After a bitter cold gripped North Texas this week, renters and homeowners are now turning their attention to one of the biggest pitfalls of winter weather: burst pipes. As the region finally climbs above freezing on Wednesday, pipes that have frozen are at risk of bursting, causing thousands in water damage. Pipes most at risk are in unheated interior spaces …

WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court halted a Texas law Wednesday that bans school library books deemed “sexually explicit,” on grounds it violates free speech rights. The ruling from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals was a setback for right-leaning politicians and parents who’ve spent years trying to scrub library shelves of titles they deem inappropriate — and a win …

Temperatures Wednesday finally climbed above freezing into the 40s. While tonight will be chilly, it won’t be nearly as cold as recent nights. Expect lows in the low 30s. Thursday will be relatively mild with highs in the mid-50s in DFW, maybe even some low 60s farther west. Another strong cold front arrives by Friday. It’ll be “winter coat” cold …

AUSTIN — A string of buoys, erected by Texas last summer to deter migrants from crossing the Rio Grande, can remain in place for now after a federal appeals court vacated a ruling that had required the floating barrier to be removed. Last December, a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the Biden administration, ruling that the …

A North Texas high school was evacuated Wednesday afternoon after authorities got a tip about a bomb threat at the campus, according to the Southlake Department of Public Safety. In a post to X shortly after 2 p.m., the department said it received an anonymous alert regarding a bomb threat at Carroll High School, located in the 800 block of …

Authorities are asking the public’s help to identify three people believed to have been involved in a fatal shooting in Pleasant Grove last month. Shortly after 2:30 p.m. Dec. 30, officers were dispatched to the 440 block of South St. Augustine Drive, where they found 24-year-old Juvenal Antero, who had been shot, police said. He later died at a hospital. Investigators believe …

AUSTIN — Texas will disregard the federal government’s demand to give Border Patrol agents access to the Rio Grande through a state-controlled park in Eagle Pass, Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a blunt reply letter Wednesday. Paxton defended the state’s takeover of Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, saying the “facts and law side with Texas,” and criticized President Joe Biden’s immigration policies. Paxton also blasted …

The line of people pursuing litigation in connection with the Fort Worth hotel explosion grew longer Wednesday, with at least three lawfirms now representing clients who say they were affected by the blast. Houston-based Zehl & Associates announced it is representing eight hotel employees “who were seriously injured” in the explosion, according to a Wednesday news release. The firm is also representing spouses …

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The Houston Police Department is looking for a man who shot and killed a customer and wounded an employee at a tire shop in southwest Houston. Around 8:25 p.m. on Tuesday, officers responded to the 24-Hour Tire at 1415 South Loop West. General manager Robert Moore said the customer was at the business because he had a …

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — You can have the opportunity to learn more about a local organization that supports children, young adults, and families receiving care at Texas Children’s Hospital for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Friends of The Periwinkle Foundation presents “Hops & Hot Tamales,” a fundraiser and “friend-raiser” to thank current supporters and invite community members to learn more about the nonprofit …