Five stories that have North Texas talking: Greg Abbott’s likely going to announce 2018 bid today; an oil pipeline burst in Central Texas; preview the Asian Film Festival of Dallas; and more.
Gov. Greg Abbott is promising to "lay out a vision to ensure that Texas remains the most exceptional state in America" on Friday in San Antonio, when he's expected to formally announce his re-election bid.
Abbott said in a Facebook video Thursday that he'll unveil "the next step in our campaign" on Friday, the fourth anniversary of a San Antonio event where he unveiled his original gubernatorial run, the Associated Press reports.
In the video, Abbott boasted about the increase in jobs, graduation rates and border security measures under his leadership as well as the state’s ban on “sanctuary cities.” He said work is still needed to reform property taxes, strengthen the crackdown on gangs and implement school choice.
No major Democrat has yet offered to run against Abbott, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has denied rumors he would challenge the governor. [The Associated Press, KERA News]
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- U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke has outraised U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz while beginning his underdog campaign to unseat the incumbent Republican next year. [The Texas Tribune]
- A pipeline rupture in Bastrop County spilled an estimated 50,000 gallons, but the spill didn’t reach a waterway, the Tulsa-based company says. [San Antonio Express-News]
- A House Panel this week unveiled legislation to begin building Trump’s border wall. The plan devotes $1.6 billion to construction. Mexico isn’t paying for it. [Associated Press]
- The Asian Film Festival of Dallasbegins its weeklong run Thursday night, and the 70 films on this year’s schedule are the most it’s ever had.
The High Five is KERA’s daily roundup of stories from Dallas-Fort Worth and across the state. Explore our archives here. And sign up forour weekly emailfor the North Texas news you need to know.
