Texas lawmakers race in opposition to the clock on flood restoration
Again in Austin for a particular session, Texas lawmakers have simply 30 days to deal with a rising listing of pressing — and controversial — priorities, and flood restoration is entrance and middle. The devastating July 4 floods throughout Central Texas have made it unimaginable to disregard the cracks in our emergency preparedness methods.
On the desk:
New flood warning methods
Stronger emergency communication networks
Hill Nation catastrophe reduction funding
Streamlined pure catastrophe rules
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick needs new sirens put in alongside the Guadalupe River, arguing that cell alerts aren’t slicing it in low-lying areas. However specialists warning that good intentions don’t equal good coverage — and that missteps in catastrophe planning can price lives. The strain’s on for lawmakers to behave quick and get it proper.
As all the time, we’ll be watching.
How a lot was Breonna Taylor’s life price? In response to the DOJ, 1 day in jail
At some point. A $100 superb.
That’s the punishment the U.S. Division of Justice recommends for Brett Hankison — the previous Louisville police officer who fired blindly into Breonna Taylor’s house the evening she was killed. The DOJ is arguing that Hankison’s stress from being prosecuted is punishment sufficient.
You learn that proper. The person who sprayed bullets by way of home windows and partitions — who helped lead a no-knock raid that stole a Black girl’s life — is being portrayed as a sufferer of trauma. In the meantime, Breonna Taylor remains to be lifeless. Her household nonetheless buried her. And no courtroom memo can undo the violence performed that evening.
Fortunately, the choose was a LITTLE extra empathetic, sentencing Hankison to 33 months in jail. However let’s name this for what it’s: One other chapter within the lengthy playbook of minimizing Black life whereas defending blue strains.
Divine 9 Honorary Lessons are on hearth
Let’s discuss Black excellence. Prior to now few weeks, three powerhouse Divine 9 organizations — Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. — have inducted a hearth listing of honorary members into their ranks.
For these unfamiliar, honorary membership is the best honor bestowed by these organizations on people who’ve made extraordinary contributions to their fields and communities, even when they didn’t pledge as collegiate members.
And this 12 months’s lists? STACKED.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Alpha Kappa Alpha tapped Olympian Gabby Thomas; former White Home Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre; CNN anchor and analyst Laura Coates; and mannequin Beverly Johnson.
Delta Sigma Theta inducted award-winning actresses Queen Latifah and Danielle Brooks; enterprise experts Fawn Weaver, Janice Bryant Howroyd and Toni Townes-Whitley; political strategist/analyst Donna Brazile; and sports activities trailblazers Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Swintayla “Swin” Money.
Phi Beta Sigma welcomed Dr. Howard Fuller, civil rights activist/schooling reform advocate; Edward Okay. Archer, hip-hop artist (Particular Ed); Leon Robinson, acclaimed actor (The Temptations; The 5 Heartbeats; How Stella Acquired Her Groove Again); Dr. George Koonce, former NFL participant/college government; Fred Hammond, Grammy-winning gospel musician; Dr. John Okay. Pierre, Chancellor of Southern College; Dave Huie, trend entrepreneur; and Dr. DeForest Soaries, former Secretary of State for New Jersey.
It’s greater than celeb — it’s legacy. These inductees replicate the mission, values, and cultural management our organizations proceed to uphold and we like to see it!
Extra Southwest Airline modifications
Welp… Southwest Airways is again with extra modifications. Free luggage? A distant reminiscence. $49 fares? A fairy story. And now… assigned seats are on the way in which.
Right here’s what’s new: Beginning July 29, when you’re flying after Jan. 27, 2026, Southwest’s rolling out a brand new group-based boarding system, prioritizing seat location and elite standing. (A-listers and Credit score Card holders will get precedence)
They’re additionally including fare bundles — suppose additional legroom, most popular seating, and many others. Wanna sit up entrance? You’ll should pay up. The exit row (the place I ALWAYS sit) is now an additional price.
I fly Southwest as a result of Passion is nearer to my home and I truly preferred the perks. However now? There’s nothing that basically units them aside. They’re making an attempt to draw new prospects — however let’s be sincere, of us who love lounges and first-class aren’t switching to Southwest.
So… is that this a sensible transfer or nah? We’ll see.
