Mexico’s top diplomat said Friday her country has sent a diplomatic note to the U.S. government expressing concern that Texas’ deployment of floating barriers on the Rio Grande may violate 1944 and 1970 treaties on boundaries and water. Foreign Relations Secretary Alicia Bárcena said Mexico will send an inspection team to the Rio Grande to see whether any of the barrier extends into Mexico’s side of the border river. She also complained about U.S. efforts to put up barbed wire on a low-lying island in the river near Eagle Pass, Texas. Bárcena said that if the buoys impede the flow of water, it would violate the treaties, which requires the river remain unobstructed. Mexico has already asked that the barriers be removed. Texas began rolling out the new floating barrier on the Rio Grande in early July. It is part of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s multibillion-dollar effort to secure the U.S. border with Mexico, which already has included busing migrants to liberal states and authorizing the National Guard to make arrests. Migrant advocates have voiced concerns about drowning risks from the buoys and environmentalists questioned the impact on the river. Once installed, the above-river parts of the system and the webbing they’re connected with…

Embattled Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will not testify in his upcoming impeachment trial that could result in the Republican being permanently removed from office, according to his defense team. In a lengthy statement released Monday night, Paxton’s lead attorney against criticized the proceedings that led to the GOP-controlled Texas House impeaching the state’s top law enforcement in May. The trial in the Texas Senate is scheduled to begin Sept. 5. “‘They had the opportunity to have Attorney General Paxton testify during their sham investigation but refused to do so,” attorney Tony Buzbee said in a statement. “We will not bow to their evil, illegal, and unprecedented weaponization of state power in the Senate chamber.” A spokesman for the House managers leading the impeachment did not immediately return a message seeking comment Tuesday. Paxton, a Republican, is temporarily suspended from office pending the outcome of his trial on 20 articles of impeachment that include charges of bribery and abuse of office. Separately, he is under FBI investigation over accusations that he used his power to help a donor. That donor was indicted in a federal court in Austin last month on charges of making false statements to banks. Paxton is also still awaiting trial on felony securities fraud charges from 2015….

ERCOT, the operator of Texas’ power grid, is issuing a Weather Watch from June 25 to June 30 in anticipation of high temperatures paired with expected higher electrical demand across the state. Grid conditions are expected to be normal however reserves may be lower. “ERCOT is trying to be more transparent,” University of Houston Energy Fellow Ed Hirs said. Hirs said the Weather Watch is something people should pay attention to. “I think what ERCOT is explaining is it’s going to be hot and the grid is going to be stressed,” Hirs said. “We do bring them outside when the sun is going down because it is getting hotter out here,” said Angelique Grace from a park in Euless. She and her family are already preparing for what’s to come knowing temperatures will likely be over 100 degrees for several days ahead. “Staying hydrated,” Grace said. “Just staying cool. Keeping that air conditioner running.” ERCOT said there is a possibility of reaching an all-time peak demand record next week. But adds there is enough capacity to meet forecasted demand. Still, ERCOT says it will monitor conditions closely and will deploy all available tools to manage the grid. …