Tropical Storm Don takes aim at parched Texas

MIAMI - Tropical Storm Don is moving closer to southeast Texas as it crosses the central Gulf of Mexico, but it isn't expected to become a hurricane.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami says Don's maximum sustained winds early Friday are near 50 mph with only slight strengthening expected before it reaches the coast of Texas late Friday or early Saturday.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Texas coast from the mouth of the Rio Grande to Matagorda.

Don is centered about 255 miles (395 kilometers) southeast of Corpus Christi, Texas, and is moving west-northwest near 14 mph (22 kph).

With more than 90 percent of Texas in extreme or exceptional drought, the state is actually looking forward to the tropical storm.

The couple inches of rain Don will bring won't be enough to break the state's crushing drought, but any rain is welcome.

Many Texans also hope it's just the beginning.

No evacuations are planned in Nueces County, but some college campuses canceled classes for Friday. Also, the Padre Island National Seashore closed its beaches.