Texas ISDs get new grades, Plano mom's death a mystery, rain in the forecast: Your Wednesday morning roundup

August 08,  2018 By Carla Solórzano and Dom DiFurio Good morning! Here is a look at the top headlines as we start the day. 🌤️ Weather: Intervals of clouds and sunshine in the morning with more clouds later in the day. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 98 degrees. 🔎 Prefer the online view? It's [here](. A student works one-on-one with a teacher in preparation for STAAR testing. (2013 File Photo/Staff) Texas Government Texas school districts get new A-F grades next week. Here’s what that means for families Next week, [Texas will roll out its most politicized accountability system yet]( as school districts get letter grades for the first time. Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath said Tuesday at a preview of the the new rating system that it will be easier for families to understand how well their schools are educating children by simplifying academic accountability to universal A-F grades: A is a top score. F is failing. The grades will be released Aug. 15. Still, the new system has polarized educators and politicians. Superintendents fear it will unfairly judge their schools, making it tougher on those in the poorest communities that already struggle to retain families and quality teachers. Curious Texas: [What’s the difference between Texas law enforcement agencies?]( Editorial: Can we talk about the lines Texans are waiting in to get their driver's licenses? [The delays are outrageous](. collin county A Plano mom with postpartum depression crashed her car and ran. Her cause of death is still a mystery The mysterious death of [Plano middle school teacher Libby Davis has flummoxed Collin County officials](, even after an autopsy and an investigation. In July, the 28-year-old drove off the Bush Turnpike, crashed into a grove of trees and then ran from her car. Davis was found dead the next day, floating face-down in 2 to 3 feet of water in a Plano creek. Davis' death led to an outpouring of support for the young mother's family online and raised the specter of postpartum depression's dangers — even though it's unclear what role, if any, the mood disorder played in her death. The Collin County medical examiner's office said Tuesday that Davis' cause of death is "undetermined." And it might forever be. Meanwhile: A man robbed two Taco Cabana employees at gunpoint early Sunday in Denton [and made off with $1,000, according to police](. And: A Dallas investor who's put millions into Texas startups was arrested after his wife told police that [he attacked her early Sunday in their bedroom with a hammer](. weather This week's rain won't end Dallas drought, our worst since historic 2011 dry spell Don't let the rain in this week's forecast fool you: Dallas-Fort Worth [is mired in a severe drought for the first time in years](, and weather experts say there's no end in sight. From March through July, meteorologists say, North Texas suffered through the second-driest period since weather records began 120 years ago. And while this week will bring some much-needed rain — which could begin Tuesday evening and last into the weekend — it won't put much of a dent in the historic dry spell, said Brian James, a meteorologist with KXAS-TV (NBC5). Meanwhile: A Dallas resident is [the first person to die from West Nile virus this year in Dallas County](, health officials announced. And: [Beware the scary 'sudden branch drop,']( when trees start spontaneously self-pruning during the summer. Advertisement Around The Site - Garland: A woman has experienced [a string of criminal mischief that she believes is racially motivated]( and is escalating. - Business: Now that Royal Blue has opened, [d]([owntown Dallas is eager for more grocery options](. - Editorial: The anger over Ofo scrapping its bikes in Dallas [misses an important point about recycling](. - The ruff is on fire: A pizza-loving dog in Austin, whose name was not released, [caused a stove to go up in flames](. - Beep boop: [Beto O'Rourke and Ted Cruz are digitally courting voters]( via Reddit bots and Facebook Live. - Wine down: Y'all like rosé? [Here are 5 pink Texas wines to try](. People who were incoming kindergartners during Texas' first tax-free weekend in 1999 are now in their mid-20s and may have their own 5-year-olds to take school shopping. (Nathan Hunsinger/Staff Photographer) Finally... Tax-free shopping in Texas this weekend is making history We're calling it. Texas is officially into [its second generation of back-to-school, tax-free shopping](. Millennials bred in the state are not only the first digital natives, but they are also the first group of Texans who weren't around the last time one weekend of shopping in August wasn't tax-free. Five-year-olds heading into kindergarten in 1999 for the state's first tax-free weekend are now 24 or 25 and may have their own 5-year-old to take school shopping. The 20th year for tax-free shopping in Texas starts Friday at 12:01 a.m. and ends at midnight on Sunday. During that time, shoppers won't be charged state and local sales taxes, which amount to 8.25 percent in Dallas, on purchases of school supplies, shoes and clothing. AdVERTISEMENT 👋 That's all for this morning! For up-to-the-minute news and analysis, check out [DallasNews.com](. Share the love! If you like this newsletter, please forward this email to a friend and [check out our other newsletters here](. Do you have feedback? Send your thoughts, questions, praise and corrections to [newsletter-feedback@dallasnews.com](mailto:newsletter-feedback@dallasnews.com?subject=). STAY CONNECTED WITH US  [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( [LinkedIn]( [Tumblr]( [Google]( [Reddit](  [OTHER NEWSLETTERS]( [SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS]( [Unsubscribe](  |  [Manage Preferences](  |  [Privacy Policy](  |  [Contact](  |  [Advertise]( You received this message because you signed up for this Dallas Morning News newsletter or it was forwarded to you. Copyright 2018 - [The Dallas Morning News]( | [1954 Commerce St., Dallas, TX 75201](#)