Houston's fire danger is heightened Monday thanks to a combination of breezy and dry weather behind this weekend's cold front.  Monday will feel noticeably less humid compared to recent days as northerly winds push dew points into the 20s. Dew points, a measure of atmospheric moisture, won't climb until Tuesday as southerly winds return.  TEXAS FIRE MAP: Track Texas wildfires with the Houston Chronicle's interactive maps.  Here's what to know about Monday's fire danger.  Near-critical fire danger Monday view article

CLYDE, Texas — A train accident occurred on Sunday, resulting in the death of two Clyde High School students, Brileigh and Kyler Dailey.  RELATED | Train and truck collision claims lives of two Clyde High School students  KTXS spoke with Bryan Allen, the Superintendent of Clyde CISD, to find out how they're providing support during this hard time.  "All I could think was, 'please let this not be one of our kids,'" Allen said. "Didn't even run through my mind that it could have been two of them." view article

Mississippi and West Virginia lose top spots to Connecticut and New York, a Stateline analysis finds.  States that were leaders in childhood vaccination before the pandemic are among those losing ground as exemptions and unfounded skepticism take hold, encouraged by the Trump administration’s stance under U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Expanded exemptions for parents are likely to drop both Mississippi and West Virginia from the top national rankings they held before the pandemic, according to a Stateline analysis of federal data. Other states like Florida, Idaho, Louisiana and Montana also are pushing the envelope on vaccine choice. view article

The three people killed by the suspected gunman were identified Monday. Thirteen people were injured in the Sunday shooting that the FBI called a “potential act of terrorism.” view article

LOS ANGELES (WKRC) - A 12-year-old girl died after what her family says began as a bullying incident inside a Los Angeles school.  Khimberly Zavaleta Chuquipa died Feb. 25 following brain surgery related to an incident in which she was allegedly struck in the head with a metal water bottle by another student, according to KTLA. view article

FBI investigating Austin mass shooting as potential terrorism  -  The gunman in an early Sunday mass shooting in Austin wore a sweatshirt that said "Property of Allah" and another shirt with an Iranian flag design, a law enforcement official told AP.   The FBI is investigating the shooting in a downtown bar district as a potential act of terrorism.  The gunman in an early Sunday mass shooting in Austin wore a sweatshirt that said "Property of Allah" and another shirt with an Iranian flag design, a law enforcement official told AP.  The FBI is investigating the shooting in a downtown bar district as a potential act of terrorism.  Catch up quick: Austin police identified the shooter as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne. He was a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Senegal, the law enforcement official and another person familiar with the matter told AP.  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott drew a link to the Middle East conflict in a Sunday statement, though FBI officials haven't confirmed any such connection.   "To anyone who thinks about using the current conflict in the Middle East to threaten Texans or our critical infrastructure, understand this clearly: Texas will respond with decisive and overwhelming force to protect our state," he said.  Catch up quick: The FBI declined to say if it was treating the shooting as domestic or foreign terrorism. The incident left three dead and 14 injured.  Catch up quick: Austin police identified the shooter as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne. He was a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Senegal, the law enforcement official and another person familiar with the matter told AP.  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott drew a link to the Middle East conflict in a Sunday statement, though FBI officials haven't confirmed any such connection.  "To anyone who thinks about using the current conflict in the Middle East to threaten Texans or our critical infrastructure, understand this clearly: Texas will respond with decisive and overwhelming force to protect our state,"    Catch up quick: The FBI declined to say if it was treating the shooting as domestic or foreign terrorism. The incident left three dead and 14 injured.   view article

EL PASO — Seventeen measles cases have been reported in El Paso, including 13 at the Camp East Montana Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center, health officials said Thursday.  The cases at the ICE detention center are outside the city’s jurisdiction and reported through federal authorities, the El Paso Department of Public Health said in a news release. City health officials are coordinating with federal partners and have provided testing support and vaccines for prevention efforts, the release states.  Earlier this month, two cases of tuberculosis and 18 cases of COVID-19 were identified at the ICE detention facility, which is located on Fort Bliss. view article

