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Sweltering, dangerous heat across Texas Monday. Excessive Heat Warnings in effect, with afternoon “feels like” temperatures as high as 120 degrees. No relief in sight.

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Around Texas 

1. Houston legend Big Pokey dead at 45 after collapsing during a Beaumont show

Houston rap legend Big Pokey died Sunday at age 45, according to local media reports.

The rapper, whose real name is Milton Powell, collapsed at a bar during a performance Saturday, but the cause of his death is currently unknown.

2. Americans mark Juneteenth with parties, events, quiet reflection on end of slavery after Civil War

Americans across the country this weekend celebrated Juneteenth, marking the relatively new national holiday with cookouts, parades and other gatherings as they commemorated the end of slavery after the Civil War.

While many have treated the long holiday weekend as a reason for a party, others urged quiet reflection on America's often violent and oppressive treatment of its Black citizens. And still others have remarked at the strangeness of celebrating a federal holiday marking the end of slavery in the nation while many Americans are trying to stop parts of that history from being taught in public schools.

3. With summer on the way, energy companies urge customers to conserve energy

With Texas temperatures climbing to triple digits, families are getting out of the house to conserve energy.

Energy companies are working to keep residents happy. CPS Energy has developed a color-coded energy conservation system to keep customers informed.

On these peak energy demand days, CPS asks customers to conserve energy between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and avoid using large appliances like the oven, washer and dryer.

Photo of children playing in water. (AP Image)

Around the Nation

1. Attorney General Garland keeps poker face as firestorm erupts after Trump charges

2. A Utah city violated the First Amendment in denying a drag show permit, judge rules

3. U.S. imposes visa restrictions for some Ugandans following adoption of anti-gay law

Don't Miss This

Deep in the Heart of Texas

A painting of the Wilson brothers working on pottery in the 1800s. (Spectrum News 1/Amber Hughes)

Early Texas Black entrepreneurs' pottery legacy lives on in Seguin

Hirum Wilson was born a slave. In the 1850s, his owner brought him to Capote, Texas, near Seguin.

While enslaved, Hirum and his brother learned the art of pottery making. It's a skill they continued to use after emancipation.