(Talk1370.com) -- All signs point to a fierce battle over the Senate seat currently held by John Cornyn - with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton officially announcing a challenge. That and more in your Morning Headlines.
Paxton Takes On Cornyn: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says he’ll challenge Senator John Cornyn for his seat in next year’s Republican primary. Paxton made the announcement Tuesday night during an interview with Laura Ingraham on Fox News; speculation has been building for more than a year while his legal troubles have gradually faded away, including a decision by the Biden DOJ to not prosecute him. Paxton says he’ll fight for President Trump’s agenda and send Cornyn packing; Cornyn’s campaign, in a statement, called Paxton a “fraud” and promised a spirited campaign - one that analysts say is likely to be among the most expensive in the midterm cycle. No Democrat has announced a run for Cornyn’s seat yet either.
APD Investigating Eastside Shooting: New overnight, Austin Police say they’re searching for a suspect after a shooting in east Austin early this morning. APD says it responded to that call around 12:30am near East Cesar Chavez and San Marcos Streets; once officers arrived on the scene, they found a victim who was transported to a nearby hospital with possible life-threatening injuries. No word on their description; no word on a suspect either. Police did detain a man who entered the crime scene while investigators were working; police don’t believe he was involved in the shooting. That investigation is ongoing.
New Stretch Of 183A Opens: A new 5-mile stretch of the 183A Toll Road is opening to drivers today. The new extension runs from Hero Way all the way to State Highway 29, connecting Liberty Hill and northwest Austin with almost 16-miles of non-stop travel. The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority says for drivers with a toll tag, the new extension will cost $2.38 for a one-way trip. After nearly four years of construction, CTRMA says crews are still working on one final piece of the project - extending the mainlanes north of SH 29 to provide a bypass for drivers. Work on that portion, as well as other finishing touches, is all expected to wrap up in the next few weeks.
Texas Lege Nearing Passage Of First Bill: The Texas House is on the verge of sending the first bill this legislative session to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. The lower chamber gave its initial approval Tuesday to Senate Bill 14 - officially the Regulatory Reform and Efficiency Act, but what some are calling the Texas DOGE bill in a nod to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency effort in Washington. That first vote passed the House on a 97-51 vote; the lower chamber has to pass it one more time before it will be sent to Gov. Abbott. Lawmakers have a little over seven weeks left in the regular session, which comes to an end on June 2nd.
Wednesday's Forecast: Starting off mostly in the 50s this morning... southwest breeze will help push temps into the mid 80s. High of 86; back down into the mid 50s tonight, with a low of 58.
