Here are things to know for Wednesday, August 18:
1. Murder charge dropped against former HPD officer in deadly Harding St. Raid, DA says
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A murder charge has been dismissed against a Houston police officer who was charged in the deadly botched raid on Harding Street, the Harris County Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday.
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said the charge was dismissed due to a former prosecutor’s conduct, stating that the prosecutor “raised concerns about this judgment” while working the case.
The DA’s Office has not identified the prosecutor that has since been terminated.
The murder charge against former HPD Officer Felipe Gallegos will be reconsidered after all of the evidence is reviewed again by a different prosecutor and presented to a judge. Gallegos is still charged with engaging in organized criminal activity in connection to the raid that left Rhogena Nicholas and Dennis Tuttle dead.
According to Gallegos’ attorney, Rusty Hardin, his client had no words to the latest development but was in disbelief.
2. Gov. Greg Abbott, who is fully vaccinated, tests positive for COVID-19
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tested positive for COVID-19 Tuesday, according to his office, who said he is in good health and experiencing no symptoms.
According to Mark Miner, the governor’s communications director, Abbott has been testing daily and Tuesday was his first positive result.
Abbott is planning to isolate in the Governor’s Mansion and continue to test daily, his office said.
3. The new Texas COVID-19 surge could be worse than anything the state has seen yet
More Texas hospitals are reporting a shortage of ICU beds than at any other time since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the state 18 months ago — just one sign among many that the health crisis is on track to reach its most dangerous phase yet, health officials say.
The latest surge of the virus has also caused new cases and COVID-19 hospitalizations to rise with record speed to just below their January peaks, as the highly contagious delta variant rips through the unvaccinated community at a rate up to eight times faster than earlier strains, officials said.
“We are entering the worst surge in sheer numbers,” said Dr. Mark Casanova, a palliative care specialist in Dallas and a member of the Texas Medical Association’s COVID-19 Task Force. “This is the fourth round of what should have been a three-round fight. We do have very sincere concerns that the numbers game is going to overwhelm us.”
4. ‘We’re at a critical time in our fight’: Mayor Turner, city officials discuss response to COVID-19, vaccinations
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Persse shared an update on the City’s response to COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccinations on Tuesday.
Turner was also joined by several council members, Houston Fire Chief Samuel Pena during the news conference.
“We’re at a critical time in our fight to stop the delta variant,” the mayor said.
Turner said the Texas Medical Center has reported more than 25,000 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized. He said the city hasn’t seen those hospitalization numbers since the beginning of the pandemic. Turner said the majority of those hospitalized are unvaccinated and contributing the COVID-19 deaths.
He said the city wants to appeal to parents and the public to continue to get tested, get vaccinated and wear masks indoors. Turner said he doesn’t want someone who is hospitalized and fighting the virus to regret their decision to not get vaccinated.
5. Texas preparing to take in nearly 300 Afghan refugees
Thousands of Afghan refugees will be coming to the United States.
Texas is preparing to take in at least 320 refugees in the next few weeks, some of which will settle in Houston.
Interfaith Ministries For Greater Houston said 50-60 refugees are already in Houston.
“Interfaith Ministries, we resettled several families over the last couple weeks and we are expecting more families to come,” said Ali Al Sudani, Chief Programs Officer for Interfaith Ministries.
Al Sudani said the refugees first arrived at Fort Lee, Virginia before being flown to Houston. He said the organization helped them find apartments and settle into their new home. Al Sudani said they’ll also assist the refugee to learn English and find jobs.