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Judge Morris Overstreet, first African American elected to statewide office in Texas, dies at 73 | Houston Public Media

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Judge Morris Overstreet, first African American elected to statewide office in Texas, dies at 73 | Houston Public Media


Warford-Overstreet Mortuary

Judge Morris Overstreet (July 10, 1950-March 3, 2024)

The first African American elected to statewide office in Texas died Sunday in Houston. Judge Morris Overstreet was 73.

Overstreet was born in Amarillo and earned his law degree at Texas Southern University in Houston in 1975. He began his legal career in the Potter County District Attorney’s Office. After several years in private practice, he was elected a county court at law judge in 1986. Then in 1990, he won election to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, serving until 1998.

“He gave African Americans a belief that it could be done,” said James Douglas of TSU’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law, who considered Overstreet his closest friend. “But also, he brought a different perspective to the Court of Criminal Appeals in terms of the way you look at the law and the way it affects other people.”

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After leaving the court, Overstreet taught at TSU for six years.

“He was a tremendous teacher, and students had a great deal of respect for him,” Douglas said. “He was extremely demanding and made the students better than they thought they could be.”

According to the law firm Hance Scarborough, where he worked after leaving TSU, Overstreet was a close ally of former President Bill Clinton. He also worked on the campaigns of President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama, former President Jimmy Carter, former Governor Ann Richards, and former Governor Mark White.

In his later years, Overstreet ran unsuccessful campaigns for the Democratic nominations for Harris County district attorney in 2016 and for Harris County commissioner for Precinct 3 in 2020.

Services for Overstreet will be held in Houston’s Brentwood Baptist Church on Saturday, March 9, and in Amarillo’s Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church on March 16.

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Texas A&M Chasing SEC History Against Missouri

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Texas A&M Chasing SEC History Against Missouri


Where most teams see a drop-off in their offensive production on the road, for Texas A&M football, the distance from home seems to bring out the best in its offensive playmakers. Dating back to last season, the Aggies have scored 40-plus in four straight true road games, which is good, tied for the longest streak in school and Southeastern Conference history.

Being the stand-alone record-holder will be no easy task, as the Missouri Tigers pose a difficult challenge in the Maroon and White’s quest for regular-season perfection. A new face will represent them on the field of battle, with quarterback Matt Zollers tasked to defend their home turf.

Nevertheless, the Aggies have themselves the playmakers necessary to spoil the Tigers’ blackout game and return from a long hiatus from Kyle Field unblemished. Still, in the SEC, there’s no such thing as a pushover opponent, no matter who is under center.

Oct 11, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Mario Craver (1) reacts prior to the game

Oct 11, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Mario Craver (1) reacts prior to the game against the Florida Gators at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images / Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

There are many similarities between the start of this season and that of 2024, namely, a commanding start to the conference stretch. The Aggies have been tearing through their opponents’ defense with ease, summed up perfectly in their second-half plundering of LSU two weekends ago.

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A stark difference, however, is in the firepower the Maroon and White possess. A season ago, the Aggies had limited big-play caliber wide receivers available in their pass-catching unit, but now, there’s no doubt that they have among the best in the SEC.

Wide receivers Mario Craver and KC Concepcion have revitalized the way A&M’s offense operates with quarterback Marcel Reed, as the duo is not limited to just hauling in passes. Both pose threats running the ball, while Concepcion has become one of the most dangerous punt returners in the conference, as he has brought two kicks home into the end zone.

With wide receivers Terry Bussey and Ashton Bethel-Roman in the mix as well, the Aggie pass-catchers have the ability to serve up a four-course meal of knockout punches in taking the top off the defense.

Now, as far as the rushing attack, A&M has the lucky position of having one of the deepest and most talented groups in the entire country. With running back Le’Veon Moss out for another game, the Aggies will look to not skip a beat again on the road.

Ground-and-pound running back Rueben Owens II has taken over the RB1 role with ease, while young rookie running back Jamarion Morrow has been a threat in both facets of the game. Then, combining a solid tight end to complete the recipe, there’s a solid offensive effort in the oven for head coach Mike Elko and Co.

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Texas Education Agency appoints conservator for Fort Worth ISD

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Texas Education Agency appoints conservator for Fort Worth ISD


The Texas Education Agency has appointed a conservator to the Fort Worth Independent School District on Thursday to support the district’s low-performing campuses and implement the turnaround plans, according to a news release from the agency.

Christopher Ruszkowski will serve as the TEA conservator for the district, the release said.

He will oversee and direct the actions of the school administration, including the principals and superintendents, report to the agency on the governance activities and academic progress, and attend board meetings and executive sessions.

“This conservator appointment is another opportunity to engage in public service of the highest calling,” Ruszkowski said in a statement shared by the TEA.

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“Throughout my three decades in education, I’ve been honored to take on unique roles during critical inflection points for schools, states and organizations.”

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Ruszkowski previously served as the Secretary of Education for New Mexico and Chief Talent Officer and Associate Secretary of Education for Delaware, according to information provided by the TEA.

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Education Commissioner Mike Morath (right) visits with State Board of Education District 11...

He also serves as the TEA conservator for IDEA Public Schools, one of the largest charter school networks in the state since last year. He is a first-generation American who has obtained degrees from Stanford University and the University of Minnesota, according to the agency.

This is a developing story.



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Cold front moves through North Texas this weekend with freezing temperatures possible by Monday

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Cold front moves through North Texas this weekend with freezing temperatures possible by Monday



Get the jackets ready, North Texas, because following a warm November week, a strong cold front moves in Saturday into Sunday, and drops our temperatures by around 20° as we round out the weekend.

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This is a dry front for us in North Texas, but it will bring moisture to parts of the Ohio River Valley, the Great Lakes, and the East Coast. Parts of the Ohio River Valley and Great Lakes regions will even be looking at a shot for snow.

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No moisture here, but that deep trough for the eastern half of the country will impact our temperatures significantly, shifting our winds out of the north, and ushering in some of the coldest air we have seen since March.

Highs fall from the lower 80s on Saturday, back to the upper 50s and lower 60s by Sunday afternoon. 

The really cold shot of air arrives Monday morning. With clear skies, northerly winds, and radiational cooling, expect temperatures to fall back into the 30s for much of North Texas Monday morning. 

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Parts of the metroplex may see temperatures drop near freezing, which would mark the end of the growing season for those areas. 

It will be our areas along the Red River, and our western spots that are looking at a more certain chance for freezing temperatures on Monday morning.

Have the jackets ready, and make sure the kids are bundled up as we kick off the new school week.



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