Good morning! On this day in 1968, Edinburg native Alfredo Gonzalez was killed in combat at the Battle of Hue City during the Vietnam War. His heroic actions earned him the Medal of Honor.
A group of duck hunters from Louisiana was having a field day last month until the game wardens showed up. Check out the story in today’s Around Texas section!
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Protests over President Trump’s immigration enforcement operations erupted in multiple cities across Texas on Sunday. Participants were seen waving Mexican flags and displaying signs with messages like “Immigrants built this country” and “No one is illegal on stolen land.”
Demonstrations turned violent in Conroe, where several people were arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer. Some roads were shut down in nearby Houston, where protesters chanted “Si, se puede.”
Dallas, Arlington, Pflugerville, Lufkin, and McAllen also saw protests, some of which were organized by pro-immigrant advocacy groups. According to a recent poll, 87% of Texans support deportations for illegal immigrants convicted of a felony, while 64% believe there should be a way for them to stay in the country legally if certain requirements are met.
“We believe that we have human rights, that we are people, and our people are being deported,” said a Lufkin protester. Meanwhile, a Pflugerville man said he was demonstrating in support of President Trump’s policies “because people are protesting the rule of law because they don’t want criminals deported out of the country.”
Four Dads Stop School Shooter
A group of parents jumped into action to restrain an 83-year-old suspect who shot a band competition participant at Pasedena Memorial High School on Saturday.
The suspect, identified as Dennis Erwin Brandl Jr. of Spring, claimed he was being chased and feared for his life. Police said Brandl did not know his victim, a percussion technical consultant for Angleton ISD, who was shot in the shoulder and is expected to make a full recovery.
A group of four dads that includes several military veterans and a police officer are credited with restraining Brandl until law enforcement arrived. Brandl was arrested and is being held on an $80,000 bond.
The One In Five Foundation For Kids, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing violence in schools, announced it will honor the fathers with its National Award for Heroism. “What these individuals did that day—they are heroes,” said founder Daniel Chapin.
The Most, Least Visited State Parks
Texas state parks saw more than 9.1 million visitors in 2024, a 1.9% decrease from the previous year. An Austin news outlet compiled lists highlighting the 10 most and least visited state parks last year, providing historical attendance figures dating back to 2007.
The most visited state park was Ray Roberts Lake State Park in Cooke and Denton counties, welcoming 687,544 guests last year, a 23.0% decrease from 2023. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department describes the park as a “natural playground” where visitors can escape the bustle of the nearby DFW Metroplex.
The least visited state park was Devil’s Sinkhole State Natural Area near Rocksprings in Edwards County. Only 590 people visited the site via a guided tour to watch an estimated 3 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from the sinkhole at dusk for their nightly feeding.
Click here to see the list of the most visited state parks. The list of the least visited state parks can be viewed here.
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➤ Georgetown: A Forbes Middle School bus driver refused to release students for about an hour last Wednesday afternoon when he claimed to smell marijuana and called the police to investigate. “All the kids were crying, parents were blocking the streets because they’re trying to get to their kids,” said a parent. (More)
➤ San Antonio: The city is shuttering its Migrant Resource Center after months of declining use. The center opened in July 2022 with funding from the federal government. (More)
➤ Lewisville ISD canceled classes at 21 schools on Monday after a water main break forced city officials to issue a boil water notice. (See Details)
➤ Bosque County: Game wardens apprehended a group of hunters from Louisiana last month for being in possession of three times the daily limit of six ducks per licensed hunter. The group of four—one of whom didn’t have a license—had 54 ducks in their possession. (See Photo)
➤ Sullivan City: Authorities arrested Councilman Ruben Villalon, 52, on narcotics charges Friday. Villalon’s bail has been set at $200,000. (See Details)
➤ Taylor: The city dedicated a monument Saturday honoring hundreds of black residents who were buried in unmarked graves when the Taylor City Cemetery was segregated. “I think people being seen and being recognized goes a long way in this life and the next life and the afterlife,” said Councilman Gerald Anderson. (More)
➤ Dallas: Disappointed Mavericks fans built a makeshift tribute to Luka Doncic on Sunday after the star player was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers over the weekend. Crews were seen throwing items in the trash Monday morning. (Watch Video)
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➤ The San Antonio Spurs swung a blockbuster three-team trade for former Sacramento Kings star De’Aaron Fox on Sunday night. (More)
➤ The Texas Longhorns will have a chance to break an 82-year-old school record if five of their football players are selected in the first 50 picks of the draft, as is currently projected. (More)
➤ The Houston Texans are hiring former Los Angeles Rams pass game coordinator Nick Caley as their next offensive coordinator. (More)
➤ The Dallas Stars have acquired Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for draft pick compensation. (More)
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➤ San Antonio International Airport saw a record 11,094,278 passengers last year, nearly 4% more than the previous record set in 2023. (More)
➤ Terry Black’s BBQ announced plans to open a location in Houston later this year. The news follows the opening of the famous barbecue joint’s fifth location in Fort Worth last month. (More)
➤ Work has begun in McKinney on the $300 million Sunset Amphitheater being developed by Colorado-based Venu Holding Corp. A company representative said he hopes the 20,000-seat amphitheater can hold its first concert by summer 2026. (See Rendering)
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➤ Over half of the 106,000-acre Piloncillo Ranch in South Texas is for sale, offering “an experience that combines the western heritage of cattle ranching, the joy of hunting with friends or family, and the social hours spent together over late-night gatherings,” according to the Icon Global listing. The asking price has not been publicly disclosed. (See Photos)
➤ Houston native Beyoncé announced dates for her Cowboy Carter tour Monday after winning Album of the Year at the Grammys on Sunday night. The schedule includes two shows at NRG Stadium at the end of June. (More)
➤ The new 8k Omni Theater at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is the world’s most advanced theater operated by a museum. Opening last December, the immersive theater was developed by the creators of the Cosm venues in Los Angeles and The Colony. (More)
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How many Texas state parks (including historic sites and natural areas) have you visited?