Weston Brown thought he had fully come to terms with his mother’s anti-LGBTQ beliefs. Then he saw the video of her speaking at a school board meeting. “I couldn’t stay quiet about that.”

Hood County’s refusal to remove two books from the children’s section of the library sparked a yearslong political battle. Now school board races have taken on a deeply partisan tone, and elections serve as a purity test for far-right politics.

Independence Day is Saturday, but as with everything else, the holiday will be different this year. However, some counties have adapted their traditional Fourth of July events for smaller crowds or devised creative alternatives, including virtual fireworks shows and concerts. Hometown Fourth of JulyGranburyJuly 3-4, starting at noon on FridayHood County plans to go forward with its Independence Day festivities under the Open Texas guidelines. Fireworks ExtravaganzaFort DavisJuly 3, after darkFort Davis annual Fourth of July tradition, which normally includes vendor booths and a dance, was called off. The Alamo Fourth of July Virtual CelebrationJuly 4, starting at 9 a.m.Youll want to remember the Alamo this weekend, as the historic battle site is hosting its first virtual Fourth of July.