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[MustReadTexas.com]([link removed]) – [@MustReadTexas]([link removed])
BY: [@MattMackowiak]([link removed])
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**TUESDAY **|** **4/22/2025
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**Good Tuesday afternoon.**
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_“If something of importance is known in Texas, Matt knows it. With a decline in the number of credible news organizations, the Must Read Texas morning email is indispensable for anyone that wants to continue to be informed.” – Former U.S. Senator __**Phil Gramm**__ (R-TX)_
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* **TOP NEWS**
"**Man accused of shooting Deputy Sheila Jones in downtown Houston courthouse shootout is identified**” Houston Chronicle's **John Wayne Ferguson **-- "The man accused of [shooting a Harris County deputy constable in downtown Houston]([link removed]) Monday afternoon was identified Tuesday morning in charging documents accusing him of aggravated assault of a public servant and unlawful carrying of a weapon.
**Parnell Bland**, 34, of Houston, is accused of shooting Precinct 1 deputy constable **Sheila Jones**, according to court records. Jones survived the shooting after a bullet was stopped by her ballistic vest, officials said Monday.
Five deputies approached Bland Monday afternoon after receiving a call about a weapons disturbance near the Harris County Family Law Center. Bland, who authorities said was carrying two handguns, allegedly fled from the deputies before turning and firing a shot at Jones. The deputies returned fire, striking Bland multiple times.
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Bullets from the shootout also shattered a window at the county's jury assembly building and broke a pane in a county office building. Only Bland and Jones were hit. Both were expected to survive, officials said.
Bland could ultimately face more assault charges for firing on the each of the deputies who responded to the call, as well as other possible gun charges, Harris County District Attorney **Sean Teare** said Monday.
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Bland's criminal history in Harris County includes six felony convictions, three of which were for possession of cocaine. His most recent conviction was for theft in 2018. Bland pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months in state jail. Felons aren't allowed to own or carry weapons in public in Texas.
Bland also has a record of misdemeanor and felony arrests in Liberty County dating back to 2016, including convictions for drug possession, DWI and trespassing. His most recent arrest in Liberty County was in October, when he was sentenced to 45 days in jail on a trespassing charge, according to court records.
On April 15, Bland was also charged with misdemeanor criminal trespass. He was scheduled to appear in Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 3 on Tuesday morning on that charge.
Officials on Monday didn't speculate why Bland brought the guns downtown or where he might have been going before police were called. Precinct 1 Constable **Allen Rosen** said Bland may have mental health issues, but didn't elaborate.
Court records show that in 2018, Bland was ordered to receive mental health treatment and be restored to competency before facing his felony theft charge. He was deemed fit to stand trial after around 7 months of treatment.
Bland was being treated for his wounds as of Monday, and on Tuesday was not yet listed as being in custody at the Harris County Jail. He was scheduled to make a preliminary appearance in front of a Harris County district judge on Wednesday. Prosecutors have already asked for a hearing to be scheduled so they may argue for Bland's bail to be denied." [Houston Chronicle]([link removed]) ($)
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* **TOP NEWS**
"**About 70 Dallas Fire-Rescue firefighters respond to overnight apartment fire**” [DMN]([link removed]) ($)
"**Plan for San Antonio-to-Austin trail is picking up steam, organizers say**” [SAEN]([link removed]) ($)
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* **LOCAL GOVERNMENT**
**“Houstonians cautious of country’s future but satisfied with Whitmire and Hidalgo, Hobby poll says**” [Houston Chronicle]([link removed]) ($)
**“Exclusive: Democratic leaders rebuke John Whitmire's plans to appear at Dan Crenshaw fundraiser**” [Houston Chronicle]([link removed]) ($)
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* **STATE GOVERNMENT**
