Your weekend is here, Texas, and it's time to take a look back at some of the stories that were in our headlines this week.
Your Weekend Weather
Clear skies and calm weather stay with us through Saturday. Expect warmer afternoons with highs soaring to the mid-70s to mid-80s across the state both Saturday and Sunday. Sunday clouds gradually increase throughout the day.
Take a look at your local weekend forecast: Austin | San Antonio | Dallas
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Watch the latest news and more local stories from across the country.
Watch the latest news and more local stories from across the country.
The Week in Review
1. Texas adds 22 measles cases in an outbreak that led to a child's death
The number of people with measles in Texas increased to 146 in an outbreak that led this week to the death of an unvaccinated school-aged child, health officials said Friday.
The child who died Tuesday night is the first in the U.S. from the highly contagious but preventable respiratory disease since 2015, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. The child was treated at Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock, though the facility said the patient didn’t live in Lubbock County.
2. Texas Senate approves bill prohibiting lottery ticket purchases through third-party couriers
A bill banning online lottery courier services passed the Texas Senate unanimously on Thursday.
Senate Bill 28 was authored by Sen. Bob Hall, R-Rockwall. Couriers who buy tickets from stores for online customers to circumvent in-person mandates are the main target of this bill.
3. ICE reports over 100 arrests in Colony Ridge during immigration raids
Over 100 people were arrested Monday at Colony Ridge, a majority Latino housing development near Houston, during an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation, according to the Texas Tribune.
Colony Ridge has been under scrutiny for years, accused of selling land to undocumented immigrants; however, some critics alleged cartel involvement, a claim disputed by law enforcement.
4. Texas Senate approves bill centered on teacher salary increases
The Texas Senate approved Senate Bill 26, a bill to increase teacher salaries statewide, on Wednesday. The bill was passed unanimously.
SB 26 would give yearly raises to teachers with three or more years of experience and extra raises to those with five or more years.
5. Texas Ag commissioner urges ranchers to exercise caution after IED kills 2 in Mexico
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is urging agricultural workers who operate near the U.S.-Mexico border to stay vigilant after two people were killed by an improvised explosive device (IED).
The incident follows a travel advisory from the U.S. Consulate last month due to gun violence and explosives in the area.
6. Canada House withdraws from South by Southwest amid tensions between the U.S. and Canada
Billboard Canada reports that the Canadian Independent Music Association has called off its Canada House event at South by Southwest due to escalating political and economic issues between Canada and the U.S.
Canadian imports will face a 25% tariff as of March 12. The implementation of tariffs overlaps with the South by Southwest festival (March 7-15).
Around the Nation
Data released Friday showed that consumers slashed their spending by the most since February 2021, even as their incomes rose. On a positive note, inflation cooled, but President Donald Trump’s threats to impose large import taxes on Canada, Mexico, and China -- the United States’ top trading partners -- will likely push prices higher, economists say. Some companies are already planning to raise prices in response.
A Look Ahead
South by Southwest begins March 7 and ends March 15. The festival offers films, interactive media, music festivals and conferences for attendees to enjoy.
