SUMMARY: The Texas House elected state Rep. Dustin Burrows as their new speaker with a vote of 85 to 55, following former speaker Dade Phelan’s decision not to seek reelection. Burrows gained support from 49 Democrats and 36 Republicans, focusing on issues such as property tax reform, education, and water infrastructure. His election follows a contentious campaign and highlights Republican infighting, particularly around the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton. The Republican Party of Texas plans to censure members who supported Burrows. Despite division, past impeachers among House Republicans were largely reelected, reflecting ongoing tensions within the party.

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SUMMARY: Many domestic violence victims hesitate to leave their abusive relationships due to concerns for their pets. The Battered Women’s and Children’s Center has addressed this issue by establishing a dog kennel, allowing survivors to bring their pets during their stay. As part of Courtney Friedman’s series on domestic violence, she highlights how pets can sway survivors’ decisions to leave dangerous situations, especially when abusers threaten harm to the animals. The kennel is well-equipped to ensure pet comfort, providing food, water, and essential care. Plans for accommodating cats are also underway, emphasizing the shelter’s commitment to supporting both survivors and their pets.

Many domestic violence victims struggle to leave dangerous relationships, often because they don’t want to leave a pet behind — a reason several people don’t think of.

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SUMMARY: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has reintroduced a bill to designate Houthi rebels as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), a label removed by the Biden administration in 2021. Cruz criticized this decision, claiming it enabled Houthi attacks on civilians, Israel, and commercial shipping in the Red Sea. He argues that re-designation would impose stricter sanctions on Houthi suppliers. The Houthis, who overthrew the Yemeni government in 2014, continue to threaten regional stability and have received support from Iran. The bill, co-sponsored by several Republican senators, aims to restore sanctions to counter rising terrorist threats linked to the Houthis under Biden’s policies.

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