IN LIBERTY COUNTY,

THE DRIVER OF AN 18-WHEELER IS KILLED AFTER A TRAIN STRIKES THE TRUCK AND IT EXPLODES.  IT HAPPENED ON COUNTY ROAD 622.

DPS OFFICIALS SAY THE DRIVER WAS DEAD ON THE SCENE. THE RAILROAD CREW ESCAPED INJURY, EVEN THOUGH THE FRONT OF THE TRAIN WAS BURNED.

THE STORY COMES FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE REPORTER SCOTT ENGLE.

WELL, WE CAN EXPECT A HOT AND DRY DAY FOR MONTGOMERY AND WALKER COUNTIES. METEOROLOGIST PATRICK BLOOD IS WITH THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

BLOOD SAYS THE HEAT INDEX WILL REACH NEAR 100.

IN OTHER NEWS,

THE CITY OF CONROE HAS RECEIVED BACK A LITTLE OVER TWO MILLION DOLLARS IN HURRICANE IKE REIMBURSEMENT. KEN KREGER IS THE CITY’S FIRE CHIEF.

OVER  IN WALKER COUNTY,

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS THIS WEEK APPROVE A HOMEOWNER’S MAINTENANCE COURSE THROUGH TEXAS A-AND-M.

COUNTY COMMISSIONER TIM PAULSEL SAYS THAT COURSE WILL BE HELD IN THE SECOND WEEK OF AUGUST, AND WILL COST 25 DOLLARS A PERSON.

WALKER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WRAP UP BUDGET HEARINGS FOR THE NEW FISCAL YEAR.

THE TAX RATE IS .575 PER 100 DOLLARS VALUATION.

IN NEWS AROUND THE NATION,

ARIZONA GOVERNOR JAN BREWER SAYS SHE’LL APPEAL A JUDGE’S RULING, THAT STRUCK DOWN KEY PROVISIONS OF AN IMMIGRATION LAW,   THAT WOULD HAVE HAD POLICE CHECK THE IMMMIGRATION STATUS OF PEOPLE STOPPED FOR QUESTIONING.

OPPONENTS OF THE LAW SAY IT WILL LEAD TO RACIAL PROFILING. ONLY PORTIONS OF THE LAW ARE GOING INTO EFFECT TODAY. THAT AUDIO COMES WWW.YAHOONEWS.COM.