Good evening, Texas. We're wrapping up the day for you with the most important stories you need to know and your weather outlook.

Your Weather Planner

Heading into Friday, an upper disturbance is expected to pass over North Texas in the pre-dawn hours. This will likely spark a few potentially severe storms in the DFW area for the morning commute. Rain showers are expected from Waco southward in the morning hours. Look for temperatures into the 70s for North Texas, upper 80s for central areas and 90s from San Antonio southward. 

Get your 7-day forecast: Austin | San Antonio | Dallas

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Today's Big Stories

1. President of El Salvador says Trump invited him to White House as pair work together on deportations

President Donald Trump has invited the leader of El Salvador — a key partner in his deportation efforts — to the White House later this month, according to the Salvadoran president. In a letter addressed to Salvadoran leader Nayib Bukele, which he posted on X late Wednesday night, Trump expressed gratitude for the support from his counterpart in El Salvador for combating illegal immigration in the U.S.

2. Justice Department declined to prosecute Texas AG Paxton in final weeks of Biden's term: AP sources

The Justice Department quietly decided in the final weeks of the Biden administration not to prosecute Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, effectively ending the corruption investigation that cast a long shadow over the political career of a close ally of President Donald Trump, The Associated Press has learned.

The decision not to bring charges — which has never been publicly reported — resolved the high-stakes federal probe before Trump's new Justice Department leadership could even take action on an investigation sparked by allegations from Paxton's inner circle that the Texas Republican abused his office to aid a political donor. 

3. Violent storms cut through the South and Midwest, spawning tornadoes and killing three

Violent storms and tornadoes tore through cities from Oklahoma to Indiana during what could be a record-setting period of deadly weather and flooding, destroying homes and sending debris nearly 5 miles into the air in one location.

Dozens of tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings were issued Wednesday and early Thursday from Texas to West Virginia as storms hit those and other states. Forecasters attributed the violent weather to daytime heating combining with an unstable atmosphere, strong wind shear and abundant moisture streaming into the nation’s midsection from the Gulf.

4. Colorado State University is calling for above normal activity this hurricane season

Researchers at Colorado State University released their 2025 Atlantic hurricane season forecast Thursday morning, calling for above normal activity. The forecast calls for 17 named storms this season. Of those 17 storms, nine are expected to become hurricanes and four are expected to reach major hurricane strength.

The researchers cite relatively warm Atlantic and likely absence of El Niño being primary factors in the hurricane prediction this year.

Notes for Tomorrow

In Case You Missed It 

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Sam Ehlinger (4) reacts before an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Denver Broncos sign former Colts QB Sam Ehlinger as their third quarterback

The Denver Broncos added former University of Texas and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Sam Ehlinger to their QB room Wednesday.