Photo: Science Photo Library RF
1 Extreme Heat Threatens 60-Million Americans In 12 States
Texans are being asked not just to conserve power – but to conserve water – as a scorching heatwave stretches across 12 states. The Electrical Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the manager of the state's power grid, suggests things could get tight later, but maintains demand will not go over supply. And it’s worse for those who have ‘smart thermostats’ – not because of their kids’ whining about the heat, but because the power company can change the device in their home remotely. While National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for Texas as heightened fire dangers exist in several states. At last check, firefighters are battling 89 large fires across 12 states. An excessive heat warning was in effect for all of Oklahoma for Tuesday, with highs of 110-112-degrees expected.
2 Outraged Uvalde Parents Demand New School Board
Dozens of angry, heartbroken parents and hundreds of community members tore into the Uvalde, Texas school board Monday night. At the top of their list of questions? Why hasn’t Uvalde School Police Chief Pete Arredondo been fired. The crowd erupted into a chorus of "Shame on you!" as the meeting began. One by one, people slammed the board, questioning school officials' handling of safety and demanding accountability from those who are paid to protect children and school staff. While the board was short on details about their plans for Arredondo, attendees called for the superintendent to be fired and for board members to resign. As Robb Elementary School parent Tina Ann Quintanilla-Taylor thundered, "I am disgusted with your leadership.”
3 Jan 6 House Select Committee Waiting On Secret Service Texts
Ahead of Thursday’s House committee hearing probing the January 6th attack on the Capitol, investigators are waiting on subpoenaed texts from the Secret Service. As we told you before, the Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security says that the Secret Service deleted texts messages both the day before and day of the Capitol riot. Committee members say they expect to get them today. California Representative Zoe Lofgren has said that the data was deleted are no excuse. Meanwhile, Thursday’s hearing is expected to feature two former White House officials: Matthew Pottinger, who served on former President Trump’s National Security Council, and White House aide Sarah Matthews. They both resigned shortly after the attack. When she exited, Matthews said she was honored to serve in Trump’s administration but “was deeply disturbed by what I saw.”