A calm, sunny Sunday in Central Texas, except if you're among the last-minute tax filers scrambling to meet tomorrow night's deadline income tax returns. Here are the other items making news this morning:
Wildfires Eat Up More Acreage, Structures
Conditions contributing to the current string of brush fires scarring West Texas may keep crews battling blazes for the next two months. That's the assessment from an official with the Texas Forest Service, who said Saturday it would take significant rain to reverse the tinder-dry conditions across much of the state. Meanwhile, firefighters continue to wrestle with several blazes around the state that have consumed more than 700,000 acres and dozens of homes. One volunteer firefighter died Friday in the battle.
New Lines Could Line Doggett Out
Statesman.com is reporting this morning that U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) could be a target of Republicans, as lines for new congressional districts are drawn. The Texas Legislature is responsible for creating boundaries for those districts, which will include four new seats this year. Presently, Doggett is one of three U.S. House members representing parts of Austin. The other two, Reps. Lamar Smith and Michael McCaul, are both Republicans.
Nice Day for Some Junk
By themselves, collections of blue bottles, bowling balls and other items would probably attract a few "hmms" and some shrugging shoulders. But an assemblage of some of stuff like this can not only be fashioned into art, but it can also be the basis for a tour of homes this weekend in Austin. KUT's Erika Aguilar visited some of the Yard Art homes on display. Today's the last day to tour the homes, between 12:00 and 5:00 p.m.
