Texas
Wildfires rage in Texas, Florida, forcing evacuations and road closures
Wildfires driven by dry weather and strong winds spread across parts of the southern United States on Thursday, leading to evacuations in Texas and road closures in Florida amid peak spring break travel.
In Texas, a wildfire in Sam Houston National Forest, near Houston, forced around 900 households to evacuate and led to school closures. The National Weather Service issued heightened fire risk warnings in the region, including around Houston, the country’s fourth-largest city.
The fire, which ignited on Wednesday, had scorched roughly 3.1 square miles (8 square kilometers) by Thursday morning and was only 10 percent contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
So far, no injuries or property damage have been reported. However, as a precaution, the Cleveland Independent School District, which serves around 12,000 students, suspended classes for the day.
Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough praised emergency responders for their efforts in preventing losses. “Firefighters and law enforcement did an incredible job yesterday protecting homes, animals, livestock, and people. It’s hard to believe we’ve lost basically nothing,” he said.
Despite containment efforts, officials remain on high alert. Keough warned that increasing wind gusts and falling humidity levels could worsen conditions. “We’re asking evacuees to remain away from their homes for now,” he said.
Florida Keys fire disrupts travel
A large brush fire that ignited on Tuesday in the Florida Keys led to intermittent closures of US 1, the main highway connecting the islands to the mainland. Authorities also shut down one of the two access roads as crews moved firefighting equipment.
The fire comes as Florida experiences peak spring break travel. US 1 remains a vital route for tourists and local workers commuting to hotels and restaurants in Key Largo and beyond.
Arkansas battles dozens of fires
In Arkansas, firefighters responded to more than 50 wildfires on Wednesday, driven by strong winds. The fires forced road closures, including a section of Interstate 530 near Little Rock, due to heavy smoke.
Flames caused structural damage in multiple cities, including North Little Rock, where the roof of St. Joseph’s, a 115-year-old building that once served as an orphanage, collapsed. The building now houses a nonprofit focused on urban farming.
Drought and winds fuel the fires
Dry and cold weather, followed by gusting winds, has created conditions ripe for wildfires across the South.
In Texas, fire risks stretch from the northern Panhandle, where frozen vegetation has dried out, to the coastal regions. South Florida, which has seen little rain in recent weeks, is expected to experience another dry cold front on Thursday night, meteorologist Donal Harrigan of the National Weather Service in Miami said.
With AP inputs
Texas
Sweep in the heart of Texas: Twins beat Rangers again
A day off at the pool — and a little sunburn — didn’t stop the Minnesota Twins’ momentum.
Brooks Lee hit a three-run homer as Minnesota scored multiple runs in the first inning for the third consecutive game, and the Twins went on to complete a series sweep of the Texas Rangers with a 9-3 win Thursday.
Minnesota has won four games in a row and scored 25 runs in the three-games series in Texas. The two teams had a rare, mid-series day off on Wednesday with the England-Croatia World Cup game being played in Arlington.
“We’re locked in every day,” Lee told Audra Martin on the team’s broadcast. “Yesterday, taking time off, lay out by the pool, get a little burnt and then right back to it. We did a good job getting focused. I feel like we do that with rain delays, too, just lock back in and we’re doing it.”
Lee’s 12th homer capped a four-run first off Jack Leiter (3-7). Trevor Larnach made it 6-0 in the fourth with a two-run shot to straightaway center that just cleared the extended glove of leaping Alejandro Osuna. Larnach’s third hit was an RBI single in the fifth, and Ryan Kriedler hit a two-run homer in the eighth.
Joe Ryan (5-3) struck out seven but needed 97 pitches to get through five scoreless innings while allowing three singles. Leiter was done after the fourth, and has given up 17 runs while losing three starts in a row.
The Twins never trailed in the sweep that extended their winning streak to four, matching their longest this season. Their 14-5 record at Globe Life Field is the best for any American League opponent since the ballpark opened in 2020.
Wyatt Langford, Ezequiel Duran and Justin Foscue hit solo homers for the Rangers, who have lost five of six games. They are 0-15 when giving up multiple runs in the first inning.
Twins DH Josh Bell, who was born in nearby Irving and grew up in the area, had an RBI single before Lee’s homer. Bell hit a three-run homer in the first inning of the series-opening 4-2 win Monday, and had an RBI single for a 2-0 lead in the first of a 12-2 win on Tuesday.
“We’re just passing the baton each time,” Lee said of the offensive output. “Our guys are hot. They feel good and they came out swinging today. It was awesome to see. We’ve done that for a while now.”
Up next
Twins rookie left-hander Connor Prielipp (2-4, 5.26 ERA) starts Friday at Arizona. The Diamondbacks are scheduled to start right-hander Michael Soroka (8-3, 3.11).
Texas
Tornadoes ripped through cities, Tropical Storm Arthur floods parts of Texas and Louisiana
Watch CBS News
Texas
DPS trooper killed in Texas Panhandle crash, agency says
A Texas state trooper was killed in a crash in the Panhandle, becoming the 244th Texas Department of Public Safety officer to die in the line of duty since 1823, according to the agency.
Sergio Romero, 27, died Wednesday after a semi-truck pulled in front of him as he attempted a traffic stop around 4 p.m. on U.S. 287 in Childress County, DPS said.
In a statement, Col. Freeman F. Martin praised Romero’s courage, integrity, and service.
“Today, we grieve the loss of one of our own,” Martin said. “… Our hearts break alongside his family, friends, fellow troopers, and all who loved him. We will never forget the ultimate sacrifice he made in service of his fellow Texans.”
Romero previously served with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office before joining DPS as part of Class B-2025 in Childress, the agency said.
He is survived by his wife, Francisca, and their two young sons.
Funeral arrangements are pending. The crash remains under investigation.
-
Technology4 minutes agoBarret Zoph is out at OpenAI again after just five months
-
World10 minutes agoIran hardliner behind US deal warns Tehran won’t honor agreement if Trump fails to deliver
-
Politics17 minutes agoTop GOP lawmaker rallies around conservative school board member facing calls to resign
-
Sports24 minutes ago2026 World Cup Odds: How Far Can Mexico Go After Winning Group A?
-
Technology32 minutes ago6 in 10 identity crimes now begin with a new account
-
Business35 minutes agoJanuary 2025 wildfire victims seek tougher penalties against State Farm over claims handling
-
Entertainment40 minutes agoReview: ‘Sugar,’ with Colin Farrell as an alien private eye, gets a new and improved second season
-
Politics50 minutes agoPolitical watchdog fines Newsom for failing to report $5.5M in solicited donations on time