Esperanza "Hope" Andrade of San Antonio is formally the Texas Secretary of State after a public swearing-in ceremony in the Texas House chamber. She was named and sworn in by Gov. Rick Perry a few weeks ago, replacing Phil Wilson, but now she's done the ceremonial thing. Just in time: There are under 50 days left until the general election.

Former Rep. Dianne White Delisi, R-Temple, has been appointed to be a civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army, a posting that makes her an Army liaison to the state Legislature and other groups in the state. That's a non-paying gig.

Luke Bellsnyder, who's been a political consultant, legislative aide (state and federal) and lobbyist, will be the new executive director of the Texas Association of Manufacturers. He's probably best known for the time he spent working for Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano; he was most recently with the Polan-Culley lobby firm.

Add Randall Dillard to Andrade's media office. He was a spokesman for the Texas Department of Transportation before moving to SOS.

Dave Montgomery, who reported on Austin before leaving almost three decades ago for Washington, D.C., is on his way back. He'll move from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's office in the nation's capital back to Texas, taking a spot in a bureau that's currently unpopulated.

Recovering: Former U.S. Rep. Kika de la Garza and his wife, Lucille de la Garza, after a traffic accident in McAllen.

Deaths: International Boundary and Water Commissioner Carlos Marin of El Paso and Rio Grande COG director and former Presidio County Judge Jake Brisbin Jr., in a plane crash while inspecting flooding along the border. Two others, including the pilot, and Marin's Mexican counterpart — Arturo Herrera — also died. The conditions they were inspecting have worsened. Add Presidio County to the official state disaster list. A levy breach along the Rio Grande River there poses a flood threat and the state sent helicopters to help with sandbags and supplies.