The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - July 11, 2025

Episode Date: July 11, 2025

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Howdy folks, today is Friday, July 11th, and you're listening to the Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans Assistant Editor Rob Lauschus, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, amid the destruction and mourning in Kerrville after the flooding disaster last week, President Donald Trump held a press conference with a number of Texas elected officials where they provided updates on ongoing recovery efforts. Trump somberly stated at the beginning of the press conference, quote, it's hard to

believe the devastation. First Lady Melania Trump also spoke about the stories she has heard from families impacted by the floods. Ahead of the Trump press conference, Governor Greg Abbott announced that the federal government has updated the presidential disaster declaration to include additional Texas counties eligible for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Individual Assistance Program. At least 160 people remain missing since the floods. Abbott stated during a press conference earlier this week that 109 have been confirmed dead. In other news, the Texas legislature will take action on a policy response to the devastating

Hill Country flooding and the first step was establishing committees to evaluate the disaster. In a joint press release, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burroughs announced the formation of select committees on disaster preparedness and flooding in both chambers. In accordance with Governor Greg Abbott's recent special session proclamation, the two leaders stated the committees will evaluate flood warning systems, flood emergency communications, relief funding for hill country floods, and natural disaster preparation and recovery. The legislature will convene for the first special session this year on July 21st. The joint release noted that these select committees, to which appointments have not yet been made, will first meet on

July 23rd in the Texas Capitol. Another meeting will happen the following week in Kerrville after recovery efforts are far enough along to allow it to happen. Last but not least, a suspect charged in the murder of a war hero who served as an interpreter for the US military in Afghanistan had his bond reduced from $750,000 to a $100,000 personal recognessance bond on Thursday after prosecutors with the Harris County

District Attorney's Office failed to file an indictment on time. Abdul Niazi was stabbed to death at his office in West Houston on March 26th, and police arrested and charged Masiullah Sahil the next day. A relative told the media that immediately after the stabbing, Sahil answered Niazi's phone and told the dead man's wife and son that Niazi had been sent to the afterlife. Under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedures, if a grand jury indictment is not filed

within 90 days of an arrest, the presiding judge must give the defendant a PR bond, which requires no payment prior to release. Harris County District Attorney's Office prosecutors filed new charges against Sahil on Thursday before the man could be released.

For felony charges of tampering slash fabricating physical evidence with intent to conceal, Judge Emily DeToto of the 177th District Court set bond at $25,000.