The Federal Aviation Administration closed more airspace near El Paso in response to the incident, officials said.  FORT HANCOCK, Texas — The U.S. military used a laser Thursday to shoot down a Customs and Border Protection drone, according to members of Congress, and the Federal Aviation Administration responded by closing more airspace near El Paso.  Just over two weeks ago, the FAA shut down the El Paso airport and the surrounding area after another use of an anti-drone laser. This time, commercial flights are not affected by the expanded airspace closure over Fort Hancock. view article

Texas’ comptroller is the state’s top accountant. The candidates are campaigning on culture wars.  Ultimately, decisions about how Texas spends money, funds state agencies and cuts budgets or staff are made by the Legislature.  But Hancock, the acting controller, told The Texas Tribune he wants the agency to have more audit powers to probe fraud and waste, and keep local municipalities — like cities and school districts — in check with state laws. view article

WATCH | Pleasant Grove ISD administrators surprise district’s teachers of the year  TEXARKANA, Texas -- A select few teachers across Pleasant Grove Independent School District were surprised in the middle of the day with a big announcement. view article

TEXARKANA -- Officials and weather forecasters urge caution as wildfire risk remains high across the Four States Region.  Dry conditions have led to multiple burn ban orders affecting most area counties and parishes, where all outdoor burning is prohibited until further notice.  Burning is not the only risk, Texarkana, Texas, Fire Chief Chris Black said. view article

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is urging Texas’ health department to deny a license to Camp Mystic, where more than two dozen children and two young adults were killed in the July 4 flash flood last summer.  It comes after the parents of nine victims filed a federal lawsuit earlier Monday against the Texas Department of State Health Services, accusing that state agency of wrongfully licensing the camp two days before the disaster even though the camp lacked an evacuation plan. view article

We have all seen the signs: “BRIDGE FREEZES BEFORE ROADWAY.” Well, it's true, and I'm here to break down why it does just that. Understanding the science behind this phenomenon can help you to not get caught off guard if your drive takes you over bridges, overpasses or elevated roads. view article

We've seen some impressive Southern snow and cold in the past couple of winters. But that can't hold a candle to what happened as the 19th century was about to wrap up. view article

Harris County’s 100-year floodplain could grow by more than 40% under draft maps newly released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  After a nearly four-year delay, FEMA posted last week an early version of the county’s updated floodplain boundaries on its website. The agency is now gathering feedback from local officials before beginning a broader public review process. If adopted, the new maps would mark the first comprehensive update to Harris County’s floodplain boundaries since 2007.  A Chronicle analysis found the county’s flood zones could see substantial expansions. If finalized as currently proposed, the 100-year floodplain would grow by about 130 square miles, a 43% increase compared with today’s boundaries. The 500-year floodplain would increase by about 62 square miles, or 30%. Meanwhile, floodways, which represent the most dangerous areas, would shrink by about 5%. view article

(KNUE-FM) One Texas family is getting creative with a raffle they are having, and the prize is the mineral rights for the 100 acres of land they own. We got the details from KXAN, and the idea is pretty clever.  The Jones Family’s Raffle Details  We all know that owning land in Texas is great, but if you can get the mineral rights, that’s even better. And for years there have been groups that have approached the Jones family for mineral rights to their land in Frio County. The family says, most offers have been around $50 an acre, and they haven’t been willing to sell.  The Jones family is already leasing their land to an oil company for around $2,100 an acre. But now the family is raffling off the mineral rights as several family members approach retirement. So, the money could be more beneficial than the rights. view article

We've certainly had our fill of cold outbreaks recently in the East and South.  But in mid-February 1899, 127 years ago this week, America was in the heart of what weather historian Christopher Burt considers "the greatest cold wave in modern U.S. history."  This outbreak was extreme in magnitude, aerial coverage and longevity. It encompassed the first two weeks of February 1899. view article

