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Saturday, March 15, 2025

Good morning! On this day in 1866, the state of Texas renounced its secession from the United States, officially rejoining the Union after the Civil War. (See Ordinance)

If you stayed up to watch the moon turn red over Texas the night before last, maybe you slept in this morning. But, hey, it's Saturday, which is reason enough to sleep in.

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High Winds, Wildfire Threats Sweep State

A cold front moving across the state Friday brought hurricane-force winds in some areas and created a high fire risk.

Western Texas saw the triple threat of wind, dust, and wildfire danger, with Lubbock reporting 80 mph winds early in the day and gusts blowing over a tractor trailer on I-40 near Amarillo.

The gusts severely damaged vehicles on I-27 near Canyon, as you can see here.

The National Weather Service announced fire threats ranging from critical to extreme in North Texas, marking the first time in 16 years the area has seen an extreme fire threat.

With warmer temperatures forecasted for the weekend, the front may have produced winter’s last gasp of freezing temperatures in the Panhandle, as well as hail and severe storms in North Texas.

Plane Bound for DFW Catches Fire

An engine on an American Airlines flight bound for Dallas-Fort Worth caught fire at Denver International Airport on Thursday evening, forcing an evacuation of the passengers and crew.

12 minor injuries were reported as a result of the blaze, which was quickly distinguished by emergency personnel after the plane landed in Denver and taxied safely to the gate.

Passengers exited the aircraft via one of its wings and deployed slides while flames and smoke billowed from the engine.

After taking off from Colorado Springs, the plane was diverted to Denver when pilots sensed high engine vibrations and told air traffic control they were cruising "slower than normal."

Houston-Area Town Named Wealthiest in State

Hunters Creek Village is the wealthiest town in Texas, according to analysis from Stacker, a digital content firm.

Households in the pleasant Houston-area enclave average an annual median income above $250,000, with 75% of the 4,400 residents earning at least $200,000 a year and only 1.6% falling below the poverty line.

The Stacker study considered communities with populations of at least 1,000 and ranked locations by median household income, with ties broken by the percentage of people earning more than $200,000 annually.

Covering only two square miles, Hunters Creek Village contains 6.3 miles of hiking and biking paths and a bustling market for new-construction homes.

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➤ Dallas: Attorney General Ken Paxton indicated he is investigating the Dallas Police Department, saying that Police Chief Michael Igo’s recent comments on immigration policy raise “serious concerns.” (See Details)

➤ Austin: A massive traffic accident late Thursday night, involving 17 vehicles including a tractor trailer, resulted in five deaths and numerous injuries. (More)

➤ Houston: A federal judge awarded $2 million to the family of 47-year-old Ulises Valladares for his wrongful death during a botched FBI operation in 2018. Valladares had been kidnapped and was bound and blindfolded when he was shot. (See Details)

➤ McKinney Independent School District has notified parents that it is exploring budget cuts—the latest in a series of similar announcements from districts across the state. (Watch Report)

➤ Dallas: City leaders floated a “financially beneficial” opportunity to Saks Global in an attempt to keep the flagship Neiman Marcus store open downtown. (More)

➤ Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence said, “I know for sure I’m not going to win a Super Bowl there [in Dallas],” when asked why he left the team in a recent interview. (More)

➤ The University of Texas has self-reported five cases of illegal sports betting from members of the university’s sports teams, including two unnamed football players. (More)

➤ The San Antonio Spurs have announced that guard De’Aaron Fox will undergo season-ending finger surgery. (More)

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➤ Moon watchers across Texas shared stunning images of the total lunar eclipse early Friday morning, documenting the deep red color of the Blood Worm Moon. (See Images)

➤ A Texas Senate panel has advanced legislation that would reduce the minimum size of residential lots in major cities as part of an effort to make housing more affordable. (More)

➤ El Paso author Richard Parker, known for his commentary on the American Southwest, passed away this week, just days after the release of his latest book, The Crossing. (More)

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