Is La Niña on her way back to Texas? The weather phenomenon has a 50% probability of returning, forecasters say. Express-News food writer Paul Stephen had the enviable duty of ranking the 10 best cheese enchiladas in the Tex-Mex haven otherwise known as San Antonio. The will of Camp Mystic owner Richard “Dick” Eastland was washed away in the July 4 flood; see how a judge ruled as attorneys anticipate possible lawsuits related to the flood. These are the five most-read stories this week:
La Niña likely to tilt Texas winter warmer and drier
Forecasters put roughly a 50% chance on La Niña developing by fall with neutral conditions less likely and El Niño a long shot, and expected it to persist into winter. A weak event looked most likely, though odds still allowed for a moderate to strong La Niña. Historically La Niña shifted the jet stream north, cut the number of cold fronts, and made Texas winters warmer and drier, with San Antonio averaging 1.3 degrees warmer and 28% less rain and snowfall dropping 44% in Dallas-Fort Worth, 40% in Lubbock and 25% in Amarillo. Despite the warm tilt, past La Niña winters still produced sharp swings and occasional Arctic outbreaks that drove extreme cold deep into Texas.
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Where to find San Antonio’s best cheese enchiladas
San Antonio’s editors ranked the city’s top 10 cheese enchiladas after surveying about 25 restaurants, underscoring how the dish rivals tacos as a local staple. The roundup showcased wide variety, from classic Tex-Mex plates with chili con carne and cheddar to Mexico-style versions with queso Oaxaca or panela topped in red chile, tomatillo or cilantro cream. Taco House earned top praise for scratch-made tortillas, balanced cheese and a bold sauce, with standouts including Tito’s, Don Pedro, Garcia’s, La Fonda, Teka Molino, Aldaco’s and Tlahco. The picks celebrated places where real chiles, well-made tortillas and smart garnishes like diced onion or pickled red onion elevated a simple, beloved plate.
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Judge validated copy of Camp Mystic owner’s will after flood destroyed original
A Kerr County probate judge admitted a copy of Camp Mystic owner Richard “Dick” Eastland’s 2021 will and a 2023 codicil after the original documents were lost in last month’s flood. Eastland, who reportedly died while trying to help campers, left his entire estate to his wife, Tweety, including equity in Mystic Camps Management LLC. Their son, Britt, became executor after his mother waived the role, and he testified the originals were stored at camp offices that flooded after being moved from a bank box. No one contested the will during the brief hearing. The ruling came as attorneys eyed potential litigation tied to the flood, with the county fielding more than 100 records requests…