Texas News Digest

Good afternoon! Here’s a look at AP’s general news and sports coverage in Texas at this hour. Questions about coverage plans are welcome and should be directed to the Dallas AP at 972-991-2100, or, in Texas, 800-442-7189. Email: aptexas@ap.org. Jill Bleed is at the desk.

Reminder: This information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change. Expected stories may not develop, or late-breaking and more newsworthy events may take precedence. Advisories and digests will keep you up to date. All times are Central.

Some TV and radio stations will receive broadcast versions of the stories below, along with all updates.

For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan at newsroom.ap.org.

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TOP STORIES:

AMERICA PROTESTS-FLOYD PROFILE

HOUSTON — In the Houston housing project where he grew up, George Floyd was respected as a man who spoke from hard, but hardly extraordinary, experience. He had nothing remotely like the stature he has gained in death, embraced as a universal symbol of the need to overhaul policing and held up as a heroic everyman. But the reality of his 46 years on Earth, including sharp edges and setbacks Floyd himself acknowledged, was both much fuller and more complicated. He was the star athlete who went to prison, the proud son of a tough neighborhood who decided the only way forward was to leave it behind. By Luis Andres Heneo, Nomaan Merchant, Juan A. Lozano and Adam Geller.

AMERICA PROTESTS-POLICE TECH TARGETED

AUSTIN, Texas — Authorities are investigating interference with radio communications and websites or networks used by police and other officials during protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. By Acacia Coronado and Kathleen Foody.

POLICE FUNDING-HOUSTON

HOUSTON — An effort to reallocate nearly $12 million from the Houston police department’s upcoming budget as part of sweeping police reform measures was denied by City Council on Wednesday. Houston Councilwoman Letitia Plummer had proposed redirecting the money in order to fund several measures, including strengthening a police oversight board, enhancing police de-escalation training and creating a program that would have provided no interest loans to minority owned businesses. But City Council voted against Plummer’s proposal to include the measures in Houston’s fiscal year 2021 budget, which begins on July 1. The debate over police funding in Houston mirrors similar ones across the country that have taken place in the wake of protests over the death of George Floyd. By Juan A. Lozano. UPCOMING: 500 words.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MIGRANT CHILDREN

HOUSTON — A federal judge has temporarily stopped President Donald Trump’s administration from expelling a teenager to Honduras under a policy enacted during the coronavirus pandemic that didn’t give the teen the chance under federal law to stay in the United States. By Nomaan Merchant.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-TEXAS

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas has surpassed 2,000 hospitalized coronavirus patients for the first time. But Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday that “everything remains largely contained” as the state prepares to lift more restrictions this week.

ALSO OF NOTE:

AMERICA PROTESTS-OTHER CASES

Protesters have been galvanized around the world by the death of George Floyd, who pleaded for air and eventually stopped as as a police officer in Minnesota pressed his knee into his neck. Alongside his story, demonstrators are speaking out about deaths in their hometowns. By Lindsey Whitehurst.

ELECTION 2020-REPUBLICAN CONVENTION

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Jacksonville, Florida, is the front-runner to host the celebration marking President Donald Trump’s acceptance of his party’s nomination for reelection. By Bobby Caina Calvan and Jill Colvin.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-WHOOPING CRANES

NEW ORLEANS — The COVID-19 pandemic is drastically cutting the number of young whooping cranes to be released this fall to boost flocks of the world’s rarest cranes. By Janet McConnaughey.

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