Random Thursday Morning Thoughts

Ten years ago to the day, we had a "surprise" snow and ice storm. Since it hit mid-morning, everything began to shut down despite everyone already being at work and school. 

---

• Wild speculation: Carbon monoxide? 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The Texas Voucher bill in the House was officially unveiled, and it already has enough support to pass. One of the many co-authors is Wise County's representative Andy Hopper who, by doing so, has sold out both you and our local schools. No rural representative should ever support using your tax dollars for private schools. But considering his campaign was funded by West Texas Oilmen who are anti-public schools, Hopper's stance should come as no surprise. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Hey, I'm not the only one who feels this way.
  
  
  
• We now have the first death from measles in 10 years. 
  
  
  
• HHS Secretary RFK, Jr. was asked about the death and outbreak at yesterday's cabinet meeting, and he dismissed the news as "not unusual." Video. Honestly, I was surprised to learn that he's actually correct about the outbreak itself not being that unusual. However, the death certainly is.

  

  
  

  
  
• But it's RFK, Jr.'s anti-vax stance that makes me nuts. And later in the day, we got this news from his department:
  
  
  
• As expected, Elon Musk showed up at Trump's cabinet meeting. What was surprising was that Trump invited him to speak first and take questions.  This keeps getting more and more bizarre.
  
  
  
  
  
   
• This was quite the moment. Video.  A mistake like that would get someone in the private sector fired. 
  
  
  
• Last night, the Supreme Court came to Trump's aid in his battle with a court whose orders he has been ignoring. 
  
  
  
• Say what?
  
  
  
  
• Here are the weirdest screenshots from the AI generated video that Trump posted regarding what he wants to do with Gaza. Bearded women, a scantily clad dancer, and Trump and Netanyahu sunbathing. 
  
  
  
• Kind of local legal stuff: She was appointed as judge to the Tarrant County court where the Tanner Horner capital murder case was transferred to out of Wise County. But since a visiting judge has already been designated to try that case, her appointment will not impact that.
  
  
  
• The chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court asked for a 30% raise for all district judges and higher yesterday. (He also asked for bail bond reform although the Texas Supreme Court has no criminal jurisdiction.) 
  
  
  
  
  
  
• On the other end of the spectrum: we have this Texas legal news:
  
  
  
• Messenger - Above the Fold