Good Morning! On this day in 1853, the Texas legislature passed the Mississippi and Pacific Railroad Act to spur the construction of a southern transcontinental railroad through Texas. It wouldn’t be until 1881 that a transcontinental route through Texas was completed.
Today, we report on the retirement of Gio, the FBI’s first crisis response canine, a black Labrador who comforted families after tragedies, including the Uvalde school shooting. Happy retirement, Gio, and thank you for your service!
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Houston Comets May Fly Again
Houston Rockets ownership is in advanced talks to purchase the Connecticut Sun and relocate the WNBA franchise to Texas, according to reports published on Friday.
The discussions have been characterized as positive, with Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta increasing his offer closer to what the Sun’s leadership may accept.
The team would be rebranded as Houston Comets, reviving the franchise that won the WNBA’s first four championships from 1997 to 2000 before folding in 2008.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert indicated Houston was “up next” for a franchise after the league announced expansion teams for Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia earlier this year. The parties have not yet signed an exclusivity agreement, and no final decision has been made on the franchise’s future.
The coalition includes Amarillo, Canadian, Fritch, and other municipalities affected by the largest wildfire in state history.
Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking economic damages and civil penalties against the Minnesota-based utility company.
A Texas House committee report identified decayed utility poles as the fire’s source. The fire burned more than a million acres, killed three people and over 15,000 head of cattle, and caused economic losses exceeding $1 billion.
FBI Canine Retires After Decade
The FBI announced on Thursday that Gio, its first crisis response canine who comforted families after the Uvalde school shooting, will retire after 10 years of service.
The 12-year-old English Labrador was deployed to over 140 assignments nationwide, including high-profile incidents like the Pulse Nightclub shooting and the 2022 Uvalde elementary school shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers. Gio and his partner Wally supported more than 4,100 victims and their families.
Gio became the first facility dog to assist a victim during witness testimony in a federal courtroom.
The FBI has expanded the program, recently deploying new canines, such as Peg, to the Dallas Field Office for a faster regional response across North Texas. Watch a slideshow here.
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➤ Statewide: Millions of Texans are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home during the year-end holiday period, with gas prices at their lowest since 2020. (More)
➤ Amarillo: The Economic Development Corporation amended its location incentives agreement with Texas Tech University, reducing remaining costs from $15.6 million to $13.8 million. (More)
➤ Woodway: Residents will pay an additional $83 a year starting next spring as waste trucks travel farther to a new Axtell facility, officials announced. (More)
➤ Temple: Baylor Scott and White McLane Children’s Medical Center hosted the seventh annual Lorenzo Toy Drive, collecting new, unwrapped toys to support young patients and families during the holiday season. (More)
➤ Potter County: Officials approved plans for a large housing development south of Loop 335 that will add about 1,150 affordable homes and boost the tax base. The project is expected to break ground in January. (More)
➤ Killeen: The City Council is considering shifting elections from May to November in odd-numbered years, a move allowed under new state law and aimed at boosting voter turnout. (More)
➤ Pampa: Authorities engaged in a playful social media chase after reports of the Grinch’s arrest, escape, and continued holiday mischief circulated across the Texas Panhandle. (See Grinch)
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➤ Texas A&M’s season ended with a 10-3 first-round College Football Playoff loss to No. 10 seed Miami after Marcel Reed’s pass was intercepted in the end zone with 24 seconds remaining. (Highlights)
➤ The Dallas Cowboys host the Los Angeles Chargers at 1 p.m. today as they look to finish the season strong. (Preview)
➤ Later today, the Houston Texans face the Las Vegas Raiders as a 14.5-point favorite in their matchup. (Preview)
➤ San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama has joined NBA Hall of Famers Patrick Ewing and Dikembe Mutombo as the only players in NBA history to record at least one block in 100 consecutive games. (More)
➤ The Dallas Stars erupted for eight goals in an 8-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night and have scored 17 goals over their past three games. (More)
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➤ Killeen ISD honored students, educators, and schools for achievements in patriotism, citizenship, theater, and holiday card design. (More)
➤ A Midland resident won $5 million on a Texas Lottery scratch-off ticket as the Powerball jackpot climbed to an estimated $1.5 billion ahead of Saturday’s drawing. (More)
➤ Tyler business owners Daniel and Cooper Nagore-Adams are spreading comfort to children this holiday season by donating 200 Build-A-Bears through their annual Beary Merry Christmas initiative. (Watch Report)
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Houston Comets May Fly Again
