SUMMARY: A severe storm named Barrel is impacting areas near Houston with tornado warnings issued east of Liberty. Earlier, Galveston experienced a tornado and a 94 mph wind gust around Freeport. Although the storm's eye is beginning to fill in, it remains strong, moving north towards Houston's western suburbs. Unexpectedly, four days ago, no computer models predicted this path. Those models serve as guidance, not absolute truth. The storm is projected to track into East Texas and the Arklatex, avoiding our area but bringing significant rainfall, with 6-10 inches already near the coast and heavy rain extending to regions like Palestine and Red River County.

Hurricane Beryl made landfall on Monday morning, knocking out power to thousands along Texas' Gulf Coast. FOX 4's Evan Andrews is tracking the storm and telling you where it is headed next.

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SUMMARY: Overnight, Texans prepared for Hurricane Barrel's landfall this morning. Acting Governor Dan Patrick and Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd discussed state preparation and post-impact plans in a press conference. Roads in Austin cleared from earlier rain, but winds increased, notably moving cameras in La Grange, where skies remained dark. Barrel, a Category 1 hurricane, made landfall near Matagorda, Texas, posing high wind and flooding threats. A disaster declaration covers over 100 counties, including nine in Central Texas, with warnings for power outages. Texans are advised to prepare, avoid flooded areas, and ensure necessities are secured ahead of further rainfall through Tuesday.

Beryl made landfall in Texas as a Category 1 storm. Jessica Rivera has a look at state preparations and impacts to areas in Central Texas.

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SUMMARY: In Texas, the topic of banning cell phones in schools has sparked debate. Multiple districts are considering or have implemented bans, prompting student protests and discussions among lawmakers. State Representative Ellen Troxclair advocates for cell phone bans to address mental health, citing that phones distract students and expose them to inappropriate content. She suggests state support, including possible funding, to help districts enforce these bans. While supporters emphasize improved educational outcomes, critics, including parents concerned about safety during emergencies, argue against a blanket policy. The debate touches on broader educational and legislative issues, highlighting differing perspectives on student technology use.

Several school districts across Texas have experimented with banning cell phones in the classroom. Texas State Rep. Ellen Troxclair says it's an issue that the legislature should consider taking up.

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