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Nearly 40 alligators removed from South Padre Island sanctuary ahead of Tropical Storm Beryl
Read full article: Nearly 40 alligators removed from South Padre Island sanctuary ahead of Tropical Storm BerylNearly 40 alligators from the South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary were removed as Tropical Storm Beryl approaches the Gulf of Mexico.
How Texas Speaker Dade Phelan turned the tide to keep his seat
Read full article: How Texas Speaker Dade Phelan turned the tide to keep his seatAfter coming in second in the primary, Phelan was at a disadvantage heading into the runoff. With record breaking cash infusions, Phelan blanketed airwaves and hired an army of campaign staffers.
House Speaker Dade Phelan wins runoff, surviving challenge by Texas GOPās far-right forces
Read full article: House Speaker Dade Phelan wins runoff, surviving challenge by Texas GOPās far-right forcesBusiness-minded Republicans spent millions trying to save Phelan, whose far-right opponent had the backing of Donald Trump, Ken Paxton and Dan Patrick. Phelan won by 366 votes, according to unofficial returns.
Texas company fined $30 million for 2019 chemical explosion near Beaumont
Read full article: Texas company fined $30 million for 2019 chemical explosion near BeaumontA Texas petrochemical company has pleaded guilty to a violation of the Clean Air Act and agreed to pay more than $30 million in connection with two explosions that injured workers and caused the evacuation of thousands, the U.S. Justice Department said Tuesday.
Petrochemical company fined more than $30 million for 2019 explosions near Houston
Read full article: Petrochemical company fined more than $30 million for 2019 explosions near HoustonA Texas petrochemical company has pleaded guilty to a violation of the Clean Air Act and agreed to pay more than $30 million in connection with two explosions that injured workers and caused the evacuation of thousands.
Texas man arrested after threatening House Speaker Dade Phelan
Read full article: Texas man arrested after threatening House Speaker Dade PhelanTexas Department of Public Safety arrested Daniel Troy Leblanc earlier this month after the Orange County resident made āterroristic threatsā on social media.
Texas companies reported releasing 1 million pounds of excess pollution during recent cold snap
Read full article: Texas companies reported releasing 1 million pounds of excess pollution during recent cold snapCalled āupsetā events, companies are required to tell the state when they emit pollution above what their permits allow.
Attorney General Ken Paxton campaigns against House Speaker Dade Phelan in his own district
Read full article: Attorney General Ken Paxton campaigns against House Speaker Dade Phelan in his own districtThe attorney general has gone on an endorsement spree since his acquittal in his Senate impeachment trial last year, backing primary challengers to the House Republicans who voted to impeach him.
Texas woman attacked by hawk after snake falls out of sky, lands on her
Read full article: Texas woman attacked by hawk after snake falls out of sky, lands on herA Texas woman says she feels like āthe luckiest person aliveā after a snake fell out of the sky and landed on her and was then attacked by a hawk.
Texas man sentenced to federal prison after filming man āfootballā kick cat 20 feet in the air
Read full article: Texas man sentenced to federal prison after filming man āfootballā kick cat 20 feet in the airA Beaumont man has been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to animal cruelty violations.
A billion-pound problem: How unchecked āexcess emissionsā ballooned in Texas
Read full article: A billion-pound problem: How unchecked āexcess emissionsā ballooned in TexasOver the last two decades, state regulators have allowed companies to release more than a billion pounds of excess pollution.
What happens when Texas takes over a school district like Houston ISD
Read full article: What happens when Texas takes over a school district like Houston ISDWhen do state takeovers of Texas public schools or districts happen? How long can they last? We provide answers to some of the questions surrounding the takeover of Houston ISD.
San Antonio travelers among millions delayed by FAAās computer-related grounding of flights
Read full article: San Antonio travelers among millions delayed by FAAās computer-related grounding of flightsAn outage involving the FAA's computer system caused the agency to ground hundreds of flights temporarily. The delays affected travelers all over the country, including those in San Antonio.
Federal judge tells Beaumont election officials not to harass or discriminate against Black voters
Read full article: Federal judge tells Beaumont election officials not to harass or discriminate against Black votersClaims of misconduct during early voting were raised in a federal lawsuit filed Monday by the Beaumont chapter of the NAACP, accusing election workers of scrutinizing Black votersā identities and shadowing them while at voting stations
Lawsuit alleges Texas police officer paralyzed man in jail
Read full article: Lawsuit alleges Texas police officer paralyzed man in jailA man has filed a lawsuit accusing a Texas police officer of using excessive force while restraining him in jail and inflicting injuries that left him paralyzed from the chest down.
7 charged in deaths of 2 fellow inmates at prison in Texas
Read full article: 7 charged in deaths of 2 fellow inmates at prison in TexasSeven inmates have been charged with killing two fellow prisoners and wounding two others during a January attack at a federal prison in Texas that led to a nationwide lockdown of the federal prison system.
