Texas can keep a floating barrier of buoys in the Rio Grande to deter immigrants from crossing the border into the U.S., a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday.

Why it matters: The decision from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the latest in a yearlong legal battle between the Biden administration and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, reversed a September ruling that said Texas must move the controversial barrier.

Reality check: The buoys had remained in the water even before this week's ruling, Abbott said on X.

Catch up quick: The U.S. Department of Justice sued Texas in July 2023 over the string of buoys, saying it violated federal environmental law and threatened public safety.

• In addition to the 1,000-foot floating barrier, Texas had set up miles of razor wire barriers along crossing points on the river near Eagle Pass.
• Separately, the U.S. Supreme Court in January granted the Biden administration's request to cut the razor wire.
• Last August, a body was found stuck in the buoys and another body was found nearby.

How it works: The ruling from the 5th Circuit, considered the most conservative federal appeals court, came after a divided 5th Circuit panel sided with the district court ruling to move the buoys.

• The new ruling reversed that decision for now, but it did not rule on the merits of the broader case.

Zoom in: The 5th Circuit disagreed with the district court's conclusion that the barrier is a "threat to human life," pointing out that news articles about deaths related to Rio Grande crossings reported the specific cause of death as unknown.

What they're saying: "Biden tried to remove them. I fought to keep them in the water," Abbott posted Tuesday. "That is exactly where they will stay."

Zoom out: The use of buoys and barbed wire is just one of Abbott's approaches to blocking immigrants and asylum seekers from crossing the southern border into Texas in recent years through his Operation Lone Star.

What's next: A trial in the broader case is set for Tuesday. That could determine a more permanent future for the buoy barrier.

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When "Twisters" hit theaters, it left audiences wondering just how realistic the adrenaline-pumping blockbuster about tornado-chasing scientists really is.

Catch up quick: Like the 1996 film it's based on, "Twisters" follows a group of storm chasers putting themselves in danger to test new technology to help improve tornado preparedness.

• The movie stars University of Texas alumnus Glen Powell ("Anyone but You") and Daisy Edgar-Jones ("Normal People").

The big picture: "Twisters" has proven to be a box office hit in its first two weekends.

• And that's on the tail of one of the most prolific tornado seasons of recent years.

Zoom in: Texas A&M University tornado expert Christopher Nowotarski, an associate professor in the department of atmospheric sciences, shared his insights online about the fact and fiction behind the movie.

State of play: Nowotarski, who considers himself a storm chaser, thought the movie did "a good job at capturing the essence of storm chasing" and said it used real meteorological terms.

• The original movie and social media both led to an increase in amateur storm chasers, he said, and the crowds depicted at small-town gas stations when a storm is brewing are realistic.

Yes, but: The "depiction of what tornadoes can do or what science can realistically achieve are exaggerated, dramatized or physically impossible," Nowotarski wrote.

Case in point: Science doesn't require someone to drive straight into a tornado, and scientific storm chasing is not as dangerous as portrayed on-screen.

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Houston Restaurant Weeks is back for its annual fundraiser benefiting the Houston Food Bank, which has been busy with Hurricane Beryl disaster relief.

How it works: The hundreds of participating restaurants will have fixed menu prices: $25 for brunch or lunch and $39 or $55 for dinner.

• Restaurants will donate $3 for lunch/brunch and $5 or $7 for dinner, depending on which meal you choose. Every $1 equals three meals from the Houston Food Bank.

By the numbers: Since Houston Restaurant Weeks started in 2003, the event has raised more than $21 million for the Houston Food Bank and has provided more than 60 million meals for Houstonians.

Bottom line: It's time to eat out. Diners enjoy discounted meals, restaurants attract customers after low-revenue periods following natural disasters, and food banks receive financial support.

Go deeper: Here's the event's full list of restaurants and offerings.

🚔 Acting Houston police chief Larry Satterwhite revealed that despite a thorough investigation into the suspension of more than 260,000 cases that had a "lack of personnel" code, not all crimes can be investigated. (Houston Chronicle)

❌ Mayor John Whitmire's attempt to ban protests outside his home was temporarily postponed to give city leaders more time to review the proposal. (Chron)

💵 The EPA granted the Houston Health Department $20 million to boost energy resilience in the Greater Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens. (Houston Public Media)

🖼️ Sip champagne and look at art tomorrow at The Gite Gallery's First Friday Happy Hour.

• Free. 6-9pm.

✏️ Obtain your child's birth certificate ahead of the school year and stock up on school supplies with the Harris County Clerk's Office in Gulfton on Saturday.

• The certificate is $23. 9am-1pm.

⚪️ Don your whites at the annual White Linen Night in the Heights on Saturday.

• Entry is $15. 6-10pm.

🫛 Buy locally grown produce and other goods at the Rice Village Farmers Market on Sunday.

• 9am-1pm.

🎹 Listen to the zydeco sounds of the Bayou Sounds Cajun Band at The Continental Club on Sunday.

• Tickets are $10. 6-8pm.