Paxton Launches CenterPoint Investigation

Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened an investigation into CenterPoint Energy’s response to Hurricane Beryl last month, which left over 2.2 million Houston residents and businesses without power.

CenterPoint has taken heat for neglecting vegetation management, not having enough line workers on standby before the hurricane, and failing to deploy mobile generators acquired after the 2021 winter storm. 

“If the investigation uncovers unlawful activity, that activity will be met with the full force of the law,” Paxton said in a statement. CenterPoint promised to cooperate with the investigation.

Independence Creek Preserve Named National Natural Landmark

Independence Creek Preserve in West Texas was designated as the nation’s newest National Natural Landmark last week.

With this addition, the U.S. now has 605 National Natural Landmarks dedicated to conserving significant biological and geological resources.

Study: Texas Cities with Worst Drivers

A recent ConsumerAffairs study ranked 21 Texas cities with populations over 50,000 to determine which had the worst drivers, with Galveston topping the list as the most dangerous city. 

In 2022, Texas had 17% more traffic deaths per capita than the national average.

Galveston reported 35.7 traffic fatalities per 100,000 residents—over twice the state average. The city’s “crash score” of 97.63—based on factors like speeding and fatalities—was far ahead of second-ranked San Marcos, with a crash score of 56.60.

All five of Texas’ largest cities—Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin—ranked in the top 20 for bad driving. See the full rankings here.

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➤ Austin: Austin Community College received a $7.5 million grant from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency for its semiconductor training program. (See Details)

➤ Sutherland Springs: Crews have begun demolishing the church where a gunman killed 26 people in 2017. The building became the subject of a legal battle between victims’ families and First Baptist Church members, who voted to tear it down in 2021. (Watch Video)

➤ Rio Grande City: Union Water Supply Corporation received a $9.4 million grant from the federal Bureau of Reclamations to add a second water source, removing the need to lease water from other providers. (More)

➤ Houston: Around 700 students didn’t have assigned bus routes for the first day of school on Monday. Last month, the district announced it would cut 85 routes due to students attending schools outside their zones. (See Details)

➤ Clarendon: Donley County received a $2.3 million grant from the Texas Historical Commission to restore its courthouse, which was built in the 1890s. (Watch Video)

➤ Fort Worth: A police officer was killed while responding to a crash on I-35W early Monday. The driver is in custody. A procession honored Sgt. Billy Randolph as his body was transported to the county medical examiner’s office. (More)

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➤ Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones tried to walk back last week’s comment in which he said there wasn’t “any urgency” to extend wide receiver CeeDee Lamb’s contract, telling Lamb on Sunday that “you’re missed.” (See Details)

➤ Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown struck out nine batters in a stellar performance Sunday, helping the Astros blow out the Boston Red Sox 10-2. (Watch Video)

➤ Dallas Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban confirmed the team would not move to another city despite putting the odds that they play at the American Airlines Center beyond the expiration of their current lease at “less than 50%.” (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | Leagues Cup

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➤ SpaceX has repeatedly violated wastewater disposal regulations at its Boca Chica facility, jeopardizing plans to increase launches to 25 a year, according to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. (More)

➤ A Chinese solar panel manufacturer, Trina Solar, received a $235 million loan to build a 1.35-million-square-foot facility in Wilmer, southeast Dallas County, expected to create 1,500 jobs. (See Details)

➤ Houston’s NRG Stadium will host this year’s Clásico de México, the annual soccer match between Mexican teams Club América and Guadalajara, on Sunday, Oct. 13. (More)

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➤ A Houston mansion resembling Darth Vader’s helmet, nicknamed the “Darth Vader House,” tops a list of the most popular homes list, listed at $3.75 million. (See Photos)

➤ North East ISD bus driver Phil Purvis won the Texas school bus “roadeo” championship, demonstrating his driving skills and 15 years of experience in safely transporting students. (More)

➤ Rapper Flavor Flav offered Spring-based gymnast Jordan Chiles a bronze clock necklace after she was ordered to return her Olympic bronze medal due to a scoring appeal issue. (See Details)

➤ Burnet Library’s genealogy room connects residents with their ancestors through a trove of old photos, documents, and maps, preserving local family histories. (More)

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Would other people say you’re a good driver?

1. Yes
2. No

Monday’s Results:

How much of the Olympics did you watch?

1. None: 39.5%
2. A few events: 24.7%
3. A fair amount: 14.2%
4. Quite a lot: 11.5%
5. As much as possible: 10.0%

What aircraft carrier was docked in Corpus Christi and turned into a museum after it was decommissioned?

Show me the answer