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Texas declares state emergency over polar vortex

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Texas declares state emergency over polar vortex


Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency in response to the polar vortex, which is bringing snow, ice and freezing rain across the nation.

According to a Monday statement from the governor’s office, emergency response resources, including transportation crews, the National Guard and medical teams, have been activated.

Governor Abbott urged Texans to stay weather-aware, avoid unnecessary travel and locate nearby warming centers through state-provided resources.

Newsweek has contacted the governor’s office via phone and the Texas Division of Emergency Management via email for comment.

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Snow covers the road on Interstate 45 in The Woodlands, Texas, in September 2021. Texas has declared a state emergency over plunging temperatures nationwide.

Brett Coomer/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Why It Matters

The polar vortex has triggered freeze warnings and advisories across Texas, threatening human safety and infrastructure.

The freezing temperatures can cause frostbite and hypothermia as well as damage to crops, vegetation and homes. In the past, the state’s transportation and electricity infrastructure has been severely affected by extreme cold events.

With similar conditions forecast, the state’s proactive measures aim to mitigate risks to residents and critical infrastructure. Texans are bracing for potential power outages and dangerous travel conditions.

What To Know

The National Weather Service has forecast sub-freezing temperatures across central, eastern and northern Texas, with wind chills as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas.

Houston and coastal regions may experience 40 mph wind gusts, while Dallas-Fort Worth faces a possibility of single-digit wind chills.

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More than 700 Texas Department of Transportation personnel have pre-treated roads, bridges and overpasses with brine and granular materials to improve safety.

Emergency teams from multiple state agencies, including the Texas National Guard, have been deployed to assist stranded motorists, monitor power outages and support with medical emergencies.

The Texas power grid failed in 2021 as a frigid storm left more than 4 million without power or access to food and water. The storm also killed hundreds.

What People Are Saying

Governor Abbott on X: “Today, I activated state emergency response resources ahead of severe winter weather expected to impact the state this week. As Texas faces snow, ice, and freezing rain, we’re working around-the-clock to ensure Texans have necessary resources.”

Dylan Federico, meteorologist for Fox 4 Dallas-Fort Worth, on X: “Dangerous situation with wind chills already in the teens in North Texas. It will feel like the single digits tomorrow morning. Stay safe!”

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National Weather Service advice on cold weather safety: “Extremely cold air comes every winter into at least part of the country and affects millions of people across the United States. The arctic air can be dangerous. Combined with brisk winds, dangerously cold wind chill values can result.”

What Happens Next

Texans should prepare for freezing conditions and potential snowfall throughout the week, with warmer temperatures anticipated by the weekend.

State officials will continue monitoring infrastructure and provide updates to ensure public safety.



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Texas man arrested after allegedly throwing bucket of possible human remains toward FBI field office

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Texas man arrested after allegedly throwing bucket of possible human remains toward FBI field office


A Texas man has been charged with abuse of a corpse after he threw a bucket containing suspected human remains over a fence at the FBI’s Dallas field office and posted a video of it on YouTube.

Michael Chadwick Fry, 41, was arrested Thursday and charged with two counts of abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence, the Bartonville Police Department said in a news release.

The investigation began on March 16 when a Bartonville police officer responded to a call from Fry’s mother, who said he asked her for money to pay for a U-Haul. When asked why, he said he “had a body that needed to be moved,” the probable cause affidavit said.

Fry then became “irate” and left the home. Shortly afterward, the officer received information from Fry’s sister that he had “filmed himself on YouTube” at the Dallas FBI field office, the affidavit said.

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The video showed Fry throwing a large, closed white bucket over the fence into the secure parking lot of the FBI building, according to the affidavit.

Fry claimed in the video he was trying to compel the FBI to intervene “in what he describes as wrongdoing by Denton County officials from a past arrest,” the affidavit said. It’s not clear what that alleged wrongdoing was.

An FBI special agent said “the bucket contained numerous bones” that appeared to be human, per the affidavit. The bones are awaiting further forensic analysis.

Fry had also posted another video on YouTube that showed what appeared to be a human skull at his Denton County home.