Republican lawmakers are rushing a bill that could weaken the state’s environmental laws through the Legislature, alarming Democrats and critics who warn the legislation could seriously affect pollution controls and Alabamians’ health.SB 71, sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, passed the Senate on Feb. 3 and won approval in the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee just two days later in an uncommon Thursday morning meeting.Chesteen said in an interview Friday was an attempt to get the bill on the House floor on Tuesday. It is not on the House’s agenda for Tuesday, but it could be pulled for a vote at any time view article

Although Global LLC closed its two facilities in Sweetwater in 2020, turbine parts were still accumulating at the site.  Attorney General Ken Paxton filed suit against a recycling company and other affiliates for unauthorized disposal of industrial solid waste after it was discovered that the company was illegally disposing of wind turbine parts in Sweetwater.  Global Fiberglass Solutions of Texas LLC, whose primary place of business is located in Kirkland, Washington, was hired by multiple companies to break down and recycle turbine blades and parts. According to Paxton’s suit, the company failed to properly dispose of the materials and have instead created a stockpile of over 3,000 turbine parts.   “Illegal disposal of wind turbines hurts our land and will never be permitted under my watch,” said Paxton. “Just because the radical left calls something a ‘green industry’ does not give any company a free pass to harm Texas countryside, break our laws, and leave Texans to deal with the negative impacts.” view article

Cile Steward's body has never been found. Her parents are suing for at least $1,000,000 in actual and punitive damages.  view article

The move comes as the state’s education agency unveils a new enforcement role to oversee investigations into alleged misconduct by Texas teachers.  The Texas Education Agency has warned school districts that facilitating student political walkouts could lead to a state takeover. This comes as the agency unveils a newly created enforcement role focusing on overseeing investigations into alleged misconduct by Texas teachers.   In a Tuesday statement releasing new guidance on walkouts, absences and political activism on campuses, the agency said it was acting in response to a directive from Gov. Greg Abbott to investigate instances of what the TEA called “inappropriate political activism” in Texas public schools.  Under the new guidance, districts that allow or encourage students to leave class for political protests could face state intervention permitted under state law, including the appointment of a monitor, conservator or a state-run board of managers. The TEA added that teachers who facilitate walkouts could be investigated and face sanctions, including possible revocation of their teaching licenses. view article

Mississippi and West Virginia lose top spots to Connecticut and New York, a Stateline analysis finds.  States that were leaders in childhood vaccination before the pandemic are among those losing ground as exemptions and unfounded skepticism take hold, encouraged by the Trump administration’s stance under U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Expanded exemptions for parents are likely to drop both Mississippi and West Virginia from the top national rankings they held before the pandemic, according to a Stateline analysis of federal data. Other states like Florida, Idaho, Louisiana and Montana also are pushing the envelope on vaccine choice. view article

Because Geraldo Lunas Campos died at a military base, the El Paso District Attorney says any criminal case may fall to federal prosecutors. But criminal law experts say the state doesn’t have to defer to them. view article

Ice and snow on the roads, in parking lots and on walkways is melting. Dallas-Fort Worth school districts decide if it’s enough for kids to return to school. Dallas ISD says no.  After a winter storm hit Dallas-Fort Worth over the weekend and led North Texas schools to cancel class, several districts are starting to announce that they will remain closed Thursday.  Many schools and universities canceled class Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. While sunnier skies returned Wednesday afternoon, helping to melt ice on roads, some districts determined that conditions still did not seem safe enough to have students return to classrooms. view article

Ice and snow on the roads, in parking lots and on walkways is melting. Dallas-Fort Worth school districts decide if it’s enough for kids to return to school. Dallas ISD says no. view article

The fog produces a drizzle that will freeze and form a clear glaze, presenting a hazard similar to black ice. (no article) view article

