Texas
3 Texas counties newly approved for federal disaster declaration following severe storms
Three more Texas counties were added to the Federal Disaster Declaration following the severe storms and flooding that began April 26.
A total of 35 counties — now including Ellis, Navarro and Terrell — qualify for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s individual assistance programs, allowing homeowners and renters to apply for aid.
“Today’s approval of three more Texas counties for the Federal Disaster Declaration will help ensure communities affected by recent severe weather have the assistance they need to rebuild and recover,” Governor Greg Abbott said in a Saturday news release. “I thank our federal partners and emergency response personnel across our great state who are working tirelessly to protect and support their fellow Texans. Texas will continue to provide every necessary resource to regions across the state who are recovering from these storms.”
The individual assistance program provides funding for expenses such as temporary housing, emergency home repairs, uninsured and underinsured personal property losses, disaster legal services, disaster unemployment assistance, and medical, dental, and funeral expenses caused by the disaster.
Counties that currently qualify for the assistance include: Austin, Bell, Calhoun, Collin, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, Eastland, Ellis, Falls, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Henderson, Hockley, Jasper, Jones, Kaufman, Lamar, Leon, Liberty, Montague, Montgomery, Navarro, Newton, Polk, San Jacinto, Smith, Terrell, Trinity, Tyler, Van Zandt, Walker and Waller counties.
To apply for the aid, homeowners and renters can visit disasterassistance.gov, download the FEMA app for mobile devices or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
The governor’s request for public assistance in 20 additional counties is pending review. That program may cover jurisdictional expenses for debris removal, emergency protective measures, roads and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and their contents, public utilities, parks and more.
Counties that are eligible for the public assistance vary from the ones that qualify for individual assistance, including: Austin, Bosque, Brown, Caldwell, Calhoun, Clay, Coleman, Concho, Cooke, Coryell, Eastland, Falls, Freestone, Grimes, Hamilton, Hardin, Harris, Hockley, Houston, Jasper, Lamar, Lampasas, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Limestone, Madison, Mills, Montgomery, Newton, Polk, San Jacinto, San Saba, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller and Washington counties.
Texas
Peanuts, beans and more: Texas Roadhouse discontinued these menu items
See wild rescue of trapped roller coaster riders
Eight people were rescued after the Iron Shark roller coaster stalled at Galveston Pleasure Pier, leaving riders stuck near the summit for hours.
While Texas Roadhouse is known for its signature steaks and rolls, the restaurant has changed its menu over the years.
Texas Roadhouse first opened in 1993 and has become known for favorites like its warm, freshly baked rolls served with honey cinnamon butter and its hand-cut steaks. While many signature items remain, some fan-favorite menu offerings have since been discontinued.
Recently, Tasting Table, which features recipes and news for food enthusiasts, looked back at some discontinued Texas Roadhouse menu items that some may remember fondly.
Here are some of the discontinued menu items at Texas Roadhouse.
Floor peanuts
While some Texas Roadhouse locations may still provide peanuts by request, the practice of throwing the shells on the floor ended with the pandemic, according to Tasting Table.
Users on Yelp also discussed whether peanut shells could be tossed on the floor.
“They still offer peanuts is sealed bags upon request. Just ask for peanuts and they’ll keep on bringing them,” one user said.
Baked beans
While the restaurant offers several side options, such as green beans, mashed potatoes, and seasoned corn, Texas Roadhouse no longer carries baked beans — which are common at steakhouses.
“Always enjoyed Texas Roadhouse but Broke my heart when they took those delicious baked beans off the menu,” a reddit user posted back in 2023, while searching for a recipe.
Original Chicken Critters
While there are Chicken Critters — chicken tenders that are golden-fried and lightly crispy — on the menu today, fans say the original recipe has changed.
Apparently, the tenders were crispier and lighter, according to Reddit users.
“My husband and I talk about the OG chicken critters all the time,” one Reddit user posted.
Sierra Chicken Pasta
The only pasta dish served at Texas Roadhouse has gone viral on TikTok, with many recreating it with their own recipes.
The Sierra Chicken Pasta was made with penne pasta, pieces of crispy bacon, and grilled chicken, all of which were tossed in an Asiago cheese sauce, according to The Takeout.
It doesn’t appear that Texas Roadhouse offers any type of pasta, according to its menu.
Oven-roasted half chicken
The discontinued item came in two styles — plain or barbecue — according to Tasting Table.
The restaurant still offers several chicken options, though, like smothered chicken (served with wide, made-from-scratch gravy) and grilled BBQ chicken.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
Texas
Central Texas soldier dies in Iraq during training incident, Department of Defense says
The overseas death of a U.S. Army soldier from Central Texas is under investigation, the Department of Defense announced Wednesday.
Sgt. Devin A. Seibel, 26, of the Waco suburb of Robinson, died Sunday in a “training‑related incident” at Erbil Airbase in Iraq, officials said.
According to the department, Seibel was an active‑duty soldier supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led coalition campaign launched in June 2014 to defeat the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria.
Seibel was assigned to the Air Ambulance Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, in Fort Carson, Colo.
The department didn’t release any additional information.
CBS News Texas will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Texas
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