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MRT (free): Tropical Disturbance Could Bring Rain to SE TX Friday // #TXLEGE Dems Vow to Use Delay Tactics to Block Redistricting // TX Senate Doubles Down on THC Ban
Here's What You Need to Know in Texas Today.
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MustReadTexas.com – @MustReadTexas
BY: @MattMackowiak
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TUESDAY || 7/22/2025
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TOP NEWS
“Tropical disturbance could bring downpours to Texas. Where could flooding likely happen?” Houston Chronicle's Justin Ballard — “Heavy rainfall is expected, especially east of Houston, as a tropical disturbance makes its closest pass to Texas on Friday. Rainfall totals of less than an inch are expected for most areas along Interstate 45, with higher rainfall totals found mainly across southern Louisiana.
Thursday: Mostly dry for Houston
High atmospheric pressure continues to be the dominant influence in Houston weather on Thursday. Partly cloudy skies in the morning give way to mostly sunny skies by the afternoon. This means temperatures will easily top out in the lower and mid-90s by the afternoon as humidity-driven heat index values surpass 100 degrees.
A few tropical downpours may develop across Southeast Texas by Thursday evening, according to the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh model.
Most of Southeast Texas will stay dry during the afternoon while a few spotty downpours could sneak into the region by the evening commute. Any rain activity that does develop Thursday is expected to remain spotty and mainly east of Interstate 45.
More showers and even some thunderstorms should slide in from the east overnight Thursday into early Friday.
Friday: Heavy rainfall, flood risk
A tropical disturbance moving along the northern coastline of the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday makes its closest approach to Texas by Friday.
Forecast models maintain that the highest rainfall totals will be east of Houston through Friday. Cumulative rainfall totals of 4 to 6 inches across southern Louisiana, with locally higher amounts of 8 or 10 inches, are possible.
Rainfall amounts of an inch or two appear most likely across the eastern half of Greater Houston, with as much as 3 inches possible closer to Beaumont.
If your travel plans take you to Lake Charles or Lafayette in southern Louisiana on Friday, be aware that the area will be under a level 3 out of 4 risk, or at least a 40% chance, of flash flooding, according to the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center.
Weather Prediction Center/National Weather Service
The risk of heavy rainfall begins early Friday, especially east of Houston. If your morning commute brings you into Houston from Mont Belvieu or La Porte, give yourself more time to get into the city.
Houston’s main morning commute, between 6 and 9 a.m., could be rough but road travel will likely worsen by the afternoon. Heavier rainfall is expected to spread across the region by noon, with pockets of especially high rainfall rates likely causing localized street flooding.
The flood risk is highest east of Houston on Friday. The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center has placed southern Louisiana, including Lake Charles, Baton Rouge and Lafayette, under a level 3 out of 4 risk, or at least a 40% chance, of flash flooding.
Weekend: Drying out by Sunday
The tropical disturbance is projected to turn north and move over land via Louisiana by Saturday. With its moisture source dwindling to a trickle, the tropical system will be reduced to scattered but persistent showers and storms.
