The Standard’s news roundup gives you a quick hit of interesting, sometimes irreverent, and breaking news stories from all over the state.
A war veteran and Texas Congressman-elect appeared on NBC’s Saturday Night Live this weekend, where he had the chance to get back at a cast member who mocked his appearance the week before. Republican Dan Crenshaw, who is set to represent Texas’ 2nd congressional district, wears an eye patch due to an injury sustained during an IED blast in Afghanistan.
Pete Davidson, who faced widespread criticism after last week’s joke saying Crenshaw looked like, “a hitman in a porno movie,” apologized to the former Navy SEAL during the show’s Weekend Update segment.
“So last week, I made a joke about a picture of you and I feel like it would only be fair if you got me back and made fun of a picture of me. [I don’t really need to do that.]…no really I deserve it. [This is Pete Davidson, he looks like if the meth from Breaking Bad was a person.]
After cracking a few more jokes at Davidson’s expense, Crenshaw also shared a more serious message. He said Americans can forgive one another. And he added, given that it’s Veterans Day weekend, it’s a good time to connect with someone who has served.
“Maybe say thanks for your service, but I would actually encourage you to say something else,” Crenshaw said. “Tell a veteran ‘never forget.’ When you say ‘never forget’ to a veteran you are implying that as an American you are in it with them, not separated by some imaginary barrier between civilians and veterans but connected together as grateful fellow Americans.”
Thanks for having me @nbcsnl. What an experience! And what a way to highlight the importance of honoring our vets, especially this weekend. #neverforget https://t.co/Kd6SecjpN9
— Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) November 11, 2018
Veterans Day was Sunday but the government holiday is observed Monday.
Gov. Greg Abbott says about 200 Texas firefighters will start heading to California Monday, as the state is ravaged by wildfires.
Abbott said, “As California continues to fight these fires, Texas will be sending its bravest firefighters to aid in their efforts.”
The fires in California are a tragedy & Texas will send our bravest to help out. Approximately 200 firefighters and support personnel with 55 engines, along with teams from the Texas Forest Service at Texas A&M will head to California. #txlege https://t.co/cMfulgLvvW
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) November 12, 2018
They’ll help battle the Woolsey Fire burning northwest of Los Angeles, that has left at least two people dead. About 170,000 people are under mandatory evacuation and that wildfire was about 20 percent contained as of Monday morning, according to CalFire data.
A separate blaze in northern California, called the “Camp Fire”, has killed at least 29 people, making it one of the deadliest wildfires in that state’s history.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas says there’s no need to protect the Mueller investigation under the new acting attorney general, who has long been critical of the probe. Matthew Whitaker took over for Jeff Sessions who was forced out after constant criticism from President Donald Trump.
Special Counsel Robert Mueller has been investigating whether the Trump campaign may have conspired with the Russians during the 2016 presidential election.
Cruz appeared on the CBS News program “Face the Nation” Sunday, just days after narrowly winning reelection to a second term in the Senate. He said there shouldn’t be legislation to safeguard the ongoing investigation.
“We had a bill come through the Judiciary Committee that tried to make it impossible for a special counsel to be removed,” Cruz said. “I believe that legislation was unconstitutional, that it was inconsistent with Article 2 of the Constitution.”
Article 2 of the constitution establishes the executive branch of the federal government. That includes outlining presidential powers, and limits on those powers.
