The Brief: Abbott Reveals Source of Severe Burns

The Big Conversation 

While in San Antonio campaigning for U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-San Antonio, on Saturday, Gov. Greg Abbott revealed that the severe burns that landed him in the hospital earlier this year came from a hot shower.

As the Tribune's Patrick Svitek reports, Abbott suffered second- and third-degree burns that required emergency treatment and skin grafts after he was accidentally scalded by hot water during a family vacation in Wyoming.

"I was in a shower with scalding water on my feet," Abbott said Saturday. "Because of my paralysis, I couldn't feel the burns that were taking place, and as a consequence, it was like having my feet in scalding water for several minutes. And it resulted in third-degree burns to my feet."

The incident, which happened in July, caused Abbott to miss the Republican National Convention along with other political events. He received treatment at at Brooke Army Medical Center and said he “has healed miraculously.” 

Trib Must Reads

Some Can't Find New Homes as Demolition of Corpus Christi Public Housing Nears, by Alexa Ura — With demolition set for late this year to make way for a new bridge, tenants of the D.N. Leathers housing project in Corpus Christi have until Oct. 31 to find new homes. Many are having trouble, and say they aren't getting enough help.

Sandra Bland's Family Looks Forward from Lawsuit Settlement, by Johnathan Silver — With one major legal battle seemingly behind them, Sandra Bland's survivors and advocates are gearing up for the next phase of their quest to wrest change from the 28-year-old black woman's death. 

Trump, in Houston, Blasts Clinton on Illegal Immigration, by Elena Mejia Lutz — Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump used a Saturday trip to Houston to address families of victims of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants — and blast Democratic rival Hillary Clinton as unsympathetic to their concerns.

Abbott Pitches 'Rookie of the Year' Hurd to Hispanic Voters, by Patrick Svitek — Gov. Greg Abbott on Saturday pitched freshman U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-San Antonio, as the "rookie of the year" in his fight for re-election, while seeking to boost the lawmaker among the same voters that Democrats hope will be Hurd's downfall in November. 

Rice University Band Mocks Baylor Sexual Assault Scandal, by Elena Mejia Lutz — Rice University's marching band used its halftime performance in a Friday night football game against Baylor University to mock Baylor's recent sexual assault scandal.

Cruz: Senate in Danger, Texas GOP Can't Stay Home, by Patrick Svitek — U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, declared Friday that the GOP majority in the Senate is in serious danger and warned Texas Republicans in particular against staying home in November.

Texas Certifies McMullin as Write-In Candidate for President, by Alexa Ura — The Texas secretary of state's office on Friday certified former CIA operative Evan McMullin, who is running as an independent, as a write-in candidate for the general election.

At Rice, Biden Unveils Latest 'Cancer Moonshot' Ideas, by Patrick Svitek — Vice President Joe Biden, in a speech Friday at Rice University, announced the next steps in his ambitious drive to facilitate a cure for cancer, unveiling new proposals to raise awareness of clinical trials. 

Weeks After Campus Carry Implementation, an Accidental Misfire at Tarleton State, by Matthew Watkins — No one was hurt and there was minimal property damage at Tarleton State after someone accidentally shot off a gun in a dormitory. 

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Named Trump's Texas Chairman, by Patrick Svitek — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is taking an official role with the campaign of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, serving as his Texas state chairman.

Elsewhere

(Links below lead to outside websites; content might be behind paywall)

Gallego gains support of Iraq war widow, San Antonio Express-News

Trump puts local anti-immigrant group in spotlight, Houston Chronicle 

School districts facing higher costs after camera law clarified, Austin American-Statesman 

Campus carry in Texas: At what cost?, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Lawyer who tried to get Susan Hawk fired among those who want to be next Dallas DA, The Dallas Morning News 

Adderall cases across state being dismissed because of legislative mix-up, Houston Chronicle  

The end of the road, San Antonio Express-News 

Houston police arrest VICE News reporter outside Donald Trump campaign event, The Dallas Morning News 

Quote to Note

“We in this room know taco trucks for what they are: the very ambassadors of community, of justice, and of guacamole — truly all that makes life worth living, the very bedrocks of our democracy, and of our breakfast."

— Austin Mayor Steve Adler at the Texas Democratic Party’s annual Johnson-Jordan Dinner Saturday night.

News From Home

•    It was a banner year for The Texas Tribune at the annual Online Journalism Awards, which were held over the weekend: We swept all three categories in which we were finalists, including General Excellence.

Trib Events for the Calendar

•   A Conversation with Pete Gallego, Candidate for Congressional District 23 on Sept. 22 at The Austin Club 

•   The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23-25 at the University of Texas at Austin

•   The Washington Post's Politics & Pints with Chris Cillizza: TTF Edition on Sept. 24 at Scholz Garten

•   TribFeast: A Dinner To Support Nonprofit Journalism on Sept. 24 at the University of Texas at Austin's Etter-Harbin Alumni Center

•   A Conversation with state Reps. Four Price and John Smithee on Oct. 4 at Amarillo College in Amarillo

•   The Texas Response To Zika on Oct. 18 at BCBSTX Headquarters in Richardson

•   A Conversation with state Reps. Andrew Murr and Jason Isaac on Nov. 14 at Schreiner University in Kerrville