Drier air filters into Southeast Texas by Sunday, leading to sunny skies and gradually warming temperatures. Sunday’s forecast calls for afternoon temperatures of 94 to 96 degrees for most Houston neighborhoods, before hotter weather finally settles into our region next week." Hou Chron ($)
#TXLEGE
“Texas Democrats vow to use delay tactics to drag out GOP redistricting effort” Texas Tribune
“Texas Senate committee doubles down on THC ban, saying state and local governments don’t have the resources for regulations” Texas Tribune
“Texas Republicans, including Gov. Abbott, were reluctant to redraw the state’s congressional maps. Then Trump got involved” Texas Tribune
STATE GOVERNMENT
“Prosecutors for Ken Paxton cut this alleged sex trafficker a deal. He was just rearrested” TPR
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
“Austin Public Health finds measles in the water” AAS ($)
“‘Respect for the institution’: Mayor Jones shakes up City Hall etiquette, protocols” SAEN ($)
“Fort Worth council member questions late application by ex-Dallas police chief” DMN ($)
2026
“From the Texas House to US Senate? Talarico hints at possible 2026 run” AAS ($)
TEXANS IN DC
“John Cornyn calls for controversial 'Alligator Alcatraz' facility in Texas” SAEN ($)
BUSINESS NEWS
“Tesla to report second quarter earnings on Wednesday” AAS ($)
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
> THE TEXAN: "Texas’ First Special Session of 2025 Kicks Off Today" THE TEXAN
> KXAN: "Redistricting takes center stage on day one of special session" KXAN
> AAS: "When power picks the people: How redistricting in Texas works" AAS
> THE TEXAN: "Speaker Burrows Announces Texas House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting" THE TEXAN
> THE TEXAN: "Flooding, THC, Redistricting: Here's What's on the Texas Legislature's Special Session Agenda" THE TEXAN
> AAS: "Bill vetoed in 2019 returns in special session. Could it have saved lives in Texas floods?" AAS
> AAS: "Texas Republicans set public hearings on redistricting in Austin, Houston and Arlington" AAS
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "McKinney council discusses passed bills from Texas Legislature" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> KXAN: "Committees set up for congressional redistricting in Texas" KXAN
> AAS: "In Texas, protesters demand Abbott focus more on floods during session" AAS
> MY RGV: "As Trump's raids ramp up, a Texas region's residents stay inside — even when they need medical care" MY RGV
> KXAN: "Austin firefighters push back against proposed budget’s staffing requirement changes" KXAN
> KXAN: "Federal funding hold risks 100 Austin ISD jobs, ‘deeply valued’ programs" KXAN
> SAEN: "Texas Attorney General’s Office tells Bexar to ‘phase out’ court system" SAEN
> THE TEXAN: "Harris County Judge Hidalgo Proposes Tax Increase to Continue Childcare Program Launched with COVID-19 Relief Funds" THE TEXAN
> DMN: "Texas man killed wife, lived with her decomposing body for month, officials say" DMN
> HOU CHRON: "Montgomery County judge wrangles kittens, urges pet adoption in hilarious video" HOU CHRON
> TX TRIB: "THC-related poison control calls tripled in Texas after hemp became legal. Experts say there’s more to the story." TX TRIB
> HOU CHRON: "Barbers Hill ISD wants CROWN act case dismissed since student has graduated" HOU CHRON
> HOU CHRON: "5 million above-ground pools recalled after 9 children drowned in 15 years, US agency reports" HOU CHRON
> HOU CHRON: "2 Houston-area teen girls plead guilty to plotting Memorial High School 'mass casualty attack'" HOU CHRON
> DMN: "20 affordable restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth, as chosen by Texas diners" DMN
EXTRA POINTS
Yesterday 's Texas sports scores:
> MLB: Texas 7, Oakland 2
> MLB: Houston 6, Arizona 3
Today's Texas sports schedule:
> 7:05pm: MLB: Detroit at Texas
> 8:40pm: MLB: Houston at Arizona
> 9pm: WNBA: Dallas at Seattle
Tomorrow's Texas sports schedule:
> 7:05pm: MLB: Detroit at Texas
> 8:40pm: MLB: Houston at Arizona
DALLAS COWBOYS: "Micah Parsons: ‘Not really much movement’ in contract extension talks with Cowboys" AP
DALLAS COWBOYS: "Cowboys camp observations: Micah Parsons makes appearance; Dak Prescott looking for rhythm" DMN ($)
SMU FOOTBALL: "SMU’s successful bid to join ACC leads to playoff berth, record donations — and more interest" AP
HOUSTON ASTROS: "Brice Matthews hits first 2 big-league homers, leads Astros past the D-backs 6-3" AP
HOUSTON ASTROS: "Houston Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. goes on injured list with finger blister" Hou Chron ($)
TEXAS RANGERS: "Jung homers in MLB return while Freeman and Helman have big-league firsts for Texas in win over A’s" AP
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