Additional Disaster Assistance Approved

Seven Texas counties have been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for grants for emergency work and replacement of disaster-damaged public infrastructure, after severe weather and flooding struck much of Deep East Texas, Gov. Gregg Abbott’s office reported. Counties eligible for FEMA’s Public Assistance program include Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity and Walker.

An additional 21 Texas counties remain on review for possible inclusion under the aid program. In addition, a number of counties have been approved for individual assistance funding, for expenses such as temporary housing, emergency home repairs and help with medical, dental, and funeral expenses caused by the disaster. Those include Calhoun, Eastland, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker and Waller counties.

Abbott also announced that the federal food program known as SNAP has approved allowing its recipients to apply for replacement benefits for food that was lost or destroyed in the recent storms.

Any Texan in need can apply for benefits at YourTexasBenefits.com.

Families of Uvalde Shooting Victims Sue DPS Officers 

Relatives of children killed and injured in the deadly school shooting in Uvalde in May 2023 are suing Texas Department of Public Safety officers who were among hundreds of law enforcement that waited well over an hour to confront the gunman at Robb Elementary. The Texas Tribune reported the legal action was taken against 92 DPS officers just days before the two-year anniversary of the shooting. “Nearly 100 officers from the Texas Department of Public Safety have yet to face a shred of accountability for cowering in fear while my daughter and nephew bled to death in their classroom,” Veronica Luevanos, whose daughter Jailah and nephew Jayce were killed, said in a statement to The Tribune.

In addition, the city of Uvalde has agreed to pay those families $2 million to avoid a lawsuit.

A Central Texas ranching family is pushing for a statewide ban on balloon releases after a string of balloons landed in a deer pen, spooking three young deer to thrash against the fence, The Dallas Morning News reported. The owners of 4 Generations Ranch in Crawford posted photographs of deer with cuts on their faces and bodies, and a now-deflated string of pink, blue, orange, and black balloons.

“Balloons don’t go to heaven,” David Meyer told The News on Wednesday. “What goes up must come down.”

At least five states have banned or restricted balloon releases, but efforts to do so in Texas have fallen short.

Grant For Rural Hospitals 

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission will award $17 million in grants for rural hospitals over the next two years.

“I thank Governor Abbott and state lawmakers for this important funding,” said Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Cecile Erwin Young. “Rural hospitals are a critical part of the healthcare system in Texas, and HHSC is proud to facilitate initiatives like this to support Texans and our rural communities.”

The grant will provide qualifying hospitals $100,000 to $375,00 in grants over a two-year period. The money can be used to supplement operational expenses, repay debt, make facility repairs and buy or rent equipment.