US federal prisons on lockdown after 2 Texas inmates killed
Read full article: US federal prisons on lockdown after 2 Texas inmates killedThe federal prison system has been placed on a nationwide lockdown after two inmates were killed and two others were injured Monday during a gang altercation at a federal penitentiary in Texas.
Man, 9-year-old daughter killed after car collides with tree in Beaumont, police say
Read full article: Man, 9-year-old daughter killed after car collides with tree in Beaumont, police sayA man and his 9-year-old daughter were killed in an early-morning crash after their car collided with a tree in Beaumont, police said.
Beaumont man charged with murder in fatal shooting of 25-year-old, police say
Read full article: Beaumont man charged with murder in fatal shooting of 25-year-old, police sayA Beaumont man is now behind bars and charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a 25-year-old man, according to Beaumont Police Department.
Gov. Abbott discusses broadband access legislation
Read full article: Gov. Abbott discusses broadband access legislationGreg Abbott on Monday held a press conference at Hamshire-Fannett Elementary School in Beaumont on expanding broadband access across Texas. Abbott was joined by Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, State Rep. Trent Ashby, and Hamshire-Fannett ISD Superintendent Dwaine Augustine to discuss the importance of reliable broadband for education, business, and health care. Earlier this year, Abbott named broadband access an emergency item for the 87th legislative session. AdāBroadband access is no longer a luxury, it is an essential tool for all Texans,ā Abbott said. āSchools need broadband to connect with students, businesses need it to remain competitive, and our doctors and nurses and their patients need it for telemedicine purposes.
After slow start, Texas lawmakers pick up the pace on GOP priorities as legislative session passes halfway mark
Read full article: After slow start, Texas lawmakers pick up the pace on GOP priorities as legislative session passes halfway markThe optimism comes after a two-week stretch dominated by a tense standoff among the House, Senate and Gov. As of Thursday, more than half ā 16 ā had at least gotten a committee hearing. Senate Bill 25 would give nursing-home residents the right to have a designated caretaker visit them regularly during a public health emergency. On Thursday, a Senate committee approved legislation ā SB 3 ā that would overhaul the stateās energy industry. AdBy Friday afternoon, Cainās bill was rescheduled for an April 1 hearing, according to a committee hearing posting notice.
Ward accounts for 5 TDs, Incarnate Word beats Lamar 42-20
Read full article: Ward accounts for 5 TDs, Incarnate Word beats Lamar 42-20BEAUMONT, Texas ā Cameron Ward passed for 341 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 24 yards and a TD to help Incarnate Word beat Lamar 42-20 on Saturday. Kevin Brown ran 13 times for 196 yards and a touchdown and caught four passes for 38 yards and a TD for Incarnate Word. Chaz Ward ran 26 times for 105 yards and a touchdown for Lamar (0-2, 0-2). Jalen Dummett passed for 116 yards and a touchdown, and Marcellus Johnson caught seven passes for 88 yards. Incarnate Ward outgained Lamar 626-360 in total offense.
Texas House elects Dade Phelan speaker as 2021 legislative session gets underway
Read full article: Texas House elects Dade Phelan speaker as 2021 legislative session gets underwayState Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, held a press conference at the capitol to declare that he had enough votes to become Speaker of the House. (Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune)The Texas House on Tuesday elected state Rep. Dade Phelan as the next House speaker, ushering into office a new leader who will oversee a chamber facing its toughest set of legislative challenges in years against the backdrop of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The House voted 143-2 for Phelan, with four members not voting. The two members who voted against Phelan were GOP freshmen Bryan Slaton and Jeff Cason. Phelan, a Beaumont Republican, replaced former House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, who retired from office thanks to a secret recording scandal that fractured relationships in the 150-member lower chamber.
Texas GOP Chair says party will not "support or accept" Republican Rep. Dade Phelan as next House speaker
Read full article: Texas GOP Chair says party will not "support or accept" Republican Rep. Dade Phelan as next House speakerPhelan said last week he had support from a "supermajority of the Republican caucus" and a "broad coalition of support" from Democrats. West does not get to vote on the next speaker since he is not a House member. And past speaker candidates, including current Republican House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, who will retire at the end of his term, have claimed support from Democrats in their bids to help get to a majority of votes needed to preside over the House. Phelan, who has served in the lower chamber since 2015 and chairs the powerful House State Affairs Committee, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Phelan filed paperwork to run for speaker after a group of GOP members gathered and picked the lawmaker as their preferred candidate.
State Rep. Dade Phelan says he has votes to become speaker of Texas House
Read full article: State Rep. Dade Phelan says he has votes to become speaker of Texas HouseState Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, on the House floor in 2019. Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas TribuneState Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, announced Wednesday he has the votes needed to become the next speaker of the Texas House. "The race is over," Phelan said at a noon press conference at the Texas Capitol. On Tuesday night, one Republican in the race, state Rep. Geanie Morrison of Victoria, announced she was backing Ashby for the job. Phelan has served in the House since 2015 and is currently chair of the powerful House State Affairs Committee. He was a top lieutenant of House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, a Republican who will retire at the end of his term thanks to a political scandal last summer.
