The State of Texas: The fall of the bag ban

Plus: America's oldest surviving World War II veteran gets stolen money back No Images? [Click here]( [Texas Optimism Project: Read the Story]( [Texas Monthly]( July 5, 2018 QUOTE OF THE DAY “It could really cause a problem in terms of our relationship with Mexico if he follows through on the anti-America rhetoric.” —U.S. Senator Ted Cruz discussing [the election of Andrés Manuel López Obrador]( as president of Mexico. Cruz argued López Obrador's election makes President Donald Trump's objective to secure the border more important. THE LATEST [Admiral William H. McRaven: A Conversation on Patriotism and the Fourth of July]( ANDY LANGER Podcast: The four-star admiral and newly retired chancellor of the University of Texas system talks about the July Fourth holiday and the state of our American ideals. [Listen Here]( [Texas Optimism Project: Read the Story]( OUR TOP STORIES [The Rise of Mexico’s President-Elect]( Andrés Manual López Obrador has always leaned left, but he shows a pragmatic centrist streak that leaves some supporters uneasy. [Read Story]( [At San Antonio’s South BBQ, the Meat and Sides Get Equal Billing]( The talented Andrew Samia finally gets a pit of his own at this new joint on Mission Road. [Read Story]( [Mo Amer Charms the House at Netflix Special Taping in Austin]( The Arab-American refugee, comedian, and proud Houstonian finds the humor in his family’s journey from Kuwait and being seated next to Eric Trump on a plane. [Read Story]( MEANWHILE, IN TEXAS... Not My Bag The City of Austin announced that it will [no longer enforce a ban on single-use plastic bags]( at retail outlets after a Texas Supreme Court decision struck down a similar policy in Laredo last month. The state's high court ruled that a bag ban conflicted with state law, but urged the Legislature to create specific laws so that local jurisdictions have the option of enacting similar bans in the future. Earlier this week, Attorney General Ken Paxton sent letters to eleven Texas cities saying that local bag bans were illegal and unenforceable. “Following the recent ruling from the Texas Supreme Court, the City will not enforce our current rules," a City of Austin spokesperson said in an emailed statement to KUT. "While it’s disappointing that the City is losing a tool to help protect the environment, we are also confident that the Austin community will continue to do their best to minimize plastic bag waste." When it was enacted in Austin in 2013, we weighed the [pros and cons]( of a bag ban Bucking Blame The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has [filed a countersuit against a woman who was raped on a trail ride]( in 2012. Brie Ana Williams was assaulted during an event with the Los Vaqueros Rio Grande Trail Ride Association—one of several annual rides to the rodeo—when she was 19. She has since sued for $10 million. The countersuit by the Houston Rodeo was spurred by an open records request looking into the rodeo's finances, sexual assault and harassment claims, and security details. The Houston Rodeo says it is not the appropriate party for the legal claim because the assault occurred at an unrelated event, and simply wants to stop the open records request. “The Rodeo is not targeting Ms. Williams,” a Houston Rodeo spokesperson said in a statement. “The Rodeo has already produced its audited financial statements, and is producing its general ledger for the last three years.” Veteran's Stolen Funds Restored Bank of America [has restored funds]( that were stolen from the nation's oldest surviving World War II veteran, who lives in Austin. The family of 112-year-old Richard Overton confirmed that the bank credited his account after they reported the funds had gone missing last week. Both the bank and Austin police are investigating the disappearance of the money. The bank account is not tied to a GoFundMe campaign created in 2016, which has raised more than $430,000 for round-the-clock care for Overton. News of his account being drained set off a spike in GoFundMe donations, his family said. A mural celebrating [Richard Overton ]( THE CULTURE [Man Accused of Releasing a Rattlesnake Into a Neighbor’s RV After a Fight]( DAN SOLOMON According to police, the Caldwell County man bit the snake’s rattle off before he released it. [Read Story]( [5 Life Hacks for Staying Safe and Saving Big This Summer]( [5 Life Hacks for Staying Safe and Saving Big This Summer]( Make sure that your haven from humidity is safe and secure this summer. In addition to stellar heating and cooling products and services, Reliant Energy offers high-tech home security systems. Read on to find out how to stay secure and save money—not just this summer, but all year long. [Read More]( [Texas Optimism Project: Read the Story]( MORE FROM TEXAS MONTHLY [The Texanist: How Can I Drink on the Comal With the Can Ban in Place?]( DAVID COURTNEY [An Immigrant Teen Describes Life in Detention After Being Separated From His Mother]( ROBERT MOORE [Austin Central Library Named Finalist for Public Library of the Year]( DOYIN OYENIYI [Go Inside Hotelier Liz Lambert’s Private Marfa Retreat]( LAUREN SMITH FORD [Subscribe to Texas Monthly and Save!]( Subscribe to Texas Monthly and get a free tote. 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