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered a pause on new H-1B visa applications for foreign workers at all state agencies and public universities, effective immediately through May 31, 2027. This directive aims to prioritize hiring Texans for positions funded by taxpayers, with exceptions requiring Texas Workforce Commission approval.   Key details of the directive:  Scope: Applies to all state-run agencies, public universities, and higher education institutions in Texas.  Duration: The freeze lasts until May 31, 2027.  Data Reporting: Institutions must submit detailed reports on current H-1B holders, including job titles, countries of origin, and expiration dates.  Exceptions: Exceptions may be granted by the Texas Workforce Commission.  Context: This move follows increased scrutiny of foreign worker usage in state-funded institutions, following reports of high-cost sponsorship, according to KSAT. The policy is designed to ensure that state government and educational institutions prioritize Texas residents for employment opportunities.   Gov. Abbott orders Texas universities, agencies to halt H-1B visa ... view article

LUFKIN — ​​Thousands of East Texans remain without power days after a winter storm paralyzed most of the state over the weekend. Many may be without power until Sunday as utility workers traverse icy roads in dense forests to restore power.Winter Storm Fern spread across the U.S. from New Mexico to the Northeast over the weekend, leaving thick layers of ice and snow in its wake. Residents across Texas saw temperatures drop below freezing and power outages that lasted anywhere from a few minutes to days.  East Texas was the only region in Texas to lose power for an extended period of time. view article

Texas winter storm updates: Power grid holds up through its tightest condition on Monday, Gov. Abbott says   While wintry precipitation exits Texas, freezing temperatures will continue Monday over much of the state.  The severe weather has triggered hundreds of flight cancellations in Texas and many school districts are closed  Monday.  While this storm wasn’t as severe as 2021’s Winter Storm Uri, which killed at least 246 people, memories of the grid’s failure are still fresh almost five years later. view article

The district canceled school for Monday and Tuesday.    No matter when schools reopen, Dallas ISD won’t need to add extra days to its calendar to make up for this week’s closures.  Over the weekend, district officials announced school would be canceled on Monday and Tuesday, as roads across much of North Texas remain icy. In their announcement, district officials said they would make those two days up on April 6 and May 4. view article

After closely evaluating road conditions in coordination with the City of La Porte, meeting with the National Weather Service and Emergency Operations officials, and consulting with other area superintendents, La Porte ISD will resume a regular schedule on Tuesday.  Please note that the forecast continues to call for very cold temperatures in the morning. Students and staff are strongly encouraged to dress warmly — in layers — especially those waiting at bus stops.  We appreciate everyone’s patience and support during this time and look forward to seeing our students and staff on Tuesday morning. Adam J. Holland   view article

Houston ISD announced that it plans to reopen classes and resume normal operations Tuesday following the winter storm that brought subfreezing temperatures to the area this weekend. HISD, along with every other public school district in the Houston area, canceled classes Monday out of an abundance of caution due to hazardous travel conditions and dangerously low temperatures.  The district wrote that its facilities and maintenance teams have taken proactive steps to ensure its campuses are ready to welcome students and staff back Tuesday. view article

Austin ISD, Leander ISD and Round Rock ISD are among about a dozen Central Texas schools districts that have canceled classes and extracurricular activities for Monday, Jan. 26, citing continued freezing temperatures and icy roads.  As of 11:30 a.m., Liberty Hill ISD had not announced a decision on canceling classes. view article

Ice quickly formed on Houston freeways this morning so I encourage y'all to do the same and stay home today and tomorrow. All Houston-area school districts have canceled classes tomorrow. If it's essential to go to the grocery store, we’ve compiled a list of store operating hours for today and tomorrow.  Some areas experienced power outages this morning. If you were impacted, you can track power outages across the state in real time in our tracker.   Local utility CenterPoint Energy, which maintains power lines in the city of Houston and much of the metro area, reported approximately 1,400 customers experiencing power outages as of noon. Company officials said they expect power to be restored to these customers today.  view article

Georgetown ISD is among about a dozen Central Texas school districts that have canceled classes and extracurricular activities for Monday, Jan. 26, citing continued freezing temperatures and icy roads.  view article