The first of what will likely be many extreme heat events this summer is on its way to much of Texas.

Threat level: Extreme heat is the deadliest weather hazard in the U.S.

• According to the NOAA Weather Prediction Center, record-breaking highs and overnight low temperatures are expected, particularly in southern Texas, along the Gulf Coast, and into Florida.
• "This heat could be particularly dangerous for people dealing with a loss of power in parts of Texas. Warm overnight temperatures will offer little relief and high humidity could also lead to heat index readings over 110 degrees," forecasters said in a technical forecast discussion yesterday.

Stunning stat: If the temperature in Austin hits 100°F or above this weekend, as currently forecast, it would be about a month before the typical start of triple-digit heat here.

Context: Extreme heat is the hazard most clearly tied to climate change, as the probability of these events along with their intensity increases dramatically as the average temperature increases.

• Numerous studies have shown that certain heat waves would have been virtually impossible had it not been for human emissions of greenhouse gases that pushed temperatures upward.

Flashback: The first 100-degree day during Austin's hottest summer recorded at Camp Mabry was May 25, 2011.

What's next: Austin-area temperatures are expected to increase on Friday, forecasters say, and computer models do not show extended relief arriving through the rest of the month.

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Texas has passed California in the percentage of the population that is food insecure, per a new report from Feeding America.

Why it matters: Food insecurity has been rising nationwide and in Texas since the Great Recession, but about half of the people here who struggle to pay for enough meals don't qualify for federal assistance like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

The big picture: The state's food insecurity rate rose to 16.4% in 2022, up from 13.7% in 2021. That means 1 in 6 Texans face hunger.

• About 1.7 million children — or 22.8% of kids — face hunger in Texas.

State of play: There are stark gaps depending on race, with 1 in 5 Black people in the North Texas Food Bank service area facing food insecurity. By comparison, 1 in 11 white people are food insecure.

Zoom in: In Travis County, nearly 187,990 residents, or 14.6% of the population, are food insecure.

Stunning stat: Nationally, food insecure individuals reported spending $3.99 per meal or $363.09 per month in 2022. Even adjusting for inflation, that's a 3% increase from the previous year.

The bottom line: Rising food prices and increasing cost of living have made it harder for people to be able to afford food.

Go deeper: See how Texas counties fare.

⚕️ Doctors, lawyers and advocates testified in a five-hour-long Texas Medical Board virtual hearing this week, arguing that the board's recent guidance for medically necessary abortions is confusing. (Texas Tribune)

🚔 The Round Rock ISD chief of police stepped down, accusing the superintendent and other staff of interfering with police operations and investigations. (KUT)

🚂 Austin Parks Foundation again delayed the launch of the Zilker Eagle train over clearance issues discovered during the latest round of testing. (KXAN)

⚽️ Austin FC waived and exercised a contract buyout on winger Emiliano Rigoni, the club announced Tuesday. (MLS)

Oh, boy, it's hot.

Driving the news: We're marking this heat wave with the return of our 100-degree-day contest.

📬 It's simple: Let us know how many triple-digit days you think Austin will have this year.

• Just hit reply to this email.

The stakes: The person with the closest guess — to be determined whenever the coast seems clear — will receive some nifty Axios swag.

Hint: Last year's winner guessed 81 days.

Thanks so much to our members, who showed up in the heat to play pingpong and eat pizza with us last night.

• Congrats to Colin and Pace, who shared the crown for best table tennis players.

The bottom line: Axios Austin members get access to exclusive events, emails and more. Show your support by becoming a member today!