Texas Politicians React to Biden Withdrawal

After President Biden announced he’s not running for reelection on Sunday, politicians from across Texas began weighing in on the news.

Gov. Greg Abbott called on Biden to resign from office, saying if he “is unfit to run FOR the presidency, he is unfit to run THE presidency.” He added that since Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he tasked with addressing immigration and securing the border, Texas “will need to triple the border wall, razor wire barriers, and National Guard on the border.”

Sen. Ted Cruz posted a photo of President Richard Nixon without comment, implying that Biden should resign from office like Nixon did following the Watergate scandal.

U.S. Rep. Collin Allred (D-Dallas), who is challenging Cruz for his Senate seat, said Biden had “put country before self” in bowing out of the race, while State Rep. James Talarico (D-Round Rock) called his withdrawal “a stunning act of patriotism.”

Migrant Child Housing Provider Sued for Abuse

The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit last week against Austin-based Southwest Key Programs Inc., the nation’s leading provider of housing for unaccompanied migrant minors, alleging widespread “severe sexual abuse” of children in its shelters from 2015 to 2023.

The complaint details over 100 instances of abuse across 29 facilities housing 6,350 children.

The suit seeks damages for victims, civil penalties, and reforms.

Southwest Key, which received $980 million in federal funding in 2024, allegedly failed to protect children and discouraged abuse reporting.

Actor Glen Powell Returns to UT Austin

Glen Powell, star of “Twisters” and “Hit Man,” has returned to the University of Texas at Austin to complete his degree.

Powell originally began studying Radio-Television-Film at UT in 2008 before leaving to pursue acting. Now, he’s aiming to graduate by Spring 2025 with a double major in Spanish and American history.

His return to academia follows the success of “Twisters,” which earned $80.5 million in its North American opening weekend.

The Austin native will mostly study remotely while filming “The Running Man” in London, visiting campus 2-3 times per semester for exams.

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➤ Peñitas: A consulting firm is conducting an environmental study on a $12 million proposal to convert wastewater into drinkable tap water. If the project gets approval from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the city plans to apply for federal funding. (See Video)

➤ Odessa: The Texas Rangers are investigating the death of an inmate at the Ector County jail. Joe Daniel Miranda was found unresponsive in his cell on Sunday shortly after being arrested on suspicion of trespassing and public intoxication. (More)

➤ Austin: The Environmental Protection Agency awarded the city and several regional transportation organizations a $47.9 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant to help fund projects aimed at incentivizing commuters to carpool, bike, and use public transit. (See Details)

➤ Galveston: A 21-year-old was charged with DWI after driving off a pier into 30 feet of water on Sunday morning. Apparently, he provided the names of three passengers in the car, but none of them said they were with him during the incident. (More)

➤ Wills Point: A 108-year-old downtown monument was damaged when a woman crashed into it with her vehicle. The monument was originally used as a watering trough for horses and is featured on city documents. (See Photos)

➤ McCamey: The city council suspended code enforcement officer Kathy Campbell for 90 days without pay following a July 13 Facebook post in which she said “World almost a better place today!!!!” Residents interpreted the post as a reference to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, but Mayor Pedro Rosales denied that was Campbell’s intent. (See Details)

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➤ Houston Astros slugger Yordan Álvarez hit for the cycle for the first time in his career on Sunday against the Seattle Mariners. The highlight of his performance was a moonshot home run off the third deck of Seattle’s T-Mobile Park. (See Video)

➤ The Dallas Mavericks are signing veteran guard Spencer Dinwiddie to a one-year contract. Dinwiddie helped the Mavs reach the Western Conference Finals during the 2021-2022 season, averaging 15.8 points per game. (More)

➤ The Houston Texans have signed former Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers. Akers is coming off of a torn Achilles from Week 9 of this past season. (More)

➤ Clarendon College freshman Wacey Schalla won the quarterfinals in bull riding and bareback bronc riding at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. Schalla is leading the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rookie-of-the-year standings midway through the season. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | NBA Summer League

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➤ Texas Venture Partners launched a $50 million fund on Monday to help Israeli defense tech startups expand into U.S. markets, with plans to invest in 15-30 early-stage companies that can provide critical technologies to the U.S. military and its allies. (More)

➤ Garland’s new Surf & Swim water park, slated to open in summer 2026, will feature a lazy river, wave simulator, and three slides. It will replace an existing water park built in 1984 that has been closed for maintenance for the past few years. (See Image)

➤ “Yellowstone” actor Cole Hauser’s Lazy K Bar Straight Bourbon Whiskey launched in Texas earlier this month. The 92-proof bourbon is aged for eight years and retails for $100 at select stores. (See Details)

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Did you know that there are 4 warning signs of memory loss?

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➤ A cow wandered onto Houston’s Hardy Toll Road Saturday, causing a commotion. Wranglers attempted to lasso the animal, which was eventually secured in the median after several close calls with vehicles. (Watch Video)

➤ A betting website offers $2,000 for someone to take a road trip to five Buc-ee’s locations, comparing food, prices, and amenities. The chosen candidate has until year-end to complete the journey, but applications must be submitted by July 31 at 11:59 p.m. ET. (See Details)

➤ Pulitzer winner Joe Holley released “Native Texan,” his second collection of columns about eccentric Texans. Growing up in Waco, he learned to appreciate local stories, which became his natural beat as a writer. (More)

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When were the best films produced?

1. Before 1930
2. 1930 to 1949
3. 1950 to 1969
4. 1970 to 1989
5. 1990 to 2009
6. 2010 to today

Monday’s Results:

Have you ever visited Enchanted Rock?

1. Yes: 40.4%
2. No: 59.6%

What early Texas leader inspired a term for unbranded cattle and is the namesake of a prominent border county?

Show me the answer