MRT (free): ERCOT: We Are Better Prepared for Winter // Venomous Creatures Wash Up on TX Beaches // TEA Probes 100+ in Certification Cheating Ring // 2 More Enter SA Mayor Race

MustReadTexas.com – @MustReadTexas
BY: @MattMackowiak

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WEDNESDAY || 12/4/24

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• TOP NEWS

“Grid operator says Texas is better prepared for extreme cold this winter,” Texas Tribune's Kayla Guo — “Texas’ grid operator warned that the state should prepare for extreme cold this winter but said the state’s main power grid is better equipped than in previous years to withstand a powerful winter storm.

At a board meeting on Tuesday, officials from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas said that while winter presented a greater risk of outages, new power generation added to the grid in the past year has lowered the probability that extreme cold will trigger emergency conditions.

ERCOT meteorologist Chris Coleman’s forecast predicted above normal temperatures this winter, but a “greater-than-average” chance of extreme cold events.

Extreme cold events have occurred more frequently in recent years, he said, despite abnormally warm temperatures overall in Texas.

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Scientists agree that climate change is causing more extreme weather. But the phrase “climate change” did not appear in any of the presentations at the ERCOT meeting.

Coleman’s presentation to the board said 2023 and 2024 are poised to become the hottest years on record in Texas.

“You can have a warm winter in Texas and have a cold extreme, and that’s becoming more frequent,” he said. “Five of the last eight winters, we’ve had temperatures that met those thresholds.”

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Coleman’s forecast said ocean temperatures, atmospheric patterns, soil moisture and other measures this year closely resemble those of 2021. In February 2021, Winter Storm Uri brought days of freezing temperatures that crashed the state’s grid, knocked out power and heat to millions of Texans and led to nearly 250 deaths." Texas Tribune

DMN: “Traffic snarls North Texas roads as state's population booms” DMN ($)

SAEN: “Thousands of venomous creatures washing up on Texas beaches” SAEN ($)

HOU LANDING: “TEA investigating over 100 educators linked to teacher certification cheating rin,” Houston Landing

FW REPORT: “Fort Worth council conducts closed-door interviews with 5 city manager candidates” FW Report

HOU CHRON: “Houston rodeo announces $28M commitment to education, scholarships” Houston Chronicle ($)

SAEN: “Gina Ortiz Jones enters stacked San Antonio mayor's race” SAEN ($)

SAEN: “Councilwoman Cabello Havrda announces bid for mayor” SAEN ($)

HOU CHRON: “Trump taps billionaire Jared Isaacman to lead NASA” Houston Chronicle ($)

TX TRIB: “Henry Cuellar pitched adding buoys in Rio Grande to deter migrants years ago” Texas Tribune

DMN: “Senate passes Ted Cruz bill cracking down on deepfake nudes” DMN ($)

SA REPORT: “To lead the resistance on Capitol Hill, progressives in D.C. are turning to a Texan” SA Report

• NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

> TX TRIB: "After Texas banned puberty blockers and hormones for trans kids, adults lost care, too" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "Texas’ push to meet soaring power demand with nuclear energy could spark uranium mining revival" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "Texas conservatives plan to further restrict trans lives this legislative session" TX TRIB
> DMN: "ERCOT sees elevated chance of severe winter weather" DMN
> DMN: "2 Dallas restaurants make Yelp's list of best in U.S." DMN
> THE TEXAN: "Texas Lawmakers Propose New Election Integrity Laws After Mishaps in Harris, Bexar Counties" THE TEXAN
> WACO TRIB: "Mike Copeland: Lorena getting its greens; Dickies to California; Paper plant administration; Big space, quick deal" WACO TRIB
> THE TEXAN: "Texas Appeals Court Denies Rehearing Motion in 2021 Blackouts Case Against Generators" THE TEXAN
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Plan for commercial passenger terminal at McKinney National Airport moves forward" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Flower Mound officials consider creating a substance abuse and mental health task force" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Richardson legislative priorities include transportation, fiscal transparency" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> AAS: "APD officer Christopher Taylor to be sentenced in fatal shooting" AAS
> DMN: "Construction on $20.5M chocolate factory near Dallas to begin soon" DMN
> TX TRIB: "Rural providers, advocates push Texas Legislature to "rescue" maternal health care system" TX TRIB
> DMN: "TX bicyclist found safe in Big Bend park after lost Thanksgiving week" DMN

• EXTRA POINTS

Last night's Texas sports scores:
> NBA: Dallas 121, Memphis 116
> NBA: Sacramento 120, Houston 111
> NBA: Phoenix 104, San Antonio 93
> NCAAM: #23 Texas A&M 57, Wake Forest 44
> NCAAM: SMU 101, Alabama State 72
> NCAAM: Tarleton State 90, Dallas Christian 50
> NCAAM: St. Mary's 82, UTSA 74

Tonight's Texas sports schedule:
> 7pm: NCAAM: Arlington Baptist at Texas State (ESPN+)
> 8pm: NCAAM: Abilene Christian at New Mexico State (ESPN+)
> 8:15pm: NCAAM: Texas at N.C. State (ESPN2)
> 8:15pm: NCAAM: DePaul at Texas Tech (ESPNU)

DALLAS COWBOYS: "Cowboys QB Dak Prescott says Mike McCarthy deserves another contract in new interview" DMN ($)

DALLAS STARS: "Stars' Tyler Seguin to undergo surgery, expected to miss 4 to 6 months" DMN ($)

DALLAS MAVERICKS: "Mavs keep NBA Cup hopes alive with massive comeback vs. Grizzlies" DMN ($)

SAN ANTONIO SPURS: "With Victor Wembanyama as centerpiece, Spurs plan defensive monster" SAEN ($)