Wednesday News Recap (7-1-15)

by Matthew Hamill
KTSW News

The United States and Cuba have agreed to reopen their embassies in each other’s capitals and Cuban officials say Havana and Washington hope to restore full diplomatic relations with open embassies on July 20th, according to BBC news. President Obama said the U.S. has been clinging to a policy that was not working. The trade embargo on Cuba is still in place however President Obama has urged congress to lift it. The next step in improving relations with Cuba is for the United States to confirm an ambassador to Cuba, however Obama is facing resistance from the GOP. Senator Marco Rubio said he and his colleagues will work to block diplomatic relations and delay the ambassador nomination.

The Environmental Protection Agency is facing another lawsuit from the state of Texas. Texas is challenging the “water of the U.S.” rule that was finalized by the EPA on Monday. The rule is meant to better define bodies of water protected by the Clean Water act. Members of the farm lobby and republican leaders, such as Attorney General Ken Paxton, claim that it will lead to more regulation and potentially take over private property.

The Texas Department of Public Safety has increased DWI patrols for a 12-day period through the holiday weekend. This means that there will be a focus on DWI patrols in high-risk locations at times when alcohol-related crashes are most frequent. DPS troopers made more than 1,050 DWI arrests during last year’s 4th of July weekend.  This 12-day period ends July 7.