Vacant for 11 months, one of Texas’ bluest congressional districts will pick new representative Saturday
By Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune January 29, 2026 HOUSTON — On an overcast Friday afternoon, Amanda Edwards, armed with campaign literature and a wide smile, knocked on voters’ doors to ask for their support. “Amanda Edwards, running to be your next congresswoman!” Edwards, a Democrat, told Steve Kolodziej on his porch in The Heights.…
Read MoreFederal officials close discrimination case over Texas’ distribution of Hurricane Harvey aid
By Alejandra Martinez, The Texas Tribune January 29, 2026 The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has concluded there was “no reasonable cause” to believe Texas officials discriminated based on race or national origin when distributing $1 billion in Hurricane Harvey disaster aid. In a letter closing its civil rights investigation, HUD said earlier…
Read MoreThis newspaper publisher is challenging her fellow Republicans to do better for rural Texas
By Jayme Lozano Carver, The Texas Tribune January 29, 2026 Editor’s note: This story contains explicit language. LUBBOCK — Thirty years ago, Suzanne Bellsnyder was a budding young Republican working in Austin, far from her home in the Texas Panhandle. She was on a mission to push Republicans — the likes of John Cornyn and…
Read MoreCenterPoint Energy: Thank you for helping conserve natural gas during the winter storm — our preparations enabled a resilient response.
With the recent winter weather conditions moving out of the state of Texas, our full-scale monitoring and targeted repair efforts are complete, and our emergency operations have concluded. During subfreezing temperatures, we are proud to say our natural gas systems held strong — thanks to many of you for helping to conserve when temperatures were…
Read MoreTexas Department of Public Safety Office delayed opening and regular opening on 01/29/26
North Texas – Texas Department of Public Safety Offices in Flower Mound, Lewisville, and Carthage will open at 10:00 AM on 01/29/26. All other TXDPS Offices are returning to normal operating hours across North Texas on 01/29/26. Contact your local Texas Department of Public Safety Office regarding rescheduling any canceled appointments.
Read MoreNew Short Story Collection from East Texas Author: “A Book to Live By”
LIVINGSTON, TX, Jan. 29, 2026 M.E. Proctor’s new collection A Book to Live By is now available in print and eBook. Published by Wordwooze Publishing, this is Proctor’s second collection after the positively reviewed Family and Other Ailments released in 2023. In these twenty-four stories, Proctor explores different literary genres. From ‘quiet’ horror to science fiction, fantasy, and magical…
Read MoreWinter storm puts critical chill on Texas blood supply
Carter BloodCare urges community action to help local patients needing lifesaving transfusions DALLAS-FORT WORTH – Jan. 28, 2026 – The winter storm took a toll on the local blood supply. Inclement weather forced Carter BloodCare to cancel mobile blood drives and close donor centers for four days across 59 counties in North, Central and East…
Read MoreTEEA Chili Lunch Rescheduled to Friday, Jan. 30
Due to the winter storm, the Upshur TEEA Chili Luncheon has been moved to Friday 1/30 at the Yamboree Blue Exhibit Building from 11:00am -1:00pm. This is a change from the original date of Wednesday 1/28. The public can either dine in or take it to go. Please contact Julie York at the Texas A&M…
Read MoreMedicare Advantage Insurers Face New Curbs on Overcharges in Trump Plan That Reins in Payments
By Fred Schulte, KFF Health News January 29, 2026 Medicare Advantage health plans are blasting a government proposal this week that would keep their reimbursement rates flat next year while making other payment changes. But some health policy experts say the plan could help reduce billions of dollars in overcharges that have been common in…
Read MoreHer Son’s Injury Never Got Its Day in Vaccine Court. Their Lawyer Is Now Advising RFK on Its Overhaul.
By Maia Rosenfeld January 29, 2026 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — In 2019, after a routine vaccination, 11-year-old Keithron Thomas felt a sharp pain in his shoulder and down his arm. His mother, Melanie Bostic, thought it would go away after a few days. But days turned to weeks, then months, and years. Bostic learned of a…
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