They say drivers are too often on their phones in work zones, not watching for workers, following other cars too close & speeding.

TxDOT says “rapid growth” west of Fort Worth made the rebuild of I20 & 30 necessary. They say they worked with the contractor to “accelerate the project by 15 months.” “We try to keep each other safe, but we can’t do that alone.”

Fort Worth PD says people driving in work zones need to watch for daily changes. They say speed, unsafe lane changes & inattention are the 3 biggest factors leading to crashes. Phones “are a magic device that can transform the safest driver into a dangerous menace.”

As TxDOT & police investigate the truck crash that shut down 287, on the other side of Tarrant County, kids at White Settlement ISD’s Blue Haze Elementary are pledging to be “partners in safety”with construction crews & police. “Together, we can make our roadways safer.”

The governor has ordered TCEQ to stop all data center permits until ERCOT finishes an audit. He says that info is necessary “to make informed decisions.” “Data centers must pay their own way, protect our grid and water, and complete the ERCOT and TWDB audits.”

Thanks to #ReliantPumpkins for the invitation to carve, and thanks for the donation to the camp for traumatic brain injury survivors. As America celebrates 250, we were blissed out to cheer on Washington crossing the Delaware. And blissed out for the deal we got on tricorn hats.

One company got a grant to design a drone for the military. Portal Aircraft builds drones powered by gas turbines for longer flights while staying simpler than a helicopter. He’s telling students “never accept the status quo. Look for problems to solve.”

30 companies, police depts & other groups are showing how they use drones. Council of Govts says “the average American city hasn’t progressed technologically in the last 75 years.” They say DFW can lead in building infrastructure for future transportation & shipping tech.

North Central Texas Council of Governments is hosting an interactive drone workshop. Aviation director says they want to show “drones are a tool. They’re not your enemy.” He says they can show people ways drones can be used for surveys, public safety & medical delivery.

“The job of the president is to rally the nation & do what’s necessary to protect our people.” George W. Bush says he wanted to return to Washington to address the nation because going somewhere else “would have been a psychological victory for those who attacked us.”

George W. Bush says he thought the 1st plane hitting the World Trade Center might have been an accident. Chief of staff told him the 2nd plane hit during a school visit in Florida. “If we were under attack, my job was to defend the child reading to me, her family & her country.”

A Navy vet who enlisted just before 9/11 says some veterans carry pride, some carry anger & some carry grief. He says many carry all 3. He says he initially though the attack was a training exercise. “It was unimaginable an attack on US soil could be real.”

The George W. Bush Presidential Center has 16 new paintings he’s done on display to mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. They’ll stay on display through Sept. 30.

People are leaving memories of 9/11 at the Dallas Stair Climb. Organizers have also set out newspapers. A teacher says primary accounts can help students understand the significance. “We are trying to pass this on to the next generation. We can hold onto what makes us united.”

Each firefighter, paramedic & police officer at the Dallas 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb is wearing a picture & story of a 1st responder who died at the World Trade Center. A firefighter from Josephine, TX hopes passersby will “remember those who did the climb back in 2001.”

A 42 year FDNY veteran is at the Dallas 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. JoJo Esposito’s brother, cousin & 11 members of his company died. He says we saw the “worst & best in mankind” during the attacks. “Those bells ring in my ear all the time.”

Hundreds of first responders are climbing to the top of Comerica building in Dallas to mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Most are from cities in Texas, but departments as far away as Chicago are here. “This is a place to honor & remember, to finish the climb they didn’t finish.”

Big Tex will arrive Sept 18 and put on his new boots. He’ll also have a new Cavenders shirt to “celebrate 2 huge anniversaries. Not only is this America’s 250, it’s the State Fair of Texas’ 140th.” State Fair of Texas opens Sept. 25 with the theme, “Stars, stripes & howdy.”

Big Tex’ new boots include bluebonnets, a longhorn, pecan trees, prickly pears & the Texas Star ferris wheel. Lucchese chose the design from 450 submissions. “These boots really display the iconic spirit of Texas.”