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MRT (free): Flooding Death Toll Hits 109 // Ten Arrested in ‘Planned Ambush’ at Alvarado Detention Center // Plummer Steps Down to Run for Harris County Judge
Here's What You Need to Know in Texas Today.
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MustReadTexas.com – @MustReadTexas
BY: @MattMackowiak
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TUESDAY || 7/8/2025
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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)
AUSTIN NEWSLETTER LAUNCHED
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TOP NEWS
“Texas rescuers soldier on for fifth day; flooding death toll at 109,” USA Today's Jeanne Santucci and Jorge L. Ortiz — “Search and rescue operations in central Texas entered their fifth day Tuesday after heavy rainfall overwhelmed the Guadalupe River, sending floodwaters roaring through homes and summer camps and killing over 100 people.
The death toll rose to 109, including at least 27 children and counselors from the beloved Camp Mystic, a storied Christian girls camp in Kerr County, where flooding hit the hardest beginning July 4. At least 30 children were among those killed in the county, Sheriff Larry Leitha said in an update Tuesday morning.
Five Mystic campers and one counselor remain unaccounted for, said Leitha, who updated the county's death toll to 87, up from 84 the previous day. Officials in Kendall County also said Tuesday that the death toll there rose to seven, up from six. In Burnet County, a fifth person was confirmed dead, Capt. Mike Sorenson with the sheriff's office confirmed to USA TODAY.
The last "live rescue" was made on Friday, said Jonathan Lamb with the Kerrville Police Department.
The flooding came in the early-morning hours, and the rainfall caused the nearby Guadalupe River to surge over 26 feet in less than an hour, according to Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
By Tuesday, forecasters said storms would taper off, finally providing search and rescue teams some relief.
As first responders and volunteers continued to scour the region for any sign of life, rescuing people clinging to trees using helicopters, the death toll has steadily risen. Parents nationwide looked on with anxiety and horror as the toll at Camp Mystic became clearer. Photos of the aftermath show children's bunks caked in mud, belongings strewn about and a building with an entire wall missing.
"We will not stop until every missing person is found," Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has pledged." USA Today
TOP NEWS
“Hills, rivers and rocky terrain: Why the Hill Country keeps flooding” Texas Tribune
“10 held in Texas immigration detention center shooting that was ‘planned ambush,’ US attorney says” AP
“Texas officials report first West Nile cases of the year, urge mosquito precautions” DMN ($)
“University of St. Thomas in Houston names first female president” Hou Chron ($)
BUSINESS NEWS
“Nvidia nearing announcement of big lease near The Domain, sources say” ABJ ($)
“Dallas Regional Chamber president stepping down” DMN ($)
STATE GOVERNMENT
“TxDOT notifying drivers after breach results in 300K crash reports downloaded with personal info” Hou Chron ($)
2026
“Houston council member Letitia Plummer launches bid for Lina Hidalgo's seat for Harris County judge” Hou Chron ($)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
“Plummer's county judge campaign announcement opens her Houston City Council seat. What happens next” Hou Chron ($)
“Dallas County judge gets 2nd sanction for jailing man, revoking bond despite recusal” DMN ($)
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
“Congress delivers $10B to NASA with 'Big, Beautiful Bill,' saving Houston-led program from Trump cuts” Hou Chron ($)
“Trump praises Texas flood response, says it prevented dozens more deaths” SAEN ($)
TEXANS IN DC
Release: “Sen. Cruz Announces Key Senior Staff Hire,” via office of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) announced the hiring of John Etue as Chief of Staff in his Washington, D.C. office.
A Texas native, John Etue most recently served as Chief of Staff for U.S. Representative Roger Williams (TX-25), Chair of the House Small Business Committee. From 2009 to 2013, John served as Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison’s (R-TX) Advance Director. John holds a degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
Sen. Cruz said, “I’m proud to announce the hiring of Texan John Etue as my new Chief of Staff. John has over two decades of experience working for Congressman Roger Williams, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, and the Texas state legislature. He is a native Texan and a selfless civil servant who will be an indispensable member of our team. Welcome to the team, John.”
