Your Morning: Abbott plans to expand buoy border barriers in Rio Grande

Border plans: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott plans to expand buoy barriers across the Rio Grande to stop migrants from crossing the southern border but is waiting for a court to affirm the state’s right to use them. In an exclusive interview with NewsNation, Abbott said buoys are one of the most effective ways to discourage migrants from trying to cross from Mexico into Texas. He added the cost is “one-tenth” that of a border wall. Full story > 

Abbott’s goal: Migrant encounter numbers are down substantially in the Lone Star State, but Abbott says lower isn’t good enough. The Republican governor said despite the cartel’s hold on the Mexican side of the border, Texas has control of Texas, and his goal is to make it so not one person crosses illegally into the state. From buses to barbed wire and buoys, the governor said he’s not done curbing illegal crossings at his borders until the number reaches zero. Watch Abbott’s extended interview >

No crossings, no busing: Texas hasn’t bused migrants to other states in about two months as unauthorized crossings decline, Abbott said. Southwest land border encounters have steeply declined since May and were down more than 20% year over year as of July, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. Inside scoop >

Borders between states? Abbott told NewsNation he is focused on more than just the southern border, turning attention also to stopping people who have crossed the border from entering Texas through other states. What to know >

What’s happening: A federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., has issued a superseding indictment against former President Donald Trump under four charges relating to his trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Special counsel Jack Smith charged Trump again in the federal court on felony charges alleging he worked to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the run-up to the violent riot by his supporters in the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Full story >

Trump’s charges: The four-count indictment includes the same initial charges that were brought in the original indictment. These include conspiracy to defraud the United States government and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, referring to the congressional certification of President Joe Biden’s victory.

Trump allegations: The indictment accuses Trump of repeatedly telling supporters that he had won the election, despite knowing that was false, and describes how he tried to persuade state officials, then-Vice President Mike Pence and finally Congress to overturn the legitimate results. Read more >

Record highs: Home prices have surged to record highs, but that doesn’t mean houses are getting bigger. In June, the typical U.S. home on the market was 6% smaller and 52% more expensive per square foot than in 2019, according to a recent USA Today analysis of Realtor.com data. Full analysis> 

Not all bad news: The analysis suggests more affordable homes are starting to hit the market. A glimpse at the market growth >

Buyer preferences are changing: A recent National Association of Home Builders study found that many Americans want smaller homes compared to 20 years ago. 

Affordability is a top concern: Between record-high home prices, elevated mortgage rates and low inventory, the housing market has been brutal for buyers in recent years, with affordability as a major concern. Here’s why > 

Seeking justice: The mother of a teenager killed in a high-speed crash last Thanksgiving is calling for criminal charges against the driver’s parent, claiming she knew about her son’s dangerous driving habits but failed to intervene. Full story > 

What happened: Flynn MacKrell, 18, died when his friend Kiernan Tague crashed at 105 mph in a 25 mph zone. 

Leading up to the crash: MacKrell’s mother, Anne Vanker, claimed text messages and phone records show Tague repeatedly drove at extreme speeds, sometimes more than 150 mph, in the months leading up to the fatal crash.

Awaiting trial: Tague, 16 at the time of the incident, is awaiting trial on second-degree murder charges. He is being tried as a “designated adult,” which could result in a reduced sentence combining adult and juvenile penalties if convicted. 

‘New normal’: Dr. Peter Hotez of the Baylor College of Medicine warns that rare mosquito-transmitted viruses, particularly sloth fever and eastern equine encephalitis, are “accelerating” and will soon be a “new normal” in the United States. Read more >

Public warnings: People in some areas of Massachusetts have been warned to stay indoors when mosquitoes are most active after a case of eastern equine encephalitis was discovered. One infected resident died, state health authorities said Tuesday.

Latest virus fatalities: In addition to the death in Massachusetts, a New Hampshire resident infected with eastern equine encephalitis virus has died, state health authorities said. Full story >

How to keep safe: The public plays a role in reducing mosquito populations, so reminding Americans of what they can do to help is essential in fighting the bite. While there are no preventative vaccines or treatments for the virus in people, there are ways humans can protect themselves and their families,  such as using an EPA-approved mosquito repellant and wearing long sleeves and pants. More ways to limit mosquito population >