Wednesday, July 9, 2025

The Roundup

Article Icon 1Flood Warnings Questioned

At least 111 people are confirmed dead from the catastrophic flooding this past weekend in Kerr County and Central Texas. While search and rescue efforts continue, the warnings provided to those in harm’s way prior to the deadly flooding are coming under intense scrutiny.

Some critics have suggested recent staffing cuts at the National Weather Service led to inadequate warnings being issued for Kerr County. On Monday, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz said the New Braunfels office had additional staff on duty the night of July 3.

The Texas Hill Country is known as “Flash Flood Alley” due to its propensity for intense rainfall and the prevalence of shallow creeks that drain into major rivers like the Guadalupe. Although numerous warnings were issued, most people were asleep when the river rose to near-record levels in under two hours.

Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said Saturday that “nobody saw this coming.” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has pledged the state will pay to install warning sirens along the Guadalupe River before next summer.

Article Icon 1South Padre Church Faces Eviction

Despite a 100-year lease with the county, one of three churches on South Padre Island could be forced to move to accommodate new development. Pastor David Boughter, who leads Chapel by the Sea, received a letter from local officials saying the church’s lease had been terminated.

The Cameron County Commissioners Court approved a 100-year lease for the church in 1979, but County Administrator Pete Sepulveda Jr. said the agreement “was found to have major flaws rendering the lease voidable.”

Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino, however, said the letter was sent in error, and the county simply wants to “figure out a way forward that’s mutually beneficial to the church and to the county and everybody involved.” 

I would like for them to just honor the lease,” said Boughter, who insisted it is “very well spelled out.” While its summer attendance is between 100 and 125, up to a thousand people attend every week during the winter.

Chapel board member Susan Bagley said she’s “just hoping and praying that they’re going to change their minds and not take the chapel away from us.”

Article Icon 1Mixed Reactions to Flooding

While some have responded to the disastrous flooding in Central Texas by exploiting others, many more have demonstrated generosity and sacrifice in the midst of calamity.

Sightseers have hampered search and rescue operations. On Monday, a helicopter involved in the effort collided with a private drone flying in restricted airspace, forcing it to make an emergency landing.

A pediatrician and a former city board member in Houston were condemned for making inflammatory racial and political remarks. Kerr County officials have received false reports of missing persons, and some families of victims have been contacted by scammers demanding payment to release their children.

Meanwhile, children in Fort Worth opened a lemonade stand to raise money for Camp Mystic, students in Midland ISD have collected essential supplies for victims, and Michael McKenzie of Kyle is using a trolley car to deliver hot meals to volunteers and first responders in Kerr County.

Julian Ryan, 27, sacrificed himself to save his two children, fiancée, and mother when he cut himself badly punching out a window in their mobile home so they could escape as the flood waters were rising. He tragically severed an artery in the process and later died.

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The Flyover

Scientists at University College Cork have validated a surprising 10-second method that’s transforming how women fight signs of aging—without creams or invasive treatments.

In a study involving 674 women with deep wrinkles, sagging skin, and dark spots, researchers found that using this simple technique in front of the mirror each day led to dramatic improvements in appearance within just a few weeks.

What’s more shocking? This unusual method has been shown to be up to 10 times more effective than retinol, without any of the harsh side effects like redness, irritation, or dryness.

It’s fast, painless, and surprisingly easy to do at home. Thousands of women are already using it to look 10, 15, or even 20 years younger—and the results speak for themselves.

Watch the short video below to discover exactly how this method works—and why so many scientists and skincare experts are calling it the future of anti-aging.

10X More Effective Than Retinol—With Zero Side Effects!

Around Texas

➤ Alvarado: Eleven suspects have been charged in connection with a “coordinated attack” on officials at the federal Prairieland Detention Center on Friday, 10 for attempted murder and one for obstruction of justice for allegedly attempting to destroy evidence. (See Details)

➤ Corpus Christi: The northbound lanes on the new Harbor Bridge opened to traffic yesterday afternoon. (See Photos)

➤ Leander: A bridge that was the only entrance to a neighborhood near Big Sandy Creek was washed away during flooding over the weekend. People are transporting supplies across the creek on ATVs or by foot. (More)

➤ Randall County: GOP Chairman Kelly Giles was indicted for election fraud for allegedly falsifying an application and nominating petition with the Texas Secretary of State prior to the 2024 primary election, which he won with 51% of the vote. (More)

➤ El Paso: The sheriff’s office arrested 53 people during a “Safe Streets Operation” over the July Fourth weekend. (More)


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Texas Sports

➤ The Dallas Cowboys extended a contract with the city of Oxnard, California, to hold training camp there through the 2030 season. The Cowboys will pay the city $75,000 each year. (More)

➤ The Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma was named the third-best in the country by The Athletic, coming in behind Ohio State v. Michigan and Auburn v. Alabama. (See List)

➤ The state’s three NBA teams joined with the NBA and the league’s players association to donate more than $2 million to flood victims in Central Texas. The Texas Rangers and Houston Astros each donated $1 million. (More)

The Dallas Wings women’s basketball team announced they’re moving their Aug. 1 matchup against the Indiana Fever to the American Airlines Center to accommodate the larger crowd Caitlin Clark attracts. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | Wimbledon

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The Business Of Texas

➤ Ezee Fiber, a Houston-based internet service provider, is acquiring rival Tachus Fiber Internet, based in The Woodlands, increasing its customer base in the Houston metro by 60,000. (More)

➤ Several indoor malls in the Metroplex saw increased foot traffic by as much as 2% in 2024, outpacing the national average of 1.4%. (More)

Plano’s United Energy LNG and Houston’s Power LNG have agreed to merge. The new firm is in the process of building three modular distribution facilities in Houston, Kansas, and an undisclosed location on the Gulf Coast. (More)

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This method has been vetted by scientists from the University College Cork.

Their study, conducted on 674 women with deep wrinkles, dark spots, and saggy skin, clearly showed how, by simply doing this for 10 seconds in the mirror, they dramatically improved their appearance in less than a few weeks.

This odd method is so effective that scientists have deemed it to be 10 times better than retinol.

Just watch the video below and see how easy it is to look 10, 15, or even 20 years younger:

10X Better Than Retinol (With None Of The Side Effects!)

Et Cetera

The San Antonio Spurs signed free agent center Luke Kornet to a four-year contract for $41 million. Kornet, 29, has chosen to wear No. 7 because “seven is a big number of covenant and fulfillment and order and the faith.” He also wants to “be a third of the player that Tim Duncan was.” Duncan wore No. 21. (More)

Partenope Ristorante in Dallas and Il Forno in San Antonio are among the best pizzerias in the country, according to the annual 50 Top Pizza guide. The Italian publication notes that the ranking is determined by multiple factors, not just the quality of the pizza. (More)

USA Today readers ranked two malls in Texas among the 10 best in the country that “elevate the shopping experience.” Galleria Dallas—home of the nation’s fourth-best ice skating rink—was No. 3. Grapevine Mills was No. 8. (More) 

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The Polling Station

Do you like going to the mall?

  1. Absolutely
  2. Sometimes
  3. No way
 

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever been the victim of identity theft?

  1. Yes: 45%
  2. No: 55%
Texas Trivia

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