Rare Virga Bomb Shatters Wind Record

A rare wind gust, known as a virga bomb, blasted through West Texas this week at 111 mph, shattering previous records in the area.

A virga bomb takes place when heavy rainfall evaporates before hitting the ground, rapidly cooling the air and causing wind to plunge downward at high speeds.

The wind gust, recorded at Midland International Air and Space Port, was equivalent to the force of a Category 3 hurricane and caused severe local property damage.

Previous local records were 93 mph in June 2007 and 82 mph in July 1987.

Tornadoes, Hail Rip Through Texas

Severe weather brought tornadoes, hail, and flooding to Texas Thursday night and into Friday.

More than 10 tornadoes were reported in the state as storms wreaked havoc across the region, affecting Oklahoma and Nebraska as well.

Baseball-sized hail slammed cities in Northwest Texas with car windshields taking the brunt of the damage, while Corsicana saw nearly four inches of rain Thursday, flooding roadways.

A respite is in the forecast over the weekend, with a chance of storms returning next week.

Dallas, Houston Parks Win High Rankings

Two Texas public spaces landed on USA Today’s list of the 10 best city parks in the country.

Discovery Green in downtown Houston came in at No. 6, offering 12 acres full of interactive water features suited for the Houston heat.

Right on Discovery Green’s heels, Dallas’ Klyde Warren Park took the No. 7 spot, spanning five acres and sitting on top of an old, sunken freeway.

You can see the full top 10 here, which has highest honors going to Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland, Florida.

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➤ Fairview: The Planning Commission approved an updated design of a proposed Mormon temple, which lowers the structure’s steeple from 174 feet to 120 feet. The initial designs sparked a year long debate in the community. (See Details)

➤ Statewide: Emergency supplies are being sold tax-free this weekend in Texas as the state Comptroller’s Office encourages people to stock up during severe weather season. (See Details)

➤ Harris County has joined several other counties and cities nationwide in suing the Trump administration over large reductions in public health funds. (More)

➤ Chambers County: Signage for the wildlife refuge renamed in memory of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray was unveiled during a ceremony Thursday. Nungaray was killed by two illegal immigrants last June. (Watch Ceremony)

➤ Statewide: Texas has the nation’s second-largest state economy based on a recent report, trailing only California and boasting $2.7 trillion in nominal GDP. (See Details)

➤ San Marcos: A Texas appeals court has blocked the San Marcos ordinance decriminalizing marijuana after Attorney General Ken Paxton sued over the voter-approved measure last year. (More)

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➤ The Dallas Stars take on the Colorado Avalanche in Game 4 tonight, carrying a 2-1 series lead after consecutive overtime wins. (More)

➤ Texas Rangers right fielder Adolis Garcia reeled in this slick sliding catch during the team’s 4-3 loss to the Athletics on Thursday. (Watch Video)

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | NBA | NHL | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | PGA | LPGA

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➤ Pittsburgh-based Aurora Innovation has announced they will run their autonomous semi-trucks in Texas without a human backup driver in the cab by the end of the month. (More)

➤ The largest home currently for sale in El Paso offers 12 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms within a whopping 13,000 square feet of space and is listed at $1.95 million. (See Photos)

➤ Farm to Market Road 548, near Dallas, is set to receive a concrete makeover worth $80 million, improving one of the state’s historic farm-to-market highways. (See Details) 

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Are you, or were you ever, a fan of the Carol Burnett Show?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Never seen it

Yesterday’s Results:

How many podcasts do you regularly listen to or watch?

1. None: 48.6%
2. 2-3: 15.4%
3. One: 14.2%
4. 4-5: 11.3%
5. Over 5: 10.5%

Where in Texas did industrialist John Warne Gates stage a demonstration to promote sales of barbed wire?

Show me the answer