**“Gov. Greg Abbott expands Texas border wall in new deal with Laredo, even as crossings plummet**” [SAEN]([link removed]) ($)
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* **2025**
**“Early voting starts today in San Antonio’s 2025 mayoral election. Here’s what to know**” [SA Report]([link removed])
**“What are the top issues in the upcoming Dallas City Council races?**” [DMN]([link removed]) ($)
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* **2028**
**“Is Ted Cruz running again? Texas carves out unique lane in Trump’s GOP**” [The Hill]([link removed])
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* **BUSINESS NEWS**
**“USAA reports blockbuster 2024, adds members, posts near-record profit**” [SAEN]([link removed]) ($)
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* **NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE**
> AAS: "**Texas Senate resurrects 'bathroom bill' barring trans people from using certain facilities**" _[AAS]([link removed])_
> AAS: "**Texas tort reform proposal could curb pricey verdicts in personal injury cases. Here's why**" _[AAS]([link removed])_
> THE TEXAN: "**Patrick Recommends Senate Concur with House School Choice Bill Amendments**" _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> THE TEXAN: "**Senate Bill Would Prohibit Student Visa Holders from Supporting 'Terrorist Activity' at Texas Universities**" _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "**Here is what Flower Mound, Highland Village and Argyle voters need to know for early voting**" _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
> AAS: "**Texas anti-squatter bills could mean faster evictions. Here's what renters should know**" _[AAS]([link removed])_
> THE TEXAN: "**Carroll ISD Opposes Bill Allowing Student Transfers Between School Districts**" _[THE TEXAN]([link removed])_
> KXAN: "**Catholic Diocese of Austin bishop appointment delayed after Pope Francis’ death**" _[KXAN]([link removed])_
> FWST: "**18-year-old run over at gas station dies, TX cops say. Driver accused of murder**" _[FWST]([link removed])_
> FWST: "**Huge fossil from one of the largest dinosaurs found in Texas national park**" _[FWST]([link removed])_
> DMN: "**Texas purchases a 1,100-acre swath of land, with intent to create a new state park**" _[DMN]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: "**In this Texas county, credit card skimmers get life in prison. Is that too much?**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: "**Outage knocks out power at the Texas Medical Center. Here's what to know.**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> FWST: "**3-year-old torn from dad’s arms during assault, MO cops say. He’s still missing**" _[FWST]([link removed])_
> FWST: "**‘It was an exorcism’: Fort Worth man beat his mother to death, police say**" _[FWST]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "**$2.4M contract to improve West University's aging water distribution system**" _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: "**Shootout at downtown Houston courthouse wounds deputy and suspected shooter**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "**The Woodlands tackles tree loss due to invasive species and climate patterns**" _[COMMUNITY IMPACT]([link removed])_
> FWST: "**North Texas storm update: Tornadoes confirmed in Parker, Jack and Erath counties**" _[FWST]([link removed])_
> HOU CHRON: "**4 accused of using USPS keys to steal mail, identities of dozens of people**" _[HOU CHRON]([link removed])_
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* **EXTRA POINTS**
Last night's Texas sports scores:
> MLB: **Houston **7, Toronto 0
> NHL: at **Dallas **4, Colorado 3
Tonight's Texas sports schedule:
> 7:10pm: MLB: Toronto at **Houston**
> 9:30pm: MLB: **Texas** at Oakland
Tomorrow's Texas sports schedule:
> 6:40pm: MLB: Toronto at **Houston**
> 8:30pm: NBA: Golden State at **Houston **(TNT)
> 8:30pm: NHL: Colorado at **Dallas** (ESPN)
> 9:05pm: MLB: **Texas** at Oakland
**HOUSTON ROCKETS**: "Houston Rockets will need more from star Jalen Green in series vs. Warriors. 'I got to be better'" Houston Chronicle ($)
**DALLAS MAVERICKS**: "Mavericks’ Nico Harrison takes some accountability, but the damage is far from repaired"_ _[DMN]([link removed]) ($)
**DALLAS COWBOYS**: "Calvin Watkins’ seven-round Cowboys mock draft 2.0: Help at DB; finding a new star at RB" [DMN]([link removed]) ($)
**DALLAS COWBOYS**: "Cowboys expected to pick up Tyler Smith's 5th-year option" [DMN]([link removed])
**DALLAS STARS**: "Five thoughts from Stars-Avs Game 2: With backs against wall, Dallas rallies for OT win" [DMN]([link removed]) ($)
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