John Etue said, “I’m excited to be joining Team Cruz to bring the strong Texas spirit to Washington, D.C. It’s an honor to work for Senator Cruz and to support him in executing his legislative agenda and vision for America. I look forward to this new chapter.”" Office of Sen. Cruz
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
> HOU CHRON: "Kerr County asked Texas for help multiple times in 8 years. It said no." HOU CHRON
> FWST: "Tenants affected by Fort Worth apartment fire protest after two weeks without answers" FWST
> KXAN: "Federal leaders spar on NWS flood warning response, pose safety review after Texas disaster" KXAN
> KXAN: "State of Texas: Allred launches Senate campaign, challenger pushes a different plan" KXAN
> SAEN: "Texas lawmakers failed to pass bill to improve disaster warning systems" SAEN
> KXAN: "Ted Cruz defends National Weather Service alerts in Texas floods, decries ‘partisan finger pointing’" KXAN
> HOU CHRON: "Texas flooding: Death toll in Kerr County rises to 84, including 28 children" HOU CHRON
> SA REPORT: "Jones' new chief brings stacked military resume, DEI experience" SA REPORT
> HOU CHRON: "Coast Guard swimmer saved 165 lives at flooded Camp Mystic, U.S. officials say" HOU CHRON
> AAS: "Austin fire chief faces no confidence vote over delayed Kerr County flood response." AAS
> TX TRIB: "Hills, rivers and rocky terrain: Why the Hill Country keeps flooding" TX TRIB
> HOU CHRON: "How has the Guadalupe River flooded before? Search our database." HOU CHRON
> FWST: "Fort Worth-area restaurant donating 100% of sales to Central Texas flood victims" FWST
> HOU CHRON: "Fact check: Can cloud seeding cause the Texas Hill Country floods?" HOU CHRON
> MRT: "Authorities will wait to address questions about Texas floods" MRT
> MY RGV: "Motive unknown in ‘active shooter incident’ at RGV Border Patrol station" MY RGV
> SAEN: "Infection danger lurks in Guadalupe River floodwaters" SAEN
> TPR: "Guadalupe River flood: How to help and how to find help" TPR
> AAS: "Camp Mystic confirms 27 deaths, 11 still missing after deadly Texas flooding: What we know" AAS
> THE TEXAN: "North Texans Offer Help, Fundraising for Central Texas Flood Survivors" THE TEXAN
> KXAN: "Camp Mystic: 27 campers, counselors dead; still searching for 10 others" KXAN
> HOU CHRON: "Houston man helped his family escape Guadalupe River floods — then vanished" HOU CHRON
> THE TEXAN: "Camp Mystic Mourns 27 Campers, Counselors Lost in the Hill Country Flood" THE TEXAN
> HOU CHRON: "Houston restaurants donating to Hill Country flood relief efforts" HOU CHRON
EXTRA POINTS
Recent Texas sports schedule:
> MLB: Cleveland 7, Houston 5
> MLB: Los Angeles (Angels) 6, Texas 5
> WNBA: Phoenix 102, Dallas 72
Tonight's Texas sports schedule:
> 7:10pm: MLB: Cleveland at Houston
> 8:38pm: MLB: Texas at Los Angeles (Angels)
> 9pm: WNBA: Dallas at Phoenix
Tomorrow's Texas sports schedule:
> 7pm: WNBA: Dallas at Chicago
> 7:10pm: MLB: Cleveland at Houston
> 8:38pm: MLB: Texas at Los Angeles (Angels)
DALLAS COWBOYS: "Cowboys agree to five-year extension to keep future training camps in Oxnard" DMN ($)
HOUSTON ASTROS: "Another day, another unheralded star as Houston Astros keep rolling: 'The standard is winning'" Hou Chron ($)
TEXAS RANGERS: “Schanuel walks with bases loaded in 9th to lift Angels over Rangers 6-5" AP
DALLAS MAVERICKS: "Mavericks’ Anthony Davis undergoes surgery to repair detached retina" DMN ($)
TEXAS MEN'S BASKETBALL: "Texas basketball: Sean Miller adds German forward Declan Duru" AAS ($)
DALLAS WINGS: "Sami Whitcomb scores 36 and Alyssa Thomas has 16th triple-double in Mercury’s win over Wings" AP
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