State Rep. Dade Phelan files to run for Texas House speaker
Read full article: State Rep. Dade Phelan files to run for Texas House speakerAt right, Chairman Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, listens to testimonies during a State Affairs committee hearing on Feb. 27, 2019 Credit: Emree Weaver/The Texas TribuneState Rep. Dade Phelan, a Beaumont Republican, filed Sunday evening to run for Texas House speaker, he confirmed to The Texas Tribune. Phelan's filing comes after a group of House Republicans gathered Sunday afternoon and picked the lawmaker as their preferred speaker candidate, according to multiple people familiar with the meeting. During that hours-long meeting, some members expressed concern over holding a vote on a speaker candidate before each party knows the partisan breakdown in the 150-member House. House members will vote on the next speaker on the first day of the 87th legislative session in January. Phelan, who has served in the lower chamber since 2015, chairs the powerful House State Affairs Committee.
Salvation Army deploys team to feed first responders, residents impacted by Hurricane Laura
Read full article: Salvation Army deploys team to feed first responders, residents impacted by Hurricane LauraBEAUMONT, Texas ā A two-man team in a canteen truck is heading to Beaumont, Texas to assist in the Hurricane Laura aftermath. The team was deployed through the Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services Texas Division in New Braunfels. Officials said the team will serve food to first responders and residents impacted by the storm. Read also:Videos, photos show Hurricane Laura hitting Gulf Coast, damageAerial footage shows damage over Texas, Louisiana following Hurricane LauraGov. Greg Abbott surveys Hurricane Laura damage, calls no widespread deaths āmiracleā
Follow KSAT Meteorologist Justin Horne as he reports on location as Hurricane Laura aims for Texas coast
Read full article: Follow KSAT Meteorologist Justin Horne as he reports on location as Hurricane Laura aims for Texas coastHurricane Laura is expected to make landfall sometime late Wednesday into Thursday morning. San Antonio is helping out those that may be impacted by Hurricane Laura. Greg Abbott is scheduled to give an update on Hurricane Laura response at noon. LIVE RADAR:You can follow along with Your Weather Authority as we continue to track Laura by downloading the KSAT Weather Authority app for Apple or Android. Our KSAT Hurricane Tracker app also allows you to monitor the tropics from your phone during the Atlantic Hurricane Season, which runs until November 30.
San Antonio Pets Alive! saves 12 dogs and cats fleeing tropical storms Laura and Marco
Read full article: San Antonio Pets Alive! saves 12 dogs and cats fleeing tropical storms Laura and MarcoSAN ANTONIO ā The San Antonio Pets Alive! team reported on Monday that it brought in 12 pets who were evacuated from Beaumont due to Tropical Storms Laura and Marco. According to the animal shelter, Beaumont Animal Care and the Humane Society of the United States reached out for safe homes for their animals, and the Alamo City team was happy to help. In total, four dogs and eight cats were brought to the San Antonio shelter. āThese precious dogs and cats need heartworm treatment, vaccines, preventatives, and even a third eyelid removal surgery,ā the shelter said in a statement.
My pandemic pregnancy: āWe were sitting there with a happy, healthy newborn, and then suddenly, it switchedā
Read full article: My pandemic pregnancy: āWe were sitting there with a happy, healthy newborn, and then suddenly, it switchedāWhen Melissa Vick gave birth to her first child, a son, in May 2017, she and her husband Greg felt like they were able to share him with their friends and family, almost immediately.
Gold in secret vault is traced to Hugo Chvez's former nurse
Read full article: Gold in secret vault is traced to Hugo Chvez's former nurseSo Daz allegedly turned to one of the oldest ways of moving vast sums of money anonymously: buying gold. She radically denies having had any gold ingots or any bank account in Liechtenstein, Oliver said. Wire transfers from Panamanian shell companies were routed through CBH to Greenhill and Amblia's accounts at the state-owned Liechtensteinische Landesbank in 2012, according to the Liechtenstein court. However, U.S. prosecutors in their exchanges with Swiss authorities in 2018 suggest the bank had itself been defrauded by Beaumont. The gold bars allegedly belonging to Daz represent just a small fraction of the total amount looted from Venezuela.
COVID-19 outbreak reported at Southeast Texas Chick-fil-A restaurants
Read full article: COVID-19 outbreak reported at Southeast Texas Chick-fil-A restaurantsBEAUMONT, Texas ā More than a dozen Chick-fil-A employees have now tested positive for COVID-19 in Beaumont, according to 12NewsNow. The ABC affiliate reported that 11 more employees were confirmed to have tested positive on Friday evening after four earlier in the week. More than 100 employees from two Beaumont Chick-fil-A locations were tested for COVID-19 throughout the week. BREAKING: Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick has told me that 11 more Beaumont @ChickfilA employees have tested positive for #coronavirus. #12NewsNow #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/XFnC8L8XUi ā H. Tyler Seggerman (@TylerSeggerman) April 24, 2020Two Beaumont Chick-fil-A restaurants have been closed for several days, the Dowlen Road and College Street locations.