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Rain, Rain, Don't Go Away: 2 To 3 Inches Of Much-Needed Rainfall Covers North Texas

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Keep the umbrellas handy: Rain is in the forecast throughout Friday.

Five stories that have North Texas talking: The rain keeps falling, the pope keeps talking, Skinny the cat isn't so fat, and more.

Did you hear that delightful sound overnight? Raindrops fell all over North Texas. But have your umbrellas handy: Rain is in the forecast throughout the day today. Nearly 3 inches had fallen in Dallas through 8 a.m. D/FW International Airport recorded 1.68 inches. McKinney received nearly an inch of rain. Meanwhile, 2.71 inches fell on Stephenville. The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for parts of Central Texas, south of a line from Goldthwaite to Waco to Athens.

North Texans gave and gave on North Texas Giving Day: The event that benefits nonprofits raised more than $25 million, smashing last year’s total of $14.4 million. North Texans had until midnight yesterday to donate online at donorbridgetx.org. KERA was a participant; in fact, KERA received the highest number of contributions – more than 1,850 people donated a total of $182,000. Thanks for participating and supporting KERA!

The pope speaks – and speaks – and speaks: Last month, Pope Francis sat down over three days for interviews with Jesuit publications. America Magazine, the national Catholic weekly, features the fascinating interview here.  “I am a sinner,” the pope says. “This is the most accurate definition. It is not a figure of speech, a literary genre. I am a sinner.” The Washington Post offers a summary: “He needs community, being with people. It’s why he joined the Jesuits and why he lives in a Vatican residence instead of the Apostolic Palace. … He thinks he might be naïve. He’s made mistakes: said he was too autocratic as a Jesuit provincial superior when he was only 36 and when he couldn’t be bothered to consult.”

Get your drink on at Oktoberfest in Addison: Organizers call it the most authentic Oktoberfest outside of Munich. About 70,000 fans of polka, German food – and beer, of course – will gather in Addison this weekend for the annual festival. Gates open at 6 p.m. today – entrance tonight is $10. The event is open on Saturday from noon until 5 p.m. for $5 and then from 5 p.m. until midnight for $10. On Sunday, gates are open from noon to 5 p.m. for $5.

Meet Skinny the cat that’s not so fat: It’s been a year since Skinny, the overweight tabby, started capturing our hearts – and endless media attention. He was found in the backyard of a Richardson home and taken to the Richardson Animal Shelter. He weighed 42 pounds. Today, he’s lost 15 pounds, thanks in part to an underwater treadmill. His veterinarian and owner, Dr. Brittney Barton, tells The Dallas Morning News that she hopes Skinny will continue to lose more weight. (Speaking of kitties, tune in to "Think" at 1 p.m. Wednesday on KERA Radio, 90.1 FM, for a discussion about cats and how you can be a better friend to your pet.)

Watch Skinny take on the water treadmill:

Eric Aasen is KERA’s managing editor. He helps lead the station's news department, including radio and digital reporters, producers and newscasters. He also oversees keranews.org, the station’s news website, and manages the station's digital news projects. He reports and writes stories for the website and contributes pieces to KERA radio. He's discussed breaking news live on various public radio programs, including The Takeaway, Here & Now and Texas Standard, as well as radio and TV programs in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.