The Brief: Corpus Christi's new mayor resigned after 37 days. What happened?

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What you need to know

Upset over infrastructure problems, Corpus Christi voters rejected the establishment and voted a political outsider to run the city last year. After 37 days and a string of bizarre controversies, Dan McQueen resigned. Here’s what happened:

• McQueen was elected on a wave of voter resentment over infrastructure issues. The city issued boil water notices three times in less than a year because of problems with the city’s drinking water system. 
• But McQueen quickly became engulfed in multiple controversies. There were unpaid taxes, claims about a college degree that didn't check out and a failed Kickstarter for a documentary called “PARTY HARD!” 
• McQueen was accused of a romantic relationship with his chief of staff, who was paid $61,000 per year. Twenty minutes after his estranged son confirmed the relationship, McQueen announced his resignation in an explosive Facebook post.  

News from home

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What we're reading

(Links below lead to outside websites; paywall content noted with $) 

HB2 could soon cost NC six years of NCAA championship events, sports group says, The News & Observer

Gorsuch calls Trump's judge attacks 'demoralizing' and 'disheartening', Politico

County judge switches to Republican; will run for final term in 2018 with GOP, The Beaumont Enterprise

DeVos' confirmation spurs emotion on both sides in Texas, The Houston Chronicle ($)

Houston mayor: Super Bowl was 'perfecto,' leaving $350 million to city, The Houston Chronicle ($)

Complex Texas voucher bill would shift funds to families, but costs to state, schools unclear, The Dallas Morning News ($)

Critics accuse UT medical school of misspending local tax dollars, The Austin American-Statesman ($)

Advocates urge Texas to prevent child abuse by expanding 'home visitor' programs, The Dallas Morning News ($)

For your calendar

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Join us in person or online for a conversation with U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville. 

Photo of the day

Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, speaks to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick as Senate Democrats give final speeches opposing a bill outlawing sanctuary cities. Photo by Bob Daemmrich. See more photos on our Instagram account. 

Quote to note

"The problems at CPS absolutely cannot go ignored. We can no longer sit idly by while children continue to suffer in group homes and outright abusive environments across the state."

— Kevin Roberts, State Representative for House District 126, via TribTalk

The Brief is written and compiled by your morning news baristas, Bobby Blanchard and Sanya Mansoor. If you have feedback or questions, please email thebrief@texastribune.org. We're a nonprofit newsroom, and count on readers like you to help power newsletters like this. Did you like what you read today? Show your appreciation by becoming a member or making a donation today.