The mother told police that she found in her vehicle’s GPS history three searches for cemeteries — one in Arlington, Texas, and two in Oklahoma City. She also said she found a shovel that was never at the residence before and her son had started to lock the shed in the back of the home, which he didn’t do previously, the affidavit said.

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In the investigation by Bartonville police and FBI agents, Fry was found to have posted videos online showing separate human remains and an urn of ashes.

Investigators later determined that Fry had stolen an urn containing human remains from a cemetery in Oklahoma City — which was the subject of an Oklahoma City Police Department investigation from February, according to Bartonville police.

FBI agents also found evidence at a cemetery in Denton, Texas, “indicating that a coffin containing human remains had been removed from a mausoleum,” Bartonville police said.

Officials did not disclose whom the remains belonged to or why Fry might have targeted them.

The case remains active and next of kin have been notified, police said.

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Fry remained in custody Sunday on a $30,000 surety bond, according to booking records. It’s not immediately clear if he has retained a lawyer.

Fry had made headlines in the past for ramming a truck into a FOX 4 building in downtown Dallas in 2018. In that case, police determined Fry was upset about a 2012 police shooting in Denton County that killed his friend. He apologized to the local news station during a court hearing, FOX 4 reported.



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Where to watch LSU vs. Texas Tech in March Madness Second Round: Time, TV Channel

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Where to watch LSU vs. Texas Tech in March Madness Second Round: Time, TV Channel


March Madness is underway and college basketball’s big dance continues with No. 2 seed LSU taking on No. 7 seed Texas Tech in a Second Round matchup on Sunday, March 22. Here’s everything you need to know to tune in for the clash between the Lady Raiders and Lady Tigers.

USA TODAY Sports has a team of journalists covering women’s March Madness to keep you up to date with every point scored, rebound grabbed and game won in the 68-team tournament.

USA TODAY Studio IX: Check out our women’s sports hub for in-depth analysis, commentary and more

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Join the USA TODAY $1 million Bracket Challenge

What time is Texas Tech vs LSU Second Round game?

No. 2 LSU vs No. 7 Texas Tech tips off at 3:00 PM (ET) on Sunday, March 22 from Pete Maravich Assembly Center (Baton Rouge, Louisiana).

What channel is Texas Tech vs LSU Second Round game?

No. 2 LSU vs No. 7 Texas Tech is airing live on ABC.

How to stream Texas Tech vs LSU Second Round game

No. 2 LSU vs No. 7 Texas Tech is available to stream on Fubo.

Watch the NCAA Tournament all March long with Fubo

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Women’s March Madness schedule today

See the schedule, live scores and results for all of Sunday’s NCAA Tournament action here.

2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament full schedule

  • March 18-19: First Four
  • March 20-21: First Round
  • March 22-23: Second Round
  • March 27-28: Sweet 16
  • March 29-30: Elite 8
  • April 3: Final Four
  • April 5: National Championship

Join the USA TODAY Survivor Pool to win cash prizes



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Kahil Fennell of Texas-Rio Grande Valley takes over struggling Western Michigan program

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Kahil Fennell of Texas-Rio Grande Valley takes over struggling Western Michigan program


KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) — Western Michigan has hired Kahil Fennell away from Texas-Rio Grande Valley to take over its struggling men’s basketball program, athletic director Dan Bartholomae announced Saturday.

Fennell was 35-29 in two seasons with the Vaqueros and will take over a WMU team coming off its eighth straight losing season and fourth under Dwayne Stephens, who was fired two weeks ago. The Broncos were 10-21 this season and tied for last in the Mid-American Conference.

“As we set out to find our next head coach, we sought a leader who not only had experience working with some of basketball’s finest programs and coaches, but one who had also led his own program to new heights at the Division I level,” Bartholomae said.

“We also sought someone who would be a great community partner as we prepare for the most transformative event in the history of our athletics program,” he added. “There is no question that Western Michigan University and the entire Southwest Michigan community has found that leader in Kahil. His track record of recruiting, developing and connecting with student-athletes stood out, and his vision and leadership acumen was unmatched.”

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Fennell was an assistant at Louisville and BYU before he was hired to lead a UTRGV program that had won six games in 2023-24. His first Vaqueros team went 16-14. This season, UTRGV finished 19-14 and third in the Southland Conference.



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