Capitol Saturday to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh, where authorities have imposed curfews and cut internet access amid protests over government job quotas. (See Video)

➤ Robstown: Dozens of residents at a community meeting opposed a proposed local ammonia plant, fearing health risks and excessive water usage. (More)

➤ Fort Bend County: Detectives with the sheriff’s office exhumed the remains of an unidentified victim murdered in 1964 in hopes of solving the case using new technologies. (More)

➤ Dallas: A fire engine hydroplaned and fell off an elevated highway near downtown Sunday morning, landing on the DART Rail tracks below. Four firefighters aboard the vehicle were taken to the hospital and are in stable condition. (See Photos)

➤ Austin: The Blanton Museum of Art unveiled a new outdoor space that includes ten 40-foot-tall structures shaped like flowers towering over walkways lined with more than 25,000 plants. Functionally, the structures provide shade and direct rainwater to an underground filtration system. (See Photos)

➤ Galveston: An inactive offshore drilling platform is leaking natural gas condensate, creating an oil sheen that stretches for miles. The General Land Office is trying to determine who owns the rig, so it can be fixed. (See Photos)

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➤ The Houston Astros have seized sole possession of first place in the AL West for the first time all season. They had trailed the Mariners by 10 games just over a month ago. (More)

➤ Texas Rangers pitcher Max Scherzer was pulled early from his Saturday start against the Orioles due to arm fatigue. Scherzer allowed four runs over two innings before leaving the game, which the Rangers lost 8-4. (More)

➤ Top relief pitcher Grant Cunningham has transferred to Texas A&M. Cunningham struck out 56 batters in 50.1 innings with Washington this year and could become the Aggies’ closer in 2025. (More)

➤ Former Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltré was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday. Beltré was a member of Rangers teams that advanced to the World Series in 2010 and 2011. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | NASCAR | Tour de France | PGA | LPGA

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➤ Fort Worth-based American Airlines reached a tentative agreement with its flight attendants’ union, addressing compensation and work rules. The deal, pending approval, ends years of negotiations and averts a potential strike. (More)

➤ Intersect Power secured $837 million to build three standalone battery storage systems in Texas. The project aims to provide stability to the state’s electric grid when power generation sources are struggling to meet demand. (See Details)

➤ The Teacher Retirement System of Texas, the state’s largest public pension fund, announced its plans to reduce its private equity investments by nearly $10 billion, shifting funds to public equities amid concerns over dwindling returns in the sector. (More)

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➤ Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman humorously responded to a trademark dispute with Ravens QB Lamar Jackson over the number 8, which both players have worn on their uniforms. Aikman suggested resolving the issue over beers, with Steve Young as arbitrator. (More)

➤ An iconic home resembling a sand dollar is for sale in Lakeway for $1.99 million. Built in 1979, the circular compound features teardrop-shaped skylights, curved white walls, and extensive decking overlooking Lake Travis. (See Photos)

➤ For six years, a Lockhart grandmother has been using her retirement money and community support to distribute free backpacks and school supplies before each new school year starts. (More)

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Have you ever visited Enchanted Rock?

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Saturday’s Results:

Did Friday’s global IT outage impact you directly?

1. 1. Yes: 21.7%
   2. No: 78.3%

What gas station and bakery off I-35 in West is famous for its kolaches and referenced in Josh Abbott’s 2012 hit “My Texas”?

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