The first breath of the bagpipes rose like smoke into still air. They wailed the notes of “Amazing Grace” as mourners honored a man lost to the Central Texas floods: Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Phillips. Via Austin Statesman's Bayliss Wagner: statesman.com/story/news/loc…

Two days after regents named Jim Davis finalist for UT Austin president, he & Senator John Cornyn talked research, intelligence programs & "ending DEI initiatives." SB 17 from 2023 is often considered the toughest state DEI ban on universities, but doesn't limit courses or research.

I went to Marble Falls on Friday to meet the family, friends and colleagues of Fire Chief Michael Phillips, who was washed away by powerful floodwaters during a rescue on July 5. The town honored him in the most Texas way possible: at the rodeo. statesman.com/story/news/loc…

Overnight, Sherry and Terry lost their mother, Betty, and their brothers Doug and Gary in a flood that ravaged Big Sandy Creek July 5. Gary was the last to be identified in Travis County, 21 days later. "We don't want anyone to be forgotten," Sherry said. Here is their story:

Among the expenses: ~150 working lunches for City Manager T.C. Broadnax, totaling ~$3,300. After the Austin Statesman began asking questions, Broadnax said he would repay the city for his meals. My last Austin Statesman story w/ Alex Driggars & Tony Plohetski: statesman.com/story/news/loc…

NEW: As #txlege weighs disaster policies, experts say they're is overlooking a key factor that made the July floods so devastating: unregulated development in flood-prone areas. W/ an interactive FEMA flood map by the very talented Caroline E Ghisolfi: statesman.com/story/news/loc…

NEW: Texas lawmakers asked Travis County to investigate reports of missed 911 calls and to improve its support of communities affected by the July floods. What flood victims testified last night, and how Travis County Judge Andy Brown responded: #txlege statesman.com/news/local/art…

SUNDAY MUST READ: This story about questionable spending by Austin city officials by Ella McCarthy Alex Driggars Tony Plohetski. I actually exclaimed out loud while reading it. statesman.com/story/news/loc… #atx

NEW: Texas Democrats claim that redistricting will disenfranchise the state's Hispanic voters. Republicans say they're amplifying their voices. Who's right? From Emiliano Tahui Gómez and me #txlege statesman.com/news/state/art…

I’m aware of the Leander ISD school bus crash near Sandy Creek on Nameless Rd. Thankfully, no fatalities or life threatening injuries reported among kids. TCSO, ATCEMS, ESD1 & StarFlight responded quickly & are on scene. Reunification center is at Round Mountain Baptist Church.

Follow Austin Statesman and the link below for updates on the Leander ISD school bus crash. Dell Children's Hospital is treating at least 5 children but Travis County Judge Andy Brown said no fatalities or life threatening injuries occurred. Cause of the crash is not yet known.

John Moritz doesn’t even need a desk or a chair and he can still run circles around most of us in the Texas press corps. Just give him some stairs and he’ll write you a solid tale. John C. Moritz